TCI State Indication via RRC and MAC CE Signaling

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Solution Overview

Problem

In a unified TCI framework for mobile communications, terminals face challenges in determining the appropriate TCI state for transmission on a target resource, leading to inefficiencies in beam management and increased beam update delays.

Innovation Solution

The method involves receiving Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling and Media Access Control (MAC) control elements to indicate and activate TCI states, allowing terminals to determine and utilize the correct TCI state for transmission, thereby improving communication efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a unified TCI framework is introduced to improve beam management efficiency, then beam management efficiency is improved, but terminals cannot determine the appropriate TCI state for transmission on target resources

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam management efficiencyVSAvoidTCI state determination capability

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state indication process into distinct phases: RRC signaling for configuration and MAC CE for activation. This segmentation allows the terminal to first receive and store TCI state configurations via RRC signaling, then activate specific states via MAC CE commands, making the overall process manageable and resolvable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the terminal receive and prepare TCI state configurations through RRC signaling before the actual activation occurs. The terminal pre-processes the configuration information, storing it in advance so that when MAC CE activation commands are received, the terminal can immediately determine the appropriate TCI state without delay

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of time

If a unified TCI framework is introduced to reduce beam update delay, then beam update delay is reduced, but terminals lack clear indication of resource pools and modes for TCI state determination

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeam update delayVSAvoidTCI state indication information

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces MAC CE as an intermediary mechanism between the network's beam management decisions and the terminal's TCI state application. The MAC CE carries activation commands that bridge the gap between network intent and terminal execution, providing the missing link for clear TCI state indication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback through the MAC CE activation mechanism, where the network provides explicit activation commands to the terminal based on the pre-configured TCI states. This feedback loop ensures the terminal receives clear, actionable information about which TCI states to activate and when, eliminating information loss

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20240147565A1TCI state indication method and apparatus, terminal, and network side device

Publication Date: 2024.05.02 VIVO MOBILE COMM CO LTD

AI summary

This application discloses a TCI state indication method and apparatus, a terminal, and a network side device, and pertains to the field of communications technologies. The TCI state indication method in embodiments of this application includes: receiving, by a terminal, RRC signaling, where the RRC signaling is used to indicate at least one of a resource pool of a TCI state and a mode of the TCI state; and receiving, by the terminal, a first MAC CE, where the first MAC CE is configured to activate at least one TCI state corresponding to the resource pool of the TCI state or the mode of the TCI state.