Wireless communication device and wireless communication method

Abstract

A first wireless communication device is provided with: a reception unit that receives a signal transmitted by a second wireless communication device; and a control unit that determines the number of hops of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device based on the signal and the relationship between the signal and the number of hops.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication devices and wireless communication methods. Background Technology

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) standardized the 5th generation mobile communication system (also known as 5G, New Radio (NR) or Next Generation (NG)) and further promoted the standardization of the next generation, known as Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution or 6G.

[0003] In NR, in addition to user terminals (UE (User Equipment) or simply terminals) and wireless base stations (also simply base stations), wireless devices such as RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) are being explored to achieve higher data rates and wider coverage (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0004] Existing technical documents

[0005] Patent documents

[0006] Patent Document 1: International Publication No. 2022 / 151016 Summary of the Invention

[0007] However, there is still room for research into the selection method for multi-hop paths via the wireless devices currently under investigation.

[0008] One aspect of this disclosure provides a wireless communication device and a wireless communication method capable of appropriately selecting multi-hop paths via a wireless device under investigation.

[0009] One aspect of this disclosure relates to a first wireless communication device, comprising: a receiving unit for receiving signals transmitted by a second wireless communication device; and a control unit for determining the hop count of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device based on the signals and the relationship between the signals and the hop count. Attached Figure Description

[0010] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Figure 2A This is a diagram representing an example of a remote user in the high-frequency band domain.

[0012] Figure 2B This is a diagram representing an example of a user outside the line of sight in the high-frequency band domain.

[0013] Figure 3A This is a diagram illustrating an example of communication utilizing the NCR structure.

[0014] Figure 3B This diagram illustrates an example of communication utilizing RIS.

[0015] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture that incorporates RIS.

[0016] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the near field (NF) and far field (FF) of RIS.

[0017] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating an example of DFT-based beamforming (BF).

[0018] Figure 6B This diagram illustrates an example of beam focusing with optimal phase.

[0019] Figure 6C This is a diagram illustrating an example of beam focusing with a guide vector at near range (NF).

[0020] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of SSB forwarding using RIS.

[0021] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-hop NCR / RIS.

[0022] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of RACH occasion.

[0023] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence between SSB allocation and the number of hops in NCR / RIS.

[0024] Figure 11 This is a diagram representing the first example of the path between the base station and the UE.

[0025] Figure 12 It means based on Figure 11 The following is a diagram illustrating an example of routing information.

[0026] Figure 13 This is a diagram representing the second example of the path between the base station and the UE.

[0027] Figure 14 It means based on Figure 13 The following is a diagram illustrating an example of routing information.

[0028] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of NCR / RIS location information.

[0029] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the delay in SSB.

[0030] Figure 17 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0031] Figure 18 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0032] Figure 19 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0033] Figure 20 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware structure of a base station, terminal, and wireless device according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 21 This is a diagram illustrating an example of vehicle structure. Detailed Implementation

[0035] (One implementation method)

[0036] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Furthermore, the embodiment described below is an example, and the application of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0037] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of this disclosure, existing technology is appropriately used. This existing technology includes, for example, existing LTE or existing NR, but is not limited to, existing LTE and NR.

[0038] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this disclosure described below, terms such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) used in existing LTE or NR are used. This is for ease of description; the same signals, functions, etc., may also be referred to by other names. In addition, the above terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even signals used in NR are not necessarily recorded as "NR-".

[0039] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this disclosure, the duplex mode can be either TDD (Time Division Duplex), FDD (Frequency Division Duplex), or other modes (e.g., Flexible Duplex).

[0040] Furthermore, in the embodiments of this disclosure, the term "configure" for wireless parameters can refer to either pre-configured specific values ​​or wireless parameters that are set from a base station or a terminal.

[0041] <Wireless Communication Systems>

[0042] Figure 1This is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 10 is a wireless communication system that follows 5G NR or 6G NR and includes a Next Generation Radio Access Network 20 (hereinafter referred to as NG-RAN 20) and a terminal 200 (hereinafter also referred to as UE (User Equipment) 200).

[0043] Alternatively, the wireless communication system 10 can also be a wireless communication system that follows a protocol known as Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G.

[0044] NG-RAN20 includes base station 100 (hereinafter also referred to as gNB100). Furthermore, the number of gNBs and UEs is not limited to [specific number missing]. Figure 1 The example shown.

[0045] NG-RAN20 actually comprises multiple NG-RAN nodes, specifically gNBs (or ng-eNBs), connected to a core network conforming to 5G or 6G. Additionally, NG-RAN20 and the core network can also be simply referred to as "network". Furthermore, below, gNB can also be rewritten as network (NW).

[0046] As an example, gNB100 is a 5G or 6G compliant base station that performs 5G or 6G compliant wireless communication with UE200.

[0047] In addition, Figure 1 The example shown illustrates a wireless device 300 that forwards signals between gNB100 and UE200. Hereinafter, the wireless device 300 may be referred to as a RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface).

[0048] For example, the wireless device 300 performs a forwarding operation, forwarding a signal transmitted from the gNB100 to the UE200. Alternatively, the wireless device 300 may also perform a forwarding operation, forwarding a signal transmitted from the UE200 to the gNB100. Furthermore, "forwarding" can be replaced with "relaying." Additionally, "operation" can be replaced with "processing," "control," etc. Furthermore, the following description uses a RIS (Radio Reliability System) as an example of the wireless device 300 studied in NR (Radio Networking).

[0049] The gNB100 and UE200 can also support MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output) which generates more directional beams by controlling radio signals transmitted from multiple antenna elements, carrier aggregation (CA) which aggregates multiple component carriers (CC), and dual connectivity (DC) which enables communication between the UE and each of the two NG-RAN nodes.

[0050] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 can support multiple frequency ranges (FRs). The wireless communication system 10 can support FR1 and FR2. The frequency bands of each FR are, for example, described below.

[0051] FR1: 410MHz~7.125GHz

[0052] FR2: 24.25GHz~52.6GHz

[0053] In FR1, sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of 15kHz, 30kHz, or 60kHz can be used, as well as a bandwidth (BW) of 5~100MHz. FR2 is a higher frequency than FR1, and can use SCS of 60kHz or 120kHz (including 240kHz), as well as a bandwidth (BW) of 50~400MHz.

[0054] Alternatively, SCS can also be interpreted as a numerology. The numerology is defined in 3GPP TS 38.300 and corresponds to a subcarrier spacing in the frequency domain.

[0055] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 can also support frequency bands higher than FR2. Specifically, the wireless communication system 10 can also support frequency bands exceeding 52.6 GHz and not exceeding 114.25 GHz. For convenience, such high-frequency bands can also be referred to as "FR2x". When using a band domain exceeding 52.6 GHz, CP-OFDM (Cyclic Prefix - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) / DFT-S-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform - Spread - Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) with a larger SCS can also be applied.

[0056] The time direction (t) can also be referred to as the time domain, symbol period, or symbol time, etc. Furthermore, the frequency direction can be referred to as the frequency domain, resource block, subcarrier, or bandwidth part (BWP), etc.

[0057] gNB100 sends control information and configuration information of gNB100 to UE200 as downlink (DL) signals.

[0058] In addition, for example, gNB100 receives control information, data signals, and information related to the processing capabilities of UE200 (terminal capability (information); for example, UE capability) from UE200 as uplink (UL) signals.

[0059] The wireless device 300 forwards the DL signal to the UE 200. Additionally, the wireless device 300 forwards the UL signal to the gNB 100. Furthermore, the UL signal received by the gNB 100 from the UE 200 and / or the DL signal received by the UE 200 from the gNB 100 can also be signals forwarded by the wireless device 300.

[0060] UE200 is a communication device with wireless communication capabilities, such as smartphones, mobile phones, tablets, wearable terminals, and M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication modules.

[0061] UE200 receives control signals or data signals from gNB100 via DL and transmits control signals or data signals to gNB100 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by wireless communication system 10. Furthermore, UE200 receives various reference signals transmitted from gNB100 and performs propagation path quality measurements based on the reception results of these reference signals.

[0062] The channels used in DL signal transmission include, for example, data channels and control channels. For instance, the data channel may include a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), and the control channel may include a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH). For example, gNB100 uses PDCCH to transmit control information and PDSCH to transmit DL data signals for UE200. Furthermore, PDSCH is an example of a downlink shared channel, and PDCCH is an example of a downlink control channel. Additionally, PDCCH can be rewritten to transmit downlink control information (DCI), control information, etc.

[0063] The reference signals included in the DL signal may include at least one of the following: DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal), PTRS (Phase Tracking Reference Signal), CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal), SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), and PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) for location information. For example, reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used in the demodulation of the DL data signal and are transmitted using PDSCH.

[0064] The channels used in transmitting UL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For instance, a data channel may include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and a control channel may include a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). For example, UE200 uses PUCCH to transmit control information and PUSCH to transmit UL data signals. Furthermore, PUSCH is an example of an uplink shared channel, and PUCCH is an example of an uplink control channel. Shared channels can also be referred to as data channels. Additionally, PUSCH or PUCCH can be rewritten to represent uplink control information (UCI), control information, etc., transmitted within PUSCH or PUCCH.

[0065] The reference signals included in UL signals may include at least one of the following: DMRS, PTRS, CSI-RS, SRS, RS, and PRS for location information. For example, reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used in the demodulation of UL data signals and are transmitted using PUSCH.

[0066] <Utilization of Hertz Waves in the Asia-Pacific Region>

[0067] In future wireless communication systems (e.g., 6G and beyond), stringent requirements related to capacity, coverage, power consumption, and other aspects are being introduced. Research is underway to utilize the Asia-Pacific Hertz (APH) band (e.g., 100GHz to 300GHz) to achieve data rates of 100Gbps while maintaining sufficient coverage. This APH band is a higher frequency band than existing systems (e.g., NR Rel.15 / 16 / 17).

[0068] Among them, research is underway on a line-of-sight (LOS) - MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) transmission mode suitable for access links, with a target range of 100GHz, 100Gbps, and 100m (coverage).

[0069] Figure 2A This is a diagram representing an example of a remote user in the high-frequency band domain. Figure 2A In the example shown, for remote users, orthonormal transmission is not possible due to the size limitations of the base station (BS) for massive MIMO.

[0070] Figure 2B This diagram represents an example of a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) user in the high-frequency band domain. For non-line-of-sight (NLOS) users, efficient LOS-MIMO transmission is not possible due to obstructions (e.g., buildings).

[0071] In existing NR MIMO (NR MIMO), LOS-MIMO is not supported. In existing NR, achieving a data rate of 100Gbps requires a very large bandwidth, which is difficult to guarantee.

[0072] In NR MIMO, antennas designed for long-field transmission with only rank 1 per polarization direction in a channel with low-speed (LOS) are used. Rank 2 multiplexing is possible by utilizing dual polarization, but higher ranks cannot be utilized. Achieving 100Gbps requires tens of GHz of bandwidth, which is difficult to achieve in practical systems and places high demands on RF components.

[0073] In the LOS-MIMO schemes that have been studied, fixed transmit and receive positions are required, making them unsuitable for access links or requiring excessively large array sizes.

[0074] Therefore, research is underway on the introduction of fixed, large-spacing antenna arrays, OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum)-MIMO, and large-scale MIMO utilizing RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) (RIS-aided Mega MIMO).

[0075] Beyond the aforementioned example of Asia-Pacific Hertz waves, RIS (Radio Reliability and Precision) is gaining increasing attention as a new device for network deployment due to its flexibility and cost-effectiveness. RIS is capable of achieving very high data rates and wide coverage extensions, and is being researched as a promising technology within the topology of 6G wireless networks. For example, research related to RIS is being advanced in Release 19 (Rel. 19).

[0076] <RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface)>

[0077] The RIS relays communication between the BS and UE by controlling the reflection angle in at least one of the reflections from the backhaul link to the access link and from the access link to the backhaul link. Compared to newer types of network (NW) nodes such as Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), RF repeaters, and NCRs (Network-controlled Repeaters), the RIS is an example of a wireless device for flexible and cost-effective network deployment.

[0078] A RIS can also be constructed from multiple reconfigurable scattering components. Hereinafter, these scattering components are sometimes referred to as elements or antenna elements.

[0079] The RIS can control the direction of both reflected and transmitted (refracted) signals.

[0080] Furthermore, in this disclosure, reflection, transmission, and refraction can be interchanged. Additionally, in this disclosure, the reflection, transmission, and refraction of a signal in the RIS can also be understood as the RIS receiving a signal transmitted from a specific direction and transmitting (or refractioning) the signal in the same direction as or different from the specific direction. In this case, the signal transmitted by the RIS can be either the same signal as the signal received by the RIS, or a signal after specific processing has been applied to the signal received by the RIS. Furthermore, in this disclosure, the forwarding processing in the RIS can also be understood as at least one of the processes of reflection, transmission, and refraction occurring in the RIS.

[0081] The NCR amplifies the relay signal, and in contrast, the RIS does not require an RF amplifier. This reduces power consumption.

[0082] RIS can achieve beam gain through narrowband beams, but on the other hand, it is necessary to increase the number of RIS beams (beams reflected / refracted through RIS).

[0083] RIS can also reflect / refract signals outside the target frequency.

[0084] RIS can also use materials such as liquid crystals, metals, and semiconductors. For example, it can be argued that in RIS using liquid crystals, the beam scanning speed is slower compared to semiconductors, making it unsuitable for current beam scanning operations.

[0085] Due to its thin and flexible shape, RIS can also be installed on objects such as buildings.

[0086] Figure 3A This diagram illustrates an example of communication utilizing the NCR structure. The NCR can also include NCR-mobile termination (MT) and NCR-forwarding (Fwd). The NCR-MT communicates with the BS (gNB) via a control link.

[0087] Communication between the NCR-MT and the BS may also include at least one of receiving setting / instruction / control information from the BS and sending requests / reports / responses to the BS. The NCR-Fwd relays communication between the BS and the UE by performing relay / amplification from the backhaul link to the access link and from the access link to the backhaul link.

[0088] Figure 3B This diagram illustrates an example of communication utilizing RIS. RIS relays communication between the BS and UE by controlling the reflection angle in at least one of the reflections from the backhaul link to the access link and from the access link to the backhaul link.

[0089] <Including RIS system architecture>

[0090] Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture including RIS. The following uses... Figure 4 The system architectures, including RIS, are described, but these are just examples.

[0091] System architectures, including RIS, can also include multiple (e.g., two) design phases.

[0092] For example, system architectures including RIS can also include an aperture pre-adaptation phase.

[0093] During the aperture pre-adaptation phase, UE positioning can also be performed first. During UE positioning, the UE can also report information related to its position / attitude to the network (NW). Furthermore, during UE positioning, the NW (base station) can also estimate information related to the UE's position / attitude based on signals transmitted from the UE (e.g., UL RS).

[0094] Alternatively, the UE positioning in the aperture pre-adaptation stage can be omitted.

[0095] Next, in the aperture pre-adaptation stage, the aperture (e.g., antenna element) of the RIS can also be pre-adapted.

[0096] In this disclosure, the term "aperture adaptive" can also mean "determining / judging / selecting the antenna element / array to be used".

[0097] Next, during the aperture pre-adaptation stage, the aperture (e.g., antenna element) of the BS can also be pre-adapted.

[0098] In addition, system architectures including RIS can also include a beamforming stage.

[0099] The beamforming stage can, for example, follow the aperture pre-adaptation stage.

[0100] In the beamforming stage, beamforming in the BS can also be performed first.

[0101] Next, beamforming in RIS can also be performed during the beamforming stage.

[0102] Next, during the beamforming stage, UE reception can also be performed. The UE can also use a MIMO receiver based on CSI reception (CSIR).

[0103] Alternatively, the UE reception during the beamforming stage can be omitted.

[0104] <Beamforming methods for far-field and near-field>

[0105] Figure 5 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the near field (NF) and far field (FF) of RIS. Figure 5 The diagram illustrates a RIS array, and describes the propagation of radio waves from a RIS array in the near field and the far field. A RIS array can be understood as an example of a surface within a RIS that transmits signals or radiates radio waves. Furthermore, "near field" can be replaced with "near distance," and "far field" can be replaced with "far distance."

[0106] The large aperture of a RIS indicates a specific property that extends the range of the near field. For example, as... Figure 5 As shown, for the dimension D representing the size associated with the aperture of the RIS, the near-field boundary (e.g., the boundary between the near and far fields) is proportional to the square of D; therefore, a larger aperture of the RIS expands the near-field range. Furthermore, since the near-field boundary is inversely proportional to the wavelength λ, the shorter the wavelength, i.e., the higher the frequency, the larger the near-field range. Within this near-field region, the phase delays corresponding to the individual elements of the RIS can be distinguished. As a result, the assumption of a plane wavefront is not valid, and a spherical wavefront needs to be considered. Figure 5As shown, in the far-field region, the radio waves radiated from each element of the RIS are assumed to be plane waves, and in the near-field region, the wavefront of the radio waves generated from each element is a sphere.

[0107] As existing beamforming methods for both far-field (FF) and near-field (NF) fields, several approaches are being investigated.

[0108] For example, the beamforming method can also be DFT-based beamforming (BF), beamfocusing with optimal phase, and beamfocusing with near-range (NF) guide vectors.

[0109] DFT-based BF can also be primarily used for signal transmission to long-distance terminals. DFT-based BF can also use angle-dependent linear phase precoders (matrices).

[0110] Figure 6A This is a diagram illustrating an example of DFT-based beamforming (BF). Additionally, Figure 6A An example of a uniform and linear array is shown. In this example, xn is the distance from the center of the array to element n within the array, and is the angle of the beam relative to an axis perpendicular to the array.

[0111] Beam focusing with optimal phase can also be primarily used for signal transmission to near-field terminals. Beam focusing with optimal phase can also utilize a pre-encoder (matrix) based on position (distance)-dependent nonlinear phase.

[0112] Figure 6B This diagram illustrates an example of beam focusing with optimal phase. Additionally, Figure 6B An example of a uniform and linear array is shown. In this example, DF is the focal length (focal distance), and x' is the distance from the axis perpendicular to the array to the focal point.

[0113] Beamfocusing with a short-range guide vector can also be primarily used for signal transmission to near-range terminals. Beamfocusing with a short-range guide vector can also utilize a pre-encoder (matrix) based on angle- and position (distance)-dependent quadratic phase.

[0114] Figure 6C This diagram illustrates an example of beam focusing with a near-range (NF) guide vector. Additionally, Figure 6C An example of a uniform and linear array is shown. In this example, D is the distance from the center of the array to the focal point, and ω is the angle from the axis perpendicular to the array to the straight line connecting the center of the array and the focal point.

[0115] Because of the mismatch between conventional codebooks used in far-field beamforming, such as DFT codebooks, and near-field channels, they cannot be directly applied to the near field. It is assumed that applying DFT codebooks to near-field beamforming could lead to significant SNR loss. On the other hand, for focused beamforming, such as ring-type codebooks (RTCs) which are coherent beamformers in the near field, there is no such limitation preventing their application to the near field.

[0116] For example, RIS is used in the forwarding of data channels, and the RTC mentioned above generates a UE-specific focused beam, which enables high-speed transmission.

[0117] On the other hand, the use of RIS in the forwarding of control channels (e.g., SSB (Synchronization Signal Block)) is being studied.

[0118] Figure 7 This is a diagram illustrating an example of SSB forwarding using RIS. In Figure 7 The image shows that among the SSBs #0 to #4 sent by the gNB, the RIS forwards SSBs #2 to #4.

[0119] In the case of RIS forwarding control channels (e.g., SSB, etc.), the possibility of expanding the beam for forwarding is being studied.

[0120] <Research Matters in This Implementation>

[0121] In recent years, research on Beyond 5G / 6G has begun both domestically and internationally. Higher performance requirements are envisioned for 6G. Furthermore, several use cases are envisioned for 6G, as shown below.

[0122] Expansion of coverage Ultra-long distance communication

[0123] Ultra-large capacity

[0124] Ultra-reliable communication

[0125] Virtual cell (User-centric no cell: No cell at the user center)

[0126] Flexible NW

[0127] Mesh NW / Side link

[0128] In 6G, it is expected that the design of these use cases will be taken into account.

[0129] For 6G, the utilization of high-frequency bands and the expansion of coverage are considered. As one means of realizing the utilization of high-frequency bands and the expansion of coverage, site designs using network controlled repeaters (NCRs) and / or reconfigurable intelligence surfaces (RISs) as described above are considered.

[0130] Additionally, in the following cases, there may be instances where NCR and / or RIS are described as NCR / RIS. An NCR / RIS can be an NCR, a RIS, a RIS with NCR functionality, or an NCR with RIS functionality. Furthermore, an NCR / RIS can also be a UE with both NCR and / or RIS functionality. Moreover, in cases where multiple NCRs / RISs exist, NCRs and RISs may be mixed among them.

[0131] Furthermore, in the following description, NCR / RIS may include structures that have the same functions as NCR-MT, such as receiving setting / instruction / control information from the base station and sending requests / reports / responses to the base station. Additionally, in the following description, NCR / RIS may include structures that have the same functions as NCR-Fwd, such as relaying communication between the base station and the UE by relaying / amplifying communication from the backhaul link to the access link and from the access link to the backhaul link. In the following explanation, "NCR / RIS" may also be replaced with "NCR / RIS-MT" or "NCR / RIS-Fwd".

[0132] As a means of extending coverage, consideration is given to using a path via NCR / RIS between the base station and the UE to perform multi-hop signal transmission and reception between the base station and the UE.

[0133] Figure 8 This is a diagram illustrating an example of multi-hop NCR / RIS. In Figure 8 The diagram illustrates a path between the TRP (transmission reception point) and the UE via more than one NCR / RIS. Additionally, the TRP can also be a base station. Furthermore, in... Figure 8 Not illustrated, but the TRP can also connect to CU (Central Unit) and / or DU (Distributed Unit). Figure 8 The examples show paths via NCR / RIS#1 and NCR / RIS#3, and paths via NCR / RIS#1 and NCR / RIS#4.

[0134] Here, in the path via NCR / RIS#1 and NCR / RIS#3, NCR / RIS#1 is the first-hop NCR / RIS, and NCR / RIS#3 is the second-hop NCR / RIS. In other words, in this path, NCR / RIS#1 has 1 hop and NCR / RIS#3 has 2 hops. Furthermore, the case where NCR / RIS#1 has 1 hop corresponds to NCR / RIS#1 existing at hop number 1.

[0135] like Figure 8 As in the example, in multi-hop scenarios, there are sometimes multiple paths connecting the base station and the UE.

[0136] However, the multi-hop structure of NCR / RIS has not yet been standardized, leaving room for further research.

[0137] For example, it is desirable to configure (e.g., select) multi-hop paths that take into account factors such as: which path allows for better power-efficient propagation, and / or which path allows for lower-latency propagation. In other words, in multi-hop paths, it is desirable to configure (select) appropriate paths that take into account power efficiency and / or propagation delay.

[0138] For example, if multi-hop paths are not configured appropriately, resource conflicts may occur. For instance, there is a possibility of resource conflicts between the first hop and the second hop. In NCR / RIS, the decoding of signals destined for NCR / RIS-MT and the forwarding (relaying) within NCR / RIS-Fwd cannot be performed simultaneously. Therefore, appropriate scheduling of signal transmissions using resources is required (e.g., scheduling of PDCCH and PDSCH).

[0139] Thus, in multi-hop NCR / RIS, it is desirable to avoid resource conflicts and to select appropriate paths considering power efficiency and / or propagation delay. Furthermore, in selecting appropriate paths considering power efficiency and / or propagation delay to avoid resource conflicts, it is desirable to determine which hop in the path each NCR / RIS is included in. In other words, it is desirable to determine the hop count of the NCR / RIS.

[0140] Therefore, the following will explain how to obtain information for setting multi-hop paths as appropriate and selecting the optimal path in the site design of NCR / RIS. For example, Proposal 1 explains the method for determining the hop count in multi-hop scenarios and notifying the determined hop count. Proposal 2 explains the method for maintaining information related to routing selection in multi-hop scenarios and selecting paths based on that information.

[0141] <Proposal 1>

[0142] Proposal 1 describes a method for determining the number of hops in a multi-hop path, including the NCR / RIS hops traversed between the base station and the UE, and notifies the determined hop count. Option 1 of Proposal 1 shows an example of NW hop count determination, and Option 2 shows an example of NCR / RIS hop count determination.

[0143] <Option 1 of Proposal 1>

[0144] In option 1 of proposal 1, the NW (Network) determines the hop count. Furthermore, NW can be understood as RAN (Radio Area Network) or a base station. Additionally, NW can also include a base station or a higher-level information processing device. "Determine" can also be replaced with "identify," "know," or "determine." The method of determination is not specifically limited; for example, the base station acquires or maintains information related to the correspondence between NCR / RIS actions and hop counts, and determines the hop count based on this correspondence information and the actions of the NCR / RIS.

[0145] Here, the so-called NCR / RIS action can be any action related to the transmission of NCR / RIS signals. Below, as an example of an action related to the transmission of NCR / RIS signals, the transmission action at the RACH (random access channel) occasion is listed. Furthermore, the signal transmitted as an action related to the transmission of NCR / RIS signals is not limited to the RACH occasion. Any signal that has a hop count correspondence with NCR / RIS can also be a signal with a different RACH occasion.

[0146] For example, the NW (e.g., a base station or RAN) determines the hop count of the NCR / RIS based on the RACH occasion. For instance, determining the hop count based on the RACH occasion can correspond to determining the hop count based on the signal transmitted during the RACH occasion. Furthermore, transmitting a signal during the RACH occasion can correspond to transmitting the RACH occasion. The transmission of the RACH occasion is performed by the NCR / RIS (e.g., NCR / RIS-MT). Additionally, the base station receives the RACH occasion transmitted by the NCR / RIS (e.g., NCR / RIS-MT) and determines the NCR / RIS that transmitted the received RACH occasion.

[0147] The base station maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between RACH timing and hop count. For example, this correspondence information may be in tabular form. The information may show the relationship between RACH timing and hop count. For instance, it may show that RACH timings #1, #2, and #3 correspond to hop counts 1, 2, and 3, respectively.

[0148] Then, the base station determines the hop count of each NCR / RIS by identifying the timing (or identification information) of the RACH event in the time direction. The base station then notifies the NCR / RIS of the determined hop count.

[0149] NCR / RIS uses notifications from the base station to determine its hop count.

[0150] The following uses Figure 9 Here's an example to illustrate how to determine the number of jumps.

[0151] Figure 9 This is a diagram illustrating an example of RACH timing. In Figure 9The example illustrates one time slot with an SCS of 60 kHz and one time slot with an SCS of 120 kHz. Furthermore, within each time slot, the RACH timing corresponding to the two symbols is shown (in...). Figure 9 (abbreviated as RO in Chinese). The base station maintains information related to the correspondence between RACH timing and hop count, and determines the hop count of NCR / RIS based on the maintained information and the RACH timing sent by NCR / RIS.

[0152] For example, when RACH was sent at time #5 (in Figure 9 In a scenario where the NCR / RIS correspondence is "RO#5" and the hop count is 2, if NCR / RIS#2 sends RACH timing #5, the base station identifies NCR / RIS#2 as being at hop count 2. In this case, after identifying NCR / RIS-MT#2 as being at hop count 2, the base station updates the table. The updated table could be, for example, a table showing the correspondence between NCR / RIS and hop count. The base station then notifies the NCR of the updated table.

[0153] Thus, in Option 1 of Proposal 1, the base station maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between the RACH timing (an example of NCR / RIS action) and the number of hops transmitted by the NCR / RIS, and determines the number of hops for the NCR / RIS based on the information related to the correspondence and the RACH timing transmitted by the NCR / RIS and received by the base station. Therefore, it is possible to acquire information related to the number of hops in the NCR / RIS required to set a multi-hop path as an appropriate path, and thus, a multi-hop path can be appropriately selected. For example, by acquiring information related to the number of hops in the NCR / RIS, a path that avoids resource conflicts between different hop counts can be selected.

[0154] <Option 2 of Proposal 1>

[0155] In option 2 of proposal 1, the NCR / RIS determines the hop count. For example, this determination is performed by the NCR / RIS-MT. The method of determination is not particularly limited; for example, the NCR / RIS maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between the NCR / RIS's actions and the hop count, and determines the hop count based on the information related to the correspondence and the NCR / RIS's actions.

[0156] Here, the so-called NCR / RIS operation can also refer to operations related to the signal reception of the NCR / RIS. Below, as an example of an operation related to the signal reception of the NCR / RIS, the SSB reception operation is listed. Furthermore, the operation related to the signal reception of the NCR / RIS here is not limited to the SSB reception operation; it can also be a reference signal other than the SSB. The reference signal can be, for example, CSI-RS or other RS. Alternatively, the operation related to the signal reception of the NCR / RIS can also be the reception operation of at least one of SSB, CSI-RS, and RS. Additionally, below, at least one of SSB, CSI-RS, and RS is sometimes referred to as SSB / CSI-RS / RS. The NCR / RIS can receive SSB / CSI-RS / RS directly from the base station, or it can receive SSB / CSI-RS / RS after it has been transmitted (relayed) through other NCR / RIS.

[0157] For example, the NCR / RIS maintains information related to the correspondence between SSB / CSI-RS / RS and hop count. Additionally, the NW (e.g., RAN or base station) may also maintain information related to the correspondence between SSB / CSI-RS / RS and hop count. For example, the NCR / RIS and / or the base station maintains information related to the correspondence between which SSB the NCR / RIS receives and at which hop it communicates.

[0158] The base station determines the hop count using the SSB index assigned to the NCR / RIS. Additionally, SSBs with SSB indices 0-4 are sometimes referred to as SSB0-4 below.

[0159] Figure 10 This is a diagram illustrating an example of the correspondence between SSB allocation and the number of hops in NCR / RIS. Figure 10 The image shows an example of SSB transmission from a base station (e.g., TRP) via NCR / RIS#1, NCR / RIS#2, and NCR / RIS#3.

[0160] For example, such as Figure 10 Thus, in the case where SSB0-4 are allocated for scanning from the base station (e.g., TRP) to the terminal, SSB5 and thereafter (in Figure 10 SSBs (5-16) are assigned to NCR / RIS. In this case, if NCR / RIS-MT receives an SSB with an index of 0-4, the NCR / RIS-MT determines that the SSB with an index of 0-4 is the first hop.

[0161] In addition, Figure 10In the example, when the NCR / RIS-MT receives an SSB with indices 5-8, the NCR / RIS-MT that receives an SSB with indices 5-8 determines that it is the second hop. Furthermore, in Figure 10 In the example, when the NCR / RIS-MT receives an SSB index of 9-12, the NCR / RIS-MT that receives an SSB index of 9-12 determines that it is the third hop.

[0162] Alternatively, for example, for a newly configured NCR / RIS (hereinafter NCR / RIS#x), the hop count can also be determined and notified in the following order.

[0163] NCR / RIS#x determines its own hop count based on the SSB received by NCR / RIS#x.

[0164] NCR / RIS#x reports its own hop count to the base station.

[0165] The base station updates information representing the correspondence between SSB, hop count, and NCR / RIS (e.g., information in a table).

[0166] The base station will notify the UE and / or the NCR / RIS (e.g., NCR / RIS-MT) of a table showing the correspondence between SSB, hop count and NCR / RIS.

[0167] Thus, in option 2 of proposal 1, the NCR / RIS maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between the SSBs (an example of NCR / RIS actions) received by the NCR / RIS and the hop count, and determines the hop count of the NCR / RIS based on the correspondence information and the SSBs received by the NCR / RIS. Therefore, it is possible to acquire information related to the hop count of the NCR / RIS required to set a multi-hop path as an appropriate path, thereby enabling the appropriate selection of multi-hop paths. For example, by acquiring information related to the hop count of the NCR / RIS, it is possible to select a path that avoids resource conflicts between different hop counts.

[0168] <Option 3 of Proposal 1>

[0169] In option 3 of proposal 1, the NW and NCR / RIS determine the hop count. For example, as in option 1 of proposal 1, the NW (e.g., a base station) maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between the timing of RACH (an example of NCR / RIS action) sent by the NCR / RIS and received by the base station and the hop count, and determines the hop count of the NCR / RIS based on the information related to the correspondence and the timing of the RACH sent by the NCR / RIS. Furthermore, as in option 2 of proposal 1, the NCR / RIS maintains or acquires information related to the correspondence between the SSB (an example of NCR / RIS action) received by the NCR / RIS and the hop count, and determines the hop count of the NCR / RIS based on the information related to the correspondence and the SSB received by the NCR / RIS.

[0170] In this way, the NW (e.g., base station) and NCR / RIS can determine the hop count more accurately. Furthermore, since neither the NW (e.g., base station) nor the NCR / RIS notifies the other of hop count-related information, signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0171] <Proposal 2>

[0172] Imagine a base station maintaining routing information and selecting paths based on this information. The routing information includes details related to the paths formed between the base station and the UE. For example, if multiple paths can be formed for a single UE, the routing information includes information related to each of these paths for that UE. If there are two or more UEs, routing information is maintained for each of them. For example, the routing information might include information representing the NCR / RIS of the first hop, the NCR / RIS of the second hop, and the NCR / RIS of the third hop in a three-hop multi-hop path.

[0173] The base station acquires information related to the number of hops in NCR / RIS and determines the correspondence between the number of hops and NCR / RIS based on the acquired information.

[0174] Furthermore, for example, the base station determines the hop count of each NCR / RIS according to the method shown in Proposal 1. Then, the base station determines the correspondence between the hop count and the NCR / RIS based on the determined hop count of each NCR / RIS. Alternatively, the hop count can be determined using other methods instead of the method shown in Proposal 1.

[0175] On the NW side, the communication between the various NCRs / RISs is reported through OAM (Operation, Administration, and Maintenance). This report identifies each NCR / RIS and the path via them. Therefore, the NCR / RIS path can also be determined. This can also be assumed that the NCR / RIS are fixed in their configuration.

[0176] Figure 11 This is a diagram representing the first example of the path between the base station and the UE. Figure 12 It means based on Figure 11 A diagram illustrating example routing information. Figure 11 The image shows three paths for a specific UE#1. Figure 12 The routing information contains representations Figure 11 Information for each of the three paths.

[0177] For example, in route #1, the NCR / RIS for the first hop is NCR / RIS#1, the NCR / RIS for the second hop is NCR / RIS#3, the NCR / RIS for the third hop is NCR / RIS#5, and the NCR / RIS for the fourth hop is NCR / RIS#7. The same applies to routes #2 and #3, showing the NCR / RIS for each hop.

[0178] In addition, Figure 11 , Figure 12 The example shown illustrates an NCR / RIS with identical hops up to the fourth hop across all paths; this disclosure is not limited thereto. The number of hops for each path may also differ.

[0179] Figure 13 This is a diagram representing the second example of the path between the base station and the UE. Figure 14 It means based on Figure 13 A diagram illustrating example routing information. Figure 13 The image shows three paths for a specific UE#2. Figure 14 The routing information contains representations Figure 13 Information for each of the three paths. Figure 13 , Figure 14 and Figure 11 , Figure 12 The number of hops varies depending on the path.

[0180] For example, in route #1, the first hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#1, the second hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#3, the third hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#5, and the fourth hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#7. In route #2, the first hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#2, the second hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#3, the third hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#5, the fourth hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#8, and the fifth hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#9. In route #3, the first hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#2, the second hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#3, and the third hop's NCR / RIS is NCR / RIS#9.

[0181] For example, in one instance of existing operation, during measurement, the beam with the strongest SSB reception is selected. If we list... Figure 11 , Figure 12 Taking an example, in one instance of existing operation, for UE#1, if the received SSB strength from NCR / RIS#7 is stronger than the received SSB strength from NCR / RIS#8 and NCR / RIS#9, route #1 corresponding to NCR / RIS#7 is selected. However, in this instance of existing operation, it is possible that an appropriate path may not be selected. For example, as... Figure 13 , Figure 14 Therefore, when the number of hops varies across paths, the method of selecting the beam with the strongest SSB reception during measurement may not be able to select the appropriate path.

[0182] In Proposal 2, as described below, a path is selected based on specific conditions in the base station or UE.

[0183] <Option 1 of Proposal 2>

[0184] In option 1 of proposal 2, the base station selects a path.

[0185] The base station selects the appropriate method based on at least one of the following: base station location information, NCR / RIS location information, NCR / RIS hop count, radio wave strength in the UE (e.g., RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)), and BLER (Block Error Rate). The NCR / RIS location information can also be estimated from the NCR / RIS and transmitted from the NCR / RIS to the base station. The radio wave strength in the UE (e.g., RSRP) can also be transmitted from the UE to the base station via a measurement report.

[0186] The location information of the base station and the location information of the NCR / RIS are information related to the propagation distance, and therefore can also be an example of information related to communication quality. The hop count of the NCR / RIS can be an example of the number of relay devices between the base station and the UE. In addition, the radio wave strength in the UE (e.g., RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)) and BLER (block error rate) both represent communication quality, and therefore can also be examples of information related to communication quality.

[0187] Figure 15 This is a diagram illustrating an example of NCR / RIS location information. Figure 15 The image shows the location information of five NCR / RIS systems, from NCR / RIS#1 to NCR / RIS#5. Figure 15 In NCR / RIS, location information is represented by latitude and longitude, but location information can also be represented by other methods. For example, location information can also be represented by its relative position to a certain location (e.g., the location of a base station).

[0188] Alternatively, the location information can be replaced with distance information representing the distance between each NCR / RIS.

[0189] Alternatively, a priority order can be set for each of the base station location information, NCR / RIS location information, NCR / RIS hop count, radio wave strength in the UE (e.g., RSRP), and BLER. For example, characteristics can be evaluated in the order of hop count, propagation distance estimated from location information, BLER, and RSRP, and a path can be selected based on the evaluation information. For example, path selection can also be performed after initial access.

[0190] For example, in path selection, the path with the fewest hops is given top priority. Then, if there are multiple paths with the fewest hops, the path with the shortest propagation distance estimated from the location information can be selected from among these multiple paths. If there are multiple paths with the same number of hops and propagation distance, the path with the smallest BLER can be selected.

[0191] The base station sets the communication configuration information based on the selected path. This configuration information includes, for example, the TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication) state. For instance, the base station sets the TCI state based on the selected path. The TCI state can be configured to use the selected path.

[0192] As described above, in Option 1 of Proposal 2, the base station (an example of a first wireless communication device) communicating with the UE receives a signal and selects a path between the UE and the base station based on at least one of the following: information related to communication quality estimated from the received signal (e.g., radio wave strength (RSRP), BLER), and the number of NCR / RIS between the UE and the base station (e.g., hop count). This allows for the selection of an appropriate path that takes into account propagation delay and / or power efficiency.

[0193] <Option 2 of Proposal 2>

[0194] In option 2 of proposal 2, the UE selects a path.

[0195] The UE can also estimate the propagation delay and select a path based on the estimated propagation delay. The method for estimating the propagation delay is not particularly limited; for example, when the signal reception timing is known, the propagation delay can be estimated based on the deviation between the known reception timing and the actual reception timing. For instance, the UE estimates the propagation delay based on the deviation of the SSB's reception timing.

[0196] Figure 16 This is a diagram illustrating an example of SSB delay. In Figure 16 The diagram shows the known and actual receive timings for each of SSB#0-#5.

[0197] For example, based on the known reception timing of the SSB and its relative position in the time direction with the actual reception timing of the SSB, the SSBs with a relatively large position difference (that is, the SSBs with a large delay) are weighted as the SSBs with a large delay, and the SSBs with a relatively small position difference are weighted as the SSBs with a small delay.

[0198] exist Figure 16In the example, SSB#2 and SSB#5 are SSBs with relatively large propagation delays, while SSB#3 and SSB#4 are SSBs with relatively small propagation delays. In this case, it is determined that SSB#2 and SSB#5 were sent from the source on the path with the relatively large propagation delay, while SSB#3 and SSB#4 were sent from the source on the path with the relatively small propagation delay.

[0199] The UE selects a path based on at least one of the following: propagation delay (e.g., the timing deviation of SSB reception), the number of hops of NCR / RIS, the radio wave strength of each SSB estimated by the UE itself (e.g., RSRP), and BLER.

[0200] Propagation delay, radio wave strength of each SSB estimated by the UE itself (e.g., RSRP), and BLER are all examples of information related to communication quality.

[0201] Alternatively, a priority order can be set for propagation delay (e.g., timing deviation of SSB reception), hop count of NCR / RIS, radio wave strength of each SSB estimated by the UE itself (e.g., RSRP), and each BLER. For example, characteristics can be evaluated in the order of hop count, propagation delay, BLER, and RSRP, and the path can be selected based on the evaluation information. Path selection can also be performed after initial access.

[0202] Alternatively, communication settings can be configured based on the selected path. These settings could include, for example, the TCI state. For instance, the UE and / or base station configure the TCI state based on the selected path. The TCI state can also be configured to use the selected path. When the base station configures the communication settings, the UE notifies the base station of information related to the selected path, and the base station configures the communication settings based on this notified information.

[0203] As described above, in option 2 of proposal 2, the UE (an example of the first wireless communication device) communicating with the base station receives a signal and selects a path between the UE and the base station based on at least one of the following: information related to communication quality estimated from the received signal (e.g., radio wave strength (RSRP), BLER, propagation delay), and the number of NCR / RIS between the UE and the base station (e.g., hop count). Thus, it is possible to select an appropriate path that takes into account propagation delay and / or power efficiency.

[0204] Furthermore, in this disclosure, "A / B" and "at least one of A and B" can be rewritten as each other. In addition, in this disclosure, "A / B / C" can also mean "at least one of A, B and C".

[0205] In this disclosure, terms such as notification, activation, deactivation, instruction (or indication), selection, configuration, update, and determination can be overridden. Similarly, terms such as support, control, ability to control, operation, and ability to operate can also be overridden.

[0206] In this disclosure, Radio Resource Control (RRC), RRC parameters, RRC messages, higher-level parameters, fields, Information Elements (IE), settings, etc., can also be modified interchangeably. In this disclosure, Medium Access Control (MAC) elements (MAC ControlElement (CE)), update commands, activation / deactivation commands, etc., can also be modified interchangeably.

[0207] In this disclosure, higher-layer signaling may be, for example, any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information, other messages (e.g., positioning protocol messages, such as NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) / LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP) messages, messages from the core network), or combinations thereof.

[0208] In this disclosure, MAC signaling may also use, for example, a MAC Control Element (MACCE) or a MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU). Broadcast information may also be, for example, a Master Information Block (MIB), a System Information Block (SIB), a Minimum System Information (Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI)), or Other System Information (OSI).

[0209] In this disclosure, physical layer signaling may also be, for example, downlink control information (DCI), uplink control information (UCI), etc.

[0210] In this disclosure, the terms aperture, antenna array, array, subarray (multiple antenna elements, part of an array), panel, RIS, RIS array, scattering element array, etc., can be rewritten interchangeably. In this disclosure, the terms antenna, antenna element, scattering element, etc., can also be rewritten interchangeably.

[0211] In this disclosure, NCR, RIS, NCR including RIS, network node, device, IAB, IAB-MT (Mobile Termination), IAB-DU (Distribution Unit), IAB-CU (Central Unit), terminal, base station, relay station, relay device, repeater, reflector, transmissive plate, RIS-NCR, RIS-type NCR, extended NCR, etc. can also be rewritten in different ways.

[0212] <Structure Diagram>

[0213] Figure 17 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 100 includes, for example, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a control unit 103. The base station 100 communicates wirelessly with a terminal 200 (see reference 100). Figure 18 The transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 can also be collectively referred to as a communication unit. Furthermore, the control unit can also be referred to as a processing unit, processor, etc.

[0214] The transmitting unit 101 transmits a DL signal to the terminal 200. For example, the transmitting unit 101 transmits the DL signal under the control of the control unit 103. For example, the DL signal may also contain information related to the scheduling of the signal transmission of the terminal 200 (e.g., UL permission), higher-level control information, etc.

[0215] For example, the transmitting unit 101 transmits various control signals (such as high-level control signals), reference signals, data signals, etc., as DL signals to the terminal 200 and / or the wireless device 300. The transmitting unit 101, for example, transmits various signals, channels, setting information, control information, etc., as described in the above embodiments to the terminal 200 as DL signals.

[0216] For example, the transmitting unit 101 transmits information related to the control of the terminal 200 generated by the control unit 103 to the terminal 200. Furthermore, for example, the transmitting unit 101 transmits information related to the control of the wireless device 300 generated by the control unit 103 to the wireless device 300. Additionally, the transmitting unit 101 transmits data signals generated by the control unit 103 to the terminal 200.

[0217] The receiving unit 102 receives UL signals transmitted from the terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 102 receives UL signals under the control of the control unit 103. In addition, the receiving unit 102 can also receive UL signals transmitted from the wireless device 300.

[0218] For example, as a UL signal, the receiving unit 102 receives from the terminal 200 a signal containing terminal capability information of the terminal 200 (e.g., UE capability), various control signals, reference signals, data signals, etc. Furthermore, the receiving unit 102 may also receive a signal containing capability information of the wireless device 300 (e.g., capability).

[0219] The control unit 103 controls the entire (communication) operation of the base station 100, which includes the transmission processing in the transmission unit 101 and the reception processing in the reception unit 102.

[0220] For example, the control unit 103 obtains data and control information from higher layers and outputs it to the transmitting unit 101. Furthermore, the control unit 103 outputs data and control information received from the receiving unit 102 to higher layers.

[0221] For example, the control unit 103 allocates resources for transmitting and receiving DL signals and / or UL signals based on signals (e.g., data and control information) received from the terminal 200 and / or data and control information obtained from higher layers. Information related to the allocated resources may also be included in the control information sent to the terminal 200.

[0222] The control unit 103 performs operations other than sending and receiving as described in the above embodiments (in addition, these operations may also be performed by the sending unit 101 and / or the receiving unit 102).

[0223] In addition, the control unit 103 can also generate control information related to the forwarding operation of the wireless device 300. The control unit 103 can also send instructions (e.g., control information) related to the communication control of the wireless device 300 via the transmitting unit 101.

[0224] In Proposal 1 above, for example, the receiving unit 102 of base station 100 (an example of a first wireless communication device) receives a signal (e.g., RACH timing) transmitted by NCR / RIS (an example of a second wireless communication device). Then, the control unit 103 of base station 100 determines the hop count of NCR / RIS based on the received signal and the relationship between the signal (e.g., RACH timing) and the hop count.

[0225] Furthermore, in Proposal 2 described above, for example, the receiving unit 102 of base station 100 (an example of the first wireless communication device) receives signals. The control unit 103 of base station 100 selects a path between base station 100 and terminal 200 based on at least one of the following: information related to communication quality estimated from the received signals (e.g., radio wave strength (RSRP), BLER), and the number of relay devices (e.g., NCR / RIS) between base station 100 and terminal 200.

[0226] Figure 18 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a terminal 200 according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 200 includes, for example, a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, and a control unit 203. The terminal 200 communicates wirelessly with, for example, a base station 100 (see reference 100). Figure 17 The receiving unit 201 and the transmitting unit 202 can also be collectively referred to as the communication unit.

[0227] The receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal transmitted from the base station 100. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0228] For example, the receiving unit 201 receives various control signals, reference signals, data signals, etc. from the base station 100 as DL signals. The receiving unit 201, for example, receives various signals, channels, setting information, control information, etc., as described in the above embodiments from the base station 100 as DL signals.

[0229] For example, receiving unit 201 receives signals from base station 100.

[0230] The transmitting unit 202 transmits a UL signal to the base station 100. For example, the transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0231] For example, as a UL signal, the transmitting unit 202 transmits to the base station 100 a signal containing information related to the processing capabilities of the terminal 200, as well as various control signals, reference signals, data signals, etc.

[0232] The control unit 203 controls the entire (communication) operation of the terminal 200, which includes the receiving process in the receiving unit 201 and the sending process in the sending unit 202.

[0233] For example, control unit 203 obtains data and control information from higher layers and outputs it to transmitting unit 202. Furthermore, control unit 203 may output data and control information received from receiving unit 201 to higher layers, for example.

[0234] The control unit 203 performs operations other than sending and receiving as described in the above embodiments (in addition, these operations can also be performed by the receiving unit 201 and / or the sending unit 202).

[0235] Furthermore, the signal received by terminal 200 from base station 100 can be a signal directly transmitted from base station 100, or a signal transmitted from base station 100 and forwarded by wireless device 300. Additionally, the signal transmitted by terminal 200 to base station 100 can be received directly by base station 100, or it can be forwarded by wireless device 300 and received by base station 100. In this case, terminal 200 may not need to distinguish whether the signal was forwarded by wireless device 300.

[0236] In Proposal 2 above, exemplarily, the receiving unit 201 of terminal 200 (an example of a first wireless communication device) receives a signal (e.g., SSB). The control unit 203 of terminal 200 selects a path between base station 100 and terminal 200 based on at least one of the following: information related to communication quality estimated from the received signal (e.g., propagation delay, radio wave strength (RSRP), BLER), and the number of relay devices (e.g., NCR / RIS) between base station 100 and terminal 200.

[0237] Figure 19 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of the structure of a wireless device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless device 300 corresponds to an example of an NCR / RIS or a relay device. The wireless device 300 includes, for example, a receiving unit 301, a transmitting unit 302, and a control unit 303. The wireless relay device 300, for example, communicates wirelessly with a base station 100 (see reference 100). Figure 17 ) and terminal 200 (refer to Figure 18 The receiving unit 301 and the transmitting unit 302 can also be collectively referred to as the communication unit. Alternatively, the communication unit may have a radiating surface that radiates radio waves (e.g., a RIS array), transmit signals from the radiating surface, and receive signals at the radiating surface.

[0238] The receiving unit 301 receives DL signals transmitted from the base station 100. Additionally, the receiving unit 301 receives UL signals transmitted from the terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 301 receives both DL and UL signals under the control of the control unit 303. Furthermore, the received signals may include signals destined for the base station 100, signals destined for the terminal 200, and signals destined for the wireless device 300. For example, the receiving unit 301 receives signals from the base station 100 destined for the terminal 200 (e.g., signals specific to the terminal 200). Additionally, the forwarding process may include at least one of the following: processing of sending signals received from the base station 100 destined for the terminal 200 to the terminal 200, and processing of receiving signals from the terminal 200 destined for the base station 100.

[0239] The transmitting unit 302 transmits the UL signal received from the terminal 200 and destined for the base station 100 to the base station 100. Additionally, the transmitting unit 302 transmits the DL signal received from the base station 100 and destined for the terminal 200 to the terminal 200. For example, the transmitting unit 302 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 303. For example, the transmitting unit 302 forwards the signal received from the base station 100 and destined for the terminal 200 to the terminal 200.

[0240] The control unit 303 controls the entire (communication) operation of the wireless device 300, which includes the receiving processing in the receiving unit 301 and the transmitting processing in the transmitting unit 302.

[0241] For example, control unit 303 generates the beam used by transmitting unit 302. Control unit 303 uses information related to the acquired target area (the area covered by wireless device 300) and selects (determines) codewords based on the geometric relationship between wireless device 300 and the target area (e.g., focal position or focal distance). Then, control unit 303 applies the determined codewords to control the generation of the beam.

[0242] The control unit 303 performs operations other than sending and receiving as described in the above embodiments (in addition, these operations can also be performed by the receiving unit 301 and / or the sending unit 302).

[0243] In Proposal 1 above, for example, the receiving unit 301 of the wireless device 300 (an example of a first wireless communication device) receives signals (e.g., SSB) transmitted by other NCR / RIS or base stations (an example of a second wireless communication device). Then, the control unit 303 of the wireless device 300 determines the hop count of the wireless device 300 based on the received signals and the relationship between the signals (e.g., SSB) and the hop count.

[0244] Additionally, the wireless device 300 in this disclosure (e.g., NCR / RIS) can be an example of a communication device. Furthermore, the wireless device 300 in this disclosure can also be referred to by other names such as relay device, repeater, or relay station device. Moreover, the wireless device 300 in this disclosure can also be replaced by terminal 200 (e.g., UE). For example, the wireless device 300 can also be understood as a terminal 200 with a repeater function (or relay function).

[0245] The above provides an explanation of this disclosure. Furthermore, the distinctions between items mentioned above are not essential in this disclosure; items described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and items described in one item may be applied to items described in other items (as long as they do not contradict each other).

[0246] <Hardware structure, etc.>

[0247] The block diagrams used in the description of the above embodiments illustrate functional units. These functional blocks (structural units) are implemented through any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the implementation method of each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block can be implemented using a single device that is physically or logically combined, or it can be implemented by directly or indirectly (e.g., using wired, wireless, etc.) connecting two or more physically or logically separate devices. A functional block can also be implemented by combining one or more of the aforementioned devices with software.

[0248] The functions include judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, receiving, sending, output, access, resolution, selection, choosing, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regard as, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assigning, but are not limited to these. For example, the functional block (structural unit) that implements the sending function is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. Both are as described above, and the implementation method is not particularly limited.

[0249] For example, the base station, terminal, and wireless device in one embodiment of this disclosure can also function as a computer for processing the wireless communication method of this disclosure. Figure 14This diagram illustrates an example of the hardware structure of a base station, terminal, and wireless device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The base station 100, terminal 200, and wireless device 300 described above can also be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0250] Additionally, in the following description, the term "device" can be replaced with circuit, equipment, unit, etc. The hardware structure of base station 100, terminal 200, and wireless device 300 can be configured to include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it can be configured not to include some of the devices.

[0251] Regarding the functions of base station 100, terminal 200 and wireless device 300, specific software (programs) are read into hardware such as processor 1001 and memory 1002, so that processor 1001 performs calculations and controls communication based on communication device 1004, or controls at least one of reading out and writing data in memory 1002 and storage device 1003, thereby achieving the functions.

[0252] The processor 1001, for example, enables the operating system to operate and control the computer as a whole. The processor 1001 may also be composed of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic devices, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 103, control unit 203, and control unit 303 described above may also be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0253] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc., from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and performs various processes accordingly. As a program, a program that causes the computer to perform at least a portion of the operations described in the above embodiments can be used. For example, the control unit 203 of the terminal 200 can also be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and operated by the processor 1001; similarly, other functional blocks can be implemented. The various processes described above are executed by one processor 1001, but they can also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 can also be implemented by one or more chips. Additionally, programs can be transmitted from a network via electrical communication lines.

[0254] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of the following: ROM (Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory). The memory 1002 may also be referred to as a register, cache, main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing the wireless communication method according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0255] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be comprised of at least one of the following: CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM) or other optical discs; hard disk drives; flexible discs; optical discs (e.g., compact discs, digital multifunction discs, Blu-ray discs); smart cards; flash memory (e.g., cards, sticks, key drives); floppy disks; magnetic stripes; etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The aforementioned storage medium may also be, for example, a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0256] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting and receiving device) used for communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network. It is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network interface card (NIC), communication module, etc. To implement at least one of, for example, Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD), the communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. For example, the aforementioned transmitting unit 101, receiving unit 102, receiving unit 201, transmitting unit 202, receiving unit 301, and transmitting unit 302 can also be implemented using the communication device 1004.

[0257] Input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from external sources (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). Output device 1006 is an output device that performs output to external sources (e.g., display, speaker, LED light, etc.). Alternatively, input device 1005 and output device 1006 can also be an integrated structure (e.g., touch panel).

[0258] Furthermore, the processor 1001, memory 1002, and other devices are connected via a bus 1007 for communication of information. The bus 1007 can be configured as a single bus or as different buses between the devices.

[0259] Furthermore, the base station 100, terminal 200, and wireless device 300 can also be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and can also implement part or all of the functional blocks through this hardware. For example, the processor 1001 can also be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0260] <Information notification and signaling>

[0261] The notification of information is not limited to the implementation methods described in this disclosure, and can also be performed by other methods. For example, the notification of information can also be implemented through physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block)), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or combinations thereof. In addition, RRC signaling can also be referred to as an RRC message, for example, it can also be an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, etc.

[0262] <Application Systems>

[0263] The implementations described in this disclosure can also be applied to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (New Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), Bluetooth (registered trademark), systems utilizing other suitable systems, and next-generation systems derived from or extended by these systems, modifications, fabrications, or specifications. Furthermore, multiple systems may be combined (e.g., a combination of LTE and at least one of LTE-A with 5G, etc.) for application.

[0264] <Processing procedures, etc.>

[0265] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of the various methods / implementations described in this disclosure may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For example, for the methods described in this disclosure, an exemplary order is used to indicate the elements of various steps, but the order in which they are indicated is not limited.

[0266] <Base Station Operation>

[0267] In this disclosure, specific operations are posited as being performed by a base station, and sometimes, depending on the circumstances, by its upper node. Clearly, in a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, various operations performed for communication with a terminal can also be performed by at least one of the base station and other network nodes besides the base station (e.g., consider MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). The above example illustrates a case where there is only one other network node besides the base station; it could also be a combination of multiple other network nodes (e.g., MME and S-GW).

[0268] <Direction of input / output>

[0269] Information (see items under <Information, Signals>) can also be output from higher (or lower) layers to lower (or higher) layers. It can also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0270] <Processing of input and output information>

[0271] Input and output information can be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information can be overwritten, updated, or appended. Output information can also be deleted. Input information can also be sent to other devices.

[0272] <Judgment Method>

[0273] The determination can be made by a value represented by a single bit (0 or 1), by a true or false value (Boolean: true or false), or by a numerical comparison (e.g., a comparison with a specific value).

[0274] <Changes in methods, etc.>

[0275] The various methods / implementations described in this disclosure can be used individually or in combination, and can be switched as needed during execution. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., a "It is X" notification) is not limited to explicit notification, but can also be done implicitly (e.g., without notifying the recipient of that specific information).

[0276] The present disclosure has been described in detail above, but it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as determined by the claims. Therefore, the description in this disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0277] <Software>

[0278] Whether software is called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or any other name, it should be broadly interpreted to refer to instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc.

[0279] Furthermore, software, instructions, and information can also be sent and received via a transmission medium. For example, when software is sent from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), etc.) and wireless technologies (infrared, microwave, etc.), at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included within the definition of a transmission medium.

[0280] <Information, Signals>

[0281] The information, signals, etc., described in this disclosure can also be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be mentioned throughout the above description, can also be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, light fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0282] Furthermore, the terms described in this disclosure, as well as those necessary for understanding this disclosure, may be replaced with terms that have the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and the symbol may also be a signal (signaling). Additionally, a signal may also be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may also be referred to as a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0283] <Systems, Networks>

[0284] The terms “system” and “network” are used interchangeably in this disclosure.

[0285] <Parameters, Channel Name>

[0286] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure can be represented by absolute values, relative values ​​with respect to a specific value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources can also be indicated by an index.

[0287] The names used for the parameters described above are not limiting names in any respect. Furthermore, the mathematical formulas used for these parameters sometimes differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name; therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not limiting names in any respect.

[0288] <Base Station>

[0289] In this disclosure, the terms "base station (BS)," "wireless base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" are used interchangeably. There are also instances where terms such as macro cell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell are used to refer to base stations.

[0290] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, its overall coverage area can be divided into several smaller areas, each of which can also provide communication services through a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (Remote Radio Head (RRH))). Terms such as "cell" or "sector" refer to a portion or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and base station subsystem providing communication services within that coverage area.

[0291] <Mobile Station>

[0292] In this disclosure, the terms “Mobile Station (MS),” “user terminal,” “user equipment (UE),” and “terminal” are used interchangeably.

[0293] There are also cases where a mobile station is referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, hand set, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0294] <Base station / Mobile station>

[0295] At least one of the base station and the mobile station can also be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. Furthermore, at least one of the base station and the mobile station can also be equipment mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object whose speed of movement is arbitrary. In addition, it naturally includes situations where the mobile body is stationary. The mobile body includes, for example, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, autonomous two-wheelers, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, trailers, rickshaws, ships (boats and other watercraft), airplanes, rockets, artificial satellites, drones (registered trademark), multi-rotor aircraft, quadcopter aircraft, balloons, and objects mounted on them, and is not limited to these. Furthermore, the mobile body can also be a mobile body that moves autonomously based on operating commands. It can be a means of transportation (e.g., vehicles, airplanes, etc.), a mobile body that moves unmanned (e.g., drones, autonomous vehicles, etc.), or a robot (humanized or unmanned). In addition, at least one of the base station and the mobile station also includes a device that is not necessarily mobile during the communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station can also be an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a sensor.

[0296] Furthermore, the base station in this disclosure can also be rewritten as a terminal. For example, embodiments of this disclosure can also be applied to structures where communication between the base station and the terminal is replaced by communication between multiple terminals (e.g., also referred to as D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, it can also be configured such that the terminal 200 and the wireless device 300 have the functions of the base station 100 described above. In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can also be rewritten as terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., can also be rewritten as side channel.

[0297] Similarly, the terminal in this disclosure can also be rewritten as a base station. In this case, it can also be configured such that the base station 100 and the relay station 300 have the functions of the terminal 20 described above.

[0298] Figure 21 An example of the structure of vehicle 2001 is shown. For example... Figure 21 As shown, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering control unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a gear shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021-2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. The various methods / implementations described in this disclosure can also be applied to communication devices mounted on the vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0299] The drive unit 2002 is configured, for example, as an engine, a motor, or a combination of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 is configured to include at least a steering wheel (also called a handlebar) and to perform directional control on at least one of the front and rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel by the user.

[0300] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021-2029 of the vehicle 2001 are input into the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 can also be referred to as an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0301] The signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, speed signals of the front and rear wheels obtained by speed sensor 2022, air pressure signals of the front and rear wheels obtained by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depress amount signals obtained by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depress amount signals obtained by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0302] The information service unit 2012 consists of various devices such as a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, used to provide (output) various information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information obtained from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001.

[0303] The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, touch panel, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and output devices (e.g., display, speaker, LED light, touch panel, etc.) that implement output to the outside.

[0304] The driver assistance system unit 2030 comprises various devices used to provide functions for preventing accidents or reducing the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) mapping, autonomous vehicle (AV) mapping), gyroscope systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. Furthermore, the driver assistance system unit 2030 sends and receives various information via a communication module 2013 and implements driver assistance or autonomous driving functions.

[0305] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and the constituent elements of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data between the drive unit 2002, steering control unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, gear shift lever 2006, front wheel 2007, rear wheel 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 in the electronic control unit 2010, and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 and sensors 2021-29 in the vehicle 2001 via the communication port 2033.

[0306] The communication module 2013, controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010, is a communication device capable of communicating with external devices. For example, it enables the transmission and reception of various information between external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 can be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. External devices can be, for example, base stations, mobile stations, etc.

[0307] The communication module 2013 can also wirelessly transmit to an external device at least one of the signals input to the electronic control unit 2010 from the various sensors 2021-2029 described above, information obtained based on these signals, and information based on input from an external source (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2029, and the information service unit 2012 can also be referred to as input units that receive input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted via the communication module 2013 can also contain information based on the aforementioned input.

[0308] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) sent from external devices and displays it to the information service unit 2012 of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 can also be referred to as an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as displays and speakers based on the PDSCH received through the communication module 2013 (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH).

[0309] Furthermore, the communication module 2013 stores various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be utilized by the microprocessor 2031. The microprocessor 2031 can also control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, gear shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., of the vehicle 2001 based on the information stored in the memory 2032.

[0310] <Meaning and Explanation of Terms>

[0311] The terms "determining" and "determining" as used in this disclosure encompass a wide variety of actions. For example, "determining" or "determining" can include actions such as judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, searching (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. Furthermore, "determining" or "determining" can include actions such as receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Additionally, "determining" or "determining" can include actions such as resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, and comparing. That is, "judgment" and "decision" can include situations where certain actions are regarded as having been "judged" or "decided". In addition, "judgment (decision)" can also be rewritten as "assuming", "expecting", "considering", etc.

[0312] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or all variations thereof, refer to all direct or indirect connections or combinations between two or more elements, and can include cases where there is one or more intermediate elements between two mutually “connected” or “coupled” elements. The connection or combination between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connected” can also be rewritten as “access.” In the context of this disclosure, it is possible to consider two elements being mutually “connected” or “coupled” using at least one or more wires, cables, or printed electrical connections, and as several non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, using electromagnetic energy with wavelengths in the wireless frequency domain, microwave region, and light (both visible and invisible) region.

[0313] <Reference Signal>

[0314] The reference signal can also be simply referred to as RS (Reference Signal), and may also be called a pilot depending on the standard applied.

[0315] <The meaning of "based on">

[0316] As used in this disclosure, the term "based on" does not mean "based on only" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the term "based on" means both "based on only" and "based on at least".

[0317] <"First", "Second">

[0318] Any reference to elements using the designations "first," "second," etc., as used in this disclosure does not comprehensively limit the quantity or order of these elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Therefore, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be used, or that the first element must take precedence over the second element in some form.

[0319] <Unit>

[0320] Alternatively, the term "unit" in the structure of the above devices can be replaced with "section", "circuit", "equipment", etc.

[0321] <Open format>

[0322] In this disclosure, the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof, as well as the term “comprising,” refer to inclusion. Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure does not mean XOR.

[0323] <Time units such as TTI, frequency units such as RB, and radio frame structure>

[0324] A wireless frame can also consist of one or more frames in the time domain. These frames can also be referred to as subframes in the time domain. Furthermore, a subframe can also consist of one or more time slots in the time domain. A subframe can also be a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) independent of the parameter set (numerology).

[0325] A parameter set can also be a set of communication parameters applied in at least one of the transmission and reception of a signal or channel. For example, a parameter set can also represent at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering processing performed by the transmitter and receiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing processing performed by the transmitter and receiver in the time domain.

[0326] In the time domain, a time slot can also be composed of one or more symbols (OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) symbols, etc.). A time slot can also be a time unit based on a set of parameters.

[0327] A time slot can also contain multiple mini-time slots. Each mini-time slot can also consist of one or more symbols in the time domain. Furthermore, a mini-time slot can also be called a sub-time slot. A mini-time slot can also consist of fewer symbols than a time slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a mini-time slot can also be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using mini-time slots can also be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0328] Radio frames, subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and symbols all represent time units for transmitting signals. Radio frames, subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and symbols can also be referred to by their respective other names.

[0329] For example, a subframe can also be called a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes can also be called a TTI, and a time slot or a mini-time slot can also be called a TTI. That is, at least one of a subframe and a TTI can be a subframe in existing LTE (1ms), a period shorter than 1ms (e.g., 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1ms. In addition, the unit representing TTI may not be called a subframe, but a time slot, mini-time slot, etc.

[0330] Here, TTI refers, for example, to the smallest unit of time for scheduling in wireless communication. For instance, in an LTE system, the base station schedules radio resources (frequency bandwidth, transmit power, etc., available to each user terminal) in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0331] TTI can also be a unit of time for transmitting channel-coded data packets (transmission blocks), code blocks, codewords, etc., and can also be a unit of processing such as scheduling and link adaptation. In addition, when a TTI is given, the actual time interval (e.g., the number of symbols) mapped to transmission blocks, code blocks, codewords, etc. can be shorter than the TTI.

[0332] Additionally, where a time slot or a mini-time slot is referred to as a TTI, more than one TTI (i.e., more than one time slot or more than one mini-time slot) can also serve as the minimum time unit for scheduling. Furthermore, the number of time slots (mini-time slots) constituting the minimum time unit of the schedule can also be controlled.

[0333] A TTI with a duration of 1ms can also be referred to as a normal TTI (TTI in LTE Rel.8-12), standard TTI, long TTI, normal subframe, standard subframe, long subframe, time slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a normal TTI can also be referred to as a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial TTI (partial or fractional TTI), shortened subframe, short subframe, mini time slot, sub-time slot, time slot, etc.

[0334] In addition, a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.) can also be rewritten as a TTI with a duration of more than 1 ms, and a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) can also be rewritten as a TTI with a duration of less than a long TTI but more than 1 ms.

[0335] A resource block (RB) is a unit of resource allocation in both the time and frequency domains. In the frequency domain, it can also contain one or more consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers in an RB can be the same regardless of the parameter set, for example, it can be 12. The number of subcarriers in an RB can also be determined based on the parameter set.

[0336] Furthermore, the time domain of an RB can also contain one or more symbols, or it can be the length of a time slot, a mini-time slot, a subframe, or a TTI. A TTI, a subframe, etc., can also be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0337] In addition, one or more RBs can also be referred to as Physical Resource Blocks (PRBs), Sub-Carrier Groups (SCGs), Resource Element Groups (REGs), PRB pairs, RB pairs, etc.

[0338] Furthermore, a resource block can also consist of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, an RE can also be a radio resource area consisting of a subcarrier and a symbol.

[0339] The Bandwidth Part (BWP) (also known as partial bandwidth, etc.) can also represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (RBs) used for a certain parameter set in a certain carrier. Here, common RBs can also be determined by the index of RBs based on the common reference point of that carrier. PRBs can also be defined in a BWP and appended with numbers within that BWP.

[0340] A BWP can also include a UL BWP and a DL BWP. For a UE, one or more BWPs can also be set within a single carrier.

[0341] At least one of the configured BWPs can be active, and the UE may not intend to transmit or receive specific signals / channels outside of the active BWPs. Furthermore, the terms "cell," "carrier," etc., in this disclosure can be rewritten as "BWP."

[0342] The structures described above, such as radio frames, subframes, time slots, mini-time slots, and symbols, are merely illustrative. For example, the number of subframes contained in a radio frame, the number of time slots in each subframe or radio frame, the number of mini-time slots contained within a time slot, the number of symbols and RBs contained in a time slot or mini-time slot, the number of subcarriers contained in an RB, and the number of symbols in a TTI, symbol length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length can be varied in many ways.

[0343] <Maximum Transmit Power>

[0344] The term "maximum transmit power" as used in this disclosure may refer to the maximum value of the transmit power, the nominal maximum transmit power (the nominal UE maximum transmit power), or the rated maximum transmit power (the rated UE maximum transmit power).

[0345] <Article>

[0346] In this disclosure, for example, in cases where articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may also include cases where the noun following these articles is in a plural form.

[0347] <"Differences">

[0348] In this disclosure, the term "A is different from B" can also mean "A and B are different from each other." Additionally, the term can also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combined" can also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0349] Industrial availability

[0350] One aspect of this disclosure is useful for wireless communication systems.

[0351] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0352] 10 Wireless communication system; 20 NG-RAN; 100 Base station (gNB); 200 Terminal (UE); 300 Radio device (RIS); 101, 202, 302 Transmitting unit; 102, 201, 301 Receiving unit; 103, 203, 303 Control unit; 1001 Processor; 1002 Memory; 1003 Storage device; 1004 Communication device; 1005 Input device; 1006 Output device; 1007 Bus.

Claims

1. A first wireless communication device, comprising: The receiving unit receives signals transmitted by the second wireless communication device; and The control unit determines the hop count of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device based on the signal and the relationship between the signal and the hop count.

2. The first wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving unit receives the signal of the random access channel sent by the second wireless communication device. The control unit determines the number of hops of the second wireless communication device.

3. The first wireless communication device according to claim 2, wherein, The control unit determines, based on the relationship between the timing of the random access channel opportunity and the hop count, that the hop count corresponding to the timing of the received signal is the hop count of the second wireless communication device.

4. The first wireless communication device according to claim 1, wherein, The receiving unit receives the synchronization signal or reference signal sent by the second wireless communication device. The control unit determines the number of hops of the first wireless communication device.

5. The first wireless communication device according to claim 4, wherein, Based on the relationship between the identification information of the synchronization signal and the hop count, the control unit determines that the hop count corresponding to the identification information of the received synchronization signal is the hop count of the first wireless communication device.

6. A wireless communication method, wherein, The first wireless communication device performs the following processing: Receive signals transmitted by a second wireless communication device; and Based on the signal and the relationship between the signal and the hop count, the hop count of the first wireless communication device or the second wireless communication device is determined.

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