Multi-TRP Beam Management via Segmented TCI State Activation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G communication systems face challenges in efficiently supporting multiple beams for data transmission and reception, particularly in scenarios requiring high data rates, massive machine-type communications, and ultra-reliable low-latency communications, where existing methods lack effective mechanisms for indicating and managing downlink beams from multiple transmission reception points (TRPs).
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves a user equipment (UE) receiving configuration information for multiple beams from a base station (BS), using a modified Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE) and Downlink Control Information (DCI) to activate and manage transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states across multiple TRPs, enabling simultaneous indication and activation of multiple beams for improved data transmission and reception.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing beam indication methods are used in 5G systems, then single-beam transmission is supported, but multiple beams from multiple TRPs cannot be efficiently indicated and managed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam indication process into two distinct phases: a first phase for indicating a first beam from a first TRP, and a second phase for indicating a second beam from a second TRP. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple beams from multiple TRPs independently and reliably, resolving the contradiction between multi-beam adaptability and indication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a time dimension by performing beam indication in sequential phases (first indication then second indication) rather than simultaneously. This dimensional change allows the system to manage multiple beams from multiple TRPs without overwhelming the indication mechanism, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving multi-beam versatility.
2Productivity
If multiple beams are indicated simultaneously, then data transmission rate increases, but system complexity and management overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the beam management process into separate stages corresponding to different TRPs and beams. By managing beams in segmented phases rather than as a unified complex operation, the system achieves high data transmission rates through multiple beams while keeping management complexity tractable through structured segmentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary beam indication for the first TRP before indicating the second beam. This preliminary action allows the system to establish a foundation for multi-beam operation progressively, reducing the cognitive and computational complexity of managing multiple beams simultaneously while still achieving high productivity through cumulative beam activation.
3Reliability
If beam indication is performed in multiple phases, then multi-TRP reliability improves, but time delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic beam indication where the first beam indication is followed by a second beam indication in a structured sequence. This periodic multi-phase approach ensures reliable multi-TRP communication by systematically activating beams in predetermined stages, while the structured periodicity prevents excessive time delays by maintaining a predictable and efficient indication rhythm.
Data Source
AI summary
A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system includes receiving, from a base station (BS), physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) configuration information including a list of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, receiving, from the BS, a PDSCH media access control element (MAC CE) including information indicating activation of at least one TCI state in the list, identifying whether the PDSCH MAC CE is a MAC CE capable of indicating two or more TCI states for one TCI codepoint, receiving, from the BS, downlink control information (DCI) including information indicating a TCI codepoint, and receiving, from the BS, data via a PDSCH based on the information indicating activation of the at least one TCI state, a result of the identifying, and the information indicating the TCI codepoint.