Uplink control information reporting method for beam prediction

Abstract

An apparatus configured to: transmit, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receive, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmit, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

Description

UPLINK CONTROL INFORMATION REPORTING METHOD FOR BEAM PREDICTIONTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The example and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to beam management and, more particularly, to reporting of predicted beam information for beam management.BACKGROUND

[0002] It is known, in a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resource configuration, to include multiple resources for transmission of channel state information (CSI) reports.SUMMARY

[0003] The following summary is merely intended to be illustrative. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0004] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: transmit, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receive, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmit, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially,on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receiving, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: transmitting, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receiving, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplinkcontrol channel resources; causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and causing transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receive, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determine respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0010] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect, a computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0012] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0014] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which the example embodiments may be practiced;

[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0019] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0020] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein;

[0021] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0022] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein; and

[0023] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0024] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and / or the drawing figures are defined as follows:3 GPP third generation partnership project6G sixth generation5G fifth generation5GC 5G core networkACK acknowledgementAl artificial intelligenceAMF access and mobility management functionBM beam management cRAN cloud radio access networkCRI channel state information resource indicatorCSI channel state informationcu central unitDCI downlink control informationDL downlinkDMRS demodulation reference signalDU distributed unit eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)EN-DC E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity en-gNB or En-gNB node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and acting as secondary node in EN-DCE-UTRA evolved universal terrestrial radio access, i.e., the LTE radio access technology gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G / NR, i.e., a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GCHARQ hybrid automatic repeat requestI / F interfaceLI layer 1LCM life cycle managementLTE long term evolutionMAC medium access controlML machine learningMME mobility management entity ng or NG new generation ng-eNB or NG-eNB new generation eNBNR new radioN / W or NW networkNZP non-zero powerO-RAN open radio access networkPDCP packet data convergence protocolPHY physical layerPUCCH physical uplink control channelPRB physical resource blockRAN radio access networkRB resource blockRF radio frequencyRLC radio link controlRRC radio resource controlRRH remote radio headRS reference signalRSRP reference signal received powerRU radio unitRx receiverSDAP service data adaptation protocolSGW serving gatewaySMF session management functionSSB synchronization signal blockSSBRI SSB resource indicatorTx transmitterUCI uplink control informationUE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)UL uplinkUPF user plane functionVNR virtualized network function

[0025] Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and nonlimiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element(s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with awireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. A “circuit” may include dedicated hardware or hardware in association with software executable thereon. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and / or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0026] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) 190). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 anddistributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station, access point, access node, or node.

[0027] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor(s) 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory / memories and processor(s), and / or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0028] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and / or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, themodule 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0029] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0030] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH / DU, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH / DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s).

[0031] It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station’s coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a singlecarrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0032] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and / or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(s)) and / or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and / or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity ) / SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to a network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N / W I / F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0033] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. For example, a network may be deployed in a tele cloud, with virtualized network functions (VNF) running on, for example, data center servers. For example, network core functions and / or radio access network(s) (e.g. CloudRAN, O-RAN, edge cloud) may be virtualized. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the networkvirtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0034] It may also be noted that operations of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out by a plurality of cooperating devices (e.g. cRAN).

[0035] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0036] In general, the various example embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0037] Having thus introduced one suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments of the present disclosure, example embodiments will now be described with greater specificity.

[0038] Features as described herein may generally relate to multiplexing or combining information. In the current 3GPP specification, there is a mechanism of multiplexing of different uplink control information (UCI) types. As described in TS 38.213:“ ... If the UE is provided multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList and if any of the multiple PUCCH resources overlap, the UE multiplexes all CSI reports in a resource from the resources provided by multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList, as described in clause 9.2.5.2...”

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example of legacy multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList (210) in R18 PUCCH-Config of RRC.

[0040] For a transmission occasion of multiple channel state information (CSI) reports, corresponding physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources may be provided by multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList . If a UE is provided first and second PUCCH-Config, multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList may be provided by the first PUCCH-Config, and PUCCH-Resourceld in pucch-CSI-ResourceList or multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList may indicate a corresponding PUCCH resource in the PUCCH-Resource provided by the first PUCCH-Config.

[0041] This multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList resource list part of the PUCCH configuration currently has two elements. When the UE needs to report multiple CSI reports (especially for carrier aggregation cases), it then uses PUCCH resources from this list to send them together to the gNB / network. Referring now to FIG. 3, illustrated is an example of CSI report multiplexing for legacy FR2 carrier aggregation. In the example, four CSI reports are included in resource Multi csi resl (310), and four CSI reports are included in resource Multi_csi_res2 (320).

[0042] Features as described herein may generally relate to artificial intelligence (Al) and / or machine learning (ML) models. An example of an AI / ML model is a neural network. A neural network (NN) is a computation graph consisting of two or more layers of computation. Each layer may consist of one or more units, where each unit may perform anelementary computation. A unit may be connected to one or more other units, and the connection may have a weight associated with it. The weight may be used for scaling the signal passing through the associated connection. Weights may be learnable parameters, i.e., values which can be learned from training data. There may be other learnable parameters, such as those of batch-normalization layers.

[0043] Two of the most widely used architectures for neural networks are feed-forward and recurrent architectures. Feed-forward neural networks do not comprise a feedback loop; each layer takes input from one or more of the previous layers and provides output, which is used as the input for one or more of the subsequent layers. Units within a layer take input from unit(s) in one or more preceding layers, and provide output to unit(s) of one or more following layers.

[0044] Initial layers, i.e. layers close to the input data, extract semantically low-level features from received data, and intermediate and final layers extract more high-level features. After the feature extraction layers there may be one or more layers performing a certain task, such as classification, semantic segmentation, object detection, denoising, style transfer, super-resolution, etc. In recurrent neural networks, there is a feedback loop, so that the network becomes stateful, i.e., it is able to memorize or retain information or a state.

[0045] Neural networks may be utilized in an ever increasing number of applications for many different types of device, such as mobile phones, as described above. Examples of applications may include image and video analysis and processing, social media data analysis, device usage data analysis, etc.

[0046] Neural networks, and other machine learning tools, may be able to learn properties from input data, either in a supervised way or in an unsupervised way. Such learning may be the result of a training algorithm, or of a meta-level neural network providing a training signal.

[0047] A training algorithm may consist of changing some properties of the neural network so that the output of the neural network is as close as possible to a desired output.Training may comprise changing properties of the neural network so as to minimize or decrease the output's error, also referred to as the loss. Examples of losses include mean squared error (MSE), cross-entropy, etc. In recent deep learning techniques, training is an iterative process, where, at each iteration, the algorithm modifies the weights of the neural network to make a gradual improvement of the network's output, i.e., to gradually decrease the loss.

[0048] Training a neural network comprises an optimization process, but the final goal of machine learning is different from the typical goal of optimization. In optimization, the goal is to minimize loss. In machine learning generally, in addition to the goal of optimization, the goal is to make the model learn the properties of the data distribution from a limited training dataset. In other words, the training process is additionally used to ensure that the neural network learns to use a limited training dataset in order to learn to generalize to previously unseen data, i.e., data which was not used for training the model. This additional goal is usually referred to as generalization. In practice, data may be split into at least two sets, the training set and the validation set. The training set may be used for training the network, i.e., for modification of its learnable parameters in order to minimize the loss. The validation set may be used for checking the performance of the neural network with data which was not used to minimize the loss (i.e. which was not part of the training set), where the performance of the neural network with the validation set may be an indication of the final performance of the model. The errors on the training set and on the validation set may be monitored during the training process to understand if the neural network is learning at all and if the neural network is learning to generalize. In the case that the network is learning at all, the training set error should decrease. If the network is not learning, the model may be in the regime of underfitting. In the case that the network is learning to generalize, validation set error should decrease and not be much higher than the training set error. If the training set error is low, but the validation set error is much higher than the training set error, or the validation set error does not decrease, or it even increases, the model may be in the regime of overfitting. Overfitting may mean that the model has memorized the training set'sproperties and performs well only on that set, but performs poorly on a set not used for tuning its parameters. In other words, the model has not learned to generalize.

[0049] In the present description, the terms “model”, “Al model”, and “ML model” may be interchanged with each other; where an example embodiment is described with reference to one type of model, another type of model may be substituted. In the present description, the terms “ML-enabled function”, “ML functionality”, “Al-enabled function”, “Al functionality”, “AI / ML-enabled function”, and “AI / ML functionality” may be interchanged with each other as well.

[0050] Features as described herein may generally relate to AI / ML used for beam management (BM). For AI / ML enhancements related to beam management, two sub-use cases have been identified in Rel-18: beam prediction in the spatial domain (BM-Casel); and beam prediction in the time domain (BM-Case2).

[0051] The scope of spatial beam prediction (BM-Casel) is to predict the best DL Tx beam and / or DL Tx / Rx beam pairs in different spatial locations. Conversely, time-domain beam predictions (BM-Case2) aim to predict the best DL Tx beam and / or DL Tx / Rx beam pairs beam to use for next time instant(s).

[0052] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated are example beam management use cases for AI / ML in Rel-18 and Rel-19. In beam management case 1 (410), an example of spatial beam prediction with an ML model is illustrated. In beam management case 2 (420), an example of temporal beam prediction with an ML model is illustrated.

[0053] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated are some examples of BM case 2(TR 38.843). In BM-Case2, temporal Downlink beam prediction for Set A of beams may be performed based on the historic measurement results of Set B of beams. The ML model (540) may be trained, and may perform interference, at the NW side, or, alternatively, at the UE side. FIG. 5 illustrates examples of alternative configurations of Set A and Set B. At 510, in a first alternative, Set A and Set B may be different (i.e. Set B is not a subset of Set A). At 520, in a second alternative, Set B may be a subset of Set A (i.e. Set A and Set B arenot the same). At 530, in a third alternative, Set A and Set B may be the same. The ML model (540) may take the ML model input and produce ML model output (550), which may be the future set A beam predictions.

[0054] The AI / ML model input may comprise measurement results of Y (Y>1) latest measurement instances with the following alternatives: Alt. 1): Only Ll-RSRP measurement based on Set B; Alt 2): Ll-RSRP measurement based on Set B and assistance information; or Alt. 3): Ll-RSRP measurement based on Set B and the corresponding DL Tx and / or Rx beam ID.

[0055] The AI / ML model output (550) may comprise N predictions for N future time instances, which may be obtained based on the output of AI / ML model, where each prediction may be for each time instance. In an example, at least N=1.

[0056] It may be noted that the ML model (540) may be a UE -side ML model, network-side ML model, a one-sided ML model, or a two-sided ML model. In other words, the inference of the ML model may be performed entirely at the UE side, entirely at the network side, or partially at the UE side and partially at the network side, where ML models at each side are paired together to produce a joint inference.

[0057] The primary motivation of beam prediction is to support a reduced overhead and lower beam measurements and reporting latency. Based on the evaluation of predicted results, the benefits and gains were verified based on given metrics, and they could be supported by single-sided models and consider supporting the necessary / recommended life cycle management (LCM) components for selected sub use cases.

[0058] Radio access network (RAN) working groups (WGs) held a Rel.19 workshop in September 2023 and discussed the progress of the Rel-18 air interface AI / ML study item (SI) and the potential plan for the Rel-19 work item (WI). Almost all interested companies consider that the work item is supported for Rel-19 and that the one-sided model is relatively mature for normative work. Companies discussed limiting the scope in Rel-19, e.g., assuming off-line training only, UE-sided, or NW-sided model only, based on selective subuse cases that demonstrate sufficient benefit vs complexity / cost during the Rel-18 Air Interface AI / ML Study Item (SI). 3GPP has created a WI related to AIML based beam management for Rel-19:.Objectives in RP-234039Provide specification support for the following aspects:AI / ML general framework for one-sided AI / ML models within the realm of what has been studied in the FS_NR_AIML_Air project [RAN2]:Signalling and protocol aspects of Life Cycle Management (LCM) enabling functionality and model (if justified) selection, activation, deactivation, switching, fallbackIdentification related signalling is part of the above objectiveNecessary signalling / mechanism(s) for LCM to facilitate model training, inference, performance monitoring, data collection (except for the purpose of CN / OAM / OTT collection of UE-sided model training data) for both UE- sided and NW-sided modelsSignalling mechanism of applicable functionalities / modelsBeam management - DL Tx beam prediction for both UE-sided model and NW- sided model, encompassing [RAN1 / RAN2]:Spatial-domain DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on measurement results of Set B of beams (“BM-Casel”)Temporal DL Tx beam prediction for Set A of beams based on the historic measurement results of Set B of beams (“BM-Case2”)Specify necessary signalling / mechanism(s) to facilitate LCM operations specific to the Beam Management use cases, if anyEnabling method(s) to ensure consistency between training and inference regarding NW-side additional conditions (if identified) for inference at UENOTE: Strive for common framework design to support both BM-Casel and BM-Case2...”

[0059] As specified in the work item scope, both for BM Casel and BM-Case2, Set A of Beams are AI / ML model predicted beams, whereas Set B beams are actual measured beams. The gNB may configure the UE with both Set A and Set B related configurations, such as CSI resource and report configurations.

[0060] While Set A and Set B may be described as sets of beams, they may also be described as sets of reference signal resources that are associated with beams. Each Tx beam may be associated with an RS.

[0061] As per RANI- 116bis Nokia tdoc Rl-2402996 and RANI-116 contribution, the inference result reporting for UE side AI / ML model is as described below:“...For model inference related operations with a UE-sided model, RANI concluded during RAN1#116 meeting the use of NR beam measurement and reporting frameworks (legacy CSI measurement and reporting configuration frameworks). In this perspective, the RANI WI discussion shall target enhancements to legacy specifications that define beam measurement and reporting, which may require limited changes to the NR specification to support reporting of predicted beams. Moreover, the reporting for beam prediction may be configured with different time domain behaviors (aperiodic (AP), periodic (P), or semi-persistent (SP)), without limiting the legacy CSI reporting flexibility. . .”

[0062] Based on the above agreement and working assumption for BM-Case2, it is desirable to clarify the content of the inference results, which are the possible values for Nthat can be defined. For BM-Case2, reporting of the information related to the predicted beam(s) of N future time instance(s) may be required, with the possibility that the information on the time stamp for reported beams may be carried in the same report. For the inference results of N future time instances in one report, possible overhead reduction approaches may be adopted.

[0063] Based on the RANI-116bis agreement for BM case2, the UE may need to send the inference results of N future time instances in one reporting instance:“ . . . AgreementFor UE-side AI / ML model inference, for BM-Case2, support to report inference results of N(N>=1, FFS on N) future time instance(s) in one report wherein information of inference results of one time instance is as in one report for BM-Case 1.Note: overhead reduction is not precluded.FFS on detailsWorking AssumptionFor report content of inference results for UE-sided model for BM-Case 2, the RSRP of predicted beam(s) in the report of inference results, is the predicted RSRP, where the predicted RSRP is based on AI / ML output. ..”

[0064] In the BM case2, the UE may need to send inference (e.g. CSI) reports of N future instances to the gNB. This kind of reporting of several reports may need / require a robust multiplexing framework to bundle all predicted NZP-C Si-Reports, with or without other UCI types. A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to address multiplexing of predicted inference results (NZP-CSLRS reports).

[0065] The PUCCH is described as follows in TS 38.300 5.3.3:“...5.3.3 Physical uplink control channelPhysical uplink control channel (PUCCH) carries the Uplink Control Information (UCI) from the UE to the gNB. Five formats of PUCCH exist, depending on the duration of PUCCH and the UCI payload size:Format #0: Short PUCCH of 1 or 2 symbols with small UCI payloads of up to two bits with UE multiplexing capacity of up to 6 UEs with 1 -bit payload in the same PRB;Format #1 : Long PUCCH of 4-14 symbols with small UCI payloads of up to two bits with UE multiplexing capacity of up to 84 UEs without frequency hopping and 36 UEs with frequency hopping in the same PRB;Format #2: Short PUCCH of 1 or 2 symbols with large UCI payloads of more than two bits with no UE multiplexing capability in the same PRBs;Format #3 : Long PUCCH of 4-14 symbols with large UCI payloads with no UE multiplexing capability in the same PRBs;Format #4: Long PUCCH of 4-14 symbols with moderate UCI payloads with multiplexing capacity of up to 4 UEs in the same PRBs.The short PUCCH format of up to two UCI bits is based on sequence selection, while the short PUCCH format of more than two UCI bits frequency multiplexes UCI and DMRS. The long PUCCH formats time-multiplex the UCI and DMRS. Frequency hopping is supported for long PUCCH formats and for short PUCCH formats of duration of 2 symbols. Short and long PUCCH formats can be repeated over multiple slots or sub-slots, where the repetition factor is either indicated dynamically in the DCI or semi-statically in an RRC configuration. . .”

[0066] For operation with shared spectrum channel access in FR1, PUCCH Format #0, #1, #2, #3 are extended to use resource in one physical resource block (PRB) interlace (upto two interlaces for Format #2 and Format #3) in one resource block (RB) Set. PUCCH Format #2 and #3 are enhanced to support multiplexing capacity of up to 4 UEs in the same PRB interlace when one interlace is used.

[0067] For operation in FR2-2, PUCCH Format #0, #1, #4 are extended to use resource in configurable number of continuous PRBs, up to 16 PRBs.

[0068] Up to two PUCCH configurations can be configured for a UE per PUCCH group (see TS 38.331

[0012] ), where the first PUCCH configuration is associated with a PUCCH of priority index 0 (low) and the second PUCCH configuration is associated with a PUCCH of priority index 1 (high).

[0069] UCI multiplexing in PUCCH is supported when PUCCH transmissions of UCIs coincide in time, and are associated with the same priority (high / low). In addition, multiplexing of HARQ-ACK of priority index 0 (low) and UCI of priority index 1 (high) in PUCCH of priority index 1 (high) is supported when PUCCH transmissions of HARQ-ACK of priority index 0 and UCI of priority index 1 (high) coincide in time.

[0070] The legacy multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList has only two elements, which may not be sufficient to accommodate combined UCI bits from predicted N future instances of CSI reports in the BM case2. In an example embodiment, the gNB may provide the UE with a new configuration for multiplexing or bundling CSI reports for transmission to the network (e.g. gNB, base station, network node, etc.). In an example embodiment, the UE may perform multiplexing of CSI reports according to a received configuration.

[0071] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may involve reporting of predicted CSI reports.

[0072] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may involve multiplexing of CSI reports for predicted future time instances.

[0073] In an example embodiment, a UE may multiplex multiple or all predicted CSI reports in one reporting interval. In an example embodiment, the UE may report a capability,for example parallelCSI-ReportsBeamPrediction, during capability reporting. In an example embodiment, the gNB may configure the UE with a list of PUCCH resources as part of multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList-ml-bm. This configuration may be based, at least partially, on the UE capability. In an example embodiment, the UE may use the multi-CSI- PUCCH-ResourceList-ml-bm to send multiplexed predicted CSI reports to the gNB. In an example embodiment, a configurable value of PUCCH resources in the list may be based on parameter N (i.e. total number of predictions in one or more future time instances). Each prediction may contain data of N future time instances; such predictions / reports may be bundled together. In an example embodiment, the configuration may be used in BM easel (N=l) and / or BM case2 (N>1).

[0074] In an example embodiment, a UE capability, for example parallelCSI- ReportsBeamPrediction, may indicate whether the UE supports a CSI reporting framework, for example a framework for multiplexing and simultaneously reporting CSI beam predictions, and / or the number of CSI report(s) the UE may simultaneously process (or process in parallel) for beam prediction. The CSI report may comprise periodic and / or semi- persistent CSI.

[0075] An example of a new parameter in the PUCCH-Config is illustrated in FIG. 6, which includes multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList bm ml (610). In the example of FIG. 6, N is the predicted future time instances to be reported. In the example of FIG. 6, multi-CSI- PUCCH-ResourceList bm ml is the list of PUCCH resources used for multiplexing NZP- CSI Reports. These PUCCH resources may be of format 2, format 3, or format 4, depending on the UE capability.

[0076] Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example signaling flow according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. In the example of FIG. 7, the UE is configured to perform UE-sided prediction, for example with an AI / ML model. At 705, the UE may attach to the gNB in a given cell. At 710, the gNB may send a UE capability enquiry message to get supported capabilities of the UE. At 715, along with other AI / ML based beam management capability(s), the UE may send the parallelCSI-ReportsBeamPredictioncapability indicating its readiness / ability / capability to bundle several predicted reports. At 720, the gNB may configure the AI / ML beam management related CSI resource(s) and report configuration(s) for Set A and Set B beams (i.e. configurations for sets of reference signals associated with beams). At 725, for a CSI report configuration, the gNB may send a list of PUCCH resource IDs as part of, for example, the multi-CSI-PUCCH- ResourceList bm ml list. The PUCCH resources may be configured / allocated for transmission of beam prediction information. The number of PUCCH resources within this list may depend on the value N (i.e. the number of predicted time instances to be reported). At 730, the UE may receive the configuration and acknowledge it using, for example, an RRCReconfigurationComplete message.

[0077] At 735, the gNB may start transmitting NZP-CSI-RS for the measured beams. These reference signals must be detected at the UE in order to enable beam prediction. At 740, the UE may start inference using AI / ML based beam prediction. For example, the UE may determine / generate, using an ML model, N predicted future time instances in each inference occasion. For BM case 2, as part of the inference, the UE may predict LI RSRPs, channel state information resource indicators (CRI), and / or synchronization signal block resource indicators (SSBRI) of the best K beams for N future instances. In one example, the UE may use PUCCH resources from the multi-CSI-PUCCH-ResourceList bm ml list and bundle the CSI reports as per the mapping shown in the FIG. 8.

[0078] In an example embodiment, 1 through K best predicted beams may be determined at each time instance. K may be the number of beams predicted for a given time instance. Referring now to FIG. 8, during a prediction instance (e.g. 810, 820, 830), up to K CRI and / or SSBRI may be predicted. Additionally or alternatively, RSRP may be predicted. Additionally or alternatively, up to K differential RSRP may be determined. Up to N prediction instances may be reported during a reporting instance (e.g. 840), for example where there are N PUCCH resources included in the reporting slot (840).

[0079] In an example embodiment, in one reporting instance there may be N future predictions, each having a separate CSI report. If a PUCCH resource is mapped for eachpredicted time instance, then N PUCCH resources may need to be configured to the UE in order for the UE to map the reports to the PUCCH resources.

[0080] In an example embodiment, different CSI reports may be configured with at least partially overlapping sets of PUCCH resources. In an example embodiment, CSI reports that are multiplexed may be overlapping in the time domain.

[0081] Referring now to FIG. 7, at 745, during the next periodic CSI reporting interval, the UE may send multiplexed CSI reports to the gNB. The gNB may then demultiplex the CSI reports and start using them, for example for beam management.

[0082] A reporting interval may be determined based, at least partially, on CSI reporting periodicity.

[0083] While not illustrated in FIG. 7, the UE may determine whether there are enough PUCCH resources to transmit the N predicted instances. If there are fewer PUCCH resources than needed to transmit the N predicted instances according to the mapping of FIG. 8, the UE may determine to map the beam predictions to PUCCH resources in a different manner, as further described below. Additionally or alternatively, the mapping between CSI reports and PUCCH resources may depend on the configuration of the UE.

[0084] In an example embodiment, a PUCCH resource may carry more than one predicted CSI report.

[0085] In an example embodiment, two or more reports containing RSRP for N predicted beams may be multiplexed. In an example embodiment, two or more reports containing RSRP for N predicted beams, and RSRP for N measured beams, may be multiplexed. In an example embodiment, two or more CSI-RS reports may be reported. In an example embodiment, two or more reports, comprising reports of beam prediction in the spatial domain as well as beam prediction in the time domain, may be reported.

[0086] In an example embodiment, Multi-csi-PUCCH-resource-ml-bm may be optimized. In an example embodiment, the resource mapping may be based on one PUCCHresource per one prediction instance, as shown in FIG. 7. In another example embodiment, for example if there are constraint(s) in the cell, the PUCCH resource selection may be based on the overall bits present in each predicted CSI report, the modulation order, and / or the code rate.

[0087] In an example embodiment, ifsymb-uci ’ Qm ’r)o> the UE may use PUCCH format 2 resource 0, or the PUCCH format 3 resource 0, or the PUCCH format 4 resource 0 from multi-CSI-PUCCH- ResourceList bm ml.

[0088] Else, ij < N — 1, the UE may transmit a PUCCH conveying CSI report(s) in a respective PUCCH, where the UE may use the PUCCH format 2 resource j+1, or the PUCCH format 3 resource j+1, or the PUCCH format 4 resource j+1.

[0089] Where:

[0090] - N - Predicted future time instances to be reported

[0091] the total number bits of predicted CSI reports, where Ocsil is predicted CSI report of instancel, OcsiN is predicted CSI report of instance N, etc.

[0092] - OCRC is the total number CRC bits needed for Ocsi

[0093] - r is a code rate given by maxCodeRate as in Table 9.2.5.2-1 of TS 38.213

[0094] ■ MRRCCHis a number of PRBs provided by nrofPRBs otherwise, if nrofPRBs is not provided, MRRCCH= 1

[0095] - MNRcBctrl= NRCB— 4 for PUCCH format 2 or, if the PUCCH resource withPUCCH format 2 includes an orthogonal cover code with length NRpCCH’2provided by occ-format 3 or, if thePUCCH resource with PUCCH format 3 includes an orthogonal cover code with length NSRFPUCCH’3provided by occ-Length, NRBctrl= NRB / NPFUCCH’3, and NRBctrl= NRB / NPFCCH’4for PUCCH format 4, where NRCBis a number of subcarriers per resource block [TS 38.211],

[0096] - NPymb-UCIis equal to a number of PUCCH symbolsformat 2 provided by nrofSymbols in PUCCH-format2. For PUCCH format 3 or for PUCCH format 4, NPymb-uci is equal to a number of PUCCH symbols NPy^H'3for PUCCH format 3 or equal to a number of PUCCH symbols NPy^H'4for PUCCH format 4 provided by nrofSymbols in PUCCH-format3 or nrofSymbols in PUCCH-format4, respectively, after excluding a number of symbols used for DM-RS transmission for PUCCH format 3 or for PUCCH format 4, respectively.

[0097] - Qm= 1 if pi / 2-BPSK is the modulation scheme and Qm= 2 if QPSK is the modulation scheme as indicated by pi2BPSK for PUCCH format 3 or PUCCH format 4. For PUCCH format 2, Qm= 2.

[0098] In this example embodiment, the PUCCH resources may not be assigned exclusively for each CSI-report; instead, the PUCCH resources may be assigned based on the total number of bits of the of all predicted CSI-reports. The PUCCH resources may be assigned based on code rate, modulation order, and / or number of PRBs available for each resource. In this case, one PUCCH resource may carry more than one predicted CSI-report.

[0099] A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to reduce overhead and / or improve network efficiency.

[0100] FIG. 9 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 900. The example method 900 may include: transmitting, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources, 910; receiving, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used forreporting the one or more beam predictions, 920; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal, 930; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, 940; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources, 950. The example method 900 may be performed, for example, with a user equipment.

[0101] FIG. 10 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1000. The example method 1000 may include: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources, 1010; transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions, 1020; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions, 1030; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources, 1040. The example method 1000 may be performed, for example, with a base station, a network node, a gNB, etc.

[0102] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: 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: transmit, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receive, from the network node, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least onephysical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmit, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0103] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0104] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0105] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the physical uplink control channel resources of the list.

[0106] The indication of the capability of the apparatus may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the apparatus is capable of reporting with respective ones of the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0107] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0108] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0109] The example apparatus may be further configured to: receive, from the network node, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted, wherein the at least one reference signal to be measured may be associated with at least one beam that is configured to be measured.

[0110] The plurality of reports may be mapped in a time domain.

[0111] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may be determined based, at least partially, on the one or more beam predictions determined with at least one machine learning model.

[0112] The plurality of reports may be transmitted via uplink control information.

[0113] Generating the plurality of reports may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: for respective prediction instances of a plurality of prediction instances, combine at least two of the one or more beam predictions.

[0114] Mapping the respective reports may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: combine at least two reports for transmission with a same physical uplink control channel resource indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on a predetermined mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0115] Mapping the respective reports may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: determine whether the list of physical uplink control channel resources indicates sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports; and in response to a determination that the list of physical uplink control channel resources does not indicate sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports, map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0116] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receiving, from the network node, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0117] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0118] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0119] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the physical uplink control channel resources of the list.

[0120] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment is capable of reporting with respective ones of the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0121] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0122] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0123] The example method may further comprise: receiving, from the network node, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted, wherein the at least one reference signal to be measured may be associated with at least one beam that is configured to be measured.

[0124] The plurality of reports may be mapped in a time domain.

[0125] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may be determined based, at least partially, on the one or more beam predictions determined with at least one machine learning model.

[0126] The plurality of reports may be transmitted via uplink control information.

[0127] The generating of the plurality of reports may comprise: for respective prediction instances of a plurality of prediction instances, combining at least two of the one or more beam predictions.

[0128] The mapping of the respective reports may comprise: combining at least two reports for transmission with a same physical uplink control channel resource indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on a predetermined mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0129] The mapping of the respective reports may comprise: determining whether the list of physical uplink control channel resources indicates sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports; and in response to a determination that the list of physical uplink control channel resources does not indicate sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports, mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physicaluplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0130] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from the network node, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; circuitry configured to perform: generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; circuitry configured to perform: mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0131] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: transmit, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receive, from the network node, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, atleast partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmit, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0132] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” or “means” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.” This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0133] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: transmitting, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receiving, from the network node, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictionsbased, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0134] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0135] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0136] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the physical uplink control channel resources of the list.

[0137] The indication of the capability of the apparatus may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the apparatus is capable of reporting with respective ones of the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0138] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0139] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0140] The means may be further configured for: receiving, from the network node, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted, wherein the at least one reference signal to be measured may be associated with at least one beam that is configured to be measured.

[0141] The plurality of reports may be mapped in a time domain.

[0142] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may be determined based, at least partially, on the one or more beam predictions determined with at least one machine learning model.

[0143] The plurality of reports may be transmitted via uplink control information.

[0144] The means configured for generating the plurality of reports may comprise means configured for: for respective prediction instances of a plurality of prediction instances, combining at least two of the one or more beam predictions.

[0145] The means configured for mapping the respective reports may comprise means configured for: combining at least two reports for transmission with a same physical uplink control channel resource indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on a predetermined mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0146] The means configured for mapping the respective reports may comprise means configured for: determining whether the list of physical uplink control channel resources indicates sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports; and in response to a determination that the list of physical uplink control channel resources does not indicate sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports, mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0147] A processor, memory, and / or example algorithms (which may be encoded as instructions, program, or code) may be provided as example means for providing or causing performance of operation.

[0148] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; cause receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and cause transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0149] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and causing transmitting, to the network node, ofthe plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0150] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0151] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0152] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the physical uplink control channel resources of the list.

[0153] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment is capable of reporting with respective ones of the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0154] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0155] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0156] The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: receiving, from the network node, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted, wherein the at least one reference signal to be measured may be associated with at least one beam that is configured to be measured.

[0157] The plurality of reports may be mapped in a time domain.

[0158] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may be determined based, at least partially, on the one or more beam predictions determined with at least one machine learning model.

[0159] The plurality of reports may be transmitted via uplink control information.

[0160] The program instructions stored thereon for performing generating the plurality of reports may comprise program instructions for performing: for respective prediction instances of a plurality of prediction instances, combining at least two of the one or more beam predictions.

[0161] The program instructions stored thereon for performing mapping the respective reports may comprise program instructions for performing: combining at least two reports for transmission with a same physical uplink control channel resource indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on a predetermined mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0162] The program instructions stored thereon for performing mapping the respective reports may comprise program instructions for performing: determining whether the list of physical uplink control channel resources indicates sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports; and in response to a determination that the list of physical uplink control channel resources does not indicate sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports, mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a numberof physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0163] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and causing transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0164] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and causing transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on themapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0165] A computer implemented system comprising: at least one processor and at least one (non-transitory) memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system at least to perform: causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and causing transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0166] A computer implemented system comprising: means for causing transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; means for causing receiving, from the network node, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; means for generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; means for mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and means for causing transmitting, to the network node, of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0167] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: 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 user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receive, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determine respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0168] The example apparatus may be further configured to: determine the list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on the capability of the user equipment.

[0169] The example apparatus may be further configured to: transmit, to the user equipment, at least one reference signal, wherein the plurality of reports may be associated with, at least, the at least one reference signal.

[0170] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0171] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0172] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the list of the physical uplink control channel resources.

[0173] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment may be capable of reporting with the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0174] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0175] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0176] The example apparatus may be further configured to: transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted.

[0177] The plurality of reports may be received via uplink control information.

[0178] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0179] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping determined based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0180] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or morephysical uplink control channel resources; transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0181] The example method may further comprise: determining the list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on the capability of the user equipment.

[0182] The example method may further comprise: transmitting, to the user equipment, at least one reference signal, wherein the plurality of reports may be associated with, at least, the at least one reference signal.

[0183] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0184] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0185] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the list of the physical uplink control channel resources.

[0186] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment may be capable of reporting with the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0187] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0188] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0189] The example method may further comprise: transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted.

[0190] The plurality of reports may be received via uplink control information.

[0191] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0192] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping determined based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0193] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: circuitry configured to perform: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beampredictions; circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and circuitry configured to perform: determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0194] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receive, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determine respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0195] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0196] The means may be further configured for: determining the list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on the capability of the user equipment.

[0197] The means may be further configured for: transmitting, to the user equipment, at least one reference signal, wherein the plurality of reports may be associated with, at least, the at least one reference signal.

[0198] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0199] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0200] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the list of the physical uplink control channel resources.

[0201] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment may be capable of reporting with the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0202] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0203] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0204] The means may be further configured for: transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted.

[0205] The plurality of reports may be received via uplink control information.

[0206] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0207] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping determined based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0208] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; cause transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; cause receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determine respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0209] In accordance with one example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used forreporting the one or more beam predictions; causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0210] The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: determining the list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on the capability of the user equipment.

[0211] The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of at least one reference signal, wherein the plurality of reports may be associated with, at least, the at least one reference signal.

[0212] The plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions may comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

[0213] The plurality of reports may comprise a plurality of channel state information reports.

[0214] The configuration may comprise an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the list of the physical uplink control channel resources.

[0215] The indication of the capability of the user equipment may comprise, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment may be capable of reporting with the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

[0216] The at least one reference signal may comprise at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

[0217] The list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0218] The example computer-readable medium may further comprise program instructions stored thereon for performing: causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted.

[0219] The plurality of reports may be received via uplink control information.

[0220] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0221] The mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources may comprise a mapping determined based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

[0222] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channelresources; causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0223] In accordance with another example embodiment, a (non-transitory) computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0224] A computer implemented system comprising: at least one processor and at least one (non-transitory) memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system at least to perform: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0225] A computer implemented system comprising: means for causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; means for causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a configuration that may comprise, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; means for causing receiving, from the user equipment, of a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and means for determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

[0226] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0227] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modification and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A method comprising: transmitting, with a user equipment to a network node, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receiving, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generating a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; mapping respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmitting, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

2. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to:transmit, to a network node, an indication of a capability of the apparatus to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; receive, from the network node, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; generate a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on at least one measurement of at least one reference signal; map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources; and transmit, to the network node, the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain,beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 or 3, wherein the plurality of reports comprises a plurality of channel state information reports.

5. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 4, wherein the configuration comprises an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the physical uplink control channel resources of the list.

6. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 5, wherein the indication of the capability of the apparatus comprises, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the apparatus is capable of reporting with respective ones of the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 6, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 7, wherein the list of physical uplink control channel resources comprises a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 8, wherein the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, from the network node, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted, wherein the at least one reference signal to be measured is associated with at least one beam that is configured to be measured.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 9, wherein the plurality of reports are mapped in a time domain.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 10, wherein the plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions are determined based, at least partially, on the one or more beam predictions determined with at least one machine learning model.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 11, wherein the plurality of reports are transmitted via uplink control information.

13. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 12, wherein generating the plurality of reports comprises the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: for respective prediction instances of a plurality of prediction instances, combine at least two of the one or more beam predictions.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 13, wherein mapping the respective reports comprises the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: combine at least two reports for transmission with a same physical uplink control channel resource indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on a predetermined mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

15. The apparatus of any of claims 2 through 14, wherein mapping the respective reports comprises the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine whether the list of physical uplink control channel resources indicates sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports; and in response to a determination that the list of physical uplink control channel resources does not indicate sufficient resources for transmitting the plurality of reports, map respective reports of the plurality of reports with at least one physical uplink control channel resource included in the list of physical uplink control channel resources based, at least partially, on at least one of: a number of bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a number of cyclic redundancy check bits in the respective reports of the plurality of reports, a modulation order associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, a number of physical resource blocks associated with the respective physical uplink control channel resources in the list of physical uplink control channel resources, or a code rate.

16. A method comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources;transmitting, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receiving, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determining respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

17. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication of a capability of the user equipment to report one or more beam predictions using one or more physical uplink control channel resources; transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration comprising, at least, a list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions; receive, from the user equipment, a plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions; and determine respective reports of the plurality of reports based, at least partially, on a mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine the list of physical uplink control channel resources to be used for reporting the one or more beam predictions based, at least partially, on the capability of the user equipment.

19. The apparatus of claim 17 or 18, wherein the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the user equipment, at least one reference signal, wherein the plurality of reports are associated with, at least, the at least one reference signal.

20. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 19, wherein the plurality of reports of the one or more beam predictions comprise at least one of: at least one predicted reference signal received power, at least one predicted reference signal resource indicator, at least one predicted channel state information resource indicator, at least one predicted synchronization signal block resource indicator, beam predictions in a time domain, beam predictions based, at least partially, on output of a machine learning model, or beam predictions for a predetermined number of best beams.

21. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 20, wherein the plurality of reports comprises a plurality of channel state information reports, and wherein theconfiguration comprises an indication of a number of prediction instances to be reported with the list of the physical uplink control channel resources.

22. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 21, wherein the indication of the capability of the user equipment comprises, at least, an indication of a number of prediction instances the user equipment is capable of reporting with the one or more physical uplink control channel resources.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 22, wherein the at least one reference signal comprises at least one non-zero-power channel state information reference signal, and wherein the list of physical uplink control channel resources comprises a list of identifiers of physical uplink control channel resources.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 23, wherein the instructions, when executed with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the user equipment, a configuration for a set of reference signals to be measured, and a set of reference signals to be predicted.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 17 through 24, wherein the mapping between the plurality of reports and the list of physical uplink control channel resources comprises a mapping between: prediction instances associated with the respective reports of the plurality of reports, and physical uplink control channel resources indicated with the list of physical uplink control channel resources.

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