NCR Beam Management Using Split TCI State Lists
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face limitations in communication flexibility and efficiency, particularly in managing beam configurations for improved communication capacity, speed, and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A network-controlled repeater (NCR) apparatus that communicates with user equipment (UE) and a base station, utilizing Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states for beam management through RRC and MAC Control Element messages, along with physical downlink control channels, to optimize access and backhaul-link transmissions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If beam configurations are managed using existing wireless communication systems, then communication structure is maintained, but communication flexibility and efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments beam management into separate lists for backhaul-link TCI states and access-link TCI states. The base station maintains a first list of TCI states for backhaul-link beams and a second list of TCI states for access-link beams, allowing independent management and activation of each link's beam configurations through dedicated MAC CE messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic beam management by allowing the base station to activate different TCI states from the configured lists based on current communication conditions. The MAC CE messages enable dynamic activation of specific TCI states for backhaul and access links, and DCI messages dynamically indicate TCI states for PDSCH transmissions, adapting beam configurations in real-time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple TCI states are configured for beam management, then beam flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides TCI state configurations into separate lists for backhaul-link and access-link, with dedicated MAC CE activation messages for each list. This segmentation allows efficient management of multiple TCI states by treating each link's beam configurations independently, reducing the complexity of managing combined lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent configures multiple TCI states in lists but only activates a subset of them through MAC CE messages at any given time. This partial action approach allows the system to prepare multiple beam options in advance while only using the necessary number of active TCI states for current transmissions, reducing immediate signaling overhead while maintaining flexibility.
3Speed
If dynamic TCI state activation is implemented, then communication speed is improved, but control message overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary configuration of multiple TCI states in lists through RRC signaling before actual beam switching is needed. The MAC CE activation messages then only need to indicate which pre-configured TCI states to activate, rather than transmitting full beam configuration details, reducing the overhead of dynamic beam management while enabling fast beam switching.
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 signal carried by the access-link in a time-frequency resource based on a TCI state from the second set.