Transmission configuration mechanism for network-controlled repeaters

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a scheduling device, and respective methods for the communication device and the scheduling device. For example, the communication device includes a transceiver unit and a circuit. In operation, the transceiver unit (i) relays a signal, (ii) receives default relay setting signaling, (iii) receives relay setting signaling, and (iv) receives validity period signaling. In operation, the circuit (i) obtains, from the default relay setting signaling, an indication of a default relay setting to be used by the transceiver unit to relay the signal outside the validity period, (ii) obtains, from the relay setting signaling, an indication of another relay setting, (iii) obtains, from the validity period signaling, an indication of a validity period of the other relay setting, (iv) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (v) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the default relay setting after the validity period expires.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] 1.Technical Field This disclosure relates to the transmission and reception of signals in communication systems, such as 3GPP® communication systems. In particular, this disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for such transmission and reception. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of Related Technology The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is working on technical specifications for next-generation cellular technology (also known as 5G), including New Radio (NR) access technology (RAT) operating in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. NR is the successor to technologies represented by Long Term Evolution (LTE) and LTE Advanced (LTE-A).

[0003] In systems such as LTE and NR, further improvements and options may facilitate efficient operation of the communication system and certain devices associated with the communication system. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0004] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0 [Non-patent document 2] 3GPP TS 38.211 [Non-patent document 3] ITU-R M.2083 [Non-patent document 4] TR 38.913 [Non-patent document 5] TS 23.501 v16.1.0 [Non-patent document 6] 3GPP RP-213562, “New SI Study on NR Smart Repeaters”, RAN#94e, Dec. 2021 [Non-Patent Document 7] 3GPP TS 36.106, “Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA); FDD repeater radio transmission and reception, ”version 17.0.0 [Non-patent document 8] TS 38.212 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Non-limiting exemplary embodiments facilitate efficient relaying of signals between two entities by a third entity, and in particular, facilitate efficient configuration of relaying operations of the third entity. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the disclosed technology features an apparatus (e.g., a communications apparatus, particularly a relay apparatus). The apparatus includes a transceiver unit and circuitry. The transceiver unit, in operation, (i) relays a signal, (ii) receives default relay setting signaling, (iii) receives relay setting signaling, and (iv) receives validity period signaling. The circuitry, in operation, (i) obtains, from the default relay setting signaling, an indication of a default relay setting to be used by the transceiver unit to relay a signal outside the validity period, (ii) obtains, from the relay setting signaling, an indication of another relay setting, (iii) obtains, from the validity period signaling, an indication of a validity period of the other relay setting, (iv) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (v) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the default relay setting after the validity period expires.

[0007] It should be noted that the general or specific embodiments may be embodied as a system, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, a storage medium, or any combination thereof. For example, an integrated circuit may control the processing of a relay node or a network node.

[0008] Further benefits and advantages of the disclosed embodiments and various implementations will become apparent from the specification and drawings. These benefits and / or advantages may be obtained individually by the various embodiments and features of the specification and drawings, and it is not necessary for all of them to be present in order to obtain one or more of such benefits and / or advantages. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an example architecture of a 3GPP NR system. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing the division of functions between NG-RAN and 5GC [Figure 3] Sequence diagram of RRC connection establishment / reconfiguration procedure [Figure 4] Schematic showing enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine-type communications (mMTC), and ultra-reliable low-latency communications (URLLC) usage scenarios [Figure 5] Block diagram illustrating an exemplary 5G system architecture for a non-roaming scenario [Figure 6] A block diagram illustrating the functional communication structure of a relay node in a communication system in which the node relays signals between a base station and a UE. [Figure 7] Schematic diagram showing the deviation between the base station's intended ON / OFF setting and the repeater's actual ON / OFF setting after the repeater misses an ON command that applies until a further / new ON / OFF command is received. [Figure 8]1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the deviation between the base station's intended relay transmit power and the relay's actual relay transmit power after the relay misses a Transmission Power Control (TPC) command, which the relay applies until a further / new TPC command is received. [Figure 9] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the deviation between the base station's intended flexible slot transmission direction setting and the actual transmission direction assumed by the repeater after the repeater misses an indication of a Slot Format Indicator (SFI) for the flexible slot to apply until a further / new SFI is received. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a communication system including a relay node and a base station; and FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional structure of the relay node and the base station. [Figure 11] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional structure of a processing circuit on the relay node side; [Figure 12] 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary functional structure of a processing circuit on the base station side; [Figure 13] 1 is a flowchart illustrating exemplary steps performed by a relay node and exemplary steps performed by a base station. [Figure 14] A schematic diagram showing the behavior of an example of a repeater configured with a validity period of 3 slots and a default ON / OFF state of ON. [Figure 15] Schematic diagram showing the behavior of an example repeater configured with a default transmit power of P1 and a validity period of 3 slots. [Figure 16] A schematic diagram showing the behavior of an example of a repeater configured with a validity period of 2 slots and the default state of the flexible slot set to UL state. [Figure 17] Schematic showing different beam settings of the repeater [Figure 18] Schematic diagram showing the behavior of an example repeater configured with a default BWP and a validity period of 3 slots. [Figure 19]1 is a schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of an example repeater using ON / OFF commands, including an indication of the validity period of the settings indicated by each command. [Figure 20] Schematic diagram showing the behavior of an example of a relay configured to (automatically) report its current transmission state if no relay configuration signaling is received for a period longer than two slots, as well as the behavior of an example of a gNB using the reported information. [Figure 21] Schematic diagram illustrating the behavior of an example repeater configured to respond to reporting requests from a gNB, and the behavior of an example gNB requesting reports and using reported information. [Figure 22] 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the behavior of a repeater configured with a periodic pattern of the transmit state as a default repeater configuration when the repeater receives a transmit configuration signaling instructing the repeater to temporarily extend / shorten the active time of the transmit state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] <5G NR system architecture and protocol stack> 3GPP is working on the next release of fifth-generation cellular technology (known simply as "5G"), which includes the development of New Radio Access Technology (NR), which will operate in frequencies up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, allowing for the testing and commercial deployment of smartphones compliant with the 5G NR standard.

[0011] In particular, the overall system architecture assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation Radio Access Network) with gNBs, which provide termination of NG radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocols for UEs. The gNBs are interconnected with each other via an Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected to an NGC (Next Generation Core) via a Next Generation (NG) interface, more specifically to an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) (e.g., a specific core entity that runs the AMF) via an NG-C interface, and to a UPF (User Plane Function) (e.g., a specific core entity that runs the UPF) via an NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in Figure 1 (see, for example, Section 4 of Non-Patent Document 1).

[0012] The user plane protocol stack in NR (see, for example, Section 4.4.1 of Non-Patent Document 1) includes a PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol) sublayer, an RLC (Radio Link Control) sublayer, and a MAC (Medium Access Control) sublayer, which are terminated at the gNB on the network side. In addition, a new access stratum (AS) sublayer (SDAP, Service Data Adaptation Protocol) is introduced above PDCP (see, for example, Section 6.5 of Non-Patent Document 1). NR also defines a control plane protocol stack (see, for example, Section 4.4.2 of Non-Patent Document 1). An overview of Layer 2 functions is provided in Section 6 of Non-Patent Document 1. The functions of the PDCP, RLC, and MAC sublayers are respectively described in Sections 6.4, 6.3, and 6.2 of 3GPP TS 26.10. The functions of the RRC layer are described in Section 7 of 3GPP TS 26.10.

[0013] For example, the Medium-Access-Control (MAC) layer handles scheduling and scheduling-related functions, including multiplexing logical channels and handling various numerologies.

[0014] 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. The physical layer also handles mapping of 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, physical channels are the PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) for the uplink, and the PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) for the downlink.

[0015] NR use cases / deployment scenarios include enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine-type communications (mMTC), which have diverse requirements for data rates, latency, and coverage. For example, eMBB is expected to support peak data rates (20 Gbps downlink and 10 Gbps uplink) and user-perceived data rates on the order of three times those offered by IMT-Advanced. In contrast, URLLC has more stringent requirements, including extremely low latency (user plane latency of 0.5 ms for both UL and DL) and high reliability (1-10 Mbps within 1 ms). -5) and mMTC requires high connection density (1 km in urban environments). 2 1,000,000 devices per second), wide coverage in harsh environments, and extremely long battery life (15 years) to lower device costs may preferably be required.

[0016] Therefore, an OFDM numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol duration, cyclic prefix (CP) duration, number of symbols per scheduling interval) suitable for one use case may not work well for another use case. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol duration (and therefore a larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (also referred to as TTI) than mMTC services. Furthermore, deployment scenarios with large channel delay spreads may preferably require a longer CP duration than scenarios with small delay spreads. To maintain a similar CP overhead, the subcarrier spacing should be optimized depending on the delay spread. In NR, more than one value of subcarrier spacing may be supported. Therefore, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, ... are currently being considered. Symbol duration T u and the subcarrier spacing Δf is given by the formula (Δf=1 / T u ) As in LTE systems, the term "resource element" can be used to denote the smallest resource unit consisting of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

[0017] In the new radio system 5G-NR, for each numerology and carrier, a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined for both the uplink and the downlink respectively. 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 Section 15.6.0 version or Chapter 4 of Section 15.6.0 version of Non-Patent Document 2). For example, downlink transmission and uplink transmission are organized into frames with a duration of 10 ms, and each frame is composed of 10 subframes with a duration of 1 ms each. In the implementation form of 5G NR, the number of consecutive OFDM symbols per subframe depends on the setting of the subcarrier spacing. For example, in the case of a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, one subframe has 14 OFDM symbols (similar to an LTE-compliant implementation assuming a normal cyclic prefix). On the other hand, in the case of a 30 kHz subcarrier spacing, one subframe has two slots, and each slot contains 14 OFDM symbols.

[0018] NR supports multiple different types of subcarrier spacings labeled by the parameter μ as compared to the numerology (subcarrier spacing and symbol length) of LTE (in LTE, only a 15 kHz subcarrier spacing, which corresponds to μ = 0 in NR). The types of NR numerology are summarized in Section 15.7.0 version of Non-Patent Document 2.

[0019] <Split of 5G NR Functions between NG-RAN and 5GC> Figure 2 shows the split of functions between NG-RAN and 5GC. The logical nodes of NG-RAN are gNB or ng-eNB. The logical nodes of 5GC are AMF, UPF, and SMF.

[0020] In particular, gNB and ng-eNB process 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 directions. - IP header compression, encryption, and integrity protection of data - AMF selection at UE attach time when routing to an AMF cannot be determined from information provided by the UE - Routing of user plane data to the UPF - Routing control plane information to AMF - Establishing and releasing connections - Scheduling and sending paging messages - Scheduling and transmission of system broadcast information (sent from AMF or OAM) - Configuring measurements and measurement reporting for mobility and scheduling - Transport-level packet marking in the uplink - Session Management - Network slicing support - QoS flow management and mapping to data radio bearers - Support for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state - NAS message delivery function - Wireless Access Network Sharing - Dual Connectivity - Tight interworking between NR and E-UTRA

[0021] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) handles 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 - Reachability for idle mode UEs (including control and execution of paging retransmissions) - Registration Area Management - Support for intra-system and inter-system mobility - Access Authentication - Access authentication, including roaming rights checks - Mobility management controls (subscriptions and policies) - Network slicing support - Selection of Session Management Function (SMF)

[0022] Furthermore, the User Plane Function (UPF) handles 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 - User plane part of packet inspection and policy rule enforcement - Traffic usage reports - an uplink classifier to support routing of traffic flows to the data network; - Branching points to support multi-homed PDU sessions - User plane QoS processing (e.g., packet filtering, gating, UL / DL rate enforcement) - Verification of uplink traffic (mapping from SDF to QoS flow) - Buffering of downlink packets and triggering of downlink data notifications

[0023] Finally, the Session Management Function (SMF) processes the following main functions. - Session management - Allocation and management of UE IP addresses - Selection and control of the UP function - Configuration of traffic steering in the User Plane Function (UPF) to route traffic to the correct destination - Policy enforcement and QoS control part - Downlink data notification

[0024] <Procedures for establishment and reconfiguration of RRC connection> Figure 3 shows the interaction between the UE, gNB, and AMF (5GC entity) in the NAS part when the UE transitions from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED (see Non-Patent Document 1).

[0025] RRC is a higher layer signaling protocol used to configure the UE and the gNB. Specifically, in this transition, the AMF creates UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, and UE security capabilities) and sends it to the gNB via an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. The gNB then activates AS security with the UE by sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE, and the UE responds with a SecurityModeComplete message. The gNB then performs reconfiguration to establish signaling radio bearer 2 (SRB2) and data radio bearers (DRBs) by sending an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE and receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete message from the UE in response. In the case of a signaling-only connection, these steps related to RRCReconfiguration are skipped because SRB2 and DRBs are not established. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the establishment procedure is complete via an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0026] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a fifth generation core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) having, in operation, a control circuit that establishes a next generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB such that a signaling radio bearer is established between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE), and a transmitter that, in operation, transmits an initial context setup message to the gNodeB over the NG connection. In particular, the gNodeB transmits radio resource control (RRC) signaling including a resource allocation configuration information element to the UE over the signaling radio bearer. The UE then performs uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0027] <IMT usage scenarios after 2020> Figure 4 shows some use cases for 5G NR. The 3GPP NR (3rd Generation Partnership Project New Radio) is considering three use cases envisioned for IMT-2020 to support a wide variety of services and applications. Phase 1 specifications for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) have been finalized. Current and future work includes standardization for ultra-reliable and low-latency communications (URLLC) and large-scale machine-type communications, in addition to further extending eMBB support. Figure 4 shows some examples of IMT usage scenarios envisioned for 2020 and beyond (see, for example, Figure 2 in Non-Patent Document 3).

[0028] URLLC use cases have stringent requirements for capabilities such as throughput, latency, and availability, and are envisioned as one of the enablers for future vertical applications, such as wireless control of industrial manufacturing or production processes, remote medical surgery, power distribution automation in smart grids, and transportation safety. URLLC's ultra-high reliability is supported by identifying technologies to meet the requirements set by [Non-Patent Document 4]. For NR URLLC in Release 15, key requirements include a user plane target latency of 0.5 ms for the uplink (UL) and 0.5 ms for 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.

[0029] From a physical layer perspective, there are several ways to improve reliability. Current scope for reliability improvement includes defining a separate CQI table for URLLC, a more compact DCI format, PDCCH repetition, etc. However, as NR becomes more stable and developed (a key requirement for NR URLLC), the scope for achieving ultra-high reliability may increase. Specific use cases for NR URLLC in Release 15 include augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR), e-health, e-safety, and mission-critical applications.

[0030] Furthermore, technology enhancements targeted at NR URLLC target latency improvement and reliability enhancement. 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 that a transmission for which resources have already been allocated is aborted and the already allocated resources are used for another transmission requested later with smaller latency / higher priority requirements. Thus, an already granted transmission is preempted by a later transmission. Preemption applies regardless of the specific service type. For example, a transmission of service type A (URLLC) can 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.

[0031] The mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communication) use case is characterized by a very large number of connected devices transmitting relatively small amounts of data that are generally latency sensitive. The devices need to be low cost and have extremely long battery life. From an NR perspective, utilizing very narrow bandwidth portions is one possible solution to achieve power savings from the UE perspective, enabling long battery life.

[0032] As mentioned above, it is expected that the range of reliability in NR will expand. One key requirement for all cases, especially for URLLC and mMTC, is high or ultra-high reliability. Several mechanisms can be considered to improve reliability from a radio perspective and a network perspective. In general, there are several key areas that can help improve reliability. These areas include compact control channel information, data channel / control channel repetition, and diversity related to the frequency, time, and / or spatial domains. These areas are generally applicable to reliability, regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0033] For NR URLLC, further use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, e.g., in factory automation, the transport industry, and power supply. The more stringent requirements include higher reliability (up to 10 times faster) depending on the use case. -6 level), higher availability, packet size up to 256 bytes, time synchronization on the order of a few microseconds (values ​​range from 1 to a few microseconds depending on the frequency range), and short latency on the order of 0.5 to 1 ms (target latency for the user plane in particular is 0.5 ms).

[0034] Furthermore, for NR URLLC, several technical enhancements may be available from the perspective of the physical layer. In particular, enhancements related to PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) include compact DCI, repetition of PDCCH, and increased PDCCH monitoring. Also, enhancements related to UCI (Uplink Control Information) include enhancements of HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) and CSI feedback. In addition, enhancements of PUSCH related to mini-slot level hopping and retransmission / repetition have also been recognized. The term "mini-slot" means a transmission time interval (TTI: Transmission Time Interval) that contains a smaller number of symbols than a slot (a slot contains, for example, 14 symbols).

[0035] <QoS Control> The 5G QoS (Quality of Service) 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, the QoS flow is the finest granularity for QoS differentiation in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS flow ID (QFI) that is transmitted within a capsule header through the NG-U interface.

[0036] The 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions for each UE. The NG-RAN establishes at least one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for each UE along with the PDU session, and can then configure additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session (as determined by the NG-RAN, e.g., as described above with reference to Figure 3). The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS-level packet filters in the UE and 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS flows, and AS-level mapping rules in the UE and NG-RAN associate UL and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the 5G NR non-roaming reference architecture (see Section 4.23 of Non-Patent Document 5). Application Functions (AFs) (e.g., external application servers handling 5G services as exemplified in Figure 4) interact with the 3GPP Core Network to provide services. For example, they support application influence on traffic routing, access Network Exposure Functions (NEFs), or interact with a policy framework (see Policy Control Function (PCF)) for policy control (e.g., QoS control). Based on the operator's deployment, application functions (AFs) deemed trusted by the operator can be allowed to interact directly with associated network functions. Application Functions (AFs) not permitted by the operator to directly access network functions interact with associated network functions using an external exposure framework via the NEF.

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

[0039] Therefore, the present disclosure provides an application server (e.g., an AF in a 5G architecture) having: a transmitter unit that, in operation, sends a request including QoS requirements for at least one of a URLLC service, an eMMB service, and an mMTC service to at least one of 5GC functions (e.g., an NEF, an AMF, an SMF, a PCF, an UPF, etc.) to establish a PDU session including a radio bearer between a gNodeB and a UE in accordance with the QoS requirements; and a control circuit that, in operation, executes the service using the established PDU session.

[0040] <Control signal> In the present disclosure, the downlink control signal (information) according to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted via a PDCCH of a physical layer, or may be a signal (information) transmitted via a MAC Control Element (CE) of a higher layer or an RRC. The downlink control signal may be a predefined signal (information).

[0041] The uplink control signal (information) according to the present disclosure may be a signal (information) transmitted via a PUCCH of a physical layer, or may be a signal (information) transmitted via a MAC CE of a higher layer or RRC. The uplink control signal may also be a predefined signal (information). The uplink control signal may be uplink control information (UCI), first-stage sidelink control information (SCI), or second-stage SCI.

[0042] <Uplink / Downlink / Sidelink> The present disclosure may be applied to any of the uplink, downlink, and sidelink.

[0043] For example, the present disclosure may be applied to the uplink PUSCH, PUCCH, and PRACH, the downlink PDSCH, PDCCH, and PBCH, and the sidelink PSSCH (Physical Sidelink Shared Channel), PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel), and PSBCH (Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel).

[0044] The PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH are examples of a downlink control channel, a downlink data channel, an uplink data channel, and an uplink control channel, respectively. The PSCCH and PSSCH are examples of a sidelink control channel and a sidelink data channel, respectively. The PBCH and PSBCH are examples of a broadcast channel, and the PRACH is an example of a random access channel.

[0045] <Data channel / control channel> The present disclosure may be applied to both data channels and control channels. The channels in this disclosure may be replaced with data channels including PDSCH, PUSCH, and PSSCH, and / or control channels including PDCCH, PUCCH, PBCH, PSCCH, and PSBCH.

[0046] <Reference signal> In this disclosure, a reference signal is a signal known to both a base station and a mobile station, and each reference signal may be referred to as a reference signal (RS) or a pilot signal. A reference signal may be any of a DMRS, a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), and a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS). A reference signal may be used for channel characteristic estimation and / or synchronization in a receiving device. One or more parameters of a reference signal may be used for data (control, payload) transmission, and one or more other parameters of the same reference signal may be used as a reference. For example, a reference signal may be used to compare a reference power with a received power. However, a reference signal may also be used for comparing phase and / or frequency, etc.

[0047] <time interval> In the present disclosure, the time resource unit is not limited to one or a combination of a slot and a symbol, and may be a time resource unit such as a frame, a superframe, a subframe, a slot, a subslot of a time slot, a minislot, or a symbol, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) symbol, or other time resource unit. The number of symbols included in one slot is not limited to the number of symbols exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be other numbers of symbols.

[0048] <Frequency band> The present disclosure may be applied to both licensed and unlicensed bands. While applicable to both frequency bands, it may be particularly advantageous for high frequency bands because the benefits of beamforming are greater in higher frequency bands. In particular, the frequency band for 5G NR is divided into two different frequency ranges. First, FR1 (Frequency Range 1), which includes frequency bands below 6 GHz that were partially used in previous standards, has been expanded to potentially cover new spectrum offerings from 410 MHz to 7125 MHz. The other band is FR2 (Frequency Range 2), which includes the frequency band from 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz.

[0049] <Communication> The present disclosure may be applied to communication between a base station and a terminal (Uu link communication), communication between terminals (sidelink communication), and V2X (Vehicle to Everything) communication. The channels in the present disclosure may be rephrased as PSCCH, PSSCH, physical sidelink feedback channel (PSFCH), PSBCH, PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PBCH.

[0050] The present disclosure can be applied to both terrestrial networks and non-terrestrial networks (NTNs) using satellites or high altitude pseudo satellites (HAPSs). The present disclosure can also be applied to networks with large cell sizes and terrestrial networks with large delays compared to the symbol length or slot length, such as ultra-wideband transmission networks.

[0051] <Antenna port> An antenna port refers to a logical antenna (antenna group) formed from one or more physical antennas. That is, an antenna port does not necessarily refer to a single physical antenna, but may refer to an array antenna consisting of multiple antennas. For example, the number of physical antennas constituting an antenna port is not defined. Instead, an antenna port is defined as the smallest unit through which a terminal is permitted to transmit a reference signal. An antenna port may also be defined as the smallest unit for multiplication of precoding vector weights.

[0052] <Downlink control channel monitoring, PDCCH, DCI> Many of the functions performed by a UE include monitoring a downlink control channel (eg, PDCCH, see section 5.2.3 of 3GPP TS 36.210, 2003) to receive, for example, specific control information or data intended for the UE.

[0053] Below is a non-exhaustive list of such features: - Paging message monitoring function, - System information acquisition function, - signaling supervision operation in discontinuous reception (DRX) functionality; - inactivity monitoring behavior in the discontinuous reception (DRX) function; - receiving a random access response in a random access function; - Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer reordering function As described above, the PDCCH is monitored by the UE to identify and receive information intended for the UE, such as control information and user traffic (e.g., DCI on the PDCCH, user data on the PDSCH indicated by the PDCCH).

[0054] Control information in the downlink (which can be called downlink control information, DCI) has the same purpose in 5G NR as DCI in LTE, i.e., it is a set of special control information for scheduling, for example, a downlink data channel (e.g., PDSCH) or an uplink data channel (e.g., PUSCH). Many different DCI formats have already been defined for 5G NR (see 3GPP TS 26.110, 2015.6.0, section 7.3.1).

[0055] These DCI formats represent the predetermined formats that the respective information is formed and transmitted in. In particular, DCI formats 0_1 and 1_1 are used for scheduling the PUSCH and PDSCH in one cell, respectively.

[0056] The PDCCH monitoring in each of these functions serves a specific purpose and is therefore initiated for that purpose. PDCCH monitoring is typically controlled at least based on a timer operated by the UE. The timer has the purpose of controlling PDCCH monitoring, for example, to limit the maximum length of time that the UE monitors the PDCCH. For example, the UE does not need to monitor the PDCCH indefinitely and can stop monitoring after a certain time to conserve power.

[0057] As mentioned above, one of the purposes of the DCI in the PDCCH is to dynamically schedule resources in the downlink, uplink, or sidelink. In particular, several formats of the DCI are provided to convey notification of resources allocated to a data channel for a particular user (resource allocation, RA). The resource allocation may include specifying resources in the frequency domain and / or the time domain.

[0058] <Physical resource block> In general, the term "Physical Resource Block" (PRB) refers to the smallest allocable resource unit available for the transmission of (user) data. In LTE and NR, a PRB has a predetermined number of consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain (e.g., 12) and a predetermined number of symbols in the time domain (e.g., 14 OFDM symbols in LTE).

[0059] <Terminology> The following describes UEs, relay nodes, base stations (network nodes), and procedures for new radio access technologies envisioned for 5G mobile communication systems, but which may also be used in LTE mobile communication systems or future mobile communication systems. Several different implementations and variations are also described. The following disclosure is facilitated by, and may be based, for example, at least in part on, the discussions and findings above.

[0060] Generally, it should be noted that many assumptions have been made herein to allow the principles underlying the present disclosure to be explained in a clear and understandable manner. However, it should be understood that these assumptions are merely exemplary for the purposes of explanation herein, are not essential to the invention, and therefore do not limit the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles described in the following disclosure and claims can be applied to different scenarios and in ways not explicitly described herein.

[0061] Furthermore, although specific terminology used in the context of new radio access technologies for upcoming communication systems has not yet been fully determined or may ultimately change, some of the terms used below, such as procedures, entities, and layers, are closely related to the terms used in LTE / LTE-A systems or in the current 3GPP 5G standardization. Therefore, the terminology may change in the future without affecting the functionality of the embodiments. Therefore, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments and their scope of protection are not limited to the specific terminology illustratively used herein due to the absence of newer or ultimately agreed-upon terminology, but should be understood more broadly in terms of the functions and concepts underlying the functions and principles of the present disclosure.

[0062] <terminal> In LTE and NR, a terminal, user terminal, user device, mobile station, or mobile node is called user equipment (UE). It may be a mobile device or communication device with user equipment functionality, such as a wireless telephone, smartphone, tablet computer, or USB (Universal Serial Bus) stick. However, the term mobile device is not limited thereto. In general, a repeater may also have such mobile device functionality or function as a repeater. For example, a terminal is a physical entity (physical node) in a communication network. Furthermore, a communication device may be any machine-type communication device, such as an IoT device. A node may have several functional entities. A functional entity refers to a software or hardware module that realizes and / or provides a set of predetermined functions to other functional entities of the same or other nodes or networks. A node may have one or more interfaces that connect the node to communication facilities or media over which the node can communicate. Similarly, a network entity may have logical interfaces that connect functional entities to communication facilities or media over which it can communicate with other functional entities or correspondent nodes.

[0063] <Base station> In this disclosure, a base station may be, for example, a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a cluster head, an access point, a Remote Radio Head (RRH), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a base unit, or a gateway. Also, in sidelink communication, a terminal may be used instead of a base station. A base station may be a relay device that relays communication between an upper node and a terminal. A base station may be a roadside unit. A base station may be, for example, a scheduling node or a network node that forms part of a network for providing services to terminals. In particular, a base station may provide wireless access to terminals. Communication between a communication device (e.g., a UE, i.e., a terminal) and a scheduling device (e.g., a base station) is usually standardized and may be defined by different layers, such as PHY, MAC, and RRC (see also the discussion above). In LTE and NR, the air interface protocol stack includes a physical layer, a medium access (MAC) layer, and upper layers. The control plane is provided with a higher layer protocol, the Radio Resource Control Protocol. Through RRC, base stations can control the configuration of terminals, and terminals can communicate with base stations to perform control tasks such as establishing and modifying connections and bearers, measurements, and other functions. The terminology used in LTE is eNB (or eNodeB), while the terminology currently used in 5G NR is gNB. The term "base station" or "radio base station" as used herein refers to a physical entity in a communication network. A base station, like a mobile station, can have several functional entities. A functional entity refers to a software or hardware module that implements and / or provides a predetermined set of functions to other functional entities of the same or other nodes or networks. The physical entity performs several control tasks related to communication devices, including one or more of scheduling and configuration.It should be noted that the functions of the base station and the communication device may be integrated into one device. For example, a mobile terminal may also perform the functions of a base station for another terminal. The terminology used in LTE is eNB (or eNodeB), while the terminology currently used in 5G NR is gNB. In particular, the base station may be a gNB in ​​a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) NR system.

[0064] <Relay node> The term "relay" or "relay node" refers to a general node or any communication device (in a communication system) used to receive a signal from one entity, amplify the signal, and transmit it to another entity.

[0065] In other words, a repeater may be any device controlled by a first entity (hereinafter generally referred to as a base station / scheduling device / gNB) to relay signals between the first entity and a second entity (hereinafter generally referred to as a UE). However, although a repeater in this disclosure is described as amplifying signals between a base station (network node, scheduling device) and a user equipment, a repeater in this disclosure may also be used to amplify signals between two user equipments, for example. In particular, a repeater may be a UE, a base station (e.g., a gNB), an NCR, or an IAB (Integrated Access Backhaul).

[0066] For example, the repeater may be an RF (radio frequency) repeater that simply receives, amplifies, and retransmits a signal without performing baseband L1 processing such as demodulation and decoding or (H)ARQ. However, the present invention is not limited thereto and may be a smart repeater that performs demodulation, decoding, and / or error correction on the signal before relaying. In particular, a signal received from one entity that the repeater relays to another entity and a corresponding signal that the repeater transmits to the other entity may be identical (up to amplification) or different (e.g., in terms of modulation and, e.g., by error correction). Note that in this disclosure, (i) a signal / transmission received by a repeater from an entity to be relayed to another entity is also referred to as a "relayed signal / transmission," and (ii) a signal / transmission of a relay node that the repeater relays the relayed signal / transmission is also referred to as a "relayed signal / transmission." In general, a relayed transmission may be (i) received from a gNB or (ii) a transmission received from another entity and relayed to the gNB. Also, a relay transmission may be (i) a transmission transmitted to a gNB or (ii) a transmission transmitted to another entity. Furthermore, it should be noted that the present disclosure is applicable to a relay regardless of the layer (RF, L1, L2, L3, etc.) of the relay, the applicable frequency band, the multiplexing domain, etc.

[0067] In general, a relay node serves to extend coverage within a cell and / or improve performance at the cell edge, while enabling cost reduction compared to increasing the number of base stations (network nodes). In the downlink, the relay node may receive, amplify, and further transmit, for example, to one or more terminals, signals from a network node (e.g., a scheduling device or a base station) in the downlink. In the uplink, the relay node may receive, amplify, and further transmit, for example, signals from one or more terminals to a network node (e.g., a base station). To this end, the relay node may have multiple radio access interfaces, in particular the following radio access interfaces:

[0068] - Interface for wireless access to the UE (also called access link) - the interface for wireless access to the base station (also known as the backhaul link), and / or - An interface for transmitting and / or receiving control information to and from the base station (also called C-link) A relay node can conceptually be implemented at any layer (e.g., RF, L1, L2, or L3), however, for efficiency and cost reasons, a simpler physical layer repeater may be desirable.

[0069] LTE relaying, unlike simply using a repeater (like an RF repeater), was not cost-effective. For example, in LTE, the L2 repeater demodulates and decodes the received data, applies any error correction, and then retransmits it as a new signal. This improves signal quality, rather than the degradation of the signal-to-noise ratio that would result from using a repeater. With LTE repeaters, UEs communicate with the relay node, which then communicates with a "donor" eNB. The links between the UE and the repeater and between the repeater and the BS could be time-division multiplexed or frequency-multiplexed. Several other repeater options were available, but none supported beamforming. The LTE repeater concept has not been widely adopted.

[0070] 3GPP has recently defined a study item and work item on Network-Controlled Repeaters (NCRs) in New Radio (see Non-Patent Document 6, freely available at www.3gpp.org). This allows the repeater to extend the network coverage and is expected to be more cost-effective than the Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) introduced in Rel. 16.

[0071] One of the desirable features of a network-controlled repeater is the ability to beamform. LTE repeaters were designed to operate in the sub-3 GHz band, where beamforming is not required (Non-Patent Document 7). This is one of the main differences between a network-controlled repeater and an LTE repeater. A network-controlled repeater should support both outdoor and indoor scenarios.

[0072] The objectives of the network-controlled repeater study include the following characteristics: The network-controlled repeater (also called smart repeater) is to be used to extend network coverage in the FDD / TDD bands in FR1 and the TDD bands in FR2, although during the study, TDD deployment in FR2 may be prioritized in both outdoor and outdoor-to-indoor (O2I) scenarios. The repeater should be a one-hop fixed smart repeater that is transparent to the UE. In other words, the signal path is only "gNB → sRelay → UE" or "UE → sRelay → gNB" ("sRelay" in this specification refers to a smart relay, smart repeater, or network-controlled repeater, which are used interchangeably in each instance). The smart repeater should be able to simultaneously maintain a gNB repeater link and a repeater-UE link. Cost efficiency is a key consideration.

[0073] A concept that requires further study is to identify what additional (control) information is necessary or desirable for smart repeaters assuming maximum transmit power (defined in L1). The additional information may include beamforming information, timing information for aligning transmit and receive boundaries, uplink and downlink TDD configuration information, ON / OFF information for efficient interference management and improved energy efficiency, power control information for interference management, etc.

[0074] As mentioned above, LTE also allows for the use of amplify-and-forward (AF) repeaters (RF repeaters). Such repeaters are transparent to the system and simply amplify and forward the received signal to the user. The repeater itself cannot determine whether the amplified signal is the desired signal received from the UE / gNB or simply interference or noise. Therefore, if the repeater is not properly configured or deployed, it can increase inference in the system. LTE RF repeaters are designed to operate in the sub-3 GHz band, where beamforming is not required (see Non-Patent Document 7, available free of charge at www.3gpp.org). However, the network-controlled repeaters considered for Rel. 18 operate in both FR1 and FR2 bands and enable beamforming. Therefore, their design requires additional consideration.

[0075] 6 shows an exemplary design of a communication system 600 including a repeater 650, which may be a network-controlled repeater (NCR) currently envisioned in NR. The repeater 650 includes, as functional units, a mobile termination unit 640 (also referred to as a mobile terminal or MT) and a radio unit (RU) 660. The MT unit 640 may receive control signals / information from a network node (gNB) 610 and configure the RU unit 660 accordingly.

[0076] It may also transmit information to the gNB 610. Note that the MT unit 640 (which may be functionally similar to a UE) may communicate with the gNB using the channels described above (e.g., as described in the "Downlink Control Channel Monitoring, PDCCH, DCI" section, etc.). The RU unit 660 is responsible for receiving and amplifying signals (including data and / or control information) received from the gNB 610 and / or one or more (serving) UEs, such as the illustrated UE 690. In NR, the currently used term for the MT unit is NCR-MT, and the currently used term for the RU unit is NCR-Fwd (Fwd stands for forwarding).

[0077] 6, the repeater 650 includes a transmitter, illustrated as a first transceiver 630, that transmits signals / transmissions 620 toward or receives signals 620 from the gNB 610 (and possibly additional gNBs), and a second transceiver 670 that transmits signals 680 toward or receives signals 680 from one or more UEs 690. As shown, the transmissions / signals may be transmitted / received via beams (e.g., may be directional transmissions). However, the present disclosure is not limited in this regard.

[0078] As also shown in Figure 6, particularly in NR, the link between the gNB (i.e., the device that controls relaying) and the MT for receiving / transmitting control information is called a control link or C-link, the link between the gNB and the RU for receiving / forwarding signals is called a backhaul link, and the link between the RU and the UE for receiving / forwarding signals is called an access link.

[0079] Examples of control information in the NCR include signals for ON / OFF, power control, and TDD UL / DL configuration. In general, semi-static and dynamic indications may be used for ON / OFF signaling and / or power control. Both dynamic and semi-static indications may be supported.

[0080] For TDD UL / DL configuration, flexible symbols may be supported by NCR. For example, the gNB may dynamically or semi-statically configure the flexible slots / symbols (i.e., the gNB may send an indication to the NCR indicating dynamically or semi-statically whether the flexible symbol / slot is a DL symbol / slot or a UL symbol / slot). Both dynamic and semi-static indications may be supported. In general, the NCR may also be configured not to amplify the signal over the flexible slots / symbols.

[0081] Note that Figure 6 shows an example of a functional communication structure of a repeater. Generally, there may be one transceiver responsible for transmitting and / or receiving with any entity. Such a transceiver may include multiple antennas and amplifiers, and possibly additional circuits for realizing signal transmission and reception. By including one or more transmitters and / or receivers, simultaneous transmission and reception with one or more communication partners may be possible.

[0082] <Further improvements> As will be further explained below with reference to Figures 7-9, the inventors have identified a problem in configuring relay nodes.

[0083] Regarding the power control and ON-OFF function of NCR-Fwd, if the NCR misses a command from the gNB, the gNB may not recognize the actual transmit power or ON-OFF state of NCR-Fwd in the DL. For example, as shown in row (b) of Figure 7, the gNB intends to set NCR to ON in slots 1 and 4-8 and to set NCR to OFF in slots 2, 3, and 9-11. Assuming that the received ON / OFF commands are applied by the repeater until a new command is received, the gNB will send an OFF command to turn NCR OFF after slot 1, an ON command to turn NCR ON after slot 3, and an OFF command to turn NCR OFF after slot 8, as shown in row (c). However, if the NCR misses the ON command after slot 3, as shown by the cross in row (c) of Figure 7, NCR-Fwd will remain OFF after slot 3 and apply the ON-OFF setting shown in row (c) instead of the ON-OFF setting intended by the gNB as shown in row (b). In other words, NCR-Fwd is ON only in the first slot and OFF in the second through eleventh slots. Row (a) of Figure 7 shows the slot format and slot numbering used, with slots 4-7 being used for DL ​​transmissions from the gNB to the UE (via the repeater). Because the signals in slots 4-7 are relayed to the UE, the gNB may not be able to confirm that the repeater did not receive the ON command and that DL relaying by NCR-Fwd will not occur (especially in time, e.g., before UL slot 8).

[0084] A similar problem exists in power control, particularly in DL transmissions. As an example, assume that a gNB configures an NCR with different transmit (TX) powers in DL transmissions in slots 4 and 5, as shown in row (b) of FIG. 8. Furthermore, assume that the received command indicating the transmit power (also referred to herein as transmission power control (TPC)) applies until a new TPC is received. Thus, as shown in row (c), the gNB sends a TPC to the NCR to set the TX power to P2 starting in slot 4, and then sends a TPC to the NCR to change the TX power back to P1 after slot 5. If the NCR misses the latter TPC, as shown in row (c), the NCR applies the TX power of P2 for subsequent transmissions. In other words, the repeater applies the power setting shown in row (c) instead of the power setting intended by the gNB as shown in row (b). In DL transmissions, the NCR uses the incorrect TX power to forward signals to the UE, and the gNB may not recognize the missed TPC in time.

[0085] Furthermore, missed ON / OFF and TPC commands can be an issue not only for DL ​​but also for UL. For example, if a UL relayed transmission is not made by the repeater and received by the gNB (as in the example of Figure 9), the gNB may not know whether NCR was in OFF state or whether the UE missed the scheduling DCI for the UL transmission.

[0086] As mentioned above, three different types of symbol types may be defined (e.g., in NR): DL, UL, and flexible. A slot format may specify, for each slot / symbol, whether the slot / symbol is DL, UL, or flexible. Slot formats are often common across a cell (e.g., applied to each UE in a cell), and different slot formats may be used for different frequency bands. DL slots are used for DL ​​transmissions, and UL slots are used for UL transmissions. The transmission direction in a flexible slot is typically configured / indicated by the gNB as either DL or UL in a static, semi-static, or dynamic manner, and multiple indication methods may be supported simultaneously. Flexible slots / symbols may be configured via dedicated signaling. That is, a flexible slot may be configured as DL for one UE and as UL for another UE. For example, a flexible slot / symbol may be dynamically configured via DCI, such as a slot format indicator (SFI) transmitted using DCI format 2_0.

[0087] As mentioned above, flexible symbol configuration for NCR may be supported and / or NCR may support relaying in flexible slots. However, while flexible symbol support facilitates scheduling, it can also introduce complications, as will be further described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0088] As shown in row (a), assume that the gNB exemplarily configures slots 1, 10, and 11 as DL slots, configures slots 2, 3, 8, and 9 as UL slots, and configures slots 4 to 7 as flexible slots. In other words, row (a) shows the slot format. As shown in row (b), if the gNB decides to allocate flexible slot 4 for DL ​​and flexible slots 5 to 7 for UL, it notifies the NCR, for example, using an SFI. To this end, as shown in row (c), the gNB transmits an SFI after slot 3 to configure slot 4 for DL ​​and another SFI after slot 4 to configure slots 5 to 7 for UL.

[0089] However, if the NCR misses the second SFI, as shown in row (c), the repeater applies the slot configuration shown in row (c) instead of the gNB's intended slot configuration shown in row (b). However, because the NCR is expected to relay signals to the gNB in ​​slots 5-7, the gNB may not know whether the NCR missed an SFI or whether the UE missed a scheduling DCI for an UL transmission. Furthermore, it should be noted that the issue of the repeater potentially missing an SFI command can be an issue not only in the UL case but also in the DL case. For example, if a DL relay transmission is not performed (as in the examples of Figures 7 and 8), the gNB may not realize that the repeater did not perform a relay transmission because a relay transmission is (supposed to be) performed to the UE (in the DL).

[0090] <Embodiment> The present inventors have identified the possibility of providing an improved procedure that makes it possible to avoid one or more of the above-mentioned drawbacks. The present disclosure relates to various solutions and variants to such an improved procedure. Accordingly, the present disclosure provides techniques for improving the efficiency of relays, for example, by providing an efficient mechanism for configuring relay nodes, in particular, taking into account the possibility that the relay may not receive a relay configuration command (also referred to herein as relay configuration signaling) from the gNB.

[0091] The present disclosure provides, inter alia, a scheduling apparatus, a corresponding method for the scheduling apparatus, a communication apparatus (e.g., a communication apparatus adapted / configured to perform the functions of a relay node in a communication system), a corresponding method and (computer) program (e.g., a program stored in a memory) for the communication apparatus, a communication system comprising such a scheduling apparatus and communication apparatus, and an integrated circuit which, in operation, controls the processes of the scheduling apparatus / communication apparatus to perform the respective methods.

[0092] An example of such a communication system is shown in Figure 10. The communication system 1000 may be a wireless communication system conforming to 5G technical specifications, particularly an NR communication system. However, the present disclosure is not limited to a 3GPP NR terrestrial network (TN), but may also be applied to NTN, other wireless systems, or cellular systems.

[0093] FIG. 10 illustrates a general and simplified exemplary block diagram of a communication device 1010 (exemplary here as a relay node) and a scheduling device 1060 (exemplary here as assumed to be located in a base station, e.g., an eNB (also referred to as an ng-eNB) in LTE or a gNB in ​​5G NR). Generally, however, the scheduling device may be a terminal in the case of a sidelink connection between two terminals. Furthermore, particularly with regard to URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC use cases, the communication device 1010 may be a sensor device, a wearable device, or a connected vehicle or a controller for automated machinery in an industrial factory. The communication device 1010 may function as a relay between a base station and other communication devices.

[0094] As shown in Figure 10, a communication device 1010 and a scheduling device 1060 (eNB / gNB) may communicate with each other over a (wireless) physical channel 1050 using their respective transceivers 1020 (relay node side) and 1070 (base station side). The scheduling device 1060 and the relay node 1010 together constitute a communication system 1000. The communication system 1000 may further include other entities as shown in Figure 1, in particular other communication devices to which the relay node relays signals from the base station and / or other communication devices to which the relay node receives signals relayed to the base station.

[0095] <Transmitter / receiver and circuit> As shown in FIG. 10 (left side), the communication device may comprise a transceiver and a circuit (or processing circuit), and the scheduling device may comprise a transceiver and a (processing) circuit.

[0096] Note that the term "transceiver" refers to a front-end including one or more antennas (or multiple antennas if beamforming is used). The transceiver here may include an amplifier, several modulators for modulating baseband signals onto a system carrier, a possible digital-to-analog converter, and possible further signal-improvement circuitry. Generally, a transceiver may comprise and / or function as a receiver and / or a transmitter. In other words, in this disclosure, "transceiver" refers to hardware and software components that enable a communication device to transmit and / or receive wireless signals over a wireless channel. Thus, a transceiver corresponds to a receiver, a transmitter, or a combination of a receiver and a transmitter. Typically, base stations and communication devices are assumed to be capable of both transmitting and receiving wireless signals. However, for some applications, particularly eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC (e.g., smart home, smart city, industrial automation), devices such as sensors may only receive signals. The transmitter may be responsible for processing transmissions and other related processing. The receiver may be responsible for processing receptions and other related processing, such as channel monitoring. Generally, a transceiver may be controlled by a circuit to perform transmission and / or reception.

[0097] As used herein, the term "circuitry" refers to any hardware and / or software. For example, a circuit may include one or more processors (or processing units or any LSI), microcontrollers, programmable hardware such as FPGAs, and / or dedicated hardware such as ASICs, and may also include digital or analog circuitry.

[0098] Between the transceiver and the processing circuitry, there may be input / output points (or nodes or interfaces) at which the processing circuitry, in operation, can control the transceiver, i.e., control the receiver and / or transmitter, and exchange receive and transmit data. This allows the processing circuitry to perform control tasks such as transmitting user data and control data provided by the processing circuitry and / or controlling the transceiver to receive user data and control data that is further processed by the processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may also be responsible for performing other processes, such as judging, determining, calculating, measuring, etc.

[0099] According to one exemplary embodiment, there is provided a communication device 1010, as shown, for example, in Figure 10 (left side). The communication device 1010 includes a transceiver 1020 and a circuit 1030. In operation, the transceiver 1020 (i) relays signals, (ii) receives default relay setting signaling, (iii) receives relay setting signaling, and (iv) receives validity period signaling. During operation, the (processing) circuit (i) obtains from the default relay setting signaling an instruction (also referred to in this disclosure as a "default relay setting instruction") of a default relay setting to be used by the transceiver unit to relay signals outside the validity period, (ii) obtains from the relay setting signaling an instruction (also referred to in this disclosure as a "relay setting instruction") of another relay setting, (iii) obtains from the validity period signaling an instruction (also referred to in this disclosure as a "validity period instruction") of the validity period of the other relay setting, (iv) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (v) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the default relay setting after the validity period expires.

[0100] For example, the UE may obtain the default relay configuration indication, the relay configuration indication, and / or the validity period indication from the respective signaling by parsing the respective signaling and / or extracting the indications from the signaling.

[0101] It should be noted that the circuitry 1030 may implement more functionality than controlling the transceiver unit to perform the above-mentioned instruction retrieval and relaying, for example, to receive control signaling (particularly, but not limited to, default relay configuration signaling, relay configuration signaling, and validity period signaling) and / or to control the transceiver unit 1020 to receive or transmit other data (i.e., data that is not transmitted or received as part of the relay, but, for example, data where the relay node is the UE that receives the (non-control) data that is the ultimate recipient).

[0102] Thus, the circuitry 1030 may illustratively be considered to include a relay configuration circuit 1035 configured to perform the aforementioned acquisition and relay control, which may be provided by hardware adaptation and / or software.

[0103] FIG. 11 illustrates an example functional structure of the relay setting circuit 1035. In particular, the relay setting circuit 1035 may include a relay setting determination circuit 1110 and a transceiver control circuit 1120. The circuit may be configured to obtain the default relay setting instruction, the relay setting instruction, and the validity period instruction described above. The circuit 1110 may be further configured to (i) determine a default relay setting based on the default relay setting instruction, (ii) determine a relay setting instruction based on the relay setting instruction, and / or (iii) determine a validity period of a relay setting (a relay setting other than the default relay setting, as described further below) based on the validity period instruction. Furthermore, the circuit 1110 may be configured to determine which relay setting to use at a given time (also described further below). The transceiver control circuit 1120 may be responsible for controlling the transceiver to relay signals to and / or from the base station 1060 (e.g., according to the relay setting determined by the relay setting circuit that is determined to be valid at a given time).

[0104] It should be noted that the relay setting circuit 1035 may implement more functions, such as determining resources for relay transmission (e.g., based on corresponding instructions received from the base station) and / or resources on which the transmitted relay signal may be received.

[0105] According to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a communication method executed by the communication device corresponding to the above-described communication device. As shown in Fig. 13, the method includes (i) step S1330 of receiving default relay setting signaling, (ii) step S1340 of obtaining a default relay setting instruction from the default relay setting signaling, (iii) step S1350 of receiving relay setting signaling, (iv) step S1360 of obtaining a relay setting instruction from the relay setting signaling, (v) step S1370 of receiving validity period signaling, (vi) step S1380 of obtaining a validity period instruction from the validity period signaling, (vii) step S1390 of relaying signals according to other relay settings during the validity period, and (viii) step S1390 of relaying signals according to the default relay setting after the validity period expires.

[0106] As described above, the relaying may be a relaying of a signal to a base station or a relaying of a signal from a base station. Note that in step S1390, the relay transmission is performed by the relay node in accordance with other relay settings (within the validity period) and the default relay setting (out of the validity period).

[0107] According to another exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit is provided corresponding to the above-described communication device method. The integrated circuit, in operation, controls the processing of the communication device and includes the steps of the above-described communication device method. The integrated circuit may be, for example, circuit 1030 or 1035 described above and / or may be / be deployable in a communication device, in particular a relay node.

[0108] As shown in FIG. 10 (right side), according to another exemplary embodiment, a scheduling device 1060 is provided. The scheduling device 1060 includes a transceiver 1070 and a circuit 1080. In operation, the circuit 1080 (i) determines a default relay setting to be used by the communication device to relay signals outside of the validity period of the relay setting, (ii) generates default relay setting signaling including a default relay setting instruction, (iii) determines other relay settings and generates relay setting signaling including a relay setting instruction, (iv) determines validity periods of the other relay settings, and (v) generates validity period signaling including a validity period instruction. In operation, the transceiver (i) transmits default relay setting signaling, (ii) transmits relay setting signaling, (iii) transmits validity period signaling, and (iv) receives signals relayed from the communication device and / or transmits signals relayed (by the communication device) to the communication device.

[0109] The circuit 1080 may implement more functions than the determining and generating described above, for example, may transmit control signaling (particularly the generated default relay setting signaling, relay setting signaling, and / or validity period signaling) and / or further control the transceiver unit 1070 to receive or transmit data (e.g., transmit signals to relay and transmit relay transmissions from relay nodes). Thus, the circuit 1080 is exemplarily considered to include a relay setting circuit 1085 configured to perform the above determining and generating. The configuration may be provided by hardware adaptation and / or software.

[0110] 12 illustrates an example functional structure of the relay setting circuit 1085. In particular, the relay setting circuit 1085 may include a default relay setting circuit 1210, which may be responsible for determining a default transmission setting of the relay node and generating corresponding default relay setting signaling. The determination may include, for example, determining whether to change the default relay setting after a predetermined time or in response to changes in cell traffic (and, if so, determining a new default relay setting). The relay setting circuit 1085 may further include an other relay setting circuit 1220, which may be responsible for determining whether to temporarily use another relay setting (e.g., for a corresponding validity time), determining the other relay setting, determining a validity period of the other relay setting, generating corresponding relay setting signaling, and / or generating corresponding validity period signaling.

[0111] It should be noted that the relay configuration circuit 1085 may implement more functions, for example, determining resources for relay transmission and / or resources of a relay signal transmitted by the relay node, generating signaling indicating the determined resources, and / or controlling the transceiver unit 1070 to transmit the generated signaling to the relay node.

[0112] Further, in accordance with the scheduling device described above, according to another exemplary embodiment, there is provided a communication method executed by the scheduling device. As shown in Fig. 13, the method includes the steps of (i) determining a default relay setting to be used by the communication device to relay a signal outside the validity period of a relay setting (S1305), (ii) generating default relay setting signaling including a default relay setting instruction (S1315), (iii) transmitting the default relay setting signaling (S1325), (iv) determining another relay setting (S1335), and (v) generating relay setting signaling including a relay setting instruction. (S1345), (vi) transmitting relay configuration signaling (S1355), (vii) determining the validity period of other relay configurations (S1365), (viii) generating validity period signaling including a validity period indication (S1375), (ix) transmitting the validity period signaling (S1385), and (x) receiving a relayed signal from the communication device (S1395) and / or transmitting the relayed signal to the communication device (S1395).

[0113] According to another exemplary embodiment, an integrated circuit is provided corresponding to the scheduling device method described above. The integrated circuit, in operation, controls the processing of the scheduling device and includes steps of the scheduling device method described above. The integrated circuit may be, for example, the circuit 1085 or 1080 described above and / or may be deployed / deployable in a communication device, in particular a scheduling device.

[0114] Note that the order of the steps may differ from that shown in FIG. 13 (this applies to both the relay node and the base station), and / or some steps may be performed together or jointly. For example, as described further below, the base station may jointly / jointly determine other relay settings and validity periods of the other relay settings and perform S1355 and S1385 in one step. Furthermore, any of the steps performed by the base station may generally be performed jointly with corresponding steps for other relay nodes and may be performed taking into account traffic conditions and quality requirements of services used by one or more UEs receiving relayed transmissions and / or transmitting transmissions relayed to the relay node.

[0115] Furthermore, since the present disclosure relates to a device for configuring (scheduling) a communication device (e.g., a relay node) and the communication device, it should be noted that details and embodiments described in the present disclosure may apply to (and be implemented by) each of the communication device and the scheduling device, and corresponding methods and integrated circuits, unless otherwise indicated explicitly or by context. In particular, the scheduling device may be configured to generate and transmit control signals, as described below, and the communication device may be configured to receive such signaling and obtain instructions therefrom. In particular, any of the steps / operations described below may be performed or controlled by circuit 1030 (communication device side) and / or circuit 1080 (base station side). Furthermore, any receiving and transmitting steps may be performed by (e.g., controlled by) the transceiver 1020 (UE side) and / or the transceiver 1070 (base station side) (e.g., controlled by the respective circuits).

[0116] <Relay settings> In general, the term "relay setting" should be broadly understood as any setting / configuration of states or parameters related to the relay operation of a relay node, and in particular, related to the transmission of a relay node (also referred to as relay transmission in this disclosure) by which the relay node relays a signal to be relayed.

[0117] In particular, the relay configuration (default relay configuration and “other” relay configuration) may specify (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) transmit power for relay transmission, (iii) whether flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink or uplink symbols, (iv) whether flexible slots in the slot format are downlink or uplink slots, (v) beam configuration for relay transmission (e.g., Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) in LTE / NR), and / or (vi) bandwidth portion for relaying signals. Note that the relay configuration may specify any number and combination of the above (i) to (vi) and / or other parameters related to relay transmission. Typically, at a given time, one relay configuration is active, and the relay node performs relay transmission according to this relay configuration. In accordance with the above (i) to (vi), the relay configuration signaling (default and / or “other”) may include an indication of one or more of the above (i) to (vi) as part of the (default) relay configuration instruction.

[0118] With regard to (iv) and (v) above, it is further noted that the granularity of the slot format is not limited to being expressed in terms of slots or symbols. In general, any time interval / time period other than slots or symbols may be used.

[0119] In general, the default transmission state can be determined and set by the gNB depending on traffic. For example, if the NCR is expected to relay signals occasionally, the OFF state can be considered the default state. Using dynamic control commands (e.g., relay configuration signaling or dynamic commands to change / reconfigure the default state) can change the NCR behavior depending on traffic. If the NCR misses a new state command, it applies the default configuration. This may save overhead because the default state is often more appropriate than other states. Furthermore, even if the gNB cannot determine whether all relay configuration commands were actually received by the repeater, the gNB can know the repeater's relay configuration state after the expiration of the last command's validity period.

[0120] In general, such transmission configurations may be specific to the UL and DL directions, frequency bands, or links (backhaul link, C link, access link). For example, there may be one default transmission configuration for the backhaul link, which may be different from the default transmission configuration for the access link. There may be one or more default transmission configurations for the access link / backhaul link / control link that apply to each frequency band, etc. The same applies to "other" relay configurations.

[0121] <Default relay settings> The default relay configuration is indicated by a default relay configuration indication included in signaling, referred to herein as "default relay configuration signaling." The default relay configuration signaling is generated by a scheduling device and transmitted by a base station to a relay, from which the relay obtains the default relay configuration indication. In general, the default state of a relay configuration can be configured semi-statically (e.g., via RRC) or dynamically (e.g., via DCI). In other words, the default relay configuration signaling can be RRC signaling or DCI. The gNB may, for example, determine the default relay configuration to be a relay configuration that it expects to be more frequently an appropriate relay configuration than (any or most) other relay configurations (to reduce overhead).

[0122] <"Other" relay settings> The term "other relay configuration" refers to a relay configuration other than the default relay configuration (e.g., different from the default relay configuration). The other relay configuration is indicated by an instruction called a "relay configuration instruction," which is included in signaling called "relay configuration signaling." The relay configuration signaling is generated by the scheduling device and transmitted by the base station to the relay, and the relay obtains the relay configuration instruction from the relay configuration signaling. Details of the relay configuration signaling are disclosed below in the "Relay Configuration Signaling" section. Because the "other relay configuration" is associated with a finite validity period, it is also referred to as a temporary relay configuration in this disclosure.

[0123] <Validity period and active relay settings> The default relay setting refers to the relay setting that the relay uses for relaying (especially relay transmission) outside the validity period of the relay setting.

[0124] In other words, although there is generally a duration / time period during which the default relay setting is valid, the default relay setting does not have a set finite validity period. Therefore, the default relay setting is active outside the validity periods of "other" relay settings other than the default relay setting. In particular, because the validity period is finite, if the relay does not receive further relay setting signaling and signaling indicating a new default relay setting for a sufficient period of time (in which case the new default relay setting will become active after a sufficient time), the default setting becomes the active relay setting.

[0125] More specifically, the "other" relay configurations are associated with a finite validity period (e.g., time interval) during which they are valid / active and (temporarily) override the configured default relay configuration. For example, a relay node may relay according to the default relay configuration, and after receiving relay configuration signaling, relay according to another relay configuration indicated by the relay configuration signaling, and then, after the validity period (and if no further relay configuration signaling is received), default relay configuration again according to the default relay configuration. In other words, the transmission configuration of the relay returns to the default state given by the default relay configuration if no new transmission configuration is configured after a specified time period has elapsed. The specified time period is given by the validity period of the received relay configuration.

[0126] In particular, the default relay setting is the active relay setting when no relay setting signaling that overrides the default relay setting is received, and the relay setting may override the default relay setting (and other relay settings) only for a finite time (i.e., the length of the validity period). Note that the validity period (i.e., the time interval) of the other relay setting is generally defined by the length / duration of the validity period and a reference point, e.g., the start or end point of the validity period. Generally, the length of the validity period and the reference point may be determined, indicated, obtained, etc. together or in separate steps. Note that the length of the validity period and the reference point are both indications of the validity period of the other relay setting. In other words, the indication of the validity period may indicate the length of the validity period and / or may indicate a reference point at which the absolute position of the validity period can be fixed.

[0127] For example, a base station may configure a repeater with a validity period length (e.g., semi-statically), with the start of the validity period implicitly indicated by the time the repeater receives relay configuration signaling. For example, the start of the validity period of a relay configuration may be the start of the next slot after receiving relay configuration signaling indicating the relay configuration (or the start plus a predetermined offset and / or an offset explicitly indicated by the relay configuration signaling). Thus, there may be two (separate) validity period signalings: (i) a first validity period (length) signaling indicating a specific validity period length and / or including a "validity length indication" that sets the validity period length of a relay configuration that is received until a new length is configured or does not include its own indication regarding the length; and (ii) a second validity period signaling indicating the reference point. The configured length may apply to each "other relay configuration" until the length is reconfigured. However, a repeater may be configured with multiple lengths, for example, a length for UL relay transmission and a length for DL ​​relay transmission. Furthermore, the set length may only be applied dynamically, e.g., if the length is not indicated with the respective relay setting and / or reference time point. The length of the validity period may be indicated, for example, as a number of symbols / minislots / slots / frames, although the present invention is not limited to a specific time unit with respect to the time unit in which the indication is made.

[0128] It is further noted that the default configuration state may also be used (immediately) after NCR is turned on or connected to a new gNB (e.g., connected to a new / other gNB as part of a handover). Note that this on does not refer to a transition from an off state to an on state, but rather to turning on the relay after a complete off, including turning off the MT part of the relay.

[0129] By using the default relay configuration in combination with the (finite) validity period of the (dynamic) relay configuration signaling, the scheduling device can know the actual relay configuration state of the relay after the validity period, regardless of whether the relay has received the relay configuration signaling or not.

[0130] <Relay setting indicating whether to relay> The following provides details on when a relay setting specifies whether to relay, particularly when another relay setting specifies an ON or OFF state that is different from the ON or OFF state specified by the default relay setting.

[0131] First, in this case, if the active relay configuration specifies no transmission, the relay node may perform signal relaying (e.g., step S1390) by not performing (e.g., any) relay transmission; on the other hand, if the active relay configuration specifies transmission, the relay performs relay transmission. A relay node that does not relay at a given time is also referred to as being in an OFF state. A relay node that relays is also referred to as being in an ON state. Therefore, in other words, the relay configuration may specify whether the NCR-Fwd is in an ON state or an OFF state (while the relay configuration is active). Note that the NCR MT may remain active even when the relay node is in an OFF state (e.g., to be able to receive a command to return the NCR to an ON state). Such an ON / OFF function may be provided, for example, to control the behavior of the NCR-Fwd for power control purposes, particularly to reduce power consumption, and may be similar or identical to the NCR ON / OFF function in NR.

[0132] In general, an NCR may be configured with a default ON / OFF state (as part of the default relay configuration) and one or more valid time periods / lengths associated with a relay configuration command indicating a (temporary) change of the ON / OFF state. For example, an NCR may be configured with a default ON / OFF state and a certain time period, after which the default ON / OFF state is applied if no new relay configuration command is configured / received. More specifically, a relay may be configured with one valid time period length and use that period length in all relay configurations (whether indicating an ON or OFF state) until a new valid time length indication is received. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and in general, different time periods may be defined for the ON and OFF states. Note that, for example, if the default relay configuration specifies the ON state, relay configuration signaling indicating the ON state may be used to overwrite the OFF state of other relay configurations, e.g., to return to the ON state before the expiration of the valid time period of the OFF state.

[0133] FIG. 14 shows an example in which the ON state is defined as the default state of NCR (i.e., the default relay setting specifies relay transmission). As with other figures, row (a) indicates the slot format to be used, row (b) indicates the relay setting intended by the gNB, and row (c) indicates the relay setting applied by the relay (assuming that specific signaling, often indicated by a cross, is not received by the relay). In particular, the gNB intends the relay to be in the OFF state in slots 2, 3, and 9 to 11. Furthermore, in the example of FIG. 14, the time period for a new command is defined as three slots. In other words, the length of the validity period of a relay setting command is three slots long. This period may be semi-statically configured and may apply to (e.g., any) relay setting command received before a new / other validity length indication is received.

[0134] In this example, the gNB intends to dynamically set the ON-OFF state by sending an ON / OFF command to the NCR, and therefore sends an OFF command that applies starting from slot 2. This results in a validity period from slot 2 to slot 4, so the gNB sends an ON command that applies starting from slot 4. However, as shown in line (c), the NCR does not receive a new ON command for slot 4, and therefore applies the OFF state in slot 4 as well. However, because the default relay configuration specifies the ON state and the validity period length is set to 3 slots, the relay applies the ON state three slots after the last received command, i.e., starting from slot 5. Note that the arrows indicating the ON and OFF commands do not necessarily correspond to the times when these commands are actually sent, but are used to indicate the time points at which the validity periods of the respective commands begin.

[0135] Therefore, as already mentioned, the NCR applies the default state if, before the expiration of the validity period, a new state is not set (i) for a time after the validity period, or (ii) to overwrite the current temporary state with the new (temporary) state and start the validity period of the new state. In particular, if a relay configuration command is applied immediately after reception (i.e., the validity period of the relay configuration signaling starts immediately after reception of the respective signaling), the NCR applies the default state if no relay command is received during the validity period.

[0136] <Relay setting indicating the transmit power for relay transmissions> Below, we disclose details for the case where a relay configuration specifies a transmit power for a relay's transmission, especially when another relay configuration specifies a transmit power that is different from the transmit power specified by the default relay configuration.

[0137] Here, the term "transmit power" or "TX power" refers to the transmit power that a relay node is to use to perform relay transmissions. In general, the TX power may be the total TX power used for all relay transmissions (e.g., simultaneously) or the transmit power used for relay transmissions to / from a specific entity (other than the scheduling device). Different TX powers may be specified for DL ​​relay transmissions and UL relay transmissions.

[0138] In general, an NCR may be configured with a default transmit power (either as a default relay configuration or as part of the default relay configuration) and one or more valid time periods / lengths associated with a relay configuration command indicating a (temporary) change in the transmit power of a signal relay. For example, an NCR may be configured with a default transmit power and a time period, after which a temporary relay configuration (of any or any type) is disabled / deactivated and the default transmit power is applied (e.g., if no new relay configuration command is configured / received during the validity period of the temporary relay configuration and / or by the end of the validity period of the temporary relay configuration). In other words, the length of the validity period of the temporary relay configuration is given by the configured period (i.e., the time period may be an integer number of time lengths, e.g., slots or symbols). Thus, if the time period has elapsed since the start of the validity period of the current temporary relay configuration, the default transmit power is applied. It should be further noted that the default relay configuration may also be applied if a time period has elapsed since the reception of the last received relay configuration signaling indicating a temporary relay configuration. In other words, the time period may be the length of time after which the default relay configuration is active (i.e., starting / counting from the time of receipt of the last received command). This may be, for example, but not limited to, the case where a temporary transmission configuration is activated upon receipt of the respective relay configuration signaling. Note also that this applies to relay configurations in general, and not only to cases where the relay configuration is related to transmit power.

[0139] In particular, if the NCR does not receive a new / different transmit power setting before the end of the time period, it may apply the default transmit power (i.e., use the default transmit power for relay transmissions), similar to when the relay setting specifies an ON / OFF state (i.e., whether to relay or not), as described above.

[0140] As with the ON / OFF state indication above, different transmit power indications may have different validity period lengths, e.g., there may be one validity period length configured for the default transmit power (dynamic) indication and a different validity period length configured for other relay configuration signaling. In the example shown in Figure 15, the NCR is configured with a default TX power of P1 in DL, and the relay configuration validity period is 3 slots. The gNB intends to configure the repeater with TX power P1 in DL slots 1, 6, 7, 10, and 11, and with TX power P2 in the (remaining) DL slots 4 and 5. The gNB transmits relay configuration signaling (also referred to as "TPC" for Transmission Power Control) to change the TX power to P2 starting at the beginning of slot 4, and a TPC instructing the repeater to apply TX power P1 starting at the beginning of slot 6. As shown in row (c), the NCR receives the TPC to change the TX power to P2 at slot 4, but fails to receive the TPC to change the TX power to P1 at slot 6. This causes the NCR to perform relay transmission at transmit power P2 in slot 6. Since the validity period of the TCP (P2) command is 3 slots long, the period expires and no other / new TPC signaling has been received, so from the start of slot 7, the NCR applies the default DL TX power P1.

[0141] Generally, the default TX power level may be a reduced / increased value compared to the last received command. In other words, the TPC may indicate a value to increase / decrease the default or current transmit power, or may be an indication of the absolute value of the transmit power to be used. Furthermore, the default TX power may be similar to the OFF state mentioned above, i.e., the NCR may stop amplifying / repeating the signal (i.e., equivalent to TX power being zero).

[0142] <Relay setting indicating whether flexible slot / symbol is DL or UL slot / symbol> Below, we disclose further details when a relay configuration specifies whether a flexible slot is a DL slot or a UL slot, especially when another relay configuration specifies a transmission direction for one or more flexible slots that is different from the transmission direction (UL or DL) specified by the default relay configuration.

[0143] In general, an NCR is configured (in a default relay configuration or as part of a default relay configuration) with a default DL / UL state and one or more validity periods / lengths associated with a relay configuration command that indicates a (temporary) change in the transmission direction of a flexible symbol / slot. For example, an NCR may be configured with a default DL / UL state for a flexible slot / symbol and a (e.g., one) time period, after which the NCR applies the default DL / UL state for the flexible slot / symbol if a new DL / UL state is not configured / received before the time period has elapsed from the start / beginning of the validity period of the currently active temporary DL / UL state (as described above when the default relay configuration specifies a default transmit power). Specifically, the default state may be a (common) state that specifies the same default DL / UL state for each flexible slot / symbol. However, in general, different default states may be configured for different flexible slots / symbols.

[0144] In the example shown in Figure 16, as shown in row (a), the NCR is set to the default UL state for flexible slots. In particular, slot 1 is a DL slot, slots 2 and 3 are UL slots, slots 4 to 7 are flexible slots, slots 8 and 9 are UL slots, and slots 10 and 11 are DL slots.

[0145] As shown in row (b), the gNB intends to inform the NCR that flexible slot 4 is a DL slot and flexible slots 5 to 7 are UL slots. The time period for slot configuration (e.g., the length of the validity period) is illustratively assumed to be 2 slots. To this end, the gNB transmits relay configuration signaling including an indication (e.g., a slot format indicator) indicating that the flexible slots are DL slots from slot 4 onwards, and relay configuration signaling indicating that the flexible slots are UL slots from slot 5 onwards.

[0146] The NCR receives the first SFI, which configures the flexible slot for DL. Because the NCR misses the second SFI, which would configure slot 5 for UL (i.e., overwrite the DL-SFI for slot 5), the relay performs a relay transmission in slot 5, assuming that slot 5 is a DL slot and the transmission is to be relayed from the gNB to another entity. However, because the validity period is set to two slots, the NCR applies the default UL configuration for flexible slots 6 and 7.

[0147] <Relay settings showing the beam settings for relay transmission> In the following, details are disclosed for the case where a relay configuration specifies a beam configuration for the relay's transmission. This particularly refers to the case where another relay configuration specifies a beam configuration other than the beam configuration specified by the default relay configuration. The beam configuration indication may be, for example, a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) in LTE / NR. In particular, the beam configuration may be related to the beam direction, as shown in Figure 17.

[0148] In general, an NCR can be configured with a default beam setting (a default relay setting or part of the default relay setting) and one or more validity periods / lengths associated with relay setting commands that instruct a (temporary) change of the beam setting. For example, an NCR can be configured with a default beam (e.g., TCI) for relay transmission and a time period. After that time period, if a new relay setting command is not set / received before the time period has elapsed from the start / beginning of the validity period of the currently active temporary beam setting (as described above when the default relay setting specifies default transmit power), the default beam setting is applied. In other words, if a new / different beam setting is not received before the end of the time period, the NCR applies the default beam setting (i.e., uses the default beam setting for relay transmission). This is similar to the case where the relay setting specifies an ON / OFF state (i.e., whether to relay or not), as described above.

[0149] In a static deployment scenario, a certain beam may be used most of the time, and the gNB may determine this as the default beam configuration. However, if this (default) beam is blocked, another beam may be used. For example, in FIG. 17, the NCR may be configured to transmit DL signals using default beam #i. When default beam #i is blocked, the gNB may configure another beam (i.e., beam #j) for a certain time period, i.e., validity period, by generating and transmitting corresponding relay configuration signaling. The NCR may then revert to the default beam (e.g., automatically if no new other beam configuration is received). The start of the time period may be considered from the instance when a beam / link failure is identified or from the reception of relay configuration signaling indicating another beam configuration.

[0150] Generally, when configuring a relay node using a default beam configuration, the default beam may be configured according to, for example, a deployment scenario. When the default beam is blocked, the gNB may configure another beam for the NCR while ensuring that the NCR switches to the default beam (without additional overhead) after the default beam is blocked. Therefore, the validity period of the beam configuration may be determined according to the deployment scenario, taking into account the typical period during which temporary beam blocking may generally occur in that scenario.

[0151] <Repeater settings indicating the bandwidth portion for signal relay> The following provides further details on the case where the relay configuration specifies a bandwidth part (BWP) for relaying a signal. This particularly refers to the case where another relay configuration specifies a bandwidth different from the bandwidth specified by the default relay configuration. In general, the bandwidth part for relaying a signal may be a bandwidth part (e.g., a frequency range) in which resources for relay transmission are located. In other words, when relay transmission is performed according to the BWP or when the BWP is applied, the relay may determine the resources for relay transmission based on the BWP (particularly, the relay may determine that the resources are in the BWP). The gNB may change the BWP operation for the NCR (e.g., in which BWP the resources for relay transmission are located) depending on the UE's traffic and scheduling. To this end, it may send a BWP change command to the NCR (e.g., in the form of relay configuration signaling / instruction).

[0152] In general, an NCR can be configured with a default BWP (default relay setting or part of the default relay setting) and one or more validity periods / lengths associated with relay setting commands indicating a (temporary) change of the BWP. For example, an NCR may be configured with a default BWP (setting) and a certain time period, after which the default BWP is applied if a new BWP setting is not set / received before the time period has elapsed from the start / beginning of the validity period of the currently active temporary BWP setting (as described above when the default relay setting specifies default transmit power). In other words, the NCR applies the default BWP setting (i.e., uses the default BWP to transmit relay transmissions) if a new / other BWP setting is not received before the end of the time period. This is similar to the case where the relay setting specifies an ON / OFF state (i.e., whether to relay or not), as described above.

[0153] An example of this is shown in Figure 18, where the NCR is assumed to be configured with a default BWP#0 and a duration of 3 slots. As shown in line (b), the gNB intends to configure the NCR with BWP#1 operation for slots 2 and 3 and slots 9-11, and maintain the default BWP setting of BWP#0 for the remaining slots 1 and 4-8. Thus, as shown in line (c), the gNB sends a BWP change command to change the BWP to BWP#1 from slot 2 onwards, a BWP change command to change the BWP to BWP#0 from slot 4 onwards, and a BWP change command to change the BWP to BWP#1 from slot 9 onwards. Assume that the NCR misses the second command to revert to BWP#0. Therefore, the NCR (incorrectly) uses BWP#1 in slot 4. However, since the validity period of the received command is three slots, the NCR applies the default BWP#0 from slot 5, i.e., three slots after the start of the validity period of the BWP setting indicated by the last received command (i.e., the BWP change command that changes the BWP to BWP#1 from slot 2 onwards).

[0154] <Relay setting signaling and validity period signaling> Further details of relay configuration and validity period signaling are disclosed below, which apply to any relay configuration, especially those relating to ON / OFF, power control, flexible slots / symbols, beams, and / or BWPs as described above.

[0155] In this regard, it should be noted that the relay configuration signaling / command may be signaling / instruction indicating a specific relay configuration among multiple relay configurations already configured in the relay. This allows, for example, the command to indicate only the index of the relay configuration to be used, thereby reducing overhead. Furthermore, in general, the relay configuration signaling may be dynamic signaling (particularly, DCI) or semi-static signaling (particularly, RRC signaling), and / or the validity period signaling may be dynamic signaling (particularly, DCI) or semi-static signaling (particularly, RRC signaling). In particular, when dynamic signaling is used, the validity time period and / or the length of the validity period may be indicated, for example, using a new field in the DCI.

[0156] Furthermore, an indication of the validity period of the (temporary) new state configuration may generally be conveyed together with the configuration command (e.g., relay configuration signaling) indicating the (temporary) relay configuration. In other words, a relay node (e.g., the transceiver 1020) may receive the validity period signaling and the relay configuration signaling as part of the same control signaling. In particular, both the length of the validity period and the start / end (i.e., reference point) of the validity period may be indicated by the configuration command. For example, the length may be explicitly indicated by indicating the number of slots / symbols (i.e., the number of time length units recognized by the relay node) during which the configuration command indicating the relay configuration is valid. Furthermore, for example, the start point of the validity period may be implicitly given by the time the command is received by the relay. For example, the validity period may begin at the start of the next slot / symbol after the reception of the relay command. As already mentioned, a time offset may be used that is added to the reception time.

[0157] Dynamic indication of validity time may provide flexible state configuration. Furthermore, dynamic indication may reduce the number of control command signalings, e.g., may require fewer relay configuration signaling transmissions, especially compared to a semi-static validity period length.

[0158] An example of this is shown in Figure 19. In this example, the relay configuration signaling is an ON / OFF command with an indication of the respective validity times (in particular, an indication of the length of the respective validity periods). Note that the intended slot format (row (a)) and ON / OFF configuration are identical to the example in Figure 14.

[0159] As shown in line (c), the gNB transmits an OFF command to the relay node, which applies for two slots starting from slot 2. In other words, the signaling includes an OFF command (i.e., an instruction indicating no relaying) and an instruction indicating that the validity period of the OFF command is from slot 2 to slot 3. In particular, in contrast to the first command in the example of FIG. 14, the signaling includes an instruction indicating that the validity period is two slots long. Therefore, the NCR returns to the ON state from slot 3 after two slots. This reduces the number of required ON / OFF commands, since the second command in FIG. 14 that overwrites the first (OFF) command from slot 3 onward is not required. Furthermore, as in the example of FIG. 14, the gNB transmits an OFF command that applies for three slots starting from slot 9. In other words, to obtain the intended ON / OFF setting, this second OFF command includes an instruction indicating that the validity period is three slots long.

[0160] However, the present invention is not limited to dynamic signaling of validity periods (especially the length of the validity period). For example, each SFI-RNTI, each SFI index, or each slot format may be associated with a time value / length. Some of the lengths may generally be the same, but typically at least some of the time lengths associated with different slot formats / SFI-RNTIs / SFI indices are different.

[0161] Note that the SFI is used to configure flexible slots / symbols (i.e., the SFI is an indication of whether a flexible symbol / slot is a DL symbol / slot or a UL symbol / slot). The SFI-RNTI corresponds to an indication of which UEs are indicated (i.e., which UEs a particular SFI applies to) and may be transmitted along with the respective SFI and / or may be used, for example, to scramble the respective SFI. Furthermore, each SFI may carry one or more SFI index values, where each SFI index indicates a transmission direction of a different flexible symbol / slot (different from the flexible symbol / slot for which the other included SFI index indicates the transmission direction).

[0162] For example, the validity period signaling may be semi-static signaling and / or may include, for each of a plurality of slot formats, an indication indicating the length of the validity period for a slot of the slot format. In other words, when / while the repeater uses a first slot format, the repeater may determine that the length of the validity period is the length indicated for the first slot format. Furthermore, when the repeater receives an instruction to change to a second slot format (different from the first slot format), the repeater may determine that the length of the validity period is the length indicated for the second slot format. For example, an SFI may indicate that a certain slot setting applies to x consecutive slots, where the number x is given by the validity period signaling. In other words, the validity period signaling may be associated with each of a plurality of SFI indices (or a plurality of SFI-RNTIs, or a plurality of slot formats), and a validity time may be associated with each SFI index (or each SFI-RNTI, or each slot format).

[0163] In general, the relay may determine that the validity period length of a particular relay configuration signaling is the length indicated by the validity period signaling for the slot format of the slot indicated by the relay configuration signaling, which may be the receiving slot of the configuration signaling.

[0164] In the case of SFI-RNTIs, the UE may be configured to monitor several SFI-RNTIs (i.e., by bind-decoding specific periodic signaling using the monitored SFI-RNTIs). For example, one SFI-RNTI may indicate that the indicated slot configuration is valid for one slot (i.e., the slot configuration received in the signaling, when scrambled with that one SFI-RNTI, is valid for one slot), another SFI-RNTI may indicate that the indicated slot configuration is valid for two slots, etc.

[0165] In the case of the SFI index, several SFI index values ​​may be carried in a single SFI-RNTI. For example, one index may be used to indicate a specific slot configuration for only one slot, another index may be used to indicate a specific slot configuration for two slots, etc. In other words, the same slot configuration may be indicated by multiple SFI index values, and each SFI index value may indicate a different validity period than the other SFI index values.

[0166] <Relay setting report> Generally, a relay node (e.g., the relay setting circuit 1035) may generate a relay setting report including an indication of a current relay setting and transmit the relay setting report (e.g., via the transceiver unit 1020) (to the gNB). Correspondingly, the gNB may be configured to receive and interpret the report. The relay setting report indicates the relay setting that the relay is currently using to relay signals. "Current" refers, for example, to the time when the relay node generates and / or transmits the relay report. The relay setting report may generally indicate multiple relay settings. For example, if different relay settings are used for UL and DL, there will be a relay setting currently applied to UL relay transmissions and a relay setting currently applied to DL relay transmissions. The current state may relate to an ON / OFF state, power control / transmit power, flexible slot / symbol transmit direction, beam setting, or BWP setting, as described above.

[0167] It should be noted that the use of relay setting reports may be used in addition to or instead of the use of the validity times of the default relay setting and temporary override relay setting described above. For example, according to another embodiment, a communication device is provided that includes a transceiver unit and circuitry. The transceiver unit, in operation, (i) relays signals, (ii) receives relay setting signaling, and (iii) transmits a relay setting report. The circuitry, in operation, (i) obtains an indication of the relay setting from the relay setting signaling, and (ii) generates a relay setting report that includes an indication of the current relay setting.

[0168] <Automatic relay setting report> In general, a relay may generate a relay configuration report if it does not receive relay configuration signaling for a predetermined, directed, and / or preset period (i.e., length of time). In other words, an NCR reports its current transmission configuration state if it does not receive a new state configuration for a predetermined / directed / preconfigured time period. In general, the length of this time period may be different from the set length of the validity time.

[0169] In general, the predetermined period and / or the indicated period may be configured / indicated, for example, by the gNB, semi-statically (e.g., via RRC) or dynamically (e.g., via DCI). In other words, the predetermined period may be a timer that counts down to zero and is reset to the predetermined period each time a configuration signaling is received. Furthermore, when the time reaches zero, a relay configuration report is transmitted.

[0170] An example of this is shown in Figure 20. In Figure 20, the NCR is configured to report its current transmit state (i.e., ON / OFF) if it does not receive a new command for more than two slots (i.e., the repeater is configured with a predetermined duration of two slots). The repeater is further configured with a validity duration of three slots. As shown in row (c), the NCR receives an OFF command applied from slot 2 at or just before the start of slot 2 and misses the ON command from slot 4 that would turn the NCR ON. Therefore, the NCR reports its current state (i.e., OFF state) in slot 5, the next available UL slot.

[0171] Thus, in response to receiving the relay configuration report, the gNB may retransmit the ON command at the next instance, i.e., in the next DL slot (slot 6), e.g., at the beginning of slot 6. Furthermore, the gNB may optionally instruct the UE to later retransmit in slot 6 and / or slot 7 the DL data that it sent in slot 4 (and that would have been relayed / amplified, but which did not happen due to the missed reception of the command), since it knows from the relay report that the NCR did not amplify the signal in slot 4.

[0172] <Relay setting report request> Generally, a gNB may request / configure an NCR to report its current transmission configuration state. For example, the gNB may use such a request to ensure that the transmission configuration is correctly received by the NCR.

[0173] More specifically, the relay may be configured to receive and interpret the relay setting report request and generate a relay setting report in response to the relay setting report request.

[0174] In general, such a request may be, for example, a signaling / instruction transmitted by the gNB together with the relay configuration signaling (i.e., as part of the same transmission). In particular, the NCR may be semi-statically configured or dynamically indicated to respond to the reception of a specific transmission configuration. However, the relay configuration report request may also be transmitted in a transmission that does not carry a relay configuration indication. In other words, the NCR may be configured or indicated to report the current transmission configuration.

[0175] In the example shown in Figure 21, the gNB intends to put the repeater in the OFF state in slots 2, 3, and 9-11. To do this, the gNB sends an OFF command to be applied starting from slot 2. The gNB sends an ON command to be applied starting from slot 4. The gNB also sends an indication to request a status report along with this ON command. As shown in Figure 14, the NCR misses the first ON command and therefore does not report a status report. The gNB recognizes this and sends another ON command to be applied starting from slot 6, along with a status report request. The NCR receives the request and reports the current state to the gNB in ​​slot 8.

[0176] <Default relay setting - periodic pattern> In general, periodic transmission states (e.g., ON / OFF) associated with active periods may also be configured, and the gNB may dynamically change the active periods of these transmission states. For example, a default relay configuration may specify a periodic pattern (i.e., periodic in time) of two or more transmission states, each associated with an active period after which the transmission state becomes inactive and a transmission state of the periodic pattern other than the transmission state becomes active. In other words, for a given time (point in time / time instance), the periodic pattern specifies (e.g., one) transmission state, and the corresponding sequence of transmission states is a periodic pattern that is periodic in time (i.e., repeats after a specific time).

[0177] Each transmission state may specify (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) the transmit power for the relay transmission, (iii) whether the flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink or uplink symbols, (iv) whether the flexible slots in the slot format are downlink or uplink slots, (v) the beam configuration for the relay transmission, and / or (vi) the band portion for relaying the signal. In other words, each transmission state of such a default relay configuration may be a relay configuration as described above.

[0178] In general, when a default relay configuration specifies a periodic pattern of transmission states (or relay configurations), relay configuration signaling indicating "other relay configurations" may include instructions to (i) extend the active period of a transmission state of the periodic pattern by a validity period in a particular period of the periodic pattern, and (ii) shorten the active period of an adjacent transmission state of the periodic pattern by a validity period.

[0179] An adjacent transmission state may be a transmission state immediately before (e.g., immediately after) the transmission state being extended in the periodic pattern, where before and after refer to the time order of the transmission states given by the periodic pattern. In other words, an adjacent transmission state after (before) a particular transmission state is the next (previous) transmission state in the periodic pattern, i.e., the transmission state that becomes active when the active period of the particular transmission state ends (the transmission state that was active before the particular transmission state became active).

[0180] The period during which the active period of the transmission state is changed may be explicitly indicated or implicitly indicated (e.g., the "current" period, i.e., the period during which the relay configuration signaling is received). In other words, the active time / period of the transmission state is temporarily changed / overwritten (e.g., for one period / instance, or for an indicated number of cycles / instances). Furthermore, it should be noted that the amount (length of time) of shortening and lengthening corresponds to the length of the validity period.

[0181] In general, the extending or shortening transmission state may be implicitly provided, for example, (i) the transmission state that is active when the relay configuration signaling is received, or (ii) the transmission state that becomes active according to a pattern after the active period of the transmission state that is active when the relay configuration signaling is received.

[0182] FIG. 22 shows an example in which the default relay setting is a periodic pattern of transmission states. In the example of FIG. 22, each periodic state is associated with a different ON / OFF state. More specifically, the periodic pattern is a pattern of two (different) transmission states. It should be noted that, in general, separate / different discontinuous reception (DRX) settings can be defined or set for the ON / OFF period (i.e., a DRX setting for the transmission ON state and a different DRX state for the transmission OFF state). Furthermore, in FIG. 22, the periodic ON / OFF state set to NCR has an active length of 1 slot (ON transmission state / ON period) and 3 slots (OFF transmission state / OFF period). It should be noted that the periodic pattern in FIG. 22 is repeated after 4 slots.

[0183] In general, a dedicated DCI may be used to shorten and / or skip (i.e., "shorten to 0") an ON period (or OFF period) (similar to PDCCH skipping). A different DCI than for extending the period may be used to extend the ON (or OFF) period. In another example, a DCI for extending a transmission state may indicate only the transmission state for which the active period is to be extended, and the transmission state for which the active period is to be shortened may be implicitly given (e.g., if the transmission state to be extended is already active, other neighboring states before the transmission state to be extended cannot be shortened, so the shortened state may (always) be the subsequent state). Similarly, a DCI for shortening a transmission state may indicate only the transmission state to be shortened, and extending other states may be implicitly given.

[0184] In FIG. 22, during the first ON period, the NCR receives a DCI indicating to extend the ON period by one slot (and shorten the active period of the subsequent / next OFF transmit state by the same amount by one slot). For the second ON period, the NCR receives a DCI indicating to skip that ON period. This causes the NCR to remain in the OFF state in slot 5. Also, note that the relay configuration command (i.e., the DCI in FIG. 22) changes the active period of the transmit state only for one specific period. In other words, subsequent instances of the transmit state have the active period specified by the periodicity pattern unless other relay configuration signaling is received that temporarily overrides the active period. For example, in FIG. 22, because no further relay configuration signaling is received after the DCI in slot 1 and the DCI in slot 5, the active period of the ON state is one slot in slot 9, as specified by the pattern.

[0185] Using a default relay configuration that specifies a time-periodic pattern of transmission states (for relaying) can be beneficial for periodic traffic (e.g., SPS, CG, SR, and CQI reporting). Providing dynamic instructions to dynamically adapt active periods allows for scheduling flexibility, e.g., to adapt the relay to sudden spikes in traffic load.

[0186] Hardware and Software Implementations of the Disclosure The present disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware, or software operating in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the above-described embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by an LSI such as an integrated circuit. Each process described in each embodiment can be controlled, in whole or in part, by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI can be formed as an individual chip, or a single chip can be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI can include a data input / output unit coupled to it. Depending on the level of integration, the LSI can also be referred to as an IC (integrated circuit), system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI. However, the technology for implementing an integrated circuit is not limited to LSI, and can be implemented using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or dedicated processors. Furthermore, FPGAs (field programmable gate arrays), which can be programmed after LSI fabrication, and reconfigurable processors, which can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells arranged within the LSI, can also be used. The present disclosure can be implemented using digital or analog processing. If, as a result of advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, LSI is replaced by future integrated circuit technologies, these future integrated circuit technologies can be used to integrate functional blocks. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0187] The present disclosure may be implemented by any type of apparatus, device, or system referred to as a communications apparatus. For example, relay nodes, network nodes, and scheduling apparatuses are considered communications apparatuses.

[0188] A communication device may include a transceiver and processing / control circuitry. A transceiver may include and / or function as a receiver and a transmitter. As a transmitter and receiver, a transceiver may include an RF (radio frequency) module including an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, etc., and one or more antennas.

[0189] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include telephones (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), 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, e-readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, vehicles (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships) that provide communication capabilities, and various combinations thereof.

[0190] Communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but can also include any type of equipment, device, or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., appliances, lights, smart meters, control panels), vending machines, and any other "thing" in an "Internet of Things" (IoT) network.

[0191] Communication can include, for example, exchanging data through cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, etc., and various combinations thereof.

[0192] A communications device may include devices such as a controller or a sensor coupled to the communications device to perform the communications functions described in this disclosure. For example, a communications device may include a controller or a sensor that generates control or data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications device.

[0193] The communications apparatus may further include infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicate with or control apparatuses such as the apparatuses in the non-limiting examples above.

[0194] Furthermore, various embodiments may be implemented by software modules, which are executed by a processor or directly in hardware. A combination of software modules and hardware implementation is also possible. The software modules may be stored on any type of computer-readable storage medium. In particular, according to another implementation, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium is provided. The storage medium stores a program that, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform the steps of a method according to the present disclosure.

[0195] By way of non-limiting example, such computer-readable storage media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, flash memory, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer. Also, any connection is referred to as a computer-readable medium, as appropriate. For example, if instructions are transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, digital subscriber line (DSL), or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave, the coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, DSL, or wireless technologies such as infrared, radio, and microwave are included within the definition of medium. However, it should be understood that computer-readable storage media and data storage media do not include connections, carrier waves, signals, or other transitory media, but instead cover non-transitory tangible storage media. As used herein, a disc includes a compact disc (CD), a laser disc, an optical disc, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a floppy disk, and a Blu-ray disc, where a "disk" typically reproduces data magnetically, while a "disc" reproduces data optically with a laser. Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer-readable media.

[0196] Furthermore, it should be noted that individual features of different embodiments may be the subject of other embodiments, individually or in any combination. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure, as set forth in the specific embodiments, may be subject to various changes and / or modifications without departing from the concept or scope of the invention as broadly described. The embodiments described herein are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

[0197] Further Aspects According to a first aspect, a communications device is provided. The communications device includes a transceiver unit and a circuit. In operation, the transceiver unit (i) relays a signal, (ii) receives default relay setting signaling, (iii) receives relay setting signaling, and (iv) receives validity period signaling. In operation, the circuit (i) obtains, from the default relay setting signaling, an indication of a default relay setting to be used by the transceiver unit to relay signals outside the validity period, (ii) obtains, from the relay setting signaling, an indication of another relay setting, (iii) obtains, from the validity period signaling, an indication of a validity period of the other relay setting, (iv) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (v) controls the transceiver unit to relay according to the default relay setting after the validity period has expired.

[0198] According to a second aspect provided in addition to the first aspect, each of the default relay configuration and other relay configurations specifies (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) the transmit power for relay transmissions, (iii) whether flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols, (iv) whether flexible slots in the slot format are downlink slots or uplink slots, (v) the beam configuration for relay transmissions, and / or (vi) the bandwidth portion for relaying the signal.

[0199] According to a third aspect provided in addition to the first or second aspect, the transceiver unit, in operation, receives validity period signaling and relay configuration signaling as part of the same control signaling.

[0200] According to a fourth aspect provided in addition to the first or second aspect, in obtaining the validity period of another relay setting, the circuit, in operation, obtains from the validity period signaling, for each of a plurality of slot formats, an indication of the length of the validity period in a slot of the slot format, and obtains an indication of the length of the slot format of the slot indicated by the relay setting signaling as an indication of the validity period of the other relay setting.

[0201] A fifth aspect is provided in addition to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the circuit, upon operation, generates a relay setting report including an indication of a current relay setting, and the transceiver, upon operation, transmits the relay setting report.

[0202] A sixth aspect is provided in addition to the fifth aspect, wherein the circuit, in operation, generates a relay setting report if the transceiver unit does not receive any other relay setting signaling other than the relay setting signaling within a predetermined period after receiving the relay setting signaling.

[0203] A seventh aspect is provided in addition to the fifth aspect, wherein the transceiver unit, when operating, receives a relay setting report request, and the circuit, when operating, generates a relay setting report in response to the relay setting report request.

[0204] An eighth aspect is provided in addition to any one of the first to seventh aspects, wherein the default relay configuration specifies a periodic pattern of two or more transmit states. Each of the two or more transmit states is associated with an active period during which the transmit state is inactive and a transmit state of the periodic pattern other than the transmit state is active. Further, each of the two or more transmit states specifies (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) a transmit power for relay transmissions, (iii) whether flexible symbols of the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols, (iv) whether flexible slots of the slot format are downlink slots or uplink slots, (v) a beam configuration for relay transmissions, and / or (vi) a bandwidth portion for relaying a signal.

[0205] A ninth aspect is provided in addition to the eighth aspect, wherein the circuit, in operation, obtains from the relay configuration signaling, as other relay configuration instructions, instructions to (i) extend an active period of a transmission state of the periodic pattern by an effective period in a particular period of the periodic pattern, and (ii) shorten an active period of an adjacent transmission state of the periodic pattern by the effective period, the adjacent transmission states being transmission states before and after the extended transmission state.

[0206] According to a tenth aspect, there is provided a scheduling device. The scheduling device includes a circuit and a transceiver unit. In operation, the circuit (i) determines a default relay setting to be used by a communication device to relay signals outside of a validity period of the relay setting, (ii) generates default relay setting signaling including an indication of the default relay setting, (iii) determines other relay settings and generates relay setting signaling including an indication of the other relay settings, (iv) determines validity periods of the other relay settings, and (v) generates validity period signaling including an indication of the validity period. In operation, the transceiver unit (i) transmits the default relay setting signaling, (ii) transmits the relay setting signaling, (iii) transmits the validity period signaling, and (iv) receives relayed signals from the communication device and / or transmits relayed signals to the communication device.

[0207] An eleventh aspect is provided in addition to the tenth aspect, wherein each of the default relay configuration and other relay configurations specifies (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) transmit power for relay transmissions, (iii) whether flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols, (iv) whether flexible slots in the slot format are downlink slots or uplink slots, (v) beam configuration for relay transmissions, and / or (vi) bandwidth portion for relaying signals.

[0208] A twelfth aspect is provided in addition to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein, in operation, the transceiver unit transmits the validity period signaling and the relay configuration signaling as part of the same control signaling.

[0209] A thirteenth aspect is provided in addition to the tenth or eleventh aspect, wherein in determining the validity period of the other relay setting, the circuit, in operation, (i) determines, for each of a plurality of slot formats, the length of the validity period in slots of the slot format, and (ii) in generating the validity period signaling, includes an indication of the length of the slot format of the slot indicated by the relay setting signaling as an indication of the validity period of the other relay setting.

[0210] A fourteenth aspect is provided in addition to any one of the tenth to thirteenth aspects, wherein the transceiver unit, upon operation, receives a relay setting report from the communication device, and the circuit, upon operation, obtains an indication of a current relay setting of the communication device from the relay setting report.

[0211] A fifteenth aspect is provided in addition to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the transceiver unit, in operation, predicts that the communication device will send a relay setting report if the communication device does not receive any other relay setting signaling other than the relay setting signaling within a predetermined period after receiving the relay setting signaling.

[0212] A sixteenth aspect is provided in addition to the fourteenth aspect, wherein the circuit, when operative, generates a relay setting report request, and the transceiver, when operative, transmits the relay setting report request.

[0213] A seventeenth aspect is provided in addition to any one of the tenth to sixteenth aspects, wherein the default relay configuration specifies a periodic pattern of two or more transmit states. Each of the two or more transmit states is associated with an active period during which the transmit state is inactive and a transmit state of the periodic pattern other than the transmit state is active. Further, each of the two or more transmit states specifies (i) whether to perform relaying, (ii) a transmit power for the relay transmissions, (iii) whether flexible symbols of the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols, (iv) whether flexible slots of the slot format are downlink slots or uplink slots, (v) a beam configuration for the relay transmissions, and / or (vi) a bandwidth portion for relaying a signal.

[0214] An eighteenth aspect is provided in addition to the seventeenth aspect, wherein the circuit, in operation, in generating the relay configuration signaling as another relay configuration instruction, includes instructions to (i) extend an active period of a transmission state of the periodic pattern by an effective period in a particular period of the periodic pattern, and (ii) shorten an active period of an adjacent transmission state of the periodic pattern by the effective period, the adjacent transmission state being a transmission state in the periodic pattern that precedes or follows the transmission state that is extended.

[0215] According to a nineteenth aspect, there is provided a method for a communications device, the method including: (i) receiving default relay setting signaling, (ii) obtaining from the default relay setting signaling an indication of a default relay setting to be used for relaying outside a validity period of a relay setting, (iii) receiving relay setting signaling, (iv) obtaining from the relay setting signaling an indication of another relay setting, (v) receiving validity period signaling, (vi) obtaining from the validity period signaling an indication of a validity period of the other relay setting, (vii) relaying signals according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (viii) relaying signals according to the default relay setting after expiration of the validity period.

[0216] Further aspects are provided for the method according to the nineteenth aspect, corresponding to steps performed when operative by a communication device provided according to any of the second to ninth aspects.

[0217] According to a twentieth aspect, there is provided a method for a scheduling apparatus, the method including the steps of: (i) determining a default relay setting to be used by a communications device to relay a signal outside of a validity period of a relay setting, (ii) generating default relay setting signaling including an indication of the default relay setting, (iii) transmitting the default relay setting signaling, (iv) determining another relay setting, (v) generating relay setting signaling including an indication of the other relay setting, (vi) transmitting the relay setting signaling, (vii) determining validity periods of the other relay settings, (viii) generating validity period signaling including an indication of the validity period, (ix) transmitting the validity period signaling, and (x) receiving a relayed signal from the communications device and / or transmitting a relayed signal to the communications device.

[0218] With respect to the method according to the twentieth aspect, further aspects are provided corresponding to steps performed when operating by the scheduling device provided by any one of the eleventh to eighteenth aspects.

[0219] According to a twenty-first aspect, there is provided an integrated circuit (which may be deployed in a communication system, particularly a relay node), which, in operation, controls processing of a communication device, the processing including (i) receiving default relay setting signaling, (ii) obtaining from the default relay setting signaling an indication of a default relay setting to be used for relaying outside a validity period of the relay setting, (iii) receiving relay setting signaling, (iv) obtaining from the relay setting signaling an indication of another relay setting, (v) receiving validity period signaling, (vi) obtaining from the validity period signaling an indication of a validity period of the other relay setting, (vii) relaying signals according to the other relay setting during the validity period, and (viii) relaying signals according to the default relay setting after expiration of the validity period.

[0220] For example, an integrated circuit according to a twenty-first aspect includes an interface to a transceiver unit capable of receiving and transmitting signals, (i) configuring the transceiver unit to receive default relay setting signaling via the interface, (ii) obtaining from the default relay setting signaling (e.g., default relay setting signaling obtained by the circuit from the transceiver unit via the interface) an indication of a default relay setting to be used for relaying outside of the validity period of the relay setting, (iii) configuring the transceiver unit to receive relay setting signaling via the interface, and (iv) receiving an indication of another relay setting (e.g., obtained via the interface) from the previous relay setting signaling. The interface may include circuitry configured (by hardware or software) to: (i) obtain from the relay setting signaling an indication of the validity period of the other relay setting; (ii) configure the transceiver unit via the interface to relay signals according to the other relay setting during the validity period; and (iii) configure the transceiver unit via the interface to relay signals according to the default relay setting after the validity period has expired.

[0221] The integrated circuit of the twenty-first aspect may further implement the corresponding feature of any one of the second to ninth aspects.

[0222] According to a twenty-second aspect, an integrated circuit is provided (which may be deployed in communications, particularly in a scheduling device). The integrated circuit, in operation, controls processing of the scheduling device, the processing of the scheduling device including (i) determining a default relay setting to be used by the communications device to relay signals outside of a validity period of the relay setting, (ii) generating default relay setting signaling including an indication of the default relay setting, (iii) transmitting the default relay setting signaling, (iv) determining other relay settings, (v) generating relay setting signaling including an indication of the other relay setting, (vi) transmitting the relay setting signaling, (vii) determining validity periods of the other relay settings, (viii) generating validity period signaling including an indication of the validity period, (ix) transmitting the validity period signaling, and (x) receiving relayed signals from the communications device and / or transmitting relayed signals to the communications device.

[0223] For example, an integrated circuit according to a 22nd aspect may include an interface to a transceiver unit capable of receiving and transmitting signals, and circuitry configured (by hardware or software) to: (i) determine a default relay setting to be used by the communications device to relay signals outside of the validity period of the relay setting; (ii) generate default relay setting signaling including an indication of the default relay setting; (iii) configure the transceiver unit to transmit the default relay setting signaling via the interface; (iv) determine other relay settings; (v) generate relay setting signaling including an indication of the other relay setting; (vi) configure the transceiver unit to transmit relay setting signaling via the interface; (vii) determine validity periods of the other relay settings; (viii) generate validity period signaling including an indication of the validity period; (ix) configure the transceiver unit to transmit the validity period signaling via the interface; and (x) configure the transceiver unit to receive relayed signals from the communications device and / or transmit relayed signals to the communications device.

[0224] The integrated circuit of the twenty-second aspect may further implement the corresponding feature of any one of the second to ninth aspects.

[0225] According to a 23rd aspect, there is provided a program stored on a (non-transitory) storage medium and comprising code instructions which, when executed on one or more processors of a user equipment, cause the one or more processors to perform the steps of any of the methods described above (the 19th and 20th aspects and further aspects thereof).

[0226] According to a 24th aspect, there is provided a communications device comprising a transceiver unit and circuitry, wherein the transceiver unit, in operation, (i) relays signals, (ii) receives relay configuration signaling, and (iii) transmits a relay configuration report, and the circuitry, in operation, (i) obtains a relay configuration indication from the relay configuration signaling, and (ii) generates a relay configuration report including an indication of a current relay configuration.

[0227] A 25th aspect is provided in addition to the 24th aspect, wherein the circuit, in operation, generates a relay setting report if the transceiver unit does not receive any other relay setting signaling other than the relay setting signaling within a predetermined period after receiving the relay setting signaling.

[0228] According to a 26th aspect provided in addition to the 24th aspect, the transceiver unit, when operating, receives a relay setting report request, and the circuit, when operating, generates a relay setting report in response to the relay setting report request.

[0229] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method corresponding to steps performed, in operation, by a communications device provided by aspects 24 to 26. According to a further aspect, an integrated circuit, in operation, controls processing of the communications device, the processing of the communications device comprising steps performed, in operation, by a communications device provided by any one of aspects 24 to 26.

[0230] According to a 27th aspect, there is provided a scheduling apparatus comprising a transceiver unit and circuitry that, in operation, (i) determines a relay setting used by a communication device to relay a signal, (ii) generates relay setting signaling including an indication of the relay setting, and (iii) obtains from a relay setting report a current relay setting used by the communication device to relay the signal. The transceiver unit, in operation, (i) transmits the relay setting signaling and (ii) receives the relay setting report.

[0231] A 28th aspect is provided in addition to the 27th aspect, wherein the transceiver unit, when operating, predicts that the communication device will send a relay setting report if the communication device does not receive any other relay setting signaling other than the relay setting signaling within a predetermined period after receiving the relay setting signaling.

[0232] A 29th aspect is provided in addition to the 27th aspect, wherein the circuit, when operated, generates a relay setting report request, and the transceiver, when operated, transmits the relay setting report request.

[0233] According to a further aspect, there is provided a method corresponding to steps performed in operation by a scheduling apparatus provided according to aspects 27 to 29. According to a further aspect, there is provided an integrated circuit, which in operation controls processing of the scheduling apparatus, the processing comprising steps performed in operation by a scheduling apparatus provided according to any one of aspects 27 to 29.

Claims

1. When in operation, Relay the signal, Receive default relay setting signaling, receiving relay configuration signaling; receiving a validity period signaling; a transmitter / receiver; When in operation, obtaining, from the default relay setting signaling, an indication of a default relay setting to be used by the transceiver unit to relay the signal outside of a validity period; obtaining an indication of another relay configuration from the relay configuration signaling; obtaining an indication of a validity period of the other relay configuration from the validity period signaling; controlling the transmitting / receiving unit to perform the relay in accordance with the other relay setting during the valid period; After the expiration of the valid period, the transmitting / receiving unit is controlled to perform the relay in accordance with the default relay setting. The circuit and A communication device comprising:

2. Each of the default relay setting and the other relay setting is Whether or not to relay the information a transmission power for the relay transmission; whether the flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols; whether the flexible slot of the slot format is a downlink slot or an uplink slot; beam configuration for the transmission of said relay; and / or a bandwidth portion for relaying said signal; Specify the The communication device according to claim 1 .

3. In operation, the transceiver receives the validity period signaling and the relay configuration signaling as part of the same control signaling.

3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. In obtaining the validity period of the other relay configuration, the circuitry, in operation, obtains from the validity period signaling, for each slot format of a plurality of slot formats, an indication regarding a length of a validity period in a slot of the slot format; the indication regarding the length of a slot format of the slot indicated by the relay configuration signaling is obtained as an indication of a validity period of the other relay configuration; 3. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

5. the circuitry, in operation, generates a relay setting report including an indication of a current relay setting; The transceiver unit transmits the relay setting report when in operation. The communication device according to claim 1 .

6. In operation, the circuit generates the relay setting report if the transceiver unit does not receive any other relay setting signaling other than the relay setting signaling within a predetermined period after receiving the relay setting signaling. The communication device according to claim 5 .

7. The transceiver unit, when operating, receives a relay setting report request; The circuitry, in operation, generates the relay setting report in response to the relay setting report request. The communication device according to claim 5 .

8. The default relay configuration defines a periodic pattern of two or more transmission states, and each transmission state of the two or more transmission states includes: associated with an active period, after which the transmission state becomes inactive and a transmission state of the periodic pattern other than the transmission state becomes active; Whether or not to relay the information a transmission power for the relay transmission; whether the flexible symbols in the slot format are downlink symbols or uplink symbols; whether the flexible slot of the slot format is a downlink slot or an uplink slot; beam configuration for the transmission of said relay; and / or a bandwidth portion for relaying said signal; Specify the The communication device according to claim 1 .

9. In operation, the circuitry receives from the relay configuration signaling as an indication of the other relay configuration: extending the active period of a transmission state of the periodic pattern by the validity period during a particular period of the periodic pattern; shortening the active period of the adjacent transmission state of the periodic pattern by the validity period; Get instructions, the adjacent transmission state is a transmission state before or after the transmission state to be extended in the periodic pattern; The communication device according to claim 8.

10. When in operation, determining a default relay setting for the communication device to use to relay signals outside of a validity period of the relay setting; generating default relay configuration signaling including an indication of the default relay configuration; Determine other relay settings, generating relay configuration signaling including an indication of the other relay configuration; determining a validity period of the other relay setting; generating a validity period signaling including an indication of said validity period; The circuit and When in operation, Sending the default relay configuration signaling; transmitting the relay configuration signaling; transmitting said validity period signaling; receiving a relayed signal from said communication device and / or transmitting a relayed signal to said communication device; a transmitter / receiver; Equipped with Scheduling device.

11. 1. A method for a communication device, comprising: receiving a default relay configuration signaling; obtaining from the default relay configuration signaling an indication of a default relay configuration to be used for relaying outside the validity period of the relay configuration; receiving relay configuration signaling; obtaining an indication of another relay configuration from the relay configuration signaling; receiving a validity period signaling; obtaining an indication of a validity period of the other relay configuration from the validity period signaling; relaying a signal according to the other relay configuration within the validity period; relaying the signal according to the default relay configuration after the expiration of the validity period; A method comprising:

12. 1. A method for a scheduling device, comprising: determining a default relay setting that the communication device will use to relay signals outside of a validity period of the relay setting; generating a default relay configuration signaling including an indication of the default relay configuration; transmitting the default relay configuration signaling; determining other relay configurations; generating relay configuration signaling including an indication of the other relay configuration; transmitting the relay configuration signaling; determining a validity period of the other relay setting; generating a validity period signaling including an indication of said validity period; transmitting said validity period signaling; receiving a relayed signal from said communication device and / or transmitting a relayed signal to said communication device; A method comprising:

13. 1. An integrated circuit that, in operation, controls the processing of a communications device, said processing comprising: receiving default relay configuration signaling; obtaining from the default relay configuration signaling an indication of a default relay configuration to be used for relaying outside a validity period of the relay configuration; receiving relay configuration signaling; obtaining an indication of another relay configuration from the relay configuration signaling; receiving a validity period signaling; obtaining an indication of a validity period of the other relay configuration from the validity period signaling; relaying a signal according to the other relay setting within the validity period; relaying the signal according to the default relay configuration after the expiration of the validity period; , an integrated circuit.

14. An integrated circuit that, in operation, controls the processing of a scheduling device, said processing comprising: determining a default relay setting that the communication device uses to relay signals outside of a validity period of the relay setting; generating default relay configuration signaling including an indication of the default relay configuration; transmitting the default relay configuration signaling; determining other relay configurations; generating relay configuration signaling including an indication of the other relay configuration; transmitting the relay configuration signaling; determining a validity period of the other relay setting; generating a validity period signaling including an indication of said validity period; transmitting said validity period signaling; receiving a relayed signal from the communication device and / or transmitting a relayed signal to the communication device; , an integrated circuit.

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