Quasi Co-Location Reset for Single Active TCI State UEs

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Solution Overview

Problem

In wireless communications, user equipment (UE) with a single active transmission configuration indication (TCI) state faces challenges in managing active receive beams, particularly during random access channel procedures, where updating the quasi co-location (QCL) assumption for control resource sets can exceed its capability, leading to complexity in identifying suitable beams for communication.

Innovation Solution

The UE implements a technique to reset the QCL assumption by deactivating the single active TCI state after a random access channel procedure and using the downlink beam selected during the procedure for all downlink shared channel and control channel monitoring, thereby avoiding the need for multiple receive beams and staying within its capability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the UE updates the QCL assumption for control resource sets during random access channel procedure, then the downlink beam can be optimized for better communication quality, but the UE exceeds its capability of supporting single active TCI state

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidcapability support
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the TCI state configuration changeable over time. The UE transitions from a static single active TCI state to a dynamic configuration where the QCL assumption can be updated during random access procedures. This allows the system to adapt the beam configuration based on current communication needs while managing UE capabilities through time-varying states.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the QCL assumption parameter during random access channel procedures. By updating the QCL reference signal association and modifying the TCI state configuration, the system optimizes the downlink beam parameters to match the current spatial characteristics, thereby improving communication quality without requiring permanent multi-state support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If the UE is configured with multiple active TCI states, then it can support multiple receive beams for different control resource sets, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebeam selection flexibilityVSAvoidUE complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state management by separating the control resource set configuration from the data channel configuration. Different TCI states can be assigned to different control resource sets, allowing the UE to handle multiple beams for control channels while maintaining a manageable configuration structure that doesn't overwhelm the device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the TCI state configuration universal by allowing a single TCI state to serve multiple purposes - it can be used for both control channel monitoring and data channel reception. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate beam configurations for different channel types, thereby reducing overall UE complexity while maintaining flexibility.

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

Data Source

PatentEP3900249B1Quasi co-location reset for a user equipment supporting a single active transmission configuration indication state
Publication Date: 2023.09.13 QUALCOMM INC
  • EP3900249B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3900249B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3900249B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods, systems, and devices for wireless communications are described. A user equipment (UE) with the capability to support a single active TCI state may receive configuration signaling which configures the UE with an active transmission configuration indication (TCI) state corresponding to a first beam for a control resource set and a shared data channel. The UE may perform a random access channel procedure to select a second beam from a set of different beams. The UE may update a quasi co-location (QCL) assumption for the control resource set to correspond to the second beam and deactivate the active TCI state based on updating the QCL assumption. The UE may then monitor the control resource set, the shared data channel, or both, using the second beam. The UE may deactivate the TCI state and use the indicated downlink beam so that the UE does not exceed its capability.