IP Verse

Methods And Apparatuses For Determining Quasi Co-Location (Qcl) Assumptions For Beam Operations

Patent No. US11641661 (titled "Methods And Apparatuses For Determining Quasi Co-Location (Qcl) Assumptions For Beam Operations") was filed by Hannibal Ip Llc on May 6, 2021.

What is this patent about?

’661 is related to the field of wireless communication systems, specifically addressing beamforming techniques in 5G New Radio (NR) networks. The background involves User Equipment (UE) configured with multiple Control Resource Sets (CORESETs) for directional communication. A problem arises when the UE needs to determine which Quasi Co-Location (QCL) assumption to use for beam operations, especially when multiple CORESETs are configured, potentially leading to unfavorable beam switching.

The underlying idea behind ’661 is to resolve ambiguity in QCL assumption selection for beam operations when a UE is configured with multiple CORESETs. The key inventive insight is to prioritize a specific CORESET based on its identity and configuration to ensure consistent beamforming. This involves selecting a CORESET with the lowest CORESET Identity (ID) among the monitored CORESETs to apply its QCL assumption for receiving a Downlink Reference Signal (DL RS).

The claims of ’661 focus on a UE configured to monitor multiple CORESETs within an active Bandwidth Part (BWP) of a serving cell. The UE receives Downlink Control Information (DCI) scheduling a DL RS. Crucially, the claims cover the scenario where the scheduling offset between the end of the PDCCH carrying the DCI and the beginning of the DL RS resource is less than a threshold. The UE then applies the QCL assumption of the CORESET with the lowest CORESET ID to receive the DL RS.

In practice, the invention ensures that when a UE receives scheduling information for a DL RS, it consistently applies the beamforming parameters associated with the CORESET having the lowest ID, especially when the scheduling is time-critical (offset is below a threshold). This prevents the UE from rapidly switching beams based on potentially conflicting QCL assumptions from different CORESETs. The method prioritizes a consistent spatial domain filter for receiving the DL RS, improving signal reception reliability.

This approach differs from prior solutions by explicitly addressing the ambiguity in QCL assumption selection when multiple CORESETs are configured. Instead of relying on potentially conflicting or undefined behaviors, ’661 enforces a deterministic selection based on the CORESET ID. This ensures that the UE uses a predictable and stable beamforming configuration, particularly important in scenarios with short scheduling offsets where rapid beam switching could degrade performance. The lowest CORESET ID acts as a tiebreaker, ensuring a consistent QCL assumption for DL RS reception .

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’661 was filed, wireless communication systems commonly relied on beamforming technologies to provide directional communications at a time when user equipments (UEs) typically performed beam operations to switch beams for transmitting or receiving channels or resources. At this time, hardware or software constraints made it non-trivial for a UE to decide which quasi-co-location (QCL) assumption to use when multiple control resource sets (CORESETs) were configured.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The claims were rejected in a non-final office action. The rejection was based on nonstatutory double patenting over a prior patent. The examiner stated that the claims were allowable over the prior art once the double patenting rejections were overcome. The prosecution record describes the examiner's reasoning for allowance.

Claims

This patent contains 16 claims, with independent claims 1 and 9. Independent claim 1 focuses on a user equipment (UE) configured to perform beam operations by monitoring Control Resource Sets (CORESETs) and applying Quasi Co-Location (QCL) assumptions. Independent claim 9 focuses on a method performed by a UE for beam operations, also involving monitoring CORESETs and applying QCL assumptions. The dependent claims generally elaborate on specific aspects, conditions, or configurations related to the CORESETs and their overlap, as well as the application of QCL assumptions for receiving DL RS or PDSCH.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Active Bandwidth Part
(Claim 1, Claim 9)		“The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to monitor at least one of multiple CORESETs configured for the UE within an active BWP of a serving cell in a time slot, and apply a first QCL assumption of a first CORESET of a set of one or more monitored CORESETs to receive a Downlink (DL) Reference Signal (RS).”A bandwidth part that is currently active for the UE within a serving cell.
Control Resource Sets
(Claim 1, Claim 9)		“However, current specifications for the next generation wireless communication system may cause a UE to perform unfavorable beam switching when the UE is configured with multiple Control Resource Sets (CORESETs). In addition, although the next generation wireless communication system enables utilizing a flexible resource allocation scheme, a UE is likely unable to decide which QCL assumption to use due to the ambiguity of the current specifications for the next generation wireless communication system.”A set of control resources configured for a UE.
Monitored search space
(Claim 1, Claim 9)		“The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to monitor at least one of multiple CORESETs configured for the UE within an active BWP of a serving cell in a time slot, and apply a first QCL assumption of a first CORESET of a set of one or more monitored CORESETs to receive a Downlink (DL) Reference Signal (RS). The first CORESET may be associated with a monitored search space configured with a lowest CORESET Identity (ID) among the set of one or more monitored CORESETs.”A search space that is monitored by the UE to find the CORESET ID.
Quasi Co-Location
(Claim 1, Claim 9)		“Each beam the UE applies may be considered as a spatial domain filter that is determined by a corresponding QCL assumption. Therefore, there is a need in the art for methods and apparatuses of determining QCL assumptions for beam operations when multiple CORESETs are configured to a UE.”An assumption about the spatial characteristics of a signal, used for beam operations.
Scheduling offset
(Claim 1, Claim 9)		“The at least one processor is configured to execute the computer-executable instructions to monitor at least one of multiple CORESETs configured for the UE within an active BWP of a serving cell in a time slot, receive Downlink Control Information (DCI) scheduling a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) from a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and apply a QCL assumption for reception of the PDCCH to receive the PDSCH, when a scheduling offset between a last symbol of the PDCCH carrying the DCI and a first symbol of the PDSCH is less than a threshold.”The time difference between the end of the PDCCH carrying the DCI and the beginning of the resource carrying the DL RS.

Litigation Cases New

US Latest litigation cases involving this patent.

Case NumberFiling DateTitle
4:25-cv-00200Feb 27, 2025Hannibal IP, LLC v. Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. et al

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US11641661

HANNIBAL IP LLC
Application Number
US17313283
Filing Date
May 6, 2021
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Oct 22, 2039
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents