Method and apparatus for signaling path loss information

Abstract

A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for signaling path- loss information to a mobile device. A method includes receiving at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE, where the purpose of the at least one MAC CE includes the at least one MAC CE providing: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determining, based on the information, the path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determining a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path-loss information.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SIGNALING PATH LOSS INFORMATION RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority to FI Application No.20245832 filed June 28, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0002] A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for signaling path-loss information to a mobile device, and more particularly, to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for communicating path-loss information using a MAC Control Element. BACKGROUND

[0003] Network communication relies upon transmission and reception of signals among network nodes and user devices. This communication is complex and communication sessions for a user device can move among a plurality of nodes based on movement of the device and / or based on various other factors, such as bandwidth at a specific node. Communication with a mobile device with different nodes benefits from an understanding of a respective node. For example, a direction of the node relative to the mobile device can be beneficial for beamformed communications. A distance between a node and a mobile device is beneficial for determining how much transmission power a signal should be sent with.

[0004] Determining a transmission power level for a signal is challenging as there are numerous factors that impact the level of power required for proper signal transmission to a given node. An incorrect transmission power level can result in signal noise and signal interference, and result in a poor communication session or dropped sessions. To help determine a proper transmission power level, an understanding of path-loss or the reduction in power density of an electromagnetic wave as it travels from a network device and a network node.

[0005] Establishing power levels for transmission of a signal can be performed using open-loop power control where a device estimates a path-loss for transmission of uplink signals based on measurements of the downlink signals and sets the transmission power accordingly. Closed-loop power control involves a network explicitly telling a device a transmit power-control command.BRIEF SUMMARY

[0006] A method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for communicating path-loss information at a mobile device, and more particularly, to a method, apparatus, and computer program product for communicating path-loss information using a MAC Control Element. Certain embodiments include an apparatus including at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, that when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determine, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determine a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

[0007] According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE. The at least one indication of some embodiments includes at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

[0008] According to some embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE is independent of a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. The apparatus of some embodiments is further caused to: receive another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to some embodiments, at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE includes the another indication, where the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

[0009] According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI Stateidentification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates, in some embodiments, that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE of some embodiments indicates that the path-loss information includes a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the at least one other MAC CE.

[0010] The information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is, in some embodiments signaled using the sub-header of the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

[0011] According to certain embodiments the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, where at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields. The at least one MAC CE in some embodiments further includes an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0012] According to some embodiments at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, where the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the at least one field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE. The path-loss information of some embodiments includes one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

[0013] Embodiments provided herein include a method including: receiving at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least oneindication indicating: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determining, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determining a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path- loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

[0014] According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE. The at least one indication of some embodiments includes at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

[0015] According to some embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE is independent of a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. The method of some embodiments further includes receiving another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to some embodiments, at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE includes the another indication, where the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

[0016] According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates, in some embodiments, that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE of some embodiments indicates that the path-loss information includes a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the at least one other MAC CE.

[0017] The information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is, in some embodiments signaled using the sub-header of the at least one MAC CE. According to someembodiments in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

[0018] According to certain embodiments the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, where at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields. The at least one MAC CE in some embodiments further includes an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0019] According to some embodiments at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, where the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the at least one field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE. The path-loss information of some embodiments includes one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

[0020] Certain embodiments provided herein include a computer program product including at least one non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer- executable program code portions stored therein, the computer-executable program code portions including program code instructions configured to: receive at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determine, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determine a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path- loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

[0021] According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit orfield of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE. The at least one indication of some embodiments includes at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

[0022] According to some embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE is independent of a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. The computer program product of some embodiments further includes program code instructions to: receive another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to some embodiments, at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE includes the another indication, where the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

[0023] According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates, in some embodiments, that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE of some embodiments indicates that the path-loss information includes a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the at least one other MAC CE.

[0024] The information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is, in some embodiments signaled using the sub-header of the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

[0025] According to certain embodiments the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, where at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields. The at least one MAC CE in some embodiments further includes an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0026] According to some embodiments at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, where the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the at least one field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE. The path-loss information of some embodiments includes one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

[0027] Embodiments provided herein include an apparatus including: means for receiving at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; means for determining, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and means for determining a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

[0028] According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE. The at least one indication of some embodiments includes at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

[0029] According to some embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE is independent of a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. The apparatus of some embodiments further includes means for receiving another indication indicating that at leastone activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path- loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to some embodiments, at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE includes the another indication, where the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

[0030] According to certain embodiments the at least one MAC CE includes at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates, in some embodiments, that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE of some embodiments indicates that the path-loss information includes a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the at least one other MAC CE.

[0031] The information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is, in some embodiments signaled using the sub-header of the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

[0032] According to certain embodiments the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, where at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields. The at least one MAC CE in some embodiments further includes an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0033] According to some embodiments at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, where the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments the at leastone field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE. The path-loss information of some embodiments includes one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

[0034] Embodiments provided herein include an apparatus including: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: transmit at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; and provide, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State, where the path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State enables determination of a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

[0035] The information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is, in some embodiments signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE. According to some embodiments the at least one indication includes at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information. The at least one MAC CE includes a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE.

[0036] According to some embodiments the at least one MAC CE is independent of a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. The apparatus of some embodiments is further caused to: transmit another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE. According to some embodiments at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE includes the another indication, where the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

[0037] The at least one MAC CE of some embodiments includes at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State. According to some embodiments at least one bit of the at least one MAC CEindicates that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information. At least one bit of the at least one MAC CE of some embodiments indicates that the path-loss information comprises a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0038] According to some embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the at least one other MAC CE. According to certain embodiments the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using the sub-header of the at least one MAC CE. According to some embodiments in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

[0039] According to certain embodiments, the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, where at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields. The at least one MAC CE of some embodiments further includes an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

[0040] According to some embodiments at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, where the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE. The at least one field of some embodiments defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE. The path-loss information of some embodiments includes one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path- loss value. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Having thus described certain example embodiments of the present disclosure in general terms, reference will hereinafter be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

[0042] Figure 1 is a diagram of a communication system according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0043] Figure 2 is a block diagram of an apparatus that may be specifically configured in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0044] Figure 3 illustrates an example depiction of a MAC CE for communicating path- loss information in an existing MAC CE according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0045] Figure 4 illustrates another embodiment of a MAC CE encoded to provide path- loss information to a UE device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0046] Figure 5 is a flowchart of a method for communicating path-loss information with a mobile device according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0047] Some embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all, embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, various embodiments of the disclosure may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the example embodiments set forth herein; rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. As used herein, the terms “data,” “content,” “information,” and similar terms may be used interchangeably to refer to data capable of being transmitted, received and / or stored in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. Thus, use of any such terms should not be taken to limit the spirit and scope of example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0048] Additionally, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ refers to (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (e.g., implementations in analog circuitry and / or digital circuitry); (b) combinations of circuits and computer program product(s) comprising software and / or firmware instructions stored on one or more computer readable memories that work together to cause an apparatus to perform one or more functions described herein; and (c) circuits, such as, for example, a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that require software or firmware for operation even if the software or firmware is not physically present. This definition of ‘circuitry’ applies to all uses of this term herein, including in any claims. As a further example, as used herein, the term ‘circuitry’ also includes an implementationcomprising one or more processors and / or portion(s) thereof and accompanying software and / or firmware. As another example, the term ‘circuitry’ as used herein also includes, for example, a baseband integrated circuit or applications processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device (such as a core network apparatus), field programmable gate array, and / or other computing device.

[0049] One example of a communications system 10 in which an example embodiment may be deployed is depicted in Figure 1. The system of Figure 1 may be utilized for a variety of applications. For example, a communications system 10 may include at least one core network 12, at least one base station 14 (e.g., gNB, NodeB, etc.), and / or at least one user device 16 (e.g., user equipment (UE), wireless device, user terminal, terminal device, etc.). While the base station 14 is capable of both uplink and downlink, also shown in Figure 1 are uplink-only node 18 and uplink-only node 19.

[0050] In Figure 1, user equipment (UE) device 16 is configured to be in a wireless connection on one or more communication channels in a cell with an access node (such as a NodeB embodied by base station 14) providing the cell. The physical link from a user device to a NodeB is called the uplink or reverse link and the physical link from the NodeB to the user device is called the downlink or forward link. It should be appreciated that the NodeBs or their functionalities may be implemented by using any node, host, server, or access point (AP), and / or other entity suitable for such a usage.

[0051] A communications system typically comprises more than one NodeB, in which case the NodeBs may also be configured to communicate with one another over links, wired or wireless, designed for the purpose. These links may be used for signaling purposes. The NodeB is a computing device configured to control resources of the communication system to which the NodeB is coupled. The NodeB may also be referred to as a base station, an access point or any other type of interfacing device including a relay station capable of operating in a wireless environment.

[0052] A communications system of example embodiments also employs some reception-only nodes, uplink-only nodes, uplink-only TRP(s) (Transmission Reception Points), etc. for balancing coverage, throughput, and / or load between downlink and uplink communications in a network. Examples of such nodes are uplink-only node 18 and uplink- only node 19.

[0053] The user device illustrates one type of an apparatus or user equipment to which resources on the air interface are allocated and assigned, and thus any feature describedherein with a user device may be implemented with a corresponding apparatus, such as the apparatus of Figure 2.

[0054] The UE device 16 typically refers to a portable computing device that includes wireless mobile communication devices operating with or without a subscriber identification module (SIM), including, but not limited to, the following types of devices: a mobile station (mobile phone), smartphone, personal digital assistant (PDA), handset, device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), laptop and / or touch screen computer, tablet, game console, notebook, and multimedia device. It should be appreciated that a user device may also be a nearly exclusive uplink-only device, of which an example is a camera or video camera loading images or video clips to a network. A user device may also be a device having capability to operate in Internet of Things (IoT) network which is a scenario in which objects are provided with the ability to transfer data over a network without requiring human- to-human or human-to-computer interaction. The user device is configured to perform one or more of user equipment functionalities. The user device may also be called a subscriber unit, mobile station, remote terminal, access terminal, user terminal or user equipment just to mention but a few names or apparatuses.

[0055] Although an example embodiment may be deployed in various types of communications systems, a 5G communications system will be described herein by way of example, but not of limitation, and the method and apparatus of an example embodiment may be utilized in conjunction with other communication systems, such as 5G-Advanced, 6G, and / or the like.5G enables using multiple input – multiple output (MIMO) antennas, many more base stations or nodes than LTE (a so-called small cell concept), including macro sites operating in co-operation with smaller stations and employing a variety of radio technologies depending on service needs, use cases and / or spectrum available.5G mobile communications supports a wide range of use cases and related applications including video streaming, augmented reality, different ways of data sharing and various forms of machine type applications, including vehicular safety, different sensors, and real-time control.5G may have various radio interfaces, namely below 6GHz, cmWave and mmWave, and also being integratable with existing legacy radio access technologies, such as LTE. Integration with LTE may be implemented, at least in the early phase, as a system, where macro coverage is provided by LTE and 5G radio interface access comes from small cells by aggregation to LTE. In other words, 5G is planned to support both inter-RAT operability (such as LTE-5G) and inter-RI operability (inter-radio interface operability, such as below 6GHz – cmWave, below 6GHz – cmWave – mmWave). One of the concepts considered to be used in 5Gnetworks is network slicing in which multiple independent and dedicated virtual sub- networks (network instances) may be created within the same infrastructure to run services that have different requirements on latency, reliability, throughput, and mobility.

[0056] The current architecture in LTE networks is fully distributed in the radio and fully centralized in the core network. The low latency applications and services in 5G require bringing the content close to the radio which leads to local break out and multi-access edge computing (MEC).5G enables analytics and knowledge generation to occur at the source of the data. This approach requires leveraging resources that may not be continuously connected to a network such as laptops, smartphones, tablets, and sensors. MEC provides a distributed computing environment for application and service hosting. It also has the ability to store and process content in close proximity to cellular subscribers for faster response time. Edge computing covers a wide range of technologies such as wireless sensor networks, mobile data acquisition, mobile signature analysis, cooperative distributed peer-to-peer ad hoc networking and processing also classifiable as local cloud / fog computing and grid / mesh computing, dew computing, mobile edge computing, cloudlet, distributed data storage and retrieval, autonomic self-healing networks, remote cloud services, augmented and virtual reality, data caching, Internet of Things (massive connectivity and / or latency critical), and critical communications (autonomous vehicles, traffic safety, real-time analytics, time-critical control, and healthcare applications).

[0057] The communication system 10 is also able to communicate with other networks, such as a public switched telephone network or the Internet, or utilize services provided by them. The communication network 10 may also be able to support the usage of cloud services, for example at least part of core network operations may be carried out as a cloud service. The communication system may also comprise a central control entity, or a like, providing facilities for networks of different operators to cooperate for example in spectrum sharing.

[0058] Edge cloud may be brought into radio access network (RAN) by utilizing network function virtualization (NVF) and software defined networking (SDN). Using edge cloud may mean access node operations to be carried out, at least partly, in a server, host or node operationally coupled to a remote radio head or base station comprising radio parts. It is also possible that node operations will be distributed among a plurality of servers, nodes, or hosts. Application of cloudRAN architecture enables RAN real time functions being carried out at the RAN side and non-real time functions being carried out in a centralized manner).

[0059] It should also be understood that the distribution of labor between core network operations and base station operations may differ from that of LTE or even be non-existent. Some other technology advancements that may be used are Big Data and all-IP, which may change the way networks are being constructed and managed.5G (or new radio, NR) networks are being designed to support multiple hierarchies, where MEC servers can be placed between the core and the base station or nodeB (gNB). It should be appreciated that MEC can be applied in 4G networks as well.

[0060] 5G may also utilize satellite communication to enhance or complement the coverage of 5G service, for example by providing backhauling. Possible use cases are providing service continuity for machine-to-machine (M2M) or Internet of Things (IoT) devices or for passengers on board vehicles, or ensuring service availability for critical communications, and future railway / maritime / aeronautical communications. Satellite communication may utilize geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite systems, but also low earth orbit (LEO) satellite systems, in particular mega-constellations (systems in which hundreds of (nano)satellites are deployed). Each satellite in the mega-constellation may cover several satellite-enabled network entities that create on-ground cells. The on-ground cells may be created through an on-ground relay node or by a gNB located on-ground or in a satellite.

[0061] The depicted system is only an example of a part of a radio access system in which the system 10 of Figure 1 may be deployed and in practice, the system may comprise a plurality of NodeBs, the user devices may have access to a plurality of radio cells and the system may comprise also other apparatuses, such as physical layer relay nodes or other network elements, etc. At least one of the NodeBs or may be a Home NodeB. Additionally, in a geographical area of a radio communication system a plurality of different kinds of radio cells as well as a plurality of radio cells may be provided. Radio cells may be macro cells (or umbrella cells) which are large cells, usually having a diameter of up to tens of kilometers, or smaller cells such as micro-, femto- or picocells. The NodeBs of Figure 1 may provide any kind of these cells. A cellular radio system may be implemented as a multilayer network including several kinds of cells. Typically, in multilayer networks, one access node provides one kind of a cell or cells, and thus a plurality of NodeBs is required to provide such a network structure.

[0062] For fulfilling the need for improving the deployment and performance of communication systems, the concept of “plug-and-play” NodeBs has been introduced. Typically, a network which is able to use “plug-and-play” Node Bs, includes, in addition toHome NodeBs (HnodeBs), a home node B gateway, or HNB-GW. A HNB Gateway (HNB- GW), which is typically installed within an operator’s network may aggregate traffic from a large number of HNBs back to a core network. Although Figure 1 depicts one example communication system in which system 10 of an example embodiment may be deployed, the system of other example embodiments may be deployed in other types of systems, be they to support communications or otherwise.

[0063] One example of an apparatus 20 that may be configured to function as the core network 12, base station 14, and / or user equipment (UE) device 16 is depicted in Figure 2. As shown in Figure 2, the apparatus includes, is associated with or is in communication with processing circuitry 22, a memory 24 and a communication interface 26. The processing circuitry may be in communication with the memory device via a bus for passing information among components of the apparatus. The memory device may be non-transitory and may include, for example, one or more volatile and / or non-volatile memories. In other words, for example, the memory device may be an electronic storage device (e.g., a computer readable storage medium) comprising gates configured to store data (e.g., bits) that may be retrievable by a machine (e.g., a computing device like the processing circuitry). The memory device may be configured to store information, data, content, applications, instructions, or the like for enabling the apparatus to carry out various functions in accordance with an example embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, the memory device could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processing circuitry. Additionally or alternatively, the memory device could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processing circuitry.

[0064] Figure 2 depicts an example of a simplified block diagram of an apparatus according to various embodiments of the present disclosure, whose implementation may differ from what is shown. The connections shown in Figure 2 are logical connections; the actual physical connections may be different. It is apparent to a person skilled in the art that the system typically comprises also other functions and structures than those shown in Figure 2.

[0065] The apparatus 20 may, in some embodiments, be embodied in various computing devices as described above. However, in some embodiments, the apparatus may be embodied as a chip or chip set. In other words, the apparatus may comprise one or more physical packages (e.g., chips) including materials, components and / or wires on a structural assembly (e.g., a baseboard). The structural assembly may provide physical strength, conservation of size, and / or limitation of electrical interaction for component circuitry included thereon. Theapparatus may therefore, in some cases, be configured to implement an embodiment of the present disclosure on a single chip or as a single “system on a chip.” As such, in some cases, a chip or chipset may constitute means for performing one or more operations for providing the functionalities described herein.

[0066] The processing circuitry 22 may be embodied in a number of different ways. For example, the processing circuitry may be embodied as one or more of various hardware processing means such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing element with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other circuitry including integrated circuits such as, for example, an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit), an FPGA (field programmable gate array), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like. As such, in some embodiments, the processing circuitry 22 may include one or more processing cores configured to perform independently. A multi-core processing circuitry may enable multiprocessing within a single physical package. Additionally or alternatively, the processing circuitry may include one or more processors configured in tandem via the bus to enable independent execution of instructions, pipelining and / or multithreading.

[0067] In an example embodiment, the processing circuitry 22 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 24 or otherwise accessible to the processing circuitry. Alternatively or additionally, the processing circuitry may be configured to execute hard coded functionality. As such, whether configured by hardware or software methods, or by a combination thereof, the processing circuitry may represent an entity (e.g., physically embodied in circuitry) capable of performing operations according to an embodiment of the present disclosure while configured accordingly. Thus, for example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an ASIC, FPGA or the like, the processing circuitry may be specifically configured hardware for conducting the operations described herein. Alternatively or additionally, as another example, when the processing circuitry is embodied as an executor of instructions, the instructions may specifically configure the processor to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed. However, in some cases, the processing circuitry 22 may be a processor of a specific device (e.g., an image or video processing system) configured to employ an embodiment of the present disclosure by further configuration of the processing circuitry by instructions for performing the algorithms and / or operations described herein. The processing circuitry 22 may include, among other things, a clock, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and logic gates configured to support operation of the processing circuitry.

[0068] The communication interface 26 may be any means such as a device or circuitry embodied in either hardware or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to receive and / or transmit data, including media content in the form of video or image files, one or more audio tracks or the like. In this regard, the communication interface may include, for example, an antenna (or multiple antennas) and supporting hardware and / or software for enabling communications with a wireless communication network. Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface may include the circuitry for interacting with the antenna(s) to cause transmission of signals via the antenna(s) or to handle receipt of signals received via the antenna(s). In some environments, the communication interface may alternatively or also support wired communication. As such, for example, the communication interface may include a communication modem and / or other hardware / software for supporting communication via cable, digital subscriber line (DSL), universal serial bus (USB) or other mechanisms.

[0069] A significant issue in network communication is control of the signal power of an uplink signal. NR PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) carries user data and has reference signals used for channel estimation as port of coherent demodulation of PUSCH. Power control is generally based on a combination of open-loop and closed-loop power control. Open-loop power control includes support for fractional path-loss compensation, where a UE device (e.g., UE device 16 of Figure 1) estimates the uplink path-loss based on downlink measurements and sets the transmit power for the uplink accordingly. In closed- loop power control, transmit power for the uplink is determined based on explicit transmit power-control (TPC) commands provided by the network.

[0070] A UE device determines the PUSCH transmission power based on standards and procedures of the communication protocol. The UE device is indicated or determines closed- loop parameters (closed-loop index, TPC command) and open-loop parameters (path-loss reference). The TPC command is carried in a downlink control information (DCI) format that schedules the PUSCH transmission. Further, the TPC command (and corresponding closed- loop index) can be carried jointly to multiple UE devices by means of a group-common DCI using a specified DCI format.

[0071] The PUSCH transmission power is determined based on a number of parameters. These parameters can include: closed-loop index (also known as PC adjustment state), TPC command (fb,f,c, absolute or accumulative TPC command), path-loss reference RS (reference signal), p0 (also denoted as P0_UE_PUSCH), alpha (for partial or full path-loss compensation),and DELTA_TF (i.e., ∆^^,^,^,^^^^), also sometimes referred to as the power adjustment component. This term essentially models how the required received power varies when the number of information BPRE (bits per resource element) changes due to different modulation schemes and channel-coding rates. If a UE device transmits a PUSCH on active uplink BWP b of a carrier f of serving cell c using parameter set configuration with index j and PUSCH power control adjustment state with index l, the UE device can determine the PUSCH power^PUSCH,^,^,^^^, ^, ^^ , ^^in PUSCH transmission occasion i as:a channel estimation. SRS power control is somewhat similar to PUSCH power control. If a UE device transmits the SRS based on a configuration by SRS-ResourceSet on active uplink BWP b of carrier f of serving cell c using SRS power control adjustment state with index l,the UE device determines the SRS transmission power ^SRS,^,^,^^^, ^^, ^^ in SRStransmission occasion i as:as follows. If a UE device transmits a PUCCH on active uplink BWP b of carrier f of serving cell c using PUCCH power control adjustment state with index l, the UE device determinesthe PUCCH transmission power ^PUCCH,^,^,^^^, ^^, ^^ , ^^ in PUCCH transmission occasioni as:distance, the signal must travel to a respective node. Nodes that do not transmit and do not provide a downlink to a UE device cannot employ closed loop, while a gNodeB can transmit and receive, and thus is capable of closed loop power control. Since the distance from the gNodeB shown as base station 14 in Figure 1 can be different than the UE device 16 from the uplink-only node 18 or uplink-only node 19, the same power level would generally not be appropriate for an uplink to those nodes.

[0075] Power control operations as detailed above include path-loss which is measured on the downlink from the node to the UE device. However, in scenarios in which a node is an uplink-only node, such as uplink-only nodes 18 and 19, the path-loss cannot be measured between the uplink-only node and the UE device. Embodiments provided herein provide a method for obtaining path-loss information at a UE device that is used to communicate with an uplink-only node. A network, through a node such as the gNodeB base station 14 can provide information associated with path-loss to a UE device 16 via a MAC (Medium Access Control) layer for controlling access to shared radio resources for efficient communication within the network. Specifically, a MAC CE (Medium Access Control Control Element) can be encoded with path-loss information. This path-loss information can include a path-loss offset and / or a path-loss configuration.

[0076] A path-loss offset is a fixed value to compensate for an amount of power lost due to the distance or path between a network node and the UE device. A path-loss offset can compensate for this power loss to ensure that sufficient power is used for the uplink transmission from the UE device. A path-loss configuration is more complex with the potential to provide varying path-loss values based on a variety of factors or parameters of the UE device. The path-loss information described herein can include a path-loss offset and / or a path-loss configuration.

[0077] A MAC CE can be used to update the path-loss information for communication sessions between a UE device and an uplink-only node. An indication or update of path-loss information may be needed for scenarios in which communication from a device is with an uplink-only node as well as for other scenarios, such as where a base station / gNB / networkdetermines, e.g., through measurements, feedback from the UE, and / or predictions (e.g., using AI-ML), and indicates path-loss information or a path-loss update / correction. An example embodiment described herein efficiently encodes a MAC CE for path-loss information.

[0078] The MAC CE is a structure employed by certain network protocols (e.g., LTE Long-Term Evolution and 5G) that carries control information and can be of fixed-length or of variable-length. A bit string in a MAC (sub-) Header Logical Channel ID (LCID) field identifies the type of control information carried by the MAC CE. As described herein generally, the UE device, such as UE device 16 of Figure 1, receives a MAC CE, such as from base station 14. This MAC CE of an example embodiment is an existing MAC CE, which may be chosen from among the plurality of existing MAC CEs, such as a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE, the enhanced TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE, for example. Embodiments described herein can efficiently leverage the existing MAC CE for providing path-loss offset, path-loss value, or path-loss configuration, or more generally, path-loss information using this MAC CE. The path-loss information can be new path-loss information for one or more TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) States, or can be an update to existing path-loss information for one or more TCI States. The MAC CE described herein is thus enabled to be used for different purposes, be it at the same time or at different times.

[0079] According to embodiments described herein, an existing MAC CE is extended or improved to carry information pertaining to path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State. The disclosed MAC CE can be used for TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information, or TCI State activation / deactivation only. The MAC CE can indicate, using at least one reserved or existing bit, or using at least one new bit in the MAC CE, or using an indication via a different MAC CE, an indication indicative of a purpose for the indicated MAC CE. The indicated purpose can include TCI State activation / deactivation or path-loss information. Optionally, at least one bit in the MAC sub-header (corresponding to the MAC CE) can be indicative of whether the indicated MAC CE is for TCI State activation / deactivation or for path-loss information indication or updating.

[0080] Figure 3 illustrates an example of an existing MAC CE improved and leverage to indicate path-loss information when necessary as described above. According to the illustrated embodiment, the cell depicting I indicates the purpose of the MAC CE. If the MAC CE is for the purpose of TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information, or solely for path-loss information. In the illustrated embodiment, I = 1, indicating that thepurpose of the MAC CE is for TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information. The depicted R cells are reserved bits. The cell depicting P1indicates whether for the TCI State (in the same octet as P1) has associated path-loss information. In the illustrated example, P1=1, which indicates that for TCI State ID 1 there is a corresponding path-loss information field, and the path-loss information illustrates “path-loss offset 1”. There may be any number of TCI States, with each Pnindicating whether for the TCI State (in the same octet as Pn) has associated path-loss information.

[0081] Only one bit is needed to define the purpose of the MAC CE. The TCI State ID needs to be indicated to identify which TCI States are activated. The MAC CE of the illustrated embodiment can function for the same purpose as the existing MAC CE in an example where the cell depicting I is set to zero.

[0082] Figure 4 illustrates another example of an existing MAC CE for joint TCI States. This embodiment is similar to that illustrated in Figure 3 however a different way to indicate the purpose is illustrated. Cell A defines a purpose of the MAC CE, where the value defines whether the MAC CE is to be used for the purpose of TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information, or solely for path-loss information. Separate TCI States are illustrated for downlink indicated and uplink indicated; however, embodiments described herein focus on joint TCI States that can be used in uplink, where the path-loss information is indicated via the existing MAC CE.

[0083] The existing MAC CE of another embodiment can be used for TCI State activation / deactivation or instead for path-loss information, two separate purposes. In such an embodiment, the MAC CE can indicate, using at least one reserved / existing bit or using at least one new bit in the MAC CE, or using an indication via a different MAC CE, an indication indicative of whether the indicated MAC CE is for TCI State activation / deactivation or for path-loss information. Optionally, at least one bit in the MAC sub-header (corresponding to the MAC CE) can signal whether the indicated MAC CE is for TCI State activation / deactivation or for path-loss information. Referring back to the illustration if Figure 3, the purpose of the MAC CE can be identified, such as using the cell depicting I as an indicator of whether the purpose is for TCI State activation / deactivation or for path-loss information.

[0084] An example embodiment described herein is able to communicate one of three possible purposes for a MAC CE. The MAC CE of such an example can be used for one of the following at a time: (i) TCI State activation / deactivation, (ii) path-loss information, or (iii) both TCI activation / deactivation and path-loss information. In this embodiment, theMAC CE can indicate, using at least one reserved / existing bit or using at least one new bit in the MAC CE, whether the MAC CE is used for (i) TCI State activation / deactivation, (ii) path-loss information, or (iii) both TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information. Optionally, at least one bit in the MAC sub-header (corresponding to the MAC CE) can be signal whether the indicated MAC CE is for TCI State activation, path-loss information, or both. According to an example embodiment, as there are three possibilities in this configuration, more than one reserved bit may be used to indicate the purpose of the MAC CE. For example, a pair of reserved / existing bits or new bits may be used.

[0085] At least one bit in the MAC CE may be used to indicate if at least one indicated / activated / configured TCI State associated with a path-loss information has a corresponding indicated path-loss field / value contained in the MAC CE.

[0086] If the purpose of the MAC CE is for both TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information, the path-loss information field corresponding to a TCI State (or TCI State ID field) may be included in an octet directly following where the TCI State is indicated. Alternatively, the indicated path-loss information field is placed after all of the TCI State fields. At least one bit in the MAC CE can be used to indicate if at least one indicated / activated / configured TCI State, associated with path-loss information, has a corresponding indicated path-loss information field. The MAC CE may include an indication indicating the number of path-loss information fields contained in the MAC CE.

[0087] According to an example embodiment, information indicative of an indication or update of association or mapping of path-loss information to one or more TCI State(s) may be indicated in the same MAC CE or a separate MAC CE. The configuration information can be changed through MAC CE and an update can be defined in a MAC CE. The information about the association of one or more TCI States to path-loss information may be indicated through a bitmap, or through at least one new or reserved / existing bits, indicating whether the association of at least one TCI State to the path-loss information is indicated in the MAC CE or not.

[0088] According to some embodiments, if the path-loss information is indicated for at least one TCI State, the UE device considers that the at least one TCI State is associated with the indicated path-loss information. The information may be indicative that at least one TCI State is not associated with path-loss information or that at least one TCI State is associated with different / same path-loss information compared to previously indicated path-loss information for the at least one TCI State. In such a case, the path-loss information for the at least one TCI State can be updated according to the new information.

[0089] A path-loss information field may occupy at least one octet or part / field of an octet. The size of a path-loss information field may be configured, for example, by RRC (Radio Resource Channel), or possibly indicated in the MAC CE itself. A bitmap is included in an example MAC CE, where the bitmap size may be 16, 8, or even fewer than 8 bits (e.g., 4). The bitmap size can be configurable via RRC, for example. The path-loss information may be a path-loss offset, path-loss configuration, or path-loss value. A path-loss value field may correspond to the path-loss information.

[0090] According to some embodiments, a TCI State of the at least one TCI State indicated in the MAC CE can include an active (joint / UL) TCI State, or an indicated (joint / UL) TCI State. Path-loss information corresponding to a TCI State may be used to determine the power for an uplink channel / signal such as PUSCH, PUCCH, SRS, PRACH) transmission associated with the TCI State (i.e., the TCI State is applicable to this uplink transmission).

[0091] The node with which a UE device is to communicate employing the path-loss power determination may be indicated or identified by one or more of CORESETPoolIndex, PCI (physical cell identifier), 5G NR Cell Identity (NCI), DL reference signal(s) (such as SSB, CSI-RS), UL reference signal resource(s) or resource set (such as SRS resource set), TRP ID, node ID, RxP ID, RRH (remote radio head). This indicator can be provided, for example, in the MAC CE containing the path-loss information.

[0092] According to embodiments described herein, a MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the MAC CE, where the purpose of the MAC CE includes the at least one MAC CE providing: path-loss information, or a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information. Based on this information, the path-loss information corresponding to a TCI State can be determined. A transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State can then be determined based on the path- loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State. Embodiments described herein provide a UE device the capability of appropriately determining the uplink transmission power for a given node using an efficient design and encoding of a MAC CE for path-loss information corresponding to active / indicated / configured uplink / joint TCI States. This is beneficial for scenarios including uplink-only TRP (transmission-reception-point) or node, or any scenario in which path-loss information is needed.

[0093] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operations performed in order to provide for signaling path-loss information to a mobile device. The flow chart of Figure 5 illustrates the operations performed, such as by the apparatus of Figure 2 as embodied by a UE device,in order to support communication sessions with uplink-only nodes. In the example flow chart, a user device (e.g., UE, wireless device, etc.) receive at 110, such as from a network, such as via a base station (e.g., network, gNB, etc.) at least one MAC CE, where the at least one MAC CE includes information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE, including at least one indication indicating: path-loss information or a TCI State activation / deactivation and path-loss information. At 120, based on the information, the apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22, the communication interface 26, and / or the like to, determine the path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State. Using this path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State, the apparatus of this example also includes means, such as the processing circuitry 22 to determine a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State at 130.

[0094] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart depicting a method according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. It will be understood that each block of the flowcharts and combination of blocks in the flowcharts may be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, processor, circuitry, and / or other communication devices associated with execution of software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the procedures described above may be embodied by computer program instructions. In this regard, the computer program instructions which embody the procedures described above may be stored by a memory device of an apparatus employing an embodiment of the present disclosure and executed by a processor. As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions may be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (for example, hardware) to produce a machine, such that the resulting computer or other programmable apparatus implements the functions specified in the flowchart blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer- readable memory that may direct a computer or other programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture the execution of which implements the function specified in the flowchart blocks. The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus to cause a series of operations to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide operations for implementing the functions specified in the flowchart blocks.

[0095] Accordingly, blocks of the flowcharts support combinations of means for performing the specified functions and combinations of operations for performing the specified functions for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that one or more blocks of the flowcharts, and combinations of blocks in the flowcharts, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based computer systems which perform the specified functions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.

[0096] Many modifications and other embodiments set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.

[0097] Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe certain example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and / or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and / or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and / or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated as may be set forth in some of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

Claims

THAT WHICH IS CLAIMED:

1. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: receive at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: i) path-loss information, or ii) a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determine, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determine a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE.

3. The apparatus of any of claims 1 or 2, wherein the at least one indication comprises at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

4. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: receive another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offsetor a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE comprises the another indication, wherein the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates that the path-loss information comprises a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, wherein at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the at least one MAC CE further comprises an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, wherein the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE, and wherein the at least one field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the path-loss information comprises one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

14. A method comprising: receiving at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: i) path-loss information, or ii) a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; determining, based on the at least one indication, path-loss information corresponding to at least one TCI State; and determining a transmission power corresponding to the at least one TCI State based on the determined path-loss information corresponding to the at least one TCI State.

15. 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 to at least: transmit at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating:i) path-loss information, or ii) a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; wherein the path-loss information enables determination of a transmission power corresponding to at least one TCI State.

16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the information indicating the purpose of the at least one MAC CE is signaled using at least one of: at least one existing bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one reserved bit of the at least one MAC CE, at least one dedicated bit or field of the at least one MAC CE, a sub-header of the at least one MAC CE, or at least one other MAC CE.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 15 or 16, wherein the at least one indication comprises at least one of: only the TCI State activation / deactivation; only the path-loss information indication; or the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information.

18. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 17, wherein the apparatus is further caused to: transmit another indication indicating that at least one activated TCI State, indicated TCI State, or configured TCI State associated with at least one of a path-loss offset or a path-loss configuration has a corresponding at least one path-loss field within a TCI State activation / deactivation MAC CE.

19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE comprises the another indication, wherein the at least one bit is at least one of at least one reserved bit or at least one existing bit.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises at least one path-loss field corresponding to one or more of at least one TCI State or TCI State identification field that is included in an octet directly following an octet indicating a corresponding at least one TCI State.

21. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 20, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates that at least one reserved bit indicates that at least one of one or more activated TCI States, one or more indicated TCI States, or one or more configured TCI States is associated with corresponding path-loss information.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 21, wherein at least one bit of the at least one MAC CE indicates that the path-loss information comprises a corresponding at least one path-loss field contained in the at least one MAC CE.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 22, wherein in response to the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE directly following an octet where the at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is indicated.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 23, wherein the at least one indication indicating the TCI State activation / deactivation and the path-loss information, wherein at least one path-loss field of the at least one MAC CE corresponding to at least one respective TCI State or the TCI State identification field is included in an octet of the at least one MAC CE following all octets indicating TCI States or TCI State identification fields.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 24, wherein the at least one MAC CE further comprises an indication of a number of path-loss information fields contained in the at least one MAC CE.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 25, wherein at least one field of the at least one MAC CE corresponds to the path-loss information, wherein the at least one field occupies at least a portion of an octet in the at least one MAC CE, and wherein the at least one field defines a size that is at least one of configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) or indicated in the at least one MAC CE.

27. The apparatus of any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the path-loss information comprises one or more of at least one path-loss offset, at least one path-loss configuration, or at least one path-loss value.

28. A method comprising: transmitting at least one MAC (Medium Access Control) CE (Control Element), wherein the at least one MAC CE comprises information indicating a purpose of the at least one MAC CE including at least one indication indicating: i) path-loss information, or ii) a TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) state activation / deactivation and path-loss information; wherein the path-loss information enables determination of a transmission power corresponding to at least one TCI State.

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