CN116711256A

CN116711256A - Non-serving cell state

Info

Publication number: CN116711256A
Application number: CN202280008587.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 白天阳; 周彦; 骆涛; 厉隽怿
Original assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Current assignee: Qualcomm Inc
Priority date: 2021-01-06
Filing date: 2022-01-04
Publication date: 2023-09-05

Abstract

A wireless communication device is described. The wireless communication device includes a receiver configured to receive a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status. The wireless communication device also includes a processor configured to determine a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and a received reference signal from the non-serving cell.

Description

Non-serving cell state

Cross Reference to Related Applications

The present application claims priority to U.S. application Ser. No. 17/548,051, filed on 10 12 months 2021, which claims the benefit and priority of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/134,483, filed on 6 months 2021, all of which are assigned to the assignee of the present application and all of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety as if fully set forth herein below and for all applicable purposes.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates generally to electronic devices. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to non-serving cell status.

Background

The use of electronic devices has expanded over the past few decades. In particular, advances in electronics have reduced the cost of increasingly complex and useful electronic devices. Cost reduction and consumer demand have led to a proliferation of electronic devices, making them nearly ubiquitous in modern society. As the use of electronic devices has expanded, so has the need for new functions and improved features of electronic devices. More specifically, electronic devices that perform new functions and/or perform functions faster, more efficiently, or with higher quality are often popular.

Some electronic devices (e.g., cell phones, smart phones, laptops, etc.) communicate with other electronic devices. For example, the electronic device may transmit and/or receive Radio Frequency (RF) signals for communication.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device in which one or more non-serving cell states may be utilized;

fig. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication device and an example of a base station in which techniques for one or more non-serving cell states may be implemented;

fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for one or more non-serving cell states;

fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a method for one or more non-serving cell states;

fig. 5 is a thread diagram illustrating an example of utilization of one or more non-serving cell states in accordance with some of the techniques described herein;

fig. 6 is a thread diagram illustrating another example of utilization of one or more non-serving cell states in accordance with some of the techniques described herein;

fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for one or more non-serving cell states;

Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a method for one or more non-serving cell states;

fig. 9 illustrates certain components that may be included within a wireless communication device configured to implement various examples of techniques for one or more non-serving cell states described herein; and

fig. 10 illustrates certain components that may be included within a base station configured to implement various examples of techniques described herein for one or more non-serving cell states.

Detailed Description

Some examples of the systems and methods disclosed herein relate to non-serving cell states. For example, some of the techniques described herein may provide one or more Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) states associated with one or more non-serving cells. Some of the techniques described herein may provide rules for one or more TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells (e.g., non-serving cell Reference Signals (RSs)).

Associating TCI status with non-serving cells (e.g., reference signals of non-serving cells) may enable layer one (L1) based measurement and reporting usage for non-serving cells, except for their usage for serving cells. Associating the TCI state with a non-serving cell may also enable fast handover data or control channels to TCI states of other (e.g., non-serving) cells. Finally, enhanced measurements of other (e.g., non-serving) cell beams may be achieved by associating aperiodic channel state information reference signals (AP-CSI-RS) or Tracking Reference Signals (TRS) with TCIs of other cell(s), associating TCI states with non-serving cells.

A wireless communication device is an electronic device that can communicate with another device or devices using Radio Frequency (RF) signals. Examples of wireless communication devices include smartphones, tablet devices, laptop computers, mobile devices, vehicles, autonomous vehicles, user Equipment (UE), telematics units, embedded devices, and the like. A base station is an electronic device that can communicate with one or more wireless communication devices. In some examples, a base station may provide access to a network (e.g., cellular network, local Area Network (LAN), wide Area Network (WAN), the internet, etc.) for a wireless communication device. In some examples, wireless communication devices (e.g., UEs, embedded devices, telematics units, mobile devices, etc.) and/or base stations (e.g., node bs, evolved node bs (enbs), G-node bs (gnbs), etc.) may perform and/or utilize various radio technologies like global system for mobile communications (GSM), third generation wireless (3G) (e.g., universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), code division multiple access 2000 (CDMA 2000), wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), etc.), fourth generation wireless (4G) (e.g., long Term Evolution (LTE), etc.), and/or fifth generation wireless (5G) (e.g., new Radio (NR), etc.).

As used herein, a cell may refer to a wireless communication resource. For example, a cell may refer to a geographic area in which one or more time, frequency, and/or space resources may be utilized to communicate wirelessly. A base station may correspond to and/or provide one or more cells. The serving cell may be a cell for communicating payload data (e.g., uplink and/or downlink data) with the wireless communication device. In some examples, the serving cell may be a cell in a connected mode (e.g., rrc_connected mode) or an idle mode (e.g., rrc_idle) with the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may monitor one or more channels (e.g., physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) and/or Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)) of the serving cell for payload data. The non-serving cell may be a cell that is not configured to communicate payload data with the wireless communication device. In some examples, a wireless communication device (e.g., UE) may be configured with a list of one or more non-serving cells to monitor. For example, when the wireless communication device moves out of coverage of the current serving cell, one or more non-serving cells may be candidate(s) for the next serving cell.

Some of the configurations described herein may enable layer 1 (L1) and/or layer 2 (L2) inter-cell mobility. For example, inter-cell mobility may refer to the ability of a wireless communication device to move between cells. For example, a wireless communication device may move between cells, where cell services may be switched between cells (switch) or switched (hand off). As used herein, the term "layer" and variants thereof may refer to one or more protocol layers in some examples. For example, L1 may refer to the Physical (PHY) layer of the protocol stack, L2 may refer to the Medium Access Control (MAC) layer of the protocol stack, and/or layer 3 (L3) may refer to the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer of the protocol stack. In some examples, one or more other layers may be included in L1, L2, and/or L3. For example, L2 may include a Radio Link Control (RLC) protocol, a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), and/or a MAC protocol.

In some approaches, inter-cell mobility is handled at L3 (e.g., RRC layer). Implementing inter-cell mobility at L1 and/or L2 may improve inter-cell mobility performance. For example, handling inter-cell mobility at L1 and/or L2 may enable handover to be completed faster (e.g., with less latency and/or delay).

The TCI state may be a set of information that may be utilized to perform communications with one or more cells. In some examples, the TCI state may include Reference Signal (RS) information (e.g., reference signal measurements, reference signal indicators, etc.). The reference signal may be a signal transmitted from a base station. Examples of reference signals may include channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS), tracking Reference Signals (TRS), and/or Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSB), among others. In some examples, the reference signal may be utilized to determine one or more parameters for communication. For example, the reference signal may be utilized to determine RSS, channel Quality Indicator (CQI), precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI), and/or Rank Indicator (RI) for reporting to the base station. RSS, CQI, PMI and/or RI may be utilized to determine one or more aspects (e.g., transmit power, precoding, and/or number of antennas utilized, etc.) for the communication link.

In some approaches, the TCI state may be associated with only one or more serving cell beams and/or serving cell reference signals. In some examples of the techniques described herein, one or more non-serving cell reference signals may be associated with one or more TCI states for measurement and/or reporting to one or more non-serving cells. One or more benefits may be realized by associating a TCI state with one or more non-serving cell reference signals. In some examples, associating the TCI state with one or more non-serving cell reference signals may enable L1-based measurements and/or reporting for non-serving cells. In some examples, associating the TCI state with one or more non-serving cell reference signals may enable support of handover data (e.g., fast handover data) and/or one or more control channels for non-serving cell(s) (e.g., other cell beam (s)) in the one or more TCI states. In some examples, enhanced measurements for one or more non-serving cell beams may be supported by associating reference signal(s) (e.g., aperiodic CSI-RS (AP-CSI-RS), TRS, etc.) with one or more TCI states.

In some examples, the TCI state may be configured to support association with one or more non-serving cell reference signals. For example, TCI state content may be modified to include information for one or more non-serving cell reference signals. In some examples, a procedure for activating and/or updating one or more TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cell reference signals may be modified. For example, application time(s) may be established for activation and/or updating of TCI state(s) of non-serving cell reference signal(s).

Various configurations are now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals may or may not indicate functionally similar elements. The systems and methods as generally described and illustrated in the figures herein can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of several configurations, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the claims, but is merely representative of systems and methods.

Introduction to wireless communication networks

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a wireless communication device 102 in which one or more non-serving cell states may be utilized. The wireless communication device 102 may be an example of the wireless communication device 202 described with respect to fig. 2. Also shown in fig. 1 is a first base station 112. The first base station 112 may be a Radio Access Network (RAN), or may be included in a RAN. In some examples, the first base station 112 may be an example of the base station 226 described with respect to fig. 2. A second base station 128 is also shown. In this example, the wireless communication device 102 communicates with a first base station 112. For example, the first base station 112 transmits one or more signals to the wireless communication device 102 on the first channel 122. In some examples, the first base station 112 may provide a serving cell. For example, the wireless communication device 102 can communicate payload data with the first base station 112 (e.g., send payload data to the first base station 112 and/or receive payload data from the first base station 112). In some examples, the wireless communication device 102 may be in a connected mode with the first base station 112.

In some examples, the first base station 112 may send a message to the wireless communication device 102 indicating the TCI state. For example, the first base station 112 can send a message to the wireless communication device 102 to configure one or more TCI states. In some approaches, the message may be a TCI state Information Element (IE). In some examples, the message may include and/or indicate a non-serving cell identifier. The non-serving cell identifier may be information identifying the non-serving cell and/or enabling identification of the non-serving cell. In some examples, the first base station 112 may transmit a reference signal (e.g., a serving cell reference signal).

In some examples, the second base station 128 may transmit one or more reference signals to the wireless communication device 102. For example, the second base station 128 may transmit one or more non-serving cell reference signals to the wireless communication device 102 via the second channel 124.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 102 may determine the TCI state based on the message and a reference signal received from the second base station 128 (e.g., a non-serving cell). The wireless communication device 102 may utilize the received reference signal to determine one or more values of the TCI state. For example, the wireless communication device 102 can set one or more values of the TCI state based on a reference signal received from a non-serving cell. Examples of one or more values of TCI state may include CSI-RS values (e.g., non-zero power CSI-RS (NZP-CSI-RS-resource id)), SSB values (e.g., SSB-Index), and so forth. In some cases, TCI status may be utilized to report and/or switch. For example, the wireless communication device 102 can report one or more parameters (e.g., RSS, CQI, PMI, RI, etc.) to the first base station 112 based on the non-serving cell reference signal and/or can switch to the second base station 128, which can switch to providing a serving cell for the wireless communication device 102.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of an example of a wireless communication device 202 and an example of a base station 226 in which techniques for one or more non-serving cell states may be implemented. The wireless communication device 202 is a device or apparatus for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. Examples of wireless communication devices 202 include UEs, smartphones, tablet devices, computing devices, computers (e.g., desktop computers, laptop computers, etc.), televisions, cameras, virtual reality devices (e.g., headsets), telematics units, embedded devices (e.g., telematics units embedded in vehicles), vehicles (e.g., semi-autonomous vehicles, etc.), robots, planes, drones, unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), medical devices, game consoles, internet of things (IoT) devices, etc. The wireless communication device 202 includes one or more components or elements. One or more of the components or elements (e.g., TCI state determination controller 208) may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuitry) or a combination of hardware and instructions (e.g., a processor with software and/or firmware stored in memory).

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 includes one or more antennas 204, a transceiver 206, and/or a processor 210. In some examples, wireless communication device 202 includes one or more components and/or elements not shown in fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device 202 may include an RF Front End (RFE), switch(s), filter(s), power amplifier(s), down converter(s), up converter(s), memory and/or display (e.g., touch screen), etc.

Transceiver 206 may be configured to transmit and/or receive one or more signals to/from one or more other devices (e.g., base station 226), other base station(s), serving cell(s), non-serving cell(s), etc. For example, the base station 226 may transmit one or more signals to the wireless communication device 202 and/or receive one or more signals from the wireless communication device 202 using the one or more antennas 214. Transceiver 206 may include a transmitter (e.g., for transmitting signal (s)) and/or a receiver (e.g., for receiving signal (s)). In some examples, transceiver 206 may be coupled to antenna(s) 204 for transmitting and/or receiving signals. Transceiver 206 may be circuitry configured to perform one or more functions. For example, transceiver 206 may include one or more integrated circuits with circuit components (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For example, transceiver 206 may include one or more power amplifiers, switches (e.g., for antenna port switching), filters, low noise amplifiers, and the like. Antenna(s) 204 may radiate one or more signals (e.g., electromagnetic signals, RF signals, wireless signals, etc.) provided by transceiver 206. In some examples, antenna(s) 204 may be utilized to receive one or more signals (e.g., message(s) to indicate TCI state(s), configuration signals, etc.) from another one or more devices (e.g., base station 226). For example, antenna(s) 204 may provide received signals to transceiver 206 of wireless communication device 202.

The processor 210 may be hardware (e.g., circuitry, transistors, etc.) for performing one or more operations. In some examples, processor 210 may be one or more modems (e.g., modem processors) for performing operations (e.g., modulating, encoding, pre-encoding, formatting, demodulating, decoding, etc.). For example, the processor 210 may perform one or more operations on one or more signals and provide the signal(s) to the transceiver 206 for transmission. In some examples, the processor 210 may control one or more aspects of the operation of the transceiver 206. For example, the processor 210 may control antenna port switching, antenna weighting (e.g., phase weighting and/or gain weighting), etc., to enable transmission and/or reception on one or more carrier, beam, stream, and/or multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) layers. In some examples, processor 210 may perform one or more operations on signals received from a receiver. For example, processor 210 may perform demodulation, detection, decoding, etc., and/or may convert signal(s) or portions of signal(s) into data (e.g., bits).

In some examples, processor 210 executes instructions to perform one or more functions. In some examples, processor 210 includes one or more functions structurally implemented as hardware (e.g., circuitry). In some examples, processor 210 includes a baseband processor, a modem processor, an application processor, and/or any combination thereof. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 and/or the processor 210 may be configured to perform one or more of the methods 300, 700, and/or one or more portions of the method(s), function(s), and/or operation(s) described with respect to one or more of the figures. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 and/or the processor 210 include one or more of the components and/or elements described with respect to one or more of the figures.

Base station 226 is a device or means for transmitting and/or receiving RF signals. Examples of base stations 226 include nodes B, eNB, gNB, cellular towers, access points, gateways, wireless routers, and the like. Base station 226 includes one or more components or elements. One or more of the components or elements (e.g., base station TCI state configuration controller 218) may be implemented in hardware (e.g., circuitry) or a combination of hardware and instructions (e.g., a processor with software and/or firmware stored in memory).

In some examples, the base station 226 includes one or more antennas 214, a base station transceiver 216, and/or a base station processor 220. In some examples, base station 226 includes one or more components and/or elements not shown in fig. 2. For example, the base station 226 may include RF Front End (RFE), switch(s), filter(s), power amplifier(s), down converter(s), up converter(s), memory and/or display, and the like.

The base transceiver station 216 may be configured to transmit and/or receive one or more signals to/from one or more other devices (e.g., the wireless communication device 202 and/or one or more other wireless communication devices). For example, the base station 226 may utilize one or more antennas 214 to transmit one or more signals to the wireless communication device 202 and/or to receive one or more signals from the wireless communication device 202. Base transceiver station 216 may include a transmitter (e.g., for transmitting signal (s)) and/or a receiver (e.g., for receiving signal (s)). In some examples, the base transceiver site 216 may be coupled to an antenna 214 for transmitting and/or receiving signals. Base transceiver station 216 may be circuitry configured to perform one or more functions. For example, the base transceiver site 216 may include one or more integrated circuits having circuit components (e.g., transistors, resistors, capacitors, etc.). For example, the base transceiver site 216 may include one or more power amplifiers, switches (e.g., for antenna port switching), filters, low noise amplifiers, and the like. Antenna(s) 214 may radiate one or more signals (e.g., electromagnetic signals, RF signals, wireless signals, reference signal(s), message(s) indicating TCI state(s), etc.) provided by base station transceiver 216. In some examples, antenna(s) 214 may be used to receive one or more signals (e.g., RSS, CQI, RI, PMI, etc.) from another one or more devices (e.g., wireless communication device 202). For example, antenna(s) 214 may provide received signals to base transceiver station 216 of base station 226.

The base station processor 220 may be hardware (e.g., circuitry, transistors, etc.) for performing one or more operations. In some examples, the base station processor 220 may be one or more modems (e.g., modem processors) for performing operations (e.g., modulating, encoding, pre-encoding, formatting, demodulating, decoding, etc.). For example, the base station processor 220 may perform one or more operations on one or more signals and provide the signal(s) to the base station transceiver 216 for transmission. In some examples, the base station processor 220 may control one or more aspects of the operation of the base station transceiver 216. For example, the base station processor 220 may control antenna port switching, antenna weighting (e.g., phase weighting and/or gain weighting), etc., to enable transmission and/or reception on one or more carrier, beam, stream, and/or MIMO layers. In some examples, the base station processor 220 may perform one or more operations on signals received from the receiver. For example, the base station processor 220 may perform demodulation, detection, decoding, etc., and/or may convert signal(s) or portions of signal(s) into data (e.g., bits).

In some examples, the base station processor 220 executes instructions to perform one or more functions. In some examples, the base station processor 220 includes one or more functions structurally implemented as hardware (e.g., circuitry). In some examples, the base station processor 220 includes a baseband processor, a modem processor, an application processor, and/or any combination thereof. In some examples, base station 226 and/or base station processor 220 may be configured to perform one or more of method 400, method 800, and/or one or more of the method(s), function(s), and/or operation(s) described with respect to one or more of the figures. In some examples, base station 226 and/or base station processor 220 includes one or more of the components and/or elements described in relation to one or more of the figures.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202, the processor 210, the transceiver 206, the base station 226, the base station processor 220, and/or the base station transceiver 216 may implement one or more aspects of one or more specifications (e.g., third generation partnership project (3 GPP) release 25, 3GPP release 26, fifth generation (5G), new Radio (NR), and/or Long Term Evolution (LTE), etc.). In some examples, wireless communication device 202 transmits signals to and/or receives signals from one or more base stations (e.g., base station 226). For example, the wireless communication device 202 may transmit signals to and/or receive signals from one or more RAN, eNB, gNB, cellular networks, etc., and/or one or more RAN, eNB, gNB, cellular networks, etc. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 also communicates with one or more Radio Access Technologies (RATs) (e.g., cellular network, wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), wi-Fi network, personal Area Network (PAN), bluetooth, etc.).

In some examples, the base station 226 (e.g., base station processor 220 and/or base station TCI state configuration controller 218) may be configured to determine a configuration for one or more TCI states. For example, the base station 226 can determine one or more cells (e.g., serving cell(s) and/or non-serving cell (s)) for monitoring by the wireless communication device 202, one or more non-serving cell identifiers, one or more resources (e.g., time and/or frequency resources for non-serving cell monitoring, such as bandwidth portion (BWP)), quasi co-location (QCL) type(s) (e.g., type a, type B, type C, type D, etc.) corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells. The QCL type may indicate a relationship between the TCI state and the reference signal. For example, QCL type a may indicate a sharing factor (e.g., doppler shift, doppler spread, delay, and/or delay spread) between the reference signal and TCI state. Other QCL types may indicate fewer sharing factors (e.g., type B may indicate shared doppler shift and doppler spread, type C may indicate shared delay and doppler shift, and/or type D may indicate shared acceptance angle and/or spatial filter). For example, the QCL type may indicate a relationship between the non-serving cell reference signal and the associated TCI state.

In some examples, base station 226 may determine a configuration for the TCI state based on one or more communications with one or more base stations (e.g., nearby base stations, neighboring base stations, etc.) and/or data regarding one or more base stations (e.g., nearby base station(s), neighboring base station(s), etc.). For example, base station 226 may communicate with one or more other base stations (not shown in fig. 2) to determine resources (e.g., time and/or frequency resources, BWP, etc.) on which the other base station(s) transmit the reference signal(s). In some examples, base station 226 may communicate with base station(s) using one or more wired and/or wireless links (e.g., backhaul link (s)). In some approaches, the base station 226 may communicate with one or more other base stations to determine one or more non-serving cell identifiers for monitoring. In some examples, the information used to determine the configuration for the TCI state may be previously stored and/or based on input received from a user.

In some examples, base station 226 may include a transmitter configured to transmit a message indicating the TCI state. For example, the base station 226 may send a message to the wireless communication device 202 indicating the determined configuration for the TCI state. The message may be used (e.g., by the wireless communication device 202) to determine the TCI state based on the one or more non-serving cell identifiers and one or more reference signals from the one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, the base station 226 may provide a serving cell for the wireless communication device 202 and/or a non-serving cell for the wireless communication device 202 and/or one or more other wireless communication devices (not shown in fig. 2). In some examples, another base station (not shown in fig. 2) may provide a non-serving cell and/or a serving cell for wireless communication device 202.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 may include a receiver configured to receive a message indicating a TCI state. For example, transceiver 206 may receive a message indicating a TCI state. The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208) may be configured to determine the TCI state based on the message, one or more non-serving cell identifiers, and/or one or more received reference signals from non-serving cells. For example, the wireless communication device 202 can utilize the received message to identify and/or monitor one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, the non-serving cell identifier(s) may be included in the message and/or the message may indicate one or more non-serving cells (e.g., an indicator and/or list of non-serving cells) for monitoring. The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., antenna(s) 204 and/or transceiver 206) can monitor for and/or receive one or more reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS, TRS, SSB, etc.) from one or more non-serving cells indicated by one or more non-serving cell identifiers (e.g., CSI-RS, TRS, SSB, etc.). In some examples, the received reference signal(s) may be one or more CSI-RS, one or more SSBs, and/or one or more TRSs, etc. In some examples, the one or more received reference signals from the one or more non-serving cells may be one or more source reference signals of QCL information (e.g., QCL-info) for determining and/or defining the TCI state(s). For example, the source reference signal may be a reference signal for QCL information defining TCI state. In some examples, determining the TCI state may include determining and/or defining QCL information for the TCI state based on a received reference signal (e.g., from a non-serving cell). The reference signal (e.g., source reference signal) may be represented as an attribute of the TCI state. For example, the TCI state may include an attribute "reference signal" that may be utilized to represent a received reference signal (e.g., a source reference signal).

In some approaches, the TCI state information element is limited to source reference signals from the same serving cell. In some examples of the techniques described herein, to allow a TCI state to be associated with one or more non-serving cell reference signals, the TCI state (e.g., TCI information element) may include one or more non-serving cell identifiers. For example, the TCI state may include one or more non-serving cell identifiers.

In some examples, the TCI status information element may include serving cell and/or non-serving cell identifier information. For example, the TCI state may include QCL information. In some approaches, the QCL information of the TCI state corresponds to non-serving cell information without serving cell information. For example, all QCL information in a TCI state information element may use reference signals from the same non-serving cell.

In some approaches, the QCL information of the TCI state corresponds to one or more non-serving cell identifiers. For example, the TCI state may non-exclusively include QCL information corresponding to the non-serving cell identifier(s) (e.g., may also include QCL information corresponding to the serving cell identifier (s)). In some examples, non-serving cell identifier information may be included in QCL information (e.g., per QCL-info). In some approaches, the non-serving cell identifier may be an attribute of the QCL information. For example, the non-serving cell identifier attribute may be included within QCL information (e.g., QCL-Info parameters). In some approaches, the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of a reference signal attribute (e.g., "reference signal") of the QCL information (e.g., in a QCL-Info attribute or parameter). For example, the QCL-Info parameters may include cell attributes, BWP identifier attributes, reference signal attributes, and/or QCL type attributes. The reference signal attributes may include CSI-RS attributes and/or SSB attributes. The non-serving cell identifier may be included within a CSI-RS (e.g., CSI-RS attribute) and/or an SSB (e.g., SSB attribute) (e.g., an attribute that is a reference signal attribute). In some approaches, the QCL type of the QCL information indicates that the received reference signal corresponds to a non-serving cell. For example, a QCL type (e.g., type E) may be utilized to indicate that the reference signal is from a non-serving cell.

List (1) is an example of a TCI state information element. In some of the approaches described herein, one or more non-serving cell identifiers may be incorporated into the TCI state information element as one or more attributes and/or sub-attributes. For example, non-serving cell identifier attributes (and/or attributes of attributes) may be added to the TCI state and/or may replace the attributes (and/or attributes of attributes) of the example of TCI state shown in list (1).

List (1)

Example non-serving cell State

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., transceiver 206, transmitter, etc.) may be configured to send a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities. In some examples, the base station 226 (e.g., base station transceiver 216, receiver, etc.) may be configured to receive a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities. TCI state capabilities may be information indicating one or more capabilities of the wireless communication device 202 to process one or more TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells. For example, the wireless communication device 202 may have the capability to manage (e.g., monitor, maintain, record, report, etc.) one or more TCI states for one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, capabilities may be represented as categories, where each category may establish a minimum and/or maximum number of one or more capabilities supported for that category. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) may report the capability(s) to the base station 226 (e.g., gNB).

In some examples, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of TCI states for serving and non-serving cells. For example, the wireless communication device 202 may report a maximum number of TCI states, including any TCI state(s) for the serving cell(s) and non-serving cell(s).

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 may report TCI status capabilities of the non-serving cell. For example, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of TCI states for non-serving cells. For example, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum total number of TCI states for all non-serving cell(s). In one example, the wireless communication device 202 may be capable of supporting up to 64 TCI states in total for all non-serving cells.

In some examples, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell. For example, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell. In one example, the wireless communication device 202 may be capable of supporting up to 8 TCI states per non-serving cell.

In some examples, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of non-serving cells having reference signals configured for TCI state association. Non-serving cells may be identified, for example, by their Physical Cell ID (PCI). Thus, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of PCIs associated with the active TCI state that are different from the serving cell PCIs. For example, the TCI state capability may indicate a maximum number of non-serving cells with corresponding reference signals configured for the TCI state. In one example, the wireless communication device 202 may be capable of supporting up to 8 non-serving cells with reference signals for one or more TCI states. In another example, the wireless communication device 202 may be capable of supporting one PCI that is different from the serving cell PCI with a corresponding reference signal configured for an active TCI state.

In some examples, separate number spaces (e.g., different ranges of values) may be utilized for one or more TCI states associated with the serving cell reference signal(s) and TCI states associated with the non-serving cell reference signal(s). For example, each TCI state may have an associated TCI state identifier. The first TCI state identifier number space for the serving cell may be separate from the second TCI state identifier number space for the non-serving cell. In some approaches, the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell reference signal(s) may follow different update and/or activation rules and/or may be subject to different capability constraints. The TCI state(s) associated with the non-serving cell reference signal(s) may be numbered using a TCI state identifier space separate from the TCI state(s) of the serving cell reference signal(s). For example, the TCI state of the serving cell reference signal may be numbered with a TCI state identifier in the range of 0-63, and the TCI state of the non-serving cell may be numbered with a TCI state identifier in the range of 64-127.

In some examples, the TCI state identifier number space may be shared for one or more serving cells and/or one or more non-serving cells. For example, all TCI state identifiers may share the same number space.

In some examples, the one or more restrictions may be imposed on a reference signal (e.g., a source reference signal) used for monitoring. For example, the wireless communication device 202 may monitor a limited and/or restricted set of reference signals. In some examples, the set of monitoring reference signals may be a set of reference signals that may be used to determine TCI status. For example, only one reference signal or multiple reference signals in the monitored reference signal set may be used as source reference(s) for the TCI state. For example, the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to one or more non-serving cells may be based on a frequency range of the serving cell reference signal(s) and/or wireless communication device capabilities. In some approaches, one or more restrictions may be utilized based on BWP and/or frequency location of the non-serving cell reference signal(s). For example, reference signals within the same frequency range (e.g., BWP and/or frequency location (s)) of the serving cell reference signal(s) may be used as non-serving cell reference signal(s) based on wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) capabilities. Intra-frequency monitoring for non-serving cells may refer to a monitored set of one or more non-serving cell reference information included within a frequency range (e.g., BWP) that includes one or more serving cell reference signals.

In some examples, the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells may include one or more reference signals outside of (e.g., not included within) a frequency range that includes the one or more serving cell reference signals. Inter-frequency monitoring for non-serving cells may refer to a monitored set of one or more non-serving cell reference information outside of a frequency range (e.g., BWP) that includes one or more serving cell reference signals. In some examples, intra-frequency monitoring may be supported by a lower wireless communication device capability class than a wireless communication device capability class that supports inter-frequency monitoring.

In some examples, the set of monitoring reference signals for sub-layer 3 mobility corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells may be based on the received set of reference signal identifiers. For example, the base station 226 may transmit and/or the wireless communication device 202 may receive a set of reference signal identifiers. The reference signal identifier set may be sent in a message for layer 3 (L3) monitoring, but may be recreated for sub-layer 3 (e.g., L1 and/or L2) mobility. In some approaches, the wireless communication device may monitor reference signals of other cells. For example, an information element (e.g., measObjectNR) may indicate a configuration of reference signal measurements for other cells. An information element (e.g., referenceSignalConfig) may provide a list of SSBs and/or CSI-RSs that may be measured by the wireless communication device. In some examples of the techniques described herein, not all non-serving cell reference signals may be configured as source references for TCI states. For example, the eligible non-serving cell reference signals may include non-serving cell reference signals configured in a set (e.g., list) of monitoring reference signals. An example of a set of monitoring reference signals may include an information element ReferenceSignalConfig from a serving cell (e.g., base station 226). In an example, assume that the serving cell is cell 0 and SSB1 for cell 2 is configured in a list in the ReferenceSignalConfig. SSB1 of cell 2 may be used as a source reference signal for the TCI state in cell 0. For example, the TCI state (TCI 1) associated with a non-serving cell may be defined using SSB1 of cell 2 as a source reference signal.

In some examples, the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to one or more non-serving cells may be based on a serving cell TCI state. For example, the set of monitoring reference signals may include one or more non-serving cell reference signals that are target reference signals for a serving cell TCI state. The target reference signal may be a reference signal corresponding to a non-serving cell targeted for potential handover. In an example, in cell 0, CSI-RS0 may be defined using TCI1 (e.g., CSI-RS0 may be a target reference signal for TCI 1). Thus, CSI-RS0 may be used as a source reference signal for TCI status associated with non-serving cells.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208, etc.) may be configured to select a reference signal (e.g., a source reference signal) from a qualified set of reference signals. For example, in some approaches, the source reference signal of the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell may be selected from only the qualified reference signal set. The qualified reference signal set may be a reference signal set from which the source reference signal may be selected. In some cases, the qualified reference signal set may be different, similar, or the same as the monitored reference signal set. For example, there may be cases where: wherein the wireless communication device 202 can monitor one or more inter-frequency reference signals (e.g., a reference signal set comprising one or more reference signals outside of the frequency range of one or more serving cell reference signals), while only intra-frequency reference signals (e.g., reference signals within the frequency range of one or more serving cell reference signals) can be selected and/or used as source reference signals.

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208, etc.) may be configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals. In some approaches, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208, etc.) may be configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on the monitored set of reference signals. For example, the qualified reference signal set may be a monitored reference signal set, which may be determined as described above.

In some approaches, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208, etc.) may be configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on the frequency range of the serving cell reference signals and/or the wireless communication device capabilities. For example, the qualified set may be limited based on BWP and/or frequency location of the non-serving cell reference signal(s). For example, reference signals within the same frequency range (e.g., BWP and/or frequency location (s)) of the serving cell reference signal(s) may be used as qualified non-serving cell reference signal(s) based on wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) capabilities. A qualified set of reference signals (e.g., one or more non-serving cell reference signals) may be determined as non-serving cell reference signals (e.g., intra-frequency reference signals) included within a frequency range (e.g., BWP) that includes the one or more serving cell reference signals.

In some examples, the qualified set of reference signals may be determined to include one or more non-serving cell reference signals (e.g., inter-frequency reference signals) that are outside of (e.g., not included in) a frequency range that includes one or more serving cell reference signals. The qualified reference signal set may include inter-frequency reference signal(s) and/or intra-frequency reference signal(s) corresponding to one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, the qualified reference signal set may include one or more non-serving cell reference signals outside of a frequency range (e.g., BWP) that includes the one or more serving cell reference signals. In some examples, the qualified inter-frequency reference signal set(s) may be supported by a lower wireless communication device capability class than a wireless communication device capability class that supports the qualified inter-frequency reference signal set(s) (e.g., with or without the intra-frequency reference signal (s)).

In some examples, a set of eligible reference signals for sub-layer 3 mobility corresponding to one or more non-serving cells may be determined based on a set of received reference signal identifiers. For example, the base station 226 may transmit and/or the wireless communication device 202 may receive a set of reference signal identifiers. The reference signal identifier set may be sent in a message for layer 3 (L3) monitoring, but may be recreated for sub-layer 3 (e.g., L1 and/or L2) mobility. For example, the qualified reference signal set may be determined based on (e.g., selected from) one or more information elements (e.g., measObjectNR and/or ReferenceSignalConfig) that may indicate a configuration of reference signal measurements for other cells and/or may provide a list of SSBs and/or CSI-RSs that may be measured by the wireless communication device. For example, the eligible non-serving cell reference signals may include non-serving cell reference signals configured by an information element (e.g., list). Examples of qualified reference signal sets may include an information element, referenceSignalConfig, from a serving cell (e.g., base station 226).

In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210 and/or the TCI state determination controller 208, etc.) may be configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals (e.g., corresponding to one or more non-serving cells) based on the serving cell TCI state. For example, the qualified reference signal set may be determined to include one or more non-serving cell reference signals that are target reference signals for the serving cell TCI state. In some examples, the eligible reference signal set may be determined based on whether the reference signal of the non-serving cell is quasi co-located with the serving cell TCI state.

As a wireless communication device (e.g., UE) moves, the wireless communication device may use different beams from different base stations (e.g., gnbs). In some examples, the base station and/or the wireless communication device may update the TCI state accordingly. For the TCI state of the serving cell reference signal, the RRC configuration of the TCI state may be updated. In some approaches, downlink Control Information (DCI) may be utilized to update the contents of the TCI state. In some approaches, a Medium Access Control (MAC) control element (MAC-CE) may be utilized to activate and/or select TCI states for PDSCH and/or PDCCH.

In some approaches for updating the TCI state for non-serving cells, DCI and/or MAC-CE may be utilized. The use of DCI and/or MAC-CE may reduce latency. As described herein, the base station 226 can transmit and/or the wireless communication device 202 can receive a message indicating a TCI state that can be associated with a non-serving cell. In some examples, the message may be a DCI message (for activating and/or updating TCI status for one or more non-serving cells). The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., processor 210) may be configured to determine an Acknowledgement (ACK) in response to the DCI message. The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., transceiver 206) may send an ACK to the base station 226 in response to the DCI message. For example, for DCI-based updating and/or activation, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) may send an ACK for the DCI to acknowledge receipt.

In some examples, the message may be a MAC-CE message. For example, the base station 226 may transmit and/or the wireless communication device 202 may receive MAC-CE messages to update and/or activate TCI states associated with non-serving cells. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) may utilize RRC-based reconfiguration if MAC-CE and/or DCI based signaling is not supported to update and/or activate TCI states associated with non-serving cells. For example, the base station 226 can transmit and/or the wireless communication device 202 can receive an RRC message to update and/or activate the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell.

In some examples, updating the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell reference signal may follow one or more procedures. For example, the message may indicate a handover in reference signal association between reference signals (e.g., between monitored reference signals and/or to a qualified reference signal). The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210) may be configured to switch reference signal associations between monitored reference signals (e.g., to switch a source reference signal of a TCI state to another reference signal). For example, the message may indicate that the associated reference signal is changed from RS1 to RS2, where both RS1 and RS2 are configured in the monitored reference signal set (e.g., by a reference signalconfiguration or list indicated by a reference signalconfiguration). In some examples, the message may indicate that the monitored reference signal (and/or the qualifying reference signal) is added, and that the reference signal is relatedly switched (e.g., the source reference signal is switched) to the added monitored reference signal (and/or the qualifying reference signal). The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., transceiver 206, receiver, etc.) may be configured to receive signaling (e.g., a message sent from a base station 226 (such as base station 226)) for indicating a reference signal handoff (e.g., a handoff to a source reference signal). The wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the processor 210) may be configured to add a monitored reference signal and to switch the reference signal (e.g., a switch source reference signal) association to the added monitored reference signal. For example, the updating may include changing the associated reference signal from RS1 to RS2, where RS2 is not already in the monitored reference signal set, and the monitored reference signal set (e.g., measObjectNR in RRC) may be updated to include RS2 first.

The monitored set of reference signals may include all reference signals that the base station 226 (e.g., the gNB) configures the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., the UE) to monitor. In some examples, MAC-CE and/or DCI based signaling may be utilized to update non-serving cell reference signal measurement configurations (e.g., monitored reference signal sets). In some examples, the monitored reference signal set (e.g., measObject) and the TCI state configuration may be updated with a single message (e.g., update signaling indicated by a MAC-CE message or DCI message). In some approaches, updating MeasObjectNR is performed via RRC reconfiguration.

In some examples, the activation signaling may include one or a combination of DCI, MAC-CE, and/or RRC signaling. In some examples, the update signaling may include one or a combination of DCI, MAC-CE, and/or RRC signaling. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) may report the capability to support its signaling and/or signaling combinations. For DCI and/or MAC-CE based TCI update and/or activation, a wireless communication device (e.g., UE) may send an ACK for DCI to a base station 226 (e.g., gNB).

In some examples, the update and/or activation may take effect after the application time. The application time may be a period of time allocated for the wireless communication device to activate and/or update a configuration (e.g., TCI state configuration). In some examples, the application time is a period from a time when signaling to indicate an update is received to a time when the update is effective. In some examples, the application time may be a "beam application time" for the wireless communication device to activate and/or update a configuration for one or more beams.

In accordance with the techniques described herein, one or more methods may be utilized for application time. In some examples, the application time for the non-serving cell beam may be configured by the base station. For example, the beam application time may be configured by the base station 226 (e.g., the gNB) based on the wireless communication device 202 capabilities. For example, the wireless communication device 202 capabilities may be supported for a minimum of beam application time.

In some examples, the application time for the non-serving cell beam may be configured by the base station to be greater than or equal to a fixed minimum application time. For example, the beam application time may be configured by the base station 226 (e.g., gNB), where the minimum value of the beam application time is fixed and/or predefined.

In some examples, the application time for the non-serving cell beam is fixed. For example, the beam application time may be fixed and/or predefined.

In some examples, a first application time for a non-serving cell (e.g., a non-serving cell beam) may be separate from a second application for a serving cell. For example, the application time for the wireless communication device 202 to apply updates and/or activations of the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell may be different from the application time for the TCI state associated with the serving cell. In some examples, the wireless communication device 202 (e.g., UE) may report two separate capabilities (e.g., a capability for application time for non-serving cell(s) and a capability for application time for serving cell (s)) to the base station 226. In some examples, the base station 226 (e.g., the gNB) may indicate two separate application times (e.g., a first application time for the non-serving cell(s) and a second application time for the serving cell (s)) to the wireless communication device 202. For example, the application time for the serving cell(s) may be 3 milliseconds, and/or the application time for the non-serving cell(s) may be the same amount of time or longer (e.g., 5ms fixed time), or may be based on one or more SSB measurement timing configuration (SMTC (s)). In some configurations, other examples of application times may be used (e.g., in a range such as 0.5ms to 20 ms). In some examples, the specification (e.g., 3GPP specifications) may be modified to specify separate values for the non-serving cell(s) and the application time of the serving cell(s). In some examples, the application time of the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell may depend on SMTC. For example, the application time for the non-serving cell(s) may vary with varying SMTC.

Fig. 3 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 300 for one or more non-serving cell states. In some examples, the method 300 is performed by a wireless communication device (e.g., the wireless communication device 202 described with respect to fig. 2).

The wireless communication device may receive 302 a message indicating a TCI state. In some examples, receiving 302 the message may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. In some examples, the message may indicate one or more non-serving cell identifiers and/or resources to monitor to determine the TCI state.

The wireless communication device may receive 304 a reference signal from a non-serving cell. In some examples, receiving 304 the reference signal may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device may monitor resources (e.g., time and/or frequency resource(s), BWP(s), etc., which may be indicated by a message indicating TCI status) to receive 304 one or more reference signals from one or more non-serving cells (e.g., base station (s)).

The wireless communication device may determine 306 a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and/or a received reference signal from the non-serving cell. In some examples, determining 306 the TCI state may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device may utilize one or more received reference signals from one or more non-serving cells to determine one or more values (e.g., channel state measurements, channel State Information (CSI), SSB, CQI, PMI, and/or RI, etc.). These values may be measured and/or stored to determine the TCI state.

In some examples, the wireless communication device may perform one or more operations with the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell(s). For example, the wireless communication device may report one or more of the values of TCI status associated with one or more non-serving cells. For example, the wireless communication device can transmit and/or indicate one or more values to a base station (e.g., serving cell), wherein the one or more values are determined based on monitoring one or more reference signals from one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells may be utilized for one or more mobility (e.g., handover) procedures. For example, the wireless communication device may select, instruct, and/or communicate with the non-serving cell to convert the non-serving cell to a serving cell for the wireless communication device. For example, the wireless communication device may select the non-serving cell with the best TCI state value for handover. The wireless communication device may send a request to the non-serving cell for connection to (e.g., enter a connected mode) and/or receive service from the non-serving cell. In some examples, one or more of the mobility procedure(s) may be performed at L1 and/or L2 (e.g., sub-L3).

Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a method 400 for one or more non-serving cell states. In some examples, the method 400 is performed by a base station (e.g., the base station 226 described with respect to fig. 2).

The base station may determine 402 a configuration for a TCI state (e.g., TCI state associated with one or more non-serving cells). In some examples, determining 402 a configuration for the TCI state may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The base station may send 404 a message indicating the TCI state, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from the non-serving cell. In some examples, sending 404 the message may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. In some examples, the message may include and/or indicate one or more non-serving cell identifiers.

In some examples, the base station may perform one or more operations based on the TCI state associated with the non-serving cell(s). For example, the base station may receive a report of one or more of the values of TCI status associated with one or more non-serving cells. For example, the base station may receive one or more values from the wireless communication device and/or receive an indication of the one or more values, wherein the one or more values are determined based on monitoring one or more reference signals from one or more non-serving cells. In some examples, TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells may be utilized for one or more mobility (e.g., handover) procedures. For example, a base station may communicate with a wireless communication device for one or more mobility procedures. For example, the wireless communication device may switch to another cell (e.g., a non-serving cell or base station) having the best TCI state value for the switch. In some examples, one or more of the mobility procedure(s) may be performed at L1 and/or L2 (e.g., sub-L3).

Fig. 5 is a thread diagram illustrating an example of utilization of one or more non-serving cell states in accordance with some of the techniques described herein. Fig. 5 illustrates a wireless communication device 532. The wireless communication device 532 may be an example of the wireless communication device 202 described with respect to fig. 2. Fig. 5 also shows a serving cell 530. The serving cell 530 may be provided by a base station (e.g., base station 226 or another base station described with respect to fig. 2). Fig. 5 also shows a non-serving cell 534. The non-serving cell 534 may be provided by a base station (e.g., base station 226 or another base station described with respect to fig. 2). In some examples, one or more of the functions and/or operations described with respect to fig. 5 may be performed as described with respect to one or more of fig. 1-4.

In this example, the serving cell 530 sends a TCI status message 536 to the wireless communication device 532. For example, TCI status message 536 may indicate a TCI status associated with one or more non-serving cells (e.g., non-serving cell 534). In some examples, TCI status message 536 may be sent as a DCI message, a MAC-CE message, and/or an RRC message. In some approaches, the DCI message and/or the MAC-CE message may be a sub-layer 3 message. In some examples, the TCI status message 536 may indicate one or more non-serving cell identifiers for reference signal monitoring and/or one or more resources for reference signal monitoring. Upon receiving the TCI status message 536, the wireless communication device 532 may update and/or activate (e.g., configure) the TCI status during the application time.

The serving cell 530 may transmit a serving cell reference signal 538. For example, the serving cell 530 may transmit CSI-RS, SSB, and/or TRS, etc., corresponding to the serving cell 530 to the wireless communication device 532.

The non-serving cell 534 may transmit a non-serving cell reference signal 540. For example, the non-serving cell 534 may transmit CSI-RS, SSB, and/or TRS, etc., corresponding to the non-serving cell 534. The wireless communication device 532 may receive the non-serving cell reference signal 540.

The wireless communication device 532 may perform TCI state determination 542. For example, the wireless communication device 532 may determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell reference signal 540. In some examples, the wireless communication device 532 may determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell reference signal 540 and the serving cell reference information 538.

The wireless communication device 532 may perform one or more operations 543 based on the TCI state. For example, the wireless communication device 532 may report one or more values from the TCI state and/or may perform one or more mobility (e.g., handover) procedures based on the TCI state.

Fig. 6 is a thread diagram illustrating another example of utilization of one or more non-serving cell states in accordance with some of the techniques described herein. Fig. 6 shows a wireless communication device 632. The wireless communication device 632 may be an example of the wireless communication device 202 described with respect to fig. 2. Fig. 6 also shows a serving cell 630. The serving cell 630 may be provided by a base station (e.g., the base station 226 described with respect to fig. 2 or another base station). Fig. 6 also shows a non-serving cell 634. The non-serving cell 634 may be provided by a base station (e.g., base station 226 or another base station described with respect to fig. 2). In some examples, one or more of the functions and/or operations described with respect to fig. 6 may be performed as described with respect to one or more of fig. 1-5.

In this example, the wireless communication device sends TCI status capability 644.TCI status capability 644 may indicate a capability of wireless communication device 632 to manage one or more TCI statuses associated with one or more non-serving cells (e.g., non-serving cell 634). For example, TCI state capability 644 may indicate a maximum number of TCI states that wireless communication device 632 may manage (e.g., including TCI state(s) for serving cells and non-serving cells), a maximum number of non-serving cell TCI states that wireless communication device 632 may manage, and/or a maximum number of non-serving cell TCI states per non-serving cell that wireless communication device 632 may manage, etc.

The serving cell 630 may send a reference signal identifier 646. For example, the serving cell 630 may send a message (e.g., measObjectNR and/or ReferenceSignalConfig, etc.) indicating the set of monitoring reference signals.

The serving cell 630 may send a TCI status message 648 to the wireless communication device 632. For example, TCI status message 648 may indicate a TCI status associated with one or more non-serving cells (e.g., non-serving cell 634). Upon receiving the TCI status message 648, the wireless communication device 632 may update and/or activate (e.g., configure) the TCI status during application time.

The serving cell 630 may send a serving cell reference signal 650. For example, the serving cell 630 may transmit CSI-RS, SSB, and/or TRS, etc., corresponding to the serving cell 630 to the wireless communication device 632.

Non-serving cell 634 may transmit non-serving cell reference signal 652. For example, non-serving cell 634 may transmit CSI-RS, SSB, and/or TRS, etc., corresponding to non-serving cell 634. The wireless communication device 632 may receive a non-serving cell reference signal 652.

The wireless communication device 632 may perform TCI state determination 654. For example, the wireless communication device 632 may determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell reference signal 652. In some examples, the wireless communication device 632 may determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell reference signal 652 and the serving cell reference signal 650.

The wireless communication device 632 can switch the reference signal association 656. For example, switching reference signal associations for TCI states may be based on mobility (e.g., handover) procedures performed by the TCI states. In some examples, wireless communication device 632 can perform one or more additional mobility procedures based on TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells.

Fig. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method 700 for one or more non-serving cell states. In some examples, method 700 is performed by a wireless communication device (e.g., wireless communication device 202 described with respect to fig. 2).

The wireless communication device may transmit 702TCI status capabilities. In some examples, sending 702 the TCI state capability may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The wireless communication device may receive 704 a set of reference signal identifiers. In some examples, receiving 704 a set of reference signal identifiers (e.g., measObjectNR and/or ReferenceSignalConfig, etc.) may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The wireless communication device may receive 706 a sub-layer 3 (e.g., L1 and/or L2) message indicating a TCI state. In some examples, receiving 706 the sub-layer 3 message may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The wireless communication device may receive 708 a serving cell reference signal. In some examples, receiving 708 the reference signal may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device may monitor resources (e.g., time and/or frequency resource(s) of the serving cell, BWP(s), etc.) to receive 708 one or more reference signals from one or more serving cells (e.g., base station (s)).

The wireless communication device may receive 710 a non-serving cell reference signal. In some examples, receiving 710 the non-serving cell reference signal may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The wireless communication device may determine 712 a TCI state based on the message and the received reference signal. In some examples, determining 712 the TCI state may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device can utilize one or more received reference signals from one or more serving cells and one or more non-serving cells to determine one or more values (e.g., channel state measurements, channel State Information (CSI), SSB, CQI, PMI, and/or RI, etc.). These values may be measured and/or stored to determine the TCI state.

The wireless communication device can switch 714 the reference signal association between the reference signals. In some examples, the handover reference signal association may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication device may switch reference signal associations between reference signals in the monitored set of reference signals. In some examples, the wireless communication device may add a reference signal to the monitored set of reference signals and may switch the reference information association to the added reference signal.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart illustrating another example of a method 800 for one or more non-serving cell states. In some examples, the method 400 is performed by a base station (e.g., the base station 226 described with respect to fig. 2).

The base station may receive 802TCI status capabilities. For example, the base station may receive a message from the wireless communication device indicating the ability of the wireless communication device to manage one or more TCI states associated with one or more non-serving cells.

The base station may determine 804 a configuration for a TCI state (e.g., TCI state associated with one or more non-serving cells). In some examples, determining 804 a configuration for the TCI state may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The base station may transmit 806 a set of reference signal identifiers. In some examples, transmitting 806 the set of reference signal identifiers (e.g., measObjectNR and/or ReferenceSignalConfig, etc.) may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The base station may send 808 a sub-layer 3 message indicating the TCI state. The message may be utilized to determine the TCI state based on the non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from the non-serving cell. In some examples, sending 808 the sub-layer 3 message (e.g., DCI, MAC-CE, etc.) may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2.

The base station may transmit 810 a serving cell reference signal. In some examples, transmitting 810 the serving cell reference signal may be performed as described with respect to fig. 2. In some examples, a base station may perform one or more operations based on TCI states associated with non-serving cell(s) as described herein.

Wireless communication device examples

Fig. 9 illustrates certain components that may be included within a wireless communication device 976, which wireless communication device 976 is configured to implement various examples of techniques described herein for one or more non-serving cell states. The wireless communication devices 976 may be access terminals, mobile stations, user Equipment (UE), smartphones, digital cameras, video cameras, tablet devices, laptop computers, desktop computers, internet of things (IoT) devices, telematics devices, base stations, access points, vehicles, drones, and the like. The wireless communication device 976 may be implemented in accordance with one or more of the wireless communication devices described herein (e.g., wireless communication device(s) 102, 202, 532, 632).

The wireless communication device 976 includes a processor 996. The processor 996 may be a general purpose single or multi-chip microprocessor (e.g., ARM), a special purpose microprocessor (e.g., a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)), a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, or the like. The processor 996 may be referred to as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and/or a modem processor. Although a single processor 996 is shown in the wireless communication device 976, in alternative configurations, a combination of processors (e.g., an ARM and DSP) may be implemented.

The wireless communication device 976 also includes a memory 978. Memory 978 may be any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. Memory 978 may be embodied as Random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory in RAM, on-board memory included with the processor, programmable Read Only Memory (PROM), erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), registers, and so forth, including combinations thereof.

Data 982a and instructions 980a may be stored in memory 978. The instructions 980a may be executable by the processor 996 to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Executing the instructions 980a may involve the use of the data 982a stored in the memory 978. When the processor 996 executes the instructions 980, various portions of the instructions 980b may be loaded onto the processor 996 and/or various pieces of data 982b may be loaded onto the processor 996. In some examples, the instructions 980 may be executable to implement and/or perform one or more of the methods 300, 700 and/or one or more of the functions, processes, and/or operations described herein.

The wireless communication device 976 may also include a transmitter 984 and a receiver 986 to allow for the transmission of signals to the wireless communication device 976 and the reception of signals from the wireless communication device 976. The transmitter 984 and receiver 986 may be collectively referred to as a transceiver 988. One or more antennas 990a-b may be electrically coupled to transceiver 988. The wireless communication device 976 may also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers and/or additional antennas.

The wireless communication device 976 may include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 992. The wireless communication device 976 may also include a communication interface 994. The communication interface 994 may allow and/or enable one or more inputs and/or outputs. For example, the communication interface 994 can include one or more ports and/or communication devices for linking other devices to the wireless communication device 976. In some examples, the communication interface 994 may include a transmitter 984, a receiver 986, or both (e.g., a transceiver 988). Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 994 may include one or more other interfaces (e.g., a touch screen, keypad, keyboard, microphone, camera, etc.). For example, the communication interface 994 may enable a user to interact with the wireless communication device 976.

The various components of the wireless communication device 976 may be coupled together by one or more buses, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus, a status signal bus, a data bus, and the like. For clarity, the various buses are shown in FIG. 9 as bus system 998.

Fig. 10 illustrates certain components that may be included within a base station 1001 configured to implement various examples of techniques described herein for one or more non-serving cell states. The base station 1001 may be a node B, eNB, gNB, an access point, a router, or the like. Base station 1001 may be implemented in accordance with one or more of the base stations described herein (e.g., base station(s) 112, 128, 226).

Base station 1001 includes a processor 1021. The processor 1021 may be a general purpose single or multi-chip microprocessor (e.g., ARM), a special purpose microprocessor (e.g., a Digital Signal Processor (DSP)), a microcontroller, a programmable gate array, or the like. The processor 1021 may be referred to as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) and/or a modem processor. Although a single processor 1021 is shown in base station 1001, in alternative configurations, a combination of processors (e.g., an ARM and DSP) may be implemented.

The base station 1001 also includes a memory 1003. Memory 1003 may be any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The memory 1003 may be embodied as Random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory in RAM, on-board memory included with the processor, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), synchronous Dynamic Random Access Memory (SDRAM), registers, and so forth, including combinations thereof.

Data 1007a and instructions 1005a may be stored in the memory 1003. The instructions 1005a may be executable by the processor 1021 to implement one or more of the methods described herein. Executing the instructions 1005a may involve the use of the data 1007a stored in the memory 1003. When the processor 1021 executes the instructions 1005, various portions of the instructions 1005b may be loaded onto the processor 1021, and/or various pieces of data 1007b may be loaded onto the processor 1021. In some examples, the instructions 1005 may be executable to implement and/or perform one or more of the methods 400, 800 and/or one or more of the functions, processes, and/or operations described herein.

Base station 1001 may also include a transmitter 1009 and a receiver 1011 to allow signals to be transmitted to and received from base station 1001. The transmitter 1009 and receiver 1011 may be collectively referred to as a transceiver 1013. One or more antennas 1015a-b may be electrically coupled to the transceiver 1013. Base station 1001 may also include (not shown) multiple transmitters, multiple receivers, multiple transceivers and/or additional antennas.

The base station 1001 may include a Digital Signal Processor (DSP) 1017. The base station 1001 may also include a communication interface 1019. The communication interface 1019 may allow and/or enable one or more inputs and/or outputs. For example, the communication interface 1019 may comprise one or more ports and/or communication devices for linking other devices to the base station 1001. In some examples, communication interface 1019 may include a transmitter 1009, a receiver 1011, or both (e.g., transceiver 1013). Additionally or alternatively, the communication interface 1019 can include one or more other interfaces (e.g., a touch screen, keypad, keyboard, microphone, camera, etc.). For example, the communication interface 101 may enable a user to interact with the base station 1001.

The various components of base station 1001 may be coupled together by one or more buses, which may include a power bus, a control signal bus, a status signal bus, a data bus, and so forth. For clarity, the various buses are shown in FIG. 10 as bus system 1023.

The term "determining" encompasses a wide variety of actions, and thus, "determining" may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Further, "determining" may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory), and so forth. Further, "determining" may include parsing, selecting, choosing, establishing, and the like.

The phrase "based on" does not necessarily mean "based only on". In other words, the phrase "based on" may describe "based only on" and/or "based at least on".

The term "processor" should be broadly interpreted to include general purpose processors, central Processing Units (CPUs), microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), controllers, microcontrollers, state machines, etc. In some cases, a "processor" may refer to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), or the like. The term "processor" may refer to a combination of processing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The term "memory" should be construed broadly to encompass any electronic component capable of storing electronic information. The term memory may refer to various types of processor-readable media, such as Random Access Memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically Erasable PROM (EEPROM), flash memory, magnetic or optical data storage elements, registers, and so forth. The memory is said to be in electronic communication with the processor if the processor is capable of reading information from the memory and/or writing information to the memory. The memory that is an integral part of the processor is in electronic communication with the processor.

The terms "instructions" and "code" should be construed broadly to include any type of computer-readable statement(s). For example, the terms "instructions" and "code" may refer to one or more programs, routines, subroutines, functions, procedures, and the like. "instructions" and "code" may comprise a single computer-readable statement or a number of computer-readable statements.

The functions described herein may be implemented in software or firmware executed by hardware. The functions may be stored as one or more instructions on a computer-readable medium. The term "computer-readable medium" or "computer program product" refers to any tangible storage medium that can be accessed by a computer or processor. By way of example, and not limitation, computer-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store program code in the form of instructions and/or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Disk (disc) and optical disc (disc), as used herein, includes Compact Disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital Versatile Disc (DVD), floppy disk and optical disc Optical discs, where magnetic discs typically reproduce data magnetically, optical discs use laser light to reproduce data optically. The computer readable medium may be tangible and non-transitory. The term "computer program product" refers to a computing device or processor in combination with code or instructions (e.g., a "program") that may be executed, processed, or calculated by the computing device or processor. As used herein, the term "code" may refer to software, instructions, code, or data executable by a computing device or processor.

The software or instructions may also be transmitted over a transmission medium. For example, if the software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using a coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, then the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included in the definition of transmission medium.

The methods disclosed herein include one or more functions, operations, and/or actions for achieving the described methods. The method functions, operations and/or actions may be combined, divided and/or interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims. In other words, unless a specific order of functions, operations or acts is required for proper operation of the method described, the order and/or use of specific functions, operations and/or acts may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other suitable elements for performing the methods and techniques described herein may be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained by a device. For example, a device may be coupled to a server to facilitate transfer of elements for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, the various methods described herein may be provided via a storage unit (e.g., random Access Memory (RAM), read Only Memory (ROM), a physical storage medium such as a Compact Disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that the device may obtain the various methods when the storage unit is coupled to or provided to the device.

As used herein, the term "and/or" may mean one or more items. For example, the phrase "A, B and/or C" may mean any of the following: only a, only B, only C, A and B (but no C), B and C (but no a), a and C (but no B), or all A, B and C. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of" may mean one or more items. For example, the phrase "at least one of A, B and C" or the phrase "at least one of A, B or C" may mean any of the following: only a, only B, only C, A and B (but no C), B and C (but no a), a and C (but no B), or all A, B and C. As used herein, the phrase "one or more of" may mean one or more items. For example, the phrase "one or more of A, B and C" or the phrase "one or more of A, B or C" may mean any of the following: only a, only B, only C, A and B (but no C), B and C (but no a), a and C (but no B), or all A, B and C.

It is to be understood that the claims are not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown above. Various modifications, changes, and variations may be made in the arrangement, operation, and details of the systems, methods, and apparatus described herein without departing from the scope of the claims. For example, one or more of the operations, functions, elements, aspects, etc. described herein may be omitted or combined.

Example clauses

An example of implementation is described in the following numbered clauses:

clause 1: a wireless communication device, comprising: a receiver configured to receive a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state; and a processor configured to determine a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and a received reference signal from the non-serving cell.

Clause 2: the wireless communication device of clause 1, wherein the received reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB).

Clause 3: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the TCI state comprises a non-serving cell identifier.

Clause 4: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state corresponds to non-serving cell information without serving cell information.

Clause 5: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state corresponds to a non-serving cell identifier.

Clause 6: the wireless communication device of clause 5, wherein the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of QCL information.

Clause 7: the wireless communication device of clause 5, wherein the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of a reference signal attribute of the QCL information.

Clause 8: the wireless communication device of clause 5, wherein the QCL type of the QCL information indicates that the received reference signal corresponds to a non-serving cell.

Clause 9: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, further comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities.

Clause 10: the wireless communication device of clause 9, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states for the serving cell and the non-serving cell.

Clause 11: the wireless communication device of clause 9, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states for the non-serving cell.

Clause 12: the wireless communication device of clause 9, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell.

Clause 13: the wireless communication device of clause 9, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of non-serving cells having reference signals configured for TCI state association.

Clause 14: the wireless communication device of clause 9, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIs) of cells other than the serving cell associated with the activated TCI state.

Clause 15: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the first TCI state identifier number space for the serving cell is separate from the second TCI state identifier number space for the non-serving cell.

Clause 16: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-13, wherein the TCI state identifier number space is shared for both serving cells and non-serving cells.

Clause 17: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells is based on a frequency range of the serving cell reference signals and wireless communication device capabilities.

Clause 18: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-16, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals for sub-layer 3 mobility corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells is based on the set of received reference signal identifiers.

Clause 19: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-16, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells is based on a serving cell TCI state.

Clause 20: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 17-19, wherein the processor is configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on the monitored set of reference signals.

Clause 21: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the processor is configured to determine the qualified reference signal set based on a frequency range of the serving cell reference signal and the wireless communication device capabilities.

Clause 22: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the processor is configured to determine the qualified reference signal set based on a first TCI state corresponding to the serving cell.

Clause 23: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 20-22, wherein the processor is configured to select the reference signal from a qualified set of reference signals.

Clause 24: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the message is a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

Clause 25: the wireless communication device of clause 24, wherein the processor is configured to determine an Acknowledgement (ACK) in response to the DCI message.

Clause 26: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-22, wherein the message is a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) message.

Clause 27: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the processor is configured to switch a reference signal association between reference signals.

Clause 28: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-26, wherein the receiver is configured to receive signaling indicating a reference signal handover, and wherein the processor is configured to: adding a monitored reference signal or a qualified reference signal; and switching the reference signal association to the added monitored reference signal or the added qualified reference signal.

Clause 29: the wireless communication device of any preceding clause, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is configured by the base station.

Clause 30: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-28, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is configured by the base station to be greater than or equal to a fixed minimum application time.

Clause 31: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-28, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is fixed.

Clause 32: the wireless communication device of any of clauses 1-31, wherein the first application time for the non-serving cell beam is separate from the second application time for the serving cell.

Clause 33: a method, comprising: receiving a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status; and determining a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and the received reference signal from the non-serving cell.

Clause 34: a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, comprising: code for causing a processor to control a receiver to receive a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state; and code for causing the processor to determine a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and the received reference signal from the non-serving cell.

Clause 35: an apparatus, comprising: means for receiving a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status; and means for determining a TCI state based on the message, the non-serving cell identifier, and the received reference signal from the non-serving cell.

Clause 36: a base station, comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on a non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from a non-serving cell.

Clause 37: the base station of clause 36, wherein the reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB).

Clause 38: the base station of any of clauses 36-37, wherein the TCI state includes a non-serving cell identifier.

Clause 39: the base station of any of clauses 36-38, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state includes non-serving cell information without serving cell information.

Clause 40: the base station of any of clauses 36-38, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state includes a non-serving cell identifier.

Clause 41: the base station of clause 40, wherein the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of QCL information.

Clause 42: the base station of clause 40, wherein the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of a reference signal attribute of the QCL information.

Clause 43: the base station of clause 40, wherein the QCL type of the QCL information indicates that the reference signal corresponds to a non-serving cell.

Clause 44: the base station of any of clauses 36-43, further comprising: a receiver configured to receive a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities.

Clause 45: the base station of clause 44, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states for the serving cell and the non-serving cell.

Clause 46: the base station of clause 44, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states for the non-serving cell.

Clause 47: the base station of clause 44, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell.

Clause 48: the base station of clause 44, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of non-serving cells having reference signals configured for TCI state association.

Clause 49: the base station of clause 44, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIs) of cells other than the serving cell associated with the activated TCI state.

Clause 50: the base station of any of clauses 36-49, wherein the first TCI state identifier number space for the serving cell is separate from the second TCI state identifier number space for the non-serving cell.

Clause 51: the base station of any of clauses 36-49, wherein the TCI state identifier number space is shared for both serving and non-serving cells.

Clause 52: the base station of any of clauses 36-51, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to the one or more non-serving cells is based on a frequency range of the serving cell reference signals and the wireless communication device capabilities.

Clause 53: the base station of any of clauses 36-51, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals for sub-layer 3 mobility corresponding to one or more non-serving cells is based on a set of reference signal identifiers.

Clause 54: the base station of any of clauses 36-51, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to one or more non-serving cells is based on a serving cell TCI state.

Clause 55: the base station of any of clauses 52-54, wherein the qualified set of reference signals is based on the monitoring set of reference signals.

Clause 56: the base station of any of clauses 36-54, wherein the qualified set of reference signals is based on a frequency range of the serving cell reference signals and wireless communication device capabilities.

Clause 57: the base station of any of clauses 36-54, wherein the qualified set of reference signals is based on a first TCI state corresponding to the serving cell.

Clause 58: the base station of any of clauses 55-57, wherein the reference signal is selected from a qualified set of reference signals.

Clause 59: the base station of any of clauses 36-58, wherein the message is a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message.

Clause 60: the base station of clause 59, wherein the Acknowledgement (ACK) is received in response to the DCI message.

Clause 61: the base station of any of clauses 36-58, wherein the message is a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) message.

Clause 62: the base station of any of clauses 36-61, wherein the message indicates a handover in a reference signal association between reference signals.

Clause 63: the base station of any of clauses 36-61, wherein the message indicates: adding a monitored reference signal or a qualified reference signal; and switching the reference signal association to the added monitored reference signal or the added qualified reference signal.

Clause 64: the base station of any of clauses 36-63, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is configured by the base station.

Clause 65: the base station of any of clauses 36-63, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is configured by the base station to be greater than or equal to a fixed minimum application time.

Clause 66: the base station of any of clauses 36-63, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is fixed.

Clause 67: the base station of any of clauses 36-63, wherein the first application time for the non-serving cell beam is separate from the second application time for the serving cell.

Clause 68: a method, comprising: a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state is sent, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on a non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from a non-serving cell.

Clause 69: a non-transitory tangible computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, comprising: code for causing a processor to control a transmitter to send a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on a non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from a non-serving cell.

Clause 70: an apparatus, comprising: means for transmitting a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on a non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from a non-serving cell.

Claims

1. A wireless communication device, comprising:

a receiver configured to receive a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state; and

a processor configured to determine the TCI state based on the message, a non-serving cell identifier, and a received reference signal from a non-serving cell.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the received reference signal is a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) or a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB).

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the TCI state comprises the non-serving cell identifier.

4. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state corresponds to non-serving cell information without serving cell information.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the quasi co-sited (QCL) information of the TCI state corresponds to the non-serving cell identifier.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein the non-serving cell identifier is an attribute of at least one of: the QCL information or a reference signal attribute of the QCL information.

7. The wireless communication device of claim 5, wherein the QCL type of the QCL information indicates that the received reference signal corresponds to the non-serving cell.

8. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising: a transmitter configured to transmit a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities.

9. The wireless communication device of claim 8, wherein the TCI status capability indicates at least one of:

a maximum number of TCI states for serving and non-serving cells;

a maximum number of TCI states for non-serving cells;

a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell; and

a maximum number of Physical Cell Identifiers (PCIs) of cells other than the serving cell associated with the activated TCI state.

10. The wireless communication device of claim 8, wherein the TCI state capability indicates a maximum number of non-serving cells having reference signals configured for TCI state association.

11. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein a first TCI state identifier number space for a serving cell is separate from a second TCI state identifier number space for a non-serving cell.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the TCI state identifier number space is shared for serving cells and non-serving cells.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to one or more non-serving cells is based on a frequency range of serving cell reference signals and wireless communication device capabilities.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 13, wherein the processor is configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on the set of monitoring reference signals.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 14, wherein the processor is configured to select the received reference signal from the qualified set of reference signals.

16. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals for sub-layer 3 mobility corresponding to one or more non-serving cells is based on a set of received reference signal identifiers.

17. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the set of monitoring reference signals corresponding to one or more non-serving cells is based on a serving cell TCI state.

18. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on a frequency range of serving cell reference signals and wireless communication device capabilities.

19. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to determine a qualified set of reference signals based on a first TCI state corresponding to a serving cell.

20. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the message is a Downlink Control Information (DCI) message or a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE) message.

21. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the processor is configured to switch reference signal associations between reference signals.

22. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is configured to receive signaling indicating a reference signal handover, and wherein the processor is configured to:

Adding a monitored reference signal or a qualified reference signal; and

switching reference signal association to the monitored reference signal or the qualified reference signal.

23. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein an application time for a non-serving cell beam is configured by a base station.

24. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the application time for the non-serving cell beam is configured by the base station to be greater than or equal to a fixed minimum application time.

25. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the first application time for the non-serving cell beam is at least one of: fixed or separate from the second application time for the serving cell.

26. A method, comprising:

receiving a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status; and

the TCI state is determined based on the message, a non-serving cell identifier, and a received reference signal from a non-serving cell.

27. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) status; and

means for determining the TCI state based on the message, a non-serving cell identifier and a received reference signal from a non-serving cell.

28. A base station, comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a message indicating a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, wherein the message is utilized to determine the TCI state based on a non-serving cell identifier and a reference signal from a non-serving cell.

29. The base station of claim 28, further comprising: a receiver configured to receive a capability report indicating TCI status capabilities.

30. The base station of claim 29, wherein the TCI status capability indicates at least one of:

a maximum number of TCI states for serving and non-serving cells;

a maximum number of TCI states for non-serving cells;

a maximum number of TCI states per non-serving cell;

a maximum number of non-serving cells having reference signals configured for TCI state association; and