Communication device and communication method

Abstract

To provide a communication device having the possibility that performance can be improved or correspondence to a new service form or the like can be promoted.SOLUTION: A communication device has: a first access point communication with one or more terminals according to a first communication method with a first maximum transmission rate during operation; a second access point communication with a server according to a second communication method with a second maximum transmission rate slower than the first maximum transmission rate during operation; a storage part; and a processor. The processor receives, in a first mode, first data through the first access point, stores the first data in the storage part, transmits the first data stored in the storage part to the server through the second access point, receives, in a second mode, second data through the first access point, and transmits the second data to the server through the second access point without storing the second data in the storage part.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 59

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method.

Background Art

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

[0003] Also, in multi-antenna communication, when performing multicast / broadcast communication, a pseudo-omni pattern antenna having a substantially constant antenna gain over a wide direction in space may be used by a transmitting device. For example, Patent Document 1 describes that a transmitting device transmits a modulated signal using a pseudo-omni pattern antenna.

[0004] On the other hand, even if the transmission speed is increased in a wireless communication system, when the surrounding network is slow, it is necessary to construct a system for making use of this speed increase.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] There is a demand for further performance improvement in a communication device and for corresponding to new service forms.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A communication device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes, during operation, a first access point that communicates with one or more terminals according to a first communication method having a first maximum transmission speed, and during operation, a second access point that communicates with a server according to a second communication method having a second maximum transmission speed slower than the first maximum transmission speed, a storage unit, and a processor. In the first mode, the processor receives first data via the first access point, stores the first data in the storage unit, and transmits the first data stored in the storage unit to the server via the second access point. In the second mode, the processor receives second data via the first access point and transmits the second data to the server via the second access point without storing the second data in the storage unit.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to improve the performance of the communication device or promote the adaptation to a new service form.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

Figure 16

Figure 17

Figure 18

Figure 19

Figure 20

Figure 21

Figure 22

Figure 23

Figure 24

Figure 25

Figure 26

Figure 27

Figure 28

Figure 29

Figure 30

Figure 31

Figure 32

Figure 33

Figure 34

Figure 35

Figure 36

Figure 37

Figure 38

Figure 39

Figure 40

Figure 41

Figure 42

Figure 43

Figure 44

Figure 45

Figure 46

Figure 47

Figure 48

Figure 49

Figure 50

Figure 51

Figure 52

Figure 53

Figure 54

Figure 55

Figure 56

Figure 57

Figure 58

Figure 59

Figure 60

Figure 61

Figure 62

Figure 63

Figure 64

Figure 65

Figure 66

Figure 67

Figure 68

Figure 69

Figure 70

Figure 71

Figure 72A

Figure 72B

Figure 73

Figure 74

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an example of the configuration of a base station (or an access point, etc.) in the present embodiment.

[0011] 101-1 indicates #1 information, 101-2 indicates #2 information, ···, 101-M indicates #M information. 101-i indicates #i information. Let i be an integer from 1 to M. Note that M is an integer of 2 or more. Note that it is not necessary for all of #1 information to #M information to exist.

[0012] The signal processing unit 102 takes as inputs #1 information 101-1, #2 information 101-2, ···, #M information 101-M, and the control signal 159. Based on the information included in the control signal 159, such as "information regarding the method of error correction coding (coding rate, code length (block length))", "information regarding the modulation method", "information regarding precoding", "transmission method (multiplexing method)", "whether to perform multicast transmission / unicast transmission (it is also possible to simultaneously realize multicast transmission and unicast transmission)", "number of transmission streams when performing multicast", "transmission method when transmitting a modulated signal for multicast (this will be described in detail later)", etc., the signal processing unit 102 performs signal processing and outputs the post-signal-processing signal 103-1, the post-signal-processing signal 103-2, ···, the post-signal-processing signal 103-M, that is, the post-signal-processing signal 103-i. Note that it is not necessary for all of the post-signal-processing signals from signal #1 to signal #M to exist. At this time, error correction coding is performed on the #i information 101-i, and then mapping is performed according to the set modulation method. Thereby, a baseband signal is obtained.

[0013] Then, the baseband signals corresponding to each piece of information are collected and precoding is performed. Also, for example, OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) may be applied.

[0014] The radio unit 104-1 takes as inputs the post-signal-processing signal 103-1 and the control signal 159, and based on the control signal 159, performs processing such as band limitation, frequency conversion, and amplification, and outputs a transmission signal 105-1. Then, the transmission signal 105-1 is output as radio waves from the antenna unit 106-1.

[0015] Similarly, the radio unit 104-2 receives the signal 103-2 after signal processing and the control signal 159 as inputs, and based on the control signal 159, performs processes such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification, and outputs a transmission signal 105-2. Then, the transmission signal 105-2 is output as radio waves from the antenna unit 106-2. The description of the radio units 104-3 to 104-(M-1) is omitted.

[0016] The radio unit 104-M receives the signal 103-M after signal processing and the control signal 159 as inputs, and based on the control signal 159, performs processes such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification, and outputs a transmission signal 105-M. Then, the transmission signal 105-M is output as radio waves from the antenna unit 106-M.

[0017] Note that each radio unit does not have to perform the above processes when there is no signal after signal processing.

[0018] The radio unit group 153 receives the received signal group 152 received by the receiving antenna group 151 as an input, performs processes such as frequency conversion, and outputs a baseband signal group 154.

[0019] The signal processing unit 155 receives the baseband signal group 154 as an input, performs demodulation and error correction decoding, that is, also performs processes such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and channel estimation. At this time, since the signal processing unit 155 receives and processes the modulation signals transmitted by one or more terminals, it obtains the data transmitted by each terminal and the control information transmitted by each terminal. Therefore, the signal processing unit 155 outputs a data group 156 corresponding to one or more terminals and a control information group 157 corresponding to one or more terminals.

[0020] The setting unit 158 takes the control information group 157 and the setting signal 160 as inputs. Based on the control information group 157, it determines "the method of error correction coding (coding rate, code length (block length))", "the modulation method", "the pre-coding method", "the transmission method", "the setting of the antenna", "whether to perform multicast transmission / unicast transmission (multicast and unicast transmissions may be realized simultaneously)", "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", "the transmission method when transmitting the modulated signal for multicast", etc., and outputs a control signal 159 including the determined information.

[0021] The antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ···, 106-M take the control signal 159 as an input. The operation at this time will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0022] FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ···, 106-M. Each antenna unit includes a plurality of antennas as shown in FIG. 2. In FIG. 2, four antennas are drawn, but each antenna unit only needs to include a plurality of antennas. Note that the number of antennas is not limited to four.

[0023] FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the antenna unit 106-i. i is an integer from 1 to M.

[0024] The distribution unit 202 takes the transmission signal 201 (corresponding to the transmission signal 105-i in FIG. 1) as an input, distributes the transmission signal 201, and outputs signals 203-1, 203-2, 203-3, 203-4.

[0025] The multiplier 204-1 takes the signal 203-1 and the control signal 200 (corresponding to the control signal 159 in FIG. 1) as inputs, multiplies the signal 203-1 by the coefficient W1 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 200, and outputs the multiplied signal 205-1. Note that the coefficient W1 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W1 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the signal 203-1 is v1(t), the multiplied signal 205-1 can be expressed as W1×v1(t) (t is time). Then, the multiplied signal 205-1 is output as radio waves from the antenna 206-1.

[0026] Similarly, the multiplier 204-2 takes the signal 203-2 and the control signal 200 as inputs, multiplies the signal 203-2 by the coefficient W2 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 200, and outputs the multiplied signal 205-2. Note that the coefficient W2 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W2 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the signal 203-2 is v2(t), the multiplied signal 205-2 can be expressed as W2×v2(t) (t is time). Then, the multiplied signal 205-2 is output as radio waves from the antenna 206-2.

[0027] The multiplier 204-3 takes the signal 203-3 and the control signal 200 as inputs, multiplies the signal 203-3 by the coefficient W3 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 200, and outputs the multiplied signal 205-3. Note that the coefficient W3 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W3 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the signal 203-3 is v3(t), the multiplied signal 205-3 can be expressed as W3×v3(t) (t is time). Then, the multiplied signal 205-3 is output as radio waves from the antenna 206-3.

[0028] The multiplier 204-4 takes the signal 203-4 and the control signal 200 as inputs, multiplies the signal 203-4 by the coefficient W4 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 200, and outputs the multiplied signal 205-4. Note that the coefficient W4 is defined as a complex number. Therefore, W4 can also take a real value. Therefore, if the signal 203-4 is v4(t), the multiplied signal 205-4 can be expressed as W4×v4(t) (t is time). Then, the multiplied signal 205-4 is output as radio waves from the antenna 206-4.

[0029] Note that the absolute values of W1, W2, W3, and W4 may be equal.

[0030] FIG. 3 shows the configuration of a base station different from that of the base station in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 3, those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 1 are given the same numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted below.

[0031] The weighted synthesis unit 301 takes the modulation signals 105-1, 105-2, ···, 105-M, and the control signal 159 as inputs. Then, based on the information regarding weighted synthesis included in the control signal 159, the weighted synthesis unit 301 performs weighted synthesis on the modulation signals 105-1, 105-2, ···, 105-M, and outputs the weighted synthesized signals 302-1, 302-2, ···, 302-K. Let K be an integer of 1 or more. Then, the weighted synthesized signal 302-1 is output as radio waves from the antenna 303-1, the weighted synthesized signal 302-2 is output as radio waves from the antenna 303-2, ···, and the weighted synthesized signal 302-K is output as radio waves from the antenna 303-K.

[0032] The weighted synthesized signal y i (t)302-i (i is an integer from 1 to K) is expressed as follows (t is time).

[0033]

Equation

[0034] In the formula (1), A ij is a value that can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, A ij can also take a real number, and x j (t) becomes the modulation signal 105 - j. j is an integer from 1 to M inclusive.

[0035] Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the terminal. The antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ···, 401-N take the control signal 410 as an input. N is an integer of 1 or more.

[0036] The radio unit 403-1 takes the received signal 402-1 received by the antenna unit 401-1 and the control signal 410 as inputs, and based on the control signal 410, performs processing such as frequency conversion on the received signal 402-1 and outputs the baseband signal 404-1.

[0037] Similarly, the radio unit 403-2 takes the received signal 402-2 received by the antenna unit 401-2 and the control signal 410 as inputs, and based on the control signal 410, performs processing such as frequency conversion on the received signal 402-2 and outputs the baseband signal 404-2. Note that the description from the radio unit 403-3 to the radio unit 403-(N - 1) is omitted.

[0038] The radio unit 403-N takes the received signal 402-N received by the antenna unit 401-N and the control signal 410 as inputs, and based on the control signal, performs processing such as frequency conversion on the received signal 402-N and outputs the baseband signal 404-N.

[0039] However, not all of the radio units 403-1, 403-2, ···, 403-N need to operate. Therefore, the baseband signals 404-1, 404-2, ···, 404-N do not necessarily all exist.

[0040] The signal processing unit 405 takes as inputs the baseband signals 404-1, 404-2, ···, 404-N, and the control signal 410, and based on the control signal 410, performs demodulation and error correction decoding processes, and outputs data 406, transmission control information 407, and control information 408. That is, the signal processing unit 405 also performs processes such as time synchronization, frequency synchronization, and channel estimation.

[0041] The setting unit 409 takes the control information 408 as an input, performs settings related to the reception method, and outputs the control signal 410.

[0042] The signal processing unit 452 takes the information 451 and the transmission control information 407 as inputs, performs processes such as error correction encoding and mapping according to the set modulation method, and outputs a baseband signal group 453.

[0043] The radio unit group 454 takes the baseband signal group 453 as an input, performs processes such as band limiting, frequency conversion, and amplification, and outputs a transmission signal group 455. The transmission signal group 455 is output as radio waves from the transmission antenna group 456.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ···, 401-N. Each antenna unit includes a plurality of antennas as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, four antennas are drawn, but each antenna unit only needs to include a plurality of antennas. Note that the number of antennas in the antenna unit is not limited to four.

[0045] FIG. 5 shows the configuration of the antenna unit 401-i. i is an integer from 1 to N.

[0046] The multiplication unit 503-1 takes the received signal 502-1 received by the antenna 501-1 and the control signal 500 (corresponding to the control signal 410 in FIG. 4) as inputs, and multiplies the received signal 502-1 by the coefficient D1 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 500, and outputs the multiplied signal 504-1. Note that the coefficient D1 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D1 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 502-1 is e1(t), the multiplied signal 504-1 can be expressed as D1×e1(t) (t is time).

[0047] Similarly, the multiplication unit 503-2 takes the received signal 502-2 received by the antenna 501-2 and the control signal 500 as inputs, and multiplies the received signal 502-2 by the coefficient D2 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 500, and outputs the multiplied signal 504-2. Note that the coefficient D2 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D2 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 502-2 is e2(t), the multiplied signal 504-2 can be expressed as D2×e2(t) (t is time).

[0048] The multiplication unit 503-3 takes the received signal 502-3 received by the antenna 501-3 and the control signal 500 as inputs, and multiplies the received signal 502-3 by the coefficient D3 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 500, and outputs the multiplied signal 504-3. Note that the coefficient D3 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D3 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 502-3 is e3(t), the multiplied signal 504-3 can be expressed as D3×e3(t) (t is time).

[0049] The multiplication unit 503-4 takes the received signal 502-4 received by the antenna 501-4 and the control signal 500 as inputs, multiplies the received signal 502-4 by the coefficient D4 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 500, and outputs the multiplied signal 504-4. Note that the coefficient D4 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, D4 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 502-4 is denoted as e4(t), the multiplied signal 504-4 can be expressed as D4×e4(t) (where t is time).

[0050] The combining unit 505 takes the multiplied signals 504-1, 504-2, 504-3, and 504-4 as inputs, adds the multiplied signals 504-1, 504-2, 504-3, and 504-4, and outputs the combined signal 506 (corresponding to the received signal 402-i in FIG. 4). Therefore, the combined signal 506 can be expressed as D1×e1(t)+D2×e2(t)+D3×e3(t)+D4×e4(t).

[0051] FIG. 6 shows the configuration of a terminal different from that of the terminal in FIG. 4 in the present embodiment. In FIG. 6, those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 4 are given the same numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted below.

[0052] The multiplication unit 603-1 takes the received signal 602-1 received by the antenna 601-1 and the control signal 410 as inputs, multiplies the received signal 602-1 by the coefficient G1 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 410, and outputs the multiplied signal 604-1. Note that the coefficient G1 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, G1 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-1 is denoted as c1(t), the multiplied signal 604-1 can be expressed as G1×c1(t) (where t is time).

[0053] Similarly, the multiplication unit 603-2 takes the received signal 602-2 received by the antenna 601-2 and the control signal 410 as inputs, multiplies the received signal 602-2 by the coefficient G2 based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 410, and outputs the multiplied signal 604-2. Note that the coefficient G2 can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, G2 can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-2 is denoted as c2(t), the multiplied signal 604-2 can be expressed as G2×c2(t) (where t is time). The description from the multiplication unit 603-3 to the multiplication unit 603-(L-1) is omitted.

[0054] The multiplication unit 603-L takes the received signal 602-L received by the antenna 601-L and the control signal 410 as inputs, multiplies the received signal 602-L by the coefficient GL based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 410, and outputs the multiplied signal 604-L. Note that the coefficient GL can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, GL can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-L is denoted as cL(t), the multiplied signal 604-L can be expressed as GL×cL(t) (where t is time).

[0055] Therefore, the multiplication unit 603-i takes the received signal 602-i received by the antenna 601-i and the control signal 410 as inputs, multiplies the received signal 602-i by the coefficient Gi based on the multiplication coefficient information included in the control signal 410, and outputs the multiplied signal 604-i. Note that the coefficient Gi can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, Gi can also take a real number. Therefore, if the received signal 602-i is denoted as ci(t), the multiplied signal 604-i can be expressed as Gi×ci(t) (where t is time). Here, i is an integer from 1 to L, and L is an integer of 2 or more.

[0056] The processing unit 605 takes the multiplied signals 604-1, 604-2, ···, 604-L and the control signal 410 as inputs, performs signal processing based on the control signal 410, and outputs the processed signals 606-1, 606-2, ···, 606-N. Let N be an integer of 2 or more. At this time, let the multiplied signal 604-i be p iDenoted as (t). Let i be an integer from 1 to L. Then, the processed signal 606-j(r j (t)) is expressed as follows. (j is an integer from 1 to N)

[0057]

Number

[0058] In Equation (2), B ji is a value that can be defined as a complex number. Therefore, B ji can also take real values.

[0059] Figure 7 shows an example of the communication state between a base station and a terminal. Note that a base station may also be referred to as an access point, a broadcasting station, etc.

[0060] The base station 700 is equipped with a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from the transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, and performs transmit beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301).

[0061] Figure 7 shows a transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1, a transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and a transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1.

[0062] Figure 7 shows a transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2, a transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2, and a transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0063] Note that in FIG. 7, the number of transmission beams for transmitting the data of stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting the data of stream 2 is 3. However, this is not a limitation. As long as there are multiple transmission beams for transmitting the data of stream 1 and multiple transmission beams for transmitting the data of stream 2, it is acceptable.

[0064] FIG. 7 includes terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5 and has the same configuration as the terminals shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example.

[0065] For example, terminal 704-1 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605" to form reception directivity 705-1 and reception directivity 706-1. Then, due to reception directivity 705-1, terminal 704-1 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and due to reception directivity 706-1, terminal 704-1 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0066] Similarly, terminal 704-2 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605" to form reception directivity 705-2 and reception directivity 706-2. Then, due to reception directivity 705-2, terminal 704-2 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and due to reception directivity 706-2, terminal 704-2 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0067] The terminal 704-3 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-3 and a reception directivity 706-3.

[0068] Then, due to the reception directivity 705-3, the terminal 704-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and due to the reception directivity 706-3, the terminal 704-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0069] The terminal 704-4 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-4 and a reception directivity 706-4. Then, due to the reception directivity 705-4, the terminal 704-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and due to the reception directivity 706-4, the terminal 704-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0070] The terminal 704-5 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-5 and a reception directivity 706-5. Then, due to the reception directivity 705-5, the terminal 704-5 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1, and due to the reception directivity 706-5, the terminal 704-5 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2.

[0071] In Fig. 7, the terminal selects at least one transmission beam from among transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 based on the spatial position, and by directing the reception directivity, the data of stream 1 can be obtained with high quality. Also, the terminal selects at least one transmission beam from among transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 based on the spatial position, and by directing the reception directivity, the data of stream 2 can be obtained with high quality.

[0072] Note that the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. And the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Also, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same moment.

[0073] Also, the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively. The transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively.

[0074] The operation of the setting unit 158 of the base station in Figs. 1 and 3 will be described.

[0075] The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 7, information indicating "perform multicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0076] The 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, information indicating "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0077] Also, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams to use for transmitting each stream". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 7, information indicating "the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 2 is 3" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0078] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit a control information symbol including information such as "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / unicast transmission", "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", and "how many transmission beams to use for transmitting each stream". Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception. Details of the configuration of the control information symbol will be described later.

[0079] FIG. 8 is a drawing for explaining the relationship between the #i information 101-i in FIGS. 1 and 3 and "Stream 1" and "Stream 2" described with reference to FIG. 7. For example, for the #1 information 101-1, processing such as error correction coding is performed 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, and these data symbols are allocated for Stream 1 and Stream 2 to obtain the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 1 and the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 2. The symbol group of Stream 1 includes the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 1, and the symbol group of Stream 1 is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3. Also, the symbol group of Stream 2 includes the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 2, and the symbol group of Stream 2 is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0080] FIG. 9 shows an example of a frame configuration when the horizontal axis is time.

[0081] The #1 symbol group 901-1 of Stream 1 in FIG. 9 is the symbol group of the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of Stream 1 in FIG. 7.

[0082] The #2 symbol group 901-2 of Stream 1 in FIG. 9 is the symbol group of the transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of Stream 1 in FIG. 7.

[0083] The #3 symbol group 901-3 of Stream 1 in FIG. 9 is the symbol group of the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of Stream 1 in FIG. 7.

[0084] The #1 symbol group 902-1 of Stream 2 in FIG. 9 is the symbol group of the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of Stream 2 in FIG. 7.

[0085] The #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2 in FIG. 7.

[0086] The #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 is a symbol group of the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 in FIG. 7.

[0087] And 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 exist in time interval 1, for example.

[0088] 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 (the 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 (the 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 (the same frequency band).

[0089] For example, in the procedure of FIG. 8, the "data symbol group A of stream 1" and the "data symbol group A of stream 2" are generated from the information. Then, symbol groups "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1", "data symbol group A-2 of stream 1", and "data symbol group A-3 of stream 1" composed of the same symbols as those constituting the "data symbol group A of stream 1" are prepared.

[0090] That is, the symbols constituting the "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1", the symbols constituting the "data symbol group A-2 of stream 1", and the symbols constituting the "data symbol group A-3 of stream 1" are the same.

[0091] At this time, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-1 of stream 1", the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-2 of stream 1", and the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-3 of stream 1". That is, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 include the same data symbol group.

[0092] Also, prepare symbol groups "data symbol group A-1 of stream 2", "data symbol group A-2 of stream 2", and "data symbol group A-3 of stream 2" that are composed of the same symbols as the symbols constituting the "data symbol group A of stream 2".

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

[0094] At this time, the #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-1 of stream 2", the #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-2 of stream 2", and the #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2 in FIG. 9 includes the "data symbol group A-3 of stream 2". That is, 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 include the same data symbol group.

[0095] FIG. 10 shows an example of the frame configuration of the "symbol group #Y of stream X" (X = 1, 2; Y = 1, 2, 3) described in FIG. 9. In FIG. 10, the horizontal axis is time, 1001 is a control information symbol, and 1002 is a data symbol group of the stream. At this time, the data symbol group 1002 of the stream is a symbol for transmitting the "data symbol group A of stream 1" or the "data symbol group A of stream 2" described with reference to FIG. 9.

[0096] In addition, in the frame configuration of FIG. 10, a multi-carrier method such as the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method may be used. 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, and the like. And the frame configuration is not limited to FIG. 10, and the control information symbol 1001 and the data symbol group 1002 of the stream may be arranged in any way. Note that the reference symbol may also be called a preamble or a pilot symbol.

[0097] Next, the configuration of the control information symbol 1001 will be described.

[0098] FIG. 11 shows an example of the configuration of the symbol transmitted as the control information symbol in FIG. 10, where the horizontal axis is time. In FIG. 11, the terminal receives the "training symbol for the terminal to perform reception directivity control" 1101, and thereby determines the signal processing method for directivity control at the time of reception, which is performed by 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 the processing unit 605".

[0099] The terminal receives the "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when performing multicast" 1102, and thereby the terminal knows the number of streams that it needs to obtain.

[0100] The terminal receives the "symbol for notifying which stream's data symbol the data symbol of the stream is" 1103, and thereby the terminal can know which stream among the streams transmitted by the base station it can receive.

[0101] An example of the above will be described.

[0102] As shown in FIG. 7, the case where the base station is transmitting a stream and a transmission beam will be described. And the specific information of the control information symbol in the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 will be described.

[0103] In the case of FIG. 7, since the base station is transmitting "stream 1" and "stream 2", the information of the "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when performing multicast" 1102 is the information "2".

[0104] Also, since the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 is transmitting the data symbol of stream 1, the information of the "symbol for notifying which stream's data symbol the data symbol of the stream is" 1103 is the information "stream 1".

[0105] For example, a case where the terminal receives the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 will be described. At this time, from the symbol 1102 of "symbol for notifying the number of transmission streams when multicasting" the terminal obtains that "the number of transmission streams is 2", and from the symbol 1103 of "symbol for notifying which stream's data symbol the data symbol group of the stream is", the terminal obtains that "the data symbol of stream 1".

[0106] After that, since the terminal recognizes that "the number of transmission streams is 2" and the obtained data symbol is "the data symbol of stream 1", the terminal recognizes that it is necessary to obtain "the data symbol of stream 2". Therefore, the terminal can start the operation of searching for the symbol group of stream 2. For example, the terminal searches for the transmission beam of any one of 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 in FIG. 9.

[0107] Then, by obtaining the transmission beam of any one of 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, the terminal obtains the data symbols of both the data symbol of stream 1 and the data symbol of stream 2.

[0108] In this way, by configuring the control information symbol, the terminal obtains the effect that it can accurately obtain the data symbol.

[0109] As described above, in multicast transmission and broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols using a plurality of transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the plurality of transmission beams. Since the modulation signal transmitted by the base station performs transmission directivity control and reception directivity control, the effect that the area where high data reception quality can be obtained can be widened is obtained.

[0110] In the above description, it has been explained that the terminal performs reception directivity control. However, the terminal can obtain the above-described effects even without performing reception directivity control.

[0111] Note that the modulation method of the "data symbol group of the stream" 1002 in FIG. 10 may be any modulation method, and the mapping method of the modulation method of the "data symbol group of the stream" 1002 may be switched symbol by symbol. That is, on the in-phase I - quadrature Q plane after mapping, the phase of the constellation may be switched symbol by symbol.

[0112] FIG. 12 shows an example different from FIG. 7 of the communication state between the base station and the terminal. In FIG. 12, the same numbers are assigned to those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7.

[0113] The base station 700 includes a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from the transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, as in FIGS. 1 and 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301).

[0114] And FIG. 12 shows the transmission beam 1202 - 1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1", the transmission beam 1202 - 2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1", and the transmission beam 1202 - 3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1".

[0115] FIG. 12 shows the transmission beam 1203 - 1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2", the transmission beam 1203 - 2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2", and the transmission beam 1203 - 3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2".

[0116] Note that in FIG. 12, the number of transmission beams for transmitting "modulation signal 1" is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting "modulation signal 2" is 3. However, this is not restrictive. As long as there are a plurality of transmission beams for transmitting "modulation signal 1" and a plurality of transmission beams for transmitting "modulation signal 2". And "modulation signal 1" and "modulation signal 2" will be described in detail later.

[0117] FIG. 12 includes terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5 and has the same configuration as the terminals in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example.

[0118] For example, terminal 704-1 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms reception directivity 705-1 and reception directivity 706-1. Then, due to reception directivity 705-1, terminal 704-1 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 1", and due to reception directivity 706-1, terminal 704-1 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 2".

[0119] Similarly, terminal 704-2 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms reception directivity 705-2 and reception directivity 706-2. Then, due to reception directivity 705-2, terminal 704-2 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 1", and due to reception directivity 706-2, terminal 704-2 can receive and demodulate transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 2".

[0120] The terminal 704-3 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-3 and a reception directivity 706-3.

[0121] Then, due to the reception directivity 705-3, the terminal 704-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1", and due to the reception directivity 706-3, the terminal 704-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2".

[0122] The terminal 704-4 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-4 and a reception directivity 706-4. Then, due to the reception directivity 705-4, the terminal 704-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1", and due to the reception directivity 706-4, the terminal 704-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2".

[0123] The terminal 704-5 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 705-5 and a reception directivity 706-5. Then, due to the reception directivity 705-5, the terminal 704-5 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1", and due to the reception directivity 706-5, the terminal 704-5 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2".

[0124] The characteristic point in FIG. 12 is that the terminal can select at least one transmission beam from transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" according to the spatial position, and direct the reception directivity to obtain "modulation signal 1" with high quality. Also, the terminal can select at least one transmission beam from transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" according to the spatial position, and direct the reception directivity to obtain "modulation signal 2" with high quality.

[0125] Note that the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. And the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Also, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same moment.

[0126] Also, the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively. The transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively.

[0127] The operation of the setting unit 158 of the base station in FIGS. 1 and 3 will be described.

[0128] The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 contains information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 12, information indicating "perform multicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0129] The setting signal 160 contains information on "the number of transmission modulation signals when performing multicast". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 12, information indicating "the number of transmission modulation signals is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0130] Also, the setting signal 160 may contain information on "how many transmission beams each modulation signal is transmitted with". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 12, information indicating "the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 2 is 3" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0131] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit a control information symbol including information such as "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / unicast transmission", "the number of transmission modulation signals when performing multicast", and "how many transmission beams each modulation signal is transmitted with". Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception. Details of the configuration of the control information symbol will be described later.

[0132] FIG. 13 is a drawing for explaining the relationship between the #i information 101-i in FIGS. 1 and 3 and the "modulation signal 1" and "modulation signal 2" described with reference to FIG. 12.

[0133] For example, for the #1 information 101-1, perform processing such as error correction encoding to obtain the data after error correction encoding. Name the data after error correction encoding as the #1 transmission data. Then, perform mapping on the #1 transmission data to obtain data symbols, and distribute the data symbols for Stream 1 and Stream 2 to obtain the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 1 and the data symbols (data symbol groups) of Stream 2. At this time, let the data symbol of Stream 1 at symbol number i be s1(i), and the data symbol of Stream 2 be s2(i). Then, the "modulation signal 1" tx1(i) at symbol number i can be expressed as follows, for example.

[0134]

Number

[0135] And the "modulation signal 2" tx2(i) at symbol number i can be expressed as follows, for example.

[0136]

Number

[0137] Note that in Equation (3) and Equation (4), α(i) can be defined as a complex number (therefore, it may also be a real number), β(i) can be defined as a complex number (therefore, it may also be a real number), γ(i) can be defined as a complex number (therefore, it may also be a real number), and δ(i) can be defined as a complex number (therefore, it may also be a real number). Also, although it is described as α(i), it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), although it is described as β(i), it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), although it is described as γ(i), it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value), and although it is described as δ(i), it does not have to be a function of symbol number i (it may be a fixed value).

[0138] Then, the "symbol group of modulation signal 1" including the "signal in the data transmission area of modulation signal 1" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3. Also, the "symbol group of modulation signal 2" including the "signal in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0139] Note that, for "modulation signal 1" and "modulation signal 2", signal processing such as phase change or CDD (Cyclic Delay Diversity) may be performed. However, the signal processing method is not limited to this.

[0140] FIG. 14 shows an example of the frame configuration when the horizontal axis is time.

[0141] The #1 symbol group (1401-1) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 is the symbol group of transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting the data of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 12.

[0142] The #2 symbol group (1401-2) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 is the symbol group of transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting the data of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 12.

[0143] The #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 is the symbol group of transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the data of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 12.

[0144] The #1 symbol group (1402-1) of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 is the symbol group of transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting the data of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 12.

[0145] The #2 symbol group (1402-2) of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 is the symbol group of transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the data of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 12.

[0146] The #3 symbol group (1402-3) of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 is a symbol group of the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting the data of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 12.

[0147] And the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of the modulation signal 1, the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of the modulation signal 1, the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of the modulation signal 1, the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of the modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of the modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of the modulation signal 2 exist, for example, in time interval 1.

[0148] Also, as described above, the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of the modulation signal 1 and the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of the modulation signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (the same frequency band), the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of the modulation signal 1 and the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of the modulation signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (the same frequency band), and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of the modulation signal 1 and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of the modulation signal 2 are transmitted using the same frequency (the same frequency band).

[0149] For example, in the procedure of FIG. 13, the signal A in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1 and the signal A in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 2 are generated from the information.

[0150] Then, signals "signal A-1 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1", "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1", and "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1" that are composed of signals equivalent to the signals that compose the "signal A in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1" are prepared. (That is, the signals that compose the "signal group A-1 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1", the signals that compose the "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1", and the signals that compose the "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1" are the same.)

[0151] At this time, the #1 symbol group (1401-1) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-1 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 1", the #2 symbol group (1401-2) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 1", and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 1". That is, the #1 symbol group (1401-1), the #2 symbol group (1401-2), and the #3 symbol group (1401-3) of modulation signal 1 include equivalent signals.

[0152] Also, signals "signal A-1 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", and "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", which are composed of signals equivalent to the signals constituting "signal A in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", are prepared. (That is, the signals constituting "signal A-1 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", the signals constituting "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", and the signals constituting "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2" are the same.)

[0153] At this time, the #1 symbol group (1402-1) of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-1 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", the #2 symbol group (1402-2) of stream 2 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-2 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2", and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 includes "signal A-3 in the data transmission area of modulation signal 2". That is, the #1 symbol group (1402-1), the #2 symbol group (1402-2), and the #3 symbol group (1402-3) of modulation signal 2 include equivalent signals.

[0154] FIG. 15 shows an example of the frame configuration of the "symbol group #Y of the modulation signal X" (X = 1, 2; Y = 1, 2, 3) described in FIG. 14. In FIG. 15, the horizontal axis represents time, 1501 is a control information symbol, and 1502 is a modulation signal transmission area for data transmission. At this time, the modulation signal transmission area 1502 for data transmission is a symbol for transmitting the "signal A in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 1" or the "signal A in the data transmission area of the modulation signal 2" described with reference to FIG. 14.

[0155] Note that in the frame configuration of FIG. 15, a multi-carrier method such as the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method may be used. In this case, symbols may exist in the frequency axis direction. Further, 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, and the like. And the frame configuration is not limited to FIG. 15, and the control information symbol 1501 and the modulation signal transmission area 1502 for data transmission may be arranged in any way. The reference symbol may be called, for example, a preamble or a pilot symbol.

[0156] Next, the configuration of the control information symbol 1501 will be described.

[0157] FIG. 16 shows an example of the configuration of the symbol transmitted as the control information symbol of FIG. 15, and the horizontal axis represents time. In FIG. 16, 1601 is a "training symbol for the terminal to perform reception directivity control". By receiving the "training symbol for the terminal to perform reception directivity control" 1601, the terminal determines the signal processing method for directivity control at the time of reception performed by 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 the processing unit 605".

[0158] 1602 is a "symbol for notifying the number of transmission modulation signals when multicasting". By receiving the "symbol for notifying the number of transmission modulation signals when multicasting" 1602, the terminal knows the number of modulation signals it needs to obtain.

[0159] 1603 is a "symbol for notifying which modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of the modulation signal is the modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulation signal". By receiving the "symbol for notifying which modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of the modulation signal is the modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulation signal" 1603, the terminal can know which modulation signal among the modulation signals transmitted by the base station it can receive.

[0160] An example of the above will be described.

[0161] As shown in FIG. 12, consider the case where the base station is transmitting a "modulation signal" and a transmission beam. Then, the specific information of the control information symbol in the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 will be described.

[0162] In the case of FIG. 12, since the base station is transmitting "modulation signal 1" and "modulation signal 2", the information of the "symbol for notifying the number of transmission modulation signals when multicasting" 1602 is the information "2".

[0163] Also, since the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 is transmitting the signal in the data transmission area of modulation signal 1, the information of the "symbol for notifying which modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of the modulation signal is the modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of which modulation signal" 1603 is the information "modulation signal 1".

[0164] For example, assume that the terminal has received the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of the modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14. At this time, the terminal obtains "the modulation signal number 2" from the "symbol for notifying the number of transmission modulation signals when multicasting" 1602 and "the modulation signal 1" from the "symbol for notifying which modulation signal transmission area for data transmission of the modulation signal is" 1603. The terminal recognizes this.

[0165] Then, since the terminal recognizes that there is "the modulation signal number 2" and the obtained modulation signal is "the modulation signal 1", it recognizes that it is necessary to obtain "the modulation signal 2". Therefore, the terminal can start the operation of searching for "the modulation signal 2". For example, the terminal searches for any of the transmission beams of the "#1 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-1, "#2 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-2, and "#3 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-3 in FIG. 14.

[0166] And by obtaining any of the transmission beams of the "#1 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-1, "#2 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-2, and "#3 symbol group of the modulation signal 2" 1402-3, the terminal can obtain both "the modulation signal 1" and "the modulation signal 2", and can obtain the data symbols of stream 1 and the data symbols of stream 2 with high quality.

[0167] In this way, by configuring the control information symbol, the terminal can obtain the effect of accurately obtaining the data symbol.

[0168] As described above, in multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols using a plurality of transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the plurality of transmission beams, so that the modulation signal transmitted by the base station can obtain the effect of expanding the area where high data reception quality can be obtained. This is because the base station is performing transmission directivity control and reception directivity control.

[0169] In the above description, it has been explained that the terminal performs reception directivity control. However, the terminal can obtain the above-described effects even without performing reception directivity control.

[0170] In FIG. 7, the case where each terminal obtains both the modulation signal of stream 1 and the modulation signal of stream 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not necessarily limited to such an embodiment. For example, embodiments may be made in which the modulation signals to be obtained differ depending on the terminal, such as a terminal that wants to obtain the modulation signal of stream 1, a terminal that wants to obtain the modulation signal of stream 2, and a terminal that wants to obtain both the modulation signal of stream 1 and the modulation signal of stream 2.

[0171] (Embodiment 2) In Embodiment 1, in multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission, a method in which a base station transmits data symbols using a plurality of transmission beams has been described. In the present embodiment, as a modification of Embodiment 1, a case where a base station performs multicast data transmission and broadcast data transmission and also performs unicast data transmission will be described.

[0172] FIG. 17 shows an example of the communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal. Those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7 are given the same numbers, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted.

[0173] The base station 700 includes a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from the transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301).

[0174] The description of the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, 703-3 is as described with reference to FIG. 7, and thus the description is omitted.

[0175] Also, regarding the description of terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5 and reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, 706-5, as described with reference to FIG. 7, the description is omitted.

[0176] In FIG. 17, the characteristic point is that the base station performs multicast as described in FIG. 7, and the base station 700 and the terminal (e.g., 1702) perform unicast communication.

[0177] In addition to the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, 703-3 for multicast, in FIG. 17, the base station 700 generates a transmission beam 1701 for unicast and transmits individual data to the terminal 1702. Note that in FIG. 17, an example is shown in which the base station 700 transmits one of the transmission beams 1701 to the terminal 1702, but the number of transmission beams is not limited to one, and the base station 700 may transmit a plurality of transmission beams to the terminal 1702 (or may transmit a plurality of modulated signals).

[0178] Then, the terminal 1702 forms a reception directivity 1703 that performs directivity control during reception by 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 the signal processing unit 605". Thereby, the terminal 1702 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1701.

[0179] Note that in order to generate the transmission beam including the transmission beam 1701, the base station performs precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301) in the configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example.

[0180] Conversely, when the terminal 1702 transmits a modulated signal to the base station 700, the terminal 1702 performs precoding (or weighted synthesis), transmits a transmission beam 1703, and the base station 700 forms a reception directivity 1701 by performing directivity control during reception. Thereby, the base station 700 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1703.

[0181] Note that the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2 are transmitted by the base station 700 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. And the transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2 are transmitted by the base station 700 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time. Also, the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 are transmitted by the base station 700 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and the same time.

[0182] Also, the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively. The transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively.

[0183] And 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, 703-3, or may be a beam of a different frequency (different frequency band).

[0184] Also, in FIG. 17, the description has been advanced assuming one terminal performing unicast communication, but the number of terminals performing unicast communication with the base station may be plural.

[0185] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 in the configuration diagrams 1 and 3 of the base station will be described.

[0186] The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 contains information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 17, information on "performing both multicast transmission and unicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0187] In addition, the setting signal 160 contains information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 17, information on "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0188] Furthermore, the setting signal 160 may contain information on "how many transmission beams each stream is transmitted with". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 17, information on "the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 2 is 3" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0189] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit a control information symbol including information on "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / whether it is for unicast transmission", information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", information on "how many transmission beams each stream is transmitted with", etc. Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception.

[0190] Furthermore, the base station may transmit a training control information symbol for the base station to perform directivity control and a training control information symbol for the terminal to perform directivity control to a terminal performing unicast communication.

[0191] FIG. 18 shows an example of the communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal. For those that operate in the same manner as FIGS. 7 and 12, the same numbers are assigned and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0192] The base station 700 is equipped with a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from the transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 has a configuration as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, and performs precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301) to perform transmission beamforming (directivity control).

[0193] Regarding the description of the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, 1203-3, since it is as described with reference to FIG. 12, the description is omitted.

[0194] Regarding the description of the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5, and the reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, 706-5, since it is as described with reference to FIG. 12, the description is omitted.

[0195] In FIG. 18, the 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.

[0196] In addition to the multicast transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, 1203-3, the base station 700 generates a unicast transmission beam 1701 in FIG. 18 and transmits individual data to the terminal 1702. In FIG. 18, an example is shown in which the base station 700 transmits one of the transmission beams 1701 to the terminal 1702, but the number of transmission beams is not limited to one, and the base station 700 may transmit a plurality of transmission beams to the terminal 1702 (or may transmit a plurality of modulation signals).

[0197] Then, the terminal 1702 forms a reception directivity 1703 that performs directivity control during reception by 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 the signal processing unit 605". Thereby, the terminal 1702 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1701.

[0198] Note that in order to generate a transmission beam including the transmission beam 1701, the base station performs precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301) in a configuration such as that shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example.

[0199] Conversely, when the terminal 1702 transmits a modulation signal to the base station 700, the terminal 1702 performs precoding (or weighted synthesis), transmits a transmission beam 1703, and the base station 700 forms a reception directivity 1701 that performs directivity control during reception. Thereby, the base station 700 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1703.

[0200] Note that the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Also, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Further, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same moment.

[0201] Also, the transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, and 1202-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 1" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively. The transmission beams 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3 for transmitting "modulation signal 2" may be beams of the same frequency (same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively.

[0202] And 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).

[0203] Also, in FIG. 18, the description has been advanced assuming one terminal for performing unicast communication, but the number of terminals for performing unicast communication with the base station may be a plurality.

[0204] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 in the configuration diagrams 1 and 3 of the base station will be described.

[0205] The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 includes information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 18, information indicating "performing both multicast transmission and unicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0206] In addition, the setting signal 160 includes information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 18, information indicating "the number of transmission streams is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0207] Further, the setting signal 160 may include information on "how many transmission beams each stream is to be transmitted with". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 18, information such as "the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 1 is 3, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 2 is 3" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0208] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit a control information symbol including information on "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / unicast transmission", information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", information on "how many transmission beams each stream is to be transmitted with", etc. Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception.

[0209] Furthermore, the base station may transmit a control information symbol for training for the base station to perform directivity control and a control information symbol for training for the terminal to perform directivity control to a terminal performing unicast communication.

[0210] Next, as a modification of Embodiment 1, a case where the base station transmits a plurality of multicast data transmissions will be described.

[0211] FIG. 19 shows an example of the communication state between the base station (or access point, etc.) and the terminal. Those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 7 are given the same numbers, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0212] The base station 700 includes a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from the transmission antenna 701. At this time, the base station 700 is configured, for example, in the same configuration as in FIGS. 1 and 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighted synthesis) in the signal processing unit 102 (and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301).

[0213] Since the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, 703-3 have been described as shown in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted.

[0214] Also, since the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5 and the reception directivities 705-1, 705-2, 705-3, 705-4, 705-5, 706-1, 706-2, 706-3, 706-4, 706-5 have been described as shown in FIG. 7, the description thereof is omitted.

[0215] In addition to the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3, 703-1, 703-2, 703-3, the base station 700 transmits transmission beams 1901-1, 1901-2, 1902-1, 1902-2.

[0216] The transmission beam 1901-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting the data of stream 3. Also, the transmission beam 1901-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting the data of stream 3.

[0217] The transmission beam 1902-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting the data of stream 4. Also, the transmission beam 1902-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting the data of stream 4.

[0218] 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5, 1903-1, 1903-2, 1903-3 are terminals and are configured, for example, in the configurations as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. Note that the operations of the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5 have been described as shown in FIG. 7.

[0219] The terminal 1903-1 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", forming reception directivity 1904-1 and reception directivity 1905-1. Then, due to reception directivity 1904-1, the terminal 1903-1 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting the data of stream 3, and due to reception directivity 1905-1, the terminal 1903-1 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1902-2 for transmitting the data of stream 4.

[0220] The terminal 1903-2 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", forming reception directivity 1904-2 and reception directivity 1905-2. Then, due to reception directivity 1904-2, the terminal 1903-2 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting the data of stream 4, and due to reception directivity 1905-2, the terminal 1903-2 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting the data of stream 3.

[0221] The terminal 1903-3 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", forming reception directivity 1904-3 and reception directivity 1905-3. Then, due to reception directivity 1904-3, the terminal 1903-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting the data of stream 3, and due to reception directivity 1905-3, the terminal 1903-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting the data of stream 4.

[0222] The terminal 1903-4 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", to form a reception directivity 1904-4 and a reception directivity 1905-4. Then, with the reception directivity 1904-4, the terminal 1903-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2, and with the reception directivity 1905-4, the terminal 1903-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting the data of stream 3.

[0223] In FIG. 19, the characteristic point is that the base station transmits a plurality of streams including data for multicast, each stream is transmitted with a plurality of transmission beams, and each terminal selectively receives the transmission beams of one or more of the plurality of streams.

[0224] Note that the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-1 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-1 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. And the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-2 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-2 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. Also, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 and the transmission beam 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same moment.

[0225] The base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1901-1 for transmitting the data of stream 3 and the transmission beam 1902-1 for transmitting the data of stream 4 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time. And the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1901-2 for transmitting the data of stream 3 and the transmission beam 1902-2 for transmitting the data of stream 4 using the same frequency (same frequency band) and at the same time.

[0226] Also, the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, and 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively. The transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively.

[0227] The transmission beams 1901-1 and 1901-2 for transmitting the data of stream 3 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively. Also, the transmission beams 1902-1 and 1902-2 for transmitting the data of stream 4 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands), respectively.

[0228] Then, data symbols of stream 1 may be generated from the #1 information 101-1 in FIG. 1, or data symbols of stream 2 may be generated, and data symbols of stream 3 and data symbols of stream 4 may be generated from the #2 information 101-2. Note that the #1 information 101-1 and the #2 information 101-2 may each perform error correction coding and then generate data symbols.

[0229] Also, it may be assumed that data symbols of stream 1 are generated from the #1 information 101-1 in FIG. 1, data symbols of stream 2 are generated from the #2 information 101-2 in FIG. 1, data symbols of stream 3 are generated from the #3 information 101-3 in FIG. 1, and data symbols of stream 4 are generated from the #4 information 101-4 in FIG. 1. Note that the #1 information 101-1, the #2 information 101-2, the #3 information 101-3, and the #4 information 101-4 may each perform error correction coding and then generate data symbols.

[0230] That is, the data symbols of each stream may be generated from any of the information in FIG. 1. Therefore, the terminal can selectively obtain the streams for multicast, achieving the effect of being able to do so.

[0231] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 in the configuration diagrams 1 and 3 of the base station will be described. The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 contains information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 19, information indicating "perform multicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0232] The setting signal 160 contains information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 19, information indicating "the number of transmission streams is 4" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0233] Also, the setting signal 160 may contain information on "how many transmission beams to use for each stream". When the base station performs transmission as shown in FIG. 19, information indicating "the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 1 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 2 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 3 is 2, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting stream 4 is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0234] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit control information symbols including information on "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / unicast transmission", information on "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", information on "how many transmission beams to use for each stream", etc. Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception.

[0235] Next, as a modification of Embodiment 1, the case where the base station transmits multiple multicast data transmissions will be described.

[0236] FIG. 20 shows an example of the communication state between a base station (or an access point, etc.) and a terminal. For those that operate in the same manner as FIGS. 7, 12, and 19, the same reference numerals are assigned, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0237] Base station 700 includes a plurality of antennas and transmits a plurality of transmission signals from transmission antenna 701. At this time, base station 700 is configured, for example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, and performs transmission beamforming (directivity control) by performing precoding (weighted synthesis) in signal processing unit 102 (and / or weighted synthesis unit 301).

[0238] Regarding the description of transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3, since it overlaps with the description in FIG. 12, the description is omitted.

[0239] Regarding the description of terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 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, since it overlaps with the description in FIG. 12, the description is omitted.

[0240] In addition to transmission beams 1202-1, 1202-2, 1202-3, 1203-1, 1203-2, and 1203-3, base station 700 transmits transmission beams 2001-1, 2001-2, 2002-1, and 2002-2.

[0241] Transmission beam 2001-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting "modulation signal 3". Also, transmission beam 2001-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting "modulation signal 3".

[0242] Transmission beam 2002-1 is a transmission beam for transmitting "modulation signal 4". Also, transmission beam 2002-2 is also a transmission beam for transmitting "modulation signal 4".

[0243] The terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, 704-5, 1903-1, 1903-2, and 1903-3 have the same configuration as that in FIGS. 4 and 5, for example. Note that the operations of the terminals 704-1, 704-2, 704-3, 704-4, and 704-5 are the same as the description in FIG. 7.

[0244] The terminal 1903-1 performs directivity control during reception by the "signal processing unit 405", and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N", and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and the processing unit 605", and forms reception directivities 1904-1 and 1905-1. Then, due to the reception directivity 1904-1, the terminal 1903-1 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3", and due to the reception directivity 1905-1, the terminal 1903-1 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2002-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4".

[0245] The terminal 1903-2 performs directivity control during reception by the "signal processing unit 405", and / or "antennas 401-1 to 401-N", and / or "multiplication units 603-1 to 603-L and the processing unit 605", and forms reception directivities 1904-2 and 1905-2. Then, due to the reception directivity 1904-2, the terminal 1903-2 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4", and due to the reception directivity 1905-2, the terminal 1903-2 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3".

[0246] The terminal 1903-3 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 1904-3 and a reception directivity 1905-3. Then, due to the reception directivity 1904-3, the terminal 1903-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3", and due to the reception directivity 1905-3, the terminal 1903-3 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4".

[0247] The terminal 1903-4 performs directivity control during reception by 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 the processing unit 605", and forms a reception directivity 1904-4 and a reception directivity 1905-4. Then, due to the reception directivity 1904-4, the terminal 1903-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3", and due to the reception directivity 1905-4, the terminal 1903-4 can receive and demodulate the transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4".

[0248] In FIG. 20, the base station transmits a plurality of modulation signals including data for multicast, each modulation signal is transmitted by a plurality of transmission beams, and each terminal selectively receives the transmission beams of one or more streams among the plurality of modulation signals.

[0249] Note that the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (the same frequency band) and at the same time. Then, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (the same frequency band) and at the same time. Also, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 1202-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam 1203-3 for transmitting the "modulation signal 2" using the same frequency (the same frequency band) and at the same moment.

[0250] The base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 2001-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3" and the transmission beam 2002-1 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4" using the same frequency (the same frequency band) and at the same time. Then, the base station 700 transmits the transmission beam 2001-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3" and the transmission beam 2002-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4" using the same frequency (the same frequency band) and at the same time.

[0251] Also, the transmission beams 702-1, 702-2, 702-3 for transmitting the data of stream 1 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively. The transmission beams 703-1, 703-2, 703-3 for transmitting the data of stream 2 may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively.

[0252] The transmission beams 2001-1, 2001-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 3" may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively. Also, the transmission beams 2002-1, 2002-2 for transmitting the "modulation signal 4" may be beams of the same frequency (the same frequency band), or may be beams of different frequencies (different frequency bands) respectively.

[0253] At this time, the operation of the setting unit 158 in the configuration diagrams 1 and 3 of the base station will be described. The setting unit 158 takes the setting signal 160 as an input. The setting signal 160 contains information on "whether to perform multicast transmission / whether to perform unicast transmission". When the base station performs the transmission shown in FIG. 19, the information "perform multicast transmission" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0254] The setting signal 160 contains information on "the number of transmission modulation signals when performing multicast". When the base station performs the transmission shown in FIG. 20, the information "the number of transmission modulation signals is 4" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0255] Also, the setting signal 160 may contain information on "how many transmission beams each modulation signal is transmitted with". When the base station performs the transmission shown in FIG. 20, the information "the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 1 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 2 is 3, the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 3 is 2, and the number of transmission beams for transmitting modulation signal 4 is 2" is input to the setting unit 158 by the setting signal 160.

[0256] Note that the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3 may transmit a control information symbol including information on "whether the data symbol is for multicast transmission / unicast transmission", "the number of transmission streams when performing multicast", "how many transmission beams each stream is transmitted with", etc. Thereby, the terminal can perform appropriate reception.

[0257] Note that in FIG. 20, when the terminal receives both the transmission beam of "modulation signal 1" and the transmission beam of "modulation signal 2", it can obtain the data of stream 1 and the data of stream 2 with high reception quality.

[0258] Similarly, when the terminal receives both the transmission beam of "modulation signal 3" and the transmission beam of "modulation signal 4", it can obtain the data of stream 3 and the data of stream 4 with high reception quality.

[0259] In FIG. 20, an example is described in which the base station transmits "modulation signal 1", "modulation signal 2", "modulation signal 3", and "modulation signal 4". However, the base station may transmit "modulation signal 5" and "modulation signal 6" for transmitting the data of stream 5 and the data of stream 6, or may transmit more modulation signals to transmit more streams. Each of the modulation signals is transmitted using one or more transmission beams.

[0260] Furthermore, as described in FIGS. 17 and 18, there may be one or more unicast transmission beams (or reception directivity controls).

[0261] Since the relationship between "modulation signal 1" and "modulation signal 2" duplicates the description in FIG. 13, it is omitted. Here, the relationship between "modulation signal 3" and "modulation signal 4" will be described with reference to FIG. 21.

[0262] For example, #2 information 101-2 is processed such as error correction coding to obtain the data after error correction coding. This data after error correction coding is named #2 transmission data. Then, mapping is performed on the #2 transmission data to obtain data symbols. These data symbols are allocated for stream 3 and stream 4 to obtain the data symbols (data symbol groups) of stream 3 and the data symbols (data symbol groups) of stream 4. At this time, let the data symbol of stream 3 at symbol number i be s3(i) and the data symbol of stream 4 be s4(i). Then, the "modulation signal 3" tx3(i) at symbol number i can be expressed as follows, for example.

[0263]

Equation

[0264] And the "modulation signal 4" tx4(i) at symbol number i can be expressed as follows, for example.

[0265] [Number]

[0266] Note that in Formula (5) and Formula (6), e(i), f(i), g(i), and h(i) can each be defined as complex numbers and, therefore, may also be real numbers.

[0267] Also, although they are described as e(i), f(i), g(i), and h(i), they do not have to be functions of the symbol number i and may be fixed values.

[0268] And the "symbol group of modulation signal 3" including the "signal in the data transmission area of modulation signal 3" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3. Also, the "symbol group of modulation signal 4" including the "signal in the data transmission area of modulation signal 4" composed of data symbols is transmitted from the base stations in FIGS. 1 and 3.

[0269] (Supplementary Note) Naturally, it is also possible to implement by combining a plurality of the embodiments and other contents described in this specification.

[0270] Also, each embodiment and other contents are merely examples. For example, even if "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." are exemplified, it is possible to implement with a similar configuration even when applying another "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc.".

[0271] 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 (Amplitude Phase Shift Keying), PAM (Pulse Amplitude Modulation), PSK (Phase Shift Keying), or QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation) may be applied, and in each modulation method, uniform mapping or non-uniform mapping may be used. APSK includes, for example, 16APSK, 64APSK, 128APSK, 256APSK, 1024APSK, 4096APSK; PAM includes, for example, 4PAM, 8PAM, 16PAM, 64PAM, 128PAM, 256PAM, 1024PAM, 4096PAM; PSK includes, for example, BPSK, QPSK, 8PSK, 16PSK, 64PSK, 128PSK, 256PSK, 1024PSK, 4096PSK; and QAM includes, for example, 4QAM, 8QAM, 16QAM, 64QAM, 128QAM, 256QAM, 1024QAM, 4096QAM.

[0272] Also, the arrangement method of two, four, eight, sixteen, sixty-four, one hundred and twenty-eight, two hundred and fifty-six, one thousand and twenty-four, etc. signal points in the I-Q plane (modulation methods having two, four, eight, sixteen, sixty-four, one hundred and twenty-eight, two hundred and fifty-six, one thousand and twenty-four, etc. signal points) is not limited to the signal point arrangement method of the modulation methods shown in this specification.

[0273] The "base station" described in this specification may be, for example, a broadcasting station, a base station, an access point, a terminal, a mobile phone, etc. And the "terminal" described in this specification may be a television, a radio, a terminal, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an access point, a base station, etc. Also, the "base station" and "terminal" in the present disclosure are devices having a communication function, and the device may be configured to be able to connect by resolving some interface to a device for executing applications such as a television, a radio, a personal computer, a mobile phone, etc. Further, in the present embodiment, symbols other than data symbols, for example, pilot symbols, symbols for control information, etc. may be arranged in any manner in the frame.

[0274] And the pilot symbol and the symbol for control information may be named in any way. For example, in a transceiver, it may be a known symbol modulated using PSK modulation, or by the receiver synchronizing, the receiver may be able to know the symbol transmitted by the transmitter. The receiver uses this symbol to perform frequency synchronization, time synchronization, channel estimation of each modulation signal (estimation of CSI (Channel State Information)), signal detection, etc. Note that the pilot symbol may be called a preamble, a unique word, a postamble, a reference symbol, etc.

[0275] Also, the symbol for control information is a symbol for transmitting information (for example, the modulation method used in communication, the error correction coding method, the coding rate of the error correction coding method, setting information at the upper layer, etc.) that needs to be transmitted to a communication partner to realize communication other than data (data such as applications).

[0276] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications can be made and implemented. For example, in each embodiment, the case of performing as a communication device is described, but it is not limited thereto, and it is also possible to perform this communication method as software.

[0277] For example, a program for executing the above communication method may be stored in a ROM (Read Only Memory) in advance, and the program may be operated by a CPU (Central Processor Unit).

[0278] Also, a program for executing the above communication method may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the program stored in the storage medium may be recorded in a RAM (Random Access Memory) of a computer, and the computer may be operated according to the program.

[0279] And each configuration such as the above-described embodiments may typically be realized as an LSI (Large Scale Integration) which is an integrated circuit having input terminals and output terminals. These may be individually formed into one chip, or may be formed into one chip so as to include all or some of the configurations of each embodiment. Here, although it is an LSI, depending on the degree of integration, it may also be referred to as an IC (Integrated Circuit), a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI. Also, the method of integrating into a circuit is not limited to LSI, and it may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. After manufacturing the LSI, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) capable of programming, or a reconfigurable processor capable of reconfiguring the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if a technology for integrating into a circuit that replaces the LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology or a derived other technology, of course, the integration of functional blocks may be performed using that technology. The application of biotechnology or the like may be possible.

[0280] (Embodiment 3) In this embodiment, a multicast communication method when applying beamforming different from that in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2 will be described.

[0281] Since the configuration of the base station has been described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3 of Embodiment 1, the description of the parts that operate in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted. Also, since the configuration of the terminal that communicates with the base station has been described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6 of Embodiment 1, the description of the parts that operate in the same manner as in Embodiment 1 will be omitted.

[0282] Hereinafter, an example of the operation of the base station and the terminal in this embodiment will be described.

[0283] FIG. 22 shows a case where the base station transmits a multicast transmission stream to one terminal.

[0284] In FIG. 22, the base station 700 transmits a transmission beam 2201-1 of “(multicast) stream 1-1 (the first beam of stream 1)” from the transmission antenna to the terminal 2202-1. The terminal 2202-1 generates a reception directivity 2203-1 by performing directivity control and receives the transmission beam 2201-1 of “stream 1-1”.

[0285] FIG. 23 describes the “procedure for communicating between the base station and the terminal” for the communication state between the base station and the terminal as shown in FIG. 22.

[0286] [23-1] First, the terminal makes a “request for multicast transmission of stream 1” to the base station.

[0287] [23-2] Upon receiving [23-1], the base station recognizes that “multicast transmission of stream 1 is not being performed”. Therefore, the base station transmits a training symbol for transmission directivity control and a training symbol for reception directivity control to the terminal in order to perform multicast transmission of stream 1.

[0288] [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 in order for the base station to perform transmission directivity control and the terminal to perform reception directivity control. [23-4] The base station determines a method of transmission directivity control (such as determining a weighting coefficient to be used when performing directivity control) based on the feedback information transmitted by the terminal, performs transmission directivity control, and transmits the data symbols of stream 1.

[0289] [23-5] The terminal determines a method of reception directivity control (such as determining a weighting coefficient to be used when performing directivity control), and starts receiving the data symbols of stream 1 transmitted by the base station.

[0290] Note that the "procedure for the base station and the terminal to communicate" 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 order of transmission of each piece of information can be similarly implemented even if it is changed. Also, in FIG. 23, the case where the terminal performs reception directivity control is described as an example, but the case where the terminal does not perform reception directivity control may also be possible. At this time, in FIG. 23, the base station may not transmit the training symbols for reception directivity control, and the terminal does not determine the method of reception directivity control.

[0291] Also, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the base station has the configuration of FIG. 1, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, 204-4 in FIG. 2 are set, and if the base station has the configuration of FIG. 3, for example, the weighting coefficient is set in the weighting synthesis unit 301. Note that the number of streams to be transmitted is "1" in the case of FIG. 22, but it is not limited to this.

[0292] And when the terminal performs reception directivity control, if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 4, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, 503-4 in FIG. 5 are set, and if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 6, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ···, 603-L are set.

[0293] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by a base station and symbols transmitted by a terminal on a time axis when the base station in FIG. 23 transmits a transmission directivity control symbol, a reception directivity control symbol, and a data symbol. (a) in FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by the base station on a time axis, and (b) in FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of symbols transmitted by the terminal on a time axis. In both cases, the horizontal axis represents time.

[0294] When communication between the base station and the terminal is performed as shown in FIG. 23, as shown in FIG. 24, first, the base station transmits a "base station transmission directivity control training symbol" 2401. For example, the "base station transmission directivity control training symbol" 2401 is composed of a control information symbol and a known PSK symbol.

[0295] 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 for transmission by the base station and information on the multiplication coefficient (or weighting coefficient) used for directivity control as a feedback information symbol 2402.

[0296] The base station receives the "feedback information symbol" 2402 transmitted by the terminal, determines the antenna to be used for transmission from the feedback information symbol 2402, and also determines the coefficient used for transmission directivity control from the feedback information symbol 2402. Thereafter, the base station transmits a "terminal reception directivity control training symbol" 2403. For example, the "terminal reception directivity control training symbol" 2403 is composed of a control information symbol and a known PSK symbol.

[0297] Then, the terminal receives the "Terminal Reception Directivity Control Training Symbol" 2403 transmitted by the base station, and determines, for example, the antenna used by the terminal for reception and the multiplication coefficient used by the terminal for reception directivity control. Then, the terminal transmits, as feedback information symbol 2404, that it has completed the preparation for receiving data symbols.

[0298] Then, the base station receives the "Feedback Information Symbol" 2404 transmitted by the terminal, and outputs a data symbol 2405 based on the feedback information symbol 2404.

[0299] Note that 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 base station transmission and terminal transmission are not limited to this. Also, each of the "Base Station Transmission Directivity Control Training Symbol" 2401, "Feedback Information Symbol" 2402, "Terminal Reception Directivity Control Training Symbol" 2403, "Feedback Information Symbol" 2404, and "Data Symbol" 2405 may include a preamble, a reference symbol, a pilot symbol for signal detection, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, frequency offset estimation, and channel estimation, as well as a symbol for transmitting control information.

[0300] FIG. 25 is an example of the symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits the data symbols of stream 1 after the communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 23 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time.

[0301] In FIG. 25, the base station transmits the first data symbol of transmission beam 1 of stream 1 as "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (1)" 2501-1-1. Then, a data symbol transmission available section 2502-1 is arranged.

[0302] Thereafter, 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. Thereafter, a data symbol transmissible section 2502-2 is arranged.

[0303] Thereafter, the base station transmits the third data symbol of transmission beam 1 of (multicast) stream 1 as "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (3)" 2501-1-3.

[0304] In this way, the base station transmits the data symbols of "(multicast) stream 1-1" 2201-1 shown in FIG. 22. Note that in FIG. 25, in "(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, ···, in addition to data symbols, there may be included preambles, reference symbols, pilot symbols for signal detection, time synchronization, frequency synchronization, frequency offset estimation, channel estimation, and symbols for transmitting control information.

[0305] Note that in FIG. 25, the data symbol transmissible section 2502-1 includes the unicast transmission section 2503-1, and the data symbol transmissible section 2502-2 includes the unicast transmission section 2503-2.

[0306] In FIG. 25, the frame includes the unicast transmission sections 2503-1 and 2503-2. For example, in FIG. 25, the base station may transmit multicast symbols in the sections excluding the unicast transmission section 2503-1 of the data symbol transmissible section 2502-1 and the sections excluding the unicast transmission section 2503-2 of the data symbol transmissible section 2502-2. This will be described later using examples.

[0307] Thus, providing a unicast transmission period in a frame is a useful component for stably operating a wireless communication system. An example will be described later in this regard. Note that the unicast transmission period does not have to be at a temporal position as shown in FIG. 25, and it may be arranged temporally in any manner. Note that in the unicast transmission period, the base station may transmit symbols, or the terminal may transmit symbols.

[0308] Also, the base station may be configured to directly set the unicast transmission period. As another method, the base station may set the maximum transmission data transfer rate for transmitting multicast symbols.

[0309] For example, if the transmission rate of data that the base station can transmit is 2 Gbps (bps: bits per second), and the maximum transmission rate of data that can be allocated for transmitting multicast symbols at the base station is 1.5 Gbps, a unicast transmission period corresponding to 500 Mbps can be set.

[0310] Thus, the base station may be configured to indirectly set the unicast transmission period. Another specific example will be described later.

[0311] Note that with the state of FIG. 22, FIG. 25 describes a frame configuration in which "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (1)" 2501-1-1, "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (2)" 2501-1-2, and "(multicast) stream 1-1 data symbol (3)" 2501-1-3 exist, but this is not restrictive. For example, data symbols of multicast streams other than stream 1 (stream 1-1) may exist, or data symbols of stream 1-2, which is the second transmission beam of stream 1, and data streams of stream 1-3, which is the third transmission beam of stream 1, may exist. This will be described later.

[0312] FIG. 26 shows a state where a new terminal is added to the state in which the base station in FIG. 22 is transmitting a multicast transmission stream to one terminal, and the same numbers are assigned to those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 22.

[0313] In FIG. 26, the newly added terminal is 2202-2. The terminal 2202-2 generates a reception directivity 2203-2 by performing directivity control, and receives the transmission beam 2201-1 of “(for multicast) Stream 1-1”.

[0314] Next, FIG. 26 will be described.

[0315] In the following description, in FIG. 26, a new terminal 2202-2 participates in multicast communication with respect to the state where the base station 700 and the terminal 2202-1 are performing multicast communication. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 27, the base station transmits a “terminal reception directivity control training symbol” 2701 and a “data symbol” 2702, and does not transmit the “base station transmission training symbol” shown in FIG. 24. In FIG. 27, the horizontal axis represents time.

[0316] FIG. 28 shows an example of an operation performed to enter a state where the base station transmits a multicast transmission beam to two terminals as in FIG. 26.

[0317] [28-1] The terminal 2202-2 makes a “request for multicast transmission of Stream 1” to the base station. The “request for multicast transmission of Stream 1” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 25.

[0318] [28-2] Upon receiving [28-1], the base station notifies the terminal 2202-2 that “multicast transmission of Stream 1 is being performed”. The notification of “multicast transmission of Stream 1 is being performed” is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 25.

[0319] [28 - 3] The terminal 2202 - 2 receives [28 - 2] and performs reception directivity control to start receiving the multicast stream 1. Then, the terminal 2202 - 2 performs the reception directivity control and notifies the base station that it has been able to receive the "multicast stream 1".

[0320] [28 - 4] The base station receives [28 - 3] and confirms that the terminal has been able to receive the "multicast stream 1".

[0321] [28 - 5] The terminal 2202 - 2 performs the reception directivity control and starts receiving the "multicast stream 1".

[0322] FIG. 29 shows the state when a new terminal is added to the state where the base station in FIG. 22 is transmitting a multicast transmission stream to one terminal. The same numbers are assigned to those that operate in the same manner as in FIG. 22.

[0323] 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 the transmission beam 2201 - 2 of the "(multicast) stream 1 - 2 (the second of stream 1)", and the terminal 2202 - 2 generates the reception directivity 2203 - 2 by performing directivity control and receives the transmission beam 2201 - 2 of the "(multicast) stream 1 - 2".

[0324] Next, the control performed for the state as shown in FIG. 29 will be described.

[0325] In the following description, in FIG. 29, it is a state where the new terminal 2202 - 2 participates in the multicast communication with respect to the state where the base station 700 and the terminal 2202 - 1 are performing multicast communication.

[0326] FIG. 30 shows an example of operations performed to put the base station in a state of transmitting a multicast transmission beam to two terminals as shown in FIG. 29.

[0327] [30-1] Terminal 2202-2 requests the base station to perform "multicast transmission of stream 1". Note that the request for "multicast transmission of stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 25.

[0328] [30-2] The base station receives [30-1] and notifies terminal 2202-2 that "it is performing transmission of stream 1 for multicast". Note that the notification of "performing transmission of stream 1 for multicast" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 25.

[0329] [30-3] Terminal 2202-2 receives [30-2] and notifies the base station that "it is not receiving stream 1 for multicast". Note that the notification of "not receiving stream 1 for multicast" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 25.

[0330] [30-4] The base station receives [30-3] and decides to transmit another transmission beam of stream 1 for multicast (i.e., transmission beam 2201-2 in FIG. 29). Here, it is determined to transmit another transmission beam of stream 1 for multicast, but it may also be determined not to transmit another transmission beam of stream 1 for multicast. This will be explained later.

[0331] Therefore, the base station transmits a training symbol for transmission directivity control and a training symbol for reception directivity control to terminal 2202-2 in order to perform multicast transmission of stream 1. Separately from the transmission of these symbols, the base station is transmitting the transmission beam of stream 1-1 in FIG. 29. This will be explained later.

[0332] [30 - 5] The terminal 2202 - 2 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 in order for the base station to perform transmission directivity control and the terminal 2202 - 2 to perform reception directivity control.

[0333] [30 - 6] The base station determines a method for transmission directivity control (such as determining the weighting coefficient used when performing directivity control) based on the feedback information transmitted by the terminal 2202 - 2, and transmits the data symbols of stream 1 (the transmission beam 2201 - 2 of stream 1 - 2 in FIG. 29).

[0334] [30 - 7] The terminal 2202 - 2 determines a method for reception directivity control (such as determining the weighting coefficient used when performing directivity control), and starts receiving the data symbols of stream 1 transmitted by the base station (the transmission beam 2201 - 2 of stream 1 - 2 in FIG. 29).

[0335] Note that the "procedure for communication between the base station and the terminal" in FIG. 30 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to that in FIG. 30, and the procedure can be similarly implemented even if the order of transmission of each piece of information is changed.

[0336] Also, in FIG. 30, the case where the terminal performs reception directivity control is described as an example, but the case where the terminal does not perform reception directivity control may also be possible. At this time, in FIG. 30, the base station may not transmit the training symbols for reception directivity control, and the terminal may not determine the method for reception directivity control.

[0337] Also, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the configuration of the base station is the configuration in FIG. 1, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 204 - 1, 204 - 2, 204 - 3, 204 - 4 in FIG. 2 are set, and if the configuration of the base station is the configuration in FIG. 3, for example, in the weighting synthesis unit 301, the weighting coefficient is set. Note that the number of streams to be transmitted is "2" in the case of FIG. 29, but it is not limited to this.

[0338] When the terminals 2202-1 and 2202-2 perform reception directivity control, if the configuration of the terminal is the configuration shown in FIG. 4, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, and 503-4 in FIG. 5 are set. Also, if the configuration of the terminal is the configuration shown in FIG. 6, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ···, 603-L are set.

[0339] FIG. 31 is an example of the symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits the data symbols of stream 1 after the communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 30 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time.

[0340] In FIG. 31, since "stream 1-1" in FIG. 29 exists, similar to FIG. 25, "(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 exist. Note that although it is described as "(M), (M + 1), (M + 2)", this is because (multicast) stream 1-1 has existed before (multicast) stream 1-2 exists. Therefore, in FIG. 31, M is an integer of 2 or more.

[0341] And as shown in FIG. 31, in the intervals other than the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2, "(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 exist.

[0342] As described so far, it has the following features.

[0343] · "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M)" 2501-1-M, "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+1)" 2501-1-(M+1), "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+2)" 2501-1-(M+2), "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (1)" 3101-1, "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (2)" 3101-2, "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (3)" 3101-3 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0344] · By obtaining the "Data Symbol of Stream 1-1", the terminal can obtain the "Data of Stream 1". Also, by obtaining the "Data Symbol of Stream 1-2", the terminal can obtain the "Data of Stream 1".

[0345] · The directivities of the transmission beams of 「(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M)」 2501-1-M, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)」 2501-1-(M+1), 「(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2)」 2501-1-(M+2) are different from those of the transmission beams of 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (1)」 3101-1, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (2)」 3101-2, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (3)」 3101-3. Therefore, the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the base station's transmission device used to generate the transmission beams of 「(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M)」 2501-1-M, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)」 2501-1-(M+1), 「(For 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's transmission device used to generate the transmission beams of 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (1)」 3101-1, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (2)」 3101-2, 「(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (3)」 3101-3.

[0346] From the above, two terminals can receive the multicast stream transmitted by the base station. At this time, since directivity control is performed during transmission and reception, the effect of expanding the area where the multicast stream can be received can be obtained. Also, since the addition of streams and transmission beams is performed only when necessary, the effect of effectively utilizing the frequency, time, and space resources for data transmission can be obtained.

[0347] Note that the following control may be performed. The details of the control are as follows.

[0348] FIG. 32 shows 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 FIG. 30 is completed, with the horizontal axis representing time. In FIG. 32, those that operate in the same manner as in FIGS. 25 and 31 are given the same reference numerals.

[0349] In FIG. 32, the difference from FIG. 31 is that the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 are set to be longer in time, so the base station does not add and transmit any more symbols for multicast.

[0350] FIG. 33 shows an example of the operation when, in addition to the base station transmitting a multicast transmission beam to two terminals (terminal 2202-1 and 2202-2) as in FIG. 29, a new terminal 2202-3 makes a request for an additional transmission beam to the base station. The frame of the modulation signal transmitted by the base station is shown in FIG. 32.

[0351] [33-1] Terminal 2202-3 makes a "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" to the base station. The "request for multicast transmission of stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG. 32.

[0352] [33-2] Upon receiving [33-1], the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 that "multicast transmission of stream 1 is being performed". The "notification of multicast transmission of stream 1 being performed" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG. 32.

[0353] [33-3] Upon receiving [33-2], terminal 2202-3 notifies the base station that "it is not receiving multicast stream 1". The "notification of not receiving multicast stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG. 32.

[0354] [33-4] The base station receives [33-3] and determines whether it can transmit a transmission beam different from the transmission beam of stream 1-1 and the transmission beam of stream 1-2 as the transmission beam of multicast stream 1. At this time, considering that it is the frame shown in FIG. 32, the base station determines not to transmit a different transmission beam for multicast stream 1. Therefore, the base station notifies terminal 2202-3 of "not transmitting a different transmission beam for multicast stream 1". Note that the "notification of not transmitting a different transmission beam for multicast stream 1" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32.

[0355] [33-5] Terminal 2202-3 receives the "notification of not transmitting a different transmission beam for multicast stream 1".

[0356] Note that the "communication procedure between the base station and the terminal" in FIG. 33 is an example, and the transmission order of each piece of information is not limited to FIG. 33, and the same can be implemented even if the transmission order of each transmission is interchanged. Thus, when communication resources for multicast transmission are insufficient, it is not necessary to add a multicast transmission beam.

[0357] FIG. 34 shows an example of an operation in which, in addition to the base station shown in FIG. 29 transmitting a multicast transmission beam to two terminals (terminal 2202-1, 2202-2), a new terminal 2202-3 requests the addition of a transmission beam for another multicast stream (stream 2) from the base station. Note that the frame of the modulation signal transmitted by the base station is in the state as shown in FIG. 31.

[0358] [34-1] 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 section 2503 in FIG. 31.

[0359] [34-2] The base station receives [34-1] and notifies terminal 2202-3 that "the transmission of stream 2 for multicast is not being performed". Also, the base station determines whether it can add and transmit the transmission beam of stream 2 for multicast. At this time, considering the frame state as shown in FIG. 31, it notifies terminal 2202-3 that "it is corresponding to the transmission of the transmission beam of stream 2 for multicast". Note that the notification of "not performing the transmission of stream 2 for multicast" and the notification of "the transmission beam of stream 2 for multicast can be transmitted" are transmitted in the unicast transmission section 2503 in FIG. 31.

[0360] [34-3] Terminal 2203-3 receives [34-2] and notifies the base station that "the reception preparation for stream 2 for multicast has been completed". Note that the notification of "the reception preparation for stream 2 for multicast has been completed" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section 2503 in FIG. 31.

[0361] [34-4] The base station receives [34-3] and decides to transmit the transmission beam of stream 2 for multicast. Therefore, the base station transmits a training symbol for transmission directivity control and a training symbol for reception directivity control to terminal 2202-3 for performing multicast transmission of stream 2. Note that separately from the transmission of these symbols, the base station is transmitting the transmission beam of stream 1-1 and the transmission beam of stream 1-2 as shown in FIG. 31. This will be explained later.

[0362] [34-5] Terminal 2202-3 receives the training symbol for transmission directivity control and the training symbol for reception directivity control transmitted by the base station, and transmits feedback information to the base station for the base station to perform transmission directivity control and for terminal 2202-3 to perform reception directivity control.

[0363] [34-6] The base station determines a transmission directivity control method (such as determining the weighting factor used when performing directivity control) based on the feedback information transmitted by the terminal 2202-3, and transmits the data symbols of stream 2.

[0364] [34-7] The terminal 2202-3 determines a reception directivity control method (such as determining the weighting factor used when performing directivity control), and starts receiving the data symbols of stream 2 transmitted by the base station.

[0365] Note that the "procedure for communicating between the base station and the terminal" in FIG. 34 is an example, and the order of transmitting each piece of information is not limited to FIG. 34, and the same can be implemented even if the order of transmitting each piece of information is switched. Also, in FIG. 34, the case where the terminal performs reception directivity control is described as an example, but the case where the terminal does not perform reception directivity control may also be possible. At this time, in FIG. 34, the base station may not transmit the training symbols for reception directivity control, and the terminal does not determine the reception directivity control method.

[0366] Also, when the base station performs transmission directivity control, if the base station has the configuration of FIG. 1, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 204-1, 204-2, 204-3, 204-4 of FIG. 2 are set.

[0367] And when the terminals 2202-1, 2202-2, 2202-3 perform reception directivity control, if the terminal has the configuration of FIG. 4, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 503-1, 503-2, 503-3, 503-4 of FIG. 5 are set, and if the configuration of the terminal is the configuration of FIG. 6, for example, the multiplication coefficients in the multiplication units 603-1, 603-2, ···, 603-L are set.

[0368] FIG. 35 is an example of the symbols transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits the data symbols of stream 1 and stream 2 after the communication between the base station and the terminal in FIG. 34 is completed, with the horizontal axis being time.

[0369] In FIG. 35, since the “Stream 1-1” and “Stream 1-2” shown in FIG. 31 exist, there are “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M)” 2501-1-M, “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+1)” 2501-1-(M+1), “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+2)” 2501-1-(M+2), and also “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N)” 3101-N, “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N+1)” 3101-(N+1), “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N+2)” 3101-(N+2). Here, N and M are integers of 2 or more.

[0370] And as shown in FIG. 35, in the intervals other than the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2, there are “(Multicast) Stream 2-1 Data Symbol (1)” 3501-1, “(Multicast) Stream 2-1 Data Symbol (2)” 3501-2, “(Multicast) Stream 2-1 Data Symbol (3)” 3501-3.

[0371] As described above, at this time, it has the following features.

[0372] · “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M)” 2501-1-M, “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+1)” 2501-1-(M+1), “(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+2)” 2501-1-(M+2), “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N)” 3101-N, “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N+1)” 3101-(N+1), “(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (N+2)” 3101-(N+2) are all data symbols for transmitting “Stream 1”.

[0373] · The terminal obtains "the data of Stream 1" by obtaining "the data symbol of Stream 1-1". Also, the terminal obtains "the data of Stream 1" by obtaining "the data symbol of Stream 1-2".

[0374] · The directivities of the transmission beams of "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M)" 2501-1-M, "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)" 2501-1-(M+1), "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2)" 2501-1-(M+2) are different from those of the transmission beams of "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (1)" 3101-1, "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (2)" 3101-2, "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (3)" 3101-3.

[0375] Therefore, the set of multiplication coefficients (or weighting coefficients) of the transmission device of the base station used to generate the transmission beams of "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M)" 2501-1-M, "(for multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1)" 2501-1-(M+1), "(for 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 transmission device of the base station used to generate the transmission beams of "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (1)" 3101-1, "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (2)" 3101-2, "(for multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (3)" 3101-3.

[0376] · "(for multicast) Stream 2-1 data symbol (1)" 3501-1, "(for multicast) Stream 2-1 data symbol (2)" 3501-2, "(for multicast) Stream 2-1 data symbol (3)" 3501-3 are data symbols for transmitting "Stream 2".

[0377] · The terminal obtains the data of "Stream 2" by obtaining the "data symbol of Stream 2-1". From the above, the terminal can receive a plurality of multicast streams (Stream 1 and Stream 2) transmitted by the base station. At this time, since directional control is performed in transmission and reception, the effect of expanding the area where the multicast stream can be received can be obtained. In addition, since the addition of streams and the addition of transmission beams are performed only when necessary, the effect of effectively utilizing the frequency, time, and space resources for data transmission can be obtained.

[0378] Note that the control as described hereinafter may be performed. The details of the control are as follows.

[0379] FIG. 32 is an example of the symbol transmitted by the base station when the base station transmits the (Stream 1) data symbol, with the horizontal axis being time. In FIG. 32, those that operate in the same manner as FIGS. 25 and 31 are given the same numbers.

[0380] In FIG. 32, the difference from FIG. 35 is that the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 are set longer in time, so the base station does not add and transmit more multicast symbols, for example, symbols of a new stream.

[0381] FIG. 36 shows an example of an operation in which, in addition to the base station transmitting multicast transmission beams to two terminals (Terminal 2202-1 and 2202-2) as shown in FIG. 29, a new terminal 2202-3 requests the addition of a transmission beam for another multicast stream (Stream 2) to the base station. The frame of the modulation signal transmitted by the base station is shown in FIG. 32.

[0382] [36-1] Terminal 2202-3 requests the base station for "multicast transmission of Stream 2". The "request for multicast transmission of Stream 2" is transmitted in the unicast transmission interval in FIG. 32.

[0383] [36-2] The base station receives [36-1] and notifies the terminal 2202-3 that "the transmission of multicast stream 2 is not being performed". Note that "the transmission of multicast stream 2 is not being performed" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32. Also, the base station determines whether it can transmit the transmission beam of multicast stream 2. Considering the frame shown in FIG. 32, the base station determines not to transmit the transmission beam of multicast stream 2. Therefore, the base station notifies the terminal 2202-3 that "the transmission beam of multicast stream 2 is not being transmitted". Note that "the notification that the transmission beam of multicast stream 2 is not being transmitted" is transmitted in the unicast transmission section in FIG. 32.

[0384] [36-3] The terminal 2202-3 receives the "notification that the transmission beam of multicast stream 2 is not being transmitted".

[0385] Note that the "communication procedure between the base station and the terminal" in FIG. 36 is an example, and the order of transmission of each piece of information is not limited to FIG. 36, and the same can be implemented even if the order of each transmission procedure is interchanged. Thus, when communication resources for multicast transmission are insufficient, it is not necessary to add a stream or add a multicast transmission beam.

[0386] A supplementary explanation will be given regarding the setting method of the unicast transmission sections 2503-1 and 2503-2 shown in FIG. 35 and the like.

[0387] For example, in FIG. 35, the maximum value of the number of transmission beams for multicast is determined or set in advance.

[0388] Upon receiving the requests from each terminal, the base station transmits a transmission beam for multicast that is equal to or less than the maximum number of transmission beams for multicast. For example, in the case of FIG. 35, the number of transmission beams for multicast is 3. Then, the base station transmits a plurality of transmission beams for multicast, and defines the time free time after transmitting these as a unicast transmission period.

[0389] As described above, a unicast transmission period may be defined.

[0390] (Supplementary Note 1) In Supplementary Note 1, the case where the base station performs unicast communication, that is, individual communication, with a plurality of terminals will be described.

[0391] At this time, for example, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1 in FIG. 9 may be control information for broadcast transmission that the base station performs for a plurality of terminals in order to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals on a broadcast channel. Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0392] Also, for example, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, and the #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. And the common search space is control information that is broadcast to a plurality of terminals.

[0393] Similarly, for example, 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 in FIG. 9 may be control information for broadcast transmission that the base station performs for a plurality of terminals in order to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0394] Also, for example, 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 in FIG. 9 may be a common search space.

[0395] Note that the features of 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 in FIG. 9 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0396] For example, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, and the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 may be broadcast channels, that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals in order for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0397] Also, for example, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, and the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 may be a common search space.

[0398] For example, the #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 may be broadcast channels, that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals in order for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0399] Also, for example, the #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 may be a common search space.

[0400] Note that the #1 symbol group 1401-1, #2 symbol group 1401-2, and #3 symbol group 1401-3 of the modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments described so far, and the #1 symbol group 1402-1, #2 symbol group 1402-2, and #3 symbol group 1402-3 of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0401] For example, the 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 control information for broadcast channels, that is, for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals in order to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0402] Also, the 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.

[0403] Note that the 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 so far.

[0404] For example, the stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbols (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), stream 1-1 data symbols (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3 in FIGS. 31 and 32 may be control information for a broadcast channel, that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals in order for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0405] Also, the stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbols (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), stream 1-1 data symbols (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3 in FIGS. 31 and 32 may be a common search space.

[0406] Note that the stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbols (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), stream 1-1 data symbols (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3 in FIGS. 31 and 32 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0407] For example, in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2) may be control information for a broadcast channel, that is, broadcast transmission performed by a base station to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0408] Also, in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2) may be a common search space.

[0409] For example, the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be control information for a broadcast channel, that is, broadcast transmission performed by a base station to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals.

[0410] Also, the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be a common search space.

[0411] In addition, in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2) are as described in the embodiments described so far. The stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0412] In FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35, when transmitting each data symbol, a single-carrier transmission method may be used, or a multi-carrier transmission method such as OFDM may be used. Also, the temporal position of the data symbol is not limited to FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35.

[0413] In FIGS. 25, 31, 32, and 35, the horizontal axis is described as time, but it is also possible to implement the same when the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier). When the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier), the base station transmits each data symbol using one or more carriers or sub-carriers.

[0414] (Supplementary Explanation 2) In Supplementary Explanation 2, the case where the base station is performing unicast communication, that is, individual communication, with a plurality of terminals will be described.

[0415] At this time, for example, the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9, 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 may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0416] Note that the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1 in FIG. 9, 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 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0417] For example, the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1, the #1 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2 may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0418] Note that the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1, the #1 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0419] For example, the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0420] Note that the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0421] For example, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, the stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and the stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in FIGS. 31 and 32 may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0422] Note that the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (1) 3101-1, the stream 1-2 data symbol (2) 3101-2, and the stream 1-2 data symbol (3) 3101-3 in FIGS. 31 and 32 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0423] For example, in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2) may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0424] For example, the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be data addressed to the base station or data addressed to any one of a plurality of terminals performing communication. At this time, the data may include control information.

[0425] Note that in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2), the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0426] In FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35, when transmitting each data symbol, a single-carrier transmission method may be used, or a multi-carrier transmission method such as OFDM may be used. Also, the temporal position of the data symbol is not limited to FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35.

[0427] Also, in FIGS. 25, 31, 32, and 35, the horizontal axis is described as time, but it is also possible to implement the same when the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier). Note that when the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier), the base station transmits each data symbol using one or more carriers or sub-carriers.

[0428] (Supplementary Note 3) During the 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 in the frame configuration of FIG. 9, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beams of the #1 symbol group 901-1 of stream 1, the transmission beams of the #2 symbol group 901-2 of stream 1, the transmission beams of the #3 symbol group 901-3 of stream 1, the transmission beams of the #1 symbol group 902-1 of stream 2, the transmission beams of the #2 symbol group 902-2 of stream 2, and the transmission beams of the #3 symbol group 902-3 of stream 2".

[0429] Also, the base station in FIG. 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned "another symbol group" by "signal processing in the signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by the weighting and combining unit 301" or "signal processing in the signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by the weighting and combining unit 301".

[0430] Also, when the base station is transmitting the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1, the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1, the #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulation signal 2, the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2 as in the frame configuration of FIG. 14, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beams of the #1 symbol group 1401-1 of modulation signal 1, the transmission beams of the #2 symbol group 1401-2 of modulation signal 1, the transmission beams of the #3 symbol group 1401-3 of modulation signal 1, the transmission beams of the #1 symbol group 1402-1 of modulation signal 2, the transmission beams of the #2 symbol group 1402-2 of modulation signal 2, and the transmission beams of the #3 symbol group 1402-3 of modulation signal 2".

[0431] At this time, the "another symbol group" may be a symbol group including data symbols addressed to a certain terminal, or a symbol group including a control information symbol group as described in other parts of the present disclosure, or a symbol group including other multicast data symbols.

[0432] Also, the base station shown in FIG. 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above "another symbol group" by "signal processing by the signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by the weighting and combining unit 301", or "signal processing by the signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by the weighting and combining unit 301".

[0433] (Supplementary Note 4) When the base station is transmitting the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3 as in the frame configuration of FIG. 25, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) 2501-1-3".

[0434] Note that the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency in Fig. 25. 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 another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for 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".

[0435] Also, 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) 2501-1-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2) as in the frame configurations of Figs. 31 and 32, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2)".

[0436] Note that the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency in Figs. 31 and 32. 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) 2501-1-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2), the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2)".

[0437] And, when the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3 as in the frame configurations of FIGS. 31 and 32, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3".

[0438] Note that the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency in FIGS. 31 and 32. When the base station is transmitting stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, and stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3".

[0439] When the base station is transmitting stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbols (M + 1) 2501-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbols (M + 2) 2501-(M + 2) as in the frame configuration of FIG. 35, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, stream 1-1 data symbols (M + 1) 2501-(M + 1), and stream 1-1 data symbols (M + 2) 2501-(M + 2)".

[0440] Note that the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency in Fig. 35. When the base station is transmitting the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-(M+1), and the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-(M+2), the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) 2501-(M+1), and the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) 2501-(M+2)" during that time period.

[0441] Also, when the base station is transmitting the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2) as in the frame configuration of Fig. 35, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2)" during that time period.

[0442] Note that the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency in Fig. 35. When the base station is transmitting the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2), the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) 3101-(N+2)" during that time period.

[0443] Then, when the base station is transmitting the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3 as in the frame configuration of FIG. 35, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3".

[0444] Note that in FIG. 35, the same applies even when the horizontal axis represents frequency. When the base station is transmitting the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3, the base station may transmit another symbol group using a transmission beam different from the "transmission beam for transmitting the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) 3501-3".

[0445] In the above, the "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 in other parts of this specification, or a symbol group including other multicast data symbols.

[0446] At this time, the base station in FIG. 1 may generate a transmission beam for the above "another symbol group" by signal processing in the signal processing unit 102, or the base station in FIG. 1 may generate a transmission beam for the above "another symbol group" by selecting antennas from the antenna unit 106-1 to the antenna unit 106-M.

[0447] Further, the base station in FIG. 3 may generate a transmission beam for the above-mentioned "another symbol group" by "signal processing by the signal processing unit 102 and signal processing by the weighted synthesis unit 301", or "signal processing by the signal processing unit 102 or signal processing by the weighted synthesis unit 301".

[0448] And it may not be necessary to set the unicast transmission intervals 2503-1 and 2503-2 as described in FIGS. 25, 31, and 32.

[0449] (Supplementary Note 5) The following descriptions are made in the explanations regarding FIGS. 31 and 32.

[0450] · "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M)" 2501-1-M, "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+1)" 2501-1-(M+1), "(Multicast) Stream 1-1 Data Symbol (M+2)" 2501-1-(M+2), "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (1)" 3101-1, "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (2)" 3101-2, "(Multicast) Stream 1-2 Data Symbol (3)" 3101-3 are all data symbols for transmitting "Stream 1".

[0451] · The terminal can obtain the "data of Stream 1" by obtaining the "data symbol of Stream 1-1". Also, the terminal can obtain the "data of Stream 1" by obtaining the "data symbol of Stream 1-2".

[0452] Also, the following descriptions are made in the explanations regarding FIG. 35.

[0453] · “(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M)” 2501-1-M, “(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1)” 2501-1-(M + 1), “(For multicast) Stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2)” 2501-1-(M + 2), “(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (N)” 3101-N, “(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 1)” 3101-(N + 1), and “(For multicast) Stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 2)” 3101-(N + 2) are all data symbols for transmitting “Stream 1”.

[0454] · By obtaining the “data symbol of Stream 1-1”, the terminal can obtain the “data of Stream 1”. Also, by obtaining the “data symbol of Stream 1-2”, the terminal can obtain the “data of Stream 1”.

[0455] The following provides supplementary explanations for the above. For example, in FIG. 35, the above can be realized by the following <Method 1-1>, or <Method 1-2>, or <Method 2-1>, or <Method 2-2>.

[0456] <Method 1-1> · The Stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M and the Stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N contain the same data.

[0457] And the Stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1) and the Stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 1) 3101-(N + 1) contain the same data.

[0458] The Stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2) and the Stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 2) 3101-(N + 2) contain the same data.

[0459] <Method 1-2> · There exists a stream 1-2 data symbol (L) 3101-L that contains the same data as that contained in the stream 1-1 data symbol (K) 2501-1-K. Here, K and L are integers.

[0460] <Method 2-1> · The stream 1-1 data symbol (M) 2501-1-M and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) 3101-N contain some identical data.

[0461] And, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 1) 2501-1-(M + 1) and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 1) 3101-(N + 1) contain some identical data.

[0462] The stream 1-1 data symbol (M + 2) 2501-1-(M + 2) and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N + 2) 3101-(N + 2) contain some identical data.

[0463] <Method 2-2> · There exists a stream 1-2 data symbol (L) 3101-L that contains a part of the data contained in the stream 1-1 data symbol (K) 2501-1-K. Here, K and L are integers.

[0464] That is, the first base station or the first transmission system generates a first packet group containing the data of the first stream and a second packet group containing the data of the first stream, transmits the packets contained in the first packet group using a first transmission beam in a first period, transmits the packets contained in the second packet group using a second transmission beam different from the first transmission beam in a second period, and the first period and the second period do not overlap with each other.

[0465] Here, the second packet group may include a second packet that includes the same data as the data included in the first packet included in the first packet group. Also, as another configuration different from the above, the second packet group may include a third packet that includes the same data as a part of the data included in the first packet included in the first packet group.

[0466] Also, 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.

[0467] Also, the second base station or the second transmission system further generates a third packet group including the data of the first stream in addition to the configuration of the first base station or the first transmission system, and transmits the packets included in the third packet group using a third transmission beam different from the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam in a third period, and the third period does not overlap with the first period and the second period.

[0468] Here, the second base station or the second transmission system may repeatedly set the first period, the second period, and the third period in a predetermined order.

[0469] Also, the third base station or the third transmission system further generates a third packet group including the data of the first stream in addition to the configuration of the first base station or the first transmission system, and transmits the packets included in the third packet group using a third transmission beam different from the first transmission beam and the second transmission beam in a third period, and at least a part of the third period overlaps with the first period.

[0470] 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 part 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.

[0471] 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 in a fourth period using a fourth transmission beam different from the first transmission beam, and at least a part of the fourth period overlaps with the first period.

[0472] In the above description, it was explained that the first period and the second period do not overlap with each other, but a part of the first period and the second period may overlap with each other, or all of the first period may overlap with the second period, or all of the first period may overlap with all of the second period.

[0473] In addition, the fifth base station or the fifth transmission system generates one or more groups of packets including data of the first stream, transmits each group of packets using a different transmission beam from each other, and may increase or decrease the number of groups of packets generated based on the signal transmitted from the terminal.

[0474] Note that although the term "stream" is used above, as described elsewhere in this specification, the "stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, and stream 1-1 data symbols (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), and stream 1-1 data symbols (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), and stream 1-2 data symbols (1) 3101-1, and stream 1-2 data symbols (2) 3101-2, stream 1-2 data symbols (3) 3101-3" in FIGS. 31 and 32, and the "stream 1-1 data symbols (M) 2501-1-M, and stream 1-1 data symbols (M+1) 2501-1-(M+1), stream 1-1 data symbols (M+2) 2501-1-(M+2), and stream 1-2 data symbols (N) 3101-N, and stream 1-2 data symbols (N+1) 3101-(N+1), and stream 1-2 data symbols (N+2) 3101-(N+2)" in FIG. 35 may be symbols including data symbols addressed to a certain terminal, or symbols including control information symbols, or symbols including data symbols for multicast.

[0475] (Embodiment 4) In this embodiment, a specific example of the communication system described in Embodiments 1 to 3 will be described.

[0476] The communication system in this embodiment is assumed to be composed of (a plurality of) base stations and a plurality of terminals. For example, consider a communication system composed of the base station 700 and terminals 704-1, 704-2, etc. in FIGS. 7, 12, 17, 19, 20, 26, 29, etc.

[0477] FIG. 37 shows an example of the configuration of the base station (700).

[0478] The logical channel generation unit 3703 takes the data 3701 and the control data 3702 as inputs and outputs a logical channel signal 3704. The logical channel signal 3704 is, for example, composed of logical channels for control such as "BCCH (Broadcast Control Channel), PCCH (Paging Control Channel), CCCH (Common Control Channel), MCCH (Multicast Control Channel), DCCH (Dedicated Control Channel)", and logical channels for data such as "DTCH (Dedicated Traffic Channel), MTCH (Multicast Traffic Channel)".

[0479] Note that "BCCH is a downlink channel for notifying system control information", "PCCH is a downlink channel for paging information", "CCCH is a common control channel used when there is no RRC (Radio Resource Control) connection", "MCCH is a downlink multicast channel scheduling and control channel for one-to-many MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service)", "DCCH is a dedicated control channel used for terminals with an RRC connection", "DTCH is a dedicated traffic channel for a single terminal UE (User Equipment) and a dedicated channel for user data", and "MTCH is a downlink channel for one-to-many MBMS user data".

[0480] The transport channel generation unit 3705 takes the logical channel signal 3704 as input, generates a transport channel signal 3706, and outputs it. The transport channel signal 3706 is assumed to be composed of, for example, BCH (Broadcast Channel), DL-SCH (Downlink Shared Channel), PCH (Paging Channel), MCH (Multicast Channel), etc.

[0481] Note that "BCH is a channel for system information notified across the entire cell", "DL-SCH is a channel that uses user data, control information, and system information", "PCH is a channel for paging information left across the entire cell", and "MCH is a channel for MBMS traffic and control information notified across the entire cell".

[0482] The physical channel generation unit 3707 takes the transport channel signal 3706 as input, generates a physical channel signal 3708, and outputs it. The physical channel signal 3708 is assumed to be composed of, for example, PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel), PMCH (Physical Multicast Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), etc.

[0483] Note that "PBCH is for transmitting the BCH transport channel", "PMCH is for transmitting the MCH transport channel", "PDSCH is for transmitting the DL-SCH and the transport channel", and "PDCCH is for transmitting the downlink L1 (Layer 1) / L2 (Layer 2) control signal".

[0484] The modulation signal generation unit 3709 takes the physical channel signal 3708 as input, generates a modulation signal 3710 based on the physical channel signal 3708, and outputs it. Then, the base station 700 will transmit the modulation signal 3710 as radio waves.

[0485] First, consider the case where the base station is performing unicast communication, that is, individual communication, with a plurality of terminals.

[0486] At this time, for example, the symbol group #1 of stream 1 in 901-1 of FIG. 9, the symbol group #2 of stream 1 in 901-2, and the symbol group #3 of stream 1 in 901-3 may be broadcast channels (that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals in order to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0487] Here, the broadcast channel will be described. The broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0488] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0489] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0490] Similarly, for example, the symbol group #1 of stream 2 in 902-1 of FIG. 9, the symbol group #2 of stream 2 in 902-2, and the symbol group #3 of stream 2 in 902-3 may be broadcast channels (that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0491] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0492] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0493] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0494] At this time, the features of the symbol group #1 of stream 1 in 901-1 of FIG. 9, the symbol group #2 of stream 1 in 901-2, and the symbol group #3 of stream 1 in 901-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far, and the features of the symbol group #1 of stream 2 in 902-1 of FIG. 9, the symbol group #2 of stream 2 in 902-2, and the symbol group #3 of stream 2 in 902-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0495] Note that even if the symbol groups #1 (902-1), #2 (902-2), #3 (902-3), etc. of stream 2 in FIG. 9 are not transmitted, it may be acceptable. In particular, when transmitting a signal on the broadcast channel, the symbol groups of stream 2 may not be transmitted by the base station. (At this time, for example, in FIG. 7, it means that 703-1, 703-2, and 703-3 are not transmitted by the base station 701.)

[0496] For example, the symbol group #1 of the modulation signal 1 in 1401-1, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 1 in 1401-2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 1 in 1401-3 in FIG. 14 may be the broadcast channel (that is, the control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with a plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, the control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0497] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0498] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0499] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0500] For example, the symbol group #1 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-1 in FIG. 14, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-3 may be broadcast channels (that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission 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 necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0501] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0502] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0503] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0504] Note that the features of the symbol group #1 of the modulation signal 1 of 1401-1 in FIG. 14, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 1 of 1401-2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 1 of 1401-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far, and the features of the symbol group #1 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-1 in FIG. 14, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0505] For example, the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) of 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) of 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) of 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 may be broadcast channels (that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission 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 necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0506] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0507] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0508] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0509] Note that the features of the stream 1-1 data symbol (1) of 2501-1-1, the stream 1-1 data symbol (2) of 2501-1-2, and the stream 1-1 data symbol (3) of 2501-1-3 in FIG. 25 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0510] For example, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) of 2501-1-M in FIGS. 31 and 32, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) of 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) of 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (1) of 3101-1, the stream 1-2 data symbol (2) of 3101-2, and the stream 1-2 data symbol (3) of 3101-3 may be broadcast channels (i.e., control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals for data communication between the base station and the plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for realizing data communication between the base station and the terminal.

[0511] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0512] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0513] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0514] Note that the features of the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) of 2501-1-M in FIGS. 31 and 32, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) of 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) of 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (1) of 3101-1, the stream 1-2 data symbol (2) of 3101-2, and the stream 1-2 data symbol (3) of 3101-3 are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0515] For example, in FIG. 35, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) of 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) of 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) of 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) of 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) of 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) of 3101-(N+2) may be broadcast channels (i.e., control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0516] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0517] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0518] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0519] For example, the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) of 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) of 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) of 3501-3 in FIG. 35 may be broadcast channels (that is, control information for the base station to perform broadcast transmission to a plurality of terminals for the base station to perform data communication with the plurality of terminals). Note that the control information is, for example, control information necessary for the base station and the terminal to realize data communication.

[0520] Note that the broadcast channel corresponds to "PBCH", "PMCH", and "a part of PD-SCH" in the physical channel (physical channel signal 3708).

[0521] Also, the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCH", "a part of DL-SCH", "PCH", and "MCH" in the transport channel (transport channel signal 3706).

[0522] And the broadcast channel corresponds to "BCCH", "CCCH", "MCCH", "a part of DTCH", and "MTCH" in the logical channel (logical channel signal 3704).

[0523] In addition, in FIG. 35, the features of the stream 1-1 data symbol (M) of 2501-1-M, the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+1) of 2501-1-(M+1), the stream 1-1 data symbol (M+2) of 2501-1-(M+2), the stream 1-2 data symbol (N) of 3101-N, the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+1) of 3101-(N+1), and the stream 1-2 data symbol (N+2) of 3101-(N+2) are as described in the embodiments described so far. The features of the stream 2-1 data symbol (1) of 3501-1, the stream 2-1 data symbol (2) of 3501-2, and the stream 2-1 data symbol (3) of 3501-3 in FIG. 35 are also as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0524] In FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35, when transmitting each data symbol, a single-carrier transmission method may be used, or a multi-carrier transmission method such as OFDM may be used. Also, the temporal position of the data symbol is not limited to FIGS. 9, 14, 25, 31, 32, and 35.

[0525] In addition, in FIGS. 25, 31, 32, and 35, although the horizontal axis is described as time, it is also possible to implement the same when the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier). When the horizontal axis is frequency (carrier), the base station will transmit each data symbol using one or more carriers or sub-carriers.

[0526] Note that in the symbol group of stream 1 in FIG. 9, data (data for unicast) (or symbol) transmitted individually for each terminal may be included. Similarly, in the symbol group of stream 2 in FIG. 9, data (data for unicast) (or symbol) transmitted individually for each terminal may be included.

[0527] In the symbol group of Stream 1 in FIG. 14, there may be data (data for unicast) (or symbols) transmitted individually for each terminal. Similarly, in the symbol group of Stream 2 in FIG. 14, there may be data (data for unicast) (or symbols) transmitted individually for each terminal.

[0528] Also, the symbols of Stream 1-1 in FIG. 25 may contain data (data for unicast) (or symbols) transmitted individually for each terminal. The symbols of Stream 1-1 and the symbols of Stream 1-2 in FIGS. 31 and 32 may contain data (data for unicast) (or symbols) transmitted individually for each terminal.

[0529] And PBCH may be configured, for example, as "used to transmit the minimum information (system bandwidth, system frame number, number of transmit antennas, etc.) that the UE should read first after cell search".

[0530] PMCH may be configured, for example, as "used for the operation of MBSFN (Multicast-broadcast single-frequency network)".

[0531] PDSCH may be configured, for example, as "a shared data channel for transmitting downlink user data, and all data is aggregated and transmitted regardless of C(control)-plane / U(User)-plane".

[0532] PDCCH may be configured, for example, as "used by the eNodeB (gNodeB) (base station) to notify the user selected by scheduling of the radio resource allocation information".

[0533] By implementing as described above, in multicast / broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols and control information symbols using a plurality of transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the plurality of transmission beams. Based on this, the terminal can obtain the effect that the terminal can obtain high data reception quality by receiving the data symbols.

[0534] (Embodiment 5) In this embodiment, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the configuration of the symbol group of stream 1 and the symbol group of stream 2 in FIG. 9 transmitted by the base station (700).

[0535] FIG. 38 shows an example of the frame configuration of stream 1 transmitted by the base station (700). In the frame configuration in FIG. 38, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents frequency, and the frame configuration from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 40 is shown. Therefore, FIG. 38 has a frame configuration of a multi-carrier transmission method such as the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method.

[0536] It is assumed that the symbol region 3801_1 of stream 1 in FIG. 38 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 9.

[0537] It is assumed that the symbol group #i (3800_i) of stream 1 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 10 to carrier 20. Note that the symbol group #i (3800_i) of stream 1 corresponds to the symbol group #i (901-i) of stream 1 in FIG. 9.

[0538] It is assumed that the symbol region 3801_2 of stream 1 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 21 to carrier 40.

[0539] At this time, for example, when the base station unicasts individual data to one or more terminals as described in Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol areas 3801_1 and 3801_2 of Stream 1 in FIG. 38 can be used.

[0540] Then, as described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol group #i (3800_i) of Stream 1 in FIG. 38 will be used by the base station to transmit multicast data.

[0541] FIG. 39 shows an example of the frame configuration of Stream 2 transmitted by the base station (700). In the frame configuration in FIG. 39, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents frequency, showing the frame configuration from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 40. Therefore, FIG. 39 is a frame of a multi-carrier transmission method such as the OFDM method.

[0542] It is assumed that the symbol area 3901_1 of Stream 2 in FIG. 39 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 9.

[0543] It is assumed that the symbol group #i (3900_i) of Stream 2 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 10 to carrier 20. Note that the symbol group #i (3900_i) of Stream 2 corresponds to the symbol group #i (902 - i) of Stream 2 in FIG. 9.

[0544] It is assumed that the symbol area 3901_2 of Stream 2 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 21 to carrier 40.

[0545] At this time, for example, when the base station unicasts individual data to one or more terminals as described in Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol areas 3901_1 and 3901_2 of Stream 2 in FIG. 39 can be used.

[0546] Then, as described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol group #i(3900_i) of Stream 2 in FIG. 39 will be used by the base station to transmit multicast data.

[0547] Note that the base station will transmit the symbols of time X in FIG. 38 (in the case of FIG. 38, X is an integer from 1 to 10) and carrier Y (in the case of FIG. 38, Y is an integer from 1 to 40) and the symbols of time X and carrier Y in FIG. 39 using the same frequency and at the same time.

[0548] The features of the symbol group #1 of Stream 1 in 901-1, the symbol group #2 of Stream 1 in 901-2, and the symbol group #3 of Stream 1 in 901-3 in FIG. 9 are as described in the embodiments described so far. That is, the features of the symbol group #i of Stream 1 in FIG. 38 are the same as those of the symbol group of Stream 1 in FIG. 9 and are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0549] The features of the symbol group #1 of Stream 2 in 902-1, the symbol group #2 of Stream 2 in 902-2, and the symbol group #3 of Stream 2 in 902-3 in FIG. 9 are as described in the embodiments described so far. That is, the features of the symbol group #i of Stream 2 in FIG. 39 are the same as those of the symbol group of Stream 2 in FIG. 9 and are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0550] If there are symbols after time 11 in carriers 10 to 20 in the frame configurations of FIGS. 38 and 39, they may be used for multicast transmission or for individual data transmission (unicast transmission).

[0551] Also, when the base station transmits a frame like that in FIG. 9 in the frame configurations of FIGS. 38 and 39, the operations described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 4 may be performed in the same manner.

[0552] By implementing as described above, in multicast / broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols and control information symbols using a plurality of transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the plurality of transmission beams. Based on this, the terminal can receive data symbols, and as a result, the terminal can obtain the effect of achieving high data reception quality.

[0553] (Embodiment 6) In this embodiment, a supplementary explanation will be given regarding the configuration of the symbol groups of modulation signal 1 and modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 transmitted by base station (700).

[0554] FIG. 40 shows an example of the frame configuration of modulation signal 1 transmitted by base station (700). In the frame configuration in FIG. 40, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents frequency, showing the frame configuration from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 40. Therefore, FIG. 40 has a frame configuration of a multi-carrier transmission method such as the OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) method.

[0555] Assume that the symbol region 4001_1 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 9.

[0556] Assume that the symbol group #i (4000_i) of modulation signal 1 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 10 to carrier 20. Note that the symbol group #i (4000_i) of modulation signal 1 corresponds to the symbol group #i (1401-i) of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14.

[0557] Assume that the symbol region 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 21 to carrier 40.

[0558] At this time, for example, when the base station unicasts individual data to one or more terminals as described in Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of Stream 1 in FIG. 40 can be used.

[0559] Then, as described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol group #i (4000_i) of the modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40 will be used by the base station to transmit multicast data.

[0560] FIG. 41 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal 2 transmitted by the base station (700). In the frame configuration in FIG. 41, the horizontal axis represents time, the vertical axis represents frequency, and the frame configuration from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 40 is shown. Therefore, FIG. 41 is a frame of a multi-carrier transmission system such as the OFDM system.

[0561] It is assumed that the symbol region 4101_1 of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 1 to carrier 9.

[0562] It is assumed that the symbol group #i (4100_i) of the modulation signal 2 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 10 to carrier 20. Note that the symbol group #i (4100_i) of the modulation signal 2 corresponds to the symbol group #i (1402 - i) of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14.

[0563] It is assumed that the symbol region 4101_2 of the modulation signal 2 exists from time 1 to time 10 and from carrier 21 to carrier 40.

[0564] At this time, for example, when the base station unicasts individual data to one or more terminals as described in Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4101_2 of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41 can be used.

[0565] Then, as described in Embodiment 1, Embodiment 4, etc., the symbol group #i (4100_i) of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41 will be used by the base station to transmit multicast data.

[0566] Note that the base station will transmit the symbols at time X in FIG. 40 (in the case of FIG. 40, X is an integer from 1 to 10) and carrier Y (in the case of FIG. 40, Y is an integer from 1 to 40), and the symbols at time X and carrier Y in FIG. 41 using the same frequency and the same time.

[0567] The features of the symbol group #1 of the stream 1 of 1401_1, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 1 of 1401_2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 1 of 1401_3 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments described so far. That is, the features of the symbol group #i of the modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40 are the same as those of the symbol group of the modulation signal 1 in FIG. 14 and are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0568] Also, the features of the symbol group #1 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402_1, the symbol group #2 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402_2, and the symbol group #3 of the modulation signal 2 of 1402_3 in FIG. 14 are as described in the embodiments described so far. That is, the features of the symbol group #i of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41 are the same as those of the symbol group of the modulation signal 2 in FIG. 14 and are as described in the embodiments described so far.

[0569] Note that if there are symbols after time 11 in carriers 10 to 20 in the frame configurations of FIGS. 40 and 41, they may be used for multicast transmission or for individual data transmission (unicast transmission).

[0570] Also, when the base station transmits a frame like that in FIG. 14 in the frame configurations of FIGS. 40 and 41, the operations described in Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 4 may be performed in the same manner.

[0571] An example of the usage method of the symbol regions 3801_1 and 3801_2 of stream 1 in FIG. 38, the symbol regions 3901_1 and 3901_2 of stream 2 in FIG. 39, the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40, and the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4102_2 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41 in the above description will be described.

[0572] FIG. 42 shows an example of the allocation of "the symbol regions 3801_1 and 3801_2 of stream 1 in FIG. 38, the symbol regions 3901_1 and 3901_2 of stream 2 in FIG. 39, the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40, and the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4102_2 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41" to terminals. In FIG. 42, the horizontal axis represents time and the vertical axis represents frequency (carrier).

[0573] As shown in FIG. 42, for example, "the symbol regions 3801_1 and 3801_2 of stream 1 in FIG. 38, the symbol regions 3901_1 and 3901_2 of stream 2 in FIG. 39, the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40, and the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4102_2 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41" are frequency-divided and allocated to terminals. And 4201_1 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #1, 4201_2 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #2, and 4201_3 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #3.

[0574] For example, the base station (700) is communicating with terminal #1, terminal #2, and terminal #3. When the base station transmits data to terminal #1, the base station will transmit data to terminal #1 using the "symbol group 4201_1 allocated for terminal #1" in FIG. 42. When the base station transmits data to terminal #2, the base station will transmit data to terminal #2 using the "symbol group 4201_2 allocated for terminal #2" in FIG. 42. When the base station transmits data to terminal #3, the base station will transmit data to terminal #3 using the "symbol group 4201_3 allocated for terminal #3" in FIG. 42.

[0575] Note that the method of allocating to the terminal is not limited to FIG. 42, and the frequency band (number of carriers) may change over time or may be set in any way. Also, the method of allocation to the terminal may be changed over time.

[0576] FIG. 43 shows an example different from FIG. 42 of the allocation of "the symbol regions 3801_1 and 3801_2 of stream 1 in FIG. 38, the symbol regions 3901_1 and 3901_2 of stream 2 in FIG. 39, the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40, and the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4102_2 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41" to the terminal. In FIG. 43, the horizontal axis is time and the vertical axis is frequency (carrier).

[0577] As shown in FIG. 43, for example, "the symbol regions 3801_1 and 3801_2 of stream 1 in FIG. 38, the symbol regions 3901_1 and 3901_2 of stream 2 in FIG. 39, the symbol regions 4001_1 and 4001_2 of modulation signal 1 in FIG. 40, and the symbol regions 4101_1 and 4102_2 of modulation signal 2 in FIG. 41" are divided in terms of time and frequency and allocated to the terminal. And 4301_1 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #1, 4301_2 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #2, 4301_3 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #3, 4301_4 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #4, 4301_5 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #5, and 4301_6 is a symbol group allocated for terminal #6.

[0578] For example, the base station (700) is communicating with terminal #1, terminal #2, terminal #3, terminal #4, terminal #5, and terminal #6. When the base station transmits data to terminal #1, it will use the "symbol group 4301_1 assigned to terminal #1" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #1. When the base station transmits data to terminal #2, it will use the "symbol group 4301_2 assigned to terminal #2" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #2. When the base station transmits data to terminal #3, it will use the "symbol group 4301_3 assigned to terminal #3" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #3. When the base station transmits data to terminal #4, it will use the "symbol group 4301_4 assigned to terminal #4" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #4. When the base station transmits data to terminal #5, it will use the "symbol group 4301_5 assigned to terminal #5" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #5. When the base station transmits data to terminal #6, it will use the "symbol group 4301_6 assigned to terminal #6" in FIG. 43 to transmit data to terminal #6.

[0579] Note that the method of allocating to terminals is not limited to FIG. 43, and the frequency band (number of carriers) and time width may vary, or they can be set in any way. Also, the method of allocating to terminals may be changed over time.

[0580] In addition, in the symbol areas of stream 1, stream 2, modulation signal 1, and modulation signal 2 in FIGS. 38, 39, 40, and 41, different weighted syntheses may be performed for each carrier, or the weighted synthesis method may be determined with a plurality of carriers as a unit. Also, the parameters of weighted synthesis may be set for each terminal allocated as shown in FIGS. 43 and 44. The setting of the method of weighted synthesis in a carrier is not limited to these examples.

[0581] By implementing as described above, in multicast / broadcast data transmission, the base station transmits data symbols and control information symbols using a plurality of transmission beams, and the terminal selectively receives a beam with good quality from the plurality of transmission beams. Based on this, the terminal can receive data symbols, and as a result, the terminal can obtain the effect of achieving high data reception quality.

[0582] (Embodiment 7) In this specification, as the configuration of the base station 700 in FIGS. 7, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, and 22, and the configuration of the base station described in other embodiments, a configuration as shown in FIG. 44 may be used.

[0583] Hereinafter, the operation of the base station in FIG. 44 will be described. In FIG. 44, those that operate in the same manner as FIGS. 1 and 3 are given the same numbers, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0584] The weighted combining unit 301 receives the signals 103_1, 103_2, ···, 103_M after signal processing and the control signal 159, performs weighted combining based on the control signal 159, and outputs the weighted combined signals 4401_1, 4401_2, ···, 4401_K. Here, M is an integer of 2 or more, and K is an integer of 2 or more.

[0585] For example, if the signal 103_i (i is an integer from 1 to M) after signal processing is represented as ui(t) (t is time), and the signal 4401_g (g is an integer from 1 to K) after weighted combining is represented as vg(t), then vg(t) can be represented by the following equation.

[0586] [Equation]

[0587] The radio unit 104_g takes the weighted synthesized signal 4401_g and the control signal 159 as inputs, performs predetermined processing based on the control signal 159, generates and outputs the transmission signal 105_g. Then, the transmission signal 105_g is transmitted from the antenna 303_1.

[0588] Note that the transmission method supported by the base station may be a multi-carrier method such as OFDM or a single-carrier method. Also, the base station may support both the multi-carrier method and the single-carrier method. At this time, there are multiple methods for generating the modulation signal of the single-carrier method, and any of these methods can be implemented. For example, as examples of the single-carrier method, there are "DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform)-Spread OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)", "Trajectory Constrained DFT-Spread OFDM", "OFDM based SC (Single Carrier)", "SC (Single Carrier)-FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)", "Guard interval DFT-Spread OFDM", etc.

[0589] In Equation (7), it is described as a function of time, but in the case of a multi-carrier method such as the OFDM method, it may also be a function of frequency in addition to time.

[0590] For example, in the OFDM method, different weighted syntheses may be performed for each carrier, or the weighted synthesis method may be determined in units of multiple carriers. The setting of the weighted synthesis method in the carrier is not limited to these examples.

[0591] (Supplementary Note 6) Naturally, multiple combinations of the embodiments, supplementary notes, and other contents described in this specification may be implemented.

[0592] As a configuration of the base station, for example, not limited to FIGS. 1 and 3, as long as it is a base station having a plurality of transmission antennas, generating a plurality of transmission beams (transmission directive beams), and transmitting, the present disclosure can be implemented.

[0593] Also, each embodiment is merely an example. For example, even if "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." are exemplified, the same configuration can be implemented even when another "modulation method, error correction coding method (error correction code used, code length, coding rate, etc.), control information, etc." is applied.

[0594] 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.) may be applied, and in each modulation method, uniform mapping or non-uniform mapping may be used. Also, the arrangement method of 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points in the I-Q plane (modulation methods having 2, 4, 8, 16, 64, 128, 256, 1024, etc. signal points) is not limited to the signal point arrangement method of the modulation methods shown in this specification.

[0595] In this specification, the transmitting device may be, for example, a communication or broadcasting device such as a broadcasting station, a base station, an access point, a terminal, a mobile phone, etc. At this time, the receiving device may be a communication device such as a television, a radio, a terminal, a personal computer, a mobile phone, an access point, a base station, etc. Also, the transmitting device and the receiving device in the present disclosure are devices having a communication function, and it is also conceivable that the device can be connected by disconnecting some interface to a device for executing applications such as a television, a radio, a personal computer, a mobile phone, etc. Further, in the present embodiment, symbols other than data symbols, for example, pilot symbols (preamble, unique word, postamble, reference symbol, etc.), symbols for control information, etc. may be arranged in the frame in any manner. And here, although they are named pilot symbols and symbols for control information, any naming method may be used, and the function itself is important.

[0596] The pilot symbol may be, for example, a known symbol modulated using PSK modulation in a transceiver, and the receiver uses this symbol to perform frequency synchronization, time synchronization, channel estimation of each modulation signal (estimation of CSI (Channel State Information)), signal detection, etc. Or, by synchronizing the receiver, the receiver may be able to know the symbol transmitted by the transmitter.

[0597] Also, the symbol for control information is a symbol for transmitting information (for example, the modulation method used in communication, the error correction coding method, the coding rate of the error correction coding method, the setting information at the upper layer, etc.) that needs to be transmitted to the communication partner to realize communication other than data (data such as applications).

[0598] Note that the present disclosure is not limited to each embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in each embodiment, the case of performing as a communication device is described, but it is not limited thereto, and this communication method can also be performed as software.

[0599] Note that, for example, a program for executing the above communication method may be stored in a ROM in advance, and the program may be operated by a CPU.

[0600] Also, a program for executing the above communication method may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, the program stored in the storage medium may be recorded in a RAM of the computer, and the computer may be operated according to the program.

[0601] And each configuration such as the above-described embodiments may typically be realized as an LSI which is an integrated circuit having an input terminal and an output terminal. These may be individually formed into one chip, or may be formed into one chip so as to include all or part of the configurations of each embodiment. Here, although it is an LSI, depending on the degree of integration, it may also be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI. Also, the method of integrating into an integrated circuit is not limited to LSI, and it may be realized by a dedicated circuit or a general-purpose processor. After manufacturing the LSI, an FPGA that can be programmed, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connection and setting of circuit cells inside the LSI may be used. Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that replaces the LSI appears due to the progress of semiconductor technology or another derived technology, naturally, the integration of functional blocks may be performed using that technology. The application of biotechnology etc. may be possible.

[0602] In this specification, various frame configurations have been described. A modulation signal of the frame configuration described in this specification is transmitted by, for example, a base station (AP) equipped with the transmission device of FIG. 1 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 modulation signal, an application method can be considered in which the modulation signal transmitted by the terminal is in a single-carrier format. (By using the OFDM method, the base station (AP) can transmit a data symbol group to a plurality of terminals simultaneously, and the terminal can reduce power consumption by using the single-carrier method.)

[0603] Also, the terminal may apply a TDD (Time Division Duplex) method in which the modulation method is transmitted using a part of the frequency band used by the modulation signal transmitted by the base station (AP).

[0604] The configurations of the antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ···, 106-M in FIG. 1 are not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. For example, the antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ···, 106-M may not be composed of a plurality of antennas, and the antenna units 106-1, 106-2, ···, 106-M may not take the signal 159 as an input.

[0605] The configurations of the antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ···, 401-N in FIG. 4 are not limited to the configurations described in the embodiments. For example, the antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ···, 401-N may not be composed of a plurality of antennas, and the antenna units 401-1, 401-2, ···, 401-N may not take the signal 410 as an input.

[0606] Note that the transmission methods supported by the base station and the terminal may be multi-carrier methods such as OFDM, or may be single-carrier methods. Also, the base station may support both multi-carrier methods and single-carrier methods. At this time, there are multiple methods for generating a modulation signal of the single-carrier method, and any of these methods can be implemented. For example, as examples of the single-carrier method, there are "DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform)-Spread OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing)", "Trajectory Constrained DFT-Spread OFDM", "OFDM based SC (Single Carrier)", "SC (Single Carrier)-FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access)", "Guard interval DFT-Spread OFDM", and so on.

[0607] Also, at least multicast (broadcast) data will exist in the information #1 (101_1), information #2 (101_2), ···, information #M (101_M) in FIGS. 1, 3, and 44. For example, in FIG. 1, if the information #1 (101_1) is data for multicast, a plurality of streams or modulation signals including this data will be generated by the signal processing unit 102 and output from the antenna.

[0608] In FIG. 3, if the information #1 (101_1) is data for multicast, a plurality of streams or modulation signals including this data will be generated by the signal processing unit 102 and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301 and output from the antenna.

[0609] In FIG. 44, if the information #1 (101_1) is data for multicast, a plurality of streams or modulation signals including this data will be generated by the signal processing unit 102 and / or the weighted synthesis unit 301 and output from the antenna.

[0610] Note that, regarding the states of a plurality of streams or modulation signals, it is as described with reference to FIGS. 7, 9, 12, 14, 17, 18, and 19.

[0611] Furthermore, the information #1 (101_1), information #2 (101_2), ···, information #M (101_M) in FIGS. 1, 3, and 44 may include data addressed to individual terminals. This is as described in the embodiments of this specification.

[0612] Note that at least one of an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) and a CPU (Central Processing Unit) may be configured such that all or part of the software necessary to implement the communication method described in this disclosure can be downloaded by wireless communication or wired communication. Furthermore, it may be configured such that all or part of the software for updating can be downloaded by wireless communication or wired communication. Then, the downloaded software is stored in a storage unit, and at least one of the FPGA and the CPU is operated based on the stored software, whereby the digital signal processing described in this disclosure may be executed.

[0613] At this time, a device including at least one of an FPGA and a CPU may be connected wirelessly or wiredly to a communication modem, and the communication method described in this disclosure may be implemented by this device and the communication modem.

[0614] For example, communication devices such as the base stations, APs, and terminals described in this specification include at least one of an FPGA and a CPU, and the communication device may include an interface for obtaining from the outside software for operating at least one of the FPGA and the CPU. Furthermore, the communication device may include a storage unit for storing the software obtained from the outside, and the signal processing described in this disclosure may be implemented by operating the FPGA and the CPU based on the stored software.

[0615] (Embodiment 8) In this embodiment, for example, an example in which data held by communication device #A is transmitted to a plurality of communication devices will be described.

[0616] FIG. 45 shows an example in which data held by communication device #A is transmitted to a plurality of communication devices. The communication device #A at 4501 accumulates, for example, a first file composed of first data in the storage unit, and the communication device #A at 4501 transmits the first data to the communication device #1 at 4502_1, the communication device #2 at 4502_2, the communication device #3 at 4502_3, and the communication device #4 at 4502_4.

[0617] The communication device #4 at 4502_4 will transmit the first data obtained from the communication device #A at 4501 to the server 4506_4 via the network 4503.

[0618] The operations of the communication device #A at 4501, the communication device #1 at 4502_1, the communication device #2 at 4502_2, the communication device #3 at 4502_3, and the communication device #4 at 4502_4 in FIG. 45 will be described in detail.

[0619] The communication device #A at 4501 is assumed to have the configuration of FIG. 1 (or FIG. 3, or FIG. 44), for example. And the communication device #1 at 4502_1, the communication device #2 at 4502_2, the communication device #3 at 4502_3, and the communication device #4 at 4502_4 are assumed to have the configuration of FIG. 4, for example. Note that the operations of the respective parts in FIG. 1 (FIG. 3, FIG. 44) and the operations of the respective parts in FIG. 4 have already been described, so the description will be omitted.

[0620] The signal processing unit 102 included in the communication device #A at 4501 takes information 101-1 including the first data and the control signal 159 as inputs, and performs signal processing based on information such as "information regarding the method of error correction coding (coding rate, code length (block length))", "information regarding the modulation method", and "transmission method (multiplexing method)" included in the control signal 159.

[0621] At this time, the signal processing unit 102 generates signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 from the information 101-1 including the first data. As an example, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 is 103-1, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 is 103-2, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 is 103-3, and the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 is 103-4.

[0622] Then, the signal 103-1 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 is transmitted from the antenna unit 106-1 via the radio unit 104-1. Similarly, the signal 103-2 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 is transmitted from the antenna unit 106-2 via the radio unit 104-2, the signal 103-3 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 is transmitted from the antenna unit 106-3 via the radio unit 104-3, and the signal 103-4 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 is transmitted from the antenna unit 106-4 via the radio unit 104-4.

[0623] At this time, a method for setting the frequencies of the transmission signals 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 will be described with reference to FIG. 46.

[0624] In FIG. 46, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents power. The transmission signals 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 are signals that are any of the spectra having spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band (first channel), spectra having spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band (second channel), and spectra having spectrum 4603 in the third frequency band (third channel).

[0625] Specific examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 47, 48, 49, and 50.

[0626] FIG. 47 shows the positional relationship among the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 47, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are shown.

[0627] In the case of FIG. 47, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 can be used. In this way, it is possible to set the same "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4". By doing so, an effect of improving the frequency utilization efficiency can be obtained.

[0628] Here, the temporal existence of "transmission signal 105-1 to be transmitted to communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 to be transmitted to communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 to be transmitted to communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 to be transmitted to communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0629] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3, and 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group for communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0630] "Data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, "Data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, "Data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and "Data symbol group for communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0631] FIG. 48 shows a different positional relationship from FIG. 47 for communication device #A of 4501, communication device #1 of 4502_1, communication device #2 of 4502_2, communication device #3 of 4502_3, and communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 48, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are described.

[0632] In the case of FIG. 48, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. At this time, the reason why the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different is that if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, it will be difficult for the communication devices #3 of 4502_3 and #4 of 4502_4 to separate the beams, resulting in large interference and thus a decrease in the reception quality of the data.

[0633] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0634] Here, the temporal existence of the "transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0635] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0636] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0637] Note that also in the case of FIG. 47, the communication device #A of 4501 can use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and use the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0638] Figure 49 shows a different positional relationship from FIGS. 47 and 48 of communication device #A of 4501, communication device #1 of 4502_1, communication device #2 of 4502_2, communication device #3 of 4502_3, and communication device #4 of 4502_4. Therefore, in FIG. 49, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are described.

[0639] In the case of FIG. 49, for the communication device #A of 4501, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. At this time, the reason why the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different is that if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, it will be difficult for the communication devices #1 of 4502_1, #3 of 4502_3, and #4 of 4502_4 to separate the beams, resulting in large interference and thus a decrease in the reception quality of data.

[0640] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the frequency utilization efficiency while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0641] Here, the temporal existence of "transmission signal 105-1 to be transmitted to communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 to be transmitted to communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 to be transmitted to communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 to be transmitted to communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0642] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, and 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0643] All of "data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, "data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, "data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and "data symbol group addressed to communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will exist in time interval 1.

[0644] Note that even in the case of Fig. 47, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in Fig. 46 can be used.

[0645] Fig. 50 shows a positional relationship different from those in Figs. 47, 48, and 49 of the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in Fig. 45. Therefore, in Fig. 50, the numbers added in Fig. 45 are described.

[0646] In the case of Fig. 50, it is assumed that as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used.

[0647] At this time, the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 are different because if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" the same, the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the communication device #2 of 4502_2 will have difficulty separating the beams, resulting in a large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will deteriorate.

[0648] Similarly, the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different because if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 will have difficulty separating the beams, resulting in a large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will deteriorate.

[0649] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring a high reception quality of the data.

[0650] Here, the temporal existence of the "transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", the "transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", the "transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and the "transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0651] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0652] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0653] Note that even in the case of FIG. 47, the communication device #A of 4501 can use the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, use the spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band of FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, use the spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band of FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and use the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0654] Also, in the case of FIG. 50, for the communication device #A of 4501, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, even if the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the frequency utilization efficiency while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0655] Furthermore, in the case of FIG. 50, for the communication device #A of 4501, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, even if the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used, it is possible to obtain the effect of improving the frequency utilization efficiency while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0656] Note that the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 have, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 4, receive a desired signal, and operate the receiving part in FIG. 4 to obtain desired data.

[0657] As described above, when transmitting the same data to a plurality of communication devices, · Using multiple beams and multiple frequency bands · Using multiple beams and a specific frequency band · Using a specific beam and multiple frequency bands By adopting any of these methods, an effect can be obtained in which high reception quality of data can be obtained and high frequency utilization efficiency can be obtained.

[0658] Next, a case will be described in which the communication device #A of 4501 has, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 3, and the communication devices #1 of 4502_1, #2 of 4502_2, #3 of 4502_3, and #4 of 4502_4 have, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0659] The signal processing unit 102 included in the communication device #A of 4501 takes the information 101-1 including the first data and the control signal 159 as inputs, and based on the information included in the control signal 159, such as "information regarding the error correction coding method (coding rate, code length (block length))", "information regarding the modulation method", and "transmission method (multiplexing method)", signal processing will be performed.

[0660] At this time, the signal processing unit 102 generates signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 from the information 101-1 including the first data. As an example, let the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 be 103-1, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 be 103-2, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 be 103-3, and the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 be 103-4.

[0661] Then, the radio unit 104-1 takes the signal 103-1 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 as input and outputs the transmission signal 105-1. Similarly, the radio unit 104-2 takes the signal 103-2 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 as input and outputs the transmission signal 105-2. Then, the radio unit 104-3 takes the signal 103-3 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 as input and outputs the transmission signal 105-3. Also, the radio unit 104-4 takes the signal 103-4 after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 as input and outputs the transmission signal 105-4.

[0662] The weighted combination unit 301 takes at least the transmission signals 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, 105-4 as input, performs the operation of weighted combination, and outputs the signals 302-1, 302-2, ···, 302-K after weighted combination. The signals 302-1, 302-2, ···, 302-K after weighted combination are respectively output as radio waves from the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K. Therefore, the transmission signal 105-1 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K. Similarly, the transmission signal 105-2 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K, the transmission signal 105-3 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K, and the transmission signal 105-4 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K.

[0663] Note that each of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K may have the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0664] At this time, the method of setting the frequencies of the transmission signals 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, 105-4 will be described with reference to FIG. 46.

[0665] In FIG. 46, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents power. The transmission signals 105-1, 105-2, 105-3, and 105-4 are signals that are any one of the spectra having spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band (first channel), the spectra having spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band (second channel), and the spectra having spectrum 4603 in the third frequency band (third channel).

[0666] Specific examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 47, 48, 49, and 50.

[0667] FIG. 47 shows the positional relationship among the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 47, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are shown.

[0668] In the case of FIG. 47, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted from the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 can be used. In this way, it is possible to set the same "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "frequency band used by the transmission signal transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4". By doing so, an effect of improving the frequency utilization efficiency can be obtained.

[0669] Here, the temporal existence of "transmission signal 105-1 to be transmitted to communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 to be transmitted to communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 to be transmitted to communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 to be transmitted to communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0670] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, and 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0671] "Data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, "data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, "data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and "data symbol group addressed to communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0672] FIG. 48 shows a different positional relationship from FIG. 47 for communication device #A of 4501, communication device #1 of 4502_1, communication device #2 of 4502_2, communication device #3 of 4502_3, and communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 48, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are described.

[0673] In the case of FIG. 48, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. At this time, the reason why the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different is that if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, it will be difficult for the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 to separate the beams, resulting in large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will decrease.

[0674] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0675] Here, the temporal existence of the "transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0676] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0677] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0678] Note that also in the case of FIG. 47, the communication device #A of 4501 can use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and use the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0679] Figure 49 shows a different positional relationship from FIGS. 47 and 48 of communication device #A of 4501, communication device #1 of 4502_1, communication device #2 of 4502_2, communication device #3 of 4502_3, and communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 49, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are described.

[0680] In the case of FIG. 49, for the communication device #A of 4501, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. At this time, the reason why the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different is that if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, it will be difficult for the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 to separate the beams, resulting in large interference and thus a decrease in the reception quality of data.

[0681] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0682] Here, the temporal existence of "transmission signal 105-1 to be transmitted to communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 to be transmitted to communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 to be transmitted to communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 to be transmitted to communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0683] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, and 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0684] The "data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0685] Note that even in the case of Fig. 47, as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in Fig. 46 can be used.

[0686] Fig. 50 shows a positional relationship different from those in Figs. 47, 48, and 49 of the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in Fig. 45. Therefore, in Fig. 50, the numbers added in Fig. 45 are described.

[0687] In the case of Fig. 50, assume that as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted by the communication device #A of 4501 to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used.

[0688] At this time, the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 are different because if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" the same, the communication device #1 of 4502_1 and the communication device #2 of 4502_2 will have difficulty separating the beams, resulting in a large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will deteriorate.

[0689] Similarly, the frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different because if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the frequency band used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 will have difficulty separating the beams, resulting in a large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will deteriorate.

[0690] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0691] Here, the temporal existence of the "transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0692] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0693] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0694] Note that also in the case of FIG. 47, the communication device #A of 4501 can use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-1 transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, use the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-2 transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, use the spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-3 transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 as the spectrum used by the transmission signal 105-4 transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0695] Also, in the case of FIG. 50, as the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-1 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #1 of 4502_1, spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-2 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #2 of 4502_2, spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-3 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #3 of 4502_3, spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-4 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #4 of 4502_4, even if spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0696] Furthermore, in the case of FIG. 50, as the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-1 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #1 of 4502_1, spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-2 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #2 of 4502_2, spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-3 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #3 of 4502_3, spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in FIG. 46 is used. As the spectrum used by transmission signal 105-4 transmitted by communication device #A of 4501 to communication device #4 of 4502_4, even if spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in FIG. 46 is used, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0697] Note that communication device #1 of 4502_1, communication device #2 of 4502_2, communication device #3 of 4502_3, and communication device #4 of 4502_4 have, for example, the configuration shown in FIG. 4, receive a desired signal, and operate the receiving portion in FIG. 4 to obtain desired data.

[0698] Next, assume that the communication device #A of 4501 has the configuration shown in, for example, FIG. 44, and the communication devices #1 of 4502_1, #2 of 4502_2, #3 of 4502_3, and #4 of 4502_4 have the configuration shown in, for example, FIG. 4. The case will be described.

[0699] The signal processing unit 102 included in the communication device #A of 4501 receives information 101-1 including first data and a control signal 159, and performs signal processing based on information included in the control signal 159, such as "information regarding the error correction coding method (coding rate, code length (block length))", "information regarding the modulation method", and "transmission method (multiplexing method)".

[0700] At this time, the signal processing unit 102 generates signals after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 from the information 101-1 including the first data. As an example, let the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #1 of 4502_1 be 103-1, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #2 of 4502_2 be 103-2, the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 be 103-3, and the signal after signal processing for transmission to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 be 103-4.

[0701] The weighted synthesis unit 301 takes as inputs at least the signal after signal processing 103-1, the signal after signal processing 103-2, the signal after signal processing 103-3, and the signal after signal processing 103-4, performs the operation of weighted synthesis, and outputs the signals 4402-1, 4402-2, ···, 4402-K after weighted synthesis. Therefore, the signal after signal processing 103-1 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K. Similarly, the signal after signal processing 103-2 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K, the signal after signal processing 103-3 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K, and the signal after signal processing 103-4 will be transmitted using one or more of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K.

[0702] Note that each of the antennas 303-1, 303-2, ···, 303-K may have the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0703] At this time, the method of setting the frequencies of the signals 103-1, 103-2, 103-3, and 103-4 after signal processing will be described with reference to FIG. 46.

[0704] In FIG. 46, the horizontal axis represents frequency and the vertical axis represents power. The signals 103-1, 103-2, 103-3, and 103-4 after signal processing will become signals that have a spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band (the first channel), a spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band (the second channel), or a spectrum 4603 in the third frequency band (the third channel) after frequency conversion.

[0705] For example, when modulation signals in the first frequency band 4601, the second frequency band 4602, and the third frequency band 4603 are to be generated by the transmission apparatuses in FIGS. 1 and 3, in the antenna unit in FIG. 1 and the weighted combining units in FIGS. 3 and 44, the directivities of the modulation signal in the first frequency band 4601 and the modulation signal in the second frequency band 4602 may be set to be different. Similarly, in the antenna unit in FIG. 1 and the weighted combining units in FIGS. 3 and 44, the directivities of the modulation signal in the first frequency band 4601 and the modulation signal in the third frequency band 4603 may be set to be different. Also, in the antenna unit in FIG. 1 and the weighted combining units in FIGS. 3 and 44, the directivities of the modulation signal in the second frequency band 4602 and the modulation signal in the third frequency band 4603 may be set to be different.

[0706] Specific examples will be described with reference to FIGS. 47, 48, 49, and 50.

[0707] FIG. 47 shows the positional relationship among the communication apparatuses #A at 4501, #1 at 4502_1, #2 at 4502_2, #3 at 4502_3, and #4 at 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are shown in FIG. 47.

[0708] In the case of Fig. 47, for the communication device #A of 4501, as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion of the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, it uses the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46. For the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion, it uses the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46. For the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion, it uses the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46. For the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion, it can use the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46. Thus, it becomes possible to set the same "frequency band used by the transmission signal to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "frequency band used by the transmission signal to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "frequency band used by the transmission signal to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "frequency band used by the transmission signal to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4". By doing so, an effect can be obtained that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0709] Here, the temporal existence of "the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", "the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", "the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be explained.

[0710] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0711] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0712] FIG. 48 shows a different positional relationship from that in FIG. 47 for the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in FIG. 45. Therefore, in FIG. 48, the numbers added in FIG. 45 are described.

[0713] In the case of FIG. 48, for the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #A of 4501, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion. For the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion. For the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of FIG. 46 is used as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion. For the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, the spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band of FIG. 46 is used as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion. At this time, the reason why the frequency bands used after frequency conversion of the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 are different is that if the transmission device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used after frequency conversion of the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" the same, it will be difficult to separate the beams for the communication device #3 of 4502_3 and the communication device #4 of 4502_4, resulting in a large interference, and thus the reception quality of the data will deteriorate.

[0714] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0715] Here, the temporal existence of the "signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1", the "signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2", the "signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3", and the "signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0716] FIG. 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by the communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In FIG. 51, 5101-1 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. 5101-2 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. 5101-3 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. 5101-4 indicates a data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0717] The "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #2 of 4502_2" 5101-2, the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #3 of 4502_3" 5101_3, and the "data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4, or a part of the data symbol group addressed to the communication device #4 of 4502_4" 5101_4 will all exist in time interval 1.

[0718] Note that even in the case of Fig. 47, the communication device #A of 4501 uses the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of Fig. 46 as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion for the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, uses the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of Fig. 46 as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion for the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2, uses the spectrum 4601 in the first frequency band of Fig. 46 as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion for the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and can use the spectrum 4602 in the second frequency band of Fig. 46 as the spectrum to be used after frequency conversion for the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0719] Fig. 49 shows a different positional relationship from Figs. 47 and 48 for the communication device #A of 4501, the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the communication device #2 of 4502_2, the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the communication device #4 of 4502_4 in Fig. 45. Therefore, in Fig. 49, the numbers added in Fig. 45 are described.

[0720] In the case of Fig. 49, for the communication device #A of 4501, the spectrum 4601 of the first frequency band in Fig. 46 is used as the spectrum after frequency conversion of the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1. The spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used as the spectrum after frequency conversion of the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #2 of 4502_2. The spectrum 4602 of the second frequency band in Fig. 46 is used as the spectrum after frequency conversion of the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3. The spectrum 4603 of the third frequency band in Fig. 46 is used as the spectrum after frequency conversion of the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4. At this time, the frequency bands used by the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the transmitted signal 105-3 after frequency conversion to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 after frequency conversion are different because if the transmitting device #A of 4501 makes the "frequency bands used by the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #1 of 4502_1, the frequency band used by the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #3 of 4502_3, and the frequency band used by the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to the communication device #4 of 4502_4 after frequency conversion" the same, it will be difficult for the communication devices #1 of 4502_1, #3 of 4502_3, and #4 of 4502_4 to separate the beams, resulting in large interference and thus a decrease in the data reception quality.

[0721] By doing as described above, it is possible to obtain the effect that the frequency utilization efficiency can be improved while ensuring high data reception quality.

[0722] Here, the temporal existence of "the signal 103-1 after signal processing to be transmitted to communication device #1 of 4502_1", "the signal 103-2 after signal processing to be transmitted to communication device #2 of 4502_2", "the signal 103-3 after signal processing to be transmitted to communication device #3 of 4502_3", and "the signal 103-4 after signal processing to be transmitted to communication device #4 of 4502_4" will be described.

[0723] Figure 51 shows an example of the frame configuration of the modulation signal transmitted by communication device A of 4501, and shows an example of the arrangement of symbols in the horizontal axis time. In Figure 51, 5101-1 indicates the data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, 5101-2 indicates the data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, 5101-3 indicates the data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #3 of 4502_3, and 5101-4 indicates the data symbol group for communication device #4 of 4502_4, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #4 of 4502_4.

[0724] The "data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #1 of 4502_1" 5101_1, the "data symbol group for communication device #2 of 4502_2, or a part of the data symbol group for communication device #2...

Claims

1. An interface that acquires data from a wireless device that communicates with one or more terminals according to a wireless communication method having a first maximum transmission speed during operation; A modem unit that communicates with a server via a network at a second maximum transmission speed slower than the first maximum transmission speed during operation; A storage unit, The modem unit Determines whether to store first data in the storage unit, and for the first data determined to be stored in the storage unit, Receives the first data via the interface, Stores the first data in the storage unit, Transmits the first data stored in the storage unit to the server via the network, Determines whether to store second data in the storage unit, and for the second data determined not to be stored in the storage unit, Receives the second data via the interface, Transmits the second data to the server via the network without storing the second data in the storage unit, The maximum speed when receiving the first data by the wireless communication method is greater than the second maximum transmission speed, The maximum speed when receiving the second data by the wireless communication method is less than the second maximum transmission speed Communication device.

2. Transmits a control signal for notifying the wireless device that the communication device includes the storage unit before receiving the first data The communication device according to claim 1.

3. The communication device receives a reception notification of the first data from the server and deletes the first data in response to the reception notification The communication device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Further includes a power supply unit that supplies power to the wireless device The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A communication method executed by a communication device including an interface that acquires data from a wireless device that communicates with one or more terminals according to a wireless communication method having a first maximum transmission speed, a modem unit that communicates with a server via a network at a second maximum transmission speed slower than the first maximum transmission speed, and a storage unit, Determines whether to store first data in the storage unit, and for the first data determined to be stored in the storage unit, Receives the first data via the interface, Stores the first data in the storage unit, Transmits the first data stored in the storage unit to the server via the network, Determine whether to store the second data in the memory unit, and for the second data determined not to be stored in the memory unit, receive the second data via the interface, transmit the second data to the server via the network without storing the second data in the memory unit, The maximum speed when receiving the first data by the wireless communication method is greater than the second maximum transmission speed, The maximum speed when receiving the second data by the wireless communication method is less than the second maximum transmission speed Communication method. **Claim 6** Before receiving the first data, transmit a control signal for notifying the wireless device that the communication device includes the memory unit to the wireless device The communication method according to claim 5. **Claim 7** Receive a reception notification of the first data from the server, Delete the first data in response to the reception notification The communication method according to claim 5 or 6. **Claim 8** The communication device further includes a power supply unit, The communication method further supplies power to the wireless device The communication method according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

Images