Beam Indication Grouping for Inter-Cell Multi-TRP Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in providing effective beam indication for common signals in inter-cell multi-TRP (multi-Transmission and Reception Point) operations, particularly in scenarios involving inter-cell multi-TRP without or with serving cell change, and in switching between inter-cell and intra-cell multi-TRP operations.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves dividing CORESETs into groups for beam indication, associating TCI states with serving and assistant cell PCIs, and using RRC signaling to configure C-RNTI/MCS-C-RNTI for inter-cell multi-TRP operations, along with specific configurations for radio resource management during serving cell changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If beam indication is provided for common signals in inter-cell multi-TRP operations, then communication reliability is improved, but system complexity increases due to multiple TCI states and CORESET groupings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides CORESETs into multiple groups (first group and second group) with different beam indication mechanisms. The first group uses TCI states associated with serving cell PCI, while the second group uses TCI states associated with assistant cell PCI. This segmentation allows the system to manage complexity by organizing beam indication into distinct, manageable groups rather than handling all CORESETs uniformly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces TCI states as intermediary elements that bridge the connection between PCI (Physical Cell ID) and beam indication for common signals. By using TCI states as mediators, the system can indicate beams for common signals without directly exposing the complexity of multi-TRP operations to the UE, thus improving reliability while managing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If TCI states are associated with both serving and assistant cell PCIs, then beam indication flexibility is improved, but configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam indication flexibilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments TCI state associations into two distinct categories: TCI states associated with serving cell PCI and TCI states associated with assistant cell PCI. This segmentation allows the system to maintain flexibility by supporting both types of associations while managing configuration complexity through clear differentiation and organized grouping of TCI states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal TCI state framework that can serve multiple functions: indicating beams for common signals from serving cells, indicating beams for common signals from assistant cells, and supporting both intra-cell and inter-cell multi-TRP operations. This multi-functionality improves adaptability while the standardized framework helps manage configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If CORESETs are divided into groups for beam indication, then beam indication accuracy is improved, but processing overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam indication accuracyVSAvoidprocessing overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments CORESETs into groups that can be processed with specific beam indication rules. By dividing CORESETs into manageable groups with distinct TCI state associations, the system improves beam indication accuracy for each group while enabling efficient processing through standardized group-level configurations rather than individual CORESET configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary configuration of TCI states and CORESET groupings through RRC signaling before actual beam indication is needed. This preliminary action prepares the system in advance, reducing processing overhead during real-time operations by having beam indication parameters pre-configured and ready for use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Measurement precision

If RRC signaling is used to configure C-RNTI/MCS-C-RNTI for inter-cell multi-TRP, then configuration accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses RRC signaling to perform preliminary configuration of C-RNTI and MCS-C-RNTI parameters before inter-cell multi-TRP operations begin. This preliminary configuration ensures accuracy by establishing proper parameters in advance, while the one-time nature of RRC signaling helps manage overhead compared to continuous signaling approaches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12418381B2Beam indication for inter-cell multiple transmission and reception (multi-TRP, MTRP) operation

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 APPLE INC

AI summary

To support inter-cell multi-TRP operation, disclosed are embodiments that provide a beam indication for the common signals, e.g., signals transmitted and scheduled by some CSS. The disclosed embodiments provide inter-cell multi-TRP with or without serving cell change. In addition, some embodiments provide for switching between inter-cell multi-TRP and intra-cell multi-TRP.