CN113424584B

CN113424584B - Beam selection for MULTI-TRP

Info

Publication number: CN113424584B
Application number: CN201980091925.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李知航
Original assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Current assignee: Nokia Shanghai Bell Co Ltd; Nokia Solutions and Networks Oy
Priority date: 2019-02-13
Filing date: 2019-02-13
Publication date: 2023-03-28
Anticipated expiration: 2039-02-13
Also published as: WO2020164027A1; CN113424584A

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to beam selection for multiple transmission points (TRPs). A beam selection method comprises the following steps: determining, at the terminal device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams from the primary network device and a second set of candidate beams from the secondary network device; determining, based on the beam quality, a target combined beam indicative of a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams; generating an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and sends the indication to the primary network device. In this way, beam pair links between the terminal device and the plurality of network devices may be accurately determined.

Description

Beam selection for MULTI-TRP

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly to beam selection for multiple transmission points (TRPs).

Background

To accommodate the increasing number of User Equipments (UEs) and to provide a variety of applications, new Radio (NR) systems employ larger bandwidths and higher frequency bands than advanced long term evolution (LTE-a) systems. However, due to unfavorable propagation qualities, including large path loss, atmospheric and rain absorption, low diffraction around obstacles, and penetration of objects at high frequency bands, the coverage and throughput of NR systems may not be guaranteed by omni-directional antennas. Therefore, NR systems use directional antennas and large antenna arrays to produce narrow beams with high beamforming gain.

Generating some beams of one TRP within one time period and scanning all beams during several time periods in a time division multiplexed manner, NR can provide seamless access for UEs located at arbitrary positions in the TRP. Since the high beamforming gain beam is narrow, the UE and the transmission Beam Pair Link (BPL) of the TRP must be aligned.

Disclosure of Invention

In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for beam selection for multiple transmission points (TRP).

In a first aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRP is provided. The method comprises the following steps: determining, at the terminal device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; determining, based on the beam quality, a target combined beam indicative of a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams; generating an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and send the indication to the primary network device.

In a second aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, at the primary network device, an indication from the terminal device indicating an identification of the first target beam, an identification of the second target beam and an identification of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; and sending the indication to the secondary network device.

In a third aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, at the secondary network device from the primary network device, an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

In a fourth aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The method comprises the following steps: determining, at the primary network device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; determining, based on the beam quality, a target combined beam indicative of a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams; generating a first indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicative of an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and sending the first indication to the terminal device and the second indication to the secondary network device.

In a fifth aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, at the terminal device, a first indication from the primary network device indicating an identity of a first target beam, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

In a sixth aspect, a method for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The method comprises the following steps: receiving, at the secondary network device, a second indication from the primary network device indicating an identity of a second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

In a seventh aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the first aspect.

In an eighth aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the second aspect.

In a ninth aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the third aspect.

In a tenth aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRP is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, an apparatus for beam selection for multiple TRPs is provided. The apparatus comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method according to the sixth aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the first aspect.

In a fourteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the second aspect.

In a fifteenth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the third aspect.

In a sixteenth aspect, an apparatus is provided, comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the fourth aspect.

In a seventeenth aspect, an apparatus is provided comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the fifth aspect.

In an eighteenth aspect, there is provided an apparatus comprising means for performing the steps of the method according to the sixth aspect.

In a nineteenth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the first aspect.

In a twentieth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the second aspect.

In a twenty-first aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the third aspect.

In a twenty-second aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, on which a computer program is stored which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the fourth aspect.

In a twenty-third aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program, which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the fifth aspect.

In a twenty-fourth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by at least one processor of an apparatus, causes the apparatus to perform the method according to the sixth aspect.

It should be understood that this summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the embodiments of the disclosure, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily apparent from the following description.

Drawings

Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example communication network 100 in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

fig. 2 illustrates a diagram of an example process 200 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 3 illustrates a diagram of an example process 300 for beam selection for multiple TRP, in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 4 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 400 for beam selection for multiple TRP in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 500 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 600 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 700 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 800 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 900 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure; and

fig. 11 illustrates a diagram of an example computer-readable medium in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numbers refer to the same or similar elements.

Detailed Description

The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to a few exemplary embodiments. It is understood that these embodiments are described for illustrative purposes only and are presented to aid those skilled in the art in understanding and enabling the present disclosure without suggesting any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The disclosure described herein may be implemented in various ways other than those described below.

In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that conforms to any suitable communication standard or protocol, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-advanced (LTE-a), and 5G NR, and employs any suitable communication technology, including, for example, multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), OFDM, time Division Multiplexing (TDM), frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM), code Division Multiplexing (CDM), bluetooth, zigBee, machine Type Communication (MTC)), eMBB, MTC, and urrllc technologies. For purposes of discussion, in some embodiments, an LTE network, an LTE-a network, a 5G NR network, or any combination thereof are examples of communication networks.

As used herein, the term "network device" refers to any suitable device on the network side of a communication network. The network device may comprise any suitable device in an access network of a communication network, including for example a Base Station (BS), a relay, an Access Point (AP), a transmission point (TRP), a node B (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a 5G or next generation NodeB (gNB), a remote radio module (RRU), a Radio Head (RH), a Remote Radio Head (RRH), a low power node (such as a femto, piconet), and so on. For purposes of discussion, in some embodiments, an eNB is taken as an example of a network device.

The network equipment may also include any suitable equipment in the core network, including, for example, multi-standard radio (MSR) radios such as MSR BSs, network controllers (BSCs) such as Radio Network Controllers (RNCs) or base station controllers, multi-cell/Multicast Coordination Entities (MCEs), mobile Switching Centers (MSCs) and MMEs, operations and management (O & M) nodes, operations Support Systems (OSS) nodes, self-organizing networks (SON) nodes, location nodes such as enhanced serving mobile location centers (E-SMLCs), and/or Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs).

As used herein, the term "terminal device" refers to a device that is capable of, configured to, arranged to, and/or operable to communicate with a network device or another terminal device in a communication network. The communication may involve sending and/or receiving wireless signals using electromagnetic signals, radio waves, infrared signals, and/or other types of signals suitable for communicating information over the air. In some embodiments, the terminal device may be configured to transmit and/or receive information without direct human interaction. For example, when triggered by an internal or external event, or in response to a request from the network side, the terminal device may transmit information to the network device in a predetermined schedule.

Examples of end devices include, but are not limited to, user Equipment (UE) such as a smart phone, a wireless-enabled tablet, a laptop embedded device (LEE), a laptop installation device (LME), and/or a wireless Customer Premises Equipment (CPE). For purposes of discussion, some embodiments will be described below with reference to a UE as an example of a terminal device, and the terms "terminal device" and "user equipment" (UE) may be used interchangeably in the context of this disclosure.

As used herein, the term "cell" refers to an area covered by radio signals transmitted by a network device. Terminal devices within a cell may be served by a network device and access a communication network via the network device.

As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

(a) Hardware-only circuit implementations (such as implementations in analog and/or digital circuitry only) and

(b) A combination of hardware circuitry and software, such as (if applicable): (i) A combination of analog and/or digital hardware circuit(s) and software/firmware, and (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor (s)), software, and memory(s) that work together to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions, and

(c) Hardware circuit(s) and/or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or a portion of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) to enable, but which may not be present when it is not required for operation.

This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of the term in this application, including all uses in any claims. As a further example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also encompasses implementations in which only a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and/or firmware. By way of example, and where applicable to the particular claims element(s), the term circuitry also encompasses baseband or processor integrated circuits for mobile devices, or similar integrated circuits in servers, cellular network devices, or other computing or network devices.

As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The term "comprising" and variations thereof shall be read as "based, at least in part, on". The terms "one embodiment" and "an embodiment" should be read as "at least one embodiment". The term "another embodiment" should be read as "at least one other embodiment". Other definitions, whether explicit or implicit, may be included below.

Fig. 1 illustrates a communication network 100 in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

As shown in fig. 1, communication network 100 includes network devices 120-1 and 120-2 (hereinafter also referred to as network 120) and terminal device 110. It should be appreciated that communication system 100 may include any suitable number of terminal devices. It should be noted that communication system 100 may also include other elements that are omitted for clarity purposes. Network devices 120-1 and 120-2 may communicate with terminal device 110. Network devices 120-1 and 120-2 may communicate with each other. It is to be understood that the number of network devices and terminal devices shown in fig. 1 is given for illustrative purposes and does not imply any limitation. Communication network 100 may include any suitable number of network devices and terminal devices.

As used herein, network device 120-1 may be referred to as a primary network device (hereinafter also referred to as a primary service TRP, PST) and network device 120-2 may be referred to as a secondary network device (hereinafter also referred to as a secondary service TRP, SST).

In the conventional scheme, beam selection for a single TRP scenario has been well discussed. The terminal device 110 and its serving TRP may utilize some conventional procedures to select the appropriate Beam Pair Link (BPL). As used herein, "BPL" may be used for Downlink (DL) and Uplink (UL) control/data channel transmissions between a network device and a terminal device.

For example, as shown in fig. 1, for a single TRP scenario, it may be determined that: the BPL between terminal device 110 and network device 120-1 may be

beams

121 and 112. It can also be determined that: the BPL device 120-2 between the terminal device 110 and the network may be

beams

131 and 113. However, in a multiple TRP scenario, terminal device 110, whether selecting

beam

112 or 113, will not align with either the beam of the PST or the beam of the SST.

Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure propose some methods for beam selection in multiple TRP scenarios. Alternatively, terminal device 110 may determine a combined beam that is combined by the corresponding beam associated with network device 120-1 and the corresponding beam associated with network device 120-2 based on downlink reference signals from network device 120-1 and network device 120-2, respectively. The determined combined beam may be used to form a BPL with the appropriate beam of the terminal device 110.

Alternatively, network device 120-1 may determine a combined beam that is combined by the corresponding beam associated with terminal device 110 and the corresponding beam associated with network device 120-2 based on the uplink reference signal from terminal device 110 and the backhaul from network device 120-2, respectively.

The principles and implementations of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to fig. 2-3. Referring to the figures, processes 200 and 300 are shown according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. For purposes of discussion, processes 200 and 300 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

Processes

200 and 300 may involve beam selection for multiple TRPs.

As mentioned above, terminal device 110 may determine the target combined beam based on downlink reference signals from network device 120-1 and network device 120-2, respectively. In this case, network device 120-1 and network device 120-2 may transmit the same reference signal to terminal device 110. Alternatively, network device 120-1 and network device 120-2 may transmit different reference signals to terminal device 110. Referring to fig. 2, an embodiment of process 200 will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 2, network device 120-1 may transmit 210 a first Reference Signal (RS) to terminal device 110 and network device 120-2 may transmit a second RS to terminal device 110. The first and second RSs may herein refer to downlink reference signals, e.g., channel state information reference signals (CSI-RSs), between network device 120 and terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, the first RS transmitted from network device 120-1 and the second RS transmitted from network device 120-2 may be the same as each other. That is, network devices 120-1 and 120-2 may coordinate transmitting the combined beams at once and traverse all of the combined beams over several time periods through beam scanning.

Thus, the terminal device 110 may receive the first RS on a plurality of combined beams, which may be considered a first candidate set of beams, and the second RS on a plurality of combined beams, which may be considered a second candidate set of beams.

In other words, the plurality of combined beams included in the first candidate beam set may be combined by the beam group transmitted from network device 120-1, and the plurality of combined beams included in the second candidate beam set may be combined by the beam group transmitted from network device 120-2.

In this case, to ensure that network device 120-2 transmits the same RS as that transmitted from network device 120-1, network device 120-1 may transmit 205 information to network device 120-2 over the backhaul before network device 120-1 transmits the RS to terminal device 110. For example, the information may indicate the first RS and beam pattern of network device 120-1.

If the terminal device 110 receives the first and second set of candidate beams, the terminal device 110 may determine beam qualities of the first and second set of candidate beams and determine 220a target combined beam based on the beam qualities. For example, the terminal device 110 may measure beam quality of the first and second candidate sets of beams and determine a target combined beam based on the result of the beam quality measurement. For example, the beam quality of the target combined beam may exceed a threshold quality. The target combined beam may indicate a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams.

Alternatively, the first RS transmitted from network device 120-1 and the second RS transmitted from network device 120-2 may be different from each other. That is, network devices 120-1 and 120-2 may transmit beams individually at a time and need only traverse all of their own beams over several time periods through beam scanning.

Thus, terminal device 110 may receive a first RS on a first beam group of network device 120-1 that may be considered a first candidate beam set and a second RS on a second beam group of network device 120-2 that may be considered a second candidate beam set.

If the terminal device 110 receives the first candidate set of beams and the second candidate set of beams, the terminal device 110 may determine beam qualities of the first candidate set of beams and the second candidate set of beams and determine 220a target combined beam based on the beam qualities. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine a plurality of combined beams by combining the first set of candidate beams with the second set of candidate beams and measure beam quality of the plurality of combined beams. Terminal device 110 may also determine a target combined beam based on the results of the beam quality measurements. For example, the beam quality of the target combined beam may exceed a threshold quality. The target combined beam may indicate a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams.

Terminal device 110 may then generate an indication indicating the identity of the first target beam, the identity of the second target beam, and the identity of terminal device 110, and transmit 225 the indication to network device 120-1.

If network device 120-1 receives the indication, network device 120-1 may forward 230 the indication to network device 120-2.

Network device 120-1 may notify 230 the identity of the beam of terminal device 110 that corresponds to the first target beam and the second target beam.

Network device 120-1 may then transmit 240 the first RS on the first target beam and network device 120-2 may transmit 245 the second RS on the second target beam.

In this way, the delay will be shortened since the terminal device is only required to traverse all possible Tx beams, rather than PST and SST jointly traversing all TRP Tx beams. Furthermore, the transmission delay may depend only on the beam scanning period of the terminal device and will not increase as the number of TRPs increases.

As mentioned above, network device 120-1 may also determine a combined beam that is combined by the corresponding beam associated with terminal device 110 and the corresponding beam associated with network device 120-2 based on the uplink reference signal from terminal device 110 and the backhaul from network device 120-2, respectively. Referring to fig. 3, an embodiment of the process 300 will be described in detail below.

As shown in fig. 3, terminal device 10 may send 310 the RS to network device 120-1 and send 315 the RS to network device 120-1. Prior to sending the RS, network device 120-1 may first notify 305 network device 120-2 over the backhaul: the terminal device assigned to network device 120-1 needs to be measured by network device 120-1. RS may refer herein to an uplink reference signal, e.g., a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), between network device 120 and terminal device 110.

In some embodiments, network device 120-2 may receive RSs on a beam group of the terminal device that may be considered a first candidate set of beams.

Network device 120-2 may measure an uplink channel between terminal device 110 and network device 120-2 based on the RS and generate feedback information. The feedback information may, for example, include an identification of the first candidate set of beams, an identification of a beam group of network device 120-2 that may be considered as the second candidate set of beams, an identification of the terminal device, and a channel between the terminal device and the secondary network device.

Network device 120-2 may send 320 feedback information to network device 120-1. Network device 120-1 may receive the RS on a beam group of the terminal device that may be considered a first candidate beam set and determine beam qualities of the first candidate beam set and a second candidate beam set and determine 325 a target combined beam based on the beam qualities. For example, the terminal device 110 may determine a plurality of combined beams by combining the first set of candidate beams with the second set of candidate beams and measure beam quality of the plurality of combined beams. Network device 120-1 may also determine a target combined beam based on the results of the beam quality measurements. For example, the beam quality of the target combined beam may exceed a threshold quality. The target combined beam may indicate a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams.

Network device 120-1 may generate a first indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicative of an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device. Network device 120-1 may send 330 the second indication to network device 120-2 and send 335 the first indication to terminal device 110. Network device 120-1 may then transmit 340 the RS on the first target beam and network device 120-2 may transmit 345 the RS on the second target beam.

In this way, the complexity of combining channels and evaluating the combined beam energy shifts to the TRP side, relaxing the requirements on the processing power of the terminal device.

Further details of example embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to fig. 4-9.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 400 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 400 may be implemented at terminal device 110 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 400 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 410, terminal device 110 determines beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from network device 120-1 and a second set of candidate beams received from network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may receive a first reference signal, RS, from network device 120-1 on a first set of candidate beams and a second DL RS from network device 120-2 on a second set of candidate beams, the first RS being the same as the second RS; and performing beam quality measurements on the plurality of combined beams based on the first and second RSs, the first or second set of candidate beams including a plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1 and a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may receive a first reference signal, RS, from network device 120-1 and a second RS from network device 120-2, the first RS being different from the second RS; and performing beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the first and second RSs, the first candidate beam set including a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1, and the second candidate beam set including a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first beam group and the second beam group.

At 420, the terminal device 110 determines a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam being indicative of a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams.

In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may determine a target combined beam from the plurality of combined beams based on the results of the beam quality measurements.

At 430, terminal device 110 generates an indication indicating the identity of the first target beam, the identity of the second target beam, and the identity of the terminal device.

Terminal device 110 sends the indication to network device 120-1 at 440.

Fig. 5 illustrates a flow diagram of an example method 500 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 500 may be implemented at network device 120-1 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 500 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 510, the network device 120-1 receives an indication from the terminal device indicating an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam, and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first candidate beam set and the second target beam from the second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the network device 120-1 and the second candidate beam set received from the network device 120-2.

At 520, network device 120-1 sends the indication to network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, network device 120-1 may transmit a first reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS, the first or second set of candidate beams including a plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1 and a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2, the first RS being the same as a second RS transmitted from network device 120-2 to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, network device 120-1 may send information associated with the first RS and a beam pattern associated with the first set of candidate beams to network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, network device 120-1 may transmit a first reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS, the first candidate beam set including a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1 and the second candidate beam set including a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first beam group and the second beam group, the first RS being different from a second RS transmitted from network device 120-2 to the terminal device.

Fig. 6 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 600 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 600 may be implemented at network device 120-2 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 600 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 610, the network device 120-2 receives, from the network device 120-1, an indication indicating an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam, and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by the terminal device based on a target combined beam determined by beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the network device 120-1 and the second set of candidate beams received from the network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, network device 120-2 may transmit a second reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the second RS, the first or second set of candidate beams including a plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1 and a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2, the second RS being the same as the first RS transmitted from network device 120-1 to the terminal device.

In some embodiments, network device 120-2 may receive information associated with the first RS and a beam pattern associated with the first set of candidate beams from network device 120-1. Network device 120-2 may also transmit a second RS based on the received information and the beam pattern.

In some embodiments, network device 120-2 may transmit a second reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on a second RS, the first candidate beam set including a first beam group transmitted from network device 120-1 and the second candidate beam set including a second beam group transmitted from network device 120-2, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first beam group and the second beam group, the second RS being different from the first RS transmitted from network device 120-1 to the terminal device.

Fig. 7 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 700 for beam selection for multiple TRP in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 700 may be implemented at network device 120-1 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 700 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 710, network device 120-1 determines beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and a second set of candidate beams received from network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, network device 120-1 may receive reference signals, RS, from the terminal device on a first candidate set of beams and feedback information from network device 120-2 on a second candidate set of beams, the feedback information indicating the first candidate set of beams, the second candidate set of beams, and a channel between the terminal device and network device 120-2; and performing beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the reference signals and the feedback information, the first set of candidate beams including a first beam group transmitted from the terminal device, and the second set of candidate beams including a second beam group transmitted from the network device 120-2, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first beam group and the second beam group.

At 720, network device 120-1 determines a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam indicating a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams.

In some embodiments, network device 120-1 may determine a target combined beam from the plurality of combined beams based on the results of the beam quality measurements.

At 730, network device 120-1 generates a first indication indicating an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicating an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device.

At 740, network device 120-1 sends a first indication to the terminal device and a second indication to network device 120-2.

Fig. 8 shows a flowchart of an example method 800 for beam selection for multiple TRPs, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 800 may be implemented at terminal device 110 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 800 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 810, the terminal device 110 receives, from the network device 120-1, a first indication indicating an identification of a first target beam, the first target beam from the first candidate set of beams and a second target beam from the second candidate set of beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the network device 120-1 based on beam qualities of the first candidate set of beams received from the terminal device and the second candidate set of beams received from the network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may transmit a reference signal, RS, to network device 120-1 to enable network device 120-1 to perform beam quality measurements on a plurality of combined beams based on the RS and feedback information transmitted from network device 120-2, a first candidate set of beams including a first set of beams transmitted from the terminal device, and a second candidate set of beams including a second set of beams transmitted from network device 120-2, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first set of beams and the second set of beams, the feedback information indicating the first candidate set of beams, the second candidate set of beams, and a channel between the terminal device and network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, terminal device 110 may transmit an RS to network device 120-2 to enable network device 120-2 to generate feedback information based on the RS.

Fig. 9 illustrates a flowchart of an example method 900 for beam selection for multiple TRPs in accordance with some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Method 900 may be implemented at network device 120-2 as shown in fig. 1. For discussion purposes, the method 900 will be described with reference to fig. 1.

At 910, the network device 120-2 receives, from the network device 120-1, a second indication indicating an identification of a second target beam and an identification of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the network device 120-1 based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from the network device 120-2.

In some embodiments, network device 120-2 may receive a reference signal, RS, from the terminal device and generate feedback information based on the RS, the feedback information indicating the first set of candidate beams, the second set of candidate beams, and a channel between the terminal device and network device 120-2. Network device 120-2 may also send feedback information to network device 120-1.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., implemented at terminal device 110) capable of performing method 400 may include means for performing the various steps of method 400. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing the method 400 comprises: means for determining, at the terminal device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; means for determining a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam indicating a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams; means for generating an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and means for sending the indication to the primary network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., implemented at network device 120-1) capable of performing method 500 may include means for performing various steps of method 500. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 500 comprises: means for receiving, at the primary network device, an indication from the terminal device indicating an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; and means for sending the indication to the secondary network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., implemented at network device 120-2) capable of performing method 600 may include means for performing various steps of method 600. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 600 comprises: means for receiving, at the secondary network device, an indication from the primary network device indicating an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 700 (e.g., implemented at network device 120-1) may include means for performing various steps of method 700. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 700 comprises: means for determining, at the primary network device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device; means for determining a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam indicating a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams; means for generating a first indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicative of an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and means for sending the first indication to the terminal device and the second indication to the secondary network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 800 (e.g., implemented at terminal device 110) may include means for performing various steps of method 800. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 800 comprises: means for receiving, at the terminal device, a first indication from the primary network device indicating an identity of a first target beam, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus (e.g., implemented at network device 120-2) capable of performing method 900 may include means for performing various steps of method 900. The component may be implemented in any suitable form. For example, the components may be implemented in a circuit or a software module.

In some example embodiments, an apparatus capable of performing method 900 comprises: means for receiving, at the secondary network device, a second indication from the primary network device indicating an identity of a second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from the second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

Fig. 10 is a simplified block diagram of a device 1000 suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Device 1000 may be provided to implement terminal device 110 or network device 120 as shown in fig. 1. As shown, device 1000 includes one or more processors 1010, one or more memories 1020 coupled to processors 1010, and one or more transmitters and/or receivers (TX/RX) 1040 coupled to processors 1010.

TX/RX 1040 is used for bi-directional communication. TX/RX 1040 has at least one antenna to facilitate communication. The communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements.

The processor 1010 may be of any type suitable for use in a local technology network, and may include one or more of general purpose computers, special purpose computers, microprocessors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs) and processors based on a multi-core processor architecture, as non-limiting examples. Device 1000 may have multiple processors, such as application specific integrated circuit chips that are time dependent from a clock synchronized to the main processor.

The memory 1020 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memory include, but are not limited to, read Only Memory (ROM) 1024, electrically Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), flash memory, a hard disk, a Compact Disk (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), and other magnetic and/or optical storage. Examples of volatile memory include, but are not limited to, random Access Memory (RAM) 1022 and other volatile memory that will not persist for the duration of the power down.

Computer programs 1030 include computer-executable instructions that are executed by the associated processor 1010. The program 1030 may be stored in the ROM 1024. Processor 1010 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading programs 1030 into RAM 1022.

Example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by way of program 1030 to enable device 1000 to perform any of the processes of the present disclosure as discussed with reference to fig. 2-9. Embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and software.

In some example embodiments, the program 1030 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium, which may be included in the device 1000 (such as in the memory 1020) or in other storage accessible to the device 1000. Device 1000 can load program 1030 from the computer-readable medium into RAM 1022 for execution. The computer readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, a hard disk, a CD, a DVD, etc. Fig. 11 shows an example of a computer readable medium 1100 in the form of a CD or DVD. The computer readable medium has a program 1030 stored thereon.

In general, the various example embodiments of this disclosure may be implemented in hardware or special purpose circuits, software, logic or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor or other computing device. For example, in some embodiments, various examples of the disclosure (e.g., a method, apparatus, or device) may be partially or fully implemented on a computer-readable medium. While various aspects of the embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other pictorial representation, it is well understood that the blocks, apparatus, systems, techniques or methods described herein may be implemented in, as non-limiting examples, hardware, software, firmware, special purpose circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controller or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

The elements included in the apparatus and/or devices of the present disclosure may be implemented in various ways, including software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, one or more of the units may be implemented using software and/or firmware, such as machine executable instructions stored on a storage medium. Some or all of the elements in an apparatus and/or device may be implemented at least in part by one or more hardware logic components in addition to or in place of machine-executable instructions. By way of example, and not limitation, illustrative types of hardware logic components that may be used include Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), application Specific Standard Products (ASSPs), system-on-Chip Systems (SOCs), complex Programmable Logic Devices (CPLDs), and so forth.

By way of example, embodiments of the disclosure may be described in the context of computer-executable instructions, such as those included in program modules, being executed in a device on a target real or virtual processor. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of the program modules may be combined or split between program modules as desired. Machine-executable instructions for program modules may be executed within a local or distributed device. In a distributed facility, program modules may be located in both local and remote memory storage media.

Program code for carrying out methods of the present disclosure may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes may be provided to a processor or controller of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus, such that the program codes, when executed by the processor or controller, cause the functions/operations specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram to be performed. The program code may execute entirely on the machine, partly on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the machine and partly on a remote machine or entirely on the remote machine or server.

In the context of this disclosure, a computer readable medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer readable medium may be a machine readable signal medium or a machine readable storage medium. A computer readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of machine-readable storage media would include: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a Random Access Memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

Further, while operations are depicted in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. In some scenarios, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Also, while the above discussion contains several specific example embodiment details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to particular embodiments. Certain features that are described in the context of separate embodiments can also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features that are described in the context of a single embodiment can also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable subcombination.

Although the disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and/or methodological acts, it is to be understood that the disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising:

determining, at the terminal device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device;

determining a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam indicating a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams;

generating an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and

sending the indication to the primary network device.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the beam quality comprises:

receiving a first reference signal, RS, from the primary network device on the first set of candidate beams and a second RS from the secondary network device on the second set of candidate beams, the first RS being the same as the second RS; and

performing beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS and the second RS, the first candidate set of beams or the second candidate set of beams including the plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the beam quality comprises:

receiving a first reference signal, RS, from the primary network device and a second RS from the secondary network device, the first RS being different from the second RS; and

performing beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS and the second RS, the first set of candidate beams including a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams including a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the plurality of combined beams being formed by combining the first beam group and the second beam group.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the target combined beam comprises:

determining the target combined beam from a plurality of combined beams based on the result of the beam quality measurement.

5. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, at a primary network device, an indication from a terminal device indicating an identity of a first target beam, an identity of a second target beam and an identity of the terminal device, the first target beam from a first candidate beam set and the second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the primary network device and the second candidate beam set received from a secondary network device; and

sending the indication to the secondary network device.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a first Reference Signal (RS) to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurement for a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS, the first candidate beam set or the second candidate beam set including the plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the first RS being the same as a second RS transmitted from the secondary network device to the terminal device.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

transmitting information associated with the first RS and a beam pattern associated with the first set of candidate beams to the secondary network device.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transmitting a first reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the first RS, the first candidate beam set comprising a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and the second candidate beam set comprising a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the plurality of combined beams being combined from the first beam group and the second beam group, the first RS being different from a second RS transmitted from the secondary network device to the terminal device.

9. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, at a secondary network device from a primary network device, an indication indicating an identity of a first target beam, an identity of a second target beam and an identity of a terminal device, the first target beam from a first candidate beam set and the second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the primary network device and the second candidate beam set received from the secondary network device.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting a second Reference Signal (RS) to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the second RS, the first candidate beam set or the second candidate beam set including the plurality of combined beams combined by a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the second RS being the same as the first RS transmitted from the primary network device to the terminal device.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein transmitting the second RS comprises:

receiving, from the primary network device, information associated with the first RS and a beam pattern associated with the first set of candidate beams; and

transmitting the second RS based on the received information and the beam pattern.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising:

transmitting a second reference signal, RS, to the terminal device to enable the terminal device to perform beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the second RS, the first set of candidate beams including a first beam group transmitted from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams including a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the plurality of combined beams being combined from the first beam group and the second beam group, the second RS being different from a first RS transmitted from the primary network device to the terminal device.

13. A method for communication, comprising:

determining, at the primary network device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device;

generating a first indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicative of an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and

sending the first indication to the terminal device and the second indication to the secondary network device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the beam quality comprises:

receiving reference signals, RSs, from the terminal device on the first set of candidate beams and feedback information from the secondary network device on the second set of candidate beams, the feedback information indicating the first set of candidate beams, the second set of candidate beams, and a channel between the terminal device and the secondary network device; and

performing beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the reference signals and the feedback information, the first set of candidate beams comprising a first beam group transmitted from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams comprising a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the plurality of combined beams being formed by the first beam group and the second beam group.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein determining the target combined beam comprises:

16. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, at a terminal device, a first indication from a primary network device indicating an identity of a first target beam, the first target beam from a first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from a second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams received from a secondary network device.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

transmitting a reference signal, RS, to the primary network device to enable the primary network device to perform beam quality measurements for a plurality of combined beams based on the RS and feedback information transmitted from the secondary network device, the first set of candidate beams including a first beam group transmitted from the terminal device and the second set of candidate beams including a second beam group transmitted from the secondary network device, the plurality of combined beams being combined by the first beam group and the second beam group, the feedback information indicating the first set of candidate beams, the second set of candidate beams and a channel between the terminal device and the secondary network device.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

transmitting the RS to the secondary network device to enable the secondary network device to generate the feedback information based on the RS.

19. A method for communication, comprising:

receiving, at a secondary network device from a primary network device, a second indication indicating an identification of a second target beam and an identification of a terminal device, a first target beam from a first candidate beam set and the second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the terminal device and the second candidate beam set received from the secondary network device.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving a Reference Signal (RS) from the terminal equipment;

generating feedback information based on the RS, the feedback information indicating the first set of candidate beams, the second set of candidate beams, and a channel between the terminal device and the secondary network device; and

sending the feedback information to the primary network device.

21. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 1-4.

22. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 5-8.

23. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 9-12.

24. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 13-15.

25. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 16-18.

26. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

at least one processor; and

at least one memory including computer program code;

the at least one memory and the computer program code configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus at least to perform the method of any of claims 19-20.

27. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for determining, at the terminal device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device;

means for determining a target combined beam based on the beam quality, the target combined beam indicating a first target beam from the first set of candidate beams and a second target beam from the second set of candidate beams;

means for generating an indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam, an identity of the second target beam, and an identity of the terminal device; and

means for sending the indication to the primary network device.

28. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, at a primary network device, an indication from a terminal device indicating an identity of a first target beam, an identity of a second target beam and an identity of a terminal device, the first target beam from a first candidate beam set and the second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the primary network device and the second candidate beam set received from a secondary network device; and

means for sending the indication to the secondary network device.

29. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, at a secondary network device from a primary network device, an indication indicative of an identity of a first target beam, an identity of a second target beam, and an identity of a terminal device, the first target beam from a first set of candidate beams and the second target beam from a second set of candidate beams being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the terminal device based on beam qualities of the first set of candidate beams received from the primary network device and the second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device.

30. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for determining, at the primary network device, beam qualities of a first set of candidate beams received from the terminal device and a second set of candidate beams received from the secondary network device;

means for generating a first indication indicative of an identity of the first target beam and a second indication indicative of an identity of the second target beam and an identity of the terminal device; and

means for sending the first indication to the terminal device and the second indication to the secondary network device.

31. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, at a terminal device, a first indication from a primary network device indicating an identity of a first target beam, the first target beam from a first candidate beam set and a second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam, the target combined beam being determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the terminal device and the second candidate beam set received from a secondary network device.

32. An apparatus for communication, comprising:

means for receiving, at a secondary network device, a second indication from a primary network device indicating an identity of a second target beam and an identity of a terminal device, the first target beam from a first candidate beam set and the second target beam from a second candidate beam set being indicated by a target combined beam determined by the primary network device based on beam qualities of the first candidate beam set received from the terminal device and the second candidate beam set received from the secondary network device.

33. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method of any one of claims 1-4.

34. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method of any one of claims 5-8.

35. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of any of claims 9-12.

36. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to perform at least the method of any of claims 13-15.

37. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method of any one of claims 16-18.

38. A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least perform the method of any one of claims 19-20.