TCI State Group Activation Signaling for 5G Overhead Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 5G systems, configuring Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states for terminals results in significant signaling overhead due to the need to activate up to 64 TCI states using Media Access Control Elements (MAC CE), which is inefficient and resource-intensive.
Innovation Solution
A method and device configuration that activates all TCI states of a target group with a single activation signaling, followed by a configuration signaling to designate a receiving beam for a reference signal, reducing overhead by grouping TCI states and using a TCI state correspondence table to indicate activated groups with fewer bits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If MAC CE signaling is used to activate TCI states individually, then each TCI state can be activated precisely, but the signaling overhead increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple TCI state activations into a single MAC CE signaling operation by introducing a group ID field. Instead of sending separate activation commands for each TCI state, the base station groups multiple TCI states and activates them simultaneously using one signaling message, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining precise control over which TCI states are activated.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the 64 TCI states into multiple groups, where each group is identified by a group ID. This segmentation allows the system to manage and activate TCI states in manageable chunks rather than individually, enabling efficient batch activation while preserving the ability to selectively activate specific groups based on service requirements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If up to 64 TCI states are configured for the terminal, then the system supports diverse beam configurations, but the activation signaling becomes excessively large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the 64 TCI states into multiple groups using group IDs, allowing the activation signaling to reference groups rather than individual states. This segmentation reduces the activation signaling size from potentially 64 bits to a much smaller number of bits representing group identifiers, while still supporting diverse beam configurations through the underlying TCI state diversity within each group.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables activation of multiple TCI states through partial action by activating entire groups at once rather than individually. The group ID mechanism allows the system to activate a subset (group) of TCI states efficiently, providing a practical solution that balances comprehensive beam support with signaling efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a configuration method and apparatus for transmission configuration indication (TCI). The method includes: after a radio resource control (RRC) connection is established with a terminal, sending activation signaling to the terminal; the activation signaling being used for activating all TCI states included in a target TCI group, and the target TCI group including a plurality of TCI states; sending configuration signaling to the terminal, the configuration signaling being used for instructing the terminal to use a target receiver beam to receive a physical downlink channel scheduled by the configuration signaling, the target receiver beam being a receiver beam corresponding to a reference signal corresponding to a target TCI state, and the target TCI state being one of the TCI states indicated by the configuration signaling in the target TCI group.