MAC CE Command TCI State Activation for Multi-TRP Beam Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems lack a solution for supporting multi-Transmission Reception Point (TRP) scenarios in unified Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) frameworks, where the same beam is used for multiple channels, limiting their applicability to single TRP scenarios.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that utilize a Media Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) command with multiple codepoints to activate TCI states, determining common beam information for multiple channels across various TRPs, enabling the use of the same beam in multi-TRP scenarios by configuring joint or separate TCI states.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the same beam is used for transmission of multiple channels in a unified TCI framework, then beam management efficiency is improved, but the system can only support single TRP scenarios, limiting versatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management efficiencyVSAvoidmulti-TRP scenario support

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state activation by introducing separate MAC CE commands for different TRPs. Each TRP can have its own TCI states activated independently, allowing the system to manage multiple TRPs while maintaining efficient beam management for each individual TRP. This segmentation enables the system to support multi-TRP scenarios without sacrificing the beam management efficiency achieved through unified TCI frameworks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal TCI framework that can function in both single-TRP and multi-TRP scenarios. By designing the MAC CE command structure to accommodate multiple TRPs with configurable TCI states, the system achieves multi-functionality where the same framework adapts to different deployment scenarios, thereby improving versatility while maintaining beam management efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If separate TCI states are configured for different TRPs, then multi-TRP scenario support is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-TRP scenario supportVSAvoidTCI state management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic TCI state management where the network can flexibly configure and activate TCI states for different TRPs based on actual deployment needs. The MAC CE command structure allows dynamic activation of TCI states without requiring complex pre-configuration, enabling the system to adapt to multi-TRP scenarios while keeping the management complexity manageable through on-demand activation rather than static configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses MAC CE commands as an intermediary mechanism to manage TCI states across multiple TRPs. This intermediary layer simplifies the complexity by providing a standardized interface for TCI state activation and indication, abstracting the underlying complexity of multi-TRP management from the terminal devices and centralizing the control logic in the network side.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple codepoints are used in MAC CE commands to activate multiple TCI states, then multi-TRP scenario support is improved, but command structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-TRP scenario supportVSAvoidMAC CE command structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the TCI state activation functionality into a unified MAC CE command structure that can handle multiple TCI states through multiple codepoints. Instead of creating separate command structures for each TRP, the system combines them into a single standardized command format that can activate TCI states for one or multiple TRPs simultaneously, thereby reducing the overall command structure complexity while maintaining multi-TRP support.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows the MAC CE command to activate more TCI states than immediately needed by using multiple codepoints. This partial or excessive action enables the system to pre-activate TCI states for potential future use, reducing the need for frequent command updates and simplifying the command structure by batch activation rather than individual state management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20240405955A1Information activation method, terminal, and network side device

Publication Date: 2024.12.05 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

An information activation method, a network side device and a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium are provided. The information activation method includes: sending, by the network side device, a first Media Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) command. The first MAC CE command is used for activating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state. The first MAC CE command includes a plurality of codepoints. At least one codepoint among the plurality of codepoints corresponds to a plurality of TCI states among activated TCI states. The activated TCI states are used for determining common beam information of a plurality of channels.