Patent Description:
As will be described in more detail herein, a BS may be referred to as a Node B, a gNB, an access point (AP), a radio head, a transmit receive point (TRP), a <NUM> BS, a <NUM> Node B, and/or the like.

The above multiple access technologies have been adopted in various telecommunication standards to provide a common protocol that enables different wireless communication devices to communicate on a municipal, national, regional, and even global level. <NUM>, which may also be referred to as New Radio (NR), is a set of enhancements to the LTE mobile standard promulgated by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). <NUM> is designed to better support mobile broadband Internet access by improving spectral efficiency, lowering costs, improving services, making use of new spectrum, and better integrating with other open standards using OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) (CP-OFDM) on the downlink (DL), using CP-OFDM and/or SC-FDM (e.g., also known as discrete Fourier transform spread OFDM (DFT-s-OFDM)) on the uplink (UL), as well as supporting beamforming, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, and carrier aggregation. However, as the demand for mobile broadband access continues to increase, there exists a need for further improvements in LTE and <NUM> technologies.

<NPL> discusses various proposed enhancements in multi-beam operations, primarily targeting FR2 operation.

<NPL> discusses enhancements in multi-beam operations for Rel-<NUM> including remaining details of enhanced beam selection mechanism with low latency and low overhead, panel-specific beam selection for UL, beam failure recovery for SCell, and beam measurement and reporting of L1-SINR.

CEDEX ; FRANCE discusses proposed enhancements in multi-beam operations including UL transmit beam selection for multi-panel operation, latency and overhead reduction, beam failure recovery for SCell, and measurement and reporting of L1-SINR for NR Rel-<NUM>.

A BS may transmit a signaling message to a UE to update a beam configuration of the UE. For example, a BS may transmit a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) to activate a set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states (e.g., associated with a set of TCI state identifiers) for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). Some BSs may provide a signaling message of a first format signaling message (e.g., "legacy" format MAC CE) to update a specific bandwidth part (BWP) of a specific component carrier (CC). A second format signaling message (e.g., "new" format MAC CE) may update all CCs from a group of CCs. UEs that receive the legacy MAC CE are not instructed to apply a TCI update to all CCs from a group of CCs. This is inefficient and additional signaling is needed to apply the TCI update to all CCs from the group of CCs.

Aspects generally include a method, apparatus, system, computer program product, non-transitory computer-readable medium, user equipment, base station, wireless communication device, and/or processing system as substantially described with reference to and as illustrated by the drawings and specification.

It should be noted that while aspects may be described herein using terminology commonly associated with <NUM> and/or <NUM> wireless technologies, aspects of the present disclosure can be applied in other generation-based communication systems, such as <NUM> and later, including <NUM> technologies.

The wireless network <NUM> may be an LTE network or some other wireless network, such as a <NUM> network. A BS is an entity that communicates with user equipment (UEs) and may also be referred to as a base station, a <NUM> BS, a Node B, a gNB, a <NUM> NB, an access point, a transmit receive point (TRP), and/or the like.

A UE may also be referred to as an access terminal, a terminal, a mobile station, a subscriber unit, a station, etc. A UE may be a cellular phone (e.g., a smart phone), a personal digital assistant (PDA), a wireless modem, a wireless communication device, a handheld device, a laptop computer, a cordless phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a tablet, a camera, a gaming device, a netbook, a smartbook, an ultrabook, a medical device or equipment, biometric sensors/devices, wearable devices (smart watches, smart clothing, smart glasses, smart wrist bands, smart jewelry (e.g., smart ring, smart bracelet)), an entertainment device (e.g., a music or video device, or a satellite radio), a vehicular component or sensor, smart meters/sensors, industrial manufacturing equipment, a global positioning system device, or any other suitable device that is configured to communicate via a wireless or wired medium.

MTC and eMTC UEs include, for example, robots, drones, remote devices, sensors, meters, monitors, location tags, etc., that may communicate with a base station, another device (e.g., remote device), or some other entity.

At base station <NUM>, a transmit processor <NUM> may receive data from a data source <NUM> for one or more UEs, may select a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) for each UE based at least in part on channel quality indicators (CQIs) received from the UE, process (e.g., encode and modulate) the data for each UE based at least in part on the MCS selected for the UE, and provide data symbols for all UEs. Transmit processor <NUM> may also process system information (e.g., for semi-static resource partitioning information (SRPI), and/or the like) and control information (e.g., CQI requests, grants, upper layer signaling, and/or the like) and provide overhead symbols and control symbols. Transmit processor <NUM> may also generate reference symbols for reference signals (e.g., the cell specific reference signal (CRS)) and synchronization signals (e.g., the primary synchronization signal (PSS) and secondary synchronization signal (SSS)).

A receive (RX) processor <NUM> may process (e.g., demodulate and decode) the detected symbols, provide decoded data for UE <NUM> to a data sink <NUM>, and provide decoded control information and system information to a controller/processor <NUM>. A channel processor may determine reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), channel quality indicator (CQI), and/or the like.

Controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform one or more techniques associated with updating a beam configuration for a component carrier (CC) group, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. For example, controller/processor <NUM> of base station <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM> of UE <NUM>, and/or any other component(s) of <FIG> may perform or direct operations of, for example, method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, and/or other processes as described herein. Memories <NUM> and <NUM> may store data and program codes for BS <NUM> and UE <NUM>, respectively.

<NUM> may refer to radios configured to operate according to a new air interface (e.g., other than Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based air interfaces) or fixed transport layer (e.g., other than Internet Protocol (IP)). <NUM> may utilize OFDM with a CP (herein referred to as cyclic prefix OFDM or CP-OFDM) and/or SC-FDM on the uplink, may utilize CP-OFDM on the downlink and include support for half-duplex operation using time division duplexing (TDD). <NUM> may, for example, utilize OFDM with a CP (herein referred to as CP-OFDM) and/or discrete Fourier transform spread orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM) on the uplink, may utilize CP-OFDM on the downlink and include support for half-duplex operation using TDD. <NUM> may include Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) service targeting wide bandwidth (e.g., <NUM> megahertz (MHz) and beyond), millimeter wave (mmW) targeting high carrier frequency (e.g., <NUM> gigahertz (GHz)), massive MTC (mMTC) targeting non-backward compatible MTC techniques, and/or mission critical targeting ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) service.

A single component carrier bandwidth of <NUM> may be supported. <NUM> resource blocks may span <NUM> sub-carriers with a sub-carrier bandwidth of <NUM> kilohertz (kHz) over a <NUM> duration. Each radio frame may include <NUM> subframes with a length of <NUM>. Consequently, each subframe may have a length of <NUM>. Each subframe may indicate a link direction (e.g., DL or UL) for data transmission and the link direction for each subframe may be dynamically switched. Each subframe may include DL/UL data as well as DL/UL control data.

Alternatively, <NUM> may support a different air interface, other than an OFDM-based interface. <NUM> networks may include entities such as central units or distributed units.

The RAN may include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DUs). A <NUM> BS (e.g., gNB, <NUM> Node B, Node B, transmit receive point (TRP), access point (AP)) may correspond to one or multiple BSs. <NUM> cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., a central unit or distributed unit) can configure the cells. DCells may be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, but not used for initial access, cell selection/reselection, or handover. In some circumstances, DCells may not transmit synchronization signals. In some circumstances, DCells may transmit synchronization signals. <NUM> BSs may transmit downlink signals to UEs indicating the cell type. Based at least in part on the indicated cell type, the UE may communicate with the <NUM> BS. For example, the UE may determine <NUM> BSs to consider for cell selection, access, handover, and/or measurement based at least in part on the indicated cell type.

In some communications systems, such as <NUM>, a bandwidth may be divided into a plurality of bandwidth parts (BWPs) and/or a plurality of component carriers (CCs). Each BWP and/or CC may enable uplink and/or downlink communication between a UE and a BS using parameters that may be specific to the BWP and/or specific to the CC. For example, a UE may communicate with a BS on a first BWP in accordance with a first communication configuration and may communicate with the BS on a second BWP in accordance with a second communication configuration. This may enable flexibility in deployments of UEs, power saving configurations, and/or the like relative to a single communication configuration for an entire bandwidth.

A BS may transmit signaling to a UE to update a beam configuration of the UE. For example, a BS may transmit a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) to activate a set of transmission configuration indicator (TCI) states (e.g., associated with a set of TCI state identifiers) for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). The UE may apply the set of TCI states to update a set of TCI states of BWPs and/or CCs within a common band and/or sharing a common analog beamformer. The BS may provide radio resource control (RRC) signaling indicating a set of CCs and/or a set of BWPs corresponding to the set of CCs. The UE may define a group of CCs based at least in part on the set of CCs indicated by the RRC signaling. The UE may subsequently receive a signaling message, from the BS, indicating to which BWP and/or to which CC, of a plurality of candidate CCs, the UE is to apply an update of a TCI state. This signaling message may be a MAC CE of a first format, and may be referred to as a "legacy" MAC CE for discussion purposes.

A more recent standard may provide for a BS to transmit a signaling message (e.g., MAC CE) of a second format, which may be referred to as a "new" MAC CE for discussion purposes, indicating to which group of CCs the UE is to apply an update of a TCI state. In this way, when the UE receives a new MAC CE to apply an update of a TCI state, the UE may apply the update to all CCs in the group of CCs rather than to just a particular BWP and CC or may apply the update to all CCs of the plurality of candidate CCs. This update is specific for all CCs in a group of CCs may be referred to as a group CC-based PDSCH beam update.

While some <NUM> networks may have BSs that transmit a new MAC CE to update a TCI state of a group of CCs for a UE, some <NUM> networks still have BSs that transmit "legacy" MAC CEs to update TCI states. UEs that receive the legacy MAC CEs are not instructed to apply a TCI update to all CCs in a group of CCs. This is inefficient and additional signaling is needed to apply the TCI update to all CCs in the group of CCs. As a result, the BS and the UE use more network resources and power and are involved in more UE complexity.

Some aspects described herein enable a UE to have more capability for updating a beam configuration of the UE, including for groups of CCs. For example, a UE may apply an update of a TCI state to all CCs from a group of CCs, even if the UE receives a legacy MAC CE. In some aspects, a UE may receive a signaling message that is a first format signaling message (e.g., legacy MAC CE) or a second format signaling message (e.g., new MAC CE) and apply an update to a TCI state based at least in part on the signaling message and a message processing rule. The message processing rule may indicate that the update of the TCI state is to be applied to BWPs in the group of CCs when the signaling message is the first format signaling message (legacy MAC CE) or the second format signaling message (new MAC CE). In this way, the UE obviates a need for additional signaling for updating a beam configuration for a group of CCs. The UE and the BS enable reduced use of network resources, reduced power consumption, reduced UE complexity, and/or the like.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of updating a beam configuration for a CC group. As shown in <FIG>, example <NUM> includes a BS <NUM> (e.g., BS <NUM>) that may communicate with a UE <NUM> (e.g., UE <NUM>).

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may receive a signaling message from BS <NUM>. The signaling message may be a first format signaling message (e.g., "legacy" MAC CE) or a second format signaling message (e.g., "new" MAC CE). UE <NUM> may be able to handle either signaling message format. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may be configured to receive and process one or more other signaling message formats for updating a beam configuration of UE <NUM>.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may apply an update to a TCI state of one or more BWPs based at least in part on the signaling message and, in some aspects, a message processing rule. UE <NUM> may use one or more message processing rules to determine how to handle a signaling message and perform an update of a beam configuration. In some aspects, a message processing rule may apply an update to CCs that is different than specified by a format of the signaling message.

In some aspects, the message processing rule may indicate that the update of the TCI state is to be applied to BWPs of multiple (e.g., all or a subset) CCs in a group of CCs when the signaling message is either the first format signaling message or the second format signaling message. For a legacy MAC CE, for example, specifying a TCI update for a particular BWP and a particular CC from a CC group, the message processing rule may specify that UE <NUM> is to apply the TCI update to multiple (e.g., all or a subset) CCs in the group of CCs.

Additionally, or alternatively, for a new MAC CE specifying a TCI update for a CC group, the message processing rule may specify that UE <NUM> is to process the new MAC CE such that the TCI state update is to be applied as expected for the new MAC CE. For example, UE <NUM> may update multiple (e.g., all or a subset) CCs in the group of CCs.

In some aspects, the message processing rule may indicate that the update of the TCI state is to be applied to a particular BWP and a particular CC in a CC group when the signaling message is the first format signaling message. For a legacy MAC CE, for example, specifying a TCI update for a particular BWP and a particular CC in a CC group, the message processing rule may specify that UE <NUM> is to process the legacy MAC CE such that the TCI state update is applied as expected for the legacy MAC CE. In other words, UE <NUM> may update only the particular CC.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may receive multiple signaling messages. In this case, UE <NUM> may apply an update based at least in part on applying the message processing rule to a last received signaling message. For example, if UE <NUM> received a legacy MAC CE and then a new MAC CE close in time such that the UE <NUM> is deciding between two signaling messages, UE <NUM> may apply a TCI state update as specified in the message processing rule for the new MAC CE (i.e., the last received signaling message).

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state. For example, the beam may have a beam configuration determined by a set of TCI states, which may have been updated as a result of the signaling message.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of determining a set of CCs for updating a beam configuration. In some aspects, BS <NUM> may configure or help to define UE <NUM> with one or more sets of CCs.

At <NUM>, BS <NUM> may determine a set of CCs. In some aspects, the set of CCs may include a group of CCs, multiple groups of CCs, a list of CCs, and/or the like. BS <NUM> may determine the set of CCs based at least in part on cell groups associated with CCs in the set of CCs. In some aspects, all CCs in the set of CCs may be associated with a same cell group. In some aspects, the same cell group is a single master cell group (MCG). In some aspects, the same cell group is a single secondary cell group (SCG).

In some aspects, one or more CCs in the set of CCs may be associated with a first cell group, and one or more other CCs in the set of CCs may be associated with a second cell group. In some aspects, the first cell group is an MCG and the second cell group is an SCG.

At <NUM>, BS <NUM> may transmit an indication of the set of CCs to UE <NUM>. In some aspects, BS <NUM> may transmit the indication of the set of CCs via RRC signaling. In some aspects, BS <NUM> may transmit the indication of the set of CCs via a MAC CE, downlink control information (DCI), and/or the like.

UE <NUM> may receive the indication of the set of CCs. UE <NUM> may determine a group of CCs based at least in part on the set of CCs. In some aspects, the group of CCs matches the set of CCs. In some aspects, the group of CCs is a subset or superset of the set of CCs.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may update a TCI state of one or more BWPs of one or more CCs, where the CCs are from the group of CCs. For example, UE <NUM> may update a TCI state of a respective BWP of each CC in the group of CCs. In some aspects, the set of CCs involves multiple groups of CCs, and some groups of CCs may be associated with multiple cell groups. In such a case, UE <NUM> may be prepared to update a TCI state for multiple groups of CCs or for multiple cell groups.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit a beam to BS <NUM> (or another UE, BS, or wireless device) based at least in part on the update of the TCI state for the group of CCs. For example, UE <NUM> may transmit a message using a beam with a TCI state that was updated as part of the TCI update for the group of CCs.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example <NUM> of updating a beam configuration for a group of CCs. In <FIG>, UE <NUM> may determine a TCI state to apply to one or more BWPs of one or more CCs. The one or more CCs may be part of one or more groups of CCs.

There may be two scenarios for applying a TCI state update. A first scenario for the TCI state update may involve all BWPs, of a group of CCs to be updated, having a same number of TCI states per BWP. In this first scenario, the BWPs may have respective (e.g., possibly different) numbers of TCI states, and UE <NUM> may cause the BWPs to have the same number of TCI states per BWP. A second scenario for the TCI state update may allow a different number of TCI states per BWP. In this second scenario, the TCI state update may apply only to configured TCI states for each BWP.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may identify a respective number of TCI states of a respective BWP of each CC in a group of CCs. A respective number of TCI states may be the number of TCI states per BWP, such as three TCI states for one BWP or five TCI states for another BWP.

If the number of TCI states per BWP varies for BWPs of a group of CCs, for the first scenario, all of the BWPs may be configured to have the same number of TCI states per BWP. This will assist with an update of TCI states for the BWPs for the group of CCs when an update of TCI states is to be applied to all BWPs of the group of CCs. UE <NUM> may determine the number of TCI states that is to be the same per BWP. This number of TCI states may be referred to as an "update TCI state number.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may determine the update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective numbers of TCI states for the BWPs. For example, UE <NUM> may identify respective numbers of TCI states for multiple BWPs, where each BWP may be in a CC from the group of CCs. In this case, there may be multiple respective numbers of TCI states for the multiple BWPs. UE <NUM> may select one of these respective numbers of TCI states to be the update TCI state number. In some aspects, if the respective numbers of TCI states include numbers that are different, UE <NUM> may select a highest number of TCI states of the respective numbers of TCI states to be the update TCI state number. For example, if the respective numbers of TCI states for BWPs include two TCI states, three TCI states, and five TCI states, UE <NUM> may determine that the update TCI state number is the highest number of TCI states, which is five TCI states in this example. Rather than selecting the highest number of TCI states, UE <NUM> may select the lowest number of TCI states or a random one of the respective numbers of TCI states to be the update TCI state number.

In some aspects, UE <NUM> may configure the TCI states of respective BWPs in the group of CCs such that each respective BWP has the same TCI states. The TCI states of a particular BWP, from which the update TCI state number was selected, may be copied to the other BWPs of the group of CCs. For example, a first BWP may have three TCI states, and a second BWP may have five TCI states. If the update TCI state number was selected as the five TCI states of the second BWP, UE <NUM> may copy the five TCI states of the second BWP to the first BWP. In this case, the first BWP and the second BWP both have the same five TCI states.

As another example, as an alternative to the above example or in combination with the above example, UE <NUM> may select the update TCI state number based at least in part on CC identifiers of the CCs in the group of CCs. For example, UE <NUM> may select, as the update TCI state number, a number of TCI states configured for a BWP of a CC with a lowest CC identifier. The lowest CC identifier may be a lowest CC index among CC indices for a group of CCs. CC indices may be assigned to CCs randomly or according to a resource allocation. Rather than selecting the number of TCI states configured for a BWP of a CC with a lowest CC identifier, UE <NUM> may select the number of TCI states configured for a BWP of a CC with a highest CC identifier or a random one of the CC identifiers.

Additionally, or alternatively, UE <NUM> may select the update TCI state number based at least in part on BWP identifiers of BWPs for a CC or the group of CCs. For example, UE <NUM> may select, as the update TCI state number, a number of TCI states configured for a BWP with a lowest BWP identifier of BWPs for a CC or for the group of CCs. Rather than selecting the number of TCI states configured for a BWP with a lowest BWP identifier, UE <NUM> may select the number of TCI states configured for a BWP with a highest BWP identifier or a random one of the BWP identifiers. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may determine the update TCI state number by considering TCI states based at least in part on CC identifiers before considering TCI states based at least in part on BWP identifiers, or vice versa.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may update one or more TCI states of a respective BWP of one or more CCs (or all CCs) from the group of CCs. For example, if UE <NUM> receives a signaling message indicating <NUM> and <NUM> as a set of TCI states to be activated, UE <NUM> may update a respective BWP in each CC of the group of CCs to have TCI states <NUM> and <NUM>. This may involve UE <NUM> updating BWPs to have the same number of TCI states, based at least in part on the update TCI state number, as described above. In some aspects, UE <NUM> may update TCI states of multiple (e.g., all or a subset) BWPs in each CC with the one or more TCI states.

In some aspects, an update of TCI states for BWPs for a group of CCs may occur when the number of TCI states per BWP are not the same, as in the second scenario described above. In such a case, UE <NUM> may refrain from updating, or may ignore, TCI states configured for one BWP but not configured for another BWP. That is, if the respective numbers of TCI states per BWP include numbers that are different, UE <NUM> may refrain from updating (e.g., activating or deactivating) one or more TCI states of a BWP that are indicated in a TCI update signaling message but are not configured for the BWP. For example, a first BWP for a group of CCs may be configured with a number of TCI states that is different than a number of TCI states configured for a second BWP of the group of CCs. The first BWP may be configured with three TCI states, and the second BWP may be configured with five TCI states. If a particular TCI state is activated, which happens to be one of the five configured TCI states for the second BWP, but not configured for the first BWP, UE <NUM> may activate the particular TCI state for the second BWP and refrain from activating that particular TCI state for the first BWP.

In some aspects, if a number of TCI states differs from one BWP to another, UE <NUM> may select a maximum number of TCI states (e.g., <NUM> TCI states) that can be activated or deactivated. The maximum number of TCI states that can be activated or deactivated may be the highest number of TCI states configured for a BWP, among all the BWPs for the group of CCs. The maximum number of TCI states that can be activated or deactivated for a BWP may be referred to as a "maximum candidate number. " In other words, UE <NUM> may determine an upper bound for the number of TCI states that can be activated or deactivated for a BWP.

At <NUM>, UE <NUM> may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the TCI state of a respective BWP. The respective BWP may be for a CC from the group of CCs.

In some aspects, one or more aspects described for any of <FIG> may be combined with or replace one or more aspects described in another one of <FIG> as appropriate. In other words, example <NUM>, example <NUM>, and/or example <NUM> may be used alone or in combination.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, UE <NUM>, and/or the like) performs operations associated with updating a beam configuration for a group of CCs.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive a signaling message. The signaling message may indicate an update of a TCI state for BWPs, where the BWPs include multiple CCs from a group of CCs. In some aspects, the signaling message may be a first format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for a particular BWP of a particular CC of a group of CCs, or a second format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for BWPs of multiple CCs from the group of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may receive a signaling message, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may apply an update to a TCI state of at least one BWP of a CC from the group of CCs based at least in part on the signaling message (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may apply an update to a TCI state of at least one BWP in the group of CCs based at least in part on the signaling message, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state. The TCI state may be of a respective BWP of a CC from the group of CCs. For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state.

Method <NUM> may include additional aspects, such as any single aspect or any combination of aspects described above and/or in connection with one or more other processes described elsewhere herein.

In a first aspect, the signaling message is a MAC CE.

In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the multiple CCs in the group of CCs include all CCs in the group of CCs.

In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the signaling message specifies that the update to the TCI state is to apply to the at least one BWP of a particular CC from the group of CCs, and applying the update includes applying the update to the TCI state for the at least one BWP of all CCs in the group of CCs.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, process <NUM> includes transmitting a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state.

In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, process <NUM> includes receiving an indication of a set of CCs and determining the group of CCs based at least in part on the set of CCs.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, all CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a same cell group.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the same cell group is an MCG.

In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the same cell group is an SCG.

In a ninth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighth aspects, the least one BWP for the group of CCs is configured with a TCI state number that is different than a TCI state number configured for another BWP of the group of CCs.

In a tenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through ninth aspects, applying the update includes refraining from updating a TCI state of the other BWP.

In an eleventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through tenth aspects, applying the update includes updating the TCI state of the at least one BWP based at least in part on a highest TCI state number among BWPs for the group of CCs.

In a twelfth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eleventh aspects, applying the update includes identifying a respective TCI number for each respective BWP in the group of CCs, determining an update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective TCI state numbers for the respective BWPs, and updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs based at least in part on the update TCI state number.

In a thirteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twelfth aspects, updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs includes updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs such that the respective BWPs of one or more CCs in the group of CCs each has a same TCI state.

In a fourteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through thirteenth aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a highest TCI state number of the respective TCI state numbers if the respective TCI state numbers are different.

In a fifteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourteenth aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a TCI state number from a CC with a lowest CC identifier.

In a sixteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifteenth aspects, applying the update includes updating the TCI state of the at least one BWP based at least in part on a highest TCI state number among BWPs for the group of CCs.

In a seventeenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixteenth aspects, process <NUM> includes determining a maximum candidate number of a TCI state for activation or deactivation based at least in part on a highest number of the respective numbers.

In an eighteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventeenth aspects, process <NUM> includes transmitting a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the TCI state of the respective BWP of a CC in the group of CCs.

In a nineteenth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through eighteenth aspects, the update may be applied further based in part on a message processing rule.

In a twentieth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through nineteenth aspects, the message processing rule indicates that the update of the TCI state is applied to BWPs in the group of CCs when the signaling message is the first format signaling message or the second format signaling message.

In a twenty-first aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twentieth aspects, the message processing rule indicates that the update of the TCI state is applied to the particular BWP of the particular CC in the group of CCs when the signaling message is the first format signaling message and that the update of the TCI state is applied to BWPs in the group of CCs when the signaling message is the second format signaling message.

In a twenty-second aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-first aspects, the signaling message is a MAC CE.

In a twenty-third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-second aspects, the multiple CCs from the group of CCs include all CCs in the group of CCs.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-third aspects, the applying of the update to the TCI state is based at least in part on a last received signaling message.

In a twenty-fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-fourth aspects, the UE may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state.

In a twenty-sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-fifth aspects, the least one BWP for the group of CCs is configured with a TCI state number that is different than a TCI state number configured for another BWP of the group of CCs.

In a twenty-seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-sixth aspects, applying the update includes refraining from updating a TCI state of the other BWP.

In a twenty-eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through twenty-seventh aspects, applying the update includes updating the TCI state of the at least one BWP based at least in part on a highest TCI state number among BWPs for the group of CCs.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a BS, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where a BS (e.g., BS <NUM>, BS <NUM>, and/or the like) performs operations associated with determining and transmitting an indication of one or more sets of CCs.

At <NUM>, the BS may determine a set of CCs with BWPs that are subject to an update of a TCI state, if one or more cell groups are associated with one or more CCs in the set of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the BS (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may determine a set of CCs with BWPs that are subject to an update of a TCI state, if one or more cell groups are associated with one or more CCs in the set of CCs, as described above.

At <NUM>, the BS may transmit an indication of the set of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the BS (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may transmit an indication of the set of CCs, as described above.

In a first aspect, all CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a same cell group. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, the same cell group is an MCG. In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, the same cell group is an SCG.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, one or more CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a first cell group and one or more other CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a second cell group. In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the first cell group is an MCG and the second cell group is an SCG.

In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, process <NUM> further comprises transmitting a signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for BWPs of multiple CCs, wherein the multiple CCs are in a group of CCs that are associated with the set of CCs.

<FIG> is a diagram illustrating an example process <NUM> performed, for example, by a UE, in accordance with various aspects of the present disclosure. Example process <NUM> is an example where a UE (e.g., UE <NUM>, UE <NUM>, and/or the like) performs operations associated with receiving an indication of a set of CCs and updating a beam configuration for the set of CCs.

At <NUM>, the UE may receive an indication of a set of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may receive an indication of a set of CCs, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may update a TCI state of a respective BWP of each CC in the set of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may update a TCI state of a respective BWP of each CC in the set of CCs, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state. For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, one or more CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a first cell group and one or more other CCs in the set of CCs are associated with a second cell group. In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, the first cell group is an MCG and the second cell group is an SCG. In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, the base station may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the TCI state of a respective BWP of a CC in the set of CCs.

At <NUM>, the UE may identify a respective TCI state number for each respective BWP of each CC in a group of CCs (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may identify a respective TCI state number for each respective BWP of each CC in a group of CCs, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may determine an update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective TCI state numbers for the respective BWPs (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may determine an update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective TCI state numbers, as described above.

At <NUM>, the UE may update the TCI states of the respective BWPs of one or more CCs in the set of CCs, based at least in part on the update TCI state number (block <NUM>). For example, the UE (e.g., using receive processor <NUM>, transmit processor <NUM>, controller/processor <NUM>, memory <NUM>, and/or the like) may update the TCI states of the respective BWPs of one or more CCs in the set of CCs, based at least in part on the update TCI state number, as described above.

In a first aspect, updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs includes updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs such that the respective BWPs of one or more CCs in the group of CCs each has a same TCI state. The TCI states may be the same TCI state as the TCI states of the respective BWP from which the update TCI state number was determined. In a second aspect, alone or in combination with the first aspect, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a highest TCI state number of the respective TCI state numbers if the respective TCI state numbers are different. In a third aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first and second aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a TCI state number from a CC with a lowest CC identifier.

In a fourth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through third aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a number of TCI states from a respective BWP with a lowest BWP identifier. In a fifth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fourth aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes selecting a lowest number of the respective numbers if the respective numbers include numbers that are different. In a sixth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through fifth aspects, determining the update TCI state number includes eliminating from selection or ignoring TCI states for a first BWP and not a second BWP, if the respective numbers include numbers that are different.

In a seventh aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through sixth aspects, the UE may determine a maximum candidate number of TCI states for activation or deactivation based at least in part on a highest number of the respective numbers. In an eighth aspect, alone or in combination with one or more of the first through seventh aspects, the UE may transmit a message in a beam that is based at least in part on the TCI states of a respective BWP of a CC in the set of CCs.

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different modules/means/components in an example apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> may be a UE. In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM> includes a reception module <NUM>, an update module <NUM>, a transmission module <NUM>, an identification module <NUM>, and a determination module <NUM>.

In some aspects, reception module <NUM> may receive, as data <NUM> from base station <NUM>, a signaling message. The signaling message may indicates an update of a TCI state for BWPs, where the BWPs include multiple CCs from a group of CCs. In some aspects, the signaling message may be a first format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for a particular BWP of a particular CC of a group of CCs or a second format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for BWPs of multiple CCs from the group of CCs. Update module <NUM> may receive, as data <NUM>, the signaling message. Update module <NUM> may apply an update to a TCI state of at least one BWP of a CC from the group of CCs based at least in part on the signaling message and, in some aspects, a message processing rule. Transmission module <NUM> may receive, as data <NUM>, a beam configuration, and transmit the message, as data <NUM>, in a beam that is based at least in part on the beam configuration.

In some aspects, reception module <NUM> may receive a set of CCs as data <NUM>. Update module <NUM> may receive an indication of the set of CCs as data <NUM> from reception module <NUM> and update a TCI state of the respective BWP of one or more CCs in a set of CCs. The group of CCs may include the set of CCs or may be determined from the set of CCs. Transmission module <NUM> may receive, as data <NUM>, an update of a TCI state, and transmit a message, as data <NUM>, in a beam that is based at least in part on the update of the TCI state.

In some aspects, identification module <NUM> may identify a respective number of TCI states of a respective BWP of each CC in a set of CCs. Determination module <NUM> may receive the respective numbers as data <NUM> and determine an update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective numbers. Update module <NUM> may receive the update number as data <NUM> from determination module <NUM> and update the TCI states of the respective BWP of one or more CCs in the set of CCs, based at least in part on the update number. Transmission module <NUM> may receive, as data <NUM>, a beam configuration, and transmit a message, as data <NUM>, in a beam that is based at least in part on the beam configuration.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, and/or the like. Each block in the aforementioned method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, method <NUM> of <FIG>, and/or the like may be performed by a module and the apparatus may include one or more of those modules. The modules may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus <NUM>' employing a processing system <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM>' may be a UE.

The processing system <NUM> may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system <NUM> and the overall design constraints. The bus <NUM> links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented by the processor <NUM>, the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> and the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described any further.

The processing system <NUM> may be coupled to a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is coupled to one or more antennas <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatuses over a transmission medium. The transceiver <NUM> receives a signal from the one or more antennas <NUM>, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception module <NUM>. In addition, the transceiver <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission module <NUM>, and based at least in part on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The software, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processing system <NUM> to perform the various functions described herein for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium / memory <NUM> may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor <NUM> when executing software. The processing system further includes at least one of the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The modules may be software modules running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware modules coupled to the processor <NUM>, or a combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the UE <NUM> and may include the memory <NUM> and/or at least one of the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>.

In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for receiving a signaling message. The signaling message may indicate an update of a TCI state for BWPs, where the BWPs include multiple CCs from a group of CCs. In some aspects, the signaling message is a first format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for a particular BWP of a particular CC of a group of CCs or a second format signaling message that indicates an update of a TCI state for BWPs of multiple CCs in the group of CCs. The apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' also includes means for applying an update to a TCI state of at least one BWP based at least in part on the signaling message and a message processing rule. In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for receiving an indication of a set of CCs as a group of CCs, and means for updating a TCI state of a respective BWP of each CC in the group of CCs. In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for identifying a respective TCI number for each respective BWP in the group of CCs, means for determining an update TCI state number based at least in part on the respective TCI state numbers for the respective BWPs, and means for updating the TCI states of the respective BWPs based at least in part on the update TCI state number. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned modules of the apparatus <NUM> and/or the processing system <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described elsewhere herein, the processing system <NUM> may include the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>. In one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM> configured to perform the functions and/or operations recited herein.

<FIG> is a conceptual data flow diagram <NUM> illustrating the data flow between different modules/means/components in an example apparatus <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM> may be a BS (e.g., the BS <NUM>, the BS <NUM>, the BS <NUM>, and/or the like). In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM> includes a reception module <NUM>, a determination module <NUM>, and/or a transmission module <NUM>.

Reception module <NUM> may receive data <NUM> from UE <NUM> and transmit data <NUM> to determination module <NUM>.

In some aspects, determination module <NUM> may determine a set of CCs with BWPs that are subject to an update of a TCI state, if one or more cell groups are associated with one or more CCs in the set of CCs. Reception module <NUM> may receive an indication of the set of CCs as data <NUM>, and transmission module <NUM> may transmit a set of CCs as data <NUM> to UE <NUM>. In some aspects, transmission module <NUM> may transmit a signaling message to update a TCI state of BWPs of a group of CCs associated with the set of CCs.

The apparatus may include additional modules that perform each of the blocks of the algorithm in the aforementioned method <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the like. Each block in the aforementioned method <NUM> of <FIG> and/or the like may be performed by a module and the apparatus may include one or more of those modules. The modules may be one or more hardware components specifically configured to carry out the stated processes/algorithm, implemented by a processor configured to perform the stated processes/algorithm, stored within a computer-readable medium for implementation by a processor, or a combination thereof.

<FIG> is a diagram <NUM> illustrating an example of a hardware implementation for an apparatus <NUM>' employing a processing system <NUM>. The apparatus <NUM>' may be BS.

The processing system <NUM> may be implemented with a bus architecture, represented generally by the bus <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may include any number of interconnecting buses and bridges depending on the specific application of the processing system <NUM> and the overall design constraints. The bus <NUM> links together various circuits including one or more processors and/or hardware modules, represented by the processor <NUM>, the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The bus <NUM> may also link various other circuits such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore will not be described any further.

The processing system <NUM> may be coupled to a transceiver <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> is coupled to one or more antennas <NUM>. The transceiver <NUM> provides a means for communicating with various other apparatuses over a transmission medium. The transceiver <NUM> receives a signal from the one or more antennas <NUM>, extracts information from the received signal, and provides the extracted information to the processing system <NUM>, specifically the reception module <NUM>. In addition, the transceiver <NUM> receives information from the processing system <NUM>, specifically the transmission module <NUM>, and based at least in part on the received information, generates a signal to be applied to the one or more antennas <NUM>. The processing system <NUM> includes a processor <NUM> coupled to a computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The processor <NUM> is responsible for general processing, including the execution of software stored on the computer-readable medium / memory <NUM>. The software, when executed by the processor <NUM>, causes the processing system <NUM> to perform the various functions described herein for any particular apparatus. The computer-readable medium / memory <NUM> may also be used for storing data that is manipulated by the processor <NUM> when executing software. The processing system further includes at least module <NUM>. The modules may be software modules running in the processor <NUM>, resident/stored in the computer readable medium / memory <NUM>, one or more hardware modules coupled to the processor <NUM>, or a combination thereof. The processing system <NUM> may be a component of the eNB <NUM> and may include the memory <NUM> and/or at least one of the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the RX processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>.

In some aspects, the apparatus <NUM>/<NUM>' for wireless communication includes means for means for determining a set of CCs with BWPs that are subject to an update of a TCI state, if one or more cell groups are associated with one or more CCs in the set of CCs, and means for transmitting an indication of the set of CCs. The aforementioned means may be one or more of the aforementioned modules of the apparatus <NUM> and/or the processing system <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM>' configured to perform the functions recited by the aforementioned means. As described elsewhere herein, the processing system <NUM> may include the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the receive processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM>. In one configuration, the aforementioned means may be the TX MIMO processor <NUM>, the receive processor <NUM>, and/or the controller/processor <NUM> configured to perform the functions and/or operations recited herein.

It should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of blocks in the processes / flowcharts disclosed is an illustration of example approaches.

Claim 1:
A method of wireless communication performed by a base station (<NUM>), comprising:
determining (<NUM>) a set of component carriers, CCs, comprising multiple groups of CCs;
transmitting (<NUM>), to a user equipment (<NUM>), UE, an indication of the set of CCs; and
transmitting, to the UE (<NUM>), a medium access control, MAC, control element, CE, indicating an update of a transmission configuration indicator, TCI, state and indicating to which group of CCs the UE (<NUM>) is to apply an update of the TCI state.