Reference PDCCH Candidate Selection for Multi-TRP Beam Indication

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in improving beam indication reliability, particularly in multi-TRP systems under the Rel. 17 unified TCI framework, where DCI-based beam updates can be unreliable.

Innovation Solution

The proposed solution involves identifying a reference PDCCH candidate by linking first and second PDCCH candidates through beam indication DCI and higher layer RRC signaling, ensuring consistent beam indication across multiple TRPs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If DCI-based beam updates are used in multi-TRP systems, then beam indication flexibility is improved, but reliability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam indication flexibilityVSAvoidbeam indication reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reference PDCCH candidate as an intermediary element that mediates between multiple PDCCH candidates from different TRPs. The reference candidate serves as a common reference point for beam indication, allowing the system to maintain flexibility in multi-TRP operations while improving reliability through consistent beam selection based on the reference candidate's TCI states

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enforces homogeneity by requiring that all PDCCH candidates in the multi-TRP system use the same set of TCI states as the reference PDCCH candidate. This ensures consistent beam indication across different TRPs, resolving the reliability issue while maintaining the flexibility to serve multiple TRPs simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #33Homogeneity

2Productivity

If multiple PDCCH candidates from multiple TRPs are transmitted, then communication capacity is improved, but beam indication consistency deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication capacityVSAvoidbeam indication consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the beam indication process by separating the reference PDCCH candidate (which defines the TCI state set) from other PDCCH candidates (which use the segmented TCI state set). This allows multiple TRPs to operate simultaneously with improved capacity while maintaining consistency through the segmented reference structure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the reference PDCCH candidate and its TCI state set before other PDCCH candidates are processed. This preliminary establishment of the TCI state framework ensures that subsequent PDCCH candidates from multiple TRPs maintain consistency with the pre-defined reference, resolving the beam indication consistency issue

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12526818B2Determining a reference PDCCH candidate

Publication Date: 2026.01.13 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

Apparatuses and methods for beam indication and repetition in a wireless communication system. A method for operating a user equipment (UE) includes receiving a first physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) candidate and a second PDCCH candidate including first and second beam indication downlink control information (DCI), respectively; receiving higher layer radio resource control (RRC) signaling including a parameter indicating a linkage between the first and second PDCCH candidates. The method further includes identifying information related to a reference PDCCH candidate; identifying, based on the parameter, that the first and second beam indication DCI include at least a same set of TCI states; and determining, based on the information, the reference PDCCH candidate from the first and second PDCCH candidates.