RECEIVER ACTIVATION INFORMATION

Description

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an endpoint and a base station of a communication system that communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems. Further embodiments relate to methods for operating an endpoint and a base station of such a communication system. Some embodiments relate to receiver activation information.

[0002] For the operation of low-energy wide area networks (LPWANs), message transmission using the telegram splitting method has proven particularly advantageous. The basic principles of this transmission method are illustrated in [1], [3], [4]. Here, a message (data packet) is split into a multitude of sub-data packets and transmitted across different time / frequency resources. The sequence of transmissions of the sub-data packets in terms of time and frequency is referred to as the channel access pattern or hopping pattern.

[0003] Channel access methods, such as those used in LPWAN networks, often employ "contention-based access." In this approach, end devices do not have exclusively assigned resources; instead, multiple devices proactively access a shared pool of radio resources. This can lead to access conflicts, meaning that two or more devices may occupy radio resources simultaneously. To minimize the impact of such conflicts, end devices have access to a selection of distinct channel access patterns (jump patterns). The more jump patterns available, the lower the probability that two or more end devices will use the same jump pattern.

[0004] The base station typically does not know in advance, within a given timeframe, whether, how many, and with which channel access patterns end devices will access the radio channel. Therefore, a key function of the base station is the detection of transmitted data packets. For this, the base station must scan all available radio resources for data transmissions with all possible hop patterns. Depending on the size of the search area, this requires a considerable amount of (signal) processing resources and thus a corresponding energy expenditure. In particular, especially in smaller networks (e.g., PAN networks) with relatively few end devices, it is often the case that none of the end devices in the network transmits data within a certain period. Nevertheless, the base station must still perform the aforementioned scan.This requires the use of detection resources and energy, which is particularly disadvantageous for non-mains-powered base stations (battery life).

[0005] US 2018 / 041957 A1 describes a method for data transmission in a mobile network (LTE), particularly for smart meeting applications. The following procedure is used for transmitting small amounts of data. In the first step, the UE wakes up to receive a downlink synchronization signal and, based on this, a SIB (System Information Bond). In the second step, the UE selects a resource from one of the available resource pools for data transmission. If the UE needs to transmit larger amounts of data, an activation message can be used, which the UE sends to the eNB (Electronic Network Operator). Upon receiving an activation response message from the eNB, the UE starts transmitting the data in the respective resource pool.

[0006] In [ETSI TS 103 357 V1.1.1 (2018-06); "Short Range Devices; Low Throughput Networks (LTN); Protocols for radio interface A"] a low-energy long-range network is described which uses the telegram splitting method.

[0007] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of creating a concept that makes it possible to reduce the energy consumption of a base station.

[0008] This task is solved by the independent patent claims, which thus define the invention.

[0009] Advantageous further developments are found in the dependent claims. Exemplary embodiments provide an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time intervals, wherein the endpoint is configured to send an activation signal in an activation interval of one of the time intervals, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that instructs a subsequent data signal to send the plurality of sub-data packets in the data transmission area according to a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a jump pattern.

[0010] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to send the activation signal in the activation area of ​​the time domain only when a data packet is pending transmission for the subsequent data transmission area of ​​the same time domain.

[0011] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can be the [e.g., pure] power of the activation signal.

[0012] The endpoint announces data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain following the activation area, wherein the endpoint is configured to divide a data packet to be transmitted [e.g., of the physical layer in the OSI model] into a plurality of sub-data packets, each shorter than the data packet, and to send the plurality of sub-data packets in the data transmission area by means of a data signal according to a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a hopping pattern, wherein the occurrence of the time domain as well as the occurrence of the activation area and the data transmission area within the time domain is known to the endpoint or is signaled by a base station of the communication system by means of a control signal.

[0013] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to send the activation signal in the activation area of ​​the time domain only when a data packet is pending transmission for the subsequent data transmission area of ​​the same time domain.

[0014] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can be the [e.g., pure] power of the activation signal.

[0015] In exemplary implementations, the activation information can include information about the jump pattern used in the data transmission area.

[0016] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can be derived from a set of jump patterns that can be used for communication between participants in the communication system, and can indicate the jump pattern used in the data transmission area.

[0017] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can include a jump pattern index, wherein the jump pattern index indicates the jump pattern used in the data transmission area from the set of jump patterns to which different jump pattern indices are assigned.

[0018] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can display a subset of jump patterns from a set of jump patterns that can be used for communication between participants in the communication system, wherein the jump pattern used in the data transmission area is part of the displayed subset of jump patterns.

[0019] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can include a part of a jump pattern index, wherein the part of the jump pattern index from the set of jump patterns to which different jump pattern indices are assigned indicates the subset of jump patterns.

[0020] In some implementation examples, an activation area can also include several data transmission areas [e.g., temporally separated and / or temporally sequential]. In this case, the activation information could, for example, indicate which of the following data transmission areas is being used.

[0021] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in an allocation of the activation area [e.g., an allocation of resources into which the activation area is subdivided, e.g., in the frequency direction and / or time direction].

[0022] For example, the endpoint can be configured to transmit the activation information, or at least part of the activation information, by occupying the activation area with the activation signal.

[0023] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to transmit the activation signal according to a step pattern in time and / or frequency distributed within the activation range of the time domain.

[0024] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in the jump pattern with which the activation signal is transmitted.

[0025] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in a dedicated or defined frequency offset [e.g. relative to the center frequency of a frequency channel] with which the activation signal is applied.

[0026] For example, the endpoint can be configured to apply a dedicated or defined frequency offset to the activation signal in order to transmit the activation information, or at least part of the activation information, in the frequency offset.

[0027] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can represent or encode at least part of the activation information in a dedicated or defined time shift [e.g. relative to a defined point in time [e.g. beginning, middle or end] of the time slot] with which the activation signal is applied.

[0028] For example, the endpoint can be configured to apply a dedicated or defined time shift to the activation signal in order to transmit the activation information, or at least part of the activation information, in the time shift.

[0029] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can include a dedicated reference symbol sequence that maps or encodes at least part of the activation information.

[0030] In exemplary implementations, symbols known as [pilots] can be transmitted as activation information.

[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to receive a control signal, wherein the control signal contains information about a time length of a time range or a time interval between two successive time ranges, a time length of an activation range or a time interval between two successive time ranges, a number of activation ranges per time range, a time length of a data transmission range or a time interval between two successive data transmission ranges, and / or a number of data transmission ranges per time range indicates.

[0032] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to send the activation signal, depending on the requirements of the data packet to be transmitted, to a latency within an activation area from a set of activation areas with different lengths and / or frequencies of occurrence.

[0033] In exemplary implementations, the activation areas of the set of activation areas can be nested within each other in time.

[0034] In exemplary embodiments, the activation areas of the set of activation areas can overlap at least partially in time.

[0035] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to select a frequency channel of the frequency channels of the frequency band to be used for the transmission of the activation signal, depending on the transmission quality of the [e.g., respective] frequency channel.

[0036] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to estimate the transmission quality of the [e.g., respective] frequency channel [e.g., in the downlink].

[0037] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to receive a control signal [e.g., from a base station of the communication system] in a control signal range of the time domain, wherein the control signal range precedes the activation range, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication of the communication system, wherein the endpoint is configured to determine the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern, wherein the jump pattern is a relative channel access pattern, wherein the relative channel access pattern specifies the allocation to be used of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation specified by the channel access pattern, wherein the endpoint is configuredto send the majority of sub-data packets in the data transmission area by means of the data signal in at least one subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the relative channel access pattern.

[0038] In some embodiments, the control signal can be a beacon signal.

[0039] In exemplary embodiments, a first part [e.g., one or more first jumps] of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern can lie in the activation area, wherein the endpoint can be configured to send the activation signal in the first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern.

[0040] Further embodiments provide a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g. periodically] successive time periods, wherein the base station has a receiver, wherein the base station is configured to activate the receiver for an activation period of one of the time periods [e.g. to put it into a normal operating mode; e.g.to switch on] to receive an activation signal, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain following the activation area, wherein the base station is configured to activate or leave activated the receiver for the data transmission area to receive a data signal in the data transmission area, if the activation signal with the activation information has been received in the activation area, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted according to a usable frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a hopping pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0041] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be designed to deactivate the receiver [e.g., at least] for the associated data transmission area if no activation signal with activation information has been received in the activation area [e.g., to put it into a power saving mode; e.g., to switch it off].

[0042] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be designed to deactivate the receiver after receiving the data signal in the data transmission area [e.g., to put it into a power-saving mode; e.g., to switch it off].

[0043] In some implementation examples, the base station can be battery-operated.

[0044] In exemplary implementations, the activation information can include information about the jump pattern used in the data transmission area.

[0045] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can be derived from a set of jump patterns that can be used for communication between participants in the communication system, and can indicate the jump pattern used in the data transmission area.

[0046] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can include a jump pattern index, wherein the jump pattern index indicates the jump pattern used in the data transmission area from the set of jump patterns to which different jump pattern indices are assigned.

[0047] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can display a subset of jump patterns from a set of jump patterns that can be used for communication between participants in the communication system, wherein the jump pattern used in the data transmission area is part of the displayed subset of jump patterns.

[0048] In exemplary embodiments, the activation information can include a part of a jump pattern index, wherein the part of the jump pattern index from the set of jump patterns to which different jump pattern indices are assigned indicates the subset of jump patterns.

[0049] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in an allocation of the activation area [e.g., an allocation of resources into which the activation area is subdivided, e.g., in the frequency direction and / or time direction].

[0050] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to receive the activation signal distributed in time and / or frequency within the activation range of the time domain, according to a jumping pattern.

[0051] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in the jump pattern with which the activation signal is transmitted.

[0052] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can map or encode at least part of the activation information in a dedicated or defined frequency offset [e.g. relative to the center frequency of a frequency channel] with which the activation signal is applied.

[0053] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can represent or encode at least part of the activation information in a dedicated or defined time shift [e.g. relative to a defined point in time [e.g. beginning, middle or end] of the time slot] with which the activation signal is applied.

[0054] In exemplary embodiments, the activation signal can include a dedicated reference symbol sequence that maps or encodes at least part of the activation information.

[0055] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to send a control signal [e.g., beacon signal], wherein the control signal contains information about specifies a time length of a time range or a time interval between two successive time ranges, a time length of an activation range or a time interval between two successive time ranges, a number of activation ranges per time range, a time length of a data transmission range or a time interval between two successive data transmission ranges, and / or a number of data transmission ranges per time range.

[0056] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be designed to the length of the time period or the time interval between two successive time periods, the length of the activation period or the time interval between two successive time periods, the number of activation periods per time period, the length of the data transmission period or the time interval between two successive data transmission periods, and / or the number of data transmission periods per time period to adapt dynamically.

[0057] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to send a control signal [e.g. beacon signal], wherein the control signal contains information about a set of activation areas, wherein activation areas of the set of activation areas have different lengths and / or frequencies of occurrence.

[0058] In exemplary implementations, the activation areas of the set of activation areas can be nested within each other in time.

[0059] In exemplary embodiments, the activation areas of the set of activation areas can overlap at least partially in time.

[0060] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to send a control signal in a control signal range of the time domain, wherein the control signal range precedes the activation range, wherein the control signal includes information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system, wherein the hopping pattern is a relative channel access pattern, wherein the relative channel access pattern specifies the allocation to be used of the usable frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation specified by the channel access pattern, wherein the base station is configured to receive the data signal, wherein the data signal comprises the plurality of sub-data packets.which are transmitted in at least one subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the relative channel access pattern.

[0061] In some embodiments, the control signal can be a beacon signal.

[0062] In exemplary embodiments, a first part [e.g., one or more first jumps] of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern may lie in the activation area, wherein the base station may be configured to receive the activation signal in the first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern.

[0063] Further embodiments create a system with at least one endpoint according to one of the embodiments described above and a base station according to one of the embodiments described above.

[0064] Further embodiments provide a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time intervals. The method comprises a step of sending an activation signal in an activation interval of one of the time intervals, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission interval of the time interval following the activation interval.Furthermore, the method comprises a step of sending a data signal in the data transmission area of ​​the time domain, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted according to a usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a jump pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0065] Further embodiments provide a method for operating a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time periods. The method comprises a step of activating a receiver of the base station for an activation period of one of the time periods in order to receive an activation signal, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission period following the activation period of the time period.Furthermore, the method includes a step of activating or leaving activated the receiver of the base station, provided that the activation signal with the activation information has been received in the activation area, in order to receive a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted according to a usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a hopping pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0066] Further embodiments create an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g. periodically] successive time periods, wherein the endpoint is configured to receive a control signal [e.g.from a base station of the communication system], wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication of the communication system, wherein the endpoint is configured to determine the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern, wherein the endpoint is configured to send an activation signal in an activation area of ​​the time domain following the control signal area, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain following the activation area, wherein the endpoint is configured to transmit a data packet [e.g.the physical layer in the OSI model] into a plurality of sub-data packets, each shorter than the data packet, and to send the plurality of sub-data packets in the data transmission area by means of a data signal in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern.

[0067] In some embodiments, the control signal can be a beacon signal.

[0068] In exemplary embodiments, a first part [e.g., one or more first jumps] of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern can lie in the activation area, wherein the endpoint can be configured to send the activation signal in the first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern.

[0069] Further embodiments provide a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time intervals, wherein the base station is configured to send a control signal in a control signal area of ​​one of the time intervals, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system, wherein the base station is configured to activate the receiver for an activation area of ​​the time interval following the control signal area [e.g., to put it into a normal operating mode; e.g.,to switch on], to receive an activation signal [e.g. from an endpoint of the communication system], wherein the activation signal includes activation information announcing subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain window following the activation area, wherein the base station is configured to activate or keep activated the receiver for the data transmission area, if the activation signal with the activation information has been received in the activation area, in order to receive a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal includes a plurality of sub-data packets transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g.the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided, with the majority of sub-data packets being shorter than the data packet.

[0070] In some embodiments, the control signal can be a beacon signal.

[0071] In exemplary embodiments, a first part [e.g., one or more first jumps] of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern may lie in the activation area, wherein the base station may be configured to receive the activation signal in the first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern.

[0072] Further embodiments provide a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time intervals. The method comprises a step of receiving a control signal in a control signal range of one of the time intervals, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, the channel access pattern specifying a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system. The method further comprises a step of determining the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern.The method further comprises a step of sending an activation signal in an activation area of ​​the time domain following the control signal area, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain following the activation area. The method further comprises a step of sending a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal comprises a plurality of sub-data packets that are transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g.,the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided, wherein the majority of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet, wherein the occurrence of the time domain as well as the occurrence of the activation domain and the data transmission domain within the time domain is known to the endpoint or is signaled by a base station of the communication system by means of a control signal.

[0073] Further embodiments provide a method for operating a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on [e.g., periodically] successive time intervals. The method comprises a step of transmitting a control signal in a control signal range of one of the time intervals, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, the channel access pattern specifying a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system. The method further comprises a step of activating the receiver for an activation range of the time interval following the control signal range [e.g., to put it into a normal operating mode].B. to switch on], to receive an activation signal [e.g. from an endpoint of the communication system], wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain window following the activation area. The method further comprises a step of activating or leaving activated the receiver for the data transmission area if the activation signal with the activation information was received in the activation area, and receiving a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal comprises a plurality of sub-data packets that are transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet [e.g.the physical layer in the OSI model] is divided, with the majority of sub-data packets being shorter than the data packet.

[0074] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are used in systems for the wireless transmission of data from terminal devices to a base station or from one or more base stations to terminal devices. For example, such a system can be a personal area network (PAN) or a low-power wide area network (LPWAN), wherein the terminal devices can be, for example, battery-powered sensors (sensor nodes).

[0075] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are aimed at applications in which a message (data packet) is transmitted in several partial data packets using the so-called telegram splitting multiple access (TSMA) method. This application is particularly advantageous when the base station is battery-operated, so that the base station receiver only operates when actually needed, thus conserving energy.

[0076] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention enable energy savings on the base station side. This is particularly relevant in cases where, in relatively small networks (e.g., PANs), none of the terminal devices (or endpoints) are frequently transmitting. The base station receiver can be deactivated; the detection process does not need to take place.

[0077] If the activation information also includes information about the channel access pattern (jump pattern) used for data transmission, the search space can be significantly narrowed during detection, making the detection process more efficient.

[0078] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. These show: Fig. 1 a schematic block diagram of a communication system that communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 in a diagram an occupancy of the transmission channel during the transmission of a plurality of sub-data packets 166 according to a time and frequency hopping pattern, Fig. 3 in a diagram a schematic view of a time domain of a sequence of time domains based on which the communication system accesses the radio resources, wherein the time domain has an activation domain and a data transmission domain, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.4 in a diagram, an allocation of resources of the activation area caused by the transmission of the activation information, and a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources of the data transmission area defined by the jump pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 5 in a diagram, a transmission of two activation information from a first endpoint and a second endpoint in the same resource of the activation area, and a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources of the data transmission area defined by a first jump pattern for the transmission of the sub-data packets of the first endpoint, and a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources of the data transmission area defined by a second jump pattern for the transmission of the sub-data packets of the second endpoint, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.6 in a diagram, a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources of the activation area defined by two activation jump patterns for transmitting activation information of a first and second endpoint, wherein the activation jump patterns include information about the respective jump patterns used in the data transmission area, as well as frequency- and time-jump-based allocations of the resources of the data transmission area defined by the respective jump patterns for transmitting the sub-data packets of the first and second endpoint, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.7. In a diagram, a usable allocation of resources of the activation area for transmitting the activation information, as well as an allocation of the usable resources for transmitting a first activation information defined by a first activation jump pattern, and an allocation of the usable resources for transmitting a second activation information defined by a second activation jump pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 8. In a diagram, a nesting of activation areas with different configurations (e.g., frequency of occurrence and length), according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 9. In a diagram, a non-overlapping sequence of activation areas with different configurations (e.g., frequency of occurrence and length), according to an embodiment of the present invention.10 a schematic block diagram of a communication arrangement with a first communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 11 a schematic block diagram of a communication arrangement of two mutually uncoordinated networks, each with a base station and four associated terminal devices, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 12 in a diagram a division of the frequency band into resources and a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources of the frequency band defined by two different channel access patterns, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 13 a schematic block diagram of a communication system with a base station and a plurality of endpoints, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.Fig. 14 a schematic block diagram of a controller for generating a channel access pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 15 a schematic block diagram of a controller for generating a channel access pattern, according to a further embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 16 a schematic block diagram of a section of the controller, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 17 a histogram based on a Monte Carlo simulation over the variable Δfi in a diagram, Fig. 18 a frequency- and time-step-based allocation of the resources of the frequency band defined by a channel access pattern and a projection of the channel access pattern onto a time axis, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.19 Resource elements of a channel access pattern projected onto a time axis in a diagram, resulting in unused time slots, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 20 Resource elements of a channel access pattern with an activity rate A=1 / 4 projected onto a time axis in a diagram, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 21 Resource elements of a channel access pattern with an activity rate A=1 / 4 and a predetermined minimum distance between successive time slots of the channel access pattern projected onto a time axis in a diagram, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 22 A temporal division of a channel access pattern 110 into areas of different activity rates A1, A2 and A3, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.23 in a diagram a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources of the frequency band defined by a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern additionally includes resources that can be activated as needed, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 24 in a diagram a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources of the frequency band defined by a channel access pattern, wherein a regularly more disturbed frequency range of the frequency band is not allocated by the channel access pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 25 in a diagram a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources of the frequency band defined by a channel access pattern, wherein resources in the frequency range are bundled, according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig.26. A time domain of the frequency band and a usable time- and frequency-hopping-based allocation of usable resources of the time domain for data transmission, defined by a channel access pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 27. A flowchart of a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 28. A flowchart of a method for operating a base station of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 29. A flowchart of a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 30. A flowchart of a method for operating a base station of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0079] In the following description of the embodiments of the present invention, identical or equivalent elements in the figures are provided with the same reference numeral, so that their descriptions are interchangeable.

[0080] It is assumed below that within every network (or communication system) there is a coordinating instance (hereinafter referred to as "base station") as well as non-coordinating participants (hereinafter referred to as "end devices").

[0081] The following describes exemplary implementations of a base station, an endpoint, and a communication system with a base station and at least one endpoint, which make it possible to reduce the energy consumption of the base station.

[0082] Fig. 1Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 102 which communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0083] The in Fig. 1 The communication system 102 shown includes, by way of example, a base station 104 and an endpoint 106. Of course, the communication system 102 can also have more than one base station 104 and / or more than one endpoint 106.

[0084] In exemplary embodiments, access to the frequency band 158 by the communication system 102 can be based on (e.g. periodically) successive time ranges, wherein at least one of the time ranges 160 has an activation range 162 and a data transmission range 164, wherein the data transmission range 164 follows (temporally) the activation range 162.

[0085] The occurrence (e.g. start time, end time and / or duration) of the time range 160 as well as the occurrence of the activation range 162 and the data transmission range 164 within the time range 160 must be known to the participants (=base station and endpoint(s)) of the communication system, or signaled to the endpoint(s) by the base station 104, e.g. by means of a control signal 120.

[0086] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint 106 can be configured to send an activation signal 122 in the activation region 162 of the time region 160, wherein the activation signal 122 contains activation information 123 that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission region 164 of the time region 160 following the activation region 162. The endpoint 106 can further be configured to divide a data packet to be transmitted (e.g., of the physical layer in the OSI model) into a plurality of sub-data packets 166, each shorter than the data packet, and to send the plurality of sub-data packets 166 in the data transmission region 164 by means of a data signal 124 according to a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band 158 specified by a hopping pattern 111.

[0087] In exemplary embodiments, the base station 104 can be configured to activate the receiver 170 for the activation area 162 of the time area 160 (e.g., to put it into a normal operating mode, e.g., to switch it on) in order to receive the activation signal 122, wherein the activation signal 122 contains the activation information 123, which announces a subsequent data transmission in the data transmission area 164 of the time area 160 following the activation area 162.The base station 104 can further be configured to activate or keep activated the receiver 170 for the data transmission area 164, provided that the activation signal 122 with the activation information 123 has been received in the activation area 162, in order to receive the data signal 124 in the data transmission area 164, wherein the data signal 124 comprises the plurality of sub-data packets 166 which are transmitted according to the frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band 158 specified by the hopping pattern 111, wherein a data packet (e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets 166, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets 166 are each shorter than the data packet.

[0088] As in Fig. 1As shown by way of example, the base station 104 can have a transmitting device (or transmitter, or transmitting module, or transmitter) 172 configured to send signals, such as the control signal 120. The transmitting device 172 can be connected to an antenna 174 of the base station 104. The base station 104 can also have a receiving device (or receiver, or receiving module, or receiver) 170 configured to receive signals, such as the activation signal 122 and the data signal 124. The receiving device 170 can be connected to the antenna 174 or to another (separate) antenna of the base station 104. The base station 104 can also have a combined transmit-receive device (transceiver).

[0089] The endpoint 106 may have a receiving device (or receiver, or receiving module, or receiver) 182 configured to receive signals, such as the control signal 120. The receiving device 182 may be connected to an antenna 184 of the endpoint 106. Furthermore, the endpoint 106 may have a transmitting device (or transmitter, or transmitting module, or transmitter) 180 configured to transmit signals, such as the activation signal 122 and the data signal 124. The transmitting device 180 may be connected to the antenna 184 or to another (separate) antenna of the endpoint 106. The endpoint 106 may also have a combined transmit-receive device (transceiver).

[0090] Typically, a communication system 102 includes at least one base station 104 and a multitude of endpoints 106 (e.g. sensor nodes, such as heating meters).

[0091] As already mentioned, the base station 104 and the endpoint 106 can be configured to send and receive data (e.g., data packets) using the telegram splitting method. In this method, a telegram or data packet is split into a plurality of sub-data packets 166 (or partial data packets), and these sub-data packets 166 are transmitted according to a hopping pattern 111, distributed in time and / or frequency. The respective receiver (e.g., base station 104 or endpoint 106) reassembles (or combines) the sub-data packets 166 to obtain the data packet. Each of the sub-data packets 166 contains only a part of the data packet. Furthermore, the data packet can be channel-coded, so that not all sub-data packets 166 are required to decode the data packet without errors, but only a part of the sub-data packets 166.

[0092] The temporal distribution of the majority of sub-data packets 166 can, as already mentioned, be carried out according to a time and / or frequency hopping pattern 111.

[0093] A time-hopping pattern can specify a sequence of transmission times or time intervals at which sub-data packets are sent. For example, a first sub-data packet can be sent at a first transmission time (or in a first transmission timeslot), and a second sub-data packet can be sent at a second transmission time (or in a second transmission timeslot), with the first and second transmission times being different. The time-hopping pattern can define (or predefine, or specify) the first and second transmission times. Alternatively, the time-hopping pattern can specify the first transmission time and a time interval between the first and second transmission times. Of course, the time-hopping pattern can also specify only the time interval between the first and second transmission times. There can be transmission pauses between the sub-data packets during which no data is transmitted.The sub-data packets can also overlap in time.

[0094] A frequency-hopping pattern can specify a sequence of transmission frequencies or transmission frequency hops at which the sub-data packets are sent. For example, a first sub-data packet can be sent at a first transmission frequency (or in a first frequency channel), and a second sub-data packet can be sent at a second transmission frequency (or in a second frequency channel), where the first and second transmission frequencies are different. The frequency-hopping pattern can define (or specify) the first and second transmission frequencies. Alternatively, the frequency-hopping pattern can specify the first transmission frequency and a frequency difference (transmission frequency hop) between the first and second transmission frequencies. Of course, the frequency-hopping pattern can also specify only the frequency difference (transmission frequency hop) between the first and second transmission frequencies.

[0095] Naturally, the majority of sub-data packets can also be transmitted in a distributed manner, both in time and frequency. This distribution of the majority of sub-data packets in time and frequency can be achieved according to a time- and frequency-hopping pattern. A time- and frequency-hopping pattern can be a combination of a time-hopping pattern and a frequency-hopping pattern, i.e., a sequence of transmission times or time intervals at which the sub-data packets are transmitted, with transmission frequencies (or frequency hops) assigned to the transmission times (or time intervals).

[0096] Fig. 2 The diagram shows the occupancy of the transmission channel during the transmission of a plurality of sub-data packets 166 according to a time and frequency hopping pattern 111. The ordinate describes the frequency and the abscissa the time.

[0097] As in Fig. 2As can be seen, the data packet can be divided into n = 7 sub-data packets 166 and transmitted according to a time and frequency hopping pattern distributed in time and frequency.

[0098] As in Fig. 2 As can be further seen, a synchronization sequence 167 can also be divided into the majority of sub-data packets 166, so that the majority of sub-data packets 166 contain data (data symbols in) in addition to data (data symbols in Fig. 2 ) 168 each a part of the synchronization sequence (synchronization symbols in Fig. 2 ) 167 contained.

[0099] Detailed embodiments of the base station 104, the endpoint 106 and the communication system 102 with the base station 104 and at least one endpoint 106 are described below.

[0100] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the underlying idea is that terminal devices 106 (or endpoints) announce a subsequent data transmission using the TSMA method in specially reserved radio resources and, if necessary, also provide additional information about the channel access pattern (jump pattern 111) used in the subsequent data transmission. This process is hereinafter referred to as "activation" and the associated information as "activation information" 123. The radio resources within which the activation information 123 is transmitted are referred to as the "activation range" 162. This is in Fig. 3 illustrated.

[0101] In detail, it shows Fig. 3In a diagram, a schematic view of a time domain 160 of a sequence of time domains based on which the communication system accesses the radio resources, wherein the time domain 160 comprises an activation domain 162 and a data transmission domain 164, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this, the following is described: Fig. 3 The abscissa represents time. In other words, Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an activation area 162 and a data transmission area 164, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0102] The activation information 123 can have varying levels of detail depending on the implementation. In the simplest case, the information might merely state that data transmission will occur in the following data transmission area 164, without further specification. In more advanced implementations, additional information can be transmitted in activation area 162, specifying which jump pattern is used for data transmission or at least naming a group (subset) of jump patterns from which a jump pattern is selected for data transmission.

[0103] If the base station 104 does not find any activation information 123 in the activation area 162, the receiver 170 will not be activated for the duration of the data transmission area 164. This saves energy both for operating the signal receiver (e.g., amplifier, mixer, A / D converter) and for detecting messages (resources for digital signal processing) in the data transmission area 164.

[0104] If the base station 104 receives activation information 123 in activation area 162, the base station 104 can also receive information about the jump pattern 111 used in data transmission area 164 (depending on the design), so that the search area for detection in data transmission area 164 can be narrowed down. This also leads to energy savings.

[0105] In a similar way to the actual data transmission, the activation information 123 can also be transmitted in the form of a jump pattern. This is explained in more detail below. 1. Transmission of activation information in the activation area

[0106] For illustrative purposes, and without limiting general applicability, it is assumed that the available frequency range 158 is divided into individual, discrete frequency channels c0, c1, c2, c3, c4, etc., which are identified by a frequency channel index. Similarly, the temporal resources (e.g., the time range 160) are subdivided into discrete elements, which are designated as time slots t0, t1, t2, t3, t4, etc., and which are accordingly assigned a time slot index.

[0107] As mentioned above, in the TSMA method a message (data packet) is divided into a large number of sub-data packets and transmitted across different time / frequency resources. The transmission of the actual message takes place according to Fig. 3 in the designated data transmission area 164. The transmission of the activation information 123 takes place in activation area 162, which precedes data transmission area 164 in time. This is in Fig. 4 This is an example of how a data packet is transmitted.

[0108] In detail, it shows Fig. 4In a diagram, an occupancy of the resources 119 of the activation area 162 caused by the transmission of the activation information 123, and a frequency- and time-jump-based occupancy of the resources 113 of the data transmission area 164 defined by the jump pattern 111, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordinate describes the frequency (or frequency channels of the frequency band 158) and the abscissa the time (or time slots of the time domain 160). In other words, Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of the frequency channels and time slots as well as an example of the allocation of 119, 113 of radio channel 158 in activation area 162 and data transmission area 164.

[0109] Fig. 4Figure 162 depicts a scenario in which activation information 123 is transmitted in an activation area 162 (in the example, the stored area of ​​the time / frequency grid extending across the first four depicted time slots with indices t0, t1, t2, t3). This information is represented by a hatched resource element 119. In the subsequent data transmission area 164 (in the example, starting at time slot index t4), a multitude of partial data packets 166 (hatched resource elements 113) are transmitted, the arrangement of which in time and frequency is based on a corresponding so-called jump pattern 111. For the advantageous application of exemplary embodiments, it is irrelevant whether activation area 162 and data transmission area 164 follow each other seamlessly (directly) or are separated by a number of time slots.

[0110] Activation information 123 is only transmitted by a terminal device 106 (or endpoint) if a data packet is actually being transmitted. If no data packet is awaiting transmission, activation information 123 is not sent. If the base station 104 does not find activation information 123 on the designated radio resources, it can deactivate the receiver 170 and the associated signal processing resources in the subsequent data transmission area 164, thus saving energy.

[0111] In the example above ( Fig. 4The activation area 162 extends over several frequency channels and several time slots. In the case of a single-channel receiver in the base station 104, it is also possible that the activation area 162 comprises only a few resource elements in time and frequency, or possibly even just a single resource element. Therefore, it can happen that several terminal devices 106 send their activation information in the same resource element, causing it to overlap at the receiver. This is Fig. 5 illustrated.

[0112] In detail, it shows Fig. 5In a diagram, a transmission of two activation information pieces 123_1 and 123_2 of a first endpoint and a second endpoint in the same resource 119 of the activation area 162, as well as a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources 113_1 of the data transmission area 164 defined by a first jump pattern 111_1 for the transmission of the sub-data packets 166_1 of the first endpoint, and a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of the resources 113_2 of the data transmission area 164 defined by a second jump pattern 111_2 for the transmission of the sub-data packets 166_2 of the second endpoint, according to an embodiment. Here, the ordinate describes the frequency (or frequency channels of the frequency band 158) and the abscissa the time (or time slots of the time domain 160). In other words, Fig. 5shows a schematic representation of the frequency channels and time slots as well as an example of the radio channel assignment in activation range 163 and data transmission range 162 for two terminal devices using the same activation range.

[0113] In Fig. 5This example illustrates a transmission between two terminal devices, where, for simplicity, the activation area 162 consists of only a single resource element 119, which both terminal devices access simultaneously, resulting in signal superposition (interference) within this resource element 119. Depending on the implementation of the method, the receiver 170 of the base station 104 may not be able to determine how many terminal devices are transmitting activation information 123_1, 123_2, or from which participants this information originates. If the receiver 170 detects even a single signal 122 in the activation area 162 (e.g., by measuring a received signal level sufficiently above the noise floor in the activation resource(s) 119), it remains ready to receive in the subsequent data transmission area 164 and can search for corresponding potential hop patterns 111_1, 111_2 from multiple participants (or endpoints) there.If the receiver 170 (of the base station 104) does not detect a signal 122 in the activation area 162, the base station 104 can deactivate the receiver 170 in the subsequent data transmission area 164, thus taking advantage of the embodiments.

[0114] The case of an overlap of the activation information 123_1, 123_2 of several terminal devices can also occur and is not detrimental to the advantage of exemplary implementations if the activation area does not consist of only one, but of several resource elements as in the example above. 2. Transmission of information about the applied jump pattern in the activation area

[0115] In certain transmission scenarios, the base station 104 does not know in advance which end devices are accessing the radio channel and which hop patterns they are using. Especially when there is a large number of possible hop patterns available to the end devices, detecting the transmitted data packets based on the hop patterns used in transmitting the sub-packets can be a processing-intensive and therefore energy-intensive task for the base station. To conserve energy, it is therefore beneficial for the base station to limit the number of hop patterns used in the data transmission range as much as possible before detection.

[0116] Activation information 123 can be used advantageously for this purpose. According to Section 1, activation information 123 was used to announce a transmission in data transmission area 164. In the embodiments described below, activation information 123 is now also used to transmit information about the jump pattern(s) 111 applied in data transmission area 164.

[0117] The transmitted information regarding the jump pattern 111 used by an end device 106 can be structured such that a jump pattern index is explicitly transmitted. For example, if there is a set of N jump = 1024 possible jump patterns for data transmission, then information of at least 10 bits (2^10 ≤ 1024) is required to uniquely identify a jump pattern. If fewer bits are available for the activation information 123 than are needed to uniquely index a jump pattern, it is still possible to restrict the search to a subset of jump patterns in order to reduce the search space during detection. For example, if the activation information 123 can transmit an information content of 4 bits, then the entire set of jump patterns can be divided into 2^4 ≤ 16 subsets, each of which, with an equal division, contains only N jump / 16 of the entire set of jump patterns.

[0118] The following shows several different ways in which information about the jump pattern 111 applied in the subsequent data transmission area 164 can be transmitted using the activation information 123. Example 1: Occupancy of the activation area

[0119] One method of information transmission can be achieved via the occupancy of activation area 162. If multiple resource elements are available in activation area 162, information can be transmitted via their occupancy. This is described in the following. Fig. 6 illustrated.

[0120] In detail, it shows Fig. 6in a diagram, a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources 119_1 of activation area 162, defined by a first activation jump pattern 117_1, for transmitting first activation information 123_1 of a first endpoint, wherein the first activation jump pattern 117_1 contains information about the first jump pattern 111_1 used in the data transmission area, as well as a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources 113_1 of data transmission area 164, defined by the first jump pattern 111_1, for transmitting the sub-data packets 166_1 of the first endpoint. Furthermore, in Fig. 6to recognize a frequency- and time-hopping-based allocation of resources 119_2 of activation area 162, defined by a second activation hopping pattern 117_2, for the transmission of a second activation information 123_2 of a second endpoint, wherein the second activation hopping pattern 117_2 contains information about the second hopping pattern 111_2 used in the data transmission area, as well as a frequency- and time-hopping-based allocation of resources 113_2 of data transmission area 164, defined by the second hopping pattern 111_2, for the transmission of the sub-data packets 166_2 of the second endpoint. The ordinate describes the frequency (or frequency channels of the frequency band 158) and the abscissa the time (or time slots of the time domain 160). In other words, Fig. 6 This shows an information transfer with the activation information through different allocation of resources in the activation area.

[0121] Fig. 6This shows an activation area, where information on different jump patterns 111_1, 111_2 is transmitted from two terminal devices in the data transmission area 164 by different allocation of resources in the activation area.

[0122] In general, this approach means that different jump patterns 117_1, 117_2 can also be used in activation area 162, whereby the jump pattern 117_1, 117_2 used in activation area 162 alone contains information about the jump pattern 111_1, 111_2 in the subsequent data transmission area 164.

[0123] If the base station 104 is a receiver that can only receive one frequency channel in each time slot (single-channel receiver), information about the temporal occupancy of the resources in activation area 162 can be transmitted accordingly.

[0124] Fig. 7Figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating a usable allocation of resources 169 of the activation area 162 for transmitting activation information, as well as an allocation 119_1 of the usable resources 169 defined by a first activation jump pattern 117_1 for transmitting a first activation information 123_1, and an allocation 119_2 of the usable resources 169 defined by a second activation jump pattern 117_2 for transmitting a second activation information 123_2, according to an exemplary embodiment. The ordinate describes the frequency (or frequency channels of the frequency band 158) and the abscissa the time (or time slots of the time domain 160). In other words, Fig. 7 shows an information transfer with the activation information through different allocation of resources in the activation area ( Fig. 7 (only shows the activation period).

[0125] Fig. 7This figure shows, as an example, the arrangement of the activation area 162 in time and frequency for a single-channel receiver (the data transmission area is not shown here). The elements 169 comprise the resource elements that can be assigned to transmit the activation information 123_1, 123_2. It is illustrated that the resource elements 169 of the activation area 162 are themselves arranged according to a jump pattern. The sequence of assignments of the resource elements of the activation area contains information about the jump pattern used in the subsequent data transmission.

[0126] In order to transmit more information beyond the allocation of resources in the activation area with the transmission of the activation information, the following characteristics of the signal with the activation information can be used. Example 2: Dedicated frequency offset of the signal with activation information

[0127] The transmitter can deliberately apply a dedicated frequency offset Δfact to the transmitted signal, dependent on the hopping pattern used for data transmission (e.g., relative to the center frequency of a frequency channel). The receiver is typically designed to estimate the frequency offset of a received signal. Information about the hopping pattern in the data transmission domain can be derived from the sequence of estimated frequency offset values. Example 3: Dedicated time shift of the signal with activation information

[0128] Depending on the application of a frequency offset, the signal with activation information can be provided with a dedicated time shift Δt act (e.g. relative to a defined time (e.g. beginning, middle or end) of the time slot) which depends on the jump pattern used for data transmission. Example 4: Different reference symbol fields for activation information

[0129] To detect a potential overlap of activation information from multiple devices within a single activation area resource, the activation information signal can contain a reference symbol sequence that depends on the jump pattern used for data transmission. This sequence can be independent of any synchronization sequence that may be common to all activation signals. Combination of the above examples

[0130] To provide the activation information with the highest possible information content regarding the jump pattern in data transmission area 111, the aforementioned embodiments 1-4 can be combined. This is illustrated by way of example in the following Table 1, which lists an exemplary assignment of features / embodiments of the activation information depending on the jump pattern index in the data transmission area. Jump pattern index in the data transmission domain → 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Indices of occupied time slots in the activation area (2 time slots occupied each) [0 2] [1 2] [0 2] [1 2] [0 2] [1 2] [0 2] [1 2] Frequency offset +Δf act +Δf act -Δf act -Δf act +Δf act +Δf act -Δf act -Δf act Time difference +Δt act -Δt act +Δt act -Δt act +Δt act -Δt act +Δt act Δt act Reference Symbol Sequence Index 1 1 1 1 2 2 2 2

[0131] Table 1 shows the mapping of several features / examples of activation information to the indices of the jump patterns used in data transmission. Although in the selected example each individual feature contains only binary information, combining the features yields unambiguous information about the jump pattern, provided the features are correctly recognized by the base station receiver.

[0132] It is easy for a person skilled in the art to recognize that the individual features can also contain higher-level (than binary) information, e.g. by allowing multi-level frequency offsets (for example {-2Δf act ,-Δf act ,0 , +Δf act ,+2Δf act}), multi-level time shifts (for example {-2Δt act ,-Δt act ,0 , +Δt act ,+2Δt act}), a larger supply of reference symbol sequence indices, etc.

[0133] This makes it possible to index even a large set of jump patterns (e.g. 1024, 2048) using suitable features of the activation information. 3. Configuration of activation information / resources

[0134] Depending on the requirements of different applications and the characteristics of the hardware used, it is advantageous to dynamically adjust the parameters of activation information 123 to the needs. The following parameters are particularly suitable: the application of the activation information as such (i.e., activation or deactivation of the activation information), the time interval between two activation areas, i.e., the frequency of providing activation areas, and / or the temporal extent of the activation area and the associated number of resource elements in the activation area.

[0135] In order to adapt the use of the activation information to a potentially dynamically changing need, in exemplary embodiments the configuration of the activation information 123, i.e. the above parameters or a part thereof, can be signaled by a signal 120 (control signal, such as beacon signal) regularly transmitted by the base station 104.

[0136] The configuration may depend, for example, on whether a base station 104 is battery-powered. In this case, a highly reliable activation information 123 is particularly advantageous, as the base station 104 can deactivate the receiver 170 during the data transmission period 164 if no data transmission is announced. Even if data transmission is taking place, the activation information 123 (as described above) can significantly narrow the search space for detecting the jump patterns of the partial data packets 166 according to Section 2, which can also result in significant energy savings. Therefore, in this case, it is advantageous to configure the activation information 123 such that as much information as possible about the (data packet) jump pattern 111 is transmitted as reliably as possible, for example, by extending the activation period 162 and including a comparatively large number of resource elements.

[0137] Resource elements reserved for activation information 123 are not available for actual data transmission. A mains-powered base station, where energy conservation is less of a concern, can therefore, for example, reduce the allocation of radio resources for activation information (e.g., shorten the activation range) and reserve these resources for data transmission, especially under high load. Under very high load, activation information may even be omitted entirely, ensuring that all resources are available for actual data transmission and that receiver deactivation due to high load is rarely possible. Nesting of activation areas with different configurations (e.g., length and frequency of occurrence)

[0138] Applications on a network can have varying latency requirements for data transmission. For applications that require low latency with relatively small amounts of data per transmission (e.g., wireless light switches), comparatively frequent but short activation periods can be advantageous. This enables rapid data transmission.

[0139] At the same time, for less latency-critical transmissions (e.g., transmitting a meter reading), less frequent but longer activation periods can be advantageous. Therefore, it can be beneficial to arrange activation periods with varying frequencies and lengths.

[0140] Fig. 8 The diagram shows a nesting of activation areas with different configurations (e.g., frequency of occurrence and length), according to an exemplary implementation. It describes in Fig. 8 The abscissa represents time.

[0141] Depicted in Fig. 8 This involves the coexistence of longer, less frequently occurring activation areas 162_1 and shorter, more frequently occurring activation areas 162_2. The areas can overlap in time; in some cases, identical resource elements can even be used by the differently configured activation areas 162_1 and 162_2.

[0142] Another example is an arrangement of the differently configured activation areas without temporal overlap, as shown in Fig. 9 shown.

[0143] Fig. 9 The diagram shows a non-overlapping sequence of activation areas with different configurations (e.g., frequency of occurrence and length), according to an exemplary implementation. This is described in... Fig. 9 The abscissa represents time. 4. Selection of the most reliable frequency channel for transmitting the activation information

[0144] Since the activation information is typically transmitted in one or a few individual resource elements for reasons of power efficiency, a particularly high level of transmission security is essential. If the terminal device 106 has several different frequency channels to choose from for transmitting the activation information 123, transmission on the frequency channel(s) offering the best transmission quality (i.e., the highest transmission security) is advantageous.

[0145] The transmission quality is determined both by the frequency selectivity of the channel (frequency-channel-dependent channel attenuation) and by – potentially statistically concentrated – interference on certain channels from other radio users (frequency-channel-dependent interference). Regarding frequency selectivity, the principle of reciprocity applies, meaning that the radio channel attenuation between two users is identical in both transmission directions (uplink and downlink).

[0146] To obtain an estimate of the uplink transmission quality, the terminal device 106 can evaluate the downlink transmission quality as a function of the frequency channel and, based on this, select the best available frequency channel for transmitting the activation information. Several state-of-the-art methods are available for estimating transmission quality (e.g., determining the signal-to-noise ratio (SINR)). The estimation of the frequency-channel-dependent transmission quality can be based either on signals specifically sent from the base station to the terminal device or on signals regularly transmitted by the base station to a large number of subscribers, such as the beacon signal.

[0147] The activation information is preferably transmitted by the terminal device 106 on the least interference-free frequency channel(s) available for this purpose. 5. Channel access patterns for mutually uncoordinated networks

[0148] Fig. 10 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication arrangement 100 with a first communication system 102_1, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0149] The first communication system 102_1 can have a base station 104_1 and one or more endpoints 106_1-106_n, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to one. In the Fig. 10 In the illustrated embodiment, the first communication system 102_1 has four endpoints 106_1-106_4, but the first communication system 104_1 can just as easily have 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000 or even 100,000 endpoints.

[0150] The first communication system 102_1 can be configured to communicate wirelessly in a frequency band (e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band, e.g., the ISM band) that is used by multiple communication systems. This frequency band can have a significantly larger bandwidth (e.g., at least twice as large) than the receiving filters of the participants in the first communication system 102_1.

[0151] Within range of the first communication system 102_1, as described in Fig. 10 As indicated, for example, a second communication system 102_2 and a third communication system 102_3 could be used, whereby these three communication systems 102_1, 102_2 and 102_3 can use the same frequency band for wireless communication.

[0152] In exemplary embodiments, the first communication system 102_1 can be configured to use different frequencies or frequency channels of the frequency band (e.g., into which the frequency band is divided) section by section (e.g., time slot by time slot) for communication based on a channel access pattern, regardless of whether these are used by another communication system (e.g., the second communication system 102_2 and / or the third communication system 102_3), wherein the channel access pattern differs from another channel access pattern based on which at least one other communication system or the majority of other communication systems (e.g., the second communication system 102_2) accesses the frequency band.

[0153] In such a communication arrangement 100, as it is in Fig. 10As shown, the signals of mutually uncoordinated communication systems (e.g. the first communication system 102_1 and the second communication system 102_2) can thus be separated from each other by different channel access patterns, so that mutual interference is avoided or minimized.

[0154] For example, participants of the first communication system 102_1, such as a base station 104_1 and several endpoints 106_1-106_4, can communicate wirelessly with each other based on a first channel access pattern (e.g., which specifies a frequency-hopping-based allocation (e.g., of resources) of the frequency band usable for communication by the first communication system 102_1), while participants of the second communication system 102_2, such as a base station 104_2 and several endpoints 106_5-106_8, communicate wirelessly with each other based on a second channel access pattern (e.g., which specifies a frequency-hopping-based allocation (e.g., of resources) of the frequency band usable for communication by the second communication system 102_2), where the first channel access pattern and the second channel access pattern are different (e.g.,have an overlap in the resources used of less than 20%, ideally no overlap at all).

[0155] As already mentioned, the communication systems (e.g. the first communication system 102_1 and the second communication system 102_2) are uncoordinated with each other.

[0156] The fact that communication systems 102_1, 102_2, and 102_3 are uncoordinated with each other refers to the fact that the communication systems do not exchange information about the channel access pattern they are using, or in other words, that one communication system has no knowledge of the channel access pattern used by another. Therefore, the first communication system, 102_1, does not know which channel access pattern is used by another communication system (e.g., the second communication system, 102_2).

[0157] The embodiments thus refer to a communication arrangement 100 of mutually uncoordinated and possibly also mutually unsynchronized radio networks (or communication systems) 102_1, 102_2 for data transmission, which access a shared frequency band. In other words, there are at least two radio networks 102_1, 102_2, which each operate independently of each other. Both networks 102_1, 102_2 use the same frequency band.

[0158] In these exemplary embodiments, it is assumed that only a (small) portion of the frequency band is used for each individual data transmission, such as a frequency channel or a sub-frequency channel. For example, the frequency band can be divided into (sub-)frequency channels, where a frequency channel is a true subset of the entire frequency band. The entirety of all available frequency channels constitutes the frequency band used. The transmission of a message (data packet) can, for example, occur sequentially via a series of different frequency channels using telegram splitting. In this case, these exemplary embodiments are particularly useful.

[0159] Networks (or communication systems) 102_1, 102_2 are often arranged in such a way that signals transmitted by participants in one network (e.g., communication system 102_2) can also be received by participants in other nearby networks (e.g., communication system 102_1). Consequently, these signals appear as interference, which can significantly impair the performance of a radio transmission system, as demonstrated in Fig. 11 shown.

[0160] In detail, it shows Fig. 11 A schematic view of two mutually uncoordinated networks 102_1, 102_2, each with a base station (BS 1) 104_1, (BS 2) 104_2 and four associated terminal devices 106_1-106_4, 106_5-106_8. In other words, Fig. 11Figure 1 shows an exemplary network topology for two networks 102_1 and 102_2 with base stations (BS 1) 104_1 and (BS 2) 104_2, and four terminal devices each 106_1-106_4 and 106_5-106_8. The red dashed arrows 108 symbolize potential interference signals, meaning that the radio users can receive the transmission signals of users from the other network as interference. Depending on the circumstances, a large number of networks can be within range of each other, so that the users (base stations or terminal devices) may be exposed to a significant number of interference signals from other networks.

[0161] If (as mentioned above) the frequency band is divided into individual, non-overlapping frequency channels as a shared resource, the impact of interference signals can be significantly reduced. In coordinated networks, each network can be exclusively assigned a portion of the frequency band (a set of frequency channels), thus minimizing mutual interference. This is not possible in completely uncoordinated networks.

[0162] In exemplary implementations, access to the physical transmission medium (i.e., the physical radio channel) in each network is therefore designed such that at least one of a) Channel access, i.e., the frequency and time allocation of the radio channel, in a network should have as little overlap as possible in time and frequency with channel access in other networks of the same standard (high degree of "orthogonality"), b) Channel access within desired parameters (e.g., average access frequency per unit of time) should have a (pseudo-)random character ("randomness"), c) As far as avoidable according to the parameters, no longer sequences of identical channel access (in time and frequency) should occur between networks ("avoidance of systematic overlaps"), d) All frequency channels within the frequency band should be used as evenly as possible to achieve the highest possible frequency diversity and, where applicable, compliance with official, regulatory requirements ("equal distribution of frequency channel usage"), e) The information about the frequency and time allocation of the radio channel, e.g.for participants newly joining a network, with the least possible signaling effort ("reduction of signaling information"), . is fulfilled.

[0163] In simplified terms, in exemplary implementations, mutual interference between multiple networks (inter-network interference) is reduced by ensuring that channel access to the shared frequency band is different in frequency and time, preferably as "orthogonal" as possible and with a (pseudo-)random character.

[0164] For illustrative purposes, it is assumed that, in addition to the division of the frequency band into discrete frequency channels (indices c0, c1, c2,...), accesses within each network are also discretized temporally. The associated temporal resources are called timeslots and are represented in Fig. 12with the indices t0, t1, t2,... However, both requirements (discretization in frequency and time) are not necessary prerequisites for the application of exemplary implementations.

[0165] In detail, it shows Fig. 12 The diagram shows a division of the frequency band into resources and a frequency- and time-shift-based allocation of the frequency band's resources, defined by two different channel access patterns. The ordinate represents the frequency channel indices and the abscissa the time slot indices.

[0166] For example, participants of the first communication system 102_1 can communicate wirelessly with each other based on the first channel access pattern 110_1, which specifies a frequency-hopping-based allocation of resources of the frequency band usable for communication by the first communication system 102_1, while participants of the second communication system 102_2 can communicate wirelessly with each other based on the second channel access pattern 110_2, which specifies a frequency-hopping-based allocation of resources of the frequency band usable for communication by the second communication system 102_2, where the first channel access pattern and the second channel access pattern are different (e.g., have an overlap of less than 20%, ideally have no overlap).

[0167] In other words, Fig. 12The diagram shows, in the form of a grid, an overview of all fundamentally available resources in frequency and time (schematic representation of the frequency channels and time slots, as well as exemplary channel access patterns), where a single resource element in the first communication network 102_1 is determined by assigning a frequency channel index and a time slot index. The resources that can be allocated by the first communication network 102_1 are, by way of example, the resource elements marked with reference 112_1. The set of all resources that can be allocated within a communication network represents a channel access pattern 110_1. For the first communication network 102_1, this includes all resource elements marked with reference 112_1 that are connected by arrows. The channel access pattern of another communication network (e.g., the second communication network 102_2) is represented in an equivalent manner. Fig. 12Example entry (all resource elements marked by reference sign 112_2, which are connected by arrows), which is not anchored in the same frequency and time grid as the first communication network 102_1 (resource elements are shifted in frequency and time from the basic grid of the first communication network 102_1).

[0168] It is important to distinguish between all fundamentally (maximally) available resource elements, i.e., the total set of all resource elements from which the channel access pattern selects a suitable subset (in Fig. 12 e.g., all elements of the grid), all resource elements actually included in the channel access pattern (in Fig. 12all resource elements marked with reference 112_1) and the number of resource elements (of the channel access pattern) that are actually used for data transmission in the network (e.g., with low data volume, only every third resource element present in the channel access pattern might actually be used).

[0169] The design of the channel access pattern therefore also means defining the actively usable resource pool for this communication network (or communication system).

[0170] The following describes examples of base stations, endpoints, and / or communication systems that use channel access patterns for communication, fulfilling at least one of the criteria mentioned above (a) to (e). Furthermore, examples of how such channel access patterns are generated are described below. 5.1 Base station, endpoint and communication system

[0171] Fig. 13Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication system 102 with a base station 104 and a plurality of endpoints 106_1-106_4, according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0172] As in Fig. 13 As shown in one embodiment, the communication system 102 can have a base station and four endpoints 106_1-106_4. However, the present invention is not limited to such embodiments; rather, the communication system can have one or more endpoints 106_1-106_n, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to one. For example, the communication system can have 1, 10, 100, 1,000, 10,000, or even 100,000 endpoints.

[0173] The participants (= base station 104 and endpoints 106_1-106_4) of the in Fig. 13The communication systems shown use a frequency band (e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band, e.g., the ISM band) for mutual communication, which is used by a majority of communication systems, as described above in relation to the Figs. 1 to 3 This will be explained. Communication system 102 operates in an uncoordinated manner with respect to the other communication systems that use the same frequency band.

[0174] In exemplary embodiments, the base station 104 can be configured to transmit a signal 120, wherein the signal 120 contains information about a channel access pattern 110, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation (e.g., of resources) of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system 102 (e.g., a temporal sequence of frequency resources usable for communication by the communication system (e.g., distributed over the frequency band)), wherein the information describes a state of a number sequence generator for generating a number sequence, wherein the number sequence determines the channel access pattern.

[0175] For example, the state of the number sequence generator can be an internal state of the number sequence generator, from which a number in the sequence can be derived. Based on the internal state of the number sequence generator, further internal states of the number sequence generator can also be determined, from which further numbers in the sequence can be derived. For example, the number in the sequence can be derived directly from the internal state of the number sequence generator (e.g., state = number), for example, when implementing the number sequence generator as a counter, or via a mapping function, for example, when implementing the number sequence generator as a shift register, possibly with feedback.

[0176] In exemplary embodiments, at least one of the endpoints 106_1-106_4 can be configured to receive the signal 120 with the information about the channel access pattern 110, and to determine the channel access pattern 110 based on the information about the channel access pattern, wherein the information describes a state of a number sequence generator for generating a number sequence, wherein the number sequence determines the channel access pattern.

[0177] For example, the base station 104 and / or at least one of the endpoints 106_1-106_4 can be configured to pseudorandomly determine the channel access pattern depending on the state of the number sequence generator, such as by using a pseudorandom mapping function.

[0178] Furthermore, the base station 104 and / or at least one of the endpoints 106_1-106_4 can be configured to pseudorandomly determine the channel access pattern depending on individual information from the communication system (e.g., inherent information from the communication system, such as a network-specific identifier).

[0179] The following describes exemplary implementations of the generation of channel access patterns. The channel access patterns are generated by the base station 104 and can be used based on the signal containing the information 120 about the channel access pattern of at least one (or all) of the Fig. 13The endpoints shown, 106_1-106_4, are determined, for example, by a controller (control unit) 130, which is implemented in the base station 104 and / or in the endpoints 106_1-106_4. The channel access patterns are specified (exclusively) by the base station 104, while the endpoints 106_1-106_4 only "know" the channel access pattern, i.e., they generate it using the same method as the base station 104.

[0180] The following description assumes a radio transmission system (or communication arrangement) with several independent, mutually uncoordinated communication networks whose participants are within mutual reception range, such that transmitted signals from participants in one network can potentially act as interference for participants in other networks. For the application of these embodiments, it is not necessary for information (data or signaling information) to be exchanged between different networks. Likewise, it is irrelevant whether the networks are synchronized with each other in time and / or frequency.

[0181] Furthermore, it is assumed that within each network there is a coordinating instance (hereinafter referred to as the "base station") which can transmit information about the channel access pattern used within the network to the non-coordinating participants in the network (hereinafter referred to as "end devices" or "endpoints"). This information can be transmitted, for example, via regularly transmitted beacon signals, but can also be transmitted at irregular intervals or, if necessary, specifically to individual end devices or groups of end devices.

[0182] Furthermore, it is assumed that the entire frequency band available for transmission is divided into a multitude of individual frequency channels, each of which can be accessed individually or in subsets (groups of frequency channels).

[0183] Without limiting generality and for better illustration, the following explanations assume that a fixed, discrete time grid exists within every network, according to which channel accesses can occur (see also Fig. 12 Channel access, in the form of signal transmission, can be initiated by both end devices and the base station. However, channel access does not necessarily have to occur in a resource designated for this purpose in the channel access pattern, for example, if no data or other information is pending transmission.

[0184] Fig. 14 Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a controller 130 for generating a channel access pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0185] As in Fig. 14As can be seen, the controller 130 can have a memory 132, a periodic number sequence generator 134 for generating a periodic number sequence Z, a randomizing assigner 136 and a frequency / time assigner 138.

[0186] The memory (e.g., a register) 132 can be configured to store a network-specific identifier ID 140, e.g., an (individual) bit sequence that does not change. The periodic sequence generator 134 can be configured to provide its state 142 or a number 142' derived from its state to the periodic sequence. The randomizing assignor 136 can be configured to generate a pseudorandom number R 144 depending on the state 142 of the sequence generator 134 or the number 142' derived from it in the periodic sequence and the network-specific identifier ID 140. The frequency / time assignor 138 can be configured to generate frequency information f 146 and time information t 148 based on the pseudorandom number R 144.For example, the frequency information f 146 and the time information t 148 can describe or define a frequency channel and a time slot (or a frequency channel index and a time slot index) and thus a resource of the channel access pattern.

[0187] The Controller 130 can, for example, - as shown in Fig. 13 as indicated - be implemented in the base station 104 and / or in the one or more endpoint(s) 106_1-106-4 to calculate the individual (or network-specific) channel access pattern used by the communication system 102.

[0188] In other words, Fig. 14 shows the basic structure for generating channel access patterns, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0189] The generation of channel access patterns is iterative, i.e., the in Fig. 14The blocks shown are called once per generation of a single channel access information. Thus, by calling them N times, a channel access pattern with N channel accesses is generated.

[0190] The function of the subblocks is explained in detail below. The term "number" is used. This generally refers to discrete information, which can be represented in different ways (e.g., in decimal form, as a binary sequence, etc.). Network-specific identifier "ID"

[0191] The network-specific identifier is a fixed number assigned by an external instance (e.g., during network or coordinating base station configuration). Ideally, it differs from network to network. For example, it could be a unique, sufficiently long base station ID, a unique network ID, or a sufficiently long hash of each. This value is fixed and, unlike any other element in the shown arrangement, does not vary from call to call. Periodic number generator "Z"

[0192] The periodic number generator 134 generates a sequence of numbers Z that repeats periodically with periodicity P. It possesses an internal state Sn from which the next generated number and the next internal state Sn+1 can be uniquely determined. The crucial feature is that the entire periodic sequence for any given time step can be derived from a single internal state (which exists at any given time step). A simple embodiment is, for example, a modulo-P counter that periodically produces the sequence 0, 1, 2...(P-1). Another embodiment is a deterministic random number generator (pseudo-random number generator), for example, implemented as a feedback shift register (LFSR). A third embodiment is a finite field (Galois field) with P elements. Randomizing assignor

[0193] The randomizing assignor 136 generates an output number R from the two input numbers ID and Z, i.e., R= map_rand (ID , Z), where map_rand This represents the mapping function. The mapping should be as random as possible, i.e., a mathematically correlated input sequence (consisting of ID, Z) generates an output sequence R that is as uncorrelated as possible.

[0194] Examples of randomizing assignment are: Concatenating the two input numbers, applying a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) to the input variables ID, Z , which leads to the number R and has a randomizing character, the application of a hash function, the application of encryption, e.g. AES encryption, where the associated key is known to all authorized participants and which thus also represents a method for introducing "transport layer security" (TLS for short).

[0195] The sequence of elements of the number R is pseudorandom according to the above specifications. It should differ from network to network in order to avoid overlaps in channel access patterns as much as possible. Frequency / time point assigner

[0196] The frequency / time assigner 138 assigns to each input number R a 2-tuple of frequency information (radio frequency f) and time information (access time t) by means of a mapping, i.e. (f,t)= map_ft (R), where " map_ft "represents the assignment function. While the sequence of frequencies can, in principle, be arbitrary within the specified frequency band, the time points must be in a monotonically increasing form from call to call, since "jumps back" in time are not permitted.

[0197] Of particular importance as an embodiment is the case where channel access in the frequency and time directions (as described above) is discretized, i.e., takes the form of discrete frequency channels and discrete time slots. In this case, the frequency / time-point assigner assigns to each input number R a 2-tuple of frequency channel index fi and time slot index ti, i.e., (fi,ti) = map_ft (R). The time slots are indexed in ascending chronological order, as "jumps back" in time are not permitted. Further details on the allocation of time slots can be found in section 5.3.

[0198] The sequence of 2-tuples (f,t) or (fi, ti) is based on the sequence of elements of R and defines the channel access pattern.

[0199] The exact design of the frequency / time identifier, together with the probability function of the number R, determines the access statistics for the channel. State signaling and predictability

[0200] The in Fig. 14 The arrangement shown generates a channel access pattern that depends on both a time-invariant, network-specific identifier and a state-dependent (and therefore time-varying) periodic number generator (periodicity P). The network-specific identifier ensures that networks with different network-specific identifiers always generate different sequences of R, even if their number generators are in the same state. This prevents different networks from generating identical channel access patterns and thus, in the worst case, from entering into a "continuous collision" of channel accesses.

[0201] To determine the channel access pattern used in the network, an end device requires both the network-specific identifier and the respective state of the periodic number generator.

[0202] The network-specific identifier The terminal receives this identifier upon initial network registration. This identifier is advantageously transmitted via beacon signals regularly sent by the base station and made accessible to all authorized terminals. Alternatively, the network-specific identifier can also be assigned to the terminal during initial configuration (upon delivery), i.e., before its first use on the network.

[0203] The condition of the periodic number generator It can be transmitted either in a regular beacon signal and / or in dedicated state signaling resources. A number generator with periodicity P has P internal states, so that the respective state can be transmitted. ⌈ log 2 P ⌉ Bits must be transmitted. The amount of information transmitted per state signal (number of bits) can therefore be controlled according to requirements by the selected periodicity of the number generator.

[0204] The information transmitted for status signaling can be transmitted in the form of several partial pieces of information, with the transmission occurring at different frequencies. For example, if the periodic number generator (Z) is a counter, the most significant bits (MSBs) of the counter could be transmitted separately from the least significant bits (LSBs) and also at different frequencies (e.g., less frequently). Even if it is not a counter, the total status information could be transmitted in the form of several partial pieces of status information with different transmission frequencies.

[0205] Due to the periodicity of the number generator, a terminal device that knows the generator's state at at least one point in time can determine the entire channel access pattern for any future point in time / time slot. This allows the terminal device to, for example, deactivate its transmitter / receiver unit in an energy-saving standby state and, upon subsequent activation of the transmitter / receiver unit, predict the then-current section of the channel access pattern from the last known state. The base station can thus transmit the status information at relatively long intervals.

[0206] In summary, the method described herein has the advantage that, by combining a network-specific identifier and a periodic number generator, a comparatively large state space is spanned for the (pseudorandom) number R. This prevents the channel access patterns of networks with different network-specific identifiers from being identical, thus minimizing systematic collisions of channel accesses between different, mutually uncoordinated networks. This proves particularly advantageous in the Telegram Splitting Multiple Access (TSMA) method.

[0207] The advantageous features of the frequency-time assignor are explained in more detail in the following sections. Another example of the controller

[0208] According to Fig. 14 According to the above description, a periodic number generator 134 is required. In the following embodiment, this is replaced as follows.

[0209] Real-world wireless networks often operate with a beacon signal that is transmitted regularly. Each beacon transmission can be assigned a counter, which corresponds to a beacon sequence index. This beacon sequence index is referred to here as the "beacon index".

[0210] It is also common practice in a time-slot-based system to equip the time slots with a (time-direction ascending) time-slot index counter (see also Fig. 12 This is referred to here as the "time slot index". The beacon index is reset to zero at certain intervals predetermined by the system, thus exhibiting periodicity. The same applies to the time slot index (which, for example, starts again at zero after a beacon transmission).

[0211] Fig. 15Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a controller 130 for generating a channel access pattern, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0212] The controller 130 can have a memory 132, a first intermediate memory 135_1, a second intermediate memory 135_2, a randomizing assigner 136 and a frequency / time assigner 138.

[0213] Memory (e.g., a register) 132 can be configured to hold a network-specific identifier ID 140, e.g., an (individual) bit sequence that does not change. The first intermediate memory (e.g., a register) 135_1 can be configured to hold a periodic beacon index Z1 143_1. The second intermediate memory (e.g., a register) 135_2 can be configured to hold a periodic timeslot index Z2 143_2. The randomizing assignor 136 can be configured to generate a pseudorandom number R 144 based on the periodic beacon index Z1 143_1, the periodic timeslot index Z2 143_2, and the network-specific identifier ID 140. The frequency / time assigner 138 can be configured to determine a frequency information f 146 and a time information t 148 based on the pseudorandom number R 144.For example, the frequency information f 146 and the time information t 148 can describe or define a frequency channel and a time slot (or a frequency channel index and a time slot index) and thus a resource of the channel access pattern.

[0214] In other words, Fig. 15 shows a modified basic structure for generating channel access patterns with beacon index and time slot index. In Fig. 15 is shown as an exemplary embodiment in which, compared to the one in Fig. 14 In the illustrated embodiment, the periodic number generator (output Z) 134 has been replaced by the two blocks "periodic beacon index" (output Z1) 135_1 and "periodic time slot index" (output Z2) 135_2. All other blocks remain functionally unchanged (the randomizing assignor now has three inputs).

[0215] The in Fig. 14 and 6The controller 130 shown enables the generation of network-specific channel access patterns, which must have at least one of the following properties: The channel access patterns contain as few overlapping subsequences as possible; there is a large pool of channel access patterns (e.g., in areas with high network density); the channel access patterns are designed to exhibit very high periodicity; the channel access patterns lead (given appropriate requirements) to an average, even utilization of the available frequency channels; the signaling of the applied pattern is carried out by the coordinating instance with as little signaling information as possible; and end devices can determine the content of the channel access pattern at any future time after receiving the complete signaling of the channel access pattern only once (this enables end devices, e.g.,(For energy-saving reasons, longer reception breaks are implemented, and upon reactivation, the currently valid channel access pattern is still determined based on information received before the reception break). 5.2 Control of channel access in the frequency domain

[0216] To simplify the following representation, it is assumed that the frequency range (or frequency band) is divided into discrete frequency channels and that transmission takes place according to the TSMA method.

[0217] Mobile communication channels typically exhibit signal attenuation that varies across the frequency range. If, according to the TSMA method, a data packet is transmitted in the form of several partial data packets and the underlying mobile communication channel is unknown at the transmitter, the transmission error rate can be reduced or even minimized on average by distributing the individual partial data packets across as much of the frequency range as possible (utilizing frequency diversity).

[0218] For this reason, it can be advantageous (especially if a data packet consists of only a few sub-data packets) to ensure that the frequency channels on which the sub-data packets are transmitted have a certain (minimum) distance relative to each other in the frequency range.

[0219] Since the channel access pattern within a network significantly determines the frequency hopping behavior in TSMA, a suitable method can be used to ensure that there is a minimum distance between two successive frequency channels of the channel access pattern.

[0220] In exemplary implementations, the frequency / time point assigner 138 (see Fig. 14 or 15 ) therefore be trained to determine a frequency information f and a time information t based on the pseudorandom number R, where the frequency information f specifies a distance between two successive frequency channels.

[0221] The frequency / time assigner 138 in Fig. 14 or 15 , which independently determines absolute frequency channels from access to access based on the pseudorandom number R, can alternatively also determine distances between two consecutive frequency channels.

[0222] Fig. 16 Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of a section of controller 130, according to an exemplary embodiment. As in Fig. 16 As can be seen, the frequency / time identifier 138 (see Fig. 14 or 15 ) be trained to determine frequency information and time information based on the pseudorandom number R, where the frequency information specifies a distance Δfi n between two successive frequency channels.

[0223] As in Fig. 16Furthermore, it can be seen that the controller 130 can have an image 150 which can be configured to map the distance Δfi n between two successive frequency channels to a frequency channel index fi, for example by a combiner (e.g. adder) 152 and a delay element 154.

[0224] In other words, Fig. 16 This shows the generation of frequency jumps with minimum and / or maximum jump distances. Fig. 16 This illustrates that the frequency / time identifier 138 of Fig. 14 or 15 now replaced by a frequency difference / time point assigner 138, which no longer provides absolute frequency channel indices at its immediate output, but frequency channel index differences.

[0225] A suitable mapping function (Δfi,t)=map_Δft(R) in the frequency difference / time point assignor ensures that only frequency channel index jumps Δfi n =fi n+1 -fi n (from channel access n to channel access n+1) occur, which, for example, lie within a desired range, e.g., Δfi max ≥Δfi ≥Δfi min for Δfi>0 and Δfi max ≥(-Δfi) ≥Δfi min for Δfi<0. Numerous methods exist for implementing such a restriction, none of which are themselves the subject of the invention. An exemplary implementation in the form of corresponding program code for MATLAB (with which Fig. 17 (was generated) can be found in the appendix.

[0226] Fig. 17 The diagram shows a histogram based on a Monte Carlo simulation over the variable Δfi (difference of the frequency channel index Δfi between temporally adjacent channel accesses).

[0227] In the example shown, 72 frequency channels are available. The parameters associated with the simulation results are Δfi min = 21, Δfi max = 51, meaning the interval between two consecutive accesses in the channel access pattern is between 21 and 51 frequency channels.

[0228] By making suitable modifications to the exemplary program code, which are easily understood by those skilled in the art, other distribution forms for Δfi can be generated (e.g., uniform distribution in the range from -Δfi min to -Δfi max or +Δfi min to +Δfi max) than in Fig. 17 shown. 5.3 Specifying the timing of channel access activity

[0229] In a highly utilized system, all available time slots can be included in the channel access pattern. In less heavily utilized systems, not every time slot needs to be available for channel access. This is illustrated in the following figure.

[0230] Fig. 18Figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources 112 of the frequency band, defined by a channel access pattern 110, as well as a projection of the channel access pattern 110 onto a time axis, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordinate describes the frequency channel indices and the abscissa the time slot indices.

[0231] In other words, Fig. 18 The upper part shows an example of a channel access pattern 110 in the dimensions of frequency and time (resource elements 112), and the lower part shows its projection onto the time dimension. It can be seen that not every time slot is part of the channel access pattern 110.

[0232] Thus, in addition to the frequency dimension (in the form of the frequency channel index), the time dimension (in the form of the time slot index) is also available for generating a pseudorandom channel access pattern. When generating a channel access pattern, an average activity rate A can therefore be specified. This is defined here as the average ratio of time slots used for channel access to the total maximum number of available time slots. If every time slot is used, the activity rate A is therefore 1 (100%). If, on average, only every third time slot is included in the channel access pattern, the average activity rate A = 1 / 3.

[0233] The activity rate thus determines the (temporal) density of the resources offered in the channel access pattern 110 112.

[0234] In exemplary implementations, the time slots selected for channel access at a given activity rate can be pseudorandomly generated from a suitable part of the pseudorandom number R (see Fig. 14 or 15 ) are determined. Example 1

[0235] In each step n, an integer rn can be derived from the associated pseudorandom number R n, which can take values ​​between r min and r max, i.e., r min ≤ rn ≤ r max. After each active timeslot in channel access pattern 110, a number of rn timeslots can be skipped; these are thus not used for channel access. This process is exemplified in Fig. 19 depicted.

[0236] In detail, it shows Fig. 19 Resource elements 112 of a channel access pattern 110 projected onto a time axis in a diagram, resulting in unused time slots, according to an embodiment.

[0237] In other words, Fig. 19 shows an exemplary sequence of used and unused time slots, according to an embodiment.

[0238] If the number r is derived from the number R in such a way that the elements of r occur with equal frequency between r min and r max (uniform distribution), the following activity rate results: A = 2 / 2 + r min + r max .

[0239] The method presented in the above embodiment has the advantage that minimum and maximum intervals between the active time slots in channel access pattern 110 can be specified. Specifying minimum intervals can be particularly advantageous for battery-powered devices, where transmission pauses of a certain minimum length between two successive transmissions (recovery phase) increase battery life.

[0240] A similar approach can be used to specify that a minimum number of active time slots follow each other directly. Example 2

[0241] In an implementation according to embodiment 1, theoretically longer areas with locally significantly higher or lower activity rates than desired can occur. This effect is avoided in the following embodiment.

[0242] Here, groups of consecutive time slots are periodically specified, within each of which an active time slot of the channel access pattern is placed. This is suitable for an activity rate of 1 / 4 (25%) in Fig. 20 Illustrated by example.

[0243] In detail, it shows Fig. 20 Resource elements 112 of a channel access pattern 110 with an activity rate A=1 / 4 projected onto a time axis in a diagram, according to an embodiment.

[0244] In other words, Fig. 20 shows an exemplary sequence of used and unused time slots, according to an embodiment.

[0245] As in Fig. 20 As can be seen, the time slots can be divided into clusters 114 (in the example of Fig. 20 The time slots are grouped by length 4). Exactly one time slot of the channel access pattern 110 is placed in each cluster 114. The position of the time slots included in the channel access pattern 110 within cluster 114 can be determined by a shift vn, which is derived from the pseudorandom number R n and can take integer values ​​between 0 and (cluster length - 1).

[0246] In the event that a minimum distance between two consecutive time slots of the channel access pattern 110 is to be ensured, unassignable areas can be introduced between the clusters 114. These can consist of one or more time slots, as shown in Fig. 21 This illustrates the point.

[0247] In detail, it shows Fig. 21Resource elements 112 of a channel access pattern 110 projected onto a time axis in a diagram with an activity rate A=1 / 4 and a predetermined minimum distance between successive time slots of the channel access pattern 110, according to an embodiment.

[0248] In other words, Fig. 21 shows an exemplary sequence of used and unused time slots with unassignable time slots, according to an embodiment.

[0249] As in Fig. 21 As can be seen, due to the unassignable time slots, the permissible range of the shift variables vn is reduced to the value range from 0 to (cluster length - 1 - length of the unassignable area).

[0250] Depending on the selected activity rate, the clusters may need to have 114 different lengths to achieve the desired rate. In this case, the value range of vn varies according to the respective cluster length. For example, to set an activity rate of 40%, clusters of length two and length three can alternate. 5.4 Channel access patterns with areas of different activity rates

[0251] Data packets that are intended to reach the receiver as quickly as possible (short latency) require channel accesses that are as close together as possible during transmission, i.e., a comparatively high activity rate in the channel access pattern.

[0252] For data packets where transmission reliability (e.g., high robustness against external interference) is paramount, distributing the transmission over a longer period can be advantageous, thus favoring a comparatively low activity rate in the channel access pattern. The same applies to devices where a time-delayed energy draw from the battery (time-spread transmission activity) is desired.

[0253] As shown above, the activity rate, i.e., the frequency of channel access, can be predetermined through appropriate measures. To meet potentially varying requirements within a network, a channel access pattern can be designed to include areas with different activity rates. This is demonstrated in Fig. 22 This is shown as an example. Depending on individual requirements, end devices can then transmit, for example, in the range that is suitable for them.

[0254] In detail, it shows Fig. 22 a temporal division of a channel access pattern 110 into areas of different activity rate A 1 , A 2 and A 3 , according to an embodiment.

[0255] In other words, Fig. 22 shows an example of a channel access pattern with three areas of different activity rates within channel access pattern 110. 5.5 Demand-based (dynamic) adjustment of the activity rate of the channel access pattern

[0256] In networks (or communication systems) 102, different load situations can exist at different times. As explained above, the design of the channel access pattern 110 (i.e., its activity rate or average temporal density) can determine the actively usable resource pool for this network.

[0257] Providing a large resource reserve (high activity rate) at low actual load can be disadvantageous, especially for battery-powered devices. For example, consider a battery-powered base station (e.g., of a PAN network, possibly operating as a repeater) which powers the receiver and thus consumes energy while all resources of the channel access pattern are active.

[0258] Therefore, it can be useful to dynamically adjust the average activity rate, i.e., the temporal density of the resources offered by channel access pattern 110, to the prevailing load conditions. When the activity rate of channel access pattern 110 changes, this is signaled to the participants in the network accordingly, for which, for example, the beacon signal (or dedicated signaling resources) can be used.

[0259] If an end device 106 is in a prolonged idle state (power-saving mode), it may not receive the signaling information transmitted by the base station 104 during idle mode, which may be related to a changed channel access pattern. In such a scenario, it may be useful for a channel access pattern 110 to provide a minimum supply of (basic) resources that is available at all times without special signaling, as well as an additional supply of resources that can be added depending on the load and is subject to corresponding signaling.

[0260] In the sense described above, resources added to the channel access pattern can, for example, be arranged chronologically after the basic resources or intertwined with them in the time / frequency grid, as is the case in Fig. 23 shown.

[0261] In detail, it shows Fig. 23In a diagram, a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources 112 of the frequency band is defined by a channel access pattern 110, wherein the channel access pattern 110 additionally includes resources 112* that can be activated as needed, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordinate describes the frequency channel indices and the abscissa the time slot indices.

[0262] In other words, Fig. 23 shows an example of intertwined basic and supplementary resources. 5.6 Adaptive Frequency Range Allocation

[0263] In certain unlicensed frequency bands, users may be able to decide for themselves, without regulatory restrictions, which frequency ranges within the band they use. This can lead to certain areas of the available frequency band being more heavily occupied by external users than others, and thus being subject to greater interference.

[0264] If a base station 104 detects such medium- or long-term asymmetrical utilization of the frequency band (e.g., through frequency-channel-specific signal-to-noise power estimations based on received signals), the heavily occupied portion of the frequency band can be avoided for use by the network by excluding the corresponding frequency channels from the channel access pattern. This is configured in the frequency / time assigner (see Fig. 14 or 15 ) to be taken into account and is signaled to all network participants in an appropriate manner.

[0265] The group of excluded frequency channels can be described, for example, by a corresponding start and end frequency channel index or by a start frequency channel index and a subsequent number of channels.

[0266] Fig. 24Figure 1 shows a diagram illustrating the frequency- and time-shift-based allocation of resources 112 of the frequency band, defined by a channel access pattern 110, wherein a regularly more disturbed frequency range 115 of the frequency band is not allocated by the channel access pattern 110, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The ordinate describes the frequency channel indices and the abscissa the time slot indices.

[0267] As in Fig. 24 As can be seen, the generation of channel access pattern 110 takes into account a frequency range 115 that is regularly subject to more significant interference (e.g., heavily congested by external networks). Frequency channels within this frequency range 115 are therefore not included in channel access pattern 110.

[0268] In other words, Fig. 24 shows an example of excluding heavily noisy frequency channels from the channel access pattern.

[0269] By avoiding interference-prone frequency ranges for data transmission in one's own network, a certain load balancing across the frequency band is achieved, ensuring that other networks in the already heavily used frequency ranges do not experience additional interference. 5.7 Bundling of resource elements in the frequency domain (frequency channel bundling)

[0270] Depending on the hardware and software used, it is possible for a base station to receive signals on multiple frequency channels simultaneously (frequency channel bonding). In this case, especially with higher utilization of systems, it is advantageous to increase the number of resource elements offered within the network in the frequency dimension and to include multiple frequency channels within a time slot in the channel access pattern, as is done in Fig. 25 shown.

[0271] In detail, it shows Fig. 25In a diagram, a frequency- and time-jump-based allocation of resources 112 of the frequency band, defined by a channel access pattern 110, is shown, wherein resources 112 are bundled in the frequency domain, according to an exemplary embodiment. The ordinate describes the frequency channel indices and the abscissa the time slot indices.

[0272] In other words, Fig. 25 This shows an example of channel access pattern 110 when three adjacent frequency channels are bundled into resource clusters. In this case, Fig. 25 The bundling of three frequency channels is shown as an example. Each group of resource elements in a time slot can be referred to as a "resource cluster." The channel access pattern 110 can be supplemented with information about the number of frequency channels that constitute a resource cluster.

[0273] As a further example, it should be mentioned that the frequency channels grouped into resource clusters do not necessarily have to be directly adjacent. 5.8 Channel access pattern (jump pattern) of the activation information as part of the network-specific channel access pattern

[0274] Fig. 26 Figure 1 shows a time domain 160 of the frequency band 158 and a time- and frequency-hopping-based allocation of usable resources 112 of the time domain for data transmission, defined by a channel access pattern 110, according to an exemplary embodiment. The ordinate describes the frequency (or frequency channels of the frequency band 158) and the abscissa the time (or time slots of the time domain 160).

[0275] As in Fig. 26 As can be seen, the time range 160 can have a control signal range 161, an activation range 162 that follows the control signal range 161, and a data transmission range 164 that follows the activation range 162.

[0276] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint 106_1 can be configured to receive a control signal 120 (e.g., from a base station of the communication system 102) (e.g., a beacon signal) in the control signal area 161 (see Fig. 1 ), wherein the control signal 120 contains information 121 about a channel access pattern 110, wherein the channel access pattern 110 specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 of the frequency band 158 usable for communication of the communication system 102.

[0277] Furthermore, endpoint 106_1 can be configured to determine the channel access pattern 110 based on the information 121 about the channel access pattern 110. Furthermore, endpoint 106_1 can be configured to send an activation signal 122 in the activation area 162, wherein the activation signal 122 contains activation information 123 that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area 164 following the activation area of ​​the time domain 160.

[0278] For example, as in Fig. 26It is indicated that a first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-shift-based allocation 112 of the frequency band 158 specified by the channel access pattern 110 lies in the activation area, wherein the endpoint 106_1 can be configured to send the activation signal 122 in the first part of the usable frequency- and / or time-shift-based allocation 112 of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern 110, such as in one or more of the usable resources 112 of the channel access pattern 110.

[0279] Furthermore, the endpoint 106_1 can be configured to divide a data packet to be transmitted (e.g., of the physical layer in the OSI model) into a plurality of sub-data packets 166, each shorter than the data packet, and to send the plurality of sub-data packets 166 in the data transmission area 164 by means of a data signal 124 in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern 110.

[0280] For example, the endpoint 106_1 can be configured to send the plurality of sub-data packets 166 in the data transmission area 164 by means of the data signal 124 in at least one subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 of the frequency band 158 specified by a relative channel access pattern 111, wherein the relative channel access pattern 111 specifies the allocation 113 to be used of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 specified by the channel access pattern.

[0281] In exemplary embodiments, the base station 104 can be configured to send the control signal 120 (e.g. beacon signal) in the control signal area 161, wherein the control signal 120 contains the information 121 about a channel access pattern 110, wherein the channel access pattern 110 specifies the frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 of the frequency band 158 that can be used for communication of the communication system.

[0282] The base station 104 can also be configured to connect the receiver 170 (see Fig. 1) to activate (e.g. to put into a normal operating mode, e.g. to switch on) the activation area 162 of the time domain following the control signal area 161, in order to receive the activation signal 122 (e.g. from the endpoint 106_1 of the communication system 102), wherein the activation signal 122 contains the activation information 123, which announces the subsequent data transmission in the data transmission area 164 of the time domain 160 following the activation area 162.

[0283] The base station 104 can further be configured to activate or keep activated the receiver 170 for the data transmission area 164, provided that the activation signal 122 with the activation information 123 has been received in the activation area 162, in order to receive the data signal 124 in the data transmission area 164, wherein the data signal 124 comprises the plurality of sub-data packets 166 which are transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation 112 of the frequency band 158 specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet (e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets 166, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets 166 are each shorter than the data packet.

[0284] In exemplary embodiments, a portion of the resources (resource elements) 112 of a channel access pattern 110 can thus be designated for the exclusive transmission of activation information, i.e., the activation information 123 can be transmitted using the supply of available resources defined by the channel access pattern 110. This allows the advantages of the exemplary embodiments described in Section 5 (e.g., reduction of interference between mutually uncoordinated networks) to be utilized for the transmission of activation information 123.

[0285] In exemplary embodiments, the resources dedicated to the transmission of activation information 123 within the channel access pattern 110 can be defined. This can be done either in a fixed manner beforehand or by suitable (dynamic) signaling during the operation of a radio network / communication system. 6. Further examples of implementation

[0286] Fig. 27Figure 200 shows a flowchart of a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on (e.g., periodically) successive time intervals. The method comprises a step 202 of sending an activation signal in an activation interval of one of the time intervals, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission interval of the time interval following the activation interval.Furthermore, the method 200 comprises a step 204 of sending a data signal in the data transmission area of ​​the time domain, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted according to a usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a jump pattern, wherein a data packet (e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0287] Fig. 28Figure 210 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on (e.g., periodically) successive time periods. Method 210 comprises a step 212 of activating a receiver of the base station for an activation period of one of the time periods in order to receive an activation signal, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission period following the activation period of the time period.Furthermore, the method 210 comprises a step 212 of activating or leaving activated the receiver of the base station, provided that the activation signal with the activation information has been received in the activation area, in order to receive a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted according to a usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by a hopping pattern, wherein a data packet (e.g. of the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0288] Fig. 29Figure 220 shows a flowchart of a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on (e.g., periodically) successive time domains. The method 220 comprises a step 222 of receiving a control signal in a control signal range of one of the time domains, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern, the channel access pattern specifying a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system. Furthermore, the method 220 comprises a step 224 of determining the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern.Furthermore, method 220 comprises a step 226 of sending an activation signal in an activation region of the time domain following the control signal region, wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission region of the time domain following the activation region. Method 220 further comprises a step 228 of sending a data signal in the data transmission region, wherein the data signal comprises a plurality of sub-data packets that are transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet (e.g., of the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided among the plurality of sub-data packets, and wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet.

[0289] Fig. 30Figure 230 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, and wherein the communication system accesses the frequency band based on (e.g., periodically) successive time domains. The method 230 comprises a step 232 of transmitting a control signal in a control signal range of one of the time domains, wherein the control signal contains information about a channel access pattern (110), the channel access pattern specifying a frequency- and / or time-hopping-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system. Furthermore, the method 230 comprises a step 234 of activating the receiver for an activation range of the time domain following the control signal range (e.g.,to put the receiver into a normal operating mode (e.g., to switch it on) in order to receive an activation signal (e.g., from an endpoint of the communication system), wherein the activation signal contains activation information that announces a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission area of ​​the time domain window following the activation area. Furthermore, method 230 comprises a step 236 of activating or leaving the receiver activated for the data transmission area if the activation signal with the activation information was received in the activation area, and receiving a data signal in the data transmission area, wherein the data signal comprises a plurality of sub-data packets that are transmitted in at least a subset of the usable frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band specified by the channel access pattern, wherein a data packet (e.g.,the physical layer in the OSI model) is divided, with the majority of sub-data packets being shorter than the data packet.

[0290] Further embodiments provide a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band [e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band; e.g., ISM band] which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the base station is configured to transmit a signal [e.g., a beacon signal], wherein the signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-shift-based allocation [e.g., of resources] of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system [e.g., a temporal sequence of frequency resources usable for communication by the communication system (e.g., distributed across the frequency band)], wherein the information represents a state of a sequence generator [e.g.,a periodic sequence generator or a deterministic random number generator] for generating a sequence of numbers or wherein the information describes a number [e.g. a time slot index and / or a beacon index] of a sequence of numbers [e.g. a periodic time slot index sequence and / or periodic beacon index sequence], wherein the sequence of numbers determines the channel access pattern.

[0291] In exemplary embodiments, the channel access pattern may differ from another channel access pattern based on which at least one other communication system of the majority of other communication systems accesses the frequency band.

[0292] In some implementation examples, the base station can be configured to operate independently of the other communication systems.

[0293] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to communicate with a participant in the communication system using the resources determined by the channel access pattern, or a subset thereof.

[0294] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to transmit the signal with the information about the channel access pattern multiple times [e.g. periodically], wherein the information about the channel access pattern transmitted with successive transmissions of the signal describes different [e.g. successive or immediately successive] states of the number sequence generator or different numbers of the number sequence.

[0295] In exemplary embodiments, the information transmitted with the signal transmissions can only describe a subset of the states of the number sequence generator or the numbers of the number sequence [e.g., only every nth state or every nth index number is transmitted, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two].

[0296] In exemplary embodiments, the information about the channel access pattern can be the state of the sequence generator or information derived from it [e.g., a part of the state of the sequence generator (e.g., LSBs of the state of the sequence generator)].

[0297] In exemplary embodiments, the information about the channel access pattern can be the number of the number sequence or information derived from it [e.g. a part of the number of the number sequence (e.g. LSBs of the number of the number sequence)].

[0298] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on the state of the number sequence generator or a number in the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator. In exemplary embodiments, based on the state of the number sequence generator, the following states of the number sequence generator can be determined [e.g., directly], and the base station can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on the following states of the number sequence generator or on the following numbers in the number sequence derived from them.

[0299] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on individual information from the communication system [e.g., inherent information from the communication system, such as a network-specific identifier].

[0300] In exemplary implementations, the individual information of the communication system can be inherent information of the communication system.

[0301] In some implementation examples, the inherent information of the communication system can be a network-specific identifier.

[0302] In some implementation examples, the network-specific identifier can be an identifier of the communication system.

[0303] In exemplary implementations, the base station can be designed to to map the state of the number sequence generator, or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and the individual information of the communication system to time information and frequency information using a mapping function, where the time information and the frequency information describe a resource of the channel access pattern.

[0304] In exemplary embodiments, the time information can describe a time slot or a time slot index.

[0305] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account an activity rate of the communication system when mapping to the time information, wherein the activity rate is determined before execution, or wherein the signal or another signal sent by the base station contains information about the activity rate.

[0306] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account different activity rates of the communication system when mapping to the time information, so that the channel access pattern has areas of different activity rates, with the signal or the further signal containing information about the activity rates.

[0307] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be designed to dynamically adjust the activity rate depending on a current or predicted load situation of the communication system.

[0308] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can maintain a predetermined minimum distance [e.g., of one or more time slots or time slot indices] between [e.g., immediately] successive time slots or time slot indices of the channel access pattern when mapping to the time information.

[0309] In exemplary implementations, the frequency information can describe a frequency channel or a frequency channel index.

[0310] In exemplary embodiments, the frequency information can describe a distance between [e.g., immediately] successive frequency channels or frequency channel indices of the channel access pattern.

[0311] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can maintain a predetermined minimum distance between [e.g., immediately] successive frequency channels or frequency channel indices of the channel access pattern when mapping to the frequency information.

[0312] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account a noise-prone frequency channel or a range of noise-prone frequency channels of the frequency band when mapping to the frequency information, so that the noise-prone frequency channel or the range of noise-prone frequency channels is not or less occupied by the channel access pattern.

[0313] In exemplary embodiments, the frequency information can describe a bundling of frequency resources of the frequency band, comprising at least two immediately adjacent or spaced-apart frequency channels or frequency channel indices.

[0314] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be designed to function depending on the state of the number sequence generator or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and an individual piece of information from the communication system to determine a pseudorandom number R, where the pseudorandom number R determines the channel access pattern.

[0315] In exemplary embodiments, the base station can be configured to determine a resource [e.g., frequency channel and / or time slot, or frequency channel index and / or time slot index] of the channel access pattern based on the pseudorandom number R.

[0316] In some exemplary implementations, the signal can be a beacon signal.

[0317] In exemplary embodiments, the number sequence generator can be a periodic number sequence generator for generating a periodic number sequence.

[0318] In exemplary implementations, the number sequence generator can be a deterministic random number generator for generating a pseudorandom number sequence.

[0319] In exemplary embodiments, the state of the number sequence generator can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0320] In exemplary embodiments, a number derived from the state of the number sequence generator can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0321] In exemplary embodiments, the number in the sequence can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0322] In exemplary embodiments, a frequency band allocation defined by the channel access pattern can at least partially overlap a frequency band allocation by another communication system.

[0323] Further embodiments provide an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band [e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band; e.g., ISM band] which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the endpoint is configured to receive a signal [e.g., a beacon signal], wherein the signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-shift-based allocation [e.g., of resources] of the frequency band usable for the communication of the communication system [e.g., a temporal sequence of resources usable for the communication of the communication system].(frequency resources distributed over the frequency band)], wherein the endpoint is configured to determine the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern, wherein the information describes a state of a number sequence generator [e.g., a periodic number sequence generator or a deterministic random number generator] for generating a number sequence, or wherein the information describes a number [e.g., a time slot index and / or a beacon index] of a number sequence [e.g., a periodic time slot index sequence and / or periodic beacon index sequence], wherein the number sequence determines the channel access pattern.

[0324] In exemplary embodiments, the channel access pattern may differ from another channel access pattern based on which at least one other communication system or the majority of other communication systems accesses the frequency band.

[0325] In some implementation examples, the endpoint can be configured to operate independently of the other communication systems.

[0326] In exemplary implementations, the endpoint can be configured to communicate with a participant in the communication system using the resources determined by the channel access pattern, or a subset thereof.

[0327] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to receive the signal containing the channel access pattern information multiple times [e.g., periodically or sporadically], wherein the information about the channel access pattern transmitted with successive transmissions of the signal describes different [e.g., successive or immediately successive] states of the number sequence generator or different numbers in the number sequence. The endpoint can also be configured to determine the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern [e.g., based on the different states of the number sequence generator or the different numbers in the number sequence]. In exemplary embodiments, the information transmitted with the transmissions of the signal can describe only a subset of the states of the number sequence generator or the numbers in the number sequence [e.g.,Only every nth state or every nth index number is transmitted, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two].

[0328] In exemplary embodiments, the information about the channel access pattern can be the state of the sequence generator or information derived from it [e.g., a part of the state of the sequence generator (e.g., LSBs of the state of the sequence generator)].

[0329] In exemplary embodiments, the information about the channel access pattern can be the number of the number sequence or information derived from it [e.g. a part of the number of the number sequence (e.g. LSBs of the number of the number sequence)].

[0330] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on the state of the number sequence generator or a number in the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator.

[0331] In exemplary embodiments, based on the state of the number sequence generator, the following states of the number sequence generator can be determined [e.g. directly], whereby the endpoint can be designed to determine the channel access pattern depending on the following states of the number sequence generator or derived numbers of the number sequence.

[0332] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to determine the channel access pattern depending on individual information from the communication system [e.g., inherent information from the communication system, such as a network-specific identifier].

[0333] In exemplary implementations, the individual information of the communication system can be inherent information of the communication system.

[0334] In some implementation examples, the inherent information of the communication system can be a network-specific identifier.

[0335] In some implementation examples, the network-specific identifier can be an identifier of the communication system.

[0336] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to to map the state of the number sequence generator, or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and the individual information of the communication system to time information and frequency information using a mapping function, where the time information and the frequency information describe a resource of the channel access pattern.

[0337] In exemplary embodiments, the time information can describe a time slot or a time slot index.

[0338] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account an activity rate of the communication system when mapping to the time information, wherein the activity rate is determined before execution, or wherein the signal or another received signal contains information about the activity rate.

[0339] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account different activity rates of the communication system when mapping to the time information, so that the channel access pattern has areas of different activity rates, with the signal or the further signal containing information about the activity rates.

[0340] In some implementation examples, the signal can contain information about the activity rates of the communication system.

[0341] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to receive a further signal, wherein the further signal contains information about the activity rates of the communication system.

[0342] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can maintain a predetermined minimum distance [e.g., of one or more time slots or time slot indices] between [e.g., immediately] successive time slots or time slot indices of the channel access pattern when mapping to the time information.

[0343] In exemplary implementations, the frequency information can describe a frequency channel or a frequency channel index.

[0344] In exemplary embodiments, the frequency information can describe a distance between [e.g., immediately] successive frequency channels or frequency channel indices of the channel access pattern.

[0345] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can maintain a predetermined minimum distance between [e.g., immediately] successive frequency channels or frequency channel indices of the channel access pattern when mapping to the frequency information.

[0346] In exemplary embodiments, the mapping function can take into account a noise-prone frequency channel or a range of noise-prone frequency channels of the frequency band when mapping to the frequency information, so that the noise-prone frequency channel or the range of noise-prone frequency channels is not or less occupied by the channel access pattern.

[0347] In exemplary embodiments, the frequency information can describe at least two immediately adjacent or spaced-apart frequency channels or frequency channel indices.

[0348] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be designed to depend on to determine a pseudorandom number R from the state of the number sequence generator or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and an individual piece of information from the communication system, wherein the pseudorandom number R determines the channel access pattern.

[0349] In exemplary embodiments, the endpoint can be configured to determine a resource [e.g., frequency channel and / or time slot, or frequency channel index and / or time slot index] of the channel access pattern based on the pseudorandom number R.

[0350] In some exemplary implementations, the signal can be a beacon signal.

[0351] In exemplary embodiments, the number sequence generator can be a periodic number sequence generator for generating a periodic number sequence.

[0352] In exemplary implementations, the number sequence generator can be a deterministic random number generator for generating a pseudorandom number sequence.

[0353] In exemplary embodiments, the state of the number sequence generator can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0354] In exemplary embodiments, a number derived from the state of the number sequence generator can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0355] In exemplary embodiments, the number in the sequence can be a periodic beacon index and / or a periodic time slot index.

[0356] In exemplary embodiments, a frequency band allocation defined by the channel access pattern can at least partially overlap a frequency band allocation by another communication system.

[0357] Further embodiments create a communication system with one of the base stations described above and at least one of the endpoints described above.

[0358] Further embodiments provide a method for operating a base station of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems. The method comprises a step of transmitting a signal, wherein the signal contains information about a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system, wherein the information describes a state of a number sequence generator for generating a number sequence, or wherein the information describes a number in a number sequence, the number sequence determining the channel access pattern.

[0359] Further embodiments provide a method for operating an endpoint of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems. The method comprises a step of receiving a signal, wherein the signal contains information about a channel access pattern, the channel access pattern specifying a frequency- and / or time-shift-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by the communication system. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of determining the channel access pattern based on the information about the channel access pattern, wherein the information describes a state of a number sequence generator for generating a number sequence, or wherein the information describes a number in a number sequence, the number sequence determining the channel access pattern.

[0360] Further embodiments provide a controller for a participant of a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used by a plurality of communication systems for communication, wherein the controller is configured to determine a channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication of the communication system, wherein the controller is configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on a state of a number sequence generator for generating a number sequence or a number of a number sequence.

[0361] In exemplary embodiments, the controller can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on the state of the number sequence generator or a number in the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator.

[0362] In exemplary embodiments, based on the state of the number sequence generator, the following states of the number sequence generator can be determined [e.g. directly], whereby a controller can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on the following states of the number sequence generator or on the following numbers of the number sequence derived therefrom.

[0363] In exemplary embodiments, the controller can be configured to determine the channel access pattern depending on individual information from the communication system [e.g., inherent information from the communication system, such as a network-specific identifier].

[0364] In exemplary embodiments, the controller can be designed to the state of the number sequence generator, or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and the individual information of the communication system to map to a time information and a frequency information using a mapping function, where the time information and the frequency information describe a resource of the channel access pattern.

[0365] In exemplary embodiments, the controller can be designed to function depending on the state of the number sequence generator or a number of the number sequence derived from the state of the number sequence generator, or the number of the number sequence, and an individual piece of information from the communication system to determine a pseudorandom number R, where the pseudorandom number R determines the channel access pattern.

[0366] In exemplary embodiments, the controller can be configured to determine a resource [e.g., frequency channel and / or time slot, or frequency channel index and / or time slot index] of the channel access pattern based on the pseudorandom number R.

[0367] Further embodiments provide a method for generating a channel access pattern. The method comprises a step of generating the channel access pattern, wherein the channel access pattern specifies a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation of the frequency band usable for communication by a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems, and wherein the channel access pattern is generated depending on a state of a number sequence generator to generate a number sequence or a number within a number sequence.

[0368] Further embodiments provide a communication system, wherein the communication system is configured to communicate wirelessly in a frequency band [e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band; e.g., ISM band] which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems, wherein the communication system is configured to use different frequencies or frequency channels of the frequency band [e.g., into which the frequency band is divided] section by section [e.g., time-slot by time slot] for communication based on a channel access pattern, regardless of whether these are used by another communication system, wherein the channel access pattern differs from another channel access pattern based on which at least one other communication system of the plurality of other communication systems accesses the frequency band.

[0369] In exemplary embodiments, the channel access pattern can specify a frequency- and / or time-jump-based allocation [e.g., of resources] of the frequency band that can be used for communication by the communication system [e.g., a temporal sequence of frequency resources (e.g., distributed across the frequency band) that can be used for communication by the communication system].

[0370] In exemplary embodiments, the communication system can be configured to communicate uncoordinatedly with the other communication systems in the frequency band.

[0371] In exemplary implementations, the communication system can be designed to determine the channel access pattern.

[0372] In some implementation examples, the channel access pattern can depend on individual [e.g., inherent] information of the communication system.

[0373] In exemplary implementations, the channel access pattern and the other channel access pattern may overlap in less than 20% of the resources defined therein.

[0374] In exemplary implementations, participants in the communication system can transmit data to each other section by section in the different channels of the frequency band based on the channel access pattern.

[0375] In some implementation examples, the receiving bandwidth of participants in the communication system may be narrower than the bandwidth of the frequency band.

[0376] Further embodiments provide a method for operating a communication system, wherein the communication system communicates wirelessly in a frequency band [e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band; e.g., ISM band] which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems. The method comprises a step of transmitting data between participants of the communication system based on a channel access pattern in segments in different channels of the frequency band, regardless of whether these or a subset thereof are used by other communication systems, wherein the channel access pattern differs from another channel access pattern based on which at least one other communication system of the plurality of other communication systems accesses the frequency band.

[0377] Further embodiments provide a communication arrangement with a first communication system and a second communication system, wherein the first communication system and the second communication system are configured to communicate wirelessly in the same frequency band [e.g., a license-free and / or permit-free frequency band; e.g., the ISM band] [e.g., which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems], wherein the first communication system is configured to access different channels of the frequency band [e.g., into which the frequency band is divided] section by section using a first channel access pattern [e.g.,to use different channels of the frequency band [e.g., into which the frequency band is divided] section by section [e.g., time-slot by time] for communication, regardless of whether these or a subset thereof are used by another communication system, wherein the first channel access pattern and the second channel access pattern are different.

[0378] In some implementation examples, the first communication system and the second communication system may not be coordinated with each other.

[0379] In exemplary embodiments, participants of the first communication system can transmit data to each other section by section in the different channels of the frequency band based on the first channel access pattern.

[0380] In exemplary implementations, participants of the second communication system can transmit data to each other section by section in the different channels of the frequency band based on the second channel access pattern.

[0381] In some implementation examples, the first communication system and the second communication system cannot communicate with each other.

[0382] Further embodiments provide a method for operating two communication systems in a frequency band used by a plurality of communication systems for wireless communication. The method comprises a step of transmitting data between participants of the first communication system, based on a first channel access pattern, segmentally in different channels of the frequency band, regardless of whether these or a subset thereof are used by other communication systems. Furthermore, the method comprises a step of transmitting data between participants of the second communication system, based on a second channel access pattern, segmentally in different channels of the frequency band, regardless of whether these or a subset thereof are used by other communication systems, wherein the first channel access pattern and the second channel access pattern are different.

[0383] Exemplary implementations increase the performance of a digital radio transmission system by reducing mutual interference between participants in different and uncoordinated radio networks. According to these examples, this effect is achieved by generating and utilizing network-specific channel access patterns that exhibit certain properties (described below). A particularly significant benefit results from data transmission using the telegram splitting multiple access method.

[0384] The increased performance manifests itself either (given a certain load) in the form of a reduced packet error rate or (given a certain packet error rate) in the form of higher network utilization.

[0385] Examples of implementation relate to the creation and application of network-specific channel access patterns, which have at least one of the following properties: The channel access patterns contain as few overlapping subsequences as possible; there is a large pool of channel access patterns (e.g., in areas with high network density); the channel access patterns are designed to exhibit very high periodicity; the channel access patterns lead (given appropriate requirements) to an average, even utilization of the available frequency channels; the signaling of the applied pattern is carried out by the coordinating instance with as little signaling information as possible; and end devices can determine the content of the channel access pattern at any future time after receiving the complete signaling of the channel access pattern only once (this enables end devices, e.g.,(For energy-saving reasons, longer reception breaks are implemented, and upon reactivation, the currently valid channel access pattern is still determined based on information received before the reception break).

[0386] Examples of implementations are used in systems for the wireless transmission of data from end devices to a base station or from one or more base stations to end devices. For example, a system can be a personal area network (PAN) or a low-power wide area network (LPWAN), where the end devices can be, for example, battery-powered sensors (sensor nodes).

[0387] Examples of implementation target use cases in which a large number of mutually uncoordinated radio-based networks are operated in a common frequency band, whereby the participants of different networks are within mutual reception range and their signals thus represent a potential source of interference (see Fig. 11 ).

[0388] As mentioned previously, the embodiments described herein can be used to transmit data between participants in the communication system based on the telegram splitting method. In telegram splitting, data, such as a telegram or data packet, is divided into a plurality of sub-data packets (or partial data packets). These sub-data packets are then transmitted from one participant to another (e.g., from the base station to the endpoint, or from the endpoint to the base station) of the communication system using a time and / or frequency hopping pattern. The receiving participant then reassembles (or combines) the sub-data packets to obtain the complete data packet. Each sub-data packet contains only a portion of the data packet.Furthermore, the data packet can be channel-coded, so that only a part of the sub-data packets are required to decode the data packet without errors, not all of them.

[0389] When transmitting data based on the telegram splitting method, the sub-data packets can be distributed across a subset (e.g., a selection) of the available resources of the channel access pattern. For example, one sub-data packet can be transmitted per resource.

[0390] In other words, embodiments can be advantageously used in systems in which a message (data packet) is transmitted in several sub-data packets (so-called telegram splitting, see e.g. DE 10 2011 082 098).

[0391] Although some aspects have been described in connection with a device, it is understood that these aspects also constitute a description of the corresponding process, such that a block or component of a device can also be understood as a corresponding process step or as a feature of a process step. Similarly, aspects described in connection with or as a process step also constitute a description of a corresponding block, detail, or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the process steps can be performed by (or using) a hardware apparatus, such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the key process steps can be performed by such an apparatus.

[0392] Depending on specific implementation requirements, embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be carried out using a digital storage medium, for example, a floppy disk, DVD, Blu-ray disc, CD, ROM, PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH memory, hard disk, or other magnetic or optical storage medium, on which electronically readable control signals are stored. These control signals can interact with, or interact with, a programmable computer system in such a way as to execute the respective method. Therefore, the digital storage medium can be computer-readable.

[0393] Some embodiments according to the invention therefore include a data carrier which has electronically readable control signals which are able to interact with a programmable computer system in such a way that one of the methods described herein is carried out.

[0394] In general, embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, wherein the program code is effective in carrying out one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer.

[0395] The program code can also be stored on a machine-readable medium, for example.

[0396] Other embodiments include the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein, wherein the computer program is stored on a machine-readable medium.

[0397] In other words, an embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program that includes program code for carrying out one of the methods described herein when the computer program runs on a computer.

[0398] Another embodiment of the methods according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is recorded. The data carrier, the digital storage medium, or the computer-readable medium is typically tangible and / or non-perishable or non-temporary.

[0399] Another embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals that represents the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein. The data stream or sequence of signals can be configured, for example, to be transferred via a data communication connection, such as the Internet.

[0400] Another embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic device, which is configured or adapted to perform one of the methods described herein.

[0401] Another embodiment comprises a computer on which the computer program for performing one of the procedures described herein is installed.

[0402] Another embodiment of the invention comprises a device or system designed to transmit a computer program for carrying out at least one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The transmission can be, for example, electronic or optical. The receiver can be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device, or a similar device. The device or system can, for example, include a file server for transmitting the computer program to the receiver.

[0403] In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (for example, a field-programmable gate array, an FPGA) can be used to perform some or all of the functionalities of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field-programmable gate array can interact with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein. Generally, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by any hardware device. This can be general-purpose hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or method-specific hardware such as an ASIC.

[0404] The devices described herein can be implemented, for example, using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

[0405] The devices described herein, or any components of the devices described herein, may be implemented at least partially in hardware and / or in software (computer program).

[0406] The methods described herein can be implemented, for example, using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

[0407] The methods described herein, or any components thereof, may be executed at least partially by hardware and / or by software.

[0408] The embodiments described above merely illustrate the principles of the present invention. It is understood that modifications and variations of the arrangements and details described herein will be obvious to other people skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of protection set forth in the following claims and not by the specific details presented herein by way of description and explanation of the embodiments. Bibliography

[0409] [1] DE 10 2011 082 098 B4 [2] DE 10 2017 206 236 [3] G. Kilian, H. Petkov, R. Psiuk, H. Lieske, F. Beer, J. Robert, and A. Heuberger, "Improved coverage for low-power telemetry systems using telegram splitting," in Proceedings of 2013 European Conference on Smart Objects, Systems and Technologies (SmartSysTech), 2013 [4] G. Kilian, M. Breiling, H. H. Petkov, H. Lieske, F. Beer, J. Robert, and A. Heuberger, "Increasing Transmission Reliability for Telemetry Systems Using Telegram Splitting," IEEE Transactions on Communications, vol. 63, no. 3, pp. 949-961, Mar. 2015 List of abbreviations

[0410] CRC:Cyclic Redundancy Check LPWAN:Low Power Wide Area Network LSB:Least Significant Bit(s) MSB:Most Significant Bit(s) PAN:Personal Area Network TLS:Transport Layer Security TSMA:Telegram-Splitting-Multiple-Access

Claims

1. A terminal point (106) of a communication system (102), wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to communicate wirelessly in a license-free and / or approval-free frequency band (158) which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems, wherein access by the communication system (102) to the frequency band (158) takes place based on successive time ranges, wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to send an activation signal (122) in an activation range (162) of one of the time ranges (160), wherein the activation signal (122) has activation information (123) which announce a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission range (164) of the time range (160) which follows the activation range (162), wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to divide a data packet to be transmitted into a plurality of sub-data packets (166) which are each shorter than the data packet, and to send the plurality of sub-data packets (160) in the data transmission range (164) in accordance with a frequency- and / or time-hop-based occupancy (113) of the frequency band (158) indicated by a hopping pattern (111) by means of a data signal (122), wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to emit the activation signal in the activation range (162) of the time range (160) only if a data packet is pending for transmission for the subsequent data transmission range (164) of the same time range (160), characterized in that an occurrence of the time range (160) and the occurrence of the activation range (162) and of the data transmission range (164) within the time range (160) are known to the terminal point (106) or are signaled by a base station (104) of the communication system (102) by means of a control signal (120).

2. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation information (123) have information on the hopping pattern (111) used in the data transmission range (164).

3. The terminal point (106) according to claim 2, wherein the activation information (123) indicate the hopping pattern (111) used in the data transmission range (164) from a set of hopping patterns which can be used for communication between subscribers of the communication system (102).

4. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation signal (122) maps or encodes at least a part of the activation information (123) in an occupancy (119) of the activation range (162) by the activation signal.

5. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to transmit the activation signal (122) in accordance with a hopping pattern (117) distributed in time and / or frequency in the activation range (162) of the time range (160).

6. The terminal point (106) according to the preceding claim, wherein the activation signal (122) maps or encodes at least a part of the activation information in the hopping pattern with which the activation signal is transmitted.

7. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation signal (122) maps or encodes at least a part of the activation information in a dedicated or defined frequency offset which the activation signal (122) is provided with.

8. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation signal (122) maps or encodes at least a part of the activation information (123) in a dedicated or defined time shift which the activation signal is provided with.

9. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation signal (122) has a dedicated reference symbol sequence which maps or encodes at least a part of the activation information.

10. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to send the activation signal (122) in dependence on requirements of the data packet to be transmitted for a latency time in an activation range from a set of activation ranges (162_1, 162_2) with different lengths and / or frequencies of occurrence.

11. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the activation ranges of the set of activation ranges (162_1, 162_2) are temporally interleaved with one another, and / or wherein the activation ranges of the set of activation ranges (162_1, 162_2) at least partially temporally overlap.

12. The terminal point (106) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to select a frequency channel of the frequency channels of the frequency band (158) to be used for the transmission of the activation signal (122) in dependence on a transmission quality of the frequency channel.

13. The terminal point (106) according to the preceding claim, wherein the terminal point (106) is configured to estimate the transmission quality of the frequency channel.

14. A method (200) for operating a terminal point of a communication system, wherein the terminal point communicates wirelessly in a license-free and / or approval-free frequency band which is used for communication by a plurality of communication systems, wherein access by the communication system to the frequency band takes place based on successive time ranges, the method comprising: sending (202) an activation signal in an activation range of one of the time ranges, wherein the activation signal has activation information which announce a subsequent data transmission in a data transmission range of the time range which follows the activation range, sending (204) a data signal in the data transmission range of the time range, wherein the data signal has a plurality of sub-data packets which are transmitted in accordance with a usable frequency- and / or time-hop-based occupancy of the frequency band indicated by a hopping pattern, wherein a data packet is divided into the plurality of sub-data packets, wherein the plurality of sub-data packets are each shorter than the data packet, characterized in that an occurrence of the time range and the occurrence of the activation range and of the data transmission range within the time range are known to the terminal point or are signaled by a base station of the communication system by means of a control signal.

15. A computer program comprising commands which cause the terminal point of claim 1 to perform the method steps according to claim 14.