Terminal Beam Reporting Configuration Update via TCI States
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current beam management frameworks in wireless communication systems face high signalling overhead and latency due to the need for frequent reconfiguration of beam reporting configurations using Radio Resource Control (RRC) signalling, particularly in 5G New Radio (NR) systems, which can limit the efficiency of channel state information reporting and increase network processing loads.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves allowing terminals to update their own measurement reporting configurations based on activated Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states, implicitly determining the reported set of downlink reference signals and quasi-co-located signals, reducing the reliance on network-initiated RRC signalling for beam reporting configuration updates.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If frequent reconfiguration of beam reporting configurations using RRC signalling is performed, then beam management accuracy is maintained, but signalling overhead and latency increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the beam management configuration into two parts: (1) a framework configuration provided via RRC signalling that defines the structure and parameters, and (2) dynamic activation/deactivation of specific beam reporting configurations triggered by MAC CE or DCI. This segmentation allows the system to maintain accurate beam management through the framework while reducing signalling latency by using lighter-weight MAC CE/DCI for updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple beam reporting configurations via RRC signalling before they are needed. When beam management updates are required, the system simply activates or deactivates pre-prepared configurations using MAC CE or DCI, rather than performing full reconfiguration procedures. This eliminates the need for frequent lengthy RRC reconfiguration exchanges.
2Reliability
If frequent reconfiguration of beam reporting configurations using RRC signalling is performed, then beam management accuracy is maintained, but network processing load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides network processing into two stages: (1) initial framework configuration via RRC signalling that establishes the beam reporting structure, and (2) simple activation/deactivation commands via MAC CE or DCI that require minimal network processing. This segmentation significantly reduces the processing load on network entities while maintaining beam management accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the terminal to self-manage beam reporting configurations by automatically activating or deactivating pre-configured beam reporting settings based on received MAC CE or DCI commands. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for the network to perform complex reconfiguration processing for each beam management update, thereby reducing network processing load.
3Loss of time
If terminal updates measurement reporting configurations autonomously based on activated TCI states, then signalling overhead is reduced, but configuration precision may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having the network pre-configure multiple beam reporting configurations with precise parameters via RRC signalling before terminal autonomously activates them. The terminal does not create configurations autonomously but rather selects from pre-defined options, ensuring configuration precision is maintained while reducing signalling overhead during activation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where MAC CE or DCI commands serve as mediators between the network's beam management decisions and the terminal's configuration activation. The network provides the authoritative configuration framework via RRC, and the intermediary MAC CE/DCI commands enable precise control of which configurations are active, maintaining precision while reducing overhead compared to full RRC reconfiguration.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for a terminal has means for storing a first configuration for measurement reporting on downlink reference signals, wherein one or more downlink reference signals correspond to one of a plurality of states for a first channel. The apparatus also has means for receiving an activation of a first state of the plurality of states for the first channel, and determining a second configuration for measurement reporting based on the first configuration for measurement reporting and the received activation of the first state, wherein the second configuration for measurement reporting configures the terminal to report measurements on a first downlink reference signal corresponding to the first state.