WO2025113769A1

WO2025113769A1 - Methods and apparatuses for minimizing ul interference

Info

Publication number: WO2025113769A1
Application number: PCT/EP2023/083233
Authority: WO
Inventors: Knud Knudsen; Samantha Caporal Del Barrio; Jan Torst HVIID; Sami-Jukka Hakola; Matha DEGHEL
Original assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Technologies Oy
Priority date: 2023-11-27
Filing date: 2023-11-27
Publication date: 2025-06-05
Anticipated expiration: 2026-05-27

Abstract

A user equipment comprising: means for receiving from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; means for taking measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and means for reporting information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

Description

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR MINIMIZING UL INTERFERENCE

TECHNICAL FIELD

Various example embodiments of this disclosure relate to a method, apparatus, and computer program.

BACKGROUND

A communication network can be seen as a facility that enables communications between two or more communication devices, or provides communication devices access to a data network. A mobile or wireless communication network is one example of a communication network. A communication device may be provided with a service by an application server.

Such communication networks operate in according with standards such as those provided by 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) or ETSI (European Telecommunications Standards Institute). Examples of standards are the so-called 5G (5th Generation) standards provided by 3GPP. SUMMARY

Some example embodiments of this disclosure will be described with respect to certain aspects. These aspects are not intended to indicate key or essential features of the embodiments of this disclosure, nor are they intended to be used to limit the scope of thereof. Other features, aspects, and elements will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

According to an aspect, there is provided a user equipment comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: receive from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; take measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and report information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

Two or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states may be provided by different antenna arrays of the user equipment or by a same antenna array. At least one of the one or more second access nodes may be associated with either: a neighbour cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes; or a same cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

The apparatus may be caused to perform providing information to one or more of the one or more first access nodes, indicating that the user equipment is capable of reporting the information about the measurements.

The apparatus may be caused to perform periodically reporting the information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The apparatus may be caused to perform reporting information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied.

A first condition of the one or more conditions may be that one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more second access nodes is greater than one or more first thresholds.

A second condition of the one or more conditions may be that there is difference greater than one or more second thresholds between: i) one or more measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more first access nodes, the measurements being taken using one or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and ii) one or more of the measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes.

A third one of the one or more conditions may be that one or more of the first condition or the second condition occurs for at least a minimum time.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving, from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information associated with one or more of the one or more conditions.

The apparatus may be caused to perform receiving from the one or more of the one or more first access nodes one or more of: a. information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. information defining the minimum time. The apparatus may be caused to perform measuring one or more of a received power of the respective reference signal, a received quality of the respective reference signal, a signal to interference noise ratio of the respective reference signal, or a received signal strength indicator of the respective reference signal.

The apparatus may be caused to perform reporting one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or a synchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

The information about the measurements may be reported in a channel state indication message.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method comprising: receiving from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; taking measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and reporting information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

Two or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states may be provided by different antenna arrays of the user equipment or a same antenna array.

At least one of the one or more second access nodes may be associated with either: a neighbour cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes; or a same cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The method may comprise receiving from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

The method may comprise providing information to one or more of the one or more first access nodes, indicating that the user equipment is capable of reporting the information about the measurements. The method may comprise periodically reporting the information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The method may comprise reporting information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied.

The method may comprise receiving, from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information associated with one or more of the one or more conditions.

The method may comprise receiving from the one or more of the one or more first access nodes one or more of: a. information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. information defining the minimum time.

The method may comprise measuring one or more of a received power of the respective reference signal, a received quality of the respective reference signal, a signal to interference noise ratio of the respective reference signal, or a received signal strength indicator of the respective reference signal.

The method may comprise reporting one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or synchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be a user equipment.

According to another aspect, there is provided a first access node comprising: means for transmitting to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; and means for receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node.

Two or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states may be provided by different antenna arrays of the user equipment or by a same antenna array.

The means for transmitting may be for transmitting, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

The first access node may comprise means for determining one or more transmission configuration indicator states of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states which is to be used by the user equipment, the means for determining using the receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment.

The receiving means may be for receiving information indicating that the user equipment is capable of reporting the information about the measurements.

The receiving means may be for receiving periodically the information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The receiving means may be for receiving the information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied. A first condition of the one or more conditions may be that one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more second access nodes is greater than one or more first thresholds.

A second condition of the one or more conditions is that there is difference greater than one or more second thresholds between: i) one or more measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by the first access nodes, the measurements being taken using one or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node; and ii) one or more of the measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes.

The third one of the one or more conditions is that one or more of the first condition or the second condition occurs for at least a minimum time.

The means for transmitting may be for transmitting configuration information associated with one or more of the one or more conditions.

The means for transmitting may be for transmitting one or more of a. information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. information defining the minimum time.

The measurements of the one or more reference signals may be one or more of a received power of the respective reference signal, a received quality of the respective reference signal, a signal to interference noise ratio of the respective reference signal, or a received signal strength indicator of the respective reference signal.

The information about the measurements may comprise one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or asynchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

The receiving means may be for receiving information about the measurements in a channel state indication message.

According to another aspect, there is provided a first access node comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the first access node at least to: transmit to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; and receive information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node.

According to another aspect, there is provided a method comprising: transmitting to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; and receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with a first access node.

The method may comprise transmitting, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

The method may comprise determining one or more transmission configuration indicator states of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states which is to be used by the user equipment, the means for determining using the receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment.

The method may comprise receiving information indicating that the user equipment is capable of reporting the information about the measurements.

The method may comprise receiving periodically the information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The method may comprise receiving the information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied.

A first condition of the one or more conditions may be that one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more second access nodes is greater than one or more first thresholds. A second condition of the one or more conditions is that there is difference greater than one or more second thresholds between: i) one or more measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by the first access nodes, the measurements being taken using one or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node; and ii) one or more of the measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes.

The method may comprise transmitting configuration information associated with one or more of the one or more conditions.

The method may comprise transmitting one or more of: a. information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. information defining the minimum time.

The measurements may comprise one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or asynchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

The method may comprise receiving information about the measurements in a channel state indication message.

The method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be an access node. According to an aspect, there is provided a non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions that, when executed by an apparatus, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to any of the preceding aspects.

In the above, many different embodiments have been described. It should be appreciated that further embodiments may be provided by the combination of any two or more of the embodiments described above.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

Embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which:

Figure 1 shows an example of a beam pattern provided by an antenna array of a user equipment;

Figure 2 schematically shows a user equipment and two access nodes;

Figure 3 schematically shows an apparatus of an access node according to some example embodiments;

Figure 4 schematically shows a user equipment according to some example embodiments;

Figure 5a and 5b show an example procedure of some embodiments;

Figure 6 shows a method of some embodiments; and

Figure 7 shows another method of some embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Some embodiments may be used where a UE (user equipment) is provided one or more antenna arrays.

Some embodiments may be used with, for example, mm wavelength ranges for the communications between the UE and radio access nodes. For example, in 5G, frequencies in the so-called frequency range FR2 are used. FR2 includes frequency bands from 24.25GHz to 90GHz. These frequencies correspond to mm wavelengths. Frequencies such as those in the FR2 range may suffer from a relatively high pathloss. For example, there may be a pathloss of around 100 dB over 100 meters when using a frequency of 28 GHz (assuming wavelength sized unit antennas).

Providing power amplifiers for use in the FR2 range may be more challenging than those required to operate with lower frequencies such as the so-called FR1 range. The FR1 range includes frequencies up to 7GHz. In particular, providing a required transmit power for the wavelengths of the FR2 range is challenging. The FR2 range used in 5G tends to have larger bandwidths than those of the FR1 which provides a further challenge. The use of mm wavelengths together with the larger bandwidths may reduce the power spectral density. This may in turn reduce the link budget. For example, the range of a UE is decreased and/or the size of the cell is reduced.

In NR (new radio) for 5G, the higher pathloss resulting from the use of the higher frequencies may be mitigated by beam forming at the access node. (In NR, the access node is referred to a gNB). Beam forming may be performed by the UE. The use of beamforming may provide at least some compensation for a reduction in the link budget.

In some embodiments, the two or more antenna arrays of the UE may be provided at different locations on the UE. For example, the two or more antenna arrays may be provided along edges of a UE.

One example of a UE antenna array is a uniform linear array (ULA) of patch antennas. A ULA may provide an antenna panel with a shape which is relatively slim and elongated. The shape, which is relatively slim and elongated, may allow a ULA to be accommodated along a narrow side edge of a UE. The observed radiation pattern provided by a ULA array will depend on the plane of observation. In Figure 1, a UE 300 is shown. The UE 300 has an ULA 102 provided on a side edge 104 of the UE 300. The image 106 on the left of Figure 1 shows the observed radiation pattern 108 viewed from the top edge of the UE. The image 110 on the right of Figure 1 shows the observed radiation pattern 112 viewed from the front of the UE. The radiation pattern in this example, is generally disk like with a circular radiation pattern seen in the left image and a relatively narrow, linear radiation pattern shown in the right image.

In some embodiments, example uses case will be described where the UE has a plurality of ULA panels which are placed along the edge of the UE.

However, it should be noted that in other embodiments, different types of antenna arrays may be used instead of or in addition to ULA panels.

Alternatively or additionally, the antenna arrays may be placed at any suitable locations on the UE instead of or in addition to the sides of the UE. For example, one or more antenna arrays may be provided on the front of the UE and/or the back of the UE.

It should be appreciated that in some embodiments, a single antenna array may be provided.

In the described example use cases, the FR2 frequency ranges associated with millimetre wave lengths are used. However, in other embodiments, different frequency ranges associated with different wavelengths may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the frequency range may be lower than those defined for the FR2 range. In some embodiments, the frequency range used may be the FR1 range.

Reference is made to Figure 2 which shows a UE 300 and two access nodes 200a and 200b. The access nodes may be referred to as transmission receptions points TRP, TRP A 200a and TRP B 200b. In the following, the term TRP will be used. TRP A 200a is associated with a serving cell including one or more serving TRPs and TRP B 200b is associated to a second TRP(s), which can be part of the same cell or a neighbouring cell. In this example, the UE 300 has a first antenna panel 102a on the top edge of the UE and a second antenna panel 102b on a side edge of the UE. The plane containing the first antenna panel 102a is at right angles to the plane containing the second antenna panel 102b. The first antenna panel 102a provides a first beam pattern 204 and the second antenna panel 102B provides a second beam pattern 206. In this example, the antenna patterns produced by each of the antenna panels are generally as shown in Figure 1. This means that in the example shown in Figure 2, the orientation of the second antenna panel 102b has a much wider angular coverage in the horizontal plane compared to the first antenna panel 102a.

The UE has a connection to TRP A 200a which provides the serving cell and the UE is within the coverage of a second TRP 200b. The second TRP can provide a neighbouring cell or be a second serving TRP. Where the second TRP is a second serving cell, it may be associated with the same cell as the first TRP, TRP A 200a.. . This may be in the context of mTRP (multi-TRP) where TRP A 200a refers to groups of serving TRPS (M-TRP)and TRP B 200b refers to second groups of TRPs.

Some embodiments may make use of TCI (transmission configuration indicator) states. In some communication systems, such as 5G and 6G systems, communications between access node (e.g. TRPs) and user equipment may take place via one or more beams. As part of a beam management framework, beam reporting may be used to help the system align access node (e.g. TRP) and UE side beams for both downlink and uplink. In some examples, beam reporting may comprise the UE measuring downlink reference signals that characterize different access node beams using a receive beam or different receive beams and providing measurement results (e.g. layer 1 -reference signal received power (Ll-RSRP) measurements) to the network. The access node may use the measurements for downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) beam selection.

In some examples, the measurement results may be used for selecting UL and DL beams for beam management in a unified transmission configuration indicator (TCI) framework. The framework may support joint UL and DL states or separate DL and UL states. With separate DL and UL states, the UE may be configured with TCI states separately for downlink and uplink. Thus separate beams may be used to communicate on uplink and downlink directions.

In the unified TCI framework, TCI states provide QCL (quasi -co-located) assumptions for the reception of DL signals and channels and spatial sources for the transmission of UL signals and channels to determine an UL TX (transmitter) spatial filter.

The unified TCI framework defines activated codepoints and indicated TCI states. The activated codepoints contains a subset of configured TCI states of up to, for example, 8 joint UL/DL configured TCI states or up to, for example, 8 separate DL and UL configured TCI states. The access node (e.g. TRP) may indicate which of the activated codepoints to use by indicating a particular codepoint to the UE in a DCI (downlink control information) message.

One or more (for example in case of multi-TRP) of the configured TCI states is/are the indicated TCI state(s) at a time. The indicated TCI state can be a joint DL and UL TCI state or separate DL and separate UL TCI states. The indicated TCI state provides QCL source (DL) and spatial source (UL) for the set of downlink signals and channels and for the set of uplink signals and channels, respectively. There may be one or more indicated joint DL/UL TCI state, or one or more indicated DL and one or more indicated UL TCI state for the UE.

When configured by the network, the UE performs Ll-RSRP measurements of configured reference signals (RS). The reference signals may be CSLRS (channel state information reference signal) or SSB (synchronization system block). The Ll-RSRP measurements are performed for a serving cell on the resources configured for Ll-RSRP measurements within the active BWP (bandwidth part). The Ll-RSRP measurements may be reported to the network in periodic, semi-persistent or aperiodic reports.

The Ll-RSRP measurement reports along with SRS (sounding reference signal) transmissions may be used for the uplink and downlink TCI selection in the unified TCI framework. The SRS is a reference signal transmitted by the UE in the UL direction.

Referring to the example shown in Figure 2, the first antenna panel 102a may provide the best beam for a first TCI state, TCI#1. The first TCI state, TCI#1, is associated with the serving cell, e.g. TRP A. The second antenna panel 102b may provide the best beam for a second TCI state, TCI#2. The second TCI state, TCI#2, is also associated with the serving cell, e.g. TRP A. The TCI states may be common or separate DL/UL TCI states. The two different UL TCI states, TCI#1 and TCI#2, may be best served by two different ones of the antenna panels but may have similar performance based on Ll-RSRP measurements and/or SRS level in uplink. However, the UL interference level observed by a neighbour cell, e.g. TRP B, may be different depending on which of the two UL TCI states, TCI#1 and TCI#2, is selected for the uplink transmission of the UE to TRP A. The interference levels provided by the two antenna panels 102a and 102b may be different due to different orientations of the associated antenna panels 102a and 102b. The radiation pattern/interference level may alternatively or additionally be different due to for example how the user is holding the UE. The position of the fingers on the UE may impact the radiation pattern.

In the example shown in Figure 2, it is assumed that first antenna panel 102a and second antenna panel 102b have beams that provide similar UL Ll-RSRP when measured at the serving cell (e.g. TRP A). However, the orientation of second antenna panel 102b is such that it has a much wider angular coverage in the horizontal plane compared to first antenna panel 102a. This means that second antenna panel 102b may be a worse choice from an UL interference perspective with respect to the neighbour cell. The transmission from the second antenna panel 102b with same antenna gain as the first antenna panel may cause more interference at the neighbour cell, e.g. TRP B than the transmission by the first antenna panel 102a.

A numerical example of the Ll-RSRP values is given in Table 1 below.

It is observed that the DL Ll-RSRP of TCI #1 using the first antenna panel 102a is similar to the DL Ll-RSRP of TCI #2 using the second antenna panel 102b (-82 for TCI #1 on first antenna panel 102a and -80 for TCI #2 second antenna panel 102b). If the TCI selection is based only on these numbers, TCI #2 may be selected since it is 2dB stronger compared to TCI #1. However, selecting TCI #2 would mean that the UE transmits from second antenna panel 102b which also measured a strong DL Ll-RSRP (-86) value from the SSB of TRP B 200b. Therefore, if the serving cell, TRP A200a, selects TCI #2, this means that the UE transmits with second antenna panel 102b which in this example causes a significantly higher level of UL interference for TRP B 200b as compared to if TCI# 1 were to be selected.

It shall be noted that the serving cell, TRP A 200a, may have received neighbour cell measurements containing the SS-RSRP of TRP B 200b but currently there is no indication as to the associated antenna panel.

Some embodiments may address the issue that the serving cell, TRP A 200a, does not have the information that TCI#1 on TRP A 200a served by the first antenna panel 102a causes significantly lower interference towards TRP B 200b than TCI#2 served by second antenna panel 102b. As the serving cell, TRP A 200a, does not have this information, the serving cell, TRP A 200a, is not able to select a TCI state on TRP A 200a which minimises interference on TRP B. This means that an opportunity to increase the network capacity due to lower interference may be missed.

In some embodiments, the UE may assist the serving cell, TRP A 200a, to activate/indicate a best TCI state to use taking UL interference with neighbour cells into account. This may be to minimize UL interference towards neighbouring TRPs for intra- and/or inter-cell multi-TRP deployment.

In some embodiments, the UE may provide the serving cell, TRP A 200a, with information which is used when selecting the TCI state to use. This information may be referred to as assistance information in this document. This assistance information may be based on measurements made by the UE. The information allows the serving cell, TRP A 200a to take potential neighbouring TRPs into account for intra- and/or inter- cell UL interference.

In some embodiments, the UE associates the active joint TCI state(s) or the UL TCI state(s) of the serving TRP (e.g. TRP A 200a) with one or more of the active TCI states of the one or more other TRP (e.g. TRP B 200b) of the same cell which may be impacted by UL interference due to the UE transmission to the serving TRP. The active TCI states of the other TRPs may have a different CORESET (control resource set) pool index but the same PCI (physical cell identifier). The active TCI states of the other TRPs may provide the SSBRI (SSB resource indicator)/CRI (CSI resource indicator). The active joint TCI state(s) or the UL TCI state(s) of the serving TRP may include the configured TCI state. This is an example of intracell interference.

The serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, may configure UE for such measurements. This may be by a CSI report configuration (e.g.CSI-reportConfig). This may optionally indicate which TCI states and/or indicate the CORESET pool index (e.g. the coresetPoolIndex) of the one or more other TRPs which are to be measured by the UE. The UE may report the measurements to the network as part of CSI report.

The serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, may switch the indicated joint TCI state(s) or the UL TCI state(s) of the UE to avoid UL interference. Alternatively or additionally, the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, may schedule differently the UEs of the different TRPs on the cell (e.g. by changing the scheduling time and/or frequency) to avoid UL interference. Alternatively or additionally, the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, may rebalance the load per TRP within the cell.

In other embodiments, the UE associates to the active joint TCI state(s) or the UL TCI state(s) which ones of the neighbour cells (i.e. PCI) may be impacted by UL interference due to the UE transmission to the serving TRP (e.g. TRP A 200a). This is an example of intercell interference.

The UE may associate which one(s) of the SSBRI(s) and/or which one(s) of the CRI are impacted, by UL interference due to the UE transmission to the serving TRP (e.g. TRP A 200a). This is where the UE is configured for such measurements. Such measurements may be configured as part of the neighbour cell measurements. The configuration may be provided by for, example, SMTC (SS/PBCH (physical broadcast channel) block measurement timing configuration). The measurements may be reported with L3 reports.

Optionally, the measurements may be provided in LI reports with the SSBRI/CRI of the neighbour cell (e.g. TRP B 200b) if the TCI state of the neighbour cell is configured for this. This may be part of an inter-cell beam management use case or for measurements associated with low-layer triggered mobility configurations.

The serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, may switch the indicated joint TCI state(s) or the UL TCI state(s) of the UE to avoid UL interference.

In some embodiments, the UE may determine the relevant downlink reference signals from the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a. For example, the UE may identify the reference signals associated with an activated TCI state. The reference signal may be a CSI and/or a SSB. As mentioned previously, in some embodiments there may be up 8 active states. The 8 active states may be configured via MAC (media access control). One of the active states may be a currently indicated state.

The UE may determine for a DL reference signal RSi associated with an activated TCI state: if Ll-RSRP[RS_indicated] - Ll-RSRP [RS activated] < thresholdl.

In the example discussed previously with reference to Figure 2, Ll- RSRP[RS_indicated] may be the Ll-RSPRP associated with TCI#1 and Ll-RSRP [RS activated] may be the Ll-RSPRP associated with TCI#2.

The UE may thus evaluate if the received power of any of the DL reference signal of any of the activated TCI states of the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, has a similar level (i.e. within a threshold, thresholdl) as the currently indicated TCI state of the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a. In particular, it may be determined if the received power of a DL reference signal of a particular TCI state from the list of activated TCI states, has a similar level as that of the currently indicated TCI state. The first threshold, threshold 1, may be defined by a standard or may be configured by network. In some embodiments, there may be one or more values of the first threshold. Different first threshold values may be associated with different TRPs. For example, where a network deployment consists of a mixture of smaller and larger cells different first thresholds may be associated with different one of the cells. One or more thresholds may be used for example where there are a mixture of smaller and larger cells such as in 5G HetNet (heterogeneous network).

In the case where at least one of the candidate TCI state(s) has/have an Ll-RSRP level at a similar level (defined by the threshold, threshold 1) as the currently indicated TCI state, the UE will evaluate the associated TCI states to see if which one gives a better performance in terms of interference to a neighbouring cell.

The UE may measure the SS-RSRP (RSRP level of the SSS(secondary synchronization signal)) or CSI-RSRP (RSRP level of the CSI-RS) of neighbouring TRPs using the selected UE beam for that candidate TCI state. In other words, the UE is not using the best UE beam for the neighbouring TRP, TRP B 200b, but is using the candidate UE beam towards the TRP serving the UL TCI state. In the example of Figure 2, the beams would be the one or more beams used for TCI #1 by the first antenna panel 102a towards the TRP A 200a and/or the one or more beams used for TCI #2 by the second antenna panel 102a towards the TRP A 200a. The one or more beams however would be used for measuring the RSRP associated with the SSB or CSI of TRP B.

In some embodiments, which one or more neighbouring TRPs are to be measured is defined by the network. For example, the network decides and configures which TRP (for example identified using a CORESET pool index) on which neighbour cells (for example identified using a PCI) to measure.

In some embodiments, there may be a limit on the number of measurements made by the UE. For example, the RSRP measurements on the neighbour cells may be limited to a few SSBRI/CRI e.g., the strongest SSBRI/CRI of the neighbour cell.

In some embodiments, the UE may report to the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a, periodically. In other embodiments, the UE may report to the network if a reporting criteria is satisfied. The UE may report the SSBRI and/or the CRI to the serving cell, e.g. TRP A 200a. This may optionally include one or more measured RSRP levels.

In some embodiments, the criteria may be that one or more of the three of the following conditions are satisfied. In some embodiments, only one of the first and second conditions need to be satisfied. In other embodiments, the first and the third condition need to be satisfied. In other embodiments only the second and the third conditions need to be satisfied. In other embodiments, only the first and the second conditions need to be satisfied. In other embodiments, all three of the conditions need to be satisfied. The example conditions are as follows:

1)The Ll-RSRP for the neighbouring TRP is above a minimum threshold. This minimum threshold may be defined by a standard or by the network. This minimum threshold may be provided to the UE as part of a RRC reconfiguration message. The minimum threshold may be provided as part of the measurement configurations in the RRC reconfiguration message.

RSRPNC > minimum RSRP level.

2) The difference between the Ll-RSRP for the serving TRP and the Ll-RSRP for the neighbouring TRP is less than a threshold, threshold 2. This threshold, threshold 2, may be defined by a standard or by the network. This threshold, threshold 2, may be provided to the UE as part of a RRC reconfiguration message. The second threshold, threshold 2, may be provided as part of the measurement configurations in the RRC reconfiguration message. In some embodiments, there may be one or more values of the second threshold. Different first threshold values may be associated with different TRPs. For example, where a network deployment consists of a mixture of smaller and larger cells different first thresholds may be associated with different one of the cells as in 5G HetNet (heterogeneous network).

RSRPsc - RSRPNC < relative RSRP threshold2

3) The first and second conditions are observed for a time period longer than t ms. The time period may be defined by a standard or by the network. This is to avoid any “ping-pong” effects. The time period may be provided to the UE as part of a RRC reconfiguration message. The time period may be provided as part of the measurement configurations in the RRC reconfiguration message.

The RSRP values may be SS-RSRP and/or CSLRSRP values.

In some embodiment, the UE provides the network, e.g. the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) with assistance information to allow the network e.g. the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) to take into account potential interference to the neighbouring cell when deciding on the TCI state for the serving cell which is to be indicated to the UE.

The network e.g. the TRP of the serving cell, may in some cases decide to select a TCI state with a narrow beam in the horizontal plane to limit the interference. On the other hand, if the UE is in a high mobility use case it may be preferred to select a beam with broad horizontal coverage.

It should be noted that the orientation of the UE may change over time. The user’s hand with respect to the UE may change over time. This means that the selected TCI state may need to be changed. Reference is made to Figures 5a and 5b which show a signal flow of some embodiments.

The Ll-RSRP assistance information may be acquired by measuring the SSBs and/or CSIs of neighbouring TRPs with the beams associated with activated TCI states associated with the serving cell. The measurement results may be reported as part of the Ll-RSRP data in the CSI report.

As referenced 1, a connection is established between the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) and the UE 300. The connection may be an RRC connection. As part of the establishing of the connection, the UE may provide information indicating that it is able to provide assistance information.

As referenced 2, a message is sent from the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) to the UE. The message may comprise reconfiguration information. The message may be a RRC reconfiguration message. The message may comprise configuration information for configuring the measurements to be made by the UE where the UE is to provide assistance information. The message may comprise a reporting criteria for reporting measurements associated with the neighbouring cell (e.g. TRP B 200b). The message may define the measurements to be made. In some embodiments, the measurements may be RSRP measurements, for example LI RSRP measurements.

Alternatively or additionally, any other suitable measurement may be used. For example, a Ll-SINR (signal to interference noise ratio) measurements and/or Ll-RSRQ (reference signal receive quality) measurements and/or RS SI (received signal strength indicator) measurements may alternatively or additionally be used. For example Ll-RSRQ measurements and/or Ll-SINR may be useful to evaluate if the reported Ll-RSRP is impacted by downlink interference. If the measured Ll-RSRQ shows a good DL signal quality then it may indicate that an uplink transmission will reach the NC with a strong signal.

The message may comprise one or more of the previously mentioned thresholds (e.g. threshold 1 and/or threshold 2).

As referenced 3, the UE sends a message to the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a). This message indicates that the reconfiguration has been completed. The message may be a RRC reconfiguration complete message.

As referenced 4, a message is sent from the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) to the UE. This message comprises information which indicates a set of activated codepoints. The information may be provided by a MAC CE (media access control control element). The MAC CE which provides the information about the set of activated codepoints may be the MAC CE which defines the unified TCI state activation/deactivation. There may be up to 8 activated codepoints in some embodiments.

As referenced 5, the UE 300 determines the set of activated code points from the message received from the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a).

As referenced 6, the UE 300 extracts the TCI states from the list of codepoints. The UE is configured to determine the corresponding beam for each TCI state. The determination is based on measurements on the reference signal specified in the QCL information. The QCL information is included in the TCI state information.

As referenced 7 and 8, the neighbouring cell is transmitting SSB signals and/or CSI signals. The UE measures the LI RSRP of the SSB signals and/or CSI signals of the neighbouring cell using the beams associated with the selected activated TCI states associated with the serving cell.

As referenced 9, the UE determines that the reporting criteria is satisfied. The reporting may be periodic or in response to the one or more conditions being satisfied. This may be the conditions previously discussed.

As referenced 10, the UE sends a Ll-RSRP (CSI report) to the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a). This report may be as set out in table 2 below. The report may comprise information about the RSRP values associated with the four (or other suitable number) of beams of the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a) and the RSRP values associated with N beams with respect to one or more neighbouring cells. These may be the RSRP values associated with the SSB signals of the neighbouring cell.

As referenced 11, the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a) evaluates the Ll-RSRP values for one or more neighbouring cells (Ll-RSRP NC) to estimate how much interference the UE will expose or receive as a result of using the four best beams.

As referenced 12, the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a) determines the TCI state which is to be used by the UE based on the evaluation of the Ll-RSRP values for one or more neighbouring cells. This may be a different TCI state to the previously indicated TCI state.

As referenced 13, the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a) sends a message to the UE. The message provides the new TCI state which is to be used. This new TCI state may be provided by means of a DCI indication. The DCI indication may be a DCI 1 1 indication.

Some embodiments may be used to select a TCI state considering intra-cell beam interference between beams on the same gNB. A TCI state associated with a wide beam shape in the horizontal plane may cause interference to multiple intra-cell beams other than the intended beam. The information provided by the UE may help the network to avoid or limit the UL interference caused by UE transmissions to the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a). This may be achieved in that the serving cell(e.g. TRP A 200a) may select a UL TCI state considering the interference to a neighbouring cell, e.g. TRP B 200b. This may be achieved in that the network may schedule radio resources between two TRPs, e.g. TRP A 200a and TRP B 200b, considering the interference caused by UL resource assignments to the UE. This may be achieved in that the network may balance the uplink resources (bandwidth i.e. PRB (physical resource block allocation). This may reduce the required UE TX power.

In some embodiments, the UE may provide the information to the e.g. the serving cell (e.g. TRP A 200a) in the Ll-RSRP report. An example CSI report is shown in Table 2 below.

As can be seen from this report, the report optionally contains:

The RSRP for a first beam in a neighbour cell - RSRPNC #1, if reported. The RSPRP for a second first beam in a neighbour cell - Differential RSRPNC #2, if reported. In order to minimize the size of the added payload to the report , the first RSRP value may be given as an absolute value and the following RSPRP may be indicated as a relative / differential RSRP value with reference to the absolute value.

The PCI for of the neighbour cell associated with the first beam - PCI of NC #1, if reported.

The PCI for of the neighbour cell associated with the second beam -PCI of NC #c, if reported.

The CRI or SSBRI for the first beam of the neighbour cell - CRINC or SSBRINC #1, if reported.

The CRI or SSBRI for the second beam of the neighbour cell - CRINC or SSBRINC #2, if reported.

It should be appreciated that the two beams may be of the same neighbour cell (same PCI), two beams of different neighbour cells i.e. 1 beam per neighbour cell (PCI), or even two beams of serving cell but associated with other TRPs of serving cell. In this last case, the PCI field is not reported and/or configured.

In the example shown in Table 2, there are two beams of one or more neighbouring cells that experience interference and which are reported. In other embodiments, there may N beams of one or more neighbouring cells that experience interference and which are reported. N may be an integer. N is equal to one or more. N may be greater than two. For example, the N strongest neighbour cell LI -RSRP per beam associated with the reference signal may be reported.

In the previous examples, reference has been made to Ll-RSRP measurements. It should be appreciated that this is by way of example only. Alternatively or additionally, any other suitable measurement may be used. For example, a Ll-SINR (signal to interference noise ratio) measurements and/or LI -RSRQ (reference signal receive quality) measurements and/or RS SI (received signal strength indicator) measurements may alternatively or additionally be used.

Figure 3 illustrates an example of an apparatus 200. The apparatus may comprise or implement at least a part of an access node. The apparatus 200 comprises at least one memory (for example at least one random access memory (RAM) 211a and at least one read only memory (ROM) 211b), at least one processor 212, 213 and an input/output interface 214. The at least one processor 212, 213 is coupled to the RAM 211a and the ROM 21 lb. The at least one processor 212, 213 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 215. The software code 215 may be stored in the ROM 211b.

The software code 215 may comprise software code of the access node. When the software code is executed by the at least one processor 212, 213, the apparatus 200 may perform the present aspects or examples described herein. The apparatus 200 may comprise one or more circuits, or circuitry (not shown) which may be configured to perform one or more of the present aspects or examples.

Figure 4 illustrates an example of a UE 300. The UE 300 may be any communication device capable of sending and receiving wireless signals, including radio signals. Non-limiting examples of a UE 300 are a user equipment, a mobile station (MS) or mobile device such as a mobile phone or what is known as a ’smart phone’, a computer provided with a wireless interface card or other wireless interface facility (e.g., USB dongle), a personal data assistant (PDA) or a tablet provided with wireless communication capabilities, a machine-type communications (MTC) device, a Cellular Internet of things (CIoT) device or any combinations of these or the like. The UE 300 may provide, for example, signals for carrying communications. The communications may be one or more of voice, electronic mail (email), text message, multimedia, data, machine data and so on.

The UE 300 may receive signals over an air or radio interface 307 via appropriate apparatus for receiving radio signals and may transmit signals via appropriate apparatus for transmitting radio signals. In Figure 4, a transceiver apparatus is designated schematically by block 306. The transceiver apparatus 306 may be provided for example by means of a radio part and associated antenna arrangement. The antenna arrangement may be arranged internally or externally to the mobile device. The antenna arrangement may comprise one or more antenna arrays that includes one or more antenna elements.

The UE 300 may be provided with or comprise at least one processor 301, at least one memory (for example at least one ROM 302a and at least one RAM 302b) and other possible components 303 for use in software and hardware aided execution of tasks it is designed to perform, including control of access to and communications with access networks of a wireless communication system (e.g., the wireless communication system 100) and other terminals. The at least one processor 301 is coupled to the RAM 302b and the ROM 302a. The at least one processor 301 may be configured to execute an appropriate software code 308. The software code 308 may for example allow to perform traffic aggregation in accordance with the present aspects or examples described herein. The software code 308 may be stored in the ROM 302a. The UE 300 may comprise one or more circuits, or circuitry (not shown) which may be configured to perform traffic aggregation in accordance with the present aspects or examples described herein.

The processor, storage and other relevant control apparatus may be provided on an appropriate circuit board and/or in chipsets. This feature is denoted by reference 304. The device may optionally have a user interface such as keypad 305, touch sensitive screen or pad, combinations thereof or the like. Optionally one or more of a display, a speaker and a microphone may be provided depending on the type of the device.

Reference is made to Figure 6 which shows a method of some embodiments.

This method may be performed by an apparatus. The apparatus may be a user equipment.

The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing the method.

Alternatively or additionally, the 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 provide the method below.

Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may be such as discussed in relation to Figure 4.

The method may be provided by computer program code or computer executable instructions.

The method may comprise as referenced Al, receiving from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states.

The method may comprise as referenced A2, taking measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

The method may comprise as referenced A3, reporting information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

It should be appreciated that the method outlined in Figure 6 may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

Reference is made to Figure 7 which shows a method of some embodiments.

This method may be performed by an apparatus, such as apparatus 200. The apparatus may comprise or implement an access node.

The apparatus may comprise suitable means, such as circuitry for providing an access node. Alternatively or additionally, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions of software code that, when executed by the at least one processor cause the apparatus at least to provide the method below.

The method may comprise as referenced Bl, transmitting to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states.

The method may comprise as referenced Bl, receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with a first access node.

It should be appreciated that the method outlined in Figure 7 may be modified to include any of the previously described features.

Some of the example embodiments have been described in relation to a wireless communication system operation in accordance with 3GPP standards for NR. However, some example embodiments of the present disclosure may also be applicable to a wireless communication system that operates in accordance with 3GPP standards for 5G-advanced, or other future 3 GPP standards such as 3 GPP standards for 6G and beyond.

In the previously described embodiments, the beams have been described as being provided by different antenna arrays. However, some embodiments, may be used where the beams corresponding to the different TCI states may be provided by the same antenna array.

The examples may thus vary within the scope of the attached claims. In general, some embodiments may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device, although embodiments are not limited thereto. While various embodiments may be illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that these blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as nonlimiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The examples may be implemented by computer software stored in a memory and executable by at least one data processor of the involved entities or by hardware, or by a combination of software and hardware. Further in this regard it should be noted that any procedures may represent program steps, or interconnected logic circuits, blocks and functions, or a combination of program steps and logic circuits, blocks and functions. The software may be stored on such physical media as memory chips, or memory blocks implemented within the processor, magnetic media such as hard disk or floppy disks, and optical media such as for example DVD and the data variants thereof, CD.

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).

As used herein, “at least one of the following:<a list of two or more elements>” and “at least one of: <a list of two or more elements>” and similar wording, where the list of two or more elements are joined by “and”, or “or”, mean at least any one of the elements, or at least any two or more of the elements, or at least all of the elements.

The memory 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, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The data processors 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), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), gate level circuits and processors based on multi core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples.

Alternatively, or additionally some examples may be implemented using circuitry. The circuitry may be configured to perform one or more of the functions and/or method steps previously described. That circuitry may be provided in a base station and/or in a UE 300.

As used in this application, the term “circuitry” may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) hardware-only circuit(s) (such as analogue and/or digital circuit(s));

(b) combinations of hardware circuits and software, such as:

(i) a combination of analogue and/or digital circuit(s) with software and/or 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 the UE 300 or a base station to perform the various functions previously described; 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 integrated device. 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 a server, a cellular network device, or other computing or network device.

The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a full and informative description of some embodiments. However, various modifications and adaptations may become apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description, when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. However, all such and similar modifications of the teachings will still fall within the scope as defined in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A user equipment comprising: means for receiving from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; means for taking measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and means for reporting information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

2. The user equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein two or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states being provided by different antenna arrays of the user equipment or by a same antenna array.

3. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein at least one of the one or more second access nodes is associated with either: a neighbour cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes; or a same cell of one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

4 The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for receiving is for receiving from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

5. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising means for providing information to one or more of the one or more first access nodes, indicating that the user equipment is capable of reporting the information about the measurements.

6. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means is for periodically reporting the information about the measurements to one or more of the one or more first access nodes.

7. The user equipment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the means for reporting is for reporting information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied.

8. The user equipment as claimed in claim 7, wherein a first condition of the one or more conditions is that one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more second access nodes is greater than one or more first thresholds.

9. The user equipment as claimed in claim 7 or 8, wherein a second condition of the one or more conditions is that there is difference greater than one or more second thresholds between: i) one or more measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more first access nodes, the measurements being taken using one or more of the two or more beams corresponding to the two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and ii) one or more of the measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes.

10. The user equipment as claimed in claims 8 or 9, wherein a third one of the one or more conditions is that one or more of the first condition or the second condition occurs for at least a minimum time.

11. The user equipment as claimed in any of claims 7 to 10, wherein the means for receiving is for receiving, from one or more of the one or more first access nodes, configuration information associated with one or more of the one or more conditions.

12. The user equipment as claimed in claim 11, wherein the means for receiving is for receiving from the one or more of the one or more first access nodes one or more of: a. Information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. Information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. Information defining the minimum time.

13. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for taking measurements of the one or more reference signals is for measuring one or more of a received power of the respective reference signal, a received quality of the respective reference signal, a signal to interference noise ratio of the respective reference signal, or a received signal strength indicator of the respective reference signal.

14. The user equipment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the means for reporting information about the measurements to the one or more of the one or more first access nodes is for reporting one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or a synchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

15. The user equipment as claimed in claim 14, wherein the information about the measurements is reported in a channel state indication message.

16. A first access node comprising: means for transmitting to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; and means for receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node.

17. The first access node as claimed in claim 16, wherein the means for transmitting is for transmitting, configuration information for configuring the measurements to be reported by the user equipment.

18. The first access node as claimed in claim 16 or 17, comprising means for determining one or more transmission configuration indicator states of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states which is to be used by the user equipment, the means for determining using the receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment.

19. The first access node as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the receiving means may be for receiving information about the measurements when one or more conditions are satisfied.

20. The first access node as claimed in claim 19, wherein the one or more conditions comprise one or more of a first condition that one or more measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more of the one or more second access nodes is greater than one or more first thresholds. a second condition is that there is difference greater than one or more second thresholds between: i) one or more measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by the first access nodes, the measurements being taken using one or more of the two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with the first access node; and ii) one or more of the measurements of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; and/or a third conditions is that one or more of the first condition or the second condition occurs for at least a minimum time.

21. The first access node as claimed in claim 20, wherein the means for transmitting to the user equipment is for transmitting one or more of a. Information defining the one or more first thresholds; b. Information defining the one or more second thresholds; or c. Information defining the minimum time.

22. The first access node as claimed in any one of claims 16 to 21, wherein information about the measurements comprise one or more of the following: measurement information associated with a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals transmitted by the one or more of the one or more second access nodes; a physical cell identifier associated with a respective cell of the respective second access node for a respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; a channel state indicator resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals; or a synchronization system block resource identifier for the respective measured one of the one or more reference signals.

23. The first access node as claimed in claim 22, wherein receiving means may be for receiving the information about the measurements in a channel state indication message.

24. A method comprising: transmitting to a user equipment information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; and receiving information from the user equipment about one or more measurements taken by the user equipment of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with a first access node.

25. A method comprising: receiving from one or more first access nodes, information about a plurality of transmission configuration indicator states; taking measurements of one or more reference signals transmitted by one or more second access nodes, the measurements being taken using two or more beams corresponding to two or more of the plurality of transmission configuration indicator states associated with one or more of the one or more first access nodes; and reporting information about the measurements