QCL Source Indication for Fast Beam Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile and wireless telecommunication systems, particularly in 5G networks, face challenges in efficiently managing beam indication and transmission configuration indicator states, leading to potential beam failures and increased latency due to improper selection of TCI states, which can result in reduced system performance and user experience.
Innovation Solution
A method where user equipment (UE) determines whether measurements satisfy thresholds for activated transmission configuration indicator states and transmits an indication to the network node, allowing for the activation or deactivation of these states, thereby supporting fast beam and panel selection and reducing the probability of beam failure.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the network node activates multiple TCI states for beam management, then the system can support more diverse beam options and improve reliability, but the complexity of managing and selecting appropriate TCI states increases, leading to potential beam failures and increased latency
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the UE measures reference signals associated with activated TCI states and reports measurement results (such as RSRP values) back to the network node. The network node uses this feedback to determine whether to activate, deactivate, or reconfigure TCI states. This closed-loop feedback system enables reliable beam management by continuously monitoring beam quality and adapting TCI state configurations based on actual channel conditions, thereby resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the network node frequently updates TCI state configurations to adapt to changing channel conditions, then the beam management accuracy improves, but the signaling overhead and processing latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the network node pre-configure multiple TCI states with associated reference signals before actual beam selection is needed. These pre-configured TCI states are stored in the UE's activated TCI state list. When beam updates are required, the system can quickly switch between pre-prepared TCI states without extensive reconfiguration signaling, thereby maintaining high beam selection accuracy while minimizing update latency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic TCI state management where the network node can activate or deactivate specific TCI states based on current channel conditions and UE feedback. The system dynamically adjusts the set of activated TCI states rather than maintaining a static configuration, allowing rapid adaptation to changing conditions. This dynamic approach enables the system to maintain measurement precision while reducing the frequency and overhead of configuration updates.
3Loss of information
If the UE continuously monitors and reports measurement results for all activated TCI states, then the network node has up-to-date information for optimal beam selection, but the uplink signaling overhead and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having the UE focus measurement and reporting efforts on specific TCI states that are most relevant to current communication conditions. Rather than uniformly monitoring all activated TCI states, the system identifies and prioritizes measurements for TCI states associated with the strongest or most promising beams. This selective measurement approach maintains information freshness for critical beams while significantly reducing UE power consumption and uplink signaling overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for reporting of feasibility of activated transmission configuration indicator/transmission coordination indication (TCI) states. For example, a user equipment (UE) may determine whether one or more measurements satisfy one or more thresholds for one or more TCI states, and may transmit an indication of whether the one or more measurements satisfy the one or more thresholds. The UE may then deactivate at least one of the one or more activated TCI states, or may activate one or more additional TCI states, based on the indication, and may use one or more of the activated TCI states for a downlink (DL) or uplink (UL) transmission.