TCI State Segmentation for 5G Multi-TRP Reliability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current 5G networks face challenges in efficiently configuring transmission configuration indication (TCI) and quasi co-location (QCL) information, particularly in multi-TRP transmissions, which affect the reliability and flexibility of control channel transmission and data transmission, especially in scenarios with multiple downlink control and data channel transmissions overlapping in the time domain.
Innovation Solution
Enhancements include increasing the number of TCI/QCL states supported for PDCCH monitoring, adjusting the maximum number of monitored CORESETs within a bandwidth part (BWP), and establishing relationships between TCI states for beam management and diversity operations, allowing for multi-panel reception with different TCI/QCL configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the number of TCI/QCL states supported for PDCCH monitoring is increased, then the reliability and flexibility of control channel transmission is improved, but the device complexity and configuration overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the TCI state configuration into multiple levels: default TCI states configured via RRC signaling, and additional TCI states configured via MAC CE signaling. This segmentation allows the system to support a larger total number of TCI states while managing complexity by separating configuration methods into different layers with different levels of overhead and flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic selection mechanisms where the UE can be configured with multiple default TCI states and dynamically select among them based on scheduling decisions. The network can indicate which default TCI state to use via DCI signaling, enabling flexible adaptation to different transmission scenarios without requiring exhaustive pre-configuration of all possible TCI states.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the maximum number of monitored CORESETs within a bandwidth part is increased, then the adaptability and versatility of control channel reception is improved, but the processing complexity and power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent allows the UE to monitor up to 4 CORESETs simultaneously within a bandwidth part, which is sufficient for most practical scenarios. This partial action approach provides adequate versatility for multi-TRP and multi-beam operations without requiring the UE to process an excessive number of CORESETs that would lead to unacceptable processing complexity and power consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables different CORESETs to be configured with different properties such as different TCI states, different frequency locations, and different monitoring occasions. This local quality differentiation allows the system to achieve high adaptability by optimizing each CORESET for its specific purpose rather than using a uniform configuration across all CORESETs.
3Productivity
If multiple downlink control and data channel transmissions are allowed to overlap in the time domain, then the productivity and spectral efficiency is improved, but the reliability and reception robustness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves time-domain overlaps by introducing spatial dimension separation through multi-TRP transmissions with different TCI states. By associating different spatial parameters (QCL assumptions) with overlapping transmissions, the system enables the UE to distinguish and separately process these transmissions using different receive beams, thereby maintaining reliability while achieving high spectral efficiency through time-domain multiplexing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TCI states as intermediary elements that mediate between overlapping control and data channel transmissions. Each TCI state provides a distinct QCL assumption that acts as an intermediary reference, allowing the UE to properly configure its receive processing for each transmission even when they overlap in time, thus maintaining reception robustness while enabling high productivity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If beam management and diversity operations use separate TCI state relationships, then the adaptability for different transmission scenarios is improved, but the configuration overhead and system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes TCI states universal by enabling them to serve multiple functions: they can be used for both beam management (identifying specific beam directions) and diversity operations (selecting from multiple spatial layers). The same TCI state configuration framework supports both single-TRP and multi-TRP scenarios, as well as both control channel and data channel transmissions, thereby achieving high adaptability without proportionally increasing configuration overhead.
Data Source
AI summary
User equipment (UE) includes processing circuitry coupled to memory. To configure the UE for multi-transmission reception point (TRP) reception, the processing circuitry is to decode radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The RRC signaling includes configuration information configuring a plurality of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states. A media access control (MAC) control element (CE) is decoded, where the MAC CE indicates multiple active TCI states of the configured plurality of TCI states. Multiple received beams are determined using the multiple active TCI states. Downlink information is decoded, where the downlink information originates from multiple TRPs and is received via the determined multiple receive beams associated with the multiple active TCI states.