L1/L2 Non-Serving Cell Reference Signal Measurement via TCI State Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication systems, particularly in 5G NR, face challenges in enabling efficient L1/L2 measurements and reporting of reference signals from non-serving cells, which hinders effective inter-cell mobility and handover processes.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment (UE) transmits capability information to a serving cell for performing L1/L2 measurements of target reference signals from non-serving cells, receiving a configuration to schedule these measurements, and reporting measurement information, enabling L1/L2 centric inter-cell mobility by associating non-serving cell reference signals with transmission configuration indicators (TCI) states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If L1/L2 measurements of non-serving cell reference signals are implemented, then inter-cell mobility efficiency is improved, but device complexity and measurement accuracy are worsened due to lack of dedicated reference signal resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes serving cell reference signals serve dual purposes: their original function for serving cell measurements and an additional function as reference signals for non-serving cell L1/L2 measurements. This is achieved by configuring TCI states that associate non-serving cell reference signals with serving cell reference signal resources, allowing the UE to perform measurements on non-serving cells using serving cell signal structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates virtual reference signal copies by configuring TCI states that map non-serving cell reference signal characteristics onto serving cell reference signal resources. The UE receives configuration information that enables it to treat serving cell reference signals as proxies for non-serving cell measurements, effectively copying the measurement functionality to available resources.
2Loss of time
If L1/L2 measurements of non-serving cell reference signals are implemented, then handover speed is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional configuration and capability reporting requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of TCI states and reference signal associations before handover execution. The network configures the UE with TCI state information and reference signal resource mappings in advance, so that when handover is needed, the UE can immediately perform L1/L2 measurements on non-serving cells using the pre-configured resources, significantly reducing handover latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic capability reporting where the UE indicates its L1/L2 measurement capabilities to the network, allowing the configuration to adapt to specific UE capabilities. The network dynamically adjusts the configuration of TCI states and reference signal resources based on what the UE can support, optimizing the balance between handover speed and device complexity for each UE.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus, e.g., a UE, is disclosed. The apparatus may transmit, to a serving cell, UE capability information for performing L1/L2 measurements of at least one target RS received from a non-serving cell and reporting measurement information. The apparatus may receive, based on the transmitted UE capability information, a configuration including a TCI state scheduling the UE to receive the at least one target RS from the non-serving cell based on at least one source RS associated with the TCI state, and to perform the L1/L2 measurements of the at least one target RS. The number of RS reported in the measurement report may be based on at least one of a UE capability, an indication received from the serving cell, a pre-configuration, or an indication received from the serving cell in which the indication is within the UE capability.