Common UL-DL Beam Signaling for Lower DCI Overhead
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communications systems face increased network overhead and inefficient resource use due to separate signaling for uplink and downlink beam configurations, leading to suboptimal beam management and resource utilization.
Innovation Solution
Implementing techniques for signaling a common downlink and uplink beam through a single DCI message, allowing simultaneous adjustment of both beams based on a pre-determined relationship or explicit indication, thereby reducing the need for separate signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate signaling is used for uplink and downlink beam configurations, then beam management can be performed independently for each direction, but control signaling overhead increases and resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate uplink and downlink beam configuration signaling into a unified framework. The network device transmits a single set of beam configuration parameters that simultaneously configure both uplink and downlink beams, reducing the number of separate signaling messages and parameters that need to be transmitted and processed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal beam configuration mechanism where a single signaling message serves multiple functions by configuring both uplink and downlink beams. The unified TCI framework allows the same signaling structure to handle different beam configuration scenarios (uplink-only, downlink-only, or both) through flexible parameter interpretation
2Manufacturing precision
If separate signaling is used for uplink and downlink beam configurations, then each beam can be optimized independently, but resource utilization becomes inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate uplink and downlink beam configuration processes into a unified signaling framework, where a single configuration message configures both directions simultaneously, improving resource utilization by eliminating redundant signaling transmissions
3Device complexity
If a single DCI message is used to indicate both uplink and downlink beams, then control signaling overhead is reduced, but the complexity of beam association management increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam configuration information within the unified DCI message by using distinct parameter fields for uplink and downlink beam indicators. This allows the network to independently control and update each beam type while transmitting them through a single message, maintaining flexibility in beam association management
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam association where the relationship between uplink and downlink beams can be flexibly configured and updated through the unified DCI signaling. The system can adaptively associate beams based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements without being constrained by fixed pairing rules
Data Source
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AI summary
Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) may be configured to receive, from a base station, a first downlink control information (DCI) message scheduling a first transmission between the UE and the base station. The first DCI message may include an indication of a first beam associated with the first transmission and a second beam associated with a second transmission, where the second beam is associated with the first beam. The UE may then communicate with the base station via the second beam associated with the second transmission based on the first DCI message including the indication of the second beam, where the second transmission is scheduled by a second message different from the first DCI message.