Terminal TCI State Selection for Downlink Signal Scheduling

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Solution Overview

Problem

The application of Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states in future radio communication systems is not clear, leading to potential degradation in communication quality and throughput reduction.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and base station that determine TCI states based on frequency range, specific capabilities, and threshold offsets from downlink control information reception to appropriately apply TCI states to downlink signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a TCI state is applied to multiple types of signals (channels/RSs) to improve system efficiency, then communication throughput is improved, but communication quality may degrade due to unclear indication and application methods

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication throughputVSAvoidcommunication quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies different TCI state indication and application methods to different types of signals and channels based on their specific characteristics. For example, different procedures are defined for PDSCH, PDCCH, CSI-RS, and other downlink signals, ensuring each signal type receives the appropriate level of TCI state management to maintain both quality and throughput

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic TCI state indication mechanisms where the number and type of TCI states applied to signals can be flexibly configured based on signal characteristics, frequency range, and deployment scenarios. This allows the system to adaptively optimize the balance between communication quality and throughput for different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If clear TCI state indication methods are established for all signal types to improve communication quality, then system complexity increases due to the need for multiple indication procedures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state indication and application process into distinct procedures for different signal types and scenarios. Each segment handles specific signal types (PDSCH, PDCCH, CSI-RS, etc.) with tailored indication methods, making the overall complex system manageable through modular, organized procedures that can be independently implemented and maintained

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4701304A1Terminal, wireless communication method, and base station
Publication Date: 2026.02.25 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4701304A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4701304A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4701304A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes: a receiving section that receives downlink control information (DCI) for scheduling a specific downlink (DL) signal; and a control section that determines one or a plurality of unified Transmission Configuration Indication (TCI) states to be applied to the DL signal, based on at least one of a frequency range (FR), supporting of a specific capability, and a specific threshold related to an offset from reception of the DCI to reception of the down DL signal. According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to appropriately apply a TCI state(s).