WO2025237572A1 - Determining user equipment initiated beam management report mode - Google Patents

Abstract

According to an aspect, a user equipment may obtain, from a network node, infor- mation to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode and determine a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the infor- mation to determine a UEIBM report mode. Finally, the user equipment may transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

Description

DETERMINING USER EQUIPMENT INITIATED BEAM MANAGEMENT REPORT MODE

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Fl application No.20245625, filed May 16, 2024. The content of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates generally to wireless communications and, more particularly but not exclusively, to user equipment initiated beam management reporting.

BACKGROUND

User equipment (UE) initiated beam management, UEIBM, refers to a case, where a UE may be configured with at least one event/condition that triggers a transmission control indicator (TCI) - state beam reporting between a network and the UE. The UEIBM procedure helps the UE and the network to configure best beams for UE’s operating in a cell and enables the network to allocate resources accordingly. In some cases, UE’s may be allocated with pre-configured resources to enable fast UEIBM reporting, and in other cases, a UE may request the network for uplink resources for UEIBM report(s) to save pre-configured resources.

SUMMARY

The scope of protection sought for various example embodiments of the invention is set out by the independent claims. The example embodiments and features, if any, described in this specification that do not fall under the scope of the independent claims are to be interpreted as examples useful for understanding various example embodiments of the invention.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a user equipment. The user equipment may comprise at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; apply the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from the network node, at least one pre-configured resource for the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the at least one pre-configured resource. In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the at least one pre-configured resource comprises two or more pre-configured resources, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from the network node, a second indication indicating one pre-configured resource from the two or more pre-configured resources; and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the one pre-configured resource indicated by the second indication.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, in response to identifying a need to transmit a UEIBM report, a third indication indicating at least one resource for the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the at least one resource indicated by the third indication.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the obtaining the third indication in response to identifying a need to transmit a UEIBM report further comprises: the instructions, stored in the at least one memory, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to transmit, to the network node, at least one request for uplink resources for the at least one UEIBM report.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the first indication further comprises information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: apply the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication at least during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, information on a preferred UEIBM report mode; and obtain the first indication based on the information on the preferred UEIBM report mode.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication comprises a first UEIBM report mode, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: apply a second UEIBM report mode based on a downlink quality metric.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the downlink quality metric comprises at least one of: a downlink reference signal received power, RSRP; a downlink signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR; a downlink reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a downlink received signal strength indicator, RSSI.

In an example embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, a downlink quality metric; and in response to the downlink quality metric, obtain the first indication.

According to a second aspect, there is provided a user equipment. The user equipment may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; determine a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises at least one of: a configuration related to the at least one resource; an activation of the at least one resource; information related to at least one timer; a downlink quality metric; a default UEIBM report mode; a preferred UEIBM report mode; a UEIBM report mode A; or a UEIBM report mode B.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode B, and wherein the at least one uplink resource is a pre-configured resource.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode A, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: transmit, to the network node, at least one request for uplink resources for the at least one UEIBM report; and obtain, from the network node, in response to the at least one request, an indication indicating the at least one resource for the at least one UEIBM report.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise at least the information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, may further cause the user equipment at least to apply the first UEIBM report mode during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises at least the information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: switch from the first UEIBM report mode to a second UEIBM report mode during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, information on a preferred UEIBM report mode; and obtain, from the network node, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode in response to providing the information on the preferred UEIBM report configuration. In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: switch from the first UEIBM report mode to a second UEIBM report mode based on a downlink quality metric.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the downlink quality metric comprises at least one of: a downlink reference signal received power, RSRP; a downlink signal to interference plus noise ratio, SINR; a downlink reference signal received quality, RSRQ; a downlink received signal strength indicator, RSSI.

In an example embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, a downlink quality metric; and in response to the downlink quality metric, obtain the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a network node. The network node may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to: provide an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a user equipment beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and based at least in part on the indication, obtain, from the at least one user equipment, a UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication.

In an example embodiment of the third aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network node at least to: identify a need to switch UEIBM report mode of the at least one user equipment; and provide the indication in response to identifying the need.

In an example embodiment of the third aspect, the identifying the need to switch UEIBM report configuration of the at least one user equipment comprises at least one of: a number of user equipment’s competing on shared pre-configured resources for uplink, UL, UEIBM reports is above or below a first threshold; a number of uplink, UL, UEIBM reports on pre-configured resources is above or below a second threshold; a variability of one or more UL quality metrics is above or below a third threshold; a variability of one or more downlink, DL, quality metrics reported by the at least one user equipment is above or below a fourth threshold; or a number of active user equipment’s in a cell is above or below a fifth threshold.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a network node. The network node may comprise at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to: provide, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and obtain at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode. In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network node at least to: identify a need to switch UEIBM report mode of the at least one user equipment; and provide the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

In an example embodiment of the fourth aspect, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise at least one of: a configuration related to the at least one resource; an activation of the at least one resource; information related to at least one timer; a downlink quality metric; a default UEIBM report mode; a preferred UEIBM report mode; a UEIBM report mode A; or a UEIBM report mode B.

According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a method. The method may comprise obtaining, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; applying the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

According to a sixth aspect, there is provided a method. The method may comprise obtaining, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; determining a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

According to a seventh aspect, there is provided a method. The method may comprise providing an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a user equipment beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and based at least in part on the indication, obtaining, from the user equipment, a UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication.

According to an eight aspect, there is provided a method. The method may comprise providing, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and obtaining at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

According to a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method of the fifth aspect.

According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method of the sixth aspect.

According to an eleventh aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method of the seventh aspect. According to a twelfth aspect, there is provided a computer program product comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method of the eight aspect.

According to a thirteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for obtaining, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; means for applying the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and means for transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

According to a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for obtaining, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; means for determining a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and means for transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

According to a fifteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for providing an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a user equipment beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and based at least in part on the indication, means for obtaining, from the user equipment, a UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication.

According to a sixteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising: means for providing, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and means for obtaining at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the embodiments and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments and together with the description help to explain the principles of the embodiments. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a system, wherein a user equipment is configured to initiate user equipment initiated beam reporting procedure with a network node.

FIG. 2A illustrates a block diagram of a user equipment according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 2B illustrates block diagram of a network node according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a signalling diagram between a network node and a user equipment according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a signalling diagram between a user equipment and a network node according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a signalling diagram between a user equipment and a network node comprising according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 6A illustrates a method according to an example embodiment. FIG. 6B illustrates a method according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7A illustrates a method according to an example embodiment.

FIG. 7B illustrates a method according to an example embodiment.

Like reference numerals are used to designate like parts in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system 100, wherein a user equipment (UE) 200, is communicating with a network node (NN) 220.

NN 220 is illustrated as projecting three beams: a first beam 110A, a second beam 110B and a third beam 110C. The beams may comprise, for example, SSB beams (SSB, synchronization signal block), wherein UE 200 may initiate a RACH procedure to establish radio resource control, RRC, connection, or a CSI beam (CSI, channel state information).

In the example of Fig. 1 , and for the purposes of description, at 102, UE 200 may be RRC connected to first beam 110A however, the UE 200 may then experience a triggering-event (such as Event-2) at 104, wherein the quality of second beam 110B becomes a threshold value better than first beam 110A. This may be, due to UE 200 having moved to another location, wherein second beam 110B becomes better than first beam 110A.

UE 200, in Fig. 1 , may then initiate UE initiated beam management, UEIBM, reporting procedure. UEIBM report can be used by NN 220 to determine, whether a beam switch process should be initiated.

UEIBM, may be triggered by UE 200 based on triggering-event Event-2. Event-2 comprises an event, wherein quality of at least one new beam, such as L1-RSRP (Layer one reference signal received power), becomes a threshold value better than a current beam. Other triggering-events may comprise, for example, Event-1 , wherein a quality of a current beam is worse than a certain threshold, or Event-3, wherein a quality of a new beam is better than a certain threshold.

In addition, triggering-events for UEIBM may comprise Event-4, wherein a quality of a current beam is worse than a first threshold, and a quality of at least one new beam is better than a second threshold.

In addition, triggering-events for UEIBM may comprise Event-5, wherein an absolute value of a difference between a quality of a current beam and a quality of at least one new beam is lower than a threshold. In addition, triggering-events for UEIBM may comprise Event-6, wherein a current beam is not a best K>1 beams (or of configured beams for measurement and reporting).

In addition, triggering-events for UEIBM may comprise Event-7, wherein a quality of at least one new beam, such as L1-RSRP, becomes a threshold value better than the reference signal derived from an activated TCI (transmission control information) state with the worst quality.

Two main UEIBM report modes have been agreed to be used by a UE to transmit a UEIBM report to the network. UEIBM report mode A and UEIBM report mode B (or Mode A and Mode B for short). Mode A is based on dynamically scheduling UCI (uplink control information) by the network and in Mode B, the UE is pre-configured with resources for an uplink channel.

At first, in Mode A, the UE transmits a first PUCCH (one-bit/multi-bit) (first UL channel) to request a resource for a second UL channel to carry the UEIBM report. The request format may be a scheduling request or a UCI.

At second, in Mode A, the UE detects a DCI format (from the network) to indicate a resource for the second UL channel, and at third, the UEIBM report may be transmitted using the second UL channel. The second UL channel may be PUCCH, PUSCH or both.

In other words, the second UL channel may comprise an UL channel, on which one or more UEIBM reports are transmitted.

Mode A is (to be) supported by all UE’s. In other words, all UE supporting UE initi- ated/event-driven beam reporting should support Mode A.

In Mode B, a UE obtains one or more pre-configured resources for a second UL channel from the network to carry a UEIBM report.

At first, in Mode B, the UE transmits a first PUCCH (first UL channel) notifying network of a second UL channel to carry a UEIBM report.

At second, in Mode B, the UE transmits the UEIBM report on pre-configured resources for the UL channel. The second UL channel may comprise PUCCH, PUSCH or both.

Mode B is not necessarily supported by all UE’s, however, it can be advantageous to use Mode B, in for example, situations where there are not many UE’s in a cell competing for same preconfigured resources, as Mode B is faster, and the network may assign a new beam for a UE in the cell, based on the UEIBM report, which may be a better (or a best) beam for the specific UE.

If a UE does not support mode B, it will always only use Mode A, furthermore, if the network does not pre-configure any resource for the second UL channel, the UE, although supporting Mode B, will only use Mode A implicitly.

To summarize the advantages/disadvantages of Mode A and Mode B, Mode A may be better from the resourcing point of view, as there is no potential waste of pre-configured resources. On one side the network may prefer Mode A as it allows the network having full control of the UEIBM report transmissions. On the other side it may also increase the network node (gNB) scheduler complexity. Another disadvantage of Mode A is that in certain situations the delay of the UEIBM report may be longer when compared to Mode B, thus delaying a potential beam switch (i.e., a UE may be scheduled on a sub-optimal beam longer thus degrading throughput, increasing UE power consumption for UL and risking beam failure) and potentially transmitting partially outdated information to the network.

Mode B may be preferred by the UE that can always have UL resources available to autonomously decide when to transmit the UEIBM report. At the same time there may be waste of resources if too many resources are pre-configured compared to the amount of triggered UEIBM reports. Moreover, it may as well simplify network node (gNB) scheduler, which only needs to pre-configure some resources for the UE, and in certain situations it may allow lower delay of the UEIBM report, as potentially some pre-configured resources may be available immediately after the UEIBM report is generated at the UE.

Various example embodiments discussed herein may be established, for example, in conjunction with standard protocols presented in TS 38.214. In other words, TS 38.214 may be referred for further information on how to implement various example embodiments.

It is at least one object of the disclosure to provide signalling, between a user equipment and a network node, enabling switching between UEIBM report modes effortlessly. Furthermore, it is at least a second object of the disclosure to determine, whether a user equipment or a network initiated the UEIBM mode switch, and how the mode switching is executed in practice.

In the following, various example embodiments will be discussed. At least some of these example embodiments described herein may disclose a solution in which a network node may provide, to a UE, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management report mode. This information may be used by the UE to determine a UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information. The determined UEIBM report mode may be associated with an uplink channel, by which one or more UEIBM reports can be transmitted to the network node. In other words, the one or more UEIBM reports can be transmitted on at least one uplink resource, wherein the at least one uplink resource may comprise a pre-configured resource (obtained from the network node earlier), or it can be requested, by the UE, from the network node, by, for example, an indication from the UE to the network node (scheduling request, UCI etc.).

The information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise, for example, a configuration related to the at least one resource or an activation of the at least one resource. The configuration of the at least one resource or the activation of the at least one resources by the network for a UE is an implicit indication for the UE for using Mode B.

In some embodiments, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise information related to at least one timer, wherein a UEIBM report mode can be chosen for a time period comprised in the information, and then reverted back to an original (default) UEIBM report mode after the timer has expired.

In some embodiments, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise a downlink (DL) quality metric or uplink (UL) quality metric, which the UE can use to determine the UEIBM report mode. The quality metric may comprise a downlink or uplink reference signal received power (RSRP); or a downlink or uplink signal to interference plus noise ratio (SNIR). A Downlink or uplink reference signal received quality (RSRQ) A downlink or uplink received signal strength indicator (RSSI). For example, if a network observes/measures a large or a small variability of UL link quality (UL quality metric) in terms of, for example, a UL SI NR (uplink signal to interference plus noise ratio) or UL RSRP (uplink reference signal received power), the network can use that information to determine the UEIBM report mode for one or more UE’s.

In addition, or alternatively to the previous example, if a UE observes/measures a large or a small variability of DL link quality (DL quality metric), in terms of, for example, a DL SINR (downlink signal to interference plus noise ratio) or DL RSRP (downlink reference signal received power), the UE can use that information to determine a UEIBM report mode, and/or provide a preferred UEIBM report mode to the network, wherein in response to the preferred UEIBM report mode or in response to the DL link quality measurement reports, the network may send an implicit/explicit message to the UE, which UEIBM report mode it should use.

In some embodiments, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise a default UEIBM report mode, which would indicate to the UE, that the default UEIBM report mode is to be used implicitly by the UE, when there are no information available to use a different mode. For example, the default mode can be UEIBM report mode A, and the network may provide information related to a timer to the UE, which the UE can use to determine UEIBM report mode B during a time period comprised in the information related to a timer, and then implicitly revert back to UEIBM report mode A, after the timer has expired.

In some embodiments, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise a preferred UEIBM report mode. E.g., a UE may report its preferred UEIBM report mode to network explicitly or implicitly. For example, if a UE is in Mode B and sends to the network an UL signal requesting UL resources to transmit UEIBM report, it is an indication to network that UE prefers Mode A. If the UE is in mode A, and the UE uses pre-configured resources to send UEIBM report, it is an indication to network that the UE prefers Mode B.

Furthermore, the network indicates a preferred UEIBM report mode for a UE explicitly or implicitly. For a UE in mode A, if network configures UE with an UL resource for UEIBM report, that is an implicit indication of mode B. For a UE with pre-configured resource to send UEIBM report (mode B), if the network schedules resource for UEIBM, that is an implicit indication of mode A.

The UE may apply the mode indicated by the network. In some embodiments, the UE may, or may not, choose to apply a mode indicated by the network, depending on, for example, UL/DL quality metrics measured by the UE.

In some embodiments, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise UEIBM report mode A or UEIBM report mode B directly. I.e., the network explicitly tells the UE which mode to use.

Furthermore, various example embodiments may disclose a solution in which a network directly sends an indication to the UE, which UEIBM report mode to use. The indication may comprise a UEIBM mode message sent by the network via RRC, MAC-CE (MAC control element) or DCI (downlink control information). The indication referred in this paragraph may comprise a first indication to maintain clarity in the description, as the disclosure may disclose embodiments, that comprise various different indications between the UE and the network.

The first indication may be used, by the UE, to apply the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication, and transmit, to a network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication. The resources for the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode may be pre-configured resources previously obtained from the network, or they can be requested by the UE using an uplink request, such as a PUCCH (physical uplink control channel). The PUCCH may comprise a one-bit or a multi-bit PUCCH as per technical specification of UEIBM report mode A.

Fig. 2A illustrates a diagram of user equipment (UE) 200 according to an example embodiment. UE 200 may comprise, for example, a mobile phone, a smartphone, a tablet computer, a smart watch, a hand-held device, a portable device or a wearable device.

UE 200 may comprise one or more processors 202 and one or more memories 204 that comprise computer program code. UE 200 may also include other elements, such as a transceiver 206 configured to enable UE 200 to transmit and/or receive information to/from other devices, as well as other elements not shown in FIG. 2A. In one example, UE 200 may use transceiver 206 to transmit or receive signalling information and data in accordance with at least one cellular communication protocol. Transceiver 206 may be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as for example a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (for example, 5G or 6G). Transceiver 206 may comprise, or be configured to be coupled to, at least one antenna to transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.

One or more processors 202 may comprise at least one processor 202 and one or more memories 204 may comprise at least one memory 204.

Although UE 200 is depicted to include only one processor 202, UE 200 may include more than one processor. In an embodiment, at least one memory 204 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and/or various applications. Furthermore, at least one memory 204 may include a storage that may be used to store, for example, at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, at least one processor 202 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an embodiment, at least one processor 202 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, at least one processor 202 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (Al) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), or the like. In an embodiment, at least one processor 202 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, at least one processor 202 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically configure at least one processor 202 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

At least one memory 204 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, at least one memory 204 may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

UE 200 may comprise any of various types of devices used directly by an end user entity and capable of communication in a wireless network, such as a user equipment (UE). Such devices include but are not limited to smartphones, tablet computers, smart watches, lap top computers, internet- of-things (loT) devices, massive machine-to-machine (M2M) devices, massive machine type communications (mMTC) devices, industrial internet-of-things (I loT) devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) devices, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) devices, relay nodes (such as integrated access and backhaul nodes) configured to facilitate backhaul connections, and/or devices mounted in vehicles, etc.

Furthermore, UE 200 may be configured for UEIBM reporting. For example, the instructions stored in at least one memory 204 may be configured, when executed by at least one processor 202, to cause UE 200 to operate on UEIBM report mode A and/or UEIBM report mode B.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, when executed by at least one processor 202, instructions stored in at least one memory 204 may cause UE 200 at least to obtain, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode.

The first indication may comprise an explicit UEIBM Mode message via RRC, MAC-CE, or DCI, for example. This enables UE 200 to explicitly use either UEIBM report mode A or UEIBM report mode B as determined by network.

The DL transmission of the first indication may be triggered by, for example, if the network receives too many UE’s sending UL request to send UEIBM reports, the network may have difficulties dynamically scheduling UL resources for UEIBM reports (i.e., Mode A), and the network may send the first indication to one or more UE’s in a cell to explicitly use Mode B.

Alternatively, the DL transmission of the first indication may be triggered by, for example, if too many UE’s are competing on pre-configured resource for an UL channel (the second UL channel as described above), the network may re-configure one or more UE’s to use only UEIBM report mode A.

Furthermore, according to the first aspect, the instructions stored in at least one memory 204 may cause UE 200 at least to apply the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication and transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication. E.g., the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report may comprise the second UL channel described above. The at least one UEIBM report may comprise one or more UEIBM reports, that can be transmitted during a time period, wherein the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication is applied.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions stored in at least one memory 204, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to obtain, from the network node, at least one pre-configured resource for the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the at least one pre-configured resource.

In other words, UE 200 obtains pre-configured resources from the network node, which can be used to transmit the at least one UEIBM report as described in reference to UEIBM report mode B and the first indication may indicate UEIBM report mode B.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the at least one pre-configured resource may comprise two or more pre-configured resources, and wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to obtain, from the network node, a second indication indicating one pre-configured resource from the two or more pre-configured resources and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the one pre-configured resource. The second indication may be, for example, a DCI, a MAC-CE activation message or an RRC message.

In other words, UE 200 can be configured with multiple pre-configured resources for the second UL channel, and the network node may indicate which resource to use to transmit the at least one UEIBM report.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to obtain, in response to identifying a need to transmit a UEIBM report, a third indication indicating at least one resource for the uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication and transmit the at least one UEIBM report on the at least one resource indicated by the third indication. The third indication may comprise a DCI, for example.

The previous embodiment above refers to UEIBM report mode A. In other words, the first indication may indicate UEIBM report mode A, and identifying the need to transmit the UEIBM report may comprise, for example, triggering-event (Event-2, Event-3 etc. as described above).

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the identifying the need to transmit the UEIBM report may further comprise: the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to transmit, to the network node, at least one request for uplink resources for the at least one UEIBM report. In other words, UE 200 observes/experiences a triggering-event, which cause UE 200 to transmit the at least one request for uplink resources. The at least one request may comprise, for example, a scheduling request (SR) or a UCI (uplink control information).

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the first indication may further comprise information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to apply the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication at least during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer.

In other words, the network node may provide UE 200 with a time period for the at least one timer, during which either UEIBM report mode A or UEIBM report mode B is applied. And for example, when the timer has expired, UE 200 may revert to UEIBM report mode, which was used earlier and not indicated by the first indication. It will be noted that in some embodiments, the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication may comprise the same UEIBM report mode, which was in use earlier by UE 200. Further examples of the at least one timer are given in reference to Fig. 4.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to provide, to the network node, information on a preferred UEIBM report mode and obtain the first indication based on the information on the preferred UEIBM report mode. The information on the preferred UEIBM report mode may be provided by, via, RRC, SR, UCI and/or MAC-CE. For example, if UE 200 is in Mode B and sends to the network an UL signal requesting UL resources (e.g., SR e.g with specific ID) to transmit UEIBM report (although pre-configured resources already exist), it is an indication to network that UE prefers to switch to Mode A. Furthermore, if UE 200 is in mode A, and UE 200 uses pre-configured resources to send UEIBM report, it may be an indication to network that UE prefers Mode B.

In other words, for example, UE 200 may determine, that a DL quality metric (DL-RSRP, DL-SINR etc.) has been above a threshold for a time period (i.e. , stable), and determine that Mode A is preferred by UE 200, and then the network can release any pre-configured resource reserved for the uplink channel (the second UL channel) for the UEIBM report, which enables the network to increase the amount of pre-configured resources for other UE’s.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication comprises a first UEIBM report mode, and wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to apply a second UEIBM report mode. In some embodiments, UE200 may apply a second UEIBM report mode based on a downlink quality metric.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication comprises a first UEIBM report mode, and wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to obtain a fourth indication indicating a second UEIBM report mode and apply the second UEIBM report mode based on the fourth indication.

In other words, UE 200 has obtained the first indication indicating the first UEIBM report mode (for example Mode A), and it may determine that a DL quality metric is below a threshold, UE 200 may automatically switch to the second UEIBM report mode (Mode B), if UE 200 is configured with the one or more pre-configured resources.

In some embodiments, UE 200 may be configured to obtain, from the network node, a DL quality metric, which UE 200 may use to determine to switch from the first UEIBM report mode to the second UEIBM report mode. According to a second aspect of the disclosure, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may cause UE 200 at least to obtain, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode and determine a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode. The information to determine a UEIBM report mode may be referred to as first information for the purposes of maintaining clarity of the description. In other words, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises the first information.

The first information may be used, at least in part, to determine the first UEIBM report mode, as the instructions stored in at least one memory 204 may comprise information, that UE 200 can use to derive the first UEIBM report mode. In other words, e.g., on one part, UE 200 can use the first information obtained from the network node and on other part, UE 200 can use information stored in at least one memory 204.

For example, the first information may comprise a DL link quality variability metric in the form of standard deviation of e.g., DL SINR or DL RSRP measurements over a time window, which enables UE 200 to compare the standard deviation over a time window to a pre-configured values stored in at least one memory 204, of a mean value and/or a variance value. For example, if a mean value (stored in at least one memory 204) is a threshold value larger than a mean value of the standard deviation comprised in the first information, it would indicate to UE 200, that beam quality is not good enough, and apply UEIBM report mode B to reserve the possibility to quickly sent a UEIBM report.

Furthermore, according to the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

As described above, the determined UEIBM report mode may be associated with an uplink channel, by which one or more UEIBM reports can be transmitted to the network node (e.g., the second UL channel). In other words, the one or more UEIBM reports can be transmitted on at least one uplink resource, wherein the at least one uplink resource may be a pre-configured resource (obtained from the network node earlier), or it can be requested by UE 200, from the network node.

The first information may further comprise, for example, a configuration related to the at least one resource and/or an activation of the at least one resource. A configuration related to the at least one resource may comprise, for example, allocation of pre-configured resources for UEIBM report mode B, which may indicate to the UE, that it should use UEIBM mode B. Furthermore, the activation of the at least one resource may comprise an indication to a resource with a specific ID, e.g., when there are more one than pre-configured resources allocated for the second UL channel. An activation of the at least one resource indicates to the UE, that it should use UEIBM report mode B.

In some embodiments, the first information may further comprise information related to at least one timer, wherein a UEIBM report mode can be applied for a time period comprised in the information, and then reverted back to the original (default) UEIBM report mode after the timer has expired. In some embodiments, the first information may further comprise a DL quality metric or an UL quality metric, which UE 200 can use to determine the UEIBM report mode. For example, if network observes/measures a large or a small variability of UL link quality (UL quality metric) in terms of, for example, a UL SINR (uplink signal to interference plus noise ratio) or UL RSRP (uplink reference signal received power), the network can use that information to determine the UEIBM report mode for UE 200. Furthermore, as an example, if UE 200 observes/measures a large or a small variability of DL link quality (DL quality metric), UE 200 can use that information to determine the UEIBM report mode. Even furthermore, UE 200 can report DL quality metric(s) back to the network, and the network may provide, in response to the DL quality metric, an explicit message (first indication) or an implicit message (first information) to inform UE 200, which UIEBM report mode it should use.

In some embodiments, the first information may further comprise a default UEIBM report mode, which would indicate to UE 200, that the default UEIBM report mode is to be used implicitly by UE 200, when there is no information available to use a different mode. For example, the default mode can be UEIBM report mode A, and the first information may comprise information related to a timer, which UE 200 can use to determine UEIBM report mode B during a time period comprised in the information related to a timer, and then implicitly revert back to UEIBM report mode A, after the timer has expired.

As a general note, when no UEIBM Mode message is received by UE 200, the default mode of operations is that UE 200 uses Mode A, as it is the baseline mode supported by all UEs.

In some embodiments, the first information may further comprise a preferred UEIBM report mode. E.g., UE 200 provides preferred UEIBM report mode to the network, and network indicates a UEIBM report mode in response to the preferred UEIBM report mode message from UE 200 to the network. For example, if UE 200 is in Mode B and sends to the network an UL signal requesting UL resources (e.g., SR e.g with specific ID) to transmit UEIBM report (although pre-configured resources already exist), it is an indication to the network that UE prefers to switch to Mode A. Furthermore, if UE 200 is in mode A, and UE 200 uses pre-configured resources to send UEIBM report, it may be an indication to network that UE prefers Mode B.

In some embodiments, the first information may further comprise UEIBM report mode A or UEIBM report mode B directly. I.e., the network explicitly tells UE 200 which mode to use.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode B, and wherein the at least one uplink resource is a pre-configured resource. This preconfigured resource comprises the at least one uplink resource to transmit the at least one UEIBM report.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode A, and wherein the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to transmit, to the network node, at least one request for uplink resources for the at least one UEIBM report and obtain, from the network node, in response to the at least one request, an indication indicating the at least one resource for the at least one UEIBM report. In other words, the at least one resource indicated by the indication comprises the at least one uplink resource for the at least one uplink resource. In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first information comprises at least the information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to apply the first UEIBM report mode during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer. For example, if UE 200 is operating in UEIBM report mode B, information related to at least one timer may imply and/or indicate to UE 200, that it should switch to UEIBM report mode B during the time period.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first information may comprise at least the information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: switch from the first UEIBM report mode to a second UEIBM report mode during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer. For example, while the first information would imply and/or indicate to UE 200, that it should use UEIBM report mode B (e.g., the first information may further comprise, an activation of the at least one resource), UE 200 may determine the first UEIBM report mode to be UEIBM report mode B, and then use UEIBM report mode A during the time period.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to provide, to the network node, information on a preferred UEIBM report mode and obtain, from the network node, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode in response to providing the information on the preferred UEIBM report configuration. For example, if UE 200 is in Mode B and sends to the network an UL signal requesting UL resources (e.g., SR e.g with specific ID) to transmit UEIBM report (although pre-configured resources already exist), it is an indication to network that UE prefers to switch to Mode A. Furthermore, if UE 200 is in mode A, and UE 200 uses pre-configured resources to send UEIBM report, it may be an indication to network that UE prefers Mode B.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by the least one processor 202, may further cause UE 200 at least to switch from the first UEIBM report mode to a second UEIBM report mode based on a downlink quality metric.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to provide, to the network node, a downlink quality metric and in response to the downlink quality metric, obtain the first information.

In some embodiments, UE 200, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 202, further cause UE 200 at least to transmit a notification to a network node, indicating to the network node a second uplink channel to carry beam report. This notification is different than the UL request regarding Mode A operation and is intended to be used as a step in Mode B. This notification may comprise a SR or a UCI.

Fig. 2B illustrates block diagram of a network node, NN, 220 according to an example embodiment. NN 220 may comprise at least one processor 222 and at least one memory 224 that comprise computer program code. NN 220 may also include other elements, such as a transceiver 226 configured to enable NN 220 to transmit and/or receive information to/from other devices, as well as other elements not shown in Fig. 2B. In one example, NN 220 may use transceiver 226 to transmit or receive signalling information and data in accordance with at least one cellular communication protocol. Transceiver 226 may be configured to provide at least one wireless radio connection, such as for example a 3GPP mobile broadband connection (for example, 5G or beyond). Transceiver 226 may comprise, or be configured to be coupled to, at least one antenna to transmit and/or receive radio frequency signals.

Although NN 220 is depicted to include only one processor 222, NN 220 may include more than one processor. In an embodiment, memory 224 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and/or various applications. Furthermore, memory 224 may include a storage that may be used to store, for example, at least some of the information and data used in the disclosed embodiments.

Furthermore, at least one processor 222 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an embodiment, at least one processor 222 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors. For example, at least one processor 222 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, a neural network (NN) chip, an artificial intelligence (Al) accelerator, a tensor processing unit (TPU), a neural processing unit (NPU), or the like. In an embodiment, at least one processor 222 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality. In an embodiment, processor 222 is embodied as an executor of software instructions, wherein the instructions may specifically configure at least one processor 222 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

At least one memory 224 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, at least one memory 224 may be embodied as semiconductor memories (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

NN 220 may comprise a base station, a transmission reception point, TRP, and/or a relay node. The base station may include, for example, a 5G or 6G base station (gNB) or any such device providing an air interface for UE 200 to connect to a wireless network via wireless transmissions.

It is to be noted that when referring to, for example, “providing”, “transmitting”, “receiving” or “obtaining” etc., it may comprise NN 220 and UE 200 communicating information via, for example, at least one transceiver 206 and at least one transceiver 226.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, when executed by at least one processor 222, instructions stored in at least one memory 224 may cause NN 220 at least to: provide an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a UEIBM report mode and based at least in part on the indication, obtain, from the at least one user equipment, a UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication. The indication referred here may comprise the first indication described in reference to the first aspect of the disclosure.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the instructions, when executed by at least one processor 222, further cause network node 220 at least to identify a need to switch UEIBM report mode of the at least one user equipment provide the indication in response to identifying the need.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the identifying the need to switch UEIBM report configuration of the at least one user equipment may comprise at least one of: a number of user equipment’s competing on shared pre-configured resources for uplink, UL, UEIBM reports is above or below a first threshold; a number of UL UEIBM reports on pre-configured resources is above or below a second threshold; a variability of one or more UL quality metrics is above or below a third threshold; a variability of one or more DL quality metrics reported by the at least one user equipment is above or below a fourth threshold; or a number of active user equipment’s in a cell is above or below a fifth threshold.

In other words, one or more of the listed metrics above may initiate triggering NN 220 to send the first indication to UE 200.

Furthermore, according to a fourth aspect of the disclosure, the instructions stored in at least one memory 224, when executed by at least one processor 222, may further cause NN 220 at least to provide, to at least one user equipment (e.g., UE 200), information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode and obtain at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode. The information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise the first information described above.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the instructions stored in at least one memory 224, when executed by at least one processor 222, may further cause NN 220 at least to identify a need to switch UEIBM report mode of the at least one user equipment (e.g., UE 200) and provide the information to determine a UEIBM report mode. The identifying the need to switch the UEIBM report mode of the at least one UE may comprise, for example, UL/DL quality metrics being above or below a threshold.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode may comprise at least one of: a configuration related to the at least one resource; an activation of the at least one resource; information related to at least one timer; a downlink quality metric; a default UEIBM report mode; a preferred UEIBM report mode; a UEIBM report mode A; or a UEIBM report mode B.

Fig. 3 illustrates a signalling diagram according to an example embodiment. In the example illustrated by Fig. 3, an embodiment of UE 200 is configured to communicate with an embodiment of NN 220.

At 302, UE 200 is (pre-)configured with capability to support UEIBM report Mode A and UEIBM report mode B.

At 304, UE 200 is further configured with triggering-events (e.g., Event-2, Event-3 etc. as described above).

At 306, UE 200 is configured to operate using UEIBM report mode A. This may be, for example, a default behaviour of UE 200, or configured earlier by NN 220.

At 308, UE 200 and NN 220 perform DL/UL transmissions including UEIBM signalling according to UEIBM report mode A. UEIBM signalling may comprise, for example, UL requests and DL indication, such as the first indication and UL UEIBM report transmissions.

At 310, NN 220 identifies a need to switch UEIBM report mode of UE 200 (i.e., at least one UE). This may comprise examples given above, such as a DL/UL quality metric being above or below a threshold etc.

At 312, NN 220 determines that UE 200 should use UEIBM report mode B, and provides the first indication (i.e., an explicit UEIBM mode message), at 314, to UE 200 and at operation 316, NN 220 provides allocated resources for the second UL channel (e.g., the at least one pre-configured resource).

Alternatively, at 318, NN 220 determines to use implicit messaging to switch the UEIBM report mode of UE 200. At 320, provides the pre-configured resource for the second UL channel to UE 200, which UE 200 can use to determine to use UEIBM report mode B. In other words, when only pre-configured resources are obtained by UE 200, UE 200 is configured to implicitly know to switch to UEIBM report mode B. This behaviour may be comprised in, for example, the instructions stored in at least one memory 204. This behaviour relates to the second and fourth aspects of the disclosure. The operation at 320 may comprise the providing the first information as described above, in other words, pre-configured resource(s) is comprised in the information to determine a first UEIBM report mode.

And finally at 322, UE 200 operates using Mode B, whether determined from the explicit message at 312 or determined implicitly from the pre-configured resource allocation at 318.

FIG. 4 illustrates a signalling diagram between an embodiment of UE 200 and an embodiment of NN 220 according to an example embodiment.

At 402, UE 200 is (pre-)configured for a capability to support both UEIBM report mode A and/or UEIBM report mode B. E.g., the capability to support both UEIBM report mode A and UEIBM report mode B may comprise the support of both mode A and mode B or only comprises the support of mode B, as mode A is a default capability.

At 404, UE 200 is configured with triggering-events (e.g., Event-2, Event-2 etc.) for UEIBM.

At 406, NN 220 determines that UE 200 should use UEIBM report mode B and implicitly configures UE 200 for UEIBM report mode B by transmitting pre-allocated resources for a second UL channel at 408. (similarly to operation 320 in Fig. 3).

At 410, UE 200 operates using UEIBM report mode B.

At 412, UE 200 and NN 220 perform DL/UL transmission including UEIBM mode B signalling (e.g., using the pre-allocated resource at operation 408 for UEIBM report(s)).

At 414, NN 220 identifies a need to switch at least one UE UEIBM report mode, which is UE 200 in this example.

At 416, NN 220 may determine to explicitly configure UE 200 for UEIBM report mode A, and at 418, transmit a direct message (e.g., the first indication) further comprising information related to at least one timer.

At 420, UE 200 and/or NN 220 may both start timers. In some embodiments, only UE 200 may determine to start the at least one timer and in some embodiments, both UE 200 and NN 220 may start a timer concurrently.

At 422, UE 200 may operate using UEIBM report mode A as indicated by the message at operation 418.

At 424, UE 200 and NN 220 may perform DL/UL transmissions including UEIBM report mode A signalling.

At 426, the timer expires, and at 428 UE 200 operates using UEIBM report mode B. In other words, UE 200 is implicitly configured to revert back to mode B after the timer has expired. Fig. 5 illustrates a signalling diagram between an embodiment of UE 200 and an embodiment of NN 220 according to an example embodiment.

At 502, UE is (pre-)configured for a capability to support both UEIBM report mode A and UEIBM report mode B.

At 504, UE is configured with triggering-events (e.g., Event-2, Event-3 etc.) for UEIBM.

At 506, NN 220 may determine that UE 200 should be implicitly configured for UEIBM report mode B and at 508, transmit pre-configured resources for a second UL channel.

At 510, UE 200 operates using UEIBM report mode B.

At 512, UE 200 and NN 220 perform various UL/DL transmissions including mode B signalling and DL RSRP reporting.

At 514, UE 200 and/or NN 220 may determine, based on DL RSRP reporting, that DL link is stable, and UEIBM report mode A is preferred.

At 516, UE 200 operates using mode A, as the DL link has been determined to be stable. The configuration for Mode A can be either performed only on UE 200 side (i.e., no explicit or implicit configuration for Mode A), or NN 220 may determine to send the first indication or the first information.

At 518, UE 200 and NN 220 continue with DL/UL transmissions including Mode A signalling and DL RSRP reporting.

FIG. 6A illustrates a method 600 according to a fifth aspect of the disclosure. UE 200 may be configured to perform method 600, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, method 600 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

At 602, method 600 may comprise obtaining, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode.

At 604, method 600 may comprise applying the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

And at 606, method 600 may comprise transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

FIG. 6B illustrates a method 620 according to a sixth aspect of the disclosure. UE 200 may be configured to perform method 620, for example. Alternatively, or in addition, method 620 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

At 622, method 620 may comprise obtaining, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode. At 624, method 620 may comprise determining a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

And at 626, method 620 may comprise transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

Fig. 7A illustrates a method 700 according to a seventh aspect of the disclosure. Method 700 may be performed, for example, by NN 220. Alternatively, or in addition, method 700 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

At 702, method 700 may comprise providing an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a user equipment beam management, UEIBM, report mode. The indication indicating the UEIBM report mode may comprise the first indication described above.

And at 704, method 700 may comprise obtaining, based at least in part on the indication, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication.

Fig. 7B illustrates a method 720 according to an eight aspect of the disclosure. Method 720 may be performed, for example, by NN 220. Alternatively, or in addition, method 720 can be carried out by computer program(s) or portions thereof.

At 722, method 720 may comprise providing, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode.

And at operation 724, method 720 may comprise obtaining at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples of UE 200 disclosed herein, and with regards to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may comprise at least: means for obtaining, from a network node, a first indication indicating a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; means for applying the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication; and means for transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the first indication.

The means may comprise, for example, a combination of at least one processor 202, at least one memory 204 and at least one transceiver 206.

Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples of UE 200 disclosed herein, and with regards to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may comprise at least: means for obtaining, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; means for determining a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and means for transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples of the network side, with regards to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may comprise at least: means for providing an indication, to at least one user equipment, indicating a user equipment beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and based at least in part on the indication, means for obtaining, from the user equipment, a UEIBM report on an uplink channel associated with the UEIBM report mode indicated by the indication.

The means may comprise, for example, a combination of at least one processor 222, at least one memory 224 and at least one transceiver 226.

Another example of an apparatus suitable for carrying out the embodiments and examples of the network side, with regards to FIG. 3, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 may comprise at least: means for providing, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and means for obtaining at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

Further features of the network node 220 may directly result from the functionalities and parameters of the user equipment 200 and thus are not repeated here.

One or more of the example and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution which enables a UE to determine a UEIBM report mode, which may be better suited for a current operation environment, for example.

One or more of the example and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution which enables a network node to determine a UEIBM report mode for one or more UE’s, depending on current operation environment, for example.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution which reduces the time it takes to transmit a UEIBM report.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution, which reduces pre-configured resources for UEIBM reporting.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a network node to send a direct UEIBM Mode Message, to a UE, via e.g., RRC, MAC-CE or DCI.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which a network receives too many UL requests for UEIBM report resources from the same UE and/or ob- serves/measures too many UEs sending UL requests to send UEIBM reports, the network may have difficulties in dynamically scheduling UL resources for UEIBM reports and may decide to re-configure the UE(s) to use only Mode B.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which a network may well pre-configure a set of resources for the second UL channel with sufficient resources (time and/or frequency allocation) in order to cope with the more reports that will be sent there, in particular if the pool of resources for the second UL channel is shared by many UEs.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, for a UE configured in Mode B, in which if a network observes/measures too many UEs competing on the shared preconfigured resources for the second UL channel, the network re-configures the UE to use only Mode A and release the pre-configured resources.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which a network may re-configure resources for the second UL channel by providing additional resources for UE’s operating on Mode B.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution for a UE configured in Mode B, in which if a network observes/measures too few UEIBM reports transmitted on the preconfigured resources for the second UL channel (pre-configured UL resources unused by UE), the network re-configures the UE to use only Mode A and release the pre-configured resources.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which if a network observes/measures for a UE a large/small “variability” of the UL link quality, for example in terms of UL SINR or UL RSRP, it may re-configure the UE to use Mode B / Mode A respectively.

Such variability could be in the form of standard deviation of UL SINR or UL RSRP measurements at the network node over a certain time window, although other metrics are possible.

A large variability may be the indication of an expected high number of UEIBM reports, and because of that, Mode B may be more simple/efficient from scheduling and resourcing point of view in such scenario.

If a network is highly/lowly loaded and/or observes a large/small number of active UEs in the cell, those could potentially generate a large/small number of UEIBM reports, and therefore the network may decide to re-configure UEs to use Mode B / Mode A respectively, if they were not doing so already.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which a UE may be configured with multiple pre-configured resources for the second UL channel, each resource being assigned a specific ID. Thereafter, the network may indicate to the UE to use mode B by sending a message, e.g., a MAC-CE activation message, activating at least one of those pre-configured resources, such that the UE, when sending a UEIBM report, uses the at least one resource for the second UL channel activated by the network.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable an alternative or a complementary solution to explicit UEIBM Mode messages to the UE, in which implicit UEIBM Mode configurations, either as part of other messages or in the form of triggers and conditions known both at the UE and at the network side, that allows for example switching Mode (without the need of sending any explicit message). For example, a UEIBM Mode message may include a timer as described in reference to embodiments and Fig. 4 above. The value of the timer can be fixed or the network may dynamically indicate the timer to the UE e.g., as an index of a pool of configured values. Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which when the UEIBM Mode message has a timer, the network is not allowed to send any further UEIBM Mode message until the timer has expired.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which the allocation of the pre-configured resources by the network for a UE is an implicit indication for the UE for using Mode B. This embodiment has the advantage to avoid large waste of resources when the network pre-configures some resources for the UE, and that UE uses Mode A. Similarly, if network stops the allocation of pre-configured resources for UEIBM report, it implicitly indicates that the UE has to operate in Mode A.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which when no UEIBM Mode message is received by the UE, the default mode of operations can be that the UE autonomously sends to network its preference between Mode A or Mode B. In an example, if a UE is in Mode B and sends to the network an UL signal requesting UL resources (e.g., SR e.g with specific ID) to transmit UEIBM report (although pre-configured resources already exist), it is an indication to network that UE prefers to switch to Mode A.

Furthermore, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which when no UEIBM Mode message is received by the UE, the default mode of operations is that the UE uses Mode A, as it is the baseline mode supported by all UEs.

Finally, one or more example embodiments may enable a solution, in which the implicit indication to switch the UEIBM mode may be based on the variability of the DL link quality, for example in terms of DL SI NR or DL RSRP, which are known at both the UE and the network side, as DL SINR/RSRP are measured by the UE but reported back to the network. For example, if the variability of the DL RSRP is above a certain first threshold, then the UE switches from Mode A to Mode B. If the variability of the DL RSRP is below a certain second threshold, then the UE switches from Mode B to Mode A. Such threshold may be fixed or indicated from network to UE (e.g. RRC).

The functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more computer program product components such as software components. According to an embodiment, terminal device 200 and/or network node device 220 may comprise a processor or processor circuitry, such as for example a microcontroller, configured by the program code when executed to execute the embodiments of the operations and functionality described. Alternatively, or in addition, the functionality described herein can be performed, at least in part, by one or more hardware logic components. For example, and without limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that can be used include Field-programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), Application-specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Application-specific Standard Products (ASSPs), System-on-a-chip systems (SOCs), Complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), and Graphics Processing Units (GPUs).

Any range or device value given herein may be extended or altered without losing the effect sought. Also, any embodiment may be combined with another embodiment unless explicitly disallowed. Although the subject matter has been described in language specific to structural features and/or acts, it is to be understood that the subject matter defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples of implementing the claims and other equivalent features and acts are intended to be within the scope of the claims.

It will be understood that the benefits and advantages described above may relate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. The embodiments are not limited to those that solve any or all of the stated problems or those that have any or all of the stated benefits and advantages. It will further be understood that reference to 'an' item may refer to one or more of those items.

The steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in any suitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate. Additionally, individual blocks may be deleted from any of the methods without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter described herein. Aspects of any of the embodiments described above may be combined with aspects of any of the other embodiments described to form further embodiments without losing the effect sought.

The term 'comprising' is used herein to mean including the method, blocks or elements identified, but that such blocks or elements do not comprise an exclusive list and a method or apparatus may contain additional blocks or elements.

It will be understood that the above description is given by way of example only and that various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art. The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the structure and use of exemplary embodiments. Although various embodiments have been described above with a certain degree of particularity, or with reference to one or more individual embodiments, those skilled in the art could make numerous alterations to the disclosed embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of this specification.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A user equipment, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the user equipment at least to: obtain, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; determine a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and transmit, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink resource.

2. The user equipment of claim 1 , wherein the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises at least one of: a configuration related to the at least one resource; an activation of the at least one resource; information related to at least one timer; a downlink quality metric; a default UEIBM report mode; a preferred UEIBM report mode; a UEIBM report mode A; or a UEIBM report mode B.

3. The user equipment according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode B, and wherein the at least one uplink resource is a pre-configured resource.

4. The user equipment according to any of claims 1-2, wherein the first UEIBM report mode comprises UEIBM report mode A, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: transmit, to the network node, at least one request for uplink resources for the at least one UEIBM report; and obtain, from the network node, in response to the at least one request, an indication indicating the at least one resource for the at least one UEIBM report.

5. The user equipment according to claim 2, wherein the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises at least the information related to at least one timer, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: apply the first UEIBM report mode during a time period comprised in the information related to the at least one timer.

6. The user equipment according to any preceding claim, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, information on a preferred UEIBM report mode; and obtain, from the network node, the information to determine a UEIBM report mode in response to providing the information on the preferred UEIBM report configuration.

7. The user equipment according to any preceding claim, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: switch from the first UEIBM report mode to a second UEIBM report mode based on a downlink quality metric.

8. The user equipment according to any preceding claim, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the user equipment at least to: provide, to the network node, a downlink quality metric; and in response to the downlink quality metric, obtain the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

9. A method, comprising: obtaining, from a network node, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; determining a first UEIBM report mode, based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode; and transmitting, to the network node, at least one UEIBM report on at least one uplink re- source.

10. A computer program comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method according to claim 9.

11 . A network node, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the network node at least to: provide, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and obtain at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

12. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the network node at least to: identify a need to switch UEIBM report mode of the at least one user equipment; and provide the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

13. The network node according to any of claims 11-12, wherein the information to determine a UEIBM report mode comprises at least one of: a configuration related to the at least one resource; an activation of the at least one resource; information related to at least one timer; a downlink quality metric; a default UEIBM report mode; a preferred UEIBM report mode; a UEIBM report mode A; or a UEIBM report mode B.

14. A method comprising: providing, to at least one user equipment, information to determine a user equipment initiated beam management, UEIBM, report mode; and obtaining, from the at least one user equipment, at least one UEIBM report based at least in part on the information to determine a UEIBM report mode.

15. A computer program comprising instructions causing an apparatus to perform the method of claim 14.