Terminal devices, network devices, methods for terminal devices, and methods for network devices

Abstract

Embodiments of this disclosure provide a solution for transmission configuration indicator (TCI) selection. In this solution, a terminal device receives a first message containing a first configuration indicating a TCI state selection, and determines a set of TCI states intended for TCI state selection based on one or more relationships between TCI selection fields and TCI fields. In this way, the terminal device can interpret TCI-related configurations and appropriately select TCI states.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The exemplary embodiments of this disclosure generally relate to the field of communication techniques, and more particularly to devices and methods for selecting a transmission configuration indicator (TCI). [Background technology]

[0002] Multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology is widely used in current wireless communication systems where a large number of antenna elements are used by network devices to communicate with terminal devices. Furthermore, to improve the reliability and robustness of communication between network devices and terminal devices, multi-transmission and reception point (Multi-TRP / M-TRP) technology has been proposed and discussed.

[0003] Generally speaking, downlink control information (DCI) can be used by network devices to present TCI-related information to terminal devices. It is agreed that two or more TCI states may be presented to a terminal device, and that the terminal device may select at least one TCI state for downlink transmission (physical downlink shared channel, PDSCH). According to this agreement, information regarding the presented TCI state and information regarding TCI selection are presented in different fields and further applied by the terminal device according to different timing control mechanisms, leading to scenarios where there are no TCI states for TCI selection or where the terminal device is confused about which TCI state can be used for TCI selection. Therefore, it is desirable to discuss methods for interpreting TCI configuration information. [Overview of the Initiative] [Means for solving the problem]

[0004] Generally, embodiments of this disclosure provide solutions for TCI selection.

[0005] In a first embodiment, a terminal device is provided, which includes a processor, the processor is configured to cause the terminal device to receive a first message including a first configuration indicating a selection of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states, and to determine a set of TCI states intended for the selection of TCI states based on a first relationship between a first reception time of receiving the first configuration and a second reception time of receiving a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state, wherein the second configuration is included in the first message or the second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message, a second relationship between a first effective time of the first configuration and a second effective time of the second configuration, or a third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0006] In a second embodiment, a terminal device is provided, which includes a processor, and is configured to cause the terminal device to perform the following actions: receive, and transmit with the network device by applying at least one TCI state, wherein the at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state.

[0007] In a third aspect, a terminal device includes a processor, the processor being configured to receive, from a network device, configuration information of the terminal device that applies at least one transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, the configuration information including a TCI selection field and not including a downlink allocation, and to cause the terminal device to either ignore the TCI selection field or determine at least one of first information or second information from the TCI selection field, the first information indicating which of at least one TCI is updated, and the second information indicating whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state. A terminal device is provided.

[0008] In a fourth aspect, a terminal device includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the terminal device to receive, from a network device, transmission configuration information of the terminal device, the configuration information including a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) selection field indicating at least one of a quasi-co-location (QCL) type, a combination of layers, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration. A terminal device is provided.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, a network device is provided, which includes a processor, the processor is configured to transmit and transmit to a terminal device, based on at least one TCI state, configuration information of a terminal device to which a first set of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states, including a first set of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states, including a second set of TCI states, to be used by the terminal device, wherein the configuration information indicates a second set of TCI states, including a third TCI state, to be used by the terminal device, and the at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, a network is provided, comprising a network device including a processor, the processor configured to cause the network device to transmit transmit configuration information for terminal devices to terminal devices, the configuration information comprising a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field, the transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field indicating at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a combination of layers, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a communication method implemented by a terminal device is provided. The method includes receiving a first message including a first configuration indicating a selection of a Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, and determining a set of TCI states intended for the selection of the TCI state based on at least one of a first relationship between a first reception time when the first configuration is received and a second reception time when a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state is received, where the second configuration is included in the first message or a second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message; a second relationship between a first valid time of the first configuration and a second valid time of the second configuration; or a third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0012] In an eighth aspect, a communication method implemented by a terminal device is provided. The method includes receiving, from a network device, configuration information of the terminal device that applies a first set including a first Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state and a second TCI state, where the configuration information indicates a second set including a third TCI state used by the terminal device, and performing transmission with the network device by applying at least one TCI state, where the at least one TCI state is determined based on at least one of a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states or only apply the third TCI state.

[0013] A ninth aspect provides a communication method performed by a terminal device. The method includes receiving configuration information from a network device for a terminal device that applies at least one transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state, wherein the configuration information includes a TCI selection field but does not include a downlink assignment, and ignoring the TCI selection field or determining at least one of first or second information from the TCI selection field, wherein the first information indicates which of the at least one TCI is updated, and the second information indicates whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state.

[0014] A tenth embodiment provides a communication method performed by a terminal device. The method includes the step of receiving transmit configuration information from a network device, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a layer combination, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0015] In an eleventh aspect, a communication method is provided that is implemented by a network device. The method includes the steps of transmitting configuration information of a terminal device to a terminal device that applies a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, including a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states and a second set of TCI states, the configuration information indicating a second set of TCI states, including a third set of TCI states used by the terminal device, and transmitting to the terminal device based on at least one TCI state, the at least one TCI state being determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating whether the first and second TCI states are updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether the other of the first and second TCI states is to be applied, or whether only the third TCI state is to be applied.

[0016] A twelfth aspect provides a communication method implemented by a network device. The method includes the step of transmitting transmit configuration information to a terminal device, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a combination of layers, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0017] In the 13th aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided on which instructions are stored, and which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform a method according to the 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th aspect.

[0018] Other features of this disclosure will be easily understood through the following explanation.

[0019] A more detailed description of some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure in the accompanying drawings will further illustrate the above and other purposes, features, and advantages of this disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0020] [Figure 1A] This document illustrates an exemplary communication environment in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 1B] This document illustrates an exemplary communication environment in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. [Figure 1C] This document illustrates an exemplary communication environment in which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0021] [Figure 2] The following shows the signaling flow of communication according to several embodiments of this disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 3]An exemplary block for TCI selection is shown.

[0023] [Figure 4] An exemplary signaling structure is shown.

[0024] [Figure 5] Another exemplary structure of signaling is shown.

[0025] [Figure 6] Another exemplary structure of signaling is shown.

[0026] [Figure 7] Another exemplary block for TCI selection is shown.

[0027] [Figure 8] Another exemplary block for TCI selection is shown.

[0028] [Figure 9] Another exemplary block for TCI selection is shown.

[0029] [Figure 10] This shows an exemplary mapping between different TCI states and their corresponding scenarios.

[0030] [Figure 11] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection.

[0031] [Figure 12A] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection. [Figure 12B] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection.

[0032] [Figure 13] Here's another example of timing regarding TCI selection.

[0033] [Figure 14] Here's another example of timing regarding TCI selection.

[0034] [Figure 15] Here's another example of timing regarding TCI selection.

[0035] [Figure 16A] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection. [Figure 16B] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection.

[0036] [Figure 17] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection.

[0037] [Figure 18] This shows an example of timing for TCI selection.

[0038] [Figure 19] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a terminal device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0039] [Figure 20] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a terminal device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0040] [Figure 21] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a terminal device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0041] [Figure 22] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a terminal device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0042] [Figure 23] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a network device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0043] [Figure 24] A flowchart illustrating a method implemented on a network device according to several exemplary embodiments of this disclosure is shown.

[0044] [Figure 25] A simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for carrying out exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is shown. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0045] Throughout the drawings, identical or similar reference numerals represent identical or similar elements.

[0046] Herein, the principles of this disclosure will be explained with reference to several exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and should be understood as facilitating the understanding and implementation of this disclosure by those skilled in the art, without implying any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways other than those described below.

[0047] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0048] As used herein, the term “terminal device” refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cell phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communications (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, in-vehicle devices for V2X communication (where X means pedestrian, vehicle, or infrastructure / network), devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), spacecraft or aircraft in non-terrestrial networks (NTN), including High Altitude Platforms (HAP) encompassing satellites and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Augmented Reality (AR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Examples include, but are not limited to, extended reality (XR) devices that include various types of reality such as reality and virtual reality (VR), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that do not require a human pilot, commonly known as drones, devices on high-speed trains (HST), imaging devices such as digital cameras, sensors, game consoles, music storage and playback devices, or internet devices that enable wireless or wired internet access and browsing.The “Terminal Device” may further have “multicast / broadcast” capabilities to support public safety and mission-critical applications, V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, software distribution over wireless, group communications, and IoT applications. It may also incorporate one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIMs. The term “Terminal Device” may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or wireless device.

[0049] The term "network device" refers to a device that can provide or host a cell or coverage from which terminal devices can communicate. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), low-power nodes such as IAB nodes, femtonodes, and piconodes, and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS).

[0050] Terminal devices or network devices may have artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning capabilities. AI or machine learning capabilities generally include models trained from large amounts of data collected for a specific function, and can be used to predict certain information.

[0051] Terminal or network devices may operate in several frequency ranges, such as FR1 (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz), FR2 (e.g., 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz), frequency bands greater than 100 GHz, and terahertz (THz). Furthermore, terminal or network devices may operate in licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. Terminal devices may have multiple connections with network devices under multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) application scenarios. Terminal or network devices may operate in full duplex mode, flexible duplex mode, and cross-division duplex mode.

[0052] Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented using test equipment, such as signal generators, signal analyzers, spectrum analyzers, network analyzers, test terminal devices, test network devices, and channel emulators. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be connected to a first network device and a second network device. One of the first and second network devices may be a master node and the other may be a secondary node. The first and second network devices may use different radio access technologies (RATs). In some embodiments, the first network device may be a first RAT device, and the second network device may be a second RAT device. In some embodiments, the first RAT device may be an eNB, and the second RAT device may be a gNB. Information related to different RATs may be transmitted from at least one of the first or second network devices to the terminal device. In some embodiments, the first information may be transmitted from the first network device to the terminal device, and the second information may be transmitted from the second network device directly or via the first network device to the terminal device. In some embodiments, information relating to the configuration of a terminal device set by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device via the first network device. Information relating to the reconfiguration of a terminal device set by the second network device may be transmitted from the second network device directly to the terminal device or via the first network device.

[0053] As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “it” are intended to include the plural unless the context makes otherwise clear. The term “including” and its variations shall be read as an open term meaning “including, but not limited to.” The term “based on” shall be read as “based at least in part.” The terms “one embodiment” and “one embodiment” shall be read as “at least one embodiment.” The term “another embodiment” shall be read as “at least one other embodiment.” Terms such as “first,” “second,” etc., may refer to different or the same subject. Other explicit and implicit definitions may be included below.

[0054] In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as "best," "worst," "highest," "minimum," "maximum," etc. Such descriptions are intended to show that a choice may be made from among many functional alternatives, and it should be understood that such a choice does not necessarily need to be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise preferable than other choices.

[0055] In wireless communication systems, DCI can be used by network devices to display TCI-related information to terminal devices. 3GPP Release 15 introduces the TCI field in DCI format for PDSCH, which is either 0 bits (non-existent) or 3 bits, depending on the radio resource control (RRC) configuration. 3GPP Release 16 supports M-TRP, allowing two TCI states to be mapped to a single TCI field based on a new MAC CE TCI state activation command.

[0056] 3GPP Release 17 introduces an integrated TCI framework to replace the TCI state / spatial relationship framework of Releases 15 / 16 for beam indication. The indicated TCI applies not only to PDSCH but also to other channels / signals. Furthermore, 3GPP Release 17 allows mapping of only one integrated TCI state to one TCI code point in DCI. That is, in 3GPP Releases 15-17, there is only one "TCI field" in DCI.

[0057] Furthermore, in the case of an integrated TCI framework, the first joint TCI state may correspond to the first TRP, and the second joint TCI state may correspond to the second TRP. When S-DCI-based M-TRP operation is configured, the following functions are supported: >For a serving cell configured in joint downlink (DL) / uplink (UL) TCI mode, the full set or any subset of {first joint TCI state, second joint TCI state} may be mapped to the TCI code points of the existing TCI fields in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL assignment). ◆When the UE receives a TCI code point mapped to the full set of {first joint TCI state, second joint TCI state}, the UE updates the corresponding joint TCI state in the full set. ◆When the UE receives a TCI code point mapped to a subset of {first joint TCI state, second joint TCI state}, the UE updates the corresponding joint TCI state in the subset and maintains the current joint TCI state as not being in the subset, and ◆The TCI state activation command (MAC-CE) should indicate that each joint TCI state activated by the TCI state activation command is mapped to the first or second joint TCI state of the TCI code point, and the method of indicating this is according to the RAN2 design. >For a serving cell configured with individual DL / UL TCI modes, the first DL and UL TCI states correspond to the first TRP, the second DL and UL TCI states correspond to the second TRP, and the full set or any subset of {first DL TCI state, first UL TCI state, second DL TCI state, second UL TCI state} can be mapped to TCI code points of existing TCI fields in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL assignment). ◆When the UE receives a TCI code point mapped to the full set of {first DL TCI state, first UL TCI state, second DL TCI state, second UL TCI state}, the UE updates the corresponding DL / UL TCI state in the full set. ◆When the UE receives a TCI code point mapped to a subset of {first DL TCI state, first UL TCI state, second DL TCI state, second UL TCI state}, the UE updates the corresponding DL / UL TCI state in the subset and maintains the current DL / UL TCI state as not being in the subset, and ◆The TCI state activation command (MAC-CE) should indicate that each DL / UL TCI state activated by the TCI state activation command is mapped to the first DL TCI state, first UL TCI state, second DL TCI state, or second UL TCI state of the TCI code point, and the method of indicating this is according to the RAN2 design.

[0058] According to Release 18 discussed in this application, the integrated TCI framework is extended to support M-TRP. Furthermore, in addition to continuing to use the existing TCI fields for TCI indication, a new field in the DC used for PDSCH TCI state selection has been agreed upon, and for the sake of facilitating the discussion in the following description, the new field will be temporarily referred to as the TCI selection field.

[0059] It is agreed that two or more TCI states may be presented to a terminal device, and that the terminal device may select at least one TCI state for PDSCH. According to the agreement, information regarding the presented TCI state and information regarding TCI selection are presented in different fields and further applied by the terminal device according to different timing control mechanisms, which leads to several scenarios in which the terminal device becomes confused about whether there is no TCI state for TCI selection or which TCI state can be used for TCI selection.

[0060] In some embodiments, the 2-bit TCI selection field may be configured by the RRC to exist in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2, which schedules / activates PDSCH reception (including dynamic PDSCH and SPS PDSCH) according to the following: >If DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 indicates code point "00" for the TCI selection field, the UE applies the first of the two indicated joint / DL TCI states to all PDSCH demodulation reference signal (DMRS) ports of the corresponding PDSCH transmission opportunity scheduled / activated by DCI format 1_1 / 1_2. >If DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 indicates code point "01" for the TCI selection field, the UE applies the second of the two indicated joint / DL TCI states to all PDSCH DMRS ports of the corresponding PDSCH transmission opportunity scheduled / activated by DCI format 1_1 / 1_2. If DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 indicates code point "10" for the TCI selection field, the UE applies both indicated joint / DL TCI states to the PDSCH reception scheduled / activated by DCI format 1_1 / 1_2, as follows: ◆In the case of PDSCH time division multiplexing (TDM), space division multiplexing (SDM), and frequency division multiplexing (FDM) Tx schemes, the mapping rules of Release 16 are reused to replace the first and second indicated legacy TCI states with the first and second indicated joint / downlink (DL) TCI states, thereby mapping the first and second indicated joint / DL TCI states to PDSCH transmission opportunities, code division multiplexing (CDM) groups, or non-overlapping frequency domain resource allocations. ◆In the case of the PDSCH-SFN Tx scheme, the UE applies both the first and second joint / DL TCI states shown to all PDSCH DMRS ports, based on the QCL type / assumptions of Release 17 for PDSCH-Single Frequency Network (SFN). ◆In the case of the PDSCH Coherent Joint Transmission (CJT) Tx scheme, the UE applies both the first and second indicated joint / DL TCI states to all PDSCH DMRS ports.

[0061] More interpretations of the TCI selection field, and in particular the reserved value "11" of the TCI selection field, will be discussed according to several exemplary embodiments discussed below.

[0062] Furthermore, whether or not to support two default beams (i.e., two TCI states) can be implemented as a UE function. Moreover, the above interpretation of TCI selection can be selectively applied according to different scenarios. Specifically, if the UE is in frequency range 1 (FR1) or if the UE supports the two default beam function for S-DCI-based M-TRP in frequency range 2 (FR2) regardless of the threshold, the above interpretation of TCI selection is applied to PDSCH reception scheduled / activated by DCI format 1_1 / 1_2. Furthermore, if the UE supports the two default beam function for S-DCI-based M-TRP in FR2, the UE uses both indicated joint / DL TCI states to buffer the received signal before the threshold.

[0063] Alternatively, if the UE does not support the two default beam functions for S-DCI-based M-TRP in FR2, the above interpretation of TCI selection is applied to the scheduled / activated PDSCH reception when the offset between the reception of scheduled DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 and the scheduled / activated PDSCH reception is greater than or equal to a threshold.

[0064] In the above embodiment, information regarding the indicated TCI state and information regarding the TCI selection are shown in different fields. Furthermore, according to legacy solutions, the UE applies the indicated TCI state and TCI selection according to different timing control mechanisms. In this case, due to ambiguity regarding at least the different timing control mechanisms and the relationship between the TCI selection field and the indicated state, there are several scenarios in which the terminal device becomes confused about whether there is a TCI state for TCI selection or which TCI state can be used for TCI selection. Therefore, it is desirable to discuss a method for interpreting TCI configuration information so that the terminal device can select the appropriate TCI state.

[0065] According to this disclosure, a terminal device receives a first message containing a first configuration indicating a selection of TCI states. The terminal device can determine a set of TCI states intended for the selection of TCI states based on at least one of a first relationship, a second relationship, or a third relationship. In this disclosure, the first relationship represents a relationship between a first reception time in which the first configuration is received and a second reception time in which the second configuration indicating at least one TCI state is received; the second relationship represents a relationship between a first effective time of the first configuration and a second effective time of the second configuration; and the third relationship represents a relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0066] By considering the above relationship, the terminal device can interpret the TCI configuration information and then appropriately select the TCI state.

[0067] As used herein, the terms “resource,” “transmission resource,” “uplink resource,” or “downlink resource” may refer to any resource for performing communication, such as a time-domain resource, a frequency-domain resource, a spatial-domain resource, a code-domain resource, or any other resource that enables communication. Hereafter, unless expressly stated otherwise, resources in both the frequency-domain and time-domain are used as examples of transmission resources to illustrate some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. It should be noted that the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are equally applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0068] As used herein, the term "TRP" refers to an antenna port or antenna array (having one or more antenna elements) available to a network device located at a specific geographical location. For example, a network device may be coupled with multiple TRPs at different geographical locations to achieve better coverage. Alternatively or additionally, multiple TRPs may be incorporated into a network device, or in other words, a network device may contain multiple TRPs. The term "TRP" may also be referred to as a cell (e.g., macrocell, small cell, picocell, femtocell), remote radiohead, relay node, etc. It should be understood that the term "TRP" may represent a logical concept that can be physically implemented in various ways.

[0069] Explicit TRP identification (ID) may not exist. When multi-downlink control information (M-DCI) is assumed, the TRP ID may be implicitly identified via the control resource set (CORESETPoolIndex). When single DCI (S-DCI) is assumed, the TRP ID may be implicitly identified at least via the sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set ID for uplink (UL) transmissions. Therefore, the term "TRP" can be used interchangeably with the terms "CORESETPoolIndex" and "SRS resource set."

[0070] In the case of M-DCI, the terminal device is configured by a higher-layer parameter PDCCH-Config which includes two different CORESETPoolIndex values ​​in the ControlResourceSet for the active bandwidth part (BWP) of the serving cell.

[0071] In the case of S-DCI, the ControlResourceSet has only one CORESETPoolIndex value.

[0072] As used herein, the terms “UE expects,” “UE does not expect,” and “terminal device does not expect” may imply limitations on the configuration of network devices (also known as NW configuration). The terms “UE is not expected” and “terminal device is not expected” may imply a terminal implementation, also known as a UE implementation. In some embodiments, the terms “UE is not expected” and “UE is not expected” may be used interchangeably.

[0073] As used herein, the terms “transmission function information,” “UE function information,” “function-related information,” and “function value set” may be used interchangeably.

[0074] As used herein, the terms “precoder,” “precoding,” “precoding matrix,” “beam,” “spatial relationship information,” “spatial relationship info,” “precoding information and number of layers,” “precoding matrix indicator (PMI),” “precoding matrix indicator,” “transmission precoding matrix indicator,” “precoding matrix indication,” “transmission configuration indication state (TCI state),” “UL TCI state,” “joint TCI state,” “transmission configuration indicator,” “pseudo-collocation (QCL),” “pseudo-collocation,” “QCL ​​parameter,” “QCL ​​assumption,” “QCL ​​relationship,” and “spatial relationship” may be used interchangeably.

[0075] As used herein, the terms “Trp,” “TCI state,” “TCI,” “CORESET,” “CORESET pool,” “UL TCI state,” “DL TCI state,” “Joint TCI state,” and “Separate TCI state” may be used interchangeably.

[0076] As used herein, the terms “multiple TRPs,” “multiple TCI states,” “multiple CORESETs,” and “multiple control resource set pools,” “multi-TRP,” “multi-TCI states,” “multi-TCI,” “multi-CORESETs,” and “multiple control resource set pools,” “MTRP,” and “M-TCI,” and “M-TPR” may be used interchangeably.

[0077] In this disclosure, a TCI state may represent a joint TCI state, one or two separate TCI states, or a pair of separate TCI states. Similarly, two TCI states may represent two joint TCI states, two or four separate TCI states, or two pairs of separate TCI states.

[0078] The term "BWP ID / index" may be used interchangeably with the terms "BWP / component carrier (CC) ID / index," "CC identity / index," "cell identity / index," "physical cell identity / index," "physical cell identity (PCI)," "physCellId," and "serving cell identity / index."

[0079] The term "code point" may be used interchangeably with the terms "code value," "bitmap," "bit value," "field value," and "payload."

[0080] Furthermore, a panel discussed herein represents one or more antenna elements deployed in a specific area of ​​a terminal device. A panel discussed herein may represent a downlink panel, an uplink panel, a panel type, a panel status, a set of functional values, a reference signal (RS) resource, a set of RS resources, an antenna port, a group of antenna ports, a beam, or a beam group. In this regard, the terms “panel,” “panel type,” “set of antenna ports,” “antenna element,” and “antenna array” (and their equivalent expressions) may be used interchangeably.

[0081] Several embodiments are described below with respect to two TCI states, but these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are intended to facilitate the understanding and implementation of the disclosure by those skilled in the art without implying any limitation on the scope of the disclosure. In other embodiments, there may be three or more TCI states.

[0082] Regarding the TCI selection field in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2, TCI selection can occur between two joint TCI states for PDSCH transmission and two separate DL TCI states. Similarly, regarding the SRS resource set indicator (SRI) field in DCI format 0_1 / 0_2, TCI selection can occur between two joint TCI states for PUSCH transmission and two separate UL TCI states. These two processes are similar. For brevity, exemplary embodiments will be discussed using the TCI selection field and PDSCH. However, such discussion may also be applicable to the SRI field and PUSCH.

[0083] The principles and implementation forms of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0084] Exemplary environment Figure 1A shows an exemplary communication network 100 in which several embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The communication network 100 includes network device 120-1 and optionally network device 120-2 (collectively or individually referred to as network device 120). For the purposes of this discussion, network device 120-1 will be referred to as the first network device 120-1, and network device 120-2 will be referred to as the second network device 120-2. Furthermore, the first network device 120-1 and the second network device 120-1 can communicate with each other. Network device 120 can provide services to terminal device 110.

[0085] It should be understood that the number of devices and their connections shown in Figure 1A are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any appropriate number of devices configured to carry out the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure. Hereinafter, for illustrative purposes, several exemplary embodiments will be described in which the terminal device 110 operates as an UE and the network device 120 operates as a base station. However, in some exemplary embodiments, operations described in relation to the terminal device may be performed by the network device or other devices, and operations described in relation to the network device may be performed by the terminal device or other devices.

[0086] In the environmental network 100, the link from network device 120 (such as the first network device 120-1 or the second network device 120-2) to terminal device 110 is called DL, and the link from terminal device 110 to network device 120 (such as the first network device 120-1 or the second network device 120-2) is called UL. In DL, the first network device 120-1 or the second network device 120-2 is the transmit (TX) device (or transmitter), and terminal device 110 is the receive (RX) device (or receiver). In UL, terminal device 110 is the TX device (or transmitter), and the first network device 120-1 or the second network device 120-2 is the RX device (or receiver).

[0087] In addition, to support multi-TRP and / or multi-panel configurations, the network device 110 may be equipped with one or more TRPs. For example, the network device 110 may be coupled with multiple TRPs located in different geographical locations to achieve better coverage. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the first network device 120-1 is equipped with a first TRP 130-1 and a second TRP 130-2. Alternatively, in another particular exemplary embodiment, the first network device 120-1 and the second network device 120-2 are equipped with a first TRP 130-1 and a second TRP 130-2, respectively.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first TRP130-1 and the second TRP130-2 are associated with different control resource set pools (CORESET pools). For example, the first TRP130-1 is associated with the first control resource set pool, and the second TRP130-2 is associated with the second control resource set pool.

[0089] Furthermore, both single TRP (also called single TCI) mode transmission and multi-TRP (also called multi-TCI) mode are supported by the specific example shown in Figure 1A. Specifically, in single TRP mode, terminal device 110 communicates with the network via first TRP 130-1 / second TRP 130-2, and transmission is performed based on first / second control resource set pools and a corresponding single TCI state.

[0090] Alternatively, in multi-TRP mode, terminal device 110 communicates with the network via both the first TRP 130-1 and the second TRP 130-2, and transmission is based on both the first and second control resource set pools and, accordingly, two single TCI states.

[0091] Furthermore, the network device 120 may provide one or more serving cells, and the first TRP 130-1 and the second TRP 130-2 may be contained in the same serving cell or different serving cells. In other words, both inter-cell and intra-cell transmissions are supported by the specific example in Figure 1A.

[0092] Figure 1B shows an exemplary scenario of the communication network 100 as shown in Figure 1A. In the specific example in Figure 1B, the first TRP 130-1 and the second TRP 130-2 are included in the same serving cell 140. In this case, multi-TRP transmission is performed as intra-cell transmission.

[0093] Figure 1C shows another exemplary scenario of the communication network 100 as shown in Figure 1A. In the specific example in Figure 1C, the first TRP 130-1 and the second TRP 130-2 are contained in different serving cells 140-1 and 140-2. In this case, multi-TRP transmission is performed as inter-cell transmission.

[0094] Furthermore, the integrated TCI framework is supported by the communication network 100. In some embodiments, multi-TRP / single-TRP transmissions can be scheduled by either a single DCI message or multiple DCI messages (i.e., multi-DCI / M-DCI). Specifically, one or more pre-configured TCI states can be indicated by single / multiple DCI messages.

[0095] As shown in Figure 1A, when single DCI mode is applied, terminal device 110 receives a single DCI message from the first TRP 130-1. It should be understood that a single DCI message may also be received from the second TRP 130-2.

[0096] Alternatively, if multi-DCI mode is applied, terminal device 110 receives two DCI messages from the first TRP130-1 and the second TRP130-2, respectively.

[0097] In the specific example shown in Figure 1A, the terminal device 110 may be configured using a list of up to M TCI state configurations in the upper-layer parameter PDSCH-Config to decode the PDSCH according to a detected physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) having a DCI intended for the UE and a given serving cell, where M depends on the UE function maxNumberConfiguredTCIstatesPerCC. Each TCI state includes one or two downlink reference signals and parameters for configuring a QCL relationship between the DMRS port of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), the DMRS port of the PDCCH, or the channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) port of a CSI-RS resource. The QCL relationship is configured by the upper-layer parameter qcl-Type1 for the first DL RS and (if configured) qcl-Type2 for the second DL RS. For two DL RSs, the QCL types shall not be the same, regardless of whether the references are for the same DL RS or different DL RSs. The QCL type corresponding to each DL RS is given by the upper-level parameter qcl-Type in QCL-Info, and can take one of the following values: > "typeA": {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion, mean delay, delayed diffusion} > "type B": {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion} > "typeC": {Doppler shift, mean delay} > "typeD": {spatial Rx parameter}.

[0098] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may be configured with respect to CSI-RS, using a list of up to 128 TCI state configurations in the upper-layer parameter dl-OrJoint-TCIStateList in PDSCH-Config to provide RS for QCL for the DMRS of PDSCH and DMRS of PDCCH within the Bandwidth Portion (BWP) / Component Carrier (CC), and, where applicable, to provide a reference for determining UL TX spatial filters for dynamic grant and configuration grant-based PUSCH and PUCCH resources within BWP / CC and SRS.

[0099] If a TCI state or UL-TCI state configuration does not exist in the CC's BWP, terminal device 110 may apply a TCI state or UL-TCI state configuration from the reference CC's reference BWP. If terminal device 110 is configured with dl-OrJoint-TCIStateList or UL-TCI state in any CC within the same bandwidth, terminal device 110 is not expected to be configured with tci-StatesToAddModList, SpatialRelationInfo, or PUCCH-SpatialRelationInfo, except for SpatialRelationInfoPos in the CC within the bandwidth. If terminal device 110 is configured using tci-StatesToAddModList in any CC within the CC list composed of simulteneousTCI-UpdateList1-r16, simulteneousTCI-UpdateList2-r16, simulteneousSpatial-UpdatedList1-r16, or simulteneousSpatial-UpdatedList2-r16, then it can be assumed that terminal device 110 is not configured using dl-OrJoint-TCIStateList or UL-TCI State in any CC within the same bandwidth in the CC list.

[0100] The terminal device 110 receives an activation command used to map up to eight pairs of TCI states and / or TCI states, including one TCI state for a DL channel / signal and / or one TCI state for a UL channel / signal, to code points in the DCI field "Transmit Configuration Instruction" for one or a set of CC / DL BWPs and, if applicable, one or a set of CCS / UL BWPs. When a set of TCI state IDs is activated for one set of CC / DL BWPs and, if applicable, one set of CC / UL BWPs (where the CCs indicated in the activation command determine the list of applicable CCs), the same set of TCI state IDs is applied to all DL and / or UL BWPs in the indicated CCs. If the activation command maps a TCI state and / or UL-TCI state to only one TCI code point, the terminal device 110 applies the indicated TCI state and / or UL-TCI state to one or a set of CC / DL BWPs and, if applicable, one or a set of CC / UL BWPs, once the indicated mapping for a single TCI code point is applied.

[0101] Communication in communication environment 100 may conform to any appropriate standard. Such standards include, but are not limited to, Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), NR (New Radio), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), GSM EDGE Radio Access Network (GERAN), and Machine Type Communications (MTC). Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in accordance with any generation of communication protocols that are currently known or will be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or sixth generation (6G) networks.

[0102] The number of devices shown in Figures 1A-1C (i.e., terminal device 110, network device 110, TRP 130, and cell 140), as well as their connectivity and types, are illustrative only and do not imply any limitation. The communication network 100 may include any suitable number of devices adapted to implement embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0103] Exemplary process Furthermore, it should be understood that the operations of terminal device 110 and network device 120 should be coordinated. In other words, network device 120 and terminal device 110 should have a common understanding of configuration and parameters, etc. Such a common understanding can be implemented through any appropriate interaction between network device 120 and terminal device 110, or between both network device 120 and terminal device 110, to which the same rules / policies apply. Below, several operations will be described from the perspective of terminal device 110, but it should be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by network device 120. Similarly, several operations will be described from the perspective of network device 120, but it should be understood that the corresponding operations should be performed by terminal device 110. For brevity, some identical or similar content will be omitted here.

[0104] Refer to Figure 2, which illustrates the signaling flow 200 of communication according to several embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the signaling flow 200 will be discussed with reference to Figure 1, for example, using terminal device 110 and network device 120.

[0105] In the specific example shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 110 initially applies a first set of TCI states, including a first TCI state and a second TCI state, and receives configuration information indicating a second set of TCI states, including a third TCI state, to be used by the terminal device 110.

[0106] During operation, as shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 can optionally exchange functional information with each other (210).

[0107] In some embodiments, a method for updating TCI states may be implemented as a UE function if the number of TCI states in a second set is less than the number of TCI states in a first set. In this case, the terminal device 110 can transmit function-related information to the network device 120, which may indicate whether the terminal device 110 supports a function to update the other of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply one of the first and second TCI states. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the function-related information may indicate that the terminal device 110 only supports updating to a single TCI state (i.e., applying only the indicated TCI state).

[0108] Furthermore, in some cases, the terminal device 110 may use default TCI states, and the number of supported default TCI states may be implemented as a UE function. In this case, the terminal device 110 may transmit function-related information to the network device 120, which may indicate whether the terminal device 110 can support two or more default TCI states, or may indicate the maximum number of default TCI states supported by the terminal device 110.

[0109] It should be understood that the functional information provided above is for illustrative purposes only. Any appropriate functional information relating to the embodiments discussed herein may be communicated. This disclosure is not limited in this respect.

[0110] As shown in Figure 2, prior to the execution of transmission 230, the terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may exchange configurations with each other. The configuration may consist of one or more message / signalings including RRC signaling, MAC CE, or DCI. In one exemplary embodiment, the network device 120 may send an RRC (re)configuration signaling to the terminal device 110 (221), and the terminal device 110 may send an RRC (re)configuration full signaling in response (222). Alternatively or additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the network device 120 may send a MAC CE to the terminal device 110 (223), and the terminal device 110 may send MAC CE feedback to the network device 120, such as a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) for the MAC CE (224). Alternatively or additionally, in another exemplary embodiment, the network device 120 may transmit DCI to the terminal device 110 (226), and the terminal device 110 may transmit DCI feedback, such as a HARQ-ACK of the DCI, to the network device 120 (227).

[0111] For better understanding, the general procedure for configuring TCI states is described with reference to Figure 2. First, RRC signaling can configure multiple TCI states for terminal device 110, and then some of these TCI states can be activated (225) by the received MAC CE. Hereinafter, one or more activated TCI states may be indicated by a DCI message, and terminal device 110 may apply (235) the indicated TCI state (or select one or more TCI states from the indicated TCI states and apply the selected TCI state).

[0112] It should be made clear that in some scenarios, the subsequent DCI is not necessary and can be omitted accordingly. Several exemplary scenarios are discussed below.

[0113] In some embodiments, if there is only one TCI state to be activated by MAC CE, subsequent DCIs may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the activated TCI state.

[0114] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if there are only two TCI states to be activated by MAC CE, subsequent DCIs may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the activated TCI states.

[0115] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if only two pairs of DL TCI states and UL TCI states exist that are activated by MAC CE, the subsequent DCI may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the activated TCI states.

[0116] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if only one or two DL TCI states and one or two UL TCI states are present that are activated by MAC CE, subsequent DCIs may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the activated TCI states.

[0117] It should also be made clear that in some scenarios, both the subsequent MAC CE and DCI may not be necessary and may be omitted accordingly. Several exemplary scenarios are discussed below.

[0118] In some embodiments, if only one TCI state is present, configured by RRC signaling, subsequent DCIs may be omitted. The terminal device 110 can apply the configured TCI state.

[0119] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if there are only two TCI states configured by RRC signaling, both subsequent MAC CE and DCI may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the configured TCI states.

[0120] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if only two pairs of DL TCI states and UL TCI states are present, configured by RRC signaling, both subsequent MAC CE and DCI may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the configured TCI states.

[0121] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if only one or two DL TCI states and one or two UL TCI states configured by RRC signaling are present, both subsequent MAC CE and DCI may be omitted. Terminal device 110 can apply the configured TCI states.

[0122] As an example of an initial state, terminal device 110 applies a first TCI state and a second TCI state and receives configuration information indicating a third TCI state used by terminal device 110. According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, by using configurations and / or predefined rules, terminal device 110 may determine first information and second information, the first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, and the second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states or to apply only the third TCI state.

[0123] Based on the first and / or second information, the terminal device 110 can determine at least one TCI state to be used for subsequent transmission. In one exemplary embodiment, the terminal device 110 applies the second and third TCI states. Alternatively, in another exemplary embodiment, the terminal device 110 applies the first and third TCI states. Alternatively, in a further exemplary embodiment, the terminal device 110 applies only the third TCI state.

[0124] In some embodiments, the first and second information are indicated individually or jointly by the network device 120. Furthermore, the first and / or second information may be indicated in at least one of the following: a TCI field in DCI, a TCI selection field in DCI, a TCI state activation field in MAC CE, or an information element in RRC signaling.

[0125] In one particular embodiment, the “TCI field” in DCI represents S-TCI (or S-TRP) when only one TCI state is mapped to the code point of the TCI field. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the “first information” and / or “second information” may be obtained by the terminal device via a “TCI selection field” which is also used for TCI state selection for PDSCH. Table 1 below shows five different UE assumptions for applicable TCI states with respect to PDSCH. TIFF2026512823000002.tif130158

[0126] In this way, the terminal device 110 can determine the appropriate TCI state for the following transmission, particularly in the case of a scenario where only one TCI state is mapped to one code point of the TCI field in DCI. Furthermore, dynamic switching between S-TCI mode and M-TCI mode can be enabled in a low-overhead manner.

[0127] The following describes several exemplary configurations for presenting the first and second pieces of information.

[0128] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field. In particular, >The first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated to the third TCI state, and the second TCI state continues to be applied, >The second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated to the third TCI state, and the first TCI state continues to apply, or The third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

[0129] As discussed above, the ability to update one of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply the other may not be supported by the terminal device 110. In this case, if the number of TCI states in the second set is 1, the terminal device 110 applies only the third TCI state. Therefore, the associated code point is not supported.

[0130] For better understanding, refer here to Figure 3, which shows an exemplary block 300 for TCI selection.

[0131] In some embodiments, the M-TRP scheme can be configured via RRC. Furthermore, in the specific example shown in Figure 3, the terminal device 110 applies TCI states of {TCI state ID x1, TCI state ID x2}, where TCI state ID x1 is shown as the first TCI state and TCI state ID x2 is shown as the second TCI state.

[0132] As shown in Figure 3, the first and second information are indicated by the TCI field in DCI. That is, different code points indicate different update methods. The terminal device 110 can determine how to update the first TCI state and the second TCI state depending on the MAC CE signaling content and the code points in the TCI field.

[0133] As shown in Figure 3, at least five different update methods can be represented by five different code points. In particular, the different code points are used to represent "updates to a single TCI state" (code points #4 and #5) and "updates to a subset of TCI states" (i.e., code points #2 and #3, which continue to apply the other of the first and second TCI states).

[0134] Furthermore, as discussed above, whether terminal device 110 can support updating one TCI state and maintaining the other can be determined based on the UE function report. If terminal device 110 does not support such functionality, when one TCI state is mapped to one TCI code point, it means that S-TRP or S-TCI mode is enabled and terminal device 110 can only apply the indicated TCI state with respect to PDSCH reception. In this case, code points #2 and #3 in the dashed box 310 are not supported.

[0135] Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a TCI state activation field in MAC CE. Specifically, the TCI state activation field includes: >At least one code point indicating at least one third TCI state, >At least one first parameter used to indicate first information corresponding to at least one third TCI state, and >At least one second parameter used to indicate second information corresponding to at least one third TCI state.

[0136] Furthermore, in some embodiments, each of at least one third TCI state is represented by a bit string of identifiers for the third TCI state, the most significant bit of which is used to indicate either first or second information relating to the third TCI state.

[0137] In some embodiments, the MAC CE is identified by a MAC PDU subheader having an eLCID of variable size.

[0138] For better understanding, please refer here to Figures 4-6, which show exemplary structures of MAC CE 400-600.

[0139] As shown in Figure 4, fields such as serving cell ID, BWP ID, C i are included, >Serving cell ID: This field indicates the identifier of the serving cell to which the MAC CE is applied. The length of the field is 5 bits. If the indicated serving cell is configured as part of simultaneousTCI-UpdateList1 or simultaneousTCI-UpdateList2, this MAC CE is applied to all serving cells configured in the set simultaneousTCI-UpdateList1 or simultaneousTCI-UpdateList2, respectively, >BWP ID: This field indicates the DL BWP to which the MAC CE is applied as the code point of the DCI bandwidth part indicator field. The length of the BWP ID field is 2 bits, >C i : This field indicates whether there is an octet containing the TCI state ID i,2 . If this field is set to 1, there is an octet containing the TCI state ID i,2 . If this field is set to 0, there is no octet containing the TCI state ID[[ID=第=15]] i,2 , >TCI state ID i,j : This field indicates the TCI state identified by the TCI-StateId, where i is the index of the code point of the DCI transmission configuration indicator field, and the TCI state ID i,j indicates the jth TCI state shown for the ith code point in the DCI transmission configuration indicator field. The TCI code point to which the TCI state is mapped is determined by its order position among all TCI code points having the set of TCI state ID i,j fields. That is, the first TCI code point having TCI state ID 0,1 and TCI state ID<000001> 0,2 is mapped to the code point value 0, and the TCI state ID 1,1 and TCI state ID 1,2 It should be noted that there seems to be an error in the original text where " " and " " are not properly formatted in the English translation. Also, "<000001> 0,2 " in the original might be a formatting issue. The translation is done as accurately as possible based on the provided text.A second TCI code point having the following is mapped to code point value 1, and so on. TCI status ID i,2 C i This is optional based on the field display. The maximum number of activated TCI code points is 8, and the maximum number of TCI states mapped to TCI code points is 2. >R: Reserved bit, set to 0.

[0140] In the specific example shown in Figure 4, the first piece of information can be shown by using the field Qi as follows: >Q i This field indicates which TCI state is updated for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. If this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID is updated. i,1 The octet containing the TCI status ID is used to update the first TCI status for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. i,1 The octet containing is used to update the second TCI state for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field, C i If Q is set to 1, i This can be ignored, and both TCI states can be updated.

[0141] Furthermore, in the specific example shown in Figure 4, the second piece of information is in field T as follows: i This can be shown by using [this method]. >T i This field indicates whether to switch to a single TCI state for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. If this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID i,1 The octet containing this is used for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. If this field is set to 0, the TCI state ID i,1 The octet containing is used to update the first or second TCI state for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field, C iIf it is set to 1, T i This can be ignored.

[0142] Please understand that the first and second pieces of information described above may be shown together or individually in the MAC CE illustrated in Figure 4, or together or individually via RRC signaling.

[0143] As an alternative to Figure 4, Q i and T i Instead of using the first and second pieces of information, C is used as shown in Figure 5. i This can be demonstrated by redefining it, >C i This field is the TCI status ID. i,2 Indicates whether an octet containing exists. If this field is set to 1, the TCI status ID i,2 An octet containing this exists. If this field is set to 0, the TCI status ID i,2 The MSB or LSB of the N bits (e.g., 2 bits) of the octet containing the octet is used to indicate whether any TCI state (e.g., a first TCI state or a second TCI state) relating to the code point is updated by the indicated TCI state and / or maintains another TCI state or switches to S-TCI.

[0144] Furthermore, as discussed above, in addition to the joint TCI state, the terminal device 110 may be represented in a separate TCI state. Figure 6 shows an exemplary structure 600 of the MAC CE for a separate TCI state. In the specific example of Figure 6, the TCI state-activated MAC CE provides the following information: >First piece of information: Which TCI states (e.g., the first, second, third, and fourth TCI states) relating to the code point are updated by the indicated TCI state? In some examples, the first piece of information suggests which TCI states (e.g., the first DL TCI state, the first UL TCI state, the first pair of DL / UL TCI states, the second DL TCI state, the second UL TCI state, the second pair of DL / UL TCI states) relating to the code point are updated by the indicated TCI state. ◆Q i This field indicates which TCI state for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field will be updated. If this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field will be updated. i,1 The octet containing the TCI state ID is used to update the first DL TCI state, the first UL TCI state, or the first pair of DL / UL TCI states for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. i,1 The octet containing is used to update the second DL TCI state, the second UL TCI state, and the second pair of DL / UL TCI states for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field, C i If Q is set to 1, i This can be ignored. >Second piece of information: If fewer than four TCI state IDs are mapped to one code point in the TCI field in DCI, does this mean that other TCI states are maintained? ◆T i This field indicates whether to maintain other TCI states for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. If this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID i,1 and TCI status ID i,2 If (if present), it is used (not maintained) for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. If this field is set to 0, the TCI status ID i,1 and TCI status ID i,2(If present) it is used to update the first DL TCI state, the first UL TCI state, the first pair of DL / UL TCI states, the second DL TCI state, the second UL TCI state, and the second pair of DL / UL TCI states for the i-th code point in the DCI TCI field. >C i This field is the TCI status ID. i,2 Indicates whether an octet containing exists. If this field is set to 1, the TCI status ID i,2 An octet containing this exists. If this field is set to 0, the TCI status ID i,2 There is no octet that contains this. >P i,j This field is the TCI status ID. i,j This indicates that it corresponds to one or two TCI state IDs. i,j If the field is set to 1, TCI status ID i,j This shows that corresponds to a pair of DL TCI states and UL TCI states. i,j If the field is set to 0, TCI status ID i,j This indicates that it corresponds only to DL / Joint TCI state or UL TCI state, i If set to 0, P i,2 This can be ignored. >D / U: This field indicates whether the TCI status ID within the same octet relates to the joint / downlink TCI status or the uplink TCI status. If this field is set to 1, the TCI status ID within the same octet relates to the joint / downlink status. If this field is set to 0, the TCI status ID within the same octet relates to the uplink status. >TCI State ID: This field indicates the TCI state identified by the TCI-StateId. When D / U is set to 1, a 7-bit TCI State ID, i.e., the TCI-StateId, is used. When D / U is set to 0, the most significant bit of the TCI State ID is used as either primary or secondary information (to switch to S-TRP UL or to update the corresponding TCI state in the indicated TCI state that is applied), and the remaining 6 bits indicate the UL-TCI State ID.

[0145] Alternatively, in some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is jointly represented by: the TCI field in DCI and the TCI selection field in DCI, and the IE in RRC signaling.

[0146] Furthermore, in some embodiments, a reserved value (such as "11") in the TCI selection field is used to indicate second information. In some embodiments, The first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value in the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or The second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value in the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated to the third TCI state, and the first TCI state continues to be applied.

[0147] In some embodiments, the value "11" in the TCI selection field is reserved so that if only one TCI state maps to one code point in the TCI field in DCI, the value "11" can be used to instruct the terminal device 110 to maintain M-TRP mode. For better understanding, we now refer to Figure 7, which shows another exemplary block 700 for TCI selection. In Figure 7, the rows in the dashed block 710 correspond to an example where the reserved value "11" is used to indicate that the other of the first and second TCI states continues to apply.

[0148] Furthermore, if the terminal device 110 does not support the ability to update one of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply the other, it means that S-TRP or S-TCI mode is enabled when one TCI state is mapped to one TCI code point. In that case, the terminal device 110 can only apply the indicated TCI state with respect to PDSCH reception. In this example, the lines within the dashed box 710 are not supported.

[0149] Alternatively, in some embodiments, The first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value in the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state, or that only the third TCI state applies, or The second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value in the TCI selection field jointly indicate whether the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state, or whether only the third TCI state applies.

[0150] For better understanding, we refer here to Figure 7, which shows another exemplary block 700 for TCI selection. In Figure 7, the rows within the dashed block 720 correspond to an example where the reserved value "11" is used to indicate that only the third TCI state applies. In one embodiment, if the value "11" in the TCI selection field is reserved so that only one TCI state maps to one code point in the TCI field in DCI, the value "11" can be used to instruct the terminal device 110 to update the TCI state to a single TRP mode. In this way, several code points in the TCI field may be saved for other TCI pairs or for other purposes. As an alternative or addition, other TCI selection code points can also be used for such S-TRP instructions. For example, > "10", if only one TCI state is shown, and the original intention of "10" to apply both TCI states cannot be realized, >If only TCI state IDy1 is shown to update the first TCI state, then "01" >If only TCI state IDy2 is shown to update the second TCI state, then "00" You can use it.

[0151] Alternatively, the IE in the TCI selection field or RRC signaling is used to indicate the first information. In particular, The first value of the code point in the TCI field and the second value in either the TCI selection field or IE jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to apply, or The third value of the code point in the TCI field and the fourth value in either the TCI selection field or IE jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and that the third TCI state continues to be applied.

[0152] For better understanding, refer here to Figure 8, which shows another exemplary block 800 for TCI selection. In Figure 8, the rows within the dashed blocks 810 / 820 correspond to examples where the TCI selection field or IE in RRC signaling is used to indicate the first piece of information.

[0153] In a particular embodiment of Figure 8, the RRC may be used to indicate which TCI state (first TCI state or second TCI state) with respect to the code point is updated by the indicated TCI state. Alternatively, the values ​​"10" and "11" of the TCI selection field can be used to indicate which TCI state (first TCI state or second TCI state) with respect to the code point is updated by the indicated TCI state. In some embodiments, legacy MAC CE designs may be reused. Alternatively, MAC CE designs such as those discussed with reference to Figures 4-6 may be applied, and P i or T i One of the following fields may be added.

[0154] The TCI selection field is defined for TCI selection related to PDSCH. Therefore, the "TCI selection field" is not useful for DCI without DL assignment (no PDSCH scheduling). From this perspective, the "TCI selection field" does not exist for DCI without DL assignment. Such a rule may be determined by default, predefined, or RRC configuration.

[0155] Alternatively, if the above rules are not specified, terminal device 110 may receive configuration information including a TCI selection field without including a downlink assignment (for example, receiving configuration information used only to update the TCI state). However, because there is no downlink assignment, terminal device 110 does not need to select a TCI state and therefore does not need the information indicated by the TCI selection field. According to embodiments of this disclosure, terminal device 110 may ignore the TCI selection field even if it is configured. In one particular embodiment, if DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 / has no DL assignment, terminal device 110 may assume the following: - The "TCI selection field" is ignored. - Use CS-RNTI to scramble CRC for DCI, - The values ​​of the following DCI fields are set as follows: - RV = all "1", - MCS = all "1", - NDI=0, - Set all FDRA Type 0 parameters to "0", all FDRA Type 1 parameters to "1", or all dynamicSwitch parameters to "0".

[0156] Alternatively, the TCI selection field may be used to indicate the first and second pieces of information. For better understanding, refer here to Figure 9, which shows another exemplary block 900 for TCI selection. In the specific example of Figure 9, the TCI selection field is used to indicate the first and second pieces of information, as indicated by the rows in the dashed box 910.

[0157] Alternatively, as shown in some examples of this disclosure, in addition to TCI selection information, the TCI selection field may also be used to indicate other information, including, but not limited to, the mapping order of the first and second TCI states, QCL types, layer combinations, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, CDM grouping, time-domain behavior, and whether the reference TCI state or TCI selection field for a PDSCH CJT or PDSCH SFN is one-time configuration.

[0158] In some embodiments, one of the first and second values ​​is "10", and the other of the first and second values ​​is "11".

[0159] In one particular embodiment, the first value indicates a first mapping order between the first TCI state and the second TCI state. Thus, the second value indicates a different mapping order between the first TCI state and the second TCI state compared to the mapping order indicated by the first value. The mapping order can be one of the following: {first, second} order, {second, first} order, periodic mapping, or sequential mapping.

[0160] In another specific embodiment, the first value indicates a first QCL type. Therefore, the second value indicates a QCL type different from the QCL type indicated by the first value. An exemplary QCL type could be: QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, QCL type D, QCL parameters {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, or QCL parameters other than {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0161] In further specific embodiments, the first value indicates a first combination of layers. Thus, the second value indicates a different combination of layers from the combination indicated by the first value. Examples may include: 1+2, 2+1, or the first CDM grouping (e.g., within the same CDM group, within different CDM groups).

[0162] In a further specific embodiment, the first value indicates that the latest selection is maintained without change. In other words, the first value indicates that the selection is applied up to the next TCI selection field code point other than the first value. Thus, the second value indicates that the selection is applied only once, for example, for scheduled PDSCHs by the same DCI that contain this TCI selection field.

[0163] In a further specific embodiment, the first value indicates that the selection applies only once, for example, to scheduled PDSCHs by the same DCI containing this TCI selection field. Thus, the second value indicates that the latest selection is maintained without modification. In other words, the first value indicates that the selection applies up to the next TCI selection field code point other than the first value.

[0164] Furthermore, in some embodiments, for downlink transmissions having a coherent joint transmission (CJT) type or a single-frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

[0165] In some embodiments, for the CJT type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0166] Alternatively, in some embodiments, for the SFN type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about QCL parameters as QCL type A, but excludes {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about QCL parameters as QCL type A, but excludes {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0167] The above description primarily concerns the configuration of terminal device 110. The following text discusses an exemplary process for determining the set of TCI states intended for TCI state selection and for applying the TCI states.

[0168] According to some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device 110 receives a first message (such as a DCI) which includes a first configuration indicating a selection of TCI states. The terminal device 110 can determine a set of TCI states intended for the selection of TCI states based on at least one of a first relationship, a second relationship, or a third relationship. In the present disclosure, the first relationship represents a relationship between a first reception time when the first configuration is received and a second reception time when the second configuration indicating at least one TCI state is received; the second relationship represents a relationship between a first effective time of the first configuration and a second effective time of the second configuration; and the third relationship represents a relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0169] Furthermore, if the DCI / PDCCH reception contains two PDCCH candidates from each of the two search space sets, the PDCCH candidate that terminates later is used for the purpose of determining the last symbol of the PDCCH. In other words, the time of the last symbol of the later-terminating PDCCH candidate is used as the reception time of the DCI / PDCCH.

[0170] By considering the above relationship, the terminal device 110 can interpret the TCI configuration information and select an appropriate TCI state accordingly.

[0171] In actual communication, the terminal device 110 may consist of one or more TCI states, and the terminal device 110 may select and apply one or more TCI states. Herein, we refer to Figure 10, which shows an exemplary mapping 1000 between different TCI states and corresponding scenarios.

[0172] In some exemplary embodiments, the second configuration is contained in either the (same) first message or the (different) second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message.

[0173] Furthermore, if a second configuration does not exist, the set of TCI states is determined based on one of the following: at least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or at least one TCI state applied after the first reception time.

[0174] For better understanding, refer to Figures 11-17B to describe the illustrative process.

[0175] In the specific example shown in Figure 11, the TCI selection field and the TCI field are included in the same message (first DCI / second DCI), and terminal device 110 receives the second DCI at time t2 and the first DCI at time t1. For the TCI selection field included in the first DCI, the set of TCI states intended for the selection of the TCI state is one of the following: >At least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in the same first message. That is, terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the represented TCI states, represented by a TCI field in the same DCI, for example, a first TCI field in a first DCI, as shown in Figure 11. >At least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state contained in a different second message received prior to the first message. That is, terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the represented TCI states, represented by the TCI field in the previous / most recent DCI, for example, the second TCI field in the second DCI, as shown in Figure 11.

[0176] By selecting a TCI state from the indicated TCI states, the set of TCI states intended for TCI state selection can be well determined by the terminal device 110 according to the reception / validation timing of the TCI selection field and the TCI field.

[0177] Alternatively, in the specific example in Figure 11, the set of TCI states intended for the selection of a TCI state is the following: >At least one TCI state is applied before the first reception time. That is, as shown in Figure 11, the terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the applied TCI states that are applied before the reception of the first DCI, for example, the first applied TCI state. >At least one TCI state that is applied after the first reception time. That is, the terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from applied TCI states that are applied after the reception of the first DCI, for example, a second applied TCI state, as shown in Figure 11.

[0178] By selecting a TCI state from the applicable TCI states, the terminal device 110 can still determine the set of TCI states intended for TCI state selection, even if the TCI field is not present in the DCI message.

[0179] In the specific examples in Figures 12A and 12B, the TCI selection field and the TCI field are contained in different messages (i.e., the TCI selection field is contained in the first DCI, and the TCI field is contained in the second DCI). As shown in Figure 12A, the first DCI containing the TCI selection field is received at time t1, and the second DCI containing the TCI field is received at time t2, which is earlier than time t1. For the TCI selection field contained in the first DCI, the set of TCI states intended for the selection of a TCI state is one of the following: >At least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state contained in a different second message received before the first message. That is, terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the represented TCI states, represented by the TCI field in the previous / most recent DCI, for example, the second TCI field in the second DCI, as shown in Figure 12A. In other words, after receiving the second DCI, terminal device 110 updates the TCI state based on the second DCI, and then after receiving the first DCI, selects a TCI state from the applied TCI states. >At least one TCI state applied before the first reception time t1. That is, the terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the applied TCI states that are applied before the reception of the first DCI, for example, the first applied TCI state, as shown in Figure 12A.

[0180] In Figure 12B, the first DCI containing the TCI selection field is received at time t1, and the second DCI containing the TCI field is received at time t2, after time t1. For the TCI selection field included in the first DCI, the set of TCI states intended for the selection of a TCI state is one of the following: >At least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a different second message received after the first message. That is, the terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the represented TCI states, represented by a TCI field in the next DCI transport TCI field, for example, a second TCI field in the second DCI, as shown in Figure 12B. In other words, the terminal device performs an operation to sequentially select and update or an operation to be performed among TCI states that will be updated in the near future. >At least one TCI state applied before the first reception time t1. That is, the terminal device 110 selects a TCI state from the applied TCI states that are applied before the reception of the first DCI, for example, the first applied TCI state, as shown in Figure 12B.

[0181] In some embodiments, if a TCI selection field is received at time t1, the first valid time of the TCI selection field is determined to be t1 + TimeDurationQCL. Furthermore, "t1 + TimeDurationQCL" may represent a first time unit (such as a first slot) after the duration of "t1 + TimeDurationQCL".

[0182] According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, during [t1, t1 + TimeDurationQCL], the terminal device 110 needs to decode the DCI and adjust its Rx parameter as shown, and during this duration, the terminal device 110 may not be able to use a selected TCI state as shown, and therefore a default selection may be applied.

[0183] In some embodiments, if the DCI further includes CSI trigger information, the effective time of the TCI selection field for CSI-RS may be determined to be a first time unit (such as a first slot) after the duration of t1 + beamSwitchTiming, and the value of beamSwitchTiming is reported by the terminal device 110.

[0184] In some embodiments, a beam switching timing delay "d" is required when the SCS of DCI / PDCCH is smaller than that of CSI-RS.

[0185] Furthermore, for TimeDurationQCL, the sub-carrier space (SCS) can be defined as follows: >scs-60kHz:{s7,s14,s28}, >scs-120kHz:{s14,s28}, >scs-60kHz:{s56,s112}, >scs-120kHz:{s112,s224}.

[0186] The time unit of SCS is a symbol; therefore, s7 means 7 symbols.

[0187] Therefore, if the TCI field is received at time t2, the second valid time of the TCI selection field is determined to be t2 + N + beamAppTime, where "N" represents the duration between the DCI and the PUCCH having HARQ-ACK information, or between the DCI and the PUSCH having HARQ-ACK information corresponding to the DCI or the PDSCH scheduled by the DCI when the indicated TCI state differs from the previously indicated TCI state.

[0188] Furthermore, "t2+N+beamAppTime" may represent the first time unit (such as the first slot) after the duration of "t2+N+beamAppTime".

[0189] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, prior to t2+N+beamAppTime, the terminal device 110 may not be able to use the TCI state shown, and therefore a default TCI state (such as the applied TCI state) may be used.

[0190] Furthermore, beamAppTime can be defined as n1, n2, n4, n7, n14, n28, n42, n56, n70, n84, n98, n112, n224, n336, where the time unit is a symbol, and the reference SCS for determining the SCS duration is the minimum SCS of the active BWP of all CCs in the same CC list.

[0191] In some embodiments, since the TCI selection field and / or TCI field is not performed, the default selection of the TCI state and / or the default TCI state may be applied. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, when the “default selection of the TCI state” is considered, the terminal device 110 may ignore the “TCI selection field” and apply the default selection of the TCI state rule. Similarly, when the “indicated selection of the TCI state” is considered, the “TCI selection field” may be interpreted in any appropriate manner as described in this disclosure.

[0192] In this disclosure, the default selection of the TCI state may be one of the following: >Selection of TCI states configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling, e.g., selection of a first TCI state, selection of a second TCI state, selection of both the first and second TCI states, deselection of both the first and second TCI states, >If the number of sets of TCI states is greater than 1, select the first TCI state. >If the set of TCI states includes at least two TCI states, select two TCI states. >Selection of TCI state applied to reception in the first configuration (i.e., PDCCH reception in scheduling / activating DCI), >Selection of at least one TCI state as indicated by the second configuration, or >At least one TCI state selection as the most recently applied TCI state selection.

[0193] In this disclosure, the default TCI state is one of the following: >A set of TCI states, each consisting of a lower or higher identifier. >A set of TCI states corresponding to a set of code points, where each set of code points is comprised of a set of TCI states consisting of a lower or higher index, >At least one recent TCI status, >The pseudo-collocation (QCL) assumption determined during the first or last random access, >QCL assumption for receiving downlink transmission scheduling information, or >QCL assumption of at least one associated control resource set (CORESET).

[0194] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may anticipate the same effective time with respect to the TCI field and the TCI selection field.

[0195] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may expect the same reception time and the same validity time with respect to the TCI field and the TCI selection field.

[0196] In some embodiments, it can be expected that the terminal device 110 provides a configuration that ensures the network device 120 has t1 + TimeDurationQCL = t2 + N + beamAppTime.

[0197] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine that the effective time is the later of the first and second effective time, for example, max(t1+TimeDurationQCL, t2+N+beammAppTime).

[0198] In some embodiments, if the first effective time is earlier than the second effective time, at least one of the following is performed: >Before the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states. >During the first and second effective time points, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the default TCI states, and >After the second effective time, the selection of a TCI state represented by the first configuration is made from at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration.

[0199] Alternatively, if the second effective time is earlier than the first effective time, at least one of the following is performed: >Before the second effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states. >During the second effective time and the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration, and >After the first effective time, the selection of a TCI state represented by the first configuration is made from at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration.

[0200] In the specific example in Figure 13, the TCI selection field and the TCI field are included in the same message (i.e., the first DCI) at time t1. In this particular embodiment of Figure 13, if t1 + TimeDurationQCL ≥ t1 + N + beamAppTime (i.e., TimeDurationQCL ≥ N + beamAppTime), >t1+N+beamAppTime before: The default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states (such as the first applied TCI state in Figure 13), >Between t1+N+beamAppTime and t1+TimeDurationQCL: The default selection of the TCI state is made from at least one TCI state (i.e., the second applied TCI state) indicated by the second configuration. >After t1+TimeDurationQCL: The selection of a TCI state indicated by the first configuration (i.e., the indicated selection) is made from among at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration (i.e., the second applied TCI state).

[0201] Alternatively, when t1 + TimeDurationQCL < t1 + N + beamAppTime (i.e., TimeDurationQCL < N + beamAppTime), >Before t1 + TimeDurationQCL: The default selection of the TCI state is made among the default TCI states (such as the first applicable TCI state in FIG. 13), >Between t1 + TimeDurationQCL and t1 + N + beamAppTime: The selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration (i.e., the indicated selection) is made among the default TCI states (e.g., the first applicable TCI state in FIG. 13), >After t1 + N + beamAppTime: The selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration (i.e., the indicated selection) is made among at least one TCI state (i.e., the second applicable TCI state) indicated by the second configuration.

[0202] In the specific examples of FIGS. 14 and 15, the TCI selection field is included in the first DCI received at time t1, and the TCI field is included in the second DCI received at time t2 before or after time t1. In these specific embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15, when t1 + TimeDurationQCL ≧ t2 + N + beamAppTime, >Before t2 + N + beamAppTime: The default selection of the TCI state is made among the default TCI states, >Between t2 + N + beamAppTime and t1 + TimeDurationQCL: The default selection of the TCI state is made among at least one TCI state (i.e., the second applicable TCI state) indicated by the second configuration, >After t1 + TimeDurationQCL: The selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration (i.e., the indicated selection) is made among at least one TCI state (i.e., the second applicable TCI state) indicated by the second configuration.

[0203] Alternatively, when t1 + TimeDurationQCL < t2 + N + beamAppTime, >t1+TimeDurationQCL before: The selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration (i.e., the indicated selection) is made from among the default TCI states, >Between t1+TimeDurationQCL and t2+N+beamAppTime: The indicated selection, the first applied TCI state, >After t2+N+beamAppTime: The default selection of the TCI state is made from at least one TCI state (i.e., the second applied TCI state) indicated by the second configuration.

[0204] In some cases, a second configuration may not exist. In such cases, a default selection of the TCI state occurs before the first effective time, and after the first effective time, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration occurs. An exemplary timing 1600 for TCI selection is shown in Figure 16A.

[0205] Alternatively, the first configuration may not exist. In that case, the default TCI state is applied before the second effective time, and after the second effective time, at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is applied. An exemplary timing 1650 for TCI selection is shown in Figure 16B.

[0206] In some embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to the same Bandwidth Part (BWP) / Component Carrier (CC) list, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the selection of the TCI state is based on multiple TCI states associated with the first frequency resource. Exemplary timing for TCI selection is shown in Figures 17 and 18.

[0207] In a particular embodiment of Figure 17, the TCI field in the DCI of the scheduling BWP / CC points to the activated TCI state in the scheduled BWP / CC (e.g., the second BWP / CC, BWP / CC 1), and the TCI selection field is based on the indicated TCI state in the second BWP / CC. In a particular embodiment of Figure 18, the TCI field in the DCI of the scheduling BWP / CC points to the activated TCI state in the first BWP / CC (e.g., BWP / CC 0), and the TCI selection field is based on the indicated TCI state in the second BWP / CC.

[0208] Alternatively, in some embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to different BWP / CC lists, the first message further indicates information about the first frequency resource, and the terminal device can activate multiple TCI states associated with the first frequency resource, with a default TCI state applied before activation is complete. Furthermore, if the terminal device 110 does not support two default TCI states, the TCI selection field may be ignored.

[0209] Furthermore, in some embodiments, for beamAppTime, the first reference SCS for determining the symbol duration is the minimum SCS of the active BWPs of all CCs in the same CC list, and for timeDurationForQCL, the second reference SCS for determining the symbol duration is the SCS of the active BWP / CC to which the TCI state is applied. In some other embodiments, it may be necessary to align the SCS for both beamAppTime and timeDurationForQCL, which may be the first or second SCS, or the two maximum or two minimum values ​​thereof.

[0210] Generally speaking, in order to perform a TCI state selection, the terminal device 110 needs to determine at least two TCI states. However, in some cases, the terminal device 110 cannot determine at least two TCI states in the following cases: The number of TCI states configured by the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling is 1. That is, RRC constitutes only one TCI state. >The TCI state configured by RRC has not been activated by MAC CE. That is, RRC has configured a list of TCI states, but the activation by MAC CE has not yet been received. MAC CE maps only one TCI state to one TCI code point. The number of TCI states activated by MAC CE is 1. >The second configuration does not exist; for example, the "TCI field" does not exist in DCI. >At least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is not activated (or is not known to terminal device 110), or >If at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration is associated with a different BWP / CC list (or cell) than the one associated with the first configuration.

[0211] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, if the number of sets of TCI states intended for selection of TCI states is less than two, at least one of the following may be performed: >The first configuration is ignored, i.e., considered an error case, and the terminal device is not expected to perform anything in such a scenario. If the reception of the first configuration is not expected, i.e., if the TCI selection field is present in the DCI, only TCI code points that map to two TCI states are considered. In this way, the number of code points in the TCI field may be less than the number of TCI code points activated by the activation command. >Expecting all code points to map to two TCI states, >Apply the TCI state set, >Apply at least one default TCI state, or If the terminal device can support two default TCI states, the TCI state selection will be performed in the default TCI state.

[0212] The above discussion pertains specifically to PDSCH reception. It should be understood that the important concepts described above can also be applied to other channels / signals, such as PDCCH, CORESET, PUCCH, PUSCH, SRS, and CSI-RS, because these other channels / signals also require the selection of appropriate TCI states.

[0213] Table 2 below shows the correspondence between other channels / signals (which can replace PSDCH) and information about TCI state selection (which can replace the TCI selection field). TIFF2026512823000003.tif230158

[0214] By using the correspondences in the table above, the embodiments described above may be adaptable to other channels / signals. In particular, for other channels / signals, if the number of sets of TCI states intended for TCI state selection is less than two, at least one of the following may be performed: >The first configuration is ignored, i.e., considered an error case, and the terminal device is not expected to perform anything in such a scenario. If the reception of the first configuration is not expected, i.e., if the TCI selection field is present in the DCI, only TCI code points that map to two TCI states are considered. In this way, the number of code points in the TCI field may be less than the number of TCI code points activated by the activation command. >Apply the TCI state set, >Apply at least one default TCI state, or If the terminal device can support two default TCI states, the selection of the TCI state is performed in the default TCI state.

[0215] According to the exemplary process discussed above, the terminal device 110 can appropriately interpret the TCI-related configuration.

[0216] Furthermore, as discussed above, the terminal device 110 needs to apply the default TCI state and / or the default selection of the TCI state. The above discussion gives some exemplary scenarios where the default TCI state and / or the default selection are required. For the sake of brevity, the content discussed above will not be discussed again. Some further discussion is summarized below.

[0217] In one embodiment, when there is no information regarding the selection of the TCI state, a default selection of the TCI state is required. The information regarding the TCI state selection may represent any information included in RRC signaling, MAC CE, or DCI as shown in Table 2.

[0218] In another embodiment, when there is no information regarding the TCI state, the default of the TCI state is required. The information regarding the TCI state may represent the information included in RRC signaling, MAC CE, or DCI. As an example, the RRC configuration indicates that there is no "TCI field". Alternatively, there is no TCI field in the DCI.

[0219] In a further embodiment, neither the information regarding the TCI state selection nor the information regarding the TCI state exists.

[0220] In another embodiment, for the PDSCH scheduled before the "timeDurationQCL" threshold and the PDSCH scheduled before the "beamAppTime" threshold, the default TCI state and / or the default selection of the TCI state may be required.

[0221] In summary, the default TCI state and / or default selection of the TCI state may apply to any scenario in which the terminal device cannot obtain information regarding the TCI state selection and / or information regarding the TCI state. This disclosure is not limited to this.

[0222] Exemplary Method Figure 19 shows a flowchart of a communication method 1900 implemented in a terminal device according to several embodiments of this disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, method 1900 will be described from the perspective of terminal device 110 in Figure 1A.

[0223] In block 1910, the terminal device receives a first message containing a first configuration indicating the selection of a Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state.

[0224] In block 1920, the terminal device determines the set of TCI states intended for the selection of a TCI state based on at least one of the following: a first relationship between a first reception time of receiving a first configuration and a second reception time of receiving a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state, wherein the second configuration is contained in a first message or a second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message; a second relationship between a first valid time of the first configuration and a second valid time of the second configuration; or a third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0225] In some exemplary embodiments, if a second configuration does not exist, the set of TCI states is determined based on one of the following: at least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or at least one TCI state applied after the first reception time.

[0226] In some exemplary embodiments, the set of TCI states intended for selection of TCI states is one of the following: at least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a first message; at least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a different second message received before the first message; at least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a different second message received after the first message; at least one TCI state applied before the first reception time; or at least one TCI state applied after the first reception time.

[0227] In some exemplary embodiments, if the first effective time is earlier than the second effective time, a default selection of a TCI state is made from among the default TCI states before the first effective time; during the first and second effective times, a selection of a TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the default TCI states; and after the second effective time, a selection of a TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration.

[0228] In some exemplary embodiments, if the second effective time is earlier than the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states before the second effective time; during the second and first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration; and after the first effective time, the selection of the TCI state represented by the first configuration is made from among at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration.

[0229] In some exemplary embodiments, if a second configuration does not exist, a default selection of the TCI state is made before the first effective time, and a selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made after the first effective time.

[0230] In some exemplary embodiments, if the first configuration does not exist, a default TCI state is applied before the second effective time, and after the second effective time, at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is applied.

[0231] In some exemplary embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to the same Bandwidth Part (BWP) / Component Carrier (CC) list, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the selection of the TCI state is based on a plurality of TCI states associated with the first frequency resource.

[0232] In some exemplary embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to different bandwidth portion (BWP) / component carrier (CC) lists, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to activate several TCI states associated with the first frequency resource, with a default TCI state being applied before the activation is complete.

[0233] In some exemplary embodiments, if the number of sets of TCI states is less than two, the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to ignore a first configuration, not expect to receive a first configuration, expect all code points to map to two TCI states, apply a set of TCI states, apply at least one default TCI state, or perform a TCI state selection with the default TCI state.

[0234] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a terminal device to determine that the number of sets of TCI states is less than two in at least one of the following cases: the number of TCI states configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling is one; the TCI states configured by RRC are not activated by MAC CE; MAC CE maps only one TCI state to one TCI code point; the number of TCI states activated by MAC CE is one; there is no second configuration; at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is not activated; or at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is associated with a different bandwidth portion (BWP) / component carrier (CC) list than the BWP / CC list associated with the first configuration.

[0235] In some exemplary embodiments, the default TCI state is one of the following: a set of TCI states, each consisting of a lower or higher identifier; a set of TCI states corresponding to a set of code points, each of which consists of a lower or higher index; at least one most recent TCI state; a quasi-collocation (QCL) assumption determined during the first or last random access; a QCL assumption for receiving downlink transmission scheduling information; or a QCL assumption for at least one associated control resource set (CORESET).

[0236] In some exemplary embodiments, the default selection of a TCI state is one of the following: a selection of a TCI state configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling; a first selection of a TCI state if the number of sets of TCI states is greater than one; a selection of two TCI states if the set of TCI states includes at least two TCI states; a selection of a TCI state applied to reception in a first configuration; a selection of at least one TCI state indicated by a second configuration; or a selection of the most recently applied TCI state.

[0237] Figure 20 shows a flowchart of a communication method 2000 implemented on a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, method 2000 is described from the perspective of the terminal device in FIG. 1A.

[0238] In block 2010, the terminal device receives, from a network device, configuration information of the terminal device that applies a first set including a first transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state and a second TCI state, and the configuration information indicates a second set including a third TCI state used by the terminal device.

[0239] In block 2020, the terminal device performs transmission with the network device by applying at least one TCI state, and the at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of the following: first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state.

[0240] In some exemplary embodiments, any one of the first, second, and third TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states, and any one of the at least one TCI state is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states.

[0241] In some exemplary embodiments, applying at least one TCI state includes at least one of the following: applying the second and third TCI states, applying the first and third TCI states, or applying only the third TCI state.

[0242] In some exemplary embodiments, the first and second information are shown individually or together, and at least one of the first and second information is shown in at least one of the following: a TCI field in downlink control information (DCI), a TCI selection field in DCI, a TCI state activation field in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0243] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI), where the first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to apply; the second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to apply; or the third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

[0244] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a TCI state activation field in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), the TCI state activation field includes: at least one code point indicating at least one third TCI state; at least one first parameter used to indicate the first piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state; and at least one second parameter used to indicate the second piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state.

[0245] In some exemplary embodiments, each of at least one third TCI state is represented by a bit string of identifiers for the third TCI state, the most significant bit of which is used to indicate either first or second information relating to the third TCI state.

[0246] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is jointly represented by: a TCI field in DCI and a TCI selection field in DCI, and an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0247] In some exemplary embodiments, the reserved value of the TCI selection field is used to indicate second information.

[0248] In some exemplary embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to be applied.

[0249] In some exemplary embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies.

[0250] In some exemplary embodiments, the TCI selection field or IE in RRC signaling is used to indicate the first piece of information.

[0251] In some exemplary embodiments, a first value of a code point in a TCI field and a second value in either a TCI selection field or an IE jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by a third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or a third value of a code point in a TCI field and a fourth value in either a TCI selection field or an IE jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by a third TCI state and the third TCI state continues to be applied.

[0252] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a terminal device to send function-related information to a network device indicating whether the terminal device supports the function of updating the other of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply one of the first and second TCI states.

[0253] In some exemplary embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to apply only the third TCI state if the number of TCI states in the second set is 1, if the function is not supported by the terminal device.

[0254] Figure 21 shows a flowchart of a communication method 2100 implemented in a terminal device according to several embodiments of this disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the method 2100 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device shown in Figure 1A.

[0255] In block 2110, the terminal device receives configuration information from the network device that applies at least one Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state to the terminal device, the configuration information includes a TCI selection field but does not include a downlink assignment.

[0256] In block 2120, the terminal device either ignores the TCI selection field or determines at least one of the first or second pieces of information from the TCI selection field, the first piece of information indicating which of at least one TCI will be updated, and the second piece of information indicating whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state.

[0257] Figure 22 shows a flowchart of a communication method 2200 implemented in a terminal device according to several embodiments of this disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the method 2200 will be described from the perspective of the terminal device shown in Figure 1A.

[0258] In block 2210, the terminal device receives transmit configuration information from the network device, and the configuration information includes a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field indicating at least one of the following: the pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, the layer combination, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0259] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is assigned a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a downlink transmission having a coherent joint transmit (CJT) type or a single frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

[0260] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a Coherent Joint Transmit (CJT) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0261] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates a first TCI state and a second TCI state, and in the case of a single-frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}.

[0262] Figure 23 shows a flowchart of a communication method 2300 implemented by a network device according to several embodiments of this disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the method 2300 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 in Figure 1A.

[0263] In block 2310, the network device transmits configuration information to a terminal device to which a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, including a first and second TCI states, is applied, and the configuration information indicates a second set of TCI states, including a third TCI state, to be used by the terminal device.

[0264] In block 2320, a network device transmits to a terminal device based on at least one TCI state, the at least one TCI state being based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in a first set and the number of TCI states in a second set, and at least one of the following: in block 2340, first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by a third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or to apply only the third TCI state.

[0265] In some exemplary embodiments, any of the first, second, or third TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states, and at least one of the TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states.

[0266] In some exemplary embodiments, the first and second information are shown individually or together, and at least one of the first and second information is shown by at least one of the following: a TCI field in downlink control information (DCI), a TCI selection field in DCI, a TCI state activation field in media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0267] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI), where a first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to apply; a second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to apply; and a third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

[0268] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a TCI state activation field in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), the TCI state activation field includes at least one code point indicating at least one third TCI state, at least one first parameter used to indicate first information corresponding to at least one third TCI state, and at least one second parameter used to indicate second information corresponding to at least one third TCI state.

[0269] In some exemplary embodiments, each of at least one third TCI state is represented by a bit string of identifiers for the third TCI state, the most significant bit of which is used to indicate either first or second information relating to the third TCI state.

[0270] In some exemplary embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is jointly represented by: a TCI field in DCI and a TCI selection field in DCI, and an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0271] In some exemplary embodiments, the reserved value in the TCI selection field is used to indicate second information.

[0272] In some exemplary embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to be applied.

[0273] In some exemplary embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies.

[0274] In some exemplary embodiments, the TCI selection field or IE in RRC signaling is used to indicate the first piece of information.

[0275] In some exemplary embodiments, a first value of a code point in a TCI field and a second value in either a TCI selection field or an IE jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by a third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or a third value of a code point in a TCI field and a fourth value in either a TCI selection field or an IE jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by a third TCI state and the third TCI state continues to be applied.

[0276] In some exemplary embodiments, the terminal device transmits function-related information to the network device indicating whether it is supported by the terminal device to update the other of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply one of the first and second TCI states.

[0277] Figure 24 shows a flowchart of a communication method 2400 implemented in a terminal device according to several embodiments of this disclosure. For the purposes of this discussion, the method 2400 will be described from the perspective of the network device 120 in Figure 1A.

[0278] In block 2410, the network device transmits transmit configuration information to the terminal device, and the configuration information includes a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field indicating at least one of the following: the pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, the layer combination, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0279] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is assigned a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a downlink transmission having a coherent joint transmit (CJT) type or a single frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

[0280] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a Coherent Joint Transmit (CJT) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0281] In some exemplary embodiments, a terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates a first TCI state and a second TCI state, and in the case of a single-frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}.

[0282] Exemplary apparatus and devices Figure 25 is a simplified block diagram of a device 2500 suitable for carrying out embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 2500 can be considered a further exemplary implementation of any of the devices shown in Figure 1A. Thus, device 2500 can be implemented in or as part of a terminal device 110 or a network device 120.

[0283] As illustrated, device 2500 includes a processor 2510, a memory 2520 coupled to the processor 2510, a suitable transceiver 2540 coupled to the processor 2510, and a communication interface coupled to the transceiver 2540. The memory 2510 stores at least a portion of program 2530. The transceiver 2540 may be for bidirectional or unidirectional communication depending on the requirements. The transceiver 2540 may include at least one of a transmitter 2542 and a receiver 2544. The transmitter 2542 and receiver 2544 may be functional modules or physical entities. The transceiver 2540 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, but in practice, the access node referred to in this application may have several antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements, such as the X2 / Xn interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs / gNBs, the S1 / NG interface for communication between Mobility Management Entities (MMEs) / Access and Mobility Management Functions (AMFs) / SGWs / UPFs and eNBs / gNBs, the Un interface for communication between eNBs / gNBs and relay nodes (RNs), or the Uu interface for communication between eNBs / gNBs and terminal devices.

[0284] Program 2530 is assumed to include program instructions, which, when executed by the associated processor 2510, enable the device 2500 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as discussed herein with reference to Figures 1 to 24. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware that can be executed by the processor 2510 of device 2500. The processor 2510 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 2510 and memory 2520 may form processing means 2550 adapted to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0285] Memory 2520 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and, in non-limiting examples, may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology such as non-temporary computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. Although only one memory 2520 is shown within device 2500, several physically separate memory modules may be present within device 2500. Processor 2510 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and, in non-limiting examples, may include one or more processors based on general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and multi-core processor architectures. Device 2500 may have multiple processors, for example, application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock synchronized with the main processor.

[0286] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal device including a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is configured to receive a first message including a first configuration indicating a selection of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, and to determine a set of TCI states intended for the selection of TCI states based on a first relationship between a first reception time of receiving the first configuration and a second reception time of receiving a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state, wherein the second configuration is included in the first or second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message, based on at least one of a first relationship, a second relationship between a first effective time of the first configuration and a second effective time of the second configuration, or a third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to perform any method performed by the terminal device as described above.

[0287] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal device including a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is configured to receive from a network device configuration information of the terminal device, which includes a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, including a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, including a second set of TCI states, which are used by the terminal device; and to transmit with the network device by applying at least one TCI state, which at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating whether one of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether the other of the first and second TCI states is to be continued to be applied, or whether only the third TCI state is to be applied. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to perform any method performed by the device as described above.

[0288] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a terminal device including a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is configured to receive configuration information from a network device, which applies at least one transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state, the configuration information including a TCI selection field but not a downlink assignment, and to either ignore the TCI selection field or determine at least one of first or second pieces of information from the TCI selection field, the first piece of information indicating which of the at least one TCI is updated, and the second piece of information indicating whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to perform any method performed by the device as described above.

[0289] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device including a circuit configuration is provided. The circuit configuration is configured to receive transmit configuration information from a network device, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a layer combination, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit configuration may be configured to perform any method performed by the device as described above.

[0290] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a network device including a circuit configuration. The circuit configuration is configured to transmit and transmit to a terminal device, based on at least one TCI state, that the configuration information indicates a second set of TCI states used by the terminal device, including a third TCI state, and that the at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be configured to perform any method performed by the device as described above.

[0291] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a network device including a circuit configuration is provided. The circuit configuration is configured to transmit transmit configuration information to a terminal device, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a layer combination, whether the most recent TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the circuit configuration may be configured to perform any method performed by the device as described above.

[0292] As used herein, the term “circuit” may refer to a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of an analog and / or digital hardware circuit and software / firmware. As a further example, a circuit may be any part of a hardware processor having software including a digital signal processor, software and memory, which work together to enable a device such as a terminal device or network device to perform various functions. As yet another example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or processor, such as a microprocessor or a part of a microprocessor, which requires software / firmware for operation, although the software may not be present when not required for operation. As used herein, the term “circuit” also includes not only hardware circuits or processors or parts of hardware circuits or processors and their (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware implementations.

[0293] In summary, embodiments of this disclosure provide the following aspects:

[0294] In one embodiment, a terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor, the processor is configured to cause the terminal device to receive a first message including a first configuration indicating a selection of transmit configuration indicator (TCI) states, and to determine a set of TCI states intended for the selection of TCI states based on a first relationship between a first reception time of receiving the first configuration and a second reception time of receiving a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state, wherein the second configuration is included in the first or second message and the second message is received before or after the first message, a second relationship between a first effective time of the first configuration and a second effective time of the second configuration, or a third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration.

[0295] In some embodiments, if a second configuration does not exist, the set of TCI states is determined based on at least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or one of at least one TCI states applied after the first reception time.

[0296] In some embodiments, the set of TCI states intended for selection of TCI states is at least one TCI state represented by a second configuration, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a first message, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a different second message received before the first message, the second configuration being at least one TCI state included in a different second message received after the first message, the second configuration being one of at least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or at least one TCI state applied after the first reception time.

[0297] In some embodiments, if the first effective time is earlier than the second effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states before the first effective time; the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the default TCI states during the first and second effective times; and the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration after the second effective time.

[0298] In some embodiments, if the second effective time is earlier than the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states before the second effective time; during the second and first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration; and after the first effective time, the selection of the TCI state represented by the first configuration is made from among at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration.

[0299] In some embodiments, if a second configuration does not exist, a default selection of the TCI state is made before the first effective time, and a selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made after the first effective time.

[0300] In some embodiments, if the first configuration does not exist, a default TCI state is applied before the second effective time, and after the second effective time, at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is applied.

[0301] In some embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to the same Bandwidth Part (BWP) / Component Carrier (CC) list, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the selection of the TCI state is based on a plurality of TCI states associated with the first frequency resource.

[0302] In some embodiments, if the first and second frequency resources belong to different bandwidth portion (BWP) / component carrier (CC) lists, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to activate a plurality of TCI states associated with the first frequency resource and, before the activation is complete, apply a default TCI state.

[0303] In some embodiments, if the number of sets of TCI states is less than two, the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to ignore a first configuration, not expect to receive a first configuration, expect all code points to map to two TCI states, apply a set of TCI states, apply at least one default TCI state, or perform a TCI state selection with the default TCI state.

[0304] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a terminal device to determine that the number of sets of TCI states is less than two in at least one of the following cases: the number of TCI states configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling is one; the TCI states configured by RRC are not activated by MAC CE; MAC CE maps only one TCI state to one TCI code point; the number of TCI states activated by MAC CE is one; there is no second configuration; at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is not activated; or at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration is associated with a different bandwidth portion (BWP) / component carrier (CC) list than the BWP / CC list associated with the first configuration.

[0305] In some embodiments, the default TCI state is one of the following: a set of TCI states, each consisting of a lower or higher identifier; a set of TCI states corresponding to a set of code points, each of which consists of a lower or higher index; at least one most recent TCI state; a quasi-collocation (QCL) assumption determined during the first or last random access; a QCL assumption for receiving downlink transmission scheduling information; or a QCL assumption for at least one associated control resource set (CORESET).

[0306] In some embodiments, the default selection of a TCI state is one of the following: a selection of a TCI state configured by radio resource control (RRC) signaling; a first selection of a TCI state if the number of sets of TCI states is greater than one; a selection of two TCI states if the set of TCI states includes at least two TCI states; a selection of a TCI state applied to reception in a first configuration; a selection of at least one TCI state indicated by a second configuration; or a selection of at least a TCI state as the most recently applied TCI state.

[0307] In one embodiment, a terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor, and is configured to cause the terminal device to perform the following actions: receive, receive, and perform, receive

[0308] In some embodiments, one of the first, second, or third TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states, and at least one of the TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states.

[0309] In some embodiments, applying at least one TCI state includes at least one of the following: applying a second and a third TCI state, applying a first and a third TCI state, or applying only the third TCI state.

[0310] In some embodiments, the first and second information are shown individually or together, and at least one of the first and second information is shown in at least one of the following: a TCI field in downlink control information (DCI), a TCI selection field in DCI, a TCI state activation field in media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0311] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI), where the first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated to the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to apply, or the second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated to the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to apply, or the third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

[0312] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a TCI state activation field in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), the TCI state activation field includes: at least one code point indicating at least one third TCI state; at least one first parameter used to indicate the first piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state; and at least one second parameter used to indicate the second piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state.

[0313] In some embodiments, each of at least one third TCI state is represented by a bit string of identifiers for the third TCI state, the most significant bit of which is used to indicate either first or second information relating to the third TCI state.

[0314] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is jointly represented by: a TCI field in DCI and a TCI selection field in DCI, and an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0315] In some embodiments, the reserved value of the TCI selection field is used to indicate second information.

[0316] In some embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to be applied.

[0317] In some embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies.

[0318] In some embodiments, the TCI selection field or IE in RRC signaling is used to indicate a first piece of information.

[0319] In some embodiments, a first value of a code point in the TCI field and a second value in either the TCI selection field or the IE jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or a third value of a code point in the TCI field and a fourth value in either the TCI selection field or the IE jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the third TCI state continues to be applied.

[0320] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause a terminal device to send function-related information to a network device indicating whether the terminal device supports the function of updating the other of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply one of the first and second TCI states.

[0321] In some embodiments, the processor is further configured to cause the terminal device to apply only the third TCI state if the number of TCI states in the second set is 1, if the function is not supported by the terminal device.

[0322] In one embodiment, a terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor, the processor being configured to receive configuration information from a network device for the terminal device to apply at least one transmit configuration indicator (TCI) state, the configuration information including a TCI selection field but not a downlink assignment, and to cause the terminal device to either ignore the TCI selection field or determine at least one of first or second pieces of information from the TCI selection field, the first piece of information indicating which of the at least one TCI is updated, and the second piece of information indicating whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state.

[0323] In one embodiment, a terminal device is proposed, which includes a processor, the processor configured to cause the terminal device to receive transmit configuration information from a network device, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a combination of layers, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0324] In some embodiments, a terminal device is assigned a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a downlink transmission having a coherent joint transmit (CJT) type or a single frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

[0325] In some embodiments, the terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and the second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a Coherent Joint Transmit (CJT) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0326] In some embodiments, a terminal device is applied to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates a first TCI state and a second TCI state, and in the case of a single-frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}.

[0327] In one embodiment, a network device is proposed, which includes a processor, the processor is configured to transmit configuration information of a terminal device to a terminal device to which a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states, including a first set of Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) states and a second set of TCI states, the configuration information indicating a second set of TCI states to be used by the terminal device, and to transmit to the terminal device based on at least one TCI state, wherein the at least one TCI state is determined based on a relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, and at least one of first information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or second information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state.

[0328] In some embodiments, one of the first, second, or third TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states, and at least one of the TCI states is a joint TCI state, an individual TCI state, or a pair of individual TCI states.

[0329] In some embodiments, the first and second information are shown individually or together, and at least one of the first and second information is shown in at least one of the following: a TCI field in downlink control information (DCI), a TCI selection field in DCI, a TCI state activation field in media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0330] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI), where a first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to apply; a second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated to a third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to apply; and a third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

[0331] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a TCI state activation field in a media access control (MAC) control element (CE), the TCI state activation field includes: at least one code point indicating at least one third TCI state; at least one first parameter used to indicate the first piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state; and at least one second parameter used to indicate the second piece of information corresponding to the at least one third TCI state.

[0332] In some embodiments, each of at least one third TCI state is represented by a bit string of identifiers for the third TCI state, the most significant bit of which is used to indicate either first or second information relating to the third TCI state.

[0333] In some embodiments, at least one of the first and second pieces of information is jointly represented by: a TCI field in DCI and a TCI selection field in DCI, and an information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling.

[0334] In some embodiments, the reserved value of the TCI selection field is used to indicate second information.

[0335] In some embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to be applied.

[0336] In some embodiments, the first value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies, or the second value of the code point in the TCI field and the reserved value of the TCI selection field jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state or that only the third TCI state applies.

[0337] In some embodiments, the TCI selection field or IE in RRC signaling is used to indicate a first piece of information.

[0338] In some embodiments, a first value of a code point in the TCI field and a second value in either the TCI selection field or the IE jointly indicate that the first TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, or a third value of a code point in the TCI field and a fourth value in either the TCI selection field or the IE jointly indicate that the second TCI state is updated by the third TCI state and the third TCI state continues to be applied.

[0339] In some embodiments, the network device receives function-related information indicating whether the terminal device supports updating the other of the first and second TCI states while continuing to apply one of the first and second TCI states.

[0340] In one embodiment, a network is proposed, comprising a network device including a processor, the processor configured to cause the network device to transmit transmit configuration information to terminal devices, the configuration information including a transmit configuration indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of a pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, a combination of layers, whether the latest TCI selection is maintained, or whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration.

[0341] In some embodiments, a terminal device is assigned a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a downlink transmission having a coherent joint transmit (CJT) type or a single frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

[0342] In some embodiments, the terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and the second device, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states, and in the case of a Coherent Joint Transmit (CJT) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

[0343] In some embodiments, a terminal device is subject to a first TCI state and a second device, or the configuration information indicates a first TCI state and a second TCI state, and in the case of a single-frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the second TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information about QCL type A and the first TCI state provides information about QCL parameters excluding {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}.

[0344] In one embodiment, the terminal device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor for storing instructions, wherein, when an instruction is executed by the at least one processor, it causes the device to perform the method described above by the terminal device.

[0345] In one embodiment, the network device includes at least one processor and at least one memory coupled to the at least one processor and storing instructions, wherein, when the instructions are executed by the at least one processor, the device causes the device to perform the method performed by the terminal device described above.

[0346] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium stores instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method performed by the terminal device discussed above.

[0347] In one embodiment, a computer-readable medium stores instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method performed by the network device discussed above.

[0348] In one embodiment, a computer program includes instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method performed by the terminal device discussed above.

[0349] In one embodiment, a computer program includes instructions, which, when executed on at least one processor, cause at least one processor to perform the method carried out by the network device discussed above.

[0350] In general, various embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuitry, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some embodiments may be implemented in hardware, while others may be implemented in firmware or software that can be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Various embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or any other graphical representation, but it should be understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, in non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or any combination thereof.

[0351] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those contained in a program module, which are executed on a device on a real or virtual processor of interest to perform the processes or methods described above with reference to Figures 1 to 25. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or implement a specific abstract data type. The functionality of a program module may be combined or divided among program modules as needed in various embodiments. The machine-executable instructions of a program module may be executed on a local device or a distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module may reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0352] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device, so that when executed by the processor or controller, the program code performs functions / operations specified in flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may be executed entirely on a machine, partially on a machine, as a standalone software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0353] The above program code may be embodied on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium capable of storing or storing a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media include one or more wires, portable computer diskettes, hard disks, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or electrical connections having any suitable combination thereof.

[0354] Furthermore, although the operations are presented in a specific order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in a specific or sequential order, or that all presented operations be performed, in order to achieve the desired result. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while details of several specific implementations are included in the above description, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in relation to separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in relation to a single embodiment may be implemented separately or in any suitable partial combination in multiple embodiments.

[0355] While this disclosure has been described using terminology specific to structural features and / or methodological behavior, it should be understood that this disclosure, as defined by the attached claims, is not necessarily limited to the specific features or behaviors described above. Rather, the specific features and behaviors described above are disclosed as exemplary forms for implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A terminal device including a processor, wherein the processor is Receiving a first message including a first configuration indicating the selection of a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, The set of TCI states intended for the selection of the aforementioned TCI states is A first relationship between a first reception time for receiving the first configuration and a second reception time for receiving a second configuration indicating at least one TCI state, wherein the second configuration is included in the first message or the second message, and the second message is received before or after the first message. The second relationship between the first effective time of the first configuration and the second effective time of the second configuration, or A third relationship between a first frequency resource associated with the first configuration and a second frequency resource associated with the second configuration. The decision will be based on at least one of the following: A terminal device configured to cause the aforementioned terminal device to perform the following action.

2. If the second configuration does not exist, the set of TCI states is: At least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or At least one TCI state applied after the first reception time A terminal device according to claim 1, determined based on one of the following.

3. The set of TCI states intended for the selection of the TCI states is: The at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration, wherein the second configuration is included in the first message, The at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration, wherein the second configuration is included in the different second message received before the first message, The at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration, wherein the second configuration is included in the different second message received after the first message, At least one TCI state applied before the first reception time, or At least one TCI state applied after the first reception time The terminal device described in claim 1, which is one of the following.

4. If the first effective time is earlier than the second effective time, Prior to the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states. During the first effective time and the second effective time, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the default TCI states, and The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, after the second effective time, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration.

5. If the second effective time is earlier than the first effective time, Prior to the second effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from among the default TCI states. During the second effective time and the first effective time, the default selection of the TCI state is made from the at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration, and The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, after the first effective time, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is made from among the at least one TCI state indicated by the second configuration.

6. If the above second configuration does not exist, Prior to the first effective time, a default selection of the TCI state is made, and The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, after the first effective time, the selection of the TCI state indicated by the first configuration is performed.

7. If the above first configuration does not exist, Prior to the second effective time, the default TCI state is applied, and The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein, after the second effective time, the at least one TCI state represented by the second configuration is applied.

8. If the first and second frequency resources belong to the same bandwidth part (BWP) / component carrier (CC) list, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the selection of the TCI state is based on a plurality of TCI states associated with the first frequency resource, according to claim 1.

9. If the first and second frequency resources belong to different bandwidth portion (BWP) / component carrier (CC) lists, the first message further provides information about the first frequency resource, and the processor, Activating multiple TCI states associated with the first frequency resource, Before the activation is completed, the default TCI state is applied. The terminal device according to claim 1, further configured to cause the terminal device to perform the above.

10. A terminal device including a processor, wherein the processor is Receiving configuration information from a network device for the terminal device to which a first set of TCI states, including a first Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state and a second TCI state, wherein the configuration information indicates a second set of TCI states, including a third TCI state, used by the terminal device. Transmission with the network device is performed by applying at least one TCI state, wherein the at least one TCI state is determined by the relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set, First information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or A second piece of information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state. The actions to be taken are determined based on at least one of the following: A terminal device configured to cause the aforementioned terminal device to perform the following action.

11. Applying the aforementioned at least one TCI state means Applying the second and third TCI states described above, Applying the first and third TCI states described above, or Applying only the third TCI state described above. The terminal device according to claim 10, comprising at least one of the following.

12. The first and second pieces of information described above may be presented individually or together, and at least one of the first and second pieces of information described above may be, The TCI field in downlink control information (DCI) TCI selection field in DCI, The TCI state activation field in the media access control (MAC) control element (CE), or Information element (IE) in radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The terminal device according to claim 10, as shown in at least one of the following.

13. At least one of the first and second pieces of information is indicated by a code point in the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI), The first value of the code point indicates that the first TCI state is updated with the third TCI state and the second TCI state continues to be applied, The second value of the code point indicates that the second TCI state is updated with the third TCI state and the first TCI state continues to be applied, or The terminal device according to claim 10, wherein the third value of the code point indicates that only the third TCI state applies.

14. At least one of the first and second pieces of information is The TCI field in DCI, The DCI selection field and one of the information elements (IEs) in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling. The terminal device according to claim 10, jointly demonstrated by [name of person / organization].

15. The terminal device according to claim 14, wherein the reserved value of the TCI selection field is used to indicate the second information.

16. A terminal device including a processor, wherein the processor is Receiving configuration information from a network device for the terminal device to which at least one Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state is applied, wherein the configuration information includes a TCI selection field but does not include a downlink assignment. Ignoring the TCI selection field, or determining at least one of the first or second pieces of information from the TCI selection field. It is configured to have the terminal device perform the following action: The first piece of information indicates which of the at least one TCI is updated, and The second piece of information indicates whether to continue applying other TCI states or to apply only the indicated TCI state to the terminal device.

17. A terminal device including a processor, wherein the processor is The terminal device receives the transmission configuration information from the network device. The configuration is configured to cause the terminal device to perform the following, and the configuration information is a Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) selection field, Pseudo-collocation (QCL) type, Combination of layers, Whether the latest TCI selection will be maintained, Whether the TCI selection field is a one-time configuration A terminal device including a Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) selection field that indicates at least one of the following.

18. The first TCI state and the second device are applied, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states. The terminal device according to claim 17, wherein, in the case of downlink transmission in coherent joint transmission (CJT) type or single frequency network (SFN) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state is used as the reference TCI state, and the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state is used as the reference TCI state.

19. The first TCI state and the second device are applied, or the configuration information indicates the first and second TCI states. In the case of Coherent Joint Transmission (CJT) type, the first value of the TCI selection field indicates that the first TCI state provides information about QCL type A, and the second TCI state provides information about {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}, and The terminal device according to claim 17, wherein the second value of the TCI selection field indicates that the second TCI state provides information regarding QCL type A, and the first TCI state provides information regarding {Doppler shift, Doppler diffusion}.

20. A network device including a processor, wherein the processor is Transmitting configuration information of a terminal device to a terminal device that applies a first set including a first Transmit Configuration Indicator (TCI) state and a second TCI state, wherein the configuration information indicates a second set including a third TCI state used by the terminal device. Based on at least one TCI state, transmission with the terminal device is performed based on the relationship between the number of TCI states in the first set and the number of TCI states in the second set. The network device is configured to perform the above, and the at least one TCI state is First information indicating which of the first and second TCI states is updated by the third TCI state, or A second piece of information indicating whether to continue applying the other of the first and second TCI states, or whether to apply only the third TCI state. A network device determined by at least one of the following.

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