Layer 1 Beam Indication for Fast Uplink and Downlink Updates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack flexibility and efficiency in updating spatial relation indications for uplink and downlink transmissions, particularly in scenarios requiring temporary or bidirectional updates, leading to limitations in latency and flexibility, especially in multi-TRP operations and high-priority traffic scenarios.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a mechanism for flexible and fast bidirectional TCI state indication by using Layer 1 signaling to transmit spatial relation indications for uplink channels, allowing for temporary updates and coordinated use of downlink and uplink TCI states through codepoints that indicate the duration and number of transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If Layer 1 signaling is used for fast TCI state indication, then transmission speed and flexibility are improved, but control overhead and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines downlink TCI state indication and uplink spatial relation indication into a single Layer 1 signaling message. The codepoint simultaneously indicates the downlink TCI state and references an uplink spatial relation from a pre-configured codebook, reducing the number of separate signaling operations while maintaining fast beam updates for both directions
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures a codebook of spatial relations for uplink transmissions at higher layers before Layer 1 signaling occurs. This preliminary configuration allows the fast Layer 1 signaling to simply reference pre-prepared spatial relations rather than transmitting complete spatial configuration data, reducing control overhead while enabling rapid beam switching
2Adaptability or versatility
If separate spatial relation indications are used for uplink and downlink, then flexibility is improved, but latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the separate indication processes for downlink TCI states and uplink spatial relations into a single unified Layer 1 signaling operation. The codepoint structure allows simultaneous indication of downlink beam and uplink spatial relation, reducing the time required compared to sequential separate indications while maintaining the ability to independently control each direction's beamforming
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the spatial relation configuration into two parts: a pre-configured codebook containing multiple spatial relation options (providing flexibility) and a compact Layer 1 codepoint indicator (reducing latency). This segmentation allows the system to maintain diverse beam options while enabling rapid selection through simple codepoint transmission
Data Source
AI summary
There is provided an apparatus arranged to receive from at least one access node a first spatial relation indication for a first transmission to be made in a first direction; receive from the at least one access node a second spatial relation indication for a second transmission to be made in a second direction; receive from the at least one access node a third indication indicating whether the second spatial relation indication is to be used for a limited duration; and use the received indications for receiving and/or transmitting signalling with at the least one access node.