User Equipment TCI State Request Mechanism

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication systems lack an efficient method for user equipment (UE) to request and manage transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states, leading to suboptimal resource allocation and increased power consumption.

Innovation Solution

A method where user equipment (UE) can request a preferred number of TCI states for communication with base stations, and the base stations respond with an indication to use those states based on metrics such as robustness and throughput, allowing for dynamic adjustment of communication settings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the base station configures a large number of TCI states for all UEs, then the robustness and throughput of communications are improved, but the power consumption and resource allocation efficiency of the UE deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of communicationVSAvoidpower consumption of UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the UE to dynamically adjust the number of TCI states based on communication conditions. The UE can request to use only one TCI state when power saving is needed, or request multiple TCI states when robustness is prioritized, thereby changing the operational parameter (number of TCI states) to resolve the contradiction between reliability and energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the UE to flexibly change the number of TCI states according to varying communication conditions. The UE can dynamically switch between using one TCI state for power saving and multiple TCI states for enhanced robustness, making the system adaptable rather than static

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the base station configures a large number of TCI states for all UEs, then the throughput of communications is improved, but the resource allocation efficiency of the UE deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvethroughput of communicationVSAvoidresource allocation complexity of UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by allowing the UE to adjust the number of TCI states based on throughput requirements. When high throughput is needed, the UE can request multiple TCI states; when resource allocation efficiency is prioritized, the UE can request only one TCI state, thereby dynamically changing the operational parameter to resolve the contradiction

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If the UE uses multiple TCI states for communication, then the robustness and throughput are improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobustness of communicationVSAvoidpower consumption of UE

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies self-service by enabling the UE to autonomously determine and request its preferred number of TCI states based on its own power status and communication conditions. The UE independently decides whether to prioritize robustness or power saving without requiring base station intervention, thereby resolving the contradiction through self-service decision-making

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS11716725B2User equipment requests for a number of transmission configuration indicator states

Publication Date: 2023.08.01 QUALCOMM INC

AI summary

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit a request to use a preferred number of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states for communications with one or more base stations. The UE may receive an indication to use a number of TCI states based at least in part on the request. Numerous other aspects are described.