Default Spatial Relation for PUCCH and SRS in Multi-TRP 5G NR

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity of 5G and 5G NR systems, particularly in multi-Transmission/Reception Point (TRP) operations, poses challenges in efficiently managing control information and spatial relations for users equipment (UE) in wireless communications, leading to increased network complexity and overhead.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of new MAC-CE (Media Access Control Element) configurations for updating spatial relations of semi-persistent and aperiodic SRS (Sounding Reference Signals) and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) in multi-TRP scenarios, allowing for reduced overhead by enabling default spatial relations and pathloss reference signals based on explicit or implicit associations between CORESETs, TCI states, and TRPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multi-TRP operation is implemented in 5G NR systems, then communication reliability and coverage are improved, but network complexity and overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidnetwork complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the spatial relation management by introducing separate MAC-CE configurations for different TRPs. Each TRP can be independently configured with its own spatial relation parameters, allowing the network to manage multiple TRPs without requiring a completely new management framework. This segmentation reduces the complexity of managing multi-TRP operations while maintaining reliability improvements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent inverts the traditional approach by allowing UEs to determine default spatial relations autonomously based on pre-configured parameters, rather than requiring the network to explicitly configure every spatial relation. This inversion reduces network overhead and complexity while maintaining the reliability benefits of multi-TRP operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Measurement precision

If explicit spatial relation configurations are provided for all channels and signals, then spatial relation accuracy is improved, but signaling overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial relation accuracyVSAvoidsignaling overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing explicit spatial relation configurations only where needed (for PUCCH and SRS) while allowing default spatial relations to be used for other channels and signals. This selective approach maintains spatial relation accuracy for critical signals while reducing overall signaling overhead by avoiding redundant configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses copying by allowing UEs to determine default spatial relations for PUSCH and other channels by copying or referencing the spatial relations already configured for PUCCH and SRS. This approach maintains spatial relation consistency across different channels while significantly reducing the amount of explicit signaling required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple MAC-CE configurations are introduced for multi-TRP operation, then spatial relation management flexibility is improved, but control plane overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespatial relation management flexibilityVSAvoidcontrol plane overhead

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamics by allowing the network to activate or deactivate specific MAC-CE configurations based on current operational needs. The gNB can dynamically select which TRP's spatial relation configuration to use for a given UE, providing flexibility in spatial relation management while controlling overhead by only activating necessary configurations rather than maintaining all possible configurations simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20230164786A1Default spatial relation for pucch and SRS with multi-trp

Publication Date: 2023.05.25 INTEL CORP

AI summary

Systems, devices, and methods to enable multi-TRP operation with a single DCI and with multiple DCI are described. A single DCI or multiple DCIs for the TRPs are used for PUCCH transmissions and SRS transmissions. The spatial relations between CORESET reception and PUCCH transmission or between SRS repetition are provided. The association for PUCCH transmission is dependent on whether a single spatial relation is used or multiple spatial relations are used. The association is a default association, an explicit association, and an implicit association between TRP and CORESET or TCI state.