Reference Signaling for Unified Uplink-Downlink Beam Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing beam indication mechanisms for uplink and downlink transmissions in wireless communication networks result in undesirable signaling overhead and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
The proposed method involves determining activated beam states based on downlink signals to configure uplink signals, reducing the need for separate uplink sounding procedures by utilizing the same beam states for both uplink and downlink communications, thereby optimizing resource utilization and minimizing overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate beam indication mechanisms are used for uplink and downlink transmissions, then beam configuration flexibility is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines uplink and downlink beam indication mechanisms by allowing a downlink TCI state to indicate both downlink reception beam and uplink transmission beam. The network device configures a TCI state that includes both downlink reference signal (for reception beam) and uplink reference signal (for transmission beam), enabling unified beam indication that reduces signaling overhead while maintaining configuration flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The TCI state is designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously: it indicates the downlink reception beam for the user equipment, the uplink transmission beam for the user equipment, and provides reference signals for both directions. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate beam indication mechanisms, reducing signaling overhead while preserving adaptability.
2Measurement precision
If separate uplink sounding procedures are implemented, then uplink beam accuracy is improved, but resource efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The network device performs downlink beam indication first, which includes indicating the uplink transmission beam through the TCI state. The user equipment then uses this pre-indicated beam for uplink transmission without needing to perform separate uplink sounding procedures. This preliminary beam indication maintains uplink beam accuracy while eliminating redundant sounding resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The downlink reference signal configured in the TCI state serves dual purposes: it enables the user equipment to determine the downlink reception beam and also provides the basis for determining the uplink transmission beam. The same reference signal structure is reused for both uplink and downlink beam determination, improving resource efficiency while maintaining measurement precision.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for reference signaling design and configuration in wireless communication networks is discussed herein. In one embodiment, the systems and methods are configured to determine, by a wireless communication device, an activated beam state applicable to a downlink signal received from a wireless communication node. The systems and methods can be further configured to determine, by the wireless communication device based at least on the activated beam state, a first information of an uplink signal to the wireless communication node, the uplink signal associated with an uplink resource.