Group-based beam indication and signaling

Various aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to wireless communication. In some aspects, a user equipment (UE) may receive a downlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and use the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. In some aspects, a UE may receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources. Numerous other aspects are provided.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Aspects of the technology described below generally relate to wireless communication and to techniques and apparatuses for group-based beam indication and signaling. Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable and provide wireless communication devices and systems configured to reduce network resource overhead, increase signaling flexibility, and/or conserve energy resources.

INTRODUCTION

The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different user equipment to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. New Radio (NR), which may also be referred to as 5G, is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). As demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there exists a need for further improvements in LTE and NR technologies. These improvements can apply to other multiple access technologies and the telecommunication standards that employ these technologies.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF SOME EXAMPLES

In some aspects, a method of wireless communication, performed by a user equipment (UE), may include receiving a beam indication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and using the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific, non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a method of wireless communication, performed by a UE, may include receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and using the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication may include memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to receive a beam indication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and use the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific, non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a UE for wireless communication may include memory and one or more processors operatively coupled to the memory. The memory and the one or more processors may be configured to receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. The one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, may cause the one or more processors to: receive a beam indication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and use the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific, non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable medium may store one or more instructions for wireless communication. The one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of a UE, may cause the one or more processors to: receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include means for receiving a beam indication (e.g., for a downlink beam and/or for an uplink beam) for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and means for using the beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. According to one specific, non-limiting example deployment aspect, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

In some aspects, an apparatus for wireless communication may include means for receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; and means for using the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While aspects and embodiments are described in this application by illustration to some examples, those skilled in the art will understand that additional implementations and use cases may come about in many different arrangements and scenarios. Innovations described herein may be implemented across many differing platform types, devices, systems, shapes, sizes, packaging arrangements. For example, embodiments and/or uses may come about via integrated chip embodiments and/or other non-module-component based devices (e.g., end-user devices, vehicles, communication devices, computing devices, industrial equipment, retail/purchasing devices, medical devices, AI-enabled devices, and/or the like). While some examples may or may not be specifically directed to use cases or applications, a wide assortment of applicability of described innovations may occur. Implementations may range a spectrum from chip-level or modular components to non-modular, non-chip-level implementations and further to aggregate, distributed, or OEM devices or systems incorporating one or more aspects of the described innovations. In some practical settings, devices incorporating described aspects and features may also necessarily include additional components and features for implementation and practice of claimed and described embodiments. For example, transmission and reception of wireless signals necessarily includes a number of components for analog and digital purposes (e.g., hardware components including one or more antennas, RF-chains, power amplifiers, modulators, buffers, processors, interleavers, adders/summers, and/or the like). It is intended that innovations described herein may be practiced in a wide variety of devices, chip-level components, systems, distributed arrangements, end-user devices, etc. of varying sizes, shapes, and constitution.

A BS may provide communication coverage for areas of varying sizes or ranges. BSs can be configured to enable communication in a variety of cell arrangements, including a macro cell, a pico cell, a femto cell, and/or another type of cell. A macro cell may cover a relatively large geographic area (e.g., several kilometers in radius) and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscription. A pico cell may cover a relatively small geographic area and may allow unrestricted access by UEs with service subscription. A femto cell may cover a relatively small geographic area (e.g., a home) and may allow restricted access by UEs having association with the femto cell (e.g., UEs in a closed subscriber group (CSG)). A BS for a macro cell may be referred to as a macro BS. A BS for a pico cell may be referred to as a pico BS. A BS for a femto cell may be referred to as a femto BS or a home BS. In the example shown inFIG. 1, a BS110amay be a macro BS for a macro cell102a, a BS110bmay be a pico BS for a pico cell102b, and a BS110cmay be a femto BS for a femto cell102c. A BS may support one or multiple (e.g., three) cells. The terms “eNB”, “base station”, “NR BS”, “gNB”, “TRP”, “AP”, “node B”, “5G NB”, and “cell” may be used interchangeably herein.

In some aspects, a cell may not necessarily be stationary. A cell that is mobile enables a geographic area of the cell to move according to the location of a mobile BS. In some aspects, a UE can be configured to carry out BS functionality. In some aspects, the BSs may be interconnected to one another and/or to one or more other BSs or network nodes (not shown) in the wireless network100through various types of backhaul interfaces such as a direct physical connection, a virtual network, and/or the like using any suitable transport network.

In general, any number of wireless networks may be deployed in a given geographic area. That is, multiple wireless networks can exist and can be deployed simultaneously in a given area. Some devices can be multi-mode devices and can be configured to communicate with multiple networks. In some deployments, devices may operate with only one network, with only a limited number of networks, and/or with only a particular type of network (e.g., a 5G stand-alone device). Each wireless network may support a particular RAT and may operate on one or more frequencies. A RAT may also be referred to as a radio technology, an air interface, and/or the like. A frequency may also be referred to as a carrier, a frequency channel, and/or the like. Each frequency may support a single RAT in a given geographic area in order to avoid interference between wireless networks of different RATs. In some cases, NR or 5G RAT networks may be deployed.

As indicated above,FIG. 1is provided merely as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 1.

Controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform one or more techniques associated with group-based beam indication and signaling, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor240of base station110, controller/processor280of UE120, and/or any other component(s) ofFIG. 2may perform or direct operations of, for example, process600ofFIG. 6, process700ofFIG. 7, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories242and282may store data and program codes for base station110and UE120, respectively. A scheduler246may schedule UEs for data transmission on the downlink and/or uplink.

In some aspects, UE120may include means for receiving a downlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; means for using the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers; and/or the like. Additionally, or alternatively, UE120may include means for receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied; means for using the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources; and/or the like. In some aspects, such means may include one or more components of UE120described in connection withFIG. 2, such as antenna252, DEMOD254, MOD254, MIMO detector256, receive processor258, transmit processor264, TX MIMO processor266, controller/processor280, and/or the like.

As indicated above,FIG. 2is provided merely as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with regard toFIG. 2.

FIG. 3is a diagram illustrating an example300of group-based beam indication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. A beam indication can include signaling, from one communication device to another, that is related to information about one or more communication beams. A beam indicator helps communication devices discern beam types, obtain information about communication beams, and utilize beams for appropriate or proper communications. A beam indicator can be used to differentiate one beam from another. Additionally, or alternatively, a beam indicator can be used to signal information about one or more beams during communication operations. A beam indicator may be configured as control or data in various deployment alternatives. A beam indicator may be considered beam metadata—data or information about one or more particular beams. Signaling of a beam indicator for a specific beam enables and provides granular information about the beam. By enabling one beam indicator to provide an indication status for a plurality of beams, signaling of one beam indicator (e.g., a single indicator) can be applied and shared across multiple resources/channels, thereby yielding efficient, quality communication.

A beam indicator can be signaled in a variety of manners. For example, in some cases, a beam indication may be separately signaled for different resources, different resource sets, different channels, different bandwidth parts (BWPs), different component carriers (CCs), and/or the like. A beam indication (or a beam indicator) may be used to signal various parameters, including a transmission configuration indication (TCI) state, a quasi-co location (QCL) relationship, a spatial relation, and/or the like. For example, for downlink communications, a separate set of TCI states (e.g., configured or activated TCI states) may be indicated by a base station110for different bandwidth parts. That is, the base station110may signal a first set of TCI states for a first bandwidth part, may signal a second set of TCI states for a second bandwidth part, and so on for each of the configured bandwidth parts. This allows for full flexibility in configuring TCI states for bandwidth parts.

Yet in some cases, the same set of TCI states may be indicated for different bandwidth parts (e.g., due to similarities in beam characteristics in a cell). In these cases, transmitting a first signal that indicates the first set of TCI states and transmitting a second signal that indicates the second set of TCI states wastes network resources used to carry the signals, wastes base station resources used to generate and transmit the signals (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, and/or the like), and wastes UE resources used to receive and process the signals (e.g., processing resources, memory resources, and/or the like) when the first set of TCI states and the second set of TCI states are the same.

Similarly, for uplink communications, a separate set of spatial relations (e.g., configured or activated spatial relations) may be indicated by a base station110for different physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources and/or different sounding reference signal (SRS) resources (referred to collectively as PUCCH/SRS resources). That is, the base station110may signal a first activated spatial relation for a first PUCCH/SRS resource, may signal a second activated spatial relation for a second PUCCH/SRS resource, and so on for each PUCCH/SRS resource. This allows for full flexibility in configuring spatial relations for bandwidth parts, but requires transmission of a separate signal, such as a separate media access control (MAC) control element (CE) (MAC-CE), for each PUCCH/SRS resource.

In some cases, the same activated spatial resource may be indicated for different PUCCH/SRS resources (e.g., when the UE120has a capability to support only a single active spatial relation). In these cases, transmitting a first signal that indicates the first activated spatial relation and transmitting a second signal that indicates the second activated spatial relation wastes network resources used to carry the signals, base station resources used to generate and transmit the signals, and UE resources used to receive and process the signals when the first activated spatial relation and the second activated spatial relation are the same.

Some techniques and apparatuses described herein enable communication devices to leverage a beam indicator across multiple resources and/or channels. For example, some aspects enable a base station110to transmit, and enable a UE120to receive, a beam indication that applies to a group or a logical group of parameters. A group of parameters can include multiple resources, multiple resource sets, a group of channels, multiple BWPs, multiple CCs, and/or the like. For example, a TCI state may be applied to multiple BWPs and/or multiple CCs, a spatial relation may be applied to multiple PUCCH resources, and/or the like, thereby conserving network resources, base station resources, and UE resources, as indicated above. Furthermore, some techniques and apparatuses described herein permit efficient and flexible signaling to indicate the resources, resource sets, channels, BWPs, and/or CCs to which a beam indication is to be applied. These techniques and apparatuses may conserve network resources by limiting the overhead needed for such signaling, while permitting flexibility in indicating the resources, resource sets, channels, BWPs, and/or CCs to which a beam indication is to be applied. Additional details are provided below.

As shown inFIG. 3, and by reference number310, a base station110may transmit, and a UE120may receive, a beam indication. The beam indication may apply specifically to one or more communication elements, such as one or more of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, and/or a component carrier. As shown by reference number320, the UE120and the base station110may use a beam indication for a group of communication elements. This group of communication elements may include a group of channels, multiple resources, multiple resource sets, multiple bandwidth parts, or multiple component carriers. Thus, according to some particular, exemplary aspects, a single beam indication can be applied to multiple (e.g., a group of) communication elements, such as multiple (e.g., a group of) channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers. This approach can conserve overhead as compared to signaling separate beam indications for different communication elements, such as different channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers. In some aspects, a radio resource control (RRC) message may be used to configure a set of communication elements, such as a set of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers, and a MAC-CE and/or downlink control information (DCI) may be used to activate one or more communication elements, such as one or more channels, resources, resources sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers from the configured sets.

Group-based beam indications may be used for a variety of parameters. In some aspects, the beam indication may indicate that a TCI state, a QCL relationship, and/or a spatial relation is to be activated for a first channel, a first resource, a first resource set, a first bandwidth part, and/or a first component carrier, and the UE120may use (e.g., activate, configure, transmit using, and/or the like) the TCI state, the QCL relationship, and/or the spatial relation not only for the first channel, the first resource, the first resource set, the first bandwidth part, and/or the first component carrier, but also for a second channel, a second resource, a second resource set, a second bandwidth part, and/or a second component carrier. Additionally, or alternatively, the UE120may use (e.g., activate, configure, transmit using, and/or the like) the TCI state, the QCL relationship, and/or the spatial relation for one or more other (e.g., a third, a fourth, and so on) channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

For example, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams (e.g., a single beam or multiple beams, which may be indicated using a TCI state, a QCL relationship, a spatial relation, and/or the like) that are to be configured and/or activated (e.g., indicated and/or stored in a configuration in memory of the UE120, activated for use by the UE120, and/or the like) for a first bandwidth part, and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first bandwidth part and one or more other bandwidth parts (e.g., a second bandwidth part, a third bandwidth part, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other bandwidth parts are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first bandwidth part.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first CC, and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first CC and one or more other CCs (e.g., a second CC, a third CC, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other CCs are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first CC.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first channel, and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first channel and one or more other channels (e.g., a second channel, a third channel, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other channels are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first channel. A channel may include, for example, a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH), a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH), a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and/or the like.

Additionally, or alternatively, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first resource set (e.g., a set of CSI-RS/PUCCH/SRS resources), and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first resource set and one or more other resource sets (e.g., a second resource set, a third resource set, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other resource sets are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first resource set. Additionally, or alternatively, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first resource (e.g., a CSI-RS/PUCCH/SRS resource), and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first resource and one or more other resources (e.g., a second resource, a third resource, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other resources are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first resource. In some aspects, the first resource and the second resource are in different configured resource sets.

In some aspects, the base station110may transmit an indication of one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for a first set of elements that includes two or more of a resource, a resource set, a channel, a BWP, or a CC, and the UE120may configure and/or activate the one or more beams for the first set of elements and one or more other sets of elements (e.g., a second set of elements, a third set of elements, and so on). In some aspects, the one or more other sets of elements are not identified in the indication of the one or more beams that are to be configured and/or activated for the first set of elements.

For example, in example300, the base station110indicates a set of TCI states that are to be configured and/or activated for one or more control resource sets (CORESETs) and a PDSCH on a first bandwidth part (e.g., identified as BWP1) and a first CC (e.g., identified as CC1). The indication may identify BWP1and CC1. In some aspects, the indication may not identify a second bandwidth part (e.g., BWP2) and may not identify a second CC (e.g., CC2). However, the UE120may use the indicated set of TCI states to not only configure and/or activate one or more TCI states for the CORESET(s) and the PDSCH on the first bandwidth part and the first CC, but to also configure and/or activate one or more TCI states for CORESET(s) and the PDSCH on a second bandwidth part and the second CC. In this way, network resources can be conserved by foregoing transmission of an indication to use the set of TCI states for the second bandwidth part and the second CC. Furthermore, base station resources that would otherwise be used to generate and transmit the indication can be conserved, and UE resources that would otherwise be used to receive and process the indication can be conserved.

In some aspects, the base station110may indicate a beam indication (e.g., a spatial relation) that is to be configured and/or activated for a first sounding reference signal (SRS) resource set on a first BWP (e.g., BWP1) in a first CC (e.g., CC1). The indication may identify BWP1and CC1. In some aspects, the indication may not identify a second bandwidth part (e.g., BWP2) and may not identify a second CC (e.g., CC2). However, the UE120may use the beam indication for not only the first SRS resource set on the first BWP in the first CC, but also for a second SRS resource set on the second BWP in the second CC. In this way, network resources, base station resources, and/or UE resources may be conserved, as indicated above.

As indicated above,FIG. 3is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG. 3.

FIG. 4is a diagram illustrating another example400of group-based beam indication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

As shown by reference number410, a base station110may transmit, and a UE120may receive, an indication of a spatial relation and multiple PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied. The indication may be transmitted and/or received in a signaling message, such as a MAC-CE or the like. As further shown, in some aspects, the PUCCH resources may be indicated using one or more component types (sometimes referred to herein as PUCCH resource component types). Additionally, or alternatively, the signaling message may indicate a format for a component type or multiple formats corresponding to multiple component types. A format for a component type may be used to interpret a set of bits (e.g., one or more bits) used to indicate a component having the component type and/or to identify the PUCCH resources, as described in more detail below.

As shown by reference number420, the signaling message may indicate the multiple PUCCH resources using one or more component identifiers (sometimes referred to as PUCCH resource component identifiers). A component identifier may include, for example, a PUCCH resource identifier (sometimes referred to as a resource identifier), a PUCCH resource set identifier (sometimes referred to as a resource set identifier), a bandwidth part identifier, and/or a component carrier identifier. The signaling message may include a single component identifier or any combination of multiple component identifiers. Similarly, a component type used to identify a PUCCH resource may include a PUCCH resource (e.g., a resource block, a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a time domain and frequency domain resource, and/or the like), a PUCCH resource set (e.g., a set of resource blocks, a set of time domain resources, a set of frequency domain resources, a set of time domain and frequency domain resources, and/or the like), a BWP, and/or a CC.

In some aspects, a single component identifier for a single component type may be used to identify the multiple PUCCH resources. For example, the signaling message may indicate a single CC identifier, and this may indicate that the UE120is to use the spatial relation for all PUCCH resources on the CC identified by the CC identifier (e.g., all communications transmitted using a PUCCH resource on the CC). In some aspects, multiple component identifiers may be used to identify the multiple PUCCH resources. For example, the signaling message may indicate a BWP and a CC, and the UE120may use the spatial relation for all PUCCH resources on the BWP and the CC.

As shown by reference number430, a component identifier may be indicated using a format. In some aspects, the format may be fixed and/or prespecified (e.g., in a wireless telecommunication standard). In some aspects, the format may be relatively static, and may be indicated via a radio resource control (RRC) message. In some aspects, the format may be relatively dynamic. In some aspects, the format may be indicated in the signaling message, such as the MAC-CE, as shown inFIG. 4.

When a first format (e.g., format1) is used for a component type, a component having that component type may be indicated in the signaling message using a single component identifier. For example, when the first format is used for the BWP component type, a BWP may be explicitly identified in the signaling message. In example400, BWP1is explicitly indicated in the signaling message using the first format.

When a second format (e.g., format2) is used for a component type, a component having that component type may be indicated in the signaling message using a bitmap with a bit corresponding to each configured and/or activated component having that component type. A first value of the bit (e.g., zero) may indicate that the spatial relation is not to be used for a component corresponding to the bit, and a second value of the bit (e.g., one) may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for the component corresponding to the bit. For example, the base station110may configure the UE120with a first BWP (e.g., BWP0), a second BWP (e.g., BWP1), a third BWP (e.g., BWP2), and a fourth BWP (e.g., BWP3) (e.g., for a particular CC). In this case, a bitmap of 1001 may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for BWP0and BWP3, and that the spatial relation is not to be used for BWP1and BWP2.

When a third format (e.g., format3) is used for a component type, a component having that component type may be indicated in the signaling message using a validity indicator that indicates whether or not the spatial relation is to be used for all components having the component type. For example, a first value of the validity indicator (e.g., zero) for a component type may indicate that the spatial relation is not to be used for all (or is not to be used for any) components having the component type, and a second value of the validity indicator (e.g., one) may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for all components having the component type. In some aspects, the validity indicator may be an explicit indication included in the signaling message (e.g., using a single bit for a single component type, a set of bits corresponding to a set of component types, and/or the like). In some aspects, the validity indicator may be an implicit indication. For example, if the signaling message does not include any component identifiers for a component type, then this may indicate that the spatial relation is to be applied to all components having the component type. In example400, if a BWP or a set of BWPs is not explicitly identified in the signaling message, then this indicates that the spatial relation is to apply to all BWPs.

When a fourth format (e.g., format4) is used for a component type, a component having that component type may be indicated in the signaling message using an explicit indication of multiple components having the component type. In this case, the signaling message may indicate a number of components, having the component type, that are identified in the signaling message, and may also include a corresponding number (e.g., the same number or quantity) of component identifiers to identify the components to which the spatial relation is to be applied. In example400, when the fourth format is used for the BWP component type, the signaling message indicates that two BWP components are identified in the signaling message, and then identifies those two BWP components as BWP0and BWP2. By indicating the number of components in the signaling message, the UE120may be capable of properly interpreting bits in the signaling message.

As shown by reference number440, the UE120may identify the PUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message. For example, the UE120may use the indicated formats to interpret bits in the signaling message, where the bits indicate the components. The UE120may use the indicated components to identify the PUCCH resources to which the spatial relation, indicated in the signaling message, is to be applied. In some aspects, a single MAC-CE (e.g., identified using a single logic channel identifier (LCID) that uniquely identifies that MAC-CE) may indicate the spatial relation, the format to be used to interpret bits that indicate the components, and the components (e.g., using the bits interpreted according to the format). Additional details regarding the content of the MAC-CE are described below in connection withFIG. 5.

As an example, if the signaling message uses format1for a CC component type and does not indicate any other component types, then the signaling message may include a single CC identifier that identifies a CC. In this case, the UE120may apply the indicated spatial relation (e.g., a spatial relation activated by the MAC-CE) to all PUCCH resources on the CC.

As another example, if the signaling message uses format1for a resource set component type, uses format1for a BWP component type, and uses format1for a CC component type, then the signaling message may include a single resource set identifier that identifies a PUCCH resource set, may include a single BWP identifier that identifies a BWP, and may include a single CC identifier that identifies a CC. In this case, the UE120may apply the indicated spatial relation to all PUCCH resources in the indicated PUCCH resource set on the indicated BWP and CC.

As another example, if the signaling message uses format2for a PUCCH resource component type, uses format1for a BWP component type, and uses format1for a CC component type, then the signaling message may include a bitmap to identify PUCCH resources, may include a single BWP identifier that identifies a BWP, and may include a single CC identifier that identifies a CC. In this case, the UE120may apply the indicated spatial relation to the PUCCH resources that are indicated in the bitmap and that are on the indicated BWP and CC. For example, bits with a value of 1 may indicate that the spatial relation is to be used for PUCCH resources corresponding to those bits.

As shown by reference number450, the UE120may use the spatial relation, identified in the signaling message, to transmit communication(s) on one or more PUCCH resources included in the multiple PUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message. Similarly, the base station110may use the spatial relation, identified in the signaling message, to receive communication(s) on one or more PUCCH resources included in the multiple PUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message.

For example, the UE120may determine that a PUCCH resource, on which a communication is scheduled and/or is to be transmitted, is included in the PUCCH resources indicated in the signaling message. Based at least in part on this determination, the UE120may transmit the communication on the PUCCH resource using the spatial relation indicated in the signaling message. In this way, spatial relations may be flexibly configured while conserving network resources, base station resources, and/or UE resources, as described elsewhere herein.

As indicated above,FIG. 4is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG. 4.

FIG. 5is a diagram illustrating an example500of group-based beam indication and signaling, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5shows an example of contents of a signaling message, such as a MAC-CE, that indicate a set of components and a set of formats to be used to interpret bits that indicate the set of components. As shown by reference number510, the signaling message may include a format indicator and a component indicator for one or more component types. The component types are shown as a PUCCH resource component type, a PUCCH resource set component type, a BWP component type, and a CC component type. The signaling message may indicate sets of components corresponding to any combination of component types. In some aspects, the signaling message may indicate one or more components for only a single component type. In example500, the signaling message indicates components for a PUCCH resource component type, a BWP component type, and a CC component type, and not a PUCCH resource set component type. However, other combinations may be different from what is shown inFIG. 5.

As shown, the signaling message may indicate that format2is used to indicate one or more PUCCH resources having the PUCCH resource component type, that format1is used to indicate a single BWP, and that format1is used to indicate a single CC. In this case, the single BWP is explicitly identified as BWP2, the single CC is explicitly identified as CC1, and the PUCCH resources are indicated using a bitmap of 101010101, which indicates even-numbered PUCCH resources (e.g., PUCCH resource ID0, PUCCH resource ID2, PUCCH resource ID4, PUCCH resource ID6, and PUCCH resource ID8). In this case, as shown by reference number520, the UE120may apply a spatial relation, indicated in the signaling message, to the PUCCH resources indicated in the bitmap on BWP2on CC1.

In some aspects, the MAC-CE may be designed with a fixed size such that the base station110is capable of using the MAC-CE to indicate only a single combination of formats for corresponding component types. In example500, this single combination is format2for the PUCCH resource component type, format1for the BWP component type, and format1for the CC component type. In this case, the MAC-CE may have a fixed size (e.g., a fixed length), which may simplify processing and/or generation of the MAC-CE and thereby conserve UE resources and base station resources.

In some aspects, the MAC-CE may be designed with a fixed size such that the base station110is capable of using the MAC-CE to indicate multiple combinations of formats for corresponding component types. For example, as shown by reference number530, the MAC-CE may include a validity indicator. The validity indicator may indicate whether to use the component indicator in the signaling message to identify the components for a component type (e.g., when the validity indicator for the component type has a first value, such as one) or whether to apply the spatial relation to all components (e.g., configured components) having the component type (e.g., when the validity indicator for the component type has a second value, such as zero). In example500, the validity indicator is shown as a bitmap of 011, with the first bit (zero) corresponding to the PUCCH resource component type, the second bit (one) corresponding to the BWP component type, and the third bit (one) corresponding to the CC component type. In this case, the UE120uses the component indicator to identify the BWP and the CC, and ignores the component indicator for the PUCCH resource. Thus, as shown by reference number540, the UE120applies the spatial relation, indicated in the signaling message, to all PUCCH resources on BWP2on CC1.

In some aspects, the validity indicator may be included in a body of the MAC-CE to indicate which component indicators are valid (e.g., are to be used to identify the components to which the spatial relation is to be applied) and which component indicators are invalid (e.g., are not to be used to identify the components to which the spatial relation is to be applied). In some aspects, the validity indicator may be included in a sub-header of the MAC-CE and/or in a length field of the MAC-CE. In this case, the MAC-CE may have a variable length.

As indicated above,FIG. 5is provided as an example. Other examples may differ from what is described with respect toFIG. 5.

FIG. 6is a diagram illustrating an example process600performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process600is an example where a UE (e.g., UE120and/or the like) performs operations associated with group-based beam indication and signaling.

As shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include receiving a downlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier (block610). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor258, controller/processor280, memory282, and/or the like) may receive a downlink beam indication for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier, as described above.

As further shown inFIG. 6, in some aspects, process600may include using the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers (block620). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor258, transmit processor264, controller/processor280, memory282, and/or the like) may use the downlink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers, as described above.

Process600may include additional aspects, such as any single implementation or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the downlink beam indication includes at least one of a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or a quasi co-location (QCL) relationship. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the downlink beam indication is received for a first physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) and for at least one of a first bandwidth part or a first component carrier, and the downlink beam indication is used for a second PDSCH and for at least one of a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier. In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the downlink beam indication is received for a first control resource set (CORESET) and a first physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) on a first bandwidth part or a first component carrier and is used for a second CORESET and a second PDSCH on a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the downlink beam indication is received for a first control resource set (CORESET) and for at least one of a first bandwidth part or a first component carrier, and the downlink beam indication is used for a second CORESET on at least one of a second bandwidth part or a second component carrier. In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the beam indication is stored in a configuration or activated for use.

Although aspects are described above in connection with a downlink beam indication, similar operations may be performed for an uplink beam indication. For example, the UE may receive an uplink beam for at least one of a channel, a resource, a resource set, a bandwidth part, or a component carrier; and may use the uplink beam indication for a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, or component carriers. In one aspect, alone or in combination with one or more aspects described elsewhere herein, a single activated and/or configured beam indication used on a particular uplink and/or downlink channel or resource on a bandwidth part and/or a component carrier can be applied to a group of channels, resources, resource sets, bandwidth parts, and/or component carriers.

AlthoughFIG. 6shows example blocks of process600, in some aspects, process600may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 6. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process600may be performed in parallel.

FIG. 7is a diagram illustrating an example process700performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process700is an example where a UE (e.g., UE120and/or the like) performs operations associated with group-based beam indication and signaling.

As shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include receiving an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied (block710). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor258, transmit processor264, controller/processor280, memory282, and/or the like) may receive an indication of a spatial relation and multiple physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) resources to which the spatial relation is to be applied, as described above.

As further shown inFIG. 7, in some aspects, process700may include using the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources (block720). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor258, transmit processor264, controller/processor280, memory282, and/or the like) may use the spatial relation to transmit on one or more PUCCH resources of the multiple PUCCH resources, as described above.

Process700may include additional aspects, such as any single implementation or any combination of aspects described below and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the multiple PUCCH resources are indicated using one or more component identifiers that include at least one of a PUCCH resource identifier, a PUCCH resource set identifier, a bandwidth part identifier, a component carrier identifier, or a combination thereof. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, a component identifier, of the one or more component identifiers, is indicated using one of: a first format that explicitly indicates a single component identifier for a component, a second format that includes a bitmap that indicates the component identifier from a set of configured component identifiers, a third format that indicates all component identifiers for a component, or a fourth format that indicates a number of component identifiers and a corresponding component identifier for each of the number of component identifiers.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, a format to be used to indicate a component identifier, of the one or more component identifiers, is signaled to the UE. In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, the indication is received in a single media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE).

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, a single MAC-CE is used to indicate the spatial relation, the multiple PUCCH resources, and a set of formats for interpreting a set of bits used to indicate a set of components that indicate the multiple PUCCH resources. In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the set of components is explicitly indicated by the set of formats. In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the single MAC-CE has a fixed length. In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the set of components is indicated by the set of formats and a validity indicator that indicates whether a format, of the set of formats, is to be used to identify a corresponding component or whether all component identifiers for the component are to be used to identify PUCCH resources. In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the single MAC-CE has a fixed length and the validity indicator is included in a body of the MAC-CE. In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, the single MAC-CE has a variable length and the validity indicator is included in a sub-header of the MAC-CE.

AlthoughFIG. 7shows example blocks of process700, in some aspects, process700may include additional blocks, fewer blocks, different blocks, or differently arranged blocks than those depicted inFIG. 7. Additionally, or alternatively, two or more of the blocks of process700may be performed in parallel.

As used herein, the term “component” is intended to be broadly construed as hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software. As used herein, a processor is implemented in hardware, firmware, or a combination of hardware and software.

As used herein, satisfying a threshold may refer to a value being greater than the threshold, greater than or equal to the threshold, less than the threshold, less than or equal to the threshold, equal to the threshold, not equal to the threshold, and/or the like.