Control device and control method

Abstract

To provide a control device and a control method that can appropriately provide edge services in an NTN.SOLUTION: A control device includes a receiving unit that receives, from a non-terrestrial network device that constitutes at least part of a non-terrestrial network, information that identifies an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network, and a control unit that determines, based on the information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal, a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device and a control method for supporting edge services in an NTN. [Background technology]

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)) has developed specifications for the 5th generation mobile communication system (also known as 5G, New Radio (NR) or Next Generation (NG)), and is also developing specifications for the next generation, known as Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution or 6G.

[0003] 3GPP is considering the Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN), which uses a non-terrestrial network consisting of non-terrestrial network devices such as artificial satellites (hereinafter referred to as satellites) and High Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) to provide edge services to areas that cannot be covered by terrestrial networks due to cost and other reasons (for example, Non-Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] “Revised WID: NR NTN (Non-Terrestrial Networks) enhancements”, RP-221819, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #96, 3GPP, June 6-9, 2022 Summary of the Invention

[0005] Meanwhile, NTN is expected to adopt two types of systems: transparent and regenerative. In the transparent type, the non-terrestrial network equipment does not have the functionality of a base station, and simply retransmits signals. In the regenerative type, the non-terrestrial network equipment has some of the functionality of a base station, and regenerates signals.

[0006] Here, when focusing on the regenerative type, it is expected that studies will be conducted on edge services in which the transmission and reception of data signals is completed in non-terrestrial network equipment.

[0007] Against this background, the inventors have conducted extensive research and discovered that in cases where non-terrestrial network devices that have the function of providing edge services and non-terrestrial network devices that do not have the function of providing edge services are mixed, it may be impossible to provide edge services appropriately.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a control device and a control method that can appropriately provide edge services in NTN.

[0009] The disclosed aspect is a control device comprising: a receiving unit that receives, from a non-terrestrial network device that constitutes a non-terrestrial network, information that identifies an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network; and a control unit that determines, based on the information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal, a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device.

[0010] The disclosed aspect is a control method comprising the steps of receiving, from a non-terrestrial network device constituting a non-terrestrial network, information identifying an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network, and determining, based on the information identifying the edge service requested by the terminal, a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall schematic configuration of a wireless communication system 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing frequency ranges used in the wireless communication system 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a radio frame, a subframe, and a slot used in the radio communication system 10. As shown in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram of the UE 200. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a functional block diagram of gNB100. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram of the control device 300. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining the protocol. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining TA. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining the Regenerative type of NTN. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining the Regenerative type of NTN. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the Regenerative type of NTN. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an edge service. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the problem. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram for explaining the first operation example. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the second operation example. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the third operation example. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the gNB 100, the UE 200, and the control device 300. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or similar reference numerals are used to designate the same functions or configurations, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0013] [Embodiment] (1) Overall configuration of wireless communication system 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a wireless communication system 10 according to an embodiment. The wireless communication system 10 is a wireless communication system conforming to 5G New Radio (NR) and includes a Next Generation-Radio Access Network 20 (hereinafter, NG-RAN 20) and a terminal 200 (hereinafter, UE (User Equipment) 200).

[0014] The wireless communication system 10 may be a wireless communication system conforming to a system called Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G.

[0015] The NG-RAN 20 includes a base station 100 (hereinafter, gNB 100). Note that the specific configuration of the wireless communication system 10, including the number of gNBs 100 and UEs 200, is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0016] The NG-RAN 20 actually includes a plurality of NG-RAN nodes, specifically, gNBs (or ng-eNBs), and is connected to a core network 30 conforming to 5G (for example, 5GC). The NG-RAN 20 and the core network 30 may be simply referred to as a "network."

[0017] The gNB 100 is a radio base station conforming to 5G, and performs 5G radio communication with the UE 200. The gNB 100 and the UE 200 are capable of supporting Massive MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), which generates a more directional beam BM by controlling radio signals transmitted from multiple antenna elements, Carrier Aggregation (CA), which aggregates and uses multiple component carriers (CCs), and Dual Connectivity (DC), which simultaneously communicates on two or more transport blocks between the UE and each of two NG-RAN nodes.

[0018] The core network 30 may include a control device 300. The control device 300 may be capable of communicating with non-terrestrial network devices constituting a non-terrestrial network, which will be described later. The control device 300 does not have to be provided in the core network 30. Details of the control device 300 will be described later (see FIG. 6).

[0019] In the embodiment, a non-terrestrial network (hereinafter referred to as NTN) is assumed. The NTN uses a non-terrestrial network device 150 to provide edge services in areas that cannot be covered by a terrestrial network (hereinafter referred to as TN) due to cost or other reasons. The non-terrestrial network device 150 may be referred to as an NTN node 150. The NTN can provide more reliable edge services. For example, the NTN is expected to be applied to IoT (Internet of Things), ships, buses, trains, and critical communications. The NTN also has scalability through efficient multicast or broadcast. The NTN node 150 may include a satellite such as a low earth orbit (LEO) or geostationary earth orbit (GEO). The NTN node 150 may also include a flying object such as a high altitude platform station (HAPS), an aircraft, a drone, a helicopter, or a balloon. The following mainly illustrates a case where the NTN node 150 is a HAPS.

[0020] In addition, a network including a gNB100 and a UE200 without including a HAPS150 may be referred to as a terrestrial network (TN) in contrast to an NTN.

[0021] The gNB 100 has an NTN gateway 100X. The NTN gateway 100X transmits a downlink signal to the HAPS 150. The NTN gateway 100X receives an uplink signal from the HAPS 150. The gNB 100 has a cell C1 as its coverage area.

[0022] The HAPS 150 relays a downlink signal received from the NTN gateway 100X to the UE 200. The HAPS 150 relays an uplink signal received from the UE 200 to the NTN gateway 100X. The HAPS 150 has a cell C2 as its coverage area. The HAPS 150 may be considered to be a TRP (Transmission-Reception Point).

[0023] First, the wireless communication system 10 may support multiple frequency ranges (FR) as shown in Fig. 2. For example, the wireless communication system 10 supports FR1, FR2-1, and FR2-2. The frequency bands of each FR are as follows:

[0024] FR1: 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz FR2-1: 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz ·FR2-2: More than 52.6GHz~71GHz FR1 may use a Sub-Carrier Spacing (SCS) of 15, 30, or 60 kHz, and may use a bandwidth (BW) of 5 to 100 MHz. FR2 is a higher frequency than FR1, and may use an SCS of 60 kHz or 120 kHz (including 240 kHz), and may use a bandwidth (BW) of 50 to 400 MHz.

[0025] Note that SCS may be interpreted as numerology, which is defined in 3GPP TS38.300 and corresponds to one subcarrier spacing in the frequency domain.

[0026] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 may also be compatible with frequency bands higher than the FR2 frequency band. Specifically, the wireless communication system 10 may be compatible with frequency bands exceeding 52.6 GHz up to 71 GHz or 114.25 GHz.

[0027] Second, the wireless communication system 10 may support the radio frames, subframes, and slots shown in FIG.

[0028] As shown in Figure 3, one slot consists of 14 symbols, and the larger (wider) the SCS, the shorter the symbol period (and slot period). In addition to 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, 120 kHz, and 240 kHz, the SCS may also use 480 kHz, 960 kHz, etc.

[0029] Furthermore, the number of symbols constituting one slot does not necessarily have to be 14 (for example, 28 symbols or 56 symbols). Furthermore, the number of slots per subframe may differ depending on the SCS.

[0030] The time direction (t) shown in Fig. 3 may be called a time domain, a symbol period, or a symbol time, etc. The frequency direction may be called a frequency domain, a resource block, a subcarrier, a bandwidth part (BWP), etc.

[0031] (2) Functional block configuration of wireless communication system The functional block configuration of the wireless communication system 10 will be described below.

[0032] First, the functional block configuration of the UE 200 will be described.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a functional block diagram of UE 200. As shown in Fig. 4, UE 200 includes radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 210, amplifier unit 220, modem unit 230, control signal / reference signal processing unit 240, encoding / decoding unit 250, data transmitting / receiving unit 260, and control unit 270.

[0034] The radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 210 transmits and receives radio signals conforming to NR. The radio signal transmitting / receiving unit 210 supports Massive MIMO, CA that uses a bundle of multiple CCs, and DC that simultaneously communicates between a UE and two NG-RAN nodes.

[0035] The amplifier unit 220 is configured by a PA (Power Amplifier) / LNA (Low Noise Amplifier), etc. The amplifier unit 220 amplifies the signal output from the modulation / demodulation unit 230 to a predetermined power level. The amplifier unit 220 also amplifies the RF signal output from the radio signal transmission / reception unit 210.

[0036] The modem unit 230 performs data modulation / demodulation, transmission power setting, resource block allocation, etc. for each predetermined communication destination (gNB 100 or another gNB). The modem unit 230 may apply Cyclic Prefix-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (CP-OFDM) / Discrete Fourier Transform - Spread (DFT-S-OFDM). Furthermore, DFT-S-OFDM may be used not only for the uplink (UL) but also for the downlink (DL).

[0037] The control signal / reference signal processor 240 performs processing related to various control signals transmitted and received by the UE 200 and processing related to various reference signals transmitted and received by the UE 200 .

[0038] Specifically, the control signal / reference signal processor 240 receives various control signals, for example, control signals of a radio resource control layer (RRC), transmitted via a predetermined control channel from the gNB 100. The control signal / reference signal processor 240 also transmits various control signals to the gNB 100 via a predetermined control channel.

[0039] The control signal / reference signal processor 240 performs processing using reference signals (RS) such as a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) and a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS).

[0040] DMRS is a reference signal (pilot signal) known between the base station and the terminal for estimating the fading channel used for data demodulation. PTRS is a terminal-specific reference signal for estimating phase noise, which is an issue in high frequency bands.

[0041] In addition to the DMRS and PTRS, the reference signals may include a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) for position information.

[0042] The channels include control channels and data channels, such as a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), a RACH (Random Access Channel), Downlink Control Information (DCI) including a Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI), and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH).

[0043] Furthermore, the data channel includes a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) and a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel). Data refers to data transmitted via the data channel. The data channel may be interpreted as a shared channel.

[0044] Here, the control signal and reference signal processor 240 may receive downlink control information (DCI). The DCI includes existing fields for storing DCI Formats, Carrier indicator (CI), BWP indicator, Frequency Domain Resource Assignment (FDRA), Time Domain Resource Assignment (TDRA), Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS), HARQ Process Number (HPN), New Data Indicator (NDI), Redundancy Version (RV), etc.

[0045] The value stored in the DCI Format field is an information element that specifies the format of the DCI. The value stored in the CI field is an information element that specifies the CC to which the DCI applies. The value stored in the BWP indicator field is an information element that specifies the BWP to which the DCI applies. The BWP that can be specified by the BWP indicator is set by an information element (BandwidthPart-Config) included in the RRC message. The value stored in the FDRA field is an information element that specifies the frequency domain resource to which the DCI applies. The frequency domain resource is identified by the value stored in the FDRA field and an information element (RA Type) included in the RRC message. The value stored in the TDRA field is an information element that specifies the time domain resource to which the DCI applies. The time domain resource is identified by the value stored in the TDRA field and information elements (pdsch-TimeDomainAllocationList, pusch-TimeDomainAllocationList) included in the RRC message. The time domain resource may be identified by the value stored in the TDRA field and a default table. The value stored in the MCS field is an information element that specifies the MCS to which the DCI applies. The MCS is identified by the value stored in the MCS and an MCS table. The MCS table may be specified by an RRC message or may be determined by RNTI scrambling. The value stored in the HPN field is an information element that specifies the HARQ process to which the DCI is applied. The value stored in the NDI field is an information element for specifying whether the data to which the DCI is applied is initial transmission data. The value stored in the RV field is an information element that specifies the redundancy of the data to which the DCI is applied.

[0046] The encoding / decoding unit 250 performs data division / concatenation and channel coding / decoding for each predetermined communication destination (gNB100 or another gNB).

[0047] Specifically, the encoding / decoding unit 250 divides the data output from the data transmitting / receiving unit 260 into pieces of a predetermined size, performs channel coding on the divided data, decodes the data output from the modem unit 230, and concatenates the decoded data.

[0048] The data transmitter / receiver 260 transmits and receives Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and Service Data Units (SDUs). Specifically, the data transmitter / receiver 260 assembles and disassembles PDUs / SDUs in multiple layers (such as a Medium Access Control layer (MAC), a Radio Link Control layer (RLC), and a Packet Data Convergence Protocol layer (PDCP)). The data transmitter / receiver 260 also performs data error correction and retransmission control based on HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request).

[0049] The control unit 270 controls each functional block constituting the UE 200. In an embodiment, the control unit 270 may control transmission of information specifying an edge service requested by the UE 200. The edge service requested by the UE 200 may be an edge service provided by the NTN.

[0050] Secondly, we will explain the functional block configuration of gNB100.

[0051] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the gNB 100. As shown in Fig. 5, the gNB 100 includes a receiving unit 110, a transmitting unit 120, and a control unit 130.

[0052] The receiving unit 110 receives various signals from the UE 200. The receiving unit 110 may receive an UL signal via a PUCCH or a PUSCH.

[0053] The transmitter 120 transmits various signals to the UE 200. The transmitter 120 may transmit the DL signal via the PDCCH or the PDSCH.

[0054] The control unit 130 controls each functional block that constitutes the gNB 100.

[0055] Thirdly, the functional block configuration of the control device 300 will be described.

[0056] 6 is a functional block diagram of the control device 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the control device 300 includes a receiving unit 310, a transmitting unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0057] The receiving unit 310 may receive various information from the HAPS 150. The various information may be received from the HAPS 150 (or the UE 200) via the NTN gateway 100X. The various information may include information that identifies an edge service requested by the UE 200.

[0058] In an embodiment, the receiving unit 310 constitutes a receiving unit that receives information identifying an edge service requested by a terminal (UE200) present in the non-terrestrial network (NTN) from a non-terrestrial network device (HAPS150) that constitutes the non-terrestrial network (NTN).

[0059] The transmitting unit 320 may transmit the various information to the HAPS 150. The information may be transmitted to the HAPS 150 (or the UE 200) via the NTN gateway 100X. The various information may include information instructing the provision of an edge service requested by the UE 200.

[0060] The control unit 330 controls each functional block constituting the control device 300. In the embodiment, the control unit 330 determines a providing network device that provides an edge service requested by the UE 200. A method for determining the providing network device will be described later in detail.

[0061] In an embodiment, the control unit 330 constitutes a control unit that determines a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal (UE200) from among a non-terrestrial network device (e.g., HAPS150) and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device, based on information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal (UE200).

[0062] (3) Overview of NTN First, we explain the protocol for NTN.

[0063] 7, the gNB 100 has a protocol stack including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC / SDAP, etc. Similarly, the UE 200 has a protocol stack including PHY, MAC, RLC, PDCP, RRC / SDAP, etc. The HAPS 150 relays communication between the gNB 100 and the UE 200.

[0064] Here, the link between the gNB 100 (NTN Gateway 100X) and the HAPS 150 may be referred to as a Feeder link. The link between the HAPS 150 and the UE 200 may be referred to as a Service link. The interface between the gNB 100 and the UE 200 may be referred to as an NR Uu.

[0065] NTN's network architecture may be FDD or TDD. Terrestrial cells may be fixed or mobile. UE 200 may be capable of supporting GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System). UE 200 may be a power class 3 handheld device in FR1, and may be a VSAT (Very Small Aperture Terminal) at least in FR2.

[0066] NTN's network architecture may assume regenerative payloads. For example, the gNB100 functionality may be mounted on a satellite or an air vehicle. Alternatively, a gNB-DU (Distributed Unit) may be mounted on a satellite or an air vehicle, and a gNB-CU (Central Unit) may be deployed as a ground station.

[0067] Secondly, we will explain TA (Timing Advance) regarding NTN.

[0068] As shown in Figure 8, the full TA in an NTN can be expressed as "Full TA = Feeder link TA + Service link TA".

[0069] The TA of the Feeder link corresponds to the round trip delay (RTT) of the Feeder link, and is calculated as 2 × (User transparent + N TA,common ) User transparent is a value that is transparent to the UE 200 and is a value that is compensated by the network (gNB 100). To simplify the implementation of the gNB 100, the value of User transparent may be a constant. N TA,common is the common TA for the HAPS150 beam or cell. TA,common is set based on the RP (Reference Point).

[0070] The TA of the service link corresponds to the round trip delay (RTT) of the service link, and is 2 × N TA,UE-specific It can be expressed as N TA,UE-specific is a value specific to the UE 200.

[0071] Here, TA may be expressed by the following formula:

[0072] T TA = (N TA +N TA,UE-specific +NTA,common +N TA,offset ) × Tc T TA :Timing advance between downlink and uplink N TA :Timing advance between downlink and uplink N TA,UE-specific :UE-derived timing correction N TA,common :Network-controlled timing correction N TA,offset :A fixed offset used to calculate the timing advance Tc: Basic time unit for NR N TA is the closed loop TA. N TA is defined as 0 for the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). TA is updated based on the TA Command field of msg2 / msgB and the TA command of the Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) of the medium access control layer.

[0073] N TA,UE-specific is the open loop TA. N TA,UE-specific is a TA for compensating for delay in the service link, and is autonomously updated by the UE 200. TA,UE-specific is calculated based on the position information of the UE 200 and the orbit information of the HAPS 150. For example, the position information of the UE 200 may be acquired based on a radio signal from a satellite positioning system (not shown).

[0074] N TA,common is the open loop TA. N TA,commonis a common TA controlled by the network (gNB100). TA,common is autonomously updated by UE200 using parameters (parameters for determining common TA) notified by gNB100.

[0075] In addition, N TA,common The Reference Point (RP) that defines the N may be set anywhere on the Feeder link. The RP may be set to the gNB 100, the HAPS 150, or between the gNB 100 and the HAPS 150. When the RP is set to the gNB 100, there is an advantage that the burden on the gNB 100 is reduced. When the RP is set to the HAPS 150, TA,common This has the advantage of reducing the burden on UE200.

[0076] (4) Issues The problems of the embodiment will be described below.

[0077] The NTN described above can be of two types: transparent and regenerative. In the transparent type, the HAPS 150 does not have the functions of a base station, and simply retransmits signals. In the regenerative type, the HAPS 150 has some of the functions of a base station, and regenerates signals.

[0078] The following options are available for the regenerative type HAPS150:

[0079] In Option A, as shown in Figure 9, the HAPS 150 may have a Distributed Unit (DU) and a Radio Unit (RU). The RU may be a logical node that hosts a PHY-Low layer and RF processing based on lower layer functional division. The DU may be a logical node that hosts a Radio Link Control layer (RLC), a Medium Access Control layer (MAC), and a PHY-High layer based on lower layer functional division.

[0080] In Option B, the HAPS 150 may have a Control Unit (CU) in addition to the DU and RU, as shown in Figure 10. The CU may be a logical node that hosts the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP), Radio Resource Control (RRC), Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP), and other control functions.

[0081] In Option C, as shown in FIG. 11, the HAPS 150 may have a UPF (User Plane Function) in addition to the DU, RU, and CU. The UPF may have a function to perform processing related to the U-plane (processing related to data signals). The UPF may have a function to communicate with an MEC (Multi-Access Edge Computing). The HAPS 150 may have an MEC.

[0082] Under these assumptions, an edge service requested by UE 200 is assumed to be an edge service in which data signal transmission and reception is completed at HAPS 150. For example, as shown in FIG. 12 , in the edge service, data signal communication between UE 200#1 and UE 200#2 is performed via HAPS 150 without passing through NTN gateway 100X. On the other hand, control signal communication is performed via HAPS 150 and NTN gateway 100X, as in existing NTNs. Note that the control device 300 may be connected to the NTN gateway 100X and be able to communicate with HAPS 150. The edge service may include an edge service that establishes a closed network using HAPS 150 and performs terminal-to-terminal communication in the closed network, or may include an MEC edge service on HAPS 150. If the NTN node 150 is a satellite or the like, the edge service may include an edge service that provides a space data center.

[0083] However, after careful consideration, the inventors discovered that in cases where non-terrestrial network devices that have the function of providing edge services and non-terrestrial network devices that do not have the function of providing edge services are mixed, it may be impossible to provide edge services appropriately.

[0084] For example, as shown in Fig. 13, if the HAPS 150 does not have a function for providing an edge service, the edge service cannot be provided appropriately. Alternatively, if the HAPS 150 cannot secure resources (e.g., processing resources such as calculation resources) for providing the edge service requested by the UE 200, the edge service cannot be provided appropriately.

[0085] Furthermore, it is not realistic to equip all HAPS150s with the functionality to provide all edge services that may be requested by UE200, given the cost associated with installing HAPS150 and the communication capacity (payload weight) using HAPS150.

[0086] (5) Example of operation In consideration of the above-mentioned problems, an operation example of the embodiment will be described. As the operation example, the following operation example is conceivable.

[0087] (5.1) Example 1 In the first operation example, the control device 300 may determine a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the UE 200 based on information that identifies the edge service requested by the UE 200 .

[0088] As shown in Figure 14, when UE 200#1 requests an edge service, the following mainly describes a case in which HAPS 150#1 that constitutes the NTN in which UE 200#1 is located does not have the ability to provide the edge service. A case in which the HAPS 150#1 does not have the ability to provide the edge service may include a case in which the HAPS 150#2-1 does not have the function to provide the edge service, or a case in which the resources to provide the edge service cannot be secured. In Figure 14, HAPS 150#2-1, satellite 150#2-2 (e.g., LEO), and satellite 150#2-3 (e.g., GEO) are examples of adjacent non-terrestrial network devices (adjacent NTN nodes) that can communicate with HAPS 150#1.

[0089] In such a case, the control device 300 may determine a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the UE 200 from among the HAPS 150#2-1, the satellite 150#2-2, and the satellite 150#2-3. The providing network device may be determined according to the following options.

[0090] In option 1-1, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device based on whether or not a neighboring NTN node has the function of providing the edge service requested by the UE 200. If two or more neighboring NTN nodes have the function of providing the edge service requested by the UE 200, the control device 300 may determine any neighboring NTN node from among the two or more neighboring NTN nodes as the providing network device.

[0091] Here, the control device 300 may store in a storage unit information indicating whether or not the control device 300 has a function to provide an edge service that may be requested by the UE 200 in association with the NTN node (for example, PCI (Physical Cell ID), TAI (Tracking Area ID), or other identification information). The control device 300 may periodically receive information indicating whether or not the control device 300 has a function to provide an edge service from the NTN node. The control device 300 may receive information indicating whether or not the control device 300 has a function to provide an edge service from the NTN node in response to a request from the control device 300.

[0092] The control device 300 may store in a storage unit resources (e.g., processing resources such as calculation resources) that provide edge services that may be requested by the UE 200 in association with NTN nodes (e.g., PCI, TAI, other identification information). The control device 300 may periodically receive information indicating resources that provide edge services from the NTN nodes. The control device 300 may receive information indicating resources that provide edge services from the NTN nodes in response to a request from the control device 300.

[0093] In option 1-2, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device based on the communication quality between the HAPS 150#1 and the adjacent NTN node. The communication quality may be an instantaneous value of the communication quality or an average value of the communication quality over a certain period of time. For example, the control device 300 may determine the NTN node with the best communication quality between the HAPS 150#1 and the adjacent NTN node as the providing network device. The NTN node selectable in option 1-2 may be an NTN node having a function of providing the edge service requested by the UE 200.

[0094] In options 1-3, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device based on the required quality of the edge service requested by the UE 200. For example, the control device 300 may determine, as the providing network device, an adjacent NTN node that satisfies the required quality of the edge service requested by the UE 200. If two or more adjacent NTN nodes satisfy the required quality of the edge service requested by the UE 200, the control device 300 may determine any adjacent NTN node from among two or more adjacent NTN nodes as the providing network device.

[0095] In options 1-4, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device at a certain interval, which may be predefined in the wireless communication system 10, determined by the type of edge service requested by the UE 200, or specified by the UE 200.

[0096] In options 1-5, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device at a certain timing, which may be a timing arbitrarily set by the control device 300 or a timing requested by the UE 200.

[0097] In Option 1-6, two or more options selected from Option 1-1 to Option 1-6 may be combined.

[0098] If the HAPS 150#1 that configures the NTN in which the UE 200#1 resides has the capability to provide edge services, the control device 300 may determine the HAPS 150#1 as the providing network device. Even in such a case, the control device 300 may determine the providing network device from among the HAPS 150#1 and adjacent NTN nodes according to one or more options selected from Option 1-1 to Option 1-6.

[0099] In operation example 1, communication of control signals may be executed via HAPS 150#1 without passing through the provided network device. Communication of control signals may be executed via HAPS 150#1 and NTN gateway 100X#1. In other words, the edge service requested by UE 200 is an edge service in which communication of control signals is executed without passing through the provided network device and communication of data signals is executed via the provided network device.

[0100] (5.2) Example 2 In the second operation example, the control device 300 may determine a providing network device for each data communication unit in the edge service requested by the UE 200. The data communication unit may be a PDU (Protocol Data Unit) session, a virtually divided slice, or an application.

[0101] 15, when UE200#1 requests an edge service, the NTN node that constitutes the NTN where UE200#1 exists is HAPS150#M, and the adjacent NTN node that can communicate with HAPS150#M is satellite 150#N (e.g., LEO). HAPS150#M has the function of providing MEC edge service #1 and DN (Data Network) communication edge service, and satellite 150#N has the function of providing MEC edge service #2.

[0102] In such a case, when two or more edge services are requested by the UE 200#1, the control device 300 may determine a providing network device for each data communication unit. For example, when the UE 200#1 requests the MEC edge service #1 and the MEC edge service #2, the control device 300 may determine the HAPS 150#M and the satellite 150#N as the providing network devices.

[0103] As described above, the control device 300 may determine two or more providing network devices for the same period.

[0104] (5.3) Example 3 In operation example 3, a sequence between UE 200 and control device 300 will be described. Operation example 3 may be applied to operation example 1 or operation example 2. Operation example 3 illustrates a case where the NTN node that constructs the NTN in which the UE exists is HAPS#1, and the adjacent NTN node that can communicate with HAPS#1 is HAPS#2.

[0105] As shown in FIG. 16, in step S10, the UE 200 transmits information requesting an edge service (edge ​​service request) to the HAPS#1.

[0106] In step S11, the HAPS#1 transmits the edge service request received from the UE 200 to the GW. Here, the HAPS#1 may add information indicating whether the edge service requested by the UE 200 can be provided to the edge service request.

[0107] In step S12, the GW transmits the edge service request received from the HAPS#1 to the control device.

[0108] In step S20, the control device determines a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the UE. The control device may associate edge services that can be provided by NTN nodes with NTN nodes and store them in advance in a storage unit. Here, the explanation will continue for the case where the providing network device is HAPS#2.

[0109] In step S30, the control device transmits information (provision instruction) instructing the GW to provide the edge service.

[0110] In step S31, the GW transmits the provision instruction received from the control device to the HAPS#2.

[0111] In step S32, HAPS#2 establishes a connection with the UE.

[0112] In step S40, the UE receives edge services via HAPS#2.

[0113] In Operation Example 3, the NTN node is an HAPS, but as described above, the NTN node may also be a satellite, an aircraft, a drone, a helicopter, a balloon, etc.

[0114] (6) Actions and Effects In the embodiment, the control device 300 determines a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the UE 200 from among the NTN node 150 and adjacent NTN nodes that can communicate with the NTN node 150, based on information that identifies the edge service requested by the UE 200. With this configuration, even if the NTN node 150 that configures the NTN in which the UE 200 exists does not have the ability to provide the edge service, it is possible to appropriately provide an edge service using the NTN. Specifically, it is not necessary for all NTN nodes 150 to be equipped with functions that provide all edge services that can be requested by the UE 200, and flexibility can be provided in the placement and configuration of the NTN nodes 150.

[0115] (7) Other embodiments The present invention has been described above in accordance with the embodiments, but it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and that various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0116] In the above disclosure, the NTN node 150 may include a satellite such as a LEO, a GEO, etc. The NTN node 150 may also include an airborne object such as a HAPS, an aircraft, a drone, a helicopter, a balloon, etc.

[0117] In the above disclosure, when an edge service is provided by an NTN node 150, the wireless communication node through which the edge service is provided may function as a wireless relay node such as a repeater node, a relay node, or an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) node.

[0118] In the above disclosure, UE 200 may include, in addition to a smartphone, a UE mounted on a satellite such as LEO or GEO, or a UE mounted on a flying object such as a HAPS, an aircraft, a drone, a helicopter, or a balloon.

[0119] In the above disclosure, configure, activate, update, indicate, enable, specify, and select may be interchangeable. Similarly, link, associate, correspond, and map may be interchangeable, and allocate, assign, monitor, and map may be interchangeable.

[0120] Furthermore, specific, dedicated, UE-specific, and UE-dedicated may be interchangeable. Similarly, common, shared, group-common, UE-common, and UE-shared may be interchangeable.

[0121] The block diagrams (FIGS. 4-6) used in the description of the above-described embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are connected directly or indirectly (for example, by wire, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

[0122] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, judgment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, election, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regard, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how each is implemented.

[0123] Furthermore, the above-described gNB 100, UE 200, and control device 300 (the device) may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device. As shown in Fig. 17, the device may be configured as a computer including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0124] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the apparatus may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0125] Each functional block of the device (see FIGS. 4 to 6) is realized by any hardware element of the computer device or a combination of the hardware elements.

[0126] In addition, each function of the device is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication via communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0127] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system, and may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, a register, and the like.

[0128] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. Furthermore, the various processes described above may be executed by one processor 1001, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0129] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. that can execute a method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0130] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of an optical disk such as a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned recording medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0131] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also called, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, or a communication module.

[0132] The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize, for example, at least one of Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).

[0133] The input device 1005 is an input device (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that performs output to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (for example, a touch panel).

[0134] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected to a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0135] Furthermore, the device may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0136] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0137] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to at least one of a system using Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, a 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), a 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), a 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), an xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (where x is, for example, an integer or a decimal), Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio (NR), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems enhanced based on these. In addition, a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G) may be applied.

[0138] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0139] In the present disclosure, a specific operation described as being performed by a base station may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

[0140] Information and signals (information, etc.) may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), and may be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0141] The input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be sent to another device.

[0142] The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0143] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Furthermore, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0144] Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0145] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0146] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0147] Note that terms explained in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0148] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0149] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0150] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0151] In this disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0152] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells (also called sectors). When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also provide communication edge services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (Remote Radio Head: RRH)).

[0153] The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication edge services in this coverage.

[0154] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0155] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.

[0156] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0157] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also include devices that do not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a sensor.

[0158] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a mobile station (user terminal, the same applies hereinafter). For example, the aspects / embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a mobile station is replaced with communication between multiple mobile stations (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the mobile station may be configured to have the functions of a base station. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as uplink channel and downlink channel may be read as side channel.

[0159] Similarly, a mobile station in the present disclosure may be interpreted as a base station, in which case the base station may have the functions of a mobile station.

[0160] A radio frame may be made up of one or more frames in the time domain, each of which may be called a subframe.

[0161] A subframe may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain, and may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0162] Numerology may be a communication parameter applied to at least one of transmission and reception of a signal or channel, such as subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering operations performed by a transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing operations performed by a transceiver in the time domain.

[0163] A slot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol). A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.

[0164] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or multiple symbols in the time domain. A minislot may also be called a subslot. A minislot may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0165] The radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol all represent time units for transmitting signals, and may be referred to by other names corresponding to the radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol.

[0166] For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. That is, at least one of the subframe and the TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (e.g., 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc., instead of a subframe.

[0167] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, a base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each user terminal) to each user terminal in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0168] The TTI may be a transmission time unit for a channel-encoded data packet (transport block), a code block, a code word, etc., or may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. When a TTI is given, the time interval (e.g., the number of symbols) to which a transport block, a code block, a code word, etc. is actually mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

[0169] When one slot or one minislot is called a TTI, one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more minislots) may be the minimum time unit for scheduling. Also, the number of slots (minislots) constituting the minimum time unit for scheduling may be controlled.

[0170] A TTI having a time length of 1 ms may be called a regular TTI (TTI in LTE Rel. 8-12), normal TTI, long TTI, regular subframe, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a regular TTI may be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial or fractional TTI, shortened subframe, short subframe, minislot, subslot, slot, etc.

[0171] In addition, a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a time length of more than 1 ms, and a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a TTI length shorter than the TTI length of a long TTI and equal to or greater than 1 ms.

[0172] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and frequency domain, and may include one or more consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be the same regardless of numerology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may also be determined based on numerology.

[0173] The time domain of an RB may include one or more symbols and may have a length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. One TTI, one subframe, etc. may each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0174] Note that one or more RBs may also be called a physical resource block (PRB), a sub-carrier group (SCG), a resource element group (REG), a PRB pair, an RB pair, or the like.

[0175] Furthermore, a resource block may be composed of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource region of one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0176] A Bandwidth Part (BWP) (which may also be referred to as a fractional bandwidth) may represent a subset of contiguous common resource blocks (RBs) for a given numerology on a given carrier, where the common RBs may be identified by their index relative to a common reference point of the carrier. PRBs may be defined in a given BWP and numbered within that BWP.

[0177] The BWP may include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL ​​(DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be configured for a UE within one carrier.

[0178] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE may not expect to transmit or receive a given signal / channel outside the active BWP. Note that the terms "cell," "carrier," etc. in this disclosure may be read as "BWP."

[0179] The above-described structures of radio frames, subframes, slots, minislots, symbols, etc. are merely examples. For example, the number of subframes included in a radio frame, the number of slots per subframe or radio frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, the number of symbols in a TTI, the symbol length, the cyclic prefix (CP) length, etc. may be changed in various ways.

[0180] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0181] The reference signal may also be abbreviated as Reference Signal (RS), and may also be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0182] As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0183] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0184] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed therein or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0185] When used in this disclosure, the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when used in this disclosure, the term "or" is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0186] In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0187] As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like. Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0188] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0189] Fig. 18 shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 18, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information edge service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013.

[0190] The drive unit 2002 is composed of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor.

[0191] The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle), and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0192] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2027 provided in the vehicle. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0193] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2028 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0194] The information edge service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing various types of information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs for controlling these devices. The information edge service unit 2012 uses information obtained from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc., to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia edge services to the occupants of the vehicle 1.

[0195] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driver's driving burden, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driving assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driving assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0196] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 1 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, a microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 2028, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0197] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0198] The communication module 2013 transmits, via wireless communication to an external device, a current signal from the current sensor that is input to the electronic control unit 2010. The communication module 2013 also transmits, via wireless communication to an external device, the rotation speed signals of the front and rear wheels acquired by a rotation speed sensor 2022, the air pressure signals of the front and rear wheels acquired by an air pressure sensor 2023, the vehicle speed signal acquired by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, the acceleration signal acquired by an acceleration sensor 2025, the accelerator pedal depression amount signal acquired by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, the brake pedal depression amount signal acquired by a brake pedal sensor 2026, the shift lever operation signal acquired by a shift lever sensor 2027, and the detection signals for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. acquired by an object detection sensor 2028, all of which are input to the electronic control unit 2010.

[0199] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle distance information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on the information edge service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle. The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, left and right front wheels 2007, left and right rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, sensors 2021 to 2028, and the like provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0200] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0201] (Addendum) The above disclosure may be expressed as follows:

[0202] A first feature is a control device comprising: a receiving unit that receives, from a non-terrestrial network device that constitutes a non-terrestrial network, information that identifies an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network; and a control unit that determines, based on the information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal, a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device.

[0203] A second feature is that, in the first feature, the control unit, when determining the providing network device from the adjacent non-terrestrial network devices, determines the providing network device based on communication quality between the non-terrestrial network device and the adjacent non-terrestrial network device.

[0204] A third feature is the control device according to the first or second feature, wherein the control unit determines the providing network device based on a required quality of an edge service requested by the terminal.

[0205] A fourth feature is a control device in which, in at least one of the first to third features, in an edge service requested by the terminal, communication of control signals is performed without going through the providing network device, and communication of data signals is performed via the providing network device.

[0206] A fifth feature is a control device in at least one of the first to fourth features, wherein the control unit determines the providing network device for each data communication unit in an edge service requested by the terminal.

[0207] A sixth feature is a control method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a non-terrestrial network device constituting a non-terrestrial network, information identifying an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network; and determining, based on the information identifying the edge service requested by the terminal, a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device. [Explanation of symbols]

[0208] 10. Wireless communication systems 20 NG-RAN 30 Core Network 100 gNB 100X NTN Gateway 110 Receiving unit 120 Transmitter 130 control section 150 HAPS 200 UE 210 Radio signal transmitter / receiver 220 Amplifier section 230 Modulation and Demodulation Unit 240 Control signal / reference signal processing section 250 Encoding / Decoding Unit 260 Data transmission and reception unit 270 Control Unit 300 control device 310 Receiving unit 320 Transmitter 330 Control Unit 1001 processor 1002 memory 1003 Storage 1004 Communication equipment 1005 Input Device 1006 Output Device 1007 Bus 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering Section 2004 accelerator pedal 2005 brake pedal 2006 Shift Lever 2007 Left and right front wheels 2008 Left and right rear wheels 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic Control Unit 2012 Information Edge Services Department 2013 Communication Module 2021 Current Sensor 2022 RPM Sensor 2023 Air Pressure Sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration Sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object Detection Sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driving Assistance Systems Department 2031 microprocessor 2032 memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 communication port

Claims

1. a receiving unit that receives, from a non-terrestrial network device that constitutes a non-terrestrial network, information that identifies an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network; a control unit that determines a provider network device that will provide the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device, based on information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal.

2. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein when the control unit determines the providing network device from among the adjacent non-terrestrial network devices, the control unit determines the providing network device based on communication quality between the non-terrestrial network device and the adjacent non-terrestrial network device.

3. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the providing network device based on a required quality of an edge service requested by the terminal.

4. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein in an edge service requested by the terminal, communication of a control signal is performed without passing through the providing network device, and communication of a data signal is performed via the providing network device.

5. The control device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit determines the providing network device for each unit of data communication in an edge service requested by the terminal.

6. receiving information specifying an edge service requested by a terminal present in the non-terrestrial network from a non-terrestrial network device constituting the non-terrestrial network; and determining a providing network device that provides the edge service requested by the terminal from among the non-terrestrial network device and adjacent non-terrestrial network devices that can communicate with the non-terrestrial network device, based on information that identifies the edge service requested by the terminal.

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