RU2793334C1 - Method and device for activating the state of a transmission configuration indicator and a data carrier - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication

SUBSTANCE: method for activating a transmission configuration identifier (TCI) state includes the following: receiving a first medium access control element (СЕ MAC) signaling, wherein the first СЕ MAC signaling is for activating the first TCI state, and using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

EFFECT: reduction of the amount of signaling data.

20 cl, 15 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is the international application transferred to the national phase PCT/CN 2019/107036, which was filed on September 20, 2019 and the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0002] The present invention relates to the field of communication technology and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for activating the state of the transmission configuration indicator (TCI, Transmission Configuration Indicator), as well as to a storage medium.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] In order to provide the necessary coverage and avoid path losses in a New Radio (NR, New Radio) communication system, data typically has to be transmitted using beams. When transmitting data using beams, a network device (eg, a base station) indicates the state of the TCI through signaling, and also indicates the receiving or transmitting beam of the terminal.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention provides a method and apparatus for activating a TCI state, as well as a storage medium, to overcome the problems of the prior art.

[0005] According to a first aspect of embodiments of the invention, a method for activating a TCI state is provided. This method is applicable in the terminal. The method includes: receiving a first MAC CE signaling to activate the first TCI state, and using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0006] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) TCI state; after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: receiving a PDCCH transmitted in the BWP after the switch, using the first TCI state, in response to determining that a BWP switch occurs in any serving cell, and no second CE MAC signaling for activating the second TCI state is received.

[0007] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes a set of Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) TCI states; after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: receiving downlink control signaling, in response to determining that a BWP switch is occurring in any serving cell, and no second MAC CE signaling, wherein the downlink control signaling is for indicating the TCI state in the first TCI state and the second MAC CE signaling is for activating the second TCI state; and receiving the PDSCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch using the TCI state indicated by the downlink control signaling.

[0008] In some embodiments of the invention, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: reusing the first TCI state used in the secondary cell (SCell, Secondary Cell) before switching, in the SCell after the switch, in response to determining that a SCell switch occurs.

[0009] In some embodiments of the invention, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: receiving a second MAC CE signaling in response to determining that a primary cell switch is occurring ( PCell, Primary Cell) or Primary Secondary Cell Switching (PSCell), and changing the TCI states of all serving cells from the first TCI state to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[0010] In some embodiments of the invention, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: re-determining the TCI state of the serving cell with beam failure, in response to determining that there is a beam failure serving cell, and, before receiving the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, changing the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell to a re-determined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, or storing the TCI states of all serving cells other than the beam failure serving cell.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method also includes: receiving a second MAC CE signaling to activate a second TCI state and changing the first TCI state to a second TCI state.

[0012] In some embodiments, receiving the first MAC CE signaling includes: receiving the first MAC CE signaling using the initial BWP or the active BWP of the determined first serving cell.

[0013] In some embodiments, before receiving the first MAC CE signaling, the method also includes: receiving a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal, and determining all serving cells in the same band frequencies using bandwidth and carrier position.

[0014] According to a second aspect of embodiments of the invention, a method for activating a TCI state is provided. This method is applicable in a network device. The method includes: selecting a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, wherein the first serving cell supports transmission of MAC CE signaling, and transmitting the first MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell, wherein the first MAC CE signaling is to activate the first TCI state.

[0015] In some embodiments, selecting a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of a terminal includes: randomly selecting a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal; or selecting a designated first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal.

[0016] In some embodiments, the designated first serving cell includes the serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes PSCell or PCell among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes a serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum.

[0017] In some embodiments, transmitting MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell includes: transmitting MAC CE signaling using the initial BWP or active BWP of the selected first serving cell.

[0018] In some embodiments, the method also includes: transmitting a second MAC CE signaling, wherein the second MAC CE signaling is for activating the second TCI state.

[0019] In some embodiments of the invention, before transmitting the second MAC CE signaling, the method also includes determining one or more of the following events: a terminal channel state change, a BWP switch on the terminal, a SCell switch on the terminal, a PCell switch on the terminal, or a PSCell switch on terminal or serving cell beam failure at the terminal.

[0020] In some embodiments, the method also includes: transmitting a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[0021] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes: a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[0022] According to a third aspect of embodiments of the invention, a device is provided for activating a TCI state. This device is applicable in the terminal. The apparatus comprises: a receiving unit configured to receive a first CE MAC signaling for activating the first TCI state; and a processing unit configured to use the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0023] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes the TCI state of the PDCCH; wherein the processing unit is also configured to determine whether a BWP switch occurs, and the receive unit is also configured to receive the PDCCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch using the first TCI state, in response to the processing unit determining that a BWP switch occurs at any serving cell and the receiving unit has not received the second CE MAC signaling for activating the second TCI state.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes a set of PDSCH TCI states; the processing unit is also configured to determine if a BWP switch is occurring, and the receiving unit is also configured to receive downlink control signaling in response to the processing unit determining that a BWP switching is occurring in any serving cell, and the receiving unit has not received the second MAC CE signaling. , and receiving the PDSCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch using the TCI state indicated by the downlink control signaling; wherein the downlink control signaling is for indicating the TCI state in the first TCI state, and the second CE MAC signaling is for activating the second TCI state.

[0025] In some embodiments, the processing unit is also configured to determine if a SCell switch occurs and reuse the first TCI state used in the pre-switch SCell in the post-switch SCell in response to determining that the SCell switch occurs.

[0026] In some embodiments, the processing unit is also configured to determine whether a PCell or PSCell switch is occurring, and the receive unit is also configured to receive a second MAC CE signaling in response to the processing unit determining that a PCell or PSCell switch is occurring and changing TCI states of all serving cells from the first TCI state to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[0027] In some embodiments of the invention, the processing unit is also configured to: determine if there is a serving cell with beam failure; re-determining the TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, in response to determining that there is a beam failure serving cell, and before the receiving unit receives the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, the change in the TCI states of all serving cells except the serving cell with beam failure, to the re-determined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, or maintaining the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell.

[0028] In some embodiments, the receiving unit is also configured to receive a second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state, and the processing unit is also configured to change the first TCI state to the second TCI state.

[0029] In some embodiments of the invention, the receiving unit is configured to receive the first CE MAC signaling by receiving the first CE MAC signaling using the initial BWP or the active BWP of the determined first serving cell.

[0030] In some embodiments, the receiving unit is also configured to receive a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal, and the processing unit is also configured to determine all serving cells in the same frequency band with using frequency band and carrier position.

[0031] According to a fourth aspect of embodiments of the invention, a device is provided for activating a TCI state. This device is applicable in a network device. The apparatus comprises: a processing unit configured to select a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, wherein the first serving cell supports MAC CE signaling; and a transmission unit configured to transmit the first CE MAC signaling using the selected first serving cell, the first CE MAC signaling for activating the first TCI state.

[0032] In some embodiments of the invention, the processing unit is configured to select the first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal by randomly selecting the first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal or by selecting an assigned the first serving cell of all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal.

[0033] In some embodiments, the designated first serving cell includes the serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes PSCell or PCell among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes a serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum.

[0034] In some embodiments, the transmitter is configured to transmit MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell by transmitting MAC CE signaling using the initial BWP or active BWP of the selected first serving cell.

[0035] In some embodiments of the invention, the transmission unit is also configured to send a second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state.

[0036] In some embodiments, the processing unit is also configured to determine, prior to transmission, by the transmission unit, the second MAC CE signaling, one or more of the following events: terminal channel state change, terminal BWP switch, terminal SCell switch, PCell switch or PSCell at the terminal, or a serving cell beam failure at the terminal.

[0037] In some embodiments of the invention, the transmission unit is also configured to transmit a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[0038] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes: a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[0039] According to a fifth aspect of the embodiments of the invention, a device for activating a TCI state is provided. The device includes a processor and memory for storing instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to implement the method described in the first aspect of the present invention, or any embodiment thereof.

[0040] According to a sixth aspect of embodiments of the invention, a computer-readable medium for storing information is provided. When the processor of the mobile terminal executes the instructions stored on the computer-readable medium, the mobile terminal is enabled to execute the method described in the first aspect of the present invention, or any embodiment thereof.

[0041] According to a seventh aspect of the embodiments of the invention, a device for activating a TCI state is provided. The device includes a processor and memory for storing instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to implement the method described in the second aspect of the present invention, or any embodiment thereof.

[0042] According to an eighth aspect of embodiments of the invention, a computer-readable medium for storing information is provided. When the processor of the mobile terminal executes the instructions stored on the computer-readable medium, the mobile terminal is enabled to execute the method described in the second aspect of the present invention, or any embodiment thereof.

[0043] The technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of the present invention may provide the following advantages. MAC CE signaling for TCI state activation can be transmitted by a serving cell among all serving cells in the same terminal band to activate TCI states of all serving cells with the same MAC CE signaling, thereby reducing signaling data.

[0044] It should be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are for exemplary and illustrative purposes only and should not limit the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0045] The accompanying drawings, which are included in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

[0046] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0047] FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0048] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0049] FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0050] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0051] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0054] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0055] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a device for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0058] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a device for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0059] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a device for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0060] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating a device for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0061] Embodiments of the invention are described in detail below, examples of which are shown in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, with the same numbers in different drawings designating the same or similar elements, unless otherwise indicated. The following implementations of the embodiments of the invention do not exhaust all possible implementations that correspond to the present invention. On the contrary, they are merely examples of devices and methods that are consistent with the aspects of the present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

[0062] The terms used here are only intended to describe specific examples and do not limit the present invention. The singular forms used in the present description and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural, unless other meanings are clearly given in the context. It is also to be understood that the expression "and/or" as used herein refers to any or all possible combinations including one or more of the respective listed elements.

[0063] Reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “an example,” “some embodiments,” “some examples,” or similar language means that the particular feature, structure, or characteristic described is included at least in one embodiment or exemplary embodiment of the invention. Features, structures, elements, or characteristics described in connection with one or some embodiments of the invention are also applicable to other embodiments of the invention, unless otherwise indicated.

[0064] It should be understood that although the terms "first", "second", "third", etc. are used here to describe various information, such information is not limited to these terms. These terms are simply used to distinguish information of the same type. For example, within the spirit of the present invention, the first information is also referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information is also referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, for example, the term "if" as used herein may be understood to mean "when" or "while" or "in response to..., it is determined that".

[0065] The terms "module", "submodule", "scheme", "subcircuit", "scheme system", "scheme subsystem", "unit", or "subunit" may include memory (shared, dedicated or group), in which stores code or instructions that can be executed by one or more processors. A module may include one or more circuits with or without stored code or instructions. A module or circuit may include one or more components that are directly or indirectly connected to each other. These components may or may not be physically attached to each other or located next to each other.

[0066] A block or module may be implemented in pure software, pure hardware, or a combination of hardware and software. In a purely software implementation, for example, a block or module may include functionally related code blocks or software components that are directly or indirectly linked to each other to perform a particular function.

[0067] The TCI state activation method proposed in embodiments of the present invention may be applied to a wireless communication system as shown in FIG. According to figure 1, the wireless communication system includes a network device and a terminal. The terminal is connected to a network device and communicates with it using wireless communication resources.

[0068] It should be understood that the wireless communication system shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration purposes only. The wireless communication system may also include other network devices such as core network devices, wireless relay devices, and wireless transport network devices that are not shown in FIG. Embodiments of the present invention do not limit the number of network devices and terminals included in a wireless communication system.

[0069] It should also be understood that the wireless communication system in the embodiments of the present invention is a network that provides wireless communication functions. The wireless communication system may use various communication technologies such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA, Time Division Multiple Access), multiple access with frequency division of channels (FDMA, Frequency Division Multiple Access), multiple access with orthogonal frequency division of channels (OFDMA, Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access), FDMA with one carrier (SC-FDMA , Single Carrier FDMA) or Carrier Sense Multiple Access With Collision Avoidance (CSMA/CA). Depending on the capacity, speed, latency and other parameters of various networks, networks can be divided into second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) wireless networks, or future development networks such as fifth generation networks ( 5G). The 5G network is also called the New Radio (NR, New Radio) network. For convenience, a wireless communication network is sometimes referred to simply as a network in this specification.

[0070] In addition, the network device of the present invention may also be referred to as a wireless access device. The wireless access device can be a base station, an evolved node base station (eNB), a home base station, an access point (AP, Access Point) in a Wi-Fi wireless access system, a wireless relay node, a wireless transport network node, a transmission point (TP), a transmission and reception point (TRP, Transmission and Reception Point), a next generation node base station (gNB, next generation Node Base station) in the NR system, a component or part of a device included in the base station, and other similar device. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particular technology and particular kind of device used in the network device. According to the present invention, a network device can provide communication coverage for a specific geographic area and can communicate with a terminal located in the coverage area (cell). In addition, if the communication system is a vehicle-to-vehicle (V2X) communication system, the network device may also be installed in the vehicle.

[0071] In addition, the terminal considered in the present invention may also be called a terminal device, user equipment (UE, User Equipment), mobile station (MS, Mobile Station), mobile terminal (MT, Mobile Terminal) or other similar devices, which provide the user with voice and/or data communication functions. For example, the terminal may be a portable device or a vehicle-mounted device with a wireless connection function. Currently, examples of such terminals include mobile phones, personal digital assistants (PPCs, Pocket Personal Computers), portable computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs, Personal Digital Assistants), laptops, tablet computers, wearable devices, vehicle-mounted devices. , and other similar devices. Further, if the communication system is a V2X communication system, the terminal device may also be a vehicle-mounted device. It should be understood that the embodiments of the present invention are not limited to the particular technology and particular kind of device used in the terminal device.

[0072] Due to the rapid attenuation of the high frequency channel in an NR system, especially if the communication bandwidth is in frequency band 2, beam-based transmission and reception for communication between a terminal and a network device is necessary to provide coverage.

[0073] In prior art, the beam steering process for PDCCH or PDSCH downlink (DL, DownLink) is as follows. Random access is performed between the terminal and the network device and an RRC connection is established. The terminal performs measurements based on the measurement configuration of the network device, and informs the network device of the beam measurement result, including the type of the reference signal (RS, Reference Signal), the RS index, and the receiving power of the layer 1 reference signal (L1-RSRP, Layerl-Reference Signal Receiving Power). ) or the ratio of the level 1 signal to the sum of interference and noise (L1-SINR, Layerl Signal to Interfere&Noise Ratio). The network device determines a set of TCI states based on the measurement result reported by the terminal. The TCI state includes a TCI state identifier (ID) and an RS type and RS index corresponding to the TCI state. At present, the number of TCI states reaches 64. The network device informs the terminal of these 64 TCI states through RRC signaling, including TCI state identifiers, as well as corresponding RS types and RS indices. The TCI status is shown in Table 1 below. Based on the TCI state, the terminal may determine the receive beam.

[0074] For the PDCCH, the network device uses the MAC CE to activate one TCI state out of 64 TCI states and indicates it to the terminal. For the PDSCH, the network device uses the MAC CE to activate the TCI state set (8 TCI states out of 64 TCI states) and indicates it to the terminal. The network device uses Downlink Control Information (DCI) signaling to indicate one of eight TCI enabled states to the terminal for receiving the PDSCH. The TCI state for the PDSCH scheduled in the DCI signaling informs the terminal that the receive beam used to receive the PDSCH should be the same as the receive beam used when the received signal is strongest if the terminal receives the RS index in mentioned TCI state.

[0075] In the prior art, a network device determines a set of TCI states based on a measurement reported by a terminal, and notifies the terminal of the set of TCI states with radio resource control (RRC) signaling. For each component carrier (CC, Component Carrier), i.e. serving cell/bandwidth part (BWP, Bandwidth Part), the TCI state to be activated from the plurality of TCI states is indicated by the control element (CE, Control Element) control access to the medium (MAC, Medium Access Control). If multiple serving cells/BWPs are configured by the terminal, multiple CE MAC signalings need to be transmitted to the base station to activate the TCI states for the multiple serving cells/BWPs, resulting in an increase in signaling data.

[0076] In prior art, a separate MAC CE is used for each CC/BWP to activate the corresponding TCI state. In a multi-CC/BWP scenario, if a separate MAC CE is used for each CC/BWP to activate the corresponding TCI state, the amount of signaling data becomes relatively large.

[0077] With this in mind, the present invention provides a method for activating a TCI state. In the TCI state activation method of the present invention, TCI states for PDCCHs in all CC/BWPs or sets of TCI states for PDSCHs in all CCs/BWPs in the same frequency band can be activated by a single MAC CE.

[0078] Figure 2 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the TCI state activation method is applicable in the network device and includes steps S11 and S12.

[0079] In step S11, a serving cell that supports CE MAC transmission is selected from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal.

[0080] According to the present invention, a plurality of serving cells, namely CC, are configured for a terminal in the same frequency band. Each serving cell has an initial BWP or an active BWP. According to the present invention, the network device selects a serving cell that supports MAC CE transmission from all serving cells in the same frequency band, and uses the MAC CE signaling in the initial BWP or active BWP of the terminal in the selected serving cell to activate the TCI state.

[0081] According to the present invention, when a network device selects a serving cell, on the one hand, the network device randomly selects a serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of a terminal, or selects a designated serving cell from all serving cells in the same the same frequency band of the terminal. According to the present invention, the designated serving cell selected by the network device is, for example, the serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency among all serving cells in the same frequency band. Alternatively, the designated serving cell selected by the network device is a PSCell or PCell among all serving cells in the same frequency band. Alternatively, the designated serving cell selected by the network equipment is a serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum, that is, if the frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band, the network device needs to perform a listen before talking channel discovery procedure (LBT, Listen Before Talk) for each serving cell of the terminal in the frequency band. In the channel discovery process, only the serving cell whose channel is detected as idle can be used for transmission, so the designated serving cell can be the serving cell whose channel is detected as idle.

[0082] According to the present invention, a network device transmits MAC CE signaling in a serving cell to activate a TCI state. The TCI state that is activated by the MAC CE may be a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[0083] In one implementation, the network device must notify the terminal in advance of all TCI states (eg, 64 TCI states). For example, the network device pre-notifies the terminal of all TCI states through RRC signaling. The TCI state that is activated by MAC CE signaling may be a TCI state or set of states among all TCI states.

[0084] In step S12, MAC CE signaling is transmitted to activate the TCI state using the selected serving cell.

[0085] According to the present invention, a network device selects one serving cell from all serving cells in the same terminal band to transmit MAC CE signaling to activate the TCI states of all serving cells, which can reduce signaling data.

[0086] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, the TCI state activation method is applicable in the terminal and includes steps S21 and S22.

[0087] In step S21, MAC CE signaling is received to activate the TCI state.

[0088] According to the present invention, a plurality of serving cells, namely CCs, are configured for a terminal in the same frequency band. Each serving cell has an initial BWP or an active BWP. According to one aspect of the present invention, the terminal determines a serving cell that supports the reception and transmission of MAC CE signaling, and receives the MAC CE signaling through the determined serving cell. To receive CE signaling, the MAC terminal uses the initial BWP or the active BWP of the specified serving cell.

[0089] When determining a serving cell to receive CE signaling, the MAC terminal uses one of the following methods. A MAC CE transmitted by all serving cells that support MAC CE signaling among all serving cells in the same terminal band can be received. Alternatively, a serving cell previously configured for the terminal by the network device may be used as the serving cell to receive the MAC CE signaling. Alternatively, by default, the PSCell or PCell, or the serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency, or the serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum, among all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0090] According to the present invention, the MAC CE signaling received by the terminal is used to activate the TCI state, wherein the TCI state may be a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[0091] In step S22, the TCI state activated by the received MAC CE is used as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0092] In one embodiment of the present invention, the terminal receives the RRC signaling from the network device in advance and determines all TCI states based on it. After receiving the MAC CE signaling, the TCI state activated by the received MAC CE is used as the TCI states of the PDCCHs of all serving cells in the same frequency band. Alternatively, the TCI states activated by the MAC CEs are used as the TCI states of the PDSCHs of all serving cells. in the same frequency band.

[0093] According to the present invention, a terminal receives a MAC CE and uses the TCI state activated by the received MAC CE as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, which can reduce signaling data.

[0094] In addition, in the present invention, the terminal needs to determine all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[0095] In some embodiments of the present invention, the network device transmits a configuration message in advance to notify the terminal of the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal, so that the terminal can determine all serving cells in the same frequency band using the band frequencies and carrier position of each serving cell.

[0096] Figure 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4, the method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band is applicable to the network device and includes step S31 described below.

[0097] In step S31, a configuration message is transmitted that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[0098] In one example, the network device transmits a configuration message based on a system message and/or RRC signaling.

[0099] In addition, according to the present invention, after the network device transmits the configuration message, it can perform serving cell selection and transmission of MAC CE signaling. It should be understood that the network device in the present invention is not limited to having to transmit a configuration message each time it selects a serving cell and transmits MAC CE signaling. The transmission of the configuration message may be performed each time or once.

[00100] According to the present invention, the network device transmits a configuration message to indicate to the terminal the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal so that the terminal can determine all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00101] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 5, the method for determining all serving cells in the same frequency band is applicable to the terminal and includes steps S41 and S42 described below.

[00102] In step S41, a configuration message is received that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00103] The configuration message contains system information and/or a serving cell configuration message. In the case of a PCell, its frequency band and carrier position are received by the terminal receiving the system information. In the case of a SCell, its frequency band and carrier position are obtained using the SCell configuration message transmitted by the PCell.

[00104] In one example, the terminal receives a configuration message based on system information and/or RRC signaling.

[00105] In step S42, all serving cells in the same frequency band are determined based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell.

[00106] In addition, according to the present invention, after the terminal receives the configuration message and determines all serving cells in the same frequency band, it can receive the MAC CE signaling to activate the TCI state, and use the TCI state activated by the MAC CE signaling, as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band. It should be understood that, according to the present invention, each time a terminal receives the MAC CE signaling and uses the TCI state activated by the MAC CE signaling as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, it is not limited to receiving the configuration message and determining all serving cells in the same frequency band. Receiving the configuration message and determining all serving cells in the same frequency band may be performed each time or once .

[00107] According to the present invention, a terminal receives a configuration message transmitted by a network device to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal, determines all serving cells in the same frequency band, and receives the TCI state activated by the received MAC CE , as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, thus reducing the amount of signaling data.

[00108] In addition, according to the present invention, when the activated TCI state needs to be updated, for example, when the channel state of the terminal changes (the new TCI state is determined based on the measurement result returned by the terminal), BWP switching on the terminal, SCell switching on the terminal, PCell switching or PSCell at the terminal, link failure PCell or PSCell at the terminal, or beam failure of the serving cell of the terminal, the network device may retransmit the MAC CE to activate the TCI state.

[00109] According to the present invention, in order to distinguish between different MAC CEs, TCI states, and serving cells for transmitting a pre-upgrade and post-upgrade MAC CE, the MAC CE active before the upgrade is called the first MAC CE, the TCI state activated by the first MAC CE is called the first the serving cell selected to transmit the first MAC CE is referred to as the first serving cell, the MAC CE enabled after the update is referred to as the second MAC CE, the TCI state activated by the second MAC CE is referred to as the second TCI state, and the serving cell selected to transmit the second MAC CE is called the second serving cell.

[00110] FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 6, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the network device and includes steps S51 to S54 described below. Steps S51, S52 and S53 are the same as steps S31, S32 and S33 and will not be described in detail here.

[00111] In step S54, a second MAC CE signaling configured to activate the second TCI state is transmitted.

[00112] According to the present invention, before transmitting the second MAC CE signaling, the network device must confirm that the TCI state needs to be updated, that is, activate the second TCI state. The need to activate the second TCI state can be indicated by one or more of the following events: terminal channel state change (determined based on the measurement returned by the terminal), BWP switch at the terminal, SCell switch at the terminal, PCell or PSCell switch at the terminal, link failure PCell or PSCell or serving cell beam failure at the terminal.

[00113] According to the present invention, when the terminal needs to update the TCI state, the network device retransmits new MAC CE signaling (second MAC CE signaling) to activate the new TCI state so that the terminal can update the TCI state.

[00114] According to the present invention, after the network device transmits the second MAC CE signaling to the terminal, and after the terminal receives the MAC CE signaling, the terminal can change the first TCI state to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[00115] However, when there is a BWP handover at the terminal, a SCell handover at the terminal, a PCell or PSCell handover at the terminal, a PCell or PSCell link failure at the terminal, or a serving cell beam failure at the terminal, the question of how the terminal should handle TCI status. This situation is described in the examples below.

[00116] Case 1: BWP switch occurs.

[00117] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the terminal and includes steps S61 to S69 described below.

[00118] In step S61, a configuration message is received that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00119] In step S62, all serving cells in the same frequency band are determined based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell.

[00120] In step S63, the first serving cell of all serving cells is determined, and the initial BWP or active BWP of the first serving cell is used to receive the first CE MAC signaling to activate the first TCI state.

[00121] In step S64, the TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is used as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00122] In step S65, it is determined that a BWP switch is occurring, and it is also determined whether to receive a second CE MAC signaling from the network device to activate the second TCI state.

[00123] According to the present invention, it is determined that a BWP switch occurs if a BWP switch occurs in any serving cell among all serving cells in the same frequency band. scheduled BWP from the network device and switch from the original BWP to the new scheduled BWP.

[00124] According to the present invention, the first TCI state that is activated by the first MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states. Accordingly, the second TCI state that is activated by the second MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[00125] According to the present invention, if the terminal does not receive the second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state from the network device, and the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is the PDCCH TCI state, step S66 is performed. According to the present invention, if the terminal does not receive the second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state from the network device, and the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is the PDSCH TCI state set, steps S67 and S68 are performed.

[00126] In step S66, the PDCCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch is received using the first TCI state.

[00127] In step S67, DCI signaling is received.

[00128] According to the present invention, the received DCI signaling is configured to indicate a TCI state in the first TCI state, and the DCI signaling is received in a BWP before or after a switch in a serving cell, or in a BWP in another serving cell (e.g., in the case of cross-carrier scheduling). When the first TCI state is the PDSCH TCI state set, the received DCI signaling is configured to indicate one state from the TCI state set.

[00129] In step S68, the PDSCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch is received using the TCI state indicated by the DCI.

[00130] According to the present invention, when the terminal receives the second CE MAC signaling from the network device to activate the second TCI state, step S69 is performed.

[00131] In step S69, the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is changed to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[00132] According to the present invention, when a BWP switch occurs in any serving cell of a terminal, the network device schedules a radio bearer (RB, radio bear) in the new BWP to transmit the PDSCH to the terminal. If no new MAC signaling arrives within this period to activate a new TCI state (or set of states) for the PDCCH, the terminal receives in the new BWP the PDCCH transmitted in the new BWP based on the TCI state of the PDCCH in the previous BWP activated by the MAC signaling. . The PDSCH TCI State Set also uses the PDSCH TCI State Set in the previous BWP activated by MAC signaling. DCI signaling indicating receipt of the PDSCH using a TCI state from the TCI state set triggered by MAC signaling may be transmitted with a BWP before the switch, a new BWP after the terminal has switched to a new BWP, or a BWP of a different serving cell in cross-carrier scheduling. The terminal combines the DCI signaling for PDSCH scheduling in the new BWP and the TCI state set activated by the original MAC signaling to determine the TCI state for receiving the PDSCH in the new BWP until the new MAC signaling activates a new TCI state for the PDCCH or a new TCI state set for the PDSCH channel.

[00133] Case 2: SCell switching occurs.

[00134] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 8, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the terminal and includes steps S71 to S76 described below.

[00135] In step S71, a configuration message is received that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00136] In step S72, all serving cells in the same frequency band are determined based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell.

[00137] In step S73, the first serving cell of all serving cells is determined, and the initial BWP or active BWP of the first serving cell is used to receive the first CE MAC signaling to activate the first TCI state.

[00138] In step S74, the TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is used as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00139] In step S75, it is determined that the SCell is switched.

[00140] According to the present invention, when any SCell is switched among all SCells in the same frequency band, the terminal determines that the SCell is switched.

[00141] In step S76, the first TCI state used in the SCell before the switch is reused in the SCell after the switch.

[00142] According to the present invention, the first TCI state that is activated by the first MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states. Accordingly, the second TCI state that is activated by the second MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[00143] According to the present invention, when a SCell switches to one of the SCells in the same frequency band, the SCell after the switch also needs to reuse the PDCCH TCI state and the PDSCH TCI state set activated by the first MAC CE signaling in source SCell.

[00144] Case 3: A PSCell or PCell switch occurs.

[00145] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 9, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the terminal and includes steps S81 to S86 described below.

[00146] In step S81, a configuration message is received that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00147] In step S82, all serving cells in the same frequency band are determined based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell.

[00148] In step S83, the first serving cell of all serving cells is determined, and the initial BWP or active BWP of the first serving cell is used to receive the first CE MAC signaling to activate the first TCI state.

[00149] In step S84, the TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is used as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00150] In step S85, it is determined that a PSCell or PCell switch occurs.

[00151] In step S86, the second MAC CE signaling is received and the first TCI state of all serving cells is changed to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[00152] According to the present invention, the first TCI state that is activated by the first MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states. Accordingly, the second TCI state that is activated by the second MAC CE signaling is a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[00153] According to the present invention, when a PSCell or PCell switch occurs in the same frequency band, the TCI state must be reconfigured, so the TCI states of all CC/BWPs in the given frequency band must be updated, i.e., to configure the TCI state, new RRC signaling, new MAC CE signaling, etc.

[00154] Case 4: beam failure.

[00155] FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the terminal and includes steps S91 to S96 described below.

[00156] In step S91, a configuration message is received that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00157] In step S92, all serving cells in the same frequency band are determined based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell.

[00158] In step S93, the first serving cell of all serving cells is determined, and the initial BWP or active BWP of the first serving cell is used to receive the first CE MAC signaling to activate the first TCI state.

[00159] In step S94, the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is used as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00160] In step S95, it is determined that there is a beam failure serving cell, and the TCI state of the beam failure serving cell is re-determined.

[00161] According to the present invention, if a beam failure occurs in one of the serving cells in the same frequency band, the PDCCH TCI state in the SCell needs to be updated, and the terminal re-determines the PDCCH TCI state or the PDSCH TCI state set in the SCell.

[00162] The TCI state of the PDCCH can be determined by the terminal itself by measurement. For example, on the one hand, the terminal detects that the SSB to acquire a new beam finds that the RSRP and/or SINR parameters are large, and transmits the corresponding random access preamble on the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) corresponding to the SSB. The network device may determine that the same SSB beam should be used to transmit the PDCCH or PDSCH to the terminal. On the other hand, it is also possible that the terminal informs the network device of the measurement result or the ID of the newly selected beam, and the network device uses one or more beams reported by the terminal to transmit the PDCCH or PDSCH to the terminal.

[00163] In step S96, it is determined whether the second CE MAC signaling for activating the second TCI state transmitted by the network device is received.

[00164] If the terminal does not receive the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, step S97 is performed. If the terminal receives the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, step S98 is performed.

[00165] In step S97, the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell are changed to the re-determined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, or the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell remain unchanged.

[00166] In step S98, the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling is changed to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[00167] According to the present invention, if a beam failure occurs in one of the serving cells in the same frequency band, the terminal re-determines a TCI state for receiving a PDCCH in a SCell or a set of TCI states for receiving a PDSCH in a SCell. The TCI state of the PDCCH may be determined by the terminal by measurement. Since the reactivation of the new TCI state for the beam failure SCell is not performed by MAC CE signaling, there are two options for serving cells other than the beam failure serving cell in this band. One option is to continue using the previous TCI state or set of TCI states activated by MAC CE signaling. Another option is to use the same TCI state as for the serving cell with beam failure. When the base station uses the new MAC signaling to activate a new TCI state for a serving cell with a beam failure, all serving cells in the same frequency band, ie CC/BWP, use the new TCI state activated by the MAC.

[00168] Case 5: Link failure.

[00169] A link failure at the terminal indicates that the TCI state of the PDCCH of the PCell or PSCell of the terminal needs to be updated. In this case, prior to receiving the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, the TCI states of the serving cells other than PCell or PSCell may also have two options. One option is to use the first TCI state activated by the first MAC CE signaling. Another option is to use the same redefined TCI state as for PCell or PSCell.

[00170] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating a method for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 11, the TCI state activation method is applicable to the interaction process between a terminal and a network device, and includes steps S101 to S109 described below.

[00171] In step S101, the network device selects a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, wherein the selected first serving cell supports MAC CE signaling.

[00172] In step S102, the network device uses the selected first serving cell to transmit the first MAC CE signaling, wherein the first MAC CE signaling is configured to activate the first TCI state. The terminal receives the first CE MAC signaling.

[00173] In step S103, the network device transmits a configuration message that is configured to indicate the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal. The terminal receives a configuration message from a network device.

[00174] In step S104, the terminal determines all serving cells in the same frequency band based on the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell in the configuration message.

[00175] It should be understood that steps S103 and S104 described here are optional. Steps S103 and S104 may be performed before step S101. For example, it is not necessary to perform steps S103 and S104 if the terminal uses a predetermined method to determine all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00176] In step S105, the terminal uses the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00177] According to the present invention, after the terminal uses the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the following actions can be performed depending on the actual application scenarios.

[00178] In step S106a, if it is determined that a BWP switch occurs in any serving cell and the second MAC CE signaling is not received, the PDCCH transmitted in the post-switch BWP is received in the post-switch BWP using the first TCI state. If the second MAC CE signaling is received, then the first TCI state is changed to the second TCI state.

[00179] In step S106b, if it is determined that a BWP switch occurs in any serving cell and the second MAC CE signaling is not received, a DCI configured to indicate the TCI state in the first TCI state is received. The TCI state indicated by the DCI signaling is configured to receive the PDSCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch. If the second MAC CE signaling is received, then the first TCI state is changed to the second TCI state.

[00180] In step S107, if it is determined that the SCell is switched, the first TCI state used in the SCell before the switch is reused in the SCell after the switch.

[00181] In step S108, if it is determined that a PCell or PSCell switch occurs, the second MAC CE signaling is received and the first TCI state of all serving cells is changed to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling.

[00182] In step S109, if it is determined that there is a beam failure serving cell, the TCI state of the beam failure serving cell is re-determined. If the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling is not received, then the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell are changed to the re-determined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell. Alternatively, the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell are retained. If the second MAC CE signaling is received, then the first TCI state is changed to the second TCI state.

[00183] It should be understood that in order to implement the method of activating the TCI state in the interaction between the terminal and the network device according to the present invention, the terminal and the network device, respectively, can perform the method of activating the TCI state for the terminal and the network device described above in the embodiments of the invention. If the method of activating the TCI state during interaction between the terminal and the network device is not described in sufficient detail, reference should be made to the description of the corresponding embodiments of the invention, which are not repeated here.

[00184] In accordance with the same concept, embodiments of the invention also provide a device for activating a TCI state.

[00185] It should be understood that in order to implement the functions described above, the device for activating the TCI state provided in the embodiments of the present invention includes hardware structures and/or software modules corresponding to various functions. In conjunction with the blocks and operations of the algorithm in the examples described in the embodiments of the present invention, the embodiments may be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a particular function will be performed by hardware or by software controlled hardware depends on the applications and design requirements. To implement the described functions in each particular case, specialists in the art can use various methods, while such an implementation should not be considered as beyond the technical solutions corresponding to the embodiments of the present invention.

[00186] FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 100 for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 12, the device for activating the TCI state is applicable in the terminal and includes a receiving unit 101 and a processing unit 102 .

[00187] The receiving unit 101 is configured to receive the first CE MAC signaling for activating the first TCI state. The processing unit 102 is configured to use the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band.

[00188] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes the TCI state of the PDCCH.

[00189] The processing unit 102 is also configured to determine that a BWP switch is occurring.

[00190] The receiving unit 101 is also configured to receive the PDCCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch using the first TCI state, in response to the processing unit 102 determining that a BWP switching occurs in any serving cell, and the receiving unit 101 has not received the second CE MAC signaling.

[00191] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[00192] The processing unit 102 is also configured to determine that a BWP switch is occurring.

[00193] The receiving unit 101 is also configured to receive the downlink control signaling, in response to the processing unit 102 determining that a BWP switch is occurring in any serving cell, and the receiving unit 101 has not received the second MAC CE signaling, and receiving the PDSCH, sent to the BWP after the handover, using the TCI state indicated by the downlink control signaling.

[00194] The downlink control signaling is for indicating the TCI state in the first TCI state, and the second MAC CE signaling is for activating the second TCI state.

[00195] In some embodiments, the processing unit 102 is also configured to determine if a SCell switch occurs and reuse the first TCI state used in the pre-switch SCell in the post-switch SCell in response to determining that a SCell switch occurs.

[00196] In some embodiments, processing unit 102 is also configured to determine that a PCell or PSCell switch is occurring.

[00197] The receiving unit 101 is also configured to receive a second CE MAC signaling in response to the processing unit 102 determining that a PCell or PSCell switch is occurring and changing the TCI states of all serving cells from the first TCI state to the second TCI state activated by the second CE signaling Mac.

[00198] In some embodiments of the invention, the processing unit 102 is also configured to determine that there is a serving cell with beam failure.

[00199] The processing unit 102 is also configured to re-determine the TCI state for the beam failure serving cell, in response to determining that there is a beam failure serving cell, and before receiving, by the receiving unit 101, the second TCI state activated by the second CE signaling MAC, changing the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell to a redefined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, or maintaining the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell.

[00200] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 101 is also configured to receive a second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state.

[00201] The processing unit 102 is also configured to change the first TCI state to the second TCI state.

[00202] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 101 is configured to receive the first CE MAC signaling by receiving the first CE MAC signaling using the initial BWP or the active BWP of the determined first serving cell.

[00203] In some embodiments, the receiving unit 101 is also configured to receive a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal, and the processing unit 102 is also configured to determine all serving cells in the same band. frequencies using bandwidth and carrier position.

[00204] FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 200 for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. 13, the device 200 for activating the TCI state is applicable in a network device and includes a processing unit 201 and a transmission unit 202 .

[00205] The processing unit 201 is configured to select a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, wherein the first serving cell supports MAC CE signaling.

[00206] The transmission unit 202 is configured to transmit the first MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell, wherein the first MAC CE signaling is for activating the first TCI state.

[00207] In some embodiments, the processing unit 201 is configured to randomly select a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, or select a designated first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal.

[00208] In some embodiments, the designated first serving cell includes the serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes PSCell or PCell among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes a serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum.

[00209] In some embodiments of the invention, the transmission unit 202 is configured to transmit MAC CE signaling using the initial BWP or the active BWP in the selected first serving cell.

[00210] In some embodiments, transmit unit 202 is also configured to transmit a second MAC CE signaling to activate the second TCI state.

[00211] In some embodiments of the invention, the processing unit 201 is also configured to determine, before transmission, by the transmitting unit 202, the second MAC CE signaling, one or more of the following events: terminal channel state change, BWP switch on the terminal, SCell switch on the terminal, PCell or PSCell switching at the terminal, or serving cell beam failure at the terminal.

[00212] In some embodiments, transmit unit 202 is also configured to transmit a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal.

[00213] In some embodiments, the first TCI state includes a PDCCH TCI state or a set of PDSCH TCI states.

[00214] With regard to the devices in the embodiments described above, the specific methods for performing operations on the individual modules included therein are described in detail in the method embodiments and will not be discussed in detail here.

[00215] FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 300 for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, device 300 may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a game console, a tablet device, a medical device, a fitness device, a personal digital assistant, and so on.

[00216] Referring to FIG. 14, device 300 may include one or more of the following components: processing component 302, memory 304, power component 306, multimedia component 308, audio component 310, input/output (I/O) interface 312, measurement component 314 and a communication component 316 .

[00217] The processing component 302 typically manages the general operations of the device 300, including operations related to display, phone calls, data transfer, camera operation, and recording. Processing component 302 may include one or more processors 320 executing instructions to perform all or part of the steps of the method described above. In addition, the processing component 302 may include one or more modules that allow the processing component 302 to interact with other components. For example, the processing component 302 may include a multimedia module for enabling interaction between the multimedia component 308 and the processing component 302 .

[00218] The memory 304 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the device 300. Examples of such data include instructions for any applications or methods running on the device 300, contact data, phone book data, messages, images, videos, and so on. The memory 304 can be implemented using any type of volatile or nonvolatile storage devices, or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM, static random access memory), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk.

[00219] Power component 306 provides power to various components of device 300. Power component 306 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and any other components associated with power generation, control, and distribution in device 300.

[00220] The multimedia component 308 includes a screen that provides an output interface between the device 300 and the user. In some embodiments of the invention, the screen may include a liquid crystal display (LCD, liquid crystal display) and a touch panel (TP, touch panel). If the screen includes a touch panel, the screen may be implemented as a touch screen to receive input from a user. The touchpad includes one or more touch sensors for recognizing taps, swipes, and gestures on the touchpad. The touch sensors can not only sense the touch or slide action boundary, but also determine the time period and pressure associated with the touch or slide operation. In some embodiments of the invention, the media component 308 includes a front camera and/or a rear camera. When the device 300 is in an operating mode, such as a photo or video mode, the front camera and/or the rear camera can receive external media. Both the front and rear cameras can be a fixed optical lens system or have a focal length and optical zoom capability.

[00221] The audio component 310 is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component 310 includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive an external audio signal when the device 300 is in an operating mode such as call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may also be stored in memory 304 or transmitted via communication component 316 . In some embodiments of the invention, the audio component 310 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[00222] The input/output interface 312 provides an interface between the processing component 302 and peripheral interface modules such as a keyboard, control wheel, buttons, and the like. Buttons may include, but are not limited to, a home button, a volume button, a start button and a lock button.

[00223] The metering component 314 includes one or more sensors to provide an assessment of the status of various aspects of the device 300. For example, the metering component 314 can detect the open/closed state of the device 300, the relative position of components such as the display and keyboard of the device 300, changes in the position of the device 300 or a component of device 300, the presence or absence of user contact with the device 300, the orientation or acceleration/deceleration of the device 300, and the change in temperature of the device 300. The measurement component 314 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without physical contact with them. The measurement component 314 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, the measurement component 314 may also include an accelerometer sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetic sensor, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[00224] Communications component 316 is configured to provide wired or wireless communication between device 300 and other devices. Device 300 may access a wireless network based on a communication standard such as Wi-Fi, 2G, or 3G, or a combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment, the communication component 316 receives a broadcast signal or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast control system via a broadcast channel. In an exemplary embodiment, communication component 316 also includes a near field communication (NFC) module for providing short-range communication. For example, the NFC module can be implemented based on radio frequency identification technology (RFID, radio frequency identification), infrared data association technology (IrDA, ultra-wideband technology), ultra-wideband technology (UWB), Bluetooth technology (BT ) and other technologies.

[00225] In exemplary embodiments, device 300 may be implemented using one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs). device), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform the method described above.

[00226] The exemplary embodiments also provide a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, such as those contained in memory 304 and executed by processor 320 in device 300, for performing the method described above. For example, a computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical storage device, and the like.

[00227] FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus 400 for activating a TCI state, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention. For example, device 400 may be a server. As shown in FIG. 15, device 400 includes a processing component 422 (which includes one or more processors) and a memory resource represented by memory 432 for storing instructions that can be executed by processing component 422, such as application programs. An application program stored in memory 432 may include one or more modules, each of which corresponds to a set of instructions. In addition, the processing component 422 is configured to execute instructions for performing the methods described above.

[00228] The device 400 may also include a power component 426 configured to power the device 400, a wired or wireless network interface 450 configured to connect the device 400 to a network, and an input/output interface 458. Device 400 may operate on an operating system stored in memory 432 such as Windows Server™, Mac OS X™, Unix™, Linux™, FreeBSD™, and the like.

[00229] An exemplary embodiment of the invention also provides a computer-readable storage medium containing instructions, such as a memory 404 containing instructions that can be executed by the processing component 420 of the device 400 to implement the methods described above. For example, a computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, RAM, CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical storage device, and the like.

[00230] It is understood that in this description, the word "set" refers to two or more objects, and other quantitative indications are similar. The term "and/or" describes a link relationship between the respective entities, indicating that there can be three types of relationship, for example, "A and/or B" can mean that only A exists, A and B exist simultaneously, and only B. The "/" character usually indicates that the related entities before and after the character are in an "or" relationship. The singular forms are also intended to include plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[00231] In addition, it is understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various information, but the information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish information of the same type and do not indicate a particular order or degree of importance. For example, within the scope of the invention, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information.

[00232] Obviously, although the operations are shown in the drawings in a specific order in the embodiments of the invention, it should not be understood that the operations must be performed in the specific order or sequentially shown, or that all the operations shown must be performed to obtain the desired result. In certain circumstances, multitasking and parallel processing may be preferred.

[00233] Specialists in the art will understand other embodiments of the invention after considering the description and application of the invention disclosed in this document. The invention is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptive variations of the invention that follow the general principles of the invention and include well-known or conventional techniques in the art not described herein. The description and embodiments of the invention are to be considered as illustrative only, the scope and spirit of the invention being defined by the claims.

[00234] It should be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction as described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and that various modifications and changes may be made within the spirit of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (36)

1. A method for activating a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state, comprising: receiving by the terminal a first medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling, wherein the first MAC CE signaling is for activating the first TCI state; the terminal using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band; in response to the first TCI state including a set of Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) TCI states, and in response to determining that a Partial Bandwidth (BWP) switch occurs in any serving cell and no second CE signaling is received MAC for activating the second TCI state, receiving downlink control signaling by the terminal for scheduling the PDSCH transmitted in the BWP after the switch, and for indicating the TCI state in the first TCI state; And the terminal receiving the PDSCH transmitted in the BWP after the switch using the TCI state indicated by the downlink control signaling. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first TCI state includes a TCI state of a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH); wherein, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band, the method also includes: receiving, at the post-switch BWP, a PDCCH transmitted to the post-switch BWP using the first TCI state, in response to determining that a BWP handoff is occurring in any serving cell and no second MAC CE signaling that is intended to activate the second state is received TCI. 3. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band: reusing the first TCI state used in the pre-switch secondary cell (SCell) to the post-switch SCell in response to determining that a SCell handoff is occurring. 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band: receiving a second MAC CE signaling in response to determining that a primary cell handoff (PCell) or a primary secondary cell handover (PSCell) is occurring, and changing the TCI states of all serving cells from the first TCI state to the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling. 5. The method of claim 1 further comprising, after using the first TCI state as the TCI states of all serving cells in the same frequency band: re-determining the TCI state of the beam failure serving cell in response to determining that there is a beam failure serving cell, and before receiving the second TCI state activated by the second MAC CE signaling, changing the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell, to the re-determined TCI state of the beam failure serving cell, or the retention of the TCI states of all serving cells except the beam failure serving cell. 6. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1, 2 or 5, also including: receiving a second MAC CE signaling for activating the second TCI state; and changing the first TCI state to the second TCI state. 7. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-6, wherein receiving the first MAC CE signaling includes: receiving the first MAC CE signaling using the initial or active part of the frequency band (BWP) of the determined first serving cell. 8. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-7, which before receiving the first MAC CE signaling also includes: receiving a configuration message indicating a frequency band and a carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal; and determining all serving cells in the same frequency band using the frequency band and carrier position. 9. A method for activating a transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state for a network device, comprising: selecting by the network device a first serving cell from among all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, wherein the first serving cell supports transmission of a medium access control (MAC) control element (CE) signaling; transmitting, by the network device, a first MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell, wherein the first MAC CE signaling is for activating the first TCI state; in response to the first TCI state including the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) TCI state set, and in response to determining that a BWP switch is occurring in any serving cell of the terminal and no second MAC CE signaling is transmitted to activate the second a TCI state, transmission by the network device of a downlink control signaling for scheduling the PDSCH transmitted to the BWP after the switch, and for indicating the TCI state in the first TCI state; And transmission by the network device of the PDSCH transmitted in the BWP after the handover using the TCI state indicated by the downlink control signaling. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein selecting the first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal includes: randomly selecting a first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal, or selecting a designated first serving cell from all serving cells in the same frequency band of the terminal. 11. The method according to p. 10, in which the assigned first serving cell includes a serving cell with the lowest carrier frequency among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes a primary secondary cell (PSCell) or a primary cell (PCell) among all serving cells; or the designated first serving cell includes a serving cell whose channel is detected as unoccupied in the unlicensed spectrum. 12. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 9-11, wherein the MAC CE signaling using the selected first serving cell includes: MAC CE signaling using the initial or active part of the frequency band (BWP) of the selected first serving cell. 13. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 9-12, also including: transmitting a second MAC CE signaling, wherein the second MAC CE signaling is for activating the second TCI state. 14. The method of claim 13, which, before transmitting the second MAC CE signaling, also includes: detecting one or more of the following events: a channel state change of the terminal, a fractional band switching (BWP) at the terminal, a secondary cell (SCell) switching at the terminal, primary cell switching (PCell) at the terminal or primary secondary cell switching (PSCell) at the terminal, or serving cell beam failure at the terminal. 15. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 9-14, also including: transmitting a configuration message indicating the frequency band and carrier position of each serving cell among all serving cells of the terminal. 16. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 9-15, in which the first TCI state also includes: the TCI state of the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). 17. A terminal for activating the state of the transmission configuration indicator (TCI), comprising: a processor and memory for storing instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims. 1-8. 18. A network device for activating the state of the transmission configuration indicator (TCI), comprising: a processor and memory for storing instructions executable by the processor; wherein the processor is configured to implement the method according to any one of claims. 9-16. 19. A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor of the mobile terminal, cause the mobile terminal to execute the method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-8. 20. A computer-readable storage medium that stores instructions that, when executed by the processor of the mobile terminal, cause the mobile terminal to execute the method of any one of claims. 9-16.

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