Base station

Abstract

To provide a base station capable of facilitating efficient processing of reference signals, a communication device, a method, and an integrated circuit.SOLUTION: A communication device for use in wireless communications includes: a transmitting / receiving unit that receives system information indicating the reference signal RS configuration in the operation; and a circuit that determines the RS setting based on the received system information in the operation. The transmitting / receiving unit assumes that the RS is capable of being used according to the determined RS configuration in the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD The present disclosure relates to the transmission and reception of signals in communication systems, and in particular to base stations for such transmission and reception. [Background technology]

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) is developing technical specifications for next-generation cellular technology, also known as fifth generation (5G), which operates in the frequency range up to 100 GHz and includes New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT). NR is the successor to technologies such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A).

[0003] In systems such as LTE, LTE-A, and NR, further improvements and options may facilitate the efficient operation of the communication system and certain equipment associated with the system. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One non-limiting exemplary embodiment facilitates efficient processing of reference signals. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein features a communications device for use in wireless communications, the communications device comprising: a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal RS configuration; and circuitry that, in operation, determines an RS configuration based on the received system information, wherein the transceiver, in operation, assumes that an RS is available in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0006] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0007] Further advantages and benefits of an embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] In the following, exemplary embodiments are explained in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] Diagram showing an example of a 3GPP NR system architecture [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing the division of functions between NG-RAN and 5GC [Figure 3] Sequence diagram for RRC connection setup / reconfiguration procedures [Figure 4] Schematic diagram showing usage scenarios for high-speed, large-capacity (eMBB: enhanced Mobile Broadband), multiple simultaneous connections (mMTC: massive Machine Type Communications), and ultra-reliable and low latency (URLLC: Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications) [Figure 5] Block diagram showing an example of a 5G system architecture for a non-roaming scenario [Figure 6] Graph showing an exemplary relationship between DRX cycle period, SSB period, and paging occasion and wake-up behavior of an idle UE. [Figure 7] Graph showing an exemplary relationship between DRX cycle period, SSB period, and paging occasion and wake-up behavior of an idle UE. [Figure 8] Graph showing an exemplary relationship between SSB and paging occasions in multi-beam operation. [Figure 9] Block diagram showing a base station and a communication device [Figure 10] Block diagram showing communication device circuitry [Figure 11] Block diagram showing base station circuitry [Figure 12] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a communication device. [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a base station. [Figure 14] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a communication device. [Figure 15] 1 is a flowchart illustrating a method for a communication device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] <5G NR system architecture and protocol stack> 3GPP is working on the next release of fifth-generation cellular technology (also known simply as 5G), which includes the development of new radio access technology (NR) that will operate in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, allowing for the trial and commercial deployment of smartphones compliant with the 5G NR standard.

[0010] In particular, the overall system architecture assumes a Next Generation Radio Access Network (NG-RAN) with gNodeBs (gNBs). The gNBs provide UE-side termination of the NG radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocols. The gNBs are interconnected via the Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected to the Next Generation Core (NGC) via the Next Generation (NG) interface, more specifically to the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF, e.g., a specific core entity that implements AMF) via the NG-C interface, and to the User Plane Function (UPF, e.g., a specific core entity that implements UPF) via the NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in Figure 1 (see, e.g., Section 4 of 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0011] The NR user plane protocol stack (see, for example, Section 4.4.1 of 3GPP TS 38.300) includes a Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) sublayer (see, for example, Section 6.4 of TS 38.300), a Radio Link Control (RLC) sublayer (see, for example, Section 6.3 of TS 38.300), and a Medium Access Control (MAC) sublayer (see, for example, Section 6.2 of TS 38.300). Furthermore, a new Access Stratum (AS) sublayer (Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP)) is introduced above PDCP (see, for example, Sub-clause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). NR also defines a control plane protocol stack (see, for example, Section 4.4.2 of TS 38.300). An overview of Layer 2 functions is provided in Sub-clause 6 of TS 38.300. The functions of the PDCP sublayer, RLC sublayer, and MAC sublayer are described in sections 6.4, 6.3, and 6.2 of TS 38.300, respectively. The functions of the RRC layer are listed in sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0012] For example, the MAC layer is responsible for multiplexing logical channels and scheduling and scheduling-related functions, including handling various numerologies.

[0013] The physical layer (PHY) is responsible for, for example, coding, PHY HARQ processing, modulation, multi-antenna processing, and mapping of signals to appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also maps transport channels to physical channels. The physical layer provides services to the MAC layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to a set of time-frequency resources used for transmitting a specific transport channel, and each transport channel is mapped to a corresponding physical channel. For example, the physical channels are the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) in the uplink, and the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the downlink.

[0014] NR use cases / deployment scenarios include enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB), Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine Type Communication (mMTC), which have diverse requirements for data rate, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB requires peak data rates (20 Gbps downlink, 10 Gbps uplink) and effective (user-experienced) data rates three times higher than those offered by IMT-Advanced. On the other hand, URLLC has more stringent requirements for ultra-low latency (user plane latency of 0.5 ms for both UL and DL) and high reliability (1-10 Mbps latency within 1 ms). -5) is imposed. Finally, mMTC preferably requires a high connection density (1 million devices per square kilometer in an urban environment), wide coverage in harsh environments, and an ultra-long-life battery (15 years) for low-cost devices.

[0015] Therefore, an OFDM numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol length, cyclic prefix (CP) length, number of symbols per scheduling interval) suitable for one use case may not be effective for other use cases. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol length (and thus a larger subcarrier spacing) and / or a smaller number of symbols per scheduling interval (i.e., TTI) than mMTC services. Furthermore, in a deployment scenario with a large channel delay spread, a longer CP length may preferably be required than in a scenario with a short delay spread. To maintain a similar CP overhead, the subcarrier spacing needs to be optimized as appropriate. In NR, multiple values of subcarrier spacing may be supported. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, … are currently under consideration. The symbol length T u and the subcarrier spacing Δf are directly related by the equation Δf = 1 / T u Similar to the LTE system, the term "resource element" can be used to indicate the smallest resource unit composed of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

[0016] In the new radio system 5G-NR, for each numerology and carrier, a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined for each of the uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is identified based on the frequency index in the frequency domain and the symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211 v15.6.0).

[0017] <Functional Split between NG-RAN and 5GC> Figure 2 shows the functional division between NG-RAN and 5GC. The NG-RAN logical node is the gNB or ng-eNB (next generation eNB). The 5GC includes the AMF, UPF, and SMF logical nodes.

[0018] Specifically, the gNB and ng-eNB provide the following main functions: Radio resource management functions such as radio bearer control, radio admission control, connection mobility control, and dynamic resource allocation (scheduling) to UEs in both uplink and downlink IP header compression, encryption, and integrity protection of data AMF selection at UE attach time if routing to AMF cannot be determined from information provided by the UE Routing of user plane data towards UPF Routing of control plane information towards AMF Setting up and disconnecting connections Scheduling and sending paging messages

[0019] Responsible for scheduling and transmission of system broadcast information (originating from AMF or OAM). Measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility and scheduling Transport-level packet marking in the uplink Session management Network slicing support QoS flow management and allocation to data radio bearers Support for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state NAS message delivery function Radio access network sharing Dual Connectivity Close cooperation between NR and E-UTRA

[0020] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) provides the following main functions: Termination of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling NAS signaling security Access Stratum (AS) security control Core Network (CN) inter-node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks Idle mode UE reachability (including control and execution of paging retransmissions) Registration Area Management Support for intra-system and inter-system mobility Access authentication Access authorization, including roaming permission checks Mobility management control (subscription and policy) Network slicing support Session Management Function (SMF) selection

[0021] Additionally, the User Plane Function (UPF) provides the following main functions: Anchor points for intra-RAT / inter-RAT mobility (when applicable) External PDU session points for interconnection with data networks Packet routing and forwarding Packet inspection and policy rule enforcement for the user plane Traffic usage reporting Uplink classifier to support routing of traffic flows to the data network Branch point supporting multi-homed PDU sessions User plane QoS processing such as packet filtering, gating, and UL / DL (uplink / downlink) rate enforcement · Uplink traffic verification (placement for the QoS flow of SDF) · Downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification trigger

[0022] Finally, the Session Management Function (SMF) provides the following main functions. · Session management · Allocation and management of IP addresses for UEs · Selection and control of UPF · Configuration of traffic steering in the User Plane Function (UPF) to route traffic to the appropriate destination · Enforcement of control plane policies and QoS · Notification of downlink data

[0023] <RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedures> Figure 3 shows a part of the interaction between the UE, gNB, and AMF (5GC entity) when the UE transitions from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED in the NAS layer (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0024] RRC is a higher layer signaling protocol used to configure the UE and the gNB. This transition specifically involves the AMF preparing UE context data (e.g., including PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, UE security capabilities, etc.) and sending it to the gNB along with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. The gNB then activates AS security with the UE. This operation is performed by the gNB sending a Security Mode Command message to the UE, and the UE responding with a Security Mode Complete message to the gNB. The gNB then sends an RRC Reconfiguration message to the UE, and upon receiving an RRC Reconfiguration Complete message from the UE, the gNB performs reconfiguration to set up Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearer (DRB). In the case of a signaling-only connection, SRB2 and DRB are not configured, so the steps related to RRC reconfiguration are omitted. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the configuration procedure is complete in an initial context setup response (INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE).

[0025] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a fifth generation core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) including: a control circuit that, during operation, establishes a next generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB; and a transmitter that, during operation, transmits an initial context setup message to the gNodeB via the NG connection so that a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and a terminal (UE) is configured. Specifically, the gNodeB transmits Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, including a resource allocation configuration information element, to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. Then, the UE performs uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0026] <IMT usage scenarios from 2020 onwards> Figure 4 shows some of the use cases for 5G NR. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project NR (3GPP NR) is considering three use cases that are expected to support a wide variety of services and applications through IMT-2020. The first phase of specifications for enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) has been completed. In addition to further expanding support for eMBB, current and future research is also underway on the standardization of ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) and multiple simultaneous connections. Figure 4 shows examples of usage scenarios expected for IMT beyond 2020 (see, for example, Figure 2 in ITU-R M.2083).

[0027] URLLC use cases have stringent performance requirements for throughput, latency, and availability, and are envisioned as one of the enablers of future vertical applications, such as wireless control of industrial production and manufacturing processes, remote medical surgery, smart grid power distribution automation, and road safety. URLLC's ultra-high reliability is supported by identifying technologies that meet the requirements set by TR 38.913. For NR URLLC in Release 15, a key requirement is a user-plane latency target of 0.5 ms on the uplink (UL) and 0.5 ms on the downlink (DL). A typical URLLC requirement for a single packet transmission is a block error rate (BLER) of 1E-5 for a 32-byte packet size with a user-plane latency of 1 ms.

[0028] From a physical layer perspective, there are various ways to improve reliability. Currently, possible ways to improve reliability include defining a separate CQI table for URLLC, a more compact downlink control information (DCI) format, PDCCH repetition, etc. However, as NR becomes more stable and developed (relative to the primary requirement of NR URLLC), the range of possible ways to achieve ultra-high reliability may expand. Specific use cases for NR URLLC in Release 15 include augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR), e-health, e-safety, and mission-critical applications.

[0029] Additionally, NR URLLC targets technology enhancements for improved latency and reliability. Technology enhancements for latency improvement include configurable numerology, non-slot-based scheduling with flexible mapping, grant-free (configured grant) uplink, slot-level repetition of data channels, and downlink preemption. Preemption means stopping a transmission that already has allocated resources and using those already allocated resources for another transmission that requires less latency or higher priority and is requested later. Therefore, a previously allowed transmission is preempted by a later transmission. Preemption can be applied regardless of the specific service type. For example, a transmission of service type A (URLLC) may be preempted by a transmission of service type B (e.g., eMBB). Technology enhancements for reliability improvement include dedicated CQI / MCS tables for a target BLER of 1E-5.

[0030] The mMTC (Massively Simultaneous Connections) use case is characterized by a very large number of connected devices, each transmitting relatively small amounts of data that are typically not sensitive to latency. These devices are required to be low cost and have very long battery life. From an NR perspective, using very narrow bandwidth portions is one way to save power and extend battery life for the UE.

[0031] As mentioned above, the scope of reliability improvement in NR is expected to be broader. One of the key requirements common to all cases, and especially for URLLC and mMTC, is high or ultra-high reliability. Several mechanisms can be considered to improve reliability from the radio and network perspectives. In general, there are several key areas that can help improve reliability. These areas include compact control channel information, data / control channel repetition, and diversity in the frequency, time, and spatial domains. These areas are generally applicable to reliability improvement, regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0032] For NR URLLC, further use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, such as factory automation, the transportation industry, and power distribution. These more stringent requirements include high reliability (up to 10 times faster) depending on the use case. -6 level), high availability, packet size up to 256 bytes, time synchronization down to a few microseconds (which can be 1 microsecond or a few microseconds depending on the frequency range and short latency of 0.5-1 ms (e.g., 0.5 ms latency on the target user plane)).

[0033] Furthermore, several technology enhancements have been identified for NR URLLC from a physical layer perspective. These include PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) enhancements for compact DCI, PDCCH repetition, and increased PDCCH monitoring. Also, uplink control information (UCI) enhancements are related to enhanced Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) and CSI feedback enhancements. Also identified are PUSCH enhancements and retransmission / repetition enhancements related to minislot-level hopping. A "minislot" refers to a transmission time interval (TTI) containing fewer symbols than a slot (a slot consisting of 14 symbols).

[0034] In slot-based scheduling and allocation, a slot corresponds to the granularity of the timing of scheduling allocation (TTI: transmission time interval). Generally, the TTI determines the granularity of the timing of scheduling allocation. One TTI is the time interval during which a signal is placed in the physical layer. For example, the TTI length may conventionally range from 14 symbols (slot-based scheduling) to 2 symbols (non-slot-based scheduling). Downlink (DL: downlink) and uplink (UL: uplink) transmissions are defined to be organized into frames (duration 10 ms) consisting of 10 subframes (duration 1 ms). In slot-based transmission, a subframe is further divided into slots, and the number of those slots is defined by numerology and subcarrier spacing. The defined values range from 10 slots per frame (1 slot per subframe) when the subcarrier spacing is 15 kHz to 80 slots per frame (8 slots per subframe) when the subcarrier spacing is 120 kHz. The number of OFDM symbols per slot is 14 in the case of a normal cyclic prefix and 12 in the case of an extended cyclic prefix (see Sections 4.1 (general frame structure), 4.2 (Numerologies), 4.3.1 (frames and subframes) of 3GPP TS 38.211 V15.3.0, Physical channels and modulation, September 2018). However, the time resource allocation for transmission may also be non-slot-based. In particular, the TTI for non-slot-based allocation corresponds to a mini-slot rather than a slot. That is, one or more mini-slots are allocated for the transmission of data / control signaling that requires them. In non-slot-based allocation, the minimum TTI length may be, for example, 1 or 2 OFDM symbols.

[0035] <QoS Control> The 5G Quality of Service (QoS) model is based on QoS flows, and supports both QoS flows that require a guaranteed flow bit rate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require a guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS flows). Therefore, at the NAS level, QoS flows are the finest granularity of QoS classification in a PDU session. QoS flows are identified within a PDU session by a QoS Flow ID (QFI) carried in the encapsulation header over the NG-U interface.

[0036] For each UE, the 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes at least one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for the PDU session; additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session can be configured later (when this is up to the NG-RAN), e.g., as described above with reference to Figure 3. The NG-RAN places packets belonging to different PDU sessions on different DRBs. NAS-level packet filters in the UE and the 5GC associate UL packets and DL packets with QoS flows, while AS-level mapping rules in the UE and the NG-RAN associate UL QoS flows and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the 5G NR non-roaming reference architecture (see TS 23.501 v16.1.0, section 4.23). As illustrated in Figure 4, application functions (AFs), such as external application servers hosting 5G services, interact with the 3GPP core network to provide services. For example, they access the Network Exposure Function (NEF) to support applications that affect traffic routing, and they interact with the policy framework for policy control such as QoS control (see Policy Control Function (PCF)). Based on the operator's deployment, application functions that are deemed trusted by the operator can interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions that are not authorized by the operator to directly access network functions interact with the relevant network functions using the external exposure framework via the NEF.

[0038] Figure 5 shows further functional units of the 5G architecture, namely the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), the Network Repository Function (NRF), the Unified Data Management (UDM), the Authentication Server Function (AUSF), the Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), the Session Management Function (SMF), and the Data Network (DN) (operator-provided services, internet access, third-party services, etc.). All or some of the core network functions and application services may be deployed and run on a cloud computing environment.

[0039] Therefore, in the present disclosure, in operation, in order to establish a PDU session including a radio bearer between a gNodeB and a UE according to QoS requirements, a request including QoS requirements for at least one of URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC services is transmitted to at least one of the functions of the 5GC (for example, NEF, AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, etc.), and in operation, a control circuit that executes a service using the established PDU session are provided in an application server (for example, AF in the 5G architecture).

[0040] In LTE and NR, the terminal is called a UE (User Equipment). This may be a mobile device or a communication device such as a radio phone having the functions of a user device, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) stick. However, the term mobile device is not limited to this, and generally, a repeater may also have the functions of such a mobile device, and the mobile device may function as a repeater.

[0041] The base station is a network node or a scheduling node, and for example, forms a part of a network for providing services to a terminal. The base station is a network node that provides wireless access to a terminal.

[0042] <RRC state> In wireless communication systems, including NR, a device or communication apparatus (e.g., a UE) can be in different states depending on its traffic activity. In NR, a device can be in one of three RRC states: RRC_IDLE, RRC_CONNECTED, and RRC_INACTIVE. The first two RRC states (RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED) are similar to their LTE counterparts, while RRC_INACTIVE is new to NR and does not exist in the original LTE design. There are also core network states, CN_IDLE and CN_CONNECTED, depending on whether the device has established a connection with the core network.

[0043] In RRC_IDLE, the RRC context, i.e., the parameters required for communication between the device and the network, does not exist in the radio access network, and the device does not belong to a specific cell. From the core network's perspective, the device is in the CN_IDLE state. No data transfer may occur, as the device sleeps most of the time to reduce battery consumption. In the downlink, a device in the idle state periodically wakes up to receive paging messages, if any, from the network. Mobility is handled by the device through cell reselection. Uplink synchronization is not maintained, and therefore the only uplink transmission activity that may occur is random access, e.g., transition to the connected state. As part of the transition to the connected state, an RRC context is established in both the device and the network.

[0044] In RRC_CONNECTED, the RRC context is established and all parameters required for communication between the device and the radio access network are known to both entities. From the core network's perspective, the device is in the CN_CONNECTED state. The cell to which the device belongs is known, and the device's identity (C-RNTI: Cell Radio-Network Temporary Identifier) ​​is configured, which is used for signaling between the device and the network. The connected state is intended for data transfer to and from the device, but discontinuous reception (DRX) can be configured to reduce device power consumption. Since the RRC context is established in the gNB in ​​the connected state, stopping DRX and starting data transmission and reception is relatively fast because connection setup with its associated signaling is not required. Mobility is managed by the radio access network; the device provides measurements of neighboring cells to the network, which instructs the device to perform handovers when relevant. Uplink time alignment may or may not exist, but it must be established and maintained using random access for data transmission to occur.

[0045] In LTE, only the idle and connected states are supported. In practice, the idle state is typically used as the primary sleep state to reduce device power consumption. However, frequent transmission of small packets is common in many smartphone applications, resulting in a significant number of idle-to-active transitions in the core network. These transitions come at a cost in terms of signaling load and associated delay. Therefore, to reduce signaling load, and generally delay, a third state is defined in NR: the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0046] In RRC_INACTIVE, the RRC context is maintained in both the device and the gNB. The core network connection is also maintained. That is, the device is in CN_CONNECTED from the core network perspective. Therefore, the transition to the connected state for data transfer is fast. No core network signaling is required. The RRC context is already running in the network, and the transition from idle to active can be handled within the radio access network. At the same time, the device can sleep in a manner similar to the idle state, and mobility is handled through cell reselection, i.e., without network involvement. Therefore, communication device or device mobility is device-controlled rather than network-controlled, and the communication device can contact the network via random access. Therefore, RRC_INACTIVE can be considered a hybrid of the idle and connected states (for details, see E. Dahlman et al., 5GNR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology, 1st Edition, Sections 6.5.1 to 6.5.3).

[0047] In some wireless communication systems, including NR or NR-like systems, such as NR Release 15 / 16, one or more resources, such as in the time and frequency domains, for Tracking Reference Signals (TRS) and / or Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) may be configured per UE using RRC parameters for sequence generation, resource mapping, and / or transmission timing (possibly including location and / or density in the time domain). Such per-UE RRC configuration allows for on-demand transmission of RS to configured UEs (or groups of configured UEs), which differs from systems, including some LTE systems, in which CSI-RS is transmitted according to fixed parameters regardless of the UE's current demand.

[0048] In some systems, such as NR (e.g., Release 15 / 16), TRS / CSI resources are configured for UEs in RRC_CONNECTED mode to be utilized for measurements, e.g., for channel state estimation, time tracking, frequency tracking, and / or beam tracking. For UEs in other modes, such as RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE, such measurements rely on Synchronization Signal Blocks (SSBs).

[0049] Additionally, some systems, such as NR Release 16 and later releases, may apply Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurement relaxations to facilitate UE power savings. For example, a UE may be permitted to provide RRM reports less frequently.

[0050] On the one hand, power saving considerations for NR and similar systems (e.g., NR Release 17) may address power saving for UEs in idle and inactive modes (RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE), taking system performance into consideration.

[0051] Specifically, paging improvement(s) may be considered and defined to reduce unnecessary monitoring and / or receipt of pages. Such improvements may be contingent on avoiding impact to legacy UEs.

[0052] Furthermore, with regard to power saving in idle and inactive states, potential TRS / CSI opportunities available in connected mode may be made available to UEs in idle / inactive mode while minimizing the impact of system overhead.

[0053] On the other hand, power saving considerations may also address power saving techniques for UEs in connected mode, provided that they have minimal impact on system performance.

[0054] This may include consideration and provision of power saving adaptation enhancements, possibly including adaptation techniques from NR Release 16, including reduced PDCCH monitoring when connected UEs are configured for discontinuous reception (DRX) (C-DRX). Note that power saving in NR Release 17 requires that the power saving solutions available in Releases 15 and 16 are supported, evaluated, and appropriately utilized by the UE.

[0055] The connected mode power saving considerations may further address the impact of mitigating UE measurements for Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) and / or Beam Failure Detection (BFD), e.g., for low mobility UEs with short DRX periods or cycles.

[0056] As mentioned above, power saving techniques for idle mode and inactive mode may include reducing unnecessary paging reception, where paging reception is intended to include PDCCH monitoring (e.g., for paging DCI) and possibly PDSCH reception (e.g., for obtaining paging messages), all of which contribute to UE power consumption. For example, the periodicity of paging reception (e.g., the interval between paging occasions corresponding to the DRX cycle period in idle mode or inactive mode) may be made longer. From the UE's perspective, a longer paging reception period results in longer sleep time and power savings. However, a longer sleep time may pose challenges for time and frequency synchronization tracking (or "time / frequency tracking") and beam tracking.

[0057] As mentioned above, in some system designs, such as NR Release 15 / 16, UEs in IDLE / INACTIVE mode rely on SSB for time and frequency tracking. However, if the DRX cycle is long in idle and inactive modes, the UE may need to wake up according to the SSB transmission timing to maintain time and frequency synchronization. For example, if SSB and paging occasions are not close, the UE may choose to wake up for a longer period to cover both, as shown in Figure 6. This may increase power consumption. However, the UE may also wake up first for SSB, then go to sleep again, and then wake up again for paging reception, as shown in Figure 7. This incurs additional power ramping effort, which may also involve more power consumption.

[0058] Furthermore, with regard to beam sweeping operation, assuming that the UE is on beam #K, the distance between the SSB with index K and the Kth PDCCH (or paging occasion or paging search space with TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) #K) may be large, as shown in FIG. 8, which may degrade paging reception performance. For example, poor channel correlation between the SSB and paging due to the long interval between them, UE mobility, or frequency selective fading may degrade paging reception performance.

[0059] The techniques provided by this disclosure include improved configuration of TRS / CSI-RS, which may facilitate time / frequency domain tracking and reduce power consumption for time / frequency domain tracking and / or paging monitoring.

[0060] A communications device 960 for use in wireless communications is provided and is shown in Figure 9. The communications device 960 includes a transceiver 970 and circuitry 980, such as processing circuitry.

[0061] In some demonstrative embodiments, a communications device transceiver 970 (or "UE transceiver" for short) operates by receiving system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration. A communications device circuit 980 (or "UE circuitry") operates by determining an RS configuration based on the received system information. The UE transceiver 970 operates by assuming that an RS is available according to the determined RS configuration.

[0062] For example, communication device 960 may be a user terminal or user equipment (UE) in a wireless or cellular communication system, such as 3GPP NR, that communicates with base station 910 and other UEs over wireless channels. Without limiting this disclosure to any particular wireless communication system, this disclosure will refer to this communication device as a “UE.”

[0063] For example, the UE circuitry 980 includes an RS configuration decision circuitry 985. According to the present disclosure, the example RS configuration decision circuitry of the communications device 960 shown in FIG. 10 may include at least one of a system information (SI) processing circuitry 1086 and an RS timing decision circuitry 1087.

[0064] A base station 910 including a transceiver 920 and circuitry 930 (eg, processing circuitry) is further provided and is also shown in FIG.

[0065] In some demonstrative embodiments, the base station circuitry 930 (or "base station circuitry") operates to determine RS configurations and generate system information including the RS configurations. The base station transceiver 920 (or "base station transceiver") operates to transmit the system information. The base station transceiver 920 transmits the RSs according to the determined RS configurations.

[0066] The base station 910 communicates with one or more UEs over wireless channels in a wireless or cellular communication system, such as 3GPP NR. For example, the base station is a network node or a scheduling node or device, such as a gNodeB (gNB). For example, the base station serves a cell in the wireless or cellular network.

[0067] For example, the base station circuitry 930 includes an RS configuration circuitry 935. The exemplary RS configuration circuitry 935 includes an RS configuration determination circuitry or RS configuration generation circuitry 1137 and a system information (SI) generation circuitry 1136.

[0068] Corresponding to the above-described communication device, a wireless communication method executed by a communication device such as a user equipment is provided, and is shown in FIG. 12. The method includes receiving system information indicating an RS configuration (step S1210). For example, an SI is received from a base station 910. The method further includes determining an RS configuration based on the received SI (step S1220) and assuming that an RS is available according to the determined RS configuration (step S1230).

[0069] Also, corresponding to the above-mentioned base station 910, the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method for a base station shown in FIG. 13. The method includes step S1310 of determining or generating an RS configuration and step S1320 of generating system information including or indicating the RS configuration. The method further includes transmitting the system information, i.e., step S1330. For example, SI is transmitted to the communication device and received in step S1210 of the corresponding method for the communication device. The method for the base station further includes step S1340 of transmitting a reference signal according to the determined RS configuration.

[0070] It will be understood that any embodiments and examples of the present disclosure refer to and are applicable to the communications device 960, the base station 910, and corresponding methods for the communications device and the base station, respectively.

[0071] For example, the system information including or indicating the RS configuration is a system information block (SIB) or a master information block (MIB).

[0072] For example, the reference signal configured by the RS configuration includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0073] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of sequence generation (e.g., setting one or more parameters to generate a sequence of RS values ​​or a row index in a table defining all possible RS values), resource mapping (e.g., mapping of RS to frequency domain resources such as physical resource blocks (PRBs) or bandwidth parts and time domain resources such as frames, subframes, slots (or TTIs), and symbols), and transmission timing.

[0074] According to some example embodiments, the UE 960 is expected to receive RS configurations, such as TRS / CSI-RS configurations, transmitted or broadcast in a SIB by the base station 910. This is shown as step S1410 in Figure 14 (corresponding to step S1210 in Figure 12), and Figure 14 provides an example of the UE method shown in Figure 12.

[0075] If the UE 960 receives the SIB and in step S1415 the TRS / CSI configuration is not detected in the received SIB, the UE does not assume that the TRS / CSI RS is available and does not consider the TRS / CSI RS in processing the received SIB (step S1450 in FIG. 14).

[0076] However, if the UE detects the TRS / CSI configuration in the SIB in step 1415, the UE assumes that the TRS and / or CSI-RS are available according to the configuration indicated by the SIB (step 1430 corresponding to S1230). For example, as will be described in more detail, the UE may assume that the RS is available before a paging occasion or before a SIB.

[0077] Assuming the RS is available according to the configuration, the UE may receive the RS according to the configuration.

[0078] For example, the UE may receive data multiplexed onto physical (eg, time and frequency) resources and perform rate matching of the received data in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0079] For example, the communication system may be NR, and the UE 960 may be a UE belonging to Release 17 or any release later. In this example, the base station 910 includes the configuration of the Release 17 and later UEs in the SIB (or MIB). The UE 960 may perform rate matching for all possible PDSCHs received by all Release 17 and later UEs. For example, any Release 17 and later UE performs rate matching for the received PDSCH taking into account the presence of the RS according to the configuration.

[0080] The UE 960 may also perform tracking or synchronization tracking, including at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking, according to the configured RS configuration.

[0081] For example, the UE 960 receives a synchronization signal block (SSB) and performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0082] For example, as shown by step S1440 of FIG. 14, the UE 960 may perform time, frequency, and / or beam tracking by receiving the SSB and the configured TRS / CSI-RS, and / or rate matching of data received around the configured TRS / CSI RS, such as by taking into account the resource mapping and / or transmission timing indicated by the RS configuration.

[0083] For example, if the configuration includes a setting of a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state or is a configuration having a TCI state, the UE 960 may perform beam tracking by receiving a TRS / CSI-RS configured in a wireless system implementing multi-beam operation.

[0084] In some embodiments, the control resource set (CORESET) and RS for paging are quasi-co-located (QCL). For example, if the TCI state is configured for CORESET for paging (or “paging CORESET”), the UE 960 (or UE circuitry 980) assumes that the TRS / CSI-RS and paging CORESET are QCL. The paging CORESET is a set of resources that includes paging DCI. For example, the paging CORESET may be transmitted in different OFDM symbols within a slot or TTI. Quasi-co-location of two signals means that the UE assumes that the transmission parameters of the two signals are similar, including, for example, Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread.

[0085] For example, when additional TRS / CSI-RS are provided after a long sleep period (such as for a UE in IDLE or INACTIVE mode) or when there are large gaps between SSB bursts, the present disclosure may facilitate time / frequency tracking and beam tracking by enabling time / frequency tracking and beam tracking based on RS configuration and possibly SSBs rather than relying solely on SSBs. Furthermore, when RSs are used rather than just SSBs, tracking may be performed with greater accuracy depending on the timing and the resources to which the RSs are mapped.

[0086] In the above disclosure, an embodiment in which the RS is configured by system information has been described. However, the present disclosure also provides an embodiment in which the timing of RS transmission is configured relative to the timing of other signals. For example, a UE may be expected to receive the TRS / CSI-RS at occasions that are related (e.g., have a time relationship) to the UE's paging occasions (POs) and / or paging frames (PFs). A PO is a set of opportunities for monitoring the paging PDCCH (opportunities monitored for paging DCI on the paging PDCCH), and each opportunity corresponds to one transmit beam in multi-beam operation.

[0087] Such configuration of the transmission timing of the RS may be performed in combination with the above-described embodiment in which the RS configuration is provided in the system information. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the transmission timing may also be a capability reported by the UE or may be configured in another manner, for example, by an RRC parameter. Alternatively, the transmission timing may be a fixed value or a default value (e.g., defined in a standard).

[0088] In some embodiments, the UE circuitry 980, in operation, determines a time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or SIB of the communication device, and the UE transceiver 970, in operation, assumes that the RS is available within the time window.

[0089] For example, the RS setting for transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0090] Thus, the starting position or boundary of the time window for the RS may be set by system information, but this is not required as it may, for example, be reported by the UE, set as an RRC parameter, or fixed. This is shown by the dashed lines in Figures 10 and 15, where Figure 15 shows steps S1520 and S1530 corresponding to steps S1220 and S1230, but not the step corresponding to step S1210.

[0091] For example, the TRS / CSI-RS time-domain location is a time window starting X frames, subframes, slots / TTIs, or symbols before the PO / PF. For example, X can be the number of TTIs (e.g., slots), the number of symbols, or any combination of frames, subframes, TTIs / slots, and symbols. However, the TRS / CSI-RS time-domain location can also be a time window starting X TTIs / slots or symbols before the SIB.

[0092] The UE may then assume that the TRS / CSI-RS is available in a time window before the SIB or before the paging frame / occasion, perform time / frequency tracking by receiving the TRS / CSI-RS and optionally the SSB, and / or perform rate matching for the PDCCH as described above, assuming that the RS is multiplexed with the data of the PDCCH.

[0093] Also, as described above, for example, if the configuration includes or has a TCI state, the UE may perform beam tracking by receiving the configured TRS / CSI-RS. If the TCI state is configured for paging CORESET, the UE may assume that the TRS / CSI-RS and paging are QCL.

[0094] By configuring and transmitting the RS in a time window before the paging occasion, the UE may facilitate synchronous tracking, particularly with respect to tracking that relies on SSBs, and may further facilitate performing paging, such as securely transmitting and receiving paging DCI and / or messages, in a reliable and robust manner, such as in idle or inactive mode.

[0095] For example, the transmission timing (eg, at least one of the time domain location, such as the time window described above, and the RS density) is determined based on at least one of the following parameters: Discontinuous reception DRX cycle T of communication device · The number of paging frames N in a DRX cycle (e.g., the total number of paging frames in a DRX cycle). · The number of paging occasions Ns in the paging frame (e.g., the total number of paging occasions in the paging frame, or the number of paging occasions per beam). The offset used to determine the paging frame (for example, the parameter PF_offset) An identifier of the UE corresponding to the Temporary Network Subscriber Identity of the communication device (e.g., a shortened Temporary Network Subscriber Identity 5G-S-TMSI). For example, the timing of the RS may be determined based on the value of 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024.

[0096] The TRS / CSI-RS time domain location and / or density may be calculated by the UE circuitry 980 and the base station circuitry 930 based on at least one of the parameters listed above. For example, the calculation function used for this calculation may be a linear function.

[0097] From the perspective of an individual UE, the required RS density, e.g., the density of TRS / CSI-RS required to perform RS-based channel state measurements or synchronization, may depend on the UE's mobility status, channel conditions, and traffic arrival rate (e.g., the arrival rate of service-driven data packets from the application layer). Furthermore, UE types with reduced UE capabilities may also be considered with different TRS / CSI-RS density requirements.

[0098] In some embodiments, the UE circuitry 980 determines an RS density at which RSs are transmitted in the cell based on the received RS configuration, and determines or decides whether to camp on the cell, monitor for paging (e.g., monitor for paging occasions), or access the cell based on the determined RS density and at least one of the UE's capabilities, mobility status, channel conditions, and traffic arrival rate.

[0099] Here, "camping" on a cell includes starting paging monitoring, reading SIBs from the cell, and performing measurements using RSs from the cell. "Accessing a cell" refers to initiating random access for some reason, which may be performed in addition to camping. For example, such reasons may include detecting paging for this UE, having data to transmit from higher / higher layers, and / or updating the tracking area.

[0100] A UE may be expected to receive broadcast information (e.g., system information) including minimum TRS / CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS / CSI-RS density requirements from a network, base station, or base station or gNB serving a cell supported by the cell. The UE may then determine or determine whether the UE is authorized or capable of accessing the cell, for example, by comparing the required RS density or network-supported RS density with the UE capability or RS density corresponding to the UE capability, or other parameters such as mobility status, channel conditions, or traffic arrival rate.

[0101] RS density refers to the frequency with which a resource element (RE) carrying an RS appears in the time-frequency domain resource grid of an RS pattern. For example, a TRS / CSI-RS is configured in resources every two OFDM symbols in one TTI (e.g., slot), or every two subsequent TTIs out of every five TTIs, and / or every three (or, for example, two, four, or more) subcarriers of each PRB. Alternatively, the number of symbols between symbols carrying an RS may vary within a TTI.

[0102] By providing embodiments that determine whether a UE should connect to a cell or receive paging for the cell, the present disclosure facilitates efficient operation within the cell by precluding unsuitable UEs from performing communications in the cell and ensuring that the UE does not encounter poor synchronization, reception of paging and other signals, channel estimation or other operational issues in terms of RS density requirements that the UE cannot meet.

[0103] The present disclosure applies to UEs operating in idle, inactive, and connected modes. For example, the above-described RS configurations may be provided in system information, making them available to UEs in idle or inactive modes. Furthermore, by specifying timing or time windows for receiving RSs that are proximate or adjacent to paging occasions, paging frames, or SIBs, possibly in paging frames / occasions or system information, UEs in idle or inactive states may save power by reducing the awake time or by avoiding additional power ramping caused by additional wake-ups / sleep transitions for RS reception.

[0104] Furthermore, according to the present disclosure, in RRC_CONNECTED mode, a UE may report its UE capabilities or provide auxiliary information regarding TRS / CSI-RS density and / or QCL support for RS and SSB index, and / or TCI state. The UE may also report the QCL source, e.g., SSB index (or beam index), regarding the TCI state.

[0105] In some embodiments, the UE 960 transmits a report regarding at least one of the UE's capabilities and the required or proposed RS density. For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the UE's UE type, UE capabilities, mobility status, and traffic conditions (e.g., the traffic arrival rate described above) of the UE. For example, the report is transmitted in a MAC control element (CE) or an RRC message.

[0106] For example, the UE 960 may report the required TRS / CSI-RS density as a capability, or may report an indication of the UE's capabilities from which the base station may determine the required density for the UE. The capability or required density may be associated with a UE type, such as a reduced capability UE type, e.g., an industrial wireless sensor, a surveillance camera, or a wearable, that can be used in one or more of the following usage scenarios: eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC.

[0107] However, the UE 960 may also report auxiliary information, including, for example, a proposal for TRS / CSI-RS density or a proposed RS density. For example, the proposed value may depend on the UE implementation and may depend on and take into account, for example, one or more of the UE's traffic conditions, the UE's mobility status, capabilities, and hardware performance such as the accuracy of the UE's clock.

[0108] Based on the capabilities or required / proposed density values ​​reported by the UE, the gNB or base station 910 may determine, by implementation, RS configurations such as TRS / CSI-RS configurations for the reporting UE.

[0109] The present disclosure may be realized by software, hardware, or software interlocked with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment above may be partially or entirely realized by an LSI (Large Scale Integration) such as an integrated circuit (IC), and each process described in each embodiment may be partially or entirely controlled by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be formed as an individual chip, or a single chip may be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may also include data input / output devices coupled thereto. Here, LSI may be referred to as an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. However, the technology for realizing an integrated circuit is not limited to LSI, and may be realized using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or application-specific processors. Furthermore, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), which allows reconfiguration of the connections and settings of circuit cells arranged within the LSI or a reconfigurable processor that can be programmed after fabrication, may also be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing. As a result of advances in semiconductor technology and other derivative technologies, if future integrated circuit technologies replace LSI, functional blocks can be integrated using future integrated circuit technologies. Biotechnology is also applicable.

[0110] The present disclosure may be implemented by any type of apparatus, device or system having communication capabilities, referred to as a communications apparatus.

[0111] A communication device may include a transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The transceiver may include and / or function as a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver as a transmitter and receiver may include a Radio Frequency (RF) module including an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, etc., and one or more antennas.

[0112] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include telephones (e.g., mobile (cell) phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smart watches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine (remote health and remote medical) devices, and vehicles (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, ships) that provide communication capabilities, and various combinations thereof.

[0113] The communications apparatus is not limited to being portable or mobile, but may include any type of apparatus, device or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines and any other "thing" in an "Internet of Things (IoT)" network.

[0114] The communications may include, for example, exchanging data via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, etc., and various combinations thereof. A communications device may include devices such as controllers or sensors coupled to the communications device that perform the communications functions described in this disclosure. For example, a communications device may include a controller or sensor that generates control or data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications device.

[0115] Communications equipment may also include infrastructure facilities such as base stations, access points, and any other equipment, device, or system that communicates with or controls equipment such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0116] Provided is a communications device for use in wireless communications, comprising: a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration; and circuitry that, in operation, determines an RS configuration based on the received system information, wherein the transceiver, in operation, assumes that an RS is available in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0117] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives data on a physical resource multiplexed with an RS, and the circuit, in operation, performs rate matching of the received data in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0118] For example, in operation, the circuitry performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0119] For example, the transceiver, upon operation, receives a synchronization signal block SSB, and the circuit, upon operation, performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0120] In some embodiments, in operation, the circuitry determines an RS density at which RSs are transmitted in a cell based on the RS configuration, and determines whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the transceiver, upon operation, transmits a report regarding at least one of the capabilities and required or proposed RS density of the communications device.

[0122] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0123] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0124] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0125] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0127] There is further provided a communications apparatus for use in wireless communications, the communications apparatus comprising: circuitry that, in operation, determines a time distance before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communications apparatus that a time window containing a reference signal RS begins; and a transceiver that, in operation, assumes that the RS is available within the time window.

[0128] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives data on a physical resource multiplexed with an RS, and the circuit, in operation, performs rate matching of the received data according to the RS assumed to be available in a time window.

[0129] For example, in operation, the circuitry performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0130] For example, the transceiver, upon operation, receives a synchronization signal block SSB, and the circuit, upon operation, performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0131] In some embodiments, in operation, the circuitry determines, based on the RS configuration, an RS density within a time window in which RSs are transmitted in the cell, and determines, based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device, whether to camp on the cell, monitor paging, or access the cell.

[0132] In some embodiments, the transceiver, upon operation, transmits a report regarding at least one of the capabilities and required or proposed RS density of the communications device.

[0133] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0134] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0135] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0137] There is further provided a base station for use in wireless communications, comprising: circuitry that, in operation, determines a reference signal RS configuration and generates system information including the RS configuration; and a transceiver that, in operation, transmits the system information and transmits the RS in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0138] In some embodiments, the circuitry, in operation, performs rate matching of data according to the determined RS configuration, and the transceiver, in operation, transmits the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS.

[0139] For example, in operation, the transceiver transmits an RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0140] For example, in operation, the transceiver transmits a synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0141] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives a report regarding at least one of the capability of the communication device to transmit the report and a required or proposed RS density, and the circuitry determines an RS configuration based on the report.

[0142] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0143] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0144] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0145] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0146] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0147] There is further provided a base station for use in wireless communications, the base station comprising: circuitry that, in operation, determines a time distance before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins; and a transceiver that, in operation, transmits the RS within the time window.

[0148] In some embodiments, the circuitry, in operation, performs rate matching of data according to the determined RS configuration, and the transceiver, in operation, transmits the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS according to the RS configuration within a time window.

[0149] For example, in operation, the transceiver transmits an RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0150] For example, in operation, the transceiver transmits a synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0151] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives a report regarding at least one of the capability of the communication device to transmit the report and a required or proposed RS density, and the circuitry determines an RS configuration based on the report.

[0152] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0153] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0154] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0155] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0156] Further provided is a method for wireless communication, the method comprising the following steps, executed by a communication device: receiving system information indicating a reference signal RS configuration; determining an RS configuration based on the received system information; and assuming that the RS is available according to the determined RS configuration.

[0157] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS and performing rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS configuration.

[0158] For example, the method includes performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0159] For example, the method includes receiving a synchronization signal block SSB, and performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0160] In some embodiments, the method includes determining an RS density at which RSs are transmitted in the cell based on the RS configuration, and determining whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and a capability of the communication device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a report regarding at least one of a capability of the communications device and a required or proposed RS density.

[0162] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0163] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0164] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0165] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0167] Further provided is a method for wireless communication comprising the following steps executed by a communication device, the steps comprising: determining a time distance at which a time window including a reference signal RS starts before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device; and assuming that the RS is available within the time window.

[0168] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving data on a physical resource multiplexed with an RS and performing rate matching of the received data according to the RS assumed to be available in a time window.

[0169] For example, the method includes performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0170] For example, the method includes receiving a synchronization signal block SSB, and the circuit, in operation, performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0171] In some embodiments, the method includes determining, based on the RS configuration, an RS density within a time window in which the RS is transmitted in the cell, and determining, based on the RS density and a capability of the communication device, whether to camp on the cell, monitor paging, or access the cell.

[0172] In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a report regarding at least one of a capability of the communications device and a required or proposed RS density.

[0173] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0174] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0175] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0176] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0177] Further provided is a method for wireless communication, the method including the following steps executed by a base station, the following steps including: determining a reference signal RS configuration; generating system information including the RS configuration; transmitting the system information; and transmitting the RS according to the determined RS configuration.

[0178] In some embodiments, the method includes performing rate matching of data according to the determined RS configuration and transmitting the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS.

[0179] For example, the method includes transmitting an RS to a communication device, wherein the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0180] For example, the method includes transmitting a synchronization signal block SSB to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and an RS received from the base station.

[0181] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a report regarding at least one of a communication device's capability to transmit the report and a required or proposed RS density, and determining an RS configuration based on the report.

[0182] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0183] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0184] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0185] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0187] Further provided is a method for wireless communication, comprising the following steps executed by a base station, the steps including: determining a time distance before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block at which a time window including a reference signal RS starts; and transmitting the RS within the time window.

[0188] In some embodiments, the method includes performing rate matching of data according to the determined RS configuration, and transmitting the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS according to the RS configuration within a time window.

[0189] For example, the method includes transmitting an RS to a communication device, wherein the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0190] For example, the method includes transmitting a synchronization signal block SSB to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and an RS received from the base station.

[0191] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a report regarding at least one of a communication device's capability to transmit the report and a required or proposed RS density, and determining an RS configuration based on the report.

[0192] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0193] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0194] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0196] There is further provided an integrated circuit that, in operation, controls a communications device for use in wireless communications to receive system information indicating a reference signal RS configuration, determine an RS configuration based on the received system information, and assume the RS is available in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0197] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS and to perform rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS configuration.

[0198] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0199] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive a synchronization signal block SSB and perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0200] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to determine, based on the RS configuration, an RS density at which the RSs are transmitted in the cell, and to determine, based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device, whether to camp on the cell, monitor paging, or access the cell.

[0201] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to transmit a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0202] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0203] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0204] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0205] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0207] There is further provided an integrated circuit that, in operation, controls a communications device for use in wireless communications to: determine a time distance prior to a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communications device at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins; and assume that the RS is available within the time window.

[0208] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS and to perform rate matching of the received data according to the RS assumed to be available in the time window.

[0209] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0210] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0211] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to determine, based on the RS configuration, an RS density within a time window in which the RS is transmitted in the cell, and to determine, based on the RS density and the capability of the communication device, whether to camp on the cell, monitor paging, or access the cell.

[0212] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to transmit a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0213] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0214] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0215] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0217] There is further provided an integrated circuit that, in operation, controls a base station for use in wireless communications to determine a reference signal RS configuration, generate system information including the RS configuration, transmit the system information, and transmit the RS in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0218] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to perform rate matching of the data according to the determined RS configuration and to transmit the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS.

[0219] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit an RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0220] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit a synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0221] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to receive a report regarding at least one of the communication device's ability to transmit a report and a required or proposed RS density, and determine an RS configuration based on the report.

[0222] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0223] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0224] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance that a time window containing the RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0225] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0226] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0227] There is further provided an integrated circuit that, in operation, controls a base station for use in wireless communications to: determine a time distance prior to a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins; and transmit the RS within the time window.

[0228] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to perform rate matching of data according to the determined RS configuration and to transmit the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS according to the RS configuration within the time window.

[0229] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit an RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0230] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit a synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0231] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to receive a report regarding at least one of the communication device's ability to transmit the report and the required or proposed RS density, and to determine an RS configuration based on the report.

[0232] For example, the required or proposed RS density may be determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions.

[0233] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS.

[0234] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identity of the communication device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0236] 1. An integrated circuit that, in operation, controls processing of a communications device, the processing comprising: receiving system information indicating a reference signal RS configuration; determining an RS configuration based on the received system information; assuming that an RS is available according to the determined RS configuration; The present invention further provides an integrated circuit including:

[0237] an integrated circuit that, in operation, controls processing of a base station, the processing comprising: determining a reference signal RS configuration; generating system information including RS settings; Transmitting system information; transmitting the RS according to the determined RS configuration; The present invention further provides an integrated circuit including:

[0238] In summary, there are provided a communications apparatus and base station for use in wireless communications, a method for the communications apparatus, and a method for the base station, the communications apparatus for use in wireless communications including a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration, and circuitry that, in operation, determines an RS configuration based on the received system information, the transceiver, in operation, assuming that an RS is available according to the determined RS configuration.

Claims

1. 1. A base station for use in wireless communications, comprising: a circuit for determining a reference signal (RS) configuration and generating system information including the RS configuration; a transceiver configured to transmit the system information and transmit an RS to a communication device according to the determined RS configuration; Equipped with a time distance at which a time window including the RS begins is determined prior to a paging occasion for the communication device; The RS is available during the time period indicated by the time window. Base station.

2. the transceiver receives a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and a required or proposed RS density; The base station of claim 1 .

3. The required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capability of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and traffic conditions. The base station of claim 2.

4. The RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, a resource for mapping the RS, and a transmission timing of the RS. The base station of claim 1 .

5. The transmission timing of the RS is a discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device; the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle; The number of paging occasions for the paging frame, The offset used to determine the paging frame, and a temporary network subscriber identity of said communication device; is determined based on at least one of The base station according to claim 4.

6. The RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS); The base station of claim 1 .

7. 1. A method for wireless communication comprising the steps of: determining a reference signal (RS) configuration; generating system information including the RS configuration; transmitting the system information; transmitting an RS to a communication device according to the determined RS configuration; Including, a time distance at which a time window including the RS begins is determined prior to a paging occasion for the communication device; The RS is available during the time period indicated by the time window. method.

8. An integrated circuit for controlling processing of a base station, the processing comprising: determining a reference signal RS configuration; generating system information including the RS configuration; transmitting the system information; transmitting an RS to a communication device according to the determined RS configuration; Including, a time distance at which a time window including the RS begins is determined prior to a paging occasion for the communication device; The RS is available during the time period indicated by the time window. Integrated circuit.

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