UE MIMO Capability Signaling for QCL Type D Assistance
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Solution Overview
Problem
In 3GPP New Radio (NR) wireless communication networks, especially at high carrier frequencies, base stations face challenges in managing beamforming due to the lack of knowledge about whether User Equipment (UE) needs quasi co-location (QCL) Type D assistance, leading to excessive signaling and resource overhead, as the network assumes QCL Type D assistance for all UEs, even if not required.
Innovation Solution
The method involves the UE sending capability information indicating its Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) capabilities, allowing the base station to determine if QCL Type D assistance is needed, and configuring the UE accordingly, thereby reducing unnecessary QCL Type D configuration and associated signaling overhead.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the base station assumes QCL Type D assistance for all UEs, then beamforming control is simplified, but signaling overhead and resource usage increase excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a capability indicator parameter that changes the base station's assumption about QCL Type D assistance based on UE capability. Instead of universally assuming assistance is needed, the base station now adjusts its behavior based on the reported capability parameter, thereby reducing unnecessary signaling for UEs that don't require QCL Type D assistance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a static assumption (QCL Type D assistance always needed) to a dynamic decision-making process where the base station determines assistance requirements based on UE capability reports. This dynamic approach allows the system to adaptively configure QCL Type D assistance only when necessary, reducing overall signaling overhead.
2Reliability
If QCL Type D assistance is configured for all UEs, then beamforming reliability is ensured, but resource usage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by tailoring QCL Type D assistance configuration to individual UE capabilities rather than applying it uniformly to all UEs. The base station determines whether each UE requires QCL Type D assistance based on its reported capability, thereby allocating resources efficiently and avoiding waste on UEs that can operate without this assistance.
3Reliability
If the base station provides QCL Type D assistance to all UEs, then signal reception reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the QCL Type D assistance configuration from a universal default state and conditions it specifically on UE capability reports. By separating the assistance configuration from the standard setup procedure, the system only applies the additional complexity where necessary (for UEs that report needing QCL Type D assistance), thereby reducing overall device complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention refers to a method in a user equipment, UE (100) of a wireless communications network, wherein the communications network provides a radio connection of the UE to a base station, gNB (200), comprising the steps of sending the gNB (200) UE capability information indicative of multiple input multiple output, MIMO, capabilities, receiving from the gNB (200) configuration information for a transmission configuration indication, TCI, state configuration associated to spatial quasi co-location, QCL, assistance, and receiving from the gNB (200) physical download control channel, PDCCH, information to determine PDSCH scheduling referring to the TCI state; the invention further refers to a corresponding method in a gNB, and to a corresponding UE and gNB.