Transmission system and transmission method

Abstract

To provide a transmitting device capable of further performance improvement.SOLUTION: A transmitting system is a transmitting system for controlling a first base station and a second base station, including a processor, the processor generates first transmission signals and second transmission signals including first data, controls so as to transmit the first transmission signals from the first base station to a first terminal, transmits the second transmission signals from the second base station to the first terminal, and controls so that the transmission of the second transmission signals overlaps with the transmission of the first transmission signals on time domain or on frequency domain.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transmission method, a transmission device, a receiving method, and a receiving device. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, as a communication method using multiple antennas, there is a communication method called MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Out). In multi-antenna communication represented by MIMO, multiple streams of transmission data are modulated and each modulated signal is simultaneously transmitted from different antennas using the same frequency (common frequency), thereby improving the reception quality of data and / or increasing the data communication speed (per unit time).

[0003] In addition, in the case of multicast / broadcast communication in multiple antenna communication, a transmitting device may use a pseudo-omni-pattern antenna having a nearly constant antenna gain over a wide range of directions in space. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a transmitting device transmits a modulated signal using a pseudo-omni-pattern antenna. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] International Publication No. 2011 / 055536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] There is a demand for further performance improvements in communication methods using multiple antennas. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A transmission system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a first base station and a second base station. the first base station generates a first transmission signal including first data and transmits the first transmission signal addressed to a first terminal, the second base station generates a second transmission signal including the first data and transmits the second transmission signal addressed to the first terminal, the transmission of the second transmission signal overlaps with the transmission of the first transmission signal in a time domain or a frequency domain, the first base station further comprises a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit, transmits the first transmission signal from the first antenna unit and transmits a third transmission signal including the first data from the second antenna unit addressed to the second terminal, the transmission of the third transmission signal is started when the first base station receives a request signal specifying the first data from the second terminal and notifies the second terminal that the first data is being transmitted, and then receives a notification from the second terminal that the first data cannot be received. .

[0007] A transmitting device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transmitting device having a plurality of transmitting antennas, and includes a signal processing unit that generates a first modulated signal sequence by modulating a first data stream, and a transmitting unit that transmits a first signal carrying the first modulated signal sequence from a first antenna unit and transmits a second signal carrying the first modulated signal sequence from a second antenna unit, wherein the first signal and the second signal are transmitted at the same time using frequency resources included in an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing) frame, the first antenna unit is selected by a first terminal device, and the second antenna unit is selected by a second terminal device different from the first terminal device, and the second signal receives a request signal specifying the first data stream from the second terminal device, notifies the second terminal device that the first data stream is being transmitted, and then starts transmission when a notification is received from the second terminal device that the first data stream cannot be received.

[0008] Moreover, a transmitting device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transmitting device equipped with a plurality of transmitting antennas, and includes a signal processing unit that modulates data of a first stream to generate a first baseband signal and modulates data of a second stream to generate a second baseband signal, and a transmitting unit that generates a plurality of first transmission signals, each having a different directivity, from the first baseband signal and generates a plurality of second transmission signals, each having a different directivity, from the second baseband signal, and transmits the plurality of first transmission signals and the plurality of second transmission signals at the same time. Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure may provide improved performance in communication methods that use multiple antennas. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an antenna unit of a base station. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an antenna unit of a terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 8] A diagram showing the relationship between multiple streams. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol configuration. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 13] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between multiple modulated signals. [Figure 14] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 15] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a frame configuration. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a symbol configuration. [Figure 17] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 19] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 20] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 21] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between multiple modulated signals. [Figure 22] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Diagram 23] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. [Figure 24] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station and a terminal; [Diagram 25] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station. [Figure 26] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station. [Figure 28] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. [Figure 29] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal; [Diagram 30] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. [Diagram 31] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station. [Diagram 32] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station. [Diagram 33] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. [Diagram 34] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. [Diagram 35] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station. [Diagram 36] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a base station (or an access point or the like) in this embodiment.

[0012] 101-1 indicates #1 information, 101-2 indicates #2 information, ..., 101-M indicates information #M. 101-i indicates #i information. i is an integer between 1 and M. M is an integer between 2 and 3. It is not necessary for all of the information from #1 to #M to exist.

[0013] The signal processing unit 102 receives the #1 information 101-1, the #2 information (101-2), ..., the #M information 101-M, and the control signal 159. The signal processing unit 102 performs signal processing based on information included in the control signal 159, such as "information on the error correction coding method (coding rate, code length (block length))", "information on the modulation method", "information on precoding", "transmission method (multiplexing method)", "whether to perform multicast transmission / unicast transmission (multicast transmission and unicast transmission may be realized simultaneously)", "number of transmission streams when performing multicast", and "transmission method when transmitting a modulated signal for multicast (this point will be explained in detail later)", and outputs the signal after signal processing 103-1, the signal after signal processing 103-2, ..., the signal after signal processing 103-M, that is, the signal after signal processing 103-i. It is not necessary that all of the signal after signal processing #1 to the signal after signal processing #M exist.

[0014] At this time, the #i information 101-i is subjected to error correction coding, and then mapping is performed according to the set modulation method, thereby obtaining a baseband signal.

[0015] Then, baseband signals corresponding to each piece of information are collected and pre-coded. Alternatively, for example, orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) may be applied.

[0016] Radio section 104-1 receives processed signal 103-1 and control signal 159, performs processing such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification based on control signal 159, and outputs transmission signal 105-1. Transmission signal 105-1 is then output as a radio wave from antenna section 106-1.

[0017] Similarly, radio unit 104-2 receives processed signal 103-2 and control signal 159, performs processing such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification based on control signal 159, and outputs transmission signal 105-2. Transmission signal 105-2 is then output as a radio wave from antenna unit 106-2. Description of radio units 104-3 to 104-M-1 will be omitted.

[0018] Radio section 104-M receives processed signal 103-M and control signal 159, performs processing such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification based on control signal 159, and outputs transmission signal 105-M. Then, transmission signal 105-M is output as a radio wave from antenna section 106-M.

[0019] It should be noted that each radio unit does not need to perform the above processing if there is no signal after signal processing.

[0020] The radio section group 153 receives the received signals 152 received by the receiving antenna group 151 as input, performs processing such as frequency conversion, and outputs a baseband signal group 154 ​​.

[0021] Signal processing unit 155 receives baseband signal group 154 ​​and performs demodulation and error correction decoding, i.e., also performs processing such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and channel estimation. At this time, signal processing unit 155 receives and processes modulated signals transmitted from one or more terminals, and therefore obtains data transmitted from each terminal and control information transmitted from each terminal. Therefore, signal processing unit 155 outputs data group 156 corresponding to one or more terminals and control information group 157 corresponding to one or more terminals.

[0022] Setting unit 158 ​​receives control information group 157 and setting signal 160 as input, and determines, based on control information group 157, the "error correction coding method (coding rate, code length (block length))", "modulation method", "precoding method", "transmission method", "antenna settings", "whether to perform multicast transmission / unicast transmission (multicast and unicast transmission may be realized simultaneously)", "number of transmission streams when performing multicast", "transmission method when transmitting a modulated signal for multicast", and the like, and outputs control signal 159 including this determined information.

[0023] Antenna units 106-1, 106-2, . . . , 106-M receive control signal 159. The operation at this time will be described with reference to FIG.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-M. Each antenna unit has multiple antennas as shown in Fig. 2. Although four antennas are depicted in Fig. 2, each antenna unit may have multiple antennas. The number of antennas is not limited to four.

[0025] 2 shows the configuration of the antenna unit 106-i, where i is an integer between 1 and M.

[0026] The distributor 202 receives a transmission signal 201 (corresponding to the transmission signal 105-i in FIG. 1) as input, distributes the transmission signal 201, and outputs signals 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, and 203-4.

[0027] Multiplication unit 204-1 receives signal 203-1 and control signal 200 (corresponding to control signal 159 in FIG. 1) as input, multiplies signal 203-1 by coefficient W1 based on the information of the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 200, and outputs multiplied signal 205-1. Coefficient W1 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W1 can also be a real number. Therefore, if signal 203-1 is v1(t), multiplied signal 205-1 can be expressed as W1×v1(t) (t is time). Multiplied signal 205-1 is then output as a radio wave from antenna 206-1.

[0028] Similarly, multiplication unit 204-2 receives signal 203-2 and control signal 200 as input, multiplies signal 203-2 by coefficient W2 based on the information of the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 200, and outputs multiplied signal 205-2. Coefficient W2 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W2 can also be a real number. Therefore, if signal 203-2 is v2(t), multiplied signal 205-2 can be expressed as W2×v2(t) (t is time). Multiplied signal 205-2 is then output as a radio wave from antenna 206-2.

[0029] Multiplication unit 204-3 receives signal 203-3 and control signal 200 as input, multiplies signal 203-3 by coefficient W3 based on the information of the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 200, and outputs multiplied signal 205-3. Coefficient W3 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W3 can also be a real number. Therefore, if signal 203-3 is v3(t), multiplied signal 205-3 can be expressed as W3×v3(t) (t is time). Multiplied signal 205-3 is then output as a radio wave from antenna 206-3.

[0030] Multiplication unit 204-4 receives signal 203-4 and control signal 200 as input, multiplies signal 203-4 by coefficient W4 based on the information of the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 200, and outputs multiplied signal 205-4. Coefficient W4 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W4 can also be a real number. Therefore, if signal 203-4 is v4(t), multiplied signal 205-4 can be expressed as W4×v4(t) (t is time). Multiplied signal 205-4 is then output as a radio wave from antenna 206-4.

[0031] The absolute value of W1, the absolute value of W2, the absolute value of W3, and the absolute value of W4 may be equal to each other.

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a base station configuration in this embodiment that differs from that of the base station in FIG. 1. In FIG. 3, components that operate in the same way as in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers, and descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

[0033] Weighting synthesis unit 301 receives modulated signal 105-1, modulated signal 105-2, ..., modulated signal 105-M, and control signal 159 as input. Weighting synthesis unit 301 performs weighting synthesis on modulated signal 105-1, modulated signal 105-2, ..., modulated signal 105-M based on information on weighting synthesis included in control signal 159, and outputs weighted synthesis signals 302-1, 302-2, ..., 302-K. K is an integer of 1 or more. Weighted synthesis signal 302-1 is output as a radio wave from antenna 303-1, weighted synthesis signal 302-2 is output as a radio wave from antenna 303-2, ..., weighted synthesis signal 302-K is output as a radio wave from antenna 303-K.

[0034] Signal y after weighting i (t) 302-i (where i is an integer between 1 and K) is expressed as follows (t is time):

[0035]

number

[0036] In addition, in formula (1), A ij is a value that can be defined by complex numbers, so A ij can be a real number, and x j (t) is modulated signal 105-j, where j is an integer between 1 and M.

[0037] 4 shows an example of the configuration of a terminal. Antenna units 401-1, 401-2, . . . , 401-N receive control signal 410 as input, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1.

[0038] Radio section 403-1 receives received signal 402-1 received by antenna section 401-1 and control signal 410 as input, and performs processing such as frequency conversion on received signal 402-1 based on control signal 410, and outputs baseband signal 404-1.

[0039] Similarly, radio unit 403-2 receives received signal 402-2 received by antenna unit 401-2 and control signal 410 as input, performs processing such as frequency conversion on received signal 402-2 based on control signal 410, and outputs baseband signal 404-2. Note that a description of radio units 403-3 to 403-N-1 will be omitted.

[0040] The radio unit 403-N receives the received signal 402-N received by the antenna unit 401-N and a control signal 410 as input, and performs processing such as frequency conversion on the received signal 402-N based on the control signal, and outputs a baseband signal 404-N.

[0041] However, all of the radio units 403-1, 403-2, ..., 403-N do not necessarily have to operate, and therefore all of the baseband signals 404-1, 404-2, ..., 404-N do not necessarily exist.

[0042] Signal processing unit 405 receives baseband signals 404-1, 404-2, . . . , 404-N and a control signal 410, performs demodulation and error correction decoding processing based on the control signal 410, and outputs data 406, transmission control information 407, and control information 408. In other words, signal processing unit 405 also performs processing such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and channel estimation.

[0043] The setting section 409 receives the control information 408 as input, performs settings relating to the receiving method, and outputs a control signal 410 .

[0044] The signal processing unit 452 receives the information 451 and the transmission control information 407 as input, performs processing such as error correction coding and mapping according to a set modulation method, and outputs a group of baseband signals 453 .

[0045] The radio unit group 454 receives the baseband signal group 453, performs processing such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification, and outputs a transmission signal group 455, which is output as radio waves from a transmission antenna group 456.

[0046] Fig. 5 shows an example of the configuration of antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ..., 401-N. Each antenna unit has multiple antennas as shown in Fig. 5. Although four antennas are depicted in Fig. 5, each antenna unit may have multiple antennas. The number of antennas in an antenna unit is not limited to four.

[0047] 5 shows the configuration of antenna unit 401-i, where i is an integer between 1 and N.

[0048] Multiplication unit 503-1 receives received signal 502-1 received by antenna 501-1 and control signal 500 (corresponding to control signal 410 in FIG. 4) as input, multiplies received signal 502-1 by coefficient D1 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in control signal 500, and outputs multiplied signal 504-1. Coefficient D1 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D1 can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 502-1 is e1(t), multiplied signal 504-1 can be expressed as D1×e1(t) (t is time).

[0049] Similarly, multiplication unit 503-2 receives received signal 502-2 received by antenna 501-2 and control signal 500 as input, multiplies received signal 502-2 by coefficient D2 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in control signal 500, and outputs multiplied signal 504-2. Coefficient D2 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D2 can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 502-2 is e2(t), multiplied signal 504-2 can be expressed as D2×e2(t) (t is time).

[0050] Multiplication unit 503-3 receives received signal 502-3 received by antenna 501-3 and control signal 500 as input, multiplies received signal 502-3 by coefficient D3 based on information on the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 500, and outputs multiplied signal 504-3. Coefficient D3 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D3 can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 502-3 is e3(t), multiplied signal 504-3 can be expressed as D3×e3(t) (t is time).

[0051] Multiplication unit 503-4 receives received signal 502-4 received by antenna 501-4 and control signal 500 as input, multiplies received signal 502-4 by coefficient D4 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in control signal 500, and outputs multiplied signal 504-4. Coefficient D4 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D4 ​​can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 502-4 is e4(t), multiplied signal 504-4 can be expressed as D4×e4(t) (t is time).

[0052] The combiner 505 receives the multiplied signals 504-1, 504-2, 504-3, and 504-4 as input, adds the multiplied signals 504-1, 504-2, 504-3, and 504-4, and outputs a combined signal 506 (corresponding to the received signal 402-i in FIG. 4). Therefore, the combined signal 506 is expressed as D1×e1(t)+D2×e2(t)+D3×e3(t)+D4×e4(t).

[0053] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a terminal in this embodiment that differs from the configuration of the terminal in FIG. 4. In FIG. 6, components that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 4 are given the same numbers, and descriptions thereof will be omitted below.

[0054] Multiplication unit 603-1 receives received signal 602-1 received by antenna 601-1 and control signal 410 as input, multiplies received signal 602-1 by coefficient G1 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in control signal 410, and outputs multiplied signal 604-1. Coefficient G1 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, G1 can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 602-1 is c1(t), multiplied signal 604-1 can be expressed as G1×c1(t) (t is time).

[0055] Similarly, multiplication unit 603-2 receives received signal 602-2 received by antenna 601-2 and control signal 410 as input, multiplies received signal 602-2 by coefficient G2 based on information on the multiplication coefficient included in control signal 410, and outputs multiplied signal 604-2. Coefficient G2 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, G2 can also be a real number. Therefore, if received signal 602-2 is c2(t), multiplied signal 604-2 can be expressed as G2×c2(t) (t is time). Explanation of multiplication units 603-3 to 603-L-1 will be omitted.

[0056] The multiplication unit 603-L receives the received signal 602-L received by the antenna 601-L and the control signal 410 as input, multiplies the received signal 602-L by a coefficient GL based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 410, and outputs a multiplied signal 604-L. The coefficient GL can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, GL can also be a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-L is cL(t), the multiplied signal 604-L can be expressed as GL×cL(t) (t is time).

[0057] Therefore, the multiplication unit 603-i receives the received signal 602-i received by the antenna 601-i and the control signal 410 as input, multiplies the received signal 602-i by a coefficient Gi based on the information of the multiplication coefficient included in the control signal 410, and outputs the multiplied signal 604-i. The coefficient Gi can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, Gi can also be a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-i is ci(t), the multiplied signal 604-i can be expressed as Gi×ci(t) (t is time). Note that i is an integer between 1 and L, and L is an integer greater than or equal to 2.

[0058] The processing unit 605 receives the multiplied signal 604-1, the multiplied signal 604-2, ..., the multiplied signal 604-L, and the control signal 410, performs signal processing based on the control signal 410, and outputs processed signals 606-1, 606-2, ..., 606-N. N is an integer of 2 or more. At this time, the multiplied signal 604-i is p i(t), where i is an integer between 1 and L.

[0059] Then, the processed signal 606-j(r j (t)) is expressed as follows (j is an integer between 1 and N):

[0060]

number

[0061] In addition, in formula (2), B ji is a value that can be defined by complex numbers. Therefore, B ji can also be a real number.

[0062] An example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal is shown in Figure 7. Note that a base station may also be called an access point or a broadcasting station.

[0063] The base station 700 is equipped with a plurality of antennas, and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0064] FIG. 7 also shows transmit beam 702-1 for transmitting data for stream 1, transmit beam 702-2 for transmitting data for stream 1, and transmit beam 702-3 for transmitting data for stream 1.

[0065] FIG. 7 shows transmit beam 703-1 for transmitting data for stream 2, transmit beam 703-2 for transmitting data for stream 2, and transmit beam 703-3 for transmitting data for stream 2.

[0066] In addition, in Figure 7, the number of transmission beams for transmitting data of stream 1 is three, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting data of stream 2 is three, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that there are multiple transmission beams for transmitting data of stream 1 and multiple transmission beams for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0067] FIG. 7 includes terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5, which have the same configuration as the terminals shown in, for example, FIGS.

[0068] For example, the terminal 704-1 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-1 and 706-1. The reception directivity 705-1 enables the terminal 704-1 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1, and the reception directivity 706-1 enables the terminal 704-1 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0069] Similarly, the terminal 704-2 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-2 and 706-2. The reception directivity 705-2 enables the terminal 704-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1, and the reception directivity 706-2 enables the terminal 704-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0070] Terminal 704-3 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form receiving directivity 705-3 and receiving directivity 706-3.

[0071] Furthermore, receiving directivity 705-3 enables terminal 704-3 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting data of stream 1, and receiving directivity 706-3 enables terminal 704-3 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0072] The terminal 704-4 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-4 and 706-4. The reception directivity 705-4 enables the terminal 704-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1, and the reception directivity 706-4 enables the terminal 704-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0073] The terminal 704-5 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-5 and 706-5. The reception directivity 705-5 enables the terminal 704-5 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1, and the reception directivity 706-5 enables the terminal 704-5 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2.

[0074] In FIG. 7, the terminal selects at least one of transmit beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 based on its spatial location and directs its receiving directivity to obtain data of stream 1 with high quality, and the terminal selects at least one of transmit beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 based on its spatial location and directs its receiving directivity to obtain data of stream 2 with high quality.

[0075] Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 then transmits transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 also transmits transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0076] Furthermore, transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0077] The operation of setting unit 158 ​​of the base station in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0078] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 7, the information "to perform multicast transmission" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0079] Setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of transmission streams when performing multicast." When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 7, the information that "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0080] Furthermore, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use to transmit each stream." When the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 7, the setting signal 160 inputs information that "the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 2 is 3" to the setting unit 158.

[0081] The base stations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of transmission streams when multicasting, and information on how many transmission beams are used to transmit each stream. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately. The configuration of the control information symbols will be described in detail later.

[0082] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the #i information 101-i in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 and "stream 1" and "stream 2" explained with reference to FIG. 7. For example, the #1 information 101-1 is subjected to processing such as error correction coding to obtain data after error correction coding. This data after error correction coding is named #1 transmission data. Then, mapping is performed on the #1 transmission data to obtain data symbols, which are then allocated to stream 1 and stream 2 to obtain data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 1 and data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 2. Then, the symbol group of stream 1 includes the data symbols (data symbol group) of stream 1, and the symbol group of stream 1 is transmitted from the base station in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3. Also, the symbol group of stream 2 includes the data symbols (data symbol group) of stream 2, and the symbol group of stream 2 is transmitted from the base station in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3.

[0083] FIG. 9 shows an example of a frame configuration when the horizontal axis represents time.

[0084] #1 symbol group 901- of stream 1 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1 in FIG.

[0085] Stream 1 #2 symbol group 901-2 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 702-2 for transmitting data of stream 1 in FIG.

[0086] Stream 1 #3 symbol group 901-3 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 in FIG.

[0087] Stream 2 #1 symbol group 902-1 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2 in FIG.

[0088] Stream 2 #2 symbol group 902-2 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2 in FIG.

[0089] Stream 2 #3 symbol group 902-3 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of transmit beam 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 in FIG.

[0090] And, #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 exist in time interval 1, for example.

[0091] Also, as described above, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 and the #2 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band), the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1 and the #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band), and the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 and the #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band).

[0092] For example, "data symbol group A of stream 1" and "data symbol group A of stream 2" are generated from information using the procedure in Fig. 8. Then, symbol groups "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1" composed of the same symbols as those constituting "data symbol group A of stream 1", "symbol group A-2 of stream 1 composed of the same symbols as those constituting "data symbol group A of stream 1", and "symbol group A-3 of stream 1 composed of the same symbols as those constituting "data symbol group A of stream 1" are prepared.

[0093] In other words, the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1", the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-2 of stream 1", and the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-3 of stream 1" are the same.

[0094] In this case, #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1," #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-2 of stream 1," and #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-3 of stream 1." In other words, #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 include the same data symbol group.

[0095] In addition, symbol groups "data symbol group A-1 of stream 2" composed of the same symbols as the symbols that make up "data symbol group A of stream 2," "data symbol group A-2 of stream 2" composed of the same symbols as the symbol group that makes up "data symbol group A of stream 2," and "data symbol group A-3 of stream 2" composed of the same symbols as the symbol group that makes up "data symbol group A of stream 2."

[0096] In other words, the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-1 of stream 2", the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-2 of stream 2", and the symbols constituting "data symbol group A-3 of stream 2" are the same.

[0097] In this case, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-1 of stream 2," #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-2 of stream 2," and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in Fig. 9 includes "data symbol group A-3 of stream 2." In other words, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 include the same data symbol group.

[0098] Fig. 10 shows an example of a frame structure of "symbol group #Y of stream X" (X=1,2; Y=1,2,3) explained in Fig. 9. In Fig. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, 1001 represents control information symbols, and 1002 represents a data symbol group of the stream. In this case, data symbol group 1002 of the stream is a symbol for transmitting "data symbol group A of stream 1" or "data symbol group A of stream 2" explained using Fig. 9.

[0099] In the frame configuration of Fig. 10, a multi-carrier method such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) may be used, and in this case, symbols may exist in the frequency axis direction. Each symbol may include a reference symbol for the receiving device to perform time and frequency synchronization, a reference symbol for the receiving device to detect a signal, and a reference symbol for the receiving device to perform channel estimation. The frame configuration is not limited to that of Fig. 10, and the control information symbol 1001 and the stream data symbol group 1002 may be arranged in any way. The reference symbol may also be called a preamble or a pilot symbol.

[0100] Next, the configuration of the control information symbol 1001 will be described.

[0101] Fig. 11 shows an example of the configuration of symbols transmitted as the control information symbols in Fig. 10, with the horizontal axis representing time. In Fig. 11, the terminal receives "training symbols for terminal to control reception directivity" 1101, and determines a signal processing method for directivity control during reception to be implemented in "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605".

[0102] By receiving "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when multicasting" 1102, the terminal knows the number of streams it needs to obtain.

[0103] By receiving the "symbol for notifying which stream the data symbol belongs to" 1103, the terminal can know which stream it is receiving among the streams transmitted by the base station.

[0104] An example of the above will be described.

[0105] A case will be described in which the base station transmits streams and transmission beams as in Fig. 7. Next, specific information of the control information symbols in #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 will be described.

[0106] In the case of Figure 7, since the base station is transmitting "Stream 1" and "Stream 2", the information in "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when multicasting" 1102 is "2".

[0107] Also, since the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 transmits data symbols of stream 1, the information of “symbol for notifying which stream the data symbol belongs to” 1103 is “stream 1”.

[0108] For example, let us consider a case where a terminal receives #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in Fig. 9. At this time, the terminal recognizes that it has obtained "the number of transmission streams is 2" from "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when multicasting is performed" 1102, and "data symbol of stream 1" from "symbol for notifying which stream the data symbol group of the stream belongs to" 1103.

[0109] After that, the terminal recognizes that the "number of transmission streams is 2" and the data symbols it is obtaining are "data symbols of stream 1," and therefore recognizes that it needs to obtain "data symbols of stream 2." Therefore, the terminal can start searching for the symbol group of stream 2. For example, the terminal searches for any of the transmission beams of #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9.

[0110] The terminal then obtains data symbols for both stream 1 and stream 2 by obtaining a transmission beam for either stream 2 symbol group #1 902-1, stream 2 symbol group #2 902-2, or stream 2 symbol group #3 902-3.

[0111] By configuring the control information symbols in this manner, an effect is obtained in that the terminal can accurately obtain data symbols.

[0112] As described above, in multicast transmission and broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols using multiple transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a good quality beam from the multiple transmission beams. As a result, the modulated signal transmitted by the base station is subjected to transmission directivity control and reception directivity control, thereby achieving the effect of widening the area where high data reception quality can be obtained.

[0113] Also, in the above explanation, it has been described that the terminal controls the reception directivity, but it is possible for the terminal to obtain the above-mentioned effects even if it does not control the reception directivity.

[0114] 10 may be any modulation scheme, and the mapping method of the modulation scheme of the "data symbol group of stream" 1002 may be switched for each symbol. In other words, after mapping, the phase of the constellation on the in-phase I-quadrature Q plane may be switched for each symbol.

[0115] Fig. 12 shows an example of a communication state between a base station and a terminal that is different from that shown in Fig. 7. In Fig. 12, the same numbers are used for components that operate in the same way as in Fig. 7.

[0116] The base station 700 is equipped with a plurality of antennas, and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0117] FIG. 12 also shows a transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 1", a transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 1", and a transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1".

[0118] FIG. 12 shows a transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 2", a transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 2", and a transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2".

[0119] 12, the number of transmission beams for transmitting "modulated signal 1" is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting "modulated signal 2" is 3, but this is not limited thereto, and it is sufficient that there are multiple transmission beams for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and multiple transmission beams for transmitting "modulated signal 2." "Modulated signal 1" and "modulated signal 2" will be described in detail later.

[0120] FIG. 12 includes terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5, which have the same configuration as the terminals in, for example, FIGS.

[0121] For example, the terminal 704-1 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-1 and 706-1. The reception directivity 705-1 enables the terminal 704-1 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting the "modulated signal 1", and the reception directivity 706-1 enables the terminal 704-1 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting the "modulated signal 2".

[0122] Similarly, the terminal 704-2 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-2 and 706-2. The reception directivity 705-2 enables the terminal 704-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 1", and the reception directivity 706-2 enables the terminal 704-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 2".

[0123] Terminal 704-3 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form receiving directivity 705-3 and receiving directivity 706-3.

[0124] Furthermore, receiving directivity 705-3 enables terminal 704-3 to receive and demodulate transmitting beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 1", and receiving directivity 706-3 enables terminal 704-3 to receive and demodulate transmitting beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 2".

[0125] The terminal 704-4 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-4 and 706-4. The reception directivity 705-4 enables the terminal 704-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the "modulated signal 1", and the reception directivity 706-4 enables the terminal 704-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the "modulated signal 2".

[0126] The terminal 704-5 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 705-5 and 706-5. The reception directivity 705-5 enables the terminal 704-5 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1", and the reception directivity 706-5 enables the terminal 704-5 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2".

[0127] A distinctive feature of Figure 7 is that the terminal can obtain "modulated signal 1" with high quality by selecting at least one of the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" based on its spatial position and directing the receiving directivity, and the terminal can obtain "modulated signal 2" with high quality by selecting at least one of the transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" based on its spatial position and directing the receiving directivity.

[0128] The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0129] Furthermore, the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). The transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0130] The operation of setting unit 158 ​​of the base station in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0131] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 7, the information "to perform multicast transmission" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0132] The setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of modulation signals to be transmitted when multicasting is performed." When the base station transmits as shown in FIG. 12, the setting signal 160 inputs the information that "the number of modulation signals to be transmitted is 2" to the setting unit 158.

[0133] Furthermore, setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams each modulated signal should be transmitted with." When the base station transmits as in Fig. 12, setting signal 160 inputs information that "the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 2 is 3" to setting unit 158.

[0134] The base stations in Fig. 1 and Fig. 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of modulated signals to be transmitted when multicasting, and information on how many transmission beams are used to transmit each modulated signal. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately. The configuration of the control information symbols will be described in detail later.

[0135] FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the #i information 101-i in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 and the "modulated signal 1" and "modulated signal 2" explained with reference to FIG.

[0136] For example, #1 information 101-1 is subjected to processing such as error correction coding to obtain data after error correction coding. This data after error correction coding is called #1 transmission data. Then, mapping is performed on the #1 transmission data to obtain data symbols, which are then allocated to stream 1 and stream 2 to obtain data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 1 and data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 2. At this time, the data symbols of stream 1 at symbol number i are designated as s1(i) and the data symbols of stream 2 are designated as s2(i). Then, "modulated signal 1" tx1(i) at symbol number i is expressed, for example, as follows:

[0137]

number

[0138] And, "modulated signal 2" tx2(i) at symbol number i is expressed, for example, as follows:

[0139]

number

[0140] In addition, in formulas (3) and (4), α(i) can be defined by complex numbers (hence, may be a real number), β(i) can be defined by complex numbers (hence, may be a real number), γ(i) can be defined by complex numbers (hence, may be a real number), and δ(i) can be defined by complex numbers (hence, may be a real number). Although α(i) is written, it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), although β(i) is written, it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), although γ(i) is written, it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), and although δ(i) is written, it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value).

[0141] Then, the "symbol group of modulated signal 1" including the "signal in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base station in Figures 1 and 3. Also, the "symbol group of modulated signal 2" including the "signal in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base station in Figures 1 and 3.

[0142] Note that signal processing such as phase modification and CDD (Cyclic Delay Diversity) may be performed on "modulated signal 1" and "modulated signal 2." However, the signal processing method is not limited to this.

[0143] FIG. 14 shows an example of a frame configuration when the horizontal axis represents time.

[0144] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting data of modulated signal 1 in FIG.

[0145] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting data of modulated signal 1 in FIG.

[0146] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting data of modulated signal 1 in FIG.

[0147] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting data of modulated signal 2 in FIG.

[0148] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting data of modulated signal 2 in FIG.

[0149] 14 is a symbol group of transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting data of modulated signal 2 in FIG.

[0150] And the #1 symbol group of modulated signal 1 (1401-1), the #2 symbol group of modulated signal 1 (1401-2), the #3 symbol group of modulated signal 1 (1401-3), the #1 symbol group of modulated signal 2 (1402-1), the #2 symbol group of modulated signal 2 (1402-2), and the #3 symbol group of modulated signal 2 (1402-3) exist in time interval 1, for example.

[0151] Also, as described earlier, the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of modulated signal 1 and the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of modulated signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band), the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of modulated signal 1 and the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of modulated signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band), and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulated signal 1 and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of modulated signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (same frequency band).

[0152] For example, in the procedure of FIG. 13, "signal A in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1" and "signal A in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2" are generated from the information.

[0153] Then, signals "signal A-1 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1", "signal A-2 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1", and "signal A-3 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" are prepared (in other words, the signals that constitute "signal group A-1 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1", the signals that constitute "signal A-2 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" and the signals that constitute "signal A-3 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 1" are the same).

[0154] In this case, the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of modulated signal 1 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-1 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1", the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of modulated signal 1 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-2 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1", and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulated signal 1 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-3 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1". In other words, the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of modulated signal 1, the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of modulated signal 1, and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulated signal 1 contain equivalent signals.

[0155] In addition, signals "signal A-1" of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2, which are composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2", "signal A-2" of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2, which are composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2", and "signal A-3" of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2, which are composed of signals equivalent to the signals that constitute "signal A of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2" are prepared (in other words, the signals that constitute "signal A-1" of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2", the signals that constitute "signal A-2 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2" and the signals that constitute "signal A-3 of the data transmission area of ​​modulated signal 2" are the same).

[0156] In this case, the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of modulated signal 2 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-1 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2", the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of stream 2 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-2 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2", and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of modulated signal 2 in Fig. 14 contains "signal A-3 in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2". In other words, the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of modulated signal 2, the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of modulated signal 2, and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of modulated signal 2 contain equivalent signals.

[0157] Fig. 15 shows an example of a frame configuration of "symbol group #Y of modulated signal X" (X=1,2; Y=1,2,3) explained in Fig. 14. In Fig. 15, the horizontal axis is time, 1501 is a control information symbol, and 1502 is a modulated signal transmission region for data transmission. At this time, the modulated signal transmission region for data transmission 1502 is a symbol for transmitting "signal A in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1" or "signal A in the data transmission region of modulated signal 2" explained using Fig. 14.

[0158] In addition, in the frame configuration of Fig. 15, a multi-carrier method such as an OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method may be used, and in this case, symbols may exist in the frequency axis direction. Also, each symbol may include a reference symbol for the receiving device to perform time and frequency synchronization, a reference symbol for the receiving device to detect a signal, a reference symbol for the receiving device to perform channel estimation, etc. In addition, the frame configuration is not limited to that of Fig. 15, and the control information symbol 1501 and the modulated signal transmission region 1502 for data transmission may be arranged in any way. The reference symbol may be called, for example, a preamble or a pilot symbol.

[0159] Next, the configuration of the control information symbol 1501 will be described.

[0160] Fig. 16 shows an example of the configuration of symbols transmitted as the control information symbols in Fig. 15, with the horizontal axis representing time. In Fig. 16, 1601 is a "training symbol for a terminal to control reception directivity", and by receiving the "training symbol for a terminal to control reception directivity" 1601, the terminal determines a signal processing method for directivity control during reception to be implemented in "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N", and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605".

[0161] Reference numeral 1602 denotes a "symbol for notifying the number of modulated signals to be transmitted when multicasting is being performed," and by receiving "symbol for notifying the number of modulated signals to be transmitted when multicasting is being performed" 1602, the terminal knows the number of modulated signals it needs to obtain.

[0162] 1603 is a "symbol for notifying which modulated signal the modulated signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulated signal is the modulated signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulated signal", and by receiving 1603 "symbol for notifying which modulated signal the modulated signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulated signal is the modulated signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulated signal", the terminal can know which modulated signal it is receiving among the modulated signals transmitted by the base station.

[0163] An example of the above will be described.

[0164] Consider a case where a base station transmits a "modulated signal" and a transmission beam as shown in Fig. 12. Specific information of the control information symbols in #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1 in Fig. 14 will now be described.

[0165] In the case of FIG. 12, since the base station is transmitting “modulated signal 1” and “modulated signal 2”, the information in “symbol for notifying the number of modulated signals transmitted when performing multicast” 1602 is “2”.

[0166] Furthermore, since the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1 in FIG. 14 transmits a signal in the data transmission region of modulated signal 1, the information of the “symbol for notifying which modulated signal transmission region for data transmission of which modulated signal” 1603 is the information “modulated signal 1.”

[0167] For example, suppose that a terminal receives #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1 in Fig. 14. At this time, the terminal recognizes that it has received "modulated signal number 2" from "symbol for notifying the number of modulated signals to be transmitted when multicasting is being performed" 1602, and "modulated signal 1" from "symbol for notifying which modulated signal transmission region for data transmission of the modulated signal is the modulated signal transmission region for data transmission of which modulated signal" 1603.

[0168] Then, the terminal recognizes that there is "2 modulated signals" and that the modulated signal being obtained is "modulated signal 1", and therefore recognizes that it needs to obtain "modulated signal 2". Therefore, the terminal can start the task of searching for "modulated signal 2". For example, the terminal searches for any of the transmission beams of "#1 symbol group of modulated signal 2" 1402-1, "#2 symbol group of modulated signal 2" 1402-2, and "#3 symbol group of modulated signal 2" 1402-3 in Fig. 14.

[0169] Then, by obtaining either the transmission beam of "modulated signal 2 symbol group #1" 1402-1, "modulated signal 2 symbol group #2" 1402-2, or "modulated signal 2 symbol group #3" 1402-3, the terminal can obtain both "modulated signal 1" and "modulated signal 2", and thereby obtain data symbols of stream 1 and data symbols of stream 2 with high quality.

[0170] By configuring the control information symbols in this manner, it is possible to obtain the effect that the terminal can accurately obtain data symbols.

[0171] As described above, in multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols using multiple transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the multiple transmission beams, thereby achieving the effect that the modulated signal transmitted by the base station can widen the area where high data reception quality can be obtained. This is because the base station controls the transmission directivity and reception directivity.

[0172] Also, in the above explanation, it has been described that the terminal controls the reception directivity, but it is possible for the terminal to obtain the above-mentioned effects even if it does not control the reception directivity.

[0173] 7, a case is described in which each terminal receives both the modulated signal of stream 1 and the modulated signal of stream 2, but the present invention is not necessarily limited to this embodiment. For example, an embodiment may be adopted in which the modulated signal to be obtained differs depending on the terminal, such as a terminal that desires to obtain the modulated signal of stream 1, a terminal that desires to obtain the modulated signal of stream 2, and a terminal that desires to obtain both the modulated signal of stream 1 and the modulated signal of stream 2.

[0174] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, a method in which a base station transmits data symbols using multiple transmission beams in multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission has been described. In the present embodiment, as a modification of the first embodiment, a case in which a base station performs multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission, as well as unicast data transmission, will be described.

[0175] FIG. 17 shows an example of a communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal, and components that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numbers and detailed description will be omitted.

[0176] The base station 700 is equipped with multiple antennas, and transmits multiple transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured as shown in, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0177] The transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore will not be described again.

[0178] Also, the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 and the reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, and 706-5 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore will not be described again.

[0179] 17, a characteristic point is that the base station performs multicast as described in FIG. 7, and the base station 700 and the terminal (eg, 1702) perform unicast communication.

[0180] In addition to multicast transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3, in Fig. 17, the base station 700 generates a unicast transmission beam 1701 and transmits individual data to the terminal 1702. Note that, although Fig. 17 shows an example in which the base station 700 transmits one transmission beam 1702 to the terminal 1702, the number of transmission beams is not limited to one, and the base station 700 may transmit multiple transmission beams (or multiple modulated signals) to the terminal 1702.

[0181] Then, terminal 1702 forms reception directivity 1703, which controls directivity during reception, by "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and signal processing unit 605." This enables terminal 1702 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1701.

[0182] In order to generate transmission beams including transmission beam 1701, the base station performs precoding (weighting synthesis) in, for example, the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighting synthesis unit 301) in the configurations shown in Figures 1 and 3.

[0183] Conversely, when terminal 1702 transmits a modulated signal to base station 700, terminal 1703 performs precoding (or weighted combining) and transmits transmission beam 1703, and base station 700 performs directivity control during reception to form reception directivity 1701. This enables base station 700 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1703.

[0184] Note that base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0185] Furthermore, transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0186] The unicast transmission beam 1701 may be a beam of the same frequency (same frequency band) as the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3, or may be a beam of a different frequency (different frequency band).

[0187] Also, in FIG. 17, the description has been given assuming that there is one terminal performing unicast communication, but the number of terminals performing unicast communication with the base station may be multiple.

[0188] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 ​​in the base station configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0189] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs transmission as shown in Fig. 17, the information that "both multicast transmission and unicast transmission will be performed" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0190] Additionally, setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of transmission streams when performing multicast." When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 17, the information that "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0191] Furthermore, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use to transmit each stream." When the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 17, the setting signal 160 inputs information that "the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 2 is 3" to the setting unit 158.

[0192] 1 and 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of transmission streams when multicasting, information on how many transmission beams each stream should be transmitted with, etc. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately.

[0193] Furthermore, the base station may transmit, to a terminal performing unicast communication, control information symbols for training purposes for the base station to perform directivity control and control information symbols for training purposes for the terminal to perform directivity control.

[0194] FIG. 18 shows an example of a communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal, where the same reference numbers are used for elements that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7 and FIG. 12, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0195] The base station 700 is equipped with multiple antennas, and transmits multiple transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured as shown in, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0196] The transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 12, and therefore will not be described again.

[0197] Also, the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 and the reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, and 706-5 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 12, and therefore will not be described again.

[0198] 18, a characteristic point is that the base station performs multicast as described in FIG. 12, and the base station 700 and the terminal (for example, 1702) perform unicast communication.

[0199] In addition to multicast transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3, in Fig. 18, base station 700 generates unicast transmission beam 1701 and transmits dedicated data to terminal 1702. Note that, although Fig. 18 shows an example in which base station 700 transmits one transmission beam 1702 to terminal 1702, the number of transmission beams is not limited to one, and base station 700 may transmit multiple transmission beams (multiple modulated signals) to terminal 1702.

[0200] Then, terminal 1702 forms reception directivity 1703, which controls directivity during reception, by "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and signal processing unit 605." This enables terminal 1702 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1701.

[0201] In order to generate transmission beams including transmission beam 1701, the base station performs precoding (weighting synthesis) in, for example, the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighting synthesis unit 301) in the configurations shown in Figures 1 and 3.

[0202] Conversely, when terminal 1702 transmits a modulated signal to base station 700, terminal 1703 performs precoding (or weighted combining) and transmits transmission beam 1703, and base station 700 performs directivity control during reception to form reception directivity 1701. This enables base station 700 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1703.

[0203] The base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0204] Furthermore, the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). The transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0205] The unicast transmission beam 1701 may be a beam of the same frequency (same frequency band) as the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3, or may be a beam of a different frequency (different frequency band).

[0206] Also, in FIG. 18, the description has been given assuming that there is one terminal performing unicast communication, but the number of terminals performing unicast communication with the base station may be multiple.

[0207] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 ​​in the base station configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0208] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs transmission as shown in Fig. 18, the information that "both multicast transmission and unicast transmission will be performed" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0209] Additionally, setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of transmission streams when multicasting." When the base station transmits as shown in FIG. 18, the information that "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0210] Furthermore, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use to transmit each stream." When the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 18, the setting signal 160 inputs information that "the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 2 is 3" to the setting unit 158.

[0211] 1 and 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of transmission streams when multicasting, information on how many transmission beams each stream should be transmitted with, etc. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately.

[0212] Furthermore, the base station may transmit, to a terminal performing unicast communication, control information symbols for training purposes for the base station to perform directivity control and control information symbols for training purposes for the terminal to perform directivity control.

[0213] Next, as a modification of the first embodiment, a case where the base station transmits a plurality of multicast data transmissions will be described.

[0214] FIG. 19 shows an example of a communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal, and elements that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7 are given the same reference numbers and detailed description will be omitted.

[0215] The base station 700 is equipped with multiple antennas, and transmits multiple transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured as shown in, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0216] The transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore will not be described again.

[0217] Also, the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 and the reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, and 706-5 are the same as those described with reference to FIG. 7, and therefore will not be described again.

[0218] Base station 700 transmits transmit beams 1901-1, 1901-2, 1902-1, and 1902-2 in addition to transmit beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3.

[0219] A transmission beam 1901-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting data of stream 3. A transmission beam 1901-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting data of stream 3.

[0220] A transmit beam 1902-1 is a transmit beam for transmitting data of stream 4. In addition, a transmit beam 1902-2 is also a transmit beam for transmitting data of stream 4.

[0221] 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5, 1903-1, 1903-2, and 1903-3 are terminals, and are configured, for example, as shown in Figures 4 and 5. The operations of the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 are as described with reference to Figure 7.

[0222] Terminal 1903-1 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-1 and 1905-1. Then, reception directivity 1904-1 enables terminal 1903-1 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting data of stream 3, and reception directivity 1905-1 enables terminal 1903-1 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 1902-2 for transmitting data of stream 4.

[0223] The terminal 1903-2 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-2 and 1905-2. The reception directivity 1904-2 enables the terminal 1903-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting data of stream 4, and the reception directivity 1905-2 enables the terminal 1903-2 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting data of stream 3.

[0224] The terminal 1903-3 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-3 and 1905-3. The reception directivity 1904-3 enables the terminal 1903-3 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting data of stream 3, and the reception directivity 1905-3 enables the terminal 1903-3 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting data of stream 4.

[0225] The terminal 1903-4 performs directivity control during reception using the "signal processing unit 405" and / or the "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or the "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-4 and 1905-4. The reception directivity 1904-4 enables the terminal 1903-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2, and the reception directivity 1905-4 enables the terminal 1903-4 to receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting data of stream 3.

[0226] A characteristic feature of Figure 19 is that a base station transmits multiple streams including data for multicast, each stream being transmitted using multiple transmission beams, and each terminal selectively receives the transmission beam of one or more of the multiple streams.

[0227] Note that base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 and transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0228] Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting data of stream 3 and transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting data of stream 4 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Base station 700 also transmits transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting data of stream 3 and transmission beam 1902-2 for transmitting data of stream 4 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time.

[0229] Furthermore, transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0230] Transmission beams 1901-1 and 1901-2 for transmitting data of stream 3 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Transmission beams 1902-1 and 1902-2 for transmitting data of stream 4 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0231] 1, data symbols for stream 1 may be generated, or data symbols for stream 2 may be generated, and data symbols for stream 3 and stream 4 may be generated from #2 information 101-2. Note that #1 information 101-1 and #2 information 101-2 may each be subjected to error correction coding, and then data symbols may be generated.

[0232] Also, data symbols of stream 1 may be generated from #1 information 101-1 in Fig. 1, data symbols of stream 2 may be generated from #2 information 101-2 in Fig. 1, data symbols of stream 3 may be generated from #3 information 101-3 in Fig. 1, and data symbols of stream 4 may be generated from #4 information 101-4 in Fig. 1. Note that the #1 information 101-1, #2 information 101-2, #3 information 101-3 and #4 information 101-4 may each be subjected to error correction coding before generating data symbols.

[0233] That is, the data symbols of each stream may be generated from any of the information in Fig. 1. This provides the advantage that the terminal can selectively obtain a multicast stream.

[0234] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 ​​in the base station configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0235] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs transmission as shown in Fig. 19, the information "to perform multicast transmission" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0236] Setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of transmission streams when performing multicast." When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 19, the information that "the number of transmission streams is 4" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0237] Furthermore, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use to transmit each stream." When the base station performs transmission as in Fig. 19, the setting signal 160 inputs information such as "the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 1 is 3, the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 2 is 3, the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 3 is 2, and the number of transmission beams to transmit stream 4 is 2" to the setting unit 158.

[0238] 1 and 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of transmission streams when multicasting, information on how many transmission beams each stream should be transmitted with, etc. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately.

[0239] Next, as a modification of the first embodiment, a case where the base station transmits a plurality of multicast data transmissions will be described.

[0240] Figure 20 shows an example of the communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal, where elements that operate in the same way as in Figures 7, 12, and 19 are given the same numbers and detailed explanations are omitted.

[0241] The base station 700 is equipped with multiple antennas, and transmits multiple transmission signals from a transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured as shown in, for example, Fig. 1 and Fig. 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighting synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighting synthesis unit 301).

[0242] The explanation of the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 overlaps with the explanation of FIG. 12, so the explanation will be omitted.

[0243] 12. Also, the explanation of terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 and reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, and 706-5 will be omitted since they overlap with the explanation of FIG.

[0244] The base station 700 transmits transmit beams 2001-1, 2001-2, 2002-1, and 2002-2 in addition to transmit beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3.

[0245] The transmission beam 2001-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting "modulated signal 3." In addition, the transmission beam 2001-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting "modulated signal 3."

[0246] The transmission beam 2002-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting "modulated signal 4." In addition, the transmission beam 2002-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting "modulated signal 4."

[0247] The terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5, 1903-1, 1903-2, and 1903-3 have the same configuration as, for example, those shown in Figures 4 and 5. The operations of the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 are the same as those described with reference to Figure 7.

[0248] Terminal 1903-1 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-1 and 1905-1. Then, reception directivity 1904-1 enables terminal 1903-1 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 3", and reception directivity 1905-1 enables terminal 1903-1 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2002-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 4".

[0249] Terminal 1903-2 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-2 and 1905-2. Then, reception directivity 1904-2 enables terminal 1903-2 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 4", and reception directivity 1905-2 enables terminal 1903-2 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 3".

[0250] Terminal 1903-3 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-3 and 1905-3. Then, reception directivity 1904-3 enables terminal 1903-3 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 3", and reception directivity 1905-3 enables terminal 1903-3 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 4".

[0251] Terminal 1903-4 performs directivity control during reception using "signal processing unit 405" and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N" and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and processing unit 605" to form reception directivities 1904-4 and 1905-4. Then, reception directivity 1904-4 enables terminal 1903-4 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 3", and reception directivity 1905-4 enables terminal 1903-4 to receive and demodulate transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 4".

[0252] In Figure 20, a base station transmits multiple modulated signals containing data for multicast, and each modulated signal is transmitted using multiple transmission beams, and each terminal selectively receives the transmission beam of one or more streams of the multiple modulated signals.

[0253] The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. The base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 1" and a transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulated signal 2" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0254] Base station 700 transmits transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 3" and transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting "modulated signal 4" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Base station 700 then transmits transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 3" and transmission beam 2002-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 4" at the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0255] Furthermore, transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band) or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0256] The transmission beams 2001-1 and 2001-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 3" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands). Also, the transmission beams 2002-1 and 2002-2 for transmitting "modulated signal 4" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands).

[0257] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 ​​in the base station configuration shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 will be described.

[0258] Setting unit 158 ​​receives setting signal 160. Setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission or unicast transmission", and when the base station performs the transmission shown in Fig. 19, the information "to perform multicast transmission" is input to setting unit 158 ​​by setting signal 160.

[0259] The setting signal 160 includes information on the "number of modulation signals to be transmitted when multicasting is performed." When the base station performs the transmission shown in FIG. 20, the setting signal 160 inputs the information that "the number of modulation signals to be transmitted is 4" to the setting unit 158.

[0260] Furthermore, setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use for transmitting each modulated signal." When the base station performs the transmission shown in Fig. 20, setting signal 160 inputs information such as "the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 1 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 2 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 3 is 2, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulated signal 4 is 2" to setting unit 158.

[0261] 1 and 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission or unicast transmission, information on the number of transmission streams when multicasting, information on how many transmission beams each stream should be transmitted with, etc. This enables the terminal to receive the signal appropriately.

[0262] In FIG. 20, when the terminal receives both the transmission beam of "modulated signal 1" and the transmission beam of "modulated signal 2", it can obtain the data of stream 1 and the data of stream 2 with high reception quality.

[0263] Similarly, when the terminal receives both the transmission beam of "modulated signal 3" and the transmission beam of "modulated signal 4", it can obtain the data of stream 3 and the data of stream 4 with high reception quality.

[0264] 20 illustrates an example in which the base station transmits "modulated signal 1," "modulated signal 2," "modulated signal 3," and "modulated signal 4," but the base station may transmit "modulated signal 5" and "modulated signal 6" that transmit data of stream 5 and data of stream 6, or may transmit more modulated signals to transmit more streams. Each modulated signal is transmitted using one or more transmission beams.

[0265] Furthermore, as described with reference to Figs. 17 and 18, there may be one or more transmission beams (or reception directivity control) for unicast.

[0266] The relationship between "modulated signal 1" and "modulated signal 2" will be omitted since it overlaps with the description of Fig. 13. Here, the relationship between "modulated signal 3" and "modulated signal 4" will be described with reference to Fig. 21.

[0267] For example, #2 information 101-2 is subjected to processing such as error correction coding to obtain data after error correction coding. This data after error correction coding is called #2 transmission data. Then, mapping is performed on the #2 transmission data to obtain data symbols, which are then allocated to stream 3 and stream 4 to obtain data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 3 and data symbols (data symbol group) for stream 4. At this time, the data symbols of stream 3 at symbol number i are designated s3(i) and the data symbols of stream 4 are designated s4(i). Then, "modulated signal 3" tx3(i) at symbol number i is expressed, for example, as follows:

[0268]

number

[0269] And, "modulated signal 4" tx4(i) at symbol number i is expressed, for example, as follows:

[0270]

number

[0271] In addition, in equations (5) and (6), e(i), f(i), g(i), and h(i) can each be defined as a complex number, and therefore may be a real number.

[0272] Also, although e(i), f(i), g(i), and h(i) are written as, they do not have to be functions of the symbol number i, and may be fixed values.

[0273] Then, the "symbol group of modulated signal 3" including the "signal in the data transmission region of modulated signal 3" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base station in Figures 1 and 3. Also, the "symbol group of modulated signal 4" including the "signal in the data transmission region of modulated signal 4" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base station in Figures 1 and 3.

[0274] (supplement) Of course, the embodiments and other contents described in this specification may be combined in combination.

[0275] Furthermore, each embodiment and other contents are merely examples. For example, even if a "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code to be used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." is given as an example, it is possible to implement the same configuration even if a different "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code to be used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." is applied.

[0276] Regarding the modulation method, even if a modulation method other than the modulation methods described in this specification is used, it is possible to implement the embodiment and other contents described in this specification. For example, APSK (Amplitude Phase Shift Keying), PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), and QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) may be applied, and uniform mapping or non-uniform mapping may be used in each modulation method. Examples of APSK include 16APSK, 64APSK, 128APSK, 256APSK, 1024APSK, and 4096APSK. Examples of PAM include 4PAM, 8PAM, 16PAM, 64PAM, 128PAM, 256PAM, 1024PAM, and 4096PAM. Examples of PSK include BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16PSK, 64PSK, 128PSK, 256PSK, 1024PSK, and 4096PSK. Examples of QAM include 4QAM, 8QAM, 16QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, and 4096QAM.

[0277] Furthermore, the method of arranging 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points on the IQ plane (modulation method having 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points) is not limited to the signal point arrangement method of the modulation method shown in this specification.

[0278] The "base station" described in this specification may be, for example, a broadcast station, a base station, an access point, a terminal, a mobile phone, etc. The "terminal" described in this specification may be, for example, a television, a radio, a terminal, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an access point, a base station, etc. Furthermore, the "base station" and the "terminal" in this disclosure may be devices having a communication function, and may be configured to be connected to a device for executing an application, such as a television, a radio, a personal computer, or a mobile phone, via some interface. Furthermore, in this embodiment, symbols other than data symbols, such as pilot symbols and symbols for control information, may be arranged in any manner in a frame.

[0279] The pilot symbols and the symbols for control information may be named in any way, for example, they may be known symbols modulated by PSK modulation in the transmitter and receiver, or the receiver may be synchronized to know the symbols transmitted by the transmitter. The receiver uses these symbols to perform frequency synchronization, time synchronization, channel estimation of each modulated signal (estimation of CSI (Channel State Information)), signal detection, etc. The pilot symbols may be called preambles, unique words, postambles, reference symbols, etc.

[0280] In addition, the control information symbols are symbols used to transmit information that needs to be transmitted to the communication partner in order to realize communications other than data (such as application data) (e.g., the modulation method, error correction coding method, coding rate of the error correction coding method, configuration information at higher layers, etc.) used in the communications.

[0281] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. For example, in each embodiment, the case where the communication is performed as a communication device is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the communication method can also be implemented as software.

[0282] For example, a program for executing the above-described communication method may be stored in advance in a ROM (Read Only Memory), and the program may be run by a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

[0283] In addition, a program for executing the above-mentioned communication method may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the program stored in the storage medium may be recorded in the computer's RAM (Random Access Memory), causing the computer to operate according to the program.

[0284] Each of the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration), which is an integrated circuit having input terminals and output terminals. These may be individually integrated into one chip, or may be integrated into one chip to include all or part of the configurations of each embodiment. Here, LSI is used, but it may be called IC (Integrated Circuit), system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. In addition, the method of integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. After LSI manufacture, a programmable FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology or a different technology derived from it, naturally the technology may be used to integrate the functional blocks. Adaptation of biotechnology, etc. is possible.

[0285] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, a multicast communication method when beamforming different from that in the first and second embodiments is applied will be described.

[0286] The configuration of the base station is as described in embodiment 1 using Figures 1 to 3, so a description of parts that operate in the same way as in embodiment 1 will be omitted. Also, the configuration of the terminal that communicates with the base station is as described in embodiment 1 using Figures 4 to 6, so a description of parts that operate in the same way as in embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0287] An example of the operation of the base station and the terminal in this embodiment will be described below.

[0288] FIG. 22 shows a case where a base station transmits a multicast transmission stream to one terminal.

[0289] In FIG. 22, base station 700 transmits transmission beam 2201-1 of “(multicast) stream 1-1 (first beam of stream 1)” from a transmitting antenna to terminal 2202-1, and terminal 2202-1 generates receiving directivity 2203-1 by performing directivity control and receives transmission beam 2201-1 of “stream 1-1.”

[0290] FIG. 23 explains "a procedure for performing communication between a base station and a terminal" that is performed for the communication state between the base station and the terminal as shown in FIG.

[0291] [23-1] First, the terminal makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" to the base station.

[0292] [23-2] The base station receives [23-1] and recognizes that "multicast transmission of stream 1 is not being performed." Therefore, the base station transmits training symbols for transmission directivity control and reception directivity control to the terminal in order to perform multicast transmission of stream 1.

[0293] [23-3] The terminal receives the training symbols for transmission directivity control and the training symbols for reception directivity control transmitted by the base station, and transmits feedback information to the base station so that the base station controls the transmission directivity and the terminal controls the reception directivity. [23-4] The base station determines the method of transmission directivity control (such as determining the weighting coefficients to be used when performing directivity control) based on the feedback information transmitted by the terminal, performs transmission directivity control, and transmits data symbols for stream 1.

[0294] [23-5] The terminal determines the reception directivity control method (such as determining the weighting coefficients to be used when performing directivity control) and starts receiving the data symbols of stream 1 transmitted by the base station.

[0295] Note that the "procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal" in Fig. 23 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in Fig. 23, and the procedure can be implemented in the same way even if the order of transmission of each piece of information is changed. Also, Fig. 23 describes an example in which the terminal controls the reception directivity, but the terminal may not control the reception directivity. In this case, in Fig. 23, the base station does not need to transmit training symbols for reception directivity control, and the terminal does not determine the reception directivity control method.

[0296] Furthermore, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the base station has the configuration shown in Fig. 1, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, and 204-4 in Fig. 2, and if the base station has the configuration shown in Fig. 3, for example, a weighting coefficient is set in weighting synthesis unit 301. Note that the number of streams to be transmitted is "1" in the case of Fig. 22, but is not limited to this.

[0297] When the terminal performs reception directivity control, if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 4, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, and 503-4 in FIG. 5, and if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 6, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ..., 603-L.

[0298] Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by the base station and the terminal on the time axis when the base station in Fig. 23 transmits transmission directivity control symbols, reception directivity control symbols, and data symbols. (a) in Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by the base station on the time axis, and (b) in Fig. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by the terminal on the time axis, and in both cases the horizontal axis is time.

[0299] When communication is performed between a base station and a terminal as shown in Fig. 23, the base station first transmits a "base station transmission directivity control training symbol" 2401 as shown in Fig. 24. For example, the "base station transmission directivity control training symbol" 2401 is composed of a control information symbol and a known PSK symbol.

[0300] Then, the terminal receives the “base station transmission directivity control training symbol” 2401 transmitted by the base station, and transmits, for example, information on the antenna used by the base station for transmission and information on the multiplication coefficient (or weighting coefficient) used in directivity control as feedback information symbol 2402.

[0301] The base station receives "feedback information symbols" 2402 transmitted by the terminal, and determines the antenna to be used for transmission from the feedback information symbols 2402, and also determines coefficients to be used for transmission directivity control from the feedback information symbols 2402. After that, the base station transmits "terminal reception directivity control training symbols" 2403. For example, "terminal reception directivity control training symbols" 2403 are composed of control information symbols and known PSK symbols.

[0302] The terminal then receives the "terminal reception directivity control training symbol" 2403 transmitted by the base station, and determines, for example, the antenna that the terminal will use for reception and the multiplication coefficient that the terminal will use for reception directivity control.The terminal then transmits, as a feedback information symbol 2404, the completion of preparations for receiving data symbols.

[0303] The base station then receives “feedback information symbol” 2404 transmitted by the terminal, and outputs data symbol 2405 based on the feedback information symbol 2404 .

[0304] The communication between the base station and the terminal in Fig. 24 is an example, and the order of symbol transmission and the order of transmission between the base station and the terminal are not limited to this. Also, each of "base station transmission directivity control training symbols" 2401, "feedback information symbols" 2402, "terminal reception directivity control training symbols" 2403, "feedback information symbols" 2404, and "data symbols" 2405 may include a preamble, a reference symbol, a pilot symbol, and a symbol for transmitting control information for signal detection, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation.

[0305] FIG. 25 shows an example of symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits data symbols of stream 1 after communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 23 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time.

[0306] 25, the base station transmits the first data symbol of transmission beam 1 of stream 1 as "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (1)" 2501-1-1. After that, an interval 2502-1 in which data symbols can be transmitted is arranged.

[0307] After that, the base station transmits the second data symbol of transmission beam 1 of (multicast) stream 1 as “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (2)” 2501-1-2. After that, interval 2502-2 in which data symbols can be transmitted is arranged.

[0308] Thereafter, the base station transmits the third data symbol of transmission beam 1 of stream 1 (for multicast) as “stream 1-1 data symbol (3) (for multicast)” 2501-1-3.

[0309] In this way, the base station transmits data symbols of "(multicast) stream 1-1" 2201-1 shown in Fig. 22. Note that in Fig. 25, "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (1)" 2501-1-1, "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (2)" 2501-1-2, "(multicast) data symbol 1-1 data symbol (3)" 2501-1-3, ... may include preambles, reference symbols, pilot symbols for signal detection, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation, as well as symbols for transmitting control information, in addition to data symbols.

[0310] In FIG. 25, the interval 2502-1 in which a data symbol can be transmitted includes a unicast transmission interval 2503-1, and the interval 2502-2 in which a data symbol can be transmitted includes a unicast transmission interval 2503-2.

[0311] In Fig. 25, the frame includes unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2. For example, in Fig. 25, the base station may transmit symbols for multicast in the interval 2502-1 in which data symbols can be transmitted, excluding the unicast transmission interval 2503-1, and in the interval 2502-2 in which data symbols can be transmitted, excluding the unicast transmission interval 2503-2. This point will be described later using an example.

[0312] Providing a unicast transmission interval in a frame in this way is a useful component for stably operating a wireless communication system. An example of this point will be described later. The unicast transmission interval does not have to be located in a time position as shown in FIG. 25, and may be located in any time position. In the unicast transmission interval, the base station may transmit symbols, or the terminal may transmit symbols.

[0313] Alternatively, the base station may be configured to directly set the unicast transmission interval, or alternatively, the base station may set a maximum transmission data rate for transmitting multicast symbols.

[0314] For example, if the data transmission speed that a base station can transmit is 2 Gbps (bps: bits per second) and the maximum data transmission speed that the base station can allocate to transmit multicast symbols is 1.5 Gbps, a unicast transmission section equivalent to 500 Mbps can be set.

[0315] In this way, the unicast transmission interval may be indirectly set in the base station. Another specific example will be described later.

[0316] In accordance with the state of Fig. 22, Fig. 25 shows a frame configuration in which "stream 1-1 (for multicast) data symbol (1)" 2501-1-1, "stream 1-1 (for multicast) data symbol (2)" 2501-1-2, and "data symbol 1-1 (for multicast) data symbol (3)" 2501-1-3 exist, but this is not limited to this. For example, data symbols of a multicast stream other than stream 1 (stream 1-1) may exist, and a data symbol of stream 1-2, which is the second transmission beam of stream 1, and a data stream of stream 1-3, which is the third transmission beam of stream 1, may exist. This point will be explained later.

[0317] Figure 26 shows the state when one new terminal is added to the state in which the base station in Figure 22 is transmitting a multicast transmission stream to one terminal, and elements that operate in the same way as in Figure 22 are given the same numbers.

[0318] 26, the newly added terminal is 2202-2. The terminal 2202-2 performs directivity control to generate a receiving directivity 2203-2 and receives the transmission beam 2201-1 of "(multicast) stream 1-1."

[0319] Next, we will explain Figure 26.

[0320] In the following explanation, it is assumed that terminal 2202-2 newly participates in the multicast communication while base station 700 and terminal 2202-1 are performing multicast communication in Fig. 26. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 27, the base station transmits "terminal reception directivity control training symbol" 2701 and "data symbol" 2702, but does not transmit the "base station transmission training symbol" shown in Fig. 24. In Fig. 27, the horizontal axis represents time.

[0321] FIG. 28 shows an example of operations performed to bring about a state in which the base station is transmitting multicast transmission beams to two terminals as shown in FIG.

[0322] [28-1] The terminal 2202-2 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" to the base station. Note that the "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG.

[0323] [28-2] The base station receives [28-1] and notifies the terminal 2202-2 that “stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted.” The notification that “stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG.

[0324] [28-3] The terminal 2202-2 receives [28-2] and performs reception directivity control to start receiving multicast stream 1. Then, the terminal 2202-2 performs reception directivity control and notifies the base station that it has been able to receive "multicast stream 1."

[0325] [28-4] The base station receives [28-3] and confirms that the terminal has received “multicast stream 1.”

[0326] [28-5] The terminal 2202-2 performs reception directivity control and starts receiving “multicast stream 1.”

[0327] Figure 29 shows the state when one new terminal is added to the state in which the base station in Figure 22 is transmitting a multicast transmission stream to one terminal, and the same numbers are used to indicate elements that operate in the same way as in Figure 22.

[0328] In Fig. 29, the newly added terminal is 2202-2. At this time, the difference from Fig. 26 is that the base station 700 newly transmits a transmission beam 2201-2 of "(multicast) stream 1-2 (second of stream 1)", and the terminal 2202-2 performs directivity control to generate a receiving directivity 2203-2 and receives the transmission beam 2201-2 of "(multicast) stream 1-2".

[0329] Next, the control performed for the state shown in FIG. 29 will be described.

[0330] In the following explanation, in FIG. 29, the base station 700 and terminal 2202-1 are performing multicast communication, and terminal 2202-2 is newly participating in the multicast communication.

[0331] FIG. 30 shows an example of operations performed to bring about a state in which the base station is transmitting multicast transmission beams to two terminals as shown in FIG.

[0332] [30-1] The terminal 2202-2 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" to the base station. Note that the "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG.

[0333] [30-2] The base station receives [30-1] and notifies the terminal 2202-2 that “stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted.” The notification that “stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG.

[0334] [30-3] The terminal 2202-2 receives [30-2] and notifies the base station that “multicast stream 1 is not being received.” Note that the notification that “multicast stream 1 is not being received” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG.

[0335] [30-4] The base station receives [30-3] and decides to transmit another transmission beam for multicast stream 1 (i.e., transmission beam 2201-2 in FIG. 29). Note that although it is decided here to transmit another transmission beam for multicast stream 1, it may also be decided not to transmit another transmission beam for multicast stream 1. This point will be explained later.

[0336] Therefore, the base station transmits training symbols for controlling transmission directivity and training symbols for controlling reception directivity to terminal 2202-2 in order to perform multicast transmission of stream 1. In addition to transmitting these symbols, the base station transmits a transmission beam for stream 1-1 in Fig. 29. This point will be described later.

[0337] [30-5] The terminal 2202-2 receives training symbols for transmit directivity control and training symbols for receive directivity control transmitted by the base station, and transmits feedback information to the base station so that the base station performs transmit directivity control and the terminal 2202-2 performs receive directivity control.

[0338] [30-6] Based on the feedback information transmitted by terminal 2202-2, the base station determines the method of transmission directivity control (such as determining the weighting coefficient to be used when performing directivity control) and transmits data symbols of stream 1 (transmission beam 2201-2 of stream 1-2 in FIG. 29).

[0339] [30-7] Terminal 2202-2 determines the receiving directivity control method (such as determining the weighting coefficient to be used when performing directivity control) and begins receiving the data symbols of stream 1 transmitted by the base station (transmitting beam 2201-2 of stream 1-2 in FIG. 29).

[0340] Note that the "procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal" in Figure 30 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in Figure 30, and the same implementation can be performed even if the order of transmission of each piece of information is changed.

[0341] Also, in Fig. 30, the case where the terminal controls the reception directivity is described as an example, but the terminal may not control the reception directivity. In this case, in Fig. 30, the base station does not need to transmit training symbols for the reception directivity control, and the terminal does not need to determine the reception directivity control method.

[0342] Furthermore, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the base station has the configuration of Fig. 1, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, and 204-4 in Fig. 2, and if the base station has the configuration of Fig. 3, for example, a weighting coefficient is set in weighting synthesis unit 301. Note that the number of streams to be transmitted is "2" in the case of Fig. 29, but is not limited to this.

[0343] When terminals 2202-1 and 2202-2 perform receiving directivity control, if the terminal configuration is that of FIG. 4, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, and 503-4 in FIG. 5, and if the terminal configuration is that of FIG. 6, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ..., 603-L.

[0344] FIG. 31 shows an example of symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits data symbols of stream 1 after communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 30 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time.

[0345] In Fig. 31, since "stream 1-1" in Fig. 29 exists, there exist "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M)" 2501-1-M, "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)" 2501-1-M+1, and "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2)" 2501-1-M+2, just like in Fig. 25. Note that although "(M), (M+1), (M+2)" are written, this is because (multicast) stream 1-1 existed before the existence of (multicast) stream 1-2. Therefore, in Fig. 31, M is an integer equal to or greater than 2.

[0346] As shown in FIG. 31, in sections other than the unicast transmission sections 2503-1 and 2503-2, there exist “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (1)” 3101-1, “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (2)” 3101-2, and “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (3)” 3101-3.

[0347] As explained above, it has the following features:

[0348] "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+1, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+2, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (1) (for multicast)" 3101-1, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (2) (for multicast)" 3101-2, and "Stream 1-2 data symbol (3) (for multicast)" 3101-3 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0349] The terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-1 data symbols". Also, the terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-2 data symbols".

[0350] The directivity of the transmission beam of “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M, “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M+1, and “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M+2 is different from the directivity of the transmission beam of “Stream 1-2 data symbol (1) (for multicast)” 3101-1, “Stream 1-2 data symbol (2) (for multicast)” 3101-2, and “Stream 1-2 data symbol (3) (for multicast)” 3101-3. Therefore, the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the base station transmitting device used to generate the transmission beams of “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M)” 2501-1-M, “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)” 2501-1-M+1, and “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2)” 2501-1-M+2 is different from the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the base station transmitting device used to generate the transmission beams of “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (1)” 3101-1, “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (2)” 3101-2, and “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (3)” 3101-3.

[0351] As a result, two terminals can receive the multicast stream transmitted by the base station. At this time, because directivity control is performed for transmission and reception, the area in which the multicast stream can be received can be expanded. In addition, because the addition of streams and transmission beams is performed only when necessary, the frequency, time, and space resources for transmitting data can be used effectively.

[0352] In addition, the control described below may be performed. The details of the control are as follows.

[0353] Figure 32 is an example of symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits data symbols (of stream 1) after the communication between the base station and the terminal in Figure 30 is completed, which is different from Figure 31, and the horizontal axis represents time. Note that in Figure 32, the same numbers are used for parts that operate in the same way as in Figures 25 and 31.

[0354] FIG. 32 differs from FIG. 31 in that unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 are set longer in time, so that the base station does not add any more multicast symbols for transmission.

[0355] Fig. 33 shows an example of operation when a new terminal 2202-3 requests the base station to add a transmission beam, in addition to the base station transmitting a multicast transmission beam to two terminals (terminals 2202-1 and 2202-2) as in Fig. 29. The frame of the modulated signal transmitted by the base station is shown in Fig. 32.

[0356] [33-1] The terminal 2202-3 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" to the base station. Note that the "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG.

[0357] [33-2] The base station receives [33-1] and notifies the terminal 2202-3 that “stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted.” Note that the “notification that stream 1 for multicast is being transmitted” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG.

[0358] [33-3] The terminal 2202-3 receives [33-2] and notifies the base station that it is “not receiving multicast stream 1.” Note that the “notification that it is not receiving multicast stream 1” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG.

[0359] [33-4] The base station receives [33-3] and determines whether it is possible to transmit a transmission beam for multicast stream 1 that is different from the transmission beam for stream 1-1 and the transmission beam for stream 1-2. At this time, taking into consideration that this is the frame shown in FIG. 32, the base station determines not to transmit another transmission beam for multicast stream 1. Therefore, the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 that "another transmission beam for multicast stream 1 will not be transmitted." Note that the "notification that another transmission beam for multicast stream 1 will not be transmitted" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32.

[0360] [33-5] The terminal 2202-3 receives the “notification not to transmit another transmission beam for the multicast stream 1”.

[0361] Note that the "Procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal" in Fig. 33 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in Fig. 33, and the same implementation can be performed even if the order of each piece of transmission is changed. In this way, when communication resources for multicast transmission are insufficient, it is not necessary to add a multicast transmission beam.

[0362] Fig. 34 shows an example of an operation in which the base station shown in Fig. 29 transmits a transmission beam for multicast to two terminals (terminals 2202-1 and 2202-2), and in addition, a new terminal 2202-3 requests the base station to add a transmission beam for another multicast stream (stream 2). Note that the frame of the modulated signal transmitted by the base station is in the state shown in Fig. 31.

[0363] [34-1] The terminal 2202-3 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 2" to the base station. Note that the "request for multicast transmission of stream 2" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval 2503 in FIG.

[0364] [34-2] The base station receives [34-1] and notifies terminal 2202-3 that "transmission of multicast stream 2 is not being performed." In addition, the base station determines whether the base station can add and transmit a transmission beam for multicast stream 2. At this time, taking into consideration the frame state as shown in FIG. 31, the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 that "transmission of a transmission beam for multicast stream 2 is supported." Note that the "notification that transmission of multicast stream 2 is not being performed" and the "notification that a transmission beam for multicast stream 2 can be transmitted" are transmitted in unicast transmission section 2503 in FIG. 31.

[0365] [34-3] In response to [34-2], the terminal 2203-3 notifies the base station that it is “ready to receive multicast stream 2.” The notification that it is “ready to receive multicast stream 2” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section 2503 in FIG.

[0366] [34-4] The base station receives [34-3] and decides to transmit a transmission beam for multicast stream 2. The base station then transmits training symbols for transmission directivity control and reception directivity control to terminal 2202-3 in order to multicast stream 2. In addition to transmitting these symbols, the base station also transmits transmission beams for stream 1-1 and stream 1-2 as shown in FIG. 31. This point will be explained later.

[0367] [34-5] The terminal 2202-3 receives the training symbols for transmitting directivity control and the training symbols for receiving directivity control transmitted by the base station, and transmits feedback information to the base station so that the base station performs transmitting directivity control and the terminal 2202-3 performs receiving directivity control.

[0368] [34-6] Based on the feedback information transmitted by terminal 2202-3, the base station determines the method of transmission directivity control (such as determining the weighting coefficients to be used when performing directivity control) and transmits data symbols of stream 2.

[0369] [34-7] The terminal 2202-3 determines the reception directivity control method (such as determining the weighting coefficients to be used when performing directivity control) and starts receiving data symbols of stream 2 transmitted by the base station.

[0370] Note that the "procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal" in Fig. 34 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in Fig. 34, and the procedure can be carried out in the same manner even if the order of transmission of each piece of information is changed. Also, Fig. 34 describes an example in which the terminal's reception directivity control is performed, but the terminal may not control its reception directivity. In this case, in Fig. 34, the base station does not need to transmit training symbols for reception directivity control, and the terminal does not decide on a reception directivity control method.

[0371] Furthermore, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the base station has the configuration shown in FIG. 1, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multipliers 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, and 204-4 in FIG.

[0372] When terminals 2202-1, 2202-2, and 2202-3 perform receiving directivity control, if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 4, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, and 503-4 in FIG. 5, and if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 6, for example, multiplication coefficients are set in multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ..., 603-L.

[0373] FIG. 35 shows an example of symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits data symbols for stream 1 and stream 2 after communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 34 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time.

[0374] 35, since there are "stream 1-1" and "stream 1-2" shown in Fig. 31, there are "stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M, "stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+1, "stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+2, and there are also "stream 1-2 data symbol (N) (for multicast)" 3101-N, "stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) (for multicast)" 3101-N+1 and "stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) (for multicast)" 3101-N+2. Note that N and M are integers of 2 or more.

[0375] As shown in FIG. 35, in sections other than the unicast transmission sections 2503-1 and 2503-2, there exist “(multicast) stream 2-1 data symbol (1)” 3501-1, “(multicast) stream 2-1 data symbol (2)” 3501-2, and “(multicast) stream 2-1 data symbol (3)” 3501-3.

[0376] As explained above, the following features are provided at this time.

[0377] "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+1, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+2, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N) (for multicast)" 3101-N, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) (for multicast)" 3101-N+1, and "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) (for multicast)" 3101-N+2 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0378] The terminal obtains "data of stream 1" by obtaining "data symbols of stream 1-1". Also, the terminal obtains "data of stream 1" by obtaining "data symbols of stream 1-2".

[0379] The directivity of the transmission beam of “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M, “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M+1, and “Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)” 2501-1-M+2 is different from the directivity of the transmission beam of “Stream 1-2 data symbol (1) (for multicast)” 3101-1, “Stream 1-2 data symbol (2) (for multicast)” 3101-2, and “Stream 1-2 data symbol (3) (for multicast)” 3101-3.

[0380] Therefore, the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the base station transmitting device used to generate the transmission beams of “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M)” 2501-1-M, “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)” 2501-1-M+1, and “(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2)” 2501-1-M+2 is different from the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the base station transmitting device used to generate the transmission beams of “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (1)” 3101-1, “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (2)” 3101-2, and “(multicast) stream 1-2 data symbol (3)” 3101-3.

[0381] "Stream 2-1 data symbol (1) (for multicast)" 3501-1, "Stream 2-1 data symbol (2) (for multicast)" 3501-2, and "Stream 2-1 data symbol (3) (for multicast)" 3501-3 are data symbols for transmitting "Stream 2".

[0382] · The terminal obtains the data for "stream 2" by obtaining the "data symbols of stream 2-1." As a result, the terminal can receive multiple multicast streams (stream 1 and stream 2) transmitted by the base station. At this time, directivity control is performed during transmission and reception, which has the effect of expanding the area in which multicast streams can be received. In addition, because streams and transmission beams are added only when necessary, the frequency, time, and spatial resources used to transmit data can be used effectively.

[0383] It should be noted that the control described below may be performed. The details of the control are as follows.

[0384] Fig. 32 is an example of symbols transmitted by a base station when the base station transmits data symbols (of stream 1), which is different from Fig. 35, and the horizontal axis represents time. Note that in Fig. 32, the same numbers are used for elements that operate in the same way as in Fig. 25 and Fig. 31.

[0385] The difference between FIG. 32 and FIG. 35 is that the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 are set to be longer in time, so that the base station does not add and transmit any more multicast symbols, for example, symbols of a new stream.

[0386] FIG. 36 shows an example of an operation in which, in addition to the base station transmitting a multicast transmission beam to two terminals (terminals 2202-1, 2202-2) as shown in FIG. 29, a new terminal 2202-3 requests the base station to add a transmission beam for another multicast stream (stream 2).The frame of the modulated signal transmitted by the base station is shown in FIG. 32.

[0387] [36-1] The terminal 2202-3 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 2" to the base station. Note that the "request for multicast transmission of stream 2" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG.

[0388] [36-2] In response to [36-1], the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 that "multicast stream 2 is not being transmitted." Note that "multicast stream 2 is not being transmitted" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32. The base station also determines whether it is possible to transmit a transmission beam for multicast stream 2. The base station takes into account the frame shown in FIG. 32 and determines not to transmit a transmission beam for multicast stream 2. Therefore, the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 that "the transmission beam for multicast stream 2 will not be transmitted." Note that "notification that the transmission beam for multicast stream 2 will not be transmitted" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32.

[0389] [36-3] The terminal 2202-3 receives the “notification that the transmission beam of the multicast stream 2 will not be transmitted.”

[0390] Note that the "Procedure for communication between a base station and a terminal" in Fig. 36 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in Fig. 36, and the procedure for each piece of transmission can be interchanged to implement the same procedure. In this way, when communication resources for multicast transmission are insufficient, it is not necessary to add a stream or a multicast transmission beam.

[0391] A supplementary explanation will now be given regarding the method of setting the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 shown in FIG.

[0392] For example, in FIG. 35, the maximum number of transmission beams for multicast is determined or set in advance.

[0393] Then, upon receiving a request from each terminal, the base station transmits a multicast transmission beam that is equal to or less than the maximum number of multicast transmission beams. For example, in the case of Fig. 35, the number of multicast transmission beams is 3. The base station then transmits multiple multicast transmission beams, and defines the free time after transmitting these as the unicast transmission section.

[0394] The unicast transmission period may be determined as described above.

[0395] (Supplementary Note 1) Supplementary Note 1 explains the case where a base station performs unicast communication, i.e., individual communication, with multiple terminals.

[0396] In this case, for example, #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that the base station broadcasts to a plurality of terminals in order for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals. Note that the control information is, for example, control information required for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0397] Also, for example, #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 in Fig. 9 may be a common search space. Note that the common search space is control information for performing cell control. The common search space is control information broadcast to multiple terminals.

[0398] Similarly, for example, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 may be a broadcast channel, i.e., control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with the multiple terminals.

[0399] Also, for example, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 may be a common search space.

[0400] The characteristics of #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in Figure 9 are as described in the embodiments explained so far.

[0401] For example, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, and the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1 in FIG. 14 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0402] Also, for example, #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, and #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1 in FIG. 14 may be a common search space.

[0403] For example, the #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulated signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2 in FIG. 14 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0404] Also, for example, #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulated signal 2, #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2 in FIG. 14 may be a common search space.

[0405] Note that #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, and #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments previously explained, and #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulated signal 2, #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments previously explained.

[0406] For example, stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 may be a broadcast channel, i.e., control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0407] Also, stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 may be a common search space.

[0408] It should be noted that stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 are as described in the embodiments described thus far.

[0409] For example, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in Figures 31 and 32 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0410] In addition, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in Figures 31 and 32 may be a common search space.

[0411] It should be noted that stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1_M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1_M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1_M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101_1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101_2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101_3 in Figures 31 and 32 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far.

[0412] For example, in FIG. 35, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0413] Also, in FIG. 35, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 may be a common search space.

[0414] For example, stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be a broadcast channel, that is, control information that a base station broadcasts to multiple terminals in order to perform data communication with multiple terminals.

[0415] Also, stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be a common search space.

[0416] It should be noted that in Figure 35, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far, and stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in Figure 35 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far.

[0417] In Figures 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35, when transmitting each data symbol, a single-carrier transmission method or a multi-carrier transmission method such as OFDM may be used. Also, the time position of the data symbol is not limited to that in Figures 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35.

[0418] 25, 31, 32, and 35, the horizontal axis is described as time, but the horizontal axis may be frequency (carrier) instead. When the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier), the base station transmits each data symbol using one or more carriers or subcarriers.

[0419] (Supplementary Note 2) Supplementary Note 2 explains the case where a base station is conducting unicast communication, i.e., individual communication, with multiple terminals.

[0420] 9 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals communicating with each other. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0421] It should be noted that #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far.

[0422] For example, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1, the #1 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2 in Fig. 14 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0423] In addition, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1, the #1 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2 in Figure 14 are as described in the embodiments explained so far.

[0424] For example, stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in Fig. 25 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of multiple terminals in communication. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0425] It should be noted that stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 are as described in the embodiments described thus far.

[0426] For example, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in Figures 31 and 32 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of multiple terminals performing communication. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0427] Note that stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in Figures 31 and 32 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far.

[0428] 35, stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of multiple terminals performing communication. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0429] For example, stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in Fig. 35 may be data addressed to a base station or data addressed to any one of multiple terminals in communication. In this case, the data may include control information.

[0430] In FIG. 35 , stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2, stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 are as described in the embodiments explained thus far.

[0431] In Figures 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35, when transmitting each data symbol, a single-carrier transmission method or a multi-carrier transmission method such as OFDM may be used. Also, the time position of the data symbol is not limited to that in Figures 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35.

[0432] 25, 31, 32, and 35, the horizontal axis is described as time, but the horizontal axis may be frequency (carrier) instead. When the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier), the base station transmits each data symbol using one or more carriers or subcarriers.

[0433] (Supplementary Note 3) During a time period when the base station is transmitting the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, the #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, the #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and the #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 as shown in the frame configuration of Figure 9, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam of the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the transmission beam of the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, the transmission beam of the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, the transmission beam of the #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, the transmission beam of the #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and the transmission beam of the #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2."

[0434] In addition, the base station in Figure 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned ``another symbol group'' by ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301'' or ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301.''

[0435] In addition, during a time period when the base station is transmitting #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1, #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulated signal 2, #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2, as in the frame configuration of Figure 14, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam of #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulated signal 1, the transmission beam of #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulated signal 1, the transmission beam of #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulated signal 1, the transmission beam of #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulated signal 2, the transmission beam of #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulated signal 2, and the transmission beam of #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulated signal 2."

[0436] In this case, the "different symbol group" may be a symbol group including data symbols addressed to a certain terminal, or a symbol group including control information symbols as described in other parts of this disclosure, or a symbol group including data symbols for another multicast.

[0437] In addition, the base station in Figure 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned ``another symbol group'' by ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301'' or ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301.''

[0438] (Note 4) During the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3, as in the frame configuration of FIG. 25, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3."

[0439] It is also the same when the horizontal axis in Figure 25 is frequency, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3."

[0440] In addition, during a time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, as in the frame configurations of Figures 31 and 32, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2."

[0441] 31 and 32, the same applies when the horizontal axis is frequency, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2."

[0442] Then, during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3, as in the frame configurations of Figures 31 and 32, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3."

[0443] It is also the same when the horizontal axis is frequency in Figures 31 and 32, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3."

[0444] During a time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-M+2, as in the frame configuration of FIG. 35, the base station may transmit another group of symbols using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-M+2."

[0445] Note that in FIG. 35, the same applies when the horizontal axis is frequency, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-M+2, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-M+1, and stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-M+2."

[0446] In addition, during a time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2, as in the frame configuration of FIG. 35, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101_N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101_N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101_N+2."

[0447] In addition, in Figure 35, the same is true even if the horizontal axis is frequency, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2."

[0448] Then, during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3, as in the frame configuration of FIG. 35, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3."

[0449] It is also the same when the horizontal axis in Figure 35 is frequency, and during the time period when the base station is transmitting stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3, the base station may transmit a different symbol group using a transmission beam other than the "transmission beam transmitting stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3."

[0450] In the above, "another symbol group" may be a symbol group including data symbols addressed to a certain terminal, or a symbol group including control information symbols as described elsewhere in this specification, or a symbol group including data symbols for another multicast.

[0451] At this time, the base station in FIG. 1 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned "different symbol group" by signal processing in signal processing unit 102, or the base station in FIG. 1 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned "different symbol group" by selecting antennas from antenna unit 106-1 to antenna unit 106-M.

[0452] In addition, the base station in Figure 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned ``another symbol group'' by ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301'' or ``signal processing by signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by weighting synthesis unit 301.''

[0453] In addition, it is not necessary to set the unicast transmission periods 2503-1 and 2503-2 as shown in FIGS.

[0454] (Note 5) The following is stated in the explanation regarding Figures 31 and 32:

[0455] "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+1, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+2, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (1) (for multicast)" 3101-1, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (2) (for multicast)" 3101-2, and "Stream 1-2 data symbol (3) (for multicast)" 3101-3 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0456] The terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-1 data symbols". Also, the terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-2 data symbols".

[0457] In addition, the following is written in the explanation regarding Figure 35:

[0458] "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+1, "Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) (for multicast)" 2501-1-M+2, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N) (for multicast)" 3101-N, "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) (for multicast)" 3101-N+1, and "Stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) (for multicast)" 3101-N+2 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0459] The terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-1 data symbols". Also, the terminal can obtain "stream 1 data" by obtaining "stream 1-2 data symbols".

[0460] The following provides a supplementary explanation of the above. For example, in FIG. 35, the above can be realized by the following <Method 1-1>, <Method 1-2>, <Method 2-1>, or <Method 2-2>.

[0461] <Method 1-1> Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M and stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N contain the same data.

[0462] And, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1 and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1 contain the same data.

[0463] Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2 and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 contain the same data.

[0464] <Method 1-2> There exists a stream 1-2 data symbol (L) 3101-L that contains the same data as the data contained in the stream 1-1 data symbol (K) 2501-1-K, where K and L are integers.

[0465] <Method 2-1> Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M and stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N contain some of the same data.

[0466] And, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1 and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1 contain some of the same data.

[0467] Data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2 of stream 1-1 and data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 of stream 1-2 contain some of the same data.

[0468] <Method 2-2> There exists a stream 1-2 data symbol (L) 3101-L that contains part of the data contained in the stream 1-1 data symbol (K) 2501-1-K, where K and L are integers.

[0469] That is, the first base station or the first transmission system generates a first packet group including data of a first stream and a second packet group including data of the first stream, transmits packets included in the first packet group during a first period using a first transmission beam, and transmits packets included in the second packet group during a second period using a second transmission beam different from the first transmission beam, wherein the first period and the second period do not overlap with each other.

[0470] Here, the second packet group may include a second packet including the same data as the data included in the first packet included in the first packet group. Alternatively, as a configuration different from the above, the second packet group may include a third packet including the same data as a part of the data included in the first packet included in the first packet group.

[0471] Furthermore, the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam may be transmission beams having different directivities transmitted using the same antenna unit, or may be transmission beams transmitted using different antenna units.

[0472] In addition to the configuration of the first base station or the first transmission system, the second base station or the second transmission system further generates a third packet group including data of the first stream, and transmits packets included in the third packet group using a third transmission beam different from the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam during a third period, wherein the third period does not overlap with the first period and the second period.

[0473] Here, the second base station or the second transmission system may set the first period, the second period, and the third period repeatedly in a predetermined order.

[0474] In addition to the configuration of the first base station or the first transmission system, the third base station or the third transmission system further generates a third packet group including data of the first stream, and transmits packets included in the third packet group using a third transmission beam different from the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam during a third period, at least a portion of the third period overlapping with the first period.

[0475] Here, the third base station or the third transmission system may repeatedly set the first period, the second period, and the third period, and at least a portion of any of the repeatedly set third periods may overlap with the first period, or at least any one of the repeatedly set third periods may not overlap with the first period.

[0476] In addition, the fourth base station or the fourth transmission system, in addition to the configuration of the first base station or the first transmission system, further generates a fourth packet including data of the second stream, and transmits the fourth packet during a fourth period using a fourth transmission beam different from the first transmission beam, at least a portion of the fourth period overlapping with the first period.

[0477] In the above description, it has been explained that the first period and the second period do not overlap with each other; however, the first period and the second period may partially overlap with each other, the entire first period may overlap with the second period, or the entire first period may overlap with the entire second period.

[0478] In addition, the fifth base station or the fifth transmission system may generate one or more packet groups including data of the first stream, transmit each packet group using a different transmission beam, and increase or decrease the number of packet groups generated based on the signal transmitted from the terminal.

[0479] In the above description, the term "stream" is used, but as described elsewhere in this specification, this refers to "stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3" in Figs. 31 and 32, and "stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3" in Figs.

[0113] The stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-M+1, stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-M+2, stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-N+1, and stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-N+2 may be symbols containing data symbols addressed to a terminal, or may be symbols containing control information symbols, or may be symbols containing data symbols for multicast.

[0480] (Note 6) Of course, the embodiments and other contents such as supplements described in this specification may be combined and implemented.

[0481] Furthermore, the configuration of the base station is not limited to those shown in Figures 1 and 3, but the present disclosure can be implemented as long as the base station has multiple transmitting antennas and generates and transmits multiple transmitting beams (transmitting directional beams).

[0482] Furthermore, each embodiment is merely an example. For example, even if a "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code to be used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." is exemplified, it is possible to implement the same configuration even if a different "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code to be used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." is applied.

[0483] Regarding the modulation method, even if a modulation method other than the modulation methods described in this specification is used, it is possible to implement the embodiments and other contents described in this specification. For example, APSK (e.g., 16APSK, 64APSK, 128APSK, 256APSK, 1024APSK, 4096APSK, etc.), PAM (e.g., 4PAM, 8PAM, 16PAM, 64PAM, 128PAM, 256PAM, 1024PAM, 4096PAM, etc.), PSK (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16PSK, 64PSK, 128PSK, 256PSK, 1024PSK, 4096PSK, etc.), QAM (e.g., 4QAM, 8QAM, 16QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, 4096QAM, etc.), etc. may be applied, and uniform mapping or non-uniform mapping may be used for each modulation scheme. Furthermore, the method of arranging 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points on the IQ plane (modulation method having 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points) is not limited to the signal point arrangement method of the modulation method shown in this specification.

[0484] In this specification, the transmitting device may be, for example, a communication / broadcasting device such as a broadcasting station, a base station, an access point, a terminal, a mobile phone, etc., and the receiving device may be, for example, a communication device such as a television, a radio, a terminal, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an access point, a base station, etc. In this case, the receiving device may be, for example, a communication device such as a television, a radio, a personal computer, a mobile phone, etc., having a communication function. In addition, the transmitting device and the receiving device in this disclosure may be in a form that can be connected to a device for executing an application such as a television, a radio, a personal computer, a mobile phone, etc. through some interface. In addition, in this embodiment, symbols other than data symbols, for example, pilot symbols (preambles, unique words, postambles, reference symbols, etc.), symbols for control information, etc. may be arranged in any manner in the frame. Here, they are named pilot symbols and symbols for control information, but any naming method may be used, and the function itself is important.

[0485] The pilot symbol may be, for example, a known symbol modulated by PSK modulation in a transmitter / receiver, and the receiver uses this symbol to perform frequency synchronization, time synchronization, channel estimation of each modulated signal (estimation of CSI (Channel State Information)), signal detection, etc. Alternatively, the pilot symbol may allow the receiver to know the symbol transmitted by the transmitter by synchronizing the receiver.

[0486] In addition, the control information symbols are symbols used to transmit information that needs to be transmitted to the communication partner in order to realize communications other than data (such as application data) (e.g., the modulation method, error correction coding method, coding rate of the error correction coding method, configuration information at higher layers, etc.) used in the communications.

[0487] In addition, the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment, and can be implemented with various modifications. For example, in each embodiment, the case where the communication is performed as a communication device is described, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the communication method can also be implemented as software.

[0488] For example, a program for executing the above-described communication method may be stored in a ROM in advance, and the program may be run by a CPU.

[0489] Furthermore, a program for executing the above-described communication method may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and the program stored in the storage medium may be recorded in the RAM of a computer, causing the computer to operate according to the program.

[0490] Each of the configurations of the above-mentioned embodiments may be realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit having input terminals and output terminals. These may be individually integrated into one chip, or may be integrated into one chip to include all or part of the configurations of each embodiment. Here, LSI is used, but it may be called IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. In addition, the method of integration is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. After LSI manufacture, a programmable FPGA or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology or a different technology derived from it, naturally the technology may be used to integrate the functional blocks. Adaptation of biotechnology, etc. is possible.

[0491] In this specification, various frame configurations have been described. For example, a base station (AP) equipped with the transmitting device of Fig. 1 transmits a modulated signal having the frame configuration described in this specification using a multi-carrier method such as the OFDM method. At this time, when a terminal (user) communicating with the base station (AP) transmits a modulated signal, it is possible to consider an application method in which the modulated signal transmitted by the terminal is a single-carrier method (the base station (AP) can transmit data symbol groups simultaneously to multiple terminals by using the OFDM method, and the terminal can reduce power consumption by using the single-carrier method).

[0492] Alternatively, a terminal may apply a TDD (Time Division Duplex) method for transmitting modulation signals using a part of the frequency band used by a modulated signal transmitted by a base station (AP).

[0493] The configuration of antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-M in Fig. 1 is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment. For example, antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-M do not have to be configured with multiple antennas, and antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ..., 106-M do not have to receive signal 159 as input.

[0494] The configuration of antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ..., 401-N in Fig. 4 is not limited to the configuration described in the embodiment. For example, antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ..., 401-N do not have to be configured with multiple antennas, and antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ..., 401-N do not have to receive signal 410 as input.

[0495] (supplementary explanation) The transmitting device, receiving device, transmitting method, and receiving method of the present disclosure will be described in more detail below.

[0496] A transmitting device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transmitting device equipped with multiple transmitting antennas, and includes a signal processing unit that modulates data of a first stream to generate a first baseband signal and modulates data of a second stream to generate a second baseband signal, and a transmitting unit that generates multiple first transmission signals, each with a different directivity, from the first baseband signal and generates multiple second transmission signals, each with a different directivity, from the second baseband signal, and transmits the multiple first transmission signals and the multiple second transmission signals at the same time.

[0497] Each of the multiple first transmission signals and the multiple second transmission signals may include a control signal for notifying whether the transmission signal is a signal transmitting data of the first stream or the second stream.

[0498] Each of the plurality of first transmission signals and the plurality of second transmission signals may include a training signal for the receiving device to perform directivity control.

[0499] A receiving device of one embodiment of the present disclosure is a receiving device equipped with multiple receiving antennas, and includes a receiving unit that selects at least one first signal and at least one second signal from a plurality of first signals, each with different directivities, transmitting a first stream of data and a plurality of second signals, each with different directivities, transmitting a second stream of data, which are transmitted by a transmitting device at the same time, and receives signals by performing directivity control to receive the selected plurality of signals, and a signal processing unit that demodulates the received signal and outputs the first stream of data and the second stream of data.

[0500] The receiving unit may select the at least one first signal and the at least one second signal based on a control signal for notifying which of the first stream and the second stream contained in each of a plurality of received signals the signal transmits data of.

[0501] The receiver may perform directivity control using a training signal included in each of the plurality of received signals.

[0502] A transmission method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a transmission method executed by a transmitting device equipped with multiple transmitting antennas, and includes a process of modulating data of a first stream to generate a first baseband signal, and modulating data of a second stream to generate a second baseband signal, and a process of generating a plurality of first transmission signals, each having a different directivity, from the first baseband signal, generating a plurality of second transmission signals, each having a different directivity, from the second baseband signal, and transmitting the plurality of first transmission signals and the plurality of second transmission signals at the same time.

[0503] A receiving method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a receiving method executed by a receiving device equipped with multiple receiving antennas, and includes a process of selecting at least one first signal and at least one second signal from a plurality of first signals, each with different directivities, transmitting a first stream of data and a plurality of second signals, each with different directivities, transmitting a second stream of data, which are transmitted by a transmitting device at the same time, and receiving the signals by performing directivity control to receive the selected plurality of signals, and a process of demodulating the received signal and outputting the first stream of data and the second stream of data.

[0504] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to extend the communication distance in multi-stream multicast / broadcast communication compared to the case where a pseudo-omni-pattern antenna is used. [Industrial Applicability]

[0505] The present disclosure is useful in communications using multiple antennas. [Explanation of symbols]

[0506] 700 base stations 701 Antenna 702,703 Transmit beam 704 Terminal 705,706 Reception directivity

Claims

1. A system comprising a first base station and a second base station, The first base station, generating a first transmission signal including first data; Transmitting the first transmission signal to a first terminal; The second base station, generating a second transmission signal including the first data; transmitting the second transmission signal addressed to the first terminal, the transmission of the second transmission signal overlapping with the transmission of the first transmission signal in a time domain or a frequency domain; the first base station further comprises a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit; Transmitting the first transmission signal from the first antenna unit; Transmitting a third transmission signal including the first data from the second antenna unit to a second terminal; The third transmission signal is started when a request signal designating the first data is received from the second terminal, a notification is received from the second terminal that the first data cannot be received after the second terminal is notified that the first data is being transmitted. Transmission system.

2. A transmission method implemented by a transmission system including a first base station and a second base station, The first base station, generating a first transmission signal including first data; Transmitting the first transmission signal to a first terminal; The second base station, generating a second transmission signal including the first data; transmitting the second transmission signal addressed to the first terminal, the transmission of the second transmission signal overlapping with the transmission of the first transmission signal in a time domain or a frequency domain; the first base station further comprises a first antenna unit and a second antenna unit; Transmitting the first transmission signal from the first antenna unit; Transmitting a third transmission signal including the first data from the second antenna unit to a second terminal; The third transmission signal is started when a request signal designating the first data is received from the second terminal, a notification is received from the second terminal that the first data cannot be received after the second terminal is notified that the first data is being transmitted. Transmission method.

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