Active TCI Switching Using Early Reference Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing TCI state switching protocols in 5G networks experience unnecessary delays due to long preconfigured decoding and processing periods and scheduled silence periods, leading to throughput losses during TCI state switching.
Innovation Solution
Introduce alternative reference signals (TRS, AP RS, CSI-RS) earlier in the TCI state switching process to provide T/F tracking information, allowing the UE to complete the switching process sooner by receiving and processing these signals before the designated SSB burst period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional TCI state switching protocols are used with preconfigured decoding and processing periods, then the switching process follows established procedures, but unnecessary delays occur leading to throughput losses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring the UE with multiple TCI states and their associated reference signals in advance through RRC signaling. This preconfiguration enables the UE to have ready-to-use TCI states with known reference signal resources, eliminating the need for lengthy decoding and processing periods during actual switching operations. The UE can immediately switch between pre-configured TCI states by simply activating the appropriate state indicator, thereby reducing switching delays while maintaining reliability.
2Ease of operation
If scheduled silence periods are implemented during TCI state switching, then the switching process is structured and controlled, but throughput losses occur during these silence periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates scheduled silence periods by enabling continuous data transmission during TCI state switching. Through the use of pre-configured TCI states with associated reference signals, the UE can perform switching operations without interrupting the data flow. The network can transmit data using the target TCI state as soon as the switching command is processed, maintaining continuous useful action and preventing throughput losses that would otherwise occur during silence periods.
3Speed
If multiple TCI states are preconfigured with associated reference signals, then the UE can perform faster switching, but the configuration complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a standardized framework where multiple TCI states are configured with associated reference signals using a unified RRC signaling mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the same configuration structure to serve multiple purposes: beam management, mobility, and different service types (eMBB, URLLC, mMTC). The universal configuration template reduces the perceived complexity by providing a consistent pattern that can be reused across different scenarios, while enabling fast switching through the pre-established reference signal associations.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques discussed herein can facilitate the use of reference signals in active TCI switching. One example aspect is a user equipment (UE), comprising: a memory interface; and processing circuitry communicatively coupled to the memory interface and configured to: receive a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) message that includes an activation command indicating a target transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state; decode the activation command within a decoding period, where the decoding period is a time period allocated for the UE to decode the activation command; receive a TCI resource where the TCI resource is a reference signal; perform time and frequency tracking associated with the target TCI state according the TCI resource; and switch to the target TCI state after performing time and frequency tracking.