Terminal TCI State Indication for Mismatched DL and UL Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

In future radio communication systems, the method of TCI state indication is often indefinite, leading to degradation in communication quality and reduced throughput.

Innovation Solution

A terminal that receives downlink control information to determine appropriate TCI states for both downlink and uplink signals, ensuring alignment in the number of indicated states for each.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a TCI state indication method is used for multiple signal types, then the applicability and versatility are improved, but the indication method becomes indefinite and ambiguous

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTCI state applicability to multiple signalsVSAvoidTCI state indication clarity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state indication process into distinct parts: separate handling for downlink signals and uplink signals. When the number of TCI states differs between DL and UL, the terminal selectively applies TCI states based on signal type, ensuring clear and unambiguous indication for each signal category while maintaining versatility across multiple signal types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If TCI state indication is applied to multiple signal types, then the functionality is enhanced, but communication quality degradation may occur due to indefinite indication

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveMulti-signal TCI applicationVSAvoidcommunication quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides TCI state application into separate downlink and uplink handling mechanisms. The terminal determines the number of TCI states for DL signals and UL signals independently, and when they differ, applies appropriate TCI states selectively based on signal type. This segmentation ensures reliable communication quality by avoiding ambiguous indications while maintaining enhanced functionality across multiple signal types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Device complexity

If unified TCI state indication is used for DL and UL signals, then the device complexity is reduced, but the indication becomes indefinite when signal counts differ

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveTCI state management complexityVSAvoidTCI state indication definiteness

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements segmentation in TCI state management by separately determining and handling TCI states for downlink and uplink signals. The terminal counts TCI states for DL and UL independently and applies them conditionally based on signal type. This approach maintains relatively simple device complexity while ensuring definite and unambiguous TCI state indication for each signal category.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20250279869A1Terminal, radio communication method, and base station

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 NTT DOCOMO INC

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving section that receives downlink control information (DCI) for indicating a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state applicable to a plurality of signals, and a control section that, when the number of TCI states indicated for a downlink (DL) signal included in the plurality of signals is different from the number of TCI states indicated for an uplink (UL) signal included in the plurality of signals, determines a TCI state to be applied to the DL signal and a TCI state to be applied to the UL signal. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately perform TCI state indication.