Smart node slot format configuration

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to a slot format configuration of a smart node, which includes receiving, by a network node, configuration information indicating types of some first symbols in a slot from a wireless communication node, the types including at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. The special symbol can cause the network node to perform one or more of a transfer based on the special symbol as needed, a detection based on the special symbol, a switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, a beam switching based on the special symbol, a switching between an on state and an off state based on the special symbol, and being turned off based on the special symbol.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Technical Field The present disclosure generally relates to wireless communication, and more particularly, to a system, method, and non - transient computer - readable medium for slot format configuration of a smart node.

Background Art

[0002] Background Coverage is a fundamental aspect of cellular network deployment. Mobile operators rely on blanket coverage to deliver a reliable cellular network deployment. Therefore, a new type of network node is desired to enhance the flexibility of mobile operators for network deployment.

Summary of the Invention

Means for Solving the Problems

[0003] Summary An exemplary configuration relates to the slot format configuration of a smart node. The wireless communication method can include receiving, by a network node, from a wireless communication node, configuration information indicating the types of some first symbols within a slot, where the types include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol.

[0004] The special symbol can cause the network node to perform one or more of transfer as required based on the special symbol, detection based on the special symbol, switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, beam switching based on the special symbol, switching between an on state and an off state based on the special symbol, and being turned off based on the special symbol.

[0005] This method may include a network node receiving configuration information from a wireless communication node via signaling, the signaling including at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0006] For example, the configuration information does not indicate the type of some second symbol within a slot as either a downlink or uplink symbol.

[0007] This method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as a special symbol. This method may also include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol.

[0008] For example, some or all of the second symbol types are configured as special symbols. For example, all of the second symbol types are special symbols. For example, some of the second symbol types are configured as special symbols, and some of the second symbol types are configured as downlink symbols, uplink symbols, on state, or off state. For example, some of the second symbol types are configured as special symbols, and one or more of the remaining second symbol types are downlink symbols or uplink symbols by default. For example, the configuration information indicates that each symbol type in the slot is one of downlink symbols, uplink symbols, or special symbols. For example, the configuration information does not indicate that some of the second symbol types in the slot are downlink symbols, uplink symbols, or special symbols.

[0009] This method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol. This method may also include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as either a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol.

[0010] For example, the configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, and that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as a downlink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, and that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as an uplink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, and that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as an uplink symbol. For example, the configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, and that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol as a downlink symbol. For example, the configuration information may indicate that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol to be the same as the first symbol that is closest to the second symbol. For example, the configuration information may indicate that the type of the first symbol in the slot is a special symbol, that the second symbol is after the first symbol, and the method may include the network node determining the type of the second symbol to be the same as the first symbol that is closest to the second symbol.

[0011] This method may include the network node determining within the second symbol whether the network node is off, the network node's forwarding unit is off, or the forwarding link is off.

[0012] The method may include a network node receiving a message through signaling from a wireless communication node indicating the type of a second symbol as a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or an on / off state, the signaling including at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0013] The method may include a network node receiving a first configuration from a wireless communication node via a first signaling, which indicates a first symbol type as a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a flexible symbol; and a network node receiving a second configuration from the wireless communication node via a second signaling, which reconfigures the first symbol type as a special symbol, wherein the first signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling, and the second signaling includes at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

[0014] For example, the second configuration can consist of the following information, namely, the index of the slot, periodicity, reference subcarrier spacing, indication as a special symbol of the type of all symbols within the slot, index of the start symbol among the first symbols, length of the first symbol, bitmap, the index corresponding to the slot format can include the first symbol, or at least one of the functions of the first symbol.

[0015] The wireless communication device can include at least one processor and a memory, and the at least one processor is configured to read the code from the memory and implement the method. The computer program product can store and include computer-readable program media code that causes the at least one processor to implement the method when executed by the at least one processor.

[0016] The above and other aspects and their configurations are described in more detail in the drawings, this specification, and the claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following: (Item 1) A wireless communication method, The network node receives configuration information from the wireless communication node indicating the type of several first symbols in the slot. Includes, The aforementioned type is a wireless communication method comprising at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. (Item 2) The wireless communication method according to item 1, wherein the special symbol causes the network node to perform one or more of the following: forwarding as needed based on the special symbol, detection based on the special symbol, switching between DL and UL based on the special symbol, beam switching based on the special symbol, switching between an ON state and an OFF state based on the special symbol, and being turned OFF based on the special symbol. (Item 3) The network node receives the configuration information from the wireless communication node through signaling. It further includes, The wireless communication method according to item 1, wherein the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling. (Item 4) The wireless communication method according to item 1, wherein the configuration information does not indicate some second symbol types in the slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. (Item 5) The wireless communication method according to item 4, further comprising determining the type of the second symbol as the special symbol by the network node. (Item 6) The wireless communication method according to item 4, further comprising determining the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol by the network node. (Item 7) The wireless communication method according to item 6, wherein some or all of the aforementioned types of the second symbols are configured as the special symbols. (Item 8) The wireless communication method according to item 6, wherein the type of all the aforementioned second symbols is the special symbol. (Item 9) The wireless communication method according to item 6, wherein some of the types of the second symbols are configured as the special symbols, and some of the types of the second symbols are configured as one of the downlink symbols, the uplink symbols, the ON state, or the OFF state. (Item 10) The wireless communication method according to item 6, wherein some of the aforementioned second symbols of the aforementioned type are configured as the special symbol, and the remaining one or more of the aforementioned second symbols of the aforementioned type are by default the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. (Item 11) The wireless communication method according to item 1, wherein the configuration information indicates the type of each symbol in the slot as one of the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the special symbol. (Item 12) The wireless communication method according to item 1, wherein the configuration information does not indicate some second symbol types in the slot as the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the special symbol. (Item 13) The wireless communication method according to item 12, further comprising determining the type of the second symbol as a flexible symbol by the network node. (Item 14) The wireless communication method according to item 12, further comprising the network node determining the type of the second symbol as either the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. (Item 15) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol as the downlink symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 16) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, and that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol as the uplink symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 17) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol as the uplink symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 18) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, and that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol as the downlink symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 19) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, that the second symbol is before the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol to be the same type as the first symbol that is closest to the second symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 20) The configuration information indicates that the type of the first symbol in the slot is the special symbol, and that the second symbol is behind the first symbol, and the method is The network node determines the type of the second symbol to be the same type as the first symbol that is closest to the second symbol. The wireless communication methods described in item 12, further including the wireless communication methods described in item 12. (Item 21) The wireless communication method according to item 12, further comprising determining, by the network node, within the second symbol, that the network node is off, the transfer unit of the network node is off, or the transfer link is off. (Item 22) The network node receives a message through signaling from the wireless communication node indicating the type of the second symbol as the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or an on / off state. It further includes, The wireless communication method according to item 12, wherein the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling. (Item 23) The network node receives from the wireless communication node via a first signaling, a first configuration indicating the type of the first symbol as the downlink symbol, the uplink symbol, or the flexible symbol. The network node receives from the wireless communication node via a second signaling, a second configuration which configures the first symbol type as the special symbol. It further includes, The first signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling. The wireless communication method described in item 1, wherein the second signaling includes at least one of radio resource control (RRC) signaling, media access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling. (Item 24) The wireless communication method according to item 23, wherein the second configuration comprises at least one of the following information: the index of the slot, periodicity, reference subcarrier interval, indication of all symbol types in the slot as special symbols, the index of the starting symbol among the first symbols, the length of the first symbol, bitmap, index corresponding to the slot format containing the first symbol, or a function of the first symbol. (Item 25) A wireless communication device comprising at least one processor and memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and implement the method described in any of items 1 to 24. (Item 26) A computer program product comprising stored computer-readable program medium code, wherein the code, when executed by at least one processor, causes the at least one processor to implement the method described in any of items 1 to 24. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0017] Various exemplary configurations of this solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary configurations of this solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of it. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered to limit the scope, extent, or applicability of this solution. Note that these drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale for clarity and ease of explanation.

[0018] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows exemplary wireless communication networks and / or systems in which the technologies disclosed herein may be implemented in several configurations.

[0019] [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals in several configurations.

[0020] [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows block diagrams of exemplary smart node architectures with several configurations.

[0021] [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows example block diagrams of time-division duplex (TDD) systems with several configurations.

[0022] [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0023] [Figure 6] Figure 6 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0024] [Figure 7] Figure 7 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0025] [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0026] [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0027] [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations with several different configurations.

[0028] [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an exemplary method for configuring the slot format of a smart node in several configurations. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0029] Detailed explanation To enable those skilled in the art to create and use this solution, various exemplary configurations of the solution are described below with reference to the accompanying figures. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the solution. Therefore, the solution is not limited to the exemplary configurations and uses described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, the particular order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely illustrative. Based on design preferences, the particular order or hierarchy of steps in the disclosed methods or processes can be rearranged while remaining within the scope of the solution. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and the solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented unless otherwise specified.

[0030] For example, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) may relate to network nodes that do not require wired backhaul. Another type of network node is an RF repeater that simply amplifies and transmits any signals it receives. RF repeaters can be deployed extensively in 2G, 3G, and 4G to complement the coverage provided by typical full-stack cells. An RF repeater has only a radio unit.

[0031] A network-controlled repeater can enhance an RF repeater by its ability to receive and process side control information from the network. This side control information can enable the network-controlled repeater to perform its amplified transmission operation in a more efficient manner. Potential benefits include reduced unwanted noise amplification, transmission and reception with better spatial directivity, and simplified network integration. A network-controlled repeater can be considered a foothold for a reconfigurable intelligent surface (RIS), where the RIS node can adjust the phase and amplitude of the received signal to improve coverage.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network and / or system 100 in which the technologies disclosed herein may be implemented in one configuration of the present disclosure. In the following description, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and will be referred to herein as “Network 100”. Such exemplary Network 100 includes base stations 102 (also called wireless communication nodes) and UE devices 104 (hereinafter “UE 104” and also called wireless communication devices) that can communicate with each other via communication links 110 (e.g., wireless communication channels), and clusters of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 overlapping geographical area 101. In Figure 1, the base stations 102 and UE 104 are contained within the respective geographical boundaries of cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating within its allocated bandwidth to provide adequate radio coverage to its target users.

[0033] For example, base station 102 may operate within the channel transmission bandwidth allocated to provide adequate coverage to UE 104. Base station 102 and UE 104 may communicate via downlink radio frames 118 and uplink radio frames 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 may be further divided into subframes 120 / 127, which may contain data symbols 122 / 128. In this disclosure, base station 102 and UE 104 are described herein as non-limiting examples of “communication nodes” that can generally implement the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of performing wireless and / or wired communications according to various configurations of the present solution.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals (e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals) in several configurations of the present disclosure. The system 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operating features that do not need to be described in detail herein. In one exemplary configuration, the system 200 can be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment such as the wireless communication environment 100 in Figure 1, as described above.

[0035] System 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter, "BS202") and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter, "UE204"). BS202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each module being coupled and interconnected to one another as needed via a data communication bus 220. UE204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each module being coupled and interconnected to one another as needed via a data communication bus 240. BS202 communicates with UE204 via a communication channel 250, which can be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for data transmission as described herein.

[0036] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, System 200 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in Figure 2. Those skilled in the art will understand that various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in relation to the configurations disclosed herein can be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this compatibility and suitability of hardware, firmware, and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described in general terms with respect to their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software may depend on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the system as a whole. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a manner suitable for specific applications, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of this disclosure.

[0037] In some configurations, the UE transceiver 230 may also be referred to herein as an “uplink” transceiver 230, including a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each having circuits coupled to antenna 232. Alternatively, a duplex switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplex manner. Similarly, in some configurations, the BS transceiver 210 may also be referred to herein as a “downlink” transceiver 210, including an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each having circuits coupled to antenna 212. Alternatively, a downlink duplex switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-duplex manner. The operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be time-coordinated so that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 and at the same time the uplink receiver circuit is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for receiving transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. Conversely, the operation of the two transceivers 210 and 230 can be time-coordinated so that the uplink transmitter is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 at the same time that the downlink receiver is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 to receive transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. In some configurations, there is strict time synchronization with a minimum guard time between changes in duplex direction.

[0038] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and to cooperate with a appropriately configured RF antenna array 212 / 232 capable of supporting specific wireless communication protocols and modulation schemes. In some exemplary configurations, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long-Term Evolution (LTE) and newly emerging 5G standards. However, it should be understood that this disclosure is not necessarily limited to specific standards and associated protocols in its application. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variations thereof.

[0039] Depending on the configuration, BS202 may be, for example, an evolved node B (eNB), gNB, serving eNB, target eNB, femto station, or pico station. In some configurations, UE204 may be embodied in various types of user devices such as mobile phones, smartphones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), tablets, laptop computers, and wearable computing devices. Processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized using general-purpose processors, associative memory, digital signal processors, application-specific integrated circuits, field-programmable gate arrays, any suitable programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. Thus, the processor may be realized as a microprocessor, controller, microcontroller, state machine, etc. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, for example, a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0040] Furthermore, the steps of the methods or algorithms described in relation to the configurations disclosed herein may be embodied, respectively, directly in hardware, in firmware, in software modules executed by processor modules 214 and 236, or in any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be implemented as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, hard disks, removable disks, CD-ROMs, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, so that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. In some configurations, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by processor modules 210 and 230.

[0041] The network communication module 218 generally represents hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 202 that enable bidirectional communication between the base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communication nodes configured to communicate with the base station 202. For example, the network communication module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical configuration, but not limited to, the network communication module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet® interface so that the base station transceiver 210 can communicate with conventional Ethernet®-based computer networks. Thus, the network communication module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, the terms “configured for,” “configured,” and their inflections refer to devices, components, circuits, structures, machines, signals, etc., that are physically built, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform a specified operation or function.

[0042] Figure 3 shows a block diagram of an exemplary smart node architecture in several configurations. As shown in Figure 3 as an example, the exemplary smart node architecture 300 may include a base station 102, user equipment 104, a smart node control unit (SN CU) 310, and a smart node transmission unit (SN FU) 320. The SN CU 310 can receive control signal 312 from BS102 and transmit control signal 314 to BS102. The SN FU 320 can receive transmission signal 322 from BS102 and transmit transmission signal 324 to BS102. The SN FU 320 can transmit transmission signal 326 to UE104 and receive transmission signal 328 to BS102.

[0043] An SN may include, for example, two units to support different functions, namely a first unit and a second unit. Of these, the first unit acts to receive and decode side control information from the BS, such as an UE. The first unit may correspond to a control unit or communication unit (CU), mobile termination (MT), part of an UE, a third-party IoT device, etc. The second unit performs intelligent amplified forwarding operations using the side control information received by the first unit of the SN. Thus, the second unit may also be called a forwarding unit (FU), radio unit (RU), RIS, etc. For example, the CU and FU may refer to the first unit and the second unit of the SN, respectively.

[0044] A control link may include detection and decoding of signals from one side by the other side, so that information transmitted on the control link can be used to control the status of the forwarding links. A forwarding link may include signals from a BS or UE that are unknown to the SN FU. The SN FU may amplify and transmit the signals without decoding them. Forwarding links 322 and 326 may include full DL forwarding links from the BS to the UE, with forwarding link 326 being an SN FU DL forwarding link. Forwarding links 324 and 328 may include full UL forwarding links from the UE to the BS, with forwarding link 324 being an SN FU UL forwarding link. Forwarding links 322 and 324 may be backhaul links, and forwarding links 326 and 328 may be access links.

[0045] Figure 4 shows an exemplary time-division duplex (TDD) block diagram in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 4, the exemplary TDD configuration 400 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, slot 420, and uplink slot 430. Slot 420 may include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, and uplink symbol 426.

[0046] The type or orientation of a symbol or slot can be configured as downlink (DL), uplink (UL), or flexible (DL or UL) via a quasi-static or dynamic TDD UL / DL configuration. A flexible symbol may be any symbol other than an uplink or downlink symbol explicitly configured via the above configuration. However, for SNs, flexible symbols can introduce uncertainty about the behavior of the SN. If the orientation or behavior of a flexible symbol is even less clear, the SN may not know whether to forward the uplink transmission to the BS, forward the downlink transmission to the UE, or shut down the SN FU. The SN may even assume that this is an error case.

[0047] Some configurations target new types of symbols in the slot format. To resolve ambiguity, some configurations include new types of symbols in slot formats other than DL / UL / Flexible as “special symbols.” A slot can be a “special slot” if all symbols in the slot are of this special symbol type. The configuration methods for “special symbols” given in this disclosure may also be applicable to “special slots.” Special symbols may include symbols for which SN forwarding is not required. That is, the SN does not need to forward transmissions from base station / UE to UE / base station in the special symbol. For example, the SN does not implement link 322 or link 324, or the SN does not implement link 326 or link 328. That is, the SN does not implement backhaul links or access links.

[0048] In a special symbol, the SN can perform at least one of a variety of operations. SN forwarding may be optional or absent in a special symbol. For example, the SN does not need to amplify and / or forward transmissions from base station / UE to UE / base station in a special symbol. The SN can be turned off in a special symbol. For example, one or more SN FU forwarding links 322, 324, 326 and 328, backhaul links and / or access links can be turned off in a special symbol. The SN can perform switching between DL and UL. The SN can perform beam switching. The SN can be switched between on and off. The SN (e.g., SN CU) can perform sensing in a special symbol. Sensing may include at least one of the following operations: energy sensing, signal detection, LBT, or measurement.

[0049] The minimum number of special symbols can be defined as the SN capability. The SN can report the minimum number of special symbols or the above SN capability to the base station. When a base station configures special symbols for an SN, it must be based on the minimum number of special symbols or the SN capability. For example, the number of special symbols configured for an SN must be greater than or equal to the minimum number of special symbols or the SN capability.

[0050] Special symbols can also correspond to one or more of the following symbols: "No Transfer," "No Amplification / Transfer," "No Transmission / Reception," "No Relay," "No Operation," "Switching," "On / Off," "Detection," "LBT," and "Measurement." Several configurations target the configuration of special symbols. The configuration of special symbols can include at least one of various options. These options can be implemented, for example, independently or in combination.

[0051] Except for symbols configured as downlink or uplink symbols via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling, the remaining symbols can be special symbols. The first TDD configuration can be indicated by BS in SN (e.g., SN CU). This allows for the indirect configuration of special symbols. All symbols not explicitly configured as downlink or uplink symbols can be special symbols. Note that configurations can correspond to at least one configuration parameter or a combination of multiple configuration parameters.

[0052] Figure 5 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 5, the exemplary TDD configuration 500 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, an uplink slot 430, and slot 510. Slot 510 may include downlink symbol 422, uplink symbol 426, flexible downlink symbol 512, and flexible special symbol 514.

[0053] Except for symbols already configured as downlink or uplink symbols via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling, the remaining symbols can be flexible symbols. The first TDD configuration can be indicated by BS in SN (e.g., SN CU). With respect to flexible symbols, some or all flexible symbols can be further configured as special symbols via a second TDD configuration, including at least one of the following options: For example, all flexible symbols are configured or defined as special symbols; For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols; For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols, and some flexible symbols are further configured as downlink or uplink, or on or off; For example, some flexible symbols are configured as special symbols; the remaining flexible symbols are defined in the default direction (e.g., DL or UL), or the remaining flexible symbols before and after a flexible symbol are defined as downlink and uplink symbols, or uplink and downlink symbols, or as on / off states, respectively. In this case, SN does not expect symbols that are already configured as DL symbols or UL symbols to be reconfigured as special symbols.

[0054] Preferably, to completely eliminate the ambiguity caused by flexible symbols, all flexible symbols should be configured as special symbols, or DL / UL symbols, or ON / OFF state symbols. As shown in the figure below, there are a total of X flexible symbols, where X1 flexible symbols can be configured as DL symbols and X2 flexible symbols can be configured as special symbols. X1 + X2 = X. A second TDD configuration of special symbols and / or other types of symbols can be indicated by BS at SN (e.g., SN CU)CU and can be used to control SN FU (or transport link) or to perform other operations, such as sensing or switching. A second TDD configuration of special symbols indicated by BS can be carried by system information (e.g., SIB1), RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI format 2_0). Furthermore, if indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by new SN-specific, link-specific, service-type-specific, or SN logic unit-specific RNTIs.

[0055] Figure 6 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 6, the exemplary TDD configuration 600 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, an uplink slot 430, and slot 610. Slot 610 may include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, and flexible symbol 612.

[0056] Symbols within a slot can be configured as DLs, ULs, or special symbols via a third TDD configuration. The third TDD configuration of DLs, ULs, and special symbols indicated to the SN (e.g., SN CU) by the BS can be carried by system information (e.g., SIB1), RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI Format 2_0). Furthermore, if indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by new SN-specific, link-specific, service-type-specific, or SN logic unit-specific RNTIs. For example, all symbols of the third TDD configuration indicated to the SN by the BS can be configured as DLs, ULs, or special symbols. Here, there are no symbols configured as one of the three types above. For example, the symbols of the third TDD configuration indicated to the SN by the BS can be configured as DLs, ULs, or special symbols. This configuration contains one or more remaining symbols that are not configured as one of the three types above. For any remaining symbols that do not fall under the three types described above, at least one of a variety of actions can be performed. For example, these remaining symbols can be flexible symbols. For instance, these remaining symbols can be defined in a default direction such as DL or UL, as illustrated in Figure 7.

[0057] Figure 7 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 7, the exemplary TDD configuration 700 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, an uplink slot 430, and slot 710. Slot 710 may include a downlink symbol 422, a special symbol 424, an uplink symbol 426, and a symbol 712 which may contain one or more of the downlink and uplink symbols.

[0058] Figure 8 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 8, the exemplary TDD configuration 800 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, an uplink slot 430, and slot 810. Slot 810 may include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, downlink symbol 812, and uplink symbol 814. For example, the remaining symbols before and after a flexible symbol are defined by downlink and uplink, or uplink and downlink, respectively. For example, of the remaining symbols, the remaining symbols before a special symbol are DL symbols, and the remaining symbols after a special symbol are UL symbols. For example, of the remaining symbols, the remaining symbols before a special symbol are UL symbols, and the remaining symbols after a special symbol are DL symbols.

[0059] Figure 9 shows block diagrams of exemplary TDD configurations in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 9, the exemplary TDD configuration 900 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, an uplink slot 430, symbol configuration traces 902 and 904, and slot 910. Slot 210 may include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, uplink symbol 426, configured symbol 212, and configured symbol 914. Configured symbol 912 may be configured based on symbol configuration trace 902 showing the configuration corresponding to downlink symbol 422. Configured symbol 914 may be configured based on symbol configuration trace 904 showing the configuration corresponding to uplink symbol 426.

[0060] For example, among the remaining symbols, the type (DL or UL) of the remaining symbol before a special symbol is the same as the type of the nearest symbol configured as DL / UL before the special symbol. The type (DL or UL) of the remaining symbol after a special symbol is the same as the type of the nearest symbol configured as DL / UL after the special symbol. For example, in the remaining symbols, the SN can be turned off, or the SN FU or transport link can be turned off in the remaining symbols. For example, the type of the remaining symbols can be further indicated as DL, UL, or on / off state via a fourth TDD configuration carried by RRC signaling (e.g., ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI Format 2_0). The fourth TDD configuration can be indicated as SN (e.g., SN CU) by BS.

[0061] Figure 10 shows a block diagram of an exemplary TDD configuration in several configurations. As shown as an example in Figure 10, the exemplary TDD configuration 1000 may include downlink slots 410, 412, and 414, slot 420, uplink slot 430, and slot 1010. Slot 420 may include downlink symbol 422, special symbol 424, and uplink symbol 426. Slot 1010 may include downlink symbol 1012 and special symbol 1022.

[0062] Firstly, symbols within a slot can be configured as DL, UL, or flexible via a first TDD configuration carried by system information, RRC signaling, MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling. The first TDD configuration is indicated to the SN (e.g., SN CU) by the BS. Furthermore, symbols configured via the first TDD configuration can be reconfigured as special symbols via a fifth configuration carried by RRC signaling (e.g., within ServingCellConfigCommon or ServingCellConfig), MAC CE, and / or DCI signaling (e.g., DCI Format 2_0), as shown below. Furthermore, if indicated by DCI signaling, it can be scrambled by new SN-specific, link-specific, service-type-specific, or SN logic unit-specific RNTIs. The fifth TDD configuration can be indicated to the SN (e.g., SN CU) by the BS.

[0063] The fifth TDD configuration can include one or more information parameters for special symbols. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include a slot index. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include periodicity, including a reference subcarrier interval. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include an indication that all symbols in a slot are special symbols. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include a start (e.g., the start index of a special symbol) or length (e.g., the number of special symbols) associated with one or more symbols. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include a bitmap. For example, bit=1 indicates that the corresponding symbol is a special symbol, and bit=0 indicates that the corresponding symbol is not a special symbol. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include an index corresponding to a slot format containing special symbols. Information parameters that can be configured by the fifth TDD configuration may include a function. A function may include one code point indicating one function of the special symbol (e.g., detection), and other code points indicating other functions of the special symbol (e.g., non-transfer, LBT, measurement, or DL-UL or beam-to-beam switching). One or more of the above information may also be shown in any TDD configuration according to this embodiment, e.g., a second TDD configuration, a third TDD configuration.

[0064] Figure 11 shows exemplary methods for configuring slot formats for smart nodes in several configurations. At least one of systems 100 and 200 can implement method 1100 according to this embodiment. Method 1100 can begin with 1105.

[0065] In step 1105, the method can transmit configuration information to the SN indicating the type of several first symbols in the slot. Method 1100 can then be followed by one or more of steps 1110 and 1115. In step 1110, the method can receive configuration information from the BS indicating the type of several first symbols in the slot. Method 1100 can then be followed by step 1120. In step 1115, the type can include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. Method 1100 can terminate in step 1115. In step 1120, the type can include at least one of a downlink symbol, an uplink symbol, or a special symbol. Method 1100 can then be followed by step 1130. In step 1130, the method can determine the type of a second symbol as one or more of a special symbol, a flexible symbol, a downlink signal, or an uplink signal. Method 1100 can terminate in step 1130.

[0066] Furthermore, it should be understood that any reference to elements in this specification using designations such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the number or order of those elements. Rather, these designations can be used in this specification as a convenient means of distinguishing two or more elements or examples of elements. Thus, references to first and second elements do not mean that only two elements can be used, nor that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0067] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals can be represented using any of the various different techniques and methods. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be mentioned in the above description can be represented by voltage, electric current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or optical particles, or any combination thereof.

[0068] Those skilled in the art will further understand that any of the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital embodiments, analog embodiments, or a combination of both), firmware, various forms of programs (e.g., computer program products) or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein for convenience as “software” or “software modules”), or any combination of these techniques. To clearly illustrate this compatibility of hardware, firmware, and software, various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described above in general terms with respect to their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or as a combination of these techniques, depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art will understand that the described functionality can be implemented in various ways for each specific application, but such implementation decisions will not result in a departure from the scope of this disclosure.

[0069] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various exemplary logic blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein may be implemented or carried out within an integrated circuit (IC) which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, modules, and circuits may further include antennas and / or transceivers for communicating with various components within a network or device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors working with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for carrying out the functions described herein.

[0070] When implemented in software, the functionality can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, steps of the methods or algorithms disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium includes both computer storage media and communication media, which include any media that can enable the transfer of computer programs or code from one location to another. The storage media can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. Such computer-readable media, but not limited to examples, may include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be accessed by a computer.

[0071] In this specification, the term “module” as used herein refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination thereof for performing the relevant functions described herein. Furthermore, although various modules are described as individual modules for illustrative purposes, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art, two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the relevant functions according to the configuration of this solution.

[0072] Furthermore, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be used in the configuration of this solution. For clarity, it should be understood that the above description refers to the configuration of this solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it should be clear that any appropriate distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without compromising the solution. For example, functionality exemplified as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units are not intended to dictate a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but merely to refer to appropriate means of providing the described functionality.

[0073] Various modifications to the configurations described herein will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein can be applied to other embodiments without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Therefore, this disclosure is not intended to be limited to the configurations shown herein, but should be given the broadest scope to coincide with novel features and principles disclosed herein, such as those described in the following claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, A network node receives configuration information from a wireless communication node indicating the type of a first symbol in at least one slot, wherein the type includes at least one of a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol, and the configuration information does not indicate the type of a second symbol in the at least one slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. The network node determines the type of the second symbol as a special symbol, wherein in the special symbol, the network node Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned wireless communication node, To transmit a transfer signal to the aforementioned wireless communication node, Transmitting a transfer signal to the user equipment (UE), or Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned UE Not doing at least one of the following Wireless communication methods, including those mentioned above.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the network node is configured to perform detection in the special symbol or beam switching in the special symbol.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the network node is configured to perform a switch between (i) downlink and uplink or (ii) on and off states in the special symbol.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the network node is configured to be turned off in the special symbol.

5. The network node receives the configuration information from the wireless communication node through signaling. It further includes, The wireless communication method according to claim 1, wherein the signaling includes at least one of system information, radio resource control (RRC) signaling, medium access control element (MAC CE) signaling, or downlink control information (DCI) signaling.

6. A wireless communication method, The wireless communication node transmits configuration information to the network node indicating the type of a first symbol in at least one slot. Includes, The aforementioned type includes at least one of a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol, The configuration information does not indicate the type of the second symbol in the at least one slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. The type of the second symbol described above is determined to be a special symbol. In the special symbol, the network node is Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned wireless communication node, To transmit a transfer signal to the aforementioned wireless communication node, Transmitting a transfer signal to the user equipment (UE), or Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned UE A wireless communication method that does not perform at least one of the following.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the network node is configured to perform detection in the special symbol.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the network node is configured to perform a switch between (i) downlink and uplink or (ii) on and off states in the special symbol.

9. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the network node is configured to perform beam switching in the special symbol.

10. The wireless communication method according to claim 6, wherein the network node is configured to be turned off in the special symbol.

11. A network node comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor Receiving configuration information from a wireless communication node via a receiver, indicating the type of a first symbol in at least one slot, wherein the type includes at least one of a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol, and the configuration information does not indicate the type of a second symbol in the at least one slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. The type of the second symbol described above is determined to be a special symbol, wherein in the special symbol, the network node is Receiving a transfer signal from the wireless communication node via a transceiver, Transmitting a transfer signal to the wireless communication node via the transceiver, Transmitting a transfer signal to user equipment (UE) via the aforementioned transceiver, or The transceiver receives a transfer signal from the UE. Not doing at least one of the following A network node configured to perform this task.

12. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the network node is configured to perform detection in the special symbol.

13. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the network node is configured to perform a switch between (i) downlink and uplink or (ii) on and off states in the special symbol.

14. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the network node is configured to perform beam switching in the special symbol.

15. The network node according to claim 11, wherein the network node is configured to be turned off in the special symbol.

16. A wireless communication node, wherein the wireless communication node comprises at least one processor, and the at least one processor is Transmitting configuration information indicating the type of a first symbol in at least one slot to a network node via a transmitter. It is configured to do the following: The aforementioned type includes at least one of a downlink symbol or an uplink symbol, The configuration information does not indicate the type of the second symbol in the at least one slot as the downlink symbol or the uplink symbol. The type of the second symbol described above is determined to be a special symbol. In the special symbol, the network node is Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned wireless communication node, To transmit a transfer signal to the aforementioned wireless communication node, Transmitting a transfer signal to the user equipment (UE), or Receiving a transfer signal from the aforementioned UE A wireless communication node that does not perform at least one of the following.

17. The wireless communication node according to claim 16, wherein the network node is configured to perform detection in the special symbol.

18. The wireless communication node according to claim 16, wherein the network node is configured to perform a switch between (i) downlink and uplink or (ii) on and off states in the special symbol.

19. The wireless communication node according to claim 16, wherein the network node is configured to perform beam switching in the special symbol.

20. The wireless communication node according to claim 16, wherein the network node is configured to be turned off in the special symbol.

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