Methods and apparatuses for dynamic antenna array reconfiguration and signaling in millimeter wave bands

Abstract

This disclosure relates to dynamic antenna array reconfiguration and signaling transmission in the millimeter-wave band. User equipment (UE) can detect changes in the antenna array status. In response to detection, the UE can send a request for beam training for antenna array configuration. The request for beam training may include a requested antenna array configuration for the UE and an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration. The base station can determine whether to permit or deny the requested antenna array configuration for the UE. The UE can receive an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE from the base station. The base station can transmit a set of reference signals as a continuous set of Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS). The UE can train the reconfigured active antenna array configuration based on the reference signals.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 62 / 930,409, filed on November 4, 2019, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DYNAMIC ANTENNA ARRAY RECONFIGURATION AND SIGNALING IN MILLIMETER WAVE BANDS,” and U.S. Patent Application No. 17 / 087,410, filed on November 2, 2020, entitled “METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DYNAMIC ANTENNA ARRAY RECONFIGURATION AND SIGNALING IN MILLIMETER WAVE BANDS,” which are assigned to the assignee of this application and are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and in particular, to dynamic antenna array reconfiguration and signaling in millimeter wave frequency bands. Prior Art

[0003] Wireless communication systems are widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunication services, such as telephony, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems employ multiple-access technologies capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of such multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and time-division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA).

[0004] These multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunications standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless devices to communicate at municipal, national, regional, and even global levels. An example of a telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continued evolution of mobile broadband, launched by the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to address new requirements related to latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., for the Internet of Things (IoT)), and other requirements. 5G NR includes services associated with enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). Some aspects of 5G NR may be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. Further improvements to 5G NR technology are needed. These improvements may also apply to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that employ them. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The following presents a brief overview of one or more aspects to provide a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not an exhaustive overview of all contemplated aspects and is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of all aspects nor to delineate the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to present some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that will be presented later.

[0006] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus (e.g., user equipment (UE)) are provided. The method may include detecting an antenna array change condition at the UE. The method may include, in response to the detection, sending a request from the UE for beam training for antenna array configuration. The method may include receiving an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE from a base station.

[0007] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to detect an antenna array change condition at a UE. In response to the detection, the processor may be configured to send a request for beam training for antenna array configuration from the UE. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE from a base station.

[0008] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for detecting an antenna array change condition at a UE. The apparatus may include means for transmitting, in response to the detection, a request for beam training for antenna array configuration from the UE. The apparatus may also include means for receiving, from a base station, an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0009] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the following operations: detecting an antenna array change condition at a UE; sending a request for beam training for antenna array configuration from the UE in response to the detection; and receiving an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE from a base station.

[0010] The antenna array change condition may be based on angular spreads of a primary cluster and a secondary cluster in a channel between the base station and the UE.

[0011] The antenna array change condition may be based on power considerations of the UE.

[0012] The antenna array change condition may be based on thermal considerations of the UE.

[0013] The antenna array change condition may be based on support for additional RF chains utilizing a hybrid beamforming architecture.

[0014] The request for beam training may include a request to change an active antenna array configuration of the UE to a requested antenna array configuration.

[0015] The request for beam training may include an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration.

[0016] The indication of the beam weight may be a pointer to an index into an analog beamforming codebook.

[0017] The indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE may indicate the requested antenna array configuration and a number of reference signals to be used for beam training with respect to the requested antenna array configuration.

[0018] The method of wireless communication may further include: configuring the antenna array based on the requested antenna array configuration to initiate a reconfigured active antenna array configuration; training the reconfigured active antenna array configuration based on the reference signal; and sending a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) and associated beam index to the base station.

[0019] The indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE may indicate the active antenna array configuration.

[0020] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a method, computer-readable medium, and apparatus (e.g., a base station) are provided. The method may include receiving, at the base station, a request from a UE for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration. The method may include determining whether to grant or deny the requested antenna array configuration. The method may include sending, from the base station, an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0021] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The processor may be configured to receive, at a base station, a request from a UE for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration. The processor may be configured to determine whether to grant or deny the requested antenna array configuration. The processor may be configured to send, from the base station, an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0022] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides an apparatus for wireless communication. The apparatus may include means for receiving, at a base station, from a UE, a request for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration. The apparatus may include means for determining whether to grant or deny the requested antenna array configuration. The apparatus may include means for sending, from the base station, an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0023] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code that, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to perform the following operations: receiving, at a base station, from a UE a request for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration; determining whether to grant or deny the requested antenna array configuration; and sending, from the base station, an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0024] The request for beam training may indicate support for additional RF chains utilizing a hybrid beamforming architecture.

[0025] The request for beam training may include an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration.

[0026] The indication of the beam weight may be a pointer to an index into an analog beamforming codebook.

[0027] The indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE may indicate the requested antenna array configuration and a number of reference signals to be used for beam training with respect to the requested antenna array configuration.

[0028] The method of wireless communication may further include sending the certain number of reference signals as a set of consecutive channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

[0029] The method of wireless communication may also include: receiving a set of reference signal received power (RSRP) and associated beam indices from the UE; and selecting a beam from the associated beam indices for transmission to the UE.

[0030] The indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE may indicate a currently active antenna array configuration in response to a determination to reject the requested antenna array configuration.

[0031] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the one or more aspects comprise the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the accompanying drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative features of the one or more aspects. However, these features are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the various aspects may be employed, and this description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Simple diagram description

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and an access network.

[0033] FIG2A is a diagram illustrating an example of a first 5G / NR subframe.

[0034] FIG2B is a diagram illustrating an example of a DL channel within a 5G / NR subframe.

[0035] FIG2C is a diagram illustrating an example of a second 5G / NR subframe.

[0036] 2D is a diagram illustrating an example of UL channels within a 5G / NR subframe.

[0037] FIG3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a base station and a user equipment (UE) in an access network.

[0038] FIG4 is a schematic diagram of an example antenna array of a UE.

[0039] 5A is a schematic diagram of a first example active antenna configuration including a linear array.

[0040] 5B is a schematic diagram of a second example active antenna configuration including a planar array.

[0041] 6A is a schematic diagram of a third example active antenna configuration including a planar array.

[0042] 6B is a schematic diagram of a fourth example active antenna configuration including a linear array.

[0043] 6C is a schematic diagram of a fifth example active antenna configuration including a distributed linear array.

[0044] FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram illustrating example beams and transmission paths in a radio channel.

[0045] 8 is a message diagram illustrating example signaling for reconfiguring a UE antenna array.

[0046] 9 is a flow diagram of an example method of reconfiguring a UE antenna array for a UE.

[0047] 10 is a flow chart of an example method for reconfiguring a UE antenna array for a base station.

[0048] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating example components of the UE of FIG. 1 .

[0049] 12 is a schematic diagram of example components of the base station of FIG. 1 . Implementation Method

[0050] The detailed description set forth below, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is intended as a description of various configurations and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the concepts described herein may be practiced. The detailed description includes specific details intended to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that these concepts may be practiced without these specific details. In some cases, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring the concepts.

[0051] 5G-NR systems can operate in millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands. For example, a communication system can be described based on the frequency band in which the system operates. For example, frequency range 1 (FR1) can refer to frequencies up to 6 GHz, FR2 can refer to frequencies between ~24 GHz and 52.6 GHz, FR3 can refer to frequencies between 6 GHz and ~24 GHz, and FR4 can refer to frequencies above 52.6 GHz.

[0052] Systems operating at frequencies FR4 and above allow for more "degrees of freedom" in antenna array arrangement, placement, and dynamic selection (e.g., at the symbol, slot, or slot set level). Typically, in sub-6 GHz / FR1 or FR2 systems, all antennas are used, or some fixed, a priori, subset of antennas is used. For example, a device may include a linear antenna array, and a subset of antennas within the array may be active. Antenna configurations can be used for limited purposes such as hierarchical beamforming, where beam changes associated with subarray changes are associated with clear mapping between antennas. In contrast, at FR4 (and above), any subset of antennas within a larger two-dimensional array can be selectively activated at the symbol, slot, or slot set level.

[0053] The degrees of freedom are discussed herein for two hypothetical systems: the first at 30 GHz, which is FR2, and the second at 120 GHz, which can be considered FR4 or possibly exceeding FR4 (e.g., "FR5"). The wavelength (λ) at 120 GHz is four times smaller than λ at 30 GHz. Accordingly, the same physical aperture / area can be used for antenna array configurations at both frequencies, at 30 GHz and 120 GHz. For example, the system can include simultaneous operation on multiple carriers, utilizing flexible / parallel antenna arrays using multiple antenna feeds for different frequency bands. For the same physical aperture at 30 GHz, four times more antennas can be packed in each dimension (azimuth or elevation) at 120 GHz. Thus, the aperture of a 4×1 array at 30 GHz can fit into the aperture of a 16×4 antenna array at 120 GHz. Thus, as the carrier frequency increases, a medium-sized antenna array (e.g., for mobile devices) can become a very large array.

[0054] While antenna arrays are relatively low-cost, they are controlled by radio frequency integrated circuits (RFICs), which can include mixers, up / down converters, power amplifiers (PAs), low-noise amplifiers (LNAs), phase shifters, and automatic gain control (AGCs). RFICs can be relatively expensive components compared to the antennas in an integrated antenna array. Due to commercial and operational trade-offs (e.g., cost, complexity, power, and chip size), RFICs can only control a certain number of antennas. Typically, the number of antennas controlled by an RFIC ranges from 4 to 16. However, this number may change over time as technology evolves. Consequently, larger antenna arrays may require more RFICs. To control costs (both manufacturing and operational (e.g., energy)), a device may include only a subset of the RFICs required to control the entire array, and only a subset of these RFICs may be enabled.

[0055] In one aspect, the present disclosure provides for dynamic switching between these degrees of freedom based on channel / link, power, thermal conditions, and key performance indicator (KPI) targets. Specifically, the present disclosure provides for communication between a UE and a base station to select and train a new active antenna configuration, particularly when the new active antenna configuration differs significantly from the previous active antenna configuration. For example, changes to the active antenna subset can be performed autonomously by the UE (to dynamically control the width of the beam used when beamforming), while adding new active antennas can involve communication between the UE and the base station. In one embodiment, the UE can detect an antenna configuration change condition that triggers a need for an antenna configuration change. An antenna configuration change condition can refer to a condition detected at the UE that indicates a potential for performance improvement if the current antenna configuration is changed. The antenna configuration change condition can be based on predicted performance of the new antenna configuration compared to the current antenna configuration. For example, the antenna configuration change condition can be based on one or more of: a change in beamwidth, power or thermal considerations, or support for more RF chains utilizing hybrid beamforming. In response to detecting an antenna configuration change condition, the UE may send a request for beam training to the base station. The request for beam training may include the requested antenna array configuration. The base station may accept or reject the antenna array configuration change request by sending a response including an indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE. If the base station accepts the requested antenna array configuration, the base station and the UE may perform beam training using a certain number of reference signals sent by the base station.

[0056] Specific implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure can be implemented to achieve one or more of the following potential advantages. A UE can autonomously request an antenna configuration based on conditions detectable at the UE. Accordingly, the UE is more likely to quickly move to an antenna configuration that meets the UE's performance objectives. For example, the UE can autonomously reduce power consumption or temperature as needed. A change in antenna configuration can also initiate a beam training process. Accordingly, the base station can update the transmit and receive beams for the new beam configuration. The updated beam can be selected to provide the best signal quality.

[0057] Several aspects of telecommunications systems will now be presented with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods are described in the following detailed description and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, algorithms, etc. (collectively referred to as "elements" below). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0058] By way of example, an element, any portion of an element, or any combination of elements may be implemented as a "processing system" comprising one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gate logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this disclosure. One or more processors in a processing system may execute software. Software should be broadly construed to refer to instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable programs, threads of execution, procedures, functions, and the like, whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0059] Thus, in one or more example embodiments, the functions described may be implemented using hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, combinations of the foregoing types of computer-readable media, or any other medium that can be used to store computer-executable code in the form of instructions or data structures that can be accessed by a computer.

[0060] FIG1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes a base station 102, a UE 104, an Evolved Packet Core (EPC) 160, and another core network (e.g., a 5G Core (5GC)) 190. Base stations 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femto cells, pico cells, and micro cells.

[0061] In one aspect, UE 104 may include an antenna configuration component 140 for changing the active antenna array configuration of the UE. Antenna configuration component 140 may include multiple antennas 141 arranged in an array and selectively activated according to the active antenna array configuration. Antenna configuration component 140 may include a condition component 142 configured to detect an antenna array configuration change condition, a request component 144 configured to send a request for beam training including the requested active antenna configuration, a reconfiguration component 146 configured to configure the multiple antennas 141 according to the received antenna array configuration change response, and a training component 148 configured to perform beam training for the requested active antenna configuration.

[0062] In another aspect, base station 102 can include an antenna control component 198 that works in conjunction with antenna configuration component 140. For example, as shown in FIG12 , antenna control component 198 can include a request component 1242 configured to receive a request for beam training, an evaluation component 1244 configured to determine whether to grant or deny the request, a configuration component 1246 configured to send an antenna array configuration change response, and a training component 1248 configured to perform beam training for the new active antenna configuration.

[0063] Base stations 102 configured for 4G LTE (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) may interface with EPC 160 via backhaul links 132 (e.g., S1 interfaces). Backhaul links 132 may be wired or wireless.

[0064] Base stations 102 configured for 5G NR (collectively referred to as Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN)) can interface with 5GC 190 via backhaul links 184. Backhaul links 184 can be wired or wireless. Among other functions, base stations 102 can perform one or more of the following: transmission of user data, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, allocation of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), subscriber and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, positioning, and delivery of warning messages. Base stations 102 can communicate with each other directly or indirectly (e.g., via EPC 160 or 5GC 190) via backhaul links 134 (e.g., X2 interfaces). Backhaul links 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0065] Base stations 102 can communicate wirelessly with UEs 104. Each base station 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. There can be overlapping geographic coverage areas 110. For example, a small cell 102′ can have a coverage area 110′ that overlaps with the coverage area 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells can be referred to as a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network can also include home evolved Node Bs (eNBs) (HeNBs), which can provide service to a restricted group known as a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 can include uplink (UL) (also known as reverse link) transmissions from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also known as forward link) transmissions from base station 102 to UE 104. The communication link 120 can utilize multiple-input, multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link can be over one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 can use spectrum with up to Y MHz (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100, 400, etc. MHz) of bandwidth per carrier, allocated in carrier aggregation for transmission in each direction up to Yx MHz (x component carriers). The carriers may or may not be adjacent to each other. The allocation of carriers can be asymmetric with respect to DL and UL (e.g., more or fewer carriers can be allocated for DL than for UL). Component carriers can include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier can be referred to as a primary cell (PCell), and the secondary component carriers can be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0066] Certain UEs 104 may communicate with each other using device-to-device (D2D) communication links 158. D2D communication links 158 may utilize DL / UL WWAN spectrum. D2D communication links 158 may utilize one or more sidelink channels, such as a physical sidelink broadcast channel (PSBCH), a physical sidelink discovery channel (PSDCH), a physical sidelink shared channel (PSSCH), and a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). D2D communication may be accomplished via various wireless D2D communication systems, such as, for example, FlashLinQ, WiMedia, Bluetooth, ZigBee, Wi-Fi based on the IEEE 802.11 standard, LTE, or NR.

[0067] The wireless communication system may also include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150 that communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum via a communication link 154. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) to determine whether the channel is available before communicating.

[0068] Small cell 102′ can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, small cell 102′ can employ NR and use the same 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum as used by Wi-Fi AP 150. Small cell 102′ employing NR in the unlicensed spectrum can improve access network coverage and / or increase access network capacity.

[0069] Base station 102, whether a small cell 102' or a large cell (e.g., a macro base station), may include and / or be referred to as an eNB, a gNodeB (gNB), or another type of base station. Some base stations, such as gNB 180, may operate in one or more frequency bands within the electromagnetic spectrum.

[0070] The electromagnetic spectrum is typically subdivided into various categories, bands, channels, and so on, based on frequency / wavelength. In 5G NR, two initial operating frequency bands have been identified, designated as FR1 (410 MHz–7.125 GHz) and FR2 (24.25 GHz–52.6 GHz). Frequencies between FR1 and FR2 are often referred to as mid-band frequencies. Although portions of FR1 extend above 6 GHz, FR1 is often (and interchangeably) referred to as the "Sub-6 GHz" band in various documents and articles. A similar naming issue sometimes arises regarding FR2, which is often (and interchangeably) referred to as the "millimeter wave" (mmW) band in various documents and articles. This is distinct from the extremely high frequency (EHF) band (30 GHz–300 GHz), which the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) designates as the "millimeter wave" band.

[0071] Considering the above aspects, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the term "sub-6 GHz," etc. (if used herein), can broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave," etc. (if used herein), can broadly refer to frequencies that may be less than 6 GHz, may be within FR1, or may include mid-band frequencies. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, it should be understood that the term "millimeter wave," etc. (if used herein), can broadly refer to frequencies that may be within FR2, or may include EHF bands. Communications using mmW radio frequency bands have extremely high path loss and a relatively short range. mmW base station 180 can utilize beamforming 182 with respect to UE 104 to compensate for path loss and short range.

[0072] EPC 160 may include a Mobility Management Entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, a Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service (MBMS) gateway 168, a Broadcast Multicast Service Center (BM-SC) 170, and a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway 172. MME 162 may communicate with a Home Subscriber Server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is a control node that controls signaling between UE 104 and EPC 160. Generally, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are transmitted through serving gateway 166, which itself is connected to PDN gateway 172. PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. PDN gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to IP services 176. IP services 176 may include the internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services. BM-SC 170 may provide functionality for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. BM-SC 170 may serve as the entry point for content providers' MBMS transmissions, may be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services within a public land mobile network (PLMN), and may be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. MBMS gateway 168 may be used to distribute MBMS services to base stations 102 within a Multicast Broadcast Single Frequency Network (MBSFN) area used for broadcasting specific services, and may be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collecting billing information related to eMBMS.

[0073] 5GC 190 may include an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) 192, other AMFs 193, a Session Management Function (SMF) 194, and a User Plane Function (UDP) 195. AMF 192 may communicate with a Unified Data Management (UDM) 196. AMF 192 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and 5GC 190. Generally, AMF 192 provides QoS flow and session management. All User Internet Protocol (IP) packets are routed through UPF 195. UPF 195 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. UPF 195 connects to IP Services 197. IP Services 197 may include the internet, intranet, IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), PS streaming services, and / or other IP services.

[0074] A base station may include and / or be referred to as a gNB, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), access point, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), transmit receive point (TRP), or some other suitable terminology. Base station 102 provides an access point to EPC 160 or 5GC 190 for UE 104. Examples of UE 104 include a cellular phone, smartphone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), satellite radio, global positioning system, multimedia device, video device, digital audio player (e.g., MP3 player), camera, game console, tablet, smart device, wearable device, vehicle, electric meter, gas pump, large or small kitchen appliance, healthcare device, implant, sensor / actuator, display, or any other similar functional device. Some UEs 104 may be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking meter, gas pump, toaster, vehicle, heart monitor, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as a station, a mobile station, a subscriber station, a mobile unit, a subscriber unit, a wireless unit, a remote unit, a mobile device, a wireless device, a wireless communication device, a remote device, a mobile subscriber station, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a wireless terminal, a remote terminal, a handset, a user agent, a mobile client, a client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0075] Although the following description may focus on 5G NR, the concepts described herein may be applicable to other similar areas such as LTE, LTE-A, CDMA, GSM, and other wireless technologies.

[0076] Figure 2A is a diagram 200 illustrating an example of a first subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2B is a diagram 230 illustrating an example of a DL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. Figure 2C is a diagram 250 illustrating an example of a second subframe within a 5G / NR frame structure. Figure 2D is a diagram 280 illustrating an example of a UL channel within a 5G / NR subframe. The 5G / NR frame structure can be of FDD type, where, for a specific set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to either DL or UL; or the 5G / NR frame structure can be of TDD type, where, for a specific set of subcarriers (carrier system bandwidth), subframes within the set of subcarriers are dedicated to both DL and UL. In the examples provided by Figures 2A and 2C, the 5G / NR frame structure is assumed to be of TDD type, where subframe 4 is configured with slot format 28 (primarily DL), where D stands for DL, U stands for UL, and X stands for flexibility in use between DL / UL, and subframe 3 is configured with slot format 34 (primarily UL). While subframes 3 and 4 are shown as having slot formats 34 and 28, respectively, any particular subframe can be configured with any of the various available slot formats 0-61. Slot formats 0 and 1 are all DL and all UL, respectively. Other slot formats 2-61 include a mix of DL symbols, UL symbols, and flexible symbols. The UE is configured with the slot format via a received slot format indicator (SFI), either dynamically via DL control information (DCI) or semi-statically / statically via radio resource control (RRC) signaling. Note that the following description also applies to TDD-based 5G / NR frame structures.

[0077] Other wireless communication technologies may have different frame structures and / or different channels. A frame (10 ms) can be divided into 10 equally sized subframes (1 ms). Each subframe may include one or more slots. A subframe may also include mini-slots, which may include 7, 4, or 2 symbols. Depending on the slot configuration, each slot may include 7 or 14 symbols. For slot configuration 0, each slot may include 14 symbols, and for slot configuration 1, each slot may include 7 symbols. Symbols on the DL may be cyclic prefix (CP) OFDM (CP-OFDM) symbols. Symbols on the UL may be CP-OFDM symbols (for high-throughput scenarios) or discrete Fourier transform (DFT) spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) symbols (also known as single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) symbols) (for power-limited scenarios; limited to a single stream transmission). The number of slots within a subframe is based on the slot configuration and numerology. For slot configuration 0, different parameter sets µ = 0 to 5 allow for 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, and 32 slots per subframe, respectively. For slot configuration 1, different parameter sets 0 to 2 allow for 2, 4, and 8 slots per subframe, respectively. Therefore, for slot configuration 0 and parameter set µ, there are 14 symbols per slot and 2µ slots per subframe. The subcarrier spacing and symbol length / duration are functions of the parameter set. The subcarrier spacing can be equal to kHz, where μ is parameter set 0 through 5. Thus, parameter set μ = 0 has a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, and parameter set μ = 5 has a subcarrier spacing of 480 kHz. Symbol length / duration is inversely proportional to the subcarrier spacing. Figures 2A-2D provide examples of slot configuration 0, where each slot has 14 symbols, and parameter set μ = 0, where each subframe has 1 slot. With a subcarrier spacing of 15 kHz, the symbol duration is approximately 66.7 μs.

[0078] A resource grid can be used to represent the frame structure. Each slot consists of a resource block (RB) (also called a physical RB (PRB)) that extends over 12 consecutive subcarriers. The resource grid is divided into multiple resource elements (REs). The number of bits carried by each RE depends on the modulation scheme.

[0079] As shown in Figure 2A, some REs carry reference (pilot) signals (RSs) for the UE. RSs can include demodulation RSs (DM-RSs) (although indicated as Rx for a specific configuration, where 100x is the port number, other DM-RS configurations are possible) and channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), used for channel estimation at the UE. RSs can also include beamforming RSs (BRSs), beam refinement RSs (BRRSs), and phase tracking RSs (PT-RSs).

[0080] Figure 2B illustrates an example of various DL channels within a subframe of a frame. The physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carries DCI in one or more control channel elements (CCEs), each CCE consisting of nine RE groups (REGs), with each REG consisting of four consecutive REs within an OFDM symbol. The primary synchronization signal (PSS) may be within symbol 2 of specific subframes of a frame. UE 104 uses the PSS to determine subframe timing / symbol timing and the physical layer identifier (PLI). The secondary synchronization signal (SSS) may be within symbol 4 of specific subframes of a frame. The UE uses the SSS to determine the physical layer cell identity group number and radio frame timing. Based on the PLI and PLI group number, the UE can determine the physical cell identifier (PCI). Based on the PCI, the UE can determine the location of the aforementioned DM-RS. The physical broadcast channel (PBCH), which carries the master information block (MIB), can be logically grouped with the PSS and SSS to form a synchronization signal (SS) / PBCH block. The MIB provides the number of RBs in the system bandwidth and the system frame number (SFN). The physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carries user data, broadcast system information not sent via the PBCH (such as the System Information Block (SIB)), and paging messages.

[0081] As shown in Figure 2C, some REs carry DM-RSs used for channel estimation at the base station (although indicated as Rs for a specific configuration, other DM-RS configurations are possible). The UE can transmit DM-RSs for the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) and DM-RSs for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The PUSCH DM-RSs can be sent in the first one or two symbols of the PUSCH. The PUCCH DM-RSs can be sent in different configurations depending on whether short or long PUCCH is transmitted and the specific PUCCH format used. Although not shown, the UE can also transmit a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). The SRS can be used by the base station for channel quality estimation to implement frequency-dependent scheduling on the UL.

[0082] Figure 2D illustrates an example of various UL channels within a subframe of a frame. The PUCCH may be located as indicated in one configuration. The PUCCH carries uplink control information (UCI), such as scheduling requests, channel quality indicators (CQI), precoding matrix indicators (PMI), rank indicators (RI), and HARQ ACK / NACK feedback. The PUSCH carries data and may also be used to carry buffer status reports (BSRs), power headroom reports (PHRs), and / or UCI.

[0083] FIG3 is a block diagram illustrating communication between a base station 310 and a UE 350 in an access network. In the downlink (DL) mode, IP packets from the EPC 160 may be provided to the controller / processor 375. The controller / processor 375 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the service data adaptation protocol (SDAP), packet data convergence protocol (PDCP), radio link control (RLC), and media access control (MAC) layers. The controller / processor 375 provides RRC layer functions associated with broadcasting system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-radio access technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression, security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions; RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper layer packet data units (PDUs), error correction through ARQ, sequencing, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto transport blocks (TBs), demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0084] The transmit (TX) processor 316 and the receive (RX) processor 370 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding of the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping onto the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing (e.g., according to an active antenna array configuration). The TX processor 316 handles the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), M-phase shift keying (M-PSK), M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The coded and modulated symbols can then be separated into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domain, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to produce a physical channel carrying a time-domain OFDM symbol stream. The OFDM stream is spatially precoded to produce multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from a channel estimator 374 can be used to determine the coding and modulation scheme, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived based on reference signals and / or channel condition feedback transmitted by the UE 350. Each spatial stream can then be provided to a different antenna 320 via a separate transmitter 318TX. Each transmitter 318TX can modulate an RF carrier with the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0085] At the UE 350, each receiver 354RX receives a signal via its respective antenna 352. Each receiver 354RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to a receive (RX) processor 356. The TX processor 368 and the RX processor 356 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 356 can perform spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for the UE 350. If multiple spatial streams are destined for the UE 350, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 356. The RX processor 356 then converts the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform (FFT). The frequency domain signal includes a separate OFDM symbol stream for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most likely signal constellation point transmitted by the base station 310. These soft decisions can be based on channel estimates calculated by the channel estimator 358. The soft decisions are then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally sent on the physical channel by base station 310. The data and control signals are then provided to controller / processor 359 which implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions.

[0086] Controller / processor 359 may be associated with memory 360, which stores program code and data. Memory 360 may also be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, controller / processor 359 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from EPC 160. Controller / processor 359 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0087] Similar to the functions described in conjunction with DL transmissions performed by the base station 310, the controller / processor 359 provides RRC layer functions associated with obtaining system information (e.g., MIB, SIB), RRC connection, and performing measurement reporting; PDCP layer functions associated with header compression / decompression and security (ciphering, deciphering, integrity protection, integrity verification); RLC layer functions associated with transmission of upper layer PDUs, error correction through ARQ, sequencing, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs; and MAC layer functions associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, multiplexing of MAC SDUs onto TBs, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, performing scheduling information reporting, error correction through HARQ, performing priority processing, and logical channel prioritization.

[0088] Channel estimates derived by the channel estimator 358 based on a reference signal or feedback transmitted by the base station 310 can be used by the TX processor 368 to select an appropriate coding and modulation scheme and to facilitate spatial processing. The spatial streams generated by the TX processor 368 can be provided to different antennas 352 via separate transmitters 354TX. Each transmitter 354TX can modulate an RF carrier with a corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0089] UL transmissions are processed at the base station 310 in a manner similar to that described in conjunction with the receiver functionality at the UE 350. Each receiver 318 RX receives a signal through its corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 318 RX recovers information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides the information to the RX processor 370.

[0090] The controller / processor 375 may be associated with a memory 376 that stores program code and data. Memory 376 may also be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In the UL, the controller / processor 375 provides demultiplexing between transport and logical channels, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing to recover IP packets from the UE 350. The IP packets from the controller / processor 375 may be provided to the EPC 160. The controller / processor 375 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operations.

[0091] At least one of the TX processor 368, the RX processor 356, and the controller / processor 359 may be configured to perform various aspects associated with the antenna configuration component 140 of FIG1 at the UE 104. At least one of the TX processor 316, the RX processor 370, and the controller / processor 375 may be configured to perform various aspects associated with the antenna control component 198 of FIG1 at the base station 102.

[0092] Turning to Figure 4, schematic diagram 400 of an example antenna array 410 includes multiple antennas 420 and multiple RFICs 430 (e.g., RFICs 430a, 430b, 430c, and 430d). Antenna array 410 may be located in UE 104 (e.g., as antenna 141). Antenna array 410 may include up to four RFICs 430 for controlling multiple antenna modules or panels via RF switches. In the example shown, each RFIC 430 can control up to 16 antennas. Placing more RFICs in a UE may increase production costs. A common RFIC bank with dynamic switching between antenna modules / panels and subarrays can allow for flexibility in controlling multiple antennas. Complex feeder crossovers are a trade-off for flexibility. In an alternative example, if each RFIC can control eight antennas per RFIC, a 16×4 array at 120 GHz can use eight RFICs (64 antennas / eight antennas per RFIC).

[0093] As discussed in further detail below, to reduce power consumption, antenna configuration component 140 can configure a subset of antennas 420 as active antennas. In some scenarios, antenna configuration component 140 can limit the number of active RFICs 430 to save power.

[0094] 5A , schematic 500 includes a first example active antenna configuration 510 for example antenna array 410. Active antenna configuration 510 includes a 4×1 linear array of antennas 420, each controlled by RFIC 430 b. In FIG5B , schematic 502 includes a second example active antenna configuration 520. Second example active antenna configuration 520 includes a 2×2 planar array of antennas 420, each controlled by RFIC 430 b.

[0095] In one aspect, antenna configuration assembly 140 can switch between a 4×1 linear array of active antenna configuration 510 and a 2×2 planar array of active antenna configuration 520 without sacrificing equivalent isotropic radiated power (EIRP). For example, at the same EIRP, the 4×1 linear array of active antenna configuration 510 can produce a relatively wide elevation angular spread and a relatively narrow azimuth angular spread, compared to the 2×2 planar array of active antenna configuration 520, which can produce a relatively wide azimuth angular spread and a relatively narrow elevation angular spread. Accordingly, antenna configuration assembly 140 can trade off an appropriate angular spread in azimuth and elevation by changing the active antenna configuration.

[0096] Turning to Figures 6A, 6B, and 6C, three example antenna configurations 610, 620, and 630 are shown, each controlled by two RFICs 430. In the first example active antenna configuration 610, RFIC 430b can control a 4×2 planar array. In the second example active antenna configuration 620, RFIC 430b and RFIC 430c can control an 8×1 linear array. In the third example antenna configuration 630, RFIC 430a and RFIC 430c can control a 4×2 distributed array with two 4×1 arrays each.

[0097] In one aspect, antenna configuration assembly 140 can switch between active antenna configurations 610, 620, and 630. Because the 4×2 array of active antenna configuration 610 is controlled by a single RFIC 430b, the array can consume less power. The 4×2 array of active antenna configuration 610 can still have a wider beamwidth than active antenna configuration 510. Accordingly, active antenna configuration 610 can be suitable for situations where the angular spread of the main cluster is wider. The 8×1 array of active antenna configuration 620 can consume more power than active antenna configuration 610 because it is controlled by two RFICs 430b and 430c. Active antenna configuration 620 can have a narrower beamwidth in azimuth and a wider beamwidth in elevation. Accordingly, active antenna configuration 620 can be suitable for situations where the angular spread of the main cluster matches the generated beam shape / pattern. Because the active antenna configuration 630 is controlled by two RFICs 430a and 430c, the 4×2 distributed array of the active antenna configuration 630 can consume more power than the active antenna configuration 610. The active antenna configuration 630 can be used for hybrid beamforming because the antennas are widely spaced and therefore uncorrelated, which allows independent data streams to be used on each 4×1 array.

[0098] In one aspect, dynamically changing the active beam configuration when there are more degrees of freedom among possible configurations may have a greater impact on the base station than dynamically changing a linear array. For example, a UE can change the active antenna configuration among a subset of antennas in a linear array without changing the base station's beam. For example, as a UE changes from a 4×1 array to a 2×1 array and then to a 1×1 array, the beamwidth may become increasingly wider. The 1×1 array is a subset of the 2×1 array, and the 2×1 array is a subset of the 4×1 array. In contrast, with the additional degrees of freedom (e.g., as in the example active antenna configuration described above), the antennas of the second array may have no relationship to the antennas of the first array. Therefore, the beamwidths of different active antenna configurations may be unrelated. The base station may need to change its beam in response to a UE antenna array configuration or beam change. In one aspect, the base station may control a UE antenna array configuration or beam change, at least if the change results in the activation or deactivation of antennas that are unrelated to the previous or new configuration.

[0099] Turning to FIG. 7 , conceptual diagram 700 includes a beam 710 transmitted from base station 102 to UE 104. Beam 710 may be the result of different antenna configurations at base station 102, which typically may include a larger antenna array for beam steering. For example, beam 710 may include a relatively narrow first beam 710a and a relatively wide second beam 710b. Base station 102 may control beam weights to steer beam 710 in a particular direction. For example, a channel may include multiple paths 720 (e.g., paths 720a-720e) between base station 102 and UE 104. For example, if there is a line of sight between base station 102 and UE 104, a direct path 720c may exist. RF signals may also follow indirect paths. For example, signals may be reflected from objects such as buildings, vehicles, or windows. From the perspective of UE 104, the signal may appear to originate from cluster 730. Clusters (e.g., clusters 730b-730d) may be sources of reflection or diffraction for signals reaching UE 104. For example, cluster 730c may correspond to base station 102, and clusters 730b and 730d may correspond to objects reflecting signals in indirect paths 720b and 720d, respectively. Other paths, such as paths 720a and 720e, may not reach UE 104 with sufficient signal strength. UE 104 may have an active antenna configuration that generates receive beams 740 (e.g., receive beams 740a and 740b). For example, receive beam 740a may be generated using a first active antenna configuration, while receive beam 740b may be generated using a second active antenna configuration. UE 104 may control antenna weights to steer receive beam 740 toward one or more clusters 730. The strongest cluster may be referred to as a primary cluster, while other clusters may be referred to as secondary clusters.

[0100] UE 104 can dynamically change the active antenna configuration to align one or more clusters. For example, UE 104 can use the active antenna configuration used to generate receive beam 740a when cluster 730b is the primary cluster. UE 104 can also change the active antenna configuration to generate receive beam 740b when multiple strong clusters are present. In the case of a linear antenna array, changing between antenna subsets can affect the beamwidth of receive beam 740, but may not significantly affect the direction of other dimensions of receive beam 740. When UE 104 includes a larger antenna array with more degrees of freedom, changes in the active antenna configuration can alter receive beam 740 in different dimensions. For example, the beam can expand or contract in azimuth or elevation. Accordingly, as the degrees of freedom in active antenna configuration selection increase, the likelihood that the optimal beam of base station 102 will change increases.

[0101] FIG8 is a message diagram 800 illustrating an example process and messages for dynamically changing the active antenna configuration of a UE 104. Initially, the UE 104 may communicate a message 810 with the base station 102 based on a first antenna configuration. For example, the first antenna configuration may be a default antenna configuration, the base station 102 may configure the UE 104 with the first antenna configuration (e.g., using RRC signaling), or the first antenna configuration may be dynamically selected by the UE 104.

[0102] At block 820, UE 104 may detect an antenna configuration change condition. The antenna configuration change condition may be based on one or more of a beamwidth change, power or thermal considerations, or support for more RF chains utilizing hybrid beamforming. For example, as discussed above with respect to FIG. 7 , UE 104 and / or antenna configuration component 140 may determine (e.g., based on a reference signal) that a different active antenna configuration will produce a receive beam 740 that will provide better performance (e.g., greater signal strength). For example, the new active antenna configuration may capture the angular spread of the primary cluster and / or sub-primary clusters in the RF channel. As another example, UE 104 and / or antenna configuration component 140 may determine that the current active antenna configuration consumes too much power (e.g., based on measured power consumption or battery charge) or that the temperature of UE 104 or its components is too high (e.g., based on a thermal sensor). In another aspect, UE 104 and / or antenna configuration component 140 may determine that support for additional RF chains may be necessary, for example, if a higher data rate is required. UE 104 and / or antenna configuration component 140 can determine that an active antenna configuration, such as example active antenna configuration 630, can support additional RF chains for receiving additional streams. The antenna change condition described above can be based on measurements performed at the UE or internal UE state, which may not be reported to the base station. Accordingly, by detecting the antenna change condition and initiating antenna array configuration changes and beam training, the UE can improve performance objectives for the UE that may not be detected by the network.

[0103] In response to detecting the antenna configuration change condition in step 820, UE 104 may send a request message 830 requesting beam training for the antenna array configuration. Beam training may refer to a process in which UE 104 and base station 102 communicate using different beams in order to select a beam for future communications. For example, base station 102 may transmit reference signals using different beams, and the UE may provide feedback on the selected beam and / or measurements of the different beams. Request message 830 may indicate a requested antenna array configuration (e.g., one of active antenna configurations 510, 520, 610, 620, 630). For example, the requested antenna array configuration may be based on the detected antenna array change condition. In some implementations, request message 830 may be referred to as an antenna array configuration change request message. In one aspect, the antenna array configuration may include an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration. For example, UE 104 may select beam weights based on measurements of reference signals received during communications using the current antenna array configuration. For example, the beam weights may be based on a prediction of the best beam to use with the requested antenna array configuration. The beam weights may be indicated as codebook entries, e.g., from a codebook defined in a standard, regulation, or signaled configuration. Request message 830 may be sent, for example, as an RRC configuration message or a MAC CE.

[0104] Base station 102 may determine whether to grant or deny request message 830. For example, if base station 102 cannot support the requested antenna array configuration given the current allocation of resources (e.g., transmit antennas), base station 102 may deny the requested antenna array configuration. Base station 102 may send a response message 840 indicating the antenna array configuration for use by the UE. When base station 102 denies the requested antenna array configuration, response message 840 may indicate the UE's current antenna array configuration. When base station 102 accepts the requested antenna array configuration, response message 840 may indicate a certain number of reference signals to be used for beam training for the requested antenna array configuration. For example, when different reference signals 860 are to be transmitted, response message 840 may indicate time and frequency domain resources. Response message 840 may be sent, for example, as an RRC configuration message, a MAC CE, or a DCI.

[0105] At step 850, UE 104 may perform beam training for the requested antenna array configuration. That is, UE 104 may change to the requested antenna array configuration as the new active antenna configuration. UE 104 may use the new active antenna configuration to measure each of reference signals 860 to determine the best beam. For example, the best beam may be the beam that transmits the reference signals 860 with the best reference signal received power (RSRP). UE 104 may transmit a beam training message 870 that includes the beam index of the best beam and the RSRP of the best beam. Accordingly, base station 102 may select the best beam for communication with UE 104.

[0106] FIG9 is a flow chart of a method 900 for wireless communication. Method 900 may be performed by a UE (e.g., UE 104, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104 or components of UE 104, such as antenna configuration component 140, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359). In one aspect, method 900 may be performed while communicating with a base station (e.g., base station 102, which may include memory 376 and may be the entire base station 102 or components of base station 102, such as antenna control component 198, TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375). Optional blocks are depicted in dashed lines.

[0107] At block 910, method 900 may include detecting an antenna array change condition at the UE. In one aspect, for example, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 may execute antenna configuration component 140 and / or condition component 142 to detect an antenna array change condition at UE 104. For example, the antenna array change condition may be based on the angular spread of the main cluster and sub-clusters in a channel between a base station and the UE. For example, UE 104 may determine that a different active antenna array configuration may generate a beam including one or more additional clusters. As another example, the antenna array change condition may be based on power considerations of the UE (e.g., a low battery condition). As another example, the antenna array change condition may be based on thermal considerations of the UE (e.g., a temperature exceeding a threshold). As another example, the antenna array change condition may be based on support for additional radio frequency chains utilizing a hybrid beamforming architecture. Thus, the UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 (executing antenna configuration component 140 and / or condition component 142) may provide means for detecting an antenna array change condition at the UE.

[0108] At block 920, method 900 may include, in response to detecting, transmitting a request from the UE for beam training for antenna array configuration. In one aspect, for example, the UE 104, the TX processor 368, and / or the controller / processor 359 may execute the antenna configuration component 140 and / or the request component 144 to, in response to detecting, transmitting a request from the UE for beam training for antenna array configuration (e.g., request message 830). The request for beam training may include the requested antenna array configuration. The request for beam training may include an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration. For example, the indication of beam weights may be a pointer to an index of a simulated beamforming codebook. Accordingly, the UE 104, the TX processor 368, and / or the controller / processor 359 (executing the antenna configuration component 140 and / or the request component 144) may provide means for transmitting, in response to detecting, the request from the UE for beam training for antenna array configuration.

[0109] At block 930, method 900 may include receiving an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE from a base station. In one aspect, for example, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 may execute antenna configuration component 140 and / or reconfiguration component 146 to receive an indication of an antenna array configuration for UE 104 (e.g., antenna array configuration change response message 840) from base station 102. When the base station accepts the request, the indication of the antenna array configuration for the UE may indicate the requested antenna array configuration and a number of reference signals to be used for beam training with respect to the requested antenna array configuration. When the base station rejects the request, the indication of the antenna array configuration may indicate an active antenna array configuration. Accordingly, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 (executing antenna configuration component 140 and / or reconfiguration component 146) may provide means for receiving an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE from a base station.

[0110] At block 940, method 900 may optionally include configuring the UE's antenna array based on the requested antenna array configuration to initiate a reconfigured active antenna array configuration. In one aspect, for example, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 may execute antenna configuration component 140 and / or reconfiguration component 146 to configure UE 104's antenna array 410 based on the requested antenna array configuration to initiate a reconfigured active antenna array configuration. For example, reconfiguration component 146 may control one or more of RFICs 430 to power on antennas 420 in the active array of the requested antenna array configuration. For example, if active antenna array configuration 510 is selected, RFIC 430b may power on antennas in a linear array. As another example, if active antenna configuration 630 is selected, RFICs 430a and 430c may power on antennas in a distributed planar array. Accordingly, the UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 (executing antenna configuration component 140 and / or reconfiguration component 146) may provide means for configuring the UE's antenna array based on the requested antenna array configuration to initiate a reconfigured active antenna array configuration.

[0111] At block 950, method 900 may optionally include training the reconfigured active antenna array configuration based on a number of reference signals. In one aspect, for example, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 may execute antenna configuration component 140 and / or training component 148 to train the reconfigured active antenna array configuration based on a number of reference signals. Accordingly, UE 104, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359 (executing antenna configuration component 140 and / or training component 148) may provide means for training the reconfigured active antenna array configuration based on a number of reference signals.

[0112] At block 960, method 900 may optionally include sending a set of reference signal received powers (RSRPs) and associated beam indices to a base station. In one aspect, for example, UE 104, TX processor 368, and / or controller / processor 359 may execute antenna configuration component 140 and / or training component 148 to send the reference signal received powers (RSRPs) and associated beam indices to the base station. Accordingly, UE 104, TX processor 368, and / or controller / processor 359 (executing antenna configuration component 140 and / or training component 148) may provide means for sending the reference signal received powers (RSRPs) and associated beam indices to the base station. Base station 102 may utilize the RSRPs and associated beam indices to select a beam for transmission. UE 104 may then receive transmissions from base station 102 using the reconfigured active antenna array configuration.

[0113] FIG10 is a flow chart of a method 1000 for wireless communication. Method 1000 may be performed by a base station (e.g., base station 102, which may include memory 376 and may be the entire base station 102 or components of base station 102, such as antenna control component 198, TX processor 316, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375). In one aspect, method 1000 may be performed by communicating with a UE (e.g., UE 104, which may include memory 360 and may be the entire UE 104 or components of UE 104, such as antenna configuration component 140, TX processor 368, RX processor 356, and / or controller / processor 359). Optional blocks are illustrated with dashed lines.

[0114] At block 1010, method 1000 may include receiving, at a base station, a request from a UE to change the UE's active antenna array configuration to a requested antenna array configuration. In one aspect, for example, base station 102, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or request component 1242 to receive, at base station 102, a request from UE 104 for beam training for the requested antenna array configuration. For example, the request for beam training may indicate support for additional radio frequency chains utilizing a hybrid beamforming architecture. As another example, the request for beam training may include an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration. The indication of beam weights may be a pointer to an index into an analog beamforming codebook. Accordingly, the base station 102, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375 (executing antenna control component 198 and / or request component 1242) may provide means for receiving, at the base station, a request from a UE for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration.

[0115] At block 1020, method 1000 may include determining whether to grant or deny the UE's requested antenna array configuration. In one aspect, for example, base station 102 and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or evaluation component 1244 to determine whether to grant or deny the UE's requested antenna array configuration. For example, if base station 102 cannot support the requested antenna array configuration given its current allocation of resources (e.g., transmit antennas), evaluation component 1244 may deny the requested antenna array configuration. For example, the requested active antenna array configuration may require additional antennas at the base station to steer the beam. If the required antennas are being used by another UE or in another frequency band, evaluation component 1244 may deny the request. Accordingly, base station 102 and / or controller / processor 375 (executing antenna control component 198 and / or evaluation component 1244) may provide means for determining whether to grant or deny the UE's requested antenna array configuration.

[0116] At block 1030, method 1000 may include transmitting, from the base station, an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE. In one aspect, for example, base station 102, TX processor 316, and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or configuration component 1246 to transmit, from base station 102, an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE. Accordingly, base station 102, TX processor 316, and / or controller / processor 375 executing antenna control component 198 and / or configuration component 1246 may provide means for transmitting, from the base station, an indication of an antenna array configuration for the UE.

[0117] At block 1040, method 1000 may optionally include transmitting a number of reference signals as a set of consecutive CSI-RSs. In one aspect, for example, base station 102, TX processor 316, and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 to transmit a number of reference signals as a set of consecutive CSI-RSs. Accordingly, base station 102, TX processor 316, and / or controller / processor 375 executing antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 may provide means for transmitting a number of reference signals as a set of consecutive CSI-RSs.

[0118] At block 1050, method 1000 may optionally include receiving a set of RSRPs and associated beam indices from the UE. In one aspect, for example, base station 102, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 to receive the set of RSRPs and associated beam indices from the UE. Accordingly, base station 102, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375 executing antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 may provide means for receiving a set of RSRPs and associated beam indices from the UE.

[0119] At block 1060, method 1000 may optionally include selecting a beam from the associated beam index for transmission to the UE. In one aspect, for example, base station 102, TX processor 316, and / or controller / processor 375 may execute antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 to select a beam from the associated beam index for transmission to the UE. That is, training component 1248 may determine antenna weights for transmitting a reference signal corresponding to the selected beam index and use these antenna weights for future transmissions to the UE. Training component 1248 may also select a transmit power based on RSRP. Accordingly, base station 102, RX processor 370, and / or controller / processor 375 executing antenna control component 198 and / or training component 1248 may provide means for selecting a beam from the associated beam index for transmission to the UE. Base station 102 may use the antenna array configuration for the UE and information from beam training to communicate with the UE.

[0120] 11, an example implementation of a UE 104 may include various components, some of which have been described above, including components such as one or more processors 1112 and memory 1116 communicating via one or more buses 1144, and a transceiver 1102, which may work in conjunction with a modem 1114 and / or antenna configuration component 140 to implement one or more functions described herein related to configuring an active antenna array at the UE. Furthermore, the one or more processors 1112, modem 1114, memory 1116, transceiver 1102, RF front end 1188, and one or more antennas 1165 may be configured to (simultaneously or non-simultaneously) support voice and / or data calls utilizing one or more radio access technologies. Antennas 1165 may include one or more antennas, antenna elements, and / or antenna arrays.

[0121] In one aspect, the one or more processors 1112 may include a modem 1114, which may utilize one or more modem processors. Various functions associated with the antenna configuration component 140 may be included in the modem 1114 and / or the processor 1112, and in one aspect may be performed by a single processor, while in other aspects, different functions may be performed by a combination of two or more different processors. For example, in one aspect, the one or more processors 1112 may include a modem processor, a baseband processor, a digital signal processor, a transmit processor, a receiver processor, or any one or any combination of transceiver processors associated with the transceiver 1102. In other aspects, some features of the one or more processors 1112 and / or the modem 1114 associated with the antenna configuration component 140 may be performed by the transceiver 1102.

[0122] Additionally, the memory 1116 can be configured to store data used herein, and / or local versions of the application 1175, or the configuration component 140 and / or one or more subcomponents thereof executed by the at least one processor 1112. The memory 1116 can include any type of computer-readable medium usable by a computer or the at least one processor 1112, such as random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), tape, magnetic disk, optical disk, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, and any combination thereof. In one aspect, for example, the memory 1116 can be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium that stores one or more computer-executable codes defining the antenna configuration component 140 and / or one or more subcomponents thereof, and / or data associated therewith, when the UE 104 is operating the at least one processor 1112 to execute the antenna configuration component 140 and / or one or more subcomponents thereof.

[0123] Transceiver 1102 may include at least one receiver 1106 and at least one transmitter 1108. Receiver 1106 may include hardware, firmware, and / or software code executable by a processor for receiving data, the code comprising instructions and stored in memory (e.g., a computer-readable medium). Receiver 1106 may be, for example, a radio frequency (RF) receiver. In one aspect, receiver 1106 may receive signals transmitted by at least one base station 102. Receiver 1106 may also process such received signals and obtain signal measurements, such as, but not limited to, Ec / Io, SNR, RSRP, RSSI, etc. Transmitter 1108 may include hardware, firmware, and / or software code executable by a processor for transmitting data, the code comprising instructions and stored in memory (e.g., a computer-readable medium). Suitable examples of transmitter 1108 may include, but are not limited to, RF transmitters.

[0124] Additionally, in one aspect, the UE 104 can include an RF front end 1188 that can operate in communication with one or more antennas 1165 and the transceiver 1102 to receive and transmit radio transmissions, such as wireless communications transmitted by at least one base station 102 or wireless transmissions transmitted by the UE 104. The RF front end 1188 can be connected to the one or more antennas 1165 and can include one or more low-noise amplifiers (LNAs) 1190, one or more switches 1192, one or more power amplifiers (PAs) 1198, and one or more filters 1196 for transmitting and receiving RF signals.

[0125] In one aspect, LNA 1190 can amplify received signals at a desired output power level. In one aspect, each LNA 1190 can have a specified minimum and maximum gain value. In one aspect, RF front end 1188 can use one or more switches 1192 to select a particular LNA 1190 and its specified gain value based on the desired gain value for a particular application.

[0126] Furthermore, for example, the RF front end 1188 can utilize one or more PAs 1198 to amplify the signal for RF output at a desired output power level. In one aspect, each PA 1198 can have a specified minimum and maximum gain value. In one aspect, the RF front end 1188 can utilize one or more switches 1192 to select a specific PA 1198 and its specified gain value based on the desired gain value for a particular application.

[0127] Furthermore, for example, the RF front end 1188 can use one or more filters 1196 to filter a received signal to obtain an input RF signal. Similarly, in one aspect, for example, a corresponding filter 1196 can be used to filter the output from a corresponding PA 1198 to produce an output signal for transmission. In one aspect, each filter 1196 can be connected to a specific LNA 1190 and / or PA 1198. In one aspect, based on a configuration as specified by the transceiver 1102 and / or the processor 1112, the RF front end 1188 can use one or more switches 1192 to select a transmit path or a receive path using a specified filter 1196, LNA 1190, and / or PA 1198.

[0128] Thus, the transceiver 1102 can be configured to transmit and receive wireless signals via the RF front end 1188 through one or more antennas 1165. In one aspect, the transceiver can be tuned to operate at a specified frequency so that the UE 104 can communicate with, for example, one or more base stations 102 or one or more cells associated with one or more base stations 102. In one aspect, for example, the modem 1114 can configure the transceiver 1102 to operate at a specified frequency and power level based on the UE configuration of the UE 104 and the communication protocol used by the modem 1114.

[0129] In one aspect, modem 1114 can be a multi-band, multi-mode modem that can process digital data and communicate with transceiver 1102 to enable transmission and reception of digital data using transceiver 1102. In one aspect, modem 1114 can be multi-band and configured to support multiple frequency bands for a specific communication protocol. In one aspect, modem 1114 can be multi-mode and configured to support multiple operating networks and communication protocols. In one aspect, based on a specified modem configuration, modem 1114 can control one or more components of UE 104 (e.g., RF front end 1188, transceiver 1102) to enable transmission and / or reception of signals from the network. In one aspect, the modem configuration can be based on the mode of the modem and the frequency band in use. In another aspect, the modem configuration can be based on UE configuration information associated with UE 104, as provided by the network during cell selection and / or cell reselection.

[0130] 12 , one example implementation of a base station 102 may include various components, some of which have been described above, but includes components such as one or more processors 1212 and memory 1216 communicating via one or more buses 1254, and a transceiver 1202, which may work in conjunction with a modem 1214 and antenna control component 198 to implement one or more functions described herein related to UE antenna configuration control.

[0131] Although the transceiver 1202, receiver 1206, transmitter 1208, one or more processors 1212, memory 1216, applications 1275, bus 1254, RF front end 1288, LNA 1290, switch 1292, filter 1296, PA 1298, and one or more antennas 1275 may be the same as or similar to corresponding components of UE 104 as described above, they are configured or otherwise programmed for base station operation as opposed to UE operation.

[0132] It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the disclosed processes / flowcharts is illustrative of exemplary approaches. Based on design preferences, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts may be rearranged. Furthermore, some blocks may be combined or omitted. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various blocks in an exemplary order and are not intended to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0133] The foregoing description is provided to enable anyone skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other aspects. Accordingly, the claims are not intended to be limited to the aspects shown herein, but rather to be accorded the full scope consistent with language claims, where reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" (unless specifically so stated), but rather "one or more." The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any aspect described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects. Unless otherwise specified, the term "some" refers to one or more. Combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A's, multiple B's, or multiple C's. Specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C," "one or more of A, B, or C," "at least one of A, B, and C," "one or more of A, B, and C," and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" may include only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A, B, and C, where any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements of the various aspects described throughout this disclosure that are or later become known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be encompassed by the claims. Furthermore, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the claims. The words "module," "mechanism," "element," "device," and the like may not be substituted for the word "unit." Therefore, no element in the claims should be construed as a functional module unless the element is explicitly recited using the phrase "means for..."

[0134] 100: Method 102:Base station 104:UE 110: Coverage area 110': Coverage area 120: Communication link 132: Backhaul link 134: Backhaul link 140: Antenna configuration components 141: Antenna 142: Status Component 144:Request component 146: Reconfigure components 148: Training Component 152:Wi-Fi station 154: Communication link 150: Access point 158: Device to device communication link 160: Evolved Packet Core 162: Mobility Management Entity 164: Other MMEs 166: Server Gateway 168:Gateway 170: Broadcast Multicast Service Center 172: Gateway 174:Subscriber Server 176:IP Service 180:g Node B 182: Beamforming 184: Backhaul link 190:5G core 192: Mobility Management Function 193: Other AMF 194: Dialogue management function 195: User plane function 196: Unified Data Management 197:IP Service 198: Antenna control assembly 200: Figure 230: Figure 250: Figure 280: Figure 310:Base station 316: Processor 318: Transmitter 320: Antenna 350:UE 352: Antenna 354: Receiver 356:RX processor 358:TX processor 359:Controller / Processor 360:Memory 368:TX processor 370:RX processor 3 374: Estimator 375:Controller / Processor 376:Memory 400: Schematic diagram 410: Antenna array 420: Antenna 430:RFIC 430a:RFIC 430b:RFIC 430c:RFIC 430d:RFIC 500: Schematic diagram 510: Antenna Configuration 502: Schematic diagram 520: Antenna Configuration 610: Antenna Configuration 620: Antenna Configuration 630: Antenna Configuration 700: Concept map 710a: First beam 710b: Second beam 720a: Path 720b: Path 720c:Path 720d: Path 720e: Path 730b: Cluster 730c: Cluster 730d: Cluster 740a: Receive beam 740b: Receive beam 800: Message Image 810: Message 820: Step Box 830: Message 840: Message 850: Step Box 860: Reference signal 870: Message 900: Method 910: Frame 920: frame 930: frame 940: frame 950: frame 960: frame 1000:Method 1010: Frame 1020: frame 1030: frame 1040: Frame 1050: frame 1060: frame 1165: Antenna 1144: Modulator-Demodulator 1188: Front-end 1192: Switch 1196:Filter 1102: transceiver 1106: Receiver 1108: Transmitter 1116:Memory 1175: Application 1112: Processor 1114: Modulator-Demodulator 1288: Front-end 1292: Switch 1296:Filter 1202: transceiver 1206: Receiver 1208: Transmitter 1216:Memory 1275: Application 1212: Processor 1214: Modulator-Demodulator 198: Antenna control assembly 1242:Request component 1244:Evaluation Component 1246:Configuration Component 1248: Training Component 1254: Bus

Claims

1. A method of wireless communication, comprising: detecting an antenna array change condition at a user equipment (UE); A request is sent from the UE to change the active antenna array configuration of the UE to a requested antenna array configuration; an indication of a new antenna array configuration for the UE and an indication of resources of a reference signal for use in beam training is received from a base station; and based on the reference signal, the reconfigured active antenna array having the new antenna array configuration is trained.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The request to change the active antenna array of the UE to the requested antenna array configuration includes an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The indication of the beam weight is based on a prediction of an optimal beam for use with the requested antenna array configuration.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein: The indication of the beam weight is a pointer to an index into an analog beamforming codebook.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the antenna array change condition is based on an angular spread of a main cluster and sub-clusters in a channel between the base station and the UE.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein: The antenna array change condition is based on power considerations or thermal considerations of the UE.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein: The antenna array change scenario is based on support for additional RF chains utilizing a hybrid beamforming architecture.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein: The indication of a reference signal resource used for beam training includes: a set of consecutive channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

9. The method of claim 1, wherein: Training the reconfigured active antenna array with the new antenna array configuration based on the reference signals includes: measuring each of the reference signals using the new antenna array configuration to determine a best beam; and sending a beam training message including a beam index of the best beam.

10. The method according to claim 9, wherein The best beam corresponds to a reference signal having a maximum measured reference signal received power (RSRP), and the beam training message includes the RSRP of the best beam.

11. A method of wireless communication, comprising: receiving, at a base station, from a user equipment (UE), a request for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration; determining whether to grant or deny the requested antenna array configuration; sending from the base station an indication of a new antenna array configuration for the UE and an indication of resources for reference signals used for beam training; and sending from the base station a set of reference signals on the resources.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein The request for beam training for a requested antenna array configuration includes an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The indication of the beam weight is based on a prediction of an optimal beam for use with the requested antenna array configuration.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein: The indication of the beam weight is a pointer to an index into an analog beamforming codebook.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein: The set of reference signals is based on an indication of the beam weights used with the requested antenna array configuration.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein: The set of reference signals includes: a set of consecutive channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS).

17. The method of claim 11, further comprising: A beam training message indicating a beam index of a best beam is received.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein: The best beam corresponds to a reference signal having a maximum measured reference signal received power (RSRP), and the beam training message includes the RSRP of the best beam.

19. An apparatus for wireless communication, comprising: Memory; and one or more processors coupled to the memory and configured, individually or in combination, to: detect an antenna array change condition at a user equipment (UE); send a request from the UE to change the active antenna array configuration of the UE to a requested antenna array configuration; receive an indication of a new antenna array configuration for the UE and an indication of resources of a reference signal for beam training from a base station; and train the reconfigured active antenna array with the new antenna array configuration based on the reference signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein: The request to change the active antenna array of the UE to the requested antenna array configuration includes an indication of beam weights to be used with the requested antenna array configuration.