WO2025031645A1 - Method for ue indication for additional switching time for target tci states - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus configured to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmit, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receive a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time. An apparatus configured to: receive an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmit a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

Description

METHOD FOR UE INDICATION FOR ADDITIONAL SWITCHING TIME FOR TARGET TCI STATES

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application claims the benefit of IN provisional application No. 202341053130 filed on 8 August 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The example and non-limiting embodiments relate generally to physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception and, more particularly, to the time needed to perform transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state switching before PDSCH reception is possible.

BACKGROUND

[0003] It is known, for a single transmission reception point (TRP) scenario, to perform TCI state switching according to delay requirements.

SUMMARY

[0004] The following summary is merely intended to be illustrative. The summary is not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0005] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmit, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receive a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0006] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: determining, with a user equipment, that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0007] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0008] In accordance with one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0009] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmit, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0010] In accordance with one aspect, a method comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0011] In accordance with one aspect, an apparatus comprising means for: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0012] In accordance with one aspect, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0013] According to some aspects, there is provided the subject matter of the independent claims. Some further aspects are defined in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] The foregoing aspects and other features are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: [0015] FIG. l is a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example system in which the example embodiments may be practiced;

[0016] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0019] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0021] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0024] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating features as described herein;

[0025] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein; and

[0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating steps as described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] The following abbreviations that may be found in the specification and/or the drawing figures are defined as follows:

3 GPP third generation partnership project

5G fifth generation

5GC 5G core network

AMF access and mobility management function

CE control element

CORESET control resource set cRAN cloud radio access network

CSI-RS channel state information reference signal cu central unit

DCI downlink control information

DL downlink

DMRS or DM-RS demodulation reference signal

DU distributed unit eNB (or eNodeB) evolved Node B (e.g., an LTE base station)

EN-DC E-UTRA-NR dual connectivity en-gNB or En-gNB node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and acting as secondary node in EN- DC

E-UTRA evolved universal terrestrial radio access, i.e., the LTE radio access technology

FR2 frequency range 2 gNB (or gNodeB) base station for 5G/NR, i.e., a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC

HST high speed train

I/F interface

LI layer 1

LTE long term evolution

MAC medium access control

MAC-CE medium access control control element

MIMO multiple input multiple output

MME mobility management entity ng or NG new generation ng-eNB or NG-eNB new generation eNB

NR new radio

N/W or NW network

NZP-CSI-RS non zero power channel state information reference signal

O-RAN open radio access

PBCH physical broadcast channel

PCI or PCID primary cell ID

PDCCH physical downlink control channel

PDCP packet data convergence protocol

PDSCH physical downlink shared channel

PHY physical layer

PUCCH physical uplink control channel

PUSCH physical uplink shared channel

QCL quasi co-location

RAN radio access network radio frequency

RLC radio link control

RRC radio resource control

RRH remote radio head

RRM radio resource management

RS reference signal

RSRP reference signal received power

RU radio unit

Rx receiver

SDAP service data adaptation protocol sDCI sidelink downlink control information

SFN single frequency network

SGW serving gateway

SMF session management function

SNR signal to noise ratio

SR scheduling request

SSB synchronization signal block

TCI transmission configuration indicator/indication

TRP transmission reception point

Tx transmitter UAI UE assistance information

UCI uplink control information

UE user equipment (e.g., a wireless, typically mobile device)

UL uplink

UPF user plane function

VNR virtualized network function

WI work item

[0028] Turning to FIG. 1, this figure shows a block diagram of one possible and non-limiting example in which the examples may be practiced. A user equipment (UE) 110, radio access network (RAN) node 170, and network element(s) 190 are illustrated. In the example of FIG. 1, the user equipment (UE) 110 is in wireless communication with a wireless network 100. A UE is a wireless device that can access the wireless network 100. The UE 110 includes one or more processors 120, one or more memories 125, and one or more transceivers 130 interconnected through one or more buses 127. Each of the one or more transceivers 130 includes a receiver, Rx, 132 and a transmitter, Tx, 133. The one or more buses 127 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, and the like. A “circuit” may include dedicated hardware or hardware in association with software executable thereon. The one or more transceivers 130 are connected to one or more antennas 128. The one or more memories 125 include computer program code 123. The UE 110 includes a module 140, comprising one of or both parts 140-1 and/or 140-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 140 may be implemented in hardware as module 140-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 120. The module 140-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 140 may be implemented as module 140-2, which is implemented as computer program code 123 and is executed by the one or more processors 120. For instance, the one or more memories 125 and the computer program code 123 may be configured to, with the one or more processors 120, cause the user equipment 110 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. The UE 110 communicates with RAN node 170 via a wireless link 111.

[0029] The RAN node 170 in this example is a base station that provides access by wireless devices such as the UE 110 to the wireless network 100. The RAN node 170 may be, for example, a base station for 5G, also called New Radio (NR). In 5G, the RAN node 170 may be a NG-RAN node, which is defined as either a gNB or a ng-eNB. A gNB is a node providing NR user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to a 5GC (such as, for example, the network element(s) 190). The ng-eNB is a node providing E-UTRA user plane and control plane protocol terminations towards the UE, and connected via the NG interface to the 5GC. The NG-RAN node may include multiple gNBs, which may also include a central unit (CU) (gNB-CU) 196 and distributed unit(s) (DUs) (gNB-DUs), of which DU 195 is shown. Note that the DU may include or be coupled to and control a radio unit (RU). The gNB-CU is a logical node hosting RRC, SDAP and PDCP protocols of the gNB or RRC and PDCP protocols of the en-gNB that controls the operation of one or more gNB-DUs. The gNB-CU terminates the Fl interface connected with the gNB-DU. The Fl interface is illustrated as reference 198, although reference 198 also illustrates a link between remote elements of the RAN node 170 and centralized elements of the RAN node 170, such as between the gNB-CU 196 and the gNB-DU 195. The gNB-DU is a logical node hosting RLC, MAC and PHY layers of the gNB or en-gNB, and its operation is partly controlled by gNB-CU. One gNB-CU supports one or multiple cells. One cell is supported by only one gNB-DU. The gNB-DU terminates the Fl interface 198 connected with the gNB-CU. Note that the DU 195 is considered to include the transceiver 160, e.g., as part of a RU, but some examples of this may have the transceiver 160 as part of a separate RU, e.g., under control of and connected to the DU 195. The RAN node 170 may also be an eNB (evolved NodeB) base station, for LTE (long term evolution), or any other suitable base station, access point, access node, or node.

[0030] The RAN node 170 includes one or more processors 152, one or more memories 155, one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) 161, and one or more transceivers 160 interconnected through one or more buses 157. Each of the one or more transceivers 160 includes a receiver, Rx, 162 and a transmitter, Tx, 163. The one or more transceivers 160 are connected to one or more antennas 158. The one or more memories 155 include computer program code 153. The CU 196 may include the processor(s) 152, memories 155, and network interfaces 161. Note that the DU 195 may also contain its own memory/memories and processor(s), and/or other hardware, but these are not shown.

[0031] The RAN node 170 includes a module 150, comprising one of or both parts 150-1 and/or 150-2, which may be implemented in a number of ways. The module 150 may be implemented in hardware as module 150-1, such as being implemented as part of the one or more processors 152. The module 150-1 may be implemented also as an integrated circuit or through other hardware such as a programmable gate array. In another example, the module 150 may be implemented as module 150-2, which is implemented as computer program code 153 and is executed by the one or more processors 152. For instance, the one or more memories 155 and the computer program code 153 are configured to, with the one or more processors 152, cause the RAN node 170 to perform one or more of the operations as described herein. Note that the functionality of the module 150 may be distributed, such as being distributed between the DU 195 and the CU 196, or be implemented solely in the DU 195.

[0032] The one or more network interfaces 161 communicate over a network such as via the links 176 and 131. Two or more gNBs 170 may communicate using, e.g., link 176. The link 176 may be wired or wireless or both and may implement, for example, an Xn interface for 5G, an X2 interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards.

[0033] The one or more buses 157 may be address, data, or control buses, and may include any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, fiber optics or other optical communication equipment, wireless channels, and the like. For example, the one or more transceivers 160 may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) 195 for LTE or a distributed unit (DU) 195 for gNB implementation for 5G, with the other elements of the RAN node 170 possibly being physically in a different location from the RRH/DU, and the one or more buses 157 could be implemented in part as, for example, fiber optic cable or other suitable network connection to connect the other elements (e.g., a central unit (CU), gNB-CU) of the RAN node 170 to the RRH/DU 195. Reference 198 also indicates those suitable network link(s).

[0034] It is noted that description herein indicates that “cells” perform functions, but it should be clear that equipment which forms the cell will perform the functions. The cell makes up part of a base station. That is, there can be multiple cells per base station. For example, there could be three cells for a single carrier frequency and associated bandwidth, each cell covering one-third of a 360 degree area so that the single base station’s coverage area covers an approximate oval or circle. Furthermore, each cell can correspond to a single carrier and a base station may use multiple carriers. So if there are three 120 degree cells per carrier and two carriers, then the base station has a total of 6 cells.

[0035] The wireless network 100 may include a network element or elements 190 that may include core network functionality, and which provides connectivity via a link or links 181 with a further network, such as a telephone network and/or a data communications network (e.g., the Internet). Such core network functionality for 5G may include access and mobility management function(s) (AMF(s)) and/or user plane functions (UPF(s)) and/or session management function(s) (SMF(s)). Such core network functionality for LTE may include MME (Mobility Management Entity)/SGW (Serving Gateway) functionality. These are merely illustrative functions that may be supported by the network element(s) 190, and note that both 5G and LTE functions might be supported. The RAN node 170 is coupled via a link 131 to a network element 190. The link 131 may be implemented as, e.g., an NG interface for 5G, or an SI interface for LTE, or other suitable interface for other standards. The network element 190 includes one or more processors 175, one or more memories 171, and one or more network interfaces (N/W I/F(s)) 180, interconnected through one or more buses 185. The one or more memories 171 include computer program code 173. The one or more memories 171 and the computer program code 173 are configured to, with the one or more processors 175, cause the network element 190 to perform one or more operations.

[0036] The wireless network 100 may implement network virtualization, which is the process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functionality into a single, software-based administrative entity, a virtual network. Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, often combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is categorized as either external, combining many networks, or parts of networks, into a virtual unit, or internal, providing network-like functionality to software containers on a single system. For example, a network may be deployed in a tele cloud, with virtualized network functions (VNF) running on, for example, data center servers. For example, network core functions and/or radio access network(s) (e.g. CloudRAN, O-RAN, edge cloud) may be virtualized. Note that the virtualized entities that result from the network virtualization are still implemented, at some level, using hardware such as processors 152 or 175 and memories 155 and 171, and also such virtualized entities create technical effects.

[0037] It may also be noted that operations of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be carried out by a plurality of cooperating devices (e.g. cRAN).

[0038] The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memories 125, 155, and 171 may be means for performing storage functions. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be of any type suitable to the local technical environment, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital signal processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. The processors 120, 152, and 175 may be means for performing functions, such as controlling the UE 110, RAN node 170, and other functions as described herein.

[0039] In general, the various example embodiments of the user equipment 110 can include, but are not limited to, cellular telephones such as smart phones, tablets, personal digital assistants (PDAs) having wireless communication capabilities, portable computers having wireless communication capabilities, image capture devices such as digital cameras having wireless communication capabilities, gaming devices having wireless communication capabilities, music storage and playback appliances having wireless communication capabilities, Internet appliances permitting wireless Internet access and browsing, tablets with wireless communication capabilities, as well as portable units or terminals that incorporate combinations of such functions.

[0040] Having thus introduced one suitable but non-limiting technical context for the practice of the example embodiments of the present disclosure, example embodiments will now be described with greater specificity.

[0041] Features as described herein may generally relate to the concept of a transmission configuration indicator/indication (TCI). The main tool for beam indication for downlink is a TCI state. A UE can be configured with up to 128 TCI states. The gNB configures the UE via RRC signaling with TCI states, where each TCI state may have one or two source reference signals (RS) that provide quasi co-location (QCL) parameters for the target RS, with only one RS providing QCL type D per TCI state. QCL information may also be used for beam indication provided by the gNB to configure the UE with a transmit/receive beam to be used for downlink and uplink. A DL TCI chain consists of a synchronization signal block (SSB), and one or more channel state information reference signal (CSLRS) resources, and the TCI state of each reference signal includes another reference signal in the same TCI chain, where the SSB can be associated with serving cell PCID or associated with a PCID different from serving cell PCID.

[0042] A demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) or a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) is quasi co-located with the reference signal in its active TCI state and any other reference signal that is quasi co-located, based on the criteria for the DL TCI chain, with the reference signal in the active TCI state. Referring now to FIG. 2, illustrated is an example of a QCL and TCI chain.

[0043] The existing Rel-15 NR FR2 minimum UE requirements are defined with an assumption that a UE is only required to receive with a single antenna panel at a time, and is capable of performing DL reception using a single RX beam/chain. Furthermore, the UE performance requirements are limited for downlink (DL) multiple input multiple output (MIMO) rank 1 and 2 in FR2. In FR2, 4-layer MIMO reception requires beam reception from at least two directions. Although this is supported by the MIMO features since Rel-15, no UE performance requirements have yet been specified. This is important for high-rate MIMO in FR2, as well as for FR2 high speed train (HST) scenarios.

[0044] Several enhancements to enable efficient and robust DL multi-transmission reception point (TRP) and/or multi-panel operation were introduced in the Rel-16 NR eMIMO WI. However, no radio frequency (RF), radio resource management (RRM), or performance requirements were defined in Rel-16 and Rel-17 for FR2 UEs with the simultaneousReceptionDiffFypeD-rl6 capability.

[0045] Enhanced NR FR2 UEs with multi-beam simultaneous reception and multiple RX chains can provide a meaningful performance improvement in FR2, improving demodulation performance (4-layer DL MIMO), RRM performance, and/or RF spherical coverage. Therefore, in Rel-18 the work item NR_FR2_multiRX_DL is being developed, which aims to introduce the requirements for UEs capable of multi-beam/chain simultaneous DL reception on a single component carrier to achieve improved RF, RRM, and UE demodulation performance.

[0046] Different implementation scenarios may be considered at the UE. Single-TCI reception on different beams has been supported by the RANI specifications since Rel-15 via the Type I codebook, which could be achieved at the UE with either a single panel or multiple panels. Alternatively, dual TCI operation can be combined with the Rel-17 mTRP framework even if the base station is actually deployed as a single TRP.

[0047] Features as described herein may generally relate to the use of multiple transmit/receive points (M-TRP) by a network node, base station, eNB, gNB, etc. A NR cell may comprise one or multiple TRPs. TRPs of the same cell have a common synchronization signal (SS) and/or physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block, which is cell specific. In multiple transmit/receive point (multi-TRP) operation, a serving cell may schedule the UE using resources from two TRPs, providing better coverage, reliability and/or data rates for PDSCH, PDCCH, physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and/or physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). [0048] In the present disclosure, the terms “TRP” and reception point may be used interchangeably. In other words, a reception point may also be referred to as a transmission reception point.

[0049] There are two different operation modes to schedule multi-TRP PDSCH transmissions: single-DCI and multi-DCI. For each mode, control of uplink and downlink operation can be done by physical layer and MAC layer, within the configuration provided by the RRC layer. In single-DCI mode, only one TRP is responsible for the transmission of control data (i.e. PDCCH) to the UE. As a result, the UE is scheduled by the same PDCCH containing a DCI for both TRPs. In multi-DCI mode, two TRPs are responsible for the transmission of control data to the UE. As a result, the UE is scheduled by independent downlink control information (DCI) from each TRP.

[0050] Additionally, there are two different operation modes for single DCI multi-TRP PDCCH: PDCCH repetition and single frequency network (SFN) based PDCCH transmission. In both modes, the UE may receive two PDCCH transmissions carrying the same DCI. In the PDCCH repetition mode, the network may transmit, and the UE may receive, the two PDCCH transmissions carrying the same DCI from two linked search spaces, each associated with a different control resource set (CORESET). In the SFN based PDCCH transmission mode, the network may transmit, and the UE may receive, the two PDCCH transmissions carrying the same DCI from a single search space/CORESET using different TCI states.

[0051] It may be noted that while example embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to PDCCH repetition and/or SFN based PDCCH transmission, this is not limiting; sDCI may also operate without SFN or repetition.

[0052] Features as described herein may generally relate to beam management. 3 GPP defined 5G NR Frequency Range 2 bands have huge bandwidths which can cater to 5GNR use cases requiring higher data rates. However, these bands are also subject to challenging propagating conditions such as high path loss, absorption from the environment, and penetration losses, to name a few. To overcome these, beam management procedures have been defined in 3GPP. Beam management is a set of procedures to assist a UE in setting its receive (Rx) and transmit (Tx) beams for downlink and uplink transmissions, respectively. NR supports a wide variety of configurations, where a hierarchical beam based approach is also possible with the SSB beam being the root beam, as illustrated in FIG. 3, where the SSB beams are wider than CSI-RS beams, and the CSI-RS beams can be considered to further divide the area covered by the SSB beams.

[0053] Features as described herein may generally relate to quasi co-location (QCL). The QCL framework is used for beam indication. The gNB may provide beam indication information to configure the UE with information as to which receive (Rx) beam is to be used for downlink (DL) (e.g. so that the UE may select proper receive Rx beam) and which transmit (Tx) beam is to be used for uplink (UL) (e.g. so that the UE’s Tx is ’’directed” towards the gNB’s used RX beam).

[0054] The UE may be configured with a list of up to M TCI-State configurations, within the higher layer parameter PDSCH Config, to decode PDSCH according to a detected PDCCH with DCI intended for the UE and the given serving cell, where M depends on the UE capability maxNumberConfiguredTCIstatesPerCC.

[0055] Each TCI-State contains parameters for configuring a quasi -co-location relationship between one or two downlink reference signals (RS) and the DM-RS port(s) of the PDSCH, the DM-RS port(s) of PDCCH, or the CSI-RS port(s) of a CSI-RS resource. The quasi-co- location relationship is configured by the higher layer parameter qcl-Typel for the first DL RS, and qcl-Type2 for the second DL RS (if configured). For the case of two DL RSs, the QCL types shall not be the same, regardless of whether the references are to the same DL RS or different DL RSs.

[0056] The quasi -co-location types corresponding to each DL RS are given by the higher layer parameter qcl-Type in QCL-Info and may take one of the following values:

QCL types A: Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread

QCL types B: Doppler shift, Doppler spread

QCL types C: average delay, Doppler shift QCL types D: Spatial Rx

[0057] Features as described herein may generally relate to TCI state switching delay requirements. TCI state switching delay requirements have been defined in RAN 4 for single TRP, and the same is expected to be used as a baseline while defining RAN 4 requirements for dual TCI state switching in the multi-TRP context. The current TCI state switching delay requirements for MAC-CE based TCI switch for PDCCH, DCI based TCI state switch delay and the active TCI state list update delay defined in 3GPP TS 38.133 are as given below:

“ . . .8, 10,2 Known conditions for TCI state

The TCI state is known if the following conditions are met:

During the period from the last transmission of the RS resource used for the Ll-RSRP measurement reporting for the target TCI state to the completion of active TCI state switch, where the RS resource for Ll-RSRP measurements is the RS in target TCI state or QCLed to the target TCI state

TCI state switch command is received within 1280 ms upon the last transmission of the RS resource for beam reporting or measurement

The UE has sent at least 1 Ll-RSRP report for the target TCI state before the TCI state switch command

The TCI state remains detectable during the TCI state switching period

The SSB associated with the TCI state remain detectable during the TCI switching period

SNR of the TCI state > -3dB

Otherwise, the TCI state is unknown

8,10,3 MAC-CE based TCI state switch delay If the target TCI state is known, upon receiving PDSCH carrying MAC-CE activation command in slot n, UE shall be able to receive PDCCH with target TCI state of the serving cell on which TCI state switch occurs at the first slot that is after slot

t-ssB + TssB-proc) / NR slot length. The UE shall be able to receive PDCCH with the old TCI state until slot n + THARQ + 3N^^bJ^{rame l} . Where THARQ is the timing between DL data transmission and acknowledgement as specified in TS 38.213 [3];

Tfirst-SSB is time to first SSB transmission after MAC CE command is decoded by the UE; The SSB shall be the QCL-TypeA or QCL-TypeC to target TCI state

TssB-proc 2 ms,

TOk = 1 if target TCI state is not in the active TCI state list for PDSCH, 0 otherwise.

If the target TCI state is unknown, upon receiving PDSCH carrying MAC-CE activation command in slot n, UE shall be able to receive PDCCH with target TCI state of the serving cell on which TCI state switch occurs at the first slot that is after slot

B-proc)/A7? slot length. The UE shall be able to receive PDCCH with the old TCI state until slot n

8, 10,4 PCI based TCI state switch delay

If the target TCI state is known, when a UE is configured with the higher layer parameter tci-PresentlnDCI which is set as ‘enabled’ for the CORESET scheduling PDSCH at slot n, UE shall be able to receive PDSCH with target TCI state of the serving cell on which TCI state switch occurs at the first slot that is after slot n+ti me Duration ForQCL, where, timeDurationForQCL is the time required by the UE to perform PDCCH reception and applying spatial QCL information received in DCI for PDSCH processing as described in TS 38.214 [26], the value of timeDurationForQCL is defined in TS 38.331 [2],

The known condition for TCI state defined in clause 8.10.2 is applied.

8, 10,6 Active TCI state list update delay

If the target TCI state is known, upon receiving PDSCH carrying MAC-CE active TCI state list update at slot n, UE shall be able to receive PDCCH to schedule PDSCH with the new target TCI state at the first slot that is after n + THARQ +

(Tfirst-ssB + TssB-proc) / NR slot length. Where THARQ, Tfirst-ssB, TssB-proc and TOk are defined in clause 8.10.3...”

[0058] As noted above, TCI state switch requirements for FR2 have currently only been defined for Rel-15 single TRP, and enhanced in Rel-16/17. So far, there are no RAN4 requirements for TCI state switch in case of multi-TRP. In 3GPP Rel-18, TCI state switch requirements will be defined for multi-Rx chain UEs in the multi-TRP scenario.

[0059] The TCI framework is used in NR and is particularly useful for downlink beam indication in FR2 scenarios where beam management procedures are used. In this framework, a UE may be configured via RRC signaling with up to 128 TCI states for beam configuration. The gNB may employ RRC signaling to configure the UE with TCI states. In a multi-TRP scenario, the UE may be configured to measure on a set of beams from different TRPs and report the LI RSRP levels back to the network in the form of a CSI report. Based on the UE feedback, the network may send a MAC CE indicating the TCI state for the PDCCH. In the case of PDSCH, a maximum of 8 TCI states may be activated for the UE. These may be activated by the network to the UE via MAC CE signaling, and may be a part of the code point table, for example as in TABLE 1 :

TABLE 1

[0060] After the update of the active TCI list in the code point table, the network may then send a DCI indicating which of the TCI states will be used for the reception of PDSCH.

[0061] The requirements for TCI state active list update delay are defined in RAN4 RRM requirements in 38.133 for single TRP. In the existing RRM requirements defined for single TRP, the TCI state switching delay (i.e. MAC-CE based) is THARQ + 2N^^{b rame,ti +} TOk*(Tfirst-SSB + TSSB-proc) / NR slot length, whereas in case of DCI based TCI state switch the delay is the timeDurationForQCL. timeDurationForQCL is the minimum number of OFDM symbols required by the UE to perform PDCCH reception and application of spatial QCL information received in DCI for PDSCH processing. The maximum value, as per the current standards, is 28 symbols (250ps when the sub-carrier spacing is 120 kHz).

[0062] As noted above, it is expected that the existing RAN 4 procedures defined for single TRP TCI state switching will be used as a baseline for multi-TRP scenarios as well. In the case of multi-panel UEs in m-TRP deployment, during TCI state switch, there may be a scenario where the UE may need additional switching time due to change of panels, baseband processing, etc.

[0063] Referring now to FIG. 4, illustrated are a few non-limiting examples of TCI switching. At 410, the UE may initially receive TCI#1 with panel A and TCI#0 with panel B. The UE may then switch to another case (e.g. 420, 430, 440, or 450).

[0064] In the example of case 1 (420), the UE, operating according to 410, may receive a TCI switch command with target TCI states TCI#0 and TCI#2. The UE may receive TCI#0 with panel B and TCI#2, which is a new target TCI state, with panel C. Here, the UE may need to switch between panels A and C.

[0065] In the example of case 2 (430), the UE, operating according to 410, may receive a TCI switch command with target TCI states TCI#1 and TCI#2. The UE may be rotated, and may now receive TCI#1 with panel B and TCI#2, which is a new target TCI state, with panel C. The UE may need to switch from panel A to panel B to receive TCI#2, which was already in use earlier, as well as switch on panel C to use TCI#2.

[0066] In the example of case 3 (440), the UE, operating according to 410, may receive a TCI switch command with target TCI states TCI#3 and TCI#4. Even though these TCI states are new, the UE may receive them with panels A and B.

[0067] In the example of case 4 (450), the UE, operating according to 410, may need to switch from dual to single TCI state. It may receive a TCI switch command with target TCI#4, which may be received with panel C.

[0068] Sometimes, additional switching time may be required. This additional time may not be required by all UEs, nor will it be required in all cases when there is a change in the TCI states. For example, in cases 1, 2, and 4 (420, 430, 450), the UE may need to switch to different panels, which may, in certain cases depending on UE implementation, require additional switching time. In case 3 (440), the UE may receive with the same panels before and after the switch and therefore the UE may not need any additional time for switching to the target TCI states.

[0069] While additional switching time is not always needed, the network has no way of knowing in advance if the UE needs additional time for the TCI state switch with current 3GPP mechanisms. If additional switching time is factored in while defining the TCI state switch delay for m-TRP cases, the result may be a longer switching delay, even in cases where this additional time is not required.

[0070] FIGs. 5 and 6 indicate the MAC-CE activation command sent by the gnB for activation of target TCI states with and without additional delay.

[0071] Referring now to FIG. 5, illustrated is an example of PDSCH scheduling without additional switching delay. At time point 510, the UE receives MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (520), at time points 530, SSB#1 and SSB#2 are received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (540), at time point 550, the UE receives PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (560), the UE receives PDSCH at time point 570. [0072] Referring now to FIG. 6, illustrated is an example of PDSCH scheduling with additional switching delay (MAC-CE). At time point 610, the UE receives MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (620) and additional switching time (630), at time points 640, SSB#1 and SSB#2 are received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (650), at time point 660, the UE receives PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (670), the UE receives PDSCH at time point 680.

[0073] Referring now to FIG. 7, illustrated is an example of DCI based TCI state switching with an additional switching delay. At time point 710, the UE receives MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (720), at time points 730, SSB#1 and SSB#2 are received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (740), at time point 750, the UE receives PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (760) and additional switching time (770), the UE receives PDSCH at time point 780.

[0074] In an example embodiment, the UE may indicate, to the gNB, when an additional TCI switching delay is actually required.

[0075] In an example embodiment, the UE may be capable of indicating whether additional switching time is required when the UE receives target TCI states which are different from the current TCI states being used.

[0076] In an example embodiment, the UE may transmit a dynamic indication, when it receives the TCI state switch command, that switching to the indicated target TCI states requires additional time. The dynamic indication may be, for example, lower layer signaling, such as a MAC CE, a scheduling request (SR) or uplink control information (UCI).

[0077] In an example embodiment, the UE may transmit UE assistance information, with information about whether the UE needs additional time to switch the to the target TCI state(s).

[0078] In an example embodiment, the UE may indicate how long the needed additional switching time will be. In an example embodiment, the additional switching time may depend on which UE panel combination is switching. If there is no panel switching, then no additional time is needed. For the UE capability, the UE might need additional time if power up panel is slow for some architectural reason.

[0079] Example embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to the multi-TRP scenario with UE reception from two TRPs. However, this is not limiting; example embodiments of the present disclosure may be similarly applied to the scenario when the network indicates any other number of TCIs to the UE (i.e. 1 or >2 TCI states).

[0080] In an example embodiment, the MAC-CE command may be used for activation of target TCI states for PDSCH as well as indication of target TCI states for PDCCH. Example embodiments of the present disclosure may relate to MAC-CE for target TCI state activation for PDSCH. However, this is not limiting; example embodiments of the present disclosure may be similarly applied when MAC-CE is used for indication of target TCI state for PDCCH as well.

[0081] In an example embodiment, in case of m-TRP deployment TCI state switching, when a UE is instructed by the network to switch TCI states, the UE may indicate the need for additional switching time for MAC-CE based TCI state switch, DCI based TCI state switch, or MAC-CE based TCI state activation.

[0082] In the present disclosure, the terms “extended switching time” and “additional switching time” may be used interchangeably to refer to a time used to switch between TCI states that is longer than, or greater than, the time required to switch to only one target TCI state. The time required to switch to only one target TCI state may be referred to as a predetermined switching time, for example as illustrated in FIG. 5. The predetermined switching time may be, for example, THARQ + 2N^^{b rame,ti} + TOk*(Tfirst-SSB + TSSB- proc) / NR slot length. The predetermined switching time may be, for example, timeDurationForQCL. The extended switching time may be, for example, the time needed to switch to at least two target TCI states.

[0083] In an example embodiment, a new UE capability indication may be used to indicate the need for additional switching time. With this signaling message, the UE may indicate, at the onset, that whenever there is a switch from two existing TCI states to, for example, two new TCI states, then additional time will be required. The gNB may then know that, for this UE, it may indicate the activated TCI state with DCI and schedule PDSCH only after an additional delay.

[0084] Referring now to FIG. 8, illustrated is an example of using a UE capability message according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At time point 810, the UE may transmit, to the network, a UE capability message indicating a need for additional switching time for MAC CE active TCI state list update. At time point 820, the UE may receive a MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (830) and additional switching time (840), at time points 850, SSB#1 and SSB#2 may be received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (860), at time point 870, the UE may receive PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (880), the UE may receive PDSCH at time point 890. The network may use the information provided by the UE regarding additional switching time to schedule data (PDSCH) after the switching command.

[0085] In order to determine the applicability of the additional delay, the following cases may be considered:

Case A: Switching command has 2 new target TCI states

Case B: Switching command has 2 target TCI states, one of which is already indicated to the UE

Case C: Switching command is from 1 TCI to 2 TCI states, where both target TCI states are new

Case D: Switching command is from 1 TCI to 2 TCI states, where one of the target TCI states are new

Case E: Switching command involving only 1 target TCI state

[0086] In an example embodiment, the additional switching delay may be allowed only for cases A and C, whereas the additional delay may not be allowed otherwise. In another possible embodiment, the additional delay may be allowed for cases A, B, C, and D, whereas it may not be allowed for case E. [0087] In an example embodiment, the distinction between needing additional switching delay for either case A+C, or case A+B+C+D may also be indicated through UE capability signaling. In other words, the UE may signal that additional switching time is required for one or more types of TCI state switching. For example, the UE may indicate if it needs additional time for DCI-based, MAC-CE-based switching, or both.

[0088] In another example embodiment the capability may be indicated separately for MAC CE and DCI based TCI switching.

[0089] In another example embodiment, a dynamic UE indication may be used to indicate the need for additional switching time. When the UE receives a TCI state switch command where it may require additional time to switch to the target TCI states, it may send a signaling message to the gNB indicating the need for this additional time. The gNB may then know at what point in time the UE is ready to receive the PDSCH. FIG. 9 illustrates a lower layer signaling scenario where the UE indicates a need for additional time to activate the target TCI states received in the MAC-CE command. This signaling message may be similarly used to convey the need for additional switching time in case of DCI based TCI switch, as well as MAC-CE based TCI state switch.

[0090] Referring now to FIG. 9, illustrated is an example of using a lower layer signaling indication according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At time point 910, the UE may receive a MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (920), at time point 930, the UE may transmit, to the network, an indication of a need for additional time to switch. After additional switching time (940), at time points 950, SSB#1 and SSB#2 may be received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (960), at time point 970, the UE may receive PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (980), the UE may receive PDSCH at time point 990. The network may use the information provided by the UE regarding additional switching time to schedule data (PDSCH) after the switching command.

[0091] In another example embodiment, UE assistance information (UAI) may be used to indicate the need for additional switching time. The UE may send UAI indicating the need for additional switching time. Since this option is dynamic in nature, the UE may also signal to the network that it may no longer need additional switching time in certain circumstances. Referring now to FIG. 10, illustrated is an example of using UE assistance information indicating additional time required for a DCI based TCI state switch, according to an example embodiment of the present disclosure. At time point 1010, the UE may receive a MAC-CE activation TCI for PDSCH TCI#1, TCI#2. After THARQ + 3ms (1020), at time point 1030, the UE may transmit, to the network, UAI. At time points 1040, SSB#1 and SSB#2 may be received by the UE. After TSSB-proc = 2 ms (1050), at time point 1060, the UE may receive PDCCH DCI with TCI indication. After timeDurationForQCL (1070) and additional switching time (1080), the UE may receive PDSCH at time point 1090. The network may use the information provided by the UE regarding additional switching time to schedule data (PDSCH) after the switching command.

[0092] In each of the examples of FIGs. 8-10, the additional switching time may be predefined in the standards, or the UE may indicate the required additional switching time either from a predefined set of values or as an absolute value. In the examples of FIGs. 9- 10, if the required switching time depends on the UE conditions, the required additional delay may be different at different indications.

[0093] A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to enable faster activation and switch to the target TCI states.

[0094] A technical effect of example embodiments of the present disclosure may be to provide the gNB with the flexibility to schedule UEs, which do not need more time to switch to the target TCI states, earlier.

[0095] FIG. 11 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1100. The example method 1100 may include: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, 1110; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required, 1120; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, 1130; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time, 1140. The example method 1100 may be performed, for example, with a UE.

[0096] FIG. 12 illustrates the potential steps of an example method 1200. The example method 1200 may include: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required, 1210; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time, 1220. The example method 1200 may be performed, for example, with a network node, base station, eNB, gNB, etc.

[0097] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmit, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receive a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0098] The extended switching time may be longer than a predetermined switching time.

[0099] The example apparatus may comprise a plurality of reception points.

[0100] Determining that the extended switching time is required may comprise the example apparatus being further configured to: determine that switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state comprises activating at least one previously inactive panel of the apparatus.

[0101] The example apparatus may be further configured to: receive an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0102] The example apparatus may be further configured to: determine an amount of time to delay reception of the physical downlink shared channel, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of the determined amount of time.

[0103] The extended switching time may comprise a predetermined amount of time.

[0104] The example apparatus may be further configured to: receive, from the network node, an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and determine that the extended switching time is required in response to the indicated switch, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may be transmitted in response to the indicated switch.

[0105] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0106] The example apparatus may be further configured to: transmit an indication that the extended switching time is no longer required.

[0107] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0108] Determining that the extended switching time is required may be based, at least partially, on a capability of the apparatus.

[0109] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch. [0110] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[OHl] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: determining, with a user equipment, that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0112] The extended switching time may be longer than a predetermined switching time.

[0113] The user equipment may comprise a plurality of reception points.

[0114] The determining that the extended switching time is required may comprise: determining that switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state comprises activating at least one previously inactive panel of the user equipment.

[0115] The example method may further comprise: receiving an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0116] The example method may further comprise: determining an amount of time to delay reception of the physical downlink shared channel, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of the determined amount of time.

[0117] The extended switching time may comprise a predetermined amount of time. [0118] The example method may further comprise: receiving, from the network node, an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and determining that the extended switching time is required in response to the indicated switch, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may be transmitted in response to the indicated switch.

[0119] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0120] The example method may further comprise: transmitting an indication that the extended switching time is no longer required.

[0121] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0122] Determining that the extended switching time is required may be based, at least partially, on a capability of the user equipment.

[0123] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.

[0124] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0125] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: circuitry configured to perform: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; circuitry configured to perform: switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and circuitry configured to perform: receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time. [0126] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmit, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receive a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0127] As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following: (a) hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in only analog and/or digital circuitry) and (b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as (as applicable): (i) a combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) with software/firmware and (ii) any portions of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s)), software, and memory(ies) that work together to cause an apparatus, such as a mobile phone or server, to perform various functions) and (c) hardware circuit(s) and or processor(s), such as a microprocessor(s) or a portion of a microprocessor(s), that requires software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but the software may not be present when it is not needed for operation.” This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers an implementation of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

[0128] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0129] The extended switching time may be longer than a predetermined switching time.

[0130] The apparatus may comprise a plurality of reception points.

[0131] The means configured for determining that the extended switching time is required may comprise means configured for: determining that switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state may comprise activating at least one previously inactive panel of the apparatus.

[0132] The means may be further configured for: receiving an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0133] The means may be further configured for: determining an amount of time to delay reception of the physical downlink shared channel, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of the determined amount of time.

[0134] The extended switching time may comprise a predetermined amount of time.

[0135] The means may be further configured for: receiving, from the network node, an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and determining that the extended switching time is required in response to the indicated switch, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required may be transmitted in response to the indicated switch.

[0136] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0137] The means may be further configured for: transmitting an indication that the extended switching time is no longer required.

[0138] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0139] Determining that the extended switching time is required may be based, at least partially, on a capability of the apparatus.

[0140] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.

[0141] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0142] A processor, memory, and/or example algorithms (which may be encoded as instructions, program, or code) may be provided as example means for providing or causing performance of operation.

[0143] In accordance with one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; cause transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and cause receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0144] In accordance with one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0145] In accordance with another example embodiment, a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0146] In accordance with another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0147] A computer implemented system comprising: at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system at least to perform: determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0148] A computer implemented system comprising: means for determining that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; means for causing transmitting, to a network node, of an indication that the extended switching time is required; means for switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and means for causing receiving of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0149] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmit, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0150] The example apparatus may be further configured to: transmit, to the user equipment, an indication to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0151] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise a predetermined amount of time.

[0152] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of an amount of time determined with the user equipment.

[0153] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0154] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0155] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0156] The indication that the additional switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.

[0157] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0158] In accordance with one aspect, an example method may be provided comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0159] The extended switching time may be longer than a predetermined switching time.

[0160] The example method may further comprise: transmitting, to the user equipment, an indication to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0161] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise a predetermined amount of time.

[0162] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of an amount of time determined with the user equipment.

[0163] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0164] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0165] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0166] The indication that the additional switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.

[0167] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0168] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: circuitry configured to perform: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and circuitry configured to perform: transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0169] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise: processing circuitry; memory circuitry including computer program code, the memory circuitry and the computer program code configured to, with the processing circuitry, enable the apparatus to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmit, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0170] In accordance with one example embodiment, an apparatus may comprise means for: receiving, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0171] The means may be further configured for: transmitting, to the user equipment, an indication to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch may comprise one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

[0172] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise a predetermined amount of time.

[0173] The indication that the extended switching time is required may further comprise an indication of an amount of time determined with the user equipment.

[0174] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0175] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise assistance information.

[0176] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a user equipment capability message.

[0177] The indication that the additional switching time is required may comprise an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch. [0178] The indication that the extended switching time is required may comprise a dynamic indication.

[0179] A processor, memory, and/or example algorithms (which may be encoded as instructions, program, or code) may be provided as example means for providing or causing performance of operation.

[0180] In accordance with one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions stored thereon which, when executed with at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to: cause receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and cause transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0181] In accordance with one example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0182] In accordance with another example embodiment, a non-transitory program storage device readable by a machine may be provided, tangibly embodying instructions executable by the machine for performing operations, the operations comprising: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0183] In accordance with another example embodiment, a non-transitory computer- readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the following: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0184] A computer implemented system comprising: at least one processor and at least one non-transitory memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the system at least to perform: causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0185] A computer implemented system comprising: means for causing receiving, from a user equipment, of an indication that extended switching time is required; and means for causing transmitting, to the user equipment, of a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

[0186] The term “non-transitory,” as used herein, is a limitation of the medium itself (i.e. tangible, not a signal) as opposed to a limitation on data storage persistency (e.g., RAM vs. ROM).

[0187] It should be understood that the foregoing description is only illustrative. Various alternatives and modifications can be devised by those skilled in the art. For example, features recited in the various dependent claims could be combined with each other in any suitable combination(s). In addition, features from different embodiments described above could be selectively combined into a new embodiment. Accordingly, the description is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modification and variances which fall within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A method, comprising: determining, with a user equipment, that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmitting, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receiving a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the extended switching time is longer than a predetermined switching time.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the determining that the extended switching time is required comprises: determining that switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state comprises activating at least one previously inactive panel of the user equipment.

4. An apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: determine that an extended switching time is required to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; transmit, to a network node, an indication that the extended switching time is required; switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and receive a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the extended switching time is longer than a predetermined switching time.

6. The apparatus of claim 4 or 5, wherein the apparatus comprises a plurality of reception points.

7. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 6, wherein determining that the extended switching time is required comprises the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine that switching from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state comprises activating at least one previously inactive panel of the apparatus.

8. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 7, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch comprises one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

9. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 8, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: determine an amount of time to delay reception of the physical downlink shared channel, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required further comprises an indication of the determined amount of time.

10. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 8, wherein the extended switching time comprises a predetermined amount of time.

11. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 10, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: receive, from the network node, an indication to switch from the at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to the at least one second transmission configuration indicator state; and determine that the extended switching time is required in response to the indicated switch, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required is transmitted in response to the indicated switch.

12. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 11, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises assistance information.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit an indication that the extended switching time is no longer required.

14. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 13, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises a user equipment capability message.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein determining that the extended switching time is required is based, at least partially, on a capability of the apparatus.

16. The apparatus of claim 14 or 15, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.

17. The apparatus of any of claims 4 through 16, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises a dynamic indication.

18. A method comprising: receiving, with a network node from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmitting, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the extended switching time is longer than a predetermined switching time.

20. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to: receive, from a user equipment, an indication that extended switching time is required; and transmit, to the user equipment, a physical downlink shared channel at a time that is based, at least partially, on the extended switching time.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the extended switching time is longer than a predetermined switching time.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the at least one memory stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to: transmit, to the user equipment, an indication to switch from at least one first transmission configuration indicator state to at least one second transmission configuration indicator state, wherein the indication to switch comprises one of: a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, a downlink control information based transmission configuration indicator state switch indication, or a medium access control based transmission configuration indicator state activation indication.

23. The apparatus of any of claims 20 through 22, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required further comprises a predetermined amount of time.

24. The apparatus of any of claims 20 through 22, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required further comprises an indication of an amount of time determined with the user equipment.

25. The apparatus of any of claims 20 through 24, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises a dynamic indication.

26. The apparatus of any of claims 20 through 24, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises assistance information.

27. The apparatus of any of claims 20 through 24, wherein the indication that the extended switching time is required comprises a user equipment capability message.

28. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the indication that the additional switching time is required comprises an indication that extended time is required in response to at least one type of transmission configuration indication switch.