NCR Beam Indication Using Split TCI Lists for Access and Backhaul
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face limitations in communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly in managing beam configurations for network-controlled repeaters and user equipment, which affect the overall performance and coverage of wireless communication devices.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a network-controlled repeater apparatus that receives and transmits radio resource control (RRC) and media access control (MAC) messages to manage Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states for both backhaul and access links, enabling efficient beam indication and management between user equipment and base stations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beam configurations are managed for network-controlled repeaters and user equipment, then communication flexibility and efficiency are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments beam configuration management into separate lists: a first list of TCI states for backhaul-link/C-link and a second list of TCI states for access link. This segmentation allows independent management of different link configurations, reducing the complexity of handling all beam configurations simultaneously while maintaining flexibility in each domain.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) states as intermediary elements that mediate between beam configuration and actual transmission. These TCI states act as manageable abstractions that simplify the relationship between complex beam configurations and the transmission process, making the system more flexible without proportionally increasing complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple TCI states are configured for backhaul and access links, then communication efficiency is improved, but message transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides TCI state configuration into separate lists for backhaul-link/C-link and access link, allowing efficient beam management for each link type independently. This segmentation enables optimized communication efficiency for each domain while managing complexity through structured organization rather than monolithic handling.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of TCI states through RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling before actual communication begins. By pre-configuring the lists of TCI states for both backhaul and access links, the system prepares beam management resources in advance, improving communication efficiency during operation while containing the complexity of configuration management within the setup phase.
Data Source
AI summary
A network-controlled repeater (NCR) apparatus that communicates with a user equipment (UE) and a base station apparatus is described. The NCR apparatus may include receiving circuitry configured to receive a radio resource control (RRC) message comprising first information used for indicating a first list of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state(s) for beam(s) associated with backhaul-link and/or C-link, receive an RRC message comprising second information used for indicating a second list of Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state(s) for beam(s) associated with access link, receive a first media access control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message comprising third information, and receive a second media access control (MAC) Control Element (CE) message comprising fourth information. The apparatus may also include transmitting circuitry configured to transmit a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) carried by the access-link according to the second TCI state.