Terminal devices, network devices, and methods

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a method of communication, a terminal device, a network device, and a computer-readable medium. In the exemplary method, the terminal device may receive, from a network device, an indication of at least one update type for updating a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, the indication of the at least one update type being determined based on capability information of the terminal device, update the first plurality of TCI states based on the at least one update type to obtain a second plurality of TCI states, and communicate with the network device based on the second plurality of TCI states. Thus, when multiple TCI states are mapped to one TCI codepoint in a DCI, there is a flexible way to update one TCI state of a TRP.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a communication method, a terminal device, a network device, and a computer-readable medium.

Background Art

[0002] In communication technology, continuous evolution has been ongoing to provide efficient and reliable solutions for using wireless communication networks. Each new generation has its own technical challenges in dealing with different situations and processes required to connect to and serve devices connected to the wireless network. To meet the growing demand for wireless data traffic since the introduction of the fourth-generation (4G) communication system, the development of an improved fifth-generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system has been underway. The new communication system can support various types of service applications for terminal devices.

[0003] In Rel-17, an integrated TCI framework was introduced to replace the Rel-15 / 16 TCI state / spatial relation framework for beam indication. In Rel-18, extending the integrated TCI framework to support MTRP is within the scope of consideration. In the RAN1 109e meeting, the discussion was further extended to the Rel-18 MTRP scheme where STxMP is used (if STxMP is supported).

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Generally, embodiments of the present disclosure provide a communication method, a terminal device, a network device, and a computer-readable medium.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In a first embodiment, a method of communication is provided. The method includes: receiving from a network device a terminal device an instruction of at least one update type for updating a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, the instruction of at least one update type determined based on first capability information of the terminal device; updating the first plurality of TCI states based on the at least one update type to obtain a second plurality of TCI states; and communicating with the network device based on the second plurality of TCI states.

[0006] In a second embodiment, a method of communication is provided. This method includes a terminal device receiving instructions from a network device for a plurality of TCI statuses associated with Transmit / Receive Points (TRPs) having different Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIs); selecting a set of TRPs based on capability information of the terminal device; and receiving common information of the plurality of terminal devices from the set of TRPs.

[0007] In a third embodiment, a method of communication is provided. The method includes transmitting to a terminal device, in a network device, at least one update type instruction for updating a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states to a second plurality of TCI states, wherein the at least one update type instruction is determined by the network device based on first capability information of the terminal device, and communicating with the terminal device based on the second plurality of TCI states.

[0008] In a fourth embodiment, a method of communication is provided. The method includes: transmitting instructions for a plurality of TCI states associated with Transmit / Receive Points (TRPs) having different PCIs to a terminal device in a network device; determining a set of TRPs selected by the terminal device based on capability information of the terminal device; and transmitting the common information from the set of TRPs to the terminal device.

[0009] In a fifth embodiment, a terminal device is provided. The terminal device comprises a processor and a memory storing computer program code, wherein the memory and the computer program code, together with the processor, are configured to cause the terminal device to execute the method described in the first or second embodiment.

[0010] In a sixth embodiment, a network device is provided. The network device comprises a processor and a memory storing computer program code, wherein the memory and the computer program code, together with the processor, are configured to cause the network device to perform the method described in the third or fourth embodiment.

[0011] In a seventh embodiment, a computer-readable medium is provided that, when executed on at least one processor, stores instructions causing the at least one processor to perform the method according to the first to fourth embodiments.

[0012] It should be understood that the summary portion of the invention is not intended to identify any important or fundamental features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor to limit the scope of this disclosure. Other features of this disclosure should be readily apparent from the following description. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent by describing some exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure in more detail in the accompanying drawings.

[0014] [Figure 1] It is a diagram showing an exemplary communication system capable of implementing some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0015] [Figure 2] It is a schematic diagram showing communication between a terminal device and a network device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0016] [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an exemplary format of a media access control (MAC) control element (CE) according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an exemplary format of a MAC CE according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an exemplary signaling format according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] [Figure 6] It is a schematic diagram showing an exemplary interpretation of a TCI state mapped to a code point according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0020] [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an exemplary relationship between C_i and a TCI state according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an exemplary relationship between C_i and a TCI state according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] [Figure 9] A diagram showing an example of a combination of TCI states mapped to a TCI code point via a MAC CE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] [Figure 10] A diagram showing an exemplary MAC CE format according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] [Figure 11] A diagram showing an example of a combination of TCI states mapped to a TCI code point via a MAC CE according to other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] [Figure 12] A diagram showing an exemplary MAC CE format according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] [Figure 13] A diagram showing an exemplary scenario for updating at least one of a plurality of beams according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] [Figure 14] A diagram showing an example of all possible combinations of TCI states mapped to a TCI code point according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] [Figure 15] A schematic diagram showing first / second / third / fourth information explicitly indicated by adding additional bits to a TCI field according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] [Figure 16] A schematic diagram showing communication between a terminal device and a plurality of TRPs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] [Figure 17] This is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a terminal device and multiple TRPs according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] [Figure 18] This is a schematic diagram illustrating several MAC CE formats of TCI states mapped to TCI code points according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0032] [Figure 19] This is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a terminal device and a network device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0033] [Figure 20] This is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus suitable for realizing the embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] In the diagram, identical or similar reference numbers represent identical or similar elements. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0035] The principles of this disclosure are described here with reference to several exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are provided for illustrative purposes only and are intended to help those skilled in the art understand and implement this disclosure, and should be understood as not to imply any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways different from those described below.

[0036] In the following description and claims, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as those generally understood by those skilled in the art.

[0037] References in this disclosure to “one embodiment,” “embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” etc., indicate that the described embodiment may include certain features, structures, or characteristics, but not all embodiments necessarily include such specific features, structures, or characteristics. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, when describing certain features, structures, or characteristics in relation to an embodiment, it is considered that the influence of such features, structures, or characteristics in relation to other embodiments, whether or not they are explicitly described, is within the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

[0038] The terms "first," "second," etc., can be used here to describe various elements, but it should be understood that these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are used solely to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, the first element may be named the second element, and similarly, the second element may be named the first element. As used herein, the terms "and / or" include any and all combinations of one or more of the terms described.

[0039] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the exemplary embodiments. The singular forms “one” and “the foregoing” as used herein also include the plural forms unless explicitly indicated in the context. Where used herein, the terms “include,” “encompass,” “have,” “equip,” “possess,” and / or “have” specify the presence of the described features, elements, and / or components, but should be further understood not to exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0040] In some examples, values, procedures, or equipment are referred to as “best,” “lowest,” “highest,” “minimum,” “maximum,” etc. Such descriptions are intended to show that a choice can be made from among many usable functional alternatives, and it should be understood that such a choice does not need to be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise more desirable than other choices.

[0041] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to any network that conforms to any appropriate communication standard, such as New Radio (NR), 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 in a communication network may be implemented according to 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, fifth generation (5G), 5.5G, 5G-Advanced network, or sixth generation (6G) 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. In light of the rapid development of communications, there will naturally be future types of communication technologies and systems that can embody this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure should not be considered to be limited to the aforementioned systems only.

[0042] As used herein, the term “terminal device” refers to any device having wireless or wired communication capabilities. Examples of terminal devices include user equipment (UE), personal computers, desktops, mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDA), portable computers, tablets, wearable devices, Internet of Things (IoT) devices, Ultra-reliable and Low Latency Communication (URLLC) devices, Internet of Everything (IoE) devices, machine-type communication (MTC) devices, in-vehicle devices for V2X communication where X represents pedestrians, vehicles, or infrastructure / networks, devices for Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), spacecraft or aircraft within non-terrestrial networks (NTN), including High Altitude Platforms (HAP) encompassing satellites and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Virtual Reality (VR). This includes, but is not limited to, extended reality (XR) devices that include different types of reality such as Reality, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are aircraft without human operators and are commonly referred to as drones, devices on high-speed trains (HSTs), or image acquisition devices such as digital cameras, sensors, game devices, music storage and playback devices, or internet-connected home appliances that enable wireless and wired internet access and browsing.The “Terminal Device” may further have “Multicast / Broadcast” capabilities to support V2X applications, transparent IPv4 / IPv6 multicast distribution, IPTV, smart TV, wireless services, wireless software distribution, group communications, and IoT applications where public safety and mission are of paramount importance. It may also incorporate one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), known as multi-SIMs. The term “Terminal Device” may be used interchangeably with UE, mobile station, subscriber station, mobile terminal, user terminal, or wireless device.

[0043] As used herein, the term "network device" means a device capable of providing or hosting a cell or coverage that can communicate with terminal devices. Examples of network devices include, but are not limited to, satellites, unmanned aerial system (UAS) platforms, Node B (NodeB or NB), evolved Node B (eNodeB or eNB), next-generation Node B (gNB), transmission reception point (TRP), remote radio unit (RRU), radio head (RH), remote radio head (RRH), low-power nodes such as IAB nodes, femtonodes, and piconodes, and reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS).

[0044] The communications described herein may conform to any appropriate standard, including but not limited to New Radio Access (NR), Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), cdma2000, and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Furthermore, communications may be performed in accordance with any generation of communication protocol currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.85G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the fifth generation (5G), and the sixth generation (6G) communication protocols. The technologies described herein can be used with the wireless networks and technologies described above, as well as with other wireless networks and technologies. Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in accordance with any generation of communication protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or sixth generation (6G) networks.

[0045] Terminal devices or network devices may possess artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning capabilities. Generally, this includes models that learn from large amounts of data collected for a specific function and can be used to predict certain information.

[0046] Terminal or network devices may operate on several frequency ranges, such as FR1 (410 MHz to 7125 MHz), FR2 (24.25 GHz to 71 GHz), frequency bands greater than 100 GHz, and terahertz (THz). Furthermore, they can operate on licensed / unlicensed / shared spectrum. Terminal devices may have one or more connections to network devices under multi-radio dual connectivity (MR-DC) application scenarios. Terminal or network devices can operate in full-duplex, flexible-duplex, and cross-split-duplex modes.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented, for example, in test equipment such as signal generators, signal analyzers, spectral analyzers, network analyzers, test terminal devices, test network devices, or channel emulators.

[0048] Embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in accordance with any generation of communication protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, the first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, 5.5G, 5G-Advanced networks, or sixth generation (6G) networks.

[0049] As used herein, the term “circuit” may mean a hardware circuit and / or a combination of a hardware circuit and software. For example, a circuit may be a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits with software / firmware. In yet another example, a circuit may be any part of a software-assisted hardware processor, including a digital signal processor, software, and memory, that works together to enable a device such as a terminal or network device to perform various functions. In yet another example, a circuit may be a hardware circuit and / or a processor such as a microprocessor or a part thereof that requires software / firmware for operation, although the software may be absent if it is not required for operation. As used herein, the term “circuit” also includes implementations of hardware circuits or processors or parts of hardware circuits or processors and their (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware alone.

[0050] The singular forms "one" and "the foregoing" used herein also include the plural unless explicitly indicated in the context. The term "including" and its variations should be understood as non-exclusive terms meaning "including, but not limited to." The term "based on" should be understood as "based at least partially on." The terms "one embodiment" and "embodiment" should be understood as "at least one embodiment." The term "another embodiment" should be understood as "at least one other embodiment." Terms such as "first," "second," etc., may refer to different or identical subjects. The following may include other explicit and implicit definitions.

[0051] In some examples, values, procedures, or devices are referred to as “best,” “worst,” “highest,” “minimum,” “maximum,” etc. Such descriptions are intended to show that a choice can be made from among many usable functional alternatives, and it should be understood that such a choice does not necessarily need to be better, smaller, higher, or otherwise more desirable than other choices.

[0052] In this disclosure, some terms may refer to the same or similar physical meanings and may be used interchangeably. Some examples are given below. The terms "PDCCH / PDSCH transmit," "PDCCH / PDSCH receive," "PDCCH / PDSCH monitor," and "PDCCH / PDSCH DMRS port assumption" may be used interchangeably. The terms "Transmission Capability Information," "UE Capability Information," "Capability-Related Information," "Capability Value Set," "Panel Information," and "Panel-Related Information" may be used interchangeably. The terms "precoder," "precoding," "precoding matrix," "beam," "spatial relationship information," "spatial relationship info," "precoding information," "precoding information and number of layers," "precoding matrix indicator (PMI)," "precoding matrix indicator," "transmit precoding matrix indicator," "precoding matrix indicator," "TCI status," "transmit setting indicator," "quasi co-location (QCL)," "quasi co-location," "QCL parameter," "QCL assumption," "QCL relationship," and "spatial relationship" may be used interchangeably. The terms "TRP," "TCI state," "TCI," "control resource set (CORESET)," and "CORESET pool" may be used interchangeably. The terms "multiple TRPs," "multiple TCI states," "multiple CORESETs," "multiple control resource set pools," "multi-TRP," "multi-TCI states," "multi-TCI," "multi-CORESET," and "multi-control resource set pools," "MTRP," "M-TCI," and "M-TPR" may be used interchangeably. The terms "resource," "resource within a resource set," and "resource set" may be used interchangeably. The terms “group,” “subset,” and “set” may be used interchangeably. As used herein, the term “TRP” means an antenna array (having one or more antenna elements) available to a network device located at a specific geographical location. While some embodiments of this disclosure are described with reference to multi-TRP scenarios (or single-TRP scenarios) as examples, these embodiments are for illustrative purposes only and are intended to help those skilled in the art understand and implement this disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of this disclosure. It should be understood that the contents of this disclosure described herein can be implemented in a variety of ways different from those described below. As used herein, the terms “network” and “network device” refer to one or more network devices. Therefore, the terms “network,” “network device,” and “one or more network devices” may be used interchangeably. The "BWP ID / Index" may be used interchangeably with the "BWP / CC ID / Index", "CC Identity / Index", "Cell Identity / Index", "Physical Cell Identity / Index", "PCI", "physCellId", and "Serving Cell Identity / Index". • "TCI Status" may be used interchangeably with "TCI Status ID," "RS ID," "QCL Info," and "Beam ID." • A "code point" may be used interchangeably with "code value," "bitmap," "bit value," "field value," and "payload."

[0053] To more clearly introduce the technology of this disclosure, we will first introduce the 3GPP specification. According to the 3GPP specification for TCI status indication, beam indication is used by the network (NW) to provide beam information to the UE about which beam is used for transmission / reception. How the appropriate beam is determined depends on the NW algorithm, the information collected during beam measurement, and the report from the UE. In the case of DL, it is done on the basis of "TCI status", in the case of UL, it is done on the basis of "spatial relationship", and in Rel-17, it is possible to introduce "UL TCI" or "combined TCI" which is used for both DL / UL. The current 3GPP specification adopts the "QCL" concept. For example, "two antenna ports are 'QCLed' with respect to the spatial Rx parameter" means that transmissions from these two antenna ports should share the same Rx beam from the UE's perspective. In short, the specification states that a PDSCH using the same beam as a CSI-RS is a "QCL relationship between the DM-RS port of the PDSCH and the CSI-RS port of the CSI-RS resource".

[0054] According to advanced concepts regarding the general procedure for DL ​​beam instruction, in step 1, radio resource control (RRC) sets a list of TCI states. In Rel-15 / 16, this list was set per BWP and per CC, and in Rel-17, setting per CC group was discussed. In step 2, the MAC CE activates a subset of the TCI states set by the RRC, or the MAC CE indicates the TCI states set by the RRC. "Activate" is the term used for PDSCH TCI states. The activation command is also used to map the TCI state ID to the code point of the TCI field in the downlink control information (DCI). "Activate" means that for the corresponding activated TCI state, the UE needs to tune the Rx parameters, including Rx beam, time / frequency synchronization, etc., so that it is ready to immediately receive using that TCI state when indicated in the next step. Alternative terminology: The UE tracks these TCI states. The UE can "track" the NW because it is transmitting a corresponding reference signal. Here, "track" implies more power and complexity than simply "measuring RSRP / SINR," and "indicate" is the term used for the PDCCH TCI state. In the next step (step 3), the TCI field in DCI indicates the TCI state for PDSCH from an activated subset of TCI states, and if the TCI field is not present in DCI, the PDSCH beam follows PDCCH.

[0055] The relevant capacities mainly include maxNumberConfiguredTCIstatesPerCC, maxNumberActiveTCI-PerBWP, and timeDurationForQCL. The UE informs the NW of the maximum number of supported configured TCI states, the active TCI states, and the time required to decode the DCI, including the adjustment of Rx parameters (beam) and / or TCI state information, respectively.

[0056] A TCI state setting may include the corresponding ID, QCL type, and corresponding reference signal. For TCI state activation / deactivation for a UE-specific PDSCH MAC CE, this MAC CE is used to activate a subset of TCI states for the UE and to map the TCI state ID to the code point of the TCI field in the DCI. For TCI state indication for a UE-specific PDCCH MAC CE, this MAC CE is used to indicate a specific TCI state for the PDCCH for each CORESET. The UE must ACK for correct reception of the PDSCH carrying this MAC CE. The indicated TCI state is applied 3ms after the ACK. As an example, a TCI state setting may be transmitted from the base station to the UE via an RRC message.

[0057] If tci-PresentInDCI (which is an RRC IE) is enabled, the DCI format used to schedule a dedicated PDSCH (e.g., DCI format 1_1) will include a 3-bit TCI field; otherwise, the PDSCH beam will follow the PDCCH beam (scheduling CORESET). If the TCI field is included in the DCI, and the time offset between the PDCCH and PDSCH is greater than a threshold based on the UE capability timeDurationForQCL, the indicated TCI state applies to the PDSCH. If the offset < threshold, the PDSCH beam is the default value defined in the specification, which is essentially the PDCCH beam (the CORESET with the lowest ID). This may be referred to as the time offset delay_2, counted by a number of symbols such as 7, 14, 28.

[0058] The UE can only actively track a small number of TCI states (up to 8), but more TCI states (up to 64) can be set. MAC CE activation is used to request the UE to track a subset of TCI states, with delay_1 defined in RAN4. A TCI state is known if the following conditions are met: it is during the period from the last transmission of the RS resource used for the L1-RSRP measurement report for the target TCI state until the completion of the active TCI state switch, where the RS resource for the L1-RSRP measurement is an RS in the target TCI state or an RS QCLed to the target TCI state. The TCI state switch command was received within 1280 ms from the last transmission of the RS resource for the beam report or measurement. The UE has transmitted at least one L1-RSRP report for the target TCI state prior to the TCI state switch command. The TCI state remains detectable during the TCI state switch period. The SSB associated with the TCI state remains detectable during the TCI state switch period. The SNR of the TCI state is ≥ -3 dB.

[0059] The TCI state switch requires a shorter delay_2, which is related to the UE capability and is typically 1-2 slots. The network updates the TCI decision and signal to the UE.

[0060] According to beam indication introduced in Rel-15 / 16, for a target channel / signal, the UE should assume the same transmit / receive beam for the reference signal. Therefore, the information containing the reference signal index is the beam indication. More specifically, in DL TCI indication, different TCI indication schemes may be used for different channels / signals, and for PDCCH, it may be in the form of RRC(setting) + MAC CE(indication). For PDSCH, it may be in the form of RRC(setting) + MAC CE(activation) + DCI RRC(setting) + MAC CE(indication). In UL spatial relation indication, different spatial relation indication schemes may be used for different channels / signals, and for PUCCH, it may be in the form of RRC(setting) + MAC CE(indication). For PUSCH, DCI indicates SRI, SRI refers to an SRS resource, and for an SRS resource, it may be in the form of RRC(setting) + MAC CE(indication).

[0061] The integrated TCI state provides a reference signal to determine the QCL relationship, Tx beam, Uplink-powerControl, and path loss reference RS. Alternatively, two types of integrated TCI states are DL or Joint and UL. Or, three types of integrated TCI states (for discussion) are Joint, DL, and UL.

[0062] This document specifies extensions to the Rel-17 Integrated TCI Framework for indicating multiple DL TCI states and UL TCI states, focusing on multi-TRP use cases, using the Rel-17 Integrated TCI Framework. The Integrated TCI Framework extensions consider all intra-cell and inter-cell MTRP schemes defined in Rel-16 and Rel-17, and, where STxMP is supported, the Rel-18 MTRP scheme using STxMP. For the Integrated TCI Framework extensions for MTRP based on at least a single DCI, existing TCI fields within DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL allocation) can indicate multiple combined / DL / UL TCI states within a CC / BWP in a CC list or within a set of CC / BWPs. There are several issues that require further study (FFS), including details on mapping combined / DL / UL TCI state IDs to TCI code points (e.g., possible combinations of combined, DL, and / or UL TCI state IDs that can be mapped to TCI code points), whether to increase the maximum number of MAC CE activated TCI code points (i.e., more than 8 code points), and whether to increase the maximum number of TCI field bits (i.e., more than 3 bits). This does not suggest that support for one additional TCI field or a field that associates a TCI field with a TRP will be excluded, and the term TRP is used only for the purpose of discussion in RAN1, and whether or not to include it / how to include it is FFS.

[0063] For the M-DCI-based MTRP integrated TCI framework extension, consider the following alternatives (Alternatives 1 to 4) for TCI state updates. Alternative 1: Reuse the same TCI state update method as for the S-DCI-based MTRP. Alternative 2: Use an existing TCI field in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL allocation) associated with one of the CORESETPoolIndex values ​​to indicate a combined / DL / UL TCI state corresponding to the same CORESETPoolIndex value. Alternative 3: Use an existing TCI field in any DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL allocation) to indicate all combined / DL / UL TCI states corresponding to both CORESETPoolIndex values. The relationship between the indicated combined / DL / UL TCI states and the CORESETPoolIndex value may be studied. Alternative Example 4: To indicate combined / DL / UL TCI states corresponding to the same or different CORESETPoolIndex values, use the existing TCI field in DCI format 1_1 / 1_2 (with or without DL allocation) associated with one of the CORESETPoolIndex values. You may study how the DCI indicates whether the indicated combined / DL / UL TCI state applies to channels / signals associated with the same or different CORESETPoolIndex values.

[0064] Regarding the integrated TCI framework extension for MTRP based on S-DCI, consider at least the following alternatives (Alternatives 1 to 5) for mapping / associating coupled / DL TCI states with PDCCH reception: Alternative 1: Use RRC settings to notify the mapping / association between configured or indicated coupled / DL TCI states and CORESET or CORESET groups. Alternative 2: Use RRC settings to notify the mapping / association between configured or indicated coupled / DL TCI states and search space sets. Alternative 3: Use MAC CE to notify the mapping / association between activated or indicated coupled / DL TCI states and CORESET or CORESET groups. Alternative 4: Use DCI to notify the mapping / association between indicated coupled / DL TCI states and CORESET or CORESET groups. Alternative 5: Based on fixed mapping / association rules. For example, the first indicated coupled / DL TCI state is always applied to PDCCH reception. The above alternatives should be considered for potential support of PDCCH repeat, PDCCH-SFN, PDCCH w / o repeat / SFN, and dynamic switching between S-TRP and M-TRP for PDCCH. It is not ruled out to employ one or more alternatives to support these cases.

[0065] Several proposals have been mentioned in the current 3GPP meeting discussions, and these proposals are described in detail below. The discussions concern extensions to the integrated TCI framework, and mainly consider at least all MTRP schemes defined in Rel-16 and Rel-17, namely the Rel-16 M-DCI-based MTRP scheme for PDSCH and PUSCH, the Rel-16 S-DCI-based PDSCH SDM scheme, the Rel-16 S-DCI-based PDSCH FDM and TDM scheme, the Rel-17 S-DCI-based PUSCH TDM scheme, the Rel-17 S-DCI-based PDCCH repeating scheme, the Rel-17 S-DCI-based PUCCH TDM scheme, the Rel-17 PDCCH-SFN and PDSCH-SFN, and the Rel-17 inter-cell MTRP based on the M-DCI-based MTRP scheme for PDSCH, and, if STxMP is supported, the Rel-18 MTRP scheme using STxMP.

[0066] The discussion concerns an extension to the integrated TCI framework that supports up to four shown TCI states in CC / BWP for MTRP operations. Shown TCI states are updated by a MAC-CE or a DCI with MAC-CE-based TCI state activation as required. For DL ​​and / or UL MTRP operations in CC / BWP, the UE may be set / provided with one of two combinations of shown TCI states: one shown coupled TCI state + one shown coupled TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one shown DL TCI state, and one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one shown UL TCI state. For further research, the set of shown states may be one shown coupled TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI and UL TCI states, or one shown coupled TCI state + one shown DL TCI state, or one shown coupled TCI state + one shown UL TCI state. Furthermore, how to set / determine one of the above combinations for CC / BWP, details of updating and activating shown TCI states for MTRP based on S-DCI, details of updating and activating shown TCI states for MTRP based on M-DCI, and how to map / apply one or more shown TCI states to the target channel / signal are subjects for future research.

[0067] This discussion concerns an extension of the integrated TCI framework for MTRP based on S-DCI, and when two coupled / DL TCI states are shown, at least the following alternatives (Alternatives 1 to 5) should be considered to select one or two coupled / DL TCI states from the two shown coupled / DL TCI states for PDSCH reception: Alternative 1: Introduce a field (other than existing TCI fields) into the scheduling / activation DCI to indicate selection. Alternative 2: Use TDRA within the scheduling / activation DCI to indicate selection. Alternative 3: Use existing TCI fields to indicate selection. Alternative 4: Use RRC settings and / or MAC CE instructions to indicate the mapping / association between the set or shown coupled / DL TCI states and PDSCH reception. Alternative 5: Based on fixed mapping / association rules. For example, the first shown coupled / DL TCI state is always applied to PDSCH reception. It should be noted that other alternatives are not excluded. If two coupled / DL TCI states are selected for corresponding PDSCH reception, the mapping between the two selected coupled / DL TCI states and PDSCH Tx opportunities, and non-overlapping FDRAs and CDM groups is studied, and the reuse of Rel-16 mapping rules is not ruled out.

[0068] This discussion concerns an extension to the integrated TCI framework for MTRP based on M-DCI, and considers at least the following alternatives (Alternatives 1 to 3) for mapping / associating a bound / DL TCI state to a PDCCH receive on a CORESET that shares a specified bound / DL TCI state. Alternative 1: For a CORESET configured / associated to have one of the CORESETPoolIndex values, the UE should apply the specified bound / DL TCI state corresponding to that CORESETPoolIndex value to the PDCCH receive on the CORESET. Alternative 2: Use an RRC setting other than CORESETPoolIndex to indicate the mapping / association between a configured or specified bound / DL TCI state and a CORESET or CORESET group. Alternative 3: Use an RRC setting other than CORESETPoolIndex to indicate the mapping / association between a configured or specified bound / DL TCI state and a search space set.

[0069] This discussion concerns extensions to the integrated TCI framework and examines the following points regarding the TCI state list set by the RRC: First, whether or not to introduce a TCI state list to each TRP; and second, whether or not to increase the maximum number of TCI states that can be set in the combined / DL TCI state list and the UL TCI state list.

[0070] The following is an introduction to the activation / deactivation of MAC CE TCI states. The TCI code point to which a TCI state is mapped is determined by its sequential position among all TCI code points that have a set of TCI state IDi,j fields. That is, the first TCI code point with TCI state ID0,1 and TCI state ID0,2 should be mapped to code point value 0, the second TCI code point with TCI state ID1,1 and TCI state ID1,2 should be mapped to code point value 1, and so on. TCI state IDi,2 can be selected based on the indication of the Ci field. The maximum number of TCI code points to be activated is 8, and the maximum number of TCI states mapped to TCI code points is 2.

[0071] For the TCI field within DCI, the number of bits for the transmission configuration indication (TCI) is 0 bits if the upper layer parameter tci-PresentInDCI is not enabled, and 3 bits otherwise, as defined in clause 5.1.5 of [TS 38.214]. If the "Bandwidth part indicator" field indicates a bandwidth part other than the active bandwidth part, and the upper layer parameter tci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for the CORESET used for the PDCCH carrying DCI format 1_1, the UE assumes that tci-PresentInDCI is not enabled for all CORESETs within the indicated bandwidth part, otherwise the UE assumes that tci-PresentInDCI is enabled for all CORESETs within the indicated bandwidth part.

[0072] As described above, the 3-bit TCI field is quite limited in signaling TCI state combinations for an MTRP, and there is no flexible way to update the TCI state for one of the TRPs when multiple TCI states are mapped to a single TCI code point within the DCI. For example, if TCI state ID 2 and TCI state ID 10 are mapped to TCI code point 2, and the TCI code point is 2 (i.e., 3 bits 010), then the TCI states to be activated are 2 and 10. The 3-bit TCI field can only represent a very limited subset of TCI combinations. Considering DLorJoint TCI states, the maximum of 8 TCI state combinations is already quite limited, and this problem becomes even more serious when UL TCI states are used. The inability to flexibly update TCI states mapped to a single code point also needs to be addressed.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the Rel-17 discussion between RAN1 and RAN2, a UE does not need to monitor SI / paging / short messages from two cells with different PCIs. Rel-17 indicates that only one integrated TCI state is shown and is associated with either the serving cell TRP or a TRP with a different PCI. In Rel-17, if a UE is receiving DL data from a TRP with a different PCI on a dedicated channel, the UE cannot simultaneously receive short messages (e.g., paging) and system information from the serving cell TRP. If more than one integrated TCI state is shown in Rel-18, they may be associated simultaneously with both the serving cell TRP and a TRP with a different PCI. If more than one integrated TCI state is shown, it is necessary to resolve how to receive short messages and system information.

[0074] Embodiments of this disclosure provide means for communication solutions, and more specifically, means for updating the integrated TCI state. In some embodiments, application scenarios include MTRP (multi-Transmit / Receive Point), and, in some embodiments, additional or alternative, application scenarios include STxMP (simultaneous transmission cross multi-panel) for MPUE (multi-panel UE). The principles and embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0075] Figure 1 shows an exemplary communication system 100 that can implement several embodiments of the present disclosure. The communication system 100, which is part of a communication network, includes a network device 120 and a terminal device 110.

[0076] The network device 120 can provide services to the terminal device 110, and the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 may communicate with each other with data and control information. In some embodiments, the network device 120 and the terminal device 110 may communicate using a direct link / channel.

[0077] In system 100, the link from network device 120 to terminal device 110 is called a downlink (DL), and the link from terminal device 110 to network device 120 is called an uplink (UL). In a downlink, network device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and terminal device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). In an uplink, terminal device 110 is a transmitting TX device (or transmitter), and network device 120 is an RX device (or receiver).

[0078] It should be understood that the network device 120 may provide one or more serving cells. In some embodiments, the network device 120 can provide multiple cells. The network device 120 can support multiple TRPs and communicate with the terminal device 110 via multiple TRPs.

[0079] The communication in the communication system 100 may conform to any appropriate standard, including, but is not limited to, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Global System for Mobile Communication (GSM). Furthermore, the communication may be performed in accordance with any generation of communication protocol that is currently known or will be developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include, but are not limited to, first-generation (1G), second-generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third-generation (3G), fourth-generation (4G), 4.5G, fifth-generation (5G), 5.5G, 5G-Advanced network, or sixth-generation (6G) communication protocols.

[0080] It should be understood that the number of devices and their connections and types shown in Figure 1 are given for illustrative purposes only and do not imply any limitation. The communication system 100 may comprise any suitable number of devices suitable for carrying out embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0081] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a terminal device 110 and a network device 120 according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. As method 200 shown in Figure 2, the network device 120 may send to the terminal device 110 an instruction (205) of at least one update type to update a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states to a second plurality of TCI states (210), the at least one update type instruction may be determined by the network device 120 based on capability information (first capability information) of the terminal device 110. Thus, the terminal device 110 may receive an instruction of at least one update type from the network device 120 (220). The terminal device 110 may update the first plurality of TCI states based on at least one update type to obtain a second plurality of TCI states (230). The terminal device 110 and the network device 120 may communicate based on the second plurality of TCI states (240).

[0082] Thus, this disclosure can provide a flexible way to update one of the TCI states in a TRP when multiple TCI states are mapped to one TCI code point in a DCI.

[0083] In some embodiments, the network device 120 may transmit to the terminal device 110 an instruction of at least one combination type for the terminal device 110 to determine a first plurality of TCI states, the instruction of at least one combination type may be determined by the network device 120 based on capability information (second capability information) of the terminal device 110. On the other side of the communication, the terminal device 110 may receive an instruction of at least one combination type from the network device 120.

[0084] Furthermore, at least one combination type instruction can be used independently of at least one update type instruction. In other words, the network device 120 may transmit at least one combination type instruction but not at least one update type instruction in a single communication flow.

[0085] The following is a detailed description of at least one combination type instruction. In some embodiments, TCI state activation / deactivation signaling includes at least TCI state combination type information. For example, the TCI state combination type information may be a TCI state combination type instruction to indicate the TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point, the number of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point, or possible TCI state combination types corresponding to a TCI code point. As an example, the TCI state combination type may be indicated by the base station to the UE via MAC CE.

[0086] Thus, embodiments of the present disclosure can provide a method for activating / deactivating multiple integrated TCI states mapped to a single TCI code point.

[0087] In some embodiments, the RRC sets a list of joined DL or Joint TCI states and a list of UL TCI states. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the RRC sets a list of joined TCI states, a list of DL TCI states, and a list of UL TCI states. Alternatively or additional, in some embodiments, the RRC sets a list per BWP / CC / bandwidth or a list per BWP / CC / bandwidth group. Alternatively or additional, in some embodiments, the RRC sets a list per TRP / CORESETPool / CORESET / search space set or a list per TRP / CORESET / search space set group.

[0088] In some embodiments, the MAC CE includes TCI state combination types corresponding to TCI code points, based on a UE capability report regarding the combination types that the UE can support or whether the UE can support certain combination types.

[0089] In some embodiments, the TCI state combination type may be one of the following: one shown coupled TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states; one shown DL TCI state, one shown UL TCI state; one shown coupled TCI state + one shown coupled TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states; one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one shown DL TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one shown UL TCI state; one shown coupled TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states; one shown coupled TCI state + one shown DL TCI state; one shown coupled TCI state + one shown UL TCI state.

[0090] In some embodiments, alternatively, MAC CE may include the number of TCI states mapped to each TCI code point, and the candidate values ​​may be at least {1, 2, 3, 4}.

[0091] In some embodiments, in addition to the number of TCI states mapped to each TCI code point, the order of the mapped TCI state types is indicated. For example, a TCI code point may have three TCI states, one of which is a combined TCI state, one of which is a DL TCI state, and one of which is a UL TCI state, in the order DL, DL, and UL, or the order may be combined, DL, and UL.

[0092] In some embodiments, the MAC CE may further include at least one of the following pieces of information: TCI state [set] type: a combined TCI state or a pair of DL / UL TCI states; TCI state ID: a DL or combined TCI state ID or an UL TCI state ID; a serving cell ID to which the TCI state is set; a DL / UL BWP ID to which the TCI state is set; a serving cell ID to which the TCI state is applied; a DL / UL BWP ID to which the TCI state is applied.

[0093] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 can determine a first plurality of TCI states based on a set of fields of at least one combination type instruction. In some embodiments, the set of fields of at least one combination type instruction may include a field indicating the number of TCI states for a TCI code point. For example, the field C_i is used to indicate the number of TCI states (or TCI state pairs) for the i-th code point.

[0094] In some embodiments, a set of fields in at least one combination type instruction may include a field indicating the type of each TCI state for a TCI code point. For example, the field P_i is used to indicate whether the first / second TCI state (TCI state pair) of the i-th code point is a combined TCI state or a pair of DL and UL TCI states.

[0095] In some embodiments, a set of fields in at least one combination type of instruction may further include a field indicating whether the TCI state within the octet is a downlink TCI state or an uplink TCI state. For example, the field D / U is used to indicate whether the state is a DL TCI state (or DL ​​or Joint TCI state) or an UL TCI state within the same oct.

[0096] In some embodiments, a set of fields in at least one combination type of instruction may further include a field indicating the number of TCI code points to be used. For example, the field "S" is used to indicate that the first N C_i are used (i.e., not negligible).

[0097] In some embodiments, the MAC CE format (referred to as Format 1) includes a set of fields of at least one combination type of instruction described above. Format 1 is described in detail below.

[0098] In some embodiments, the TCI state combination type information may indicate a TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point. In a possible format of MAC CE (referred to as Format 1), C_i, P_i, or C_i and P_i are used to indicate a TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point.

[0099] In some embodiments, C_i indicates the number of TCI states (or pairs of TCI states) for the i-th TCI code point, for example, whether one coupled TCI state (or one pair of DL TCI states and UL TCI states) or two coupled TCI states (or two pairs of DL TCI states and UL TCI states) are mapped to the i-th TCI code point. C_i=0 indicates that the i-th code point represents one TCI state (or one pair of TCI states) and P_(i,1) can be ignored. C_i=1 indicates that the i-th code point represents two TCI states (or two pairs of TCI states) and P_(i,1) cannot be ignored.

[0100] In some embodiments, C_i may alternatively be two bits, for example, C_i,0 and C_i,1. C_i,0 represents the number of TCI states for the first TRP, or whether P_(i,0) can be ignored. C_i,1 represents the number of TCI states for the second TRP, or whether P_(i,1) can be ignored.

[0101] In some embodiments, P_i(i.e., P i P_(i,0) indicates whether the first / second TCI state (TCI state pair) of the i-th code point is a combined TCI state or a pair of DL TCI state and UL TCI state. P_(i,0) indicates whether the first indicated TCI state (or TCI state pair) is a combined TCI state or a pair of DL TCI state and UL TCI state. In particular, P_(i,0)=0 indicates that both DL TCI state and UL TCI state are indicated and the two TCI state IDs contain TCI state ID (i,0,a) and TCI state ID (i,0,b). P_(i,0)=1 indicates that either a DL TCI state or an UL TCI state is indicated and one TCI state ID contains TCI state ID (i,0,a). On the other hand, there are no octs that contain TCI state ID (i,0,b). P_(i,1) indicates whether the second shown TCI state (or pair of TCI states) is a combined TCI state or a pair of DL TCI and UL TCI states. In particular, P_(i,1)=0 indicates that both DL TCI and UL TCI states are shown, and the two TCI state IDs include TCI state ID (i,1,a) and TCI state ID (i,1,b). P_(i,1)=1 indicates that either a DL TCI state or an UL TCI state is shown, and one TCI state ID includes TCI state ID (i,1,a). On the other hand, there are no octs that include TCI state (i,1,b).

[0102] In some embodiments, D / U indicates whether the state is DL TCI (or DL ​​or Joint TCI) or UL TCI within the same octave. If D, the TCI state ID is 7 bits long and refers to a DL TCI or DL ​​or Joint TCI state. If U, the TCI state ID is 6 bits long and refers to a UL TCI state where the most significant bit (MSB) is considered reserved.

[0103] Furthermore, if a TCI state pool / list is configured for each TRP, the TCI state ID may be indexed for each TRP and may be smaller than 6 bits or 7 bits.

[0104] In some embodiments, the M (i.e., 3) bit length "S" field further indicates that the first N C_i are used (i.e., not negligible).

[0105] An exemplary format of MAC CE according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 3, and as shown in Figure 3, this format includes an "S" field.

[0106] In some other embodiments, the number of “S” fields can be further extended to 2 if C_i is 2 bits. For example, “S1” is for the first N1 C_i,0 and “S2” is for the first N2 C_i,1.

[0107] An exemplary format of MAC CE according to another embodiment of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 4, which includes the fields "S1" and "S2" as shown in Figure 4.

[0108] Format 1 is used to map multiple TCI states (TCI state pairs) to a single TCI code point and is most useful in S-DCI MTRP mode, where one DCI indicates TCI states for multiple TRPs. This is most practical when multiple TRPs share an ideal backhaul. However, Format 1 may also be used in M-DCI MTRP mode.

[0109] In some embodiments, a possible format 1 is used to represent: a first TCI code point: one coupled TCI state, a second TCI code point: two coupled TCI states, a third TCI code point: one pair of DL TCI states and an UL TCI state, a fourth TCI code point: two pairs of DL TCI states and an UL TCI state, a fifth TCI code point: one coupled TCI state and one pair of DL TCI states and an UL TCI state, and a sixth TCI code point: one coupled TCI state. An exemplary signaling format according to some embodiments of the present disclosure is shown in Figure 5, and based on the signaling shown in Figure 5, a schematic diagram of an exemplary interpretation of TCI states mapped to the code points shown in Figure 6 can be obtained.

[0110] The above example assumes that a 3-bit TCI field is used in DCI. The same method can be easily applied when the TCI field has more or fewer than 3 bits. Furthermore, the TCI field may consist of a 3-bit code point as the MSB / Least Significant Bit (LSB) and other additional bits. Referring to Figures 5 and 6, in the above example, "S" = 110 indicates that the first 6 C_i (C_0 to C_5) are useful.

[0111] In some embodiments, the TCI state combination type information may indicate the number of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point. For example, the TCI state combination type information may indicate the number of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point using a field (C_i). In some embodiments, in a possible format of MAC CE (referred to as Format 2), C_i is used to indicate the number of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point. For example, C_i indicates the number of TCI states. Specifically, C_i=0 means that the i-th code point represents one TCI state, C_i=1 means that the i-th code point represents two TCI states, C_i=2 means that the i-th code point represents three TCI states, and C_i=3 means that the i-th code point represents four TCI states. For example, C_1=2, C_2=1. Note that C_i is C i It may also be described as follows.

[0112] In some embodiments, if the three TCI states associated with C_1 are D / D / U, the first D is for TRP 1 as a combined TCI state, and the subsequent D / U is for TRP 2 as a separate DL / UL TCI state. Furthermore, if the three TCI states associated with C_1 are D / U / D, the first D / U is for TRP 1 as a separate DL / UL TCI state, and the subsequent D is for TRP 2 as a combined TCI state. Furthermore, if the three TCI states associated with C_1 are D / U / U, the first D / U is for TRP 1 as a separate DL / UL TCI state, and the subsequent D is for TRP 2 as a UL TCI state. In another example, if four TCI states are associated with C_i, the order may default to D / U / D / U. Exemplary relationships between C_i and TCI states are shown in Figure 7.

[0113] In some embodiments, the field indicating the number of TCI states for a TCI code point may indicate the number of TCI states for each transmit / receive point (TRP) among a plurality of TRPs. For example, in some alternative embodiments, C_i may have additional bits, e.g., 0 and 1. Specifically, C_i,0 represents the number of TCI states for a first TRP, and C_i,1 represents the number of TCI states for a second TRP.

[0114] Format 2 is used to map multiple TCI states (TCI state pairs) to a single TCI code point and is most useful in S-DCI MTRP mode, where one DCI represents TCI states for multiple TRPs. This is most practical when multiple TRPs share an ideal backhaul. However, the format may also be used in M-DCI MTRP mode.

[0115] In some embodiments, a set of fields in at least one combination type indication includes fields indicating multiple available combination types of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point. For example, in some embodiments, the TCI state combination type information may indicate possible TCI state combination types corresponding to a TCI code point. In a possible format of MAC CE (referred to as Format 3), the TCI state combination type information may indicate all possible TCI state combination types corresponding to a TCI code point.

[0116] An exemplary relationship between C_i and TCI states is shown in Figure 8. In some embodiments, C_i indicates a possible TCI state combination type; for example, C_i=0 means that the i-th code point may be used for all types of TCI state combinations (see Figure 8), and if C_1=0, there are up to six possible TCI states that map to one TCI code point (TCI state ID 0,0, combined, TCI state ID 0,0, DL, TCI state ID 0,0, UL, TCI state ID 0,1, combined, TCI state ID 0,1, DL, TCI state ID 0,1, UL), i.e., in Figure 8, there are six TCI states corresponding to C1. In some embodiments, C_i=1 means that the i-th code point may be used to represent one type of TCI state combination, e.g., 1-combined + 1-combined (see Figure 8), and if C_2=1, there are up to two possible TCI states that can be mapped to one TCI code point, i.e., in Figure 8, two TCI states (TCI state ID 1,0, combined + TCI state ID 1,1, combined) correspond to C2. In some embodiments, there are other possible types, e.g., two of the TCI state combination types, three of the TCI state combination types, etc. Format 3 is used to map multiple TCI states (TCI state pairs) to one TCI code point and is most useful in S-DCI MTRP mode, where one DCI is used to represent TCI states for multiple TRPs. This is most practical when multiple TRPs share an ideal backhaul. However, Format 3 may also be used in M-DCI MTRP mode. In some embodiments, all possible TCI state combinations that map to a TCI code point may be signaled, for example, via MAC CE. An example of a TCI state combination that maps to a TCI code point via MAC CE is shown in Figure 9.

[0117] In some embodiments, a set of fields in at least one combination type instruction may include a field indicating whether each TCI code point has multiple TCI states or one TCI state, a field indicating whether the TCI state ID in the octet corresponds to a certain type of TCI state, a field indicating the identity of a transmit / receive point (TRP) or control resource set (CORESET) pool, and a field indicating the identity of a TCI state.

[0118] For example, in some embodiments of the MAC CE, a possible format (referred to as Format 4), field P i This indicates whether each TCI code point has multiple TCI states or a single TCI state. i If the field is set to 1, it indicates that the i-th TCI code point contains both DL TCI and UL TCI states. iIf the field is set to 0, it indicates that the i-th TCI code point contains only DL TCI states or only UL TCI states. The field D / U indicates whether the TCI state ID (i.e., the identity of the TCI state) in the same octet is for a coupled / downlink or uplink TCI state; if this field is set to 1, the TCI state ID in the same octet is for coupled / downlink, and if this field is set to 0, the TCI state ID in the same octet is for uplink. The field TRP ID (i.e., the identity of the TRP) or CORESET pool ID indicates that the mapping between the activated TCI state and the code point of the DCI Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) set by the field Ti is specific to the TRP configured to have the TRP ID or the ControlResourceSetId configured to have the CORESET pool ID. Setting this field to 1 indicates that this MAC CE should apply to DL transmissions scheduled by a CORESET with a first TRP or a CORESET pool ID equal to 1; otherwise, it indicates that this MAC CE should apply to DL transmissions scheduled by a second TRP or a CORESET pool ID equal to 0. If coresetPoolIndex is not set for any CORESET, the MAC entity should ignore the CORESET Pool ID field in the MAC CE when receiving this MAC CE. If a serving cell in the MAC CE is set within a cell list containing more than one serving cell, the CORESET Pool ID field should be ignored when receiving the MAC CE. The TCI status ID may be further indexed per TRP ID. An exemplary MAC CE format is shown in Figure 10.

[0119] Format 4 is used to map multiple TCI states to a single TCI code point for a single TRP, and is most useful in M-DCI MTRP mode, where two DCIs are used for each TRP to indicate TCI states. Two MAC CEs are required. It may also be used in S-DCI MTRP mode. Each of the two MAC CEs indicates a TCI state for a specific TCI code point, and the TCI field within the DCI points to two different TCI states, which are indicated separately. An example of a combination of TCI states mapped to a TCI code point via MAC CEs is shown in Figure 11, where the TCI states are mapped to a TCI code point via two MAC CEs.

[0120] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may determine a plurality of available Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) formats, including combinations of at least two TCI states, based on an instruction of at least one combination type. For example, in some embodiments, there are a plurality of possible MAC CE formats based on the setting / instruction of the TCI state combination type. Exemplary MAC CE formats are shown in Figure 12, and as an example, possible format 5-1 may be 1 combined + 1 combined. Possible format 5-2 may be 1 pair + 1 pair. Possible format 5-3 may be 1 combined + 1 pair. Possible format 5-4 may be 1 pair + 1 combined (not shown). In the above possible formats, "combined" refers to one type of integrated TCI state, and "pair" refers to the UL TCI state and the DL TCI state.

[0121] In some embodiments, one bit or one field may be reserved within the MAC CE to indicate the format to which it may be applied.

[0122] In some embodiments, the TCI state combination type mapped to a TCI code point is determined by default without explicit setting / instruction.

[0123] The following is a detailed description of at least one update type instruction. The terminal device 110 may update a first plurality of TCI states based on at least one update type to obtain a second plurality of TCI states. In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may update at least one of the first plurality of TCI states based on first information of the at least one update type instruction, which indicates a TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) to be updated.

[0124] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may update a TCI state from a first plurality of TCI states for the same transmit / receive point (TRP), different TRPs, or multiple TRPs, based on second information of at least one update type instruction.

[0125] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may update at least a portion of the TCI states among the first plurality of TCI states based on third information of at least one update type instruction.

[0126] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may update one type of TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states based on the fourth information of at least one update type instruction.

[0127] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may update TCI states from the first plurality of TCI states that are associated with the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) or different PCIs, based on fifth information of at least one update type instruction.

[0128] In some embodiments, for example, a TCI status instruction includes a TCI status update type, which includes at least one of the following: first information (updating the first / second / all TCI statuses corresponding to the indicated TCI code points in the DCI), second information (updating the TCI status for the same / different / all TRPs), third information (updating all TCI statuses, updating a portion of the TCI statuses), and fourth information (updating a combined TCI status, updating a DL TCI status, updating a UL TCI status, updating a pair of DL TCI statuses and UL TCI statuses). A TCI status instruction including a TCI status update type is an example of an instruction for at least one update type. Thus, the terminal device 110 can update a portion of the TCI status as needed.

[0129] In some embodiments, for example, a TCI state update type may be indicated by one or more of the following: first information, second information, third information, and fourth information. The first information is used to update a first TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the DCI, and to update a second TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the DCI. Furthermore, the first information may be used to update all TCI states corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the DCI. The second information is used to update a TCI state for the same TRP, or for different TRPs, and furthermore, the second information may be used to update a TCI state for all TRPs. In other words, the second information may be used to update a TCI state associated with the same CORESETPoolIndex, or to update a TCI state associated with different CORESETPoolIndexes. The third information is used to update all TCI states, or to update a portion of the TCI states. In some embodiments, the third information may be merged with the first or second information. The fourth piece of information can be used to update a combined TCI state, a DL TCI state, a UL TCI state, or a pair of DL TCI states and UL TCI states; in other words, the fourth piece of information can be used to update a specific TCI state type of a particular TCI state combination type. Combined TCI states, DL TCI states, UL TCI states, or a pair of DL TCI states and UL TCI states are examples of TCI state types. In some embodiments, there may be other information, such as information for updating TCI states associated with the same PCI, or information for updating TCI states associated with different PCIs. This information may also be a fifth piece of information indicating at least one update type.

[0130] Based on the methods of this disclosure, it is possible to flexibly update one of several beams in several scenarios. An exemplary scenario in which at least one of several beams is updated is shown in Figure 13 (including (i) and (ii)), where solid lines correspond to using beams from two TRPs (TRP1 and TRP2) at position 1, and dashed lines correspond to using beams from two TRPs (TRP1 and TRP2) at position 2, and solid or dashed lines indicate beam coverage, for example, a solid or dashed circle indicates that the corresponding beam is narrow or wide. As shown in Figure 13(i), there are two beams that need to be updated from position 1 to position 2. In other words, a beam needs to be updated for each TRP, for example, two coupled TCI states or two DL TCI states need to be updated. As shown in Figure 13(ii), there is one beam that needs to be updated from position 1 to position 2. As shown in a0, the beam is broad and does not need to be changed; in other words, the beam is updated for TRP1 and the same beam is continued to be used for TPR2. For example, one coupled TCI state is updated and one coupled TCI state is continued to be used, or one DL TCI state is updated and one DL TCI state is continued to be used.

[0131] Examples of all possible combinations of TCI states that map to TCI code points are shown in Figure 14, and in some embodiments, TCI states that map to TCI code points in all possible combinations can be signaled, for example, via MAC CE. Referring to Figure 14, the following are some examples showing that the same 3-bit TCI field can cause different TCI state update behaviors. In Example 1, the first information indicates updating the first TCI state, and the TCI field (3 bits) is 010, and the result is that the first TCI state is updated to combined TCI state ID 2, while the second TCI state remains unchanged. In Example 2, the first information indicates updating the second TCI state, and the TCI field (3 bits) is 010, and the result is that the second TCI state is updated to combined TCI state ID 10, while the first TCI state remains unchanged. In Example 3, the first and third pieces of information indicate updating both TCI states, the TCI field (3 bits) is 010, and the result is updating the first TCI state to combined TCI state ID 2 and the second TCI state to combined TCI state ID 10. In Example 4, the third piece of information indicates updating a portion of the TCI state, the fourth piece of information indicates updating the UL TCI state, the TCI field (3 bits) is 010, and the result is updating the first TCI state to UL TCI state ID 2 and the second TCI state to UL TCI state ID 10.

[0132] In some embodiments, the first / second / third / fourth / fifth pieces of information can be explicitly indicated, and alternative example 1 is via RRC settings or MAC CE instructions, such as MTRP mode instructions or TCI state update type instructions. Alternative example 2 is via adding additional bits to the TCI field. Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the first / second / third / fourth pieces of information explicitly indicated by adding additional bits to the TCI field. As shown in Figure 15, for example, the TCI field is (3+x) bits, where x is the bit for the first piece of information and the 3 bits MSB or LSB are for mapping the TCI state. Alternative example 3 is via adding an additional field. For example, a 3-bit TCI field is retained and a 2-bit TCI state update type field is introduced. As an example, the TCI state update type instruction may be transmitted from the base station to the UE via DCI.

[0133] In some embodiments, the first / second / third / fourth pieces of information can be implicitly indicated, and alternative example 1 is through reinterpretation of other DCI fields, for example, the "MTRP mode indicator" field (if any) within the DCI. Alternative example 2 is through setting special values ​​in other DCI fields. If the DCI does not have a DL allocation, setting all other fields to "0" indicates updating the first TCI state. Setting all other fields to "1" indicates updating all TCI states. In some other embodiments, if the DCI does not have a DL allocation, setting all other fields to "0" indicates updating the TCI state for the same TRP, and setting all other fields to "1" indicates updating the TCI state for all TRPs.

[0134] The types of TCI status updates that a UE can support may be determined based on the UE capability report. For example, UE capability may be reported by the UE to the base station via the UE capability report.

[0135] In some embodiments, the TCI state update type is determined by default without explicit setting or instruction. For example, the default TCI state update type is to update all TCI states mapped to TCI code points.

[0136] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of communication between terminal devices 110 having multiple TRPs according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, where, as shown in Figure 16, two TRPs are used as an example, and the terminal devices 110 may be UEs. The first TRP (TRP1) may transmit a first DCI indicating a first TCI state to the UE, and the second TRP (TRP2) may transmit a second DCI indicating a second TCI state to the UE. The UE may receive PDCCH / PDSCH from TRP1 via the first TCI state, and may receive PDCCH / PDSCH from TRP2 via the second TCI state. The UE may transmit PUCCH / PUSCH to TRP1 via the first TCI state, and PUCCH / PUSCH to TRP2 via the second TCI state.

[0137] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of communication between terminal devices 110 having multiple TRPs according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure, where, as shown in Figure 17, there are two TRPs, and the terminal devices 110 may be UEs. The first TRP (TRP1) may transmit a single DCI to the UE indicating a first TCI state and a second TCI state (if any), and the second TRP (TRP2) may transmit a single DCI to the UE indicating a first TCI state and a second TCI state (if any). The UE may receive PDCCH / PDSCH from TRP1 via the first TCI state and PDCCH / PDSCH from TRP2 via the second TCI state. The UE may transmit PUCCH / PUSCH to TRP1 via the first TCI state and PUCCH / PUSCH to TRP2 via the second TCI state.

[0138] In some embodiments, the terminal device 110 may transmit capability information of the terminal device 110 to the network device 120, and therefore the network device 120 may receive capability information of the terminal device 110 from the terminal device 110.

[0139] In some embodiments, capability information of terminal device 110 is second capability information which may be used by network device 120 to set a first plurality of TCI states. In other words, capability information of terminal device 110 may be used by network device 120 to determine at least one combination type of instruction.

[0140] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the capability information of the terminal device 110 may be first capability information used by the network device 120 to determine at least one update type instruction.

[0141] In some embodiments, the capability information of the terminal device 110 includes capability information regarding whether the terminal device 110 supports the Simultaneous Transmission from Multiple Panels (STxMP) transmission mode.

[0142] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the capability information of the terminal device 110 includes capability information regarding whether the terminal device 110 supports both combined TCI states and individual TCI states.

[0143] In some embodiments, depending on the UE capabilities and TA settings, multiple TCI states can be mapped to TCI code points. In some embodiments, at least one of the following constraints can be considered: UE capability regarding whether the UE can support the STxMP transmission mode, UE capability regarding whether the UE can support both coupled TCI states or individual DL / UL TCI states, and the TA value.

[0144] In some embodiments, regarding the UE's ability to support the STxMP transmit mode, if the UE cannot support the STxMP transmit mode, the UE does not assume that a TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point containing more than two simultaneous UL TCI states will be set / activated. For example, the UE does not assume that a TCI state combination type will be set / activated such as one shown combined TCI state + one shown combined TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one shown UL TCI state, one shown combined TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, and one shown combined TCI state + one shown UL TCI state.

[0145] In some embodiments, regarding the UE's ability to support both combined TCI states or individual DL / UL TCI states, if the UE cannot support multiple TCI state types, the UE does not assume that a TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point containing more than one TCI state type will be set / activated. For example, the UE does not assume that a TCI state combination type will be set / activated for one shown combined TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI and UL TCI states, one shown combined TCI state + one shown DL TCI state, and one shown combined TCI state + one shown UL TCI state.

[0146] In some embodiments, if multiple TA values ​​are associated with UL transmission, this can be achieved by one of the following: multiple TAs being set within a single TAG; multiple TAGs (or TAG IDs) being set for a cell; multiple n-TimingAdvanceOffset values ​​being set for a cell; or multiple DL receive reference timings being considered.

[0147] In some embodiments, for UEs that do not support STxMP, the transmission timing to two TRPs may require an additional gap. The UE does not assume that a TCI state combination type is set / activated for a TCI code point that includes more than two simultaneous UL TCI states or two UL TCI states associated with UL transmissions within a particular gap. For UEs that support STxMP, the transmission timing to two TRPs may need to be aligned, and if the two TRPs are associated with different PCIs, the UE assumes that at least one of the TA values ​​is the same for those two TRPs.

[0148] Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, the capability information of the terminal device 110 includes information on the number of TCI state combinations that can be set and activated, for each BWP / CC, across each BWP / CC. In some embodiments, the capability information of the terminal device 110 includes information on the number of different PCIs that can be updated within one indicated TCI state combination. For a UE that supports the updating of only one different PCI, the PCI for the newly indicated TCI state combination is at least partially the same as that of the old TCI state combination. For example, the old TCI state combination consists of TCI state ID 1 with PCI 1 and TCI state ID 2 with PCI 2, and the newly indicated TCI state combination consists of TCI state ID 3 with PCI 1 and TCI state ID 4 with PCI 3, with at least PCI 1 maintained. For a UE that supports the updating of two different PCIs, the PCI for the newly indicated TCI state combination is different from that of the old TCI state combination. For example, the old TCI state combination consisted of TCI state ID 1 with PCI 1 and TCI state ID 2 with PCI 2, while the newly indicated TCI state combination consists of TCI state ID 5 with PCI 3 and TCI state ID 4 with PCI 3, with both PCI 1 and PCI 2 being updated to PCI 3 and PCI 4 instead of being maintained.

[0149] In some embodiments, the method for mapping multiple TCI states to TCI code points may be in the form of RRC signaling, i.e., TCI state combination types used within MAC CE. The MAC CE format may be determined based on the indicated mapping method. Thus, the complexity of TCI state activation / reactivation can be reduced.

[0150] In some embodiments, the RRC sets the available TCI state combination types, for example, one shown coupled TCI state + one shown coupled TCI state, one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, or one shown coupled TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states.

[0151] MIMOParam-r18 ::= SEQUENCE {

[0152] ...

[0153] unifiedTCI-State-Combination-Type-r18 ENUMERATED {separate, joint, both}

[0154] unifiedTCI-State-Combination-Type: Indicates the unified TCI state combination type set in the UE for this serving cell. The value "separate" means that this serving cell has dl-orJoint-TCI-ToAddModList for DL ​​TCI states and ul-TCI-ToAddModList for UL TCI states, and the combination is 1 separate + 1 separate (or 1 pair + 1 pair). The value "joint" means that this serving cell has dl-orJoint-TCI-ToAddModList for combined TCI states for UL and DL operations, and the TCI state combination type is 1 joined + 1 joined. The value "both" means the combination type is 1 joined + 1 separate (or 1 joined + 1 pair).

[0155] Figure 18 is a schematic diagram of several MAC CE formats for TCI states mapped to TCI code points. As shown in Figure 18, the UE assumes the MAC CE format based on the following example.

[0156] Regarding TCI state mapping to TCI code points, if the TCI state combination type is one shown coupled TCI state + one shown coupled TCI state, there are two TCI states mapped to the code point (as shown in Figure 18(i)) and two octs are used within MAC CE. If the TCI state combination type is one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, there are four TCI states mapped to the code point (as shown in Figure 18(ii)) and four octs are used within MAC CE. If the TCI state combination type is one shown coupled TCI state + one pair of shown DL TCI states and UL TCI states, there are three TCI states mapped to the code point (as shown in Figure 18(iii)) and three octs are used within MAC CE.

[0157] In some embodiments, the fields C_i and P_i described above may be used instead in the MAC CE format.

[0158] In some embodiments, if a single TCI state combination is provided to the UE, or if the UE receives a MAC CE activation command for a single TCI state combination, the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with the PDCCH / PDSCH is in pseudo-collocation with one or more RSs set by that TCI state. Furthermore, the UE assumes that the PUCCH / PUSCH Tx beam and power control parameters are associated with one or more RSs set by the TCI state.

[0159] In some embodiments, the UE is provided with the configuration of more than one TCI state combination, but if it has not received a MAC CE activation command for one of the TCI state combinations, it is possible to define the default UE behavior. For example, the UE assumes that a DM-RS antenna port associated with PDCCH / PDSCH reception is pseudo-collocated with a set of SS / PBCH blocks or CSI-RS resources identified by the UE in the initial access procedure, during a random access procedure initiated by a reconfiguration with a synchronization procedure, or for a recently configured authorized PUSCH transmission for the same HARQ process. Furthermore, the UE assumes that PUCCH / PUSCH Tx beam and power control parameters are associated with a set of SS / PBCH blocks or CSI-RS resources.

[0160] In some embodiments, for a TCI state combination type set to "1 coupled TCI state + 1 coupled TCI state", if two coupled TCI states are provided to the UE (e.g., via RRC), or if the UE receives a MAC CE activation command for two coupled TCI states, the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with the PDCCH / PDSCH is pseudo-collocation with the two DL RSs set by that TCI state. Furthermore, the UE assumes that the PUCCH / PUSCH Tx beam and power control parameters are associated with the two indicated coupled states. If more than two coupled TCI states are provided, but the UE has not received a MAC CE activation for two coupled TCI states, the default UE behavior may apply. For example, the UE assumes that a PDCCH / PDSCH reception was QCLed with two SS / PBCH blocks or two CSI-RS resources identified by the UE in the initial access procedure, during a random access procedure initiated by a reset with a synchronization procedure, or for a recent setting-enabled PUSCH transmission for the same HARQ process.

[0161] In some embodiments, for a TCI state combination type set to "one pair of DL / UL TCI states + one pair of coupled DL / UL TCI states," if the UE is provided with two DL TCI states and two UL TCI states (e.g., via RRC), or if the UE receives MAC CE activation commands for two pairs of DL TCI states and two UL TCI states, the UE assumes that the DM-RS antenna port associated with the PDCCH / PDSCH is in pseudo-collocation with the two DL RS states set by the DL TCI states. Furthermore, the UE assumes that the PUCCH / PUSCH Tx beam and power control parameters are associated with the two indicated UL TCI states. If more than two DL TCI states and / or more than two UL TCI states are provided, but the UE has not received MAC CE activations for two DL TCI states and two UL TCI states, the default UE behavior may apply.

[0162] According to the embodiments described above, the network device 120 transmits one or both of the TCI state combination type and the TCI state update type, for example, an instruction for the TCI state combination type (included in MAC CE) for multiple TCI states mapped to one TCI code point, and constraints based on UE capability. In some embodiments, the TCI state combination type and the TCI state update type may be transmitted within separate instructions. Furthermore, the TCI state update type instruction can be used to update one or more of the indicated TCI states, thereby enabling the updating of TCI states for other TRPs / cells. Thus, the problem that the current 3-bit TCI field is quite limited in signaling TCI state combinations for MTRPs, and that there is no flexible way to update the TCI state for one of the TRPs when multiple TCI states are mapped to one TCI code point in the DCI, is solved.

[0163] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram illustrating communication between a terminal device 110 and a network device 120 according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 19, in method 1900, the network device 120 may transmit to the terminal device 110 instructions (1905) of a plurality of TCI states associated with transmit / receive points (TRPs) having different PCIs (1910), and thus the terminal device 110 may receive instructions from the network device 120 of a plurality of TCI states associated with transmit / receive points (TRPs) having different physical cell identifiers (PCIs) (1920). The terminal device 110 may select a set of TRPs based on the capability information of the terminal device 110 (1930). The terminal device 110 transmits a selection of a set of TRPs (1915) to the network device 120 (1940). Thus, the network device 120 may receive the selection (1950). The network device 120 may determine a set of TRPs selected by the terminal device 110 (1960). The network device 120 may transmit common information (1925) from the set of TRPs to the terminal device 110 (1970). Therefore, the terminal device 110 may receive common information for multiple terminal devices 110 from the set of TRPs (1980).

[0164] According to the Rel-17 discussion between RAN1 and RAN2, the UE does not need to monitor SI / paging / short messages from two cells with different PCIs. Therefore, Rel-17 indicates only one integrated TCI state, which is either a serving cell TRP or a TRP with a different PCI. If more than one integrated TCI state is indicated in Rel-18, they may be simultaneously associated with both a serving cell TRP and a TRP with a different PCI. However, according to the above embodiment, the question of whether / how the UE receives short messages and system information from more than one cell is resolved.

[0165] In some embodiments, to select a set of TRPs, the terminal device 110 may, based on capability information, select a serving cell TRP or a TRP with a different PCI than the serving cell TRP, based on one of the TCI status ID, CORESET ID, or CORESET 0 setting.

[0166] In some embodiments, to select a set of TRPs, the terminal device 110 may, based on capability information, select a serving cell TRP or a TRP with a different PCI from the serving cell TRP, based on one of the following: the quality of the signals received by the terminal device 110, the trajectory of the terminal device 110, or a higher-layer instruction or procedure.

[0167] In some embodiments, the common information may be one of the following: short messages, system information, a common physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a common physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a common search space (CSS), or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0168] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the UE can receive short messages and system information from TRPs associated with different PCIs using a selection of methods provided by this disclosure, depending on the UE's capabilities. Thus, common information can be correctly received by the terminal device 110.

[0169] In some embodiments, the UE can always receive short messages and system information from the serving cell TRP or from a TRP with a different PCI. In some embodiments, the UE can receive short messages and system information from both TRPs.

[0170] In some embodiments, the UE's ability supports receiving the same common information from different TRPs, as the UE does not assume different information. The network device 120 can limit the transmission of the same common information to the UE from serving cell TRPs and TRPs with different PCIs. In some embodiments, if the active TCI state for the corresponding CORESET is not associated with the same PCI, the UE assumes the same PDCCH for the Type0 / 0A / 1 / 2-PDCCH CSS set.

[0171] In some embodiments, if the UE is capable of handling both PCIs, for example, a UE capability report regarding whether it can receive short messages and system information for TRPs with different PCIs can be sent to the network device 120. The network device 120 may send different common information from the serving cell TRP and TRPs with different PCIs. In some embodiments, if the active TCI state for the corresponding CORESET is not associated with the same PCI, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates for the Type0 / 0A / 1 / 2-PDCCH CSS set.

[0172] In some embodiments, the UE capability can support the UE receiving short messages and system information from a single cell. The UE may perform a selection between a serving cell TRP and a TRP with a different PCI, the selection using at least one of the following: TCI state ID (e.g., selecting one of the TRPs with a lower or higher TCI state ID), CORESET ID (e.g., selecting one of the TRPs with a lower or higher CORESET ID), or CORESET 0 (e.g., CORESET 0 is associated with the serving cell TRP or a TRP with a different PCI). In some embodiments, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates for the Type0 / 0A / 1 / 2-PDCCH CSS set to apply the active TCI state for the corresponding CORESET associated with the selected TRP.

[0173] In some embodiments, additional UE reporting may be required to inform the network, based on the UE selection, which settings apply from the UE's perspective.

[0174] In some embodiments, the selection of the UE may be based on the received signal quality, for example, which TRP has higher received power or increased received power based on past measurements.

[0175] In some embodiments, UE selection may be based, for example, on the UE trajectory moving toward a TRP with different PCIs.

[0176] In some embodiments, UE selection may be based on a higher-tier directive or procedure.

[0177] Furthermore, the methods described above may apply to whether or not the UE receives / how it receives common channels (such as common PDCCH / PDSCH, CSS, etc.) and common signals (such as SSB).

[0178] In some embodiments, when a UE monitors for PDCCH candidates for a Type0-PDCCH CSS set (or Type0A / 1 / 2-PDCCH CSS set) on a serving cell (e.g., from a serving cell TRP) and / or on a cell with a different PCI (e.g., from a TRP with a different PCI), the UE may assume that no SS / PBCH blocks are sent in the RE used to monitor for PDCCH candidates on a serving cell and / or on a cell with a different PCI.

[0179] In some embodiments, if at least one RE of a PDCCH candidate for a UE on a serving cell and / or a cell with a different PCI overlaps with at least one RE of LTE-CRS-ToMatchAround or LTE-CRS-PatternList (or LTE CRS for a serving cell and / or a cell with a different PCI), the UE does not need to monitor the PDCCH candidate on the serving cell and / or a cell with a different PCI.

[0180] In some embodiments, if the available RB-SetsPerCell (or the available RB sets of the serving cell and / or cells with different PCIs) are provided to the UE, the UE does not need to monitor PDCCH candidates on the serving cell and / or cells with different PCIs that overlap with any RBs from the RB sets indicated by the available RB sets indicator as unavailable for reception.

[0181] In some embodiments, for a CORESET or common PDCCH / PDSCH with index 0, the UE assumes that a CSI-RS configured to have a qcl-Type set to "typeD" in the TCI state is provided by an SS / PBCH block from a serving cell or a cell with a different PCI.

[0182] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the network device 120 may transmit a TCI state combination type instruction to the terminal device 110. For example, the TCI state activation / deactivation signaling includes at least TCI state combination type information, which indicates a TCI state combination type corresponding to a TCI code point, the number of TCI states corresponding to the TCI code point, the possible TCI state combination types corresponding to the TCI code point, and the four different MAC CE formats introduced in the above embodiments. In some embodiments, constraints exist based on UE capabilities and TA settings. In some embodiments, separate signaling is used for TCI state combination types. In some embodiments, the UE capability to support which TCI state combination types and which MAC CE formats is considered. Furthermore, a TCI state indication may include a TCI state update type, which includes at least one of the following: first information for updating a first / second / all TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the DCI; second information for updating a TCI state for the same / different / all TRPs; third information for updating all or some TCI states; and fourth information for updating a combined TCI state, a DL TCI state, a UL TCI state, or a pair of DL TCI states and UL TCI states. In some embodiments, the UE capability to support which TCI state update types and which DCI formats is considered. Thus, the problem that the current 3-bit TCI field is quite limited in signaling TCI state combinations for MTRPs, and that there is no flexible way to update a TCI state for one of the TRPs when multiple TCI states are mapped to a single TCI code point in the DCI, is solved.

[0183] According to other embodiments of the present disclosure, a terminal device 110, for example, a UE, can receive short messages and system information from TRPs associated with different PCIs, taking into account the relevant UE capabilities, and further, a selection method is provided. Thus, the question of whether / how a UE receives short messages and system information from multiple cells is resolved.

[0184] In short, embodiments of this disclosure can provide the following solutions.

[0185] The communication method includes receiving from a network device an instruction of at least one update type for updating a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, the instruction of at least one update type determined based on the first capability information of the terminal device; updating the first plurality of TCI states based on the at least one update type to obtain a second plurality of TCI states; and communicating with the network device based on the second plurality of TCI states.

[0186] In one embodiment, the method updates the first plurality of TCI states, which includes updating at least one of the first plurality of TCI states based on first information of the at least one update type instruction, which indicates a TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) to be updated; updating a TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states for the same transmit / receive point (TRP), different TRPs, or multiple TRPs based on second information of the at least one update type instruction; updating at least a portion of the TCI states among the first plurality of TCI states based on third information of the at least one update type instruction; updating a TCI state of one type among the first plurality of TCI states based on fourth information of the at least one update type instruction; and updating a TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states associated with the same physical cell identifier (PCI) or different PCIs based on fifth information of the at least one update type instruction.

[0187] In one embodiment, the method further includes the terminal device receiving from the network device an instruction of at least one combination type for determining the first plurality of TCI states, wherein the instruction of at least one combination type is determined based on second capability information of the terminal device.

[0188] In one embodiment, the method determines the first plurality of TCI states based on the set of fields of at least one combination type of indication, the set of fields includes a field indicating the number of TCI states for a TCI code point, a field indicating the type of each TCI state for the TCI code point, a field indicating whether the TCI state in the octet is a downlink TCI state or an uplink TCI state, and a field indicating the number of TCI code points to be used.

[0189] In one embodiment, the method indicates the number of TCI states for the TCI code point, which indicates the number of TCI states for each TRP of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs).

[0190] In one embodiment, the method determines the first plurality of TCI states based on a set of fields indicating at least one combination type of indication, the set of fields includes fields indicating a plurality of available combination types of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point.

[0191] In one embodiment, the method determines the first plurality of TCI states based on the set of fields of at least one combination type of instruction, the set of fields includes a field indicating whether each TCI code point has a plurality of TCI states or a single TCI state, a field indicating whether the TCI state ID in the octet represents a certain type of TCI state, a field indicating the identity of a transmit / receive point (TRP) or control resource set (CORESET) pool, and a field indicating the identity of the TCI state.

[0192] In one embodiment, the method further includes determining a plurality of available Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) formats, which include combinations of at least two TCI states, based on the at least one combination type instruction.

[0193] In one embodiment, the method further includes transmitting capability information of the terminal device used to set the first plurality of TCI states to the network device, wherein the capability information of the terminal device includes at least one of capability information regarding whether the terminal device supports a Simultaneous Transmission from Multiple Panels (STxMP) transmission mode, and capability information regarding whether the terminal device supports both combined TCI states and individual TCI states.

[0194] In one embodiment, the method receives the instruction of at least one update type via one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or Media Access Control (MAC CE), additional bits in the TCI field, or an additional field different from the default TCI field.

[0195] In one embodiment, the method receives the instruction of at least one update type via one of the following: a field obtained by reinterpreting a Downlink Control Information (DCI) field, or a special set of values ​​for a DCI field.

[0196] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving the instruction of at least one update type, which includes receiving a plurality of DCIs, each representing one TCI state, via different transmit / receive points (TRPs), or receiving a single DCI, each representing at least one TCI state, via different transmit / receive points (TRPs).

[0197] In one embodiment, the method includes receiving at least one combination type of instruction, which includes receiving a Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling that includes at least one combination type of instruction.

[0198] The communication method includes receiving instructions from a network device for multiple TCI statuses associated with different physical cell identifiers (PCIs) in a terminal device, selecting a set of TRPs based on the capability information of the terminal device, and receiving common information from the set of TRPs for multiple terminal devices.

[0199] In one embodiment, the method includes selecting the set of TRPs based on the capability information, selecting a serving cell TRP or a TRP having a different PCI from the serving cell TRP, based on one of the TCI status ID, CORESET ID, or CORESET 0 setting.

[0200] In one embodiment, the method includes selecting the set of TRPs based on the capability information, selecting a serving cell TRP or a TRP having a different PCI from the serving cell TRP, based on one of the quality of the received signal of the terminal device, the trajectory of the terminal device, or a higher-layer instruction or procedure.

[0201] In one embodiment, the common information in the method is one of the following: a short message, system information, a common physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a common physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a common search space (CSS), or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0202] The communication method includes transmitting to a terminal device an instruction of at least one update type for updating a first plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states to a terminal device, the instruction of at least one update type determined by the network device based on the terminal device's first capability information, and communicating with the terminal device based on the second plurality of TCI states.

[0203] In one embodiment, the method further includes the network device transmitting to the terminal device an instruction of at least one combination type for the terminal device to determine the first plurality of TCI states, wherein the instruction of at least one combination type is determined by the network device based on the second capability information of the terminal device.

[0204] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving capability information of the terminal device from the terminal device, which is used by the network device to set the first plurality of TCI states, wherein the capability information of the terminal device includes at least one of capability information regarding whether the terminal device supports a Simultaneous Transmission from Multiple Panels (STxMP) transmission mode, and capability information regarding whether the terminal device supports both combined TCI states and individual TCI states.

[0205] In one embodiment, the method includes, in at least one update type instruction, first information for updating at least one of the first plurality of TCI states, the first information indicating a TCI state corresponding to an indicated TCI code point in the Downlink Control Information (DCI) to be updated.

[0206] In one embodiment, the method provides at least one update type of instruction,

[0207] The system includes second information for performing one of the following actions: updating a TCI state from the first set of multiple TCI states for the same transmit / receive point (TRP); updating a TCI state from the first set of multiple TCI states for different TRPs; or updating a TCI state from the first set of multiple TCI states for multiple TRPs.

[0208] In one embodiment, the method includes third information for updating at least one update type of instruction for updating at least some of the first plurality of TCI states.

[0209] In one embodiment, the method includes a fourth piece of information for updating one type of TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states, where at least one update type of instruction includes a fourth piece of information for updating one type of TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states.

[0210] In one embodiment, the method includes a fifth piece of information for updating a TCI state among the first plurality of TCI states that is associated with the same Physical Cell Identifier (PCI) or different PCIs.

[0211] In one embodiment, the method transmits the TCI state update type instruction via one of the following: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling or Media Access Control (MAC CE), additional bits in the TCI field, or an additional field different from the default TCI field.

[0212] In one embodiment, the method transmits the TCI status update type instruction via a field obtained by reinterpreting the Downlink Control Information (DCI) field, or via a special set of values ​​for the DCI field.

[0213] In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting at least one update type of instruction by transmitting multiple DCIs, each representing one TCI state, via different transmit / receive points (TRPs), or by transmitting a single DCI representing at least one TCI state via different transmit / receive points (TRPs).

[0214] In one embodiment, the method includes at least one combination type of instruction, which comprises a set of fields for determining the first plurality of TCI states.

[0215] In one embodiment, the method includes, in at least one combination type of instruction, the set of fields of the instruction, a field indicating the number of TCI states for the TCI code point, a field indicating the type of each TCI state for the TCI code point, a field indicating whether the TCI state in the octet is a downlink TCI state or an uplink TCI state, and a field indicating the number of TCI code points to be used.

[0216] In one embodiment, the method indicates the number of TCI states for the TCI code point, which indicates the number of TCI states for each TRP of a plurality of transmit / receive points (TRPs).

[0217] In one embodiment, the method includes a set of fields in the instruction of at least one combination type that indicates a plurality of available combination types of TCI states corresponding to a TCI code point.

[0218] In one embodiment, the method includes, in at least one combination type of instruction, a set of fields, a field indicating whether each TCI code point has multiple TCI states or a single TCI state; a field indicating whether the TCI state ID in the octet represents a type of TCI state; a field indicating the identity of a transmit / receive point (TRP) or control resource set (CORESET) pool; and a field indicating the identity of the TCI state.

[0219] In one embodiment, the method includes instructions for determining a plurality of available Media Access Control Element (MAC CE) formats, the MAC CE format comprising a combination of at least two TCI states.

[0220] In one embodiment, the method includes transmitting at least one combination type of instruction by transmitting a radio resource control (RRC) signaling that includes at least one combination type of instruction.

[0221] The communication method includes: transmitting instructions for multiple TCI states associated with transmit / receive points (TRPs) having different PCIs to a terminal device from a network device; determining a set of TRPs selected by the terminal device based on the terminal device's capability information; and transmitting the common information from the set of TRPs to the terminal device.

[0222] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a report to determine that the terminal device can receive the same common information from the TRP having the different PCIs.

[0223] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a capability report for determining that the terminal device can receive the common information from the TRP having the different PCIs.

[0224] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a report containing a TRP selected by the terminal device.

[0225] In one embodiment, the method further includes selecting the TRP in the report based on at least one of the quality of the received signal and the trajectory of the terminal device.

[0226] In one embodiment, the common information in the method is one of the following: a short message, system information, a common physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a common physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a common search space (CSS), or a synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0227] The terminal device comprises a processor and a memory storing computer program code, and the memory and the computer program code, together with the processor, are configured to cause the terminal device to execute the method described above.

[0228] The network device comprises a processor and a memory storing computer program code, and the memory and the computer program code, together with the processor, are configured to cause the network device to execute the method described above.

[0229] The computer-readable medium stores instructions that, when executed by the device's processor, cause the device to perform the method described above.

[0230] Figure 20 is a schematic block diagram of a device 2000 suitable for implementing an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 2000 may be considered as another exemplary embodiment of the terminal device 110 and / or network device 120 as shown in Figure 1. Thus, the device 2000 may be implemented in the terminal device 110 or the network device 120, or as at least a part thereof.

[0231] As illustrated, the device 2000 comprises a processor 2010, a memory 2020 coupled to the processor 2010, appropriate transmitter (TX) and receiver (RX) 2040 coupled to the processor 2010, and a communication interface coupled to the TX / RX 2040. The memory 2010 stores at least a portion of the program 2030. The TX / RX 2040 is used for bidirectional communication. The TX / RX 2040 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication, although the access node referred to in this disclosure may actually have multiple antennas. The communication interface may represent any interface necessary for communication with other network elements, such as an X2 interface for bidirectional communication between eNBs, an S1 interface for communication between a mobility management entity (MME) / serving gateway (S-GW) and an eNB, an Un interface for communication between an eNB and a relay node (RN), or a Uu interface for communication between an eNB and a terminal device.

[0232] It is assumed that program 2030 includes program instructions that, when executed by the associated processor 2010, enable the device 2000 to operate according to embodiments of the present disclosure, as described herein with reference to Figures 3 to 14. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by computer software executable by the processor 2010 of the device 2000, by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. The processor 2010 may be configured to implement various embodiments of the present disclosure. Furthermore, a combination of the processor 2010 and memory 2020 may form a processing means 2050 suitable for implementing various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0233] Memory 2020 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as non-temporary computer-readable storage media, semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory, as non-limiting examples. Although only one memory 2020 is shown within device 2000, there may be several physically different memory modules within device 2000. Processor 2010 may be of any type suitable for a local technology network and may include, as non-limiting examples, one or more of general-purpose computers, dedicated computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs), and processors based on multicore processor architectures. Device 2000 may have multiple processors, for example, application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-dependent to a clock that synchronizes the main processor.

[0234] Overall, various embodiments of the 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. Although various embodiments of the Disclosure are illustrated and described using block diagrams, flowcharts, or any other pictorial representation, it should be understood that any blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented, in non-limiting examples, in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuitry or logic, general-purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or any combination thereof.

[0235] This disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-temporary computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions, such as instructions contained in a program module, which are executed within a device on a target real or virtual processor to perform the processes or methods described above with reference to Figures 6 to 20. Generally, a program module includes routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc., that perform a specific task or realize a specific abstract data type. In various embodiments, the functions of program modules may be combined or separated among program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of a program module may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may reside in both local and remote storage media.

[0236] Program code for performing the methods of this disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a dedicated computer, or other programmable data processing device, and when executed by the processor or controller, the program code may implement 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 an independent software package, partially on a machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0237] The program code described above may be implemented on a machine-readable medium, which may be any tangible medium that can contain or store programs used by or associated with an instruction execution system, device, or apparatus. The machine-readable medium may be a machine-readable signal medium or a machine-readable storage medium. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor systems, devices, or apparatus, or any suitable combination of the aforementioned mediums. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media may include electrical connections with one or more wires, portable computer disks, 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 of the above.

[0238] While the operations have been described in a specific order, it should not be understood that, in order to obtain the desired results, these operations must be performed in the specific order shown, or in a sequential order, or that all of the described operations must be performed. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, while some specific implementation details are included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Some features described in the context of individual embodiments may be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features described in the context of a single embodiment may be implemented separately in multiple embodiments, or in any suitable subcombination.

[0239] While this disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological behavior, it should be understood that the disclosure as defined in the attached claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or behaviors described above. Rather, the specific features and behaviors described above are disclosed as exemplary forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. Means for receiving radio resource control (RRC) settings from a network device, including a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state type having a first or second value, Means for receiving a media access control element (MAC CE) from the network device, which includes information about the code points of TCI fields in downlink control information (DCI) to which one or more TCI states are mapped, The aforementioned one or more TCI states are a subset of the aforementioned TCI states associated with the TCI field, The two formats for the MAC CE correspond to the first and second values ​​of the TCI state type, respectively. The first of the two formats for the MAC CE includes up to two coupled TCI states for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) operations, mapped to the code point. The second of the two formats for the MAC CE is a maximum of two DL TCI states and a maximum of two ULs mapped to the code point. Including TCI status, Means for updating the subset of the plurality of TCI states, The system includes means for maintaining one of the plurality of TCI states so that it is not updated by the code point. Terminal device.

2. The first value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have a first TCI state list for combined TCI states for DL ​​and UL operations. The second value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have the first TCI state list for DL ​​TCI states and the second TCI state list for UL TCI states. The terminal device according to claim 1.

3. The plurality of TCI states include two coupled TCI states, two downlink (DL) TCI states and two uplink (UL) TCI states, two DL TCI states and one UL TCI state, or one DL TCI state and two UL TCI states. The terminal device according to claim 1.

4. Means for transmitting radio resource control (RRC) settings to a terminal device, including a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state type having a first or second value, The system includes means for transmitting a media access control element (MAC CE) to the terminal device, which contains information about the code points of TCI fields in downlink control information (DCI) to which one or more TCI states are mapped. The aforementioned one or more TCI states are a subset of the aforementioned TCI states associated with the TCI field, The two formats for the MAC CE correspond to the first and second values ​​of the TCI state type, respectively. The first of the two formats for the MAC CE includes up to two coupled TCI states for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) operations, mapped to the code point. The second of the two formats for the MAC CE is a maximum of two DL TCI states and a maximum of two ULs mapped to the code point. Including TCI status, The subset of the plurality of TCI states is updated, The TCI state among the plurality of TCI states is maintained so as not to be updated by the code point. Network device.

5. The first value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have a first TCI state list for combined TCI states for DL ​​and UL operations. The second value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have the first TCI state list for DL ​​TCI states and the second TCI state list for UL TCI states. The network device according to claim 4.

6. The plurality of TCI states include two coupled TCI states, two downlink (DL) TCI states and two uplink (UL) TCI states, two DL TCI states and one UL TCI state, or one DL TCI state and two UL TCI states. The network device according to claim 4.

7. A method performed by a terminal device, Receiving a radio resource control (RRC) setting from a network device that includes a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state type having a first or second value, Receiving a media access control element (MAC CE) from the network device, which includes information about the code points of TCI fields in downlink control information (DCI) to which one or more TCI states are mapped; The aforementioned one or more TCI states are a subset of the aforementioned TCI states associated with the TCI field, The two formats for the MAC CE correspond to the first and second values ​​of the TCI state type, respectively. The first of the two formats for the MAC CE includes up to two coupled TCI states for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) operations, mapped to the code point. The second of the two formats for the MAC CE is a maximum of two DL TCI states and a maximum of two ULs mapped to the code point. Including TCI status, Updating the subset of the plurality of TCI states, This includes maintaining one of the aforementioned TCI states in such a way that it is not updated by the code point. method.

8. The first value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have a first TCI state list for combined TCI states for DL ​​and UL operations. The second value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have the first TCI state list for DL ​​TCI states and the second TCI state list for UL TCI states. The method according to claim 7.

9. The plurality of TCI states include two coupled TCI states, two downlink (DL) TCI states and two uplink (UL) TCI states, two DL TCI states and one UL TCI state, or one DL TCI state and two UL TCI states. The method according to claim 7.

10. A method performed by a network device, To transmit a radio resource control (RRC) setting to a terminal device, which includes a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state type having a first or second value, This includes transmitting a media access control element (MAC CE) to the terminal device, which contains information about the code points of TCI fields in downlink control information (DCI) to which one or more TCI states are mapped. The aforementioned one or more TCI states are a subset of the aforementioned TCI states associated with the TCI field, The two formats for the MAC CE correspond to the first and second values ​​of the TCI state type, respectively. The first of the two formats for the MAC CE includes up to two coupled TCI states for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) operations, mapped to the code point. The second of the two formats for the MAC CE is a maximum of two DL TCI states and a maximum of two ULs mapped to the code point. Including TCI status, The subset of the plurality of TCI states is updated, The TCI state among the plurality of TCI states is maintained so as not to be updated by the code point. method.

11. The first value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have a first TCI state list for combined TCI states for DL ​​and UL operations. The second value of the TCI state type indicates that the serving cell is configured to have the first TCI state list for DL ​​TCI states and the second TCI state list for UL TCI states. The method according to claim 10.