TCI State Pool Codepoint Mapping for 5G Beam Indication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current standard protocols for 5G New Radio (NR) lack a signaling format that supports the simultaneous use of different types of Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states for beam indication, leading to higher latency and signaling consumption when switching between them.
Innovation Solution
An electronic device for a base station and a user equipment (UE) are configured to manage a pool of TCI states using RRC signaling and MAC Control Elements (CE), allowing each codepoint to reference a single downlink, uplink, joint, or paired TCI state, enabling flexible beam indication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If separate TCI states are configured for uplink and downlink, then beam indication accuracy is improved, but signaling consumption and latency increase when switching between them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by enabling each codepoint in the MAC CE to reference multiple types of TCI states (downlink-only, uplink-only, joint, or paired combinations) through a unified signaling format. This multi-functional approach allows the same codepoint structure to handle different TCI state configurations, eliminating the need for separate signaling formats and reducing switching latency while maintaining accurate beam indication.
2Adaptability or versatility
If hybrid configuration of different TCI states is enabled, then flexibility of beam management is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the TCI state configuration into distinct types (downlink-only, uplink-only, joint, and paired) that can be independently configured and referenced. Each TCI state type is segmented with specific characteristics and applicable scenarios, allowing the system to select and activate only the necessary types for each beam management situation, thereby improving flexibility without overwhelming complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer in the form of codepoints within the MAC CE that mediate between the configured TCI states and the actual beam indication. These codepoints serve as intermediaries that can reference any combination of TCI state types, simplifying the interface between configuration and execution while enabling hybrid configurations of different TCI state types.
3Ease of manufacture
If current standard protocol signaling format is used, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but it cannot support simultaneous use of different TCI state types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a flexible and adaptive signaling format where codepoints can dynamically reference different types of TCI states based on configuration. Rather than a static one-to-one mapping, the codepoint system can adapt to reference downlink-only, uplink-only, joint, or paired TCI states as needed, providing both implementation simplicity through a unified format and versatility in supporting different TCI state types simultaneously.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device for a base station includes processing circuitry configured to configure, via RRC signaling, a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state pool for a user equipment (UE); activate, via MAC CE including a set of codepoints, TCI states in the TCI state pool for the UE, wherein each of the codepoints is capable of referencing any ofa) a single downlink TCI state for indicating a downlink beam; b) a single uplink TCI state for indicating an uplink beam; c) a single joint TCI state for indicating a downlink beam and an uplink beam; or d) a pair of uplink TCI state and downlink TCI state; and indicate, via a DCI pointing to one codepoint of the set of codepoints, use of a beam corresponding to a TCI state referenced by this codepoint to the UE.