FR2 SCell TCI Acquisition with SSB-Based Activation Measurements

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 5G NR wireless communication systems, the activation delay of a secondary cell (SCell) in Frequency Range 2 (FR2) is prolonged due to the lack of accurate Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) information for Layer 1-Reference Signal Received Power (L1-RSRP) reporting, especially when there is no active serving cell on the FR2 band, leading to unreliable L1-RSRP reports.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for a user equipment (UE) to acquire TCI information by performing L1-RSRP measurements using detectable Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) during SCell activation, reporting alternative information when beam information is unavailable, and utilizing L3 SSB measurements to configure TCI for reliable L1-RSRP reporting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If TCI information is not configured before SCell activation in FR2, then the activation procedure can start immediately, but the L1-RSRP measurement becomes unreliable and activation delay increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSCell activation speedVSAvoidL1-RSRP measurement reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the UE perform L3 RSRP measurements on SSBs before TCI information is configured, and use these pre-acquired measurements to generate the L1-RSRP report once TCI information becomes available, thus avoiding activation delay while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses L3 RSRP measurements on SSBs as an intermediary mechanism. When TCI information is unavailable, the UE measures SSBs and stores these measurements as intermediate data that can be converted into valid L1-RSRP reports later, bridging the gap between immediate activation needs and reliable measurement requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If TCI information is configured before SCell activation, then reliable L1-RSRP measurement can be performed, but the configuration may be outdated and activation delay occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveL1-RSRP measurement reliabilityVSAvoidSCell activation delay
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs L3 RSRP measurements on SSBs in advance before TCI information is configured or becomes outdated. These preliminary measurements are stored and can be quickly converted into L1-RSRP reports when needed, eliminating waiting time while ensuring measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the measurement layer parameter from L3 to L1 by having the UE perform measurements at L3 layer initially, then use those results to generate L1-RSRP reports. This parameter transformation allows the UE to bypass the need for immediate TCI configuration while maintaining measurement reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the UE waits for TCI information before performing L1-RSRP measurement, then measurement accuracy improves, but activation time is extended

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveL1-RSRP measurement precisionVSAvoidActivation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the actual measurements at L3 layer in advance before TCI information is available. These preliminary high-precision measurements are stored and later transformed into L1-RSRP reports, eliminating the need to wait for TCI configuration while maintaining measurement precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a copy of the measurement process at L3 layer that mirrors what would be done at L1 layer. The L3 measurements serve as a substitute that can be converted into valid L1-RSRP reports, allowing the UE to proceed with activation without waiting for TCI information while maintaining measurement accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3893545B1TCI acquisition mechanism for the activation of an unknown secondary cell woriking on a fr2 band
Publication Date: 2025.09.03 APPLE INC
  • EP3893545B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3893545B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3893545B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and apparatus of a device that acquires transmission configuration indicator (TCI) information for secondary cell (SCell) activation. In some embodiments, the TCI information is acquired for SCell activation by determining, during secondary cell (SCell) activation, that beam information to enable a user equipment (UE) to make a reliable layer 1 (L1)-Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP) measurement report is unavailable, perform the L1-RSRP measurement using information of one or more Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs) during the SCell activation, wherein the one or more processors perform the L1-RSRP measurement using information of one or more SSBs during the SCell activation by identifying, by the UE, one or more detectable SSBs during the SCell activation and using information of the one or more detectable SSBs for the L1-RSRP measurement