PUCCH Spatial Relation Signaling via Grouped MAC-CE
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless communication networks face inefficiencies in signaling PUCCH spatial relations, leading to increased signaling overhead, delay, and energy consumption due to the need for individualized MAC-CE messages for each PUCCH resource, especially when a common spatial relation applies to all resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a flexible signaling approach that allows a single MAC-CE message to indicate a spatial relation for multiple PUCCH resources by using flag bits, resource group IDs, or omitting resource IDs, enabling the application of a spatial relation to all configured resources or specific groups, thereby reducing redundant signaling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If individualized MAC-CE messages are sent for each PUCCH resource, then spatial relation signaling accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling a single MAC-CE message to serve multiple PUCCH resources simultaneously. The message structure includes a resource ID field that can indicate either a specific PUCCH resource or a group of resources, allowing the same signaling mechanism to handle both individual and collective spatial relation configurations efficiently
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments PUCCH resources into groups where resources within a group share the same spatial relation. This segmentation allows the network to apply spatial relations at the group level rather than individually to each resource, reducing the number of MAC-CE messages required while maintaining appropriate spatial differentiation between resource groups
2Manufacturing precision
If individualized MAC-CE messages are sent for each PUCCH resource, then spatial relation configuration precision is improved, but signaling delay increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the configuration of multiple PUCCH resources into a single MAC-CE message by introducing a resource ID field that can represent either an individual resource or a group of resources. This merging approach allows simultaneous configuration of multiple resources in one signaling operation, reducing the cumulative delay that would result from sequential individual configurations
3Measurement precision
If individualized MAC-CE messages are sent for each PUCCH resource, then spatial relation accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The MAC-CE message structure is designed with multi-functionality to handle both individual and group-based spatial relation signaling. By using a flexible resource ID field that can indicate either specific resources or resource groups, the system achieves accurate spatial relation configuration while minimizing the total number of messages transmitted, thereby reducing energy consumption
Data Source
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AI summary
Exemplary embodiments include methods performed by a network node to configure PUCCH resources usable in communication with UE in a wireless network. Embodiments include sending, to the UE, one or more control messages comprising: configuration of a plurality of PUCCH resources; and identification of a plurality of spatial relations associated with one or more reference signals transmitted by the UE or the network node. Embodiments also include sending, to the UE, a further control message comprising: identification of a first spatial relation of the plurality of spatial relations; and indication of whether the first spatial relation applies to a single PUCCH resource of the configured PUCCH resources, or to at least one group of PUCCH resources of the configured PUCCH resources. Exemplary embodiments also include complementary methods performed by a UE, as well as network nodes and UEs configured to perform the exemplary methods.