Method And Apparatus For Network Energy Saving With Spatial Element Adaptation In Mobile Communications

Examples pertaining to network energy saving with spatial element adaptation in mobile communications are described. A user equipment (UE) transmits a first measurement report of a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) based on a first indication from the network apparatus, and transmits a second measurement report of the CSI-RS based on a second indication from the network apparatus. A number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the second measurement report.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure is generally related to mobile communications and, more particularly, to network energy saving techniques in spatial domain with spatial element adaptation with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications.

BACKGROUND

The fifth-generation (5G) network, despite its enhanced energy efficiency in bits per Joule (e.g., 417% more efficiency than a 4G network) due to its larger bandwidth and better spatial multiplexing capabilities, may consume over 140% more energy than a 4G network. Therefore, it is important to achieve 5G network power savings. There are many conflicts among performance metrics. For example, quality of service (QoS), which may be affected by channel assessment accuracy, and power savings may need a tradeoff.

Considering of this, how to achieve network power saving while maintaining channel assessment accuracy becomes an important issue for the newly developed wireless communication network. Therefore, there is a need to provide proper schemes for network power saving.

SUMMARY

An objective of the present disclosure is to propose solutions or schemes that address the aforementioned issues pertaining to network energy saving with respect to a communication apparatus (e.g., a user equipment (UE)) and network apparatus (e.g., a network node or a base station (BS), such as a next generation Node B (gNB)) in mobile communications.

In one aspect, a method may involve a processor of a communication apparatus transmitting a first measurement report of a channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) based on a first indication from a network apparatus and transmitting a second measurement report of the CSI-RS based on a second indication from the network apparatus. A number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the second measurement report.

In one aspect, a communication apparatus may involve a transceiver which, during operation, wirelessly communicates with at least one network apparatus. The communication apparatus may also involve a processor communicatively coupled to the transceiver such that, during operation, the processor performs following operations: transmitting, via the transceiver, a first measurement report of a CSI-RS based on a first indication from the network apparatus; and transmitting, via the transceiver, a second measurement report of the CSI-RS based on a second indication from the network apparatus. A number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the second measurement report.

In one aspect, a method may involve a processor of a network apparatus performing a spatial domain adaptation by disabling at least one of a plurality of antenna elements of the network apparatus and enabling all of the antenna elements of the network apparatus in a dynamic or a semi-static manner.

It is noteworthy that, although description provided herein may be in the context of certain radio access technologies, networks and network topologies such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced, LTE-Advanced Pro, 5th Generation (5G), New Radio (NR), Internet-of-Things (IoT) and Narrow Band Internet of Things (NB-IoT), Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and 6th Generation (6G), the proposed concepts, schemes and any variation(s)/derivative(s) thereof may be implemented in, for and by other types of radio access technologies, networks and network topologies. Thus, the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the examples described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED IMPLEMENTATIONS

Overview

Implementations in accordance with the present disclosure relate to various techniques, methods, schemes and/or solutions pertaining to spatial element adaptation (spatial domain (SD) adaptation, antenna element adaptation or antenna port adaptation) for network energy saving (or network power saving) in mobile communications. According to the present disclosure, a number of possible solutions may be implemented separately or jointly. That is, although these possible solutions may be described below separately, two or more of these possible solutions may be implemented in one combination or another.

An antenna architecture typically may have a plurality of physical antennas and the number of physical antennas may be greater than the number of transceivers. This means that each transceiver may comprise multiple physical antennas. Logical antenna ports may be specified rather than physical antennas in 3rdGeneration Partnership Project (3GPP) Specifications. Specific transmissions may use specific antenna ports which are mapped onto one or more physical antennas.

In addition, the 5G New Radio (NR) may support the long-term channel measurements. The UE may derive long-term channel quality indicator (CQ), layer 1 signal to interference plus noise ratio (L1-SINR), or L1-reference signal received power (RSRP) values by measuring multiple synchronization signal block (SSB) or channel state information-reference signal (CSI-RS) occasions. The number of SSBs or CSI-RSs may be determined based on the UE implementation.

In some implementations, the network apparatus with an antenna architecture may have a plurality of physical antennas which associates with a plurality of antenna ports. The network apparatus may perform spatial elements (e.g., the antenna element, such as the physical antennas or the antenna ports) adaptation (e.g., muting or unmuting one or more physical antennas or one or more antenna ports, or, enabling or disabling one or more physical antennas or one or more antenna ports) in a dynamic or semi-static manner.

In some implementations, to achieve spatial element adaptation for network energy saving, the network apparatus may update the configuration of number of ports (e.g., the information element (IE) nrofPorts in the radio resource control (RRC) resource mapping configuration: CSI-RS-ResourceMapping). In some implementations, the network apparatus may update the configuration in a dynamic or semi-static manner based on indication of downlink control information (DCI) or a media access control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) or RRC configuration.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may save energy more efficiently with a cell-wise spatial element adaptation. In some implementations, the network apparatus may indicate a cell-wise parameter, such as “maximum number of ports”. For example, the parameter may be indicated through a paging signal, or a paging early indication (PEI), or a system information block (SIB) based (SIB-based) signal.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may apply the indicated parameter “maximum number of ports” to a CSI-RS resource configuration. In some implementations, to apply the indicated “maximum number of ports” to a CSI-RS resource configuration, the IE nrofPorts under CSI-RS-ResourceMapping may be configured as a list. The maximum value smaller or equal to the indicated “maximum number of ports” may apply for this CSI-RS resource configuration. For example, in an event that the IE nrofPorts is configured as {8, 16, 32}, and the indicated “maximum number of ports” is set to 10, then the configuration 8 of the IE nrofPorts becomes effective instead of 32.

FIG.1illustrates an example scenario100of 32 ports CSI-RS configuration under schemes in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. In some implementations, when the number of antenna ports are reduced (e.g., by disabling or muting) due to the antenna ports adaptation (which may be regarded as one type of antenna element adaptation or spatial element adaptation, or the aforementioned SD adaptation), for example, from 32 antenna ports to 8 antenna ports, the selection of subset antenna ports may be defined (e.g., which 8 or 24 antenna ports from the 32 antenna ports are to be enabled (or kept) or disabled (or muted)).

In some implementations, for each element defined in the list of the IE nrofPorts, which subset of antenna ports are to be enabled or disabled may be defined. In addition, for each element in the list of the IE nrofPorts, how other impacted CSI-RS configuration parameters are to be changed (or not) may be further defined. For example, the parameter nrOfAntennaPorts (which defines the codebook-subset restriction) under the configuration CodebookConfig under the RRC configuration CSI-ReportConfig may be different for different elements (values) in the list of the IE nrofPorts.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may determine an enabled or disabled status (e.g., the corresponding spatial adaptation pattern) of a plurality of antenna ports for one or more antenna port subsets in a type 1 implementation of spatial element adaptation (antenna element adaptation) and transmit a report configuration (e.g., the RRC configuration CSI-ReportConfig) to the communication apparatus. The report configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, which may be provided by a higher layer parameter. That is, one report configuration may contain multiple CSI report sub-configurations. Each sub-configuration may be identified by a sub-configuration ID and may correspond to one antenna port subset (or, correspond to one spatial adaptation pattern or one or more CSI-RS resources).

In some implementations, the network apparatus may determine the spatial adaptation pattern(s) (for example, determine the number of antenna ports to be enabled or disabled or which antenna ports are to be enabled or disabled) based on one or more previous CSI measurement reports received from the communication apparatus, the cell loading of the network apparatus, the power saving mechanism or algorithm of the network apparatus, or any determination rules defined by the network apparatus.

FIG.2illustrates an example scenario200of type 1 SD adaptation under schemes in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. InFIG.2, an example of type 1 spatial adaptation pattern is shown, which may also be regarded as an antenna port subset in which the antenna ports 8-15 are disabled (muted) by the network apparatus. In this embodiment, the status of the antenna ports 0-7 are enabled, and the status of the antenna ports 8-15 are changed from an enabled status to a disabled status after the antenna element adaptation is applied for implementing network energy saving in spatial domain.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may determine an enabled or disabled status (e.g., the corresponding spatial adaptation pattern) of a plurality of physical antennas in a type 2 implementation of spatial element adaptation (antenna element adaptation) and transmit a report configuration (e.g., the RRC configuration CSI-ReportConfig) to the communication apparatus.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may determine the spatial adaptation pattern(s) (e.g., determine the number of physical antennas in one antenna port to be enabled or disabled or which physical antennas in one antenna port are to be enabled or disabled) based on one or more previous CSI measurement reports received from the communication apparatus, the cell loading of the network apparatus, the power saving mechanism or algorithm of the network apparatus, or any determination rules defined by the network apparatus.

FIG.3illustrates an example scenario300of type 2 SD adaptation under schemes in accordance with implementations of the present disclosure. InFIG.3, an example of type 2 spatial adaptation pattern is shown. In this embodiment, after the antenna element adaptation is applied for implementing network energy saving in spatial domain, half of the physical antennas in each antenna port are enabled and the other half of the physical antennas in each antenna port are changed from an enabled status to a disabled status.

In some implementations, for the communication apparatus wirelessly communicates with the network apparatus, the communication apparatus may receive the aforementioned report configuration from the network apparatus. The report configuration may comprise the list of sub-configurations. Each sub-configuration may be identified by a sub-configuration ID, and may correspond to one antenna port subset (or, correspond to one spatial adaptation pattern or one or more CSI-RS resources).

In some implementations, the report configuration may be transmitted by the network apparatus (as well as received by the communication apparatus) through an RRC signaling.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may measure the CSI-RS based on the report configuration, generate a measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS and transmit the measurement report of the CSI-RS based on the report configuration.

In some implementations, an additional bitmap in RRC configuration may be used for the selection of subset of antenna ports to be disabled or enabled (i.e., to be muted or kept). In some implementations, each sub-configuration may comprise a bitmap parameter. Each sub-configuration may be configured with an antenna port subset using the higher layer bitmap parameter. The bitmap parameter may comprise a bit sequence, such as the bit sequence p0, p1, . . . , pP−1, where p0is the most significant bit (MSB) and pPm−1is the least significant bit (LSB). Each bit in the bit sequence may correspond to at least one antenna port. As an example, the bit picorresponds to antenna port 3000+i, and Pm is the number of ports IE nrofPorts configured for the CSI-RS resources(s) within a non-zero power (NZP) CSI-RS resource set which may be contained in a CSI resource configuration for channel measurement that corresponds to the report configuration (e.g., the RRC configuration CSI-ReportConfig).

For example, based on the port configuration shown inFIG.1, when antenna port number is adapted from 32 to 8, a 32-bit bitmap of “11111111000000000000000000000000” may indicate that the ports 3000˜3007 are kept and the ports 3008˜3031 are muted.

In some implementations, a predefined bit value of the bit in the bit sequence may indicate that the corresponding antenna port is disabled for the corresponding sub-configuration. For example, as in the 32-bit bitmap example provided above, the bit value 0 may indicate that the corresponding antenna port is disabled for the sub-configuration, whereas the bit value 1 may indicate that the corresponding antenna port is enabled and belongs to the antenna port subset for the sub-configuration.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations may be provided to the communication apparatus through the report configuration (e.g., the RRC configuration CSI-ReportConfig) before the selection of one antenna port subset for implementing the spatial element adaptation.

In some implementations, each sub-configuration may comprise an indication of codebook subset restriction corresponding to the antenna ports, for example, N1, N2, and Ng (multi-panel case).

In addition to using a bitmap, in some implementations, for the selection of subset of antenna ports to be disabled or enabled (i.e., to be muted or kept), an RRC configured or pre-defined table may be used to define which antenna ports are to be disabled or enabled, based on the chosen of the IE nrofPorts corresponding to indicated parameter “maximum number of ports” mentioned above. An additional muting indication may be transmitted by DCI or MAC-CE to specify which muting setting would be applied.

As an example, based on the port configuration shown inFIG.1, the muting indication ‘00’ specifies that port 3000˜3007 are enabled (kept), the muting indication ‘01’ specifies that port 3008˜3015 are enabled (kept), the muting indication ‘10’ specifies that port 3016˜3023 are enabled (kept), and the muting indication ‘11’ specifies that port 3024˜3031 are enabled (kept).

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may report N CSI(s) in one reporting instance where N CSI(s) are from L sub-configuration(s), and where N and L are positive integers and 1≤N≤L.

In addition to using a bitmap or a configured or pre-defined table, in some implementations, for the selection of subset of antenna ports to be disabled or enabled (i.e., to be muted or kept), a pre-defined rule may be used to determine which antenna are to be disabled or enabled. For example, to adapt antenna port number from 32 to 8, two possible pre-defined rules are listed below: (1) The corresponding 8 antennas with the lowest port index are kept, and (2) The corresponding 8 antennas with the highest port index are kept.

In some implementations, for the definition of how other impacted CSI-RS configuration parameters are to be changed, similar approaches may be applied, including: (1) an RRC based indication (e.g., using a bitmap), (2) an RRC configured or pre-defined table with additional indication by DCI or MAC-CE, and (3) using one or more pre-defined rules.

On top of spatial element adaptation (or, antenna element adaptation) with at least one antenna element being muted or disabled, it is also important that the network apparatus is able to obtain sufficient information (e.g., sufficient CSI measurement reports) to determine when to turn on the muted or disabled antenna elements, based on the channel condition of different number of antenna elements. Therefore, in some implementations, the network apparatus may occasionally transmit the CSI-RS without any antenna element being muted or disabled, so that the communication apparatus is able to measure a complete CSI report to assist the network apparatus to assess whether or when to turn on the muted or disabled antenna elements. Note that in accordance with different implementations of the present disclosure, an antenna element may be an antenna port or a physical antenna (e.g., one physical antenna configured in an antenna port).

In some implementations, the network apparatus may perform a spatial domain adaptation by disabling at least one of a plurality of antenna elements of the network apparatus. The spatial domain adaptation may be either a type 1 spatial domain adaptation or a type 2 spatial domain adaptation. In some implementations, the network apparatus may stop/suspend the spatial domain adaptation and enable all of the antenna elements in a dynamic or a semi-static manner. For example, in an implementation of type 1 spatial domain adaptation, the network apparatus may enable all antenna ports to support a full antenna port transmission. For example, in an implementation of type 2 spatial domain adaptation, the network apparatus may enable all physical antennas in the antenna ports to support a full antenna transmission.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may determine an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements for one or more spatial adaptation patterns, such as but not limited to, one or more antenna port subsets. The network apparatus may transmit a first configuration to the communication apparatus. In some implementations, the first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration may correspond to one spatial adaptation pattern. In some implementations, the network apparatus may transmit a first indication to select one or more sub-configurations to the communication apparatus via a DCI or a MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may define a specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the antenna elements are enabled. For example, in an implementation of type 1 spatial domain adaptation, the network apparatus may define a specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the antenna ports are enabled, and the list of sub-configurations may comprise a specific sub-configuration corresponding to the specific spatial adaptation pattern (as well as corresponding to a specific antenna port subset which indicates an all-enabled status of the antenna ports). For another example, in an implementation of type 2 spatial domain adaptation, the network apparatus may define a specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the physical antennas in the antenna ports are enabled.

In some implementations, when the list of sub-configurations comprises the specific sub-configuration with the specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the antenna elements are enabled, the network apparatus may transmit a second indication to select the specific sub-configuration to the communication apparatus via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, instead of transmitting an indication to select the specific sub-configuration, the network apparatus may transmit an indication to the communication apparatus to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may transmit an indication to the communication apparatus to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI, or a SIB-based signal.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may transmit a second configuration to the communication apparatus. The second configuration may comprise information regarding a period or one or more occasions to enable all of the antenna elements. In such implementations, the network apparatus may perform a CSI-RS transmission based on the second configuration. For example, the network apparatus may perform the CSI-RS transmission by using all of the antenna elements at the time implicitly or explicitly indicated by the period or the occasions specified in the second configuration.

In some implementations, the network apparatus may receive the measurement report of the CSI-RS from the communication apparatus and determine whether to change an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements of the spatial domain adaptation based on the measurement report. As an example, the network apparatus may assess whether or when to turn on the muted or disabled antenna elements based on the measurement report.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may transmit a first measurement report of CSI-RS based on a first indication from the network apparatus, and transmit a second measurement report of the CSI-RS based on a second indication from the network apparatus. In some implementations, a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus associated with the second measurement report. In some implementations, the transmitting of the second measurement report may be triggered in a dynamic or a semi-static manner.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may receive a first configuration from the network apparatus. The first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration may indicate one or more enabled or disabled antenna elements of the network apparatus. The communication apparatus may receive the first indication to select one or more sub-configurations via a DCI or a MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may measure the CSI-RS based on said one or more sub-configurations, wherein the measuring of the CSI-RS associated with said one or more disabled antenna elements indicated in said one or more sub-configurations is not performed. The communication apparatus may generate the first measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations comprises a specific sub-configuration which indicates that all antenna elements of the network apparatus are enabled. The communication apparatus may receive the second indication to select the specific sub-configuration via the DCI or the MAC-CE and measure the CSI-RS based on the specific sub-configuration. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The communication apparatus may generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may receive the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE and measure the CSI-RS based on the second indication. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The communication apparatus may generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may receive the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI or a SIB-based signal and measure the CSI-RS based on the second indication. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The communication apparatus may generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus may receive a second configuration from the network apparatus. The second configuration comprises information regarding a period or one or more occasions for enabling all antenna elements of the network apparatus, and the second indication is indicated with the second configuration. The communication apparatus may measure the CSI-RS based on the second configuration. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The communication apparatus may generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

Illustrative Implementations

FIG.4illustrates an example communication system400having an example communication apparatus410and an example network apparatus420in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. Each of the communication apparatus410and the network apparatus420may perform various functions to implement schemes, techniques, processes and methods described herein pertaining to network power or energy saving with respect to user equipment and network apparatus in mobile communications, including scenarios/schemes described above as well as the process500and the process600described below.

The communication apparatus410may be a part of an electronic apparatus, which may be a UE such as a portable or mobile apparatus, a wearable apparatus, a wireless communication apparatus or a computing apparatus. For instance, the communication apparatus410may be implemented in a smartphone, a smartwatch, a personal digital assistant, a digital camera, or a computing equipment such as a tablet computer, a laptop computer or a notebook computer. The communication apparatus410may also be a part of a machine type apparatus, which may be an IoT, NB-IoT, or IIoT apparatus such as an immobile or a stationary apparatus, a home apparatus, a wire communication apparatus or a computing apparatus. For instance, the communication apparatus410may be implemented in a smart thermostat, a smart fridge, a smart door lock, a wireless speaker or a home control center. Alternatively, the communication apparatus410may be implemented in the form of one or more integrated-circuit (IC) chips such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, one or more reduced-instruction set computing (RISC) processors, or one or more complex-instruction-set-computing (CISC) processors. The communication apparatus410may include at least some of those components shown inFIG.4such as a processor412, for example. The communication apparatus410may further include one or more other components not pertinent to the proposed scheme of the present disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device and/or user interface device), and, thus, such component(s) of the communication apparatus410are neither shown inFIG.4nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.

The network apparatus420may be a part of a network device, which may be a network node such as a satellite, a base station, a small cell, a router or a gateway. For instance, the network apparatus420may be implemented in an eNodeB in an LTE network, in a gNB in a 5G/NR, IoT, NB-IoT or IIoT network or in a satellite or base station in a 6G network. Alternatively, the network apparatus420may be implemented in the form of one or more IC chips such as, for example and without limitation, one or more single-core processors, one or more multi-core processors, or one or more RISC or CISC processors. The network apparatus420may include at least some of those components shown inFIG.4such as a processor422, for example. The network apparatus420may further include one or more other components not pertinent to the proposed scheme of the present disclosure (e.g., internal power supply, display device and/or user interface device), and, thus, such component(s) of the network apparatus420are neither shown inFIG.4nor described below in the interest of simplicity and brevity.

In some implementations, the communication apparatus410may also include a transceiver416coupled to the processor412and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the communication apparatus410may further include a memory414coupled to the processor412and capable of being accessed by the processor412and storing data therein. In some implementations, the network apparatus420may also include a transceiver426coupled to the processor422and capable of wirelessly transmitting and receiving data. In some implementations, the network apparatus420may have a plurality of physical antennas which associates with a plurality of antenna ports. In some implementations, the network apparatus420may further include a memory424coupled to processor422and capable of being accessed by the processor422and storing data therein. Accordingly, the communication apparatus410and the network apparatus420may wirelessly communicate with each other via the transceiver416and the transceiver426, respectively. To aid better understanding, the following description of the operations, functionalities and capabilities of each of the communication apparatus410and the network apparatus420is provided in the context of a mobile communication environment in which the communication apparatus410is implemented in or as a communication apparatus or a UE and the network apparatus420is implemented in or as a network node or a network device of a communication network.

In some implementations, the processor412of the communication apparatus410may transmit a first measurement report of a CSI-RS via the transceiver416based on a first indication from the network apparatus420. The processor412may further transmit a second measurement report of the CSI-RS via the transceiver416based on a second indication from the network apparatus420. A number of antenna elements of the network apparatus420associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus420associated with the second measurement report.

In some implementations, the processor412may receive a first configuration from the network apparatus420via the transceiver416. The first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration indicates one or more enabled or disabled antenna elements of the network apparatus. The processor412may receive the first indication to select one or more sub-configurations via a DCI or a MAC-CE. The processor412may measure the CSI-RS based on said one or more sub-configurations. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with said one or more disabled antenna elements indicated in said one or more sub-configurations is not performed. The processor412may generate the first measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations may comprise a specific sub-configuration which indicates that all antenna elements of the network apparatus are enabled. The processor412may receive the second indication to select the specific sub-configuration via the DCI or the MAC-CE. The processor412may measure the CSI-RS based on the specific sub-configuration. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The processor412may generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the processor412may receive the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE. The processor412may measure the CSI-RS based on the second indication and generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed.

In some implementations, the processor412may receive the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI, or a SIB-based signal. The processor412may measure the CSI-RS based on the second indication and generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed.

In some implementations, the processor412may receive a second configuration from the network apparatus420. The second configuration comprises information regarding a period or one or more occasions for enabling all antenna elements of the network apparatus, and the second indication is indicated with the second configuration. The processor412may measure the CSI-RS based on the second configuration and generate the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed.

In some implementations, the processor422of the network apparatus420may perform a spatial domain adaptation by disabling at least one of a plurality of antenna elements of the network apparatus420, and enable all of the antenna elements of the network apparatus in a dynamic or a semi-static manner.

In some implementations, the processor422may determine an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements for one or more spatial adaptation patterns, and transmit a first configuration to the communication apparatus410. The first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration corresponds to one spatial adaptation pattern. The processor422may transmit a first indication to select one or more sub-configurations to the communication apparatus410via a DCI or a MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations comprises a specific sub-configuration with a specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the antenna elements are enabled. The processor422may transmit a second indication to select the specific sub-configuration to the communication apparatus410via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the processor422may transmit an indication to the communication apparatus410to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the processor422may transmit an indication to the communication apparatus410to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI or a SIB-based signal.

In some implementations, the processor422may transmit a second configuration to a communication apparatus and performing a CSI-RS transmission based on the second configuration. The second configuration comprises information regarding a period or one or more occasions to enable all of the antenna elements.

In some implementations, the processor422may receive a measurement report of a CSI-RS from the communication apparatus410and determine whether to change an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements of the spatial domain adaptation based on the measurement report.

Illustrative Processes

FIG.5illustrates an example process500in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. The process500may be an example implementation of above scenarios/schemes, whether partially or completely, with respect to network power saving with spatial element adaptation with the present disclosure. The process500may represent an aspect of implementation of features of the communication apparatus410. The process500may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks510and520. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks of the process500may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the blocks of the process500may be executed in the order shown inFIG.5or, alternatively, in a different order. The process500may be implemented by the communication apparatus410or any suitable UE or machine type devices. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limitation, the process500is described below in the context of the communication apparatus410. The process500may begin at block510.

At510, the process500may involve the processor412of the communication apparatus410transmitting a first measurement report of a CSI-RS based on a first indication from the network apparatus420. The process500may proceed from510to520.

At520, the process500may involve the processor412transmitting a second measurement report of the CSI-RS based on a second indication from the network apparatus420. A number of antenna elements of the network apparatus420associated with the first measurement report is less than a number of antenna elements of the network apparatus420associated with the second measurement report.

In some implementations, the process500may involve the processor412receiving a first configuration from the network apparatus. The first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration indicates one or more enabled or disabled antenna elements of the network apparatus. The process500may involve the processor412receiving the first indication to select one or more sub-configurations via a DCI or a MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the process500may involve the processor412measuring the CSI-RS based on said one or more sub-configurations. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with said one or more disabled antenna elements indicated in said one or more sub-configurations is not performed. The process500may involve the processor412generating the first measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations comprises a specific sub-configuration which indicates that all antenna elements of the network apparatus are enabled. The process500may involve the processor412receiving the second indication to select the specific sub-configuration via the DCI or the MAC-CE and measuring the CSI-RS based on the specific sub-configuration. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The process500may involve the processor412generating the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the process500may involve the processor412receiving the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE and measuring the CSI-RS based on the second indication. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The process500may involve the processor412generating the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the process500may involve the processor412receiving the second indication to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI or a SIB-based signal, and measuring the CSI-RS based on the second indication. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed. The process500may involve the processor412generating the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS.

In some implementations, the process500may involve the processor412receiving a second configuration from the network apparatus420. The second configuration may comprise information regarding a period or one or more occasions for enabling all antenna elements of the network apparatus, and the second indication is indicated with the second configuration. The process500may involve the processor412measuring the CSI-RS based on the second configuration and generating the second measurement report of the CSI-RS according to a result of the measuring of the CSI-RS. The measuring of the CSI-RS associated with all antenna elements are performed.

FIG.6depicting an example process600in accordance with an implementation of the present disclosure. The process600may be an example implementation of above scenarios/schemes, whether partially or completely, with respect to network power saving with spatial element adaptation with the present disclosure. The process600may represent an aspect of implementation of features of the network apparatus420. The process600may include one or more operations, actions, or functions as illustrated by one or more of blocks610and620. Although illustrated as discrete blocks, various blocks of the process600may be divided into additional blocks, combined into fewer blocks, or eliminated, depending on the desired implementation. Moreover, the blocks of the process600may be executed in the order shown inFIG.6or, alternatively, in a different order. The process600may be implemented by the network apparatus420or any suitable network device or network node. Solely for illustrative purposes and without limitation, the process600is described below in the context of the network apparatus420. The process600may begin at block610.

At610, the process600may involve the processor422of the network apparatus420performing a spatial domain adaptation by disabling at least one of a plurality of antenna elements of the network apparatus420. The process600may proceed from610to620.

At620, the process600may involve the processor422enabling all of the antenna elements of the network apparatus in a dynamic or a semi-static manner.

In some implementations, the process600may involve the processor422determining an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements for one or more spatial adaptation patterns and transmitting a first configuration to the communication apparatus410. The first configuration may comprise a list of sub-configurations, and each sub-configuration corresponds to one spatial adaptation pattern. The process600may involve the processor422transmitting a first indication to select one or more sub-configurations to the communication apparatus via a DCI or a MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the list of sub-configurations comprises a specific sub-configuration with a specific spatial adaptation pattern in which all of the antenna elements are enabled, and the process600may involve the processor422transmitting a second indication to select the specific sub-configuration to the communication apparatus via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the process600may involve the processor422transmitting an indication to the communication apparatus410to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via the DCI or the MAC-CE.

In some implementations, the process600may involve the processor422transmitting an indication to the communication apparatus410to indicate an all-enabled status of the antenna elements via a paging signal, a PEI, or a SIB-based signal.

In some implementations, the process600may involve the processor422transmitting a second configuration to the communication apparatus410. The second configuration comprises information regarding a period or one or more occasions to enable all of the antenna elements. The process600may involve the processor422performing a CSI-RS transmission based on the second configuration.

In some implementations, the process600may involve the processor receiving a measurement report of a CSI-RS from the communication apparatus410and determining whether to change an enabled or disabled status of the antenna elements of the spatial domain adaptation based on the measurement report.

Additional Notes