Universal TCI Configuration for Faster 5G Handover Beam Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing mobility management process in wireless communications, particularly in 5G networks, involves significant delay and overhead due to the need for RRC signaling during handover, which prevents the user equipment (UE) from knowing the beam information of the target cell until the handover is completed, failing to meet the delay requirements of certain services.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a universal Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state that includes both the serving and non-serving cell beam configurations, allowing the UE to anticipate the downlink and uplink beam information of the target cell through RRC signaling, thereby reducing handover delays by preparing the receiving and transmitting beams in advance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional RRC signaling handover process is used, then handover reliability is ensured through proper beam configuration, but handover delay increases because UE cannot know target cell beam information until handover is completed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by configuring TCI states for non-serving cells in advance through RRC signaling before handover occurs. The UE receives and stores TCI state configurations for target cells during normal operation, so when handover is triggered, the UE already has the beam information needed to quickly switch to the target cell without waiting for post-handover configuration, thus reducing handover delay while maintaining reliability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the handover process by separating the beam configuration phase from the handover execution phase. TCI state configurations are delivered and stored in advance (segment 1), then during handover the UE simply activates the pre-configured beam (segment 2), dividing the complex handover into manageable stages that reduce overall delay
2Loss of time
If TCI state configuration for non-serving cells is added to RRC signaling, then beam preparation time is reduced allowing advance knowledge of target cell beams, but signaling overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the TCI state configuration mechanism universal by designing it to serve dual purposes: it configures beams for current serving cells during normal operation and simultaneously prepares beam information for potential target cells for future handovers. This multi-functionality allows the same signaling infrastructure to support both ongoing communication and proactive handover preparation, reducing the need for separate dedicated handover signaling
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of TCI state configuration from being serving-cell-specific to being universally applicable to both serving and non-serving cells. By modifying the configuration scope and timing parameters, the system transitions from reactive beam configuration to proactive beam preparation, reducing preparation time while managing overhead through efficient parameter utilization
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an electronic device and a method for wireless communication, and a computer-readable storage medium. The electronic device comprises: a processing circuit, configured to: send, by means of radio resource control signaling, configuration information of a universal transmission configuration indication state to a user equipment, wherein the universal transmission configuration indication state comprises a transmission configuration indication state of a downlink beam of a serving cell of the user equipment and a transmission configuration indication state of a downlink beam of a non-serving cell other than the serving cell; and determine activation information of a downlink beam of a target cell, wherein the user equipment is to be switched to the target cell.