Beam management

Abstract

Examples relate to a UE (110) configured to perform: receiving (210), from a network (100), first information (211), wherein the first information comprising an indication of a threshold beam measurement value (212); determining (202) that a condition has been met, wherein determining that the condition has been met comprises: determining (203) a beam measurement value (213) of a first beam (214), and determining (204) that the beam measurement value is less than the threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting (205), to the network, second information (215), wherein the second information comprises information indicative of a prediction (216) whether a beam failure of a second beam (217) is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered in response to determining that the condition has been met.

Description

[0001] TITLE

[0002] BEAM MANAGEMENT

[0003] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0004] Examples of the disclosure relate to beam management. Certain examples of the disclosure relate to apparatuses, methods, and computer programs for beam management. Some examples, though without prejudice to the foregoing, relate to UE-lnitiated Beam Management, UEIBM, reporting.

[0005] BACKGROUND

[0006] Conventional apparatuses and procedures for beam management are not always optimal. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide improved beam management. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to reduce signaling overhead in beam management. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to reduce latency in beam management. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to reduce beam failure. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to improve beam recovery. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide improved beam management reporting. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to provide improved assistance information to the network to assist the network in avoiding beam failure and / or improve beam recovery.

[0007] The listing or discussion of any prior-published document or any background in this specification should not necessarily be taken as an acknowledgement that the document or background is part of the state of the art or is common general knowledge. One or more aspects / examples of the present disclosure may or may not address one or more of the background issues.

[0008] BRIEF SUMMARY

[0009] The invention is defined in the independent claims.

[0010] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. Any examples and features described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various embodiments of the invention.According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a method, performed by a User Equipment, UE, wherein the method comprises:

[0011] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;

[0012] determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:

[0013] determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and

[0014] determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0015] According to at least some examples of the disclosure there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing at least part of one or more methods described herein.

[0016] According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there is provided an apparatus comprising:

[0017] at least one processor; and

[0018] at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least a part of one or more methods described herein.

[0019] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least part of one or more methods described herein.

[0020] According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least a part of one or more methods described herein.According to various, but not necessarily all, examples of the disclosure there is provided: a module, circuitry, a chipset comprising processing circuitry, a device and / or a system configured to (or comprising means for) perform(ing) at least a part of one or more methods described herein.

[0021] The following portion of this ‘Brief Summary’ section describes various features that can be features of any of the examples described in the foregoing portion of the ‘Brief Summary’ section mutatis mutandis.

[0022] In some but not necessarily all examples, the method further comprises:

[0023] triggering the at least one prediction, wherein the triggering is at least in part in response to determining that the at least one condition has been met.

[0024] In some but not necessarily all examples, the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:

[0025] at least one prediction that at least one beam failure detection is predicted to occur for the at least one second beam; or

[0026] at least one prediction of when at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur.

[0027] In some but not necessarily all examples, the information indicative of the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:

[0028] at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur before a time instance;

[0029] at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur before a time instance;

[0030] at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur after a time instance; or

[0031] at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur after a time instance.In some but not necessarily all examples, the method further comprises:

[0032] transmitting, to the network, information indicative of at least one recovery beam, wherein the transmitting is triggered responsive at least in part on determining that the at least one condition has been met.

[0033] In some but not necessarily all examples, the second information further comprises information indicative of at least one of:

[0034] at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of the at least one first beam; at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one current beam; at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one candidate beam; at least one beam measurement of the at least one first beam;

[0035] at least one beam measurement of at least one current beam;

[0036] at least one beam measurement of the at least one second beam; or

[0037] at least one beam measurement of at least one candidate beam.

[0038] In some but not necessarily all examples, the at least one second beam is at least one of: the same as the at least one first beam;

[0039] a set of beams, wherein the set of beams comprises the at least one first beam; or associated with at least one reference signal, wherein the at least one reference signal is quasi-co-located with at least one other reference signal, and wherein the at least one first beam is associated with the at least one other reference signal.

[0040] In some but not necessarily all examples, the at least one first beam is at least one of:

[0041] at least one current beam of the UE;

[0042] an indicated transmission configuration indication, TCI, state;

[0043] at least one beam used for shared channel transmission;

[0044] at least one beam used for shared channel reception;

[0045] a Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS; or

[0046] a Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

[0047] In some but not necessarily all examples, the transmitting of the second information to the network comprises:transmitting an indication to the network via a first channel; and

[0048] transmitting the second information to the network via a second channel, wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network via the second channel is conditioned on the transmission of the indication to the network via the first channel.

[0049] In some but not necessarily all examples, the first information further comprises an indication of a time period, and wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network is based at least in part on the time period.

[0050] In some but not necessarily all examples, the transmitting of the second information is controlled such that a time interval between the transmitting of the indication and the transmitting of the second information is greater than or equal to the time period.

[0051] In some but not necessarily all examples, the first information further comprises an indication of a time duration, and wherein the determining of the at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur is based at least in part on the time duration.

[0052] In some but not necessarily all examples, the determining of the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:

[0053] predicting, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the at least one second beam, whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur;

[0054] predicting whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur within the time duration; or

[0055] predicting how many beam failures of the at least one second beam are predicted to occur within the time duration.

[0056] In some but not necessarily all examples, the first information further comprises information for configuring the UE to perform a procedure, wherein the procedure comprises the UE transmitting, based at least in part on determining that the at least one condition has been met, the second information to the network.In some but not necessarily all examples, the procedure is at least one of:

[0057] a UE Initiated beam reporting procedure; or

[0058] an event-1 UE initiated beam management, UEIBM, reporting procedure.

[0059] While the above examples of the disclosure and optional features are described separately, it is to be understood that their provision in all possible combinations and permutations is contained within the disclosure. It is to be understood that various examples of the disclosure can comprise any or all the features described in respect of other examples of the disclosure, and vice versa. It is to be appreciated that any one or more or all the features, in any combination, may be implemented by / comprised in / performable by an apparatus, a method, a computer program, instructions and / or a system as desired, and as appropriate.

[0060] The description herein of a function and / or action should additionally be considered also to disclose any means suitable for performing that function and / or action. Functions and / or actions described herein can be performed in any suitable way using any suitable method.

[0061] The description of a function and / or action should additionally be considered also to disclose any instructions stored in at least one memory that, when executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform that function.

[0062] BRIEF DESCRIPTION

[0063] Some examples will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 shows an example of the subject matter described herein;

[0064] FIG. 2 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0065] FIG. 3 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0066] FIG. 4 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0067] FIG. 5 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0068] FIG. 6 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0069] FIG. 7 shows another example of the subject matter described herein;

[0070] FIG. 8 shows another example of the subject matter described herein; and

[0071] FIG. 9 shows another example of the subject matter described herein.The figures are not necessarily to scale. Certain features and views of the figures can be shown schematically or exaggerated in scale in the interest of clarity and conciseness. For example, the dimensions of some elements in the figures can be exaggerated relative to other elements to aid explication. Similar reference numerals are used in the figures to designate similar features. For clarity, all reference numerals are not necessarily displayed in all figures.

[0072] In the description and drawings, a reference number without a subscript (e.g. 123) can be used as a generic reference to a feature or class / set of features. A reference number with a subscript (e.g. 123_1 ) can be used as a specific reference, e.g. to differentiate different instances of a feature or class / set of features. The subscript can comprise two digits including a first digit that labels a group of instances and a second digit that labels different instances in the group. A numerical type subscript index (e.g. 123_1 ) can be used to indicate a specific instance of a class / a member of a set; and a non-specific instance of the class (member of the set) can be referenced using the reference number with a variable type subscript index (e.g. 123 J).

[0073] ABBREVIATIONS / DEFINITIONS

[0074] AI / ML Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning

[0075] BFD Beam Failure Detection

[0076] BFR Beam Failure Recovery

[0077] BM Beam Management

[0078] BS Base Station

[0079] CSI Channel State Information

[0080] CSI-RS Channel State Information Resource Signal

[0081] DCI Downlink Control Information

[0082] gNB Next generation NodeB, 5G / NR / next generation base station

[0083] L1 Layer 1

[0084] NW Network

[0085] PDCCH Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0086] PDSCH Physical Downlink Shared Channel

[0087] PUCCH Physical Uplink Control Channel

[0088] PUSCH Physical Uplink Shared Channel

[0089] QCL Quasi Co Location

[0090] RAN Radio Access NetworkRRC Radio Resource Control

[0091] RS Reference Signal

[0092] RSRP Reference Signal Received Power

[0093] SSB Synchronization Signal / PBCH Block

[0094] TCI Transmission Configuration Indicator

[0095] UE User Equipment

[0096] UEI UE-lnitiated

[0097] UEIBM UE-lnitiated Beam Management

[0098] UEIBR UE-lnitiated Beam Report

[0099] UL Uplink

[0100] DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 schematically illustrates an example of a network 100 suitable for use with examples of the present disclosure. The network (which may be referred to as NW) comprises a plurality of nodes 101 (which may be referred to as network nodes or nodes of the network), including:

[0101] • terminal nodes 110 (which may be referred to as: terminal apparatuses, terminal devices or User Equipment, UE);

[0102] • access nodes 120 (which may be referred to as: access apparatuses, gNodeBs, gNBs, or Base Stations, BSs); and

[0103] • one or more core nodes 130 (which may be referred to as: core apparatuses, core functions, core entities, core network nodes or core network entities - one core node / function / entity of which being an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF).

[0104] The access nodes 120 and core nodes 130 may be referred to as Network Entities, NE, 102.

[0105] The terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicate with each other. The access nodes 120 communicate with the core nodes 130. One or more access nodes 120 may, in some but not necessarily all examples, communicate with each other. One or more core network nodes 130 may, in some but not necessarily all examples, communicate with each other.

[0106] The network 100, in the example illustrates in FIG. 1, comprises a radio telecommunications network in which at least some of the terminal nodes 110 and access nodes 120 communicatewith each other using transmission / reception of radio waves. In this regard, the network 100 comprises a Radio Access Network, RAN, such as a cellular network comprising a plurality of cells 122 each served by an access node 120. The access nodes 120 comprise cellular radio transceivers. The terminal nodes 110 comprise cellular radio transceivers.

[0107] In the example illustrated and discussed below, the network 100 is a New Radio, NR, network of the Third Generation Partnership Project, 3GPP, and its fifth generation, 5G, New Radio, NR, technology. It is to be appreciated, however, that in other examples, the network 100 may be a network beyond 5G, for example a next generation (i.e. sixth generation, 6G) Radio Network that is currently under development (i.e. an evolution of the NR network and its 5G technology).

[0108] The interfaces between the terminal nodes 110 and the access nodes 120 are radio interfaces 124 (e.g., Uu interfaces). The interfaces between the access nodes 120 and one or more core nodes 130 are backhaul interfaces 128 (e.g., S1 and / or Next Generation, NG, interfaces).

[0109] Depending on the exact deployment scenario, the access nodes 120 may be RAN nodes such as NG-RAN nodes. NG-RAN nodes may be gNodeBs, gNBs, that provide NG user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE. The gNBs are connected by means of NG interfaces to a 5G Core, 5GC, not least for example to an Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF, by means of an NG Control Plane, NG-C, interface and to a User Plane Function, UPF, by means of an NG User Plane, NG-U, interface. The AMF may be connected by means of an N1 interface to the UE (not shown). The access nodes 120 may be interconnected with each other by means of Xn interfaces 126.

[0110] The cellular network 100 may be configured to operate in licensed frequency bands, or unlicensed frequency bands (not least such as: unlicensed bands that rely upon a transmitting device to sense the radio resources / medium before commencing transmission, such as via a Listen Before Talk, LBT, procedure; and a 60GHz unlicensed band where beamforming may be required to achieve required coverage).

[0111] The access nodes 120 may be deployed in an NG standalone operation / scenario. The access nodes 120 may be deployed in a NG non-standalone operation / scenario. The access nodes 120may be deployed in a Carrier Aggregation, CA, operation / scenario. The access nodes 120 may be deployed in a Dual Connectivity, DC, operation / scenario, i.e., Multi Radio Access Technology - Dual Connectivity, MR-DC, or NR-DC. The access nodes 120 may be deployed in a Multi Connectivity, MC, operation / scenario.

[0112] In such non-standalone / dual connectivity deployments, the access nodes 120 may be interconnected to each other by means of X2 or Xn interfaces, and connected to an Evolved Packet Core, EPC, by means of an S1 interface or to the 5GC by means of a NG interface.

[0113] One or more terminal nodes 110, in addition to being capable of communicating (i.e. with other terminal nodes) via access nodes 120 of the network 100, may also be capable of and configured to communicate directly with one or more other terminal nodes. In this regard, the terminal node may be capable of and configured to perform device-to-device, D2D, communication - which may be referred to as Sidelink, SL, communication. Such D2D / SL communication may use a PC5 interface. PC5 refers to a reference point where the terminal node communicates directly with another terminal node over a direct channel (i.e. communication via an access node is not required). D2D communications may be short-range, network-less, direct communications. SL in New Radio (NR) is defined in 3GPP’s release 16 of 5G NR.

[0114] In the example of FIG. 1 the core node 130 (i.e. 5GC) is shown as a single entity. In some examples the core node 130 could be distributed across a plurality of entities. For example, the core node 130 could be cloud based or distributed in any other suitable manner. The core node / core entities may provide one or more functions, not least such as: User Plane Function UPF, Session Management Function SMF, Policy Control Function PCF, Application Function AF, Location Management Function, LMF, and Access and Mobility Management Function, AMF.

[0115] The access nodes 120 are network elements in the network responsible for radio transmission and reception in one or more cells 122 to or from the terminal nodes 110. The access nodes 120 are the network termination of a radio link. Each access node may be a Transmission Reception Point, TRP, or may host one or more TRPs.An access node 120 may be implemented as a single network equipment, or have a split architecture that is disaggregated / distributed over two or more access nodes, such as a Centralized / Control Unit, CU, a Distributed Unit, DU, a Remote Radio Head-end, RRH, using different functional-split architectures and different interfaces.

[0116] The terminal nodes 110 are network elements in the network that terminate the user side of the radio link. They are devices allowing access to network services. Terminal node 110 functionalities may be performed also by Mobile Termination, MT, part of an Integrated Access and Backhaul, IAB, node. The terminal nodes 110 may be referred to as User Equipment, UE, mobile equipment, mobile terminals, or mobile stations.

[0117] The term ‘User Equipment’ may be used to designate mobile equipment comprising means, such as a smart card, for authentication / encryption etc. such as a Subscriber Identity Module, SIM. A SIM / SIM card can be a memory chip, a module, or a Universal Subscriber Identity Module (USIM). In some examples, the term ‘User Equipment’ can be used to designate a location / position tag, a hyper / smart, a hyper / smart sensor, or a mobile equipment comprising circuitry embedded as part of the user equipment for authentication / encryption such as a software SIM.

[0118] In the following description:

[0119] • a terminal node of a network (i.e. wherein the network comprises a RAN / cell ular network not least such as a 5G or 6G next generation RAN) be referred to simply as UE 110;

[0120] • an access node of the network may be referred to interchangeably as BS 120 or gNB 120; and

[0121] • the network may be referred to simply as NW 100, and network entities may be referred to simply as NE 102.

[0122] There now follows a brief discussion of UE-initiated beam management, UEIBM.

[0123] A UE-initiated beam management, UEIBM, feature refers to a case where a UE may be configured with at least one event / condition, and then the UE may start beam reporting if the atleast one event / condition occurs or is satisfied (e.g., to facilitate a beam switch). The improvements aimed by this feature are twofold:

[0124] • Reduce overhead, such that beam reports are sent by the UE only when needed, avoiding unnecessary beam reports that may otherwise occur in case of periodic reporting configured with small periodicities.

[0125] • Reduce latency, such that, as soon as certain events / conditions are met, a beam report can be sent, avoiding delays that may otherwise occur in case of periodic reporting configured with large periodicities.

[0126] With regards to which event(s) may trigger a UEIBM report, one event that can trigger a UEIBM report is where a quality of at least one new beam (such as Layer 1 Reference Signal Received Power, L1 -RSRP) becomes a “threshold value” better than a quality of a current beam. Such an event may be referred to as ““Event-2”. For example, the network may configure the UE with a certain threshold, for example 3 d B, and when the UE measures a new beam to have a L1 -RSRP which is 3 dB better than the L1-RSRP of the current beam, then a UEIBM report is triggered.

[0127] Other events that can trigger a UEIBM report include:

[0128] • “Event-1”, where a quality of a current beam, such as L1-RSRP, is worse than a certain threshold. Event-1 may be used to avoid costly procedures like Beam Failure Recovery, BFR;

[0129] • “Event-7”, where a quality of at least one new beam, such as L1-RSRP, becomes a threshold value better than a Reference Signal, RS, that is derived from an activated TCI state with a Qthbest quality. Event-7 may be used to update an active TCI state list.

[0130] With regards to what may be reported (i.e. an uplink, UL, signal content of the UEIBM report), for Event-2, with L1-RSRP as quality metric, the UE may reports N beams, for example a top N beams, with N>1 configured by the network (via Radio Resource Control, RRC) wherein at least one of the N beams satisfies Event-2. Then, in addition to those N beams, the network may configure, via RRC, the UE to also report the current beam.With regards to how the reports may be sent by the UE to the network, two procedures may be employed for sending the report - such procedures may be referred to as “Mode A” and “Mode B”.

[0131] In Mode A, a second UL channel for the UEIBM report is dynamically scheduled by a gNB. In Mode A, the following steps are implemented:

[0132] a. the UE sends, in a first PUCCH channel, an UL indication to request, to the gNB, resources in a second UL channel to carry the UEIBM report;

[0133] b. the gNB indicates (via Downlink Control Information, DCI) to the UE a resource in a second UL channel to carry the UEIBM report;

[0134] c. the UE sends the UEIBM report on the second UL channel.

[0135] In Mode B, a second UL channel for the UEIBM report is pre-configured by the gNB. In Mode B, the following steps are implemented:

[0136] a. the UE sends, in a first PUCCH channel, an UL indication to notify to the gNB that a UEIBM report will be transmitted in a second UL channel; b. the UE sends the UEIBM report on the second UL channel.

[0137] It is envisaged that, in Release 19 of 3GPP’s standards, Mode A may be a baseline and may be supported by all UEs capable of UEIBM reporting, whereas Mode B may be optional and may be supported only by some UEs.

[0138] With regards to which RSs are monitored / measured by the UE for current and new beams, for Event-2, the UE may monitor a current beam and a certain number of new beams (as used herein, “new” beams may be referred to as “candidate beams” or “candidate new beams”). More specifically:

[0139] • the RS(s) for the new beam(s) may be explicitly configured by the network via RRC and can be either a set of Synchronization Signals / PBCH Blocks, SSBs or a set of Channel State Information Resource Signals, CSI-RSs;

[0140] • the RS for the current beam may be related to an indicated TCI state, with an implicit method such that a current beam may be either an actual RS in the indicated TCI state or an SSB which is Quasi Co Located, QCLed, with the actual RS in the indicated TCIstate, depending on a configured set of new beams, to make sure that current and new beams are of the same “type”, e.g., either all SSBs or all CSI-RSs.

[0141] With regards to Event-1 based UE-initiated / event-driven beam reporting, at least one among the following options may be selected for RS measurement:

[0142] • Option-1: RS resource set for new beam is NOT configured in a CSI reporting configuration, and an explicit RRC selection for “Scheme-1” and “Scheme-2” is introduced

[0143] • Option-2: RS resource set for new beam is configured in the CSI reporting configuration, and the following implicit manner for enabling one of either Scheme-1 or Scheme-2 is used:

[0144] o if the RS(s) for new beam are CSI-RS configured in a CSI-RS resource set configured with repetition, Scheme-1 is enabled;

[0145] o otherwise, Scheme-2 is enabled.

[0146] Wherein:

[0147] in Scheme-1 : RS for current beam is the QCL RS in the indicated TCI state

[0148] in Scheme-2: RS for current beam is the SSB which is QCLed with the QCL RS in the indicated TCI state.

[0149] An Event-1 beam report reports L1-RSRP measurements of RSs of a current beam to the network. This merely provides an instantaneous snapshot of the beam’s quality at a particular instant. No filtering, or averaging over a time window occurs. Hence an L1 -RSRP of an Event-1 beam report does not optimally inform the network as to a likelihood of a beam failure. For instance, a low L1-RSRP measurement could simply be a one-off isolated drop that happened to occur at the time of measurement, that before and after the measurement the beam quality was good - in which case, in spite of a low L1-RSRP measurement value there could be a low probability of a beam failure.

[0150] There now follows a brief discussion of Beam Failure Detection, BFD, and Beam Failure Recovery, BFR.Beam failure detection and recovery procedure is specified in 3GPP Technical Specification, TS, 38.321-5.17 (version 18.4.0). Beam failure recovery is designed to ensure connectivity and reliability, even in challenging radio conditions. The BFR procedure addresses situations where a signal strength of a connected beam drops below a predefined threshold, which thereby indicates beam failure. The process starts with a UE detecting a beam failure event. This occurs when a signal strength of a connected beam, typically measured using L1-RSRP of a reference signal, falls below a predefined threshold. When such a BFD event occurs, the UE searches for a candidate beam with better signal quality. The UE triggers the BFR process by transmitting a request to the network, e.g. using a PRACH preamble linked to the candidate beam. The network then responds with the necessary configuration, completing the recovery process and reestablishing a reliable connection.

[0151] Event-1 aims at avoiding beam failure or the need to recover a link. It can be observed that there are similarities between Event-1 (e.g. as defined in 3GPP Rel-19 MIMO Phase 5) and Beam Failure Detection and Recovery (e.g. defined in earlier 3GPP releases).

[0152] While Event-1 is configured by the network and can have different thresholds for triggering it, BFD has a fixed quality threshold for determining beam failure / failure instance (i.e. a block error rate for an estimated Physical Downlink Control Channel, PDCCH, quality may be set to certain value such as 10%).

[0153] For Artificial I ntelligence / Machine, AIML, beam management AI / ML models may be used to make predictions related to beams, e.g. spatial and temporal predictions and signal quality predictions (not least such as relating to RSRP).

[0154] Event-1 may be predicted, e.g. by making use of a duly trained Artificial I ntelligence / Machine Learning, AI / ML, model. In this regard, a UE may input beam measurements (e.g. L1 RSRP measurements) into the AI / ML model which is trained to output, during inference, either:

[0155] a predicted L1 RSRP value, based on which an Event-1 prediction is made (e.g. using a further AI / ML model);; or

[0156] an Event-1 prediction during inference.BFD may also be predicted, e.g. by making use of a duly trained AI / ML model. In this regard, a UE may input beam measurements (e.g. L1 RSRP measurements) into the AI / ML model which is trained to output, during inference, either:

[0157] a predicted L1 RSRP value, based on which a BFD prediction is made (e.g. using a further AI / ML model); or

[0158] a BFD prediction based on the same during inference.

[0159] However, currently there is no strict connection between Event-1 and BFD (likewise there is no connection between Event-1 prediction and BFD prediction), in the sense that a UE may report Event-1, but later BFD / BFR may be triggered or even never triggered. Furthermore, currently Event-1 will just trigger a beam report, but it is up to network to follow-up with a TCI state switch or not.

[0160] As will be set out in further detail below, various examples of the present disclosure seek to provide a signaling procedure, and UL signaling content, to enable improved beam management. Various examples seek to provide UE-initiated / event-driven beam reporting that may facilitate fast beam switching so as to avoid / reduce beam failure and the need for beam failure recovery.

[0161] As will be set out in further detail below:

[0162] • in certain examples of the disclosure, a determination that an Event-1 condition has been met triggers a transmission, to the network, of a BFD prediction;

[0163] • in certain other examples of the disclosure, a prediction that an Event-1 condition will be met triggers a transmission, to the network of a BFD prediction; and

[0164] • in certain yet further other examples of the disclosure, a prediction that an Event-1 condition will be met triggers a transmission, to the network, of a prediction of a duration of the Event-1.

[0165] Advantageously, the provision of such information (e.g. BFD prediction or duration of the Event-1) may enable improved beam management by providing the network with information for enabling it to determine whether to switch beams in order to avoid / reduce beam failure and the need for beam failure recovery.FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an example of a procedure 200 and a signaling framework, between a UE 110, and the network, NW 100 (e.g. a network entity, NE, 102 such as a gNB 120 serving the UE)

[0166] for supporting the procedure.

[0167] In some examples, the procedure 200 is a UEIBM reporting procedure, for example an Event-1 triggered reporting of a BFD prediction.

[0168] In block 201, the UE receives, from the network, first information 211 which is indicative of a threshold beam measurement value 212.

[0169] In block 202, the UE determines whether a condition has been met, wherein such a determination comprises:

[0170] determining, e.g. measuring, (in block 203) a beam measurement value 213 of a first beam 214, and

[0171] determining (in block 204) that the beam measurement value of the first beam is less than the threshold beam measurement value.

[0172] The beam measurement value may be a beam quality metric, e.g. L1 Received Signal Received Power, L1-RSRP. The threshold beam measurement value 212 may comprise at least one of:

[0173] a threshold L1 beam measurement value, such as a threshold L1 RSRP value; an Event-1 threshold value; or

[0174] an Event-1 condition / criteria (i.e. a condition / criteria which, when met, is indicative of an occurrence of Event-1 / a triggering of Event-1).

[0175] In some examples, the threshold beam measurement value 212 received in the first information 211 in block 201 is a threshold beam measurement value for enabling the UE to determine whether a condition, e.g. an Event-1 condition / criteria, has been met / satisfied. In this regard, the first information provides information (e.g. a threshold, rule or condition) for enabling the UE to determine whether a condition has been met. For instance, the UE may measure a quality of the beam (e.g. an L1-RSRP measurement value of an RS [e.g. CSI-RS or SSB] transmitted by the network via the first beam), and compare it to the threshold beam measurement value 212to evaluate whether the L1-RSRP measurement value crosses (e.g. is less than) the threshold beam measurement value 212, and thereby determining / detecting whether the Event-1 condition has been met.

[0176] In some examples, the first beam is at least one of:

[0177] a current beam of the UE;

[0178] associated with a reference signal of an indicated transmission configuration indication, TCI, state;

[0179] a beam used for a shared channel, e.g. shared channel transmission / reception (i.e. PxSCH such as PDSCH or PUSCH);

[0180] a Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS; or

[0181] a Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

[0182] In some examples (not shown in FIG. 2, but shown in step 6 of FIG. 3), the UE determi nes / makes a prediction 216 whether a beam failure of a second beam 217 is predicted to occur.

[0183] In some examples, the prediction is triggered in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0184] In some examples, the second beam is at least one of:

[0185] the same as the first beam (in this regard, in effect, the BFD prediction transmitted in block 205 relates to the same beam / same reference signal that was used in the determination of block 202 that triggered the transmission of block 205);

[0186] a current beam of the UE;

[0187] associated with a reference signal of an indicated TCI state;

[0188] a beam used for shared channel transmission / reception;

[0189] a candidate / new beam;

[0190] a beam quasi-co-located with a current beam of the UE;

[0191] associated with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is quasi-co-located with another reference signal, and wherein the first beam is associated with the another reference signal;

[0192] a CSI-RS; ora Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

[0193] In some examples, the prediction comprise at least one of the following:

[0194] a prediction that beam failure detection is predicted to occur for the second beam (this may be referred to as a BFD prediction for the second beam); or

[0195] a prediction of when a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur (such a prediction in the temporal domain may be considered to be a temporal prediction of BFD for the second beam).

[0196] In some examples, the prediction comprises at least one of the following:

[0197] an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur before a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to happen before a certain time instance t);

[0198] an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted not to occur before a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted not to happen before a certain time instance t); an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur after a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to happen after a certain time instance t); or an indication that beam failure of the second beam is predicted not to occur after a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to not happen after a certain time instance t).

[0199] Such predictions may be determined / predicted by making use of a duly trained AI / ML model. In this regard, a UE may input beam measurements (e.g. L1 RSRP measurements) into the AI / ML model which is trained to output the prediction based on the same during inference.

[0200] In block 205, in response to determining (in block 202) that the condition has been met, the UE transmits, to the network, second information 215 that comprises information indicative of a prediction 216 of whether a beam failure of the second beam 217 is predicted to occur. In this regard, the transmitting of the second information is triggered by the determination that the condition has been met.

[0201] In some examples, the transmitting of the second information to the network in block 205 comprises:transmitting an indication (e.g. a single bit) to the network via a first channel (e.g. a PUCCH); and

[0202] transmitting the second information to the network via a second channel (e.g. a PUSCH), wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network via the second channel is conditioned on the transmission of the indication to the network via the first channel.

[0203] In some examples, the transmitting of the second information to the network in block 205 may be effected via “Mode A” of “Mode B” as discussed above. In this regard, the indication may be either:

[0204] i) an indication to request resources for transmitting the second information over the second channel (i.e. as per “Mode A”); or

[0205] ii) an indication to notify the network that the UE will send the second information over the second channel using previously configured resources (i.e. as per “Mode B”).

[0206] In either case, the indication may nevertheless indicate to the network that the condition has been met.

[0207] In some examples, the first information received in block 201 further comprises an indication of a time period, and the transmitting of the second information in block 205 is based / conditioned at least in part on the time period. In this regard, the transmitting of the second information may be controlled such that a time interval between the transmitting of the indication and the transmitting of the second information is greater than or equal to the time period. Advantageously, such a time period may thereby effectively provide a minimal time duration between the transmissions over the first and second channels which provides a minimal time duration for the predicting / inference operation of determining the BFD prediction that is reported in block 205.

[0208] In some examples, the first information received in block 201 further comprises an indication of a time duration, wherein a determination of the prediction is based at least in part on the time duration. In this regard, the determining of the prediction may comprises at least one of the following:predicting whether a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur (such predicting may be based on at least in part on one or more measurements of the second beam and performing an inference operation with the same by inputting the measurements into an AI / ML model that has been trained to provide output predictions based on such inputs);

[0209] predicting whether a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur within the time duration; or

[0210] predicting how many beam failures of the second beam are predicted to occur within the time duration.

[0211] Such predictions may be based on the UE’s measurement of past x instances of L1 -RSRP of a downlink, DL, RS (e.g. CSI-RS or SSB) of the second beam which are applied to a channel model that the UE has in order to enable to UE to predict x future instances of L1 -RSRP of the DL RS of the second beam. Based on such a temporal prediction of L1 -RSRP values for a next x ms, along with an RRC configured minimum time duration / BFD timer and counter thresholds, the UE can predict if the second beam will go in failure, i.e. the UE can predict BFD.

[0212] In some examples, the second information further comprises information indicative of at least one of:

[0213] a prediction of a beam failure of the first beam;

[0214] a prediction of a beam failure of a current beam;

[0215] a prediction of a beam failure of a candidate / new beam;

[0216] a beam measurement of the first beam;

[0217] a beam measurement of the current beam;

[0218] a beam measurement of the second beam; or

[0219] a beam measurement of the candidate / new beam.

[0220] In some examples, in response to determining (in block 202) that the condition has been met, the UE also transmits, to the network, information indicative of a recovery beam. Advantageously, such information may also assist the network in effecting beam switch.In some examples (not shown in FIG. 2 but shown in step 1 of FIG. 3), the first information further comprises information for configuring the UE to perform a procedure, wherein the procedure comprises the UE transmitting, based at least in part on determining that the condition has been met, the second information to the network. In this regard, the procedure may be a UEIBM reporting procedure, such as an Event-1 based / triggered UEIBM reporting procedure.

[0221] It is to be appreciated that, in the above described example (as well as various of the below described examples), refences to “a / an / the” [feature / element (e.g. a first beam, a condition, a beam measurement value, a condition, a prediction etc...)] are to be understood as having an inclusive not an exclusive meaning and hence are to be interpreted as “at least one” [feature / element (e.g. at least one first beam, at least one condition, at least one beam measurement value, at least one condition, at least one prediction etc...)].

[0222] FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram showing signaling (between a UE 110 and the network 100) and a procedure 300 for assisting the network in determining a criticality of an occurrence of event-1.

[0223] In this regard, in broad overview, in response to determining an instance of event-1 occurring for a beam, a BFD prediction (i.e. a prediction of whether the beam is predicted to fail) is sent to the network. In other words, upon determining that event-1 ’s conditions have been met (i.e. upon triggering of event-1) a BFD prediction is sent to the network. The BFD prediction supplements the event-1 beam report (i.e. a CSI report triggered by event-1) with information that indicates the criticality of the event-1 occurrence and whether the beam is predicted to fail and hence whether a beam switch ought to be performed.

[0224] In step 1 (which broadly corresponds to block 201 of FIG 2), the network configures the UE, via RRC, with configuration information for event-1 trigger and BFD prediction. This includes configuring the UE to define (in step 5 discussed below) a minimum time duration between triggering first and second channels (in steps 4 and 7 discussed below). The event-1 trigger may comprise one or more conditions which, if satisfied, trigger event-1. Such one or more conditions may comprise a threshold value of a signal quality metric, e.g. L1-RSRP threshold (wherein, ifthe UE measures an L1-RSRP value less than the L1-RSRP threshold, then this constitutes the condition being met and thereby triggers an occurrence / instance of event-1).

[0225] In step 2, the network transmits measurement reference signals, RSs, (e.g. CSI-RS) to the UE to measure. Such RSs may be transmitted via a first beam.

[0226] In step 3 (which broadly corresponds to blocks 202, 203 and 204) of FIG 2), the UE measures a signal quality metric, e.g. L1-RSRP, of the RSs received in step 2. The UE determines whether the event-1 condition has been met. In this regard, the UE determines whether the L1-RSRP measurements of step 3 are less than the L1-RSRP threshold.

[0227] In step 4, in response to determining that the event-1 condition(s) has / have been met and that event-1 has been triggered, the UE triggers a first channel (e.g. PUCCH or a Scheduling Request, SR) for transmitting an event-1 report, i.e. via Mode A or Mode B.

[0228] In step 5, the UE determines a minimum time duration (i.e. based on the minimum time duration configuration information the UE received in step 1) between triggering the first channel in step 4 and triggering the second channel in step 7’s sending of the event-1 report and a BFD prediction via the second channel. This minimum time duration effectively gives the UE a minimum amount of time in which it can perform an inference procedure to perform BFD prediction. In this regard, the UE may have a minimum about of time in which it can receive and measure RSs from a beam and input the beam measurements into an AI / ML model trained to output BFD predictions based such inputs).

[0229] In step 6, the UE performs BFD prediction (i.e. via an inference procedure using the trained AI / ML model).

[0230] BFD prediction may contain at least one of the following:

[0231] • time prediction of BFD occurrence, for example with at least one of the following: o BFD is predicted to not happen before a certain time instance t

[0232] o BFD is predicted to happen before a certain time instance t

[0233] o BFD is predicted to not happen after a certain time instance to BFD is predicted to happen after a certain time instance t

[0234] • Spatial & Temporal prediction of recovery beam(s) (e.g. if BFD prediction is indicated)

[0235] In some examples, the UE may be configured to perform BFD prediction for the reference signal that triggered the CSI reporting based on event-1. In this regard, the BFD prediction may be performed for the same RS / beam which triggered event-1, i.e. whose measured L1-RSRP value was less than the event-1 condition / L1 -RSRP threshold value such that the event-1 condition was determine to be satisfied such that event-1 was deemed to have occurred / been triggered.

[0236] In this regard, when the UE is configured to perform BFD prediction in association with event-1, the UE may be configured to consider a minimal time duration between the transmission of the first and second channel, in order to facilitate inference operation of BFD prediction.

[0237] In some examples, when the UE’s current beam is a CSI RS, the UE may be configured to perform BFD prediction for at least one of the following:

[0238] the actual current beam, i.e., the CSI-RS in an indicated TCI state, or

[0239] an SSB which is QCL-ed with the CSI-RS in an indicated TCI state.

[0240] In some examples, the UE may be configured to include predicted information on a triggered CSI report for event-1 based on a network configured time interval, i.e. if BFD is predicted (i.e. a maximum number of beam failure instances are predicted / counted), for the reference signal that triggered event-1, to occur within the time interval T (X milliseconds).

[0241] In some examples, the UE may be configured to include one or more (if any) candidate beams if the CSI report indicates a predicted BFD occurrence for the reference signal that triggered event-1 reporting.

[0242] In step 7 (which broadly corresponds to block 205 of FIG 2), the UE transmits, via a second channel (e.g. PUSCH) the BFD prediction. The UE also reports the event-1 report (i.e. the beam report [e.g. CSI report] of the UE-lnitiated Beam Report, UEIBR, that is triggered by event-1’s condition(s) being met). The BFD prediction may be provided in the UEIBR or it may be sent separately (e.g. via another channel).FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an example of a procedure 400 and a signaling framework, between a UE 110 and a NW 100, for supporting the procedure.

[0243] In some examples, the procedure 400 is a UEIBM reporting procedure, for example an Event-1 based / triggered reporting of a BFD prediction.

[0244] In block 401, the UE receives, from the network, first information 411 which is indicative of a threshold beam measurement value 412.

[0245] In block 402, the UE determines whether a condition has been met, wherein such a determination comprises:

[0246] predicting (in block 403) a beam measurement value 413 of a first beam 414, and determining (in block 404) that the beam measurement value of the first beam is less than the threshold beam measurement value.

[0247] The prediction of block 403 may be determined / predicted by making use of an AI / ML model which is trained to output a beam measurement prediction.

[0248] In some example, (not shown in FIG. 4, but shown in step 4 of FIG. 5) the UE transmits, to the network, an indication that the condition is predicted to be met. In this regard, the UE may indicate to the network that an instance of event-1 is predicted (as compared to an instance of event-1 being actually detected / determined such as in FIG. 2).

[0249] The beam measurement value may be a beam quality metric, e.g. L1 Received Signal Received Power, L1-RSRP. The threshold beam measurement value 212 may comprise at least one of:

[0250] a threshold L1 beam measurement value, such as a threshold L1 RSRP value;

[0251] a predicted Event-1 threshold value; or

[0252] a predicted Event-1 condition / criteria (i.e. a condition / criteria which, when predicted to be met, is indicative of a predicted occurrence of Event-1 / a predicted triggering of Event- 1).In some examples, the threshold beam measurement value 412 received in the first information 411 in block 401 is a threshold predicted beam measurement value for enabling the UE to determine / predict whether a condition, e.g. an Event-1 condition / criteria, has been / will be met. In this regard, the first information provides information (e.g. a threshold, rule or condition) for enabling the UE to determine / predict whether a condition is met. For instance, the UE may predict a quality of the beam (e.g. predict an L1-RSRP measurement value of an RS [e.g. CSI-RS or SSB] of the first beam), and compare it to the threshold predicted beam measurement value 412 to evaluate whether the predicted L1-RSRP measurement value crosses (e.g. is less than) the threshold predicted beam measurement value 412, and thereby determining / predicting whether the Event-1 condition has been / will be met.

[0253] In some examples, the first beam is at least one of:

[0254] a current beam of the UE;

[0255] associated with a reference signal of an indicated transmission configuration indication, TCI, state;

[0256] a beam used for a shared channel, e.g. shared channel transmission / reception (i.e. PxSCH such as PDSCH or PUSCH);

[0257] a Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS; or

[0258] a Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

[0259] In some examples (not shown in FIG. 4, but shown in step 7 of FIG. 5), the UE determi nes / makes a prediction 416 whether a beam failure of a second beam 417 is predicted to occur. In some examples, the prediction is triggered in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0260] In some examples, the second beam is at least one of:

[0261] the same as the first beam (in this regard, in effect, the BFD prediction transmitted in block 405 relates to the same beam / same reference signal that was used in the determination of block 402 that triggered the transmission of block 405);

[0262] a current beam of the UE;

[0263] associated with a reference signal of an indicated TCI state;

[0264] a beam used for shared channel transmission / reception;

[0265] a candidate / new beam;a beam quasi-co-located with a current beam of the UE;

[0266] associated with a reference signal, wherein the reference signal is quasi-co-located with another reference signal, and wherein the first beam is associated with the another reference signal;

[0267] a CSI-RS; or

[0268] a Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

[0269] In some examples, the prediction whether a beam failure is predicted to occur comprise at least one of the following:

[0270] a prediction that beam failure detection is predicted to occur for the second beam (this may be referred to as a BFD prediction for the second beam); or

[0271] a prediction of when a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur (such a prediction in the temporal domain may be considered to be a temporal prediction of BFD for the second beam).

[0272] In some examples, the prediction comprises at least one of the following:

[0273] an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur before a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to happen before a certain time instance t);

[0274] an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted not to occur before a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted not to happen before a certain time instance t); an indication that a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur after a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to happen after a certain time instance t); or an indication that beam failure of the second beam is predicted not to occur after a time instance (e.g. a BFD is predicted to not happen after a certain time instance t).

[0275] Such predictions may be determi ned / predicted by making use of a duly trained AI / ML model. In this regard, a UE may input beam measurements (e.g. L1 RSRP measurements) into the AI / ML model which is trained to output the prediction based on the same during inference.

[0276] In block 405, in response to determining (in block 402) that the condition has been met, the UE transmits, to the network, second information 415 that comprises information indicative of a prediction 416 of whether a beam failure of the second beam 417 is predicted to occur. In thisregard, the transmitting of the second information is triggered by the determination that the condition has been met.

[0277] In some examples, the transmitting of the second information to the network in block 405 comprises:

[0278] transmitting an indication to the network via a first channel (e.g. a PUCCH); and transmitting the second information to the network via a second channel (e.g. a PUSCH), wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network via the second channel is conditioned on the transmission of the indication to the network via the first channel.

[0279] In some examples, the transmitting of the second information to the network in block 405 may be effected via “Mode A” of “Mode B” as discussed above. In this regard, the indication may be either:

[0280] an indication to request resources for transmitting the second information over the second channel (i.e. as per “Mode A”); or

[0281] an indication to notify the network that the UE will send the second information over the second channel using previously configured resources (i.e. as per “Mode B”).

[0282] In some examples, the first information received in block 401 further comprises an indication of a time period, and the transmitting of the second information in block 405 is based / conditioned at least in part on the time period. In this regard, the transmitting of the second information may be controlled such that a time interval between the transmitting of the indication and the transmitting of the second information is greater than or equal to the time period. Advantageously, such a time period may thereby effectively provide a minimal time duration between the transmissions over the first and second channels which provides a minimal time duration for the predicting / inference operation of determining the BFD prediction that is reported in block 405.

[0283] In some examples, the first information received in block 401 further comprises an indication of a time duration, wherein a determination of the prediction is based at least in part on the time duration. In this regard, the determining of the prediction may comprises at least one of the following:predicting whether a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur (such predicting may be based on at least in part on one or more measurements of the second beam and performing an inference operation with the same by inputting the measurements into an AI / ML model that has been trained to provide output predictions based on such inputs);

[0284] predicting whether a beam failure of the second beam is predicted to occur within the time duration; or

[0285] predicting how many beam failures of the second beam are predicted to occur within the time duration.

[0286] Such predictions may be based on the UE’s measurement of past x instances of L1 -RSRP of a downlink, DL, RS (e.g. CSI-RS or SSB) of the second beam which are applied to a channel model that the UE has in order to enable to UE to predict x future instances of L1 -RSRP of the DL RS of the second beam. Based on such a temporal prediction of L1 -RSRP values for a next x ms, along with an RRC configured minimum time duration / BFD timer and counter thresholds, the UE can predict if the second beam will go in failure, i.e. the UE can predict BFD.

[0287] In some examples, the second information further comprises information indicative of at least one of:

[0288] a prediction of a beam failure of the first beam;

[0289] a prediction of a beam failure of a current beam;

[0290] a prediction of a beam failure of a candidate / new beam;

[0291] a beam measurement of the first beam;

[0292] a beam measurement of the current beam;

[0293] a beam measurement of the second beam; or

[0294] a beam measurement of the candidate / new beam.

[0295] In some examples, in response to determining (in block 402) that the condition has been met, the UE also transmits, to the network, information indicative of a recovery beam. Advantageously, such information may also assist the network in effecting beam switch.In some examples (not shown in FIG. 4 but shown in step 1 of FIG. 5), the first information further comprises information for configuring the UE to perform a procedure, wherein the procedure comprises the UE transmitting, based at least in part on determining that the condition has been met, the second information to the network. In this regard, the procedure may be a UEIBM reporting procedure, such as an Event-1 based / triggered UEIBM reporting procedure.

[0296] The signaling and procedure of FIG. 4 is similar to the signaling and procedure of FIG. 2. In essence, the main distinction is that, in FIG. 2, the reporting of a BFD prediction is triggered in response to determining that a condition has been met based on:

[0297] determining / measuring a beam measurement value, and

[0298] determining whether the beam measurement value is less than a threshold beam measurement value;

[0299] Whereas, in FIG. 4, the reporting of a BFD prediction is triggered in response to determining that a condition has been met based on:

[0300] predicting a beam measurement value, and

[0301] determining whether the predicted beam measurement value is less than a threshold beam measurement value.

[0302] To put it another way, in FIG. 4 the event may be a predicted event-1, whereas in FIG. 2 the event may be a non-predicted event-1.

[0303] It is to be appreciated that, in the above described example (as well as various of the below described examples), refences to “a / an / the” [feature / element (e.g. a first beam, a condition, a beam measurement value, a condition, a prediction etc...)] are to be understood as having an inclusive not an exclusive meaning and hence are to be interpreted as “at least one” [feature / element (e.g. at least one first beam, at least one condition, at least one beam measurement value, at least one condition, at least one prediction etc...)].

[0304] FIG. 5 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram showing signaling (between a UE 110 and the network 100) and a procedure 300 for assisting the network in determining a criticality of an occurrence of event-1.In this regard, in broad overview, in response to predicting an instance of event-1 occurring for a beam, a BFD prediction is sent to the network. In other words, upon predicting a triggering of event-1, a BFD prediction is sent to the network.

[0305] In this regard, the signaling and procedure of FIG. 5 is similar to the signaling and procedure of FIG. 3. In essence, the main distinction is that, in FIG. 3, the reporting of a BFD prediction is triggered in response to determining / detecting an actual occurrence event-1. Whereas, in FIG.

[0306] 5, the reporting of a BFD prediction is triggered in response to predicting an occurrence of event-1. In other words, in FIG. 5 the event is a predicted event-1, whereas in FIG. 3 the event is a non-predicted event-1.

[0307] In step 1 (which broadly corresponds to block 401 of FIG 4), the network configures the UE, via RRC, with configuration information for event-1 prediction and BFD prediction. This may include configuring the UE with an observation time duration as well as an L1-RSRP threshold for event-1 prediction.

[0308] The UE may use the L1-RSRP threshold for event-1 prediction to compare it with a predicted L1-RSRP. The L1-RSRP threshold for event-1 prediction may be the same as the L1-RSRP threshold for event-1 without prediction (i.e. the L1-RSRP threshold 212 of FIG. 2).

[0309] In step 2, the network transmits measurement reference signals, RSs, (e.g. CSI-RS) to the UE to measure. Such RSs may be transmitted via a first beam.

[0310] In step 3 (which broadly corresponds to blocks 402, 403 and 404 of FIG 4), the UE performs a prediction of event-1 in the temporal domain. In this regard, the UE may predict a time of event triggering, i.e. when an occurrence of event-1 is predicted to occur. The prediction may be performed by the UE inputting measurements of the RSs received in step 2 into an AI / ML model which is trained to output an event-1 prediction based on the same during inference.

[0311] In step 4, the UE sends an indication as to whether the event-1 is predicted or non-predicted. Such an indication may be sent via PUSCH / CSI-RS report. In the example of FIG. 5, the event-1 is predicted and the UE would duly indicate the same to NW in step 4. Step 4 is optional and may not be included in certain examples.

[0312] In step 5, the network transmits further reference signals, RSs, (e.g. CSI-RS) to the UE to measure (i.e. to performs BFD prediction in steps 6 and 7 below).

[0313] Step 5 is optional and may not be included in certain examples. In this regard, the BFD prediction of steps 6 and 7 may be performed with the RSs received from the network in step 2, and hence RSs need not be required to be transmitted in step 5).

[0314] In step 6, the UE performs BFD prediction (i.e. via an inference procedure using the trained AI / ML model). In this regard, the UE may input measurements of the RSs received in step 5 into an AI / ML model which is trained to output a BFD prediction based on the same during inference.

[0315] BFD prediction may contain at least one of the following:

[0316] • time prediction of BFD occurrence, for example with at least one of the following:

[0317] o BFD is predicted to not happen before a certain time instance t

[0318] o BFD is predicted to happen before a certain time instance t

[0319] o BFD is predicted to not happen after a certain time instance t

[0320] o BFD is predicted to happen after a certain time instance t

[0321] • Spatial & Temporal prediction of recovery beam(s) (e.g. if BFD prediction is indicated)

[0322] In some examples, the UE may be configured to perform BFD prediction for the reference signal / beam that triggered the CSI reporting based on the predicted event-1. In this regard, the BFD prediction may be performed for the same RS / beam which triggered the event-1 prediction, i.e. whose predicted L1-RSRP value was predicted to be less than the event-1 predicted condition / L1-RSRP threshold predicted value such that the event-1 condition was predicted to be satisfied (i.e. at some future time) such that event-1 was predicted to occur / be triggered (i.e. at some future time).

[0323] In this regard, when the UE is configured to perform BFD prediction in association with a predicted event-1, the UE may be configured to consider a minimal time duration between thetransmission of the first and second channel, in order to facilitate inference operation of BFD prediction.

[0324] In some examples, when the UE’s current beam is a CSI RS, the UE may be configured to perform BFD prediction for at least one of the following:

[0325] the actual current beam, i.e. , the CSI-RS in an indicated TCI state, or

[0326] an SSB which is QCL-ed with the CSI-RS in an indicated TCI state.

[0327] In some examples, the UE may be configured to include predicted information on a triggered CSI report for predicted event-1 based on:

[0328] a network configured time interval, i.e. if BFD is predicted (i.e. a maximum number of beam failure instances are predicted / counted), for the reference signal that triggered event-1, to occur within the time interval T (X milliseconds).

[0329] In some examples, the UE may be configured to include measurements of one or more (if any) candidate beams if the CSI report indicates a predicted BFD occurrence for the reference signal that triggered event-1 reporting.

[0330] In step 7 (which broadly corresponds to block 405 of FIG 4), the UE transmits, via a second channel (e.g. PUSCH) the BFD prediction. The UE also reports the predicted event-1 report (i.e. the predicted beam report [e.g. CSI report] of the UEIBR that is triggered by event-1 ’s condition(s) predicted to be met).

[0331] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates an example of a procedure 600 and a signaling framework, between a UE 110 and a NW 100, for supporting the procedure.

[0332] In some examples, the procedure 600 is a UEIBM reporting procedure. In some examples, the procedure 600 is a UEIBM reporting procedure for reporting of a predicted duration of an occurrence of Event-1 occurrence or a predicted duration of a predicted occurrence of Event-1. In this regard, the procedure may be:

[0333] an Event-1 based / triggered reporting of a predicted duration of the Event-1, ora predicted Event-1 based / triggered reporting of a predicted duration of the predicted Event-1.

[0334] In block 601, the UE receives, from the network, first information 611 which is indicative of a threshold beam measurement value 612.

[0335] In block 602, the UE determines whether a condition has been met, wherein such a determination comprises either:

[0336] a) determining, e.g. measuring, 603 a beam measurement value 613 of a first beam 614, and determining in block 604 that the beam measurement value 613 crosses (e.g. is less than) the threshold beam measurement value 612; or

[0337] b) predicting 603p a beam measurement value 613p of a first beam 614, and determining 604 that the predicted beam measurement value 613p is less than the threshold beam measurement value 612.

[0338] In some examples, the condition is an event-1 condition for triggering an occurrence / instance of event-1. In some examples (not shown in FIG. 7), the condition is a predicted event-1 condition for predicting a triggering of an occurrence / instance of event-1 (i.e. similar to that of FIGs. 4 and 5).

[0339] In some examples (not shown in FIG. 6, but shown in step 6 of FIG. 7), the UE predicts a duration 616 of how long the condition (e.g. event-1 condition or predicted event-1 condition) is predicted to be met, i.e. a prediction of how long the condition is predicted to lastfor / remain satisfied for. This duration prediction may be triggered in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0340] In block 605, in response to determining (in block 602) that the condition has been met, the UE transmits, to the network, second information 615 that comprises information indicative of, or related to, a prediction of a duration 616 of the at least one condition being met. In this regard, the transmitting of the second information is triggered by the determination that the condition has been met.The signaling and procedure of FIG. 6 is, in many ways, similar to the signaling and procedure of FIGs. 2 or 4, albeit that rather than transmitting information indicative of a BFD prediction responsive to determining that a condition has been met; instead information indicative of a prediction of how long the condition is predicted to be met for is transmitted responsive to determining that the condition has been met.

[0341] To put it another way, in effect, FIG. 6 comprises the reporting triggering mechanism of either FIG. 2 or FIG. 4 (i.e. FIG. 2’s event detection-based triggering, or FIG. 4’s event prediction-based triggering), but instead of being triggered to report a BFD prediction, the UE is triggered to report a prediction of how long the event is predicted to last for.

[0342] In view of the similarity of signaling and procedures 200 and 400 of FIGs. 2 and 4 with the signaling and procedure 600 of FIG. 6, it will be apricated that much of the discussion and details concerning various of the blocks and additional features described above in relation to FIGs. 2 and 4 may be equally applicable to FIG. 6 mutatis mutandis (not least such as in relation to: characteristics of the first beam, further content of the reported second information, and in. Accordingly, a discussion and details of such blocks and additional features will not be repeated or described in detail for FIG. 6.

[0343] FIG. 7 illustrates an example of a signaling diagram showing signaling (between a UE 110 and the network 100) and a procedure 700 for assisting the network in determining a criticality of an occurrence of event-1.

[0344] In this regard, in broad overview, in response to determining an instance of event-1 occurring for a beam, a prediction of a duration of the event-1 is sent to the network. In other words, upon detecting a triggering of event-1 , a prediction of a duration of the event-1 is sent to the network.

[0345] In this regard, the signaling and procedure of FIG. 7 is similar to the signaling and procedure of FIG. 3. In essence, the main distinction is that, in FIG. 3, reporting of a BFD prediction is triggered in response to determining / detecting an occurrence event-1. Whereas, in FIG. 7, reporting of a predicted duration of an event-1 an occurrence is triggered in response to determining / detectingthe occurrence of the event-1. In other words, in FIG. 7 what is reported is a predicted duration of event-1, whereas in FIG. 3 a prediction of BFD is reported.

[0346] In some examples, rather than the triggering event being a determining / detecting of an event-1 occurrence (i.e. an actual occurrence of event-1), instead the triggering event could be a prediction of an event-1 occurrence.

[0347] In step 1 (which broadly corresponds to block 601 of FIG 6), the network configures the UE, via RRC, with configuration information for event-1 trigger and duration of event-1 prediction. The event-1 trigger may comprise event-1 condition information such as a L1-RSRP threshold for event-1 determination / triggering.

[0348] In some examples, the UE is configured to perform a time domain prediction for the duration of the event-1.

[0349] In step 2, the network transmits measurement reference signals, RSs, (e.g. CSI-RS) to the UE to measure. Such RSs may be transmitted via a first beam.

[0350] In step 3 (which broadly corresponds to blocks 602, 603 and 604 of FIG 6), the UE determines if the event-1 condition is met. This is done by the UE measuring the RSs received in step 2, i.e. performing L1-RSRP measurements on the same, and comparing the L1-RSRP measurements to the L1-RSRP threshold of the evnt-1 condition.

[0351] In step 4, in response to determining that the event-1 condition has been met and that event-1 has been triggered, the UE triggers a first channel (e.g. PUCCH or a Scheduling Request, SR) for transmitting, e.g. via Mode A or Mode B, a report (i.e. comprising an event-1 report / CSI report and a prediction of the event-1 duration).

[0352] In step 5, the network transmits further reference signals, RSs, (e.g. CSI-RS) to the UE to measure, i.e. for use in predicting the event-1 duration. However, in certain examples step 5 may not be needed, as the prediction duration of event-1 (performed in step 6 below) may be performed with the RSs transmitted by the network in step 2.In step 6, the UE predicts a duration of event-1 (i.e. via an inference procedure using the trained AI / ML model). In this regard, the UE may input measurements of the RSs received in step 2 or 5 into an AI / ML model which is trained to output an event-1 duration prediction based on the same during inference.

[0353] The event-1 duration prediction may contain a time prediction of the event-1 occurrence, for example:

[0354] a prediction of a time period during which the event-1 condition is predicted to be met; or

[0355] a prediction that event-1 is predicted no longer to occur after a certain time instance t

[0356] In some examples, the UE is configured to perform event-1 duration prediction for the reference signal / beam that triggered the event-1 based CSI reporting. In this regard, the event-1 duration prediction may be performed for the same RS / beam (received in step 2) which triggered the event-1, i.e. whose measured L1-RSRP value was determined to be less than the event-1 condition / L1 -RSRP threshold value such that the event-1 condition was satisfied and such that event-1 was triggered.

[0357] In step 7 (which broadly corresponds to block 605 of FIG 6), the UE transmits, via a second channel (e.g. PUSCH) the event-1 duration prediction or information related to the predicted duration of the event. The UE also reports the event-1 report (i.e. a beam report [e.g. CSI report] of the UEIBR that is triggered by event-1 ’s condition(s) being met).

[0358] The procedures and signaling diagrams of FIGs. 2 to 7 can be considered to illustrate a plurality of methods, in the sense that each procedure and signaling diagram can be considered to illustrate one or more actions, processes or performed by / at a plurality of actors / entities (e.g. the UE and the network / network entity). The procedures and signaling diagrams can therefore be considered to illustrate a plurality of individual methods performed by each respective individual actor / entity of the plurality of the actors / entities.The blocks and steps illustrated in FIGs. 2 to 7can represent actions in a method, functionality performed by an apparatus, and / or sections of instructions, program or code. The illustration of a particular order to the blocks does not necessarily imply that there is a required or preferred order for the blocks and the order and arrangement of the block may be varied. Furthermore, it may be possible for some blocks to be omitted.

[0359] It will be understood that each block and combinations of blocks illustrated in FIGs. 2 to 7 as well as the further functionality described herein, can be implemented by various means, such as hardware, firmware, and / or software including one or more computer program instructions. For example, one or more of the functions described above can be performed by a duly configured apparatus (such as an apparatus [as shown in FIG. 8] comprising means for performing the above described functionality). One or more of the functions / functionality described above can be embodied by a duly configured computer program (such as a computer program [as shown in FIG. 9] comprising computer program instructions which embody the functions / functionality described above and which can be stored by a memory storage device and performed by a processor).

[0360] As will be appreciated, any such computer program instructions can be loaded onto a computer or other programmable apparatus (i.e. hardware) to produce a machine, such that the instructions when performed on the programmable apparatus create means for implementing the functions / functionality specified in the blocks. These computer program instructions can also be stored in a computer-readable medium that can direct a programmable apparatus to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable memory produce an article of manufacture including instruction means which implement the function specified in the blocks. The computer program instructions can also be loaded onto a programmable apparatus to cause a series of operational actions to be performed on the programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process such that the instructions which are performed on the programmable apparatus provide actions for implementing the functions / functionality specified in the blocks.

[0361] The above described component blocks and step (e.g. of the signaling diagrams) are functional and the functions, along with the further functions / functionalities described above, can beperformed by a single physical entity (such as an apparatus as is described with reference to FIG. 8, which may be embodied in / as a UE or gNB). The functions described can also be implemented by a computer program (such as is described with reference to FIG. 9, which may be executed by a processor of a UE, or gNB).

[0362] FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 10 for performing the methods, processes, procedures and signaling described in the present disclosure, not least as illustrated in FIGs. 2 to 7. In this regard the apparatus can perform the roles of an entity (such as: UE or gNB) in the illustrated and above described methods.

[0363] The component blocks of FIG. 8 are functional and the functions described can be performed by a single physical entity, not least such as a UE or gNB.

[0364] The apparatus comprises a controller 11 , which could be provided within a device / entity, not least such as a UE or gNB.

[0365] The controller 11 can be embodied by a computing device, not least such as those mentioned above. In some, but not necessarily all examples, the apparatus can be embodied as a chip, chip set, circuitry or module, i.e. for use in any of the foregoing. As used here ‘module’ refers to a unit or apparatus that excludes certain parts / components that would be added by an end manufacturer or a user.

[0366] Implementation of the controller 11 can be as controller circuitry. The controller 11 can be implemented in hardware alone, have certain aspects in software including firmware alone or can be a combination of hardware and software (including firmware).

[0367] The controller 11 can be implemented using instructions that enable hardware functionality, for example, by using executable instructions, program or code 14 in a general-purpose or specialpurpose processor 12 that can be stored on a computer readable storage medium 13, for example memory, or disk etc, to be executed by such a processor 12.The processor 12 is configured to read from and write to the memory 13. The processor 12 can also comprise an output interface via which data and / or commands are output by the processor 12 and an input interface via which data and / or commands are input to the processor 12. The apparatus can be coupled to or comprise one or more other components 15 (not least for example: a radio transceiver, sensors, input / output user interface elements and / or other modules / devices / components for inputting and outputting data / commands).

[0368] The memory 13 stores instructions such as a computer program or code 14 comprising such instructions (e.g. computer program instructions, or computer program code) that controls the operation of the apparatus 10 when loaded into the processor 12. The instructions, program or code 14 provide the logic and routines that enables the apparatus to perform the methods, processes and procedures described in the present disclosure and illustrated in FIGs. 2 and 3. The processor 12 by reading the memory 13 is able to load and execute the instructions, program or code 14.

[0369] The instructions may be comprised in a computer program, a non-transitory computer readable medium, a computer program product, a machine readable medium. 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). In some but not necessarily all examples, the computer program instructions may be distributed over more than one computer program.

[0370] Although the memory 13 is illustrated as a single component / circuitry it can be implemented as one or more separate components / circuitry some or all of which can be integrated / removable and / or can provide permanent / semi-permanent / dynamic / cached storage.

[0371] Although the processor 12 is illustrated as a single component / circuitry it can be implemented as one or more separate components / circuitry some or all of which can be integrated / removable. The processor 12 can be a single core or multi-core processor.

[0372] The apparatus can include one or more components for effecting the methods, processes and procedures described in the present disclosure and illustrated in FIGs. 2 to 7. It is contemplatedthat the functions of these components can be combined in one or more components or performed by other components of equivalent functionality. The description of a function should additionally be considered to also disclose any means suitable for performing that function.

[0373] Where a structural feature has been described, it can be replaced by means for performing one or more of the functions of the structural feature whether that function or those functions are explicitly or implicitly described.

[0374] Although examples of the apparatus have been described above in terms of comprising various components, it should be understood that the components can be embodied as or otherwise controlled by a corresponding controller or circuitry such as one or more processing elements or processors of the apparatus. In this regard, each of the components described above can be one or more of any device, means or circuitry embodied in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software that is configured to perform the corresponding functions of the respective components as described above.

[0375] The apparatus can, for example, be: a user equipment, base station or network node of a mobile cellular telecommunication system. The apparatus can be embodied by a computing device, not least such as those mentioned above. However, in some examples, the apparatus can be embodied as a chip, chip set, circuitry or module, i.e. for use in any of the foregoing.

[0376] In one example, the apparatus is embodied on a client device, a UE, a mobile cellular telephone, a hand held portable electronic device, a mobile communication device, a wearable computing device or a personal digital assistant, that can additionally provide one or more audio / text / video communication functions (for example tele-communication, video-communication, and / or text transmission (Short Message Service (SMS) / Multimedia Message Service (MMS)Zemailing) functions), interactive / non-interactive viewing functions (for example web-browsing, navigation, TV / program viewing functions), music recording / playing functions (for example Moving Picture Experts Group-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3) or other format and / or (frequency modulation / amplitude modulation) radio broadcast recording / playing), downloading / sending of data functions, image capture function (for example using a (for example in-built) digital camera), and gaming functions, or any combination thereof.In some examples (such as wherein the apparatus is provided within a UE 110), the apparatus 10 comprises:

[0377] at least one processor 12; and

[0378] at least one memory 13 storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to:

[0379] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;

[0380] determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:

[0381] determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and

[0382] determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0383] In some examples (such as wherein the apparatus is provided within a UE 110), the apparatus 10 comprises:

[0384] at least one processor 12; and

[0385] at least one memory 13 storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to:

[0386] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;

[0387] determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:

[0388] predicting at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and determining that the at least one predicted beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; andtransmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0389] In some examples (such as wherein the apparatus is provided within a UE 110), the apparatus 10 comprises:

[0390] at least one processor 12; and

[0391] at least one memory 13 storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor 12, cause the apparatus at least to:

[0392] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;

[0393] determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises either:

[0394] determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam and determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value, or

[0395] predicting at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam and determining that the at least one predicted beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and

[0396] transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction of a duration of the at least one condition being met, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0397] The above described examples find application as enabling components of: telecommunication systems; tracking systems, automotive systems; electronic systems including consumer electronic products; distributed computing systems; media systems for generating or rendering media content including audio, visual and audio visual content and mixed, mediated, virtual and / or augmented reality; personal systems including personal health systems or personalfitness systems; navigation systems; user interfaces also known as human machine interfaces; networks including cellular, non-cellular, and optical networks; ad-hoc networks; the internet; the internet of things (IOT); Vehicle-to-everything (V2X), virtualized networks; and related software and services.

[0398] The apparatus can be provided in an electronic device, for example, a mobile terminal, according to an example of the present disclosure. It should be understood, however, that a mobile terminal is merely illustrative of an electronic device that would benefit from examples of implementations of the present disclosure and, therefore, should not be taken to limit the scope of the present disclosure to the same. While in certain implementation examples, the apparatus can be provided in a mobile terminal, other types of electronic devices, such as, but not limited to: mobile communication devices, hand portable electronic devices, wearable computing devices, portable digital assistants (PDAs), pagers, mobile computers, desktop computers, televisions, gaming devices, laptop computers, cameras, video recorders, GPS devices and other types of electronic systems, can readily employ examples of the present disclosure. Furthermore, devices can readily employ examples of the present disclosure regardless of their intent to provide mobility.

[0399] FIG. 9, illustrates instructions, program or code 14 which may be conveyed via a delivery mechanism 20. The delivery mechanism 20 can be any suitable delivery mechanism, for example, a machine readable medium, a computer-readable medium, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, a computer program product, a memory device, a solid-state memory, a record medium or an article of manufacture that comprises or tangibly embodies the instructions, program or code 14. The delivery mechanism can be a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program. An apparatus can receive, propagate or transmit the computer program as a computer data signal.

[0400] In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus (e.g. UE 110), cause the apparatus to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following:

[0401] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:

[0402] determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and

[0403] determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0404] In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus (e.g. UE 110), cause the apparatus to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following:

[0405] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;

[0406] determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:

[0407] predicting at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and determining that the at least one predicted beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and

[0408] transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0409] In certain examples of the present disclosure, there is provided a computer program comprising instructions, which when executed by an apparatus (e.g. UE 110), cause the apparatus to perform at least the following or for causing performing at least the following:

[0410] receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises either:

[0411] determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam and determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value, or

[0412] predicting at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam and determining that the at least one predicted beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and

[0413] transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction of a duration of the at least one condition being met, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

[0414] References to ‘instructions’ ‘computer program’, ‘computer-readable storage medium’, ‘computer program product’, ‘tangibly embodied computer program’ etc. or a ‘controller’, ‘computer’, ‘processor’ etc. should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single / multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann) / parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other processing circuitry including quantum processing circuitry. References to computer program, instructions, code etc. should be understood to encompass software for a programmable processor or firmware such as, for example, the programmable content of a hardware device whether instructions for a processor, or configuration settings for a fixed-function device, gate array or programmable logic device etc.

[0415] As used in this application, the term ‘circuitry’ can refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuitry implementations (such as implementations in analog, digital and / or quantum circuitry) and

[0416] (b) combinations of hardware circuit(s) and software, such as (as applicable):(i) a combination of analog, digital and / or quantum hardware circuit(s) with software / firmware and

[0417] (ii) any or all portions of hardware processor(s) (including digital and / or quantum processor(s)), with software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile device, computing device, or server, to perform various functions and

[0418] (c) any or all portions of hardware circuit(s), such as a microprocessor(s), processor(s) and / or quantum processor(s), that require software (for example firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.

[0419] 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 a particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0420] Although various examples of the present disclosure have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as set out in the claims.

[0421] Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure can take the form of a method, an apparatus, or a computer program. Accordingly, various, but not necessarily all, examples can be implemented in hardware, software or a combination of hardware and software.

[0422] Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure are described using flowchart illustrations and schematic block diagrams. It will be understood that each block (of the flowchart illustrations and block diagrams), and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by computer program instructions of a computer program. These program instructions can be provided to one or more processor(s), processing circuitry or controller(s) such that the instructions which execute on the same create means for causing implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks, i.e. such that the method can be computer implemented. The computer programinstructions can be executed by the processor(s) to cause a series of operational block / steps / actions to be performed by the processor(s) to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the processor(s) provide block / steps for implementing the functions specified in the block or blocks.

[0423] Accordingly, the blocks support: combinations of means for performing the specified functions; combinations of actions for performing the specified functions; and computer program instructions / algorithm for performing the specified functions. It will also be understood that each block, and combinations of blocks, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems which perform the specified functions or actions, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer program instructions.

[0424] Various, but not necessarily all, examples of the present disclosure provide both a method and corresponding apparatus comprising various modules, means or circuitry that provide the functionality for performing / applying the actions of the method. The modules, means or circuitry can be implemented as hardware, or can be implemented as software or firmware to be performed by a computer processor. In the case of firmware or software, examples of the present disclosure can be provided as a computer program product including a computer readable storage structure embodying computer program instructions (i.e. the software or firmware) thereon for performing by the computer processor.

[0425] Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

[0426] Features described in the preceding description can be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

[0427] Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions can be performable by other features whether described or not.

[0428] Although features have been described with reference to certain examples, those features can also be present in other examples whether described or not. Accordingly, features described inrelation to one example / aspect of the disclosure can include any or all of the features described in relation to another example / aspect of the disclosure, and vice versa, to the extent that they are not mutually inconsistent.

[0429] The term ‘comprise’ is used in this document with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning. That is any reference to X comprising Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y. If it is intended to use ‘comprise’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context by referring to “comprising only one ...” or by using “consisting”.

[0430] In this description, the wording ‘connect’ and ‘communication’ and their derivatives mean operationally connected / in communication. It should be appreciated that any number or combination of intervening components can exist (including no intervening components), i.e. so as to provide direct or indirect connection / coupling / communication. Any such intervening components can include hardware and / or software components.

[0431] As used herein, the term "determine / determining" (and grammatical variants thereof) can include, not least: evaluating, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, measuring, investigating, identifying, looking up (for example, looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, "determining" can include receiving (for example, receiving information), retrieving / accessing (for example, retrieving / accessing data in a memory), obtaining and the like. Also, " determine / determining" can include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, inferring and the like.

[0432] As used herein, a description of an action should also be considered to disclose enabling, and / or causing, and / or controlling that action. For example, a description of transmitting information should also be considered to disclose enabling, and / or causing, and / or controlling transmitting information. Similarly, for example, a description of an apparatus transmitting information should also be considered to disclose at least one means or controller of the apparatus enabling, and / or causing, and / or controlling the apparatus to transmit the information.”

[0433] The term “means” as used in the description and in the claims may refer to one or more individual elements configured to perform the corresponding recited functionality or functionalities, or it mayrefer to several elements that perform such functionality or functionalities. Furthermore, several functionalities recited in the claims may be performed by the same individual means or the same combination of means. For example performing such functionality or functionalities may be caused in an apparatus by a processor that executes instructions stored in a memory of the apparatus.

[0434] References to a parameter, or value of a parameter, should be understood to refer to “data indicative of”, “data defining” or “data representative of” the relevant parameter / parameter value if not explicitly stated (unless the context demands otherwise). The data may be in any way indicative of the relevant parameter / parameter value, and may be directly or indirectly indicative thereof.

[0435] In this description, reference has been made to various examples. The description of features or functions in relation to an example indicates that those features or functions are present in that example. The use of the term ’example’ or ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ in the text denotes, whether explicitly stated or not, that such features or functions are present in at least the described example, whether described as an example or not, and that they can be, but are not necessarily, present in some or all other examples. Thus ‘example’, ‘for example’, ‘can’ or ‘may’ refers to a particular instance in a class of examples. A property of the instance can be a property of only that instance or a property of the class or a property of a sub-class of the class that includes some but not all of the instances in the class.

[0436] In this description, references to “a / an / the” [feature, element, component, means ...] are used with an inclusive not an exclusive meaning and are to be interpreted as “at least one” [feature, element, component, means ...] unless explicitly stated otherwise. That is any reference to X comprising a / the Y indicates that X can comprise only one Y or can comprise more than one Y unless the context clearly indicates the contrary. If it is intended to use ‘a’ or ‘the’ with an exclusive meaning then it will be made clear in the context. In some circumstances the use of ‘at least one’ or ‘one or more’ can be used to emphasise an inclusive meaning but the absence of these terms should not be taken to infer any exclusive meaning.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.

[0437] As used herein, the terms “the at least one” and “the one or more” mean “any one of the at least one” and “any one of the one or more”, respectively.

[0438] The presence of a feature (or combination of features) in a claim is a reference to that feature (or combination of features) itself and also to features that achieve substantially the same technical effect (equivalent features). The equivalent features include, for example, features that are variants and achieve substantially the same result in substantially the same way. The equivalent features include, for example, features that perform substantially the same function, in substantially the same way to achieve substantially the same result.

[0439] In this description, reference has been made to various examples using adjectives or adjectival phrases to describe characteristics of the examples. Such a description of a characteristic in relation to an example indicates that the characteristic is present in some examples exactly as described and is present in other examples substantially as described.

[0440] In the above description, the apparatus described can alternatively or in addition comprise an apparatus which in some other examples comprises a distributed system of apparatus, for example, a client / server apparatus system. In examples where an apparatus provided forms (or a method is implemented as) a distributed system, each apparatus forming a component and / or part of the system provides (or implements) one or more features which collectively implement an example of the present disclosure. In some examples, an apparatus is re-configured by an entity other than its initial manufacturer to implement an example of the present disclosure by being provided with additional software, for example by a user downloading such software, which when executed causes the apparatus to implement an example of the present disclosure (such implementation being either entirely by the apparatus or as part of a system of apparatus as mentioned hereinabove).The above description describes some examples of the present disclosure however those of ordinary skill in the art will be aware of possible alternative structures and method features which offer equivalent functionality to the specific examples of such structures and features described herein above and which for the sake of brevity and clarity have been omitted from the above description. Nonetheless, the above description should be read as implicitly including reference to such alternative structures and method features which provide equivalent functionality unless such alternative structures or method features are explicitly excluded in the above description of the examples of the present disclosure.

[0441] Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those features of examples of the present disclosure believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

[0442] The examples of the present disclosure and the accompanying claims can be suitably combined in any manner apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Separate references to an “example”, “in some examples” and / or the like in the description do not necessarily refer to the same example and are also not mutually exclusive unless so stated and / or except as will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the description. For instance, a feature, structure, process, block, step, action, or the like described in one example may also be included in other examples, but is not necessarily included.

[0443] Each and every claim is incorporated as further disclosure into the specification and the claims are embodiment(s) of the present disclosure. Further, while the claims herein are provided as comprising specific dependencies, it is contemplated that any claims can depend from any other claims and that to the extent that any alternative embodiments can result from combining, integrating, and / or omitting features of the various claims and / or changing dependencies of claims, any such alternative embodiments and their equivalents are also within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

53CLAIMS1. A User Equipment, UE, comprising:at least one processor; andat least one memory including computer program code, the at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the UE to perform at least the following:receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, anddetermining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

2. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: triggering the at least one prediction, wherein the triggering is at least in part in response to determining that the at least one condition has been met.

3. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:at least one prediction that at least one beam failure detection is predicted to occur for the at least one second beam; orat least one prediction of when at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur.

544. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the information indicative of the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur before a time instance;at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur before a time instance;at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur after a time instance; orat least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur after a time instance.

5. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the UE to perform: transmitting, to the network, information indicative of at least one recovery beam, wherein the transmitting is triggered responsive at least in part on determining that the at least one condition has been met.

6. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the second information further comprises information indicative of at least one of:at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of the at least one first beam;at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one current beam;at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one candidate beam;at least one beam measurement of the at least one first beam;at least one beam measurement of at least one current beam;at least one beam measurement of the at least one second beam; orat least one beam measurement of at least one candidate beam.

7. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the at least one second beam is at least one of: the same as the at least one first beam;a set of beams, wherein the set of beams comprises the at least one first beam; or55associated with at least one reference signal, wherein the at least one reference signal is quasi-co-located with at least one other reference signal, and wherein the at least one first beam is associated with the at least one other reference signal.

8. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the at least one first beam is at least one of: at least one current beam of the UE;an indicated transmission configuration indication, TCI, state;at least one beam used for shared channel transmission;at least one beam used for shared channel reception;a Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS; ora Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

9. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network comprises:transmitting an indication to the network via a first channel; andtransmitting the second information to the network via a second channel, wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network via the second channel is conditioned on the transmission of the indication to the network via the first channel.

10. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the first information further comprises an indication of a time period, and wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network is based at least in part on the time period.

11. The UE of claim 10 when dependent on claim 9, wherein the transmitting of the second information is controlled such that a time interval between the transmitting of the indication and the transmitting of the second information is greater than or equal to the time period.

12. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the first information further comprises an indication of a time duration, and wherein the determining of the at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur is based at least in part on the time duration.5613. The UE of claim 12, wherein the determining of the at least one prediction comprises at least one of the following:predicting, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the at least one second beam, whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur; predicting whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur within the time duration; orpredicting how many beam failures of the at least one second beam are predicted to occur within the time duration.

14. The UE of any previous claim, wherein the first information further comprises information for configuring the UE to perform a procedure, wherein the procedure comprises the UE transmitting, based at least in part on determining that the at least one condition has been met, the second information to the network.

15. The UE of claim 14, wherein the procedure is at least one of:a UE Initiated beam reporting procedure; oran event-1 UE initiated beam management, UEIBM, reporting procedure.

16. A method comprising:receiving, at a User Equipment, UE, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;determining, by the UE, that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:determining, by the UE, at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, anddetermining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, from the UE to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

17. A non-transitory computer readable medium encoded with instructions, when executed by an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform at least the following:receiving, from a network, first information, wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value;determining that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:determining at least one beam measurement value of at least one first beam, and determining that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and transmitting, to the network, second information, wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

18. A User Equipment, UE (110), comprising:means (11) for receiving (201), from a network (100), first information (211), wherein the first information comprises an indication of at least one threshold beam measurement value (212); means (11) for determining (202) that at least one condition has been met, wherein determining that at least one condition has been met comprises:determining (203) at least one beam measurement value (213) of at least one first beam (214), anddetermining (204) that the at least one beam measurement value of the at least one first beam is less than the at least one threshold beam measurement value; and means (11 ) for transmitting (205), to the network, second information (215), wherein the second information comprises information indicative of at least one prediction (216) whether at least one beam failure of at least one second beam (217) is predicted to occur, and wherein the transmitting is triggered at least in part in response to determining that the condition has been met.

19. The UE (110) of claim 18, further comprising:means (11) for triggering the at least one prediction (216), wherein the triggering is at least in part in response to determining (202) that the at least one condition has been met.

20. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 19, wherein the at least one prediction (216) comprises at least one of the following:at least one prediction that at least one beam failure detection is predicted to occur for the at least one second beam (217); orat least one prediction of when at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur.

21. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 20, wherein the information indicative of the at least one prediction (216) comprises at least one of the following:at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur before a time instance;at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur before a time instance;at least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur after a time instance; orat least one indication that at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted not to occur after a time instance.

22. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 21 , further comprising:means (11) for transmitting, to the network (100), information indicative of at least one recovery beam, wherein the transmitting is triggered responsive at least in part on determining (202) that the at least one condition has been met.

23. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 22, wherein the second information (215) further comprises information indicative of at least one of:at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of the at least one first beam (214);at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one current beam;at least one prediction of at least one beam failure of at least one candidate beam;at least one beam measurement of the at least one first beam;at least one beam measurement of at least one current beam;at least one beam measurement of the at least one second beam (217); orat least one beam measurement of at least one candidate beam.5924. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 23, wherein the at least one second beam (217) is at least one of:the same as the at least one first beam (214);a set of beams, wherein the set of beams comprises the at least one first beam; or associated with at least one reference signal, wherein the at least one reference signal is quasi-co-located with at least one other reference signal, and wherein the at least one first beam is associated with the at least one other reference signal.

25. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 24, wherein the at least one first beam (214) is at least one of:at least one current beam of the UE;an indicated transmission configuration indication, TCI, state;at least one beam used for shared channel transmission;at least one beam used for shared channel reception;a Channel State Information Reference Signal, CSI-RS; ora Synchronization Signal Block, SSB.

26. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 25, wherein the transmitting (205) of the second information (215) to the network (100) comprises:transmitting an indication to the network via a first channel; andtransmitting the second information to the network via a second channel, wherein the transmitting of the second information to the network via the second channel is conditioned on the transmission of the indication to the network via the first channel.

27. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 26, wherein the first information (211) further comprises an indication of a time period, and wherein the transmitting of the second information (215) to the network (100) is based at least in part on the time period.

28. The UE (110) of claim 27 when dependent on claim 26, wherein the transmitting of the second information (215) is controlled such that a time interval between the transmitting of60the indication and the transmitting of the second information is greater than or equal to the time period.

29. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 28, wherein the first information (211) further comprises an indication of a time duration, and wherein the determining of the at least one prediction (216) whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam (217) is predicted to occur is based at least in part on the time duration.

30. The UE (110) of claim 29, wherein the determining of the at least one prediction (216) comprises at least one of the following:predicting, based at least in part on one or more measurements of the at least one second beam (217), whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur; predicting whether at least one beam failure of the at least one second beam is predicted to occur within the time duration; orpredicting how many beam failures of the at least one second beam are predicted to occur within the time duration.

31. The UE (110) of any of previous claims 18 to 30, wherein the first information (211) further comprises information for configuring the UE to perform a procedure, wherein the procedure comprises the UE transmitting (205), based at least in part on determining (202) that the at least one condition has been met, the second information to the network.

32. The UE (110) of claim 31 , wherein the procedure is at least one of:a UE Initiated beam reporting procedure; oran event-1 UE initiated beam management, UEIBM, reporting procedure.

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