Inter-cell Beam Management via TCI State Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing inter-cell beams, particularly in 5G/NR mobile communications, which affects capacity and coverage.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves a user equipment (UE) and a base station (BS) that utilize a transceiver and processor to receive and transmit configuration information for transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, activate TCI state code points, and update spatial filters for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) channels based on determined TCI states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If beamforming gain is increased to support increased capacity in 5G/NR, then system capacity improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments beam management by introducing separate TCI state mechanisms for different channels (PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, PUCCH). Each channel can be independently configured with appropriate TCI states, allowing granular control over beamforming application. This segmentation enables capacity improvement through targeted beamforming without requiring complex full-system beam management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic TCI state indication through DCI format 1_1 and 0_1, allowing the network to dynamically select and indicate TCI states for different channels based on current channel conditions and traffic requirements. This dynamic adaptation enables the system to optimize beamforming gain for capacity while maintaining manageable device complexity through flexible, condition-based configuration.
2Area of stationary object
If inter-cell beam management is implemented to improve coverage, then coverage area expands, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal TCI state framework that can be applied across multiple channels and multiple cells. The same TCI state mechanism serves PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH, and can be extended to inter-cell scenarios. This multi-functionality reduces signaling overhead by reusing the same configuration framework rather than implementing separate beam management mechanisms for each channel and cell.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables TCI state copying and reuse across different channels and cells. Once TCI states are configured for one channel or cell, they can be referenced and copied for other channels and cells, reducing the need for redundant signaling. The DCI-based indication mechanism allows efficient copying of TCI state references without transmitting full TCI state information repeatedly.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for indication for inter-cell beam management in a wireless communication system. A method of operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving configuration information for a list of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states, receiving TCI state code points activated by a medium access control-control element (MAC CE), and receiving DL control information (DCI) indicating at least one of the activated TCI state code points. The method further includes determining a TCI state to apply to at least one of downlink (DL) channels and uplink (UL) channels within at least one entity; updating one or more spatial filters for at least one of the DL channels and the UL channels based on the determined TCI state; and receiving and transmitting the DL channels and the UL channels of the at least one entity, respectively, based on the updated one or more spatial filters.