Techniques for uplink beam management
Advanced monitoring and predictive techniques for uplink beam management in wireless communications systems address beam and radio link failures by detecting and recovering from uplink beam failures, ensuring stable connections.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- QUALCOMM INC
- Filing Date
- 2024-10-29
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-07
AI Technical Summary
Wireless communications systems face challenges in maintaining stable connections due to beam failures (BF) and radio link failures (RLF), which can occur due to mobility, obstructions, or interference, leading to communication disruptions.
Implementing advanced monitoring and predictive techniques at the UE and network entity level to detect and predict uplink beam failures by analyzing uplink metrics, including machine learning, to enable early beam recovery and prevent RLFs.
Early detection and prediction of uplink beam failures allow for timely recovery, maintaining stable connections and preventing complete communication loss.
Smart Images

Figure CN2024128029_07052026_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNIQUES FOR UPLINK BEAM MANAGEMENT
[0001] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY
[0002] The following relates to wireless communications, including techniques for uplink (UL) beam management.BACKGROUND
[0003] Wireless communications systems are widely deployed to provide various types of communication content such as voice, video, packet data, messaging, broadcast, and so on. These systems may be capable of supporting communication with multiple users by sharing the available system resources (e.g., time, frequency, and power) . Examples of such multiple-access systems include fourth generation (4G) systems such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, or LTE-A Pro systems, and fifth generation (5G) systems which may be referred to as New Radio (NR) systems. These systems may employ technologies such as code division multiple access (CDMA) , time division multiple access (TDMA) , frequency division multiple access (FDMA) , orthogonal FDMA (OFDMA) , or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (DFT-S-OFDM) . A wireless multiple-access communications system may include one or more base stations, each supporting wireless communication for communication devices, which may be known as user equipment (UE) .SUMMARY
[0004] The systems, methods, and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.
[0005] A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) is described. The method may include monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions and transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0006] A UE for wireless communications is described. The UE may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the UE to monitor one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions and transmit an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0007] Another UE for wireless communications is described. The UE may include means for monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions and means for transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0008] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to monitor one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions and transmit an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0009] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for initiating a timer based on the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications being greater than or equal to the first threshold, where the predicted uplink failure event may be based on the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications being less than the second threshold after expiration of the timer.
[0010] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for detecting, based on a first set of uplink metrics corresponding to a first set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications and detecting, after initiating the timer and based on a second set of uplink metrics corresponding to a second set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0011] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining, based on a measurement associated with the first set of downlink reference signals, the first set of uplink metrics and obtaining, during a duration of the timer and based on a measurement associated with the second set of downlink reference signals, the second set of uplink metrics.
[0012] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining, based on the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, where the predicted uplink failure event may be based on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0013] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium may include further operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, one or more respective predicted uplink metrics, where the one or more respective predicted uplink metrics include the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics.
[0014] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams and receiving, based on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0015] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, an uplink interference history associated with each of the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, or beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more measured downlink beams.
[0016] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium may include further operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, a predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications and a predicated quantity of uplink IS indications, where the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications includes the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications, and where the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications includes the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0017] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams and the method, apparatuses, and non-transitory computer-readable medium may include further operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, where the predicted uplink failure event may be based on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0018] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the predicted uplink failure event may be an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0019] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more downlink reference signals include one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0020] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, a power backoff history associated with the one or more uplink beams, an MPE sensor input, an uplink panel placement on the UE, an orientation, speed, and location of the UE, a type of uplink traffic, an uplink interference history associated with the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more downlink beams, or a combination thereof.
[0021] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a set of multiple uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam predication report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, where monitoring the one or more downlink reference signals and transmitting the uplink beam prediction report may be based on the configuration information.
[0022] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for obtaining the configuration information includes receiving, from a network entity, the configuration information.
[0023] In some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the uplink beam prediction report further includes a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0024] Some examples of the method, user equipment (UEs) , and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for performing, based on the predicted uplink failure event, a cell handover procedure.
[0025] A method for wireless communications by a network entity is described. The method may include transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals and receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0026] A network entity for wireless communications is described. The network entity may include one or more memories storing processor executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories. The one or more processors may individually or collectively be operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to transmit, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals and receive an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0027] Another network entity for wireless communications is described. The network entity may include means for transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals and means for receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0028] A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications is described. The code may include instructions executable by one or more processors to transmit, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals and receive an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0029] Some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for receiving, from a UE, a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams and transmitting, based on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0030] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the predicted uplink failure event may be an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0031] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the one or more downlink reference signals include one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0032] Some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein may further include operations, features, means, or instructions for transmitting configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a set of multiple uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam predication report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, where transmitting the one or more downlink reference signals and receiving the uplink beam prediction report may be based on the configuration information.
[0033] In some examples of the method, network entities, and non-transitory computer-readable medium described herein, the uplink beam prediction report further includes a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0034] Details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims. Note that the relative dimensions of the following figures may not be drawn to scale.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0035] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0036] FIG. 2 shows an example of a portion of a wireless communications system that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0037] FIG. 3 shows an example of an uplink-radio link failure (UL-RLF) event detection method that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIG. 4 shows an example of an UL-BF event detection method that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0039] FIG. 5 shows an example of an uplink beam prediction method that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 6 shows an example of a network entity uplink beam prediction method that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 7 shows an example of an UL-BF or UL-RLF event prediction method that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0042] FIGs. 8 and 9 show block diagrams of devices that support techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0043] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0044] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0045] FIGs. 12 and 13 show block diagrams of devices that support techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0046] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram of a communications manager that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0047] FIG. 15 shows a diagram of a system including a device that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.
[0048] FIGs. 16 and 17 show flowcharts illustrating methods that support techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure.DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0049] In some wireless communications systems, such as 5G systems, maintaining a stable connection between a user equipment (UE) and a network entity may be a complex yet critical task. In some cases, advanced signal processing techniques, such as beamforming, may be utilized to focus or steer a signal (e.g., an antenna beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. These techniques may allow for faster and more reliable communication between devices. However, in some instances, a beam failure (BF) may occur when the focused signal between the UE and the network entity is disrupted due to mobility of the UE, physical obstructions, interference, or the like. If the system is unable to recover from such failure, such as by switching to another beam, the disruption may also lead to a radio link failure (RLF) , which may be a complete loss of communication between the UE and the network entity. Such RLFs may also occur in wireless communications systems that do not utilize beamforming. For instance, RLF may occur when there is poor signal quality, interference, network congestion, or the like.
[0050] In accordance with aspects described herein, a UE, network entity, or a combination of the two, may employ various monitoring or predictive techniques to detect in advance or to predict a BF or an RLF on an uplink beam or other uplink communications link used by the UE for uplink communications with the network entity. In some instances, the advance detection or the prediction of the failure may be based on monitoring of one or more reference signals by the UE. The UE may measure or determine one or more uplink metrics based on the monitoring. In some instances, one or more of the uplink metrics or the failure itself may be predicted using machine learning techniques. Monitoring an uplink control channel, rather than a downlink control channel, may allow for early BF detection and, thus, for early BF recovery (BFR) procedures to be implemented. This is because, in some cases, an uplink control channel may fail before a downlink control channel if a common beam for uplink and downlink is blocked.
[0051] Aspects of the disclosure are initially described in the context of wireless communications systems. Aspects of the disclosure are further illustrated by and described with reference to apparatus diagrams, system diagrams, and flowcharts that relate to techniques for uplink beam management.
[0052] FIG. 1 shows an example of a wireless communications system 100 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The wireless communications system 100 may include one or more devices, such as one or more network devices (e.g., network entities 105) , one or more UEs 115, and a core network 130. In some examples, the wireless communications system 100 may be a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) network, an LTE-A Pro network, a New Radio (NR) network, or a network operating in accordance with other systems and radio technologies, including future systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0053] The network entities 105 may be dispersed throughout a geographic area to form the wireless communications system 100 and may include devices in different forms or having different capabilities. In various examples, a network entity 105 may be referred to as a network element, a mobility element, a radio access network (RAN) node, or network equipment, among other nomenclature. In some examples, network entities 105 and UEs 115 may wirelessly communicate via communication link (s) 125 (e.g., a radio frequency (RF) access link) . For example, a network entity 105 may support a coverage area 110 (e.g., a geographic coverage area) over which the UEs 115 and the network entity 105 may establish the communication link (s) 125. The coverage area 110 may be an example of a geographic area over which a network entity 105 and a UE 115 may support the communication of signals according to one or more radio access technologies (RATs) .
[0054] The UEs 115 may be dispersed throughout a coverage area 110 of the wireless communications system 100, and each UE 115 may be stationary, or mobile, or both at different times. The UEs 115 may be devices in different forms or having different capabilities. Some example UEs 115 are illustrated in FIG. 1. The UEs 115 described herein may be capable of supporting communications with various types of devices in the wireless communications system 100 (e.g., other wireless communication devices, including UEs 115 or network entities 105) , as shown in FIG. 1.
[0055] As described herein, a node of the wireless communications system 100, which may be referred to as a network node, or a wireless node, may be a network entity 105 (e.g., any network entity described herein) , a UE 115 (e.g., any UE described herein) , a network controller, an apparatus, a device, a computing system, one or more components, or another suitable processing entity configured to perform any of the techniques described herein. For example, a node may be a UE 115. As another example, a node may be a network entity 105. As another example, a first node may be configured to communicate with a second node or a third node. In one aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a UE 115. In another aspect of this example, the first node may be a UE 115, the second node may be a network entity 105, and the third node may be a network entity 105. In yet other aspects of this example, the first, second, and third nodes may be different relative to these examples. Similarly, reference to a UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like may include disclosure of the UE 115, network entity 105, apparatus, device, computing system, or the like being a node. For example, disclosure that a UE 115 is configured to receive information from a network entity 105 also discloses that a first node is configured to receive information from a second node.
[0056] In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with a core network 130, or with one another, or both. For example, network entities 105 may communicate with the core network 130 via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an S1, N2, N3, or other interface protocol) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via backhaul communication link (s) 120 (e.g., in accordance with an X2, Xn, or other interface protocol) either directly (e.g., directly between network entities 105) or indirectly (e.g., via the core network 130) . In some examples, network entities 105 may communicate with one another via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., in accordance with a midhaul interface protocol) or a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., in accordance with a fronthaul interface protocol) , or any combination thereof. The backhaul communication link (s) 120, midhaul communication links 162, or fronthaul communication links 168 may be or include one or more wired links (e.g., an electrical link, an optical fiber link) or one or more wireless links (e.g., a radio link, a wireless optical link) , among other examples or various combinations thereof. A UE 115 may communicate with the core network 130 via a communication link 155.
[0057] One or more of the network entities 105 or network equipment described herein may include or may be referred to as a base station 140 (e.g., a base transceiver station, a radio base station, an NR base station, an access point, a radio transceiver, a NodeB, an eNodeB (eNB) , a next-generation NodeB or giga-NodeB (either of which may be referred to as a gNB) , a 5G NB, a next-generation eNB (ng-eNB) , a Home NodeB, a Home eNodeB, or other suitable terminology) . In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may be implemented in an aggregated (e.g., monolithic, standalone) base station architecture, which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically integrated within one network entity (e.g., a network entity 105 or a single RAN node, such as a base station 140) .
[0058] In some examples, a network entity 105 may be implemented in a disaggregated architecture (e.g., a disaggregated base station architecture, a disaggregated RAN architecture) , which may be configured to utilize a protocol stack that is physically or logically distributed among multiple network entities (e.g., network entities 105) , such as an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) network, an open RAN (O-RAN) (e.g., a network configuration sponsored by the O-RAN Alliance) , or a virtualized RAN (vRAN) (e.g., a cloud RAN (C-RAN) ) . For example, a network entity 105 may include one or more of a central unit (CU) , such as a CU 160, a distributed unit (DU) , such as a DU 165, a radio unit (RU) , such as an RU 170, a RAN Intelligent Controller (RIC) , such as an RIC 175 (e.g., a Near-Real Time RIC (Near-RT RIC) , a Non-Real Time RIC (Non-RT RIC) ) , a Service Management and Orchestration (SMO) system, such as an SMO system 180, or any combination thereof. An RU 170 may also be referred to as a radio head, a smart radio head, a remote radio head (RRH) , a remote radio unit (RRU) , or a transmission reception point (TRP) . One or more components of the network entities 105 in a disaggregated RAN architecture may be co-located, or one or more components of the network entities 105 may be located in distributed locations (e.g., separate physical locations) . In some examples, one or more of the network entities 105 of a disaggregated RAN architecture may be implemented as virtual units (e.g., a virtual CU (VCU) , a virtual DU (VDU) , a virtual RU (VRU) ) .
[0059] The split of functionality between a CU 160, a DU 165, and an RU 170 is flexible and may support different functionalities depending on which functions (e.g., network layer functions, protocol layer functions, baseband functions, RF functions, or any combinations thereof) are performed at a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170. For example, a functional split of a protocol stack may be employed between a CU 160 and a DU 165 such that the CU 160 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the DU 165 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. In some examples, the CU 160 may host upper protocol layer (e.g., layer 3 (L3) , layer 2 (L2) ) functionality and signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) , service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) , Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) ) . The CU 160 (e.g., one or more CUs) may be connected to a DU 165 (e.g., one or more DUs) or an RU 170 (e.g., one or more RUs) , or some combination thereof, and the DUs 165, RUs 170, or both may host lower protocol layers, such as layer 1 (L1) (e.g., physical (PHY) layer) or L2 (e.g., radio link control (RLC) layer, medium access control (MAC) layer) functionality and signaling, and may each be at least partially controlled by the CU 160. Additionally, or alternatively, a functional split of the protocol stack may be employed between a DU 165 and an RU 170 such that the DU 165 may support one or more layers of the protocol stack and the RU 170 may support one or more different layers of the protocol stack. The DU 165 may support one or multiple different cells (e.g., via one or multiple different RUs, such as an RU 170) . In some cases, a functional split between a CU 160 and a DU 165 or between a DU 165 and an RU 170 may be within a protocol layer (e.g., some functions for a protocol layer may be performed by one of a CU 160, a DU 165, or an RU 170, while other functions of the protocol layer are performed by a different one of the CU 160, the DU 165, or the RU 170) . A CU 160 may be functionally split further into CU control plane (CU-CP) and CU user plane (CU-UP) functions. A CU 160 may be connected to a DU 165 via a midhaul communication link 162 (e.g., F1, F1-c, F1-u) , and a DU 165 may be connected to an RU 170 via a fronthaul communication link 168 (e.g., open fronthaul (FH) interface) . In some examples, a midhaul communication link 162 or a fronthaul communication link 168 may be implemented in accordance with an interface (e.g., a channel) between layers of a protocol stack supported by respective network entities (e.g., one or more of the network entities 105) that are in communication via such communication links.
[0060] In some wireless communications systems (e.g., the wireless communications system 100) , infrastructure and spectral resources for radio access may support wireless backhaul link capabilities to supplement wired backhaul connections, providing an IAB network architecture (e.g., to a core network 130) . In some cases, in an IAB network, one or more of the network entities 105 (e.g., network entities 105 or IAB node (s) 104) may be partially controlled by each other. The IAB node (s) 104 may be referred to as a donor entity or an IAB donor. A DU 165 or an RU 170 may be partially controlled by a CU 160 associated with a network entity 105 or base station 140 (such as a donor network entity or a donor base station) . The one or more donor entities (e.g., IAB donors) may be in communication with one or more additional devices (e.g., IAB node (s) 104) via supported access and backhaul links (e.g., backhaul communication link (s) 120) . IAB node (s) 104 may include an IAB mobile termination (IAB-MT) controlled (e.g., scheduled) by one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) of a coupled IAB donor. An IAB-MT may be equipped with an independent set of antennas for relay of communications with UEs 115 or may share the same antennas (e.g., of an RU 170) of IAB node (s) 104 used for access via the DU 165 of the IAB node (s) 104 (e.g., referred to as virtual IAB-MT (vIAB-MT) ) . In some examples, the IAB node (s) 104 may include one or more DUs (e.g., DUs 165) that support communication links with additional entities (e.g., IAB node (s) 104, UEs 115) within the relay chain or configuration of the access network (e.g., downstream) . In such cases, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., the IAB node (s) 104 or components of the IAB node (s) 104) may be configured to operate according to the techniques described herein.
[0061] In the case of the techniques described herein applied in the context of a disaggregated RAN architecture, one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture may be configured to support techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, some operations described as being performed by a UE 115 or a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140) may additionally, or alternatively, be performed by one or more components of the disaggregated RAN architecture (e.g., components such as an IAB node, a DU 165, a CU 160, an RU 170, an RIC 175, an SMO system 180) .
[0062] A UE 115 may include or may be referred to as a mobile device, a wireless device, a remote device, a handheld device, or a subscriber device, or some other suitable terminology, where the “device” may also be referred to as a unit, a station, a terminal, or a client, among other examples. A UE 115 may also include or may be referred to as a personal electronic device such as a cellular phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA) , a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or a personal computer. In some examples, a UE 115 may include or be referred to as a wireless local loop (WLL) station, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, an Internet of Everything (IoE) device, or a machine type communications (MTC) device, among other examples, which may be implemented in various objects such as appliances, vehicles, or meters, among other examples.
[0063] The UEs 115 described herein may be able to communicate with various types of devices, such as UEs 115 that may sometimes operate as relays, as well as the network entities 105 and the network equipment including macro eNBs or gNBs, small cell eNBs or gNBs, or relay base stations, among other examples, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0064] The UEs 115 and the network entities 105 may wirelessly communicate with one another via the communication link (s) 125 (e.g., one or more access links) using resources associated with one or more carriers. The term “carrier” may refer to a set of RF spectrum resources having a defined PHY layer structure for supporting the communication link (s) 125. For example, a carrier used for the communication link (s) 125 may include a portion of an RF spectrum band (e.g., a bandwidth part (BWP) ) that is operated according to one or more PHY layer channels for a given RAT (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, NR) . Each PHY layer channel may carry acquisition signaling (e.g., synchronization signals, system information) , control signaling that coordinates operation for the carrier, user data, or other signaling. The wireless communications system 100 may support communication with a UE 115 using carrier aggregation or multi-carrier operation. A UE 115 may be configured with multiple downlink component carriers and one or more uplink component carriers according to a carrier aggregation configuration. Carrier aggregation may be used with both frequency division duplexing (FDD) and time division duplexing (TDD) component carriers. Communication between a network entity 105 and other devices may refer to communication between the devices and any portion (e.g., entity, sub-entity) of a network entity 105. For example, the terms “transmitting, ” “receiving, ” or “communicating, ” when referring to a network entity 105, may refer to any portion of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, a CU 160, a DU 165, a RU 170) of a RAN communicating with another device (e.g., directly or via one or more other network entities, such as one or more of the network entities 105) .
[0065] Signal waveforms transmitted via a carrier may be made up of multiple subcarriers (e.g., using multi-carrier modulation (MCM) techniques such as orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-S-OFDM) ) . In a system employing MCM techniques, a resource element may refer to resources of one symbol period (e.g., a duration of one modulation symbol) and one subcarrier, in which case the symbol period and subcarrier spacing may be inversely related. The quantity of bits carried by each resource element may depend on the modulation scheme (e.g., the order of the modulation scheme, the coding rate of the modulation scheme, or both) , such that a relatively higher quantity of resource elements (e.g., in a transmission duration) and a relatively higher order of a modulation scheme may correspond to a relatively higher rate of communication. A wireless communications resource may refer to a combination of an RF spectrum resource, a time resource, and a spatial resource (e.g., a spatial layer, a beam) , and the use of multiple spatial resources may increase the data rate or data integrity for communications with a UE 115.
[0066] The time intervals for the network entities 105 or the UEs 115 may be expressed in multiples of a basic time unit which may, for example, refer to a sampling period of Ts=1 / (Δfmax·Nf) seconds, for which Δfmax may represent a supported subcarrier spacing, and Nf may represent a supported discrete Fourier transform (DFT) size. Time intervals of a communications resource may be organized according to radio frames each having a specified duration (e.g., 10 milliseconds (ms) ) . Each radio frame may be identified by a system frame number (SFN) (e.g., ranging from 0 to 1023) .
[0067] Each frame may include multiple consecutively-numbered subframes or slots, and each subframe or slot may have the same duration. In some examples, a frame may be divided (e.g., in the time domain) into subframes, and each subframe may be further divided into a quantity of slots. Alternatively, each frame may include a variable quantity of slots, and the quantity of slots may depend on subcarrier spacing. Each slot may include a quantity of symbol periods (e.g., depending on the length of the cyclic prefix prepended to each symbol period) . In some wireless communications systems, such as the wireless communications system 100, a slot may further be divided into multiple mini-slots associated with one or more symbols. Excluding the cyclic prefix, each symbol period may be associated with one or more (e.g., Nf) sampling periods. The duration of a symbol period may depend on the subcarrier spacing or frequency band of operation.
[0068] A subframe, a slot, a mini-slot, or a symbol may be the smallest scheduling unit (e.g., in the time domain) of the wireless communications system 100 and may be referred to as a transmission time interval (TTI) . In some examples, the TTI duration (e.g., a quantity of symbol periods in a TTI) may be variable. Additionally, or alternatively, the smallest scheduling unit of the wireless communications system 100 may be dynamically selected (e.g., in bursts of shortened TTIs (sTTIs) ) .
[0069] Physical channels may be multiplexed for communication using a carrier according to various techniques. A physical control channel and a physical data channel may be multiplexed for signaling via a downlink carrier, for example, using one or more of time division multiplexing (TDM) techniques, frequency division multiplexing (FDM) techniques, or hybrid TDM-FDM techniques. A control region (e.g., a control resource set (CORESET) ) for a physical control channel may be defined by a set of symbol periods and may extend across the system bandwidth or a subset of the system bandwidth of the carrier. One or more control regions (e.g., CORESETs) may be configured for a set of the UEs 115. For example, one or more of the UEs 115 may monitor or search control regions for control information according to one or more search space sets, and each search space set may include one or multiple control channel candidates in one or more aggregation levels arranged in a cascaded manner. An aggregation level for a control channel candidate may refer to an amount of control channel resources (e.g., control channel elements (CCEs) ) associated with encoded information for a control information format having a given payload size. Search space sets may include common search space sets configured for sending control information to UEs 115 (e.g., one or more UEs) or may include UE-specific search space sets for sending control information to a UE 115 (e.g., a specific UE) .
[0070] In some examples, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may be movable and therefore provide communication coverage for a moving coverage area, such as the coverage area 110. In some examples, coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) associated with different technologies may overlap, but the coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) may be supported by the same network entity (e.g., a network entity 105) . In some other examples, overlapping coverage areas, such as a coverage area 110, associated with different technologies may be supported by different network entities (e.g., the network entities 105) . The wireless communications system 100 may include, for example, a heterogeneous network in which different types of the network entities 105 support communications for coverage areas 110 (e.g., different coverage areas) using the same or different RATs.
[0071] The wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable communications or low-latency communications, or various combinations thereof. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may be configured to support ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) . The UEs 115 may be designed to support ultra-reliable, low-latency, or critical functions. Ultra-reliable communications may include private communication or group communication and may be supported by one or more services such as push-to-talk, video, or data. Support for ultra-reliable, low-latency functions may include prioritization of services, and such services may be used for public safety or general commercial applications. The terms ultra-reliable, low-latency, and ultra-reliable low-latency may be used interchangeably herein.
[0072] In some examples, a UE 115 may be configured to support communicating directly with other UEs (e.g., one or more of the UEs 115) via a device-to-device (D2D) communication link, such as a D2D communication link 135 (e.g., in accordance with a peer-to-peer (P2P) , D2D, or sidelink protocol) . In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of a group that are performing D2D communications may be within the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) , which may support aspects of such D2D communications being configured by (e.g., scheduled by) the network entity 105. In some examples, one or more UEs 115 of such a group may be outside the coverage area 110 of a network entity 105 or may be otherwise unable to or not configured to receive transmissions from a network entity 105. In some examples, groups of the UEs 115 communicating via D2D communications may support a one-to-many (1: M) system in which each UE 115 transmits to one or more of the UEs 115 in the group. In some examples, a network entity 105 may facilitate the scheduling of resources for D2D communications. In some other examples, D2D communications may be carried out between the UEs 115 without an involvement of a network entity 105.
[0073] The core network 130 may provide user authentication, access authorization, tracking, Internet Protocol (IP) connectivity, and other access, routing, or mobility functions. The core network 130 may be an evolved packet core (EPC) or 5G core (5GC) , which may include at least one control plane entity that manages access and mobility (e.g., a mobility management entity (MME) , an access and mobility management function (AMF) ) and at least one user plane entity that routes packets or interconnects to external networks (e.g., a serving gateway (S-GW) , a Packet Data Network (PDN) gateway (P-GW) , or a user plane function (UPF) ) . The control plane entity may manage non-access stratum (NAS) functions such as mobility, authentication, and bearer management for the UEs 115 served by the network entities 105 (e.g., base stations 140) associated with the core network 130. User IP packets may be transferred through the user plane entity, which may provide IP address allocation as well as other functions. The user plane entity may be connected to IP services 150 for one or more network operators. The IP services 150 may include access to the Internet, Intranet (s) , an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) , or a Packet-Switched Streaming Service.
[0074] The wireless communications system 100 may operate using one or more frequency bands, which may be in the range of 300 megahertz (MHz) to 300 gigahertz (GHz) . Generally, the region from 300 MHz to 3 GHz is known as the ultra-high frequency (UHF) region or decimeter band because the wavelengths range from approximately one decimeter to one meter in length. UHF waves may be blocked or redirected by buildings and environmental features, which may be referred to as clusters, but the waves may penetrate structures sufficiently for a macro cell to provide service to the UEs 115 located indoors. Communications using UHF waves may be associated with smaller antennas and shorter ranges (e.g., less than one hundred kilometers) compared to communications using the smaller frequencies and longer waves of the high frequency (HF) or very high frequency (VHF) portion of the spectrum below 300 MHz.
[0075] The wireless communications system 100 may utilize both licensed and unlicensed RF spectrum bands. For example, the wireless communications system 100 may employ License Assisted Access (LAA) , LTE-Unlicensed (LTE-U) RAT, or NR technology using an unlicensed band such as the 5 GHz industrial, scientific, and medical (ISM) band. While operating using unlicensed RF spectrum bands, devices such as the network entities 105 and the UEs 115 may employ carrier sensing for collision detection and avoidance. In some examples, operations using unlicensed bands may be based on a carrier aggregation configuration in conjunction with component carriers operating using a licensed band (e.g., LAA) . Operations using unlicensed spectrum may include downlink transmissions, uplink transmissions, P2P transmissions, or D2D transmissions, among other examples.
[0076] A network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) or a UE 115 may be equipped with multiple antennas, which may be used to employ techniques such as transmit diversity, receive diversity, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications, or beamforming. The antennas of a network entity 105 or a UE 115 may be located within one or more antenna arrays or antenna panels, which may support MIMO operations or transmit or receive beamforming. For example, one or more base station antennas or antenna arrays may be co-located at an antenna assembly, such as an antenna tower. In some examples, antennas or antenna arrays associated with a network entity 105 may be located at diverse geographic locations. A network entity 105 may include an antenna array with a set of rows and columns of antenna ports that the network entity 105 may use to support beamforming of communications with a UE 115. Likewise, a UE 115 may include one or more antenna arrays that may support various MIMO or beamforming operations. Additionally, or alternatively, an antenna panel may support RF beamforming for a signal transmitted via an antenna port.
[0077] Beamforming, which may also be referred to as spatial filtering, directional transmission, or directional reception, is a signal processing technique that may be used at a transmitting device or a receiving device (e.g., a network entity 105, a UE 115) to shape or steer an antenna beam (e.g., a transmit beam, a receive beam) along a spatial path between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Beamforming may be achieved by combining the signals communicated via antenna elements of an antenna array such that some signals propagating along particular orientations with respect to an antenna array experience constructive interference while others experience destructive interference. The adjustment of signals communicated via the antenna elements may include a transmitting device or a receiving device applying amplitude offsets, phase offsets, or both to signals carried via the antenna elements associated with the device. The adjustments associated with each of the antenna elements may be defined by a beamforming weight set associated with a particular orientation (e.g., with respect to the antenna array of the transmitting device or receiving device, or with respect to some other orientation) .
[0078] A network entity 105 or a UE 115 may use beam sweeping techniques as part of beamforming operations. For example, a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) may use multiple antennas or antenna arrays (e.g., antenna panels) to conduct beamforming operations for directional communications with a UE 115. Some signals (e.g., synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals) may be transmitted by a network entity 105 multiple times along different directions. For example, the network entity 105 may transmit a signal according to different beamforming weight sets associated with different directions of transmission. Transmissions along different beam directions may be used to identify (e.g., by a transmitting device, such as a network entity 105, or by a receiving device, such as a UE 115) a beam direction for later transmission or reception by the network entity 105.
[0079] Some signals, such as data signals associated with a particular receiving device, may be transmitted by a transmitting device (e.g., a network entity 105 or a UE 115) along a single beam direction (e.g., a direction associated with the receiving device, such as another network entity 105 or UE 115) . In some examples, the beam direction associated with transmissions along a single beam direction may be determined based on a signal that was transmitted along one or more beam directions. For example, a UE 115 may receive one or more of the signals transmitted by the network entity 105 along different directions and may report to the network entity 105 an indication of the signal that the UE 115 received with a highest signal quality or an otherwise acceptable signal quality.
[0080] In some examples, transmissions by a device (e.g., by a network entity 105 or a UE 115) may be performed using multiple beam directions, and the device may use a combination of digital precoding or beamforming to generate a combined beam for transmission (e.g., from a network entity 105 to a UE 115) . The UE 115 may report feedback that indicates precoding weights for one or more beam directions, and the feedback may correspond to a configured set of beams across a system bandwidth or one or more sub-bands. The network entity 105 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a cell-specific reference signal (CRS) , a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) ) , which may be precoded or unprecoded. The UE 115 may provide feedback for beam selection, which may be a precoding matrix indicator (PMI) or codebook-based feedback (e.g., a multi-panel type codebook, a linear combination type codebook, a port selection type codebook) . Although these techniques are described with reference to signals transmitted along one or more directions by a network entity 105 (e.g., a base station 140, an RU 170) , a UE 115 may employ similar techniques for transmitting signals multiple times along different directions (e.g., for identifying a beam direction for subsequent transmission or reception by the UE 115) or for transmitting a signal along a single direction (e.g., for transmitting data to a receiving device) .
[0081] A receiving device (e.g., a UE 115) may perform reception operations in accordance with multiple receive configurations (e.g., directional listening) when receiving various signals from a transmitting device (e.g., a network entity 105) , such as synchronization signals, reference signals, beam selection signals, or other control signals. For example, a receiving device may perform reception in accordance with multiple receive directions by receiving via different antenna subarrays, by processing received signals according to different antenna subarrays, by receiving according to different receive beamforming weight sets (e.g., different directional listening weight sets) applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, or by processing received signals according to different receive beamforming weight sets applied to signals received at multiple antenna elements of an antenna array, any of which may be referred to as “listening” according to different receive configurations or receive directions. In some examples, a receiving device may use a single receive configuration to receive along a single beam direction (e.g., when receiving a data signal) . The single receive configuration may be aligned along a beam direction determined based on listening according to different receive configuration directions (e.g., a beam direction determined to have a highest signal strength, highest signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) , or otherwise acceptable signal quality based on listening according to multiple beam directions) .
[0082] In accordance with aspects described herein, a UE 115, network entity 105, or a combination of the two, may employ various monitoring or predictive techniques to detect in advance or to predict a BF or an RLF on an uplink beam or other uplink communications link used by the UE 115 for uplink communications with the network entity 105. In some instances, the advance detection or the prediction of the failure may be based on monitoring of one or more reference signals by the UE 115. The UE 115 may measure or determine one or more uplink metrics based on the monitoring. In some instances, one or more of the uplink metrics or the failure itself may be predicted using machine learning techniques. Monitoring an uplink control channel, rather than a downlink control channel, may allow for early BF detection and, thus, for early BFR procedures to be implemented. This is because, in some cases, an uplink control channel may fail before a downlink control channel if a common beam for uplink and downlink is blocked.
[0083] FIG. 2 shows an example of a portion of a wireless communications system 200 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some cases, the wireless communications system 200 may support or be supported by aspects of the wireless communications system 100 described with reference to FIG. 1. For instance, the wireless communications system 200 may include a network entity 105-a and a UE 115-a, which may be examples of network entities 105 and UEs 115, respectively, described with reference to FIG. 1. The network entity 105-a and UE 115-a may communicate using communication links 225 (e.g., communication links 225-a and 225-b) , which may be examples of the communication links 125 described with reference to FIG. 1.
[0084] For instance, in accordance with aspects described herein, the network entity 105-a may transmit, and the UE 115-a may receive, downlink communications, such as one or more reference signals 210 or configuration information 220, via an downlink communication link 225-b. In accordance with aspects described herein, the one or more reference signals 210 may be reference signals used for uplink-beam failure (UL-BF) or uplink-RLF (UL-RLF) monitoring. In some cases, the UE 115-a may monitor the one or more reference signals 210 to measure one or metrics associated with the one or more reference signals 210 and to derive one or more uplink metrics. In some instances, instead of measuring metrics associated with the one or more reference signals 210 and deriving the one or more uplink metrics, the UE 115-a may utilize certain techniques (e.g., artificial intelligence (AI) or machine learning (ML) ) to predict or obtain a prediction of the one or more uplink metrics, or in some cases, the one or more reference signals 210. The measured (e.g., derived) or predicted uplink metrics may be used to determine an UL-BF event or an UL-RLF event or, in some cases, to determine intermediate uplink beam / cell metrics that may be used to determine the UL-BF event or the UL-RLF event. In some cases, the intermediate uplink beam / cell metrics themselves may be predicted or the UL-BF event or the UL-RLF event may be predicted. In some instances, the measured or predicted uplink metrics and / or the measured or predicted intermediate uplink beam / cell metrics may be used to select an optimal uplink beam.
[0085] In some instances, the network entity 105-a may send the UE 115-a the configuration information, which may indicate which types of information (e.g., the types of metrics or parameters) to use as inputs to an AI / ML model for receiving a corresponding type of output (e.g., a prediction of an UL-BF event, prediction of an UL-RLF event, or prediction of an optimal beam) . In some cases, the configuration information may additionally include measured or predicted sets of reference signals and beams and corresponding resources, an indication of events or conditions that may trigger or terminate predictions, a time to enable or disable the predictions, and the like.
[0086] In response to determining or predicting the UL-BF event, the UL-RLF event, or selecting an optimal beam, the UE 115-a may transmit, and the network entity 105-a may receive via an uplink communication link 225-a, uplink communications, such as an uplink beam prediction report 230. The uplink beam prediction report 230 may include information such as a report type (e.g., whether the report is associated with the UL-BF event, the UL-RLF event, or selection of an optimal beam) , the measured or predicted metrics, current prediction accuracy, a confidence level associated with the prediction, or other information associated with the UL-BF event, the UL-RLF event, or selection of the optimal beam.
[0087] FIG. 3 shows an example of an UL-RLF event detection method 300 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the UL-RLF event detection method 300 may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2. For example, network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, or a combination thereof, may be configured to operate in accordance with the UL-RLF event detection method 300.
[0088] In some wireless communications systems, such as 5G systems, an RLF event 330 may occur between a network entity, such as the network entity 105-a, and a UE, such as the UE 115-a, when there is poor signal quality, interference, network congestion, or the like. In some such wireless communications systems, only a downlink control channel is monitored for the RLF event 330. However, in many cases, UL-RLF may occur earlier than downlink-RLF (DL-RLF) because the network entity 105-a transmitting over the downlink link may typically have larger transmit power capabilities than the UE 115-a, which may have relatively limited transmit power. Accordingly, it may be advantageous for wireless communications systems to monitor and detect UL-RLFs so that one or more mitigating or recovery actions may be taken.
[0089] In accordance with aspects described herein, the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a, may detect, and in some cases predict, an UL-RLF event 330 based on performing UL-RLF monitoring. For instance, the UE 115-a may be triggered to perform the UL-RLF monitoring when the uplink quality of a serving primary cell (sPCell) that serves the UE 115-a is poor. The UE 115-a may perform the UL-RLF monitoring based on a set of (e.g., one or more) uplink radio link monitoring (UL-RLM) reference signals. Initially, the UE 115-a may determine the set of UL-RLM reference signals to be used for the UL-RLF monitoring. In some cases, the network entity 105-a may transmit to the UE 115-a an indication of the set of UL-RLM reference signals. For instance, the network entity 105-a may transmit the indication of the UL-RLM reference signals via RRC signaling or via a MAC-control element (MAC-CE) . In other case, the UE 115-a may implicitly determine the set of UL-RLM reference signals. For instance, the UL-RLM reference signals may be based on quasi-co-located (QCL) source reference signals in an uplink control channel or joint transmission control indications (TCIs) for the uplink control channel.
[0090] The UE 115-a may, thereafter, measure one or more of the set of UL-RLM reference signals to obtain one or more downlink metrics. The downlink metrics, in some cases, may be used to derive or infer one or more associated uplink metrics. The UE 115-a may use the downlink metrics, together with characteristics that the UE 115-a knows about the downlink channel or about the transmitting device and characteristics that the UE 115-a knows about itself, to infer one or more uplink metrics. As an example, the UE 115-a may measure one or more of the set of UL-RLM RSs to obtain a downlink reference signal receive power (RSRP) metric. The UE 115-a may be aware of the transmit power associated with the network entity 105-a (e.g., downlink transmit power) as well as its own transmit power (e.g., uplink transmit power) , and may determine a difference between the downlink transmit power and the uplink transmit power. The UE 115-a may then modify the downlink RSRP metric using the differential value of the transmit powers to infer, from the downlink RSRP metric, an uplink RSRP metric. One or more other uplink metrics may be obtained in a similar manner, such as a power headroom report (PHR) , a virtual PHR (vPHR) , power management-maximum power reduction (P-MPR) , Layer 1 uplink signal interference noise ratio (L1 UL-SINR) (e.g., where interference information may be provided to the UE 115-a by the network entity 105-a) , and hypothetical block error rate (BLER) , etc.
[0091] One or more of the determined (also referred to as measured) uplink metrics may be used to evaluate the UL-RL and detect an UL-RLF event 330. For instance, in some cases, the UE 115-a may determine whether the uplink metrics determined for all of the UL-RLM reference signals (e.g., in the set of UL-RLM reference signals) are below an uplink-out of synchronization (UL-OOS) threshold (e.g., a quality threshold to determine whether all of the UL-RLM reference signals have poor quality) . If so, an UL-OOS indication 310 may be generated, otherwise, an uplink-in synchronization (UL-IS) indication 320 may be generated. In other cases, the UE 115-a may determine whether an average of the uplink metrics determined for all of the UL-RLM reference signals is below the UL-OOS threshold. If so, the UL-OOS indication 310 may be generated. Otherwise, the UL-IS indication 320 may be generated. In still other cases, the UE 115-a may determine whether the minimum uplink metric determined for all of the UL-RLM reference signals is below the UL-OOS threshold. If so, the UL-OOS indication 310 may be generated. Otherwise, the UL-IS indication 320 may be generated. In some cases, the physical (PHY) layer may report or indicate the UL-OOS indications 310 and the UL-IS indications 320 to a higher layer of the UE 115-a, such as the MAC layer. In some instances, the UL-OOS and UL-IS indications 320 may be reported separately from downlink-OOS (DL-OOS) and downlink-IS (DL-IS) indications. In other cases, PHY layer may report joint-OOS indications 310 and joint-IS indications 320. The joint-OOSs may be determined based on applying an OR operation to the UL-OOS indications 310 and the DL-OOS indications 310, and the joint ISs may be determined based on applying an AND operation to the UL-IS indications 320 and the DL-IS indications 320, where the DL-OOS indications 310 and DL-IS indications 320 may be determined based on whether downlink metrics associated with one or more reference signals satisfy an DL-OOS threshold.
[0092] The UE 115-a may initiate a timer (e.g., a T310 timer) when (e.g., after) a first threshold quantity of consecutive OOS indications 310 are detected (e.g., reported or indicated by the PHY layer) . The consecutive OOS indications 310 may be the UL-OOS indications 310, the DL-OOS indications 310, the joint-OOS indications 310, or a combination thereof. The UE 115-a may then count, during a duration 340 of the timer, a quantity of consecutive IS indications 320 that are detected (e.g., reported or indicated by the PHY layer) . The consecutive IS indications 320 may be the UL-IS indications 320, the DL-IS indications 320, the joint-IS indications 320, or a combination thereof. If the quantity of consecutive IS indications 320 is less than a second threshold quantity of consecutive IS indications 320 (e.g., before or after expiration of the timer) (e.g., the UE 115-a does not receive a sufficient quantity of good indications from the PHY layer) , then the UE 115-a may determine that the UL-RLF event 330 is detected.
[0093] In some cases, the UE 115-a may initiate a first dedicated timer for UL-RLM and a second dedicated timer for DL-RLM, and this may apply for the UL-OOS indications 310, DL-OOS indications 310, UL-IS indications 320, and DL-IS indications 320. In this way, an UL-RLF maybe detected independent of a DL-RLF. In other cases, the UE 115-a initiate a shared timer for the UL-RLM and the DL-RLM, and this may apply for the joint-OOS indications 310 and joint-IS indications 320. In some cases, the values of the first threshold quantity of consecutive OOS indications and the second threshold quantity of consecutive IS indications may be shared between the DL-RLM used to determine a DL-RLF event 330 and the UL-RLM used to determine an UL-RLF event 330. In other cases, the threshold values may be separately configured for the DL-RLM used to determine a DL-RLF event 330 and the UL-RLM used to determine an UL-RLF event 330. In some cases, when an UL-RLF event 330 or DL-RLF event 330 is detected, the UE 115-a or the network entity 105 may implement an RLF recovery procedure. In some cases, the UL-RLF recovery procedure may be the same as the DL-RLF recovery procedure, and in other cases, the UL-RLF recovery procedure may be different from the DL-RLF recovery procedure.
[0094] FIG. 4 shows an example of an UL-BF event detection method 400 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the UL-BF event detection method 400 may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, and the UL-RLF event detection method 300, as described with reference to FIG. 3. For example, network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, or a combination thereof, may be configured to operate in accordance with the UL-BF event detection method 400.
[0095] In some wireless communications systems, such as 5G systems, a BF event 430 may occur on a beam used to communicate between a network entity, such as the network entity 105-a, and a UE, such as the UE 115-a, due to mobility of the UE 115-a, physical obstructions, interference, or the like. In some such wireless communications systems, only a downlink control channel is monitored for the BF event 430. However, in many cases, UL-BF may occur earlier than DL-BF because the uplink coverage is typically weaker than downlink coverage due to the greater transmit power capabilities of the network entity 105-a relative to that of the UE 115-a. However, in some wireless communications systems, there may be no uplink BFR procedures and the network entity 105-a may only be able to detect an UL-BF based on consecutive uplink reception failures. Further, in some wireless communications systems, the UE 115-a may measure a set of downlink beams and send a corresponding beam report to the network entity 105-a reporting one or more downlink metrics associated with the measured downlink beams. The network entity 105-a may, accordingly, make beam or cell selection decisions based on a beam report transmitted by the UE 115-a. However, because the beam report may only include downlink metrics and may not include any uplink metrics, the network entity 105-a may select a beam or cell that may be optimal for downlink performance, but may not be optimal for the uplink performance. Accordingly, it may be beneficial for wireless communications systems to monitor and detect UL-BFs so that one or more mitigating or recovery actions may be taken and to additionally capture and report uplink metrics, which may be useful for optimal beam selection.
[0096] In accordance with aspects described herein, the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a, may detect, and in some cases predict, an UL-BF event 430 based on performing UL-BF monitoring. The UE 115-a may perform the UL-BF monitoring based on a set of (e.g., one or more) UL-RLM reference signals, such as described with reference to FIG. 3. For instance, the network entity 105-a may transmit to the UE 115-a an indication of the set of UL-RLM reference signals, such as via RRC signaling or MAC-CE. Alternatively, the UE 115-a may implicitly determine the set of UL-RLM reference signals based on QCL source reference signals in an uplink control channel or joint TCIs for the uplink control channel. The UE 115-a may, thereafter, measure one or more of the set of UL-RLM reference signals to obtain one or more downlink metrics and may use the downlink metrics, together with characteristics that the UE 115-a knows about the downlink channel or about the transmitting device and characteristics that the UE 115-a knows about itself, to infer one or more uplink metrics 410 (e.g., uplink metrics 410-a and uplink metrics 410-b) . In some cases, the inferred uplink metrics may be similar to those discussed with reference to FIG. 3, such as PHR, vPHR, P-MPR, L1 UL-SINR, and hypothetical BLER, etc. The inferred uplink metrics may include additional metrics as well, such as maximum permissible exposure (MPE) behavior history for each uplink beam associated with the UE 115-a, uplink beam pattern information, uplink interference or noise, downlink transmit power, uplink cell load information, or the like.
[0097] One or more of the determined (also referred to as measured) uplink metrics may be used to evaluate the uplink beam and detect an UL-BF event 430. In some cases, the UL-BF event 430 may be detected in a manner similar to that described with respect to FIG. 3. For instance, the UE 115-a may determine OOS indications (e.g., UL-OOS, DL-OOS, or joint-OOS indications 310 of FIG. 3) and IS indications (e.g., UL-IS, DL-IS, or joint-IS indications 320) based on whether the uplink metrics (or the downlink metrics) satisfy a quality threshold (e.g., an OOS threshold) . The PHY layer of the UE 115-a may report the OOS indications and IS indications to a higher level of the UE 115-a, and if the UE 115-a determines that a threshold quantity of quantity of consecutive OOS indications 310 are detected, the UE 115-a may initiate a timer. The UE 115-a may then count, during a duration of the timer, a quantity of consecutive IS indications that are detected. If the quantity of consecutive IS indications is less than a threshold quantity of consecutive IS indications (e.g., before or after expiration of the timer) , then the UE 115-a may determine that the UL-BF event 430 is detected.
[0098] In some implementations, the UE 115-a (or the network entity 105-a) may additionally utilize the uplink metrics 410 to make predictions, at various points in time, of an optimal uplink beam 420 (e.g., predicted optimal uplink beam 420-a, predicted optimal uplink beam 420-b, and predicted optimal uplink beam 420-c) for beam selection, as described in further detail in FIGs. 5 to 7.
[0099] FIG. 5 shows an example of an uplink beam prediction method 500 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the uplink beam prediction method 500 may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, and by the UL-RLF event detection method 300 and the UL-BF event detection method 400, as described with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4. For example, network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, or a combination thereof, may be configured to operate in accordance with the uplink beam prediction method 500.
[0100] In some implementations, uplink metrics may be used by either the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a to make or obtain an uplink beam prediction, e.g., to predict an optimal uplink beam for use by the UE 115-a. However, rather than using the uplink metrics inferred from measured downlink reference signals, in some implementations, the uplink metrics themselves may be predicted. Using predicted uplink metrics rather than measured uplink metrics may reduce overhead, because the UE 115-a may not need to measure a particular reference signal at a particular time. Because the UE 115-a may not need to measure a particular reference signal at a particular time, this may likewise reduce reference signal transmissions, which may result in a reduction in energy consumption. Further, predicting the optimal beam may also help to minimize potential interruptions of communications between the UE 115-a and the network entity 105-a due to an UL-BF (or UL-RLF) .
[0101] Accordingly, in some cases, the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a may predict, or obtain a prediction of, the uplink metrics using an uplink beam prediction model 520. The uplink beam prediction model 520 may be an AI or ML model implemented at the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a. The uplink beam prediction model 520 may receive one or more inputs, such as one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 510 and may be trained to output one or more beam prediction outputs, e.g., a prediction associated with an optimal beam. In some cases, the uplink beam prediction model 520 may be additionally, or alternatively, trained to output a prediction associated with an UL-BF event or an UL-RLF event, or predictions associated with intermediate indications, such as OOS indication, IS indications, or other intermediate uplink beam or cell related metrics. In some examples, the predicted intermediate indications may be used to make uplink beam selection, UL-BF event, or UL-RLF event determinations. In some examples, the predicted intermediate indications may be passed back into the uplink beam prediction model 520 to receive a predicted optimal uplink beam or a prediction associated with an UL-BF or UL-RFL event. In some implementations, different inputs to the uplink beam prediction model 520 may yield different predictions or outputs.
[0102] Accordingly, the UE 115-a, the network entity 105-a, or both, may be configured to perform the AI / ML uplink beam predictions. For instance, the UE 115-a, network entity 105-a, or both may determine or be configured (e.g., via RRC configuration) with configuration information 505 associated with the AI / ML uplink beam predictions. The configuration information 505 may include one or more parameters associated with the uplink beam prediction inputs 510 and the uplink beam prediction outputs 530. For instance, the configuration information 505 may include for each of the different types of uplink beam prediction outputs 530 (e.g., each type of prediction, such as an optimal beam prediction, an UL-BF event prediction, an UL-RLF event prediction, an OOS indication prediction, an IS indication prediction, uplink metric predictions, etc. ) , the corresponding uplink beam prediction inputs 510 needed to yield a given uplink beam prediction output 530. For instance, the uplink beam prediction inputs 510 may correspond to one or more uplink metrics or related information, such as such as PHR, vPHR, P-MPR, L1 UL-SINR, hypothetical BLER, MPE behavior history information, uplink beam pattern information, uplink interference or noise, downlink transmit power, uplink cell load information, power backoff history for each uplink beam, MPE sensor inputs, uplink panel placement on the UE 115-a, an orientation, speed, or location associated with the UE 115-a, a traffic type associated with an uplink communication (e.g., voice, video, gaming, etc. ) , uplink interference history for each uplink beam, measured downlink RSRP, transmit power of one or more downlink reference signals in Set B, measured UL-OOS indications, measured UL-IS indications, or other information.
[0103] The configuration information 505 may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more parameters associated with a time to enable or disable the AI / ML uplink beam predictions or one or more events that may trigger or terminate the AI / ML uplink beam predictions. For instance, the AI / ML uplink beam predictions may be triggered when consecutive measured OOS indications exceeds a threshold quantity of OOS indications, or may be terminated when consecutive measured IS indications exceed a threshold quantity of IS indications.
[0104] The configuration information 505 may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more parameters associated with measured reference signals (e.g., used as the basis for predicting sets of reference signals) , the predicted sets of reference signals and their corresponding time occasions, and measured reference signals for performance monitoring. In some cases, the measured reference signals be explicitly configured via the configuration information 505, in other cases, the measured reference signals may be implicitly determined based on existing indicated TCIs.
[0105] The configuration information 505 may additionally, or alternatively, include one or more parameters associated with timers for predicting UL-BF and UL-BLF events, timer durations, and the like. For instance, the timers and timer durations may be similar to those described with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4 (e.g., timers used for non-AI / ML-based UL-BF and UL-RLF event detection) or, in some cases, may be different.
[0106] In some implementations, after obtaining a beam-related prediction, the UE 115-a may perform one or more actions 440. For instance, the UE 115-a generate, and send to the network entity 105-a, a uplink beam prediction report that is associated with the prediction. The uplink beam prediction report may include a report type (e.g., uplink beam / cell prediction report, an UL-BF report, an UL-RLF report, a performance monitoring report, or the like) , a prediction time, a quantity of reported cells, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, corresponding metrics (e.g., absolute or differential values) , a current degree of prediction accuracy, a confidence level associated with the prediction, or the like.
[0107] The UE 115-a may be configured to trigger generation and transmission of the uplink beam prediction report based on one or more triggering events. For instance, the triggering event may be time-based, such as periodic, semi-periodic, a-periodic. In some cases, the triggering event may be based on a quality of a predicted uplink beam. For instance, if a predicted optimal uplink beam has a level of quality that exceeds that of a current uplink beam by a threshold amount (e.g., is x dB better in quality) , the uplink beam prediction report may be triggered. In some cases, the triggering event may be associated with a particular type of uplink beam prediction report. For instance, for a performance monitoring report, the triggering event may be based on a determination that performance associated with a predicted uplink beam satisfies a threshold performance level (e.g., a minimum prediction performance) .
[0108] In some cases, the action may be to perform a cell handover or cell reselection. For instance, this action may be triggered when an UL-RLF event is predicted. In some cases, the cell handover or cell reselection may be triggered based on a determining that one or more metric offsets for a neighbor cell or beam is better, by a threshold amount, than one or more metric offsets for a serving cell or current beam.
[0109] FIG. 6 shows an example of a network entity uplink beam prediction method 600 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the network entity uplink beam prediction method 600 may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, and by the UL-RLF event detection method 300, the UL-BF event detection method 400, and the uplink beam prediction method 500, as described with reference to FIGs. 3 to 5. For example, network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, or a combination thereof, may be configured to operate in accordance with the network entity uplink beam prediction method 600.
[0110] For instance, the UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a may predict or obtain a prediction of an optimal uplink beam for the network entity 105-a. The UE 115-a may utilize an uplink beam prediction model 620 (e.g., the uplink beam prediction model 520 of FIG. 5) to predict or obtain a prediction of the optimal uplink beam for the network entity 105-a.
[0111] The UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a may determine from configuration information (e.g., the configuration information 505 of FIG. 5) one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 (e.g., a subset of the uplink beam prediction inputs 510 of FIG. 5) to be input to the uplink beam prediction model 620 to receive an uplink beam prediction output 630 (e.g., one or more of the uplink beam prediction outputs 530 of FIG. 5) associated with a predicted optimal uplink beam for the network entity 105-a. The UE 115-a or the network entity 105-a may collect information associated with the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610. For instance, when the UE 115-a is performing the prediction, the UE 115-a may collect information associated with the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 from the network entity 105-a, and when the network entity 105-a is performing the prediction, the network entity 105-a may collect information associated with the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 from the UE 115-a. In some instance, the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 may be associated with downlink reference signal measurements (e.g., when the UE 115-a performs the prediction) or with uplink reference signal measurements (e.g., when the network entity 105-a performs the prediction) .
[0112] In one example, the configuration information may indicate that the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 that may operate as inputs to the uplink beam prediction model 620, to receive a predicted optimal uplink beam as the uplink beam prediction output 630, may be one or more uplink transmit power-related inputs 610-a (e.g., power backoff history for each uplink beam associated with the UE 115-a, MPE sensor inputs, uplink panel placement on the UE 115-a, an orientation, speed, or location associated with the UE 115-a, a traffic type associated with an uplink communication (e.g., voice, video, gaming, etc. ) ) , uplink interference history inputs 610-b for each candidate uplink beam associated with the network entity 105-a, measured downlink RSRP inputs 610-c associated with one or more downlink reference signals (e.g., in Set B) , measured downlink transmit power inputs 610-d associated with one or more downlink reference signals (e.g., in Set B) , and beam shape information inputs 610-e associated with each candidate uplink or downlink beam associated with the network entity 105-a.
[0113] In some instances, one or more intermediate metrics 615 may be predicted by the uplink beam prediction model 620 based on the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610. For example, a predicted power backoff 615-a for each beam associated with the UE 115-a may be predicted based on one or more of the uplink transmit power-related inputs 610-a, and predicted interference 615-b for each candidate beam associated with the network entity 105-a may be predicted based on the uplink interference history inputs 610-b. In such examples, the one or more predicted intermediate metrics 615 (e.g., the predicted power backoff 615-a, the predicted interference 615-b, or both) may operate as further input to the uplink beam prediction model 620.
[0114] Based on the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610, the one or more predicted intermediate metrics 615, or both, the uplink beam prediction model 620 may output uplink beam prediction output 630, which may be a predicted optimal uplink beam (e.g., in Set A) for the network entity 105-a. The prediction of the optimal uplink beam may be in a temporal domain, a spatial domain, or both. In some cases, the uplink beam prediction model 620 may output timing information (such as for a temporal prediction) , one or more predicted uplink beam metrics, a confidence level associated with the prediction, or the like. In some examples, an uplink antenna in frequency range 1 (FR1) may be selected with predicted power backoff per antenna due to specific absorption rate (SAR) or with prediction based on a downlink carrier measurement in FDD.
[0115] FIG. 7 shows an example of an UL-BF or UL-RLF event prediction method 700 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. In some aspects, the UL-BF or UL-RLF event prediction method 700 may be implemented by aspects of the wireless communications systems 100 and 200, as described with reference to FIGs. 1 and 2, and by the UL-RLF event detection method 300, the UL-BF event detection method 400, the uplink beam prediction method 500, and the network entity uplink beam prediction method 600, as described with reference to FIGs. 3 to 6. For example, network entity 105-a, UE 115-a, or a combination thereof, may be configured to operate in accordance with the UL-BF or UL-RLF event prediction method 700.
[0116] For instance, the UE 115-a may predict or obtain a prediction of an UL-BF or UL-RLF event. The UE 115-a may utilize an uplink beam prediction model 720 (e.g., the uplink beam prediction model 520 of FIG. 5) to predict or obtain a prediction of an UL-BF or UL-RLF event.
[0117] The UE 115-a may determine from configuration information (e.g., the configuration information 505 of FIG. 5) one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710 (e.g., a subset of the uplink beam prediction inputs 510 of FIG. 5) to be input to the uplink beam prediction model 720 to receive an uplink beam prediction output 730 (e.g., one or more of the uplink beam prediction outputs 530 of FIG. 5) associated with an UL-BF or UL-RLF event. The UE 115-a may collect information associated with the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710. For instance, when the UE 115-a may collect information associated with the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710 from the network entity 105-a. In some cases, the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710 may be one or more network entity uplink beam prediction inputs 710-a. The one or more network entity uplink beam prediction inputs 710-a may be similar to the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 610 described with reference to the network entity uplink beam prediction method 600 of FIG. 6, except that the one or more network entity uplink beam prediction inputs 710-a that are collected on a per uplink beam basis may only need to be collected for monitored uplink beams associated with the network entity 105-a, instead of for all candidate uplink beams associated with the network entity 105-a. In some cases, the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710 may be measured UL-OOS / UL-IS indication inputs 710-b. For instance, the measured UL-OOS / UL-IS indication inputs 710-b may be the measured UL-OOS and UL-IS indications (such as described with reference to FIG. 3) .
[0118] Based on the one or more uplink beam prediction inputs 710 the uplink beam prediction model 720 may output one or more uplink beam prediction outputs 730. In some cases, the one or more uplink beam prediction outputs 730 may be a predicted UL-BF / UL-RLF event 730-c. In some cases, the uplink beam prediction output 730 may, additionally or alternatively, be predicted uplink metrics 730-a for each of the monitored uplink beams associated with the network entity 105-a. In this case, the UE 115-a may use the predicted uplink metrics 730-a to determine UL-OOS / UL-IS indications 740 and use the determined UL-OOS / UL-IS indications 740 to detect an UL-BF / UL-RLF event 750, such as in the manner described with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4. In some cases, the uplink beam prediction output 730 may, additionally or alternatively, be the predicted UL-OOS / UL-IS indications 730-b. In this case, the UE 115-a may use the predicted UL-OOS / UL-IS indications 730-b to detect the UL-BF / UL-RLF event 750, such as in the manner described with reference to FIGs. 3 and 4.
[0119] FIG. 8 shows a block diagram 800 of a device 805 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 805 may be an example of aspects of a UE 115 as described herein. The device 805 may include a receiver 810, a transmitter 815, and a communications manager 820. The device 805, or one or more components of the device 805 (e.g., the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0120] The receiver 810 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for uplink beam management) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 805. The receiver 810 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0121] The transmitter 815 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 805. For example, the transmitter 815 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for uplink beam management) . In some examples, the transmitter 815 may be co-located with a receiver 810 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 815 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0122] The communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0123] In some examples, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a digital signal processor (DSP) , a central processing unit (CPU) , an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) , a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory) .
[0124] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software) executed by at least one processor (e.g., referred to as a processor-executable code) . If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 820, the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .
[0125] In some examples, the communications manager 820 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both. For example, the communications manager 820 may receive information from the receiver 810, send information to the transmitter 815, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0126] The communications manager 820 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions. The communications manager 820 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0127] By including or configuring the communications manager 820 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 805 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 810, the transmitter 815, the communications manager 820, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficient utilization of communication resources.
[0128] FIG. 9 shows a block diagram 900 of a device 905 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 905 may be an example of aspects of a device 805 or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 905 may include a receiver 910, a transmitter 915, and a communications manager 920. The device 905, or one of more components of the device 905 (e.g., the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, the communications manager 920) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0129] The receiver 910 may provide a means for receiving information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for uplink beam management) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 905. The receiver 910 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0130] The transmitter 915 may provide a means for transmitting signals generated by other components of the device 905. For example, the transmitter 915 may transmit information such as packets, user data, control information, or any combination thereof associated with various information channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels related to techniques for uplink beam management) . In some examples, the transmitter 915 may be co-located with a receiver 910 in a transceiver module. The transmitter 915 may utilize a single antenna or a set of multiple antennas.
[0131] The device 905, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 920 may include a reference signal monitoring component 925 an uplink beam prediction report component 930, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 920 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 920, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both. For example, the communications manager 920 may receive information from the receiver 910, send information to the transmitter 915, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 910, the transmitter 915, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0132] The communications manager 920 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The reference signal monitoring component 925 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions. The uplink beam prediction report component 930 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0133] FIG. 10 shows a block diagram 1000 of a communications manager 1020 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1020 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 820, a communications manager 920, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1020, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1020 may include a reference signal monitoring component 1025, an uplink beam prediction report component 1030, a timer initiation component 1035, a prediction output component 1040, a prediction configuration component 1045, a cell handover component 1050, a reference signal measurement component 1055, an uplink metric determination component 1060, a prediction input component 1065, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories) , may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0134] The communications manager 1020 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The reference signal monitoring component 1025 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions. The uplink beam prediction report component 1030 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0135] In some examples, the timer initiation component 1035 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for initiating a timer based on the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications being greater than or equal to the first threshold, where the predicted uplink failure event is based on the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications being less than the second threshold after expiration of the timer.
[0136] In some examples, the reference signal measurement component 1055 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for detecting, based on a first set of uplink metrics corresponding to a first set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications. In some examples, the reference signal measurement component 1055 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for detecting, after initiating the timer and based on a second set of uplink metrics corresponding to a second set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0137] In some examples, the uplink metric determination component 1060 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, based on a measurement associated with the first set of downlink reference signals, the first set of uplink metrics. In some examples, the uplink metric determination component 1060 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, during a duration of the timer and based on a measurement associated with the second set of downlink reference signals, the second set of uplink metrics.
[0138] In some examples, the prediction output component 1040 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, based on the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, where the predicted uplink failure event is based on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0139] In some examples, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams, and the prediction output component 1040 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, one or more respective predicted uplink metrics, where the one or more respective predicted uplink metrics include the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics.
[0140] In some examples, the prediction input component 1065 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams. In some examples, the prediction input component 1065 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, based on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0141] In some examples, an uplink interference history associated with each of the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, or beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more measured downlink beams.
[0142] In some examples, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams, and the prediction output component 1040 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, a predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications and a predicted quantity of uplink IS indications, where the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications includes the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications, and where the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications includes the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0143] In some examples, the one or more uplink beams include one or more monitored beams of a set of multiple candidate uplink beams, and the prediction output component 1040 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, where the predicted uplink failure event is based on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0144] In some examples, the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0145] In some examples, the one or more downlink reference signals include one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0146] In some examples, a power backoff history associated with the one or more uplink beams, an MPE sensor input, an uplink panel placement on the UE, an orientation, speed, and location of the UE, a type of uplink traffic, an uplink interference history associated with the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more downlink beams, or a combination thereof.
[0147] In some examples, the prediction configuration component 1045 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for obtaining configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a set of multiple uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam prediction report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, where monitoring the one or more downlink reference signals and transmitting the uplink beam prediction report are based on the configuration information.
[0148] In some examples, obtaining the configuration information includes receiving, from a network entity, the configuration information.
[0149] In some examples, the uplink beam prediction report further includes a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0150] In some examples, the cell handover component 1050 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for performing, based on the predicted uplink failure event, a cell handover procedure.
[0151] FIG. 11 shows a diagram of a system 1100 including a device 1105 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1105 may be an example of or include components of a device 805, a device 905, or a UE 115 as described herein. The device 1105 may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with one or more other devices (e.g., network entities 105, UEs 115, or a combination thereof) . The device 1105 may include components for bi-directional voice and data communications including components for transmitting and receiving communications, such as a communications manager 1120, an input / output (I / O) controller, such as an I / O controller 1110, a transceiver 1115, one or more antennas 1125, at least one memory 1130, code 1135, and at least one processor 1140. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1145) .
[0152] The I / O controller 1110 may manage input and output signals for the device 1105. The I / O controller 1110 may also manage peripherals not integrated into the device 1105. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may represent a physical connection or port to an external peripheral. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may utilize an operating system such as or another known operating system. Additionally, or alternatively, the I / O controller 1110 may represent or interact with a modem, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, or a similar device. In some cases, the I / O controller 1110 may be implemented as part of one or more processors, such as the at least one processor 1140. In some cases, a user may interact with the device 1105 via the I / O controller 1110 or via hardware components controlled by the I / O controller 1110.
[0153] In some cases, the device 1105 may include a single antenna. However, in some other cases, the device 1105 may have more than one antenna, which may be capable of concurrently transmitting or receiving multiple wireless transmissions. The transceiver 1115 may communicate bi-directionally via the one or more antennas 1125 using wired or wireless links as described herein. For example, the transceiver 1115 may represent a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. The transceiver 1115 may also include a modem to modulate the packets, to provide the modulated packets to one or more antennas 1125 for transmission, and to demodulate packets received from the one or more antennas 1125. The transceiver 1115, or the transceiver 1115 and one or more antennas 1125, may be an example of a transmitter 815, a transmitter 915, a receiver 810, a receiver 910, or any combination thereof or component thereof, as described herein.
[0154] The at least one memory 1130 may include random access memory (RAM) and read-only memory (ROM) . The at least one memory 1130 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1135. The code 1135 may include instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 1140, cause the device 1105 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1135 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1135 may not be directly executable by the at least one processor 1140 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1130 may include, among other things, a basic I / O system (BIOS) which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices.
[0155] The at least one processor 1140 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more CPUs, one or more graphics processing units (GPUs) , one or more neural processing units (NPUs) (also referred to as neural network processors or deep learning processors (DLPs) ) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1140 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into the at least one processor 1140. The at least one processor 1140 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., the at least one memory 1130) to cause the device 1105 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for uplink beam management) . For example, the device 1105 or a component of the device 1105 may include at least one processor 1140 and at least one memory 1130 coupled with or to the at least one processor 1140, the at least one processor 1140 and the at least one memory 1130 configured to perform various functions described herein.
[0156] In some examples, the at least one processor 1140 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1130 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions described herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1140 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1140) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1130) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1140 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1140 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1105 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to, ” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code 1135 (e.g., processor-executable code) stored in the at least one memory 1130 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0157] The communications manager 1120 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions. The communications manager 1120 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0158] By including or configuring the communications manager 1120 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1105 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved coordination between devices.
[0159] In some examples, the communications manager 1120 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, monitoring, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1115, the one or more antennas 1125, or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1120 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1120 may be supported by or performed by the at least one processor 1140, the at least one memory 1130, the code 1135, or any combination thereof. For example, the code 1135 may include instructions executable by the at least one processor 1140 to cause the device 1105 to perform various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein, or the at least one processor 1140 and the at least one memory 1130 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0160] FIG. 12 shows a block diagram 1200 of a device 1205 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1205 may be an example of aspects of a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1205 may include a receiver 1210, a transmitter 1215, and a communications manager 1220. The device 1205, or one or more components of the device 1205 (e.g., the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, the communications manager 1220) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to, individually or collectively, support or enable the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0161] The receiver 1210 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1205. In some examples, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1210 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0162] The transmitter 1215 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1205. For example, the transmitter 1215 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . In some examples, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1215 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1215 and the receiver 1210 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
[0163] The communications manager 1220, the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or various combinations or components thereof may be examples of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1220, the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or various combinations or components thereof may be capable of performing one or more of the functions described herein.
[0164] In some examples, the communications manager 1220, the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in hardware (e.g., in communications management circuitry) . The hardware may include at least one of a processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, a microcontroller, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure. In some examples, at least one processor and at least one memory coupled with the at least one processor may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein (e.g., by one or more processors, individually or collectively, executing instructions stored in the at least one memory) .
[0165] Additionally, or alternatively, the communications manager 1220, the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or various combinations or components thereof may be implemented in code (e.g., as communications management software) executed by at least one processor (e.g., referred to as a processor-executable code) . If implemented in code executed by at least one processor, the functions of the communications manager 1220, the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or various combinations or components thereof may be performed by a general-purpose processor, a DSP, a CPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, a microcontroller, or any combination of these or other programmable logic devices (e.g., configured as or otherwise supporting, individually or collectively, a means for performing the functions described in the present disclosure) .
[0166] In some examples, the communications manager 1220 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both. For example, the communications manager 1220 may receive information from the receiver 1210, send information to the transmitter 1215, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0167] The communications manager 1220 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals. The communications manager 1220 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0168] By including or configuring the communications manager 1220 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1205 (e.g., at least one processor controlling or otherwise coupled with the receiver 1210, the transmitter 1215, the communications manager 1220, or a combination thereof) may support techniques for more efficient utilization of communication resources.
[0169] FIG. 13 shows a block diagram 1300 of a device 1305 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1305 may be an example of aspects of a device 1205 or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1305 may include a receiver 1310, a transmitter 1315, and a communications manager 1320. The device 1305, or one of more components of the device 1305 (e.g., the receiver 1310, the transmitter 1315, the communications manager 1320) , may include at least one processor, which may be coupled with at least one memory, to support the described techniques. Each of these components may be in communication with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) .
[0170] The receiver 1310 may provide a means for obtaining (e.g., receiving, determining, identifying) information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . Information may be passed on to other components of the device 1305. In some examples, the receiver 1310 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the receiver 1310 may support obtaining information by receiving signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof.
[0171] The transmitter 1315 may provide a means for outputting (e.g., transmitting, providing, conveying, sending) information generated by other components of the device 1305. For example, the transmitter 1315 may output information such as user data, control information, or any combination thereof (e.g., I / Q samples, symbols, packets, protocol data units, service data units) associated with various channels (e.g., control channels, data channels, information channels, channels associated with a protocol stack) . In some examples, the transmitter 1315 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more antennas. Additionally, or alternatively, the transmitter 1315 may support outputting information by transmitting signals via one or more wired (e.g., electrical, fiber optic) interfaces, wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. In some examples, the transmitter 1315 and the receiver 1310 may be co-located in a transceiver, which may include or be coupled with a modem.
[0172] The device 1305, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1320 may include a reference signal component 1325 an uplink beam prediction report component 1330, or any combination thereof. The communications manager 1320 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1220 as described herein. In some examples, the communications manager 1320, or various components thereof, may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the receiver 1310, the transmitter 1315, or both. For example, the communications manager 1320 may receive information from the receiver 1310, send information to the transmitter 1315, or be integrated in combination with the receiver 1310, the transmitter 1315, or both to obtain information, output information, or perform various other operations as described herein.
[0173] The communications manager 1320 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The reference signal component 1325 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals. The uplink beam prediction report component 1330 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0174] FIG. 14 shows a block diagram 1400 of a communications manager 1420 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The communications manager 1420 may be an example of aspects of a communications manager 1220, a communications manager 1320, or both, as described herein. The communications manager 1420, or various components thereof, may be an example of means for performing various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein. For example, the communications manager 1420 may include a reference signal component 1425, an uplink beam prediction report component 1430, a prediction input component 1435, a prediction configuration component 1440, or any combination thereof. Each of these components, or components or subcomponents thereof (e.g., one or more processors, one or more memories) , may communicate, directly or indirectly, with one another (e.g., via one or more buses) . The communications may include communications within a protocol layer of a protocol stack, communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack, within a device, component, or virtualized component associated with a network entity 105, between devices, components, or virtualized components associated with a network entity 105) , or any combination thereof.
[0175] The communications manager 1420 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. The reference signal component 1425 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals. The uplink beam prediction report component 1430 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0176] In some examples, the prediction input component 1435 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving, from a UE, a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams. In some examples, the prediction input component 1435 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, based on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0177] In some examples, the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0178] In some examples, the one or more downlink reference signals include one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0179] In some examples, the prediction configuration component 1440 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a set of multiple uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam prediction report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, where transmitting the one or more downlink reference signals and receiving the uplink beam prediction report are based on the configuration information.
[0180] In some examples, the uplink beam prediction report further includes a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0181] FIG. 15 shows a diagram of a system 1500 including a device 1505 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The device 1505 may be an example of or include components of a device 1205, a device 1305, or a network entity 105 as described herein. The device 1505 may communicate with other network devices or network equipment such as one or more of the network entities 105, UEs 115, or any combination thereof. The communications may include communications over one or more wired interfaces, over one or more wireless interfaces, or any combination thereof. The device 1505 may include components that support outputting and obtaining communications, such as a communications manager 1520, a transceiver 1510, one or more antennas 1515, at least one memory 1525, code 1530, and at least one processor 1535. These components may be in electronic communication or otherwise coupled (e.g., operatively, communicatively, functionally, electronically, electrically) via one or more buses (e.g., a bus 1540) .
[0182] The transceiver 1510 may support bi-directional communications via wired links, wireless links, or both as described herein. In some examples, the transceiver 1510 may include a wired transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wired transceiver. Additionally, or alternatively, in some examples, the transceiver 1510 may include a wireless transceiver and may communicate bi-directionally with another wireless transceiver. In some examples, the device 1505 may include one or more antennas 1515, which may be capable of transmitting or receiving wireless transmissions (e.g., concurrently) . The transceiver 1510 may also include a modem to modulate signals, to provide the modulated signals for transmission (e.g., by one or more antennas 1515, by a wired transmitter) , to receive modulated signals (e.g., from one or more antennas 1515, from a wired receiver) , and to demodulate signals. In some implementations, the transceiver 1510 may include one or more interfaces, such as one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1515 that are configured to support various receiving or obtaining operations, or one or more interfaces coupled with the one or more antennas 1515 that are configured to support various transmitting or outputting operations, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1510 may include or be configured for coupling with one or more processors or one or more memory components that are operable to perform or support operations based on received or obtained information or signals, or to generate information or other signals for transmission or other outputting, or any combination thereof. In some implementations, the transceiver 1510, or the transceiver 1510 and the one or more antennas 1515, or the transceiver 1510 and the one or more antennas 1515 and one or more processors or one or more memory components (e.g., the at least one processor 1535, the at least one memory 1525, or both) , may be included in a chip or chip assembly that is installed in the device 1505. In some examples, the transceiver 1510 may be operable to support communications via one or more communications links (e.g., communication link (s) 125, backhaul communication link (s) 120, a midhaul communication link 162, a fronthaul communication link 168) .
[0183] The at least one memory 1525 may include RAM, ROM, or any combination thereof. The at least one memory 1525 may store computer-readable, computer-executable, or processor-executable code, such as the code 1530. The code 1530 may include instructions that, when executed by one or more of the at least one processor 1535, cause the device 1505 to perform various functions described herein. The code 1530 may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable medium such as system memory or another type of memory. In some cases, the code 1530 may not be directly executable by a processor of the at least one processor 1535 but may cause a computer (e.g., when compiled and executed) to perform functions described herein. In some cases, the at least one memory 1525 may include, among other things, a BIOS which may control basic hardware or software operation such as the interaction with peripheral components or devices. In some examples, the at least one processor 1535 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1525 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein (for example, as part of a processing system) .
[0184] The at least one processor 1535 may include one or more intelligent hardware devices (e.g., one or more general-purpose processors, one or more DSPs, one or more CPUs, one or more GPUs, one or more NPUs (also referred to as neural network processors or DLPs) , one or more microcontrollers, one or more ASICs, one or more FPGAs, one or more programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, one or more discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof) . In some cases, the at least one processor 1535 may be configured to operate a memory array using a memory controller. In some other cases, a memory controller may be integrated into one or more of the at least one processor 1535. The at least one processor 1535 may be configured to execute computer-readable instructions stored in a memory (e.g., one or more of the at least one memory 1525) to cause the device 1505 to perform various functions (e.g., functions or tasks supporting techniques for uplink beam management) . For example, the device 1505 or a component of the device 1505 may include at least one processor 1535 and at least one memory 1525 coupled with one or more of the at least one processor 1535, the at least one processor 1535 and the at least one memory 1525 configured to perform various functions described herein. The at least one processor 1535 may be an example of a cloud-computing platform (e.g., one or more physical nodes and supporting software such as operating systems, virtual machines, or container instances) that may host the functions (e.g., by executing code 1530) to perform the functions of the device 1505. The at least one processor 1535 may be any one or more suitable processors capable of executing scripts or instructions of one or more software programs stored in the device 1505 (such as within one or more of the at least one memory 1525) .
[0185] In some examples, the at least one processor 1535 may include multiple processors and the at least one memory 1525 may include multiple memories. One or more of the multiple processors may be coupled with one or more of the multiple memories, which may, individually or collectively, be configured to perform various functions herein. In some examples, the at least one processor 1535 may be a component of a processing system, which may refer to a system (such as a series) of machines, circuitry (including, for example, one or both of processor circuitry (which may include the at least one processor 1535) and memory circuitry (which may include the at least one memory 1525) ) , or components, that receives or obtains inputs and processes the inputs to produce, generate, or obtain a set of outputs. The processing system may be configured to perform one or more of the functions described herein. For example, the at least one processor 1535 or a processing system including the at least one processor 1535 may be configured to, configurable to, or operable to cause the device 1505 to perform one or more of the functions described herein. Further, as described herein, being “configured to, ” being “configurable to, ” and being “operable to” may be used interchangeably and may be associated with a capability, when executing code stored in the at least one memory 1525 or otherwise, to perform one or more of the functions described herein.
[0186] In some examples, a bus 1540 may support communications of (e.g., within) a protocol layer of a protocol stack. In some examples, a bus 1540 may support communications associated with a logical channel of a protocol stack (e.g., between protocol layers of a protocol stack) , which may include communications performed within a component of the device 1505, or between different components of the device 1505 that may be co-located or located in different locations (e.g., where the device 1505 may refer to a system in which one or more of the communications manager 1520, the transceiver 1510, the at least one memory 1525, the code 1530, and the at least one processor 1535 may be located in one of the different components or divided between different components) .
[0187] In some examples, the communications manager 1520 may manage aspects of communications with a core network 130 (e.g., via one or more wired or wireless backhaul links) . For example, the communications manager 1520 may manage the transfer of data communications for client devices, such as one or more UEs 115. In some examples, the communications manager 1520 may manage communications with one or more other network entities 105, and may include a controller or scheduler for controlling communications with UEs 115 (e.g., in cooperation with the one or more other network devices) . In some examples, the communications manager 1520 may support an X2 interface within an LTE / LTE-A wireless communications network technology to provide communication between network entities 105.
[0188] The communications manager 1520 may support wireless communications in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. For example, the communications manager 1520 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals. The communications manager 1520 is capable of, configured to, or operable to support a means for receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0189] By including or configuring the communications manager 1520 in accordance with examples as described herein, the device 1505 may support techniques for improved communication reliability, more efficient utilization of communication resources, and improved coordination between devices.
[0190] In some examples, the communications manager 1520 may be configured to perform various operations (e.g., receiving, obtaining, monitoring, outputting, transmitting) using or otherwise in cooperation with the transceiver 1510, the one or more antennas 1515 (e.g., where applicable) , or any combination thereof. Although the communications manager 1520 is illustrated as a separate component, in some examples, one or more functions described with reference to the communications manager 1520 may be supported by or performed by the transceiver 1510, one or more of the at least one processor 1535, one or more of the at least one memory 1525, the code 1530, or any combination thereof (for example, by a processing system including at least a portion of the at least one processor 1535, the at least one memory 1525, the code 1530, or any combination thereof) . For example, the code 1530 may include instructions executable by one or more of the at least one processor 1535 to cause the device 1505 to perform various aspects of techniques for uplink beam management as described herein, or the at least one processor 1535 and the at least one memory 1525 may be otherwise configured to, individually or collectively, perform or support such operations.
[0191] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1600 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1600 may be implemented by a UE or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1600 may be performed by a UE 115 as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 11. In some examples, a UE may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the UE to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0192] At 1605, the method may include monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions. The operations of 1605 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1605 may be performed by a reference signal monitoring component 1025 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0193] At 1610, the method may include transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics. The operations of 1610 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1610 may be performed by an uplink beam prediction report component 1030 as described with reference to FIG. 10.
[0194] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating a method 1700 that supports techniques for uplink beam management in accordance with one or more aspects of the present disclosure. The operations of the method 1700 may be implemented by a network entity or its components as described herein. For example, the operations of the method 1700 may be performed by a network entity as described with reference to FIGs. 1 through 7 and 12 through 15. In some examples, a network entity may execute a set of instructions to control the functional elements of the network entity to perform the described functions. Additionally, or alternatively, the network entity may perform aspects of the described functions using special-purpose hardware.
[0195] At 1705, the method may include transmitting, during a set of multiple defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals. The operations of 1705 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1705 may be performed by a reference signal component 1425 as described with reference to FIG. 14.
[0196] At 1710, the method may include receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, where the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics. The operations of 1710 may be performed in accordance with examples as disclosed herein. In some examples, aspects of the operations of 1710 may be performed by an uplink beam prediction report component 1430 as described with reference to FIG. 14.
[0197] The following provides an overview of aspects of the present disclosure:
[0198] Aspect 1: A method for wireless communications by a UE, comprising: monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions; and transmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0199] Aspect 2: The method of aspect 1, further comprising: initiating a timer based at least in part on the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications being greater than or equal to the first threshold, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications being less than the second threshold after expiration of the timer.
[0200] Aspect 3: The method of aspect 2, further comprising: detecting, based on a first set of uplink metrics corresponding to a first set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications; and detecting, after initiating the timer and based on a second set of uplink metrics corresponding to a second set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0201] Aspect 4: The method of aspect 3, further comprising: obtaining, based at least in part on a measurement associated with the first set of downlink reference signals, the first set of uplink metrics; and obtaining, during a duration of the timer and based at least in part on a measurement associated with the second set of downlink reference signals, the second set of uplink metrics.
[0202] Aspect 5: The method of aspect 4, further comprising: obtaining, based at least in part on the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0203] Aspect 6: The method of any of aspects 3 through 5, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, one or more respective predicted uplink metrics, wherein the one or more respective predicted uplink metrics comprise the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics.
[0204] Aspect 7: The method of aspect 6, further comprising: transmitting a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams; and receiving, based at least in part on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0205] Aspect 8: The method of aspect 7, wherein the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics are associated with one or more of an uplink interference history associated with each of the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, or beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more measured downlink beams.
[0206] Aspect 9: The method of any of aspects 2 through 8, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, a predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications and a predicated quantity of uplink IS indications, wherein the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications comprises the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications, and wherein the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications comprises the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.
[0207] Aspect 10: The method of any of aspects 1 through 9, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, wherein the method further comprises: obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.
[0208] Aspect 11: The method of aspect 10, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0209] Aspect 12: The method of any of aspects 1 through 11, wherein the one or more downlink reference signals comprise one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0210] Aspect 13: The method of any of aspects 1 through 12, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics are associated with one or more uplink beam prediction input parameters, wherein the one or more uplink beam prediction input parameters comprise a power backoff history associated with the one or more uplink beams, an MPE sensor input, an uplink panel placement on the UE, an orientation, speed, and location of the UE, a type of uplink traffic, an uplink interference history associated with the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more downlink beams, or a combination thereof.
[0211] Aspect 14: The method of any of aspects 1 through 13, further comprising: obtaining configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a plurality of uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the plurality of defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam predication report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, wherein monitoring the one or more downlink reference signals and transmitting the uplink beam prediction report are based at least in part on the configuration information.
[0212] Aspect 15: The method of aspect 14, wherein obtaining the configuration information comprises receiving, from a network entity, the configuration information.
[0213] Aspect 16: The method of any of aspects 1 through 15, wherein the uplink beam prediction report further comprises a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0214] Aspect 17: The method of any of aspects 1 through 16, further comprising: performing, based at least in part on the predicted uplink failure event, a cell handover procedure.
[0215] Aspect 18: A method for wireless communications by a network entity, comprising: transmitting, during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals; and receiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0216] Aspect 19: The method of aspect 18, further comprising: receiving, from a UE, a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams; and transmitting, based at least in part on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
[0217] Aspect 20: The method of any of aspects 18 through 19, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.
[0218] Aspect 21: The method of any of aspects 18 through 20, wherein the one or more downlink reference signals comprise one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.
[0219] Aspect 22: The method of any of aspects 18 through 21, further comprising: transmitting configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a plurality of uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the plurality of defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam predication report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, wherein transmitting the one or more downlink reference signals and receiving the uplink beam prediction report are based at least in part on the configuration information.
[0220] Aspect 23: The method of any of aspects 18 through 22, wherein the uplink beam prediction report further comprises a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.
[0221] Aspect 24: A UE for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 17.
[0222] Aspect 25: A UE for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 1 through 17.
[0223] Aspect 26: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 1 through 17.
[0224] Aspect 27: A network entity for wireless communications, comprising one or more memories storing processor-executable code, and one or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to perform a method of any of aspects 18 through 23.
[0225] Aspect 28: A network entity for wireless communications, comprising at least one means for performing a method of any of aspects 18 through 23.
[0226] Aspect 29: A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing code for wireless communications, the code comprising instructions executable by one or more processors to perform a method of any of aspects 18 through 23.
[0227] It should be noted that the methods described herein describe possible implementations. The operations and the steps may be rearranged or otherwise modified and other implementations are possible. Further, aspects from two or more of the methods may be combined.
[0228] Although aspects of an LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR system may be described for purposes of example, and LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR terminology may be used in much of the description, the techniques described herein are applicable beyond LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, or NR networks. For example, the described techniques may be applicable to various other wireless communications systems such as Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB) , Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 (Wi-Fi) , IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) , IEEE 802.20, Flash-OFDM, as well as other systems and radio technologies not explicitly mentioned herein.
[0229] Information and signals described herein may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may be referenced throughout the description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.
[0230] The various illustrative blocks and components described in connection with the disclosure herein may be implemented or performed using a general-purpose processor, a DSP, an ASIC, a CPU, a GPU, a NPU, an FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor but, in the alternative, the processor may be any processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices (e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration) . Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a processor may be performed by multiple processors that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0231] The functions described herein may be implemented using hardware, software executed by a processor or any combination thereof. If implemented using software executed by a processor, the functions may be stored as or transmitted using one or more instructions or code of a computer-readable medium. Other examples and implementations are within the scope of the disclosure and appended claims. For example, due to the nature of software, functions described herein may be implemented using software executed by a processor, hardware, hardwiring, or combinations of any of these. Features implementing functions may also be physically located at various positions, including being distributed such that portions of functions are implemented at different physical locations.
[0232] Computer-readable media includes both non-transitory computer storage media and communication media including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. A non-transitory storage medium may be any available medium that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer. By way of example, and not limitation, non-transitory computer-readable media may include RAM, ROM, electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM) , flash memory, compact disk (CD) ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other non-transitory medium that may be used to carry or store desired program code means in the form of instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a general-purpose or special-purpose computer or a general-purpose or special-purpose processor. Also, any connection is properly termed a computer-readable medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL) , or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of computer-readable medium. Disk and disc, as used herein, include CD, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD) , floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc. Disks may reproduce data magnetically, and discs may reproduce data optically using lasers. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of computer-readable media. Any functions or operations described herein as being capable of being performed by a memory may be performed by multiple memories that, individually or collectively, are capable of performing the described functions or operations.
[0233] As used herein, including in the claims, “or” as used in a list of items (e.g., a list of items prefaced by a phrase such as “at least one of” or “one or more of” ) indicates an inclusive list such that, for example, a list of at least one of A, B, or C means A or B or C or AB or AC or BC or ABC (i.e., A and B and C) . Also, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall not be construed as a reference to a closed set of conditions. For example, an example step that is described as “based on condition A” may be based on both a condition A and a condition B without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In other words, as used herein, the phrase “based on” shall be construed in the same manner as the phrase “based at least in part on. ”
[0234] As used herein, including in the claims, the article “a” before a noun is open-ended and understood to refer to “at least one” of those nouns or “one or more” of those nouns. Thus, the terms “a, ” “at least one, ” “one or more, ” and “at least one of one or more” may be interchangeable. For example, if a claim recites “a component” that performs one or more functions, each of the individual functions may be performed by a single component or by any combination of multiple components. Thus, the term “a component” having characteristics or performing functions may refer to “at least one of one or more components” having a particular characteristic or performing a particular function. Subsequent reference to a component introduced with the article “a” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, a component introduced with the article “a” may be understood to mean “one or more components, ” and referring to “the component” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ” Similarly, subsequent reference to a component introduced as “one or more components” using the terms “the” or “said” may refer to any or all of the one or more components. For example, referring to “the one or more components” subsequently in the claims may be understood to be equivalent to referring to “at least one of the one or more components. ”
[0235] The term “determine” or “determining” encompasses a variety of actions and, therefore, “determining” can include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (such as via looking up in a table, a database, or another data structure) , ascertaining, and the like. Also, “determining” can include receiving (e.g., receiving information) , accessing (e.g., accessing data stored in memory) , and the like. Also, “determining” can include resolving, obtaining, selecting, choosing, establishing, and other such similar actions.
[0236] In the appended figures, similar components or features may have the same reference label. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguished by following the reference label by a dash and a second label that distinguishes among the similar components. If just the first reference label is used in the specification, the description is applicable to any one of the similar components having the same first reference label irrespective of the second reference label or other subsequent reference label.
[0237] The description set forth herein, in connection with the appended drawings, describes example configurations and does not represent all the examples that may be implemented or that are within the scope of the claims. The term “example” used herein means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration” and not “preferred” or “advantageous over other examples. ” The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing an understanding of the described techniques. These techniques, however, may be practiced without these specific details. In some figures, known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the described examples.
[0238] The description herein is provided to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make or use the disclosure. Various modifications to the disclosure will be apparent to a person having ordinary skill in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other variations without departing from the scope of the disclosure. Thus, the disclosure is not limited to the examples and designs described herein but is to be accorded the broadest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
Claims
A user equipment (UE) , comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:monitor one or more downlink reference signals during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions; andtransmit an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:initiate a timer based at least in part on the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications being greater than or equal to the first threshold, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications being less than the second threshold after expiration of the timer.The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:detect, based on a first set of uplink metrics corresponding to a first set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications; anddetect, after initiating the timer and based on a second set of uplink metrics corresponding to a second set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.The UE of claim 3, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain, based at least in part on a measurement associated with the first set of downlink reference signals, the first set of uplink metrics; andobtain, during a duration of the timer and based at least in part on a measurement associated with the second set of downlink reference signals, the second set of uplink metrics.The UE of claim 4, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain, based at least in part on the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.The UE of claim 3, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, and the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, one or more respective predicted uplink metrics, wherein the one or more respective predicted uplink metrics comprise the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics.The UE of claim 6, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:transmit a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams; andreceive, based at least in part on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.The UE of claim 7, wherein an uplink interference history associated with each of the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, or beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more measured downlink beams.The UE of claim 2, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, and the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, a predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications and a predicted quantity of uplink IS indications, wherein the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications comprises the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications, and wherein the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications comprises the predicted quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, and the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.The UE of claim 10, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more downlink reference signals comprise one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.The UE of claim 1, wherein a power backoff history associated with the one or more uplink beams, an MPE sensor input, an uplink panel placement on the UE, an orientation, speed, and location of the UE, a type of uplink traffic, an uplink interference history associated with the one or more uplink beams, a transmit power associated with the one or more downlink reference signals, beam shape information associated with the one or more uplink beams or one or more downlink beams, or a combination thereof.The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:obtain configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a plurality of uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the plurality of defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam prediction report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, wherein monitoring the one or more downlink reference signals and transmitting the uplink beam prediction report are based at least in part on the configuration information.The UE of claim 14, wherein obtaining the configuration information comprises receiving, from a network entity, the configuration information.The UE of claim 1, wherein the uplink beam prediction report further comprises a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.The UE of claim 1, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the UE to:perform, based at least in part on the predicted uplink failure event, a cell handover procedure.A network entity, comprising:one or more memories storing processor-executable code; andone or more processors coupled with the one or more memories and individually or collectively operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to:transmit, during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals; andreceive an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.The network entity of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to:receive, from a user equipment (UE) , a message indicating a request for the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics associated with the one or more uplink beams; andtransmit, based at least in part on the request, the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.The network entity of claim 18, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is an uplink beam failure event or an uplink radio link failure event.The network entity of claim 18, wherein the one or more downlink reference signals comprise one or more downlink beam failure detection reference signals, one or more radio link monitoring reference signals, or a combination thereof.The network entity of claim 18, wherein the one or more processors are individually or collectively further operable to execute the code to cause the network entity to:transmit configuration information indicating one or more of: for each of a plurality of uplink prediction outputs, a corresponding set of uplink beam prediction input parameters, the one or more downlink reference signals, the plurality of defined monitoring occasions, an uplink beam prediction report triggering event, a duration of a timer, the first threshold, or the second threshold, wherein transmitting the one or more downlink reference signals and receiving the uplink beam prediction report are based at least in part on the configuration information.The network entity of claim 18, wherein the uplink beam prediction report further comprises a report type, a prediction time, a quantity of reported uplink beams per cell, a quantity of reported cells, and a prediction confidence level.A method for wireless communications by a user equipment (UE) , comprising:monitoring one or more downlink reference signals during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions; andtransmitting an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.The method of claim 24, further comprising:initiating a timer based at least in part on the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications being greater than or equal to the first threshold, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications being less than the second threshold after expiration of the timer.The method of claim 25, further comprising:detecting, based on a first set of uplink metrics corresponding to a first set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the first quantity of consecutive uplink OOS indications; anddetecting, after initiating the timer and based on a second set of uplink metrics corresponding to a second set of downlink reference signals of the one or more downlink reference signals, the second quantity of consecutive uplink IS indications.The method of claim 26, further comprising:obtaining, based at least in part on a measurement associated with the first set of downlink reference signals, the first set of uplink metrics; andobtaining, during a duration of the timer and based at least in part on a measurement associated with the second set of downlink reference signals, the second set of uplink metrics.The method of claim 27, further comprising:obtaining, based at least in part on the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics, an indication of a likelihood of an uplink failure event, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is based at least in part on the indication of the likelihood of the uplink failure event.The method of claim 26, wherein the one or more uplink beams comprise one or more monitored beams of a plurality of candidate uplink beams, wherein the method further comprises:obtaining, for each of the one or more monitored beams and based at least in part on the one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics, one or more respective predicted uplink metrics, wherein the one or more respective predicted uplink metrics comprise the first set of uplink metrics and the second set of uplink metrics.A method for wireless communications by a network entity, comprising:transmitting, during a plurality of defined monitoring occasions, one or more downlink reference signals; andreceiving an uplink beam prediction report indicating a predicted uplink failure event associated with one or more uplink beams, wherein the predicted uplink failure event is in accordance with one or more of: a first quantity of consecutive uplink out-of-sync (OOS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a first threshold, a second quantity of consecutive uplink in-sync (IS) indications associated with the one or more downlink reference signals satisfying a second threshold, or one or more uplink beam prediction input metrics.
Citation Information
Patent Citations
Beam failure recovery in secondary cells
US20200383167A1
Uplink beam failure recovery for full-duplex operation
US20210306876A1
Model monitoring procedure for beam prediction use case
US20240281348A1
Methods and system for evaluating radio channel quality in a multi-beam communication scenario
WO2018227577A1
Uplink timing advance loop management
WO2024171105A1