Uplink TCI State Signaling for UE Beam Capability Coordination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in coordinating uplink beam management due to varying UE capabilities in supporting uplink transmission configuration indication (TCI) states and spatial relation information, leading to uncertainty in beamforming configurations.
Innovation Solution
User equipment (UE) indicates its capability to support uplink TCI states and, optionally, SRI-based beam management, allowing the base station to perform appropriate uplink beam management using either uplink TCI states or SRI, thereby enhancing coordination and efficiency in beamforming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the base station uses a unified uplink beam management framework for all UEs, then the system complexity is reduced, but UEs with varying capabilities (some supporting uplink TCI states, others only SRI-based beam management) cannot be properly served
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamic capability indication mechanism where UEs transmit capability information (support for uplink TCI states, SRI-based beam management, or both) to the base station. The base station then dynamically selects the appropriate beam management framework based on each UE's indicated capabilities, allowing the system to adapt its complexity level to match actual UE requirements rather than using a fixed unified approach.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters of the beam management framework based on UE capabilities. When a UE indicates support for uplink TCI states, the base station configures uplink TCI states with specific parameters (TCI state ID, source reference signal, quasi-co-location information). When a UE only supports SRI-based beam management, different parameters are configured. This parameter-based adaptation resolves the contradiction by allowing the same base station to serve different UE types with appropriately configured frameworks.
2Ease of operation
If the base station configures uplink beam management without knowing UE capabilities, then the configuration process is simpler, but beamforming accuracy and communication efficiency deteriorate due to uncertainty
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by having UEs indicate their beam management capabilities (support for uplink TCI states, SRI-based beam management, or both) during the initial connection or capability exchange phase, before actual beam configuration occurs. This advance information allows the base station to prepare the appropriate configuration framework in advance, avoiding the need for trial-and-error or generic configurations that would reduce beamforming accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where UEs provide capability information back to the base station regarding their support for different beam management approaches. The base station uses this feedback to determine the optimal beam management configuration for each UE, ensuring both configuration simplicity and beamforming accuracy by making informed decisions based on actual UE capabilities rather than assumptions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the system supports multiple beam management frameworks simultaneously, then capability compatibility is improved, but system complexity and coordination overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by allowing different parts of the system (different UEs or different communication links) to use different beam management frameworks based on their specific requirements and capabilities. Instead of forcing a single unified framework across the entire system, the base station configures uplink TCI states for some UEs while using SRI-based beam management for others, creating locally optimized solutions that reduce overall system complexity while maintaining capability compatibility.
Data Source
AI summary
Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may transmit, and a base station may receive, information indicating that the UE has a capability to support an uplink transmission configuration indication (TCI) state. The base station may transmit, and the UE may receive, downlink signaling identifying an uplink transmit beam based at least in part on the information indicating that the UE has the capability to support the uplink TCI state. The UE may transmit, and the base station may receive, uplink information using the uplink transmit beam identified in the downlink signaling. Numerous other aspects are provided.