Wireless Terminal TCI Control for Multiple Uplink Transmissions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing radio communication systems face issues with indefinite methods for applying transmission configuration indication (TCI) states to multiple types of signals, leading to potential communication quality degradation and throughput reduction.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and base station that utilize a unified TCI state determination mechanism, based on downlink control information, transmission/reception point index, and control resource set pool index, to appropriately control communication for multiple types of signals.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a unified TCI state is applied to multiple types of signals (channels/RSs), then communication quality and throughput are improved, but the method for applying the TCI state becomes indefinite and complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication qualityVSAvoidTCI state application method complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state application by introducing separate indication mechanisms for different signal types. Downlink control information (DCI) is used to indicate TCI states for downlink signals, while uplink control information (UCI) is used for uplink signals. This segmentation resolves the complexity by providing clear, type-specific application rules rather than a single indefinite method for all signal types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of a TCI state indication field within DCI structures. This intermediary explicitly maps TCI state identifiers to specific downlink signals (PDSCH, PDCCH), creating a deterministic application path that eliminates the previously indefinite nature of TCI state application across multiple signal types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If a unified TCI state is applied to multiple types of signals (channels/RSs), then communication throughput is improved, but the indication method becomes indefinite

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidTCI state indication clarity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the indication mechanism by signal type, using DCI for downlink TCI state indication and UCI for uplink TCI state indication. This segmentation prevents information loss by ensuring that each signal type has a dedicated, unambiguous indication path, eliminating the indefiniteness that would otherwise occur when trying to apply a single TCI state method to all signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by configuring TCI states in advance through higher-layer signaling (RRC or MAC CE) before they are activated. The TCI state indication field in DCI then simply points to pre-configured states, ensuring clear and unambiguous indication while maintaining high throughput through efficient reconfiguration capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple TCI states are supported for different signals, then communication control flexibility is improved, but the determination method becomes indefinite

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication control flexibilityVSAvoidTCI state determination ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the TCI state determination process into distinct paths for different signal types and transmission directions. Downlink signals use DCI-based indication, while uplink signals use UCI-based indication. This segmentation maintains operational ease by providing simple, rule-based determination methods for each segment, rather than requiring complex judgment for unified TCI state application across all signals.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different TCI state determination methods for different signal types and directions. Each signal type (PDSCH, PDCCH, PUSCH, PUCCH) has its own specific determination rules based on local requirements, providing flexibility where needed while maintaining operational simplicity through localized, specialized methods rather than a single complex unified approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4622375A1Terminal, wireless communication method, and base station
Publication Date: 2025.09.24 NTT DOCOMO INC
  • EP4622375A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4622375A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4622375A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving section that receives information indicating a unified transmission configuration indication (TCI) state and one piece of downlink control information indicating a plurality of UL transmissions, and a control section that determines a unified TCI state to be applied to the plurality of UL transmissions, based on at least one of information indicated by the downlink control information, a transmission/reception point (TRP) index corresponding to the UL transmission, and a control resource set pool index corresponding to the UL transmission.