Joint DL-UL TCI Configuration for Lower Beam Signaling Latency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam operation frameworks for DL and UL channels in wireless communication systems involve separate signaling, leading to increased latency and signaling overhead, which impairs system efficacy and performance.
Innovation Solution
Implement a joint transmission configuration indicator (TCI) framework that combines DL and UL beam indications, allowing for cross-component carrier common TCI states and efficient power control, with methods for determining acknowledgement and timeline of TCI state application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If separate signaling frameworks are used for DL and UL beam indications, then independent control of DL and UL beams is achieved, but latency and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines separate DL and UL beam indication signaling into a unified joint TCI framework. The base station transmits a single joint TCI state that simultaneously indicates both DL reception beams and UL transmission beams, eliminating the need for separate signaling procedures and reducing overall latency while maintaining independent control capabilities through the structured format of the joint indication.
Solution Approach 2:
The joint TCI state serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides DL reception beam indication, UL transmission beam indication, and cross-carrier beam coordination. This multi-functional signaling mechanism reduces the total number of signaling messages required while achieving comprehensive beam control across downlink and uplink channels.
2Ease of operation
If separate signaling frameworks are used for DL and UL beam indications, then independent beam control is maintained, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges separate DL TCI indication and UL TCI indication into a single joint TCI state structure. This unified structure contains both DL and UL beam information in one signaling message, significantly reducing the number of separate signaling transmissions required and thereby reducing overall signaling overhead while preserving independent beam control through the organized fields within the joint structure.
3Loss of time
If joint TCI framework is implemented, then latency and signaling overhead are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The joint TCI state is segmented into distinct fields and structures that separately handle DL indication, UL indication, and cross-carrier coordination. This segmentation allows the complex joint signaling to be processed in an organized manner, with each field having a specific function, thereby managing system complexity through structured design while achieving reduced latency through unified transmission.
4Productivity
If joint TCI framework is implemented, then beam transmission efficiency is improved, but computing resources increase
Solution Approach 1:
The joint TCI state is configured and indicated in advance through RRC signaling and MAC CE activation, preparing the beam configuration before actual data transmission. This preliminary configuration allows the UE to have beam parameters ready beforehand, reducing real-time processing requirements during actual transmission and thereby improving beam transmission efficiency without excessive computing resource consumption during active communication.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and devices for configuring a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes (i) receiving a list of TCI states by a terminal device; and (ii) determining a joint TCI, by the terminal device, based on the list of the TCI states. At least one of the TCI states includes one or more first parameters for a downlink (DL) transmission and one or more second parameters for an uplink (UL) transmission. The joint TCI indicates parameters for both DL and UL transmissions of the terminal device.