Terminal device, communication device, base station, and communication method

Abstract

A terminal device according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a plurality of communication devices. The control unit measures communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics between the communication unit and one or more communication devices. The control unit transmits data to the one or more communication devices at a transmission power determined on the basis of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to terminal equipment, communication devices, base stations, and communication methods. Background Technology

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) has studied radio access systems and radio networks for cellular mobile communications (hereinafter also referred to as “Long Term Evolution (LTE)”, “LTE-Advanced (LTE-A)”, “LTE-Advanced Pro (LTE-A Pro)”, “New Radio (NR)”, “New Radio Access Technology (NRAT)”, “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (EUTRA)”, or “Further EUTRA (FEUTRA)”).

[0003] Note that in the following description, LTE includes LTE-A, LTE-A Pro, and EUTRA, and NR includes NRAT and FEUTRA. In LTE, the base station (base station equipment) is also referred to as an evolved Node B (eNodeB), and in NR, the base station (base station equipment) is also referred to as a gNodeB. Furthermore, in both LTE and NR, the terminal equipment (mobile station, mobile station equipment, and terminal) is also referred to as user equipment (UE). LTE and NR are cellular communication systems in which multiple areas covered by base stations are arranged in the form of cells. A single base station can manage multiple cells.

[0004] 5G NR is a radio access technology (RAT) distinct from LTE, designed as the next-generation radio access system after LTE. NR is an access technology that can support various use cases, including enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC). NR has been standardized to support the technical framework corresponding to the use cases, requirements, and deployment scenarios.

[0005] In recent years, discussions about next-generation wireless communication have been ongoing. Requirements for next-generation wireless communication include higher speeds than 5G NR, low latency and high reliability, high-density communication, and simultaneous support for multiple requirements. To achieve these requirements, further improvements in frequency utilization efficiency are needed. One possible technology for improving frequency utilization efficiency involves multiple base stations cooperating to communicate with terminal devices, thereby enabling efficient communication with the terminal devices. This technology enables more advanced spatial multiplexing and improves frequency utilization efficiency.

[0006] Citation List

[0007] Patent documents

[0008] Patent Document 1: JP 2016-502331 A

[0009] Patent Document 2: JP 2016-213846 A Summary of the Invention

[0010] Technical issues

[0011] As mentioned above, the cooperation of multiple base stations to communicate with terminal devices can further improve frequency utilization efficiency. At this point, it is necessary to examine the transmission power control methods of the terminal devices.

[0012] In conventional communication without cooperative control, the terminal device performs power control on uplink communication based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of the downlink communication with the base station. On the other hand, in the case of cooperative control, the terminal device communicates with multiple base stations; therefore, using transmit power control similar to the conventional method is not always sufficient for achieving adequate power control.

[0013] In view of the above, this disclosure provides a mechanism for a terminal device to perform transmit power control in communication that performs cooperative control.

[0014] It should be noted that the above-mentioned problems or objectives are merely one of the many problems or objectives that can be solved or achieved by the various embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0015] Solution to the problem

[0016] The terminal device disclosed herein includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with multiple communication devices. The control unit measures the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more communication devices. The control unit transmits data to one or more communication devices at a transmission power determined based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. Attached Figure Description

[0017] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating a communications area centered on infrastructure.

[0018] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication scenario performed in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication scenario performed in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a transmitting / receiving device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of simulation results of transmit power control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating another example of simulation results of transmit power control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a means for determining a transmitting / receiving device as a communication partner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 11 This is a diagram illustrating another example of a means for determining a transmitting / receiving device as a communication partner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a transmit power control process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of CU / DU / RU separation of the functions of a base station according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating an example of processing separation in a user-centric network according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0031] In the following description, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that structural elements having substantially the same function and structure are denoted by the same reference numerals in the specification and drawings, and repeated explanations of these structural elements are omitted.

[0032] Furthermore, in the specification and drawings, similar components in the embodiments are sometimes distinguished by adding at least one different letter or number after the same reference numeral. However, when it is not necessary to specifically distinguish similar components from each other, only the same reference numerals are given. For example, multiple configurations having substantially the same functional configuration, such as the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 and the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2, may be distinguished from each other when necessary. For example, if it is not necessary to specifically distinguish the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 from the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2, then they may be simply referred to as transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0033] In the following description, one or more embodiments (including examples, modifications, and application examples) can be implemented independently. On the other hand, at least some of the embodiments described below can be appropriately combined with at least some of the other embodiments. The multiple embodiments may include novel features that differ from each other. Therefore, the multiple embodiments can help solve different purposes or problems and can achieve different effects.

[0034] <<1. Introduction>>

[0035] <1-1. User-Centered Networks>

[0036] Discussions about next-generation wireless communication continue to advance. Requirements for next-generation wireless communication include higher speeds than 5G NR, low latency and high reliability, high-density communication, and simultaneous support for multiple requirements. Achieving these requirements necessitates further improvements in frequency utilization efficiency.

[0037] One possible approach to achieving such requirements is to shift from conventional infrastructure-centric communications delivery to user-centric (or service-centric, or other terms) communications delivery. For example, ultra-high-density (mostly high-density) distributed antenna environments are expected to be provided in the future, and the utilization of more advanced spatial separation technologies using ultra-high-density distributed antenna environments is anticipated.

[0038] Figure 1 This diagram illustrates the provision of a communication area centered on infrastructure. In a conventional provision of an infrastructure-centered communication area, the communication area is provided centered on the network-side base station 20. Conventional provision of a communication area is a means of providing communication in a geographically comprehensive manner. In this case, the terminal device 40 determines the base station 20 to communicate with based on the area where communication is performed, as well as communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0039] Figure 2 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system includes a base station 20, a plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30, and a terminal device 40. Figure 2 The communication system shown forms a user-centric network.

[0040] Figure 2 The user-centric network technology shown is a technology for providing terminal device 40-centric communication using base station 20 and / or one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected to base station 20.

[0041] Unlike conventional communication technologies used to provide a predetermined communication area, user-centric network technologies are characterized by providing optimal communication to terminal device 40. For example, in a user-centric network, multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 are cooperatively controlled to communicate with terminal device 40.

[0042] This illustration shows a case where the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 is three, but the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 can be two, four, or more. Additionally, the number of terminal devices 40 can be multiple.

[0043] Here, the user-centric network is formed by base station 20 and / or one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30, but the devices constituting the user-centric network are not limited to this.

[0044] For example, a user-centric network can be formed by replacing the transmitting / receiving device 30 with a transmitting / receiving antenna extending from base station 20. In the following description, the term "transmitting / receiving device" may be replaced with "transmitting / receiving antenna" where appropriate. Furthermore, the term "transmitting / receiving device" may be replaced with "base station" where appropriate, and the term "base station" may be replaced with "transmitting / receiving device" where appropriate. In the following text, when the term "transmit power control" is used only, it means transmit power control performed by terminal device 40 in the uplink.

[0045] <1-2. Problems in User-Centered Networks>

[0046] In most high-density distributed antenna environments, one of the problems in user-centric networks is the transmit power control of terminal device 40.

[0047] In conventional transmit power control, transmit power is controlled by the target receive power, the number of resource blocks (RBs), path loss (propagation loss), modulation and coding scheme (MCS), and through closed-loop dynamic adjustments. For example, terminal device 40 performs transmit power control using formula (1).

[0048]

[0049] …(1)

[0050] In formula (1) Indicates the maximum value of the transmission power that the terminal device 40 can output. Indicates the target received power in base station 20, and Indicates the number of resource blocks (RBs). It is a path loss compensation item. Indicates the MCS offset, and Indicates closed-loop adjustment.

[0051] Here, when terminal device 40 performs cooperative communication with base station 20 and / or one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30, calculating path loss compensation becomes an issue. Generally, path loss compensation is calculated using the downlink propagation loss values ​​of base station 20 and terminal device 40 forming the serving cell. The following describes the differences between cooperative communication and regular communication by presenting some scenarios in a distributed antenna environment.

[0052] In a user-centric network, it is conceivable that terminal device 40 communicates simultaneously with multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 in a distributed antenna environment. For example, the following communication scenarios can be envisioned. Of course, the scenarios presented below are merely examples, and the proposed techniques can be applied to scenarios beyond those described below.

[0053] (Communication Scenario 1)

[0054] For example, communication scenario 1 is a scenario in which the same transmitting / receiving device 30 and terminal device 40 communicate in downlink and uplink communication (see...). Figure 2 ).

[0055] In conventional communication systems, propagation loss between base station 20 and terminal device 40 within the serving cell is used to achieve path loss compensation for transmit power control. However, in communication scenario 1, the serving cell is not uniquely determined, and multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 cooperate to form a communication area suitable for terminal device 40. In this case, it is difficult to directly apply the path loss compensation term used in conventional calculation methods to transmit power control, and a path loss compensation calculation suitable for this scenario is required.

[0056] (Communication Scenario 2)

[0057] Figure 3 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication scenario 2 performed in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] According to communication scenario 2, in downlink and uplink communication, downlink communication occurs in some of the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 ( Figure 3In the example, the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 and the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2) are performed between the terminal device 40 and the terminal device 40. Furthermore, the uplink communication between the terminal device 40 and the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 differs from the transmitting / receiving devices 30 used in the downlink communication. Figure 3 The example is executed between the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 and the third transmitting / receiving device 30_3.

[0059] As described above, in this scenario, some of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform uplink communication are different from those that perform downlink communication. That is, there are transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform uplink communication with the terminal device 40 but not downlink communication, or there are transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform downlink communication with the terminal device 40 but not uplink communication.

[0060] Here, the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication is two, and the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication is three. However, these numbers are not limited to two or three. The number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication can be one, three, or more. The number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication can be two or fewer, or four or more. Furthermore, the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication can be the same as or less than the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0061] As described above, in this scenario, some of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform communication in downlink and uplink communication are different. Therefore, if path loss compensation in downlink communication is directly applied to transmit power control, there is a possibility that optimal path loss compensation cannot be performed in uplink communication.

[0062] (Communication Scenario 3)

[0063] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of communication scenario 3 performed in a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0064] According to communication scenario 3, in downlink and uplink communication, downlink communication occurs in some of the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 ( Figure 3 In the example, the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1) is used between the terminal device 40 and the terminal device 40. Furthermore, the uplink communication between the terminal device 40 and the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 differs from the transmitting / receiving device 30 used in the downlink communication. Figure 3In the example, it is performed between the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2 and the third transmitting / receiving device 30_3.

[0065] As described above, in this scenario, the transmitting / receiving device 30 that performs uplink communication is different from the transmitting / receiving device 30 that performs downlink communication. That is, the transmitting / receiving device 30 that performs uplink communication with the terminal device 40 does not perform downlink communication. Furthermore, the transmitting / receiving device 30 that performs downlink communication does not perform uplink communication.

[0066] Here, the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication is one, and the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication is two. However, these numbers are not limited to one or two. The number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication can be two or more. The number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication can be one, three, or more. In addition, the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication can be the same as or less than the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0067] As mentioned above, in this scenario, the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing communication in downlink and uplink communication are completely different. Therefore, if path loss compensation in downlink communication is directly applied to transmit power control, there is a possibility that optimal path loss compensation cannot be performed in uplink communication.

[0068] <1-3. Summary of the proposed technology>

[0069] In view of the above, the terminal device 40 according to the present disclosure includes a communication unit and a control unit. The communication unit communicates with a plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30 (examples of communication devices). The control unit measures the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30. The control unit transmits data to one or more communication devices at a transmission power determined based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0070] This enables the terminal device 40 to perform transmit power control in order to perform uplink communication.

[0071] <1-4. Terminology used in the embodiments>

[0072] In this embodiment, the base station 20 can be a ground base station, or it can be a non-ground base station operating as a communication device, such as a satellite station, drone, balloon, or airplane.

[0073] In this embodiment, resources represent frequency, time, resource elements (including REG, CCE, CORESET), resource blocks, bandwidth portions, component carriers, symbols, sub-symbols, time slots, micro-time slots, sub-time slots, subframes, frames, PRACH timing, timing, codes, multiple access physical resources, multiple access signatures, subcarrier spacing (digital parameters), etc.

[0074] In this embodiment, the transmitting / receiving device 30 can be rewritten as a base station device, a relay station, an antenna (radio unit (RU)), a reconfigurable smart surface (RIS), etc.

[0075] In this embodiment, the propagation path characteristics include one or more of the following.

[0076] - Propagation loss (path loss)

[0077] -Shadow

[0078] - Decline

[0079] - Channel matrix information

[0080] - A combination of one or more of the above (which can be calculated using operations such as addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction).

[0081] In this embodiment, communication quality includes one or more of the following.

[0082] - Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP)

[0083] - Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI)

[0084] - Reference signal reception quality (RSRQ)

[0085] - Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)

[0086] - Signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR)

[0087] - Channel Quality Indicator (CQI)

[0088] - Precoding Matrix Indicator (PMI)

[0089] - Rank indicator (RI)

[0090] - A combination of one or more of the above (which can be calculated using operations such as addition, multiplication, division, or subtraction).

[0091] <<2. Configuration of the Communication System>>

[0092] <2-1. Base Station Configuration>

[0093] Base station 20 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., transmitting / receiving device 30, terminal device 40, or another base station 20). Base station 20 can communicate wirelessly with terminal device 40 via transmitting / receiving device 30, or it can communicate wirelessly directly with terminal device 40.

[0094] Base station 20 is a device corresponding to a radio base station (base station, node B, eNB, gNB, 6GNB, etc.) or radio access point. Base station 20 can be a wireless relay station. Base station 20 can be an optical extension device called a remote radio head (RRH). Base station 20 can be a receiving station, such as a field pickup unit (FPU). Base station 20 can be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor node or IAB relay node, which provides radio access lines and radio backhaul lines through time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or space division multiplexing.

[0095] The radio access technology used by base station 20 can be cellular communication technology. The radio access technology used by base station 20 can be wireless LAN technology. The radio access technology used by base station 20 can be low-power wide-area (LPWA) communication technology. However, the radio access technology used by base station 20 is not limited to these and can be another radio access technology. The wireless communication used by base station 20 can be wireless communication using millimeter waves or wireless communication using terahertz waves. The wireless communication used by base station 20 can be wireless communication using radio waves or wireless communication using infrared or visible light (optical). Additionally, base station 20 can be able to perform non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) communication with terminal device 40. Here, NOMA communication is communication using non-orthogonal resources (transmission, reception, or both). Note that base station 20 can be able to perform NOMA communication with another base station 20.

[0096] Note that base stations 20 can communicate with each other via base station-core network interfaces (e.g., NG and S1 interfaces). These interfaces can be wired or wireless. Additionally, base stations 20 can communicate with each other via inter-base station interfaces (e.g., Xn, X2, or F1 interfaces). These interfaces can also be wired or wireless.

[0097] The concept of a base station (also known as "base station equipment") includes not only donor base stations but also relay base stations (also known as "relay stations"). A relay base station can be any of an RF repeater, a smart repeater, or a smart surface. The concept of a base station includes not only the structure having the functions of base station 20 but also the equipment installed within that structure.

[0098] Structures include, for example, buildings such as high-rise buildings, houses, steel towers, station facilities, airport facilities, port facilities, office buildings, school buildings, hospitals, factories, commercial facilities, or stadiums. The concept of structure, besides buildings, also includes constructions (non-building structures) such as tunnels, bridges, dams, walls, and iron pillars, as well as equipment such as cranes, gates, and windmills. The concept of structure, besides structures on land (narrowly defined as above ground) or underground, also includes above-water structures such as platforms or giant pontoons, and underwater structures such as ocean observation facilities. Base station 20 can also be referred to as an information processor.

[0099] Base station 20 can be a donor station or a relay station. Alternatively, base station 20 can be a fixed station or a mobile station. A mobile station is a wireless communication device configured to be mobile (e.g., base station 20). In this case, base station 20 can be a device installed in a mobile body, or it can be the mobile body itself. For example, a mobile relay station can be considered as base station 20 as a mobile station. Furthermore, mobile devices having the functions of base station 20 (at least a portion of the functions of base station 20), such as vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represented by drones, or smartphones, also correspond to base station 20 as a mobile station.

[0100] Here, a mobile body can be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or mobile phone. A mobile body can be a body that travels on land (in a narrow sense, on the ground) (e.g., vehicles including cars, bicycles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, trains, or linear motor vehicles), or a body that travels underground (e.g., in tunnels) (e.g., a subway). Furthermore, a mobile body can be a body that travels on water (e.g., ships such as passenger ships, cargo ships, or hovercraft), or a body that travels underwater (e.g., submersibles such as deep-sea submersibles, submarines, or unmanned submersibles). Also, a mobile body can be a body that travels in the atmosphere (e.g., aircraft such as airplanes, airships, or drones).

[0101] Base station 20 can be a ground-based base station (ground station) installed on the ground. Base station 20 can also be a base station installed in a structure on the ground, or a base station installed in a mobile body moving on the ground. Base station 20 can also be an antenna installed in a structure such as a building, and signal processing equipment connected to that antenna. Base station 20 can also be the structure or mobile body itself. "Ground" is used in a broad sense, including not only land (in a narrow sense), but also underground, above water, and underwater. Base station 20 is not limited to ground-based base stations. In the case where communication system 1 is a satellite communication system, base station 20 can be an aircraft station. From the perspective of a satellite station, an aircraft station located on Earth is a ground station.

[0102] Base station 20 is not limited to ground stations. Base station 20 can be a non-ground base station device (non-ground station) that can float in the air or space. For example, base station 20 can be an aircraft station or a satellite station.

[0103] A satellite station is a device capable of floating outside the atmosphere. A satellite station can be a device mounted on a spacecraft, such as a satellite, or it can be the spacecraft itself. A spacecraft is a moving body that moves outside the atmosphere. Examples of spacecraft include man-made objects such as satellites, spacecraft, space stations, and probes. A satellite used as a satellite station can be any of the following: a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary orbit (GEO) satellite, or a highly elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite. A satellite station can be a device mounted on a low Earth orbit satellite, a medium Earth orbit satellite, a geostationary orbit satellite, or a highly elliptical orbit satellite.

[0104] An aircraft station is a wireless communication device capable of floating in the atmosphere, such as an aircraft. An aircraft station can be a device mounted on an aircraft, or it can be the aircraft itself. The concept of an aircraft includes not only heavy aircraft such as airplanes or gliders, but also light aircraft such as balloons or airships. Furthermore, the concept of an aircraft includes not only heavy or light aircraft, but also rotorcraft such as helicopters or autogyros. An aircraft station, or the aircraft mounted on it, can be an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone.

[0105] The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles includes unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) and tethered UAS. It also includes light-above-air (LTA) UAS and heavy-above-air (HTA) UAS. Furthermore, the concept of unmanned aerial vehicles includes high-altitude UAS platforms (HAP).

[0106] The coverage area of ​​base station 20 can be relatively large, such as a macrocell, or relatively small, such as a picocell. The coverage area of ​​base station 20 can also be very small, such as a femtocell. Base station 20 can have beamforming capabilities. In this case, a cell or service area can be formed for each beam in base station 20. Additionally, base station 20 can have spot beamforming capabilities. Spot beamforming is a technique that uses near-field phase difference to concentrate power at a specific point (power concentration technique). In this case, a cell or service area can be formed for each point in base station 20.

[0107] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a base station 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. Figure 5The configuration shown is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may differ from the functional configuration. Furthermore, the functionality of base station 20 can be implemented in a distributed manner across multiple physically separate configurations.

[0108] The wireless communication unit 21 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with another wireless communication device (e.g., transmitting / receiving device 30, terminal device 40, or another base station 20). The wireless communication unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 23. The wireless communication unit 21 corresponds to one or more radio access systems. The wireless communication unit 21 can support at least one of NR, LTE, and 6G. In addition to NR, LTE, and 6G, the wireless communication unit 21 can also support W-CDMA, CDMA 2000, etc. The wireless communication unit 21 can also support automatic repeater technologies, such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ).

[0109] The wireless communication unit 21 includes a transmitting processing unit 211, a receiving processing unit 212, and an antenna 213. The wireless communication unit 21 may include multiple transmitting processing units 211, multiple receiving processing units 212, and multiple antennas 213. When the wireless communication unit 21 supports multiple radio access systems, each part of the wireless communication unit 21 can be configured separately for each radio access system. The transmitting processing unit 211 and the receiving processing unit 212 can be configured separately for LTE, NR, and 6G. The transmitting processing unit 211 and the receiving processing unit 212 can be configured separately for cellular communication systems and another communication system (e.g., Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or Bluetooth (registered trademark)). The antenna 213 may include multiple antenna elements, such as multiple patch antennas. The wireless communication unit 21 may have beamforming capabilities. For example, the wireless communication unit 21 may have polarization beamforming capabilities using vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves) (or polarization beamforming capabilities using dual-polarized waves with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees to the vertical direction). In addition, the wireless communication unit 21 may have a dot-shaping function.

[0110] The transmission processing unit 211 performs transmission processing of downlink control information and downlink data. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 encodes the downlink control information and downlink data input from the control unit 23 using an encoding system such as block coding, convolutional coding, or Turbo coding. Here, encoding can be performed using polar code encoding or low-density parity-check code (LDPC code) encoding. Then, the transmission processing unit 211 modulates the encoded bits using a predetermined modulation scheme (such as BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, or 256QAM). In this case, the signal points on the constellation diagram do not need to be equidistant. The constellation diagram can be a non-uniform constellation diagram (NUC). The transmission processing unit 211 multiplexes the modulation symbols and downlink reference signals for each channel and arranges the results in predetermined resource elements. Then, the transmission processing unit 211 performs various types of signal processing on the multiplexed signals. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 performs processes such as: converting to the frequency domain using a fast Fourier transform, adding a guard interval (cyclic prefix), generating a baseband digital signal, converting to an analog signal, quadrature modulation, up-conversion, removing unwanted frequency components, and power amplification. The signal generated by the transmission processing unit 211 is transmitted from the antenna 213.

[0111] The receiving processing unit 212 processes the uplink signal received via antenna 213. For example, the receiving processing unit 212 performs down-conversion, removes unwanted frequency components, controls amplification levels, performs quadrature demodulation, converts the uplink signal to a digital signal, removes guard intervals (cyclic prefixes), and extracts the frequency domain signal using fast Fourier transform. Then, the receiving processing unit 212 separates the uplink channel (such as the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH)) and the uplink reference signal from the processed signal. Additionally, the receiving processing unit 212 demodulates the received signal relative to the modulation symbols of the uplink channel using a modulation scheme such as Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK) or Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK). The modulation scheme used for demodulation can be 16-QAM, 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation diagram do not need to be equidistant. The constellation diagram can be a non-uniform constellation diagram (NUC). The receiving and processing unit 212 then decodes the encoded bits of the demodulated uplink channel. The decoded uplink data and uplink control information are output to the control unit 23.

[0112] Antenna 213 is an antenna device that converts current and radio waves to each other. Antenna 213 may be configured with one antenna element. Antenna 213 may be configured with multiple antenna elements. When antenna 213 is configured with multiple antenna elements, wireless communication unit 21 may have beamforming functionality. In this case, wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directionality of the wireless signal using multiple antenna elements.

[0113] Note that antenna 213 can be a dual-polarized antenna. When antenna 213 is a dual-polarized antenna, wireless communication unit 21 can use vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves) (or dual-polarized waves with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees to the vertical) when transmitting wireless signals. Wireless communication unit 21 can control the directionality of radio signals transmitted using vertically polarized waves and horizontally polarized waves (or dual-polarized waves with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees to the vertical). Furthermore, wireless communication unit 21 can transmit and receive spatially multiplexed signals via multiple layers including multiple antenna elements.

[0114] Storage unit 22 is a storage device capable of reading and writing data, such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or hard disk.

[0115] Control unit 23 is a controller that controls each unit of base station 20. Control unit 23 controls wireless communication unit 21 to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device (e.g., transmitting / receiving device 30, terminal device 40, or another base station 20).

[0116] The control unit 23 can be implemented by a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or a microprocessor unit (MPU). Specifically, the control unit 23 can be implemented by a processor that uses random access memory (RAM) or similar memory as its working area to execute various programs stored in a storage device within the base station 20. The control unit 23 can be implemented, for example, by an integrated circuit (such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a field-programmable gate array (FPGA)). Alternatively, the control unit 23 can be implemented by a graphics processing unit (GPU). Any of a CPU, MPU, ASIC, FPGA, and GPU can be considered a controller. Note that the control unit 23 can include multiple physically separate objects. For example, the control unit 23 can include multiple semiconductor chips.

[0117] Note that in some embodiments, base station 20 may consist of a collection of multiple physical or logical devices. As an example, base station 20 in this embodiment may be distinguished as multiple devices, such as baseband units (BBUs) and RUs. Base station 20 can be interpreted as a collection of multiple devices. Furthermore, base station 20 may be either a BBU or an RU, or both. BBUs and RUs may be connected via a predetermined interface (e.g., an enhanced shared public radio interface (eCPRI)).

[0118] The RU can be renamed a Remote Radio Unit (RRU) or Radio Point (RD). The RU can correspond to the gNB Distributed Unit (gNB-DU) described later. The BBU can correspond to the gNB Central Unit (gNB-CU) described later. The RU can be a device integrated with the antenna. The antenna of base station 20 (e.g., an antenna integrated with the RU) can employ an advanced antenna system and support MIMO (such as FD-MIMO) or beamforming. Furthermore, the antenna of base station 20 can support point beamforming. The antenna of base station 20 can include, for example, 64 transmit antenna ports and 64 receive antenna ports.

[0119] The antenna mounted on the RU can be an antenna panel configured with one or more antenna elements, and the RU can be equipped with one or more antenna panels. The RU can be equipped with two types of antenna panels: horizontally polarized antenna panels and vertically polarized antenna panels. The RU can also be equipped with two types of antenna panels: right-hand circularly polarized antenna panels and left-hand circularly polarized antenna panels, or antenna panels with a polarization direction at 45 degrees to the vertical direction and antenna panels with a polarization direction at -45 degrees to the vertical direction. Multiple antennas with multiple polarization directions can be mounted on a single antenna panel. The RU can form and control an independent beam for each antenna panel.

[0120] Multiple base stations 20 can be interconnected. A radio access network (RAN) may include one or more base stations 20. In this case, base station 20 can be simply referred to as RAN, RAN node, access network (AN), AN node, etc. The RAN in LTE can be called Enhanced Universal Terrestrial RAN (EUTRAN). The RAN in NR can be called NGRAN. Furthermore, the RAN in 6G can be called 6GRAN. The RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) can be called UTRAN.

[0121] The LTE base station 20 can be referred to as an evolved Node B (eNodeB) or eNB. In this case, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). The NR base station 20 can be referred to as a gNodeB or gNB. In addition, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. The 6G base station 20 can be referred to as a 6GNodeB, 6gNodeB, 6GNB, or 6gNB. In this case, the 6GRAN includes one or more 6GNBs. The EUTRAN may include gNBs (en-gNBs) connected to the core network (EPC) in the LTE communication system (EPS). The NGRAN may include ng-eNBs connected to the core network 5GC in the 5G communication system (5GS).

[0122] When base station 20 is an eNB, gNB, 6GNB, etc., base station 20 can be referred to as a 3GPP access point. When base station 20 is a radio access point, base station 20 can be referred to as a non-3GPP access point. Base station 20 can be an optical extension device called a Remote Radio Header (RRH). When base station 20 is a gNB, base station 20 can be a combination of the aforementioned gNB-CU and gNB-DU, or it can be either a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU.

[0123] Here, the gNB-CU hosts multiple upper-layer protocols (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC), Serving Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP)) in the access layer for communication with the UE. Conversely, the gNB-DU hosts multiple lower-layer protocols (e.g., Radio Link Control (RLC), Media Access Control (MAC), and Physical Layer (PHY)) in the access layer. In other words, among the messages / information described later, RRC signaling (semi-static notification) can be generated by the gNB-CU, while MAC CE and DCI (dynamic notification) can be generated by the gNB-DU. Alternatively, in RRC configuration (semi-static notification), for example, some configurations (such as IE: cellGroupConfig) can be generated by the gNB-DU, while the remaining configurations can be generated by the gNB-CU. These configurations can be sent and received via the F1 interface.

[0124] Base station 20 can be configured to communicate with other base stations 20. When multiple base stations 20 are eNBs or a combination of eNB and en-gNB, these base stations 20 can be connected via the X2 interface. When multiple base stations 20 are gNBs or a combination of gn-eNB and gNB, these base stations 20 can be connected via the Xn interface. When multiple base stations 20 are a combination of gNB-CU and gNB-DU, these base stations 20 can be connected via the F1 interface. Messages / information described later (e.g., RRC signaling, MAC control element (MACCE), or downlink control information (DCI)) can be transmitted between the multiple base stations 20 via, for example, the X2 interface, Xn interface, or F1 interface.

[0125] The cell provided by base station 20 can be referred to as the serving cell. The concept of a serving cell includes primary cells (PCell) and secondary cells (SCell). In the case of providing dual connectivity to terminal device 40, the PCell provided by the master node (MN) and zero or more SCells can be referred to as a primary cell group. Examples of dual connectivity include EUTRA-EUTRA dual connectivity, EUTRA-NR dual connectivity (ENDC), EUTRA-NR dual connectivity with 5GC, NR-EUTRA dual connectivity (NEDC), and NR-NR dual connectivity. In addition, examples of dual connectivity include NR-6G dual connectivity and 6G-NR dual connectivity.

[0126] The serving cell can include a primary and secondary cell (PSCell) or a primary SCG cell. In providing dual connectivity to terminal device 40, the PSCell provided by the secondary node (SN) and zero or more SCells can be referred to as a secondary cell group (SCG). Unless specifically configured (e.g., PUCCH on the SCell), the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is transmitted by the PCell and PSCell, but not by the SCell. Radio link failures are detected by the PCell and PSCell, but not by the SCell (no detection is required). As mentioned above, because the PCell and PSCell play a special role in the serving cell, they are also referred to as special cells (SpCell).

[0127] Within a cell, a downlink component carrier and an uplink component carrier can be associated. The system bandwidth corresponding to a cell can be divided into multiple bandwidth portions (BWPs). One or more BWPs can be configured in the terminal device 40, and one BWP can be used as the active BWP of the terminal device 40. The radio resources available to the terminal device 40, such as frequency bands, digital parameters (subcarrier spacing), or time slot formats (time slot configurations), can be different for each cell, each component carrier, or each BWP.

[0128] <2-2. Configuration of Transmitting / Receiving Devices>

[0129] Transmitting / receiving device 30 is a wireless communication device that acts as a relay for base station 20. Transmitting / receiving device 30 is a type of base station. Transmitting / receiving device 30 is a type of information processor. Transmitting / receiving device 30 can be referred to as a relay base station. Note that transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a device referred to as a repeater (e.g., RF repeater, smart repeater, smart surface). Transmitting / receiving device 30 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with another wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20, another transmitting / receiving device 30, or terminal device 40).

[0130] Transmitting / receiving device 30 can perform NOMA communication with terminal device 40. Transmitting / receiving device 30 relays communication between base station 20 and terminal device 40. Transmitting / receiving device 30 can perform wireless communication with another transmitting / receiving device 30 and base station 20. Transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a ground station device or a non-ground station device. Transmitting / receiving device 30, together with base station 20, constitutes a radio access network (RAN).

[0131] The transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a fixed device, a mobile device, or a floating device. The size of the coverage area of ​​the transmitting / receiving device 30 is not limited to a specific size. The cell covered by the transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a macrocell, a microcell, or a small cell.

[0132] The transmitting / receiving device 30 is not limited to any particular device, as long as it fulfills the relay function. The transmitting / receiving device 30 can be installed on terminal devices such as smartphones, cars, trains, rickshaws, balloons, airplanes, drones, or household appliances such as televisions, game consoles, air conditioners, refrigerators, or lighting equipment.

[0133] The configuration of the transmitting / receiving device 30 can be similar to that of the base station 20 described above. Similar to the base station 20, the transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a device installed in a mobile body, or it can be the mobile body itself. As mentioned above, the mobile body can be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or mobile phone. The mobile body can be a mobile body moving on land (narrowly defined as on the ground), or it can be a mobile body moving underground. The mobile body can be a mobile body moving on water, or it can be a mobile body moving underwater. The mobile body can be a mobile body moving in the atmosphere, or it can be a mobile body moving outside the atmosphere. The transmitting / receiving device 30 can be a ground station device or a non-ground station device. The transmitting / receiving device 30 can be an aircraft station, a satellite station, etc.

[0134] Similar to base station 20, the coverage area of ​​transmitting / receiving equipment 30 can be large (e.g., macrocell) or small (e.g., picocell). The coverage area of ​​transmitting / receiving equipment 30 can also be very small (e.g., femtocell). Transmitting / receiving equipment 30 can have beamforming capabilities. In this case, a cell or service area can be formed for each beam in transmitting / receiving equipment 30. Alternatively, transmitting / receiving equipment 30 can have dot-mapping capabilities. In this case, a cell or service area can be formed for each dot in transmitting / receiving equipment 30.

[0135] Figure 6 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a transmitting / receiving device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The transmitting / receiving device 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. Note that... Figure 6 The configuration shown is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may differ from the functional configuration. Furthermore, the functionality of the transmitting / receiving device 30 can be implemented in a distributed manner across multiple physically separate structures.

[0136] The wireless communication unit 31 is a signal processing unit for wirelessly communicating with another wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20, terminal device 40, or another transmitting / receiving device 30). The wireless communication unit 31 corresponds to one or more radio access systems. The wireless communication unit 31 may correspond to at least one of NR, LTE, and 6G. In addition to NR, LTE, and 6G, the wireless communication unit 31 may also support W-CDMA, cdma 3000, etc.

[0137] The wireless communication unit 31 includes a transmitting processing unit 311, a receiving processing unit 312, and an antenna 313. The wireless communication unit 31 may include multiple transmitting processing units 311, multiple receiving processing units 312, and multiple antennas 313. When the wireless communication unit 31 supports multiple radio access systems, each part of the wireless communication unit 31 can be configured separately for each radio access system. The transmitting processing unit 311 and the receiving processing unit 312 can be configured separately for LTE, NR, and 6G. The transmitting processing unit 311 and the receiving processing unit 312 can be configured separately for cellular communication systems and another communication system (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). The configuration of the transmitting processing unit 311, the receiving processing unit 312, and the antenna 313 can be similar to the configuration of the transmitting processing unit 211, the receiving processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 of the base station 20 described above. The wireless communication unit 31 may have beamforming functionality similar to that of the wireless communication unit 21 of the base station 20. The wireless communication unit 31 may have dot-matrix functionality similar to that of the wireless communication unit 21 of the base station 20.

[0138] Storage unit 32 is a storage device capable of reading and writing data, such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or hard disk.

[0139] Control unit 33 is a controller that controls each unit of the transmitting / receiving device 30. Control unit 33 can be implemented by a processor such as a CPU or MPU. Specifically, control unit 33 can be implemented by a processor that uses RAM or similar memory as its working area to execute various programs stored in a storage device within the transmitting / receiving device 30. Control unit 33 can be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. CPUs, MPUs, ASICs, and FPGAs can all be considered controllers. Alternatively, control unit 33 can be implemented by a GPU. Any of CPUs, MPUs, ASICs, FPGAs, and GPUs can be considered a controller. Note that control unit 33 can include multiple physically separate objects. For example, control unit 33 can include multiple semiconductor chips. The configuration and function of control unit 33 can be similar to the configuration and function of control unit 23 of base station 20 described above.

[0140] Transmitting / receiving device 30 can be an IAB relay node. Transmitting / receiving device 30 operates as an IAB-Mobile Terminal (MT) providing backhaul and as an IAB-Distributed Unit (DU) providing access to terminal device 40. The IAB donor node can be, for example, a base station 20 and operates as an IAB-Central Unit (CU).

[0141] <2-3. Configuration of Terminal Equipment>

[0142] Terminal device 40 is a wireless communication device that communicates wirelessly with another wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20, transmitting / receiving device 30, or another terminal device 40). Terminal device 40 can be any form of information processor (computer). For example, terminal device 40 can be a mobile terminal, such as a mobile phone, smart device (smartphone or tablet), personal digital assistant (PDA), or laptop PC. Alternatively, terminal device 40 can be an imaging device with communication capabilities (e.g., a camera). Additionally, terminal device 40 can be a motorcycle, mobile relay vehicle, etc., equipped with communication devices such as a field pickup unit (FPU). Furthermore, terminal device 40 can be a machine-to-machine (M2M) device or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. Finally, terminal device 40 can be a wearable device, such as a smartwatch.

[0143] Furthermore, terminal device 40 can be an xR device, such as an augmented reality (AR) device, a virtual reality (VR) device, or a mixed reality (MR) device. In this case, the xR device can be a glasses device, such as AR glasses and MR glasses, or a head-mounted device, such as a VR head-mounted display. When terminal device 40 is an xR device, it can be a standalone device comprising only a user-wearable component (e.g., glasses). Alternatively, terminal device 40 can be a terminal-linked device, comprising a user-wearable component (e.g., glasses) and a terminal component (e.g., a smart device) linked to the user-wearable component.

[0144] Terminal device 40 may be able to perform NOMA communication with base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving device 30. When communicating with base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving device 30, terminal device 40 may be able to use automatic repeater techniques such as HARQ. Terminal device 40 may be able to perform sidelink communication with another terminal device 40. When performing sidelink communication, terminal device 40 may be able to use automatic repeater techniques such as HARQ. When performing sidelink communication with another terminal device 40, terminal device 40 may be able to perform NOMA communication. Terminal device 40 may be able to perform LPWA communication with other wireless communication devices (such as base station 20). The wireless communication used by terminal device 40 may be millimeter-wave wireless communication. The wireless communication used by terminal device 40 may be radio wave wireless communication, including sidelink communication, or it may be infrared or visible light wireless communication, i.e., optical wireless communication.

[0145] Terminal device 40 can be a mobile wireless communication device, i.e., a mobile device. Terminal device 40 can also be a wireless communication device installed in a mobile body, or it can be the mobile body itself. Terminal device 40 can also be a vehicle moving on a road, such as a car, bus, truck, or motorcycle, or a wireless communication device installed on a vehicle. The mobile body can be a mobile terminal, or a mobile body moving on land (narrowly defined as on the ground), underground, on water, or underwater. Additionally, the mobile body can be a mobile body moving in the atmosphere, such as an aircraft, airship, balloon, or helicopter, or a mobile body moving outside the atmosphere, such as a satellite. The mobile body can be an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), such as a drone. Furthermore, terminal device 40 can be a wireless communication device installed on the mobile body.

[0146] Terminal device 40 can communicate by simultaneously connecting to multiple base stations 20 or multiple cells. Where a base station 20 supports a communication area via multiple cells (e.g., pCell or sCell), multiple cells can be bundled together to communicate between base station 20 and terminal device 40 using carrier aggregation (CA), dual connectivity (DC), multiple connectivity (MC), or similar technologies. Alternatively, terminal device 40 and multiple base stations 20 can communicate with each other via cells of different base stations 20 using coordinated multipoint transmission and reception (CoMP) technology.

[0147] Terminal device 40 can perform sidelink communication. Additionally, terminal device 40 can be a relay terminal for relaying communication to another communication device. For example, terminal device 40 can be a relay terminal for relaying communication to a remote terminal.

[0148] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a terminal device 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 40 includes a wireless communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 33. Note that... Figure 7 The configuration shown is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may differ. Furthermore, the functionality of terminal device 40 can be implemented in a distributed manner across multiple physically separate configurations.

[0149] The wireless communication unit 41 is a signal processing unit for wirelessly communicating with another wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20, transmitting / receiving device 30, or another terminal device 40). The wireless communication unit 41 is controlled by the control unit 43. The wireless communication unit 41 corresponds to one or more radio access systems. The wireless communication unit 41 can correspond to at least one of NR, LTE, and 6G. In addition to NR, LTE, and 6G, the wireless communication unit 41 can also support W-CDMA, cdma 2000, etc. The wireless communication unit 41 can also support automatic repeater technologies, such as Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ).

[0150] The wireless communication unit 41 includes a transmitting processing unit 411, a receiving processing unit 412, and an antenna 413. The wireless communication unit 41 may include multiple transmitting processing units 411, multiple receiving processing units 412, and multiple antennas 413. When the wireless communication unit 41 supports multiple radio access systems, each part of the wireless communication unit 41 can be configured separately for each radio access system. The transmitting processing unit 411 and the receiving processing unit 412 can be configured separately for LTE, NR, and 6G. The transmitting processing unit 411 and the receiving processing unit 412 can be configured separately for cellular communication systems and another communication system (e.g., Wi-Fi or Bluetooth). The antenna 413 may include multiple antenna elements, such as multiple patch antennas.

[0151] The wireless communication unit 41 may have beamforming capabilities. For example, the wireless communication unit 41 may have polarization beamforming capabilities using vertically polarized waves (V-polarized waves) and horizontally polarized waves (H-polarized waves) (or polarization beamforming capabilities using dual-polarized waves with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees to the vertical direction). Additionally, the wireless communication unit 41 may have dot beamforming capabilities. Furthermore, the configuration of the transmitting processing unit 411, the receiving processing unit 412, and the antenna 413 may be similar to the configuration of the transmitting processing unit 211, the receiving processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 of the base station 20 described above.

[0152] Storage unit 42 is a storage device capable of reading and writing data, such as DRAM, SRAM, flash memory, or hard disk.

[0153] Control unit 43 is a controller for each unit of terminal device 40. Control unit 43 controls wireless communication unit 41 to perform wireless communication with another wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20, transmitting / receiving device 30, or another terminal device 40). Control unit 43 can be implemented by a processor such as a CPU or MPU. Specifically, control unit 43 can be implemented by a processor that uses RAM or similar memory as its working area to execute various programs stored in a storage device within terminal device 40. Control unit 43 can be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. CPU, MPU, ASIC, and FPGA can all be considered controllers. Control unit 43 can be implemented by a GPU. Any of CPU, MPU, ASIC, FPGA, and GPU can be considered a controller. Note that control unit 43 can include multiple physically separate objects. For example, control unit 43 can include multiple semiconductor chips.

[0154] <<3. Operation of the Communication System>>

[0155] Here, an example of transmit power control performed in a communication system that constitutes a user-centric network will be described.

[0156] <3-1. Path Loss Compensation Methods>

[0157] In this embodiment, any of the following methods are used for path loss compensation in the calculation of transmit power control of terminal device 40. Note that the following names are merely examples and other names may be used.

[0158] - Best Criteria

[0159] - Worst-case criterion

[0160] - Sum Criterion (Overall Criterion)

[0161] -Average Criterion

[0162] - Random Criterion

[0163] - No TPC criteria

[0164] - Summation condition criteria

[0165] (Best Practices)

[0166] The optimal criterion is a system that performs transmit power control using the path loss of one or more of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that has the minimum path loss with the terminal device 40. In other words, the optimal criterion is a system that performs transmit power control using the path loss of one or more of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that has the best path loss with the terminal device 40.

[0167] Terminal device 40, for example, uses formula (2) to perform transmit power control.

[0168] …(2)

[0169] (Worst-case criterion)

[0170] The worst-case criterion is a system that performs transmit power control using the path loss of one or more of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that has the largest path loss relative to the terminal device 40. In other words, the worst-case criterion is a system that performs transmit power control using the path loss of one or more of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that has the worst path loss relative to the terminal device 40.

[0171] Terminal device 40, for example, uses formula (3) to perform transmit power control.

[0172] …(3)

[0173] (Sum Criterion)

[0174] The summation criterion is a system that uses the sum of path losses between all transmitting / receiving devices 30 and terminal devices 40 to perform transmit power control.

[0175] Terminal device 40, for example, uses formula (4) to perform transmit power control.

[0176] …(4)

[0177] (Average value criterion)

[0178] The average criterion is a system that uses the average of the path loss between all transmitting / receiving devices 30 and terminal devices 40 to perform transmit power control.

[0179] Terminal device 40, for example, uses formula (5) to perform transmit power control.

[0180] …(5)

[0181] (Random criterion)

[0182] The random criterion is a system in which a transmitter / receiver 30 is randomly selected from one or more transmitter / receiver 30s, and the transmit power control is performed using the path loss of the transmitter / receiver 30 with the maximum path loss between the selected transmitter / receiver 30 and the terminal device 40. The selection of the transmitter / receiver 30 can be made by the terminal device 40 or the base station 20.

[0183] Terminal device 40, for example, uses formula (6) to perform transmit power control.

[0184] …(6)

[0185] In the above formulas (2) to (6), P max P0 represents the maximum transmit power of terminal device 40, and N represents the target receive power. PRB This indicates the number of resource blocks, AP represents the base station ID, and C... UE This indicates the base station group to which terminal device 40 is connected. In formula (6), rand indicates the random selection of base station 20 from the base station group to which terminal device 40 is connected.

[0186] (No TPC criteria)

[0187] The TPC-free criterion is that terminal device 40 always transmits at maximum power P. max A system for controlling the power of transmitted signals.

[0188] (Summation Criterion)

[0189] Terminal device 40 can perform transmit power control using a method obtained by extending the above guidelines.

[0190] Here, considering both terminal device 40 with high receive SINR and terminal device 40 with low receive SINR, the following characteristics can be given.

[0191] When no transmit power control is performed and transmission is always performed at the maximum transmit power of terminal device 40 (without TPC criterion), there is a characteristic that the transmit / receive device 30 with the minimum path loss and terminal device 40 with high receive SINR receives small interference power from other terminal devices 40.

[0192] On the other hand, when transmitting at the maximum transmit power of the terminal device 40 (without TPC criteria), there is a characteristic that the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss and the terminal device 40 with low receive SINR receives a large amount of interference power from other terminal devices 40.

[0193] When implementing transmit power control based on the summation criterion, for terminal device 40 with high receive SINR, the receive SINR at transmit / receive device 30 is reduced compared to the case described above where the signal is always transmitted at maximum transmit power.

[0194] When implementing transmit power control based on the summation criterion, for terminal device 40 with low receive SINR, the receive SINR at transmit / receive device 30 is improved compared to the case described above where signals are always transmitted at maximum transmit power. However, some of the terminal devices 40, particularly those connected to the transmit / receive device 30 with minimum path loss and those redundantly connected to the transmit / receive device 30, are severely affected by interference from other terminal devices 40, and the improvement in receive SINR is small.

[0195] Here, in the context of multiple terminal devices 40, redundant connection of the transmitting / receiving device 30 means that each of the multiple terminal devices 40 communicates with the same transmitting / receiving device 30. Multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 may be redundantly connected to the multiple terminal devices 40.

[0196] Based on the above considerations, for example, a system (sum condition criterion) can be adopted, wherein the basic control for transmit power control is set to a sum condition criterion, and transmit power control different from the sum condition criterion is performed for terminal devices 40 to which two or more transmit / receive devices 30 are redundantly connected.

[0197] In the transmit power control based on the summation criterion, terminal device 40 performs transmit power control based on the summation criterion by excluding transmit / receive devices 30 that are redundantly shared with other terminal devices 40. At this time, terminal device 40 can obtain information about the transmit / receive devices 30 to be excluded from the base station 20.

[0198] More specifically, for example, the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss to the terminal device 40 is defined as the minimum transmitting / receiving device 30mim, and the other transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected to the terminal device 40 are defined as connected transmitting / receiving devices 30A and 30B. In this case, the terminal device 40 uses the connected transmitting / receiving devices 30A and 30B to calculate the sum criterion for path loss compensation.

[0199] As described above, by calculating path loss compensation using the path loss of the transmitting / receiving device 30 other than the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss, the communication system can ensure sufficient SINR in uplink communication.

[0200] Here, terminal device 40 performs transmit power control based on the summation criterion by excluding the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss, but the transmit power control performed by terminal device 40 is not limited to the summation criterion. Terminal device 40 may also perform transmit power control based on other criteria described above by excluding the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss.

[0201] Furthermore, the transmit power control method can differ for each terminal device 40. For example, the transmit power control method can vary depending on the conditions of the terminal device 40. For instance, terminal device 40_1 can perform transmit power control based on an optimal criterion, while terminal device 40_2 can perform transmit power control based on a summation criterion. Terminal device 40 can select the method to implement based on notifications from base station 20. Alternatively, terminal device 40 can select the method to implement based on its own conditions.

[0202] Additionally, terminal device 40 can obtain, for example, information from base station 20 for performing transmit power control calculations. For instance, terminal device 40 can obtain information from base station 20 such as which transmit / receive device 30 will be used to perform transmit power control or what method will be used to perform transmit power control.

[0203] <3-2. Simulation>

[0204] The following section describes the simulation results of path loss calculation in transmit power control using each method (technique).

[0205] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of simulation results for transmit power control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 8 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents the number of UEs (terminal devices 40), and the vertical axis represents the frequency utilization efficiency (bps / Hz). Figure 8 The diagram illustrates the relationship between the number of terminal devices 40 and the average frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal devices 40.

[0206] Here, comparative simulations are performed to evaluate the impact of each technology on frequency utilization efficiency (spectral efficiency: SE).

[0207] When comparing the average frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal devices 40, no significant differences were observed between the methods when the number of terminal devices 40 was 40 or 60. On the other hand, when the number of terminal devices 40 was 20, differences were observed between the methods, and the optimal criterion achieved the highest frequency utilization efficiency.

[0208] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating another example of simulation results for transmit power control according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 9 In the diagram, the horizontal axis represents the number of UEs (terminal devices 40), and the vertical axis represents the frequency utilization efficiency (bps / Hz). Figure 9 The diagram illustrates the relationship between the number of terminal devices 40 and the 5%-tile of the frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal devices 40.

[0209] When comparing the frequency utilization efficiency of the terminal devices 5%-block for each method, regardless of the number of terminal devices 40, frequency utilization efficiency is maximized when transmit power control is performed based on the summation condition criterion or the summation criterion.

[0210] This could be because, in a user-centric network environment connected to multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30, the use of a summation criterion or summation condition criterion can improve the communication quality of a terminal device 40 with a low receive SINR.

[0211] <3-3. Methods for applying transmit power control>

[0212] In the aforementioned transmit power control method, the method to be applied can be determined in advance as static information, or it can be determined based on semi-static control information. Alternatively, the method to be applied can be determined based on implicit information.

[0213] For example, static information is information predetermined in specifications, etc. Semi-static control information, for instance, is system information unique to the cell, or RRC signaling uniquely communicated to terminal devices.

[0214] For example, implicit information is information related to the formation of a user-centric network. For instance, there exists a method for switching between conventional transmit power control and transmit power control according to this embodiment, which is related to the formation of a user-centric network. When performing transmit power control according to this embodiment, the method to be applied can be determined based on static or semi-static information.

[0215] For example, when terminal device 40 receives information from base station 20 regarding the formation of a user-centric network, terminal device 40 performs transmit power control according to this embodiment. On the other hand, if the network is not a user-centric network, then terminal device 40 performs regular transmit power control. For example, when terminal device 40 receives a notification from base station 20 regarding the cancellation of the formation of a user-centric network, terminal device 40 switches from transmit power control according to this embodiment to regular transmit power control.

[0216] Here, information regarding the formation of a user-centric network includes, for example, information explicitly notified from base station 20 to terminal device 40. In this case, base station 20 notifies terminal device 40 of information instructing it to perform communication via the user-centric network.

[0217] Alternatively, information regarding the formation of a user-centric network can be implicitly communicated to the terminal device 40. For example, when the terminal device 40 is simultaneously communicating with multiple clustered transmitting / receiving devices 30, the terminal device 40 determines that it has received information regarding the formation of a user-centric network. In other words, when simultaneously communicating with multiple clustered transmitting / receiving devices 30, the terminal device 40 performs transmit power control according to this embodiment. On the other hand, when the formation of a user-centric network is terminated and communication is performed with a base station 20, the terminal device 40 performs conventional transmit power control.

[0218] In addition, as in communication scenarios 2 and 3 above, when the number of transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected to the terminal device 40 between downlink communication and uplink communication is different, the following method can be applied to transmit power control.

[0219] (Considering the quality of uplink communication and / or the characteristics of the propagation path)

[0220] For example, terminal device 40 can control transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via uplink communication. In the case of multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected via uplink communication, terminal device 40 can use any of the above-described transmission power control methods to control transmission power.

[0221] At this time, the terminal device 40 does not consider the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via downlink communication. Alternatively, the terminal device 40 may consider some of the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected via uplink communication when controlling the transmission power.

[0222] (Considering downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics)

[0223] For example, terminal device 40 can control transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via downlink communication. In the case of multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected via downlink communication, terminal device 40 can use any of the above-described transmission power control methods to control transmission power.

[0224] At this time, the terminal device 40 does not consider the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via uplink communication. Alternatively, the terminal device 40 may consider some of the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 connected via downlink communication when controlling the transmission power.

[0225] (Considering the quality of uplink / downlink communication and / or propagation path characteristics)

[0226] For example, terminal device 40 can control transmission power based on either the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via downlink communication or the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via uplink communication.

[0227] For example, terminal device 40 compares the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with those of transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via downlink communication and with those of transmitting / receiving device 30 connected via uplink communication. Based on the comparison results, terminal device 40 determines the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics to be used in transmit power control.

[0228] Here, when comparing the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of the downlink with those of the uplink, the problem is to determine which transmitting / receiving device 30 should be used as the basis for calculating the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0229] (Using a transmit power control method)

[0230] In view of the above, the terminal device 40 according to this embodiment determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to be used for calculating communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on, for example, a transmit power control method. That is, the terminal device 40 calculates the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics using the same method as the method used for transmit power control for comparison.

[0231] (Best criterion, worst criterion, random criterion)

[0232] For example, in cases where the method used for transmit power control is such as an optimal criterion, a worst-case criterion, or a random criterion, the terminal device 40 calculates the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 selected using each criterion.

[0233] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is an optimal criterion, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss in uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the minimum path loss in downlink communication.

[0234] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is based on the worst-case criterion, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the maximum path loss in uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the maximum path loss in downlink communication.

[0235] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is a random criterion, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the randomly selected transmitting / receiving device 30. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the randomly selected transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0236] (Total Criterion, Average Criterion, Total Conditional Criterion)

[0237] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is a method (technique) such as a summation criterion, an average criterion, or a summation condition criterion, the terminal device 40 calculates the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the calculation of each criterion.

[0238] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is a summation criterion, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0239] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is an average value criterion, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the average path loss of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the average path loss of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0240] For example, when the method used for transmit power control is a summation condition criterion, the terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of the path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform uplink communication. The terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of the path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform downlink communication.

[0241] (Using a predetermined calculation method)

[0242] Alternatively, the terminal device 40 according to this embodiment may determine the transmitting / receiving device 30 for calculations of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on, for example, a predetermined method.

[0243] In this case, the terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics and the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on predetermined computing means (computation methods), regardless of the transmit power control method (technology).

[0244] That is, the method for calculating communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics performed in transmit power control differs from the method for calculating communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics performed for comparison. An example of the calculation method (calculation approach) is shown below.

[0245] For example, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with minimum path loss in uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with minimum path loss in downlink communication.

[0246] For example, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the maximum path loss in uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the transmitting / receiving device 30 with the maximum path loss in downlink communication.

[0247] For example, terminal device 40 calculates uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on randomly selected transmitting / receiving devices 30. Terminal device 40 calculates downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on randomly selected transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0248] For example, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0249] For example, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the average path loss of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the average path loss of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 performing downlink communication.

[0250] For example, terminal device 40 calculates the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform uplink communication. Terminal device 40 calculates the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics based on the sum of path losses of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that perform downlink communication.

[0251] (Comparison Method)

[0252] Terminal device 40 uses the above method (scheme) to calculate the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics and the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. Terminal device 40 compares the calculated communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics and determines the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics to be used for transmit power control. An example of the comparison method is given below.

[0253] For example, terminal device 40 controls the transmission power based on the worse of the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics and the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0254] For example, terminal device 40 controls the transmission power based on the better of the downlink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics and the uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0255] Here, as an example, good propagation path characteristics can be interpreted as low path loss between transmitting / receiving device 30 and terminal device 40. Conversely, poor propagation path characteristics can be interpreted as high path loss between transmitting / receiving device 30 and terminal device 40. In addition to path loss, terminal device 40 can also compare propagation path characteristics using the propagation path characteristics included in the examples above.

[0256] <3-4. Determining the Transmitting / Receiving Device>

[0257] When terminal device 40 performs transmit power control, it requests information about which transmit / receive device 30 it communicates with. Here, an example of the means used to determine which transmit / receive device 30 terminal device 40 should communicate with will be described.

[0258] (Methods using location information)

[0259] Figure 10 This diagram illustrates an example of a means for determining a transmitting / receiving device 30 as a communication partner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 20 pre-forms a communication area using multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30. Note that the communication areas of each transmitting / receiving device 30 may overlap.

[0260] Terminal device 40 is attached to any one of a plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30. After (or during) attachment, terminal device 40 notifies base station 20 of its own location information and the transmitting / receiving devices 30 to which it is attached (or currently attached). Base station 20 determines which transmitting / receiving device 30 to connect to based on the location information of terminal device 40. Note that instead of terminal device 40 notifying location information, base station 20 may perform a process of measuring the location of terminal device 40.

[0261] As described above, in this embodiment, multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 form a communication area. Terminal device 40 receives a synchronization signal sent by any one of the transmitting / receiving devices 30. Terminal device 40 uses the resources corresponding to the received synchronization signal to send an initial access message 1.

[0262] Terminal device 40 may send the initial access message 1 to the transmitting / receiving device 30 corresponding to the earliest received synchronization signal. Alternatively, when multiple synchronization signals are received, terminal device 40 may send the initial access message 1 to the transmitting / receiving device 30 corresponding to the synchronization signal with the best communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0263] Terminal device 40 notifies the attached transmitting / receiving device 30 of its location information during or after initial access. Alternatively, transmitting / receiving device 30 (or base station 20) may perform the process of measuring the location information of terminal device 40 during or after initial access.

[0264] Here, the location information of the terminal device 40 can be obtained by the terminal device 40 based on information such as that from a location measuring device owned by the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40 can then notify the attached transmitting / receiving device 30 of the acquired location information.

[0265] Alternatively, the location information of the terminal device 40 can be obtained through, for example, a location measurement process using the base station 20. In this case, the base station 20 and / or the attached transmitting / receiving device 30 can send a reference signal (e.g., a positioning reference signal) to the terminal device 40 for location measurement. The terminal device 40 then feeds back the measurement result of the reference signal to the attached transmitting / receiving device 30 and / or the base station 20.

[0266] As another means, terminal device 40 can transmit a reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal: SRS) for uplink channel state estimation. Attached transmitting / receiving devices 30 and / or base station 20 can use the reference signal for uplink channel state estimation to estimate the location of terminal device 40.

[0267] Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to be connected to by terminal device 40 based on the received location information or reference signal of terminal device 40.

[0268] Information used for communicating with a plurality of designated transmitting / receiving devices 30 may be communicated from the base station 20 and / or the attached transmitting / receiving devices 30 to the terminal device 40.

[0269] When the base station 20 determines, based on location information, the terminal device 40 will communicate with the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0270] As described above, terminal device 40 initially connects to any of the connectable transmitting / receiving devices 30. After initial access is complete, terminal device 40 becomes connected to base station 20 and transmitting / receiving devices 30. Thereafter, base station 20 controls which transmitting / receiving device 30 terminal device 40 connects to. Base station 20 has the role of controlling the transmitting / receiving devices 30 and managing the mobility of terminal device 40.

[0271] Figure 11This diagram illustrates another example of the means for determining a transmitting / receiving device 30 as a communication partner according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 20 pre-forms one or more communication zones covering all communication areas of the plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0272] Terminal device 40 is attached to base station 20. After (or during) attachment, terminal device 40 notifies base station 20 of its own location information. Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to which it should connect based on the location information of terminal device 40. Note that instead of terminal device 40 notifying location information, base station 20 may perform a process of measuring the location of terminal device 40.

[0273] This method and Figure 10 The difference in the method shown is that the terminal device 40 is attached to the base station 20.

[0274] As described above, in this embodiment, base station 20 forms a communication area. Terminal device 40 receives a synchronization signal sent by base station 20. Terminal device 40 uses the resources corresponding to the received synchronization signal to send initial access message 1.

[0275] Terminal device 40 notifies base station 20 of its location information during or after initial access. Alternatively, base station 20 may perform a process of measuring the location information of terminal device 40 during or after initial access.

[0276] Here, the location information of the terminal device 40 can be obtained by the terminal device 40 based on information such as that from a location measurement device owned by the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40 can then notify the base station 20 of the obtained location information.

[0277] Alternatively, the location information of the terminal device 40 can be obtained, for example, through a location measurement process by the base station 20. In this case, the base station 20 can send a reference signal (e.g., a positioning reference signal) for location measurement to the terminal device 40. The terminal device 40 then feeds back the measurement result of the reference signal to the base station 20.

[0278] As another means, terminal device 40 can transmit a reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal: SRS) for uplink channel state estimation. Base station 20 can use the reference signal for uplink channel state estimation to estimate the location of terminal device 40.

[0279] Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to be connected to by terminal device 40 based on the received location information or reference signal of terminal device 40.

[0280] The base station 20 can notify the terminal device 40 of information for communicating with a plurality of designated transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0281] When the base station 20 determines, based on location information, the terminal device 40 will communicate with the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0282] As described above, terminal device 40 initially accesses base station 20. After initial access is completed, terminal device 40 becomes connected to base station 20. Subsequently, base station 20 controls which transmitting / receiving device 30 terminal device 40 to connect to. Base station 20 has the role of controlling the transmitting / receiving device 30 and managing the mobility of terminal device 40.

[0283] (Using means of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics)

[0284] Base station 20 pre-forms a communication area using multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30. Note that the communication areas of each transmitting / receiving device 30 may overlap.

[0285] Terminal device 40 is attached to any one of the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30. After attachment (or during attachment), terminal device 40 notifies base station 20 of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics as well as the transmitting / receiving devices 30 to which terminal device 40 has been attached (or currently attached).

[0286] Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to connect to terminal device 40 based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. Note that instead of terminal device 40 notifying the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics, base station 20 may perform a process for measuring communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0287] As described above, in this embodiment, multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 form a communication area. Terminal device 40 receives a synchronization signal sent by any one of the transmitting / receiving devices 30. Terminal device 40 uses the resources corresponding to the received synchronization signal to send an initial access message 1.

[0288] Terminal device 40 may send the initial access message 1 to the transmitting / receiving device 30 corresponding to the earliest received synchronization signal. Alternatively, when multiple synchronization signals are received, terminal device 40 may send the initial access message 1 to the transmitting / receiving device 30 corresponding to the synchronization signal with the best communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0289] During or after initial access, the terminal device 40 notifies the attached transmitting / receiving devices 30 of the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics between the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 and the terminal device 40. Alternatively, the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 may perform a process of measuring the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with the terminal device 40 during or after initial access.

[0290] Here, the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics between the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 and the terminal device 40 can be measured, for example, based on synchronization signals that can be received by the terminal device 40 and transmitted from the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30. Alternatively, the terminal device 40 can measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics between the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 and the terminal device 40 based on reference signals (e.g., CSI-RS) used for downlink channel estimation.

[0291] Alternatively, communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics between multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 and the terminal device 40 can be measured based on a reference signal (e.g., a sounding reference signal (SRS)) transmitted by the terminal device 40 for uplink channel state estimation. Attached transmitting / receiving devices 30, one or more other transmitting / receiving devices 30 capable of receiving the reference signal, and / or base station 20 use the reference signal to perform communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics measurements.

[0292] Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to be connected to by terminal device 40 based on the received communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics information.

[0293] Information used for communicating with a plurality of designated transmitting / receiving devices 30 may be communicated from the base station 20 and / or the attached transmitting / receiving devices 30 to the terminal device 40.

[0294] When base station 20 determines the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 that terminal device 40 should connect to based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics, terminal device 40 communicates with the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0295] Note that the synchronization signal transmitted from base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving device 30 is, for example, any of the following.

[0296] - Master Synchronization Signal (PSS)

[0297] - Primary synchronization signal (SSS)

[0298] - Three-level synchronization signal (TSS)

[0299] Additionally, system information transmitted from base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving equipment 30 may be transmitted, for example, via any of the following.

[0300] - Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH)

[0301] - Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)

[0302] <3-5. Signaling>

[0303] <3-5-1. Examples of information used in communication>

[0304] The following information is an example of information that can be used for communication between terminal device 40 and multiple different transmitting / receiving devices 30 (communication in a user-centric network). Terminal device 40 and / or multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 use one or more of the following information to perform communication.

[0305] (Example of information provided from base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 to terminal device 40)

[0306] - Information about the formation of user-centric networks

[0307] - Information regarding the calculation method (scheme) for transmit power control.

[0308] - Information regarding the transmitting / receiving device 30 for which communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics are calculated in transmit power control.

[0309] - Information regarding the transmitting / receiving devices 30 that should be excluded from calculations of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in transmit power control.

[0310] - Communication area ID provided by each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0311] - Information regarding initial access to each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0312] - PRACH transmission resources when initially connected to each transmitting / receiving device for 30 seconds

[0313] - PRACH preamble sequence when initially connected to each transmitting / receiving device 30 seconds ago

[0314] - Uplink / downlink carrier frequency for each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0315] - Bandwidth used for communication with each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0316] - A terminal-specific ID (C-RNTI) used when communicating with each transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0317] - Radio resource configuration used when communicating with each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0318] - Timing advance information used when communicating with each transmitting / receiving device 30

[0319] It should be noted that information regarding the formation of a user-centric network includes information indicating whether a user-centric network has been formed.

[0320] (Example of information provided from terminal device 40 to base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30)

[0321] - Mobility-related information of terminal device 40

[0322] -Location information of terminal device 40

[0323] - Interference power information received by terminal device 40

[0324] - Information about user-centric network capabilities

[0325] - Communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics information

[0326] Mobility-related information includes at least one of, for example, the direction of movement of terminal device 40, the speed of movement of terminal device 40, and the planned movement information of terminal device 40 (including route information).

[0327] The location information of terminal device 40 includes at least one of absolute location information and relative location information of terminal device 40. Additionally, when the location information includes relative location information, the location information may include information about a communication partner used as a reference for the relative location.

[0328] Examples of relative location references include the connection start location with base station 20 or transmitting / receiving device 30, the location of base station 20 or transmitting / receiving device 30, and reference locations provided from base station 20 or transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0329] <3-5-2. Methods for Notifying Communication Information>

[0330] Terminal device 40 can periodically or dynamically notify base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 of communication information.

[0331] (Measurement implementation cycle of terminal device 40)

[0332] Terminal device 40 can perform measurements of the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of each transmitting / receiving device 30 in a periodic or non-periodic manner. Alternatively, terminal device 40 can perform measurements under conditions of predetermined events (event triggering).

[0333] (Periodic)

[0334] At predetermined time intervals, terminal device 40 performs measurements of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with each transmitting / receiving device 30. Terminal device 40 may perform measurements by combining multiple cycles. Alternatively, terminal device 40 may continuously perform measurements.

[0335] (Non-periodic or event-triggered)

[0336] Terminal device 40 performs measurements at a timed interval when it receives a measurement execution request from base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0337] Alternatively, terminal device 40 measures a pre-notified or pre-determined measurement execution trigger and performs the measurement at a timed application trigger. Examples of triggers are shown below. Terminal device 40 performs a measurement when at least one of the following triggers is met.

[0338] - Arrival at the scheduled time

[0339] - The reception quality of the connected transmitting / receiving device 30 becomes equal to or lower than a certain level.

[0340] - The situation where the moving speed of terminal device 40 increases

[0341] - Situation where terminal device 40 starts moving

[0342] (Measurement notification cycle of terminal device 40)

[0343] Terminal device 40 may notify each transmitting / receiving device 30 of the measurement results of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in a periodic or non-periodic manner. Alternatively, terminal device 40 may notify the measurement results upon the occurrence of a predetermined event (event triggering).

[0344] (Periodic)

[0345] Terminal device 40 sends measurement results to base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 at predetermined time intervals.

[0346] (Non-periodic or event-triggered)

[0347] Terminal device 40 sends measurement results at regular intervals when it receives a request to notify measurement results from base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0348] Alternatively, terminal device 40 measures a pre-notified or pre-determined notification of a measurement result and sends the measurement result at a timed interval on the application touchpad. Examples of triggers are shown below. Terminal device 40 sends the measurement result when at least one of the following triggers is met.

[0349] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of each connected transmitting / receiving device 30 become equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0350] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of each connected transmitting / receiving device 30 become equal to or less than a threshold.

[0351] - The case where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of adjacent base stations 20 and / or other transmitting / receiving devices 30 become equal to or greater than the offset compared to the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of base station 20 and / or each connected transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0352] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of adjacent base stations 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become better than the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of base station 20 and / or each connected transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0353] - The communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of the associated base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become worse than the first threshold, and the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of neighboring base stations 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become better than the second threshold.

[0354] - The quality of the reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) resource becomes better than the threshold.

[0355] - The quality of the reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) resource becomes greater than or equal to the offset of the reference signal to be compared.

[0356] - The moving speed of terminal device 40 becomes a threshold or greater.

[0357] - The moving speed of terminal device 40 becomes a threshold or less.

[0358] <3-5-3. Methods for Notifying Reference Signals>

[0359] Terminal device 40 may periodically or dynamically send reference signals (e.g., SRS, etc.) to each transmitting / receiving device 30, which each transmitting / receiving device 30 to be connected uses the reference signals to measure communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0360] (Transmission period of the reference signal of terminal device 40)

[0361] Terminal device 40 may transmit reference signals in a periodic or non-periodic manner. Alternatively, terminal device 40 may transmit reference signals upon the occurrence of a predetermined event (event triggering).

[0362] (Periodic)

[0363] Terminal device 40 sends a reference signal to each transmitting / receiving device 30 at a predetermined time.

[0364] (Non-periodic or event-triggered)

[0365] Terminal device 40 transmits a reference signal at a timed interval when it receives a request to transmit a reference signal from base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0366] Alternatively, terminal device 40 measures a pre-notified or predetermined reference signal transmission trigger and transmits the reference signal at the applied trigger timing. Examples of triggers are shown below. Terminal device 40 transmits the reference signal when at least one of the following triggers is met.

[0367] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of each connected transmitting / receiving device 30 become equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0368] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of each connected transmitting / receiving device 30 become equal to or less than a threshold.

[0369] - The case where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of adjacent base stations 20 and / or other transmitting / receiving devices 30 become equal to or greater than the offset compared to the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of base station 20 and / or each connected transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0370] - The situation where the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of adjacent base stations 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become better than the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of base station 20 and / or each connected transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0371] - The communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of the associated base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become worse than the first threshold, and the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (e.g., RSRP) of neighboring base stations 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 become better than the second threshold.

[0372] - The quality of the reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) resource becomes better than the threshold.

[0373] - The quality of the reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) resource becomes greater than or equal to the offset of the reference signal to be compared.

[0374] - The moving speed of terminal device 40 becomes a threshold or greater.

[0375] - The moving speed of terminal device 40 becomes a threshold or less.

[0376] <3-6. Connection Status of Terminal Devices>

[0377] Once each transmitting / receiving device 30 to which the terminal device 40 will connect is determined, the terminal device 40 can remain in a state where it can always connect to each transmitting / receiving device 30 until a specific condition is met.

[0378] Specific conditions include, for example, the following conditions.

[0379] - The verification timer used to enable communication with each transmitting / receiving device 30 has expired.

[0380] - Terminal device 40 has been moved to a communication area where it is unable to perform cooperative communication with each of the transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0381] Information about these specific conditions can be communicated from base station 20 and / or each transmitting / receiving device 30 to terminal device 40.

[0382] If it is determined that the state of cooperative communication with each transmitting / receiving device 30 has transitioned to an unavailable state, the terminal device 40, as well as the base station 20 and / or the transmitting / receiving device 30, may perform the following operations.

[0383] Terminal device 40 performs initial access again and attempts to connect to base station 20 or transmitting / receiving device 30.

[0384] Base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving device 30 fall back from cooperative communication with each transmitting / receiving device 30 to regular communication with a single base station or a single transmitting / receiving device. Afterward, base station 20 and / or transmitting / receiving device 30 reconnect to terminal device 40.

[0385] In order to maintain communication with the terminal device 40, the base station 20 and / or the transmitting / receiving device 30 may periodically perform measurements, etc., and update each transmitting / receiving device 30 to which the terminal device 40 is connected.

[0386] Upon completion of updates to each of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 to which the terminal device 40 is connected, the terminal device 40 may reset the verification timer to the initial state listed as a specific condition and restart the verification timer.

[0387] Upon completion of the update for each of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 to which the terminal device 40 is connected, information relating to the communication areas of transmitting / receiving devices 30 that are listed as specific conditions and are unable to perform cooperative communication with each of the transmitting / receiving devices 30 can also be updated.

[0388] <<4. Procedural Example>>

[0389] In the following text, a procedural example of transmit power control according to this embodiment will be described. Figure 12 This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of a transmit power control process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0390] Here, it is assumed that the first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 form a user-centric network and communicate with the terminal device 40. It is also assumed that an initial access is performed between the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 and the terminal device 40.

[0391] Figure 12 The transmit power control process shown is an example, and the communication system may use another process to perform transmit power control according to this embodiment.

[0392] like Figure 12 As shown, base station 20 first notifies the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 to send a synchronization signal and system information from the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 (step S101). After receiving this notification, the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 sends the synchronization signal and system information (step S102).

[0393] Although the illustration shows the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 transmitting synchronization signals and system information, at least one of the second and third transmitting / receiving devices 30_2 and 30_3 can also transmit synchronization signals and system information. In this case, the base station 20 can instruct at least one of the second and third transmitting / receiving devices 30_2 and 30_3 to transmit synchronization signals and system information.

[0394] Terminal device 40 receives synchronization signals and system information sent by the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 (step S103). Terminal device 40 can measure the path loss between terminal device 40 and the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 based on the synchronization signals sent by the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 (step S104).

[0395] Note that terminal device 40 can receive synchronization signals and system information from at least one of the second and third transmitting / receiving devices 30_2 and 30_3. When terminal device 40 receives synchronization signals and system information from multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30, terminal device 40 can determine the transmitting / receiving device 30 to perform the initial access procedure based on, for example, communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. Here, the case where terminal device 40 performs the initial access procedure with the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 will be described.

[0396] Terminal device 40 sends a random access preamble to the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 (step S105) and begins initial access.

[0397] When the random access preamble is received from the terminal device 40, the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 sends a random access response to the terminal device 40 (step S106).

[0398] Terminal device 40 sends initial access message 3 information to the first sending / receiving device 30_1 based on the information in the random access response (step S107).

[0399] The first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 resolves transmission contention to avoid conflicts when multiple terminal devices 40 transmit the same preamble (step S108).

[0400] The first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 sends RRC signaling to the terminal device 40 (step S109). The RRC signaling may include control information related to the transmit power control in this embodiment (e.g., information such as the transmit power control method).

[0401] The first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 may send a request to the terminal device 40 for transmitting a measurement reference signal (e.g., SRS) for uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics (step S110).

[0402] Upon receiving a request to transmit a measurement reference signal (e.g., SRS) indicating uplink communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics, the terminal device 40 transmits the measurement reference signal (e.g., SRS) to the first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 (step S111). At this time, as... Figure 12 As shown, the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2 and the third transmitting / receiving device 30_3, which are located around the terminal device 40, can receive SRS transmitted from the terminal device 40.

[0403] The first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 transmit the received information about SRS to the base station 20 (step S112).

[0404] Base station 20 determines the transmitting / receiving device 30 to be connected to terminal device 40 based on the received SRS (step S113). Here, it is assumed that base station 20 selects the first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 as the transmitting / receiving devices 30 to be connected to terminal device 40.

[0405] Base station 20 will form a user-centric network with terminal device 40 and notify the first to third sending / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 (step S114).

[0406] The first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 can notify the terminal device 40 that the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2 and the third transmitting / receiving device 30_3 will be additionally connected (step S115).

[0407] The first transmitting / receiving device 30_1 may notify the terminal device 40 of the control information necessary for communicating with the second transmitting / receiving device 30_2 and the third transmitting / receiving device 30_3, as well as the control information related to transmission power control (step S116).

[0408] The first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 may transmit to the terminal device 40 a reference signal (e.g., a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) for measuring the quality of the downlink propagation path (step S117).

[0409] Terminal device 40 measures the path loss between itself and transmitting / receiving device 30 based on a received reference signal (e.g., CSI-RS) used to measure downlink propagation path quality (step S118). More specifically, terminal device 40 measures the path loss between itself and each of the first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3.

[0410] The terminal device 40 calculates the path loss compensation item in the transmit power control based on the measured path loss (step S119).

[0411] Terminal device 40 may send a scheduling request (SR) to the first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 (step S120). Here, terminal device 40 may perform transmit power control to send the SR based on the path loss compensation term calculated in step S119.

[0412] The first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 transmit control information, such as control information related to uplink transmission (e.g., downlink control information (DCI)) (step S121).

[0413] The terminal device 40 calculates the path loss compensation item in the transmit power control based on the path loss value measured in step S118 (step S122).

[0414] Terminal device 40 transmits uplink data (Physical Uplink Scheduling Channel (PUSCH)) to the first to third transmitting / receiving devices 30_1 to 30_3 (step S123). Here, terminal device 40 performs transmit power control to transmit uplink data based on the path loss compensation term calculated in step S122.

[0415] As described above, the terminal device 40 according to this embodiment includes a communication unit (e.g., a wireless communication unit 41) and a control unit 43. The communication unit (e.g., the wireless communication unit 41) communicates with a plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30. The plurality of transmitting / receiving devices 30 form a user-centric network.

[0416] A communication unit (e.g., wireless communication unit 41) sends and receives the same data to and from multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 forming a user-centric network. It is important to note that the communication unit (e.g., wireless communication unit 41) only needs to send and receive the same data to and from the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30, and the actual transmission / receiving signals (signal waveforms, etc.) sent and received from the multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 can be different for each transmitting / receiving device 30. Alternatively, the communication unit (e.g., wireless communication unit 41) can communicate simultaneously with multiple transmitting / receiving devices 30 forming a user-centric network.

[0417] Control unit 43 measures the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30. Control unit 43 transmits data to one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30 at a transmission power determined based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. In this way, control unit 43 performs transmission power control using the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more transmitting / receiving devices 30.

[0418] This enables terminal device 40 to perform transmit power control in order to perform uplink communication.

[0419] <<5. Revision>>

[0420] The above embodiments are examples, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0421] <5-1. Functional Separation>

[0422] The functions of the base station 20 and the transmitting / receiving device 30 in this embodiment can be separated into multiple functions such as a central unit (CU), a distributed unit (DU), and a radio unit (RU). The CU / DU / RU separation of the functions of the base station 20 and the transmitting / receiving device 30 will be described below.

[0423] Figure 13 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the separation of the CU / DU / RU functions of a base station 20 according to another embodiment of this disclosure. In the diagram, CN represents the core network. In current standards, the functions of base station 20 (e.g., gNB) are separated into two parts: a central unit (CU) and a distributed unit (DU). Here, the DU may include some or all of the functions known in 3GPP LTE by names such as Radio Remote Header (RRH), Remote Radio Unit (RRU), and Radio Unit (RU).

[0424] Currently, such as Figure 13 As shown in P1, in the 3GPP protocol stack (Option 2), a boundary (also called a split point or partition point) is established between the CU and DU between the Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer (PDCP layer) and the Radio Link Control layer (RLC layer). To establish communication between the CU and DU, "F1" is defined in 3GPP as the interface between these units. This interface is a logical interface. Communication between the CU and DU is established when IP packets are transmitted via, for example, Ethernet (IEEE 802.3).

[0425] When forming a user-centric network, for example, an entity such as base station 20 (e.g., CU or DU) that performs centralized control over layers above the MAC layer can perform processing, and a group of transmitting / receiving devices that serve as transmitting / receiving points can perform processing over layers below the PHY layer.

[0426] For example, you can use Figure 13 Options 6, 7, or 8 are shown to separate the processing (functions) of the central control entity and the group of transmitting / receiving devices. When using option 6, the central control entity processes the Low-MAC layer and above, and the group of transmitting / receiving devices processes the High-PHY layer and below. When using option 7, the central control entity processes the High-PHY layer and above, and the group of transmitting / receiving devices processes the Low-PHY layer and below. When using option 8, the central control entity processes the Low-PHY layer and above, and the group of transmitting / receiving devices processes the radio frequency (RF) layer and below. Of course, the separation of processing is not limited to these. Another option (e.g., any one of options 1 through 5) can be used to separate the processing.

[0427] As an example, such as Figure 13 Separation of processes (functions) such as options A through E shown is possible. Separation of processes is not limited to the examples below.

[0428] Option A: Example of separating CU and DU / RU using Option 2

[0429] Option B: Example of separating CU / DU from RU using Option 7

[0430] Option C: Example of separating CU / DU from RU using Option 8

[0431] Option D: Examples of using Option 2 to separate CU and DU, and using Option 7 to separate DU and RU.

[0432] Option E: Examples of using Option 2 to separate CU and DU, and using Option 8 to separate DU and RU.

[0433] Figure 14 This is a diagram illustrating a separate example of processing in a user-centric network according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. Specifically, in Figure 14 In the example shown, for instance, in option 6, the central control entity is processed separately from the group of transmitting / receiving devices. Figure 14 In the example, the central control entity (base station 20) handles the SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC layers, and each transmitting / receiving device 30 handles the PHY / RF layers.

[0434] An example of how the base station 20 and the transmitting / receiving device 30 are separated during CU / DU / RU separation will be described. Alternatively, the invention can be applied by implementing all RAN protocols (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY / RF layers) in both the base station 20 and the transmitting / receiving device 30 without performing CU / DU / RU separation.

[0435] As a first example, base station 20 processes CU, and transmitting / receiving device 30 processes DU / RU (e.g., option A). As a second example, base station 20 processes CU / DU, and transmitting / receiving device 30 processes RU (e.g., options A and B). As a third example, base station 20 processes CU, transmitting / receiving device 30 processes DU, and the distributed antennas owned by transmitting / receiving device 30 process RU (e.g., options D and E).

[0436] This enables efficient, user-centric network processing.

[0437] <5-2 Other modifications>

[0438] The control device for controlling the base station 20, the transmitting / receiving device 30, and the terminal device 40 in this embodiment can be implemented by a dedicated computer system or a general-purpose computer system.

[0439] For example, a communication program for performing the above operations is stored on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disc, semiconductor memory, magnetic tape, or floppy disk and distributed. Then, for example, the program is installed in a computer and the above processing is performed, thereby configuring the control device. In this case, the control device can be a device external to the base station 20, the transmitting / receiving device 30, or the terminal device 40 (e.g., a personal computer). Alternatively, the control device can be a device internal to the base station 20, the transmitting / receiving device 30, or the terminal device 40 (e.g., control unit 23, control unit 33, or control unit 43).

[0440] Furthermore, the communication program can be stored on a disk device included in a server on a network such as the Internet, allowing the program to be downloaded to a computer. Additionally, the above functionality can be implemented through the collaboration of an operating system (OS) and application software. In this case, components other than the OS can be stored on media and distributed, or components other than the OS can be stored on a server and downloaded to the computer.

[0441] In the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as automatically executed can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as manually executed can be automatically executed by known methods. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the processes, specific names, and information including various data and parameters shown in the above documents and figures can be arbitrarily changed. For example, the various types of information shown in each figure are not limited to the information shown.

[0442] Furthermore, each component of each device shown in the accompanying drawings is functionally conceptual and not necessarily physically configured as depicted in the drawings. In other words, the specific form of distribution or integration of each device is not limited to the illustrated form and can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated into any unit according to various loads, usage conditions, etc. Note that such configuration through distribution or integration can be implemented dynamically.

[0443] Furthermore, the above embodiments can be appropriately combined in areas where the processed content does not contradict each other. Additionally, the order of steps shown in the sequence diagrams of the embodiments can be appropriately changed.

[0444] Additionally, this embodiment can be implemented as any configuration constituting an apparatus or system, such as a processor such as a system large-scale integrated circuit (LSI), a module using multiple processors, a unit using multiple modules, a collection obtained by further adding other functions to the unit, etc. (i.e., a configuration of a part of a device).

[0445] It is important to note that in this embodiment, a system means a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (parts), etc.), and it is not important whether all components are located in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, as well as a single device housing multiple modules in one housing, are both systems.

[0446] Alternatively, for example, this embodiment may employ a cloud computing configuration, in which one function is shared and processed by multiple devices collaborating via a network.

[0447] <<6. Conclusion>>

[0448] While embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Furthermore, different embodiments and modified elements can be appropriately combined.

[0449] It should be noted that the effects of each embodiment described in this specification are merely examples and are not limited thereto, and other effects may be provided.

[0450] This technology can also have the following configurations. (1)

[0452] A terminal device, comprising:

[0453] A communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices; and

[0454] Control unit, the control unit is configured to

[0455] Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and

[0456] Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. (2)

[0458] According to the terminal device described in (1), the communication unit communicates with multiple communication devices that are controlled in cooperation. (3)

[0460] According to the terminal device described in (1), the communication unit receives and / or sends the same data to each of the plurality of communication devices. (4)

[0462] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (3) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in uplink communication with at least one of the communication devices. (5)

[0464] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (4) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in downlink communication with at least one of the communication devices. (6)

[0466] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (5) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the sum of the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices. (7)

[0468] According to any one of (1) to (5), the terminal device wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the best communication quality and / or best propagation path characteristics among the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices. (8)

[0470] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (5) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the worst communication quality and / or worst propagation path characteristic among the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of one or more of the communication devices. (9)

[0472] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (5) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the average value of the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices. (10)

[0474] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (9) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of a communication device randomly selected from one or more of the communication devices. (11)

[0476] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (10) wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of one or more of the communication devices selected by the base station. (12)

[0478] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein

[0479] Communication unit:

[0480] Perform initial access processing with the base station, and

[0481] Communicates with multiple communication devices notified from the base station. (13)

[0483] The terminal device according to any one of (1) to (11), wherein

[0484] Communication unit:

[0485] Perform initial access processing with one of the plurality of communication devices, and

[0486] Communicate with multiple communication devices that have been notified by the communication device that performed the initial access process. (14)

[0488] A communication device, comprising:

[0489] A communication unit, configured to communicate with a terminal device and multiple communication devices; and

[0490] Control unit, the control unit is configured to

[0491] Sending measurement signals to the terminal device for measuring communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics, and

[0492] Receive data transmitted at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics measured by the terminal device using measurement signals transmitted from one or more of the communication devices. (15)

[0494] A base station, comprising:

[0495] A communication unit, configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices and a terminal device; and

[0496] A control unit configured to send information to one or more of the communication devices, indicating that communication with the terminal device is in a predetermined mode.

[0497] in

[0498] The terminal device:

[0499] Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and

[0500] Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. (16)

[0502] A communication method, comprising:

[0503] Communicates with multiple communication devices;

[0504] Measuring the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices; and

[0505] Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics. (17)

[0507] A communication method, comprising:

[0508] Communicating with terminal devices that communicate with multiple communication devices;

[0509] Sending measurement signals to the terminal equipment for measuring communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics; and

[0510] Receive data transmitted at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics measured by the terminal device using measurement signals transmitted from one or more of the communication devices. (18)

[0512] A communication method, comprising:

[0513] Communicating with multiple communication devices that communicate with terminal equipment; and

[0514] Send information to one or more of the communication devices indicating that communication with the terminal device is in a predetermined mode.

[0515] in

[0516] The terminal device:

[0517] Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and

[0518] Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

[0519] List of reference numerals

[0520] 20 base stations

[0521] 30 Transmitting / receiving devices

[0522] 40 terminal devices

[0523] Wireless communication units 21, 31, and 41

[0524] 22, 32, 42 storage units

[0525] Control units 23, 33, and 43

[0526] 211, 311, 411 Transmission Processing Units

[0527] 212, 312, 412 Receiving and Processing Units

[0528] 213, 313, 413 antennas

Claims

1. A terminal device, comprising: A communication unit configured to communicate with a plurality of communication devices; as well as Control unit, the control unit being configured to: Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

2. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit communicates with a plurality of communication devices that are controlled in cooperation.

3. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit receives and / or sends the same data to each of the plurality of communication devices.

4. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in uplink communication with at least one of the communication devices.

5. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics in downlink communication with at least one of the communication devices.

6. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the sum of communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices.

7. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the best communication quality and / or best propagation path characteristics among the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices.

8. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the worst communication quality and / or worst propagation path characteristic among the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices.

9. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the average value of the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices.

10. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of a communication device randomly selected from one or more of the communication devices.

11. The terminal device of claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the transmission power based on the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics of one or more of the communication devices selected with the base station.

12. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein The communication unit: Perform initial access processing with the base station, and Communicates with multiple communication devices notified from the base station.

13. The terminal device according to claim 1, wherein The communication unit: Perform initial access processing with one of the plurality of communication devices, and Communicate with multiple communication devices that have been notified by the communication device that performed the initial access process.

14. A communication device, comprising: A communication unit configured to communicate with a terminal device that communicates with multiple communication devices; as well as Control unit, the control unit being configured to: Sending measurement signals to the terminal device for measuring communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics, and Receive data transmitted at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics measured by the terminal device using measurement signals transmitted from one or more of the communication devices.

15. A base station, comprising: A communication unit, configured to communicate with multiple communication devices that communicate with terminal equipment; as well as A control unit configured to send information to one or more of the communication devices, indicating that communication with the terminal device is in a predetermined mode. in The terminal device: Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

16. A communication method, comprising: Communicates with multiple communication devices; Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices; as well as Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

17. A communication method, comprising: Communicating with terminal devices that communicate with multiple communication devices; Send measurement signals to the terminal device to measure communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics; as well as Receive data transmitted at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics measured by the terminal device using measurement signals transmitted from one or more of the communication devices.

18. A communication method, comprising: Communicates with multiple communication devices that communicate with terminal equipment; as well as Send information to one or more of the communication devices indicating that communication with the terminal device is in a predetermined mode. in The terminal device: Measure the communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics with one or more of the communication devices, and Data is transmitted to one or more of the communication devices at a transmission power determined based on communication quality and / or propagation path characteristics.

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