UL Beam and SRS Resource Alignment for Fast 5G NR Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing 5G/NR communication systems face challenges in efficiently managing beam management, particularly in high-frequency bands, due to the limitations of Rel.15/16 NR specifications, which are cumbersome and unable to handle a large number of beams and fast beam switching, leading to high latency and resource consumption.
Innovation Solution
Implementing apparatuses and methods for UL transmit beam and SRS resource alignment by configuring a UE or BS to identify and utilize multiple TCI states and SRS-Info, allowing for flexible and efficient beam determination and transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If existing Rel.15/16 NR specifications are used for beam management, then system compatibility is maintained, but beam management flexibility and speed are insufficient, leading to high latency and resource consumption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple TCI states with associated SRS resources before actual beam switching is needed. The UE stores these pre-configured TCI states and their corresponding SRS resource indications, allowing rapid beam switching without time-consuming configuration during operation. This resolves the latency issue while maintaining flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by enabling the UE to dynamically select and switch between multiple pre-configured TCI states based on real-time communication needs. The mechanism allows adaptive beam switching where the UE can transition between different beams quickly by simply changing the indicated TCI state, thereby improving both flexibility and speed.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a large number of beams are supported for high-frequency bands, then coverage and capacity are improved, but system complexity and resource consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the beam management function into discrete, manageable units. Each TCI state is segmented as an independent entity with associated SRS resources, allowing the system to manage a large number of beams through organized categorization rather than monolithic processing. This reduces complexity while supporting multiple beams.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by creating a unified mechanism that handles multiple beam management functions through a single framework. The same TCI state configuration structure serves multiple purposes: beam indication, SRS resource association, and switching control. This multi-functional approach reduces overall system complexity despite supporting numerous beams.
3Speed
If fast beam switching is implemented, then latency is reduced, but the complexity of beam alignment and resource allocation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-establishing the mapping between TCI states and SRS resources before fast switching is needed. This advance configuration eliminates the need for complex real-time alignment calculations during beam switching, allowing rapid transitions while maintaining manageable complexity through pre-computed associations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces TCI states as intermediary elements that mediate between beam selection and SRS resource allocation. Instead of directly managing complex beam-to-resource mappings, the system uses TCI states as intermediate identifiers that pre-encode both beam information and associated SRS resources, simplifying the switching process and reducing alignment complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods for uplink (UL) transmit beam and sounding reference signal (SRS) resource alignment are provided. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving a configuration including information about a list of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states and receiving an indication indicating a TCI state from the list of TCI states. The TCI state is associated with a source reference signal (RS) and at least one sounding reference signal (SRS) related information (SRS-Info). The method further includes identifying the source RS and the at least one SRS-info associated with the TCI state; determining a beam based on the source RS; determining at least one port based on the at least one SRS-Info; and transmitting an uplink (UL) transmission using the beam and the at least one port.