Beam management and beam reporting

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beam management and beam reporting. A method may include receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam. The method may also include transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report may be triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include receiving a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the method may include switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

Description

TITLE:BEAM MANAGEMENT AND BEAM REPORTINGFIELD:

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or fifth generation (5G) new radio (NR) access technology, or 5G beyond, or sixth generation (6G) access technology, or other communications systems. For example, certain example embodiments may relate to apparatuses, systems, and / or methods for beam management and beam reporting.BACKGROUND:

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunication systems may include the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), LTE- Advanced (LTE- A), MulteFire, LTE- A Pro, fifth generation (5G) radio access technology or new radio (NR) access technology and / or sixth generation (6G) radio access technology. Fifth generation (5G) and sixth generation (6G) wireless systems refer to the next generation (NG) of radio systems and network architecture. 5G network technology is mostly based on new radio (NR) technology, but the 5G network can also build on E-UTRAN radio. It is estimated that NR may provide bitrates on the order of 10-20 Gbit / s or higher, and may support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low- latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to deliver extreme broadband and ultra-robust, low-latency connectivity and massive networking to support the Internet of Things (loT).SUMMARY:

[0003] Some example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include receiving a request from the network element based onthe report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the method may include switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0004] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the apparatus at least to receive, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus is also caused to transmit a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus is further caused to receive a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the apparatus may be caused to switch from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0005] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may further include means for transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may also include means for receiving a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the apparatus may include means for switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0006] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include receiving a request from thenetwork element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the method may include switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0007] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include receiving a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the method may include switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0008] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to receive, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to transmit a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to receive a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam In addition, the apparatus may include circuitry configured to switch from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0009] Further example embodiments may be directed to a method. The method may include configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0010] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to configure a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also be caused to receive a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may further be caused to instruct the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0011] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus. The apparatus may include means for configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also include means for receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may further include means for instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0012] In accordance with other example embodiments, a non-transitory computer readable medium may be encoded with instructions that may, when executed in hardware, perform a method. The method may include configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0013] Other example embodiments may be directed to a computer program product that performs a method. The method may include configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receivingor transmitting on. The method may also include receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0014] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to configure a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also include circuitry configured to receive a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may further include circuitry configured to instruct the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:

[0015] For proper understanding of example embodiments, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of beam management procedures.

[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal flow diagram, according to certain example embodiments.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates an example of another method, according to certain example embodiments.

[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of apparatuses, according to certain example embodiments.DETAILED DESCRIPTION:

[0010] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments, as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein, may be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. The following is a detailed description of some example embodiments of systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for beam management and beam reporting.

[0021] The features, structures, or characteristics of example embodiments described throughoutthis specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the usage of the phrases “certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification refers to the fact that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in certain embodiments,” “an example embodiment,” “in some embodiments,” “in other embodiments,” or other similar language, throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. Further, the terms “base station”, “cell”, “node”, “gNB”, “network” or other similar language throughout this specification may be used interchangeably.

[0022] As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or,” mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0023] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of beam management (BM) procedures. As illustrated in FIG. 1, Pl, P2, and P3 of the BM procedures may be supported within one or multiple transmission reception points (TRPs) of a serving cell. When Pl is used, user equipment (UE) measurements may be enabled on different TRP Tx beams to support a selection of TRP Tx beams / UE Rx beam(s). In Pl, for beamforming at a TRP, the UE may perform an intra / inter-TRP Tx beam sweep or scan from a set of different beams to determine which panel or UE array has the best / highest reference signal received power (RSRP). For beamforming at the UE, a UE Rx beam sweep may be included from a set of different beams. The UE may scan its antennas / panels sequentially for each synchronization signal (SS) burst, and average over, for example, 3 samples.

[0024] In FIG. 1 , when P2 is used, the UE may be enabled to perform measurement on different TRP Tx beams to change the inter / intra-TRP Tx beam(s). In P2, the beams may be a smaller set of beams for beam refinement than the beams in Pl. Additionally, P2 may use narrow channel state information (CSI) beams compared to synchronization signal block (SSB) beams.

[0025] In FIG. 1 , when P3 is used, the UE may be enabled to perform measurement on the same TRP Tx beam to change the UE Rx beam when the UE uses beamforming (e.g., mmW arrays on UEs for FR2 operation). In some cases, P3 may use aperiodic channel state information reference signal (A-CSI-RS) with a “repetition” flag in the “on” state. With the repetition flag on, the samebeam is repeated from the network side to enable the UE to refine its Rx beam.

[0026] In view of the beam management procedures described above, it may be desirable for the UE to benefit from initiating beam management (UEIBM) reporting and / or beam switch. In the UE-initiated transmission configuration information (TCI) state / beam reporting / switch feature, the UE may be configured with at least one event / condition, and the UE may start TCI-state / beam reporting / switch if the at least one event / condition occurs or is satisfied. In doing so, it may be possible to facilitate UE-initiated / event-driven beam management to reduce overhead and / or latency. As such, certain example embodiments may provide a way to define the content of the UEIBM report for maximum flexibility, minimum complexity, and maximum usefulness of the report.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an example signal flow diagram between a UE 200 and a gNB 205, according to certain example embodiments. As illustrated in FIG. 2, at 210, the gNB 205 configures the UE 200 with an event triggering UEIBM (e.g., Event-2). For instance, in some example embodiments, the UE 200 may be configured to report a current beam (e.g., a beam on which the UE 200 is receiving or scheduled; a serving beam that serves the UE 200) based on a criteria related to a latest or a current beam report (e.g., in a periodic CSI report or if included in a latest UEIBM report). According to certain example embodiments, the criteria may be defined as a certain time span (e.g., in ms, number of slots, subframes, or frames) between the latest CSI report including a current beam measurement (e.g., Ll-RSRP), and the UEIBM report is below a predetermined value where the value may be representative of a certain time (e.g., in ms), number of slots, number of subframes, or number of frames. When the time span between the latest CSI reporting and the UEIBM report is below the predetermined value, the UEIBM may not include the measurement of the current beam. Otherwise, the current beam measurement may be included in the UEIBM. According to other example embodiments, the value may be configurable and indicated to the UE 200 by the network 205.

[0028] In addition to the configuration the UE 200 receives from the gNB 205, the UE 200 may also receive from the gNB 205, an indication of whether the current beam is reported along with the new beam(s). The indication may be dynamic and may be controlled by radio resource control (RRC) in the UEIBM configuration, or by lower layers (e.g., medium access control (MAC) or downlink control information (DCI)).

[0029] In some example embodiments, if at the time instant of the measurement of the new beamfor the UEIBM report, the measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold from the latest reported measurement of the current beam, then the UEIBM report may not include the measurement of the current beam. Otherwise, the current beam measurement may be included in the UEIBM. In certain example embodiments, the value (e.g., threshold) may be configurable and indicated by the network to the UE 200. Alternatively or additionally, the value may be fixed and agreed upon between the UE 200 and the network 205. In some example embodiments, the threshold may represent a dB value in Ll-RSRP. For example, the threshold may be a gap / difference between the RSRP of a measured current beam at one instance in time and the RSRP of the current beam measured for the last report. In other example embodiments, the threshold may be, for example, 1, 2, or 3 dB. In further example embodiments, the threshold may be 6, 9, or 12 dB. However, the threshold is not limited to these example embodiments, and the value of the threshold may be values other than 1, 2, 3, 6, 9, or 12 dB.

[0030] In some example embodiments, the UE 200 may be configured to transmit a report to the network 205 of the current beam based on a highest criteria related to the highest (e.g., the highest of previous reports; highest RSRP / signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR)) measured reported value (e.g., RSRP) of the current beam. In some example embodiments, when the current beam RSRP is within an X dB range (e.g., 1, 2, or 3 dB, or 6, 9, or 12 dB) with the highest measured value / reported beam, the current beam is reported to the network. For example, accurate current beam measurement may be useful to the network for deciding beam switch to a new beam (e.g., in a loaded use case). Thus, according to certain example embodiments, if the current beam RSRP is not within the X dB range with the highest measured value / reported beam, the serving beam is not reported to the network.

[0031] On the other hand, in another example embodiment, when the current beam RSRP is within an X dB range with the highest measured value / reported beam, the current beam is not reported to the network. For example, when the X dB range is small enough (e.g., 1 dB), variations of the current beam report within this interval would not affect the gNB decisions. As such, no extra report for the current beam is needed. If, however, the current beam RSRP is not within the X dB range with the highest measured value / reported beam, the serving beam is reported.

[0032] In other example embodiments, when the current beam RSRP is above a certain dB threshold, the current beam is reported to the network. For instance, in some example embodiments, when the current beam RSRP is below a certain dB threshold, the serving beam isreported to the network. Additionally, when the UE determines that a number of beams (N) satisfy the event reporting criteria, the serving beam is not reported to the network. In other example embodiments, when the UE determines that less than N beams satisfy the event reporting criteria, the serving beam is optionally reported to the network. In further example embodiments, when the UE determines that N beams satisfy the event reporting criteria, the UE reports N-l beams satisfying the reporting criteria and the current beam. In some example embodiments, the reporting of the beam may correspond to reporting at least one of: a synchronization signal block resource indicator (SSBRI) / CSI resource indicator (CRI); any indicator or ID identifying the reported DL RS (e.g., TCI state ID, QCL Type D relation); Ll-RSRP of the SSBRI / CRI; Ll-SINR of the SSBRI / CRI; or SSBRI / CRI and corresponding Ll-RSRP (or Ll-SINR or rank indicator (RD).

[0033] Returning to FIG. 2, at 215, the gNB 205 assesses supported complexity (e.g., memory of a previous report), channel variability (e.g., from previous reports), and available resources (e.g., load) of the gNB 205. In some example embodiments, assessing supported complexity may include determining a level of sophistication of software implementation at the gNB. For example, whether there is a functionality to keep in memory, the previous report for comparison, or the N previous reports, or to only use the reports if they have been measured in the last Y slots and otherwise discard them. In some example embodiments, the algorithms may support interpolation, previous reports, or some AI / ML functionalities to increase accuracy. In other example embodiments, if the gNB 205 has complex / sophisticated algorithms regarding previous current beam reports, then the UE 200 may not need to report the current beam with the new beam in the UEIBM report.

[0034] As to the channel variability, if the gNB 205 can store in its memory N previous reports, the gNB 205 may be able to calculate the variations in Ll-RSRP reported values. In other example embodiments, if the Ll-RSRP values vary significantly in a short time period (e.g., over x samples (e.g., 5 last samples) or over a time duration (e.g., y ms, z frames, or w slots, such as, for example, y=100 ms or z=10 frames), then the channel may be very dynamic. In some example embodiments, if the last N reported Ll-RSRP values are similar (e.g., within 3 dB), then the channel may be considered as static.

[0035] At 220, the gNB 205 configures the UE 200 with UEIBM. The gNB 205 also identifies to the UE, N beams that are to be reported, whether N includes the current beam, and whether M(e.g., a subset of beams or a number of beams equal to N) new beams satisfy a condition (e.g., Ll-RSRP (new beam) > 3 dB + Ll-RSRP (current beam)) of a triggering event for UEIBM. According to certain example embodiments, the condition may include, but not limited to, at least one of: a time from a previous CSI report of the current beam / TCI state is greater than a threshold (e.g., time (e.g., ms / slot), subframe, or frame); the quality of the current beam TCI is within a margin compared to a quality of the best new beam / TCI in the report; the quality of the current beam TCI is outside of a margin compared to a quality of the best new beam / TCI in the report; the quality of the current beam TCI is equal to or greater than a threshold (e.g., reference signal received quality (RSRQ) values (e.g., -19 dBm to -3 dBm)); the quality of the current beam TCI is equal to or less than a threshold (e.g., RSRQ values (e.g., -19 dBm to -3 dBm)); less than N beams / TCI states become a threshold value better than the current beam / TCI state (e.g., Ll-RSRP value of the new beam is x dB better than Ll-RSRP value of the current beam; Ll-RSRP (new beam) > 3 dB + Ll-RSRP (current beam)); or N beams / TCI states become a threshold value better than the current beam / TCI state. When N beams / TCI states become a threshold (e.g., dB value of RSRP, SINR, or RSRQ) value better than the current beam / TCI state, one of the new N beams / TCI states is not reported, and N is a positive integer number.

[0036] In some example embodiments, when the UE 200 is configured by the gNB 205 with UEIBM, the UE 200 may receive from the gNB 205 the indication of whether the N reported beams in UEIBM satisfy the condition(s) for the triggering event, or whether a subset of the reported beams satisfy the condition(s) for the triggering event. In certain example embodiments, the condition may be specific to one event or may be applicable to multiple events. The event in some example embodiments may refer to an Event-2 where the quality of at least one new beam (e.g., Ll-RSRP) becomes a threshold value better than the current beam. Other events may include, but not limited to, for example, when the quality of the current beam is worse than a certain threshold, when the quality of a new beam is better than a certain threshold, when the quality of the current beam is worse than a threshold 1 , and the quality of at least one new beam is better than a threshold 2, and when an absolute value of the difference between the quality of the current beam and the quality of at least one new beam is lower than a threshold. In some example embodiments, the indication may be dynamic and may be controlled by RRC in the UEIBM configuration, or controlled by lower layers (e.g., MAC or DCI). In some example embodiments, the subset of the reported beams may be fixed (e.g., N-l) if the current beam is not reported, or N-2 if the current beam is reported. In other example embodiments, the subset of the reported beams may be dynamically configured explicitly. For example, a minimum of 1 new beam of the report may fulfill condition(s) for the triggering event.

[0037] At 225, the gNB 205 transmits a DL RS (e.g., CSI-RS or SSB) to the UE 200. At 230, the UE 200 determines that the event (e.g., N beam(s) satisfying the condition of Event-2) is triggered. For example, the event may be triggered when new preferred beam(s) is a threshold value (e.g., 3, 6, or 9 dB difference in the RSRP between the current beam and the new beam) better than a current beam (e.g., the RSRP value is higher; the measurement of DL RS of the new beam gives an Ll-RSRP value that is x dB higher than the Ll-RSRP value of the current beam). At 235, the UE 200 selects the preferred beam(s) to for reporting the in UEIBM. In certain example embodiments, the selection at 235 may depend on the UEIBM configuration for N and M beams. At 240, the UE 200 transmits a UEIBM report to the gNB 205 based on the configuration of N and M beams. In certain example embodiments, the UEIBM report may include the current beam in the reported N beams, and may include M new beam(s) that satisfy the event triggering condition.

[0038] At 245, the gNB 205 determines beam switching from the current beam to a new UE preferred beam. At 250, the gNB 205 instructs the UE 200 to switch from the current beam to a new beam which the UE 200 prefers. At 255, the UE 200 receives PDCCH and PDSCH via the new beam, and transmits PUCCH and PUSCH on the new beam.

[0039] FIG. 3 illustrates an example flow diagram of a method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 3 may be performed by a UE similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG. 5. The method of FIG. 3 is not limited to the order or the steps as illustrated, and may include less or additional steps described herein.

[0040] According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 3 may include, at 300, receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. In some example embodiments, the new beam may be identified by a TCI state ID, SSBRI, CRI, or DL RS. The method may also include, at 305, transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. In some example embodiments, the report (e.g., UEIBM report) may be transmitted on the current beam and may include a new beam ID, and Ll-RSRP. In other exampleembodiments, configuration for the condition of the triggering event may also be included in the configuration (e.g., UEIBM configuration) that is received by the UE. The method may further include, at 310, receiving a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition the method may include, at 315, switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0041] According to certain example embodiments, the condition may include at least one of a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

[0042] In some example embodiments, the current beam may be reported based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report. In other example embodiments, when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam. In further example embodiments, the method may also include reporting the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

[0043] According to certain example embodiments, the method may also include omitting a measurement of the current beam from the report when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold amount from a latest reported measurement of the current beam. According to some example embodiments, the method may further include reporting the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold. According to other example embodiments, the method may also include reporting the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is below a predefined dB threshold. According to further example embodiments, the method may also include inhibiting reporting of the current beam when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

[0044] In certain example embodiments, the method may also include reporting the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria. In some exampleembodiments, when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the method may further include reporting a first beam that satisfies a reporting criteria, and reporting the current beam.

[0045] FIG. 4 illustrates an example flow diagram of another method, according to certain example embodiments. In an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by a network entity, or a group of multiple network elements in a 3GPP system, such as LTE or 5G- NR. For instance, in an example embodiment, the method of FIG. 4 may be performed by a gNB or network, similar to one of apparatuses 10 or 20 illustrated in FIG 5. The method of FIG. 4 is not limited to the order or the steps as illustrated, and may include less or additional steps described herein.

[0046] According to certain example embodiments, the method of FIG. 4 may include, at 400, configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The method may also include, at 405, receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report may be triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The method may further include, at 410, instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0047] According to certain example embodiments, the condition may include at least one of may include at least one of a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

[0048] According to certain example embodiments, the report of the current beam may be based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report. According to other example embodiments, when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report may exclude a measurement of the current beam. According to furtherexample embodiments, the method may also include receiving the report of the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

[0049] In certain example embodiments, when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold from a latest reported measurement of the current beam, the measurement of the current beam may be omitted. In some example embodiments, the method may also include receiving the report of the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold. In other example embodiments, when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the current beam may not be received. In further example embodiments, the method may also include receiving a report of the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria. In some example embodiments, when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the method may also include receiving a report of a first beam is received that satisfies a reporting criteria, and receiving the report of the current beam.

[0050] FIG. 5 illustrates a set of apparatuses 10 and 20 according to certain example embodiments. In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be elements in a communications network or associated with such a network. For example, apparatus 10 may be a UE or other similar radio communication computer device, and apparatus 20 may be a network (i.e., gNB).

[0051] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage medium (for example, memory, storage, or the like), one or more radio access components (for example, a modem, a transceiver, or the like), and / or a user interface. In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies, such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio access technologies. It should be noted that one of ordinary skill in the art would understand that apparatuses 10 and 20 may include components or features not shown in FIG. 5.

[0052] As illustrated in the example of FIG. 5, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include or be coupled to a processors 12 and 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processors 12 and 22 may be any type of general or specific purpose processor. In fact, processors 12 and 22 may include one or more of general-purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, DSPs, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), application-specific integratedcircuits (ASICs), and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as examples. While a single processors 12 and 22 is shown in FIG. 5, multiple processors may be utilized according to other example embodiments. For example, it should be understood that, in certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may include two or more processors that may form a multiprocessor system (e.g., in this case processors 12 may represent a multiprocessor) that may support multiprocessing. According to certain example embodiments, the multiprocessor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0053] Processors 12 and 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of apparatuses 10 and 20 including, as some examples, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming a communication message, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatuses 10 and 20, including processes and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.

[0054] Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to a memories 14 and 24 (internal or external), which may be respectively coupled to processors 12 and 22 for storing information and instructions that may be executed by processors 12 and 22. Memories 14 and 24 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable to the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or nonvolatile data storage technology such as a semiconductor-based memory device, a magnetic memory device and system, an optical memory device and system, fixed memory, and / or removable memory. For example, memories 14 and 24 can be comprised of any combination of random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), static storage such as a magnetic or optical disk, hard disk drive (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory machine or computer readable media. The instructions stored in memories 14 and 24 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by processors 12 and 22, enable the apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform tasks as described herein.

[0055] In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port that is configured to accept and read an external computer readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, USB drive, flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer readable storage medium may store a computer program or software for execution by processors 12 and 22 and / or apparatuses 10 and 20 to perform any of the methods and examples illustrated in FIGs. 1-4.

[0056] In some example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may also include or be coupled toone or more antennas 15 and 25 for receiving a downlink signal and for transmitting via an UL from apparatuses 10 and 20. Apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a transceivers 18 and 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceivers 18 and 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antennas 15 and 25. The radio interface may correspond to a plurality of radio access technologies including one or more of GSM, LTE, LTE- A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, and the like. The radio interface may include other components, such as filters, converters (for example, digital-to-analog converters and the like), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) module, and the like, to process symbols, such as OFDMA symbols, carried by a downlink or an UL.

[0057] For instance, transceivers 18 and 28 may be configured to modulate information on to a carrier waveform for transmission by the antennas 15 and 25 and demodulate information received via the antenna 15 and 25 for further processing by other elements of apparatuses 10 and 20. In other example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be capable of transmitting and receiving signals or data directly. Additionally or alternatively, in some example embodiments, apparatus 10 may include an input and / or output device (I / O device). In certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or touchscreen.

[0058] In certain example embodiments, memories 14 and 24 store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processors 12 and 22. The modules may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as an application or program, to provide additional functionality for apparatuses 10 and 20. The components of apparatuses 10 and 20 may be implemented in hardware, or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to certain example embodiments, apparatuses 10 and 20 may optionally be configured to communicate each other (in any combination) via a wireless or wired communication links 70 according to any radio access technology, such as NR.

[0059] According to certain example embodiments, processors 12 and 22 and memories 14 and 24 may be included in or may form a part of processing circuitry or control circuitry. In addition, in some example embodiments, transceivers 18 and 28 may be included in or may form a part of transceiving circuitry.

[0060] For instance, in certain example embodiments, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to receive, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. Apparatus 10 may also be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to transmit a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. Apparatus 10 may further be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to receive a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, apparatus 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to switch from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0061] In other example embodiments, apparatus 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to configure a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. Apparatus 20 may also be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to receive a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. Apparatus 20 may further be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to instruct the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

[0062] In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 and / or apparatus 20) may include means for performing a method, a process, or any of the variants discussed herein. Examples of the means may include one or more processors, memory, controllers, transmitters, receivers, and / or computer program code for causing the performance of the operations.

[0063] Certain example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also include means for transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggeringevent. The apparatus may further include means for receiving a request from the network element based on the report to switch from the current beam to the new beam. In addition, the apparatus may include means for switching from the current beam to the new beam in response to the request.

[0064] Other example embodiments may be directed to an apparatus that includes means for performing any of the methods described herein including, for example, means for configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on. The apparatus may also include means for receiving a report on a the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event. The apparatus may further include means for instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report .

[0065] Certain example embodiments described herein provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages. For instance, in some example embodiments, it may be possible to optimize BM resources and extend the applicability of UEIBM to more resource configurations. In other example embodiments, UEIBM compared to legacy BM enables improved UL resource allocation, and reduces latency overhead for beam switching. UEIBM may also trigger beam reports when they are most needed (e.g., when the new beam satisfies the condition configured by the network), and ensures that the UE is scheduled on the best beam to optimize DL / UL throughput and avoid beam failures. In further example embodiments, by including the current beam in the UEIBM report, it may be possible to reduce complexity in the implementation of the gNB, and improve reliability of the reported values. If the gNB has a sophisticated implementation and does not need to have the current beam report, being able to configure the UE to skip the current beam report may enable lighter reporting and smaller resource allocation.

[0066] A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components which, when the program is run, are configured to carry out some example embodiments. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or portions of it. Modifications and configurations required for implementing functionality of certain example embodiments may be performed as routine(s), which may be implemented as added or updated software routine(s). Software routine(s) may be downloaded into the apparatus.

[0067] As an example, software or a computer program code or portions of it may be in a sourcecode 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 may 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. The computer readable medium or computer readable storage medium may be a non-transitory medium.

[0068] In other example embodiments, the functionality may be performed by hardware or circuitry included in an apparatus (e.g., apparatus 10 or apparatus 20), for example through the use of an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable gate array (PGA), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another example embodiment, the functionality may be implemented as a signal, a non-tangible means that can be carried by an electromagnetic signal downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0069] According to certain example embodiments, an apparatus, such as a node, device, or a corresponding component, may be configured as circuitry, a computer or a microprocessor, such as single-chip computer element, or as a chipset, including at least a memory for providing storage capacity used for arithmetic operation and an operation processor for executing the arithmetic operation.

[0070] One having ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the disclosure as discussed above may be practiced with procedures in a different order, and / or with hardware elements in configurations which are different than those which are disclosed. Therefore, although the disclosure has been described based upon these example embodiments, it would be apparent to those of skill in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative constructions would be apparent, while remaining within the spirit and scope of example embodiments. Although the above embodiments refer to 5G NR and LTE technology, the above embodiments may also apply to any other present or future 3GPP technology, such as LTE-advanced, and / or fourth generation (4G) technology.

[0071] Partial Glossary:

[0072] 3 GPP 3rd Generation Partnership Project

[0073] 5G 5th Generation

[0074] 5GCN 5G Core Network

[0075] 5GS 5G System

[0076] BM Beam Management

[0077] BS Base Station

[0078] CSI Channel State Information

[0079] CRI CSI Resource Indicator

[0080] DCI Donwlink Control Indication

[0081] DL Downlink

[0082] eNB Enhanced Node B

[0083] E-UTRAN Evolved UTRAN

[0084] FR Frequency Range

[0085] gNB 5G or Next Generation NodeB

[0086] IE Information Element

[0087] KPI Key Performance Indicator

[0088] LI Layer 1

[0089] LTE Long Term Evolution

[0090] MAC CE Medium Access Control Control

[0091] MIMO Multiple Input Multiple Output

[0092] MUSIM Multi-USIM

[0093] M-TRP Multiple TRP

[0094] NR New Radio

[0095] NZP Non-Zero-Power

[0096] PDCCH Physical DL Control Channel

[0097] PDSCH Physical DL Shared Channel

[0098] PUCCH Physical UL Control Channel

[0099] PUSCH Physical UL Shared Channel

[0100] QCL Quasi Co Location

[0101] RA Random Access

[0102] RRC Radio Resource Control

[0103] RS Reference Signal

[0104] RSRP RS Received Power

[0105] SINR Signal to Interference Plus Noise Ratio

[0106] SR Scheduling Request

[0107] SRS Sounding Reference Signal

[0108] SSB Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block

[0109] SSBRI SSB Resource Indicator

[0110] S-TRP Single TRP

[0111] TCI Transmission Configuration Indication

[0112] TRP Transmission Reception Point

[0113] UCI Uplink Control Information

[0114] UE User Equipment

[0115] UEIBM UE-Initiated Beam Management

[0116] UL Uplink

[0117] USIM Universal Subscriber Identity Module

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on October 9, 2025 (09.10.2025)WE CLAIM:

1. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on; transmit a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and report the current beam when a differential reference signal received power of the current beam is below or equal to a predefined dB threshold.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than thecurrent beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

3. The apparatus according to claims 1 or 2, wherein the current beam is reported based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

4. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-3, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: report the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

5. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-4, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: omit a measurement of the current beam from the report when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold amount from a latest reported measurement of the current beam.

6. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to:report the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

7. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: inhibit reporting of the current beam when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

8. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: report the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

9. The apparatus according to any of claims 1-8, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: report a first beam that satisfies a reporting criteria; and report the current beam.

10. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: configure a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the userequipment is receiving or transmitting on; receive a report on the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and instruct the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

11. The apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

12. The apparatus according to claims 10 or 11, wherein the report of the current beam is based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predeterminedvalue, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

13. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-12, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive the report of the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

14. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-13, wherein when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold from a latest reported measurement of the current beam, the measurement of the current beam is omitted.

15. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-14, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive the report of the current when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

16. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-15, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive a report of the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is below a predefined dB threshold.

17. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-16, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the current beam is not received.

18. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-17, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive a report of the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

19. The apparatus according to any of claims 10-18, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the apparatus at least to: receive a report of a first beam is received that satisfies a reporting criteria; and receive the report of the current beam.

20. A method, comprising: receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on; transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and reporting the current beam when a differential reference signal received power of the current beam is below or equal to a predefined dB threshold.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the currentbeam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

22. The method according to claims 20 or 21, wherein the current beam is reported based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

23. The method according to any of claims 20-22, further comprising: reporting the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

24. The method according to any of claims 20-23, further comprising: omitting a measurement of the current beam from the report when ameasurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold amount from a latest reported measurement of the current beam.

25. The method according to any of claims 20-24, further comprising: reporting the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

26. The method according to any of claims 20-25, further comprising: inhibiting reporting of the current beam when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

27. The method according to any of claims 20-26, further comprising: reporting the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

28. The method according to any of claims 20-27, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the method further comprises: reporting a first beam that satisfies a reporting criteria; and reporting the current beam.

29. A method, comprising: configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on; receiving a report on the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to thenew beam based on the report.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

31. The method according to claims 29 or 30, wherein the report of the current beam is based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

32. The method according to any of claims 29-31, further comprising: receiving the report of the current beam based on a criteria related to ahighest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

33. The method according to any of claims 29-32, wherein when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold from a latest reported measurement of the current beam, the measurement of the current beam is omitted.

34. The method according to any of claims 29-33, further comprising: receiving the report of the current when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

35. The method according to any of claims 29-34, further comprising: receiving a report of the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is below a predefined dB threshold.

36. The method according to any of claims 29-35, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the current beam is not received.

37. The method according to any of claims 29-36, further comprising: receiving a report of the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

38. The method according to any of claims 29-37, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the further comprises: receiving a report of a first beam is received that satisfies a reporting criteria; and receiving the report of the current beam.

39. An apparatus, comprising: means for receiving, from a network element, a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the apparatus is receiving or transmitting on; means for transmitting a report to the network element on the current beam, wherein the transmission of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and means for reporting the current beam when a differential reference signal received power of the current beam is below or equal to a predefined dB threshold.

40. The apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality, less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

41. The apparatus according to claims 39 or 40, wherein the current beam is reported based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

42. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-41, further comprising: means for reporting the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

43. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-42, further comprising: means for omitting a measurement of the current beam from the report when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold amount from a latest reported measurement of the current beam.

44. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-43, further comprising: means for reporting the current beam when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

45. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-44, further comprising: means for inhibiting reporting of the current beam when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

46. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-45, further comprising: means for reporting the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

47. The apparatus according to any of claims 39-46, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the apparatus further comprises: means for reporting a first beam that satisfies a reporting criteria; and means for reporting the current beam.

48. An apparatus, comprising: means for configuring a user equipment with a configuration to report at least a new beam, wherein the configuration identifies a number of beams to be reported and whether the number of beams includes a current beam on which the user equipment is receiving or transmitting on; means for receiving a report on the current beam of the user equipment, wherein reception of the report is triggered by whether the new beam satisfies a condition of a triggering event; and means for instructing the user equipment to switch from the current beam to the new beam based on the report.

49. The apparatus according to claim 48, wherein the condition comprises at least one of the following: a time of a previous channel state information report of the current beam is greater than a threshold time, a quality of the current beam is within a predefined margin compared to a quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is outside a predefined margin compared to the quality of the new beam in the report, a quality of the current beam is equal to or greater than a threshold quality, a quality of the current beam is equal to or less than the threshold quality,less than the number of beams become a threshold value better than the current beam, or the number of beams become the threshold value better than the current beam.

50. The apparatus according to claims 48 or 49, wherein the report of the current beam is based on a criteria related to a latest current beam report, and wherein when a time span between the latest current beam report and a user equipment initiated beam management report is below a predetermined value, the user equipment initiated beam management report excludes a measurement of the current beam.

51. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-50, further comprising: means for receiving the report of the current beam based on a criteria related to a highest measured reported value of the current beam out of a plurality of measured reported values.

52. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-51, wherein when a measurement of the current beam does not differ by more than a threshold from a latest reported measurement of the current beam, the measurement of the current beam is omitted.

53. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-52, further comprising: means for receiving the report of the current when a reference signal received power of the current beam is above a predefined dB threshold.

54. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-53, further comprising: means for receiving a report of the current beam when a referencesignal received power of the current beam is below a predefined dB threshold.

55. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-54, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the current beam is not received.

56. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-55, further comprising: means for receiving a report of the current beam when less than the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria.

57. The apparatus according to any of claims 48-56, wherein when the number of beams satisfy an event reporting criteria, the apparatus further comprises: means for receiving a report of a first beam is received that satisfies a reporting criteria; and means for receiving the report of the current beam.

58. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing the method according to any of claims 20-38.

59. An apparatus comprising circuitry configured to cause the apparatus to perform the process according to any of claims 20-38.

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