Terminal TCI State Control via MAC CE and DCI
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Solution Overview
Problem
In future radio communication systems, such as NR, the lack of clear Quasi-Co-Location (QCL) information can lead to decreased communication quality and throughput due to unclear Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states.
Innovation Solution
A terminal equipped with a receiver to receive TCI states and a controller to determine active TCI states based on MAC CEs and DCI, ensuring appropriate TCI states are applied to downlink and uplink signals.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If QCL information is not clearly defined in future radio communication systems, then system flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but communication quality and throughput decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring a list of TCI states through higher layer signaling (RRC) before actual communication occurs. This allows the terminal to have TCI states ready in advance, so when DCI needs to activate them, the process is faster and more reliable. The TCI states include pre-defined QCL information, ensuring clarity is established before it is needed for actual signal transmission.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the TCI state configuration process into multiple stages: (1) RRC layer configures a list of candidate TCI states with detailed QCL information, (2) MAC CE activates specific TCI states from the list, and (3) DCI selects and applies the activated TCI states. This segmentation allows each layer to handle specific aspects of TCI state management, improving overall reliability while maintaining system flexibility.
2Productivity
If multiple TCI states are configured for downlink and uplink, then communication performance is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified TCI state framework that serves both downlink and uplink communications. The same TCI state list configured by RRC can be used for both directions, and the same MAC CE and DCI mechanisms manage TCI states for both downlink and uplink. This multi-functional approach improves throughput by enabling advanced features while keeping the management mechanism unified rather than duplicating separate systems for downlink and uplink.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing the terminal to dynamically select and activate appropriate TCI states from the pre-configured list based on current communication conditions. The MAC CE and DCI enable real-time activation and switching of TCI states, allowing the system to adapt to changing channel conditions, mobility scenarios, and traffic requirements without requiring static configuration.
3Measurement precision
If TCI states are determined using multiple signaling layers (RRC, MAC CE, DCI), then TCI state determination accuracy is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the complete list of TCI states with all QCL information through RRC signaling before actual communication occurs. This preliminary configuration ensures that when MAC CE and DCI need to activate or select TCI states, the detailed QCL information is already available, eliminating the need for additional signaling exchanges and reducing processing time while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the TCI state determination process across different signaling layers with specific responsibilities: RRC handles comprehensive configuration of candidate TCI states, MAC CE handles activation of specific TCI states from the list, and DCI handles real-time selection and application. This segmentation allows each layer to work efficiently within its scope without redundant processing, improving overall speed while maintaining determination accuracy through the collaborative multi-layer approach.
Data Source
AI summary
A terminal according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiver that receives a list of transmission configuration indication (TCI) states applicable to downlink and uplink; and a controller that determines one or more sets of active TCI states from the list based on one or more medium access control-control elements (MAC CEs), and determines one or more TCI states to be applied to at least one of downlink and uplink signals from the one or more sets based on downlink control information (DCI). According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the TCI state is appropriately controlled.