Multi-Beam TCI State Signaling for Uplink and Downlink Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems do not adequately accommodate channel state information reporting for large two-dimensional array transmit antennas, particularly in multi-beam operations, leading to inefficiencies in radio interface efficiency and coverage.
Innovation Solution
Implement a method and apparatus for downlink and uplink multi-beam operation using a UE and BS that utilize a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state to manage beam indications and transmissions based on multiple TCI states, including common and specific components for each entity, enabling efficient beam determination and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing channel quality reporting processes are used, then the system maintains simplicity in reporting mechanisms, but it fails to adequately accommodate channel state information reporting for large two-dimensional array transmit antennas in multi-beam operations
Solution Approach 1:
The TCI state is segmented into multiple components: a first set of components (A0) common to all entities and a second set of components (A1, A2, ..., AN) specific to each entity. This segmentation allows the system to efficiently report channel state information for multiple entities without requiring separate full reports for each entity, thus improving adaptability while controlling complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common components (A0) of the TCI state serve multiple entities simultaneously, providing universal beam indication across all N entities. This multi-functionality allows a single TCI state configuration to accommodate channel state information for multiple entities, enhancing system versatility without proportionally increasing reporting complexity.
2Loss of information
If separate beam indications are provided for each entity, then complete beam information is available for all entities, but signaling overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the beam indication for N entities into a single TCI state that contains both common components (A0) and entity-specific components (A1, A2, ..., AN). This combining approach transmits complete beam information for all entities in one signaling operation, preventing information loss while reducing the time and overhead associated with multiple separate indications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration of the TCI state with all necessary beam information for N entities before actual beam indication is needed. The common components (A0) and entity-specific components (A1, A2, ..., AN) are prepared in advance, allowing rapid beam switching without real-time computation delays, thus reducing latency while maintaining information completeness.
3Productivity
If a single TCI state configuration is used for all entities, then signaling overhead is reduced, but specific beam requirements for individual entities cannot be met
Solution Approach 1:
The TCI state structure implements local quality by providing common components (A0) that apply to all entities and entity-specific components (A1, A2, ..., AN) that are tailored to each individual entity's beam requirements. This allows the system to maintain signaling efficiency through a unified TCI state configuration while simultaneously meeting specific beam configuration needs of each entity through their dedicated components.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for operating a user equipment (UE) comprises receiving configuration information including multiple transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, and receiving a beam indication indicating a TCI state from the multiple TCI states. The TCI state indicates a beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN), and the TCI state comprises a TCI state ID and up to N+1 components (A0, A1, A2, . . . , AN), where A0 comprises common components for all entities, and for each n∈{1, 2, . . . , N}, An comprises specific components for entity En, and components A0 and An together indicate the beam for entity En. The method includes determining the beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN) indicated by the TCI state, and transmitting an uplink (UL) transmission or receiving a downlink (DL) transmission based on the beam for each of N entities (E1, E2, . . . EN).