PUSCH TCI State Association via Segmented DCI Fields

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems, particularly in the context of 5G and beyond, face challenges in efficiently managing and switching between different Transmission Channel Instances (TCI) states for uplink channels, which affects communication performance and resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves a terminal apparatus and a base station apparatus that utilize specific configurations to receive and transmit PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) data. The apparatuses are designed to interpret DCI (Downlink Control Information) indications that associate PUSCH transmissions with multiple TCI states, allowing for flexible association based on provided indications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a single TCI state is used for PUSCH transmission, then the device complexity is reduced, but the adaptability and communication performance deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveTCI state association flexibilityVSAvoidDCI indication complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state indication into multiple independent fields within DCI format 0_1: a first TCI state indication field and a second TCI state indication field. Each field can independently indicate different TCI states, allowing the system to selectively use one or both fields based on communication requirements. This segmentation enables flexible association of PUSCH with multiple TCI states while maintaining clear, manageable indication mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension for TCI state management by enabling simultaneous indication of multiple TCI states through separate fields in the DCI. Instead of using a single-dimensional indication approach, the system adds another indication dimension, allowing PUSCH to be associated with multiple TCI states (first TCI state from the first field, second TCI state from the second field) without increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If multiple TCI states are indicated in DCI, then the communication performance is improved, but the loss of information increases due to more indication fields

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidDCI overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the second TCI state indication field optional and configurable, allowing the DCI format to serve multiple functions: it can indicate one or two TCI states depending on communication conditions. This multi-functionality enables the system to adapt the indication mechanism to different scenarios, reducing unnecessary information transmission when single TCI state sufficiency is adequate, while enabling enhanced reliability when multiple TCI states are required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If dynamic TCI state switching is enabled, then the productivity is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveresource allocation efficiencyVSAvoidterminal processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs preliminary action by configuring TCI state indications in advance through RRC signaling, which pre-establishes the relationship between DCI fields and TCI states. This preliminary configuration reduces the processing burden during actual PUSCH transmission, as the terminal device can directly map the indicated TCI states to pre-configured parameters without complex real-time calculations, thereby improving resource allocation efficiency while controlling processing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4568398A1Terminal device, base station device, and communication method
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 SHARP KK
  • EP4568398A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4568398A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4568398A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Included are a receiver configured to receive a first PDCCH to which a first DCI is mapped and a second PDCCH to which a second DCI for scheduling a PUSCH is mapped, and a transmitter configured to transmit the PUSCH, wherein the first DCI indicates both a first TCI state and a second TCI state, both the first TCI state and the second TCI state are TCI states for at least an uplink channel/signal, the second DCI provides any of a first indication, a second indication, and a third indication, in a case that the second DCI provides the first indication, the PUSCH is associated with the first TCI state, in a case that the second DCI provides the second indication, the PUSCH is associated with the second TCI state, and in a case that the second DCI provides the third indication, the PUSCH is associated with both the first TCI state and the second TCI state.