Enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL TX prediction of ai / ML model

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a communication apparatus and method for enhancing group- based beam reporting for downlink (DL) transmit (Tx) prediction of artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) model, the apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, performs a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] Title Of Invention: ENHANCING GROUP-BASED BEAM REPORTING FORDL TX PREDICTION OF AI / ML MODEL

[0003] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0004] [1] The following disclosure relates to a communication apparatus and a communication method, and more particularly, for enhancing group-based beam reporting for downlink (DL) transmit (Tx) prediction of artificial intelligence / machine learning (AI / ML) model.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] [2] In Release (Rel.) 18, the 3rd generation partnership project (3GPP) studied Artificial Intelligence (AI)ZMachine Learning (ML) for new radio (NR) air interface, focusing on three use cases, including channel state information (CSI) feedback enhancement, beam management (BM) and positioning accuracy enhancements. In Rel. 19, 3GPP has agreed recently that BM is one of the main objectives of a work item description (WID) on AI / ML for NR air interface, e.g., in [RP -234039],

[0007] [3] However, beam reporting for downlink (DL) transmit (Tx) beam prediction of a network-sided (NW-sided) model is still not studied and specified. In particular, an existing beam reporting was designed for non-AI / ML model; hence, it does not work well for AI / ML model.

[0008] [4] There is thus a need for a communication apparatus and a communication method for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model to solve the above-mentioned issues. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and this background of the disclosure.

[0009] SUMMARY [5] Non-limiting and exemplary embodiments facilitate providing communication apparatuses and communication methods for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model.

[0010] [6] In a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, performs a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

[0011] [71 In a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a base station comprising: a transmitter, which in operation, transmits to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; a receiver, which in operation, receives a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and circuitry, which in operation, predicts one or more top -A beams based on the plurality of results.

[0012] [8] In a third aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a communication apparatus, the method comprising: performing a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

[0013] [9] In a fourth aspect, the present disclosure provides a communication method implemented by a base station, the method comprising: transmitting to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and receiving a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and predicting one or more top- ' bea s based on the plurality of results.

[0010] Additional benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments will become apparent from the specification and drawings. The benefits and / or advantages may be individually obtained by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, which need not all be provided in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages.

[0014] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015]

[0011] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages in accordance with present embodiments.

[0016]

[0012] Figure 1 shows an exemplary architecture for a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) new radio (NR) system to which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0017]

[0013] Figure 2 shows an exemplary diagram illustrating spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction based on Ll-reference signal received power (Ll-RSRP) measurement.

[0018]

[0014] Figure 3 shows an exemplary diagram illustrating temporal DL Tx beam prediction

[0019]

[0015] Figure 4 shows an exemplary diagram illustrating reception of a single panel user equipment (SP UE) and two multiple panel user equipment (MP UEs).

[0020]

[0016] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication apparatus in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021]

[0017] Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0018] Figure 7 shows a flowchart illustrating another method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022]

[0019] Figure 8 shows an example of a reporting for a plurality of measurements obtained from a plurality of activated receive (Rx) filters of a MP UE.

[0023]

[0020] Figure 9 shows an example of a reporting for a plurality of measurements obtained from an activated Rx filter of a SP UE.

[0024] [211 Figure 10 shows an example of a reporting for a plurality of measurements obtained from a plurality of Rx filters of a MP UE.

[0025]

[0022] Figure 11 shows an example of transmission of a plurality of reports for a plurality of measurements obtained from a plurality of activated Rx filters of a MP UE.

[0026]

[0023] Figure 12 shows an exemplary flowchart for a network-sided (NW-sided) model.

[0027]

[0024] Figure 13 shows an exemplary flowchart for a UE-sided model.

[0028]

[0025] Figure 14 shows exemplary functional split options in 5G open-radio access network (0-RAN) to which exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0029]

[0026] A person skilled in the art will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been depicted to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the illustrations, block diagrams or flowcharts may be exaggerated in respect to other elements to help an accurate understanding of the present embodiments.

[0030] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0027] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings. Like reference numerals and characters in the drawings refer to like elements or equivalents.

[0031]

[0028] 3 GPP has been working at the next release for the 5thgeneration cellular technology, simply called 5G, including the development of a new radio access technology (NR) operating in frequencies ranging up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, which allows proceeding to 5G NR standard-compliant trials and commercial deployments of smartphones.

[0032]

[0029] The second version of the 5G standard was completed in June 2020, which further expand the reach of 5Gto new services, spectrum and deployment such as unlicensed spectrum (NR-U), non-public network (NPN), time sensitive networking (TSN) and cellular-V2X

[0033] 5GNR system architecture and protocol stacks

[0034]

[0030] 5G NR system architecture assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) that comprises gNBs, providing the NG-radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocol terminations towards the UE. The gNBs are interconnected with each other by means of the Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected by means of the Next Generation (NG) interface to the NGC (Next Generation Core), more specifically to the AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) (e.g., a particular core entity performing the AMF) by means of the NG-C interface and to the UPF (User Plane Function) (e.g., a particular core entity performing the UPF) by means of the NG- U interface. TheNG-RAN architecture is illustrated in Fig. 1 (see e g., 3GPP TS 38.300 vl5.6.0, section 4).

[0035]

[0031] The user plane protocol stack for NR (see e.g., 3GPP TS 38.300, section 4.4.1) comprises the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol, see section 6.4 of TS 38.300), RLC (Radio Link Control, see section 6.3 of TS 38 300) and MAC (Medium Access Control, see section 6.2 of TS 38.300) sublayers, which are terminated in the gNB on the network side. Additionally, a new access stratum (AS) sublayer (SDAP, Service Data Adaptation Protocol) is introduced above PDCP (see e.g., sub-clause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). A control plane protocol stack is also defined for NR (see for instance TS 38.300, section 4.4.2). An overview of the Layer 2 functions is given in sub-clause 6 of TS 38 300. The functions of the PDCP, RLC and MAC sublayers are listed respectively in sections 6.4, 6.3, and 6.2 of TS 38.300. The functions of the RRC layer are listed in sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0036]

[0032] For instance, the Medium-Access-Control layer handles logical-channel multiplexing, and scheduling and scheduling-related functions, including handling of different numerologies.

[0037]

[0033] The physical layer (PHY) is for example responsible for coding, PHY hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing, modulation, multi -antenna processing, and mapping of the signal to the appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also handles mapping of transport channels to physical channels. The physical layer provides services to the MAC layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to the set of timefrequency resources used for transmission of a particular transport channel, and each transport channel is mapped to a corresponding physical channel. For instance, the physical channels are PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) for uplink, PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) for downlink, and PSSCH (Physical Sidelink Shared Channel), PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel) and Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) for sidelink (SL).

[0038]

[0034] SL supports UE-to-UE direct communication using the SL resource allocation modes, physical layer signals / channels, and physical layer procedures. Two new radio (NR) SL resource allocation modes are supported: (a) mode 1, where the NR SL resource allocation is provided by the network; and (b) mode 2, where HE decides NR SL transmission resource in the resource pool(s). Two SL resource allocations modes are applicable to LTE V2X: (a) mode 3, where the LTE SL resource allocation is scheduled by eNB primarily for transmission of periodically occurring messages; and (b) mode 4, where the UE decides autonomously the LTE SL transmission resource in the resource pool(s).

[0039]

[0035] PSCCH indicates resource and other transmission parameters used by a UE for PSSCH. PSCCH transmission is associated with a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). PSSCH transmits the transport blocks (TBs) of data themselves, and control information for HARQ procedure and channel state information (CSI) feedback triggers, etc. At least 6 Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols within a slot are used for PSSCH transmission. PSSCH transmission is associated with a DMRS and may be associated with a phase-tracking reference signal (PT-RS).

[0040]

[0036] PSFCH carries HARQ feedback over the SL from a UE which is an intended recipient of a PSSCH transmission to the UE which performed the transmission. PSFCH sequence is transmitted in one PRB repeated over two OFDM symbols near the end of the SL resource in a slot.

[0041] |37| The SL synchronization signal consists of SL primary and SL secondary synchronization signals (S-PSS, S-SSS), each occupying 2 symbols and 127 subcarriers. Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) occupies 9 and 5 symbols for normal and extended cyclic prefix cases respectively, including the associated demodulation reference signal (DM-RS).

[0042]

[0038] Regarding physical layer procedure for HARQ feedback for sidelink, SL HARQ feedback uses PSFCH and can be operated in one of two options. In one option, which can be configured for unicast and groupcast, PSFCH transmits either ACK or NACK using a resource dedicated to a single PSFCH transmitting UE. In another option, which can be configured for groupcast, PSFCH transmits NACK, or no PSFCH signal is transmitted, on a resource that can be shared by multiple PSFCH transmitting UEs.

[0043]

[0039] In SL resource allocation mode 1, a UE which received PSFCH can report SL HARQ feedback to gNB via PUCCH or PUSCH.

[0044]

[0040] Regarding physical layer procedure for power control for sidelink, for in-coverage operation, the power spectral density of the SL transmissions can be adjusted based on the pathloss from the gNB, whereas for unicast, the power spectral density of some SL transmissions can be adjusted based on the pathloss between the two communicating UEs.

[0045]

[0041] Regarding physical layer procedure for CSI report, for unicast, channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) is supported for CSI measurement and reporting in sidelink. A CSI report is carried in a SL MAC Control Element (CE).

[0042] For measurement on the sidelink, the following UE measurement quantities are supported:

[0046] • PSBCH reference signal received power (PSBCH RSRP);

[0047] • PSSCH reference signal received power (PSSCH-RSRP);

[0048] • PSCCH reference signal received power (PSCCH-RSRP);

[0049] • Sidelink received signal strength indicator (SL RSST);

[0050] • Sidelink channel occupancy ratio (SL CR);

[0051] • Sidelink channel busy ratio (SL CBR).

[0052]

[0043] For XDD operation, the frequency domain (or frequency resource or frequency bandwidth) is divided into a plurality of frequency domains (also referred to as, for example, sub-bands, RB sets, sub-bandwidths, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth parts)). The terminal performs transmission and reception in a direction (for example, a downlink or uplink direction) in units of subbands that are the divided domains. For SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform transmission / reception in one direction of uplink and downlink directions, and may not perform transmission / reception in the other direction. The base station, on the other hand, may be capable of performing both uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for downlink compared to symbols for which only downlink transmission / reception is performed. Further, SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for uplink compared to symbol for which only uplink transmission / reception is performed.

[0053]

[0044] Further, for SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. At this time, the frequency domain transmitted by the terminal and the frequency domain received by the terminal may not be adjacent and a frequency interval (also referred to as a frequency gap) may be provided therebetween.

[0054]

[0045] Further, sidelink transmission / reception may also be included as a transmission / reception direction in units of sub-bands which are the divided domains.

[0055]

[0046] Use cases / deployment scenarios for NR could include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC), massive machine type communication (mMTC), which have diverse requirements in terms of data rates, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB is expected to support peak data rates (20Gbps for downlink and lOGbps for uplink) and user-experienced data rates in the order of three times what is offered by IMT-Advanced. On the other hand, in case of URLLC, the tighter requirements are put on ultra-low latency (0.5ms for UL and DL each for user plane latency) and high reliability (e.g., 1-10-5 within 1ms). Finally, mMTC may preferably require high connection density (e g., 1,000,000 devices / km2 in an urban environment), large coverage in harsh environments, and extremely long-life battery for low-cost devices (e.g., 15 years).

[0056] |471 Therefore, the OFDM numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, number of symbols per scheduling interval) that is suitable for one use case might not work well for another. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol duration (and thus larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (also known as transmission time interval (TTI)) than an mMTC service. Furthermore, deployment scenarios with large channel delay spreads may preferably require a longer CP duration than scenarios with short delay spreads. The subcarrier spacing should be optimized accordingly to retain the similar CP overhead. NR may support more than one value of subcarrier spacing. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacing of 15kHz, 30kHz, 60 kHz...., etc. arc being considered at the moment. The symbol duration Tu and the subcarrier spacing Af arc directly related through the formula Af = 1 / Tu. In a similar manner as in LTE systems, the term “resource element” can be used to denote a minimum resource unit being composed of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol

[0057] |48| In the new radio system 5G-NR for each numerology and carrier a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined respectively for uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is identified based on the frequency index in the frequency domain and the symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211 V16.3.0).

[0058]

[0049] As mentioned above, 3GPP has agreed recently that BM is one of the main objectives of a work item description (W1D) on AI / ML for NR air interface e g., in [RP -234039], Downlink (DL) Tx beam prediction for both UE-sided model and NW-sided model, encompassing [RAN1 / RAN2], may be based on spatial domain or time domain.

[0050] Figure 2 shows an exemplary diagram 200 illustrating spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction based on LI -reference signal received power (Ll-RSRP) measurement. In figure 2, the abbreviations “AoD” and “ZoD” respectively stand for “azimuth angles of departure” and “zenith angles of departure”. The spatial-domain DL Tx beam, for example, is a plurality of beams 204 with Ll-RSRP measurement, which may be identified from a Set B of beams 202. Based on the measurement results of the Set B of beams 202, an AI / ML -based spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction may be performed (e.g., process 206) on a Set A of beams 208 to obtain a Top-1 predicted beam (e g., reference 210). Further, Figure 3 shows an exemplary diagram 300 illustrating temporal DL Tx beam prediction. For example, a plurality of beam measurements 302 may be performed at time stances t_0, t_ and t_2 (Mis an integer and refers to the number of instances of beam measurements, e.g., in this example, M= 3, which means three measurement instances t_0, t_\ and t_2) of a Set B of beams. Based on the measurement results of the Set B of beams (read with reference to figure 2), an AI / ML-based temporaldomain DL Tx beam prediction may be performed (e g., process 304) on a Set A of beams to obtain one or more Top-1 predicted beam(s) at one or more future time instances. In this example, two Top-1 predicted beams 306 for two future time instances (e g., at t_3 and t_4) are predicted. It will be appreciated that Set A is for DL Tx beam prediction and Set B is for DL Tx beam measurement. In examples of both Figures 2 and 3, it is assumed that Set A and Set B may be the same.

[0059]

[0051] For both examples shown in Figures 2 and 3, beam measurement and reporting are required for both NW-sided model and UE-sided model. For example, in a DL Tx beam prediction for a NW-sided model, a NW configures a UE to measure a set C of DL Tx beams based on a set of RS resources and to report measurement results. The NW then predicts one or more top- / V predicted beam(s) based on the reported measurement results from the UE. In another example, in a DL Tx beam prediction for a UE-sided model, a NW configures a UE to measure a set C of DL Tx beams based on a set of RS resources, and the UE predicts and reports one or more top-N predicted bearn(s) It will be appreciated that set A, set B and set C may be the same.

[0052] In existing beam reporting (including beam measurement and reporting) of the current specifications, a NW configures a UE to measure a number of K DL Tx beams based on a set of RS resources in which 1<= ’<=64 for a measurement configuration, and the NW configures the UE to report measurement results of a number of L DL Tx beams in which L<=K for a report configuration. It is up to the UE to select these L beams depending on channel condition. For example, a NW configures a UE to measure 32 beams and to report 4 beams in a report (e.g., one report). Then, the UE selects 4 beams and reports a strongest beam with absolute LI -RSRP value and remaining 3 beams with differential LI -RSRP values with respect to the strongest beam. If group-based beam reporting is “disabled”, L is configured by parameter nrofReportedRS, where I <= / .<=4, If group-based beam reporting is “enabled”, a UE reports measurement results of a plurality of beams in one report that it can receive either with a same Rx filter (e.g., single panel UE (SP UE)) or with multiple Rx filters simultaneously (e.g., multipanel UE (MP UE)). For a single transmission and reception point (TRP) case in Rel. 15 / 16, a UE reports measurement results of L=2 beams in one report, for example as shown by SP UE 402 (SP UE#3) and MP UE 404 (MP UE#2) having one activated Rx filter respectively (e g., having 1 activated panel) in illustration 400 of Figure 4. For a multi-TRP case in Rel. 17, a UE reports L groups of simultaneously received beams (1<=Z<=4, configured by parameter nrofReportedRSgroup) in one report, wherein each group includes measurement results of 2 beams and each beam in each group corresponds to one TRP e.g., as shown by MP UE 406 (MP UE#1) with two activated Rx filters (e.g., 2 panels). It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that both K and L may be an integer.

[0060]

[0053] As mentioned above, beam reporting forDL Tx beam prediction of a NW-sided model is still not studied and specified. In particular, the existing beam reporting was designed for non-AI / ML model. Hence, it does not work well for AI / ML model. This is because a non- AI / ML model reports measurement results of beams taken in a latest measurement instance, while a NW-sided model reports measurement results of beams taken over multiple measurement instances depending on a typical latency requirement of NW-sided training / inference / monitoring model. A non-AI / ML model also only requires a UE to report a subset of beams from a measurement configuration and each report might include different beams in the subset. Hence, a NW-sided model is unable to know how the quality of each beam in the measurement configuration changes in time domain (e.g., beam quality tracking). Further, latency requirement may be configured to be “relaxed” for a NW-sided training model (e g., minutes, hours, days, or no latency requirement), “time-critical” for NW-sided inference model (e.g., several tens of msecs to a few seconds), and “near-real-time” for NW-sided monitoring model (e.g., a few msecs), as specified in [Rl-2310681],

[0061]

[0054] It will be appreciated that (?) a NW-sided training model means that a process to train an AI / ML Model at NW side by learning the input / output relationship in a data driven manner and obtain the trained AI / ML model for inference; (ii) a NW-sided inference model means that a process of using a trained AI / ML model at NW side to produce a set of outputs based on a set of inputs; (Hi) a NW-sided monitoring model means that a procedure at NW side that monitors the inference performance of the AI / ML model. Similarly, the above descriptions can be usable to a UE-sided training / inference / monitoring model, where the process / procedure is performed or run at UE side.

[0062]

[0055] Moreover, it will be appreciated that a NW-sided model may be referred to a NW- sided AI / ML model and a UE-sided model may be referred to a UE-sided AI / ML model. For simplicity of presentation, a NW-sided model or a UE-sided model may be used in the present disclosure.

[0063]

[0056] In a possible solution, for DL Tx beam prediction of a NW-sided model, a UE may be configured to report measurement results of all beams in a report configuration, which is set to contain all beams that are specified in a measurement configuration (e g , K=L). However, this can cause heavy system overhead based on signalling of the existing beam reporting especially for NW-sided training model, because gNB keeps sending the measurement configuration and the report configuration overtime.

[0064]

[0057] There is thus a need for a communication apparatus and a communication method for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model to solve the above-mentioned issues. Furthermore, other desirable features and characteristics will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0058] Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication apparatus 500 in accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure. It may enhance group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model. The communication apparatus 500 may be implemented as a UE or a network-sided apparatus (for example but not limited to a base station) in accordance with the present disclosure. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the communication apparatus 500 may be referred to as communication device 500 throughout the disclosure. As shown in Figure 5, the communication apparatus 500 may include circuitry 514, at least one radio transmitter 502, at least one radio receiver 504, and at least one antenna 512 (for the sake of simplicity, only one antenna is depicted in Figure 5 for illustration purposes). The circuitry 514 may include at least one controller 506 for use in software and / or hardware aided execution of tasks that the at least one controller 506 is designed to perform, including control of communications with one or more other communication apparatuses in a multiple input and multiple output (MIMO) wireless network. The circuitry 514 may furthermore include at least one transmission signal generator 508 and at least one receive signal processor 510 The at least one controller 506 may control the at least one transmission signal generator 508 for generating a downlink signal or a sidelink signal to be sent through the at least one radio transmitter 502 and the at least one receive signal processors 510 for processing an uplink signal, a downlink signal or a sidelink signal received through the at least one radio receiver 504 from the one or more other communication apparatuses. The at least one transmission signal generator 508 and the at least one receive signal processor 510 may be stand-alone modules of the communication apparatus 500 that communicate with the at least one controller 506 for the above-mentioned functions, as shown in Figure 5. Alternatively, the at least one transmission signal generator 508 and the at least one receive signal processor 510 may be included in the at least one controller 506. It is appreciable to those skilled in the art that the arrangement of these functional modules is flexible and may vary depending on the practical needs and / or requirements. The data processing, storage and other relevant control apparatus can be provided on an appropriate circuit board and / or in chipsets. In various embodiments, when in operation, the at least one radio transmitter 502, at least one radio receiver 504, and at least one antenna 512 may be controlled by the at least one controller 506.

[0065]

[0059] The communication apparatus 500, when in operation, provides functions required for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model. For example, the communication apparatus 500 may be a UE such as a UE for a NW-sided model or a UE- sided model. Figure 6 shows a flowchart illustrating a method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the exemplified method 600 for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AVML model in Figure 6, the communication apparatus 500, when in operation, is configured to perform the following steps:

[0066] Step 602: the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may perform a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a DL Tx beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and

[0067] Step 604: The at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

[0068]

[0060] Additionally or alternatively wherein the communication apparatus is a SP UE comprising a Rx filter, in step 602, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may obtain the plurality of results from the Rx filter of the communication apparatus.

[0069]

[0061] Additionally or alternatively wherein the communication apparatus is a MP UE comprising a plurality of Rx filters, in step 602, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may obtain the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters and one or more deactivated Rx filters of the plurality of Rx filters. The circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may indicate, in a result obtained from a deactivated Rx filter, that no measurement is obtainable and distinguished with remaining results of the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters. The circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may predict one or more top-A beams per Rx filter based on the plurality of measurements, and the transmitter 502 may be configured to transmit the one or more top-Arbeams per Rx filter, where A is equal to or greater than 1. More beams of a first panel may be transmitted than that of a second panel, or may be same as that of the second panel.

[0070]

[0062] Additionally or alternatively, in step 604, the at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit the plurality of results in one or more reports. The one or more reports may be explicitly defined by a network associated with the communication apparatus The at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a payload size respectively defined for each report. The at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a capability of the communication apparatus, the capability being reported in a capability report. The at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the one or more reports by physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) based on one or more activated Tx filters of the communication apparatus. The one or more activated Tx filters may be determined based on a process of beam correspondence according to alignment of beams of reception and transmission by the UE.

[0071]

[0063] Additionally or alternatively, in step 604, the at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit the plurality of results for one or more subsets of the two or more beams that are periodically, semi-persistently, or dynamically configured and / or activated. The circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the plurality of results based on a latency requirement of an Al (or a ML) training model, inference model or monitoring model. The circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the plurality of results based on a capability of the communication apparatus, the capability being reported in a capability report. The circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the at least one radio transmitter 502 may be further configured to transmit the plurality of results based on spatial information or mobility information relating to the communication apparatus.

[0072]

[0064] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may predict one or more top-6* failed beams based on the plurality of measurements, and the at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit one or more top- 9 failed beams, where ( is equal to or greater than 1 .

[0065] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may predict one or more top-Arbeams based on the plurality of measurements, and the at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit the one or more top-A' beams.

[0073]

[0066] Additionally or alternatively wherein the communication apparatus comprises a plurality of panels, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to obtain the plurality of results from the plurality of panels, and the at least one radio transmitter 502 is configured to transmit the plurality of results in one report. More results of a first panel may be transmitted than that of a second panel, or may be same as that of the second panel.

[0074]

[0067] For example, the communication apparatus 500 may be a base station or a gNodeB (gNB). Figure 7 shows another flowchart illustrating a method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. As shown in the exemplified method 700 for enhancing group-based beam reporting for DL Tx prediction of AI / ML model in Figure 7, the communication apparatus 500, when in operation, is configured to perform the following steps:

[0075] Step 702: the at least one radio transmitter 502 may transmit to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a DL Tx beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction;

[0076] Step 704: the at least one radio receiver 504 may receive a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and

[0077] Step 706: the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may predict one or more top-A beams based on the plurality of results.

[0078]

[0068] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to predict one or more top -N beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements.

[0079]

[0069] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to predict one or more top-0 failed beams based on the plurality of measurements.

[0070] Additionally or alternatively, the circuitry 514 (or the at least one controller 506 of the circuitry 514) may be configured to predict one or more top-Q failed beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements.

[0080]

[0071] According to the present disclosure, for DL Tx beam prediction of a NW-sided model, a UE may be configured to report measurement results of two or more beams (of a Set C of beams) that are configured in a measurement configuration in one or more reports The UE may also report associations of its Rx filter(s) and measurement results of two or more beams of the Set C in the one or more reports. In a first option, measurement results may be taken from activated Rx filter(s) of a MP UE, or from a same Rx filter of a SP UE. In a second option, measurement results may be taken from activated Rx filters and deactivated Rx filters of a MP UE For example, a UE may be configured to perform a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a DL Tx beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction, and transmit a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements. Advantageously, sufficient data collection is provided for achieving improved accuracy of DL Tx beam prediction, lesser frequency of reporting is required and signalling overhead reduction is achieved. It will be appreciated that “measurement result” may also be referred to herein as “result”. For example, “a plurality of measurement results” may be also referred to as “a plurality of results”.

[0081]

[0072] As explained above, Set A refers to a set of beams used for prediction and Set B refers to a set of beams used for measurement. Further, Set C refers to an alternate set of beams used for measurement which can consist of Set A, Set B, or Set A + Set B. For example, Set C may be same as Set B for a NW-sided inference model or Set C may be Set A + Set B for a NW- sided training model. There may be a few possibilities of Set A and Set B, such as (z) Set A and Set B are different, where Set B is not a subset of Set A, or (zz) Set B is a subset of Set A, where Set A and Set B are not the same, or (zzz) Set A and Set B are the same. In an example in which Set C is Set A + SetB for a NW-sided training model, Set A may include synchronization signal block-based (SSB-based) beams, and SetB may include channel state information-based (CSI- based) beams (e.g., it may refer to a case (z), where Set A and Set B are different). For beam prediction, a SSB-based beam index can be predicted from historical measurement results of Set C, where the SSB-based beam index is included in Set A. Further, only a measurement configuration may be configured for the purpose of a NW-sided model, and a report may be triggered whenever it is needed. The report can be triggered based on one or a combination of event-based trigger (e.g., periodic / aperiodic / semi-persistent event), RRC configuration, MAC CE, and downlink control information (DCI).

[0082]

[0073] In an example, according to the first option with reference to the exemplary illustration 800 of Figure 8, a plurality of measurements may be obtained over time from activated Rx filter(s) of a MP UE comprising two panels 802 (Panel #1) and 804 (Panel #2), e.g., activated Rx filter 806 of panel 802 and activated Rx filter 808 of panel 804, and a plurality of corresponding measurement results may be transmitted in a report 810 via an uplink transmission. Further, according to the first option with reference to the exemplary illustration 900 of Figure 9, a plurality of measurements may be obtained over time from a same Rx filter 902 of a SP UE, and a plurality of corresponding measurement results may be transmitted in a report 904 via an uplink transmission. The plurality of results may comprise L1 -RSRPs, beam- IDs, SSBRIs and / or CRIs.

[0083]

[0074] According to the second option, measurement results may be taken from one or more activated Rx filters and one or more deactivated Rx filters of a MP UE. For any deactivated Rx filter of a plurality of Rx filters of a MP UE, the MP UE may be configured to indicate, in a result obtained from a deactivated Rx filter, that no measurement is obtainable and distinguished with the remaining results of the plurality of results from the one or more activated Rx filters. In an implementation, no measurement results may be marked as “channel related no measurement” or “non-channel related (procedure related) no measurement” during the deactivation period of a Rx filter. For example, referring to illustration 1000 of Figure 10, a plurality of measurements are taken over time from activated Rx filters and deactivated Rx filters of a MP UE (e.g., Rx filter# 1 in panel 1002 and Rx filter#2 in panel 1004 of the MP UE) and a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements are transmitted via uplink in a report. No measurement results are indicated as “channel related no measurement” when the Rx filter is deactivated (e.g., during time periods 1006 forRx filter#l and 1008 forRx filter#2). It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that “a report” may refer to “one or more reports” throughout the disclosure.

[0075] For activated Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or a same Rx filter of SP UE, measurement results can be Ll-RSRPs, beam-IDs, SSBRIs and / or CRIs. For a MP UE, based on statistics obtained from the instances of “channel related no measurement” / “non-channel related (procedure related) no measurement” and DL Tx beam prediction in future time instances, the NW may advantageously be able to predict which Rx filter needs to be activated for the corresponding DL Tx beam prediction. This information may be useful for panel / Rx filter switching.

[0084]

[0076] In a variation, a UE may report measurement results of one or more subsets of two or more beams (of Set C) which are periodically, semi -persistently, or dynamically configured and / or activated based on one or more of the following factors:

[0085] - a latency requirement of an Al (or a ML) training model, inference model or monitoring model, which advantageously satisfies the typical latency requirement of a NW-sided training / inference / monitoring model in life cycle management operations,

[0086] - UE capability: for example, aUE may inform an associated NW in a capability reporting that it can measure and report a maximum number of beams (e.g., 4 / 8 / 16 beams, etc.), and hence the NW may configure the reported maximum number of beams in a measurement configuration, advantageously ensuring that a maximum capability of a UE is not exceeded;

[0087] - Spatial information (e.g., a subset of beams that arc “spatially” close to previously predicted beams) or UE mobility (e g., indicating a targeted moving direction or a targeted cell / gNB to an associated NW) to advantageously assist the NW to configure a proper number of beams in the measurement configuration that helps to minimize efforts of beam measurement and reporting of the UE. It will be appreciated that the one or more beams may be SSB-based beam(s) and / or CSLbased beam(s). Also, a UE may report measurement results of one or more subsets of two or more beams (of Set C) which are periodically, semi-persistently, or dynamically configured and / or activated based on one or more of the aforementioned factors. For an example, a UE may be configured to perform measurement of 64 beams (e g , CSI-based beam #0 - CSL based beam #63) in a measurement configuration based on RRC configuration (i.e., a semistatic signalling manner). For a purpose of NW-sided inference or monitoring model, NW may activate UE to report measurement results of only 8 beams from these 64 beams based on an indication in a DCI (i.e., a dynamic signalling manner), such as CSI-based beam #0 - CSI- based beam #7.

[0077] In a variation, the one or more reports may be defined based on one or more of the following factors:

[0088] - Explicit indication by a NW to advantageously provide the NW with more flexibility and control over how the one or more reports are defined;

[0089] - Payload size of a report (e.g., up to 10 bits, 100 bits, or hundreds of bits) to advantageously provide the NW with more flexibility and control over the one or more reports for different purposes of AI / ML training / inference / monitoring model;

[0090] - UE capability: A UE may be configured to measure and report a set C of 64 beams, but since the UE is only capable of reporting a maximum 16 beams in each report, it thus reports measurement results of 64 beams over 4 reports. For example, referring to illustration 1100 of Figure 11, measurement results are divided into two parts which are reported in reports 1102 and 1104 at two report instances in time-domain respectively via uplink. This advantageously ensures that a maximum capability of a UE is not exceeded.

[0091]

[0078] The one or more reports may be transmitted by physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) based on one or more activated Tx filters of a MP UE, or a Tx filter of a SP UE. The scheduling of PUCCH / PUSCH and indication of uplink transmission on the one or more activated Tx filters of MP UE (or the Tx filter of SP UE) can be based on legacy mechanism in current technical specifications.

[0092]

[0079] For a MP UE, each panel or Rx filter may be treated as a virtually independent UE with single panel or Rx filter, and transmission of the one or more reports may be applied in a same manner as that for a SP UE.

[0093]

[0080] For developing or operating a NW-sided training / inference / monitoring model, reported measurement results may be categorized according to Rx filter or panel. For example, a NW may predict one or more top- A' bea s per Rx filter, or predict one or more top-A beams per Rx filter per future time instance. Alternatively, the reported measurement results may not be categorized at all. For example, a NW may predict one or more top-.Vb earns from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE, or predict one or more top-A beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE per future time instance. Additionally or alternatively, a NW may also predict one or more top-U failed beams from the reported measurement results.

[0081] For developing or operating a UE-sided training / inference / monitoring model, measurement results may be categorized according to Rx filter or panel. For example, a (JE may predict one or more top- beams per Rx filter and transmit them e.g., in an enhanced group-based beam reporting, or predict one or more top- beams per Rx filter per future time instance (e.g., F=V) and transmit them e.g., in a report. Alternatively, the reported measurement results may not be categorized at all. For example, a UE may predict one or more top- / V beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE and transmit them e g., in a report, or predict one or more top- / V beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE per future time instance and transmit them e.g., in a report.

[0094]

[0082] A UE-sided model may be categorized as an in-UE-sided model (e g., internal training within the UE) or a server-UE-sided model (e g., external training at a server of a UE vendor for supporting multiple UEs). A server-UE-sided model may be applied "through 3 GPP network" or "through application level", and may be applicable to an AI / ML training model. Additionally or alternatively, a UE may be configured to predict top-G failed beams from the measurement results.

[0095]

[0083] In the present disclosure, the following assumptions are applicable for a MP UE:

[0096] - Only 1 panel can be activated at a time and there is panel switching and activation delay;

[0097] - multiple panels can be activated at a time and one or more panels can be used for reception or transmission; and

[0098] - multiple panels can be activated at a time, but only 1 panel can be used for recepti on / tran sm i ssi on .

[0099]

[0084] Figure 12 shows an exemplary flowchart 1200 for a NW-sided model. In step 1202, a NW (or gNB) may configure a UE to measure a Set C of DL Tx beams in a measurement configuration. In step 1204, the UE may report measurement results of all DL Tx beams of Set C in one or more reports. The measurement results may, in a first option, be taken over time from one or more activated Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or from a same Rx filter of a SP UE or, in a second option, be taken over time from activated Rx filters and deactivated Rx filters of a MP UE, or from a same Rx filter of a SP UE. For developing or operating a NW-sided training / inference / monitoring model, the reported measurement results may, for the first option, be categorized according to Rx filter or panel. For example, the NW may predict one or more top-JV beams per Rx filter, or predict one or more top-JV beams per Rx filter per future time instance. For the second option, the reported measurement results may not be categorized at all. For example, the NW may predict one or more top- / V beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE, or predict one or more top-, V beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE per future time instance.

[0100]

[0085] Figure 13 shows an exemplary flowchart 1300 for a UE-sided model. In step 1302, a NW (or a gNB) may configure a UE to measure a Set C of DL Tx beams in a measurement configuration. The measurement results may, in a first option, be taken over time from one or more activated Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or from a same Rx filter of a SP UE or, in a second option, be taken over time from activated Rx filters and deactivated Rx filters of a MP UE or from a same Rx filter of a SP UE. For developing or operating a UE-sided training / inference / monitoring model, the reported measurement results may, for the first option, be categorized according to Rx filter or panel. For example, the UE may predict one or more top-JV beams per Rx filter, or predict one or more top-JV beams per Rx filter per future time instance. For the second option, the reported measurement results may not be categorized at all. For example, the UE may predict one or more top-JV beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE, or predict one or more top-JV beams from all panel(s) or Rx filter(s) of a MP UE or SP UE per future time instance. In step 1304, the UE may report the one or more top-JV beams (e g., obtained according to the first or second option described above) in one or more reports.

[0101]

[0086] In the following paragraphs, certain exemplifying embodiments are explained with reference to terms related to 5G core network and the present disclosure, namely:

[0102] RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedures

[0103]

[0087] Interactions between a UE, gNB, and AMF (an 5GC entity) in the context of a transition of the UE from RRC IDLE to RRC CONNECTED for the NAS part are described (see TS 38.300 vl5.6.0).

[0088] RRC is a higher layer signaling (protocol) used for UE and gNB configuration. In particular, this transition involves that the AMF prepares the UE context data (including e.g. PDU session context, the Security Key, UE Radio Capability and UE Security Capabilities, etc.) and sends it to the gNB with the INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. Then, the gNB activates the AS security with the UE, which is performed by the gNB transmitting to the UE a SecurityModeCommand message and by the UE responding to the gNB with the Secur IlyModeComplete message. Afterwards, the gNB performs the reconfiguration to setup the Signaling Radio Bearer 2, SRB2, and Data Radio Bearer(s), DRB(s) by means of transmitting to the UE AiQRRCReconfiguration message and, in response, receiving by the gNB the RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE. For a signalling-only connection, the steps relating to the RRCReconfiguration are skipped since SRB2 and DRBs are not setup. Finally, the gNB informs the AMF that the setup procedure is completed with the INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0104]

[0089] In the present disclosure, thus, an entity (for example AMF, SMF, etc.) of a 5th Generation Core (5GC) is provided that comprises control circuitry which, in operation, establishes a Next Generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB, and a transmitter which, in operation, transmits an initial context setup message, via the NG connection, to the gNodeB to cause a signaling radio bearer setup between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE). In particular, the gNodeB transmits a Radio Resource Control, RRC, signaling containing a resource allocation configuration information element to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then performs an uplink transmission or a downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0105] QoS control

[0106]

[0090] The 5G QoS (Quality of Service) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS Flows). At NAS level, the QoS flow is thus the finest granularity of QoS differentiation in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS flow ID (QFI) carried in an encapsulation header over NG-U interface.

[0091] For each UE, 5GC establishes one or more PDU Sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes at least one Data Radio Bearers (DRB) together with the PDU Session, and additional DRB(s) for QoS flow(s) of that PDU session can be subsequently configured (it is up to NG-RAN when to do so). The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS level packet filters in the UE and in the 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS Flows, whereas AS-level mapping rules in the UE and in the NG- RAN associate UL and DL QoS Flows with DRBs.

[0107] Qpen-RAN

[0108]

[0092] The base station described in each exemplary embodiment (for example, a 5 G NR base station called gNB) may be formed of three functional modules: Centralized Unit (CU), Distributed Unit (DU), and Radio Unit (RU).

[0109]

[0093] CU may also be referred as, for example, a centralized node, an aggregated node, a centralized station, an aggregated station, or a central unit. DU may also be referred as, for example, O-DU (O-RAN Distributed Unit), a distributed node, a distributed station, or a distributed unit. RU may also be referred as, for example, 0-RU (O-RAN Radio Unit), a radio apparatus, a radio node, a radio station, an antenna unit, or a radio unit.

[0110]

[0094] Several split options are defined for the functional split configuration (or functional split point) between CU, DU, and RU. The term “functional split point” may also be referred to as “split”, “option”, or “split option”.

[0111]

[0095] Examples of the “split option” include the following split options 1 to 8. The functionality of the base station described in each exemplary embodiment may be split into functions as CU, DU, and RU by one of the following split options 1 to 8. For example, each of CU, DU, and RU may be subjected to functional splitting or functional splitting only between CU and DU or only between DU and RU is possible.

[0112] (1) Split Option 1 : between RRC (radio resource control) and PDCP

[0113] (2) Split Option 2: between PDCP and RLC (High-RLC)

[0114] (3) Split Option 3: between High-RLC and Low-RLC

[0115] (4) Split Option 4: between RLC (Low-RLC) and MAC (High-MAC) (5) Split Option 5: between High-MAC and Low-MAC

[0116] (6) Split Option 6: between MAC (Low-MAC) and PHY (High-PHY)

[0117] (7) Split Option 7: between High-PHY and Low-PHY

[0118] (8) Split Option 8: between PHY (Low-PHY) and RF

[0119]

[0096] The functional split point between CU and O-DU may be Split Option 2. The link between CU and O-DU is referred to as midhaul and the Fl interface is defined by the 3GPP. Further, the link between O-DU and O-RU is referred to as fronthaul and its functional split point may be Split Option 7-2x adopted as the 0-RAN fronthaul specifications.

[0120]

[0097] FIG. 14 illustrates an example in which the base station functionality of the gNB is subjected to functional splitting into CU, O-DU, O-RU by Split Option 2 and Split Option 7- 2x.

[0121]

[0098] CU may include, for example, an RRC (radio resource control) function, an SDAP (service data adaptation protocol) function, and a PDCP (packet data convergence protocol) function.

[0122]

[0099] O-DU may include, for example, an RLC (radio link control) function, a MAC function, and a higher physical layer (HIGH-PHY) function. Further, the HIGH-PHY function may include an encoding function, a scrambling function, a modulation function, a layer mapping function, a precoding function, and an RE (resource element) mapping function for downlink (DL) transmission. The HIGH-PHY function may also include a decoding function, a descrambling function, a demodulation function, a layer demapping function, and an RE (resource element) demapping function for uplink (UL) reception.

[0123]

[0100] O-RU may include, for example, a LOW-PHY function and an RF function Further, the LOW-PHY function may include a beamforming function, IFFT (Inverse First Fourier Transform) + CP (Cyclic Prefix) addition functions, and a D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion function for downlink transmission. Further, the LOW-PHY function may include an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion function, CP removal + FFT (First Fourier Transform) functions, and a beamforming function for uplink reception.

[0101] Note that, in a case where O-DU does not include the precoding function, O-RU may include the precoding function.

[0124]

[0102] O-RU may include an LBT (listen before Talk)-related function.

[0125]

[0103] eCPRI (Evolved Common Public Radio Interface) is defined as a communication scheme between O-DU and O-RU in Split Option 7-2x.

[0126]

[0104] In Split Option 7-2x, a sampling sequence of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of an OFDM signal in the frequency domain as well as information used for beamforming in the antenna, a time synchronization signal, and the like are transmitted and received by eCPRI.

[0127]

[0105] Information transmitted by signals (PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, MAC CE, RRC, and the like) described in each exemplary embodiment may be transmitted by using the User Plane (U-Plan) or Control Plane (C-Plane) of eCPRI between O-DU and O-RU.

[0128]

[0106] In a case where a function described in each exemplary embodiment is executed in O- RU by function splitting, O-DU may control O-RU by transmitting information for controlling the function by means of a control signal (for example, eCPRI) between O-DU and O-RU.

[0129]

[0107] In a case where a function described in each exemplary embodiment is executed by function splitting in O-DU, O-RU may receive a result of the execution of the function in O- DU by means of a control signal (for example, eCPRI) and may control O-RU based on the received result.

[0130]

[0108] CU, O-DU, and O-RU may be deployed in physically different apparatuses, the respective functions of which are connected by optical fibers or the like, or some or all of the functions may be deployed in a physically identical apparatus

[0131]

[0109] CU and O-DU may be logical entities implemented as software operating on a server, such as a cloud, as a virtual Radio Access Network (vRAN). Further, some or all of the T1 functions of CU and 0-DU may be provided as services of a Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) function.

[0132] [HO] The transceiver may not be a radio transceiver and may be, for example, a network transceiver, an optical transceiver, or the like. The radio resource allocated by 0-DU may be a resource for radio communication between 0-RU and the UE.

[0133] SBFD

[0134] | 111 | Operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to symbols (for example, SBFD (Subband nonoverlapping full duplex) symbols, Subband full duplex) on which an SBFD operation or control is performed. For SBFD symbols, the frequency domain (or frequency resource or frequency bandwidth) is divided into a plurality of frequency domains (also referred to as, for example, sub-bands, RB sets, sub-bandwidths, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth parts)). The terminal performs transmission and reception in a direction (for example, a downlink or uplink direction) in units of sub-bands that are the divided domains. For SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform transmission / reception in one direction of uplink and downlink directions, and may not perform transmission / reception in the other direction. The base station, on the other hand, may be capable of performing both uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for downlink compared to symbols for which only downlink transmission / reception is performed. Further, SBFD symbols may have a fewer frequency domain usable for uplink compared to symbol for which only uplink transmission / reception is performed.

[0135]

[0112] Further, for SBFD symbols, the terminal may perform uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. At this time, the frequency domain transmitted by the terminal and the frequency domain received by the terminal may not be adjacent and a frequency interval (also referred to as a frequency gap) may be provided therebetween.

[0136]

[0113] Further, sidelink transmission / reception may also be included as a transmission / reception direction in units of sub-bands which are the divided domains. XDD: Cross Division Duplex

[0137] [1141 Operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols in one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to symbols (for example, Full duplex symbols) on which a Full duplex operation or control is performed. For Full duplex symbols, both the terminal and the base station are capable of performing uplink and downlink transmissions / receptions simultaneously. For Full duplex symbols, the terminal and the base station may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously in available frequency domains (or frequency resources or frequency bandwidths) or may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously in one or some of frequency domains (that is, may operate to perform transmission or reception in the other frequency domains). At this time, the frequency domain transmitted by the base station or the terminal and the frequency domain received by the base station or the terminal may not be adjacent and a frequency interval (also referred to as a frequency gap) may be provided therebetween. Further, for example, for the purpose of reduction in interference or the like, one of the terminal and the base station may operate to perform transmission / reception simultaneously (that is, the other may operate to perform transmission or reception).

[0138]

[0115] Further, the Full duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which the terminal is capable of performing sidelink transmission / reception simultaneously Further, the Full duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which the terminal is capable of performing sidelink transmission / reception and uplink or downlink transmission / reception simultaneously.

[0139] Control Signals

[0140]

[0116] In the present disclosure, the downlink control signal (information) related to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted through PDCCH of the physical layer or may be a signal (information) transmitted through a MAC Control Element (CE) of the higher layer or the RRC. The downlink control signal may be a pre-defined signal (information).

[0141]

[0117] The uplink control signal (information) related to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted through PUCCH of the physical layer or may be a signal (information) transmitted through a MAC CE of the higher layer or the RRC . Further, the uplink control signal may be a pre-defined signal (information) The uplink control signal may be replaced with uplink control information (UCI), the 1st stage sidelink control information (SCI) or the 2nd stage SCI.

[0142] Base Station

[0143]

[0118] In the present disclosure, the base station may be a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a clusterhead, an access point, a Remote Radio Head (RRH), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a base unit or a gateway, for example Further, in sidelink communication, a terminal may be adopted instead of a base station. The base station may be a relay apparatus that relays communication between a higher node and a terminal. The base station may be a roadside unit as well.

[0144] Uplink / Downlink / Sidelink

[0145]

[0119] The present disclosure may be applied to any of uplink, downlink and sidelink.

[0146]

[0120] The present disclosure may be applied to, for example, uplink channels, such as PUSCH, PUCCH, and PRACH, downlink channels, such as PDSCH, PDCCH, and PBCH, and side link channels, such as Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), and Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH).

[0147]

[0121] PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH are examples of a downlink control channel, a downlink data channel, an uplink data channel, and an uplink control channel, respectively. PSCCH and PSSCH are examples of a sidelink control channel and a sidelink data channel, respectively. PBCH and PSBCH are examples of broadcast channels, respectively, and PRACH is an example of a random access channel.

[0148] Data Channels / Control Channels

[0122] The present disclosure may be applied to any of data channels and control channels. The channels in the present disclosure may be replaced with data channels including PDSCH, PUSCH and PSSCH and / or control channels including PDCCH, PUCCH, PBCH, PSCCH, and PSBCH.

[0149] Reference Signals

[0150]

[0123] In the present disclosure, the reference signals are signals known to both a base station and a mobile station and each reference signal may be referred to as a Reference Signal (RS) or sometimes a pilot signal. The reference signal may be any of a DMRS, a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), and a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0151] Time Intervals

[0152]

[0124] In the present disclosure, time resource units are not limited to one or a combination of slots and symbols, and may be time resource units, such as frames, super-frames, subframes, slots, time slot sub-slots, mini-slots, or time resource units, such as symbols, Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) symbols, or other time resource units. The number of symbols included in one slot is not limited to any number of symbols exemplified in the embodiment s) described above, and may be other numbers of symbols.

[0153] Frequency Bands

[0154]

[0125] The present disclosure may be applied to any of a licensed band and an unlicensed band.

[0155] Communication

[0156]

[0126] The present disclosure may be applied to any of communication between a base station and a terminal (Uu-link communication), communication between a terminal and a terminal (Sidelink communication), and Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication. The channels in the present disclosure may be replaced with PSCCH, PSSCH, Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH), PSBCH, PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PBCH.

[0157]

[0127] In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to any of a terrestrial network or a network other than a terrestrial network (NTN: Non -Terrestrial Network) using a satellite or a High Altitude Pseudo Satellite (HAPS). In addition, the present disclosure may be applied to a network having a large cell size, and a terrestrial network with a large delay compared with a symbol length or a slot length, such as an ultra-wideband transmission network.

[0158] Antenna Ports

[0159]

[0128] An antenna port refers to a logical antenna (antenna group) formed of one or more physical antenna(s). That is, the antenna port does not necessarily refer to one physical antenna and sometimes refers to an array antenna formed of multiple antennas or the like. For example, it is not defined how many physical antennas form the antenna port, and instead, the antenna port is defined as the minimum unit through which a terminal is allowed to transmit a reference signal. The antenna port may also be defined as the minimum unit for multiplication of a precoding vector weighting.

[0160]

[0129] The present disclosure can be realized by software, hardware, or software in cooperation with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be partly or entirely realized by an LSI such as an integrated circuit, and each process described in each embodiment may be controlled partly or entirely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be individually formed as chips, or one chip may be formed so as to include a part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include a data input and output coupled thereto The LSI here may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on a difference in the degree of integration. However, the technique of implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realized by using a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a special-purpose processor. In addition, a FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after the manufacture of the LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connections and the settings of circuit cells disposed inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analogue processing. If future integrated circuit technology replaces LSIs as a result of the advancement of semiconductor technology or other derivative technology, the functional blocks could be integrated using the future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0161]

[0130] The present disclosure can be realized by any kind of apparatus, device or system having a function of communication, which is referred to as a communication apparatus.

[0162] |131| The communication apparatus may comprise a transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The transceiver may comprise and / or function as a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver, as the transmitter and receiver, may include an RF (radio frequency) module including amplifiers, RF modulators / demodulators and the like, and one or more antennas.

[0163]

[0132] Some non-limiting examples of such a communication apparatus include a phone (e.g., cellular (cell) phone, smart phone), a tablet, a personal computer (PC) (e.g., laptop, desktop, netbook), a camera (e.g., digital still / video camera), a digital player (digital audio / video player), a wearable device (e.g., wearable camera, smart watch, tracking device), a game console, a digital book reader, a telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and medicine) device, and a vehicle providing communication functionality (e.g., automotive, airplane, ship), and various combinations thereof.

[0164]

[0133] The communication apparatus is not limited to be portable or movable, and may also include any kind of apparatus, device or system being non-portable or stationary, such as a smart home device (e.g., an appliance, lighting, smart meter, control panel), a vending machine, and any other “things” in a network of an “Internet of Things (IoT)”.

[0165]

[0134] The communication may include exchanging data through, for example, a cellular system, a wireless LAN system, a satellite system, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0166]

[0135] The communication apparatus may comprise a device such as a controller or a sensor which is coupled to a communication device performing a function of communication described in the present disclosure. For example, the communication apparatus may comprise a controller or a sensor that generates control signals or data signals which are used by a communication device performing a communication function of the communication apparatus.

[0167]

[0136] The communication apparatus also may include an infrastructure facility, such as a base station, an access point, and any other apparatus, device or system that communicates with or controls apparatuses such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0168]

[0137] According to the present disclosure, various examples below have been described:

[0169] 1. A communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, performs a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

[0170] 2. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the two or more beams include one or more synchronization signal block-based (SSB-based) beams and / or one or more channel state information-based (CSI-based) beams.

[0171] 3. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a single panel user equipment (SP UE) comprising a receive (Rx) filter, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from the Rx filter.

[0172] 4. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a multiple panel user equipment (MP UE) comprising a plurality of receive (Rx) filters, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters of the plurality of Rx filters.

[0173] 5. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a multiple panel user equipment (MP UE) comprising a plurality of receive (Rx) filters, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters and one or more deactivated Rx filters of the plurality of Rx filters. 6. The communication apparatus of example 5, wherein the circuitry is configured to indicate, in a result obtained from a deactivated Rx filter, that no measurement is obtainable and distinguished with remaining results of the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters.

[0174] 7. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the plurality of results in one or more reports.

[0175] 8. The communication apparatus of example 7, wherein the one or more reports are explicitly defined by a network associated with the communication apparatus.

[0176] 9 The communication apparatus of example 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a payload size respectively defined for each report.

[0177] 10. The communication apparatus of example 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a capability of the communication apparatus, the capability being reported in a capability report.

[0178] 11 The communication apparatus of example 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports by physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) based on one or more activated transmit (Tx) filters of the communication apparatus.

[0179] 12. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the plurality of results include Ll-reference signal received power (Ll-RSRPs), beam-identifiers (beam-IDs), synchronization signal block resource indicators (SSBRIs), and / or channel state information reference signal resource indicators (CRIs).

[0180] 13. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the plurality of results for one or more subsets of the two or more beams that are periodically, semi-persistently, or dynamically configured and / or activated. 14 The communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of results based on a latency requirement of an artificial intelligence (Al) (or a machine learning (ML)) training model, inference model or monitoring model.

[0181] 15 The communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of results based on a capability of the communication apparatus, the capability being reported in a capability report.

[0182] 16. The communication apparatus of example 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of results based on spatial information or mobility information relating to the communication apparatus.

[0183] 17. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the plurality of results are categorized according to each Rx filter or panel of the communication apparatus.

[0184] 18. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the circuitry is configured to predict one or more top-0 failed beams based on the plurality of measurements, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more top- failed beams.

[0185] 19. The communication apparatus of example 1, where the circuitry is further configured to predict one or more top-.V beams based on the plurality of measurements, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more top-.V beams.

[0186] 20 The communication apparatus of example 4 or example 5, wherein the circuitry is further configured to predict one or more top-.V beams per Rx filter based on the plurality of measurements, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more topW beams per Rx filter.

[0187] 21. The communication apparatus of example 1, wherein the communication apparatus comprises a plurality of panels and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from the plurality of panels, and the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of results in one report.

[0188] 22. A base station comprising: a transmitter, which in operation, transmits to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; a receiver, which in operation, receives a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and circuitry, which in operation, predicts one or more top-.V beams based on the plurality of results.

[0189] 23. The base station of example 22, where the circuitry predicts one or more top- / V beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements

[0190] 24. The base station of example 22, where the circuitry predicts one or more top-(? failed beams based on the plurality of measurements.

[0191] 25 The base station of example 22, where the circuitry predicts one or more top- / / failed beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements.

[0192] 26. A communication method implemented by a communication apparatus, the method comprising: performing a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

[0193] 27. A communication method implemented by a base station, the method comprising: transmitting to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; receiving a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and predicting one or more top-.V beams based on the plurality of results.

[0194]

[0138] It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and / or modifications may be made to the present disclosure as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects illustrative and not restrictive.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A communication apparatus comprising: circuitry, which in operation, performs a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and a transmitter, which in operation, transmits a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

2. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the two or more beams include one or more synchronization signal block-based (SSB-based) beams and / or one or more channel state information-based (CSI-based) beams.

3. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a single panel user equipment (SP UE) comprising a receive (Rx) filter, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from the Rx filter.

4. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a multiple panel user equipment (MP UE) comprising a plurality of receive (Rx) filters, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters of the plurality of Rx filters.

5. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the communication apparatus is a multiple panel user equipment (MP UE) comprising a plurality of receive (Rx) filters, and the circuitry is configured to obtain the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters and one or more deactivated Rx filters of the plurality of Rx filters.

6. The communication apparatus of claim 5, wherein the circuitry is configured to indicate, in a result obtained from a deactivated Rx filter, that no measurement is obtainable and distinguished with remaining results of the plurality of results from one or more activated Rx filters.

7. The communication apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the plurality of results in one or more reports.

8. The communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the one or more reports are explicitly defined by a network associated with the communication apparatus.

9. The communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a payload size respectively defined for each report.

10. The communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports based on a capability of the communication apparatus, the capability being reported in a capability report.

11. The communication apparatus of claim 7, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the one or more reports by physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) or physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) based on one or more activated transmit (Tx) filters of the communication apparatus.

12. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of results include Ll-reference signal received power (Ll-RSRPs), beam-identifiers (beam-IDs), synchronization signal block resource indicators (SSBRIs), and / or channel state information reference signal resource indicators (CRTs).

13. The communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the transmitter is further configured to transmit the plurality of results for one or more subsets of the two or more beams that are periodically, semi-persistently, or dynamically configured and / or activated.

14. The communication apparatus of claim 13, wherein the circuitry is configured to perform the plurality of measurements and the transmitter is configured to transmit the plurality of results based on a latency requirement of an artificial intelligence (Al) (or a machine learning (ML)) training model, inference model or monitoring model.

15. A base station comprising:a transmitter, which in operation, transmits to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; a receiver, which in operation, receives a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and circuitry, which in operation, predicts one or more top-A' beams based on the plurality of results.

16. The base station of claim 15, where the circuitry predicts one or more top-A' beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements.

17. The base station of claim 15, where the circuitry predicts one or more top- failed beams based on the plurality of measurements.

18. The base station of claim 15, where the circuitry predicts one or more top- failed beams per Rx filter of the communication apparatus based on the plurality of measurements.

19. A communication method implemented by a communication apparatus, the method comprising: performing a plurality of measurements of two or more beams indicated in a measurement configuration, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; and transmitting a plurality of results based on the plurality of measurements.

20. A communication method implemented by a base station, the method comprising: transmitting to a communication apparatus a measurement configuration relating to a plurality of measurements of two or more beams, the two or more beams being used for a downlink (DL) transmission (Tx) beam measurement and / or a DL Tx beam prediction; receiving a plurality of results based on the measurement configuration; and predicting one or more top-A' beams based on the plurality of results.

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