Improved beam reporting for wireless communications networks

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method for improved beam reporting for a wireless communications network. The method includes receiving, from a networking element, a downlink control information (DCI) message indicating a beam reporting mode change. The method also includes performing, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the apparatus according to a beam measurement configuration. The method also includes generating one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the apparatus and causing transmission of the one or more beam reports to the networking element.

Description

IMPROVED BEAM REPORTING FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONSNETWORKSTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] An example embodiment of the present disclosure generally relates to communication systems and, more particularly, to an improved beam reporting methodology for a beam management framework associated with a wireless communications network.BACKGROUND

[0002] Third generation partnership project (3GPP) 5th generation (5G) technology is a next generation of radio systems and network architecture that can deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low latency connectivity. 5G technology improves a variety of telecommunication sendees offered to end users and supports massive broadband communication that delivers gigabytes of bandwidth per second on demand for uplink (UL) and downlink (DL) transmissions. Beam reporting related to the measurements of reference signals and / or synchronization signals is a key part of the beam management framework associated with 5G communications networks. Conventional 5G networks employ beam reporting to align both DL beams (e.g., beams associated with transmissions generated by a network element such as a gNB) and UL beams (e.g., beams associated with transmissions generated by user equipment (UE)). It is therefore desirable to have improved beam reporting methods for adaptively aligning the data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE (e.g., a mobile computing device) associated with a respective networking cell of a respective 5G (or beyond) communication network.SUMMARY

[0003] Methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are provided in accordance with an example embodiment for providing improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a user equipment (UE) (e.g., a mobile computing device) associated with a respective communications system.

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-implemented method for providing improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. The computer-implemented method is performable by one or more specially configured computing device(s) embodied inhardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination thereof, for example as described herein.

[0005] In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes receiving, by a UE from a network element, an indication of a beam reporting mode change. The computer-implemented method also includes, in response to receiving the indication of the beam reporting mode change, performing, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE according to a beam measurement configuration indicated by the network element The computer- implemented method also includes generating one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the UE. The computer- implemented method also includes causing transmission of the one or more beam reports to the network element.

[0006] The computer-implemented method further includes where the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one or more of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value.

[0007] The computer-implemented method further includes where the set of beam measurements is determined based at least in part on the beam reporting instance.

[0008] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, and the beam reporting instance value are associated with a respective DCI codepoint value indicated via a respective DCI message.

[0009] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration are associated with a respective measurement resource set.

[0010] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

[0011] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a downlink (DL) reception for the UE, an uplink (UL) transmission for the UE, or both a DL reception for the UE and a UL transmission for the UE.

[0012] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reports are transmitted based on a same reporting resource configuration.

[0013] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reports are generated based on a same beam reporting format.

[0014] The computer-implemented method further includes causing transmission, to the network element, of an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode.

[0015] The computer-implemented method further includes causing transmission, to the network element, of a request to change a current beam reporting mode.

[0016] The computer-implemented method further includes persisting a particular beam reporting mode until the UE receives, from the network element, an indication of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations.

[0017] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

[0018] The computer-implemented method further includes receiving, from the network element, configuration information associated with a plurality of beam reporting modes, where the set of beam measurements is performed based at least in part on the configuration information.

[0019] The computer-implemented method further includes where at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a downlink control information (DCI) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

[0020] In accordance with a second aspect of the disclosure, another computer- implemented method for providing improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. The computer- implemented method is performable by one or more specially configured computing device(s) embodied in hardware, software, firmware, and / or any combination thereof, for example as described herein.

[0021] In one example embodiment, a computer-implemented method includes determining, by a network element, a beam reporting mode change for configuring a UE. The computer-implemented method also includes causing transmission, to the UE, of an indication of the beam reporting mode change and an indication of a beam measurement configuration. The computer-implemented method also includes receiving, by the network element from the UE, one or more beam reports based on a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE, where the set of beam measurements is performed based on the beam measurement configuration.

[0022] The computer-implemented method further includes where the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value

[0023] The computer-implemented method further includes where the set of beam measurements is determined based on the beam reporting instance value.

[0024] The computer-implemented method further includes determining a respective DCI codepoint value for at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value. The computer- implemented method also includes encoding one or more DCI bitfields of a respective DCI message with the respective DCI codepoint value associated with the at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value.

[0025] The computer-implemented method further includes determining a respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes. The computer- implemented method also includes indicating the respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes via the beam measurement configuration.

[0026] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

[0027] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

[0028] The computer-implemented method further includes selecting, based at least in part on the one or more beam reports, a beam to use for one or more subsequent DL transmissions to the UE or one or more subsequent UL receptions from the UE.

[0029] The computer-implemented method further includes where the one or more beam reports are received via a same reporting resource configuration.

[0030] The computer-implemented method further includes determining a reporting format for configuring the one or more beam reports. The computer-implemented method also includes indicating the reporting format to the UE.

[0031] The computer-implemented method further includes receiving, from the UE, an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode. The computer-implemented method also includes, in response to receiving the indication of the preferred beam reporting mode, generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on thepreferred beam reporting mode. The computer-implemented method also includes causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

[0032] The computer-implemented method further includes receiving, from the UE, a request to change a current beam reporting mode. The computer-implemented method also includes, in response to receiving the request to change the current beam reporting mode, generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on a requested beam reporting mode associated with the request to change the current beam reporting mode. The computer-implemented method also includes causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

[0033] The computer-implemented method further includes determining one or more TCI state activations, where the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one or more of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission. The computer-implemented method also includes transmitting an indication of the one or more TCI state activations to the UE.

[0034] The computer-implemented method further includes transmitting, to the UE, configuration information associated with a plurality of beam reporting modes, where the set of beam measurements is performed based at least in part on the configuration information.

[0035] The computer-implemented method further includes where at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a DCI message, a MAC CE, or an RRC message.

[0036] In accordance with a third aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for providing improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. In one example embodiment, the apparatus includes at least one or more processors communicatively coupled at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform any one of the example computer-implemented methods described herein.

[0037] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the disclosure, a computer program product for providing improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. In one example embodiment, the computer program product includes at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer program code instructions stored thereon that, in execution with at least one processor, configures the computer program product for performing any one of the example computer-implemented methods described herein.

[0038] In accordance with a fifth aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. The apparatus includes means for receiving, by a UE from a network element, an indication of a beam reporting mode change. The apparatus also includes means for, in response to receiving the indication of the beam reporting mode change, performing, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE according to a beam measurement configuration indicated by the network element. The apparatus also includes means for generating one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the UE. The apparatus also includes means for causing transmission of the one or more beam reports to the network element.

[0039] The apparatus further includes means for where the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one or more of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value.

[0040] The apparatus further includes means for where the set of beam measurements is determined based at least in part on the beam reporting instance.

[0041] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, and the beam reporting instance value are associated with a respective DCI codepoint value indicated via a respective DCI message.

[0042] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration are associated with a respective measurement resource set.

[0043] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

[0044] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a DL reception for the UE, a UE transmission for the UE, or both a DL reception for the UE and a UL transmission for the UE.

[0045] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reports are transmitted based on a same reporting resource configuration.

[0046] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reports are generated based on a same beam reporting format.

[0047] The apparatus further includes means for causing transmission, to the network element, of an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode.

[0048] The apparatus further includes means for causing transmission, to the network element, of a request to change a current beam reporting mode.

[0049] The apparatus further includes means for persisting a particular beam reporting mode until the UE receives, from the network element, an indication of one or TCI state activations.

[0050] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

[0051] The apparatus further includes means for receiving, from the network element, configuration information associated with a plurality of beam reporting modes, where the set of beam measurements is performed based at least in part on the configuration information.

[0052] The apparatus further includes means for where at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a DC1 message, a MAC CE, or a RRC message.

[0053] In accordance with a sixth aspect of the disclosure, another apparatus for improved beam reporting to facilitate the alignment of data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE is provided. The apparatus includes means for determining, by a network element, a beam reporting mode change for configuring a UE. The apparatus also includes means for causing transmission, to the UE, of an indication of the beam reporting mode change and an indication of a beam measurement configuration. The apparatus also includes means for receiving, by the network element from the UE, one or more beam reports based on a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE, where the set of beam measurements is performed based on the beam measurement configuration.

[0054] The apparatus further includes means for where the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one of one or more beam measurement ty pes, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value

[0055] The apparatus further includes means for where the set of beam measurements is determined based on the beam reporting instance value.

[0056] The apparatus further includes means for determining a respective DCI codepoint value for at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value. The apparatus also includes means for encoding one or more DCI bitfields of a respective DCI message with the respective DCIcodepoint value associated with the at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value.

[0057] The apparatus further includes means for determining a respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes. The apparatus also includes means for indicating the respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes via the beam measurement configuration.

[0058] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

[0059] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

[0060] The apparatus further includes means for selecting, based at least in part on the one or more beam reports, a beam to use for one or more subsequent DL transmissions to the UE or one or more subsequent UL receptions from the UE.

[0061] The apparatus further includes means for where the one or more beam reports are received via a same reporting resource configuration.

[0062] The apparatus further includes means for determining a reporting format for configuring the one or more beam reports. The apparatus also includes means for indicating the reporting format to the UE.

[0063] The apparatus further includes means for receiving, from the UE, an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode. The apparatus also includes means for, in response to receiving the indication of the preferred beam reporting mode, generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on the preferred beam reporting mode. The apparatus also includes means for causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

[0064] The apparatus further includes means for receiving, from the UE, a request to change a current beam reporting mode. The apparatus also includes means for, in response to receiving the request to change the current beam reporting mode, generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on a requested beam reporting mode associated with the request to change the current beam reporting mode. The apparatus also includes means for causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

[0065] The apparatus further includes means for determining one or more TCI state activations, where the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one or more of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission. The apparatus also includes means for transmitting an indication of the one or more TCI state activations to the UE.

[0066] The apparatus further includes means for transmitting, to the UE, configuration information associated with a plurality of beam reporting modes, where the set of beam measurements is performed based at least in part on the configuration information.

[0067] The apparatus further includes means for where at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a DCI message, a MAC CE, or a RRC message.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0068] Having thus described certain example embodiments in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0069] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system configured in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0070] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that can be configured to provide improved beam reporting for a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0071] FIG. 3 is a dataflow diagram associated with a method for improved beam reporting for a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0072] FIG. 4 is a flowchart diagram depicting a method for improved beam reporting for a user equipment (UE) associated with a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0073] FIG. 5 is a flowchart diagram depicting a method for improved beam reporting for a network element associated with a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0074] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all,embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementation comprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As defined herein, a “computer-readable storage medium,” which refers to a physical storage medium (e.g., volatile, or non-volatile memory device), may be differentiated from a “computer-readable transmission medium,” which refers to an electromagnetic signal.

[0076] Example communication systems, frameworks, and / or associated techniques of the present disclosure may be configured to provide improved beam reporting methods for adaptively aligning the data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a user equipment (UE) (e.g., a mobile computing device) associated with a respective networking cell of a particular communication system. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular types of communication systems and / or processes disclosed. For example, although illustrated in the context of wireless cellular systems utilizing 3GPP system elements such as a 3GPP next generation core network, the disclosed embodiments can be adapted in a straightforward manner to a variety of other types of communication systems. Additionally, while the present disclosure may describe certain embodiments in conjunction with a 5G communications system, other embodiments also apply to and comprise other networks and network technologies, such as 3G, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 6G, etc., without limitation.

[0077] In accordance with an illustrative embodiment implemented in a 5G communication system environment, one or more 3GPP standards, specifications, and / or protocols provide further explanation of UE and core network elements / entities / functions and / or operations performed by the UE and the core network elements / entities / functions, e.g., the 3GPP System Aspects (SA) Working Group 5 (3GPP SA5), the 3GPP RAN 3. Other 3GPP standards, specifications and / or protocols provide other conventional details that one of ordinary skill in the art will realize. However, while illustrative embodiments are well-suited for implementation associated with the above-mentioned 3GPP standards, alternative embodiments are not necessarily intended to be limited to any particular standards.

[0078] Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to 5G / 6G new radio (NR) latency and overhead reduction enhancements, and specifically to improved signal measurement (e.g., reference signal and / or synchronization signal measurement) and beam reporting methods for adaptively aligning the data transmissions between a network element (e.g., a gNB) and a UE associated with a respective networking cell of a particular 5G (e.g., or 6G and beyond) communication system. As described herein, signal measurement and beam reporting is a key part of the beam management framework associated with 5G technology which the network employs to align both downlink (DL) beams (e.g., beams associated with transmissions generated by a network element such as a gNB) and uplink (UL) beams (e.g., beams associated with transmissions generated by UE).

[0079] In conventional telecommunications practice, beam reporting is a mechanism in which a UE measures DL reference signals (RSs) that characterize different network element (e.g., gNB) beams using a receive beam and / or multiple different receive beams to provide measurement results to the network. The network and / or the network element (e.g., a gNB) uses the measurements such as, for example, Layer 1 (LI)- reference signal received power (RSRP) measurements, for DL and UL beam selection. In conventional NR communications systems, the same Ll-RSRP beam report is utilized by the network element (e.g., gNB) for both DL and UL beam selection. Said differently, conventional NR communications systems, the network (e.g., via a gNB) decides UL beam(s) for the UE based on DL measurements. However, the Ll-RSRP beam report based on the DL measurement of the DL beam does not describe whether the same beam would be feasible and / or strong enough for use in the UL direction. Furthermore, the Ll-RSRP beam report does not describe whether the UE may have some constraints (e.g. how much power reduction the UE may need to take if transmitting using a certain UL beam and / or if there is a blockage for the UL beam).

[0080] To address these and other problems, embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods configured to delegate at least partial beam selection responsibility to the UE (e.g., beam selection responsibility for the UL beams). As such, according to various embodiments, the network (e.g., by way of the gNB and / or radio resource control (RRC)) may be configured to dynamically change the UE measurement and beam reporting behavior for the purpose of DL and UL beam selection - a technological functionality that is not provided by current, conventional NR communications systems.

[0081] In various embodiments, the LI beam measurement and beam reporting settings associated with a UE (e.g., settings related to physical beam measurement, reporting resource configurations, beam measurement types, beam reporting instance periodicities and / or the like) for measuring and / or reporting on UL and / or DL beams may be adaptively configured based on dynamic indications transmitted by a network element (e.g., a gNB). In this regard, one or more embodiments are configured to provide methods in which a network element (e.g., a gNB) can dynamically indicate a beam reporting mode change and / or a beam measurement configuration to a respective UE. For example, in various embodiments, a network element (e.g., a gNB) can dynamically indicate a beam reporting mode change and / or a beam measurement configuration to a respective UE via one or more downl ink control information (DCI) messages, one or more radio resource control (RRC) messages, and / or one or more medium access control (MAC) control elements (MAC CEs).

[0082] In one or more embodiments, the beam reporting mode change is applied by the UE upon receiving the message triggering the beam reporting mode change (e.g., a DCI message and / or a MAC CE), or upon acknowledging the reception of the message triggering the beam reporting mode change. As such, the UE can be dynamically configured based in part on the beam reporting mode change and / or the beam measurement configuration in order to perform one or more forthcoming beam measurements and / or beam reporting instances until further indications and / or reconfiguration instructions are received from the network element (e.g., the gNB).

[0083] In this regard, in various embodiments, the beam measurement configuration transmitted by a network element (e.g., the gNB) may indicate at least one or more of one or more beam measurement ty pes, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value with which to configure the UE. In various contexts, the beam measurement configuration may be used to configure the UE for dynamic beam reporting in order to facilitate DL and / or UL beam selection. Furthermore, the beam measurement configuration may be used for mixed DL and UL beam selection purposes.

[0084] In various embodiments, the one or more beam measurement types indicated by a beam measurement configuration may include, but are not limited to, reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), and / or signal-to-noise interference ratio (SINR) associated with one or more synchronization signals (SSs) and / or channel state information (CSI) RSs, respectively.

[0085] In one or more embodiments, an RRC and / or a network element (e.g., a gNB) associated with the communications network may configure the UE with one or more beam reporting modes (e g., mode 1 , ... , mode N) associated with a beam measurement configuration. In some contexts, the RRC may indicate a default beam reporting mode (e.g. mode 1) and / or one or more alternative beam reporting modes for configuring a respective UE (e.g., as part of an initial configuration when the UE connects to a respective communications network). As anon-limiting example, a first beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) of the one or more beam reporting modes may be a default beam reporting mode associated with reporting on a set of DL RS beam measurements (e.g., a set of Ll-RSRP measurements for a set of respective DL RSs). In some contexts, the network element (e.g., the gNB) may determine from the beam report generated based on the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) that a particular DL beam associated with the set of DL RSs is favorable for DL transmissions and, further, infer that the particular DL beam is also adequate for UL reception.

[0086] As another non-limiting example, a second beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2) of the one or more beam reporting modes may be a beam reporting mode associated with reporting on a set of UL beam measurements associated with a set of UL beams. As such, in this example, based on the second beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2), the UE may be configured to consider only beams which may be preferable for UL transmissions to the network element (e.g., the gNB) in order to facilitate UL beam selection (e.g., and thereby omit DL beams from consideration altogether). Additionally or alternatively, according to the second beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2), the UE may determine that one or more UL beams associated with the set UL beams being measured are being adversely impacted (e.g., interfered with) such that any required constraints (e.g., required power reduction as defined by, for example, 3GPP standards) may render the one or more UL beams unsuitable for adequate UL transmission and the UE may report as much to the network element (e.g., gNB).

[0087] As yet another non-limiting example, a third beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 3) of the one or more beam reporting modes may be a mixed beam reporting mode associated with reporting on both a set of DL beam measurements and a set of UL beam measurements for a set of DL and UL beams, respectively. Furthermore, a network element (e.g., the RRCand / or a gNB) may indicate a predetermined number of beams of a particular set of beams for the UE to report on. For example, in various contexts, the third beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 3) may be associated with a predetermined number of beams (e.g., two beams) from each respective set of beams for which the UE must report on (e.g., two DL beams and two UL beams). As such, the network element (e.g., the gNB) can use the two DL beam reports and the UL beam reports to facilitate beam selection.

[0088] As yet another non-limiting example, a fourth beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 4) of the one or more beam reporting modes may be a beam reporting mode associated with reporting on both a set of DL and / or UL beam measurements for a set of DL and / or UL beams respectively that are associated with one or more network elements (e.g., gNB(s)) configured for multi- transmission and reception point (mTRP) communications. As such, a UE may be configured to generate and transmit beam reports associated with the set of DL and / or UL beam measurements to the one or more respective network elements (e.g., one or more gNBs) configured for mTRP communications.

[0089] In various embodiments, the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the network element (e.g., via a respective DC1 message) may be associated with a same reporting resource configuration. For example, in some embodiments, a first beam reporting mode (e g., mode 1) and a second beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2) may be associated with the same reporting resource configuration such that one or more beam reports generated based on the first and / or second beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1 and / or mode 2 respectively) are transmitted according to the same reporting resource configuration. Additionally or alternatively, in various embodiments, a particular reporting resource configuration may be specific to a respective beam reporting mode of the one or more beam reporting modes.

[0090] In various embodiments, a reporting resource configuration may comprise, but is not limited to, a reporting periodicity, a reporting format, a beam report size, and / or one or more networking resources. As a non-limiting example, a UE configured according to a first beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) may be currently configured based on a first reporting resource configuration and a most recently received message (e.g., DCI message and / or MAC CE ) may trigger the UE to be reconfigured based in part on an alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2) associated with the same reporting resource configuration (e.g., the first reporting resource configuration). As such, any subsequent beam reports generated by the UE based on the alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2) will be transmitted based on the same reporting resource configuration.

[0091] In various embodiments, a reporting resource configuration may refer to a configuration associated with at least one or more of a reporting periodicity, time resources, frequency resources, report format (e.g. PUCCH format or PUSCH format), and / or reporting parameters (e.g. a number of reported resources and / or resource indicators to be included in the beam report). When one or more beam reporting modes are associated with a same reporting resource configuration, the reporting resource configuration may comprise of same one or more of a reporting periodicity, time resources, frequency resources, report format (e.g. PUCCH format or PUSCH format), and / or reporting parameters (e.g. a number of reported resources and / or resource indicators to be included in the beam report). In various examples, a resource indicator may refer to value that indicates and / or points to the resource index.

[0092] As an example, an SSB index value = Xmay be referred to using an SSB resource indicator SSBRI) = Y when reporting beam measurements for the SSB index value X. In a further example an SSB index value = 2 may be referred to using SSBRI = 0, SSB index value = 4 may be referred to using SSBRI = 1, etc. An SSBRI value (e.g., or, similarly, an CSIRI value) may be determined based on the order in which the SSB / CSI-RS index values are listed in the measurement resource configuration (e.g., a first resource in the list has first R1 value = 0, a second resource has a second RI value =1, etc.) Similar mappings to a resource indicator may be done for a CSI-RS configured as measurement resources for beam reporting.

[0093] In one or more embodiments, a reporting resource configuration for dynamic beam reporting may be configured by an RRC associated with a communications network (e.g., a 5G network). In various embodiments, one or more beam reporting modes may be associated with a same reporting resource configuration. Additionally or alternatively, in various embodiments, the one or more beam reporting modes may be associated with a respective, independently configured reporting resource configuration. Furthermore, in various embodiments, one or more beam reporting modes may be associated with a same measurement resource set. For example, a UE may be configured to use the same measurement resource set when configured with one or more beam reporting modes associated with the same measurement resource set.

[0094] Furthermore, in various embodiments, the RRC may define an explicit association between a reporting resource configuration and a predetermined measurement resource set associated with one or more DL and / or UL measurement resources (e.g., DL RSs / SSB, or CSI RSs).In contexts in which an explicit association between a reporting resource configuration and a predetermined measurement resource set is not configured, a respective UE shall, upon receiving a triggering indication (e.g., a respective DCI and / or MAC CE message indicating a beam reporting mode change), assume that the UE is to generate beam reports usingmeasurement resources associated with a configuration of DL RS (e.g. non-zero power (NZP)- CSI-RS configured for any usage (e.g. beam management, time-frequency tracking, CSI acquisition, etc.) and / or an SSB). Additionally or alternatively, in various embodiments, one or more beam reporting modes may be associated with a respective predetermined measurement resource set.

[0095] In one or more embodiments, when a UE is configured for dynamic beam reporting (e.g., configured to employ one or more beam reporting modes), the UE may be further configured to indicate to a network element (e.g., gNB) that the UE requires and / or prefers to generate and / or transmit beam reports according to at least one alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., a beam reporting mode other than a default beam reporting mode) of the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the network element. As such, in various contexts, the UE may transmit a request to change a current beam reporting mode associated with the UE to the network element (e.g., the gNB), where the request indicates the preferred and / or required beam reporting mode of the UE.

[0096] In one embodiment, a UE may be configured to trigger a scheduling request (SR) transmission upon determining that the UE prefers an alternate beam reporting mode. Alternatively, in various other embodiments, a random access channel (RACH) procedure may be triggered (e.g., a contention-based random access (CBRA) and / or contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure). The indication describing that the UE prefers an alternate beam reporting mode may be associated with a configuration of a CFRA preamble. In one example, the UE indication may be provided in a MAC CE via UL-shared channel (UL-SCH) resources or as part of the RACH procedure (e.g. in msgA / msg3).

[0097] In contexts in which the UE indicates to (e.g., transmits a request to) the network element (e.g., the gNB) that the UE requires and / or prefers to generate and / or transmit beam reports according to the at least one alternative beam reporting mode, the UE may be configured to expect the network to change the reporting mode within a predefined amount of time (e.g., within a predetermined number of reporting periods). If the UE does not receive an indication of a beam reporting mode change associated with the requested beam reporting mode (e.g., via a subsequently received DCI message), the UE may resend the indication (e.g., the request) to the network element.

[0098] In one or more examples, the UE may indicate (e.g., via an SR, RACH procedure, and / or MAC CE) a preference for a specific beam reporting mode (e.g., a preference for mode 2). For example, in some contexts, the UE may indicate (e.g., request) a specific beam reportingmode based on one or more configuration implementations (e.g., device configurations, device capabilities, device components, etc.) associated with the UE.

[0099] In some contexts, the UE may determine to indicate (e.g., request) a change of beam reporting mode as a result of a maximum possible exposure (MPE) event. An MPE event may be an event in which the UE has determined that power backoff is applied (or may be applied) due to power management configurations associated with the UE. In one example, the power backoff may correlate to a maximum allowed UE output power reduction for a serving cell c (e.g., P-MPRc) as specified in 3GPP specifications TS 38.101-1, TS 38.101-2, and TS 38.101 - 3. Said differently, the UE may need to reduce maximum power (e.g., by executing a power backoff) for one or more UL transmissions on or more configured uplink resources configured for UL transmission.

[0100] In some contexts, the condition for which the UE determines to indicate (e.g., request) a change of beam reporting mode may be determined based on a signal quality threshold. For example, the UE may indicate (e.g., request) the change of beam reporting mode if the UE determines that, based on signal quality threshold configured by the network (and / or otherwise provided in a communications specification associated with the network (e.g., 3GPP specifications), at least one DL RS of at least one measurement resource set associated with at least one beam reporting mode is above a signal quality threshold.

[0101] Additionally or alternatively, the signal quality based condition for determining to indicate the change of beam reporting mode may comprise determining and / or indicating that the quality of at least one DL RS is higher and / or is associated with a better offset value than one or more DL RSs corresponding to the currently used TCI States for DL reception and / or UL transmission associated with the UE. In various embodiments, the offset values may be - 3dB, 0, 3dB, etc. and may be configurable by the RRC.

[0102] Additionally or alternatively, the signal quality based condition for determining to indicate the change of beam reporting mode may comprise determining and / or indicating that the signal quality of at least one DL RS is higher and / or is associated with a better offset value than at least one DL RS corresponding to the measurement resource set currently measured by the UE for beam reporting. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the UE may determine that the signal quality of the at least one DL RS is higher than an Mh highest DL RS corresponding to the measurement resource set currently measure by the UE for beam reporting.

[0103] In various embodiments, the signal quality threshold may be configured by the network using RRC signaling. Furthermore, in various examples, the DL RS measured by the UE to determine whether to trigger the indication of the beam reporting mode change may beassociated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission associated with the UE.

[0104] In some contexts, the UE may generate and / or transmit the request to switch to a preferred beam reporting mode in response to detecting a more favorable and / or alternative UL beam for reporting. For example, the UE may determine that a UL beam that is currently being used (e.g., from the set of beams used by the UE to report DL RSRP) is better suited than a current UL beam being used. In various embodiments, the UE may transmit the request to switch to a preferred beam reporting mode to the network element via a dedicated UL resource. Additionally or alternatively, the UE may indicate the preferred beam reporting mode via a bit field and / or information field associated with abeam report (e.g., a default beam report) defined by the network (e.g., via a bit field associated within an Ll-RSRP report or in a default beam report detailing one or more other LI- measurement quantities such as rank, CSI, and / or the like).

[0105] As described herein, in one or more embodiments, an RRC and / or a network element (e.g., a gNB) may transmit one or more of an indication of a beam reporting mode change and / or a beam measurement configuration to a UE via a respective indication (e.g., an indication associated with a respective DCI message, RRC message, and / or MAC CE). In various contexts, the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, and / or the beam reporting instance value of a beam measurement configuration may be associated with a respective DCI codepoint value indicated via a respective DCI bitfield of a respective DCI message. For example, each of the one or more beam reporting modes may be mapped to a specific DCI codepoint value. Additionally, the network element (e.g., the gNB) can encode one or more respective DCI bitfields of a DCI message to indicate a reporting resource configuration to the UE.

[0106] As a non-limiting example, a first DCI codepoint value associated with a respective DCI bitfield may indicate a default beam reporting mode (e.g., a DCI code point value of 0 may indicate beam reporting mode 1). As another non-limiting example, a second DCI codepoint value associated with a respective DCI bitfield may indicate an alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., a DCI code point value of 1 may indicate beam reporting mode 2). In various embodiments, a DCI format associated with a respective DCI message can be any current DCI format (e.g., a DCI format specified according to current 3GPP standards) or any new DCI format that is predefined.

[0107] In one or more embodiments, if the UE determines that a bitfield associated with a respective DCI message indicates a beam reporting mode change, the UE may be configuredto perform beam measurement and / or beam reporting according to a respective beam reporting mode for at least one of: (i) a next scheduled reporting instance, (ii) a predetermined beam reporting instance value of N (e.g., where the value N is associated with a beam reporting instance value configured by the RRC, a MAC CE, and / or indicated by the DCI message), or (iii) if N is not configured, a default beam reporting instance value (e.g., a fixed value of 1 beam reporting instance).

[0108] For example, in various embodiments, an indication of a beam measurement configuration transmitted to the UE (e g., by the RRC, MAC CE, and / or a DCT message transmitted by the gNB) may be associated with a beam reporting instance value N (e.g., N = 2) that dictates a number of beam measurements and / or beam reporting instances that the UE should execute (e.g., a number of beam measurements to perform and a number of respective beam reports to generate based on the beam measurements). As such, in some examples the beam reporting instance value N may refer to number of reporting occasions for which the UE is expected to provide the beam report to the network element (e.g., the gNB).

[0109] In some embodiments, the beam reporting mode indicated by the network may be associated with a request to obtain a reduced number of measurement samples. In some examples, the reduced number of measurement samples may refer to a measurement where a single measurement or measurement sample is obtained for at least one DL RS in the measurement resource set associated with the respective beam reporting mode. The UE, upon receiving an indication of a beam reporting mode with a reduced number of measurement samples, may obtain beam measurements for a subsequent reporting instance, where the beam measurements detailed in a corresponding beam report are based on one measurement sample.

[0110] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the UE may be directed to obtain beam measurements for a subsequent reporting instance, where the beam measurements detailed in a corresponding beam report are based on L samples, where L is configured by the RRC and / or otherwise specified (e.g., specified in one or more 3GPP specifications). In some examples, the request for a reduced number of measurement samples may be configured as part of the beam reporting mode or may be explicitly indicated in a message (e.g., a DCI message, MAC CE, and / or the like) that indicates a beam reporting mode change.

[0111] In some embodiments, the UE may be configured (e.g., by the RRC, MAC CE, and / or by a DCI message transmitted by the gNB) to persist a particular beam reporting mode until the UE receives, from a networking element (e.g., the gNB), an indication of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations. For example, in various contexts, the UE may be configured to perform beam measurement and / or beam reporting according toa respective beam reporting mode until at least one of: (i) a TCI state activation (or indication) is received, (ii) a TCI state activation (or indication) for UL transmission and / or DL reception is received, or (iii) at least one TCI state activation (or indication) for a reported target channel associated with a UL transmission and / or DL reception is received. In various embodiments, when the UE is configured to perform beam measurement and / or beam reporting according to one beam reporting mode, the UE is not required to report according to other beam reporting modes on the same beam reporting instances.

[0112] In one example, the TCI may include one or more reference signals (e g., one or more DL RSs) providing quasi-colocation information. The quasi-colocation information may be used by the UE to determine which one or more DL RS are used as reference for DL reception, UL transmission, or both DL reception and UL transmission. In various embodiments, the TCI state activation is provided by the network to the UE. Activation of one or more TCI States provides the UE with TCI states that may be used by the network for beam indication. Beam indication refers to a configuration in which the UE is configured to apply the indicated TCI state for DL reception, UL transmission, or for both DL reception and UL transmission. In various embodiments, if only one TCI state is activated, the activated TCI is also the indicated TCI state.

[0113] In one or more embodiments, one or more beam reports that are generated by a UE based on one or more respective beam reporting modes may be generated based on a same beam reporting format. Said differently , in various contexts, a beam reporting format associated with the UE may remain unchanged even though a beam reporting mode change has been indicated by the network element (e.g., via a DCI message). As a non-limiting example, a default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) may configure the UE to report an SSB-RI + RSRP value for a set of DL RSs for DL reception, whereas an alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2) may configure the UE to report SSB-RI + RSRP on set of DL-RS for UL transmission.

[0114] FIG. 1 illustrates a communication system 100 configured in accordance with at least some embodiments of the present disclosure. However, it is to be appreciated that embodiments are not limited to the network configurations illustrated herein or otherwise described below. It is to be understood that the elements shown in communication system 100 are intended to represent a primary function provided within the system. As such, the blocks shown in FIG. 1 reference specific elements in 5G networks that provide the primary functions. However, other network elements may be used to implement some or all of the primary functions represented. Also, it is to be understood that not all functions of a 5G network aredepicted in FIG. 1. Rather, functions that facilitate an explanation of illustrative embodiments are represented.

[0115] By way of example, the communication system 100 may be deploy ed within a radio access architecture. However, the system may be deployed in other applications including within other communication networks including, for example, LTE advanced (LTE-A), a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS) radio access network (UTRAN or E- UTRAN), wireless local area network (WLAN or Wi-Fi), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX), Bluetooth®, personal communications sendees (PCS), ZigBee®, wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA), systems using ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, sensor networks, mobile ad-hoc networks (MANETs) and Internet Protocol multimedia subsystems (IMS) or any combination thereof. Any access network (AN) eligible to access the 5G core network such as an untrusted Non-3GPP access terminated at a Non-3GPP interworking function (N3IWF), a trusted Non-3GPP access terminated at a trusted non-3GPP gateway function (TNGF) or a Wireline access terminated at a wireless access gateway function (W-AGF) may be used instead of the NG RAN / gNB. Moreover, although desenbed herein in conjunction with a 5G core network, the method, apparatus, and computer program product of certain example embodiments may be employed in conjunction with other technologies, such as a 6G network or the like.

[0116] One or more UEs 102a-n can be configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with a radio access network (RAN) node, such as a gNB. The physical link from a UE 102a to a gNB is called the uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the gNB to the UE 102a is called the downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the gNBs, or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server, or access point (AP) or other entity suitable for such a usage. Furthermore, one or more UEs 102a-n can be configured to be in a wireless connection to one or more other UEs 102a-n such as, for example, via a Sidelink channel.

[0117] A communications system ty pically comprises more than one gNB, in which case the gNBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. The gNB is a computing device configured to control the radio resources of the communication system to which the gNB is coupled. The gNB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment. The gNB includes or is coupled to one or more transceiver(s). From the transceivers of the gNB, a connection is provided to an antenna unit that establishes bi-directional radio links to UEs. As such, the transceivers of the gNB and the transceivers of the UEs may include transmitters and receivers configured to communicate via a channel. Although reference is made to a gNB herein, this is by way of example, but not of limitation, as other types of AN nodes may alternatively be employed.

[0118] Accordingly, as shown, the communication system 100 comprises one or more UEs 102a-n that communicate, such as via an air interface, with a AN node 104. In some embodiments, the AN node 104 is a RAN node. The one or more UEs 102a-n may be a mobile station, and such a mobile station may comprise, by way of example, a mobile telephone, a computer, or any other type of communication device. The terms “user equipment (UE),” “user device,” “computing device,” or “apparatus” as used herein are therefore intended to be construed broadly, so as to encompass a variety of different types of mobile stations, subscriber stations or, more generally, communication devices, including examples such as a combination of a data card inserted in a laptop or other equipment.

[0119] The one or more UEs 102a-n may also refer to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a UE 102a may also be a nearly exclusive uplink only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A UE 102a may also be a device having the capability to operate in an loT network, which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a netw ork without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The UE 102a (or in some embodiments a layer 3 relay node) is configured to perform one or more user device functionalities. The UE 102a may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.

[0120] In one embodiment, one or more UEs 102a-n are comprised of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) and Mobile Equipment (ME). The UICC is the user-dependent part of the UE and contains at least one Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM) and appropriate application software. The USIM securely stores the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) number and its related key, which are used to identify and authenticate subscribers to access networks. The ME is the user-independent part of the UEand contains terminal equipment (TE) functions and various mobile termination (MT) functions.

[0121] The AN node 104 is illustratively part of a RAN of the communication system 100. In a 5GS network, the AN node 104 is typically implemented by a gNB. Such an access network may comprise, for example, a plurality of base stations which may include one or more gNBs (which may also be split in a centralized unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU) part) and / or other AN node types, such as evolved node Bs (eNBs), node Bs, base stations (BS) and / or N3TWF, or any other types of access nodes such as WLAN access points, as well as one or more associated radio network control functions. The base stations and radio network control functions may be logically separate entities, but in a given embodiment may be implemented in the same physical network element, such as, for example, a base station router or femto cellular access point. As will be appreciated by one of skill in the art, any variety of AN nodes and / or access nodes may also implement similar operations, functions, etc.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the AN node 104 is operatively coupled to a core network function 106, such as via an NG interface. The core network function 106 may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), session management function (SMF), representative network function (NF-X), or any other core network function A core network function 106 may be an element of the core network (CN) part of the communication system 100 that is responsible for one or more associated operations.

[0123] 5G enables using multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than the LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and / or spectrum available. 5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications (such as (massive) machine-type communications (mMTC), including vehicular safety, different sensors, and real-time control. 5G has multiple radio interfaces, e.g., below 6GHz or above 24 GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and is integrable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as the LTE. Integration with the LTE may be implemented as a system where macro coverage is provided by the LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to the LTE. In other words, 5G can support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz - cmWave, 6 or above 24 GHz - cmWave and mmWave).

[0124] The low latency applications and services in 5G require to bring the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi-access edge computing (MEC). 5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, healthcare applications, etc.).

[0125] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200 that may be configured to function as, or may be embodied by, a network entity, such as a UE 102a, AN node 104, AMF, SMF and / or NF-X. As shown in FIG. 2, the apparatus 200 includes, is associated with or is in communication with processing circuitry 202, a communication interface 204, and / or a memory device 206. The processing circuitry 202 may be in communication with the memory device 206 via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus 200.

[0126] The apparatus 200 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. The apparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0127] The processing circuitry 202 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry 202 may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specificintegrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0128] Tn an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 202 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory device 206 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry 202. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively, as another example, when the processing circuitry 202 is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 202 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 202 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0129] The communication interface 204 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data from / to a network and / or any other device (e.g., a particular UE 102a, UE, and / or the like) or module in communication with the apparatus. In this regard, the communication interface 204 may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally , the communication interface 204 can embody and / or integrate with one or more RF and / or wireless transceivers, where each wireless transceiver includes a transmitter to transmit signals and a receiver to receive signals. The one or more RFand / or wireless transceivers can be configured for facilitating communication on a 4G / LTE network, a 5G network, and / or the like.

[0130] Additionally, the one or more RF and / or wireless transceivers can be configured for facilitating communication on various respective communication networks. The one or more RF and / or wireless transceivers receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals and / or data.In various embodiments, processing circuitry 202 can control the antenna(s) and / or the one or more RF and / or wireless transceivers to receive, send, broadcast, or transmit signals and / or data. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 204 may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) and / or the one or more RF and / or wireless transceivers to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). Additionally or alternatively, in some environments, the communication interface 204 may support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0131] The memory device 206 may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device 206 may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device 206 may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device 206 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry 202. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device 206 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry 202.

[0132] FIG. 3 illustrates a dataflow diagram associated with a method 300 for improved beam reporting for a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. The various operations of the method 300 can be implemented, for example, by one or more components of an apparatus 200. In various embodiments the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a network element (e.g., AN node 104). In various other embodiments, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a UE 102a. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by any other particular computing device(e.g., smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, networking device, etc.) associated with a particular communications network. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 200 may be configured to perform the method 300 with the reference to the components of the apparatus 200 again being provided by way of example but not of limitation. As such, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 202, at least one processor, communication interface 204, at least one memory device 206, and / or the like, configured to perform the various operations associated with the method 300.

[0133] The method 300 begins at operation 302 in which an apparatus 200 associated with an AN node 104 is configured to transmit a default beam measurement configuration to a UE 102a. As described herein, a network element (e.g., the AN node 104) can dynamically indicate (e.g., based on an RRC message, MAC CE, and / or one or more DCI messages) a default beam measurement configuration to a respective UE 102a. As such, the UE 102a can be dynamically configured based in part on the default beam measurement configuration in order to perform one or more forthcoming beam measurements and / or beam reporting instances.

[0134] In various embodiments, the default beam measurement configuration indicated by a network element (e.g., the gNB) may indicate at least one or more of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value with which to configure the UE 102a. As described herein, the network element (e.g., the AN node 104) or, in some contexts, the RRC, may provide a default beam measurement configuration indicating a default beam reporting mode (e.g. mode 1) is to be used for configuring the UE 102a.

[0135] At operation 304 an apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to perform beam measurements based on the default beam reporting mode associated with the default beam measurement configuration. In various embodiments, the default beam reporting mode (e.g. mode 1) may be a beam reporting mode associated with reporting on a set of DL RS beam measurements (e.g., a set of synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) Ll-RSRP measurements for DL reception). As such, the UE 102a may generate a first beam report based at least in part on the default beam reporting mode (e.g. mode 1).

[0136] At operation 306 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to transmit the first beam report to the AN node 104 (e.g., the beam report associated with the SSB Ll-RSRP measurements for DL reception). As described herein, a UE 102a may be configured to transmit one or more beam reports based at least in part on a particular reporting resource configuration. In various embodiments, the particular reporting resourceconfiguration may comprise, but is not limited to, a reporting periodicity, a reporting format, a beam report size, and / or one or more networking resources. Additionally, in various embodiments, the particular reporting resource configuration may be specific to a respective beam reporting mode (e.g., the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1)) of one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the network element (e.g., the AN node 104). The UE 102a can transmit the first beam report via a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) associated with the AN node 104.

[0137] At operation 308 the apparatus 200 associated with the AN node 104 is configured to determine a need for a beam reporting change associated with the UE 102a. For example, the AN node 104 may determine based at least in part on the first beam report received from the UE 102a that one or more measurements associated with at least one alternative beam reporting mode may be needed to facilitate the selection of at least one of a preferred beam associated with UL transmissions and / or or a preferred beam associated with DL receptions. Alternatively, in other contexts, an AN node 104 may receive a request from the UE 102a to initiate the switching of a current beam reporting mode associated with the UE 102a.

[0138] At operation 310 the apparatus 200 associated with the AN node 104 is configured to indicate a beam reporting mode change to the UE 102a. As described herein, the AN node 104 may configured to transmit an indication of a beam reporting mode change and / or a beam measurement configuration associated with at least one of one or more alternative beam reporting modes (e.g., alternative to a default beam reporting mode) to a respective UE 102a (e.g., via one or more respective DCI messages, RRC message, and / or MAC CEs). Nonlimiting examples of alternative beam reporting modes (e.g., modes 2-4) may include, but are not limited to, at least one of: (i) an alternative beam reporting mode associated with reporting on a set of UL beam measurements associated with a set of UL beams, (ii) an alternative (e.g., mixed) beam reporting mode associated with reporting on both a set of DL beam measurements and a set of UL beam measurements for a set of DL and UL beams respectively, or (iii) an alternative beam reporting mode associated with reporting on both a set of DL and / or UL beam measurements for a set of DL and / or UL beams respectively that are associated with one or more network elements (e.g., AN nodes 104) configured for mTRP communications.

[0139] Furthermore, as described herein, the AN node 104 may indicate, in addition to the beam reporting mode change, an associated beam measurement configuration to the UE 102a. The beam measurement configuration may be associated with a beam reporting instance value N (e.g., N = 2) that dictates a number of beam measurements and / or beam reporting instancesthat the UE 102a should execute (e.g., a number of beam measurements to perform and a number of respective beam reports to generate based on the beam measurements).

[0140] At operation 312 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to switch, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change and / or the beam measurement configuration indicated by the network element (e.g., the gNB), a current beam reporting mode (e.g., a current default beam reporting (e.g., mode 1)) to an alternative beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 2). The UE 102a can then perform one or more beam measurements based at least in part on the alternative beam reporting mode (e g., mode 2) and / or the beam measurement configuration in order to generate one or more respective beam reports.

[0141] For example, the UE 102a may be configured to perform one or more SSB Ll- RSRP measurements for UL transmission on a set of beams associated with the UE 102a. Additionally, in the example method 300 illustrated by FIG. 3, it is given that the beam measurement configuration associated with the beam reporting mode change (e.g., as indicated in operation 310) is associated with a beam reporting instance value N = 2. As such, the UE 102a can perform two SSB Ll-RSRP measurements for UL transmission based on the beam reporting instance value (e.g., N = 2) and generate a second and third beam report, respectively.

[0142] At operation 314 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to transmit the second beam report associated with the SSB Ll-RSRP measurements for UL transmission (e.g., the beam report associated with beam reporting instance value N = 1) to the AN node 104. The UE 102a can transmit the second beam report based at least in part on the same reporting resource configuration associated with the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) and used to transmit the first beam report. Additionally, the UE 102a can transmit the second beam report via a PUCCH or a PUSCH associated with the AN node 104.

[0143] At operation 316 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to transmit the third beam report associated with the SSB Ll-RSRP measurements for UL transmission (e.g., the beam report associated with beam reporting instance value N = 2) to the AN node 104. The UE 102a can transmit the third beam report based at least in part on the same reporting resource configuration associated with the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) and used to transmit the first beam report. Additionally, the UE 102a can transmit the third beam report via a PUCCH or a PUSCH associated with the AN node 104.

[0144] At operation 318 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to revert to the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1) and continue to perform beam measurements based on the default beam reporting mode associated with the default beam measurement configuration (e.g., SSB Ll-RSRP measurements for DL reception). As such, theUE 102a may generate a fourth beam report based at least in part on the default beam reporting mode (e.g. mode 1).

[0145] At operation 320 the apparatus 200 associated with the UE 102a is configured to transmit the fourth beam report based at least in part on the reporting resource configuration associated with the default beam reporting mode (e.g., mode 1). Additionally, the UE 102a can transmit the fourth beam report via a PUCCH or a PUSCH associated with the AN node 104.

[0146] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart diagram depicting a method 400 for improved beam reporting for a UE associated with a communications network in accordance with one or more example embodiments of the present disclosure. The various operations of the method 400 can be implemented, for example, by one or more components of an apparatus 200. In various embodiments the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a network element (e.g., AN node 104). In various other embodiments, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a UE 102a. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by any other particular computing device (e.g., smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, networking device, etc.) associated with a particular communications network. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 200 may be configured to perform the method 400 with the reference to the components of the apparatus 200 again being provided by way of example but not of limitation. As such, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 202, at least one processor, communication interface 204, at least one memory device 206, and / or the like, configured to perform the various operations associated with the method 400.

[0147] The method 400 begins at operation 402 in which the apparatus 200 is configured to receive, from a network element (e.g., AN node 104), an indication of a beam reporting mode change.

[0148] At operation 404 the apparatus 200 is configured to, in response to receiving the indication of the beam reporting mode change, perform, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the apparatus 200 according to a beam measurement configuration.

[0149] At operation 406 the apparatus 200 is configured to generate one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the apparatus 200.

[0150] At operation 408 the apparatus 200 is configured to cause transmission of the one or more beam reports to the network element (e.g., the AN node 104).

[0151] FIG. 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method 500 for improved beam reporting for a network element associated with a communications network in accordance with one ormore example embodiments of the present disclosure. The various operations of the method 500 can be implemented, for example, by one or more components of an apparatus 200. In various embodiments the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a network element (e.g., AN node 104). In various other embodiments, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by a UE 102a. Additionally or alternatively, the apparatus 200 can be embodied by any other particular computing device (e.g., smartphone, laptop, tablet computer, networking device, etc.) associated with a particular communications network. It will be appreciated that the apparatus 200 may be configured to perform the method 500 with the reference to the components of the apparatus 200 again being provided by way of example but not of limitation. As such, the apparatus 200 includes means, such as the processing circuitry 202, at least one processor, communication interface 204, at least one memory device 206, and / or the like, configured to perform the various operations associated with the method 500.

[0152] The method 500 begins at operation 502 in which the apparatus 200 is configured to determine a beam reporting mode change for configuring a UE 102a.

[0153] At operation 504 the apparatus 200 is configured to cause transmission, to the UE 102a, of an indication of the beam reporting mode change and an indication of a beam measurement configuration.

[0154] At operation 506 the apparatus 200 is configured to receive, from the UE 102a, one or more beam reports based on a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE 102a, where the set of beam measurements is performed based on the beam measurement configuration.

[0155] As described herein, an example embodiment of the present disclosure is able to provide improved beam reporting methods for a communications network (e.g., an LTE network, 5G network, 6G network, or beyond). Embodiments of the present disclosure provide the technological benefit of allowing a network to enable dynamic beam reporting (e.g., dynamically configure a UE 102a to enable one or more alternative beam reporting modes) without requiring any additional resources (e.g., additional network resources, measurement resources, reporting resources, data transfer resources, message resources, and / or computational resources). Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure provide latency and overhead reduction for a respective communications network (e.g., and network elements such as the RRC, gNBs, and / or the like) by providing methods configured to delegate at least some of the beam selection responsibility to a respective UE 102a. Dynamically configuring one or more UEs 102a-n to adaptively switch beam reporting modes increases flexibility and data throughput in the communications network.

[0156] It should be appreciated that the example embodiments described herein are not restricted to the system that is given as an example, such as a 5G system, and that a person skilled in the art may apply the solution to other communication systems. Additionally, although described herein in the context of a UE performing, the method, the method may be performed by other types of apparatus, such as an apparatus associated with and / or in communication with a UE, in accordance with other example embodiments.

[0157] Furthermore, implementations of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in digital electronic circuitry, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or in combinations of them. Implementations may be implemented as a computer program product, e.g., a computer program tangibly embodied in an information carrier, e.g., in a machine- readable storage device or in a propagated signal, for execution by, or to control the operation of, a data processing apparatus, e.g., a programmable processor, a computer, or multiple computers. Implementations may also be provided on a computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Implementations of the various techniques may also include implementations provided via transitory signals or media, and / or programs and / or software implementations that are downloadable via the Internet or other network(s), either wired networks and / or wireless networks.

[0158] The computer program may be in source code form, object code form, or in some intermediate form, and it may be stored in some sort of carrier, distribution medium, or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include a record medium, computer memory, read-only memory, photoelectrical and / or electrical carrier signal, telecommunications signal, and software distribution package, for example. Depending on the processing power needed, the computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer, or it may be distributed amongst a number of computers.

[0159] A computer program, such as the computer program(s) described herein, can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, or other unit or part of it suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers at one site or distributed across multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0160] Method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or computer program portions to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. Method steps also may be performed by, and an apparatusmay be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e.g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application-specific integrated circuit).

[0161] It will be understood that each block of the flowchart(s) and combination of blocks in the flowchart(s) can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described herein can be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described herein can be stored, for example, by the memory device 206 of the apparatus 200 or other apparatus employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by the processing circuitry 202.

[0162] As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the blocks of the flowchart(s). These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable memory that can direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer- readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the blocks of the flowchart(s). The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer- implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the blocks of the flowchart(s).

[0163] Accordingly, blocks of the flowchart(s) support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowchart(s), and combinations of blocks in the flowchart(s), can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0164] In some embodiments, certain ones of the operations described herein may be modified or further amplified. Furthermore, in some embodiments, additional optional operations may be included. Modifications, additions, or amplifications to the operations described herein may be performed in any order and in any combination.

[0165] Many modifications and other embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the present disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network element, an indication of a beam reporting mode change; in response to receiving the indication of the beam reporting mode change: perform, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the apparatus according to a beam measurement configuration indicated by the network element; generate one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the apparatus; and cause transmission of the one or more beam reports to the network element.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one or more of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the set of beam measurements is determined based at least in part on the beam reporting instance value.

4. The apparatus of claims 2 or 3, wherein the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, and the beam reporting instance value are associated with a respective DCI codepoint value indicated via a respective DCI message.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration are associated with a respective measurement resource set.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 2 to 5, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a downlink (DL) reception for the apparatus, an uplink (UL) transmission for the apparatus, or both a DL reception for the apparatus and a UL transmission for the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the one or more beam reports are transmitted based on a same reporting resource configuration.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the one or more beam reports are generated based on a same beam reporting format.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: cause transmission, to the network element, of an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: cause transmission, to the network element, of a request to change a current beam reporting mode.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: persist a particular beam reporting mode until the apparatus receives, from the network element, an indication of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least oneof a downlink control information (DCI) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

15. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine a beam reporting mode change for configuring a user equipment (UE); cause transmission, to the UE, of an indication of the beam reporting mode change and an indication of a beam measurement configuration; receive, from the UE, one or more beam reports based on a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE, wherein the set of beam measurements is performed based on the beam measurement configuration.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the set of beam measurements is determined based on the beam reporting instance value.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 16 or 17, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: determine a respective DCI codepoint value for at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value; and encode one or more DCI bitfields of a respective DCI message with the respective DCI codepoint value associated with the at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value.

19. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 18, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to:determine a respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes; and indicate the respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes via the beam measurement configuration.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 16 to 19, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

21. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a downlink (DL) reception for the UE, an uplink (UL) transmission for the UE, or both a DL reception for the UE and a UL transmission for the UE.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 21, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: select, based at least in part on the one or more beam reports, a beam to use for one or more subsequent DL transmissions to the UE or one or more subsequent UL receptions from the UE.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 22, wherein the one or more beam reports are received via a same reporting resource configuration.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: determine a reporting format for configuring the one or more beam reports; and indicate the reporting format to the UE.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: receive, from the UE, an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode; and in response to receiving the indication of the preferred beam reporting mode: generate the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on the preferred beam reporting mode; andcause transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to theUE.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 25, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: receive, from the UE, a request to change a current beam reporting mode; and in response to receiving the request to change the current beam reporting mode: generate the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on a requested beam reporting mode associated with the request to change the current beam reporting mode; and cause transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

27. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the computer program code is configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus to: determine one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations, wherein the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one or more of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission; and transmit an indication of the one or more TCI state activations to the UE.

28. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 27, wherein at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a downlink control information (DCI) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

29. A computer-implemented method, the computer-implemented method comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE) from a network element, an indication of a beam reporting mode change; in response to receiving the indication of the beam reporting mode change: performing, based at least in part on the beam reporting mode change, a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE according to a beam measurement configuration indicated by the network element;generating one or more beam reports based on the set of beam measurements related to the set of beams associated with the UE; and causing transmission of the one or more beam reports to the network element.

30. The computer-implemented method of claim 29, wherein the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one or more of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value.

31. The computer-implemented method of claim 30, wherein the set of beam measurements is determined based at least in part on the beam reporting instance.

32. The computer-implemented method of claims 30 or 31, wherein the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, and the beam reporting instance value are associated with a respective DCI codepoint value indicated via a respective DCI message.

33. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 30 to 32, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration are associated with a respective measurement resource set.

34. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 30 to 33, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

35. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 30 to 34, wherein the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a downlink (DL) reception for the UE, an uplink (UL) transmission for the UE, or both a DL reception for the UE and a UL transmission for the UE.

36. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 35, wherein the one or more beam reports are transmitted based on a same reporting resource configuration.

37. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 36, wherein the one or more beam reports are generated based on a same beam reporting format.

38. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 37, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: causing transmission, to the network element, of an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode.

39. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 38, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: causing transmission, to the network element, of a request to change a current beam reporting mode.

40. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 39, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: persisting a particular beam reporting mode until the UE receives, from the network element, an indication of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations.

41. The computer-implemented method of claim 40, wherein the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

42. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 41, wherein at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a downlink control information (DCI) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

43. A computer-implemented method, the computer-implemented method comprising: determining, by a network element, a beam reporting mode change for configuring a user equipment (UE); causing transmission, to the UE, of an indication of the beam reporting mode change and an indication of a beam measurement configuration; receiving, by the network element from the UE, one or more beam reports based on a set of beam measurements related to a set of beams associated with the UE, wherein the set of beam measurements is performed based on the beam measurement configuration.

44. The computer-implemented method of claim 43, wherein the beam measurement configuration indicates at least one of one or more beam measurement types, one or more beam reporting modes, or a beam reporting instance value45. The computer-implemented method of claim 44, wherein the set of beam measurements is determined based on the beam reporting instance value.

46. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 44 or 45, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: determining a respective DCI codepoint value for at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value; and encoding one or more DCI bitfields of a respective DCI message with the respective DCI codepoint value associated with the at least one or more of the one or more beam measurement types, the one or more beam reporting modes, or the beam reporting instance value.

47. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 44 to 46, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: determining a respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes; and indicating the respective measurement resource set for the one or more beam reporting modes via the beam measurement configuration.

48. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 44 to 47, wherein the one or more beam reporting modes indicated by the beam measurement configuration comprise at least one of a default beam reporting mode or one or more alternative beam reporting modes.

49. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 48, wherein the one or more beam reports are associated with at least one of a downlink (DL) reception, an uplink (UL) transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission.

50. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 49, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: selecting, based at least in part on the one or more beam reports, a beam to use for one or more subsequent DL transmissions to the UE or one or more subsequent UL receptions from the UE.

51. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 50, wherein the one or more beam reports are received via a same reporting resource configuration.

52. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 51, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: determining a reporting format for configuring the one or more beam reports; and indicating the reporting format to the UE.

53. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 52, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: receiving, from the UE, an indication of a preferred beam reporting mode; and in response to receiving the indication of the preferred beam reporting mode: generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on the preferred beam reporting mode; and causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

54. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 53, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: receiving, from the UE, a request to change a current beam reporting mode; and in response to receiving the request to change the current beam reporting mode: generating the indication of the beam reporting mode change based at least in part on a requested beam reporting mode associated with the request to change the cunent beam reporting mode; and causing transmission of the indication of the beam reporting mode change to the UE.

55. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 54, wherein the computer- implemented method further comprises: determining one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state activations, wherein the one or more TCI state activations are associated with at least one or more of a DL reception, a UL transmission, or both a DL reception and a UL transmission; and transmitting an indication of the one or more TCI state activations to the UE.

56. The computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 55, wherein at least one or more of the beam reporting mode change or the beam measurement configuration are indicated via at least one of a downlink control information (DCI) message, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE), or a radio resource control (RRC) message.

57. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 42.

58. A computer program comprising instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform the computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 56.

59. An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises the means for performing the computer-implemented method of any of claims 29 to 42.

60. An apparatus, wherein the apparatus comprises the means for performing the computer-implemented method of any of claims 43 to 56.

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