Devices, methods, and apparatus for improving the measurement and reporting of channel status information

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of this disclosure relate to improvements in reporting channel status information (CSI). A terminal device receives information indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by a network device, and the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of a channel status information (CSI) measurement or CSI report associated with a single CSI reporting configuration. Based on the information, the terminal device performs one or more measurements associated with at least one of the at least two spatial configurations. The terminal device transmits at least one CSI report associated with one or more measurements. The CSI reports provided in this disclosure may support dynamic spatial adaptation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of telecommunication, and more particularly, to terminal devices, network devices, methods, and apparatuses for improving the measurement and / or reporting of channel state information (CSI).

Background Art

[0002] Network energy conservation is very important for environmental sustainability, reduction of environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions), and reduction of operating costs. As 5G networks become denser, more antennas, wider bandwidths, and more frequency bands are required. The environmental impact of 5G needs to be continuously managed, and new solutions for improving network energy conservation need to be developed.

[0003] Energy consumption is an important part of the operator's operating expenses. Most of the energy consumption comes from the radio access network, especially the active antenna unit (AAU), and the proportion occupied by the data center and fiber transmission is less. In the network energy conservation item of Rel-18 NR, dynamic spatial adaptation in network devices is defined. Therefore, improvement in the measurement and reporting of CSI-reference signals (RS) for dynamic spatial adaptation is required.

Summary of the Invention

[0004] Generally, the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide solutions for improving the measurement and / or reporting of channel state information (CSI).

[0005] In a first embodiment, a terminal device is provided, which may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the terminal device to at least receive information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration, perform one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information, and transmit at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements to the network device based on the information.

[0006] In a second embodiment, a network device is provided, which may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory for storing instructions, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor, cause the network device to transmit information to a terminal device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration, and receive from the terminal device at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements, the one or more measurements relating to at least one spatial configuration of at least two spatial configurations and being performed based on the information.

[0007] A third embodiment provides a method, which may include: a terminal device receiving information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; the terminal device performing one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and the terminal device transmitting at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements to the network device based on the information.

[0008] A fourth embodiment provides a method which may include: transmitting information to a terminal device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information which is used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; and receiving at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements, the one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations and performed based on the information.

[0009] In a fifth aspect, an apparatus is provided. This apparatus may include means for receiving information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being used by the apparatus for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; means for performing one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and means for transmitting at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements to the network device based on the information.

[0010] In a sixth aspect, an apparatus is provided. The apparatus may include means for transmitting information to a terminal device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured in the apparatus, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of the following relating to a single CSI reporting configuration: namely, channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; and means for receiving at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements from the terminal device, the one or more measurements relating to at least one spatial configuration of the at least two spatial configurations and performed based on the information.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, a non-temporary computer-readable medium is provided, which includes a program instruction, the program instruction, when executed by the device, causes the device to receive information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information to be used by the device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; to perform one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and to transmit at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements relating to the information to the network device.

[0012] In the eighth aspect, a non-temporary computer-readable medium is provided which includes a program instruction, the program instruction, when executed by the device, causes the device to transmit to a terminal device information indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration, and to receive from the terminal device at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements, the one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations and being performed based on the information.

[0013] In a ninth aspect, a computer program is provided which includes instructions, when executed by a device, causes the device to receive information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations comprised of the network device, the information being used by the device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; to perform one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and to transmit at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements relating to the information to the network device.

[0014] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided which includes instructions, the instructions, when executed by the device, cause the device to transmit to a terminal device information indicating at least two spatial configurations configured in the device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration, and to receive from the terminal device at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements, the one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations and being performed based on the information.

[0015] In the eleventh embodiment, a terminal device is provided. This terminal device may include a receiving circuit for receiving information from a network device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the receiving circuit being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; an execution circuit for performing one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and a transmission circuit for transmitting at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements to the network device based on the information.

[0016] In a twelfth embodiment, a network device is provided. This network device may include: a transmitting circuit for transmitting information to a terminal device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured in the network device, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; and a receiving circuit for receiving at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements from the terminal device, the one or more measurements relating to at least one spatial configuration of at least two spatial configurations and performed based on the information.

[0017] It should be understood that the Summary of the Invention section is not intended to identify the main or important features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure will be readily apparent through the following description.

[0018] Several exemplary embodiments will be described below with reference to the attached drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1A]FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a network environment in which some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented. [Figure 1B] FIG. is a diagram showing an example of different configured spatial patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. is a diagram showing an exemplary signaling process for enabling flexible CSI measurement and / or reporting according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. is a diagram showing an exemplary signaling process for enabling some CSI reports related to a single CSI reporting configuration according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a sequence of spatially configured settings that are sequentially activated over time according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. is a diagram showing another example of a sequence of spatially configured settings that are sequentially activated over time according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5A] FIG. is a diagram showing an example of a sequence that is repeated over time according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 5B] FIG. is a diagram showing another example of a sequence that is repeated over time according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. is a flowchart of an exemplary method implemented on a terminal device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. is a flowchart of an exemplary method implemented on a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. is a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. is a block diagram of an example of a computer-readable medium according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0020] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.

[0021] Hereinafter, the principles of the present disclosure will be described with reference to several exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and assist those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure without suggesting any limitation regarding the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure described in this specification can be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

[0022] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in this specification have the same meaning as commonly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure pertains.

[0023] References to "one embodiment", "an embodiment", "one exemplary embodiment", etc. in the present disclosure indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not all embodiments need to include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in relation to one embodiment, it is considered within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in relation to other embodiments, whether explicitly described or not.

[0024] In this specification, terms such as "first" and "second" may be used to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiment, the first element can be referred to as the second element, and similarly, the second element can be referred to as the first element. As used in this specification, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the recited terms.

[0025] The terms used herein are for the sole purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments. Where used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that, where used herein, the terms “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having,” “includes,” and / or “including” indicate the presence of the described features, elements, and / or components, and do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof. Where used herein, “at least one of the following: <list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of the <list of two or more elements>,” and similar wording where lists of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least one of those elements, or at least two or more of those elements, or at least all of those elements.

[0026] As used in this application, the term "circuit" may refer to one, more, or all of the following: (a) Implementation of the circuit using only hardware (for example, implementation using only analog and / or digital circuits) (b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software. For example, (if applicable): (i) combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware (ii) Any part of a software-based hardware processor (including a digital signal processor), software, and memory that works in conjunction to enable a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions. (c) Hardware circuitry and / or processors, such as a microprocessor or part of a microprocessor, that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present if it is not necessary for operation.

[0027] This definition of "circuit" applies to all uses of this term in this application, including all claims. Further examples, as used in this application, the term "circuit" also covers implementations of hardware circuitry or processors (or more processors) alone, or implementations of parts of hardware circuitry or processors and the software and / or firmware associated with them. The term "circuit" also covers, for example, baseband integrated circuits or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices, where applicable to a particular claim element.

[0028] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network conforming to any appropriate communication standard, such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), and Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT). Furthermore, communication between terminal devices and network devices within a communication network may be carried out in accordance with any appropriate generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth-generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to a variety of communication systems. Given the rapid development of communications, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems to which this disclosure can be embodied. This should not be considered to limit the scope of this disclosure to the aforementioned systems only.

[0029] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communications network from which a terminal device accesses and receives services. Depending on the terminology and technology applied, a network device may refer to a base station (BS) or access point (AP), such as a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved node B (eNodeB or eNB), an NR NB (also called a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, or a low-power node, such as a femto or pico.

[0030] The term "terminal device" refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. For example, rather than being limited, terminal devices may also be called communication devices, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS), or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablets, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, in-vehicle wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearables, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (e.g., remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (e.g., robots and / or other wireless devices operating in the context of industrial and / or automated processing chains), consumer electronic devices, and devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks. In the following explanation, the terms “terminal device,” “communication device,” “terminal,” “user equipment,” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0031] Energy efficiency in networks is crucial for environmental sustainability, reducing environmental impact (greenhouse gas emissions), and lowering operating costs. As 5G becomes more widespread in industries and communities, handling more advanced services and applications (e.g., Extended Reality, XR) will require significantly higher data rates. As networks become denser, more antennas, wider bandwidth, and more frequency bands will be needed. The environmental impact of 5G must continue to be managed, and new solutions to improve network energy efficiency must be developed. Energy consumption is a significant part of operators' OPEX, with mobile network energy costs accounting for approximately 23% of total operator costs. The majority of energy consumption comes from radio access networks, particularly active antenna units (AAUs), with data centers and fiber optic transmissions accounting for a smaller proportion. Power consumption in radio access can be divided into two parts: a dynamic portion, which is consumed only when data is being transmitted / received, and a static portion, which is constantly consumed to maintain the necessary operation of radio access devices even when data is not being transmitted / received.

[0032] With this in mind, Rel-18 NR specifies dynamic spatial adaptation for the purpose of saving energy in the network. Specifically, it specifies necessary enhancements to beam management-related procedures, including CSI and signaling that enables efficient adaptation of measurement and reporting as well as spatial elements (e.g., antenna ports, active transceiver chains).

[0033] Generally speaking, enabling the efficient spatial (and power) adaptation procedures described above allows for the configuration of multiple spatial patterns and / or settings in the gNB. As a result, spatial adaptation between multiple spatial patterns and / or settings in the gNB can lead to multiple CSI reports. Traditionally, multiple CSI reporting configurations could be configured in the gNB to achieve multiple CSI reports, meaning that one CSI reporting configuration is configured in the gNB for each spatial pattern's CSI report, thus increasing the DL control overhead. Furthermore, using multiple CSI reporting configurations to represent different spatial patterns / configurations appears impractical because, considering the total number of CSI reports and requests, it would result in a large number of CSI reporting configurations, which would compromise legacy functionality, such as the UE's CSI / CSI-Reference Signal (RS) functionality.

[0034] Embodiments of this disclosure provide solutions for improving CSI measurements and / or reporting to support dynamic spatial adaptation. In some exemplary embodiments of this disclosure, multiple spatial patterns can be evaluated or measured by triggering or activating a CSI report for a single CSI reporting configuration. That is, multiple spatial patterns can be enabled or activated by configuring only a single CSI reporting configuration, enabling flexible CSI reporting for measurements of multiple spatial settings. This thus enables flexible multiple CSI measurements and / or reporting (as well as single measurements and / or CSI reports) for evaluating / measuring various spatial settings / patterns for dynamic spatial adaptation without increasing DL control overhead, without requiring additional CSI reporting configurations, and without increasing the number of CSI processing units required / occupied by such measurements and reports.

[0035] Regarding CSI reference signals, the CSI-RS reference signal is configured UE-specifically in the RRC. However, the CSI-RS reference signal can be shared among many UEs, i.e., configured so that two or more UEs receive the same resource element (RE). In NR, CSI-RS has many functions, such as CSI-RS for DL ​​CSI acquisition, CSI-RS for beam management (BM) (based on L1-RSRP), CSI-RS for tracking (TRS), and UL CSI acquisition in UL precoding based on reciprocity. In some applications (e.g., CSI-RS for BM), the CSI-RS is beamformed in various spatial directions.

[0036] Generally, a UE can have up to 48 reporting configurations per component carrier (CC) and 4 per bandwidth part (BWP). A single CSI-RS resource configured within a single reporting configuration can have up to 16 resource sets (aperiodic CSI) and one resource set (other). Each CSI resource set can have up to 64 NZP CSI-RS resources, and one NZP-CSI-RS resource can have up to 32 antenna ports. Except for NZP CSI-RS resources used for interference measurements, all CSI-RS resources within a set will have the same density and the same nrofPorts.

[0037] In the time domain, a CSI-RS resource can be initiated with any OFDM symbol of the slot and span one, two, or four OFDM symbols depending on the number of ports configured.

[0038] For acquiring or measuring CSI, the UE can also be configured with a codebook type. The UE can select suitable codewords, i.e., precoding matrix indicators (PMIs), from a given codebook, along with channel quality indicators (CQIs) and rank indicators (RIs), taking into account the channels measured across CSI-RS resources. The UE can also be configured to measure several (up to eight) CSI-RS resources within a resource set and report suitable resources, CSI-RS resource indicators (CRIs), along with the PMIs, CQIs, and RIs corresponding to the selected resources.

[0039] Regarding CSI reporting, the reporting of CSI measurements by the UE can also operate in a periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic manner, which are the so-called reporting types in NR reporting configurations. However, there are certain limitations: periodic reporting by the UE can operate based only on the configured periodic CSI-RS resource set; semi-persistent reporting by the UE can operate based on both the configured periodic and semi-persistent CSI-RS resource sets; and finally, aperiodic reporting by the UE can operate based on all of the periodic, semi-persistent, and aperiodic CSI-RS resource sets. For example, periodic CSI-RS resources can be used to generate any reporting type; semi-persistent and periodic CSI-RS resources can be used to generate semi-persistent CSI reports; and aperiodic CSI-RS can be used only to generate aperiodic reports.

[0040] The CSI reporting configuration specifies the portion of the bandwidth that the CSI corresponds to, as well as the frequency granularity of the CSI. To achieve this, the bandwidth of the BWP is divided into several subbands. Based on this division of the BWP into subbands, the CSI reporting band for CSI reporting is defined as an arbitrary subset of the BWP subbands, and this subset is indicated as a bitmap where each bit corresponds to one subband. When determining the CSI, the UE only needs to consider these subbands within the CSI reporting band.

[0041] The CSI reporting configuration also specifies the frequency granularity for both PMI and CQI, which can be either wideband or subband. For wideband PMI / CQI, a single PMI / CQI corresponding to the entire CSI reporting band is reported; for subband PMI / CQI, individual PMI / CQIs are reported for each constituent subband within the CSI reporting band. With the exception of the NZP CSI-RS resources used for interferometry, all CSI-RS resources within a set are configured with the same density and the same nrofPorts.

[0042] Figure 1A shows an example of a network environment 100 in which several embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, the network environment 100 may also be referred to as a communication system 100 (for example, a part of a communication network). For illustrative purposes only, various aspects of the exemplary embodiments will be described in the context of one or more terminal devices and network devices communicating with each other. However, it should be understood that the descriptions herein may also be applicable to other types of devices or other similar devices referred to using other terms.

[0043] The network device 110 can provide services to the terminal device 120, and the network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can communicate with each other with data and control information. In some embodiments, the network device 110 and the terminal device 120 can communicate via a direct link / channel.

[0044] In the communication system 100, the link from the network device 110 to the terminal device 120 is called a downlink (DL), and the link from the terminal device 120 to the network device 110 is called an uplink (UL). In a downlink, the network device 110 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and the terminal device 120 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In an uplink, the terminal device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and the network device 110 is an RX device (or receiver). It should be understood that the network device 110 may provide one or more serving cells. As shown in Figure 1A, the network device 110 provides one serving cell 102, and the terminal device 120 camps on the serving cell 102. In some embodiments, the network device 110 may provide multiple serving cells. It should be understood that the number of serving cells shown in Figure 1A is for illustrative purposes only and not to imply limitations.

[0045] Communication in network environment 100 may be carried out in accordance with any suitable communication protocol, including but not limited to cellular communication protocols such as fourth-generation (4G) and fifth-generation (5G), wireless local network communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Furthermore, communication may utilize any suitable wireless communication technology, including but not limited to code division multiplexing access (CDMA), frequency division multiplexing access (FDMA), time division multiplexing access (TDMA), frequency division duplexing (FDD), time division duplexing (TDD), multiple input multiple output (MIMO), orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM), and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0046] It should be understood that the number of devices and their connectivity and types shown in Figure 1 are for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. The communication system 100 may include any appropriate number of devices configured to carry out embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0047] As mentioned earlier, the majority of energy consumption in a 5G network originates from the radio access network, particularly the active antenna unit (AAU). Radio access power consumption can be divided into two parts: a dynamic portion, consumed only when data is being transmitted / received, and a static portion, consumed constantly to maintain the necessary operation of the radio access device even when data is not being transmitted / received. To improve network energy efficiency, some antenna units may be muted by access network devices. Therefore, Rel-18 NR specifies dynamic spatial adaptation for network energy efficiency. Dynamic spatial adaptation means that multiple spatial patterns / configurations can be configured in a gNB.

[0048] Figure 1B shows some examples of different spatial patterns according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1B, there are six different antenna patterns or spatial configurations, for example, Pattern 1, Pattern 2, Pattern 3, Pattern 4, Pattern 5, and Pattern 6. Different antenna patterns have different antennas muted or activated. The gray boxes represent muted antennas or spatial elements, while the other antennas are not muted antennas or spatial elements.

[0049] The following describes an exemplary signaling process 200 for enabling the measurement and / or reporting of multiple or single CSIs, with reference to Figure 2. For ease of explanation, the process 200 may be described with reference to Figure 1A. The process 200 may involve the terminal device 120 and network device 110 shown in Figure 1A. Although the process 200 is described in the communication environment 100 of Figure 1A, it will be understood that this process can be similarly applied to other communication scenarios with similar challenges.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, in process 200, the network device 110 transmits information 201 to the terminal device 120 (210). The information 201 indicates a set of at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device 110, and this information is used by the terminal device 120 for channel status information (CSI) measurement and CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 120 receives this information (220).

[0051] In one example, at least two sets of spatial settings may be configured to form a sequence of spatial settings, that is, this sequence may contain multiple spatial settings configured by the terminal device 110. In one example, at least two sets of spatial settings may be configured to form multiple sequences of spatial settings, and while some spatial settings may be the same among different sequences of spatial settings, at least one spatial setting in the first sequence is different from the spatial settings in the second sequence. That is, at least one sequence may be included in or associated with a CSI reporting configuration (or two or more CSI reporting configurations). For example, at least one sequence (or list and / or order) of spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations may be associated with or included as part of a CSI reporting configuration or trigger state or resource setting via RRC (or MAC CE). That is, a CSI reporting configuration may contain one or more sequences.

[0052] The information 201 can then be used by the terminal device 120 to perform CSI measurements and / or CSI reporting for a single CSI reporting configuration. That is, only a single CSI reporting configuration may be configured on the network device 110, and this CSI reporting configuration may enable flexible CSI measurements and / or CSI reporting. For example, enabling a reporting subconfiguration may suggest or be equivalent to enabling at least one corresponding spatial setting. In this disclosure, enabling a spatial setting may mean that measurements for this spatial setting can be performed by the terminal device 120. Therefore, the information 201 contains valid data that the terminal device 120 can use to perform measurements. When the terminal device 120 performs measurements, it performs one or more measurements related to at least one of at least two spatial settings based on the information 201, as shown in Figure 2 (230). At least one spatial setting selected from at least two spatial settings is enabled, i.e., measurements for that at least one spatial setting are performed based on the above information.

[0053] If there are two or more sequences, the UE may be indicated via MAC CE or DCI as to which sequence is applicable, and the sequences may have identifiers. For example, information 201 may first indicate that one of the two or more sequences is applicable to the terminal device 120, and then information 201 may also indicate that another of the two or more sequences is applicable to the terminal device 120, i.e., multiple sequences may be applied to the terminal device 120 sequentially in time.

[0054] For example, if a set of spatial settings is configured to consist of multiple sequences, the spatial settings configured on the network device 110 may be indicated by multiple sequences, and via DCI or MAC CE transmitted to the terminal device 120, it may be indicated that the enabled portion of the configured spatial settings is a sequence selected from the multiple sequences. For example, if there are eight configured spatial settings, they may be configured to consist of three sequences, with the first sequence containing spatial settings #1, #2, #3, and #4; the second sequence containing spatial settings #3, #4, #5, and #6; and the third sequence containing spatial settings #5, #6, #7, and #8. The enabled portion of the configured spatial settings may be indicated by an identifier in the first, second, or third sequence.

[0055] If a single sequence is configured by the gNB, the UE may be indicated (for example, via DCI or MAC CE) whether or not this sequence should be applied, and if it should not be applied, the UE may be configured to use some default spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration based on legacy reporting, etc. Therefore, if a particular sequence selected from at least one sequence configured by the gNB, or a sequence indicated by the gNB, should be applied via Information 201, this sequence may define one or more spatial settings in which reporting subconfigurations are activated sequentially over time.

[0056] For example, if a set of spatial settings is configured in sequence, the spatial settings configured in network device 110 may be indicated by all bits of the bitmap, and the enabled portion of the configured spatial settings may be indicated by the bit value "1" in the bitmap. For example, if the total number of bits in the bitmap is 8, it can be deduced that 8 spatial settings are configured as a pool in network device 110, and if the bitmap is [1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0], this means that only 2 of the 8 spatial settings have been selected to be enabled / applicable, and these 2 spatial settings can be measured.

[0057] As shown in Figure 2, the terminal device 120 transmits at least one CSI report 202 related to one or more measurements to the network device 110 (240). The network device 110 then receives at least one CSI report 202 (250). In one embodiment, the number of reports may correspond to the number of one or more measurements. However, in other embodiments, it is not necessary to perform a CSI report for each of the one or more measurements, and one report may correspond to several CSI measurements, or to the one with the best measurement, or to the one with a measurement that meets a particular criterion.

[0058] Therefore, in process 200, information 201 is used to divide one CSI reporting configuration into several reporting subconfigurations, each reporting subconfiguration corresponding to at least one spatial setting configured by the gNB as described above, and two reporting subconfigurations may differ in at least one of their respective spatial settings. That is, information 201 contains relevant data that can be used to determine one or more spatial settings in which measurements are performed, and the terminal device 120 can perform measurements with respect to one or more of those spatial settings.

[0059] In process 200, information 201 is used not only to indicate at least two spatial settings configured on the network device 110, but also to trigger or activate one or more CSI measurements and / or one or more CSI reports associated with a single CSI reporting configuration. That is, this single CSI reporting configuration can indicate both the pool of configured spatial settings and the number of spatial settings to be activated or measured. That is, one CSI reporting configuration can be divided into several reporting subconfigurations, each reporting subconfiguration corresponding to at least one spatial setting configured by the gNB. The above information associated with a single CSI reporting configuration can be flexibly configured to enable flexible multiple CSI or single CSI measurements and / or reporting for a single CSI reporting configuration, enabling efficient spatial (and power) adaptation procedures such as antenna ports or active transceiver chains. In other words, it may be possible to measure and / or report multiple CSIs flexibly for evaluating / measuring various spatial settings / patterns, as well as single CSIs, in a way that limits the CSI processing units required / occupied by such measurements and reports, without increasing the overhead of DL control and without requiring additional CSI reporting configurations.

[0060] The following describes embodiments of a method for indicating at least one spatial setting to be activated.

[0061] For example, an applicable sequence may be indicated by DCI or MAC CE by indicating a subset of a list of configured spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations configured via RRC or MAC CE, or by indicating a sequence from a list of sequences configured via RRC or MAC CE. The MAC CE or DCI described above may or may not be intended to trigger a CSI report regarding the CSI reporting configuration. Any of the above indications may be carried through new or existing / spare bits / fields / entries.

[0062] The sequence of at least one spatial configuration to be activated is indicated by the above information. The terminal device 120 may be provided with information indicating the sequence of at least one spatial configuration to be activated via downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC messages.

[0063] In some embodiments, information 201 includes a bitmap or bit string indicating a sequence of at least one spatial setting to be activated, selected from a set of spatial settings configured by the gNB. That is, the sequence of at least one spatial setting to be activated may be represented by a bit string or bitmap, which may assume that a pool or set of spatial settings is configured via an RRC message.

[0064] For example, each value in the bit string may indicate one or more spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations. For instance, if the total number of configured spatial settings or subconfigurations is 8, the bit string [000 001 010 011] may indicate a sequence consisting of the first four settings or subconfigurations selected from the configured spatial settings pool.

[0065] For example, each bit in the bitmap may correspond to at least one spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration, preferably each bit may correspond to one spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration. Each bit may indicate whether the corresponding spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is included in the sequence, based on whether its value is "0" or "1". For example, if the total number of configured spatial settings or subconfigurations is 8, the bitmap [1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0] may indicate a sequence consisting of the first four settings or subconfigurations selected from the configured spatial setting pool.

[0066] In some embodiments, the above information may further include code points. Code points may be associated with or represent sequences or parts of sequences. A subset of spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations selected from a pool of settings or subconfigurations configured by gNB via RRC may be “activated” via MAC CE. That is, in MAC CE, one or more spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations are associated with a code point, and at least one code point is indicated to the UE via DCI (or MAC CE), for example, and at least one code point indicates a sequence of spatial settings to be activated.

[0067] For example, a UE may be indicated or updated with up to a certain number (e.g., eight) "active" spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations. In this case, the sequence containing the spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations among the active spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations may be indicated to the UE via DCI (or MAC CE). Alternatively, a UE may be indicated or updated with up to a certain number (e.g., four) "active" sequences, in which case, one applicable sequence may be indicated to the UE via DCI (or MAC CE).

[0068] First, the above-mentioned "active" spatial configuration or reporting subconfiguration may be associated with a "code point" via, for example, MAC CE, where the code point may be associated with at least one spatial configuration or reporting subconfiguration. Then, the UE may be indicated by at least one code point via DCI. In that case, the applicable, enable, or activate sequence is indicated by at least one code point.

[0069] For example, code point #1 (000) corresponds to spatial setting #1, code point #2 (001) corresponds to spatial setting #2, code point #3 (010) corresponds to spatial setting #3 and spatial setting #4, and code point #4 (011) corresponds to spatial setting #5.

[0070] For each of the above code points, there may be indications via RRC, MAC CE, or DCI that indicate that two or more spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations are aggregated; see code point #3 above where spatial settings #3 and #4 are aggregated. In this example, two spatial settings are aggregated for each code point.

[0071] Bit strings or bitmaps may then be used to indicate, for example via DCI (or MAC CE), a sequence selected from a set of "active" spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations to be enabled, applicable, or activated.

[0072] For example, assuming up to eight code points as described above, the indication of the bit string [000 001 010] could correspond to the sequence {spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, (spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4)}. The indication of the bitmap [1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0] could correspond to the sequence {spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, (spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4)}, where each bit corresponds to a code point (for example, starting from the left side of the bitmap, with the lowest code point index), and a bit value of "1" indicates that the corresponding code point is part of a sequence.

[0073] A mapping or association between a set of spatial settings (or reporting sub-configurations) and some MAC CE or DCI indicator (or field) may be configured via RRC (or MAC CE). Based on the indications in MAC CE or DCI, the UE can know which sequences, specifically which spatial patterns, are applicable.

[0074] The following describes the order in which at least one spatial setting is activated and selected from the configured pool of spatial settings.

[0075] In some embodiments, the order of at least one spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on a bitmap, bit string, or code point contained in information 201. That is, the temporal order in which spatial configurations or reported subconfigurations are activated may be from left to right (or right to left) of the bits in the bitmap, bit string, or code point contained in information 201. Alternatively, this order may consider the most significant / least significant bits first.

[0076] For example, if there are no code points associated with one or more spatial settings, the order of the selected settings #1, #2, #3, and #4 may be determined by the left-to-right or right-to-left order of the bitmap [1 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0] or bit string [000 001 010 011]. If there are code points associated with one or more spatial settings, for example, the above code points #1, #2, #3, and #4, and code points #1, #2, and #3 are indicated in DCI or MAC CE to correspond to the sequence to be activated, then the order of the selected settings #1, #2, #3, and #4 may be determined by the left-to-right or right-to-left order of the bitmap [1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0] or bit string [000 001 010]. However, it should be noted that code points may be indicated in other forms other than bitmaps or bit strings.

[0077] In some embodiments, the order of at least one selected spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on at least one rule included in the above information. That is, rules for forming a sequence may also be provided to the UE. Specifically, a list of spatial patterns may be provided to the UE, and the UE may form a sequence based on indications or rules. For example, the rule may follow a descending / ascending order of the index of these spatial configurations or corresponding sub-report configurations.

[0078] In some embodiments, the terminal device 120 may be provided with a sequence for forming a sequence of spatial settings to be activated. That is, the sequence may be included in the above information.

[0079] Note that in some embodiments, for each of at least one spatial setting or sub-reporting configuration, an indication may be provided to the UE that indicates the duration for which this spatial setting or sub-reporting configuration is enabled. For semi-permanent or periodic reporting, the duration may be the period of the CSI report, an integer multiple of this period (which may be indicated and configured to the UE), or a fraction of this period (which may be based on these). Alternatively, the duration may be the period of the CSI reference signal (RS), an integer multiple of this period (which may be indicated and configured to the UE), or a fraction of this period (which may be based on these). Any of the above durations (or offsets) may be configured / indicated to the UE (via DCI, MAC CE, and RRC).

[0080] The following describes embodiments of when each spatial setting within the sequence is enabled or activated.

[0081] For the first spatial setting within an ordered sequence, this initial spatial setting becomes applicable or active by the UE after a certain period (or time offset) after receiving a PDCCH / PDSCH containing a trigger for a reporting (sub)configuration according to the sequence, and then, for example, after receiving a CSI-RS timing offset.

[0082] Except for the first spatial setting, spatial settings within an ordered sequence may be considered to be applicable or active by the UE immediately after the UL CSI report corresponding to the previous spatial setting (if it is the second spatial setting, the previous spatial setting is the first; if it is the third spatial setting, the previous spatial setting is the second), after a certain period (or time offset) from the UL CSI report corresponding to the previous spatial setting, before the first CSI-RS resource of the spatial settings other than the first spatial setting occurs (for example, the CSI-RS resource of the second spatial setting in the sequence), when the first CSI-RS resource occurs, or within a period indicated to the terminal device, or based on a time offset indicated to the terminal device.

[0083] Please note that if at least one spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is enabled by the UE, the UE may assume that all other reporting settings or reporting subconfigurations in the sequence are disabled.

[0084] The following describes alternative examples of spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations.

[0085] For example, a spatial configuration or reporting subconfiguration may include, correspond to, or be replaced by, one or more of the following: at least one set / subset or number of (logical) antenna ports, at least one spatial configuration or codebook configuration (including codebook subset limits, rank limits, etc.), information indicating a set / subset or number of active (or muted) transceiver units or antenna elements or panels, at least one energy / power level or at least one energy saving level or at least one power offset, at least one frequency-related configuration such as a subband configuration, at least one CSI-RS resource for channel measurement or interference measurement, at least one CSI-RS resource set for channel measurement or interference measurement, at least one spatial / antenna pattern, and at least one resource configuration (covering resources for both channel measurement and interference measurement).

[0086] The following describes the actions performed by the UE for each enabled spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration included in the sequence. For each enabled spatial setting, the UE may perform at least one of the following: measure or derive the corresponding CSI; select one or more of the at least one spatial setting; and / or report one or more of the at least one spatial setting, along with the corresponding measurements, to a corresponding or separate / dedicated UL (PUSCH / PUCCH) occasion (e.g., precoding matrix indicator (PMI), rank indicator (RI), channel quality indicator (CQI), L1-reference signal receiving power (RSRP), L1-signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), etc.).

[0087] In other words, the UE may select a portion of at least one spatial setting within the sequence to be reported and report the measurements for the selected spatial setting along with the selected spatial setting. For example, if spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3 are included in the sequence, the UE may select the spatial setting where the CSI measurements are "good" and report spatial setting #2 and spatial setting #3, for example, where the measurement results are above the threshold, while ignoring the report for spatial setting #1, where the measurement results are below the threshold.

[0088] Regarding the final step of reporting the measurements of the spatial settings described above, an example sequence of semi-permanent or periodic reporting of size 3 (which, for example, has periodic UL (PUCCH / PUSCH) opportunities) is described below, taking into account: [the report corresponding to the first spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the first UL (report) opportunity], [the report corresponding to the second spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the second UL (report) opportunity], [the report corresponding to the third spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the third UL (report) opportunity], [the report corresponding to the first spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the fourth UL (report) opportunity], [the report corresponding to the second spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the fifth UL (report) opportunity], [the report corresponding to the third spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is reported at the sixth UL (report) opportunity], and so on. As can be seen above, at least in the case of periodic or semi-permanent CSI reporting, the UE repeats this sequence over time and follows the operation defined above. In other words, the entire sequence can be repeated over time, which will be explained in detail below with reference to Figure 5A.

[0089] The following describes embodiments in which spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations are repeated in other ways, for example, sequentially (back to back).

[0090] In some embodiments, the same spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration among at least one reporting setting or reporting subconfiguration may be repeated a certain number of times within a sequence, for example, consecutively. This number may be indicated or configured to the UE via RRC, MAC CE, and / or DCI.

[0091] For example, if spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3 are included in a sequence, and the settings are repeated sequentially, they may repeat as spatial setting #1, spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3, spatial setting #3. The above example is explained in detail below with reference to Figure 5B.

[0092] For example, a sequence may include spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and [spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4], which are indicated by code points, and the settings that are repeated sequentially may be repeated as follows: spatial setting #1, spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, spatial setting #2, and [spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4], [spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4].

[0093] It should be noted that it may indicate that at least one value in the sequence is "empty" or "not a number". The UE may not consider measuring and / or reporting this value and may use it, for example, to capture the transition time (for gNB and / or in the UE) required to switch from one spatial pattern to another. Alternatively, the UE may be configured to assume that a default spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration is enabled in this case. A default spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration may be configured or specified in one of the sequences, or another spatial setting or reporting subconfiguration may be specified as the default. For example, a sequence may contain spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3, and spatial setting #2 in the sequence may be configured to be empty or to be the default spatial setting. In that case, when measuring spatial settings in the sequence, the measurement of spatial setting #2 may be skipped, and the CSI report for this spatial setting #2 may correspond to the report for the default spatial setting.

[0094] Hereinafter, embodiments for enabling flexible multiple CSI measurements and / or reports for this CSI reporting configuration, when the above sequence is indicated by a bit string [000 001 010] or a bitmap [1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0], will be described with reference to Figures 3 and 4A. Figure 3 shows an exemplary signaling process for enabling several CSI reports related to a single CSI reporting configuration, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 4A shows an example of a sequence of spatial settings that are activated sequentially over time, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0095] As shown in Figure 3, in step 310, UE120 is configured to receive an indication that indicates a sequence of spatial settings and / or reporting subconfigurations corresponding to a CSI reporting configuration. As shown in Figure 3, in step 320, gNB110 sends a downlink control message (e.g., DCI: downlink control message or MAC CE) for triggering or activating a CSI report that takes into account the indicated sequence of spatial settings and / or reporting subconfigurations. As shown in Figure 4A, the first column on the time axis represents the DCI or MAC CE for triggering or activating a report regarding the CSI reporting configuration associated with the sequence indicated in step 310. As shown in Figure 3, in step 330, UE120 determines, based on the sequence, which spatial patterns and / or reporting subconfigurations will be considered or activated, and when they will be activated; i.e., the spatial settings included in the sequence may first be ordered based on rules or arbitrary information regarding the indicated sequence, and then activated sequentially in time.

[0096] As shown in Figure 3, the sequence includes spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3 and spatial setting #4, which are activated sequentially in time as shown in steps 343, 353, and 363. For example, in the case of a semi-persistent (or periodic) CSI-RS, a CSI-RS resource set may be configured, which includes, for example, two time-multiplexed resources. In this case, these correspond to two CSI-RS resources. These two CSI-RS resources then repeat in time, taking into account the period of the semi-persistent (or periodic) CSI-RS. However, in another example, in the case of a semi-persistent (or periodic) CSI-RS, there may be only one resource that repeats in time. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of CSI-RS resources, the number of CSI reports, and the reporting method (e.g., periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic) shown in Figure 3 are merely illustrative and that this disclosure is not limited thereto.

[0097] As shown in Figure 3, in step 341, gNB110 configures CSI-RS transmissions or resources using spatial configuration #1, for example, two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As shown in Figure 3, in step 342, gNB110 transmits CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 associated with spatial configuration #1 to UE120. As shown in Figure 4A, after the first column for trigger or activation, there are two adjacent columns to represent the transmission or occurrence of the two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As previously mentioned, CSI-RS is configured to be associated with periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS reporting, so as shown in Figure 4A, there can be two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As shown in Figure 3, in step 343, UE120 considers, enables, or activates spatial configuration #1 by performing measurements of these CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 using spatial configuration #1. In step 344, UE120 sends a CSI report to gNB110 corresponding to spatial configuration #1 and / or reporting subconfiguration #1. As shown in Figure 4A, UE120 sends the CSI report to gNB110 via PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0098] Similarly, as shown in Figure 3, in step 351, gNB110 configures CSI-RS transmissions or resources using spatial configuration #2, for example, two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As shown in Figure 3, in step 352, gNB110 transmits CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 associated with spatial configuration #2 to UE120. As shown in Figure 4A, after the column of the UL CSI report for spatial configuration #1, there are two adjacent columns to represent the transmission or occurrence of the two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As shown in Figure 3, in step 353, UE120 reviews, enables, or activates spatial configuration #2 by performing measurements of these CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 using spatial configuration #2. In step 354, UE120 transmits a CSI report corresponding to spatial configuration #2 and / or reporting subconfiguration #2 to gNB110. As shown in Figure 4A, UE120 sends the CSI report to gNB110 via PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0099] Similarly, as shown in Figure 3, in step 361, gNB110 configures CSI-RS transmissions or resources, for example, two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2, using spatial settings #3 and #4. As shown in Figure 3, in step 362, gNB110 transmits CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 associated with spatial settings #3 and #4 to UE120. As shown in Figure 4A, following the column for the UL CSI report regarding spatial setting #2, there are two adjacent columns to represent the transmission or occurrence of the two CSI-RS resources #1 and #2. As shown in Figure 3, in step 363, UE120 reviews, enables, or activates spatial settings #3 and #4 by performing measurements of these CSI-RS resources #1 and #2 using spatial settings #3 and #4. In step 364, UE120 sends CSI reports to gNB110 corresponding to [Spatial Configuration #3 and / or Reporting Subconfiguration #3] and [Spatial Configuration #4 and / or Reporting Subconfiguration #4]. As shown in Figure 4A, UE120 sends CSI reports for spatial configuration #3 and configuration #4 to gNB110 via PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0100] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4A, a CSI report for each setting is generated after the CSI RS resources for that setting have occurred, but it should be noted that a CSI report is not required for each setting. For example, in the embodiment shown in Figure 4B, the sequence may include spatial setting #1, spatial setting #1, and [spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4], and the CSI report is performed semi-permanently or periodically. It should be understood by those skilled in the art that the number of CSI-RS resources, spatial settings included in the sequence, number of CSI reports, and reporting method (e.g., periodic, semi-permanent, or aperiodic) shown in Figure 4B are merely illustrative and that the disclosure is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 4B, a CSI report may occur after all CSI-RS resources for the sequence have occurred, and the CSI report may include some or all of the measurements for all CSI-RS resources. For example, only measurements exceeding a threshold may be reported.

[0101] Embodiments for repeating spatial settings or reporting subconfigurations will be described below with reference to Figures 5A and 5B. However, it should be noted that the repeating sequences are illustrative and not limited to those described herein. Figure 5A shows an example of a temporally repeating sequence according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and Figure 5B shows another example of a temporally repeating sequence according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] As mentioned above, the UE repeats this sequence in time, at least in the case of periodic or semi-permanent CSI reporting. As shown in Figure 5A, the sequence includes spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and [spatial setting #3, spatial setting #4], indicated by three code points. The entire sequence may repeat in time, i.e., the measurement and / or reporting of the entire sequence is repeated in sequence units.

[0103] As mentioned above, the same spatial setting can be repeated within a sequence. As shown in Figure 5B, the sequence includes spatial setting #1, spatial setting #2, and spatial setting #3. A CSI-RS resource may occur twice, and in the time domain, the occurrences of CSI-RS resources can be adjacent to each other. That is, the CSI-RS resource occurrence and the two CSI reports related to spatial setting #1 can be adjacent to each other.

[0104] Figure 6 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 600 implemented in a terminal device according to several other embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, method 600 will be described in terms of terminal device 120 with reference to Figure 1A.

[0105] In block 610, terminal device 120 receives information from network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by network device, and this information is used by terminal device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports related to a single CSI reporting configuration. In block 620, terminal device 120 performs one or more measurements related to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information. In block 630, terminal device 130 transmits at least one CSI report related to one or more measurements to network device based on the information.

[0106] In some embodiments, method 600 further includes determining at least one spatial setting based on the above information. In some embodiments, method 600 further includes determining a sequence of at least one spatial setting based on the above information. In some embodiments, the above information includes at least one rule relating to at least two spatial settings, and method 600 further includes determining a sequence of at least one spatial setting based on at least one rule. In some embodiments, the above information includes a sequence of at least one spatial setting. In some embodiments, method 600 includes performing at least one of one or more measurements or sending at least one CSI report based on a sequence of at least one spatial setting.

[0107] In some embodiments, at least one spatial setting includes a plurality of ordered spatial settings, and the spatial setting among the plurality of ordered spatial settings that becomes applicable or active first becomes applicable or active after receiving the above information to trigger a CSI report. In some embodiments, the plurality of ordered spatial settings include a first spatial setting and a second spatial setting adjacent to each other, and the second spatial setting becomes applicable or active immediately after a CSI report corresponding to the first spatial setting, a certain period after a CSI report corresponding to the first spatial setting, before the first CSI-RS resource among the CSI-reference signal (RS) resources for a spatial setting other than the spatial setting that becomes applicable or active first occurs, when the first CSI-RS resource among the CSI-reference signal (RS) resources for a spatial setting other than the spatial setting that becomes applicable or active first occurs, or within a certain period of time indicated to the terminal device, or based on a time offset indicated to the terminal device.

[0108] In some embodiments, at least one spatial setting is repeated a certain number of times based on the CSI reporting cycle or the CSI-RS resource or transmission cycle. In some embodiments, a sequence containing at least one spatial setting is repeated a certain number of times per sequence, or one or more spatial settings from the at least one spatial setting are repeated a certain number of times consecutively within a sequence.

[0109] In some embodiments, at least one spatial configuration includes or corresponds to at least one of the following: at least one set of antenna ports, at least one subset of the set of antenna ports, at least one spatial configuration or codebook configuration, information indicating a set of active transceiver units, information indicating a subset of the set of active transceiver units, information indicating a set of muted transceiver units, information indicating a subset of the set of muted transceiver units, at least one energy level, at least one energy saving level, at least one power offset, at least one frequency-related configuration, at least one CSI-reference signal (RS) resource for at least one channel measurement, at least one CSI-RS resource for at least one interference measurement, at least one spatial pattern, at least one antenna pattern, or at least one resource configuration.

[0110] In some embodiments, at least two sets of spatial settings are configured by a network device to correspond to multiple sequences, and method 600 further includes selecting a sequence from the multiple sequences that corresponds to at least one spatial setting based on the above information. In some embodiments, for a spatial setting among the at least one spatial setting, method 600 includes performing at least one of the following: selecting one or more spatial settings from among the at least one spatial setting; performing one or more measurements on the selected one or more spatial settings; or reporting the results of one or more measurements on the selected one or more spatial settings together with the selected one or more spatial settings.

[0111] In some embodiments, the information is indicated by at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC message. In some embodiments, the information further indicates the duration for which a measurement relating to at least one spatial setting is performed. In some embodiments, the spatial setting is replaced by or corresponds to a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern. In some embodiments, the information includes at least one of the following: a bitmap, a bit string, or a code point.

[0112] Figure 7 shows a flowchart of an exemplary method 700 implemented in a network device according to several other embodiments of the present disclosure. For convenience of explanation, method 700 will be described in terms of network device 110 with reference to Figure 1A.

[0113] In block 710, the network device 110 transmits information to the terminal device 120 indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, and the terminal device uses this information for at least one of a channel status information (CSI) measurement or CSI report related to a single CSI reporting configuration. In block 720, the network device 110 receives at least one CSI report from the terminal device 120 related to one or more measurements, and the one or more measurements relate to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations and are performed based on the information.

[0114] In some embodiments, at least one spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the above information. In some embodiments, the order of at least one spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the above information. In some embodiments, the above information includes at least one rule relating to at least two spatial configurations, and the order of at least one spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on at least one rule. In some embodiments, the above information includes the order of at least one spatial configuration. In some embodiments, the terminal device performs at least one of one or more measurements or transmission of at least one CSI report based on the order of at least one spatial configuration.

[0115] In some embodiments, at least one spatial configuration includes or corresponds to at least one of the following: at least one set of antenna ports, at least one subset of the set of antenna ports, at least one spatial configuration or codebook configuration, information indicating a set of active transceiver units, information indicating a subset of the set of active transceiver units, information indicating a set of muted transceiver units, information indicating a subset of the set of muted transceiver units, at least one energy level, at least one energy saving level, at least one power offset, at least one frequency-related configuration, at least one CSI-reference signal (RS) resource for at least one channel measurement, at least one CSI-RS resource for at least one interference measurement, at least one spatial pattern, at least one antenna pattern, or at least one resource configuration.

[0116] In some embodiments, the information is indicated by at least one of the following: downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC message. In some embodiments, the information further indicates the duration for which a measurement relating to at least one spatial setting is performed. In some embodiments, the spatial setting is replaced by or corresponds to a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern. In some embodiments, the information includes at least one of the following: a bitmap, a bit string, or a code point.

[0117] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing Method 600 (e.g., terminal device 120) may include means for performing each step of Method 600. These means can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, these means can be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0118] In some embodiments, the device includes means for receiving information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being used by the device for at least one of channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; means for performing one or more measurements relating to at least one of the at least two spatial configurations based on the information; and means for transmitting at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements to the network device based on the information.

[0119] In some embodiments, the device further comprises means for determining at least one spatial configuration based on the above information. In some embodiments, the device further comprises means for determining the order of at least one spatial configuration based on the above information. In some embodiments, the above information includes at least one rule relating to at least two spatial configurations, and the device further comprises means for determining the order of at least one spatial configuration based on at least one rule.

[0120] In some embodiments, the device further comprises means for performing one or more measurements or transmitting at least one CSI report based on a sequence of at least one spatial setting. In some embodiments, the device further comprises means for selecting a sequence corresponding to at least one spatial setting from a plurality of sequences based on the above information. In some embodiments, the device further comprises at least one means for selecting one or more spatial settings from at least one spatial setting, means for performing one or more measurements relating to the selected one or more spatial settings, or means for reporting the results of one or more measurements relating to the selected one or more spatial settings together with the selected one or more spatial settings.

[0121] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of Method 600. In some embodiments, these means comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the execution of the apparatus by the at least one processor.

[0122] In some embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing Method 700 (e.g., a network device 110) may include means for performing each step of Method 700. These means can be implemented in any suitable form. For example, these means can be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

[0123] In some embodiments, the apparatus includes means for transmitting information to a terminal device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured in the apparatus, the information being used by the terminal device for at least one of the following relating to a single CSI reporting configuration: namely, channel status information (CSI) measurements or CSI reports relating to a single CSI reporting configuration; and means for receiving at least one CSI report relating to one or more measurements from the terminal device, the one or more measurements relating to at least one spatial configuration of the at least two spatial configurations and performed based on the information.

[0124] The device further comprises means for indicating the above information by at least one of downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC message.

[0125] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of Method 700. In some embodiments, these means comprise at least one processor and at least one memory containing computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to cause the execution of the apparatus by the at least one processor.

[0126] Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for carrying out embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be provided to carry out communication devices such as the terminal device 120 and network device 110 shown in Figure 1A. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processors 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processors 810.

[0127] The communication module 840 is for bidirectional communication. The communication module 840 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network devices.

[0128] The processor 810 can be any type suitable for a local technology network and, in non-limiting examples, may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The device 800 may have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0129] Memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 824, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact discs (CDs), digital video discs (DVDs), and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random-access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that may not persist during power-off periods.

[0130] The computer program 830 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 810. The program 830 may be stored in ROM 824. The processor 810 can perform any appropriate actions and processes by loading the program 830 into RAM 822.

[0131] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by program, and as a result, device 800 may perform any of the processes of the present disclosure described with reference to Figures 6 and 7. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0132] In some embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly contained in a computer-readable medium that may be contained within device 800 (for example, in memory 820) or in other storage devices accessible by device 800. Device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 822 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc.

[0133] Figure 9 shows an example of a computer-readable medium 900 in the form of a CD or DVD according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The computer-readable medium stores a program 930. Although the computer-readable medium 900 is depicted in the form of a CD or DVD, it should be noted that the computer-readable medium 900 may be any other form suitable for carrying or holding the program 830.

[0134] In general, various embodiments of the present 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 the present disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or other graphical representations, but it should be understood that any blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers, or other computing devices, or any combination thereof, as non-limiting examples.

[0135] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored in a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as those contained in a program module, that are executed on a target real or virtual processor in a device to perform the methods 600 or 700 described above with reference to Figures 6-7. 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 in a local device or a distributed device. In a distributed device, the program module may reside on both local and remote storage media.

[0136] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. This program code 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 the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams. The program code may run 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.

[0137] In the context of this disclosure, computer program code or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus, or processor to perform the various processes and operations described above. Examples of carriers include signals and computer-readable media.

[0138] Computer-readable media may be computer-readable signal media or computer-readable storage media. Computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, apparatus, or devices, or any suitable combination thereof. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media include electrical connections using 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 fibers, portable compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM), optical storage devices, magnetic storage devices, or any suitable combination thereof. The term "non-temporary," as used herein, refers to the limitations of the medium itself (i.e., tangible rather than signal) rather than limitations on the persistence of data storage (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0139] Furthermore, while the operations are shown in a specific order, this should not be understood as meaning that such operations must be performed in a specific illustrated order, sequentially, or all illustrated operations must be performed in order to obtain the desired result. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while the above description includes some specific implementation details, these should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that may be described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented separately in multiple embodiments or in any suitable subcombination.

[0140] While this disclosure uses language specific to structural features and / or methodological actions, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or actions described above. Rather, the specific features and actions described above may be disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. At least one processor, At least one memory for storing instructions, A terminal device comprising, where the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, the terminal device has at least Receiving information from a network device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, wherein the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. Based on the above information, perform one or more measurements related to at least one of the at least two spatial settings, Based on the information, transmit at least one CSI report related to the one or more measurements to the network device. A terminal device that executes an action.

2. The aforementioned terminal device is Determine the at least one spatial setting based on the aforementioned information. The terminal device according to claim 1, which is configured to perform the following.

3. The aforementioned terminal device is The order of the at least one spatial setting is determined based on the aforementioned information. A terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to perform the following.

4. The information includes at least one rule relating to the at least two spatial settings, and the terminal device is Determining the order of the at least one spatial configuration based on the at least one rule. A terminal device according to claim 1 or 2, which is configured to perform the following.

5. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the information includes the sequence of at least one spatial setting.

6. The aforementioned terminal device is Performing at least one of the following based on the sequence of the at least one spatial setting: the measurement of one or more units of measurement or the transmission of at least one CSI report. A terminal device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, which is configured to perform the following:

7. The aforementioned at least one spatial setting includes a plurality of ordered spatial settings, The spatial setting among the multiple ordered spatial settings that becomes applicable or active first becomes applicable or active after receiving the information to trigger the CSI report. The terminal device according to any one of claims 3 to 5.

8. The plurality of ordered spatial settings include a first spatial setting and a second spatial setting that are adjacent to each other. The second spatial setting described above is, Immediately following the CSI report corresponding to the first spatial setting, A certain period of time after the CSI report corresponding to the first spatial setting described above, Before the first CSI-RS resource occurs among the CSI-reference signal (RS) resources for spatial settings other than the spatial setting that becomes applicable or active first, When the first CSI-RS resource among the CSI-reference signal (RS) resources for spatial settings other than the spatial setting that becomes initially applicable or active occurs, or Within a certain period of time indicated to the terminal device, or based on a time offset indicated to the terminal device, The terminal device according to claim 7, which is applicable or activated.

9. The aforementioned at least one spatial setting is repeated a certain number of times based on the CSI reporting cycle, or based on the CSI-RS resource or transmission cycle. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The sequence including the aforementioned at least one spatial setting is repeated a certain number of times in a sequence unit, or One or more of the above at least one spatial settings are repeated a certain number of times consecutively within the sequence. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. The aforementioned at least one spatial setting is At least one set of antenna ports, At least one subset of the set of antenna ports, At least one spatial configuration or codebook configuration, Information indicating a set of active transceiver units, Information indicating a subset of the set of active transceiver units, Information indicating a set of muted transceiver units, Information indicating a subset of the set of muted transceiver units, At least one energy level, At least one energy-saving level, At least one power offset, At least one frequency-related configuration, At least one CSI-reference signal (RS) resource for at least one channel measurement, At least one CSI-RS resource for at least one interference measurement, At least one spatial pattern, At least one antenna pattern, or At least one resource setting, A terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising or corresponding to at least one of the above.

12. The set of at least two spatial configurations is configured by the network device to support multiple sequences. The aforementioned terminal device is Based on the aforementioned information, select a sequence from the plurality of sequences that corresponds to at least one spatial setting. A terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, which is configured to perform the following.

13. With respect to the spatial setting of at least one of the spatial settings, the terminal device further has at least the following: Selecting one or more spatial settings from the aforementioned at least one spatial setting, Performing one or more measurements relating to the selected one or more spatial settings, or Report the results of the one or more measurements relating to the one or more selected spatial settings, along with the one or more selected spatial settings. A terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, which is configured to perform the following.

14. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the information is indicated by at least one of downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC message.

15. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the information further indicates the duration for which measurements relating to the spatial setting of the at least one spatial setting are performed.

16. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the spatial setting is replaced by a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern, or corresponds to a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern.

17. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the information includes at least one of a bitmap, a bit string, or a code point.

18. At least one processor, At least one memory for storing instructions, A network device comprising, where the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the network device to have at least Transmitting information to a terminal device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, wherein the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. Receiving at least one CSI report from the terminal device relating to one or more measurements, wherein the one or more measurements relate to at least one spatial setting among the at least two spatial settings and are performed based on the information, A network device that performs the following action.

19. The network device according to claim 18, wherein the at least one spatial setting is determined by the terminal device based on the information.

20. The network device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the order of the at least one spatial configuration is determined by the terminal device based on the information.

21. The network device according to claim 18 or 19, wherein the information includes at least one rule relating to the at least two spatial settings, and the order of the at least one spatial setting is determined by the terminal device based on the at least one rule.

22. The network device according to any one of claims 18 to 21, wherein the information includes the sequence of at least one spatial setting.

23. The network device according to any one of claims 20 to 22, wherein the terminal device performs at least one of the one or more measurements or the transmission of at least one CSI report based on the sequence of the at least one spatial setting.

24. The aforementioned at least one spatial setting is At least one set of antenna ports, At least one subset of the set of antenna ports, At least one spatial configuration or codebook configuration, Information indicating a set of active transceiver units, Information indicating a subset of the set of active transceiver units, Information indicating a set of muted transceiver units, Information indicating a subset of the set of muted transceiver units, At least one energy level, At least one energy-saving level, At least one power offset, At least one frequency-related configuration, At least one CSI-reference signal (RS) resource for at least one channel measurement, At least one CSI-RS resource for at least one interference measurement, At least one spatial pattern, At least one antenna pattern, or At least one resource setting, A network device according to any one of claims 18 to 23, comprising or corresponding to at least one of the above.

25. The network device according to any one of claims 18 to 24, wherein the information is indicated by at least one of downlink control information (DCI), media access control element (MAC CE), or RRC message.

26. The network device according to any one of claims 18 to 25, wherein the information further indicates the duration for which measurements relating to the spatial setting of the at least one spatial setting are performed.

27. The network device according to any one of claims 18 to 26, wherein the spatial configuration is replaced by a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern, or corresponds to a reporting subconfiguration or spatial pattern.

28. The aforementioned information includes at least one of a bitmap, a bit string, or a code point. A network device according to any one of claims 18 to 27.

29. The terminal device receives information from a network device indicating at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, the information being received and used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. The terminal device performs one or more measurements related to at least one of the at least two spatial settings based on the information, The terminal device transmits, based on the information, at least one CSI report related to one or more measurements to the network device. Methods that include...

30. The network device transmits information to a terminal device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, wherein the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. The network device receives at least one CSI report from the terminal device relating to one or more measurements, wherein the one or more measurements relate to at least one spatial setting among the at least two spatial settings and are performed based on the information received. Methods that include...

31. It is a device, Means for receiving information from a network device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, wherein the information is used by the device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. Based on the above information, means for performing one or more measurements related to at least one of the at least two spatial settings, Means for transmitting at least one CSI report related to one or more measurements to the network device based on the aforementioned information, A device equipped with the following features.

32. It is a device, Means for transmitting information to a terminal device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the apparatus, wherein the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of the following relating to a single CSI reporting configuration: channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting relating to a single CSI reporting configuration. Means for receiving at least one CSI report related to one or more measurements from the terminal device, wherein the one or more measurements are related to at least one spatial setting among the at least two spatial settings and are performed based on the information, A device equipped with the following features.

33. A non-temporary computer-readable medium containing program instructions, wherein, when executed by a device, the device has at least: Receiving information from a network device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the network device, wherein the information is used by the device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. Based on the above information, perform one or more measurements related to at least one of the at least two spatial settings, Based on the information, transmit at least one CSI report related to the one or more measurements to the network device. A non-temporary computer-readable medium that enables execution.

34. A non-temporary computer-readable medium containing program instructions, wherein, when executed by a device, the device has at least: Transmitting information to a terminal device that indicates at least two spatial configurations configured by the apparatus, wherein the information is used by the terminal device for at least one of channel state information (CSI) measurement or CSI reporting related to a single CSI reporting configuration. Receiving at least one CSI report from the terminal device relating to one or more measurements, wherein the one or more measurements relate to at least one spatial setting among the at least two spatial settings and are performed based on the information, A non-temporary computer-readable medium that enables execution.

Images