CSI PREDICTION USING BURSTY AND NON-BURSTY CSI-RSs

Abstract

In an embodiment, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for Channel State Information (CSI) prediction can include receiving from a network node a configuration for a first CSI Reference Signal (CSI-RS) that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix 5 Indicator (PMI) prediction. The method can also include performing first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS, performing second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs and then performing CSI computation resulting in computed CSI. The CSI computation can be based on either the combined first channel measurements and second channel measurements, or based on just the first channel measurements, or be based on just the second channel measurements. 0 Once the CSI is computed, a CSI report can be provided back to the network node.

Description

CSI PREDICTION USING BURSTY AND NON-BURSTY CSI-RSs RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 680,848, filed August 8, 2024, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to methods for Channel State Information (CSI) prediction, and more specifically to methods performed by a User Equipment and network node for performing CSI prediction using bursty and non-bursty CSI reference signals in a wireless communications network. BACKGROUND Codebook-based Precoding

[0003] Multi-antenna techniques can significantly increase the data rates and reliability of a wireless communication system. The performance is in particular improved if both the transmitter and the receiver are equipped with multiple antennas, which results in a multiple-input multiple- output (MIMO) communication channel. Such systems and / or related techniques are commonly referred to as MIMO.

[0004] A core component of the fifth Generation (5G) wireless network or New Radio (NR) is the support of MIMO antenna deployments and MIMO related techniques such as spatial multiplexing. Spatial multiplexing can be used to increase data rates in favorable channel conditions. Figure 1 shows an example of spatial multiplexing. An information carrying symbol vector s is multiplied by an NT x r precoding matrix or precoder ^, which serves to distribute the transmit energy in a subspace of the NTdimensional vector space. The precoding matrix is typically selected from a codebook of possible precoding matrices, and typically indicated by means of a precoding matrix indicator (PMI), which specifies a unique precoding matrix in the codebook for a given number of symbol streams. The r symbols in s each correspond to a MIMO layer and r is referred to as the transmission rank, which equals to the number of columns of theprecoder ^ . In this way, spatial multiplexing is achieved since multiple symbols can betransmitted simultaneously over the same time / frequency resource element (RE). The number of symbols r is typically adapted to suit the current channel properties.

[0005] NR uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) in downlink. The received NR x 1 vector yn at a UE on a certain RE can be expressed as:^^ = ^^^^^ + ^^

[0006] where en is a receiver noise / interference vector. The precoder ^ can be constant over frequency (i.e., wideband), or frequency selective (i.e., per subband).

[0007] The precoder ^ is chosen to match the characteristics of the NRxNTMIMO channel matrix ^^, resulting in so-called channel dependent precoding. This is also commonly referred to as closed-loop precoding.

[0008] In closed-loop precoding, the User Equipment (UE) feeds back recommendations on a suitable precoder to the gNB (e.g., a Fifth Generation (5G) base station) in the form of a PMI based on downlink channel measurements. For that purpose, the UE is configured with a channel state information (CSI) report configuration including CSI reference signals (CSI-RS) for channel measurements and a codebook of candidate precoders. In addition to precoders, the feedback may also include a rank indicator (RI) and one or two channel quality indicators (CQIs). Rank Indicator (RI), PMI and Channel Quality Indicator (CQI) are part of a CSI feedback. In New Radio (NR), CSI feedback can be either wideband, where one CSI is reported for the entire channel bandwidth, or frequency-selective, where one CSI is reported for each subband, which is defined as a number of contiguous physical resource blocks (PRBs) ranging between 4-32 PRBs depending on the band width part (BWP) size.

[0009] Given the CSI feedback from the UE, the gNB determines the transmission parameters it wishes to use to transmit to the UE, including the precoding matrix, transmission rank, and modulation and coding scheme (MCS). 2D Antenna Arrays

[0010] Two-dimensional antenna arrays are widely used, and such antenna arrays can be described by a number of antenna ports, ^^, in a first dimension (e.g., the horizontal dimension), a number of antenna ports, ^^, in the second-dimension perpendicular to the first dimension (e.g., the vertical dimension), and a number of polarizations ^^. The total number of antennaports is thus ^ = ^^^^^^. The concept of an antenna port is non-limiting in the sense that it canrefer to any virtualization (e.g., linear mapping) to the physical antenna elements. For example, pairs of physical antenna elements could be fed the same signal, and hence share the samevirtualized antenna port. An example of a 4x4 (i.e., ^^ × ^^,) array with dual-polarized antennaelements (i.e., ^^ = 2) is illustrated in Figure 2.

[0011] Precoding may be interpreted as multiplying the signal to be transmitted to a set of beamforming weights on the antenna ports prior to transmission. A typical approach is to tailor theprecoder to the antenna form factor, i.e., taking into account ^^, ^^ and ^^ when designing theprecoder codebook. Channel State Information (CSI) Reference Signal (CSI-RS)

[0012] For CSI measurement and feedback, CSI-RS are defined. A CSI-RS is transmitted on an antenna port at the gNB and is used by a UE to measure downlink channel between the antenna port and each of the UE’s receive antenna ports. The transmit antenna ports are also referred to as CSI-RS ports. The supported number of CSI-RS ports in NR are {1,2,4,8,12,16,24,32}. By measuring the received CSI-RS, a UE can estimate the channel that the CSI-RS is traversing, including the radio propagation channel and antenna gains. The CSI-RS for the above purpose is also referred to as Non-Zero Power (NZP) CSI-RS.

[0013] CSI-RS can be configured to be transmitted in certain Resource Elements (REs) in a slot and certain slots. Figure 3 shows an example of CSI-RS REs for 12 antenna ports, where 1RE per Resource Block (RB) per port is shown.

[0014] In addition, interference measurement resource (IMR) is also defined in NR for a UE to measure interference. An IMR resource contains 4 REs, either 4 adjacent RE in frequency in the same OFDM symbol or 2 by 2 adjacent REs in both time and frequency in a slot. By measuring both the channel based on NZP CSI-RS and the interference based on an IMR, a UE can estimate the effective channel and noise plus interference to determine the CSI. Furthermore, a UE in NR may be configured to measure interference based on one or multiple NZP CSI-RS resource. CSI Framework in NR

[0015] In NR, a UE can be configured with multiple CSI reporting settings and multiple CSI- RS resource settings. Each resource setting can contain multiple resource sets, and each resource set can contain up to 8 CSI-RS resources. For each CSI reporting setting, a UE feeds back a CSI report.

[0016] Each CSI reporting setting contains at least the following information: • A CSI-RS resource setting for channel measurement • An IMR resource set for interference measurement • Optionally, a CSI-RS resource set for interference measurement • Time-domain behavior, i.e., periodic, semi-persistent, or aperiodic reporting • Frequency granularity, i.e., wideband or subband • CSI parameters to be reported such as RI, PMI, CQI, and CSI-RS resource indicator (CRI) in case of multiple CSI-RS resources in a resource set• Codebook types, i.e., type I or II, and codebook subset restriction • Measurement restriction • Subband size. One out of two possible subband sizes is indicated, the value range depends on the bandwidth of the BWP. One CQI / PMI (if configured for subband reporting) is fed back per subband).

[0017] In NR, CSI-AperiodicTriggerState is configured in order to trigger aperiodic CSI reports. The CSI-AperiodicTriggerList IE is defined in 3GPP TS 38.331 V17.2.0 as follows:

[0018] There is list of trigger states which may include up to 128 of CSI- AperiodicTriggerStates. Each trigger state may include up to 16 CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo. Each CSI-AssociatedReportConfigInfo contains a reportconfig id which associates it to a CSI- Reportconfig. UE may have up to 48 different reportconfigs configured. Each Reportconfig includes codebookConfig as a field. DFT-based Precoders

[0019] A common type of precoding is to use a Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT)-precoder, where the precoder vector used to precode a single-layer transmission using a single-polarized uniform linear array (ULA) with ^ antennas is defined as:

[0020] where ^ = 0,1, … ,^ − 1 is the precoder index and , is an integer oversamplingfactor. ^"is also referred to as a one dimension (1-D) DFT beam with beam index ^. If ULA is along the horizontal dimension, each DFT beam points to an azimuth direction. If ULA is along the vertical dimension, each DFT beam points to an elevation direction. Each precoder corresponds to a DFT beam.

[0021] A corresponding precoder vector for a two-dimensional uniform planar array (UPA) with ^^antenna ports in one dimension and ^^antenna ports in another dimension can be created by taking the Kronecker product of two precoder vectors as: ^^^^^, .^ = / ",0 = ^",^^^0,^,beams in each of the two dimensions, and ,^and ,^are the over sampling factors in the two dimensions associated with ^^and ^^, respectively. / ",0is also referred to a two-dimension (2-D) DFT beam characterized by two beam indices ^^, .^, one in each dimension. Each precodercorresponds to a 2D DFT beam.

[0023] Extending the DFT precoder for a dual-polarized UPA may then be done as:

[0024] where ^^?is a co-phasing factor that may be selected from M-PSK alphabet such asQPK with = ∈ {0, ^G^ ^, F, ^}.

[0025] A precoder matrix ^^^,^<for multi-layer transmission may be created by appending columns of DFT precoder vectors as:

[0026] ^^^,^< = I^^^,^<^^^, .^, =^^ ^^^,^<^^^, .^, =^^ ⋯ ^^^,^<^^K, .K, =K^L

[0027] where M is the number of transmission layers. Such DFT-based precoders are used for instance in NR Type I CSI feedback, where each layer is associated with 2D DFT beam. MU-MIMO

[0028] With multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO), two or more users in the same cell are co- scheduled on a same time-frequency resource. That is, multiple data streams are transmitted to different UEs at the same time-frequency resource and each UE may be allocated with one or more layers. By transmitting several streams simultaneously, the capacity of the system can be increased.

[0029] To avoid across UE or layer interference, zero-forcing (ZF) type of precoders may be used in which the feedback precoders associated with all co-scheduled UEs in a same time frequency resource are used together to generate a set of new orthogonal precoders. This requires each of the feedback precoders to be a good representation of the underlying channel.

[0030] However, a single DFT beam is generally not a good representation of a layer under multipath channel as each layer may be transmitted over multiple paths each corresponding to a DFT beam.

[0031] To improve the above single DFT beam based precoder, type II codebook-based CSI feedback was introduced in NR Rel-15 and further enhanced in NR Rel-16. The basic concept isthat due to multipath propagation, each layer may contain more than one DFT beam. Hence a better precoder may be created by combining multiple DFT beams for each layer and the UE feeds back both the multiple DFT beams and the combining coefficients. TYPE II CSI

[0032] Type-II CSI codebook was introduced in Rel-15 NR (specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.3 of 3GPP TS 38.214 V18.1.0) to enable a UE to report a richer CSI compared to Type-I feedback (specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.1 of 3GPP TS 38.214) to enable MU-MIMO precoding. In essence, the Type-II CSI feedback consists of information on linearly combining multiple DFT beams for each layer with subband granularity. Type-II CSI feedback outperforms Type-I CSI feedback in system-level performance. However, Type-II CSI report specified in Rel-15 NR suffers from a large overhead due to the subband reporting. To overcome the issue of large overhead of Type II, enhanced Type II (eType-II) CSI codebook was introduced in Rel-16 (specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.5 of 3GPP TS 38.214), where the correlation between the subbands is exploited and compression along the frequency domain is applied.

[0033] Along with the Type-II and eType-II codebooks, NR also supports their Port Selection (PS) variants, Type-II PS codebook and eType-II PS codebook, respectively, where the UEs measure beamformed CSI-RS ports instead of non-beamformed CSI-RS and select a subset of ports. The PS variants are intended for reciprocity-based operation, typically in TDD deployments, since the network may already know a good set of spatial domain (SD) bases for precoding the CSI-RS. In Rel-17, the Rel-16 eType-II PS codebook (specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.6 of 3GPP TS 38.214 V18.1.0) was further enhanced to support FDD scenarios with partial reciprocity where the network can estimate a good set of SD bases and delay difference between them. In Rel-17 further enhanced Type-II PS codebook (or feType-II PS specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.7 of 3GPP TS 38.214) the UEs measure beamformed and delay compensated CSI-RS, and report phase related information that the network cannot estimate due to partial reciprocity.

[0034] In all the Type-II CSI feedback variants until Rel-17, a UE is configured to report a PMI from the configured codebook type for a single CSI-RS measurement instance. The Type-II feedback contains fine CSI information and it has been observed that the system-level performance, especially when using MU-MIMO, degrades with UE mobility due to the outdating of the report. The performance loss can be recovered to some extent by reducing the CSI-RS transmission periodicity at the cost of increased DL RS overhead and UL reporting overhead.

[0035] To address the issue of aging of Type-II reports with UE mobility, the following codebooks have been specified in Rel-18:• the enhanced Type-II codebook for predicted PMI (or eTypeII-predictedPMI specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.10 of 3GPP TS 38.214) and • further enhanced Type-II PS codebook for predicted PMI (feTypeII-PS-predictedPMI specified in Clause 5.2.2.2.11 of 3GPP TS 38.214).

[0036] A UE is configured with N aperiodic CSI-RS resources or with a periodic or semi- persistent CSI-RS resource to enable multiple measurements. The multiple measurements are used by the UE to determine multiple PMIs in a future time window and pack them into a single report. In the following sections, the enhanced codebooks for predicted PMI are described in detail. Prediction of PMIs based on aperiodic, periodic, or semi-persistent CSI-RSs

[0037] Figure 4 illustrates the concept of the Rel-18 Type-II codebooks for predicted PMI and different types of channel measurement resources (CMRs). A UE is configured to measure on a burst of N aperiodic CSI-RS instances separated by O slots, illustrated in green. Alternatively, the UE may be configured to measure the channel on a periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS resource with a periodicity of P slots. In Rel-18, each of the CSI-RS resources have up to 32 CSI-RS ports. The UE measures the CSI-RS ports at multiple time instances and determines ^Qprecoders / PMIsseparated by R slots, illustrated in blue. The determination of ^Q precoders is up to UEimplementation. The following are two possible ways the UE could determine the ^Qprecoders. • a UE could first predict the channel for each CSI-port at the ^Qfuture time slots and compute precoders from the predicted channel; or • a UE could directly compute ^Qprecoders from the N measurements.

[0038] The ^QPMIs are packed into a single CSI report and transmitted to the network in slotS (illustrated in orange). To account for the delay between slot S where the CSI report istransmitted in a UL resource and the slot at which the first PMI is applied to a downlink (DL)transmission, a parameter T is configured by the network to the UE. The UE can use thisinformation to obtain the slot at which the first PMI will be used and design its predictor accordingly.

[0039] The Rel-18 Type-II codebook for predicted PMI is built on the design principles of Rel-16 eType-II codebook. As a consequence, the PMIs are reported through a set of spatial domain (SD) bases, Frequency domain (FD) bases, and linear complex-valued combining coefficients. To pack the ^QPMIs into a single report while minimizing the report overhead, a new set of bases, i.e., Doppler domain (DD) bases are introduced to reduce the overhead of the report. eTYPE II Predicted PMI Codebook Parameters and CSI Reporting

[0040] The following channel measurement resources are configurable for eTypeII- predictedPMI: •N ∈ {4, 8, 12} aperiodic CSI-RS resources, each separated by O ∈ {1, 2} slot.• Periodic or semi-persistent CSI-RS resource with periodicity P.

[0041] The following parameters are configurable in Rel-18 eTypeII-predictedPMI Codebook according to 3GPP TS 38.214 Clause 5.2.2.2.10:

[0042] The number of DFT beams, FD basis vectors, and coefficients to be selected and reported by a UE in the CSI report are configured through a parameter combination index. The parameter combinations are listed in Table 1, where W is the number of DFT beams, X is the rank, YZdetermines the number of FD basis and [ determines the number of non-zero coefficients to be reported.

[0043] Table 1 below shows Codebook parameter configurations for \, ] and ^_paramCombination-YDoppler-r18W ` [a ∈ {1,2} a ∈ {3,4}1 2 1 / 8 1 / 16 ¼ 2 2 ¼ 1 / 8 ½ 3 4 ¼ 1 / 8 ¼ 4 4 ¼ ¼ ¼ 5 4 ¼ ¼ ½ 6 4 ¼ ¼ ¾ 7 4 ½ ¼ ½ 8 6 ¼ - ½ 9 6 ¼ - ¾ Table 1

[0044] The number of PMIs (PMI intervals) in the future time window, ^Q ∈ {1, 2, 4, 8}• If ^Q = 1, PMI is reported according to the format for Rel-16 eTypeII, specified in 3GPP TS38.214 Clause 5.2.2.2.5 and Table 5.2.2.2.5-5. •If ^Q ∈ {2, 4, 8}, c = 2 Doppler Domain basis are selected for compression across the slots inthe future time window and PMI is reported according to 3GPP TS 38.214 Clause 5.2.2.2.10 and Table 5.2.2.2.10-2. The first DD basis (first column of the DD DFT matrix) is always selected and only the index of the second selected basis is reported. •When ^Q = 2, since c = 2, the indices of the selected DD bases are not reported.

[0045] Interval between the consecutive PMIs or duration of a PMI, R. For periodic / semi-persistent CSI-RS, R = P, where P is the periodicity of the periodic / semi-persistent CSI-RS. And,for aperiodic CSI-RS, R ∈ {1, O}, where O is the separation between two CSI-RS instances.

[0046] The delay parameter, The earliest of the ^QPMI slotintervals starts at slot . = S + T, where S is the uplink slot in which CSI is reported. Here, Sdef_Khithe slot associated with the CSI reference resource as described in 3GPP TS 38.214 Clause 5.2.2.5. SUMMARY

[0047] In an embodiment, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for Channel State Information (CSI) prediction can include receiving from a network node a configuration for a first CSI Reference Signal (CSI-RS) that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) prediction. The method can also include performing first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity, performing second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity and then performing CSI computation resulting in computed CSI. The CSI computation can include one of performing PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, performing PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only, or performing PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only. The computed CSI can then be reported to the network node.

[0048] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI-RS resources.

[0049] In an embodiment, the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

[0050] In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI- RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

[0051] In an embodiment, the method also includes receiving a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs.

[0052] In an embodiment, the control message is a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

[0053] In an embodiment, the control message is Downlink Control Information (DCI).

[0054] In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are periodic CSI- RSs.

[0055] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

[0056] In an embodiment, the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

[0057] In an embodiment, a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

[0058] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

[0059] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

[0060] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

[0061] In an embodiment, the UE switches CSI reporting behavior from reporting the CSI computed based on only the first CSI-RS to reporting the CSI computed based on one of: on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, or on the second channel measurements only.

[0062] In an embodiment, a UE for CSI prediction is provided, where the UE comprises processing circuitry configured to receive from a network node a configuration for a first CSI-RS that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for PMI prediction. The processing circuitry can also perform first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity, perform second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity and then perform CSI computation resulting in computed CSI. The CSI computation can include one of performing PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, performing PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only, or performing PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only. The computed CSI can then be reported to the network node. In an embodiment, the processing circuitry can also perform any of the embodiments described above.

[0063] In an embodiment, a UE is provided for CSI prediction, where the UE is configured to perform any of the embodiments described above.

[0064] In an embodiment, a method performed by a network node for CSI prediction is provided. The method includes providing, to a UE a configuration of a first CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for PMI prediction. The method also includes receiving, from the UE, a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only.

[0065] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI-RS resources.

[0066] In an embodiment, the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

[0067] In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI- RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

[0068] In an embodiment, the method also includes providing a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs.

[0069] In an embodiment, the control message is a MAC-CE.

[0070] In an embodiment, the control message is DCI.

[0071] In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are periodic CSI- RSs.

[0072] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

[0073] In an embodiment, the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

[0074] In an embodiment, a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

[0075] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

[0076] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

[0077] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity. In an embodiment, a network node for CSI prediction is provided where the network node includes processing circuitry configured to provide, to a UE a configuration of a first CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for PMI prediction. The processing circuitry also can receive, from the UE, a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only, and a PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only. The processing circuitry can also perform any of the methods performed by the network node above.

[0078] In an embodiment, a network node is provided for CSI prediction, where the network node is configured to perform any of the embodiments described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0079] The accompanying drawing figures incorporated in and forming a part of this specification illustrate several aspects of the disclosure, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure.

[0080] Figure 1 shows an example of spatial multiplexing in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0081] Figure 2 shows an example of an antenna array with dual polarized antenna elements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0082] Figure 3 shows an example of Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) Resource Elements (REs) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0083] Figure 4 shows an example of a Rel-18 Type II codebook for predicted Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0084] Figure 5 shows an example of a message sequence chart of a method for CSI prediction in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0085] Figure 6 shows an example of a first CSI-RS and second set of CSI-RS with difference periodicities in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0086] Figure 7 shows an example of a periodic CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RSs being used for channel measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0087] Figure 8 shows a different example of a periodic CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RSs with different periodicities being used for channel measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0088] Figure 9 shows an example of a configuration used for evaluation when a combination of periodic CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RS are used for channel measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0089] Figure 10 depicts a graph showing mean throughput for a UE according to different CSI prediction techniques in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0090] Figure 11 depicts another graph showing mean throughput for a UE according to different CSI prediction techniques in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0091] Figure 12 shows an example of a communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0092] Figure 13 shows a User Equipment device (UE) in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0093] Figure 14 shows a network node in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0094] Figure 15 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0095] The embodiments set forth below represent information to enable those skilled in the art to practice the embodiments and illustrate the best mode of practicing the embodiments. Upon reading the following description in light of the accompanying drawing figures, those skilled in the art will understand the concepts of the disclosure and will recognize applications of these concepts not particularly addressed herein. It should be understood that these concepts and applications fall within the scope of the disclosure.

[0096] Some of the embodiments contemplated herein will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments are provided by way of example to convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

[0097] There currently exist certain challenge(s). In typical networks, periodic Channel State Information (CSI) Reference Signals (RS) (CSI-RS) are deployed with larger (e.g., 20 slots or more) periodicities to keep the CSI-RS overhead low. However, CSI (or Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI)) prediction performance will be limited to only smaller User Equipment (UE) speeds when the CSI prediction is based on periodic CSI-RS with such large periodicities. Solutions have been proposed of combining periodic CSI-RS with aperiodic CSI-RS for channel measurement is proposed to improve CSI prediction to larger UE speeds. However, the use of aperiodic CSI-RS requires frequent triggering of the aperiodic CSI-RS via Downlink Control Information (DCI) which will lead to large DCI overhead when there is high Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) load (i.e., high PDSCH load means there is frequently need for CSI with prediction PMI and the solutions proposed would lead to high control signaling overhead). Hence, how to improve CSI prediction performance when periodic CSI-RSs are deployed with practical periodicities when there is high PDSCH load in the network is an open problem to solve.

[0098] Certain aspects of the disclosure and their embodiments may provide solutions to these or other challenges. In this disclosure, a solution is proposed where the UE combines measurements on a periodic CSI-RS resource and a burst of semi-persistent CSI-RS resources to generate PMI for future time slots. The semi-persistent CSI-RS burst can be triggered when the PDSCH load is high, such that the UE can use the additional CSI-RS measurements to predict CSI for future time slots with higher accuracy and subsequently, generate and report the corresponding PMIs. Further, the configuration for combined periodic and semi-persistent CSI-RS resources for channel measurement are disclosed, along with the UE behavior when periodic and semi-persistent CSI-RS resources occur in the same slot.

[0099] In an embodiment, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) for Channel State Information (CSI) prediction can include receiving from a network node a configuration for a first CSI Reference Signal (CSI-RS) that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI) prediction. The method can also include performing first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity, performing second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity and then performing CSI computation resulting in computed CSI. The CSI computation can be based on either the combined first channel measurements and second channel measurements, or based on just the first channel measurements, or be based on just the second channel measurements. Once the CSI is computed, a CSI report can be provided back to the network node.

[0100] Certain embodiments may provide one or more of the following technical advantage(s). With the proposed solution, the CSI-RS overhead can be kept low but at the same time, CSI (or PMI) prediction performance can be extended to higher UE speeds when there is high PDSCH load. The combined channel measurements based on periodic and a set of semi- persistent CSI-RSs allow the possibility for improved CSI (or PMI) prediction performance at higher UE speeds when the PDSCH load is high. Since the proposed solution offers the use of semi-persistent CSI-RS burst to perform channel measurement in additional to the periodic CSI- RS, the PMI prediction performance can be improved compared to the case when only periodic CSI-RS is used for channel measurement. Furthermore, when PDSCH load is high, the activation / deactivation of the burst of semi-persistent CSI-RSs requires only a single control message which in turn reduces the control signaling overhead compared to the periodic CSI-RS + aperiodic CSI-RS solutions proposed before.

[0101] Figure 5 shows an example of a message sequence chart of a method for CSI prediction in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0102] The method of Figure 5 can begin at step 502, where a UE 1212 receives from a network node 1210 (e.g., a gNB, or other radio access network node) a configuration of a first CSI-RS that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that has a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for PMI prediction.

[0103] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI-RS resources. In an embodiment, the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

[0104] In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI- RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs. In an embodiment, the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI- RSs are periodic CSI-RSs.

[0105] In an embodiment, the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

[0106] In an embodiment, the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity. In an embodiment, a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

[0107] In an embodiment, the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity. In an embodiment, the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity. In an embodiment, the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

[0108] At step 504, the UE 1212 can perform first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity.

[0109] At step 506, the UE 1212 can perform second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity.

[0110] At step 508, the UE 1212 can perform CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only, or performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only.

[0111] At step 516, the UE 1212 can send the computed CSI as a CSI report to the network node 1210.

[0112] At step 518, the UE 1212 can optionally receive from the network node 1210, a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs. In an embodiment, the control message is a Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE), and in other embodiments, the control message can be DCI.

[0113] In an embodiment, the UE (1212) switches CSI reporting behavior from reporting the CSI computed based on only the first CSI-RS to reporting the CSI computed based on one of the following: on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, or on the second channel measurements only.

[0114] Figure 6 shows an example of the above Non-Zero-Power (NZP) CSI-RSs configured for channel measurement. The UE performs channel measurements on the first NZP CSI-RS with the first periodicity. When the first periodicity is configured with a value of j^(either in time units of slots or symbols) as shown in Figure 6, the UE measures channel on the first NZP CSI-RS everyj^time units. The second set of NZP CSI-RSs consists of more than one NZP CSI-RSs. In the example in Figure 6, the second set of NZP CSI-RSs consists of three NZP CSI-RSs. The second set of NZP CSI-RSs is configured with the second periodicity value of j^(either in time units of slots or symbols). This means that the UE measures channel on the second set of NZP CSI-RSs as follows: • the UE measures the channel on the first NZP CSI-RS of the second set of NZP CSI-RSs every j^time units; • the UE measures the channel on the second NZP CSI-RS of the second set of NZP CSI- RSs every j^time units; • the UE measures the channel on the third NZP CSI-RS of the second set of NZP CSI-RSs every j^time units;

[0115] In an alternative embodiment, the UE starts measuring the channel on the second set of NZP CSI-RSs once the UE receives the configuration from the gNB. That is, the UE starts measuring the channel on the first NZP CSI-RS and the second set of NZP CSI-RSs once it receives the configuration from the gNB.

[0116] In some embodiments, the second periodicity j^is larger than the first periodicity j^. In a specific embodiment, the second periodicity j^is an integer multiple of the first periodicity j^. Referring to the example in Figure 6, the second periodicity j^is 6 times that of the first periodicity j^.

[0117] In some embodiments, using the combined measurements from both the first NZP CSI- RS and the second set of NZP CSI-RSs, the UE predicts PMI for ^Qtime instances.

[0118] In one embodiment, how many occasions of the first NZP CSI-RS are used in the combined measurements used for predicting the PMI is predefined in 3GPP specifications. In another embodiment, how many occasions of the first NZP CSI-RS are used in the combined measurements for predicting the PMI is configured by the gNB to the UE. In yet another embodiment, how many occasions of the first NZP CSI-RS are used in the combined measurements for predicting the PMI is signaled from the UE to the gNB as part of UE capability signaling.

[0119] In one embodiment, each NZP CSI-RS in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs is used in the combined measurements used for predicting the PMI. In another embodiment, how many NZP CSI-RSs from the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are used in the combined measurements for predicting the PMI is configured by the gNB to the UE. In yet another embodiment, how many NZP CSI-RSs from the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are used in the combined measurements for predicting the PMI is signaled from the UE to the gNB as part of UE capability signaling.

[0120] In one embodiment, the time separation between the first NZP CSI-RS and the first NZP CSI-RS in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs is configured to the UE from the gNB (e.g., as part of RRC configuration). In another embodiment, the time separation between adjacent NZP CSI-RSs in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs is configured to the UE from the gNB (e.g., as part of RRC configuration).

[0121] Once the UE has predicted PMI for ^Qtime instances using the combined measurements from both the first NZP CSI-RS and the second set of NZP CSI-RSs, the UE reports the predicted CSI (which includes the predicted PMI for ^Qtime instances) to the gNB. Joint Measurement on First NZP CSI-RS and Second Set of NZP CSI-RSs

[0122] In an embodiment, the first NZP CSI-RS and the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are configured as separate NZP CSI-RS resources. That is, one NZP CSI-RS resource is configured from the first NZP CSI-RS, and one NZP CSI-RS resource is configured for each of the NZP CSI- RSs in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs. Referring back to the example in Figure 6, there can be four NZP CSI-RS resources configured for channel measurement in that example for the purpose of CSI reporting of predicted PMI. The first NZP CSI-RS is configured as one NZP CSI-RS resource with periodicity j^. The three NZP CSI-RSs in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are configured as three different NZP CSI-RS resources each of which has periodicity j^.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first NZP CSI-RS is configured to be a periodic NZP CSI- RS, and the NZP CSI-RSs in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are configured as semi-persistent NZP CSI-RSs. The second set of NZP CSI-RSs are activated via a control message, and the UE in this embodiment only starts measuring the second set of NZP CSI-RSs after receiving the control message. In one embodiment, the control message is a MAC CE. In another embodiment, the control message is a DCI.

[0124] An example is shown in Figure 7, where a combination of periodic CSI-RS and semi- persistent CSI-RS burst (second NZP CSI-RSs) are being used for channel measurement for a CSI report for predicted PMI with CSI reporting periodicity configured to 20ms or 20 slots, such that: •The periodic NZP CSI-RS (first NZP CSI-RS) has periodicity of j^ = 20 ms (or20 slots^. Four instances of the periodic CSI-RS are shown in slots 1, 21, 41 and 61.• Before scheduling PDSCH, the gNB sends a DCI trigger, which is received by the UE at Slot 13 and triggers the semi-persistent CSI-RS bursts measurement and the CSI report. Each of these semi-persistent CSI-RS bursts consists of three NZP CSI-RS resources, where each NZP CSI-RS resource in the burst has a periodicity of j^ = 20 ms (or20 slots^. The separation between the NZP CSI-RS resources within a semi-persistent CSI-RS burst is 2 ms (or 2 slots^. • Next, the UE performs channel measurement based on the combined measurements from both the periodic CSI-RS (e.g. in Slot 21) and the semi-persistent CSI-RS resources from the burst (e.g. in Slot 15, 17, and 19). Subsequently, the UE predicts channel for ^Q = 2future slots (e.g. at Slot 27 and 29) and computes the PMI needed in the CSI report with Rel-18 Type II doppler codebook. The first CSI report is transmitted by the UE to the gNB in Slot 23. • In this example, the time separation (or time gap) between adjacent (or consecutive) predicted PMIs is given by R = 2ms (or 2 slots). The slot corresponding to the firstpredicted PMI is located T = 4 slots later than the slot in which the CSI report istransmitted. • Note that at the next CSI-reporting instance (e.g. Slot 43 and Slot 63 in the figure), the UE can again use the combination of periodic CSI-RS and semi-persistent CSI-RS burst to obtain predicted CSI to compute the corresponding PMI and report using Rel-18 Type-II doppler codebook. And this process continues there is PDSCH traffic for the UE and is deactivated by the gNB once the traffic is exhausted.

[0125] Note that although a DCI trigger initiates measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE in the example of Figure 7, the example is non-limiting and in another example a MAC CE can be used to initiate measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE. For instance, a MAC CE may be received by the UE from the gNB to initiate measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE. In this case, CSI report may be triggered by a DCI received from a gNB by the UE or a MAC CE (either the same MAC CE that initiates the semi- persistent CSI-RS burst or a separate MAC CE different from the one that initiates the semi- persistent CSI-RS burst) received from the gNB by the UE. Also, a MAC CE (which is not shown in the figure) may be received by the UE to stop measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst.

[0126] In another embodiment, when the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst, are configured withperiodicity such that j^ = Sj^, S > 1 (to reduce the overhead of transmitting second set of NZPCSI-RSs), where j^is the periodicity of the first periodic CSI-RS, the UE may be configured to either a) skip CSI reporting, or, b) report CSI based on PMI with no prediction (e.g. with Rel-16Type II codebook) in CSI reporting instances that do not have a semi-persistent CSI-RS burst. The UE behavior may be predefined in a standard text (e.g., 3GPP specifications) or may be configured by the NW, e.g., in the CSI report configuration.

[0127] An example is shown in Figure 8, where a combination of periodic CSI-RS and semi- persistent CSI-RS burst are being used for channel measurement for a CSI report for predicted PMI and UE is configured to report CSI every 20ms or 20 slots, such that: •The periodic NZP CSI-RS (first NZP CSI-RS) has periodicity of T^ = 20 ms (or20 slots^. Four instances of the periodic CSI-RS are shown in slots 1, 21, 41 and 61. • Before scheduling PDSCH, the gNB sends a DCI trigger, which is received by the UE at Slot 13 and triggers the semi-persistent CSI-RS bursts measurement and the CSI report. Each of these semi-persistent CSI-RS bursts consists of three NZP CSI-RS resources, where each NZP CSI-RS resource in burst has a periodicity of T^ = 40 ms (or 20 slots^,i.e., T^ = 2T^. The separation between the NZP CSI-RS resources within a semi-persistentburst is 2 ms (or 2 slots^. • Next, the UE performs channel measurement based on the combined measurements from both the periodic CSI-RS (e.g. in Slot 21) and the semi-persistent CSI-RS resources from the burst (e.g. in Slot 15, 17, and 19). Subsequently, the UE predicts channel for NQ = 2future slots (e.g. at Slot 27 and 29) and computes the PMI needed in the CSI report using Rel-18 Type-II doppler codebook. • The first CSI report is transmitted by the UE to the gNB in Slot 23, with the time separation (or time gap) between adjacent (or consecutive) predicted PMIs is given by d = 2ms (or 2slots). The slot corresponding to the first predicted PMI is located δ = 4 slots later than theslot in which the CSI report is transmitted. • However, at the next CSI-reporting instance (Slot 43), there is no semi-persistent CSI-RS burst received by the UE to carry out CSI prediction, hence the UE can use Rel-16 Type II framework to report the PMI computed from the CSI measurement obtained through the periodic CSI-RS received up to Slot 41. This CSI may be used by the gNB at Slot 47 for downlink scheduling (and hence marked as ‘sample and hold PMI’ in the figure). • Note that at the next CSI-reporting instance (Slot 63), the UE can again use the combination of periodic CSI-RS (at Slot 61) and semi-persistent CSI-RS burst (at Slot 55, 57, 59) to obtain predicted CSI to compute the corresponding PMI and report using Rel-18 Type-II doppler codebook. And this process continues until there is PDSCH traffic for the UE. Once the PDSCH traffic is either exhausted or small, the gNB may deactivate the semi- persistent CSI-RS burst.

[0128] Note that although a DCI trigger initiates measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE in the example of Figure 8, the example is non-limiting and in another example a MAC CE can be used to initiate measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE. For instance, a MAC CE may be received by the UE from the gNB to initiate measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst by the UE. In this case, CSI report may be triggered by a DCI received from a gNB by the UE or a MAC CE (either the same MAC CE that initiates the semi- persistent CSI-RS burst or a separate MAC CE different from the one that initiates the semi- persistent CSI-RS burst) received from the gNB by the UE. Also, a MAC CE (which is not shown in the figure) may be received by the UE to stop measurement of the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst.

[0129] In an alternative embodiment, the first NZP CSI-RS is configured to be a periodic NZP CSI-RS, and the NZP CSI-RSs in the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are also configured as periodic NZP CSI-RSs.

[0130] In one example of an embodiment, the control message may be an explicit indication, e.g., a bitfield in the DCI. In another example of an embodiment, the control message may be an implicit indication. For example, a reception of a certain DCI may format, e.g., scheduling DCI, may serve as an indication to start or stop measuring the second set of NZP CSI-RS. For the case of the second set of NZP CSI-RSs are also configured as periodic NZP CSI-RSs, a timer may be used to determine on when the UE stops measuring the second set of NZP CSI-RSs. The timer may be restarted each time an explicit or implicit indication to measure the second set of NZP CSI- RSs is received by the UE.

[0131] As mentioned in one of the above embodiments, the UE may be configured to switch its behavior related to the CSI reporting mechanism when there is an indication to measure a second set of NZP CSI-RSs received by the UE, from reporting with a first reporting mechanism, e.g., Rel. 16 Type II codebook (for reporting the CSI measured on the first NZP CSI-RS) to reporting with a second reporting mechanism, e.g., Rel. 18 Type II Doppler Codebook (for reporting the CSI measured using both the first NZP CSI-RS and the second set of NZP CSI-RSs). Configuration of Combined Periodic CSI-RS resources and semi-persistent CSI-RS for CSI with Predicted PMI

[0132] In the below description, the information elements CSI-ReportConfig, CSI- ResourceConfig, CSI-SemiPersistentOnPUSCH-TriggerStateList, etc. are as defined in 3GPP TS 38.331 V18.2.0. The term CSI reporting configuration may be used interchangeably with CSI- ReportConfig. The term CSI resource setting may be used interchangeably with CSI- ResourceConfig.

[0133] Since the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst and the periodic CSI-RS have different time domain behavior (i.e., one semi-persistent and the other periodic), in one embodiment two different CSI-ResourceConfig (i.e., CSI resource settings or CSI resource configurations) are configured to one CSI-Report configuration, where the CSI resource configs refers to one periodic NZP CSI-RS resource set and one semi-persistent NZP CSI-RS resource set. The changes needed over 3GPP TS 38.331 v18.2.0 are underlined in the new proposed CSI-ReportConfig information element presented below. This is because time domain behavior for CSI-RS is defined at the CSI-Resource Config level according to 3GPP TS 38.331 V18.2.0. The periodic CSI-RS may be configured in a NZP CSI-RS resource set configured in the CSI-ResourceConfig pointed to by the identifier resourcesForChannelMeasurement. The semi-persistent CSI-RS burst corresponds to an NZP CSI-RS resource set configured in the CSI-ResourceConfig pointed to by the identifier resourcesForChannelMeasurement2. CSI-ReportConfig information element -- ASN1START -- TAG-CSI-REPORTCONFIG-START CSI-ReportConfig ::= SEQUENCE { reportConfigId CSI-ReportConfigId, carrier ServCellIndex OPTIONAL, -- Need S resourcesForChannelMeasurement CSI-ResourceConfigId, resourcesForChannelMeasurement2 CSI-ResourceConfigId, OPTIONAL, -- Need R csi-IM-ResourcesForInterference CSI-ResourceConfigId OPTIONAL, -- Need R nzp-CSI-RS-ResourcesForInterference CSI-ResourceConfigId OPTIONAL, -- Need R

[0134] Further, for semi-persistent CSI-RS burst, multiple CSI-RS resources, which is equalto the required number of CSI-RS resources in the burst, say v , can be configured in thecorresponding NZP CSI-RS resource set, where, • In one embodiment, the required slot offset between two consecutive CSI resources in the semi-persistent resource set is defined by including a new field in the corresponding NZP- CSI-RS-ResourceSet IE. For example, if the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst has v CSI-RS resources, where the resources are separated by O slots, then a parameter burstSlotOffset can be included in the NZP-CSI-RS-ResourceSet IE which can take a value of O. • In another alternative embodiment, the required slot offset between two consecutive CSI resources in the semi-persistent resource set can be configured at the resource level, forexample, by configuring the periodicityAndOffset parameter in the NZP-CSI-RS-Resource IE. Accordingly, the offset value of w-th resource is set to ^w − 1^ × O, where O is theoffset required between the CSI-RS slots in the burst. For example, if the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst with periodicity of 20 slots has v = 3 CSI-RS resources, where theresources are separated by O = 2 slots, CSI-ResourcePeriodicityAndOffset (to configurethe offset) can be configured to slots20 taking values of 0, 2, and 4 for the first, second and third resources, respectively (as detailed in NZP-CSI-RS-Resource and CSI- ResourcePeriodicityAndOffset IE in TS 38.331 V18.2.0).

[0135] In another embodiment, one CSI-Report configuration can have one CSI- ResourceConfig pointing to a periodic NZP CSI-RS resource set and S CSI-ResourceConfig each pointing to a semi-persistent NZP CSI-RS resource set, where the slot offset between the S semi- persistent CSI-RS can be configured at resource set level or resource level. Accordingly, the periodic CSI-RS may be configured in a NZP CSI-RS resource set configured in the CSI- ResourceConfig pointed to by the identifier resourcesForChannelMeasurement. The semi-persistent CSI-RS burst corresponds to v NZP CSI-RS resource sets configured in the CSI-ResourceConfig pointed to by the identifiers resourcesForChannelMeasurement-sp1, resourcesForChannelMeasurement-sp2, …, resourcesForChannelMeasurement-spS, respectively.

[0136] In a related embodiment, when only the CSI-RS resources in the semi-persistent CSI- RS burst form the input to the prediction algorithm, • the CSI-Report configuration only points to one semi-persistent CSI-RS resource set with multiple CSI-RS resources, or, • multiple semi-persistent CSI-RS resource set with one CSI-RS resource.

[0137] In some embodiments, where there are more than one AI models / algorithms implemented in the UE, which are reported to the network (e.g., via UE capability reporting), the network can configure more than one CSI-Report configuration for each of the AI model / algorithm, identified by different reportConfigId. For example, if there are two AI models A and B implemented in the UE, the network can configure two corresponding CSI-Report configurations with reportConfigId X and Y, respectively. Accordingly, each of the CSI-report configuration can contain an identifier to same periodic NZP CSI-RS resource set but different identifier for semi-persistent NZP CSI-RS resource set, where each semi-persistent NZP CSI-RS resource set configures multiple CSI-RS resources with parameters (i.e., time domain offset between the CSI-RS resources) tailored for each AI model / algorithm.

[0138] In one sub-embodiment, the different CSI-Report configuration per AI model / algorithm are defined in different CSI-SemiPersistentOnPUSCH-TriggerStates. Accordingly, depending on the active AI model in the UE, the network can trigger the corresponding CSI report configuration through the semi-persistent triggering state by the CSI request field in the DCI.

[0139] In one related embodiment, the trigger for the CSI report can contain the indication for the AI model / algorithm, the UE should use for the CSI prediction.

[0140] In the above embodiments, the configuration of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different NZP CSI-RS resources. In an alternative embodiment, the configuration of the CSI-RSs comprises a single NZP CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured within the single CSI-RS resource. In this alternative embodiment, the single NZP CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity. Within the single NZP CSI-RS resource, a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity. UE Behavior when Periodic CSI-RS and Semi-Persistent CSI-RSs occur in the same slot

[0141] In one embodiment, where only the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst is taken as input to the prediction algorithm and where an CSI-RS resource in the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst happens in the same slot as an instance of the periodic CSI-RS, the UE only measures one of the CSI-RS resource from semi-persistent CSI-RS burst or the instance of the periodic CSI-RS: • In one embodiment, the UE only measures the periodic CSI-RS instance when the periodic CSI-RS instance happens in the same slot as a CSI-RS resource from semi-persistent CSI- RS burst. • In an alternative embodiment, the UE only measures the CSI-RS resource from semi- persistent CSI-RS burst when the CSI-RS resource happens in the same slot as the instance of the periodic CSI-RS. • In yet another alternative embodiment, the UE only measures the periodic CSI-RS when the CSI-RS resource from semi-persistent CSI-RS burst happens in the same slot as the instance of the periodic CSI-RS and the UE shall assume that the CSI-RS resource from semi-persistent CSI-RS burst is not transmitted in this slot. Hence, any PDSCH mapped in this slot can use the resource elements that was previously reserved for the transmission of the CSI-RS resource from semi-persistent CSI-RS burst.Performance Evaluation

[0142] In an embodiment, the proposed solution has been tested and evaluated, where the firstperiodic CSI-RS is configured with periodicity of j^ = 20ms (or 20 slots) and the burst of semi-persistent CSI-RSs are configured with three CSI-RS resources separated by O = 2ms (or 2 slots)with each semi-persistent CSI-RS having a periodicity of j^ = 20ms (20 slots). The configurationis depicted in Figure 9, where the gNB transmits only the periodic CSI-RS when there is no PDSCH traffic and activates the semi-persistent CSI-RS burst when there is a PDSCH traffic to be scheduled for a UE (Slot 13). Accordingly, the CSI measurements from the first periodic CSI- RS and the CSI-RSs in the semi-persistent burst are used as input to the prediction algorithm, which can be an i) AR based non-AI algorithm and ii) AI trained model. Subsequently, the UEpredicts ^Q = 4 channel instances for future slots, which are separated uniformly by R = 2 slots.The first prediction and the last measurements are separated by T = 4 slots, where for sake ofevaluations, the slot for CSI reporting is considered to be same as the last slot with CSI-RS measurement.

[0143] In Figures 10 and 11, the mean (Figure 10) and 5-th percentile (Figure 11) throughput performance are illustrated comparing i) use of only periodic CSI-RS at 20ms for CSI reporting with no prediction (line 1004), where the computed PMI is reported with Rel-16 TypeII codebook, ii) use of both periodic CSI-RS and CSI-RS burst for CSI prediction with AR-based nonAI algorithm and CSI reporting with Rel-18 Type II doppler codebook (line 1006) and iii) use of both periodic CSI-RS and CSI-RS burst for CSI prediction with a trained AI-model and CSI reporting with Rel-18 Type II doppler codebook (line 1002). In this scenario, the UE is moving at 30 kmph. It can be seen with the use of AI, the proposed solution depicted by line 1002 gives significant gains over the schemes in 1004 and 1006 when no prediction was used.

[0144] Figure 12 shows an example of a communication system 1200 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0145] In the example, the communication system 1200 includes a telecommunication network 1202 that includes an access network 1204, such as a Radio Access Network (RAN), and a core network 1206, which includes one or more core network nodes 1208. The access network 1204 includes one or more access network nodes, such as network nodes 1210A and 1210B (one or more of which may be generally referred to as network nodes 1210), or any other similar Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) access nodes or non-3GPP Access Points (APs). Moreover, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, a network node is not necessarily limited to an implementation in which a radio portion and a baseband portion are supplied and integrated by a single vendor. Thus, it will be understood that network nodes includedisaggregated implementations or portions thereof. For example, in some embodiments, the telecommunication network 1202 includes one or more Open-RAN (ORAN) network nodes. An ORAN network node is a node in the telecommunication network 1202 that supports an ORAN specification (e.g., a specification published by the O-RAN Alliance, or any similar organization) and may operate alone or together with other nodes to implement one or more functionalities of any node in the telecommunication network 1202, including one or more network nodes 1210 and / or core network nodes 1208.

[0146] Examples of an ORAN network node include an Open Radio Unit (O-RU), an Open Distributed Unit (O-DU), an Open Central Unit (O-CU), including an O-CU Control Plane (O- CU-CP) or an O-CU User Plane (O-CU-UP), a RAN intelligent controller (near-real time or non- real time) hosting software or software plug-ins, such as a near-real time control application (e.g., xApp) or a non-real time control application (e.g., rApp), or any combination thereof (the adjective “open” designating support of an ORAN specification). The network node may support a specification by, for example, supporting an interface defined by the ORAN specification, such as an A1, F1, W1, E1, E2, X2, Xn interface, an open fronthaul user plane interface, or an open fronthaul management plane interface. Moreover, an ORAN access node may be a logical node in a physical node. Furthermore, an ORAN network node may be implemented in a virtualization environment (described further below) in which one or more network functions are virtualized. For example, the virtualization environment may include an O-Cloud computing platform orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface defined by the O-RAN Alliance or comparable technologies. The network nodes 1210 facilitate direct or indirect connection of User Equipment (UE), such as by connecting UEs 1212A, 1212B, 1212C, and 1212D (one or more of which may be generally referred to as UEs 1212) to the core network 1206 over one or more wireless connections.

[0147] Example wireless communications over a wireless connection include transmitting and / or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic waves, radio waves, infrared waves, and / or other types of signals suitable for conveying information without the use of wires, cables, or other material conductors. Moreover, in different embodiments, the communication system 1200 may include any number of wired or wireless networks, network nodes, UEs, and / or any other components or systems that may facilitate or participate in the communication of data and / or signals whether via wired or wireless connections. The communication system 1200 may include and / or interface with any type of communication, telecommunication, data, cellular, radio network, and / or other similar type of system.

[0148] The UEs 1212 may be any of a wide variety of communication devices, including wireless devices arranged, configured, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with the network nodes 1210 and other communication devices. Similarly, the network nodes 1210 are arranged, capable, configured, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with the UEs 1212 and / or with other network nodes or equipment in the telecommunication network 1202 to enable and / or provide network access, such as wireless network access, and / or to perform other functions, such as administration in the telecommunication network 1202. The UEs 1212 and the network nodes 1210 are operable to perform the methods described in Figure 5 above.

[0149] In the depicted example, the core network 1206 connects the network nodes 1210 to one or more hosts, such as host 1216. These connections may be direct or indirect via one or more intermediary networks or devices. In other examples, network nodes may be directly coupled to hosts. The core network 1206 includes one more core network nodes (e.g., core network node 1208) that are structured with hardware and software components. Features of these components may be substantially similar to those described with respect to the UEs, network nodes, and / or hosts, such that the descriptions thereof are generally applicable to the corresponding components of the core network node 1208. Example core network nodes include functions of one or more of a Mobile Switching Center (MSC), Mobility Management Entity (MME), Home Subscriber Server (HSS), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Subscription Identifier De-Concealing Function (SIDF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Security Edge Protection Proxy (SEPP), Network Exposure Function (NEF), and / or a User Plane Function (UPF).

[0150] The host 1216 may be under the ownership or control of a service provider other than an operator or provider of the access network 1204 and / or the telecommunication network 1202, and may be operated by the service provider or on behalf of the service provider. The host 1216 may host a variety of applications to provide one or more services. Examples of such applications include live and pre-recorded audio / video content, data collection services such as retrieving and compiling data on various ambient conditions detected by a plurality of UEs, analytics functionality, social media, functions for controlling or otherwise interacting with remote devices, functions for an alarm and surveillance center, or any other such function performed by a server.

[0151] As a whole, the communication system 1200 of Figure 12 enables connectivity between the UEs, network nodes, and hosts. In that sense, the communication system 1200 may be configured to operate according to predefined rules or procedures, such as specific standards that include, but are not limited to: Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM); Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS); Long Term Evolution (LTE), and / or other suitableSecond, Third, Fourth, or Fifth Generation (2G, 3G, 4G, or 5G) standards, or any applicable future generation standard (e.g., Sixth Generation (6G)); Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) standards, such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 standards (WiFi); and / or any other appropriate wireless communication standard, such as the Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), Bluetooth, Z-Wave, Near Field Communication (NFC) ZigBee, LiFi, and / or any Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) standards such as LoRa and Sigfox.

[0152] In some examples, the telecommunication network 1202 is a cellular network that implements 3GPP standardized features. Accordingly, the telecommunication network 1202 may support network slicing to provide different logical networks to different devices that are connected to the telecommunication network 1202. For example, the telecommunication network 1202 may provide Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) services to some UEs, while providing enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) services to other UEs, and / or massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC) / massive Internet of Things (IoT) services to yet further UEs.

[0153] In some examples, the UEs 1212 are configured to transmit and / or receive information without direct human interaction. For instance, a UE may be designed to transmit information to the access network 1204 on a predetermined schedule, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to requests from the access network 1204. Additionally, a UE may be configured for operating in single- or multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) or multi-standard mode. For example, a UE may operate with any one or combination of WiFi, New Radio (NR), and LTE, i.e. being configured for Multi-Radio Dual Connectivity (MR-DC), such as Evolved UMTS Terrestrial RAN (E-UTRAN) NR - Dual Connectivity (EN-DC).

[0154] In the example, a hub 1214 communicates with the access network 1204 to facilitate indirect communication between one or more UEs (e.g., UE 1212C and / or 1212D) and network nodes (e.g., network node 1210B). In some examples, the hub 1214 may be a controller, router, content source and analytics, or any of the other communication devices described herein regarding UEs. For example, the hub 1214 may be a broadband router enabling access to the core network 1206 for the UEs. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a controller that sends commands or instructions to one or more actuators in the UEs. Commands or instructions may be received from the UEs, network nodes 1210, or by executable code, script, process, or other instructions in the hub 1214. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a data collector that acts as temporary storage for UE data and, in some embodiments, may perform analysis or other processing of the data. As another example, the hub 1214 may be a content source. For example,for a UE that is a Virtual Reality (VR) headset, display, loudspeaker or other media delivery device, the hub 1214 may retrieve VR assets, video, audio, or other media or data related to sensory information via a network node, which the hub 1214 then provides to the UE either directly, after performing local processing, and / or after adding additional local content. In still another example, the hub 1214 acts as a proxy server or orchestrator for the UEs, in particular if one or more of the UEs are low energy IoT devices.

[0155] The hub 1214 may have a constant / persistent or intermittent connection to the network node 1210B. The hub 1214 may also allow for a different communication scheme and / or schedule between the hub 1214 and UEs (e.g., UE 1212C and / or 1212D), and between the hub 1214 and the core network 1206. In other examples, the hub 1214 is connected to the core network 1206 and / or one or more UEs via a wired connection. Moreover, the hub 1214 may be configured to connect to a Machine-to-Machine (M2M) service provider over the access network 1204 and / or to another UE over a direct connection. In some scenarios, UEs may establish a wireless connection with the network nodes 1210 while still connected via the hub 1214 via a wired or wireless connection. In some embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a dedicated hub – that is, a hub whose primary function is to route communications to / from the UEs from / to the network node 1210B. In other embodiments, the hub 1214 may be a non-dedicated hub – that is, a device which is capable of operating to route communications between the UEs and the network node 1210B, but which is additionally capable of operating as a communication start and / or end point for certain data channels.

[0156] Figure 13 shows a UE 1300 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, a UE refers to a device capable, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate wirelessly with network nodes and / or other UEs. Examples of a UE include, but are not limited to, a smart phone, mobile phone, cell phone, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone, wireless local loop phone, desktop computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), wireless camera, gaming console or device, music storage device, playback appliance, wearable terminal device, wireless endpoint, mobile station, tablet, laptop, Laptop Embedded Equipment (LEE), Laptop Mounted Equipment (LME), smart device, wireless Customer Premise Equipment (CPE), vehicle, vehicle-mounted or vehicle embedded / integrated wireless device, etc. Other examples include any UE identified by the 3GPP, including a Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) UE, a Machine Type Communication (MTC) UE, and / or an enhanced MTC (eMTC) UE.

[0157] In an embodiment, the UE 1300 is similar to the UE 1212 and can perform the methods described above in Figure 5.

[0158] A UE may support Device-to-Device (D2D) communication, for example by implementing a 3GPP standard for sidelink communication, Dedicated Short-Range Communication (DSRC), Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V), Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I), or Vehicle- to-Everything (V2X). In other examples, a UE may not necessarily have a user in the sense of a human user who owns and / or operates the relevant device. Instead, a UE may represent a device that is intended for sale to, or operation by, a human user but which may not, or which may not initially, be associated with a specific human user (e.g., a smart sprinkler controller). Alternatively, a UE may represent a device that is not intended for sale to, or operation by, an end user but which may be associated with or operated for the benefit of a user (e.g., a smart power meter).

[0159] The UE 1300 includes processing circuitry 1302 that is operatively coupled via a bus 1304 to an input / output interface 1306, a power source 1308, memory 1310, a communication interface 1312, and / or any other component, or any combination thereof. Certain UEs may utilize all or a subset of the components shown in Figure 13. The level of integration between the components may vary from one UE to another UE. Further, certain UEs may contain multiple instances of a component, such as multiple processors, memories, transceivers, transmitters, receivers, etc.

[0160] The processing circuitry 1302 is configured to process instructions and data and may be configured to implement any sequential state machine operative to execute instructions stored as machine-readable computer programs in the memory 1310. The processing circuitry 1302 may be implemented as one or more hardware-implemented state machines (e.g., in discrete logic, Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), etc.); programmable logic together with appropriate firmware; one or more stored computer programs, general purpose processors, such as a microprocessor or Digital Signal Processor (DSP), together with appropriate software; or any combination of the above. For example, the processing circuitry 1302 may include multiple Central Processing Units (CPUs).

[0161] In the example, the input / output interface 1306 may be configured to provide an interface or interfaces to an input device, output device, or one or more input and / or output devices. Examples of an output device include a speaker, a sound card, a video card, a display, a monitor, a printer, an actuator, an emitter, a smartcard, another output device, or any combination thereof. An input device may allow a user to capture information into the UE 1300. Examples of an input device include a touch-sensitive or presence-sensitive display, a camera (e.g., a digital camera, a digital video camera, a web camera, etc.), a microphone, a sensor, a mouse, a trackball, a directional pad, a trackpad, a scroll wheel, a smartcard, and the like. The presence-sensitivedisplay may include a capacitive or resistive touch sensor to sense input from a user. A sensor may be, for instance, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a tilt sensor, a force sensor, a magnetometer, an optical sensor, a proximity sensor, a biometric sensor, etc., or any combination thereof. An output device may use the same type of interface port as an input device. For example, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port may be used to provide an input device and an output device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the power source 1308 is structured as a battery or battery pack. Other types of power sources, such as an external power source (e.g., an electricity outlet), photovoltaic device, or power cell, may be used. The power source 1308 may further include power circuitry for delivering power from the power source 1308 itself, and / or an external power source, to the various parts of the UE 1300 via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical power cable. Delivering power may be, for example, for charging of the power source 1308. Power circuitry may perform any formatting, converting, or other modification to the power from the power source 1308 to make the power suitable for the respective components of the UE 1300 to which power is supplied.

[0163] The memory 1310 may be or be configured to include memory such as Random Access Memory (RAM), Read Only Memory (ROM), Programmable ROM (PROM), Erasable PROM (EPROM), Electrically EPROM (EEPROM), magnetic disks, optical disks, hard disks, removable cartridges, flash drives, and so forth. In one example, the memory 1310 includes one or more application programs 1314, such as an operating system, web browser application, a widget, gadget engine, or other application, and corresponding data 1316. The memory 1310 may store, for use by the UE 1300, any of a variety of various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

[0164] The memory 1310 may be configured to include a number of physical drive units, such as Redundant Array of Independent Disks (RAID), flash memory, USB flash drive, external hard disk drive, thumb drive, pen drive, key drive, High Density Digital Versatile Disc (HD-DVD) optical disc drive, internal hard disk drive, Blu-Ray optical disc drive, Holographic Digital Data Storage (HDDS) optical disc drive, external mini Dual In-line Memory Module (DIMM), Synchronous Dynamic RAM (SDRAM), external micro-DIMM SDRAM, smartcard memory such as a tamper resistant module in the form of a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC) including one or more Subscriber Identity Modules (SIMs), such as a Universal SIM (USIM) and / or Internet Protocol Multimedia Services Identity Module (ISIM), other memory, or any combination thereof. The UICC may for example be an embedded UICC (eUICC), integrated UICC (iUICC) or a removable UICC commonly known as a ‘SIM card.’ The memory 1310 may allow the UE 1300 to access instructions, application programs, and the like stored on transitory or non-transitorymemory media, to off-load data, or to upload data. An article of manufacture, such as one utilizing a communication system, may be tangibly embodied as or in the memory 1310, which may be or comprise a device-readable storage medium.

[0165] The processing circuitry 1302 may be configured to communicate with an access network or other network using the communication interface 1312. The communication interface 1312 may comprise one or more communication subsystems and may include or be communicatively coupled to an antenna 1322. The communication interface 1312 may include one or more transceivers used to communicate, such as by communicating with one or more remote transceivers of another device capable of wireless communication (e.g., another UE or a network node in an access network). Each transceiver may include a transmitter 1318 and / or a receiver 1320 appropriate to provide network communications (e.g., optical, electrical, frequency allocations, and so forth). Moreover, the transmitter 1318 and receiver 1320 may be coupled to one or more antennas (e.g., the antenna 1322) and may share circuit components, software, or firmware, or alternatively be implemented separately.

[0166] In the illustrated embodiment, communication functions of the communication interface 1312 may include cellular communication, WiFi communication, LPWAN communication, data communication, voice communication, multimedia communication, short- range communications such as Bluetooth, NFC, location-based communication such as the use of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to determine a location, another like communication function, or any combination thereof. Communications may be implemented according to one or more communication protocols and / or standards, such as IEEE 802.11, Code Division Multiplexing Access (CDMA), Wideband CDMA (WCDMA), GSM, LTE, NR, UMTS, WiMax, Ethernet, Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol (TCP / IP), Synchronous Optical Networking (SONET), Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM), Quick User Datagram Protocol Internet Connection (QUIC), Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), and so forth.

[0167] Regardless of the type of sensor, a UE may provide an output of data captured by its sensors, through its communication interface 1312, via a wireless connection to a network node. Data captured by sensors of a UE can be communicated through a wireless connection to a network node via another UE. The output may be periodic (e.g., once every 15 minutes if it reports the sensed temperature), random (e.g., to even out the load from reporting from several sensors), in response to a triggering event (e.g., when moisture is detected, an alert is sent), in response to a request (e.g., a user initiated request), or a continuous stream (e.g., a live video feed of a patient).

[0168] As another example, a UE comprises an actuator, a motor, or a switch related to a communication interface configured to receive wireless input from a network node via a wirelessconnection. In response to the received wireless input the states of the actuator, the motor, or the switch may change. For example, the UE may comprise a motor that adjusts the control surfaces or rotors of a drone in flight according to the received input or to a robotic arm performing a medical procedure according to the received input.

[0169] A UE, when in the form of an IoT device, may be a device for use in one or more application domains, these domains comprising, but not limited to, city wearable technology, extended industrial application, and healthcare. Non-limiting examples of such an IoT device are a device which is or which is embedded in: a connected refrigerator or freezer, a television, a connected lighting device, an electricity meter, a robot vacuum cleaner, a voice controlled smart speaker, a home security camera, a motion detector, a thermostat, a smoke detector, a door / window sensor, a flood / moisture sensor, an electrical door lock, a connected doorbell, an air conditioning system like a heat pump, an autonomous vehicle, a surveillance system, a weather monitoring device, a vehicle parking monitoring device, an electric vehicle charging station, a smart watch, a fitness tracker, a head-mounted display for Augmented Reality (AR) or VR, a wearable for tactile augmentation or sensory enhancement, a water sprinkler, an animal- or item-tracking device, a sensor for monitoring a plant or animal, an industrial robot, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), and any kind of medical device, like a heart rate monitor or a remote controlled surgical robot. A UE in the form of an IoT device comprises circuitry and / or software in dependence of the intended application of the IoT device in addition to other components as described in relation to the UE 1300 shown in Figure 13.

[0170] As yet another specific example, in an IoT scenario, a UE may represent a machine or other device that performs monitoring and / or measurements and transmits the results of such monitoring and / or measurements to another UE and / or a network node. The UE may in this case be an M2M device, which may in a 3GPP context be referred to as an MTC device. As one particular example, the UE may implement the 3GPP NB-IoT standard. In other scenarios, a UE may represent a vehicle, such as a car, a bus, a truck, a ship, an airplane, or other equipment that is capable of monitoring and / or reporting on its operational status or other functions associated with its operation.

[0171] In practice, any number of UEs may be used together with respect to a single use case. For example, a first UE might be or be integrated in a drone and provide the drone’s speed information (obtained through a speed sensor) to a second UE that is a remote controller operating the drone. When the user makes changes from the remote controller, the first UE may adjust the throttle on the drone (e.g., by controlling an actuator) to increase or decrease the drone’s speed. The first and / or the second UE can also include more than one of the functionalities describedabove. For example, a UE might comprise the sensor and the actuator and handle communication of data for both the speed sensor and the actuators.

[0172] Figure 14 shows a network node 1400 in accordance with some embodiments. As used herein, network node refers to equipment capable, configured, arranged, and / or operable to communicate directly or indirectly with a UE and / or with other network nodes or equipment in a telecommunication network. Examples of network nodes include, but are not limited to, APs (e.g., radio APs), Base Stations (BSs) (e.g., radio BSs, Node Bs, evolved Node Bs (eNBs), NR Node Bs (gNBs)), and O-RAN nodes or components of an O-RAN node (e.g., O-RU, O-DU, O-CU).

[0173] In an embodiment, the network node 1400 is similar to the UE 1210 and can perform the methods described above in Figure 5.

[0174] Base stations may be categorized based on the amount of coverage they provide (or, stated differently, their transmit power level) and so, depending on the provided amount of coverage, may be referred to as femto base stations, pico base stations, micro base stations, or macro base stations. A base station may be a relay node or a relay donor node controlling a relay. A network node may also include one or more (or all) parts of a distributed radio base station such as centralized digital units, distributed units (e.g., in an O-RAN access node), and / or Remote Radio Units (RRUs), sometimes referred to as Remote Radio Heads (RRHs). Such RRUs may or may not be integrated with an antenna as an antenna integrated radio. Parts of a distributed radio base station may also be referred to as nodes in a Distributed Antenna System (DAS).

[0175] Other examples of network nodes include multiple Transmission Point (multi-TRP) 5G access nodes, Multi-Standard Radio (MSR) equipment such as MSR BSs, network controllers such as Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) or BS Controllers (BSCs), Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs), transmission points, transmission nodes, Multi-Cell / Multicast Coordination Entities (MCEs), Operation and Maintenance (O&M) nodes, Operations Support System (OSS) nodes, Self-Organizing Network (SON) nodes, positioning nodes (e.g., Evolved Serving Mobile Location Centers (E-SMLCs)), and / or Minimization of Drive Tests (MDTs).

[0176] The network node 1400 includes processing circuitry 1402, memory 1404, a communication interface 1406, and a power source 1408. The network node 1400 may be composed of multiple physically separate components (e.g., a NodeB component and an RNC component, or a BTS component and a BSC component, etc.), which may each have their own respective components. In certain scenarios in which the network node 1400 comprises multiple separate components (e.g., BTS and BSC components), one or more of the separate components may be shared among several network nodes. For example, a single RNC may control multiple NodeBs. In such a scenario, each unique NodeB and RNC pair may in some instances beconsidered a single separate network node. In some embodiments, the network node 1400 may be configured to support multiple RATs. In such embodiments, some components may be duplicated (e.g., separate memory 1404 for different RATs) and some components may be reused (e.g., a same antenna 1410 may be shared by different RATs). The network node 1400 may also include multiple sets of the various illustrated components for different wireless technologies integrated into network node 1400, for example GSM, WCDMA, LTE, NR, WiFi, Zigbee, Z-wave, Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRaWAN), Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), or Bluetooth wireless technologies. These wireless technologies may be integrated into the same or different chip or set of chips and other components within the network node 1400.

[0177] The processing circuitry 1402 may comprise a combination of one or more of a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, CPU, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or any other suitable computing device, resource, or combination of hardware, software, and / or encoded logic operable to provide, either alone or in conjunction with other network node 1400 components, such as the memory 1404, to provide network node 1400 functionality.

[0178] In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 includes a System on a Chip (SOC). In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 includes one or more of Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver circuitry 1412 and baseband processing circuitry 1414. In some embodiments, the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 and the baseband processing circuitry 1414 may be on separate chips (or sets of chips), boards, or units, such as radio units and digital units. In alternative embodiments, part or all of the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 and the baseband processing circuitry 1414 may be on the same chip or set of chips, boards, or units.

[0179] The memory 1404 may comprise any form of volatile or non-volatile computer- readable memory including, without limitation, persistent storage, solid state memory, remotely mounted memory, magnetic media, optical media, RAM, ROM, mass storage media (for example, a hard disk), removable storage media (for example, a flash drive, a Compact Disk (CD), or a Digital Video Disk (DVD)), and / or any other volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory device- readable, and / or computer-executable memory devices that store information, data, and / or instructions that may be used by the processing circuitry 1402. The memory 1404 may store any suitable instructions, data, or information, including a computer program, software, an application including one or more of logic, rules, code, tables, and / or other instructions capable of being executed by the processing circuitry 1402 and utilized by the network node 1400. The memory 1404 may be used to store any calculations made by the processing circuitry 1402 and / or any data received via the communication interface 1406. In some embodiments, the processing circuitry 1402 and the memory 1404 are integrated.

[0180] The communication interface 1406 is used in wired or wireless communication of signaling and / or data between a network node, access network, and / or UE. As illustrated, the communication interface 1406 comprises port(s) / terminal(s) 1416 to send and receive data, for example to and from a network over a wired connection. The communication interface 1406 also includes radio front-end circuitry 1418 that may be coupled to, or in certain embodiments a part of, the antenna 1410. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 comprises filters 1420 and amplifiers 1422. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may be connected to the antenna 1410 and the processing circuitry 1402. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may be configured to condition signals communicated between the antenna 1410 and the processing circuitry 1402. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may receive digital data that is to be sent out to other network nodes or UEs via a wireless connection. The radio front-end circuitry 1418 may convert the digital data into a radio signal having the appropriate channel and bandwidth parameters using a combination of the filters 1420 and / or the amplifiers 1422. The radio signal may then be transmitted via the antenna 1410. Similarly, when receiving data, the antenna 1410 may collect radio signals which are then converted into digital data by the radio front-end circuitry 1418. The digital data may be passed to the processing circuitry 1402. In other embodiments, the communication interface 1406 may comprise different components and / or different combinations of components.

[0181] In certain alternative embodiments, the network node 1400 does not include separate radio front-end circuitry 1418; instead, the processing circuitry 1402 includes radio front-end circuitry and is connected to the antenna 1410. Similarly, in some embodiments, all or some of the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 is part of the communication interface 1406. In still other embodiments, the communication interface 1406 includes the one or more ports or terminals 1416, the radio front-end circuitry 1418, and the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 as part of a radio unit (not shown), and the communication interface 1406 communicates with the baseband processing circuitry 1414, which is part of a digital unit (not shown).

[0182] The antenna 1410 may include one or more antennas, or antenna arrays, configured to send and / or receive wireless signals. The antenna 1410 may be coupled to the radio front-end circuitry 1418 and may be any type of antenna capable of transmitting and receiving data and / or signals wirelessly. In certain embodiments, the antenna 1410 is separate from the network node 1400 and connectable to the network node 1400 through an interface or port.

[0183] The antenna 1410, the communication interface 1406, and / or the processing circuitry 1402 may be configured to perform any receiving operations and / or certain obtaining operations described herein as being performed by the network node 1400. Any information, data, and / or signals may be received from a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment.Similarly, the antenna 1410, the communication interface 1406, and / or the processing circuitry 1402 may be configured to perform any transmitting operations described herein as being performed by the network node 1400. Any information, data, and / or signals may be transmitted to a UE, another network node, and / or any other network equipment.

[0184] The power source 1408 provides power to the various components of the network node 1400 in a form suitable for the respective components (e.g., at a voltage and current level needed for each respective component). The power source 1408 may further comprise, or be coupled to, power management circuitry to supply the components of the network node 1400 with power for performing the functionality described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may be connectable to an external power source (e.g., the power grid or an electricity outlet) via input circuitry or an interface such as an electrical cable, whereby the external power source supplies power to power circuitry of the power source 1408. As a further example, the power source 1408 may comprise a source of power in the form of a battery or battery pack which is connected to, or integrated in, power circuitry. The battery may provide backup power should the external power source fail.

[0185] Embodiments of the network node 1400 may include additional components beyond those shown in Figure 14 for providing certain aspects of the network node’s functionality, including any of the functionality described herein and / or any functionality necessary to support the subject matter described herein. For example, the network node 1400 may include user interface equipment to allow input of information into the network node 1400 and to allow output of information from the network node 1400. This may allow a user to perform diagnostic, maintenance, repair, and other administrative functions for the network node 1400. In some embodiments providing a core network node, such as core network node 108 of FIG. 12, some components, such as the radio front-end circuitry 1418 and the RF transceiver circuitry 1412 may be omitted.

[0186] Figure 15 is a block diagram illustrating a virtualization environment 1500 in which functions implemented by some embodiments may be virtualized. In the present context, virtualizing means creating virtual versions of apparatuses or devices which may include virtualizing hardware platforms, storage devices, and networking resources. As used herein, virtualization can be applied to any device described herein, or components thereof, and relates to an implementation in which at least a portion of the functionality is implemented as one or more virtual components. Some or all of the functions described herein may be implemented as virtual components executed by one or more Virtual Machines (VMs) implemented in one or more virtualization environments 1500 hosted by one or more of hardware nodes, such as a hardwarecomputing device that operates as a network node, a UE, a core network node, or a host. Further, in embodiments in which the virtual node does not require radio connectivity (e.g., a core network node or host), then the node may be entirely virtualized. In some embodiments, the virtualization environment 1500 includes components defined by the O-RAN Alliance, such as an O-Cloud environment orchestrated by a Service Management and Orchestration Framework via an O-2 interface. Virtualization may facilitate distributed implementations of a network node, a UE, a core network node, or a host.

[0187] Applications 1502 (which may alternatively be called software instances, virtual appliances, network functions, virtual nodes, virtual network functions, etc.) are run in the virtualization environment 1500 to implement some of the features, functions, and / or benefits of some of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0188] Hardware 1504 includes processing circuitry, memory that stores software and / or instructions executable by hardware processing circuitry, and / or other hardware devices as described herein, such as a network interface, an input / output interface, and so forth. Software may be executed by the processing circuitry to instantiate one or more virtualization layers 1506 (also referred to as hypervisors or Virtual Machine Monitors (VMMs)), provide VMs 1508A and 1508B (one or more of which may be generally referred to as VMs 1508), and / or perform any of the functions, features, and / or benefits described in relation with some embodiments described herein. The virtualization layer 1506 may present a virtual operating platform that appears like networking hardware to the VMs 1508.

[0189] The VMs 1508 comprise virtual processing, virtual memory, virtual networking, or interface and virtual storage, and may be run by a corresponding virtualization layer 1506. Different embodiments of the instance of a virtual appliance 1502 may be implemented on one or more of VMs 1508, and the implementations may be made in different ways. Virtualization of the hardware is in some contexts referred to as Network Function Virtualization (NFV). NFV may be used to consolidate many network equipment types onto industry standard high volume server hardware, physical switches, and physical storage, which can be located in data centers and customer premise equipment.

[0190] In the context of NFV, a VM 1508 may be a software implementation of a physical machine that runs programs as if they were executing on a physical, non-virtualized machine. Each of the VMs 1508, and that part of the hardware 1504 that executes that VM, be it hardware dedicated to that VM and / or hardware shared by that VM with others of the VMs, forms separate virtual network elements. Still in the context of NFV, a virtual network function is responsible forhandling specific network functions that run in one or more VMs 1508 on top of the hardware 1504 and corresponds to the application 1502.

[0191] The hardware 1504 may be implemented in a standalone network node with generic or specific components. The hardware 1504 may implement some functions via virtualization. Alternatively, the hardware 1504 may be part of a larger cluster of hardware (e.g., such as in a data center or CPE) where many hardware nodes work together and are managed via management and orchestration 1510, which, among others, oversees lifecycle management of the applications 1502. In some embodiments, the hardware 1504 is coupled to one or more radio units that each include one or more transmitters and one or more receivers that may be coupled to one or more antennas. Radio units may communicate directly with other hardware nodes via one or more appropriate network interfaces and may be used in combination with the virtual components to provide a virtual node with radio capabilities, such as a radio access node or a base station. In some embodiments, some signaling can be provided with the use of a control system 1512 which may alternatively be used for communication between hardware nodes and radio units.

[0192] Although the computing devices described herein (e.g., UEs, network nodes) may include the illustrated combination of hardware components, other embodiments may comprise computing devices with different combinations of components. It is to be understood that these computing devices may comprise any suitable combination of hardware and / or software needed to perform the tasks, features, functions, and methods disclosed herein. Determining, calculating, obtaining, or similar operations described herein may be performed by processing circuitry, which may process information by, for example, converting the obtained information into other information, comparing the obtained information or converted information to information stored in the network node, and / or performing one or more operations based on the obtained information or converted information, and as a result of said processing making a determination. Moreover, while components are depicted as single boxes located within a larger box, or nested within multiple boxes, in practice, computing devices may comprise multiple different physical components that make up a single illustrated component, and functionality may be partitioned between separate components. For example, a communication interface may be configured to include any of the components described herein, and / or the functionality of the components may be partitioned between the processing circuitry and the communication interface. In another example, non-computationally intensive functions of any of such components may be implemented in software or firmware and computationally intensive functions may be implemented in hardware.

[0193] In certain embodiments, some or all of the functionality described herein may be provided by processing circuitry executing instructions stored on in memory, which in certain embodiments may be a computer program product in the form of a non-transitory computer- readable storage medium. In alternative embodiments, some or all of the functionality may be provided by the processing circuitry without executing instructions stored on a separate or discrete device-readable storage medium, such as in a hard-wired manner. In any of those particular embodiments, whether executing instructions stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium or not, the processing circuitry can be configured to perform the described functionality. The benefits provided by such functionality are not limited to the processing circuitry alone or to other components of the computing device, but are enjoyed by the computing device as a whole, and / or by end users and a wireless network generally.

[0194] Those skilled in the art will recognize improvements and modifications to the embodiments of the present disclosure. All such improvements and modifications are considered within the scope of the concepts disclosed herein.

[0195] Some of the embodiments disclosed herein include

[0196] Embodiment 1: A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, (1212) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the method comprising: receiving (502), from a network node (1210), a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that has a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; performing (504) first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity; performing (506) second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity; performing (508) CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of: performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements; performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only; and reporting (516) the computed CSI to the network node (1210).

[0197] Embodiment 2: The method of embodiment 1, wherein the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI-RS resources.

[0198] Embodiment 3: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 2, wherein the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

[0199] Embodiment 4: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI-RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

[0200] Embodiment 5: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 4, further comprising: receiving (518) a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs

[0201] Embodiment 6: The method of embodiment 5, wherein the control message is a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

[0202] Embodiment 7: The method of embodiment 5, wherein the control message is Downlink Control Information, DCI.

[0203] Embodiment 8: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are periodic CSI-RSs.

[0204] Embodiment 9: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 8, wherein the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI- RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

[0205] Embodiment 10: The method of embodiment 9, wherein the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

[0206] Embodiment 11: The method of any of embodiments 9 to 10, wherein a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

[0207] Embodiment 12: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

[0208] Embodiment 13: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 12, wherein the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

[0209] Embodiment 14: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 11, wherein the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

[0210] Embodiment 15: The method of any of embodiments 1 to 14, wherein the UE (1212) switches CSI reporting behavior from reporting the CSI computed based on only the first CSI-RS to reporting the CSI computed based on one of the following: on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, or on the second channel measurements only.

[0211] Embodiment 16: A User Equipment, UE, (1212) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the UE (1212) comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive (502), from a network node (1210), a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that has a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; perform (504) first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity; perform (506) second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity; perform (508) CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of:performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements; performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only; and report (516) the computed CSI to the network node (1210).

[0212] Embodiment 17: The user equipment (1212) of embodiment 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform any of the embodiments of embodiments 2 to 15.

[0213] Embodiment 18: A method performed by a network node (1210) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the method comprising: providing (502), to a User Equipment, UE, (1212) a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that has a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; receiving (516), from the UE (1212), a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction (510) based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction (512) based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction (514) based on the second channel measurements only.

[0214] Embodiment 19: The method of embodiment 18, wherein the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI-RS resources.

[0215] Embodiment 20: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 19, wherein the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

[0216] Embodiment 21: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein the first CSI- RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI-RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

[0217] Embodiment 22: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 21, further comprising: providing (518) a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs.

[0218] Embodiment 23: The method of embodiment 22, wherein the control message is a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

[0219] Embodiment 24: The method of embodiment 22, wherein the control message is Downlink Control Information, DCI.

[0220] Embodiment 25: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 20, wherein the first CSI- RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are periodic CSI-RSs.

[0221] Embodiment 26: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 25, wherein the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

[0222] Embodiment 27: The method of embodiment 26, wherein the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

[0223] Embodiment 28: The method of any of embodiments 26 to 27, wherein a single CSI- RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

[0224] Embodiment 29: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 28, wherein the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

[0225] Embodiment 30: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 29, wherein the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

[0226] Embodiment 31: The method of any of embodiments 18 to 28, wherein the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

[0227] Embodiment 32: A network node (1210) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the network node (1210) comprising processing circuitry configured to: provide (502), to a User Equipment, UE, (1212) a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that has a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; receive (516), from the UE (1212), a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction (510) based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction (512) based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction (514) based on the second channel measurements only.

[0228] Embodiment 33: The network node (1210) of embodiment 32, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform any of the embodiments of embodiments 19 to 31.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A method performed by a User Equipment, UE, (1212) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the method comprising: receiving (502), from a network node (1210), a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; performing (504) first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity; performing (506) second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity; performing (508) CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of: performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements; performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only; and reporting (516) the computed CSI to the network node (1210).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI- RS resources.

3. The method of any of claims 1 to 2, wherein the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI-RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

5. The method of any of claims 1 to 4, further comprising: receiving (518) a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the control message is a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

7. The method of claim 5, wherein the control message is Downlink Control Information, DCI.

8. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI- RSs are periodic CSI-RSs.

9. The method of any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the configuration comprises a single CSI-RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

11. The method of any of claims 9 to 10, wherein a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

13. The method of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

14. The method of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

15. The method of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein the UE (1212) switches CSI reporting behavior from reporting the CSI computed based on only the first CSI-RS to reporting the CSI computed based on one of the following: on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements, or on the second channel measurements only.

16. A User Equipment, UE, (1212) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the UE (1212) comprising processing circuitry configured to: receive (502), from a network node (1210), a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; perform (504) first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity; perform (506) second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity; perform (508) CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of: performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements; performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only; and report (516) the computed CSI to the network node (1210).

17. The user equipment (1212) of claim 16, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform any of claims 2 to 15.

18. A User Equipment, UE, (1212) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the UE (1212) configured to: receive (502), from a network node (1210), a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; perform (504) first channel measurements on the first CSI-RS with the first periodicity; perform (506) second channel measurements on the second set of CSI-RSs with the second periodicity; perform (508) CSI computation resulting in computed CSI, wherein the CSI computation comprises one of: performing (510) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements and the second channel measurements;performing (512) PMI prediction based on the first channel measurements only; performing (514) PMI prediction based on the second channel measurements only; and report (516) the computed CSI to the network node (1210).

19. The UE (1212) of claim 16, wherein the UE is further configured to perform any of claims 2 to 15.

20. A method performed by a network node (1210) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the method comprising: providing (502), to a User Equipment, UE, (1212) a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; receiving (516), from the UE (1212), a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction (510) based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction (512) based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction (514) based on the second channel measurements only.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the configuration comprises multiple CSI-RS resources wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are configured as different CSI- RS resources.

22. The method of any of claims 20 to 21, wherein the second set of CSI-RSs comprise more than one CSI-RS.

23. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the first CSI-RS is a periodic CSI-RS, and the second set of CSI-RSs are semi-persistent CSI-RSs.

24. The method of any of claims 20 to 23, further comprising: providing (518) a control message to activate the second set of CSI-RSs.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein the control message is a Medium Access Control, MAC, Control Element, CE.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein the control message is Downlink Control Information, DCI.

27. The method of any of claims 20 to 22, wherein the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RSs are periodic CSI-RSs.

28. The method of any of claims 20 to 27, wherein the configuration comprises a single CSI- RS resource wherein each of the first CSI-RS and the second set of CSI-RS are configured within the single CSI-RS resource.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the single CSI-RS resource is configured with the first periodicity and the second periodicity.

30. The method of any of claims 28 to 29, wherein a single CSI-RS instance is associated with the first periodicity and a plurality of CSI-RS instances are associated with the second periodicity.

31. The method of any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the second periodicity is larger than the first periodicity.

32. The method of any of claims 20 to 31, wherein the second periodicity is an integer multiple of the first periodicity.

33. The method of any of claims 20 to 30, wherein the second periodicity is smaller than the first periodicity.

34. A network node (1210) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the network node (1210) comprising processing circuitry configured to: provide (502), to a User Equipment, UE, (1212) a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator,PMI, prediction; receive (516), from the UE (1212), a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction (510) based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction (512) based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction (514) based on the second channel measurements only.

35. The network node (1210) of claim 32, wherein the processing circuitry is further configured to perform any of claims 21 to 33.

36. A network node (1210) for Channel State Information, CSI, prediction, the network node (1210) configured to: provide (502), to a User Equipment, UE, (1212) a configuration of a first CSI Reference Signal, CSI-RS, that has a first periodicity and a second set of CSI-RSs that have a second periodicity as channel measurement resources for a CSI report for Precoding Matrix Indicator, PMI, prediction; receive (516), from the UE (1212), a CSI report comprising CSI that is based on one of: a PMI prediction (510) based on first channel measurements of the first CSI-RS and second channel measurements of the second set of CSI-RS; a PMI prediction (512) based on the first channel measurements only; and a PMI prediction (514) based on the second channel measurements only.

37. The network node (1210) of claim 36, wherein the network node (1210) is further configured to perform any of claims 21 to 33.

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