Selection of Transmitter Configuration Indicator State with Respect to Reference Signal in Multi-Transmission / Reception Point Operation
By identifying and applying TCI states based on TRP associations, the method enhances channel estimation accuracy and network performance in multi-TRP operations.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024575283
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2022-06-29
- Publication Date
- 2025-07-10
- Estimated Expiration
- 2042-06-29
AI Technical Summary
In multi-transmit/receive point (TRP) operations, there is no defined behavior for determining a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for reference signals, leading to inaccurate channel estimation and network performance degradation.
A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to establish communication links with multiple TRPs, receive scheduling information for reference signals, and identify respective TCI states based on the association with each TRP, enabling communication according to these states.
Improves network performance by ensuring accurate channel estimation and communication efficiency in multi-TRP scenarios.
Smart Images

Figure 2025521550000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The following relates to wireless communication, including selection of a transmission configuration indicator state for a reference signal in multi-transmission / reception point operation.
Background Art
[0002] Wireless communication systems have been widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, and broadcast. These systems may be able to support communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power). Examples of such multi-connection systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems sometimes referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ techniques such as code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA), or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM). A wireless multi-connection communication system may include one or more base stations each supporting wireless communication for a communication device, sometimes known as a user equipment (UE).
Summary of the Invention
[0003] The described techniques relate to improved methods, systems, devices, and apparatuses that support transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state selection for reference signals in multi-transmit receive point (TRP) operation. In multi-TRP operation, a user equipment (UE) can communicate with a network via two or more TRPs. Each TRP can be associated with a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state that can be indicated to the UE by the network. A UE that has established communication links with the network via two or more TRPs can receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals (e.g., sounding reference signals (SRS) or channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS)). The UE can identify the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals and then communicate with the network according to each identified TCI state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0004] A method for wireless communication at a UE is described. The method can include establishing communication links with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal in the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicating with the network according to each identified TCI state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0005] An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE will be described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to establish a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals, identify respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicate with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0006] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a UE will be described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, means for receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and means for communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0007] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a UE will be described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to establish a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals, identify respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicate with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0008] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a control signal indicating a respective TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals.
[0009] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, wherein the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state.
[0010] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, using control signaling, an indication as to whether each respective TCI state corresponds to a first respective transmission indicator state based on an association of each reference signal of a set of reference signals with a first TRP or a second TRP or respective different transmission indicator states.
[0011] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving control signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving control signaling via a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), wherein the control signaling replaces a previous indication of respective TCI states for a set of reference signals.
[0012] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, receiving control signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving control signaling via a radio resource control (RRC) message.
[0013] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a downlink control information (DCI) message including respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, and identifying a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals may be based on the respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0014] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, and identifying a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0015] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, identifying a TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one of a first TCI state or a second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals based on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0016] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a set of sounding reference signals (SRS) according to the respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRS.
[0017] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with a network according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a set of CSI-RS according to each respective TCI state identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RS.
[0018] A method for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The method may include establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, identifying, for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0019] An apparatus for wireless communication at a network entity is described. The apparatus may include a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions may be executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to establish a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, transmit scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, identify, for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicate with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0020] Another apparatus for wireless communication in a network entity will be described. The apparatus may include means for establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, means for transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, means for identifying a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and means for communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0021] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a network entity will be described. The code may include instructions executable by a processor to establish a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, transmit scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, identify a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicate with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0022] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting to the UE a control signal indicating a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0023] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, and the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state.
[0024] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting, using control signaling, an indication as to whether each respective TCI state corresponds to a first respective transmission indicator state based on an association of each reference signal of a set of reference signals with a first TRP or a second TRP or each respective different transmission indicator state.
[0025] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, transmitting control signaling may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting control signaling via a MAC-CE, where the control signaling replaces a previous indication of each respective TCI state for a set of reference signals.
[0026] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting control signaling via an RRC message.
[0027] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting to a UE a DCI message including a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, and identifying each respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals may be based on the respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0028] Some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, and for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, identifying a respective TCI state includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0029] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, identifying a TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals based on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0030] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with a UE according to respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving a set of SRS according to respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRS.
[0031] In some examples of the methods, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable media described herein, communicating with a UE according to respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals may include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a set of CSI-RS according to respective TCI states identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RS.
Brief Description of the Drawings
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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention
[0033] In some wireless communication systems, a user equipment (UE) may communicate with a network via two or more transmit / receive points (TRPs) (e.g., multi-TRP operation). Each TRP may be associated with a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state that may be indicated to the UE by the network. A UE communicating with the network in multi-TRP operation may transmit or receive a reference signal via a plurality of TRPs. For example, the UE may transmit a sounding reference signal (SRS), or the UE may receive a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) from a TRP. Currently, there is no defined behavior for determining a unified TCI state applied to the transmission or reception of reference signals in multi-TRP operation. If this problem is not addressed, the channel estimation values based on these reference signals may be inaccurate and may lead to a degradation of network performance.
[0034] A UE that has established a communication link with a network via two or more TRPs may receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals (e.g., SRS or CSI-RS). The UE may identify the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals, and then communicate with the network in accordance with the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals. In some cases, the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals may be indicated by control signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or downlink control information (DCI) message). In some cases, the control signaling (e.g., DCI message) that schedules or activates the set of reference signals may indicate the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals. In some cases, the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals may be based on the TRP associated with each of the respective reference signals (which may be indicated in the control signaling that schedules or activates the set of reference signals). In some cases, the UE may determine the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals based on configured rules. For example, the rule may define which TCI state should be applied to which reference signal based on the order of the reference signals.
[0035] Aspects of the present disclosure are first described in the context of a wireless communication system. Aspects of the present disclosure are further illustrated by, and described with reference to, process flows, apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts related to TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation.
[0036] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communication system 100 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 100 may include one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may be a network that operates according to a Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or other systems and wireless technologies including future systems and wireless technologies not explicitly recited herein.
[0037] The network entities 105 may be distributed across a geographic area to form the wireless communication system 100 and may include devices of different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, the network entities 105 may be referred to as network elements, mobility elements, radio access network (RAN) nodes, or network equipment, among other nomenclatures. In some examples, the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may communicate wirelessly via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., radio frequency (RF) access links). For example, each network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish one or more communication links 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which the network entity 105 and the UEs 115 may support communication of signals by one or more radio access technologies (RATs).
[0038] UE 115 may be distributed throughout the coverage area 110 of the wireless communication system 100, and each UE 115 can be stationary or mobile or both at different times. UE 115 can be devices of different forms or devices with different capabilities. Some exemplary UE 115 are shown in FIG. 1. The UE 115 described herein can support communicating with various types of devices, such as other UE 115 or network entities 105, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0039] As described herein, the nodes of the wireless communication system 100, which may be referred to as network nodes or wireless nodes, can be network entities 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein), UEs 115 (e.g., any UE described herein), network controllers, devices, apparatuses, computing systems, one or more components, or any other suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, the node can be a UE 115. As another example, the node can be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node can be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node can be a UE 115, the second node can be a network entity 105, and the third node can be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node can be a network entity 105, the second node can be a network entity 105, and the third node can be a UE 115. In still another aspect of this example, the first node, the second node, and the third node can be different from these examples. Similarly, references to UEs 115, network entities 105, devices, apparatuses, computing systems, etc. can include the disclosure of UEs 115, network entities 105, devices, apparatuses, computing systems, etc. that are nodes. For example, the disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.
[0040] In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130, communicate with each other, or communicate with both. For example, network entity 105 may communicate with core network 130 via one or more backhaul communication links 120 (e.g., in accordance with S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with each other either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via core network 130) via backhaul communication link 120 (e.g., in accordance with X2, Xn, or other interface protocols). In some examples, network entity 105 may communicate with each other via midhole communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with midhole interface protocol) or fronthole communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with fronthole interface protocol), or any combination thereof. Backhaul communication link 120, midhole communication link 162, or fronthole communication link 168 may be, among other examples or various combinations thereof, one or more wired links (e.g., electrical link, optical fiber link), one or more wireless links (e.g., wireless link, wireless optical link), or may include them. UE115 may communicate with core network 130 via communication link 155.
[0041] One or more of the network entities 105 described in this specification may include a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB), a next-generation NodeB or a giga NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB), a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB), a home NodeB, a home eNodeB, or other suitable terms), or may be referred to as the base station 140. In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., the base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, stand-alone) base station architecture configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within a single network entity 105 (e.g., a single RAN node such as the base station 140).
[0042] In some examples, network entity 105 can be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., disaggregated base station architecture, disaggregated RAN architecture), such as an integrated access backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance), or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., cloud RAN (C-RAN)), and can be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among two or more network entities 105. For example, network entity 105 can include one or more of a central unit (CU) 160, a distributed unit (DU) 165, a radio unit (RU) 170, a RAN intelligent controller (RIC) 175 (e.g., Near-Real Time RIC, Non-Real Time RIC), a service management and orchestration (SMO) 180 system, or any combination thereof. RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH), a remote radio unit (RRU), or a transmit receive point (TRP). One or more components of network entity 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture can be co-located, or one or more components of network entity 105 can be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations). In some examples, one or more network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture can be implemented as virtual units (e.g., virtual CU (VCU), virtual DU (VDU), virtual RU (VRU)).
[0043] The functional split between CU160, DU165, and RU170 is flexible and can support different functions depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, and any combination thereof) are executed in CU160, DU165, or RU170. For example, the functional split of the protocol stack can be adopted between CU160 and DU165 such that CU160 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack and DU165 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, CU160 can host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3), layer 2 (L2)) functions and signaling (e.g., radio resource control (RRC), service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP)). CU160 can be connected to one or more DU165 or RU170, and one or more DU165 or RU170 can host lower protocol layers such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, media access control (MAC) layer) functions and signaling, each of which can be at least partially controlled by CU160. Additionally or alternatively, the functional split of the protocol stack can be adopted between DU165 and RU170 such that DU165 can support one or more layers of the protocol stack and RU170 can support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. DU165 can support one or more different cells (e.g., via one or more RU170). In some cases, the functional split between CU160 and DU165 or between DU165 and RU170 can be within the protocol layer (e.g., some functions for the protocol layer can be executed by one of CU160, DU165, or RU170, while other functions of the protocol layer are executed by a different one of CU160, DU165, or RU170). CU160 can be further functionally split into a CU control plane (CU-CP) function and a CU user plane (CU-UP) function.CU160 can be connected to one or more DUs 165 via a midhole communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u), and the DU 165 can be connected to one or more RUs 170 via a fronthole communication link 168 (e.g., an open fronthole (FH) interface). In some examples, the midhole communication link 162 or the fronthole communication link 168 can be implemented according to an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by each network entity 105 communicating via such a communication link.
[0044] In a wireless communication system (e.g., wireless communication system 100), the infrastructure and spectrum resources for wireless access can supplement a wired backhaul connection to support wireless backhaul link capabilities and provide an IAB network architecture (e.g., to core network 130). In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) may be partially controlled by each other. One or more IAB nodes 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or IAB donor. One or more DUs 165 or one or more RUs 170 may be partially controlled by one or more CUs 160 associated with a donor network entity 105 (e.g., donor base station 140). One or more donor network entities 105 (e.g., IAB donors) can communicate with one or more additional network entities 105 (e.g., IAB nodes 104) via supported access links and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link 120). The IAB node 104 may include an IAB mobile terminal (IAB-MT) that is controlled (e.g., scheduled) by the DU 165 of the associated IAB donor. The IAB-MT may include an independent set of antennas for relaying communication with the UE 115, or may share the same antennas of the IAB node 104 (e.g., of the RU 170) used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node 104 (e.g., called a virtual IAB-MT (VIaB-MT)). In some examples, the IAB node 104 can include a DU 165 that supports communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node 104, UE 115) in the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream). In such cases, one or more components of a non-agglomerated RAN architecture (e.g., one or more IAB nodes 104 or components of the IAB node 104) can be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.
[0045] For example, an access network (AN) or RAN may include communication between an access node (e.g., an IAB donor), an IAB node 104, and one or more UEs 115. The IAB donor may facilitate the connection between the core network 130 and the AN (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130). That is, the IAB donor can refer to a RAN node having a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130. The IAB donor may include a CU 160 and at least one DU 165 (e.g., further including a RU 170), in which case the CU 160 may communicate with the core network 130 via an interface (e.g., a backhaul link). The IAB donor and the IAB node 104 may communicate via an F1 interface according to a protocol that defines signaling messages (e.g., the F1 AP protocol). Additionally or alternatively, the CU 160 may communicate with the core network via an interface, which may be an example of a part of a backhaul link, and may communicate with other CUs 160 (e.g., those associated with alternative IAB donors) via an Xn-C interface, which may be an example of a part of a backhaul link.
[0046] The IAB node 104 can refer to a RAN node that provides IAB functions (e.g., access to the UE 115, wireless cell self-backhaul capability). The DU 165 can function as a distributed scheduling node for child nodes associated with the IAB node 104, and the IAB-MT can function as a scheduled node for a parent node associated with the IAB node 104. That is, an IAB donor can be referred to as a parent node that communicates with one or more child nodes (e.g., the IAB donor can relay transmissions for the UE via one or more other IAB nodes 104). Additionally or alternatively, the IAB node 104 can also be referred to as a parent node or a child node for other IAB nodes 104, depending on the relay chain or configuration of the AN. Thus, the IAB-MT entity of the IAB node 104 can provide a Uu interface for the child IAB node 104 to receive signaling from the parent IAB node 104, and the DU interface (e.g., DU 165) can provide a Uu interface for the parent IAB node 104 to signal to the child IAB node 104 or the UE 115.
[0047] For example, the IAB node 104 can be referred to as a parent node that supports the communication of child IAB nodes, or can be referred to as a child IAB node associated with an IAB donor, or both. The IAB donor can include a CU 160 having a wired or wireless connection to the core network 130 (e.g., a backhaul communication link 120) and can function as a parent node for the IAB node 104. For example, the DU 165 of the IAB donor can relay transmissions to the UE 115 via the IAB node 104, or can directly signal transmissions to the UE 115, or both. The CU 160 of the IAB donor can signal the IAB node 104 to establish a communication link via the F1 interface, and the IAB node 104 can schedule transmissions (e.g., transmissions to the UE 115 relayed from the IAB donor) via the DU 165. That is, data can be relayed between the IAB node 104 via signaling over the NR Uu interface to the MT of the IAB node 104. The communication with the IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU 165 of the IAB donor, or the communication with the IAB node 104 may be scheduled by the DU 165 of the IAB node 104.
[0048] In the case of the techniques described herein, applied in the context of a non - aggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the non - aggregated RAN architecture can be configured to support the selection of TCI states for reference signals in the multi - TRP operation described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by the UE 115 or the network entity 105 (e.g., the base station 140) can be performed, additionally or alternatively, by one or more components of the non - aggregated RAN architecture (e.g., the IAB node 104, the DU 165, the CU 160, the RU 170, the RIC 175, the SMO 180).
[0049] UE115 may include, or may be referred to as, a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable term, and "device" may also be referred to as, among other examples, a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client. UE115 may also include, or may be referred to as, a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, UE115 may be implemented in various articles such as, among other examples, consumer electronics, or vehicles, meters, etc., and may include, among other examples, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, any Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, or may be referred to as such.
[0050] As shown in FIG. 1, the UE115 described herein may be able to act as a relay with other UE115s that may also act as relays, and may be able to communicate with various types of devices such as network entity 105 and network equipment, including, among various examples, a macro eNB or gNB, a small cell eNB or gNB, or a relay base station.
[0051] UE115 and network entity 105 may communicate wirelessly with each other via one or more communication links 125 (e.g., access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term "carrier" may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined physical layer structure for supporting communication link 125. For example, the carrier used for communication link 125 may include a portion (e.g., bandwidth part (BWP)) of an RF spectrum band operating according to one or more physical layer channels for a given radio access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR). Each physical layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information), control signaling for coordinating operations on the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communication system 100 may support communication with UE115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. UE115 may be composed of a plurality of downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used for both frequency division duplexing (FDD) component carriers and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between a device and any part (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of network entity 105. For example, when referring to network entity 105, the terms "transmit", "receive", or "communicate" may refer to any part of network entity 105 of the RAN that communicates with another device (e.g., directly, or via one or more other network entities 105) (e.g., base station 140, CU160, DU165, RU170).
[0052] In some examples, such as carrier aggregation configurations, a carrier may also have acquisition signaling or control signaling that coordinates its operation with respect to other carriers. A carrier may be associated with a frequency channel (e.g., evolved universal mobile telecommunication system terrestrial radio access (E-UTRA) absolute radio frequency channel number (EARFCN)) and may be identified according to a channel raster for detection by UE115. A carrier may operate in a stand-alone mode in which initial acquisition and connection may be performed by UE115 via the carrier, or the carrier may operate in a non-stand-alone mode in which the connection is anchored using different carriers (e.g., of the same or different radio access technologies).
[0053] The communication link 125 shown in the wireless communication system 100 may include, among other transmission configurations, a downlink transmission (e.g., forward link transmission) from the network entity 105 to UE115, an uplink transmission (e.g., reverse link transmission) from UE115 to the network entity 105, or both. A carrier may carry downlink communication or uplink communication (e.g., in FDD mode) or may be configured to carry downlink communication and uplink communication (e.g., in TDD mode).
[0054] A carrier may be associated with a particular bandwidth of the RF spectrum. In some examples, the carrier bandwidth may be referred to as the "system bandwidth" of the carrier or the wireless communication system 100. For example, the carrier bandwidth may be one of a set of carrier bandwidths of a particular radio access technology (e.g., 1.4, 3, 5, 10, 15, 20, 40, or 80 megahertz (MHz)). A device of the wireless communication system 100 (e.g., the network entity 105, the UE 115, or both) may have a hardware configuration that supports communication using a particular carrier bandwidth or may be configurable to support communication using one of a set of carrier bandwidths. In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 may include the network entity 105 or the UE 115 that supports simultaneous communication using carriers associated with multiple carrier bandwidths. In some examples, each served UE 115 may be configured to operate using a portion (e.g., a sub-band, a BWP) or all of the carrier bandwidth.
[0055] The signal waveform transmitted via a carrier may be composed of a plurality of subcarriers (e.g., using a multi-carrier modulation (MCM) technique such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM)). In a system adopting an MCM technique, a resource element may refer to the resource of one symbol period (e.g., the duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier. In this case, the symbol period and the subcarrier spacing may be inversely proportional. The amount of bits carried by each resource element may correspond to a relatively higher amount of the resource element (e.g., the transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of the modulation scheme for a relatively higher communication rate and may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both). Wireless communication resources may refer to a combination of RF spectrum resources, time resources, and space resources (e.g., spatial layers or beams). The use of multiple space resources may further enhance the data rate or data integrity for communication with UE115.
[0056] One or more numerologies for a carrier may be supported. The numerology may include a subcarrier spacing (Δf) and a cyclic prefix. A carrier may be divided into one or more BWPs having the same or different numerologies. In some examples, UE115 may be composed of multiple BWPs. In some embodiments, a single BWP for a carrier may be active at a given time, and communication for UE115 may be restricted to one or more active BWPs.
[0057] The time interval for network entity 105 or UE115 is, for example, T s =1 / (Δf max ·N f) may refer to a sampling period of seconds, may be represented in a multiple unit of a basic time unit, where Δf max may represent the supported subcarrier spacing, and N f may represent the supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. The time intervals of communication resources can be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms)). Each radio frame can be identified by a system frame number (e.g., in the range from 0 to 1023).
[0058] Each frame may include a plurality of consecutively numbered sub-frames or slots, and each sub-frame or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided into sub-frames (e.g., in the time domain), and each sub-frame may be further divided into a number of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable amount of slots, and the number of slots may depend on the subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a certain amount of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period). In some wireless communication systems 100, a slot may be further divided into a plurality of mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., N f number) of sampling periods. The duration of the symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or the frequency band of operation.
[0059] A subframe, slot, mini-slot, or symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of a wireless communication system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI). In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., the amount of symbol periods within a TTI) may be variable. Additionally or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communication system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., within a burst of shortened TTIs (sTTIs)).
[0060] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using carriers according to various techniques. The physical control channel and the physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling over a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region for a physical control channel (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET)) may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may span the system bandwidth of a carrier or a subset of the system bandwidth. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search a control region for control information according to one or more search space sets, each search space set including one or more control channel candidates at one or more aggregation levels configured in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to the amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs)) associated with the encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. The search space set may include a common search space set configured to send control information to a plurality of UEs 115 and a UE-specific search space set for sending control information to a specific UE 115.
[0061] Network entity 105 may provide communication coverage via one or more cells, such as macro cells, small cells, hotspots, or other types of cells, or any combination thereof. The term "cell" may refer to a logical communication entity used for communication with network entity 105 (e.g., using a carrier), and may be associated with an identifier (e.g., physical cell identifier (PCID), virtual cell identifier (VCID), or others) for distinguishing neighboring cells. In some examples, a cell may also refer to a coverage area 110 in which the logical communication entity operates or a portion (e.g., a sector) of coverage area 110. Such cells may range from smaller areas (e.g., structures, subsets of structures) to larger areas depending on various factors such as the capabilities of network entity 105. For example, a cell may be, among other things, a building, a subset of a building, or an external space that is between or overlaps coverage areas 110, or may include them.
[0062] A macro cell generally covers a relatively large geographical area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may enable unrestricted access by a UE 115 subscribed to the services of a network provider that supports the macro cell. A small cell may be associated with a low-power network entity 105 (e.g., a low-power base station 140) compared to the macro cell, and the small cell may operate using the same or a different (e.g., licensed, unlicensed, etc.) frequency band than the macro cell. The small cell may provide unrestricted access to a UE 115 subscribed to the services of the network provider, or may provide restricted access to a UE 115 associated with the small cell (e.g., a UE 115 within a closed subscriber group (CSG), a UE 115 associated with a user within a home or office). The network entity 105 may support one or more cells and may also support communication via one or more cells using one or more component carriers.
[0063] In some examples, a carrier may be able to support multiple cells, and different cells may be configured according to different protocol types (e.g., MTC, narrowband IoT (NB-IoT), enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB)) that may provide access to different types of devices.
[0064] In some examples, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) can be movable and thus can provide communication coverage for the moving coverage area 110. In some examples, different coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies may overlap, but different coverage areas 110 can be supported by the same network entity 105. In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas 110 associated with different technologies can be supported by different network entities 105. The wireless communication system 100 can include a heterogeneous network in which, for example, different types of network entities 105 provide coverage for various coverage areas 110 using the same or different radio access technologies.
[0065] The wireless communication system 100 may support synchronous operation or asynchronous operation. In the case of synchronous operation, the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140) may have similar frame timing, and transmissions from different network entities 105 may be approximately time-aligned. In the case of asynchronous operation, the network entity 105 may have different frame timing, and in some examples, transmissions from different network entities 105 may not be time-aligned. The techniques described herein may be used for either synchronous operation or asynchronous operation.
[0066] Some UEs 115, such as MTC devices or IoT devices, may be low-cost or low-complexity devices and can provide automated communication between machines (e.g., via Machine-to-Machine (M2M) communication). M2M communication or MTC may refer to a data communication technology that enables devices to communicate with each other or with a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) without human intervention. In some examples, M2M communication or MTC may include communication from a device that incorporates sensors or meters to measure or capture information and relay that information to a central server or application program that uses such information or presents such information to a human who interacts with the application program. Some UEs 115 may be designed to collect information or enable automated behavior of machines or other devices. Examples of applications of MTC devices include smart metering, inventory monitoring, water level monitoring, equipment monitoring, healthcare monitoring, wildlife monitoring, weather and geological event monitoring, fleet management and tracking, remote security detection, physical access control, and transaction-based business billing.
[0067] Some UEs 115 may be configured to adopt an operation mode that reduces power consumption, such as half-duplex communication (e.g., a mode that supports one-way communication via transmission or reception but does not support transmission and reception simultaneously). In some examples, half-duplex communication may be performed at a reduced peak rate. Other power-saving techniques for UEs 115 include entering a power-saving deep sleep mode when not involved in active communication, operating using a limited bandwidth (e.g., in accordance with narrowband communication), or a combination of these techniques. For example, some UEs 115 may be configured for operation using a narrowband protocol type associated with a defined portion or range within a carrier, within a guard band of a carrier, or outside of a carrier (e.g., a set of subcarriers or resource blocks (RBs)).
[0068] The wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable communication or low-latency communication, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communication system 100 can be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC). The UE 115 can be designed to support ultra-reliability, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communication can include private communication or group communication and can be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, data, etc. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions can include prioritization of services, and such services can be used for public safety or general commercial use. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency can be used interchangeably herein.
[0069] In some examples, UE 115 may be configured to communicate directly with other UEs 115 via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link 135 (e.g., according to a peer-to-peer (P2P), D2D, or sidelink protocol). In some examples, one or more UEs 115 in a group performing D2D communication may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), which may support such D2D communication modes configured (e.g., scheduled) by the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 within such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of the network entity 105 or, otherwise, may not be able to receive or may not be configured to receive transmissions from the network entity 105. In some examples, a group of UEs 115 communicating via D2D communication may support a one-to-many (1:M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to all other UEs 115 within the group. In some examples, the network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communication. In some other examples, D2D communication may be performed between UEs 115 without the involvement of the network entity 105.
[0070] In some systems, the D2D communication link 135 can be an example of a communication channel, such as a sidelink communication channel, between vehicles (e.g., UE 115). In some examples, vehicles can communicate using vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, or some combination thereof. Vehicles can signal information related to traffic conditions, signal scheduling, weather, safety, emergencies, or any other information related to the V2X system. In some examples, the V2X system can communicate with a roadside infrastructure, such as a roadside unit, and / or a network via one or more network nodes (e.g., network entity 105, base station 140, RU 170) using vehicle-to-network (V2N), and / or both.
[0071] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access functions, routing functions, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or a 5G core (5GC), and the evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC) may include at least one control plane entity (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME), an access and mobility management function (AMF)) that manages access and mobility, and at least one user plane entity (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW), a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW), or a user plane function (UPF)) that routes packets or interconnects to an external network. The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UE 115 served by the network entity 105 (e.g., the base station 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through a user plane entity that may provide IP address allocation and other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to an IP service 150 for one or more network operators. The IP service 150 may include access to the Internet, an intranet(s), an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), or a packet-switched streaming service.
[0072] The wireless communication system 100 can operate using one or more frequency bands that can be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz). Generally, the region of 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or the decimeter band because the wavelength ranges from about one decimeter to one meter. UHF waves can be blocked or redirected by building and environmental characteristics, which may be called clusters, but the waves can penetrate structures well enough for the macrocell to provide service to the UE 115 located indoors. Communication using UHF waves can be associated with smaller antennas and shorter distances (e.g., less than 100 kilometers) compared to communication using lower frequencies and longer waves in the short-wave (HF: high frequency) or very high frequency (VHF) portions of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
[0073] The wireless communication system 100 can also operate using the super high frequency (SHF) band, also known as the centimeter band, which can be in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz, or using the extremely high frequency (EHF) band of the spectrum, also known as the millimeter band (e.g., 30 GHz to 300 GHz). In some examples, the wireless communication system 100 can support millimeter wave (mmW) communication between the UE 115 and the network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170), and the EHF antennas of each device can be smaller and more closely spaced than UHF antennas. In some examples, such techniques can facilitate the use of antenna arrays within a device. However, EHF transmissions may experience even greater attenuation and may have shorter ranges than SHF or UHF transmissions. The techniques disclosed herein may be employed across transmissions using one or more different frequency bands, and the designated use of bands across these frequency bands may vary by country or regulatory body.
[0074] Wireless communication system 100 can use both authorized and unauthorized RF spectrum bands. For example, wireless communication system 100 can use an unauthorized band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band to utilize License Assisted Access (LAA), LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) radio access technology, or NR technology. While operating using the unauthorized RF spectrum band, devices such as network entity 105 and UE 115 can employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, the operation using the unauthorized band can be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in cooperation with a component carrier operating using an authorized band (e.g., LAA). The operation using the unauthorized spectrum can include, among other examples, downlink transmission, uplink transmission, P2P transmission, or D2D transmission.
[0075] The network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) or UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas that can be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, or beamforming. The antennas of the network entity 105 or UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels that can support MIMO operation or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be placed together in an antenna assembly such as an antenna tower. In some examples, the antennas or antenna arrays associated with the network entity 105 may be located in diverse geographical locations. The network entity 105 may include an antenna array having a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 can use to support beamforming for communication with the UE 115. Similarly, the UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that can support various MIMO operations or beamforming operations. Additionally or alternatively, the antenna panel may support RF beamforming for signals transmitted via the antenna ports.
[0076] Network entity 105 or UE 115 may use MIMO communication to utilize multipath signal propagation and increase spectral efficiency by transmitting or receiving multiple signals via different spatial layers. Such a technique may be referred to as spatial multiplexing. Multiple signals may be transmitted by a transmitting device via, for example, different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Similarly, multiple signals may be received by a receiving device via different antennas or different combinations of antennas. Each of the multiple signals may be referred to as a separate spatial stream and may carry information associated with the same data stream (e.g., the same codeword) or different data streams (e.g., different codewords). The different spatial layers may be associated with different antenna ports used for channel measurement and reporting. MIMO techniques include single-user MIMO (SU-MIMO) where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to the same receiving device, and multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO) where multiple spatial layers are transmitted to multiple devices.
[0077] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that can be used in a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., network entity 105, UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmitting beam, a receiving beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming can be achieved by combining signals communicated through antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along a specific direction undergo constructive interference while other signals undergo destructive interference. Adjustment of the signals communicated through the antenna elements may include the transmitting device or the receiving device applying an amplitude offset, a phase offset, or both, to the signals carried through the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustment associated with each of the antenna elements can be defined by a set of beamforming weights associated with a specific direction (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or the receiving device, or with respect to some other direction).
[0078] Network entity 105 or UE 115 may use a beam sweeping technique as part of a beamforming operation. For example, network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to perform a beamforming operation for directional communication with UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted multiple times by network entity 105 along different directions. For example, network entity 105 may transmit signals according to different sets of beamforming weights associated with different directions of transmission. Transmission along different beam directions can be used to identify the beam directions for subsequent transmission or reception by network entity 105 (e.g., by a transmitting device such as network entity 105, or by a receiving device such as UE 115).
[0079] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, can be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., transmitting network entity 105, transmitting UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with a receiving device such as receiving network entity 105 or receiving UE 115). In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmission along a single beam direction can be determined based on signals transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by network entity 105 along different directions, and may report to network entity 105 an indication of the signal that UE 115 received with the highest signal quality or other acceptable signal quality.
[0080] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by network entity 105 or UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from network entity 105 to UE 115). UE 115 may report feedback indicating precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to the system bandwidth or a configured set of beams over one or more subbands. Network entity 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS), CSI-RS) that may be precoded or ampliconed. UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection that may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook). These techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted by network entity 105 (e.g., base station 140, RU 170) along one or more directions, but UE 115 may employ similar techniques to transmit signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., to identify beam directions for subsequent transmission or reception by UE 115), or to transmit signals along a single direction (e.g., to transmit data to a receiving device).
[0081] A receiving device (e.g., UE 115) can perform a receiving operation according to a plurality of receiving configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals from a network entity (e.g., network entity 105), such as a synchronization signal, a reference signal, a beam selection signal, or other control signals. For example, the receiving device can perform reception according to a plurality of reception directions by receiving different antenna sub-arrays, by processing signals received according to different antenna sub-arrays, by receiving according to different reception beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at a plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array, or by processing signals received according to different reception beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at a plurality of antenna elements of the antenna array, any of which can be referred to as "listening" according to different receiving configurations or reception directions. In some examples, the receiving device can use a single receiving configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal). The single receiving configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receiving configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have the highest signal strength, the highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), or an acceptable signal quality based on listening by a plurality of beam directions).
[0082] The wireless communication system 100 can be a packet-based network that operates according to a hierarchical protocol stack. In the user plane, communication in the bearer or PDCP layer can be IP-based. The RLC layer can perform packet segmentation and reassembly to communicate via logical channels. The MAC layer can perform prioritization and multiplexing of logical channels onto transport channels. The MAC layer can also implement error detection techniques, error correction techniques, or both to support retransmission and improve link efficiency. In the control plane, the RRC layer can provide establishment, configuration, and maintenance of the RR connection between the UE 115 and the network entity 105, or the core network 130 that supports the radio bearers for user plane data. The PHY layer can map transport channels to physical channels.
[0083] The UE 115 and the network entity 105 can support retransmission of data to increase the likelihood that the data is successfully received. Hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) feedback is one technique for increasing the likelihood that data is correctly received over a communication link (e.g., communication link 125, D2D communication link 135). HARQ can include a combination of error detection (e.g., using cyclic redundancy check (CRC)), forward error correction (FEC), and retransmission (e.g., automatic repeat request (ARQ)). HARQ can improve throughput in the MAC layer under poor radio conditions (e.g., low signal-to-noise conditions). In some examples, a device may support same-slot HARQ feedback, in which case the device can provide HARQ feedback for data received via previous symbols in a particular slot, in that slot. In some other examples, a device may provide HARQ feedback in a subsequent slot or according to some other time interval.
[0084] In the wireless communication system 100, the UE 115 can communicate with the network via two or more TRPs. The wireless communication system 100 can apply a unified TCI state framework. In some cases, three types of unified TCI states can be defined. The first type of TCI state (e.g., type 1) can include a joint TCI state for indicating a common beam for at least one downlink channel or reference signal (e.g., including UE-specific physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), UE-specific physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), UE-specific physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), and UE-specific physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)) and at least one uplink channel or reference signal. The second type of TCI state (e.g., type 2) can include a downlink TCI state for indicating a common beam for two or more downlink channels or reference signals (e.g., including at least UE-specific PDCCH and UE-specific PDSCH). The third type of TCI state (e.g., type 3) can include an uplink TCI state for indicating a common beam for two or more uplink channels or reference signals (e.g., including at least UE-specific PUCCH and UE-specific PUSCH). For example, the network can indicate multiple downlink or uplink states for multiple TRPs to the UE 115.
[0085] In some cases, uplink precoding instructions for PUSCH may be specified to facilitate simultaneous multi-panel uplink transmission (e.g., focusing on FR2 and multi-TRP) for higher uplink throughput and reliability, and no new codebook is introduced for multi-panel simultaneous transmission. In some cases, considering single DCI and multi-DCI based multi-TRP operation, the total number of layers can be at most 4 across all panels, and the total number of codewords can be at most 2 across all panels. In some cases, uplink beam instructions for PUCCH or PUSCH may be specified to facilitate simultaneous multi-panel uplink transmission (e.g., focusing on FR2 and multi-TRP) for higher uplink throughput and reliability, and a unified TCI framework can be assumed considering single DCI and multi-DCI based multi-TRP operation. In the case of multi-DCI based multi-TRP operation, in some examples, only PUSCH+PUSCH or PUCCH+PUCCH can be transmitted across two panels within the same component carrier. In some cases, timing advance for uplink multi-DCI for multi-TRP operation may be specified. In some cases, power control for uplink single DCI for multi-TRP operation may be applied.
[0086] In multi-TRP operation, each TRP can be associated with a TCI state that can be indicated to UE115 by the network. UE115 communicating with the network in multi-TRP operation can transmit or receive reference signals via multiple TRPs. In some cases, reference signals such as SRS or CSI-RS can be indicated using a beam different from the beam for another channel such as PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, or PUCCH. In some cases, reference signals such as SRS or CSI-RS associated with a TRP for UE115 in multi-TRP operation can be indicated using a beam associated with another TRP.
[0087] In some cases, a UE that has established a communication link with a network via two or more TRPs may receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals (e.g., SRS or CSI-RS). UE 115 may identify the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals, and then communicate with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals. In some cases, the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals may be indicated by control signaling (e.g., RRC signaling, MAC-CE, or DCI message). In some cases, the control signaling (e.g., DCI message) that schedules or activates the set of reference signals may indicate the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals. In some cases, the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals may be based on the TRP associated with each of the respective reference signals (which may be indicated in the control signaling that schedules or activates the set of reference signals). In some cases, UE 115 may determine the TCI state to be applied to each respective reference signal in the set of reference signals based on configured rules. For example, the rules may define which TCI state should be applied to which reference signal based on the order of the reference signals.
[0088] FIG. 2 shows an example of a network architecture 200 (e.g., a non - centralized base station architecture, a non - centralized RAN architecture) that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi - TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The network architecture 200 may represent an example for implementing one or more aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The network architecture 200 may communicate directly with the core network 130 - a via a backhaul communication link 120 - a or indirectly communicate with the core network 130 - a via one or more non - centralized network entities 105 (e.g., a quasi - RT RIC 175 - b via an E2 link, or a non - RT RIC 175 - a associated with an SMO 180 - a (e.g., an SMO framework), or both), and may include one or more CUs 160 - a. The CU 160 - a may communicate with one or more DUs 165 - a via respective mid - haul communication links 162 - a (e.g., an F1 interface). The DU 165 - a may communicate with one or more RUs 170 - a via respective front - haul communication links 168 - a. The RU 170 - a may be associated with respective coverage areas 110 - a and may communicate with the UE 115 - a via one or more communication links 125 - a. In some implementations, the UE 115 - a may be served simultaneously by multiple RUs 170 - a.
[0089] Each of the network entities 105 (e.g., CU160-a, DU165-a, RU170-a, non-RT RIC175-a, quasi-RT RIC175-b, SMO180-a, Open Cloud (O-Cloud) 205, Open eNBs (O-eNBs) 210) of the network architecture 200 may include one or more interfaces or may be coupled to one or more interfaces configured to receive or transmit signals (e.g., data, information) via a wired or wireless transmission medium. An associated processor that provides instructions to each network 105 or the interfaces of the network entity 105 may be configured to communicate with one or more of the other network entities 105 via the transmission medium. For example, the network entity 105 may include a wired interface configured to receive or transmit signals to one or more of the other network entities 105 via a wired transmission medium. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity 105 may include a wireless interface that may include a receiver, a transmitter, or a transceiver (such as an RF transceiver), and the wireless interface is configured to receive or transmit signals, or both, to one or more of the other network entities 105 via a wireless transmission medium.
[0090] In some examples, CU160-a may host one or more upper layer control functions. Such control functions may include RRC, PDCP, SDAP, etc. Each control function may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other control functions hosted by CU160-a. CU160-a may be configured to handle user plane functions (e.g., CU-UP), control plane functions (e.g., CU-CP), or a combination thereof. In some examples, CU160-a may be logically divided into one or more CU-UP units and one or more CU-CP units. The CU-UP units may communicate bi-directionally with the CU-CP units via an interface such as an E1 interface when implemented in an O-RAN configuration. CU160-a may be implemented to communicate with DU165-a as needed for network control and signaling.
[0091] Each DU165-a may correspond to a logical unit that includes one or more functions (base station functions, RAN functions) for controlling the operation of one or more RU170-a. In some examples, DU165-a may at least partially host one or more of the RLC layer, MAC layer, and aspects of one or more PHY layers (e.g., upper PHY layers such as modules for FEC encoding and decoding, scrambling, modulation and demodulation, etc.) according to at least partial functional splitting as defined by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)). In some examples, DU165-a may further host one or more lower PHY layers. Each layer (or module) may be implemented using an interface configured to communicate signals with other layers hosted by DU165-a or with control functions hosted by CU160-a.
[0092] In some examples, the lower layer functions may be implemented by one or more RU170-a. For example, the RU170-a controlled by the DU165-a may correspond to a logical node that hosts an RF processing function, or a low PHY layer function (e.g., performing fast Fourier transform (FFT), inverse FFT (iFFT), digital beamforming, physical random access channel (PRACH) extraction and filtering, etc.), or both, at least partially based on a function split such as a lower layer function split. In such an architecture, the RU170-a may be implemented to handle over-the-air (OTA) communication with one or more UE115-a. In some implementations, the real-time and non-real-time aspects of control and user plane communication with the RU(s) 170-a may be controlled by the corresponding DU165-a. In some examples, such a configuration may enable the implementation of the DU165-a and the CU160-a in a cloud-based RAN architecture such as a vRAN architecture.
[0093] SMO180-a can be configured to support the RAN deployment and provisioning of non-virtualized and virtualized network entities 105. In the case of non-virtualized network entity 105, SMO180-a can be configured to support the deployment of dedicated physical resources for RAN coverage requirements that are managed via an operation and maintenance interface (such as an O1 interface). In the case of virtualized network entity 105, SMO180-a can be configured to interact with a cloud computing platform (such as O-Cloud 205) to perform network entity lifecycle management (such as instantiating virtualized network entity 105) via a cloud computing platform interface (for example, an O2 interface). Such virtualized network entities 105 can include, but are not limited to, CU 160-a, DU 165-a, RU 170-a, and quasi-RT RIC 175-b. In some implementations, SMO180-a can communicate with components configured according to 4G RAN (for example, via an O1 interface). Additionally or alternatively, in some implementations, SMO180-a can communicate directly with one or more RU170-a via an O1 interface. SMO180-a can also include a non-RT RIC175-a configured to support the functions of SMO180-a.
[0094] Non-RT RIC 175-a can be configured to include a logical function that enables policy-based guidance of artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) workflows, including non-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources, training and updating of models, or applications / functions in quasi-RT RIC 175-b. Non-RT RIC 175-a can be coupled to or communicate with quasi-RT RIC 175-b (e.g., via the A1 interface). Quasi-RT RIC 175-b can be configured to include a logical function that enables quasi-real-time control and optimization of RAN elements and resources via data collection and actions via one or more CU 160-a, one or more DU 165-a, or both, and O-eNB 210, via an interface connecting quasi-RT RIC 175-b (e.g., via the E2 interface).
[0095] In some examples, to generate an AI / ML model deployed in quasi-RT RIC 175-b, non-RT RIC 175-a can receive parameters or external enrichment information from an external server. Such information can be utilized by quasi-RT RIC 175-b and can be received from non-network data sources or network functions, at SMO 180-a or non-RT RIC 175-a. In some examples, non-RT RIC 175-a or quasi-RT RIC 175-b can be configured to adjust RAN behavior or RAN performance. For example, non-RT RIC 175-a can monitor long-term trends and patterns regarding performance and employ an AI / ML model to implement corrective actions through corrective actions via SMO 180-a (e.g., reconfiguration via O1) or creation of RAN management policies (e.g., A1 policies).
[0096] In some examples, UE 115-a can communicate with the network via multiple TRPs (e.g., UE 115-a can operate in multiple TRP modes). As described herein, a TRP can include RU 170-a, DU 165-a, or a combination thereof.
[0097] Figure 3 shows an example of a wireless communication system 300 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some examples, the wireless communication system 300 may implement aspects of the wireless communication system 100. The wireless communication system 300 may include a UE 115-b, which may be an example of a UE 115 as described herein. The wireless communication system 300 may include a network entity 105-a, which may be an example of a network entity 105 as described herein.
[0098] The UE 115-b may operate in a multi-TRP mode having a first TRP 305-a and a second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b may be located in the same network entity 105-a. In some cases, the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b may be located in different network entities.
[0099] UE115-b may be able to perform simultaneous communication with a first TRP 305-a and a second TRP 305-b (using, for example, the same set of time resources, or the same set of frequency resources, or both, but different spatial resources). UE115-b may communicate with the first TRP 305-a using communication link 125-b. UE115-b may communicate with the second TRP 305-b using communication link 125-c. Communication link 125-b and communication link 125-c may include bidirectional links that enable both uplink communication and downlink communication. For example, UE115-b may transmit an uplink signal 330-a, such as an uplink control signal or an uplink data signal, to the first TRP 305-a using communication link 125-b, and the first TRP 305-a may transmit a downlink signal 335-a, such as a downlink control signal or a downlink data signal, to UE115-b using communication link 125-b. UE115-b may transmit a transmitted uplink signal 330-b, such as an uplink control signal or an uplink data signal, to the second TRP 305-b using communication link 125-c, and the second TRP 305-b may transmit a downlink signal 335-b, such as a downlink control signal or a downlink data signal, to UE115-b using communication link 125-c. In some examples, different TRPs (e.g., the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b) may have different TRP identifiers (IDs). In some examples, different TRPs may be identified through association with other IDs, such as a CORESET pool index, a closed-loop index, a TCI ID, a TCI group ID, or an SRS resource set ID.
[0100] In single DCI multi-TRP operation or multi-DCI multi-TRP operation, UE115-b can communicate with the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b using spatial division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or time division multiplexing, or a combination thereof. The wireless communication system can support DCI repetitions, PUSCH and PUCCH repetitions, downlink single frequency network (SFN) configurations, or uplink SFN configurations (e.g., across CORESETs associated with the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b). For example, in the downlink, UE115-b can receive a PDSCH or PDCCH message according to the SFN configuration. For example, UE115-b can receive the same downlink signal (e.g., a PDSCH or PDCCH message) from the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b on different beams using different antenna panels at UE115-b. In the uplink, UE115-b can transmit a PUSCH or PUCCH message according to the SFN configuration. For example, UE115-b can transmit the same uplink signal to the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b on different beams using different antenna panels at UE115-b.
[0101] UE115-b can be indicated or configured using a pair of uplink applicable TCI states (e.g., joint or uplink TCI states) for multi-TRP operation uplink transmission (e.g., PUCCH or PUSCH) to the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b. UE115-b can receive scheduling information 310 for a set of reference signals 315.
[0102] For example, UE115-b can be activated using a set of semi-persistent CSI-RS or SRS by means of a MAC-CE. In some cases, UE115-b (and network entity 105-a) can determine the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals 315 based on control signaling 320. For example, the TCI state for a reference signal can be configured by RRC signaling. In some cases, the RRC signaling can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPA" indicating the use of the indicated TCI state associated with the first TRP 305-a, or the RRC signaling can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPB" indicating the use of the indicated TCI state associated with the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the RRC signaling can indicate the use of a configured TCI state that is not the indicated TCI state for PUSCH or PUCCH for the first TRP 305-a or the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the RRC signaling can indicate the use of a default TCI state, and in some examples, the default TCI state can follow the TCI state of a control resource set (CORESET) associated with the MAC-CE that activates the set of reference signals (e.g., the CORESET having DCI that schedules PDSCH together with the MAC-CE). In some cases, the control signaling 320 can be a MAC-CE that activates the TCI state for a reference signal or activates the channel state information (CSI) report associated with the reference signal. For example, the MAC-CE can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPA" indicating the use of the indicated TCI state associated with the first TRP 305-a, or the MAC-CE can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPB" indicating the use of the indicated TCI state associated with the second TRP 305-b.In some cases, the MAC-CE may indicate using a configured TCI state that is not the indicated TCI state for the PUSCH or PUCCH of the first TRP 305-a or the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the MAC-CE may replace or overwrite a previous indication of each TCI state for a set of reference signals 315 (which may be indicated via, for example, RRC signaling).
[0103] In some cases, for a semi-persistent set of reference signals 315, the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal of the set of reference signals 315 may be based on configured rules. For example, the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal of the set of reference signals 315 may be based on the order of the reference signals. For example, if there are two sets of SRS configured for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO, the first set of SRS for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO may follow the indicated TCI state for the first TRP 305-a, and the second set of SRS for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO may follow the indicated TCI state for the second TRP 305-b. As another example, if there are multiple sets of CSI-RS associated with one CSI report, the first set of CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS may each follow the indicated TCI states for the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b, respectively.
[0104] In some cases, UE115-b can be activated or triggered by DCI message 325 using a set of semi-persistent or aperiodic reference signals 315 (e.g., SRS or CSI-RS). In some cases, UE115-b (and network entity 105-a) can determine the TCI state applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals 315 based on control signaling 320. For example, the TCI state for a reference signal can be configured by RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling. In some cases, the RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPA" indicating to use the indicated TCI state associated with the first TRP 305-a, or the RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPB" indicating to use the indicated TCI state associated with the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the RRC signaling or MAC-CE signaling can indicate to use a configured TCI state that is not the indicated TCI state for PUSCH or PUCCH of the first TRP 305-a or the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the scheduling / activation DCI message 325 can indicate the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals 315. In some cases, the DCI message 325 can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPA" indicating to use the indicated TCI state associated with the first TRP 305-a, or the DCI message 325 can include a field "followingUnifiedTCIforTRPB" indicating to use the indicated TCI state associated with the second TRP 305-b. In some cases, the DCI message 325 can indicate to apply the TCI state of the DCI message 325, and the TCI state of the CORESET used to receive the DCI message 325 is applied to the activated or scheduled reference signal.In some cases, when no other indication of which TCI state to apply is provided, UE115-b may apply the TCI state of the CORESET used to receive DCI message 325 that is applied to the activated or scheduled reference signal.
[0105] In some cases, for the semi-persistent or aperiodic reference signal 315 activated or triggered by DCI message 325, the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal of the set of reference signals 315 may be based on configured rules. For example, the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal of the set of reference signals 315 may be based on the order of the reference signals. For example, if there are two sets of SRSs configured for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO, the first set of SRSs for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO may follow the indicated TCI state for the first TRP 305-a, and the second set of SRSs for non-codebook or codebook-based MIMO may follow the indicated TCI state for the second TRP 305-b. As another example, if there are two sets of CSI-RSs associated with one CSI report, the first set of CSI-RSs and the second set of CSI-RSs for the same CSI report may each follow the indicated TCI state for the first TRP 305-a and the second TRP 305-b, respectively.
[0106] In some cases, for the semi-persistent or aperiodic reference signal 315 activated or triggered by the DCI message 325, the UE 115-b may identify the TCI state to be applied to each reference signal in the set of reference signals 315 based on the TRP selection indicator field in the DCI message 325. For example, the TRP selection indicator field may be configured in the DCI message 325 to indicate applying {TCI1}, {TCI2}, {TCI1 and TCI2}, or {TCI2 and TCI1} to any of the PDSCH, PUSCH, PDCCH, and PUCCH (e.g., where TCI1 refers to the TCI state associated with the first TRP 305-a and TCI2 refers to the TCI state associated with the second TRP 305-b). The TRP selection indicator field for other channels (e.g., PDSCH, PUSCH, PDCCH, or PUCCH) may be reused for the triggered or activated reference signal. In some examples, the TRP selection indicator field may be reused when uplink or downlink data is not scheduled. For example, the DCI message 325 may activate or trigger SRS or CSI-RS without scheduling PDSCH or PUSCH, and the TRP selection indicator field may indicate the TCI state for the activated or triggered SRS or CSI-RS. In some cases, the TRP selection indicator field may be reused even when downlink or uplink data is scheduled by the DCI message 325. The UE 115-b may apply the selected TCI state to both data transmission and the reference signals in the set of reference signals 315.
[0107] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a process flow 400 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Process flow 400 may include a UE 115-c, which may be an example of a UE 115 as described herein. Process flow 400 may include a network entity 115-b, which may be an example of a network entity 105 as described herein. In the following description of process flow 400, the operations between network entity 105-b and UE 115-c may be transmitted in an order different from the exemplary order shown, or the operations performed by network entity 105-b and UE 115-c may be performed in a different order or at different times. Some operations may also be omitted from process flow 400, and other operations may be added to process flow 400.
[0108] At 405, UE 115-c may establish a communication link with network entity 105-b via a first TRP and a second TRP.
[0109] At 410, UE 115-c may receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals from network entity 105-b.
[0110] At 415, the UE 115-c and the network entity 105-b can identify respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP. In some examples, the UE 115-c can receive control signaling indicating respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. In some examples, the UE 115-c and the network entity 105-b can identify a first TCI state associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state associated with the second TRP, and identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. In some cases, identifying TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals based on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0111] At 420, the UE 115-c can communicate with the network entity 105-b according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. In some cases, the set of reference signals is a set of SRSs, and communicating includes transmitting SRSs from the UE 115-c to the network entity 105-b according to the respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRSs. In some cases, the set of reference signals is a set of CSI-RSs, and communicating includes transmitting CSI-RSs from the network entity 105-b to the UE 115-c according to the respective TCI states identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RSs.
[0112] Figure 5 shows an example of a process flow 500 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The process flow 500 may include a UE115-d, which may be an example of a UE115 as described herein. The process flow 500 may include a network entity 115-c, which may be an example of a network entity 105 as described herein. In the following description of the process flow 500, the operations between the network entity 105-c and the UE115-d may be transmitted in an order different from the illustrated exemplary order, or the operations performed by the network entity 105-c and the UE115-d may be performed in a different order or at different times. Some operations may also be omitted from the process flow 500, and other operations may be added to the process flow 500.
[0113] At 505, the UE115-d may establish a communication link with the network entity 105-c via a first TRP and a second TRP.
[0114] At 510, the UE115-d may receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals from the network entity 105-c.
[0115] At 515, the UE115-d may receive control signaling from the network entity 105-c indicating a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0116] In some cases, the UE115-d and the network entity 105-c may identify a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, and the control signaling may indicate, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state.
[0117] In some cases, UE115-d may receive an indication, using control signaling, for each reference signal in a set of reference signals, as to whether each respective TCI state corresponds to a first respective transmission indicator state, based on the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP or respective different transmission indicator states.
[0118] In some cases, UE115-d may receive control signaling via a MAC-CE, and the control signaling may supersede a previous indication of each TCI state for a set of reference signals (which may be configured in RRC signaling, for example). In some cases, UE115-d may receive control signaling via RRC signaling.
[0119] In some cases, the control signaling may be a DCI message that includes a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal in a set of reference signals, and identifying each respective TCI state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals is based on the respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0120] At 520, based on the control signaling at 515, UE115-d and network entity 105-c may identify each respective TCI state for each reference signal in a set of reference signals, in accordance with the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP.
[0121] At 525, UE 115-d can communicate with network entity 105-c according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each of the reference signals of the set of reference signals. In some cases, the set of reference signals is a set of SRSs, and communicating includes transmitting SRSs from UE 115-d to network entity 105c according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each of the SRSs of the set of SRSs. In some cases, the set of reference signals is a set of CSI-RSs, and communicating includes transmitting CSI-RSs from network entity 105-c to UE 115-d according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each of the CSI-RSs of the set of CSI-RSs.
[0122] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram 600 of a device 605 that supports TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 605 can be an example of an aspect of UE 115 as described herein. Device 605 can include a receiver 610, a transmitter 615, and a communication manager 620. Device 605 can also include a processor. Each of these components can communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0123] Receiver 610 can provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation). The information can be passed to other components of device 605. Receiver 610 can utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0124] The transmitter 615 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 605. For example, the transmitter 615 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof, associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation). In some examples, the transmitter 615 may be co-located with the receiver 610 within a transceiver module. The transmitter 615 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0125] The communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation as described herein. For example, the communication manager 620, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for implementing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0126] In some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a central processing unit (CPU), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting means for performing the functions described in this disclosure. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).
[0127] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 620, receiver 610, transmitter 615, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, DSP, CPU, ASIC, FPGA, microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices configured as or otherwise supporting means for performing the functions described in this disclosure.
[0128] In some examples, the communication manager 620 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using, or otherwise in cooperation with, the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both. For example, the communication manager 620 may receive information from the receiver 610, transmit information to the transmitter 615, or may be integrated with the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, or both in combination to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0129] The communication manager 620 may support wireless communication in a UE according to the examples disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 620 may be configured as means for establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, or may otherwise support it. The communication manager 620 may be configured as means for receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, or may otherwise support it. The communication manager 620 may be configured as means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or may otherwise support it. The communication manager 620 may be configured as means for communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, or may otherwise support it.
[0130] By including or configuring the communication manager 620 according to the examples described herein, a device 605 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to the receiver 610, the transmitter 615, the communication manager 620, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficiently utilizing communication resources by determining TCI states to be applied to the communication of reference signals in a multi-TRP operation.
[0131] FIG. 7 shows a block diagram 700 of a device 705 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 705 may be an example of an aspect of device 605 or UE 115 as described herein. Device 705 may include a receiver 710, a transmitter 715, and a communication manager 720. Device 705 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0132] The receiver 710 may provide means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation). The information may be passed to other components of device 705. The receiver 710 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0133] The transmitter 715 may provide means for transmitting signals generated by other components of device 705. For example, the transmitter 715 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation). In some examples, the transmitter 715 may be collocated with the receiver 710 within a transceiver module. The transmitter 715 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0134] Device 705 or its various components can be an example of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation as described herein. For example, communication manager 720 can include multi-TRP communication link manager 725, reference signal scheduling manager 730, reference signal TCI state manager 735, reference signal communication manager 740, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 720 can be an example of the aspects of communication manager 620 described herein. In some examples, communication manager 720, or its various components, can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using receiver 710, transmitter 715, or both, or otherwise in cooperation with them. For example, communication manager 720 can receive information from receiver 710 and transmit information to transmitter 715, or can be integrated in combination with receiver 710, transmitter 715, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations described herein.
[0135] Communication manager 720 can support wireless communication in a UE according to the examples disclosed herein. Multi-TRP communication link manager 725 can be configured as means for establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, or can otherwise support it. Reference signal scheduling manager 730 can be configured as means for receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, or can otherwise support it. Reference signal TCI state manager 735 can be configured as means for identifying each TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or can otherwise support it. Reference signal communication manager 740 can be configured as means for communicating with a network according to each identified TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, or can otherwise support it.
[0136] FIG. 8 is a block diagram 800 of a communication manager 820 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 820 may be an example of the communication manager 620, the communication manager 720, or both, as described herein. The communication manager 820 or its various components may be an example of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation, as described herein. For example, the communication manager 820 may include a multi-TRP communication link manager 825, a reference signal scheduling manager 830, a reference signal TCI state manager 835, a reference signal communication manager 840, a DCI manager 845, a TRP TCI state manager 850, an SRS manager 855, a CSI-RS manager 860, a MAC-CE manager 865, an RRC manager 870, or any combination thereof. Each of these components may communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0137] The communication manager 820 may support wireless communication in a UE, according to examples as disclosed herein. The multi-TRP communication link manager 825 may be configured as or support means for establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP. The reference signal scheduling manager 830 may be configured as or support means for receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals. The reference signal TCI state manager 835 may be configured as or support means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP. The reference signal communication manager 840 may be configured as or support means for communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals.
[0138] In some examples, the reference signal TCI state manager 835 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for receiving control signaling indicating respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals.
[0139] In some examples, the TRP TCI state manager 850 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, the control signaling indicating, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state.
[0140] In some examples, the reference signal TCI state manager 835 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for receiving, using control signaling, an indication as to whether respective TCI states correspond to respective first transmission indicator states, based on an association of each reference signal of a set of reference signals with the first TRP or the second TRP or respective different transmission indicator states.
[0141] In some examples, to support receiving control signaling, the MAC-CE manager 865 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for receiving control signaling via a MAC-CE, the control signaling superseding a previous indication of respective TCI states for a set of reference signals.
[0142] In some examples, to support receiving control signaling, the RRC manager 870 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for receiving control signaling via a radio resource control message.
[0143] In some examples, the DCI manager 845 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for receiving a DCI message including respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, and identifying each TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals is based on the respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0144] In some examples, the TRP TCI state manager 850 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, and identifying each TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0145] In some examples, to support identifying the TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, the reference signal TCI state manager 835 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for identifying one of a first TCI state or a second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals based on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0146] In some examples, when the set of reference signals is a set of SRSs, to support communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the SRS manager 855 may be configured as, or otherwise support, means for transmitting the set of SRSs according to the respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRSs.
[0147] In some examples, when the set of reference signals is a set of CSI-RS, to support communicating with the network according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the CSI-RS manager 860 can be configured as means for receiving the set of CSI-RS according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RS, or otherwise support it.
[0148] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a system 900 including a device 905 that supports TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 can be an example of, or include, the device 605, the device 705, or the UE 115 as described herein. The device 905 can communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The device 905 can include components for bidirectional voice and data communication, including components for transmitting and receiving communication, such as a communication manager 920, an input / output (I / O) controller 910, a transceiver 915, an antenna 925, a memory 930, code 935, and a processor 940. These components can communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 945), or otherwise be (e.g., operably, communicably, functionally, electronically, electrically) coupled.
[0149] The I / O controller 910 may manage the input and output signals of the device 905. The I / O controller 910 may also manage peripheral devices that are not integrated with the device 905. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may utilize an operating system such as iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-DOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS / 2®, UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system. Additionally or alternatively, the I / O controller 910 may represent or interact with a modem, keyboard, mouse, touch screen, or similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 910 may be implemented as part of a processor such as the processor 940. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 905 via the I / O controller 910 or via a hardware component controlled by the I / O controller 910.
[0150] In some cases, the device 905 may comprise a single antenna 925. However, in some other cases, the device 905 may have two or more antennas 925 that may be capable of simultaneously transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 915 may communicate bidirectionally via one or more of the antennas 925, wired links, or wireless links described herein. For example, the transceiver 915 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bidirectionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 915 may also include a modem for modulating packets and providing the modulated packets to one or more antennas 925 for transmission and demodulating packets received from one or more antennas 925. The transceiver 915, or the transceiver 915 and one or more antennas 925, may be an example of the transmitter 615, transmitter 715, receiver 610, receiver 710, or any combination thereof or components thereof described herein.
[0151] The memory 930 may include a random access memory (RAM) and a read-only memory (ROM). The memory 930 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 935 that, when executed by the processor 940, causes the device 905 to perform various functions described herein. The code 935 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as a system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 935 may not be directly executable by the processor 940 and may cause a computer to perform the functions described herein (e.g., when compiled or executed). In some cases, the memory 930 may include, among other things, a basic input / output system (BIOS) that may control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or peripheral devices.
[0152] The processor 940 may include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, a microcontroller, an ASIC, an FPGA, a programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic components, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, the processor 940 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller may be integrated into the processor 940. The processor 940 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the memory 930) to cause the device 905 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support selection of a TCI state for a reference signal in a multi-TRP operation). For example, the device 905 or a component of the device 905 may include the processor 940 and the memory 930 coupled to or coupled with the processor 940, and the processor 940 and the memory 930 are configured to perform the various functions described herein.
[0153] The communication manager 920 can support wireless communication in a UE according to the embodiments disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 920 can be configured as means for establishing a communication link with the network via a first TRP and a second TRP, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 920 can be configured as means for receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 920 can be configured as means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 920 can be configured as means for communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, or otherwise support it.
[0154] By including or configuring the communication manager 920 according to the examples described herein, the device 905 can support techniques for improving communication reliability, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved device - to - device coordination by determining the TCI states to be applied to the communication of reference signals in multi - TRP operation.
[0155] In some examples, communication manager 920 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, monitor, transmit) using transceiver 915, one or more antennas 925, or any combination thereof, or otherwise in cooperation with them. Although communication manager 920 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more of the functions described with reference to communication manager 920 may be supported or performed by processor 940, memory 930, code 935, or any combination thereof. For example, code 935 may be instructions executable by processor 940 that cause device 905 to perform various aspects of TCI state selection for a reference signal in a multi-TRP operation as described herein, or otherwise, processor 940 and memory 930 may be configured to perform or support such operations.
[0156] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a device 1005 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in a multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. Device 1005 may be an example of an aspect of network entity 105 as described herein. Device 1005 may include a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, and a communication manager 1020. Device 1005 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0157] The receiver 1010 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, etc., or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1005. In some examples, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver 1010 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0158] The transmitter 1015 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1005. For example, the transmitter 1015 may output information such as user data, control information, etc., or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1015 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1015 and the receiver 1010 may be co-located within a transceiver that includes or is coupled to a modem.
[0159] The communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or various components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may support a method for performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0160] In some examples, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in a communication management circuit). The hardware may include a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof that is configured as means for performing the functions described in this disclosure or supports such means in other ways. In some examples, a processor and memory coupled to the processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by the processor executing instructions stored in the memory).
[0161] Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code executed by a processor (e.g., as communication management software or firmware). When implemented in code executed by a processor, the functions of the communication manager 1020, the receiver 1010, the transmitter 1015, or various combinations or components thereof may be executed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices that is configured as means for performing the functions described in this disclosure or otherwise supports such means.
[0162] In some examples, communication manager 1020 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using or otherwise in cooperation with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both. For example, communication manager 1020 may receive information from receiver 1010, transmit information to transmitter 1015, or be integrated with receiver 1010, transmitter 1015, or both in combination to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0163] Communication manager 1020 may support wireless communication in a network entity according to examples as disclosed herein. For example, communication manager 1020 may be configured as or otherwise support means for establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP. Communication manager 1020 may be configured as or otherwise support means for transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE. Communication manager 1020 may be configured as or otherwise support means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP. Communication manager 1020 may be configured as or otherwise support means for communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0164] By including or configuring a communication manager 1020 in accordance with the examples described herein, a device 1005 (e.g., a processor that controls or is otherwise coupled to a receiver 1010, a transmitter 1015, a communication manager 1020, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficiently utilizing communication resources by determining TCI states applicable to the communication of reference signals in multi-TRP operation.
[0165] FIG. 11 shows a block diagram 1100 of a device 1105 that supports selection of TCI states for reference signals in multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of an aspect of a device 1005 or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1105 may include a receiver 1110, a transmitter 1115, and a communication manager 1120. The device 1105 may also include a processor. Each of these components may communicate with each other (e.g., via one or more buses).
[0166] The receiver 1110 may provide means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, etc., or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack). The information may be passed to other components of the device 1105. In some examples, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver 1110 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0167] The transmitter 1115 may provide means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1105. For example, the transmitter 1115 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with the protocol stack). In some examples, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting a signal via one or more antennas. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitter 1115 may support outputting information by transmitting a signal via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, optical fiber) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1115 and the receiver 1110 may be co-located within a transceiver that includes or is coupled to a modem.
[0168] Device 1105 or its various components can be an example of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation as described herein. For example, communication manager 1120 can include multi-TRP communication link manager 1125, reference signal scheduling manager 1130, reference signal TCI state manager 1135, reference signal communication manager 1140, or any combination thereof. Communication manager 1120 can be an example of an aspect of communication manager 1020 as described herein. In some examples, communication manager 1120, or its various components, can be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, acquire, monitor, output, transmit) using, or otherwise in cooperation with, receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both. For example, communication manager 1120 can receive information from receiver 1110, transmit information to transmitter 1115, or acquire information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein in combination with, or integrated with, receiver 1110, transmitter 1115, or both.
[0169] The communication manager 1120 may support wireless communication in a network entity according to an example as disclosed herein. The multi-TRP communication link manager 1125 may be configured as means for establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, or otherwise support it. The reference signal scheduling manager 1130 may be configured as means for transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, or otherwise support it. The reference signal TCI state manager 1135 may be configured as means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or otherwise support it. The reference signal communication manager 1140 may be configured as means for communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, or otherwise support it.
[0170] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a communication manager 1220 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communication manager 1220 can be an example of the communication manager 1020, the communication manager 1120, or both, as described herein. The communication manager 1220 or its various components can be an example of means for performing various aspects of TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation as described herein. For example, the communication manager 1220 can include a multi-TRP communication link manager 1225, a reference signal scheduling manager 1230, a reference signal TCI state manager 1235, a reference signal communication manager 1240, a DCI manager 1245, a TRP TCI state manager 1250, an SRS manager 1255, a CSI-RS manager 1260, a MAC-CE manager 1265, an RRC manager 1270, or any combination thereof. Each of these components can communicate directly or indirectly with each other (e.g., via one or more buses), which can include communication within the protocol layers of the protocol stack, communication associated with the logical channels of the protocol stack (e.g., between the protocol layers of the protocol stack, within devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with the network entity 105), or any combination thereof.
[0171] The communication manager 1220 may support wireless communication in a network entity according to an example as disclosed herein. The multi-TRP communication link manager 1225 may be configured as means for establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, or otherwise support it. The reference signal scheduling manager 1230 may be configured as means for transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, or otherwise support it. The reference signal TCI state manager 1235 may be configured as means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or otherwise support it. The reference signal communication manager 1240 may be configured as means for communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, or otherwise support it.
[0172] In some examples, the reference signal TCI state manager 1235 may be configured as means for transmitting control signaling indicating respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals to the UE, or otherwise support it.
[0173] In some examples, the TRP TCI state manager 1250 may be configured as means for identifying a first TCI state associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state associated with the second TRP, or otherwise support it, and the control signaling indicates one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state for each reference signal.
[0174] In some examples, the reference signal TCI state manager 1235 may be configured as or support means for transmitting, using control signaling, an indication as to whether each respective TCI state corresponds to a first TRP or a second TRP or a respective different transmission indicator state, based on the association of each reference signal of a set of reference signals with the first or second TRP or respective different transmission indicator states.
[0175] In some examples, to support transmitting control signaling, the MAC-CE manager 1265 may be configured as or support means for transmitting control signaling via a MAC-CE, where the control signaling replaces a previous indication of each TCI state for a set of reference signals.
[0176] In some examples, the RRC manager 1270 may be configured as or support means for transmitting control signaling via an RRC message.
[0177] In some examples, the DCI manager 1245 may be configured as or support means for transmitting to a UE a DCI message including a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, where identifying each respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals is based on the respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0178] In some examples, the TRP TCI state manager 1250 may be configured as or support means for identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, where identifying each respective TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0179] In some examples, to support identifying the TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, the reference signal TCI state manager 1235 can be configured as, or support, means for identifying one of a first TCI state or a second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, based on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0180] In some examples, when the set of reference signals is a set of SRSs, to support communicating with the UE according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the SRS manager 1255 can be configured as, or support, means for receiving the set of SRSs according to the respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRSs.
[0181] In some examples, when the set of reference signals is a set of CSI-RSs, to support communicating with the UE according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the CSI-RS manager 1260 can be configured as, or support, means for transmitting the set of CSI-RSs according to the respective TCI states identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RSs.
[0182] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram of a system 1300 that includes a device 1305 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation, according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1305 can be an example of, or include, the device 1005, the device 1105, or the network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1305 may communicate with one or more network entities 105, one or more UEs 115, or any combination thereof, which can include communication via one or more wired interfaces, or via one or more wireless interfaces, or a combination thereof. The device 1305 can include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communication manager 1320, a transceiver 1310, an antenna 1315, a memory 1325, a code 1330, and a processor 1335. These components can communicate electronically via one or more buses (e.g., bus 1340), or otherwise (e.g., operably, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) be coupled.
[0183] Transceiver 1310 may support bi-directional communication via a wired link, a wireless link, or both, as described herein. In some examples, transceiver 1310 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally or alternatively, in some examples, transceiver 1310 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, device 1305 may include one or more antennas 1315 that may be capable of transmitting and / or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., simultaneously). Transceiver 1310 may also include a modem for modulating signals and providing the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1315 or by a wired transmitter), receiving the modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 1315 or from a wired receiver), and demodulating the signals. Transceiver 1310, or transceiver 1310 and one or more antennas 1315, or a wired interface, may, if applicable, be an example of a transmitter 1015, transmitter 1115, receiver 1010, receiver 1110, or any combination thereof or components thereof as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver may be operable to support communication via one or more communication links (e.g., communication link 125, backhaul communication link 120, midhaul communication link 162, fronthaul communication link 168).
[0184] Memory 1325 may include RAM and ROM. The memory 1325 may store computer-readable computer-executable code 1330 that, when executed by the processor 1335, causes the device 1305 to perform the various functions described herein. The code 1330 may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1330 may not be directly executable by the processor 1335 and may cause a computer to perform the functions described herein (e.g., when compiled or executed). In some cases, the memory 1325 may include, in particular, BIOS that can control basic hardware or software operations, such as interactions with peripheral components or peripheral devices.
[0185] Processor 1335 can include an intelligent hardware device (e.g., a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, CPU, FPGA, microcontroller, programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof). In some cases, processor 1335 can be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, the memory controller can be integrated with processor 1335. Processor 1335 can be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., memory 1325) to cause device 1305 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks that support TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation). For example, device 1305 or a component of device 1305 can include processor 1335 and memory 1325 coupled to processor 1335, and processor 1335 and memory 1325 are configured to perform the various functions described herein. Processor 1335 can be an example of a cloud computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes, and support software such as an operating system, virtual machine, or container instance) that can host functions (e.g., by executing code 1330) to perform the functions of device 1305.
[0186] In some examples, bus 1340 may support communication within (e.g., internal) protocol layers of a protocol stack. In some examples, bus 1340 may support communication associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack), which may include communication executed within components of device 1305 or between different components of device 1305 that may be co-located or located at different locations (e.g., device 1305 may refer to a system in which one or more of communication manager 1320, transceiver 1310, memory 1325, code 1330, and processor 1335 may be located at or divided among different components).
[0187] In some examples, communication manager 1320 may manage aspects of communication with core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links). For example, communication manager 1320 may manage the transfer of data communication for client devices such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, communication manager 1320 may manage communication with other network entities 105 and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communication with UE 115 in cooperation with other network entities 105. In some examples, communication manager 1320 may support an X2 interface within LTE / LTE-A wireless communication network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.
[0188] The communication manager 1320 may support wireless communication in a network entity according to an example as disclosed herein. For example, the communication manager 1320 may be configured as means for establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 1320 may be configured as means for transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 1320 may be configured as means for identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, or otherwise support it. The communication manager 1320 may be configured as means for communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, or otherwise support it.
[0189] By including or configuring the communication manager 1320 according to the examples described herein, the device 1305 may support techniques for improving communication reliability, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved device - to - device cooperation by determining the TCI states to be applied to the communication of reference signals in multi - TRP operation.
[0190] In some examples, the communication manager 1320 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receive, obtain, monitor, output, transmit) using the transceivers 1310, one or more antennas 1315 (if applicable), or any combination thereof, or otherwise in cooperation with these. Although the communication manager 1320 is shown as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communication manager 1320 may be supported or performed by the processor 1335, the memory 1325, the code 1330, the transceiver 1310, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1330 may include instructions executable by the processor 1335 that cause the device 1305 to perform various aspects of TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operations as described herein, or otherwise, the processor 1335 and the memory 1325 may be configured to perform or support such operations.
[0191] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart depicting a method 1400 for supporting TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1400 may be performed by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1400 may be performed by the UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0192] At 1405, the method may include establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operation of 1405 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operation of 1405 may be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 825 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0193] At 1410, the method may include receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals. The operations of 1410 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1410 may be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0194] At 1415, the method may include, for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying respective TCI states according to the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP. The operations of 1415 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1415 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 835 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0195] At 1420, the method may include communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The operations of 1420 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1420 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 840 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0196] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1500 for supporting TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1500 may be performed by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1500 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0197] At 1505, the method may include establishing a communication link with the network via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operations of 1505 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1505 may be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 825 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0198] At 1510, the method may include receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals. The operations of 1510 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1510 may be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0199] At 1515, the method may include receiving control signaling indicating respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals. The operations of 1515 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1515 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 835 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0200] At 1520, the method may include identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP. The operations of 1520 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1520 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 835 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0201] At 1525, the method may include communicating with the network according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals. The operations of 1525 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1525 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 840 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0202] Figure 16 shows a flowchart of a method 1600 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1600 can be performed by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1600 can be performed by UE 115 as described with reference to FIGS. 1-9. In some examples, the UE can execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the UE can use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0203] At 1605, the method can include establishing a communication link with the network via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operations of 1605 can be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 can be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 825 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0204] At 1610, the method can include receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals. The operations of 1610 can be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 can be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 830 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0205] At 1615, the method can include receiving a DCI message that includes a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The operations of 1615 can be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1615 can be performed by a DCI manager 845 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0206] At 1620, the method may include, for each reference signal in a set of reference signals, identifying a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP, and for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identifying a respective TCI state is based on a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal in the set of reference signals. The operation of 1620 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the manner of operation of 1620 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 835 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0207] At 1625, the method may include communicating with the network according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal in a set of reference signals. The operation of 1625 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the manner of operation of 1625 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 840 as described with reference to FIG. 8.
[0208] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart showing a method 1700 for supporting TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1700 may be implemented by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1700 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0209] At 1705, the method may include establishing a communication link with the UE via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operations at 1705 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1705 may be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0210] At 1710, the method may include transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE. The operations at 1710 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1710 may be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 1230 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0211] At 1715, the method may include identifying, for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP. The operations at 1715 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1715 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 1235 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0212] At 1720, the method may include communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The operations at 1720 may be performed according to examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1720 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 1240 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0213] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart of a method 1800 that supports TCI state selection for a reference signal in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of method 1800 may be performed by a network entity or a component thereof as described herein. For example, the operations of method 1800 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and FIGS. 10-13. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0214] At 1805, the method may include establishing communication links with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operations at 1805 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1805 may be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0215] At 1810, the method may include transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE. The operations at 1810 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1810 may be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 1230 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0216] At 1815, the method may include transmitting control signaling to the UE indicating respective TCI states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The operations at 1815 may be performed according to examples disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations at 1815 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 1235 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0217] In 1820, the method may include identifying respective TCI states for each reference signal of a set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP. The operation of 1820 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the manner of operation of 1820 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 1235 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0218] In 1825, the method may include communicating with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals. The operation of 1825 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the manner of operation of 1825 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 1240 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0219] FIG. 19 shows a flowchart showing a method 1900 for supporting TCI state selection for reference signals in multi-TRP operation according to one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operation of method 1900 may be performed by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operation of method 1900 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGS. 1-5 and 10-13. In some examples, the network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally or alternatively, the network entity may use dedicated hardware to perform aspects of the described functions.
[0220] In 1905, the method may include establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP. The operation of 1905 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the manner of operation of 1905 may be performed by a multi-TRP communication link manager 1225 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0221] In 1910, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, scheduling information for a set of reference signals. The operation of 1910 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the aspects of the operation of 1910 may be performed by a reference signal scheduling manager 1230 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0222] In 1915, the method may include transmitting, to the UE, a DCI message including a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of a set of reference signals. The operation of 1915 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the aspects of the operation of 1915 may be performed by a DCI manager 1245 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0223] In 1920, the method may include identifying, for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with a first TRP or a second TRP, and identifying, for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, a respective TCI state is based on a respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The operation of 1920 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the aspects of the operation of 1920 may be performed by a reference signal TCI state manager 1235 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0224] In 1925, the method may include communicating with the UE via a first TRP and a second TRP according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of a set of reference signals. The operation of 1925 may be performed according to an example as disclosed herein. In some examples, the aspects of the operation of 1925 may be performed by a reference signal communication manager 1240 as described with reference to FIG. 12.
[0225] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure.
[0226] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communication in a UE, comprising establishing a communication link with a network via a first TRP and a second TRP, receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals, for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identifying a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP, and communicating with the network according to the respective TCI state identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0227] Aspect 2: The method according to aspect 1, further comprising receiving control signaling indicating a respective TCI state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0228] Aspect 3: Identifying a first TCI state associated with the first TRP and a second TCI state associated with the second TRP, wherein the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state, the method according to aspect 2.
[0229] Aspect 4: Using the control signaling to receive an indication for each reference signal in the set of reference signals as to whether the respective TCI state corresponds to a respective first transmission indicator state based on the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP or respective different transmission indicator states, the method according to aspect 2 or 3.
[0230] Aspect 5: Receiving the control signaling is receiving the control signaling via a MAC-CE, wherein the control signaling replaces a previous indication of a respective TCI state for the set of reference signals, the method according to any one of aspects 2 to 4.
[0231] Aspect 6: Receiving the control signaling is receiving the control signaling via an RRC message, the method according to any one of aspects 2 to 5.
[0232] Aspect 7: Receiving a DCI message including respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, wherein for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying each respective TCI state is based at least in part on the respective TRP indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 6 further comprising receiving.
[0233] Aspect 8: Identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, wherein for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying each respective TCI state includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 7 further comprising identifying.
[0234] Aspect 9: The method according to Aspect 8, wherein identifying the TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals based at least in part on the order of the set of reference signals.
[0235] Aspect 10: The set of reference signals includes a set of SRSs, and communicating with the network according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes transmitting the set of SRSs according to each respective TCI state identified for each SRS of the set of SRSs, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 9.
[0236] Aspect 11: The set of reference signals includes a set of CSI-RSs, and communicating with the network according to each respective TCI state identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes receiving the set of CSI-RSs according to each respective TCI state identified for each CSI-RS of the set of CSI-RSs, the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 10.
[0237] Aspect 12: A method for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising establishing a communication link with a UE via a first TRP and a second TRP; transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE; for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identifying a respective TCI state according to the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP; and communicating with the UE via the first TRP and the second TRP according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0238] Aspect 13: The method according to aspect 12, further comprising transmitting control signaling to the UE indicating a respective TCI state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals.
[0239] Aspect 14: Identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, wherein the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first TCI state, the second TCI state, or a different TCI state. The method according to aspect 13 further comprises this identifying.
[0240] Aspect 15: The method according to aspect 13 or 14, further comprising transmitting, using the control signaling, an indication for each reference signal in the set of reference signals as to whether the respective TCI state corresponds to a respective first transmission indicator state based on the association of each reference signal with the first TRP or the second TRP or their respective different transmission indicator states.
[0241] Aspect 16: Transmitting the control signaling comprises transmitting the control signaling via a MAC-CE, wherein the control signaling replaces a previous indication of the respective TCI state for the set of reference signals. The method according to any one of aspects 13 to 15 includes this transmitting.
[0242] Aspect 17: The method according to any one of Aspects 13 to 16, further comprising transmitting control signaling via an RRC message.
[0243] Aspect 18: Transmitting, to a UE, a DCI message including respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of a set of reference signals, wherein identifying a respective TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals is at least partially based on the respective TRP indicator fields for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 17, further comprising transmitting.
[0244] Aspect 19: Identifying a first TCI state associated with a first TRP and a second TCI state associated with a second TRP, wherein identifying a respective TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals includes identifying one of the first TCI state or the second TCI state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 18, further comprising identifying.
[0245] Aspect 20: The method according to Aspect 19, wherein identifying a TCI state for each reference signal of a set of reference signals includes identifying one of a first TCI state or a second TCI state at least partially based on the order of the set of reference signals for each reference signal of the set of reference signals.
[0246] Aspect 21: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 20, wherein the set of reference signals includes a set of SRSs, and communicating with the UE according to the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals includes receiving the set of SRSs according to the respective TCI states identified for each SRS of the set of SRSs.
[0247] Aspect 22: The method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 21, including communicating with a UE according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each reference signal in a set of reference signals, where the set of reference signals includes a set of CSI-RS, and transmitting the set of CSI-RS according to each of the respective TCI states identified for each CSI-RS in the set of CSI-RS.
[0248] Aspect 23: An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE, comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to execute the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11.
[0249] Aspect 24: An apparatus for wireless communication in a UE, comprising at least one means for executing the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11.
[0250] Aspect 25: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a UE, where the code includes instructions executable by a processor to execute the method according to any one of Aspects 1 to 11.
[0251] Aspect 26: An apparatus for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising a processor, a memory coupled to the processor, and instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor to cause the apparatus to execute the method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 22.
[0252] Aspect 27: An apparatus for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising at least one means for executing the method according to any one of Aspects 12 to 22.
[0253] Aspect 28: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communication in a network entity, the code including instructions executable by a processor to perform the method according to any of Aspects 12 to 22.
[0254] Note that the methods described herein are illustrative of possible implementations, that the operations and steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified, and that other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of these methods may be combined.
[0255] Aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described as examples and the terms LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR may be used in much of the description, but the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communication systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, and other systems and radio technologies not explicitly recited herein.
[0256] The information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of techniques and technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referred to throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.
[0257] For the various exemplary blocks and components described with respect to the present disclosure herein, they may be implemented or executed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, an FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gates or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration).
[0258] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium or may be transmitted using one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the present disclosure and the appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, the functions described herein may be executed using software executed by a processor, hardware, firmware, hardwiring, or any combination thereof. The features that perform the functions may also be physically located in various places, including being distributed such that parts of the functions are executed at different physical locations.
[0259] A computer-readable medium includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that can facilitate transfer of a computer program from one location to another. The non-transitory storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer. By way of example and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory media that can be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or a general purpose or special purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. As used herein, disk and disc include CD, laser disk, optical disk, digital versatile disc (DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc. Disk can magnetically reproduce data, and disc can optically reproduce data using a laser. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media.
[0260] As used herein, including within the scope of the claims, "or" as used in a listing of items (e.g., a listing of items followed by phrases such as "at least one of" or "one or more of") indicates an inclusive listing, for example, a listing of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C). Also, the phrase "based on" as used herein should not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an exemplary step described as "based on condition A" may be based on both condition A and condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase "based on" shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase "at least partially based on".
[0261] The term "determine" or "determining" encompasses various actions, and thus "determining" can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, examining (such as by examining a table, database, or other data structure), elucidating, etc. Also, "determining" can include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in a memory), etc. Also, "determining" can include solving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other similar actions.
[0262] In the accompanying drawings, similar components or features may have the same reference labels. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by attaching a dash and a second label that distinguishes the similar components after the reference label. If only the first reference label is used herein, the description is applicable to any of the similar components having the same first reference label regardless of the second reference label or any subsequent reference labels.
[0263] The description set forth herein, in connection with the accompanying drawings, describes exemplary configurations and is not intended to represent all examples that may be implemented or that fall within the scope of the claims. The term "example" as used herein means "serving as an example, instance, or illustration" and does not mean "preferred" or "advantageous over other examples." The detailed description includes specific details for bringing about an understanding of the described techniques. However, these techniques may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0264] The description of the present disclosure is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to the present disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
1. An apparatus for wireless communication in a user equipment (UE), comprising: a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; instructions stored in the memory, which cause the apparatus to: establish a communication link with a network via a first transceiver point and a second transceiver point; receive scheduling information for a set of reference signals; for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identify a respective transmission configuration indicator state according to the association of each reference signal with the first transceiver point or the second transceiver point; communicate with the network according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals; instructions executable by the processor to perform the above; and an apparatus comprising the above.
2. The instructions further cause the apparatus to: receive control signaling indicating the respective transmission configuration indicator states for each reference signal in the set of reference signals; instructions further executable by the processor to perform the above; The apparatus according to claim 1.
3. The instructions further cause the apparatus to: identify a first transmission configuration indicator state associated with the first transceiver point and a second transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second transceiver point, and the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first transmission configuration indicator state, the second transmission configuration indicator state, or a different transmission configuration indicator state; instructions further executable by the processor to perform the above; The apparatus according to claim 2.
4. The instructions further cause the apparatus to: using the control signaling, for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, receive an indication of whether the respective transmission configuration indicator state corresponds to a first respective transmission indicator state based on the association of each reference signal with the first transceiver point or the second transceiver point, or respective different transmission indicator states; instructions further executable by the processor to perform the above; The apparatus according to claim 2.
5. The instructions for receiving the control signaling cause the apparatus to: receive the control signaling via a media access control (MAC) control element, wherein the control signaling replaces a previous indication of each transmission configuration indicator state for the set of reference signals be executable by the processor as The apparatus according to claim 2 **Claim 6** The instructions for receiving the control signaling cause the apparatus to receive the control signaling via a radio resource control message be executable by the processor as The apparatus according to claim 2 **Claim 7** The instructions cause the apparatus to receive a downlink control information message including a respective transmit-receive point indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, and for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying the respective transmission configuration indicator state is at least partially based on the respective transmit-receive point indicator field for each reference signal of the set of reference signals be further executable by the processor as The apparatus according to claim 1 **Claim 8** The instructions cause the apparatus to identify a first transmission configuration indicator state associated with the first transmit-receive point and a second transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second transmit-receive point, and for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying the respective transmission configuration indicator state includes identifying one of the first transmission configuration indicator state or the second transmission configuration indicator state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals be further executable by the processor as The apparatus according to claim 1 **Claim 9** For each reference signal of the set of reference signals, the instructions for identifying the transmission configuration indicator state cause the apparatus to identify one of the first transmission configuration indicator state or the second transmission configuration indicator state for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, at least partially based on the order of the set of reference signals be executable by the processor as The apparatus according to claim 8 **Claim 10** The set of reference signals includes a set of sounding reference signals, and the instructions for communicating with the network, according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, cause the apparatus to transmit the set of sounding reference signals according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each sounding reference signal in the set of sounding reference signals, to be executable by the processor as such, The apparatus according to claim 1.
11. The set of reference signals includes a set of channel state information reference signals, and the instructions for communicating with the network, according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, cause the apparatus to receive the set of channel state information reference signals according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each channel state information reference signal in the set of channel state information reference signals, to be executable by the processor as such, The apparatus according to claim 1.
12. An apparatus for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; instructions stored in the memory, which cause the apparatus to establish a communication link with a user equipment (UE) via a first transceiver point and a second transceiver point, transmit scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE, for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identify a respective transmission configuration indicator state according to the association of each reference signal with the first transceiver point or the second transceiver point, communicate with the UE via the first transceiver point and the second transceiver point according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, instructions executable by the processor as such; An apparatus comprising.
13. The instructions cause the apparatus to transmit control signaling indicating the respective transmission configuration indicator states for each reference signal in the set of reference signals to the UE, to be further executable by the processor as such, The apparatus according to claim 12.
14. The instructions cause the apparatus to Identify the first transmission configuration indicator state associated with the first transmission and reception point and the second transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second transmission and reception point, and the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first transmission configuration indicator state, the second transmission configuration indicator state, or a different transmission configuration indicator state. It is further executable by the processor as follows. The apparatus according to claim 13.
15. The instructions cause the apparatus to Using the control signaling, for each reference signal in the set of reference signals Based on the association of each reference signal with the first transmission and reception point or the second transmission and reception point, or their respective different transmission indicator states, cause the apparatus to transmit an indication of whether each respective transmission configuration indicator state corresponds to a first respective transmission indicator state. It is further executable by the processor as follows. The apparatus according to claim 13.
16. The instructions for transmitting the control signaling cause the apparatus to Transmit the control signaling via a media access control (MAC) control element, The control signaling replaces a previous indication of each transmission configuration indicator state for the set of reference signals. It is executable by the processor as follows. The apparatus according to claim 13.
17. The instructions cause the apparatus to Transmit the control signaling via a radio resource control message. It is further executable by the processor as follows. The apparatus according to claim 13.
18. The instructions cause the apparatus to Transmit to the UE a downlink control information message including a respective transmission and reception point indicator field for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, and identifying each respective transmission configuration indicator state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals is at least partially based on the respective transmission and reception point indicator fields for each reference signal in the set of reference signals. It is further executable by the processor as follows. The apparatus according to claim 12.
19. The instructions cause the apparatus to Identifying a first transmission configuration indicator state associated with the first transmission / reception point and a second transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second transmission / reception point, and for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identifying the respective transmission configuration indicator state, including identifying one of the first transmission configuration indicator state or the second transmission configuration indicator state for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, is further executable by the processor as follows, The apparatus according to claim 12.
20. For each reference signal in the set of reference signals, the instruction for identifying the transmission configuration indicator state causes the apparatus to, For each reference signal in the set of reference signals, identify one of the first transmission configuration indicator state or the second transmission configuration indicator state based at least in part on the order of the set of reference signals in the set of reference signals, is executable by the processor as follows, The apparatus according to claim 19.
21. The set of reference signals includes a set of sounding reference signals, and according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, the instruction for communicating with the UE causes the apparatus to, Receive the set of sounding reference signals according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each sounding reference signal in the set of sounding reference signals, is executable by the processor as follows, The apparatus according to claim 12.
22. The set of reference signals includes a set of channel state information reference signals, and according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal in the set of reference signals, the instruction for communicating with the UE causes the apparatus to, Transmit the set of channel state information reference signals according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each channel state information reference signal in the set of channel state information reference signals, is executable by the processor as follows, The apparatus according to claim 12.
23. A method for wireless communication in a user equipment (UE), comprising: Establishing a communication link with a network via a first transmission / reception point and a second transmission / reception point, Receiving scheduling information for a set of reference signals; For each reference signal of the set of reference signals, identifying respective transmission configuration indicator states according to the association of each reference signal with the first transceiver point or the second transceiver point; Communicating with the network according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals; A method comprising.
24. Receiving control signaling indicating the respective transmission configuration indicator states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals; The method according to claim 23, further comprising.
25. Identifying a first transmission configuration indicator state associated with the first transceiver point and a second transmission configuration indicator state associated with the second transceiver point, wherein the control signaling indicates, for each reference signal, one of the first transmission configuration indicator state, the second transmission configuration indicator state, or a different transmission configuration indicator state; Identifying. The method according to claim 24, further comprising.
26. Using the control signaling for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, Based on the association of each reference signal with the first transceiver point or the second transceiver point, or respective different transmission indicator states, transmitting an indication of whether the respective transmission configuration indicator states correspond to first respective transmission indicator states; The method according to claim 24, further comprising.
27. Receiving the control signaling is, Receiving the control signaling via a media access control (MAC) control element, wherein the control signaling replaces a previous indication of respective transmission configuration indicator states for the set of reference signals; Receiving. The method according to claim 24, further comprising.
28. Receiving the control signaling is, Receiving the control signaling via a radio resource control message; The method according to claim 24, comprising.
29. Receiving a downlink control information message including respective transmission / reception point indicator fields for each reference signal of the set of reference signals, wherein identifying the respective transmission configuration indicator states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals is based at least in part on the respective transmission / reception point indicator fields for each reference signal of the set of reference signals. The method according to claim 23, further comprising.
30. A method for wireless communication in a network entity, comprising: Establishing a communication link with a user equipment (UE) via a first transmission / reception point and a second transmission / reception point; Transmitting scheduling information for a set of reference signals to the UE; Identifying respective transmission configuration indicator states for each reference signal of the set of reference signals according to the association of each reference signal with the first transmission / reception point or the second transmission / reception point; Communicating with the UE via the first transmission / reception point and the second transmission / reception point according to the respective transmission configuration indicator states identified for each reference signal of the set of reference signals; A method comprising.
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