TCI-Linked Pathloss Offset Updates for Faster Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing network handovers with high latencies and signaling overhead due to the introduction of conditional handovers and layer 1/layer 2 triggered mobility, which affect connection quality and efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) and base station (BS) system that utilizes pathloss offsets associated with transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, updated through radio resource control (RRC) messages and medium access control (MAC) elements, to optimize uplink transmissions and reduce handover latency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conditional handovers and layer 1/layer 2 triggered mobility are introduced to increase handover speed, then handover efficiency is improved, but latency and signaling overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The network pre-configures multiple TCI states and associated pathloss offsets for the UE before handover is needed. This allows the UE to have ready-made transmission parameters for multiple potential target cells, enabling faster handover execution without real-time signaling delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically updates pathloss offsets for different TCI states based on current channel conditions and UE location. This dynamic adaptation allows the handover process to respond quickly to changing conditions without requiring complete reconfiguration, reducing handover latency while maintaining efficiency.
2Productivity
If conditional handovers and layer 1/layer 2 triggered mobility are introduced to increase handover speed, then handover efficiency is improved, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple configuration elements (TCI states, pathloss offsets, and handover parameters) into unified RRC messages and MAC CE structures. This merging reduces the number of separate signaling exchanges needed during handover, decreasing overall signaling overhead while maintaining comprehensive control.
Solution Approach 2:
The TCI state configuration framework serves multiple functions: it defines beam directions, associates pathloss offsets for power control, and enables fast handover. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated signaling for each function, reducing overall signaling overhead.
3Reliability
If pathloss offsets are updated dynamically for each TCI state, then uplink transmission quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the pathloss offset parameter dynamically for different TCI states based on measured channel conditions. The UE maintains a set of pre-configured pathloss offset values corresponding to different TCI states and selects the appropriate offset based on current conditions, improving uplink quality without requiring complex real-time calculations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network pre-provides the UE with multiple pathloss offset values associated with different TCI states through RRC configuration. This preliminary provisioning allows the UE to quickly select and apply appropriate offsets during handover without performing complex real-time pathloss calculations, reducing processing complexity while maintaining transmission quality.
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) receives receive a radio resource control (RRC) message that includes one or more pathloss offsets from a base station (BS). Each pathloss offset is associated with a respective one of one or more transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states. Then, the UE receives, from the BS, a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) that includes one or more indicated values to update one or more pathloss offsets. Each indicated value is associated with a respective one of the one or more TCI states. The UE determines one or more updated pathloss offsets based on the one or more indicated values and transmits one or more uplink transmissions based on the one or more updated pathloss offsets and the associated TCI states.