Unified TCI State Configuration for PUSCH Spatial Relation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for determining the spatial relation for physical uplink control channel (PUSCH) transmission in mobile communications result in excessive signaling overhead and latency, particularly in mobile environments, due to the reliance on sounding reference signal (SRS) resources for beam configuration, which is inefficient and not well-adapted to mobile conditions.
Innovation Solution
The proposed solution involves configuring user equipment (UE) with multiple transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state configurations, where each state includes a reference signal for quasi co-location (QCL) type D parameter for PDSCH reception and spatial relation information for PUSCH transmission, allowing the network device to indicate a TCI state for PUSCH scheduling, thereby eliminating redundant higher layer signaling for uplink beam configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If spatial relation information for PUSCH transmission is determined based on SRS resource configuration, then the transmit beam can be configured for PUSCH transmission, but signaling overhead increases and the system cannot adapt well to mobile environments
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by making the TCI state configuration serve dual purposes: it provides QCL type D parameters for PDSCH reception and spatial relation information for PUSCH transmission. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate SRS-based spatial relation configuration, thereby reducing signaling overhead while maintaining transmission reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the previously separate configurations for downlink (PDSCH) and uplink (PUSCH) beam management into a unified TCI state framework. By combining these functions into a single configuration mechanism, the patent reduces redundant signaling while ensuring consistent beam management for both directions
2Reliability
If SRS resources are used for determining spatial relation information, then PUSCH transmit beam can be established, but transmission latency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring TCI states that contain both QCL type D parameters and spatial relation information. This allows the UE to have beam configuration information ready in advance, eliminating the need for time-consuming SRS-based spatial relation determination during transmission moments, thus reducing latency while maintaining reliability
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate configurations are used for PDSCH reception and PUSCH transmission, then each channel can be optimized independently, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces device complexity by making the TCI state configuration universal for both PDSCH and PUSCH. Instead of maintaining separate configuration sets, the same TCI state structure serves both downlink and uplink, simplifying the configuration management while preserving the ability to optimize each channel through appropriate parameter selection within the unified framework
Data Source
AI summary
The embodiments of the present application provide methods and devices for determining a spatial relation, user equipment (UE) and network device. The method includes: receiving, by UE, first configuration information from a network device, the first configuration information being used to determine N transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state configurations, N being a positive integer; wherein each of the N TCI state configuration is used to determine a reference signal, the reference signal is used to determine a quasi co-location (QCL) type D parameter, the QCL type D parameter is used by the UE to receive physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH); the reference signal is further used to determine a spatial relation information, the spatial relation information is used by the UE to transmit physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH).