WO2023031720A1 - Methods and systems of determining time for application of transmission configuration indicator (tci) state - Google Patents

Abstract

Methods and systems for determining a time at which a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state will be applied are provided. In some embodiments, the method includes (i) sending first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state; (ii) receiving downlink control information (DCI) and second information indicating a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state; (iii) transmitting a first acknowledgement to the base station; and (iv) applying the TCI state at a determined time, the determined time being at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

Description

METHODS AND SYSTEMS OF DETERMINING TIME FOR APPLICATION OF TRANSMISSION CONFIGURATION INDICATOR (TCI) STATE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/248,108, filed September 24, 2021 , and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/238,580, filed August 30, 2021 , which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) transmission schemes that can improve transmission efficiency. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for determining a time at which a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state will be applied.

BACKGROUND

[0003] New Radio (NR) system supports multi-beam operation on DL and UL physical channels and reference signals. The physical channels include Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). The reference signals include Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) and Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). NR release 15/16 supports functions of indicating beams used for PDCCH/PDSCH/CSI-RS/PUSCH/SRS/PUCCH through a framework of TCI-state for DL transmission or spatial relation for UL transmission.

SUMMARY

[0004] There are a number of drawbacks with existing NR systems. For existing systems that implement DCI-based unified TCI state, a base station can use a DCI to indicate one TCI state that provides the same beam for all the PDCCH, PDSCH and uplink transmission. This can reduce the multi-beam operation latency and overhead of signaling. However, existing systems struggle to configure or indicate when a TCI state should be switched. Furthermore, existing systems may be unable to determine the time when the terminal device should start to apply a newly indicated TCI state.

[0005] To address these issues, non-conventional systems and methods described herein provide for determining a time for a TCI state. A terminal device may report its capabilities for switching TCI states to a base station. The base station may determine a TCI state and a time period by which the TCI state should be switched. The base station may send the TCI state and an indication of the time period to the terminal device. After sending an acknowledgement to the base station, the terminal device may switch to the TCI state after the indicated time period has transpired. For example, a TCI state indicated by a DCI may be applied in a first slot that is at least Y symbols after an acknowledgement is sent in response to a DCI. The value of Y can be configured by a base station through RRC, MAC CE or DCI. The value Y can be reported by the terminal device (e.g., a maximum and minimum of Y). The value Y may depend on the terminal device’s capability. For example, some terminal devices may be able to perform a beam switch within a first threshold time and other terminal devices may be able to perform a beam switch within a second threshold time that is longer than the first threshold time.

[0006] In some embodiments, a terminal device may send, to a base station, first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state. Based on transmitting the first information, the terminal device may receive, from the base station, downlink control information (DCI) and second information. The DCI may indicate the TCI state and the second information may indicate a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state. Based on receiving the DCI, the terminal device may send a first acknowledgement to the base station. The terminal device may apply the TCI state at a time that is at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

[0007] Further, for a terminal device equipped with multiple Tx panels, existing systems assume the same uplink transmission configuration is applied to all the panels. For example, no matter which panel is used for uplink transmission, the same uplink configuration (e.g., the same number of SRS ports, maximal number of MIMO layers, maximal Tx power, etc.) is used. However, different panels of a terminal device might have different hardware capability. Thus, if the same configuration is applied to all panels, the configuration would need to be adjusted such that it can be used with the panel with the least capability (e.g., the panel with the smallest number of ports, smallest number of MIMO layers, etc.). This may restrict the system performance and impair the uplink transmission data rate and spectrum efficiency.

[0008] To address these issues, non-conventional methods and systems described herein provide for uplink transmission for a terminal device with multiple transmit antenna panels. The terminal device can report its capability of uplink transmission for each panel. For example, the maximal number of ports, the maximal number of uplink MIMO layers, the maximal rank, the type of antenna coherence, and/or the maximal transmit power may be reported by the terminal device to a base station. The terminal device can be configured to measure a set of CSI-RS resource and/or SSB and the terminal device can be requested to report one or more CRI or SSBRI and for one reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device can be requested to report one indicator that indicates the uplink configuration that is associated with the reported CRI or SSBRI. The terminal device can be provided with multiple SRS resource sets for PLISCH transmission. Each SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission can be associated with a set of uplink transmission configuration.

[0009] In some embodiments, the present method can be implemented by a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable medium having processor instructions stored thereon that, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform one or more aspects/features of the method described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0011] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a joint TCI framework in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. [0012] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating angles of arrivals (AoA) for positioning in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0013] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0014] Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

[0015] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0016] To describe the technical solutions in the implementations of the present disclosure more clearly, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawings show merely some aspects or implementations of the present disclosure, and a person of ordinary skill in the art may still derive other drawings from these accompanying drawings without creative efforts.

[0017] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a TCI framework 100 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The TCI framework 100 includes a terminal device 101 and a base station 103. The terminal device may be a variety of user devices (e.g., UE). The base station 103 may be a variety of base stations (e.g., gNB). For a UL transmission, the terminal device 101 is configured to transmit via a UL TX beam 105, and the base station 103 is configured to receive via a UL RX beam 107. For a DL transmission, the base station 103 is configured to transmit via a DL TX beam 109, and the terminal device 101 is configured to receive via a DL RX beam 111. Both the UL and DL transmissions (e.g., including which TX beam to use) are indicated in a TCI indication 10.

[0018] In some embodiments, terminal device 101 can be provided with (e.g., via the base station 103) one or more TCI states. In each TCI state, the terminal device 101 can be provided the QCL configuration for reception of downlink channel and/or reference signal, for example PDCCH, PDSCH and CSI-RS. In each TCI state, the terminal device 101 can be provided reference information for uplink Tx spatial filter for transmitting PUSCH, PUCCH and/or SRS resource. Different types of TCI state may be used by the terminal device 101. In one example, the TCI state can be a joint TCI state. In a joint TCI state, the terminal device 101 can be provided with (e.g., via the base station 103) one or more CSI-RS resources that provides the QCL configuration for reception of PDCCH, PDSCH and CSI-RS. In the same joint TCI state, the RS providing QCL-TypeD configuration can be used to provide the reference for uplink Tx spatial filter for PLISCH, PLICCH and SRS transmission.

[0019] In one example, the TCI state can be a DL TCI state where the terminal device 101 can be provided with (e.g., via the base station 103) one or more CSI-RS resources providing QCL configuration for reception of PDCCH, PDSCH and CSI-RS. The TCI state can be a UL TCI state in which the terminal device 101 can be provided with (e.g., via the base station 103) a reference signal that provides reference for uplink Tx spatial filter for PLISCH, PLICCH and SRS transmission. The terminal device 101 can be provided a list of TCI states in RRC for example. Then the base station 103 can activate one or more TCI states through a MAC CE command. For instance, the base station 103 can activate one or more joint TCI states through MAC CE and map each activated joint TCI state to a codepoint in DCI that is used to indicate TCI state. For example, the DCI that is used to indicate TCI state can be DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2. For instance, the base station 103 can activate one or more DL TCI states and/or UL TCI states through MAC CE and the base station 103 can map a codepoint in DCI used for TCI state indication to a DL TCI state, a UL TCI state or a pair of states that includes a DL TCI state and a UL TCI state.

[0020] In some embodiments, the base station 103 can transmit a DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 at slot n and the DCI can indicate one joint TCI state, one DL TCI state, one UL TCI state or one pair of DL TCI state and UL TCI state. If the terminal device 101 receives the transmitted DCI correctly, the terminal device 101 may transmit a first acknowledge (ACK) in response to the DCI that indicates the TCI state(s). Then the terminal device 101 may apply the indicated TCI state(s) starting from the first slot that is at least Y symbols after the first acknowledge (e.g., to the DCI that indicates the TCI state). The terminal device 101 can report the capability of the terminal device 101 on a threshold number of symbols (e.g., the smallest number of symbols that the terminal device 101 is capable of) between the acknowledge to the TCI state indication DCI and application of the indicated TCI state(s). The base station 103 can indicate the value Y for a TCI state indication, for example through RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling or DCI signaling.

[0021] In some embodiments, the terminal device 101 can report a time gap (e.g., a minimum time gap, a threshold time gap, etc.) between the acknowledge and the time to apply the indicated TCI state(s) in a unified TCI state framework. In one example, the terminal device 101 can report a minimum time length for example in terms of milliseconds for this feature. In one example, the terminal device 101 can report a minimum number of symbols for a reference SCS (subcarrier spacing) and then for other SCS, the minimum number of symbols can be calculated accordingly. For example, the terminal device 101 can report a minimum number of symbols Y0 for reference SCS 15KHz. Then for any SCS, the minimum number of symbols is Y = Y0 x2^Ap with p = 0, 1 , 2, 3.

[0022] In some embodiments, based on the capability (e.g., how quickly the terminal device is able to switch TCI states) reported by the terminal device 101 , the base station 103 can indicate a value of Y (symbols) for the terminal device 101 to determine the application time of a TCI state indicated by the DCI. In one example, the base station 103 can indicate the value of Y to the terminal device 101 through a RRC signaling. The base station 103 can indicate one Y value for each SCS value. The base station 103 can indicate one Y0 value for a reference SCS value and the terminal device 101 can be requested to derive the Y value for any SCS based on the indicated Y0 value for the reference SCS value. Here the reference SCS can be prespecified in the specification. For example, the reference SCS can be 15KHz. For example, the reference SCS can be provided by the base station 103.

[0023] In some embodiments, the base station 103 can indicate the value of Y to the terminal device 101 through MAC CE signaling. For example, the base station 103 can use one MAC CE to indicate one or more pairs, with each pair including a value of Y and a corresponding SCS. The terminal device 101 can be requested to apply the Y value for each corresponding SCS. For example, the base station 103 can use one MAC CE to indicate one Y0 value for a reference SCS and then the terminal device 101 can be requested to calculate the Y value for any SCS based on the Y0 value for the reference SCS. Here the reference SCS can be pre-specified in the specification. For example, the reference SCS can be 15KHz. For example, the reference SCS can be provided by the base station 103, for example in MAC CE.

[0024] In some embodiments, the base station 103 can use DCI format to indicate a Y value. The Y value can be used by the terminal device 101 to determine the application time of indicated TCI states. In one example, a value of Y symbols for TCI state application time can be indicated by the DCI field of “Time domain resource assignment” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2. In RRC, each entry in the higher layer parameter pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList can be configured with a value of Y symbols for TCI state application time. When the terminal device 101 receives a DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 indicating TCI state(s), the terminal device 101 may determine the application time of indicated TCI state(s) based on the Y value indicated by that DCI format. The indicated Y value can be the number of symbols for a reference SCS and the terminal device 101 can be requested to calculate the number of symbols for application time for one SCS accordingly.

[0025] In one example, each entry in the higher layer parameter pdsch- TimeDomainAllocationList can be configured with a list of Y values and each of the Y values in the list of Y values may correspond to one SCS. Then the DCI field of “Time domain resource assignment” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 can indicate one entry of the higher layer parameter pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList. Then the Y values configured in that entry are indicated to the terminal device 101. The terminal device 101 can be requested to indicate a Y value that enables the determining (e.g., by the base station 103) of the time at which the indicated TCI state should be applied.

[0026] In one example, the DCI field of “PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 can be used to indicate the value of Y for determining the application time of indicated TCI state(s). For example, each entry in the higher layer parameter dl-DataTolIL-ACK can contain a value indicating a number of Y symbols, which may be for a reference SCS. The DCI field of PDSCH-to- HARQ_feedback timing indicator” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 can indicate one entry in the higher layer parameter dl-DataTolIL-ACK and the terminal device 101 can be requested to apply the Y value contained in the indicated entry to determine the time at which the indicated TCI state(s) should be applied. [0027] In one example, the DCI field of “PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 can be used to indicate the value of Y for determining the application time of indicated TCI state(s). For example, each entry in the higher layer parameter dl-DataTolIL-ACK can contain a list of values of Y symbols, where each Y value is for one SCS, which is for a reference SCS. The DCI field of PDSCH-to-HARQ_feedback timing indicator” in DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 can indicate one entry in the higher layer parameter dl-DataTolIL-ACK and the terminal device 101 can be requested to apply the Y value contained in the indicated entry to determine the application time of indicated TCI state(s).

[0028] In one example, the base station 103 can configure one or more TCI states and in those TCI states, the reference signal (e.g., configured as QCL source) or the reference for uplink Tx spatial filer are associated with a physical cell ID of a non-serving cell. When such a TCI state is indicated to the terminal device 101 , the terminal device 101 may avoid applying the indicated TCI state on some channels or reference signals. The terminal device 101 can determine the channel or reference signal according to one or more of the following examples.

[0029] For example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on all the PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with search space associated with CORESET#0. In one example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on all the PLISCH and PLICCH that are associated with a search space associated with CORESET#0. In one example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with Type3- PDCCH CSS (common search space) set. In one example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with Type3-PDCCH CSS (common search space) set in pSCell. But in SCell, the terminal device 101 can be requested to apply such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with Type3-PDCCH CSS set. In one example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on any PLISCH and PLICCH that are associated with Type3-PDCCH CSS (common search space) set. In one example, the terminal device 101 may avoid applying such TCI state on any PLISCH and PLICCH that are associated with Type3-PDCCH CSS (common search space) set in pSCell. But in SCell, the terminal device 101 can be requested to apply such TCI state on any PLISCH and PLICCH that are associated with Type3-PDCCH CSS set.

[0030] In one example, the terminal device 101 can be requested to not apply such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with a search space that is associated with a CORESET that is associated with common search space. In one example, the terminal device 101 can be requested to not apply such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with any common search space or a UE-specific search space associated with a CORESET that is associated with a common search space set. In one example, the terminal device 101 can be requested to not apply such TCI state on any PDCCH and PDSCH that are associated with one CORESET that is associated with at least one common search space set.

[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 200 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the wireless communications system 200 can be a multi-TRP transmission system that includes one or more TRPs (e.g., a TRP 203 and a TRP 205) that can constitute one or more network nodes/devices (or base stations). Examples of the network node/device include a base transceiver station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS), a NodeB (NodeB, NB), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), a Next Generation NodeB (gNB or gNode B), a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. In some embodiments, the network node/device can include a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, and the like. The network node can include wireless connection devices for communication networks such as: a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, an LTE network, a cloud radio access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN), an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 -based network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network), an Internet of Things (loT) network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a next-generation network (e.g., a 5G network), a future evolved public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN), or the like. A 5G system or network can be referred to as an NR system or network.

[0032] In FIG. 2, the wireless communications system 200 includes a terminal device 201 . The terminal device 201 can be an end-user device configured to facilitate wireless communication. The terminal device 201 can be configured to wirelessly connect to the network node/device (via, e.g., via a wireless channel) according to one or more corresponding communication protocols/standards. The terminal device 201 may be mobile or fixed. The terminal device 201 can be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile site, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communications device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. Examples of the terminal device 201 include a modem, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, a device used in a 5G network, a device used in a public land mobile network, or the like. For illustrative purposes, FIG. 2 illustrates only two network nodes/devices (i.e., TRPs 203, 205) and one terminal device 201 in the wireless communications system 200. However, in some instances, the wireless communications system 200 can include additional network nodes/devices and/or terminal devices. Although various embodiments and examples are described as being performed by the terminal device 201 and/or the base station 203, the embodiments and examples may also be performed by the terminal device 101 and/or the base station 103.

[0033] The terminal device 201 can be configured to receive angle of arrival (AoA) information from both the TRP 203 and the TRP 205. The AoA information transmitted by the TRP 201 can be indicative or used to derive an angle of arrival of a transmission beam 23 from the TRP 203 toward the terminal device 201. The AoA information transmitted by the TRP 201 can be indicative or used to derive an angle of arrival of a transmission beam 25 from the TRP 205 toward the terminal device 201. In some embodiments, the AoA information can include AoA measurements of the terminal device 201. In some embodiments, the TRPs 203, 205 can have a linear antenna array. In such embodiments, the TRPs 203, 205 can measure and report the measurement of AoA based on the direction of the linear antenna array.

[0034] Solutions are provided herein for uplink transmission for terminal device 201 with multiple transmit antenna panels. The terminal device 201 can report the capability of the terminal device 201 for uplink transmission for each panel. For example, the maximal number of ports, the maximal number of uplink MIMO layers, the maximal rank, the type of antenna coherence, and/or the maximal transmit power may be reported and/or transmitted (e.g., to the base station 203). The terminal device 201 can be configured to measure a set of CSI-RS resource and/or SSB and the terminal device 201 can be requested to report (e.g., to the base station 203) one or more CRI or SSBRI. The terminal device 201 can be requested to report one indicator that indicates the uplink configuration that is associated with the reported CRI or SSBRI. The terminal device 201 can be provided with multiple SRS resource sets for PLISCH transmission. Each SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission can be associated with a set of uplink transmission configuration. The base station 203 can choose one set from the multiple SRS resource sets for current PLISCH transmission. For example, the base station 203 can associate each TCI state for uplink transmission with a SRS resource set and if a first TCI state is indicated, the terminal device 201 may assume the SRS rescore corresponding to the indicated TCI state is indicated for uplink transmission. In one method, the base station 203 can indicate one TCI state for uplink transmission and the CSI-RS resource or SSB in the TCI state providing reference for uplink Tx filter can be used to derive the SRS resource set that may be selected for uplink transmission.

[0035] In some embodiments, a terminal device 201 can report its capability on the number of uplink Tx panels and for each panel, the supported uplink transmission configuration. For each panel, the uplink transmission configuration that the terminal device 201 can support can include one or more of the following: maximal transmit power; maximal number of layers in PLISCH transmission (e.g., maximal rank); maximal number of antenna ports; Tx configuration (e.g., the Tx configuration can be codebook or non-codebook); and/or antenna coherence type in one panel.

[0036] The base station 203 can provide the terminal device 201 with a list of sets of uplink PLISCH transmission configurations and in each set of uplink PLISCH transmission configuration, the terminal device 201 can be provided with one or more of the following parameters: a higher layer parameter to configure the codebook subset; maximal transmit power; maximal number of layers in PLISCH transmission, (e.g., maximal rank); scramble identity for PLISCH; Tx configuration (e.g., the Tx configuration can be codebook or non-codebook); the DM-RS type; PLISCH power control parameter; configuration of PLISCH frequency hopping; the type of PLISCH resource allocation; PLISCH aggregation factor; configuration of MCS table; an indication of whether transform Precoder is enabled or disabled; the size of rbg; and/or PLISCH time domain allocation list. Each set of the uplink PLISCH transmission configurations can be associated with an SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission. The SRS resource set can be for codebook-based PLISCH transmission. The SRS resource set can be for non-codebook-based PLISCH transmission. The terminal device 201 can be provided with a list of CSI-RS resources and/or SSBs and the terminal device 201 can be requested to report one or more CRIs or SSBRIs. For each reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can be requested to report the information on uplink transmission configurations that is related with this reported CRI or SSBRI. The base station 203 can provide a acknowledge to the terminal device 201 reporting after the base station 203 receives the terminal device 201 reporting.

[0037] In some embodiments, The base station 203 can indicate to the terminal device 201 that one set of uplink PLISCH transmission configurations and one SRS resource set for PLISCH is selected for uplink PLISCH transmission. The base station 203 can indicate that through RRC, MAC-CE or DCI signaling. For example, the base station 203 can indicate that explicitly in a RRC command, MAC CE command or DCI command. For example, the base station 203 can configure the association between a TCI state that provides RS for reference of Uplink Tx filleter and the uplink PUSCH transmission configuration and SRS resource set. For example, the base station 203 can indicate the choice of uplink PUSCH transmission configuration and SRS resource set implicitly through the CSI-RS or SSB in an indicted TCI state that provides reference for uplink spatial Tx filer. In another method, the terminal device 201 can indicate the selection of one set of uplink PUSCH transmission configurations and one SRS set for PUSCH to the base station 203. The base station 203 can use DCI to schedule a PUSCH transmission and the terminal device 201 may apply to selected uplink transmission configuration and SRS resource set on the scheduled PUSCH transmission.

[0038] In one method, the terminal device 201 can report one or more of the following information in terminal device 201 capability reporting. The terminal device 201 can report the maximal number of SRS resource sets for PLISCH transmission that the terminal device 201 is able to support. For each SRS resource set, the terminal device 201 can report the following capability of the terminal device 201 : the maximal number of SRS resources; the maximal number of SRS antenna ports; the maximal number of MIMO uplink layers; the maximal number of rank for MIMO uplink transmission; the maximal Tx power; and/or the maximal number of Tx antennas.

[0039] the terminal device 201 can report the coherence type of the antenna port of SRS. For example the terminal device 201 can report coherent antenna, partial coherent antenna or non-coherent antenna. The terminal device 201 can report the maximal number of different uplink PLISCH transmission configuration that the terminal device 201 is able to support. In some embodiments, the terminal device 201 may additionally or alternatively report one or more of the following sets of uplink PLISCH transmission configurations: the maximal number of SRS resources; the maximal number of SRS antenna ports; the maximal number of MIMO uplink layers; the maximal number of rank for MIMO uplink transmission; the maximal Tx power; Maximal number of Tx antennas; and/or the coherence type of the antenna port of SRS. For example, the terminal device 201 can report coherent antenna, partial coherent antenna or non-coherent antenna.

[0040] In some embodiments, a terminal device 201 can be provided with two SRS resource set for codebook-based PLISCH transmission: a first SRS resource set and a second SRS resource set. In each of these two SRS resource sets, the terminal device 201 can be provided with one or more SRS resources. For the SRS resources in different set, the terminal device 201 can be provided with same or different numbers of antenna ports. The terminal device 201 can also be provided with an association between each SRS resource set and one or more uplink transmission configurations. For example, each SRS resource set can be associated with a type of codebook subset. For example, each SRS resource set can be associated with a configuration of maximal uplink transmission power. For example, each SRS resource set can be associated with a configuration of full power transmission mode. For example, each SRS resource set can be associated with maximal rank for PLISCH transmission.

[0041] The terminal device 201 can be provided with one or more sets of uplink PLISCH transmission configurations and in each set of configuration, the terminal device 201 can be provided with one or more of the following paramerters: A first index to indicate the PLISCH transmission configuration; A higher layer parameter to configure the codebook subset; Maximal transmit power; Maximal number of layers in PLISCH transmission, i.e., maximal rank; Scramble identity for PLISCH; Tx configuration, it can be codebook or non-codebook;The DM-RS type; PLISCH power control parameter; Configuration of PLISCH frequency hopping; The type of PLISCH resource allocation; PLISCH aggregation factor; Configuration of MCS table; Whether transform Precoder is enabled or disabled; The size of rbg; PLISCH time domain allocation list. Each SRS resource set can be associated with one of the above configured set of PLISCH transmission configuration. In one example, a value of the first index can be included in the configuration of SRS resource set to indicate the association between the SRS resource set and the set of PLISCH transmission configuration. If a first index is selected or indicated, then the corresponding set of PLISCH transmission configuration and the corresponding SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission will be applied to scheduled PLISCH transmission.

[0042] In one method, a terminal device 201 can be provided with a list of CSI- RS resources and/or SS/PBCH blocks for measurement. The terminal device 201 can be requested to measure those CSI-RS resources and/or SS/PBCH blocks and the terminal device 201 can be requested to report one or more CRIs or SSBRIs. For each reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can be requested to report one or more of the following parameters: For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report a L1 -RSRP measurement; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report a L1 -SINR measurement; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indictor to indicate the value of the first index that corresponds to one set of uplink PLISCH transmission configuration that corresponds to the reported CRI or SSBRI; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates one of the SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates a maximal number of SRS antenna ports that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates a maximal number uplink MIMO layers that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates a maximal number uplink MIMO rank that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI; for a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates the coherence of antennas that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI; For a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates codebook subset that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI; and/or for a reported CRI or SSBRI, the terminal device 201 can report an indicator that indicates maximal Tx power that corresponds to the CRI or SSBRI. In one example, for one reported indicator, the terminal device 201 can report one or more CRIs or SSBRIs and those reported CRIs or SSBRIs correspond to the same reported indicator. That can be one design of the reporting message, for example MAC CE or UCI. In one example, the terminal device 201 can report the above reporting information through a MAC CE message. In one example, the terminal device 201 can report the above reporting information through a UCI (uplink control information) message, for example in PUCCH or PUSCH. As used herein, “provided with” may mean that a base station, another user device, or a variety of other computing devices perform the providing (e.g., sending, transmitting, etc.).

[0043] In some embodiments, the terminal device 201 sends the above reporting information to the base station 203 and the base station 203 can transmit an acknowledgement to the terminal device 201. The base station 203 and the terminal device 201 can determine the application time of reported information as follows: the base station 203 and the terminal device 201 can assume to apply the reported information starting from the first slot that is X ms or Y symbols after the MAC CE or UCI carrying the terminal device 201 reporting information; the base station 203 and the terminal device 201 can assume to apply the reported information starting from the first slot that is X ms or Y symbols after the acknowledge to the MAC CE or UCI carrying the terminal device 201 reporting information.

[0044] In some embodiments, Given the configuration from base station 203 and the reporting from the terminal device 201 , we can determine one set of PUSCH transmission configuration and corresponding SRS resource set for PUSCH transmission according one or more of the following methods. In one method, the base station 203 can indicate an indicator to the terminal device 201 to indicate the selection of set of PUSCH transmission configuration and corresponding SRS resource set for PUSCH transmission. The base station 203 can use RRC signaling, MAC CE signaling or DCI signaling. In one method, the base station 203 can provide some joint TCI state or uplink TCI state. In each of such TCI state, a reference signal is provided to provide reference for uplink spatial Tx filer for uplink transmission. The base station 203 can associate each joint TCI state or uplink TCI state with the first index. For example, the base station 203 can configure a first index in each joint TCI state or uplink TCI state and the first index corresponds to one set of uplink PLISCH transmission configuration, or the first index can correspond to one SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission. In another example, the base station 203 can configure or indicate the association between a joint TCI state or uplink TCI state with a first index that can correspond to a set of uplink PLISCH transmission configuration or one SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission. When a joint TCI state or uplink TCI state is indicated for uplink transmission, the terminal device 201 may apply the associated PLISCH transmission configuration and SRS resource set on the PLISCH transmission. The terminal device 201 can indicate the one set of PLISCH transmission configuration and SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission to the base station 203 to indicate the terminal device 201 selects them for uplink transmission. The terminal device 201 can report that information through MAC CE or UCI.

[0045] In some embodiments, the base station 203 can indicate one first joint TCI state or first uplink TCI state for uplink transmission through a DCI format 1_1 or 1_2 and the terminal device 201 may apply the indicated joint TCI state or uplink TCI state on the following PLISCH transmission until a new TCI state is indicated. Through the indicated first joint TCI state or first uplink TCI state, an indication of set of PLISCH transmission configuration and SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission can be implicitly indicated to the terminal device 201. In one example, the base station 203 can use DCI format 0_1 or 0_2 to schedule a PLISCH transmission to the terminal device 201 . The terminal device 201 may apply the indicated the first joint TCI state or the first uplink TCI state on the PLISCH transmission. The terminal device 201 may apply the associated PLISCH configuration. The SRI in DCI format 0_1 or 0_2 indicates one SRS resource in the SRS rescore set that is indicated through the first joint TCI state or uplink TCI state.

[0046] In one method, for Type 1 PLISCH transmission with configured grant, the terminal device 201 can be requested to apply the SRS resource set and associated uplink transmission configuration. In the Type 1 PLISCH transmission configuration, the terminal device 201 can be provided with a first joint TCI state or a first uplink TCI state. In one method, a indicator can be provided in the PLISCH configuration to indicate one set of PLISCH transmission configuration. An indicator can be provided in the PLISCH configuration to indicate one SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission. In another example, the terminal device 201 can be provided with a joint TCI state or uplink TCI state in the Type 1 PLISCH transmission configuration and the joint TCI state or uplink TCI state can implicitly indicate one set of PLISCH transmission configuration and/or SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission that the terminal device 201 may apply to the PLISCH transmission of Type 1 PLISCH transmission.

[0047] In one method, for Type 2 PLISCH transmission with configured grant, the terminal device 201 can be requested to apply the SRS resource set and associated uplink transmission configuration. In one example, In the Type 2 PLISCH transmission configuration, the terminal device 201 can be provided with a first joint TCI state or a first uplink TCI state. In one method, an indicator can be provided in the PLISCH configuration to indicate one set of PLISCH transmission configuration. An indicator can be provided in the PLISCH configuration to indicate one SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission. In another example, the terminal device 201 can be indicated with a joint TCI state or uplink TCI state for the Type 2 PLISCH transmission configuration and the joint TCI state or uplink TCI state can implicitly indicate one set of PLISCH transmission configuration and/or SRS resource set for PLISCH transmission that the terminal device 201 may apply to the PLISCH transmission of Type 2 PLISCH transmission.

[0048] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 300 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 300 can implement the methods discussed herein. As shown in Fig. 3, the wireless communications system 300 can include a network device (or base station) 301. Examples of the network device 301 include a base transceiver station (Base Transceiver Station, BTS), a NodeB (NodeB, NB), an evolved Node B (eNB or eNodeB), a Next Generation NodeB (gNB or gNode B), a Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) access point (AP), etc. In some embodiments, the network device 301 can include a relay station, an access point, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, and the like. The network device 301 can include wireless connection devices for communication networks such as: a Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) network, a Wideband CDMA (WCDMA) network, an LTE network, a cloud radio access network (Cloud Radio Access Network, CRAN), an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 -based network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network), an Internet of Things (loT) network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a next-generation network (e.g., a 5G network), a future evolved public land mobile network (Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN), or the like. A 5G system or network can be referred to as a new radio (New Radio, NR) system or network.

[0049] In Fig. 3, the wireless communications system 300 also includes a terminal device 303. The terminal device 303 can be an end-user device configured to facilitate wireless communication. The terminal device 303 can be configured to wirelessly connect to the network device 301 (via, e.g., via a wireless channel 305) according to one or more corresponding communication protocols/standards. The terminal device 303 may be mobile or fixed. The terminal device 303 can be a user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile site, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communications device, a user agent, or a user apparatus. Examples of the terminal device 303 include a modem, a cellular phone, a smartphone, a cordless phone, a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device having a wireless communication function, a computing device or another processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, an Internet-of-Things (loT) device, a device used in a 5G network, a device used in a public land mobile network, or the like. For illustrative purposes, Fig. 3 illustrates only one network device 301 and one terminal device 303 in the wireless communications system 300. However, in some instances, the wireless communications system 300 can include additional network device 301 and/or terminal device 303.

[0050] Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 400 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a terminal device 400 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. As shown, the terminal device 400 includes a processing unit 410 (e.g., a DSP, a CPU, a GPU, etc.) and a memory 420. The processing unit 410 can be configured to implement instructions that correspond to the method 400 of Fig. 4 and/or other aspects of the implementations described above. It should be understood that the processor in the implementations of this technology may be an integrated circuit chip and has a signal processing capability. During implementation, the steps in the foregoing method may be implemented by using an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor or an instruction in the form of software. The processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or another programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, and a discrete hardware component. The methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the implementations of this technology may be implemented or performed. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or the processor may be alternatively any conventional processor or the like. The steps in the methods disclosed with reference to the implementations of this technology may be directly performed or completed by a decoding processor implemented as hardware or performed or completed by using a combination of hardware and software modules in a decoding processor. The software module may be located at a random-access memory, a flash memory, a read-only memory, a programmable read-only memory or an electrically erasable programmable memory, a register, or another mature storage medium in this field. The storage medium is located at a memory, and the processor reads information in the memory and completes the steps in the foregoing methods in combination with the hardware thereof.

[0051] It may be understood that the memory in the implementations of this technology may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory, or may include both a volatile memory and a non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory may be a readonly memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM) or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random-access memory (RAM) and is used as an external cache. For exemplary rather than limitative description, many forms of RAMs can be used, and are, for example, a static random-access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random-access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random-access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random-access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random-access memory (ESDRAM), a synchronous link dynamic random-access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct Rambus randomaccess memory (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memories in the systems and methods described herein are intended to include, but are not limited to, these memories and memories of any other suitable type.

[0052] Fig. 5 is a flowchart of a method 500 in accordance with one or more implementations of the present disclosure. The method 500 can be implemented by a system (e.g., the TCI framework 100). The method 500 is for determining a time at which a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state will be applied. The method 500 includes, at block 501 , sending (e.g., to a base station) first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state. The first amount of time may be a minimum amount of time that a UE needs to switch TCI state, for example, as discussed above in connection with FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, the first information includes a minimum number of symbols required to switch TCI states.

[0053] At block 503, the method 500 continues by receiving (e.g., from a base station), downlink control information (DCI) and second information. The DCI and second information may be received, for example, based on transmitting the first information at block 501. The DCI may indicate a TCI state to which the UE should switch. The second information may indicate a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state. The second amount of time may indicate when the UE should switch TCI states.

[0054] In some embodiments, the second information includes a number of symbols associated with applying the TCI state. In some embodiments, the DCI may include the second information. In some embodiments, the second information may be received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state may be associated with a reference signal that provides a reference for uplink Tx spatial filter for PUSCH, PUCCH, and SRS transmission. In some embodiments, the indicated TCI state may correspond to a pair of TCI states that includes a DL TCI state and a UL TCI state. In some embodiments, the DCI format may include a DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2.

[0055] At block 505, the method 500 continues by transmitting a first acknowledgement to the base station. For example, the UE may transmit an acknowledgement based on receiving the DCI. At block 507, the method 500 continues by applying the TCI state at a determined time, the determined time being at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement described at block 505. For example, after sending the acknowledgement the UE may wait for a period of time that is equal to the second amount of time indicated in the second information. After waiting for the period of time, the UE may switch to the TCI state indicated in the DCI.

[0056] In some embodiments, the UE may perform operations that causes the TCI state to be applied before the second amount of time transpires (e.g., after sending the acknowledgement). In some embodiments, applying the TCI state at a first slot that is at least the second number of symbols after transmitting the first acknowledgement. In some embodiments, applying the TCI state at the determined time may include applying the indicated TCI state from a slot after a last symbol of the physical channel carrying the first acknowledgement.

[0057] The above Detailed Description of examples of the disclosed technology is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosed technology to the precise form disclosed above. While specific examples for the disclosed technology are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the described technology, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. For example, while processes or blocks are presented in a given order, alternative implementations may perform routines having steps, or employ systems having blocks, in a different order, and some processes or blocks may be deleted, moved, added, subdivided, combined, and/or modified to provide alternative implementations or subcombinations. Each of these processes or blocks may be implemented in a variety of different ways. Also, while processes or blocks are at times shown as being performed in series, these processes or blocks may instead be performed or implemented in parallel, or may be performed at different times. Further, any specific numbers noted herein are only examples; alternative implementations may employ differing values or ranges.

[0058] In the Detailed Description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the presently described technology. In other implementations, the techniques introduced here can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known features, such as specific functions or routines, are not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present disclosure. References in this description to “an implementation/embodiment,” “one implementation/embodiment,” or the like mean that a particular feature, structure, material, or characteristic being described is included in at least one implementation of the described technology. Thus, the appearances of such phrases in this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same implementation/embodiment. On the other hand, such references are not necessarily mutually exclusive either. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, materials, or characteristics can be combined in any suitable manner in one or more implementations/embodiments. It is to be understood that the various implementations shown in the figures are merely illustrative representations and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0059] Several details describing structures or processes that are well-known and often associated with communications systems and subsystems, but that can unnecessarily obscure some significant aspects of the disclosed techniques, are not set forth herein for purposes of clarity. Moreover, although the following disclosure sets forth several implementations of different aspects of the present disclosure, several other implementations can have different configurations or different components than those described in this section. Accordingly, the disclosed techniques can have other implementations with additional elements or without several of the elements described below.

[0060] Many implementations or aspects of the technology described herein can take the form of computer- or processor-executable instructions, including routines executed by a programmable computer or processor. Those skilled in the relevant art will appreciate that the described techniques can be practiced on computer or processor systems other than those shown and described below. The techniques described herein can be implemented in a special-purpose computer or data processor that is specifically programmed, configured, or constructed to execute one or more of the computer-executable instructions described below. Accordingly, the terms “computer” and “processor” as generally used herein refer to any data processor. Information handled by these computers and processors can be presented at any suitable display medium. Instructions for executing computer- or processorexecutable tasks can be stored in or on any suitable computer-readable medium, including hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and firmware. Instructions can be contained in any suitable memory device, including, for example, a flash drive and/or other suitable medium.

[0061] The term “and/or” in this specification is only an association relationship for describing the associated objects, and indicates that three relationships may exist, for example, A and/or B may indicate the following three cases: A exists separately, both A and B exist, and B exists separately.

[0062] These and other changes can be made to the disclosed technology in light of the above Detailed Description. While the Detailed Description describes certain examples of the disclosed technology, as well as the best mode contemplated, the disclosed technology can be practiced in many ways, no matter how detailed the above description appears in text. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the technology disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the disclosed technology should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the disclosed technology with which that terminology is associated. Accordingly, the invention is not limited, except as by the appended claims. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the disclosed technology to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms.

[0063] A person of ordinary skill in the art may be aware that, in combination with the examples described in the implementations disclosed in this specification, units and algorithm steps may be implemented by electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether the functions are performed by hardware or software depends on particular applications and design constraint conditions of the technical solutions. A person skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each particular application, but it should not be considered that the implementation goes beyond the scope of this application. [0064] Although certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the applicant contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the applicant reserves the right to pursue additional claims after filing this application to pursue such additional claim forms, in either this application or in a continuing application.

Claims

CLAIMS l/We claim:

1. A method for determining a time for a transmission configuration indicator (TCI), the method comprising: sending, to a base station, first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state; according to the first information, receiving, from the base station, downlink control information (DCI) and second information, wherein the DCI indicates the TCI state, and wherein the second information indicates a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state; according to the DCI, transmitting a first acknowledgement to the base station; and applying the TCI state at a determined time, the determined time being at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first information comprises a minimum number of symbols required to switch TCI states.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second information comprises a number of symbols associated with applying the TCI state.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein applying the TCI state at the determined time comprises: applying the TCI state at a first slot that is at least the second number of symbols after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the DCI comprises the second information.

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6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second information is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicated TCI state is associated with a reference signal that provides a reference for uplink Tx spatial filter for PLISCH, PLICCH, and SRS transmission.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the indicated TCI state corresponds to a pair of TCI states, and wherein the pair of TCI states includes a DL TCI state and a UL TCI state.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the TCI state at the determined time comprises: applying the indicated TCI state from a slot after a last symbol of the physical channel carrying the first acknowledgement.

10. The method of claim 12, wherein the DCI format is a DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2.

11. A system for determining a time for a transmission configuration indicator (TCI), comprising: a processor; a memory configured to store instructions, that when executed by the processor, cause operations comprising: sending, to a base station, first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state; according to the first information, receiving, from the base station, downlink control information (DCI) and second information, wherein the DCI indicates the TCI state, and wherein the second information indicates a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state; according to the DCI, transmitting a first acknowledgement to the base station; and applying the TCI state at a determined time, the determined time being at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the first information comprises a minimum number of symbols required to switch TCI states.

13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second information comprises a number of symbols associated with applying the TCI state.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein applying the TCI state at the determined time comprises: applying the TCI state at a first slot that is at least the second number of symbols after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

15. The system of claim 11 , wherein the DCI comprises the second information.

16. The system of claim 11 , wherein the second information is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling.

17. The method of claim 11 , wherein the indicated TCI state is associated with a reference signal that provides a reference for uplink Tx spatial filter for PLISCH, PLICCH, and SRS transmission.

18. A non-transitory, computer-readable medium comprising instructions that when executed by one or more processors, causes operations comprising: sending, to a base station, first information indicating a first amount of time required to apply a TCI state; according to the first information, receiving, from the base station, downlink control information (DCI) and second information, wherein the DCI indicates the TCI state, and wherein the second information indicates a second amount of time associated with applying the TCI state; according to the DCI, transmitting a first acknowledgement to the base station; and applying the TCI state at a determined time, the determined time being at least the second amount of time after transmitting the first acknowledgement.

19. The medium of claim 18, wherein the first information comprises a minimum number of symbols required to switch TCI states.

20. The medium of claim 18, wherein the second information is received via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control control element (MAC CE) signaling.

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