Utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to solution for utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring In an aspect, a first device receives first configuration information of a first set of beams; receives second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; receives third configuration information for at least one uplink transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; performs a beam prediction to obtain at least one of: an identifier of at least one predicted downlink transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; reports at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and performs a plurality of UL transmissions for the UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

Description

UTILIZING BEAM CORRESPONDENCE FORTESTING AND MONITORINGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims priority from, and the benefit of, India Provisional Application No.202441086221, filed November 8, 2024, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] Various example embodiments relate to the field of communication and in particular, to a terminal device, a network device, methods, apparatuses and a computer readable storage medium for utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring.BACKGROUND

[0003] A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network.

[0004] Such communication networks operate in accordance with standards, such as those promulgated by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of such standards include the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standard or other standards promulgated by 3GPP.SUMMARY

[0005] In general, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring, for example, testing and monitoring of artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML)-enabled radio network features.

[0006] In a first aspect, there is provided a first device. The first device may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to: receive, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; receive, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; receive, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; perform a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; report, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and perform a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0007] In a second aspect, there is provided a second device. The second device may include at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to: transmit, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; transmit, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; transmit, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; receive, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and perform a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0008] In a third aspect, there is provided a method. The method may include: receiving, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; receiving, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; receiving, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; performing a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; reporting, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and performing a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method. The method may include: transmitting, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; transmitting, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; transmitting, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; receiving, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and performing a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include: means for receiving, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; means for receiving, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; means for receiving, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; means for performing a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, ameasurement, or a measurement prediction; means for reporting, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and means for performing a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus. The apparatus may include: means for transmitting, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; means for transmitting, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; means for transmitting, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; means for receiving, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and means for performing a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium including program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of fourth or sixth aspects.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, there is provided a computer program including instructions, which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus at least to perform at least the method according to any of fourth or sixth aspects.

[0014] In a ninth aspect, there is provided a first device. The terminal device may include: first receiving circuitry configured to receive, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; second receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; third receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; first performing circuitry configured to perform a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; reporting circuitry configured to report, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and second performing circuitry configured to perform a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0015] In a tenth aspect, there is provided a second device. The network device may include: first transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; second transmitting circuitry configured to transmit, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; third transmitting circuitry configured totransmit, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; receiving circuitry configured to receive, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and performing circuitry configured to perform a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0016] It is to be understood that the summary section is not intended to identify key or essential features of embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become easily comprehensible through the following description.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Some exemplary embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0018] Fig. 1A illustrates a communication environment in which some embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented;

[0019] Fig. 1B illustrates an example of UL transmission with and without beam correspondence;

[0020] Fig. 1C illustrates examples of AIML-enabled beam management use-cases;

[0021] Fig. 1D illustrates an example of channel emulator based spatial channel for testing BM;

[0022] Fig. 1E illustrates an example of various sources of gain variation impacting the UE-reported RSPR;

[0023] Fig. 1F that illustrates an example of resulting error range in predicted RSRR when compared to the measured RSRP;

[0024] Fig. 2 illustrates an exemplary signaling chart illustrating communication process in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Fig. 3 illustrates beam correspondence for beam / RSRP measurements in UL;

[0026] Fig. 4 illustrates an exemplary signaling chart of testing Al / M L-enabled beam prediction based on UL measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0027] Fig. 5 illustrates an example of over the air (OTA) testing setup designed both for DL measurements by the DUT and UL measurements by the TE;

[0028] Fig. 6 illustrates an example of channel emulator based spatial channel for testing BM using beam correspondence;

[0029] Fig. 7 illustrates an exemplary signaling chart of AI / ML-enabled beam prediction feature / functionality monitoring based on UL measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0030] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a first device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure

[0031] Fig. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig. 10 illustrates a simplified block diagram of an apparatus that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0033] Fig. 11 illustrates a block diagram of an example computer readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0034] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] Principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some example embodiments. It is to be understood that these embodiments are described only for the purpose of illustration and help those skilled in the art to understand and implement the present disclosure, without suggesting any limitation as to the scope of the disclosure. The disclosure described herein can be implemented in various manners other than the ones described below.

[0036] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skills in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0037] References in the present disclosure to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example embodiment,” and the like indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but it is not necessary that every embodiment includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.

[0038] It shall be understood that although the terms “first” and “second” etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and similarly, a second element could be termed a first element, without departing from the scope of example embodiments. As used herein, the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0039] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “has”, “having”, “includes” and / or “including”, when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components etc., but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components and / or combinations thereof. As used herein, “at least one of the following: ” and “at least one of ” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and” or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all the elements.

[0040] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:(a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and / or digital circuitry) and(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and(c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0041] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0042] As used herein, the term “communication network” refers to a network following any suitable communication standards, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High-Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-loT) and so on. Furthermore, the communications between a terminal device and a network device in the communication network may be performed according to any suitable generation communication protocols, including, but not limited to, the first generation (1G), the second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, the future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocols either currently known or to be developed in the future. Embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied in various communication systems. Given the rapid development in communications, there will of course also be future type communication technologies and systems with which the present disclosure may be embodied. It should not be seen as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to only the aforementioned system.

[0043] As used herein, the term “network device” refers to a node in a communication network via whicha terminal device accesses the network and receives services therefrom. The network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), for example, a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also referred to as a gNB), a Remote Radio Unit (RRU), a radio header (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, a low power node such as a femto, a pico, and so forth, depending on the applied terminology and technology.

[0044] The term “terminal device” refers to any end device that may be capable of wireless communication. By way of example rather than limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), a Subscriber Station (SS), a Portable Subscriber Station, a Mobile Station (MS), or an Access Terminal (AT). The terminal device may include, but not limited to, a mobile phone, a cellular phone, a smart phone, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, a tablet, a wearable terminal device, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computers, desktop computer, image capture terminal devices such as digital cameras, gaming terminal devices, music storage and playback appliances, vehiclemounted wireless terminal devices, wireless endpoints, mobile stations, laptop-embedded equipment (LEE), laptop-mounted equipment (LME), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless customer-premises equipment (CPE), an Internet of Things (loT) device, a watch or other wearable, a head-mounted display (HMD), a vehicle, a drone, a medical device and applications (e.g., remote surgery), an industrial device and applications (e.g., a robot and / or other wireless devices operating in an industrial and / or an automated processing chain contexts), a consumer electronics device, a device operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, and the like. In the following description, the terms “terminal device”, “communication device”, “terminal”, “user equipment” and “UE” may be used interchangeably.

[0045] Example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a configuration of utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring AI / ML-enabled radio network features. In some embodiments, a first device receives, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; the first device receives, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring; the first device receives, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring; the first device performs a beam prediction to obtain at least one of: an identify (ID) of at least one predicted downlink (DL) transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; the first device reports, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; and the first device performs a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence. Principles and some example embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0046] Fig. 1 A illustrates an example of a network environment 100 in which some example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. The environment 100, which may be a part of acommunication network, comprises a first device 110 and a second device 120. The network environment 100 may also be called as a network system, a communication environment, a communication network, a communication system, or the like, the present disclosure does not limit this aspect.

[0047] The environment 100 may comprise any suitable number of devices and cells. In the environment 100, the second device 120 can provide services to the first device 110, and the second device 120 and the first device 110 may communicate data and control information with each other. In some embodiments, the second device 120 and the first device 110 may communicate with direct links / channels.

[0048] In the environment 100, a link from the second device 120 to the first device 110 is referred to as a downlink (DL), while a link from the first device 110 to the second device 120 is referred to as an uplink (UL). In downlink, the second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or a transmitter) and the first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or a receiver). In uplink, the first device 110 is a transmitting TX device (or a transmitter) and the second device 120 is a RX device (or a receiver). It is to be understood that the second device 120 may provide one or more serving cells. In some embodiments, the second device 120 can provide multiple cells.

[0049] Communications in the communication system 100 may be implemented according to any proper communication protocol(s), comprising, but not limited to, cellular communication protocols of the first generation (1 G), the second generation (2G), the third generation (3G), the fourth generation (4G) and the fifth generation (5G) and on the like, wireless local network communication protocols such as Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 and the like, and / or any other protocols currently known or to be developed in the future. Moreover, the communication may utilize any proper wireless communication technology, comprising but not limited to: Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Duplex (FDD), Time Division Duplex (TDD), Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple (OFDM), Discrete Fourier Transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM) and / or any other technologies currently known or to be developed in the future.

[0050] It is to be understood that the numbers of devices (i.e., the first device 110 and the second device 120) and their connection relationships and types shown in FIG. 1A are only for the purpose of illustration without suggesting any limitation. For example, the environment 100 may include any suitable numbers of devices adapted for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, while FIG. 1A depicts the first device 110 as a mobile phone; the first device 110 may be any type of user equipment.

[0051] One of the fundamental elements of beam management is the concept of beam correspondence. When a UE is powered on, the UE listens to the SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal / Physical broadcast channel) blocks, scanning across its Rx beams, and identifies a SS / PBCH block index with power level that exceeds a threshold provided by higher layer parameter rsrp-ThresholdSSB. This determines the beam-pair the gNB and the UE use to communicate with each other. The assumption that gNB and the UE have beam-correspondence means that the beam used for reception determines the beam used for transmission, and vice versa.

[0052] This may be seen as a node capability, in other words, the gNB or the UE are capable of maintaining beam correspondence if the gNB or the UE are able to transmit with the same beam used for the reception. Beam correspondence at the UE is declared if the UE is able to determine a Tx beam for UL transmission based on the measurement of DL signals utilizing a UE Rx beam. At the same time, beam correspondence at the UE may be declared if the UE is able to determine a Rx beam for DL reception based on the gNB's indication done on the measured beams transmitted by the UE in uplink.

[0053] If the UE utilizes the same beam for transmitting and receiving, it indicates that the UE is capable of beam correspondence (BC).

[0054] A UE, depending on its power class category, meets the BC criterion by fulfilling certain requirements on minimum peak equivalent isotopically radiated power (EIRP), spherical coverage, BC tolerance and synchronization signal block (SSB)Zchannel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) layer one reference signal received power (L1-RSRP0 side conditions, which is captured in 3GPP TS 38.101. Fig.1B illustrates an example of UL transmission with and without beam correspondence. The left of Fig. 1B shows the beam used in DL, the top right of Fig. 1 B shows the presence of the beam correspondence for UL transmission, and the bottom right of Fig. 1B shows the absence of the beam correspondence for UL transmission.

[0055] Beam Management (BM) comprises of identifying and maintaining suitable beam pair for the gNB-UE link. Normal BM procedures (for example, the P1, P2, P3) involves time consuming Tx / Rx beam sweeping that requires the UE to perform large number of SSB / CSI-RS measurements. In this regard, 3GPP is investigating AIML beam prediction, to identify the best DL Tx beam (Tx / Rx beam pair) through joint optimization of P1 / P2 (P1 / P2 / P3), for achieving reduction in overhead and latency.

[0056] In Rel.19, the BM use case is further studied for spatial and temporal beam prediction, referred as BM-Case1 and BM-Case2, respectively. Fig. 10 illustrates examples of AIML-enabled beam management use-cases. The scope of BM-Case1 is to predict the best set A beam(s) from set B measurements. Conversely, BM-Case2 aims to predict the most likely set-A beams to be used for future instants from history of set B measurements. Note that, here, Set A indicates the beams from which UE predicts the best DL Tx beam(s) and Set B indicates the measurement beam set, which is captured in 3GPP TR 38.843.

[0057] In RAN4#111, an agreement was achieved for the ground truth extraction to test AI / ML BM use case. Furthermore, in RAN4#112bis, an agreement was achieved regarding test setup requirements for AI / ML BM use case. It was agreed that Set A and Set B beams can be generated in the chamber for groundtruth-extraction. The reported measurements are considered as approximated ground-truth in the ongoing Wl.

[0058] It should be noted that generated Set A beams, containing high number of beams (such as 32 or64 beams), in the test chamber is one of the main challenges highlighted by test equipment vendors in the ongoing Wl. This may also considerably increase the cost of the test chamber, making it not feasible to be used.

[0059] The FR2 OTA test setup for testing AI / ML beam management use cases, as per the discussions in the Rel.19 RAN4 meetings, assume fixed number of multiple probes capturing sufficient angular diversity of the Tx beam codebook. Fig. 1D illustrates an example of channel emulator based spatial channel fortesting BM, i.e. an example of such a multi-probe test set-up.where, TE denotes a test equipment; AoA denotes an angle of arrival; AoD denotes an angle of departure; LoS denotes a line-of-sight; GTE x(iTE, TX> AoDj) denotes a gain of the TE Tx beam with beam ID ITE X alongdenotes a gain of the UE Rx beam with beam ID IUE. RX along AoAj; Gpatft(AoZ)7-, AoAk) denotes a path gain along AoDj and AoAk; Gprobek^UEAoAk~) denotes a path gain between the probek and UE along AoAk; PUE, RXdenotes UE received power; PTE,Txdenotes TE transmit power.

[0060] The reference RSRP for UE reported value can be quantitatively assessed as:Reference RSRP= UE RSRPnom± SC gain variation ± UE gain variation± UE accuracy

[0061] where,

[0062] UE RSRPnom= Applied RSRP+ UE Spherical coverage gain midpoint +UE gain G midpoint

[0063] and, applied RSRP is test case specific, which is captured in 3GPP TR 38.903.

[0064] The UE reported RSRP values has uncertainty due to Spherical coverage gain variation, UE gain variation and UE accuracy. Spherical coverage (SC) gain variation is derived from Refsens and SC. Since a UE may receive the DL reference signal anywhere within its spherical coverage directions — ranging from near Rx Beam Peak (- Refsens) to low gain direction (- EIS SC), deviation in the SC gain component from the SC gain midpoint is captured by SC gain variation. Similarly, any variation of the UE gain “G” from its midpoint due to misalignment from beam peak but unrelated to SC is termed as UE gain variation.

[0065] UE accuracy is the absolute accuracy obtained from the core requirement. For FR2, the accuracy is considered to apply at the combined signal from antenna elements corresponding to a given receiver branch. Fig. 1E illustrates an example of various sources of gain variation impacting the UE-reported RSPR, and exemplifies how these different components of gain variations impact the SS-RSPR measurements fora power Class 3 UE.

[0066] Therefore, having an accurate estimate of the ground truth (i.e., the reference to compare the prediction to) is essential to test and monitor the accuracy of the prediction (e.g., beam prediction) and to conclude about the efficiency of the whole AIML feature / functionality / model.

[0067] RAN4 has agreed on the following definition of ground truth in RAN4#112. The ground truth for the predicted RSRP is the ideal measurement of RSRP on the predicted Tx beam.

[0068] The issue, though, is that the ideal RSRP measurement is not available neither in the testing setup nor in the field. Therefore, RAN4 was discussing how this ideal RSRP could be approximated. One option that was proposed was to use the UE-reported RSRP measurement under certain SNR on the predicted Tx beam. However, other options are not precluded.

[0069] The first option to obtain the accurate ground truth would be to define test setup parameters that would configure certain pre-defined value of RSRP at the UE. This would be possible for the conducted testing, when the signal from the TE is delivered directly to the antenna ports of the UE in a highly controllable way. However, the main application area of BM use-case is in FR2. The normal over the air (OTA) tests are impacted by the problem that allowed variation in the reported values of UE measurements (i.e., RSRP) is very broad. As described in 3GPP TR 38.903, Clause A.2.6, the allowed variation of OTA RSRP measurements (on top of the baseband and Radio Frequency (RF) measurements accuracy of ±6.5 dB defined by RAN4 in 38.133, Clause 10) is on the level of ±20 dB. Such measurement uncertainty levels are making getting accurate reference / ground truth in the test setup impractical. Neither setting Tx power or channel emulator parameters can help to mitigate UE implementation-based uncertainties. Hence, the normal way of using the reported RSRP as a reference for the measurements cannot be used as a ground truth for the beam / RSRP predictions.

[0070] Moreover, the RSRP value measured and reported by the UE is not accurate enough either. The reason is the way how UE is performing such measurements. Firstly, measurements are up to UE implementation, for example, they depend on the UE Rx beam codebook design, the Rx beam used, the Rx beam gain, orientation of the UE, etc. Secondly, any UE measurements are subject to measurement errors due to non-idealities in the RF components, limited measurement resource elements. The errors in the measurements are also propagating into the prediction errors because measurements are used as an input of the AIML model.

[0071] Therefore, as demonstrated in Fig. 1F that illustrates an example of resulting error range in predicted RSRR when compared to the measured RSRP, if the accuracy of predicted RSRP is defined relative to the RSRP measured by the UE, the resulting error of the prediction when compared to the ideal RSRP will be higher than just the measurement error defined in normal requirements.

[0072] If the ideal RSRP is far away from the ideal RSRP but close to the RSRP measured by the UE, the test equipment cannot know / check that because all the information is based only on the reports from the UEboth in the field and in the testing setup.

[0073] In the field, like in the testing setup, the AIML beam prediction performance monitoring mechanism will suffer from a similar challenge, i.e., NW does not have any direct means to evaluate how accurate are the predictions especially if they are compared only with the UE measurements.

[0074] Hence, it is necessary to define ways to determine ground truth for the predicted beam(s) / L1 -RSRP to evaluate the accuracy of the prediction algorithm either in the testing setup or during monitoring in the field. Currently, there is no accurate enough and objective mechanism to obtain the ground truth for AIML-enabled predictions.

[0075] In view of the above, some embodiments of the present disclosure propose a solution to utilize the measurements done outside the UE, i.e., by the test equipment (TE) or the base station (BS) to derive the ground truth for the predictions, for example, provided by the AIML model / feature. More specifically, the uncertainty introduced by the UE implementation (e.g., for UE measurements) are taken out when the same beams, in DL, are used for DL Tx (at TE / BS) and Rx (at UE) are also used in UL for Tx (at UE) and Rx (at TE / BS). Moreover, the accuracy of ground truth evaluation can be increased even further if the same channel used during the DL measurements are reapplied during UL transmission.

[0076] With the embodiments, the reference / ground truth for the predictions are not based on the UE measurements (subject to implementation uncertainties and inaccuracies) but on the measurements done by the TE / BS, that can be considered as precise / calibrated metering device. Since DL measurements / predictions are compared to the UL measurements that are made with the same beams (beam correspondence) and in the same / similar channel conditions, a major part of uncertainty / variance in DL measurements are zeroed out. Moreover, measurement and reporting overhead are reduced since the UE doesn’t need to send the ground truth (i.e. measured L1-RSRP values) in addition of the predicted L1-RSRP values for performance monitoring.

[0077] Hereinafter, the example method for utilizing beam correspondence for testing and monitoring, for example, testing and monitoring of AI / ML-enabled radio network features will be described with reference to Fig. 2 to Fig. 9. Reference is first made to Fig. 2, which illustrates an exemplary signaling chart illustrating communication process in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0078] As shown in Fig. 2, the second device 120 transmits 210 first configuration information of a first set of beams 212 to the first device 110, and accordingly, the first device 110 receives 214 the first configuration information 212.

[0079] In some embodiments, the first configuration information may include configuration information of a second set of beams. In one example, the first set of beams may be Set A reference symbol / beam set, and the second set of beams may be Set B reference symbol / beam set.

[0080] In some embodiments, before the first configuration information is transmitted to the first device 110, the first device 110 transmits a capability information request to the second device 120, and the seconddevice 120 transmits a capability information response to the first device 110 in response to receiving the capability information request.

[0081] In some embodiments, the capability information response may include beam correspondence support, and further include AI / ML beam prediction functionalities or beam prediction. In a case where the second device 120 is a base station, the capability information response may further include beam correspondence-based capability.

[0082] In some embodiments, since the first device 110 reports a beam correspondence support to the second device 120, the UL transmission beam of first device 110 (i.e., the beam that the first device used for transmission) is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device 110 (i.e., the beam that the first device used for reception), and an UL receiving beam of the second device 120 (i.e., the beam that the second device used for reception) is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device 120 (i.e., the beam that the second device used for transmission).

[0083] Back to Fig. 2, the second device 120 transmits 216 second configuration information of a sequence of beams for monitoring 218 to the first device 110, and accordingly, the first device 110 receives 220 the second configuration information of a sequence of beams 218 from the second device 120. In some embodiments, the sequence of beams for monitoring may be the first set of beams or a subset of the first set of beams. For example, the sequence of beams for monitoring may be the full Set A beams, or a subset of the Set A beams.

[0084] In some embodiments, monitoring / UL transmission occasions may be pre-configured for the UE, i.e., when the UE may transmit in the UL with the beams that were used for DL measurements or assumed for the prediction. For example, the sequence of the beams for monitoring (both at UE and BS sides) may be the same as in the UE report or in the monitoring set or in the whole Set A configured to the UE.

[0085] The second device 120 transmits 222, to the first device 110, third configuration information for at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring 224. Accordingly, the first device 110 receives 226, from the second device 120, the third configuration information 224.

[0086] In some embodiments, after receiving the first configuration information, the second configuration information and the third configuration information, the first device 110 performs DL measurements based on the second set of beams, and then the first device 110 performs 228 a beam prediction based on the DL measurements and predicts at least one best beam from the first set of beams.

[0087] After the first device 110 performs the beam prediction, the first device 110 obtains and reports to the second device 120 an identify (ID) of the predicted at least one best beam, a measurement, a measurement prediction, or any combination thereof. For example, the measurement may be a RSRP of the at least one predicted at least one best beam, and the measurement prediction may be a predicted RSRP.

[0088] In some embodiments, after receiving the ID of the predicted at least one best beam and / or themeasurement and / or the measurement prediction, the second device 120 may dynamically configure and trigger UL beam transmission, and transmit the dynamical configuration of UL transmission, where the dynamical configuration information may include information that the UL transmission is performed only for the at least one predicted DL transmission beam. In response to receiving the dynamical configuration of UL transmission, the first device 110 reports, to the second device 120, additional UL transmission parameters, where the additional UL transmission parameters may include an UL transmission power.

[0089] In a case where the first device is a DUT / UE and the second device is a test equipment, after the best beam prediction and reporting, the second device 120 configures the UL channel in an emulator to match a DL channel. Fig. 5 illustrates an example of over the air (OTA) testing setup designed both for DL measurements by the DUT and UL measurements by the TE. In the testing setup, the channel properties / conditions during the DL are captured and used during the transmission of the corresponding beam(s) in the UL.

[0090] In some embodiments, when the first set of beams is provided for the time-domain prediction, the UL channel is configured to match the DL channel at the prediction time. In an example, in the case of timedomain prediction, i.e., for certain time horizon / interval in the future, the continuity of the time variation of the channel in UL and DL may be ensured in the testing setup (TS), such as, the same channel conditions as in DL may be used in the UL.

[0091] Alternatively or in addition, when the first set of beams is provided for the spatial-domain prediction, the DL channel performing the DL measurement by the first channel is configured to be replayed in the UL channel for UL reception. In an example, in the case of spatial-domain beam prediction, the same channel that was used in DL when performing measurement by the UE, can be applied (i.e., replayed) during the UL transmission.

[0092] Alternatively or in addition, in the case of in-field monitoring, when DL measurements / predictions and UL transmission are close enough in time or when the channel is not changing significantly (e.g. low-mobility scenario), an additional error component can be allowed in between the reported value by the UE and measured value, in comparison to the testing setup.

[0093] In this way, the UE measurements in DL and predictions (i.e., AI / ML inference) are contributed by the corresponding measurements in UL that are used as a reference. The same (corresponding) beams are used in UL as in DL (during beam measurements / predictions) both at UE and TE / BS sides.

[0094] In some embodiment, back to Fig. 2, after the UL channel in the emulator is configured to match the DL propagation conditions, the first device 110 performs 236 a plurality of UL transmissions using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence, and accordingly the second device 120 performs 238 a plurality of UL reception using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0095] In some embodiments, the UL measurements can be configured and made either for the whole SetA of beams (also referred as reference symbols resource set) or only for the subset of (best / monitored) beams. For example, best beams reported by the UE may be indicated for UL transmission by the TE / BS; alternatively, the beams from the monitoring sub-set may be configured for UL transmission by the TE / BS

[0096] In some embodiments, after the second device 120 performs the plurality of UL receptions using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence, the second device 120 calculates receiving powers of the plurality of the beams for monitoring; and compares the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with each other, or compare the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with the measurement or the measurement prediction.

[0097] In some embodiments, the comparison in between the UL measurements and DL reports may be done either: 1) in relative manner, for example, when the goal is to confirm that the best beam reported by the UE is indeed the best beam according to the relative comparison of powers of the beams measured by the TE / BS in UL; or 2) in absolute manner, when the goal is to verify the accuracy of UE measurement / prediction, e.g., RSRP accuracy, and in this case, reported values by the UE are compared to the measurements done by the TE / BS directly.

[0098] In some embodiments, after the comparison in between the UL measurements and DL reports, the second device 120 determines a success of testing, or determines to perform another test iteration.

[0099] Back to Fig. 2, in a case where the first device is a UE and the second device is a BS, before the first device 110 performs the UL transmissions, the first device 110 determines whether the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is satisfied.

[0100] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for time-domain prediction, and the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring corresponds to at least one of prediction times. For example, in case of time-domain prediction, the monitoring occasion / UL transmissions may correspond to the prediction horizon, i.e., so that the measurements based on UL transmissions can be compared directly to the predictions.

[0101] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for spatial domain prediction, and the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is scheduled such that a duration between the DL measurement and the UL transmission is lower than a threshold. For example, in case of spatial domain prediction, the monitoring occasion may be scheduled / granted as close as possible in time to the measurement of Set B, especially in the field, when channel conditions cannot be replayed.

[0102] In some embodiments, based on determining that the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is satisfied, the first device 110 performs the plurality of UL transmission using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence. Accordingly, the second device 120 performs 238 a plurality of UL reception using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0103] In some embodiments, after the second device 120 performs the plurality of UL receptions usingthe plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence, the second device 120 calculates receiving powers of the plurality of the beams for monitoring; and compares the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with each other, or compare the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with the measurement or the measurement prediction.

[0104] In some embodiments, after the comparison in between the UL measurements and DL reports, the second device 120 determines a success of monitoring, or determines to perform a life cycle management (LCM) operation for an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) model or functionality or feature.

[0105] In some embodiments, the first set of beams (also BS / TE beams) that are configured to the UE, and UE predicts beams from this first set of beams, which may be referred as SetA. The second set of beams (BS / TE beams or also called reference resource set) are configured to the UE and used for measurements, which may be referred as SetB. SetB may be a sub-set of SetA, SetB may be the same set as SetA (time domain prediction) or SetB can be a different set (e.g., Set B as wide SSB beams and SetA are narrow CSi-RS beams). The plurality of beams for monitoring (also BS / TE beams) that is be configured for monitoring. This plurality of beams for monitoring is either the whole SetA or a sub-set of SetA, and the plurality of beams for monitoring (i.e., either full SetA or a sub-set of it) are used by the UE for UL transmission.

[0106] The above testing of the spatial domain beam prediction by comparing the best beam / RSRP by the UE with the measurement of the same beam pair done by the TE / BS may be shown in Fig. 3, and Fig. 3 illustrates beam correspondence for beam / RSRP measurements in UL.

[0107] The main problem of getting accurate and objective reference / ground truth for UE measurements is complicated by the uncertainty in the UE implementation of the Rx part of the Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements.

[0108] However, since the same beam can be used in UL and DL (due to beam correspondence) in some embodiments of the present disclosure, spherical coverage gain is the same both for UL and DL transmissions; UE antenna array gain (i.e., beam / antenna gain) is also the same both for UL and DL transmissions; UE RF loss is also the same / similar in UL and DL due to the typical symmetric RF routing chosen by chip manufacturers between patch elements all the way to the combiners and then ADC / DAC.

[0109] Therefore, when comparing the measurements done in the UL and reports based on DL, the uncertainties in spherical coverage and UE gain does not need to be known because they are present in both of UL and DL (and thus would be cancelled out when comparing a DL vs an UL measurement). When the difference in between the UL measurements and DL reports is considered, the spherical coverage and UE gain will thus be zeroed out, as shown in the equations below.UE Rx Power = TE / BS Tx Power + TE / BS Tx Beam gain — TE / BS DL RF losses — Channel loss + UE Rx Beam gain — UE DL RF lossesTE / BS Rx Power= UE Tx Power + UE Tx Beam gain — UE UL RF losses— Channel loss + TE / BS Rx Beam gain — TE / BS UL RF losses

[0110] When considering power-based measurements (e.g., RSRP) in UL and DL individually, and even assuming that the components at TE / BS side are calibrated (i.e., TE / BS beam gains and RF losses are known) and channel is known, there is still a lot of uncertainty especially due to the UE Tx beam gain (due to UE spherical coverage gain variation ± UE gain variation).

[0111] However, assuming the channel is the same (e.g., the same channel is applied in UL as in DL), the same beams are used in UL and DL (beam correspondence) the difference in between UE Rx power in DL and BS / TE power in UL will be caused mainly by the difference in Tx powers and beam correspondence mismatch:UE Rx Power — TE / BS Rx Power= TE / BS Tx Power — UE Tx Power± Beam correspondence mismatch for FR2

[0112] The beam correspondence mismatch is insignificant in FR2. Practical examples of this insignificance would be that a UE in DL can use 3 typical type of beam gains / HPBW (half power beam width) wide beam, narrow beam and medium beam. In any of those the DL steering direction and the UL steering direction will be the same and the beam shape will be of same category (wide or narrow for example).

[0113] Even if we assume the additional uncertainties in UL and DL evaluation (e.g., due to the fact, that RSRP evaluation is based only on a sub-set of reference elements, referred as RSRP BaseBand (BB) accuracy below), the allowed variation in the difference between DL RSRP and UL RSRP is much smaller than allowed variation in DL measurements only, i.e.RSRP_DL - RSRPJJL = TE / BS Tx Power- UE Tx Power ± Beam correspondence mismatch ± UE BB DL RSRP accuracy + TE / BS BB UL RSRP accuracy,when RSRP reported by UE is compared the value defined by the TE:RSRP_DL - RSRP_TE = RSRP_DL - UE RSRP_nom (+ UE Spherical coverage gain variation ± UE gain variation ± UE RSRP accuracy),and comparing allowed variations in two expressions above:(± Beam correspondence mismatch ± UE BB DL RSRP accuracy ± TE / BS BB UL RSRP accuracy) « (±UE Spherical coverage gain variation ± UE gain variation ± UE RSRP accuracy).

[0114] If the in-field conditions instead of test / lab condition are considered, the difference between the UL and DL RSRPs will be additionally impacted by the channel variations that are not under the control of the TE anymore. Specifically, in the case of spatial domain prediction, the channel might evolve in between DL measurement / prediction and UL measurement. Therefore, an additional component can be added in theallowed variation:RSRP_DL - RSRPJJL = TE / BS Tx Power- UE Tx Power ± Beam correspondence mismatch ± UE BB DL RSRP accuracy + TE / BS BB UL RSRP accuracy +Channel change

[0115] The channel change uncertainty / variation component will depend on the speed of the UE, i.e., how fast the channel is evolving, i.e., Channel change = Channel change (speed).

[0116] Hereinafter, the exemplary signaling chart 400 of testing AI / ML-enabled beam prediction based on UL measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 4. The signaling process 400 may be a more specific example of the process 200 in the testing setup scenario of Fig. 2. The DUT (device under Test) / UE may be, for example, the first device 110, and the TE (test equipment) may be, for example, the second device 120.

[0117] At steps 1 to 2, the DUT / UE and TE performs connection setup, and then DUT / UE is in radio resource control (RRC) connected state.

[0118] At step 3, the DUT / UE transmits a UE capability information request.

[0119] At step 4, in response to receiving the UE capability information request, the TE transmits a UE capability information response to the DUT / UE. The UE capability information response may include signaling of UE capabilities, such as beam correspondence and AIML beam prediction functionalities. Support of beam correspondence is the pre-requisite for the testing procedure. Some additional capabilities from normal use of beam correspondence for PDSCH / PDCCH transmission maybe needed. For example, step 6 and step 14 will require from the UE support of beam correspondence not only for the serving beam, but also for other beams (such as candidate beams) that are used for measurements.

[0120] At step 5, the TE transmits, to the DUT / UE, configuration information of enabling and configuring AIML feature / functionality, and this configuration information may include Set B RS / beam set configuration for measurements, full Set A RS / beam set configuration for prediction and monitoring, and their reporting configurations.

[0121] At step 6, the TE transmits, to the DUT / UE, configuration information of UL transmissions, and the configuration information of UL transmissions may include UL transmission power, SRS configuration, transmission grants / occasions, a sequence / order of UE beams to use corresponding to DL Tx beams (such as full Set A beams, the reported best beams, or the monitoring beams). Accordingly, the DUT / UE receives the configuration information for UL transmissions with corresponding beams that will be used to test the AIML functionality. For example, the UE needs to be configured when and with which beam to transmit, what is the sequence / order of the beams to be used for transmission so that the beams to be used for transmission map the beams used by the TE for reception. At this step a periodic / long term configuration may be provided, e.g., via RRC control signaling, such as periodic scheduling grants for UL transmissions. Additionally, UL transmission parameters may be configured, such as UL transmit power, and UL signals to be transmitted, e.g., Sounding Reference signals (SRS).

[0122] At steps 7 to 8, the TE transmits the Set B beams to the DUT / UE, and then the DUT / UE receives the Set B beams with UE Rx beams and measures the SSB / (CSI-)RS on the Set B beams to obtain for example, the L1-RSRP.

[0123] At steps 9 to 10, the DUT / UE performs the best beam prediction based on the measurements performed at steps 7 to 8 to obtain an ID of the predicted at least one best DL Tx beam or the RSRP of the predicted DL Tx beam or the predicted RSRP, and reports the predicted DL Tx beam or the RSRP of the predicted DL Tx beam or the predicted RSRP to the TE.

[0124] At Step 11, in addition to Step 6, the DUT / UE might be provided by the TE with more dynamic configurations. For example, if only best beams reported by the DUT / UE are tested, then, the UL transmission (or UL Tx occasions / grants) might be configured only for these beams via MAC CE (Control Element) or DCI (Downlink Control Information).

[0125] At Step 12, the DUT / UE may be requested to provide additional information about the UL transmission that the DUT / UE is performing to reduce measurement uncertainty. For example, the DUT / UE may report the exact value of the Tx power (because the power configuration in Step 4 may be relative). In another example, the DUT / UE may report the sequence / order of the beams (e.g., matching DL beams) that UE will use / uses for UL transmissions.

[0126] At step 13, the TE configures the UL channel in the emulator to match DL propagation conditions, which depends on the use-case under test.

[0127] For the time-domain prediction, the UL channel for time-domain prediction can match the DL channel at the time to which the prediction is provided. For example, if the prediction reported by the UE is for the time t + t1, then the DL channel evolves till t+t1 following the model defined by the test parameters. At t+t1 (or some time before this), this channel may be also applied in UL, so that direct comparison in between the prediction and the UL measurement is achieved.

[0128] For the spatial domain prediction, the prediction is done based on the DL measurements, e.g., during [t, t+t1 ]. To achieve direct comparison of predicted beams in DL and measurements in UL, the same channel conditions can be experienced in UL and DL. Therefore, during [t+t2, t+t3], when UL measurements are done, the DL propagation conditions from [t, t+t1 ] can be replayed in UL.

[0129] Back to Step 5, the DUT / UE is provided with the DL beams (resource set) to be used for prediction (Set A) and / or monitoring (if the monitoring set is different from full Set A). At steps 14 to 15, the DUT / UE transmits in UL with the beams (on the UE side) that are matching / corresponding those DL beams from Step 5. In one example, the order of UE beams for UL transmission may follow the order of the beams configured for monitoring in Step 6.

[0130] At step 16, the TE follows the same sequence of beams for the reception that was indicated to the UE or that is used by the UE (if signaled in step 12).

[0131] At step 17, the TE compares the measurements / predictions that were reported in Step 10 by theUE to the measurements from step 16. In one example, the TE compares the powers of received beams to each other (relatively) and selects the best beam(s). This best beam(s) can match the best beam(s) reported by the UE. In the other example, the actual RSRP measurements done in UL (RSRPJJL) and the UE reported RSRP (RSRP_DL) are compared by the TE, and the difference in those is calculated.

[0132] At step 18, testing is usually performed in several iterations, e.g., for different scenarios (e.g., relative UE and test gNB locations, Angle of Arrive, Angels of Departure, distance, etc. are variated), beam configurations, path-loss, noise, Signal to Noise (SNR) levels, etc. to achieve the statistical confidence about the quality of predictions provided by the UE.

[0133] In the case when RSRPs are not actually compared, i.e., it is only checked that the DUT / UE is reporting / predicting the strongest beam IDs correctly, if the strongest beams on the UE side and the strongest beams measured by the TE are the same or if the number of best beams reported with errors is less than xx% (e.g., 90%), the test iteration may continue for N times (e.g. 1000 times). If the number of errors in the beam IDs is within the test requirements, then test is successful.

[0134] In the case when the reported and measured RSRP values are compared, the reported RSRP value may be within the allowed variation, i.e., (RSRPJ L - RSRPJJL <= variation). For example, the variation may be defined by such factors as ± Beam correspondence mismatch ± UE BB DL RSRP accuracy ± TE / BS BB UL RSRP accuracy. If the difference the RSRPs is within allowed variation yy% of time (e.g., 90%), then the test is successfully passed.

[0135] Fig. 6 illustrates an example of channel emulator based spatial channel fortesting BM using beam correspondence, and the multi-path propagation environment for the UL measurements matching the DL propagation is demonstrated in Fig. 6.

[0136] Testing of beam management prediction might need to be performed in multi-path propagation conditions when the UE is radiated from several directions by multiple probes emulating. In this case the UE may measure the same Tx beam with multiple Rx beams, i.e., UE performs a sweep. However, due to the limited number of probes available in the testing setup (TS), usually in the range of 4 to 8 probes, not all of the path and reflection can be emulated separately, and several paths with similar properties can be aggregated and transmitted through the single probe.

[0137] Correspondingly, when the same multi-path channel as in the DL may be replicated / replied in the transmission, reception of the signal from the UE can be performed by multiple probes. Moreover, the (large-scale) channel characteristics of the UL and DL channel can be the same.

[0138] If required, depending on the placement of the probes within the test chamber, Gprobek^uEAoAk) may be measured during calibration and may be cancelled / compensated at the probes during the test to precisely obtain the DL receive power as PUE, RXwhere

[0139] Using Beam correspondence, its equivalent quantity measured by the TE in the UL, referred as PTE. RX, may be obtained by keeping the UL channel profile similar to its DL counterpart used for measuring PUE, RX- Here,

[0140] With the beam correspondence, G[ / E, RX(i[ / £, RX, AoAk) = GuE, TX(iu£, TXoD holds if iuE. Tx = corresponding beam of iUE, RX, AoDk= AoAk. LBCis a scaling factor describing the Tx power difference in between the UE and TE, i.e., PTE, RX= LBC * PUE, RX-

[0141] GTE Rx(iTE Rx, AoAj) denotes a gain of the TE Rx beam with beam id ITE. RX along AoAj. GuE x juE x’AoDj) denotes a gain of the UE Tx beam with beam id iuE x along AoDj. Gpatft(AoZ)7-, AoAk) denotes a path gain along AoDj and AoAk. GUE^probek(AoDk) denotes a path gain between the probek and UE along AoDk. PUEiTxdenotes a UE transmit power. PTEiRxdenotes a TE Receive power.

[0142] Hereinafter, the exemplary signaling chart 700 of AI / ML-enabled beam prediction feature / functionality monitoring based on UL measurements in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7. The signaling process 700 may be a more specific example of the process 200 in the in-field (real network) scenario of Fig. 2. The UE may be, for example, the first device 110, and the BS may be, for example, the second device 120. The signaling process 700 may be a monitoring procedure as a part of life cycle management (LCM) for beam prediction based on UL measurements with beam correspondence.

[0143] At steps 1 to 3, the UE and BS performs connection setup, and then the UE is switched to the radio resource control (RRC) connected state from the RRC idle state.

[0144] At step 4, UE transmits a UE capability information request.

[0145] At step 5, in response to receiving the UE capability information request, the BS transmits a UE capability information response to the UE. The UE capability information response may include signaling of UE capabilities, such as beam correspondence, beam prediction and beam correspondence-basedmonitoring capability. Support of beam correspondence is the pre-requisite for the testing procedure. Some additional capability(ies) in comparison to normal use of beam correspondence for PDSCH / PDCCH transmission over the serving beams(s) are needed from UE though. The new capability may be referred as UL-based monitoring. The main difference to the normal beam correspondence is that UE maintains beam correspondence for the UL transmission of multiple beams that are used for measurements. Therefore, in this step the UE signals to the BS (i.e. NW) about the support of related capability (ies).

[0146] At step 6, the BS transmits, to the UE, configuration information of enabling and configuring feature / functionality, and this configuration information may include Set B RS / beam set configuration for measurements, full Set A RS / beam set configuration for reporting or subset of Set A for monitoring, and reporting configurations.

[0147] At step 7, the BS transmits, to the UE, configuration information of UL monitoring occasions, and the configuration information of UL monitoring occasions may include (periodic) UL transmission grants, a sequence / order of UL beams transmissions, beam correspondence. Accordingly, the UE receives the configuration information for UL monitoring, i.e., configuration of UL transmissions with corresponding beams that will be used to monitor the AI / ML functionality. For example, the UE needs to be configured when and with which beam to transmit, what is the sequence / order of the beams to be used for transmission so that they map the beams used by the BS for reception. At this step periodic / long (or longer) term configuration can be provided, e.g., via RRC control signaling, such as periodic scheduling grants for UL transmissions. Additionally, UL transmission parameters may be configured, such as UL transmit power, and UL signals to be transmitted, e.g., Sounding Reference signals (SRS).

[0148] At steps 8 to 9, the BS transmits the Set B beams to the UE, and then the UE receives the Set B beams with UE Rx beams and measures the (CSI-)RS on the Set B beams to obtain for example, the L1-RSRP.

[0149] At steps 10 to 11, the UE performs the best beam prediction based on the measurements performed at steps 8 to 9 to obtain an ID of the predicted at least one best DL Tx beam or the RSRP of the predicted DL Tx beam or the predicted RSRP, and reports the predicted DL Tx beam or the RSRP of the predicted DL Tx beam or the predicted RSRP to the TE.

[0150] At Step 12, in addition to Step 6, the UE might be provided by the BS with more dynamic configurations. For example, if only best beams reported by the UE are tested, then, the UL transmission (or UL Tx occasions / grants) might be configured only for these beams via MAC CE (Control Element) or DCI (Downlink Control Information).

[0151] At Step 13, the UE may be requested to provide additional information about the UL transmission that the UE is performing to reduce measurement uncertainty. For example, the UE may report the exact value of the Tx power (because the power configuration in Step 5 may be relative). In another example, the UE may report the sequence / order of the beams (e.g., matching DL beams) that UE will use / uses for ULtransmissions.

[0152] At an optional step 14, the UE waits for the UL transmission occasion matching the predict horizon, to align the configuration of AI / ML prediction functionality and UL transmission occasion. For example, in the case of time-domain prediction, the UL transmission (t_UL_tx) can be as close as possible to the moment in time to which the prediction was provided by the UE (t_DL_pr), i.e., there are multiple possibilities for the UE to transmit, then the one with min(t_UL_tx, t_DL_pr) may be selected. In the case of spatial domain prediction, the situation is different, and since the spatial-domain prediction is provided based on the recent measurements done at t_meas. Therefore, the UL transmission can take place at the transmission occasion closest to the t_DL_meas in time, i.e., at min(t_UL_tx, t_DL_meas).

[0153] Back to Step 6, the UE is provided with the DL beams (resource set) to be used for prediction (Set A) and / or monitoring (if the monitoring set is different from full Set A). At steps 15 to 16, the UE transmits in UL with the beams (on the UE side) that are matching / corresponding those DL beams from Step 6. In one example, the order of UE beams for UL transmission may follow the order of the beams configured for monitoring in Step 7.

[0154] At step 17, the BS follows the same sequence of beams for the reception that was indicated to the UE or that is used by the UE (if signaled in step 13).

[0155] At step 18, BS is comparing the measurements / predictions that were reported in Step 11 by the UE to the measurements from Step 17. In one example, TE compares the powers of received beams to each other (in a relative manner) and selects the best beam(s), i.e., the beams / beam ID(s) with the highest received power. This best beam(s) can match the best beam(s) / beam I D(s) reported by the UE. In the other example, the actual RSRP measurements done in UL (RSRPJJL) and the UE reported RSRP (RSRPJDL) are compared by the TE, and the difference in those is calculated.

[0156] At step 19, the BS accumulates some statistics based on the comparison of UE reports and its own UL measurements from Step 18. If there is a mismatch in between the reports and the UL measurements for M times (e.g., M=3 consecutive times), then life cycle management (LCM) action for the AI / ML model / functionality / feature is initiated, e.g., to switch it off or fallback to non-AI / ML feature or to change the model. For the best beam reporting the mismatch means that the measured best RX beam in UL at BS does not match the bestTX beam at the BS predicted by the UE. This definition can be also extended on the beam beams, e.g., only 1 beam (beam ID) out for 3 best beams reported by the UE is within top K (e.g., K =3) beams based on UL measurements done by the UE. Mismatch in RSRP would be the (RSRPJDL -RSRP_UL) > allowed variation [d B] for one or top K best beams.

[0157] Fig. 8 illustrates a flowchart of a method 800 implemented at a first device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 800 will be described from the perspective of the first device 110 with reference to Fig. 1.

[0158] At block 810, the first device 110 receives, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams. At block 820, the first device 110 receives, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring. At block 830, the first device 110 receives, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring. At block 840, the first device 110 performs a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction. At block 850, the first device 110 reports, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction. At block 860, the first device 110 performs a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0159] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams, and the first device performs a DL measurement based on the second set of beams, wherein the beam prediction is performed based on the DL measurement on the second set of beams.

[0160] In some embodiments, the first device transmits, to the second device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support.

[0161] In some embodiments, an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, and an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

[0162] In some embodiments, the first device based on receiving dynamical configuration information of UL transmission from the second device, reports additional UL transmission parameters to the second device.

[0163] In some embodiments, the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the at least one predicted DL transmission beam.

[0164] In some embodiments, the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

[0165] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first device performs, based on determining that the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is satisfied, the plurality of UL transmission using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0168] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for time-domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring corresponds to at least one of prediction times.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for spatial domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is scheduled such that a duration between the DL measurement and the UL transmission is lower than a threshold.

[0170] In some embodiments, the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set; and / or the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; and / or the plurality of beams for monitoring comprise the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the at least one predicted DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

[0171] In some embodiments, the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

[0172] Fig. 9 illustrates a flowchart of a method implemented at a second device according to some other embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, the method 900 will be described from the perspective of the second device 120 with reference to Fig. 1.

[0173] At block 910, the second device 120 transmits, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams. At block 920, the second device 120 transmits, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring. At block 930, the second device 120 transmits, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring. At block 940, the second device 120 receives, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction. At block 950, the second device 120 performs a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams.

[0175] In some embodiments, the second device receives, based on receiving, from a first device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support, the first configuration information.

[0176] In some embodiments, an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

[0178] In some embodiments, the second device configures an UL channel in an emulator to match a DL channel.

[0179] In some embodiments, the UL channel for time-domain prediction is configured to match the DL channel at a prediction time.

[0180] In some embodiments, the DL channel when performing DL measurement by a first channel is configured to be replayed in the UL channel for the UL reception.

[0181] In some embodiments, the second device determines a success of testing; or determines to perform another test iteration.

[0182] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

[0183] In some embodiments, the second device determines a success of monitoring; or determines to perform a life cycle management (LCM) operation for an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) model or functionality or feature.

[0184] In some embodiments, the second device calculates receiving powers of the plurality of the beams for monitoring; and compares the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with each other, or compares the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with the measurement or the measurement prediction.

[0185] In some embodiments, the second device transmits dynamical configuration information of UL transmission to the first device; and receives additional UL transmission parameters from the first device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the at least one predicted DL transmission beam.

[0187] In some embodiments, the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set; the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; or the plurality of beams for monitoring comprises the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the at least one predicted DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

[0189] In some embodiments, the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

[0190] In some embodiments, an apparatus (for example, the first device 110) capable of performing the method 800 may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 800. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0191] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring. The apparatus comprises means for performing a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) ofthe predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction. The apparatus comprises means for reporting, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction. The apparatus comprises means for performing a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams, and the apparatus comprises means for performing a DL measurement based on the second set of beams, wherein the beam prediction is performed based on the DL measurement on the second set of beams.

[0193] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to the second device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support.

[0194] In some embodiments, an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, and an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for, based on receiving dynamical configuration information of UL transmission from the second device, reporting additional UL transmission parameters to the second device.

[0196] In some embodiments, the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the at least one predicted DL transmission beam.

[0197] In some embodiments, the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

[0200] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for performing, based on determining that the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is satisfied, the plurality of UL transmission using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0201] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for time-domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring corresponds to at least one of prediction times.

[0202] In some embodiments, the first set of beams is provided for spatial domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is scheduled such that a duration between the DL measurement and the UL transmission is lower than a threshold.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set; and / or the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; and / or the plurality ofbeams for monitoring comprise the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the at least one predicted DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

[0204] In some embodiments, the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

[0205] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 800. In some embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0206] In some embodiments, an apparatus (for example, the second device 120) capable of performing the method 900 may comprise means for performing the respective steps of the method 900. The means may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the means may be implemented in a circuitry or software module.

[0207] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring. The apparatus comprises means for transmitting, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring. The apparatus comprises means for receiving, from the first device, at least one of: the ID of the at least one predicted beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction. The apparatus comprises means for performing a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

[0208] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams.

[0209] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for receiving, based on receiving, from a first device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support, the first configuration information.

[0210] In some embodiments, an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

[0211] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

[0212] In some embodiments, the second device configures an UL channel in an emulator to match a DL channel.

[0213] In some embodiments, the UL channel for time-domain prediction is configured to match the DL channel at a prediction time.

[0214] In some embodiments, the DL channel when performing DL measurement by a first channel is configured to be replayed in the UL channel for the UL reception.

[0215] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining a success of testing; or determining to perform another test iteration.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

[0217] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for determining a success of monitoring; or determining to perform a life cycle management (LCM) operation for an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) model or functionality or feature.

[0218] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for calculating receiving powers of the plurality of the beams for monitoring; and comparing the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with each other, or comparing the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with the measurement or the measurement prediction.

[0219] In some embodiments, the apparatus comprises means for transmitting dynamical configuration information of UL transmission to the first device; and means for receiving additional UL transmission parameters from the first device.

[0220] In some embodiments, the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the at least one predicted DL transmission beam.

[0221] In some embodiments, the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

[0222] In some embodiments, the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set; the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; or the plurality of beams for monitoring comprises the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the at least one predicted DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

[0223] In some embodiments, the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

[0224] In some embodiments, the apparatus further comprises means for performing other steps in some embodiments of the method 900. In some embodiments, the means comprises at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory and computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the performance of the apparatus.

[0225] Fig. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 that is suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. The device 1000 may be provided to implement the communication device, for example the first device 110, and the second device 120 as shown in Fig. 1. As shown, the device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to the processor 1010, and one or more communication modules 1040 coupled to the processor 1010.

[0226] The communication module 1040 is for bidirectional communications. The communication module 1040 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface that is necessary for communication with other network devices.

[0227] The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable to the local technical network and may include one or more of the following: general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on multicore processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as an application specific integrated circuit chip that is slaved in time to a clock which synchronizes the main processor.

[0228] The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of the non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a read only memory (ROM) 1024, an electrically programmable read only memory (EPROM), a flash memory, a hard disk, a compact disc (CD), a digital video disk (DVD), and other magnetic storage and / or optical storage. Examples of the volatile memories include, but are not limited to, a random access memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memories that may not last in the power-down duration.

[0229] A computer program 1030 includes computer executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1010. The program 1030 may be stored in the ROM 1024. The processor 1010 may perform any suitable actions and processing by loading the program 1030 into the RAM 1022.

[0230] The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by means of the program so that the device 1000 may perform any process of the disclosure as discussed with reference to Figs. 2 to 9. The embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or by a combination of software and hardware.

[0231] In some embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly contained in a computer readable medium which may be included in the device 1000 (such as in the memory 1020) or other storage devices that are accessible by the device 1000. The device 1000 may load the program 1030 from the computer readable medium to the RAM 1022 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any types of tangible non-volatile storage, such as ROM, EPROM, a flash memory, a hard disk, CD, DVD, and the like.

[0232] Fig. 11 illustrates an example of the computer readable medium 1100 in form of CD or DVD in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure. The computer readable medium has the program 1030 stored thereon. It is noted that although the computer-readable medium 1100 is depicted in form of CD or DVD, the computer-readable medium 800 may be in any other form suitable for carry or hold the program 1030.

[0233] Generally, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. While various aspects of embodiments of the presentdisclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flowcharts, or using some other pictorial representations, it is to be understood that the block, apparatus, system, technique or method described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0234] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computerexecutable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor, to carry out the methods 800 or 900 as described above with reference to Fig. 8 to Fig. 9. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, or the like that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. The functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired in various embodiments. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed device, program modules may be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0235] Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions / operations specified in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams to be implemented. The program code may execute entirely on a machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

[0236] In the context of the present disclosure, the computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable the device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of the carrier include a signal, computer readable medium, and the like.

[0237] The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include but not limited to an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of the computer readable storage medium would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e., tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0238] Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Likewise, while several specific implementation details are contained in the above discussions, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the present disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that may be described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

[0239] Although the present disclosure has been described in languages specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above may be disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A first device, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first device at least to:receive, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; receive, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;receive, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;perform a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction;report, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; andperform a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

2. The first device of claim 1, wherein the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams, and the first device is further caused to:perform a DL measurement on the second set of beams,wherein the beam prediction is performed based on the DL measurement on the second set of beams.

3. The first device of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first device is further caused to:transmit, to the second device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support.

4. The first device of claim 3, wherein an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, and an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

5. The first device of any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first device is further caused to: based on receiving dynamical configuration information of UL transmission from the second device, report additional UL transmission parameters to the second device.

6. The first device of claim 5, wherein the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the predicted at least one DL transmission beam.

7. The first device of claim 5 or 6, wherein the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

8. The first device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

9. The first device of any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

10. The first device of claim 9, wherein the first device is caused to perform the plurality of UL transmission by:based on determining that the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is satisfied, performing the plurality of UL transmission using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

11. The first device of claim 10, wherein the first set of beams is provided for time-domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring corresponds to at least one of prediction times.

12. The first device of claim 10, wherein the first set of beams is provided for spatial domain prediction, and wherein the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring is scheduled such that a duration between the DL measurement and the UL transmission is lower than a threshold.

13. The first device of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein at least one of the following:the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set;the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; orthe plurality of beams for monitoring comprise the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the predicted at least one DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

14. The first device of any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

15. A second device, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the second device at least to:transmit, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; transmit, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;transmit, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;receive, from the first device, at least one of: an ID of predicted at least one beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; andperform a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

16. The second device of claim 15, wherein the first configuration information further comprises configuration information of a second set of beams.

17. The second device of claim 15 or 16, wherein the second device is caused to receive the first configuration information by:based on receiving, from a first device, a capability report comprising beam correspondence support, receiving the first configuration information.

18. The second device of claim 17, wherein an UL transmission beam of the first device is the same as a DL receiving beam of the first device, an UL receiving beam of the second device is the same as a DL transmission beam of the second device.

19. The second device of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a test equipment.

20. The second device of any of claims 15 to 19, wherein the second device is further caused to: configure an UL channel in an emulator to match a DL channel.

21. The second device of claim 20, wherein the UL channel for time-domain prediction is configured to match the DL channel at a prediction time.

22. The second device of 20, wherein the DL channel when performing DL measurement by a first channel is configured to be replayed in the UL channel for the UL reception.

23. The second device of any of claims 19 to 22, wherein the second device is further caused to at least one of the following:determine a success of testing; ordetermine to perform another test iteration.

24. The second device of any of claims 15 to 18, wherein the first device is a terminal device, and the second device is a base station.

25. The second device of claim 24, wherein the second device is further caused to at least one of the following:determine a success of monitoring; ordetermine to perform a life cycle management (LCM) operation for an artificial intelligence (AI) / machine learning (ML) model or functionality or feature.

26. The second device of any of claims 15 to 25, wherein the second device is further caused to: calculate receiving powers of the plurality of the beams for monitoring; andcompare the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with each other, or compare the receiving powers of the plurality of beams for monitoring with the measurement or the measurement prediction.

27. The second device of any of claims 15 to 26, wherein the second device is further caused to: transmit dynamical configuration information of UL transmission to the first device; andreceive additional UL transmission parameters from the first device.

28. The second device of claim 27, wherein the dynamical configuration information comprises information that the UL transmission is performed only for the predicted at least one DL transmission beam.

29. The second device of claim 27 or 28, wherein the additional UL transmission parameters comprise an UL transmission power.

30. The second device of any of claims 15 to 29, wherein at least one of the following:the first set of beams comprises a Set A reference symbol or beam set;the second set of beams comprises a Set B reference symbol or beam set; orthe plurality of beams for monitoring comprises the Set A reference symbol or beam set, the predicted at least one DL transmission beams, or monitoring beams.

31. The first device of any of claims 15 to 30, wherein the measurement comprises a measured reference signal received power, and the measurement prediction comprises a predicted reference signal received power.

32. A method comprising:receiving, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; receiving, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;receiving, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;performing a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction;reporting, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; andperforming a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

33. A method comprising:transmitting, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; transmitting, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;transmitting, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;receiving, from the first device, at least one of: an ID of predicted at least one beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; andperforming a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

34. An apparatus comprising:means for receiving, from a second device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; means for receiving, from the second device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;means for receiving, from the second device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;means for performing a beam prediction to predict at least one downlink (DL) transmission beam from the first set of beams and obtain at least one of: an identifier (ID) of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction;means for reporting, to the second device, at least one of: the ID of the predicted at least one DL transmission beam, the measurement, or the measurement prediction; andmeans for performing a plurality of UL transmissions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using beams corresponding to the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

35. An apparatus comprising:means for transmitting, to a first device, first configuration information of a first set of beams; means for transmitting, to the first device, second configuration information of a sequence of a plurality of beams for monitoring;means for transmitting, to the first device, third configuration information for at least one uplink (UL) transmission occasion for monitoring corresponding to the sequence of the plurality of beams for monitoring;means for receiving, from the first device, at least one of: an ID of predicted at least one beam, a measurement, or a measurement prediction; andmeans for performing a plurality of UL receptions for the at least one UL transmission occasion for monitoring using the plurality of beams for monitoring based on the sequence.

36. A computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least one of the methods of claims 32 and 33.

Images