Terminal, base station, wireless communication system, and wireless communication method

The terminal and wireless communication method address the challenge of managing Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells by implementing a receiving and transmitting unit to handle activation and release of configured grants, enhancing communication efficiency.

JP7701340B2Active Publication Date: 2025-07-01NTT DOCOMO INC
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2022500195
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2020-02-14
Publication Date
2025-07-01
Estimated Expiration
2040-02-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The existing wireless communication systems face challenges in managing Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells, particularly in determining when to transmit these confirmations efficiently.

Method used

The proposed solution involves a terminal and a wireless communication method that includes a receiving unit to receive information elements via a physical downlink control channel for activating or releasing configured grant configurations for multiple cells, and a transmitting unit to transmit corresponding confirmations, clarifying the conditions for transmitting multiple entry configured grant confirmations.

Benefits of technology

This approach enhances the efficiency of managing Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells, providing clear conditions for transmission and improving the overall performance of wireless communication systems.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Patent Text Reader

Abstract

This terminal is provided with: a receiver unit for receiving, via a physical downlink control channel, an information element which provides an instruction to perform at least one among the activation and the release of at least one configured grant configuration when configured grants for a plurality of cells are configured in one cell group; and a transmitter unit for transmitting configured grant confirmation for the plurality of cells upon receipt of the information element via the physical downlink control channel.
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Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has standardized Long Term Evolution (LTE), and for the purpose of further accelerating LTE, LTE-Advanced (hereinafter referred to as LTE including LTE-Advanced), and furthermore, the standardization of the 5th generation mobile communication system (hereinafter also referred to as 5G, New Radio (NR) or Next Generation (NG)) is also underway. Furthermore, the standardization of mobile communication systems after 5G is also underway (sometimes referred to as 6G or beyond 5G, etc., but not limited to these names).

[0003] In LTE and NR, a scheduling method (Configured grant) for pre-assigning resources of PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) transmitted from a UE to a base station is known. In Release 15, a maximum of one Single Configured Grant for one cell was supported in one cell group, but in Release 16, Multiple Configured Grants for multiple cells are supported in one cell group.

[0004] In the configured grant, there is a mechanism (Configured grant Type 2) in which the configured grant is configured by RRC (Radio Resource Control) and the configured grant is activated or released by PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). In Configured grant Type 2, the UE transmits a Configured Grant Confirmation to the base station. In Single Configured Grant, a Configured Grant Confirmation for one cell is defined, and in Multiple Configured Grants, the introduction of Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells has been agreed upon (for example, Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Non-Patent Documents

[0005]

Non-Patent Document 1

Non-Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

[0006] In the above-described technology, only the introduction of Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells has been agreed upon, and it is necessary to consider when to transmit the Configured Grant Confirmations for multiple cells.

[0007] When a configuration permission for a plurality of cells is configured in one cell group, the terminal according to the first aspect includes a receiving unit that receives, via a physical downlink control channel, an information element that instructs at least one of activation and release of at least one configured permission configuration, and a transmitting unit that transmits a configuration permission confirmation for a plurality of cells in response to the reception of the information element via the physical downlink control channel.

[0008] When a configuration permission for a plurality of cells is configured in one cell group, the wireless communication method according to the second aspect includes a step of receiving, via a physical downlink control channel, an information element that instructs at least one of activation and release of at least one configured permission configuration, and a step of transmitting a configuration permission confirmation for a plurality of cells in response to the reception of the information element via the physical downlink control channel.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0009]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the same or similar reference numerals are assigned to the same functions and configurations, and the description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0011] [Embodiment] (1) Overall Schematic Configuration of the Wireless Communication System FIG. 1 is an overall schematic configuration diagram of a wireless communication system 100 according to the embodiment. The wireless communication system 100 is a wireless communication system compliant with Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5G New Radio (NR). Note that LTE may be referred to as 4G, and NR may be referred to as 5G. LTE and NR may be interpreted as radio access technologies (RATs). In the embodiment, LTE may be referred to as the first radio access technology, and NR may be referred to as the second radio access technology. NR may be considered to include wireless access technologies after 5G.

[0012] The wireless communication system 100 includes an Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network 110 (hereinafter, E-UTRAN 110), a Next Generation - Radio Access Network 120 (hereinafter, NG RAN 120), and a core network 130. The wireless communication system 100 includes terminals 200.

[0013] E-UTRAN 110 includes an eNB 111 which is a base station compliant with LTE. The eNB 111 has one or more cells C11. E-UTRAN 110 may include two or more eNBs 111.

[0014] NG RAN 120 includes a gNB 121 which is a base station compliant with 5G (NR). The gNB 121 has one or more cells C21. NG RAN 120 may include two or more gNBs 121.

[0015] The term "cell" may be used in the sense of the function that the eNB 111 or gNB 121 has, that is, the function of communicating with the terminal 200. The term "cell" may be used in the sense of the coverage area of the eNB 111 or gNB 121. Each cell may be distinguished by the frequency used in each cell. E-UTRAN 110 and NG RAN 120 (which may also be an eNB 111 or gNB 121) may simply be called a radio access network or an access network.

[0016] The eNB 111, gNB 121 and terminal 200 may correspond to carrier aggregation (CA) using a plurality of component carriers (CC), and may also correspond to dual connectivity (DC) for simultaneously transmitting component carriers between a plurality of NG-RAN Nodes and the terminal 200.

[0017] The eNB 111, gNB 121 and terminal 200 perform wireless communication via radio bearers. The radio bearers may include a Signaling Radio Bearer (SRB) and a Data Radio Bearer (DRB).

[0018] The terminal 200 is not particularly limited, and may be called a "Mobile Station (MS)" or a "User Equipment (UE)". In the following, the terminal 200 is referred to as UE 200.

[0019] The core network 130 includes an EPC (Evolved Packet Core) compliant with LTE and a 5G Core compliant with 5G (NR). The EPC includes a network node 131 (e.g., MME; Mobility Management Entity) compliant with LTE. The 5G Core includes a network node 132 (e.g., AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function)) compliant with 5G (NR). The MME and the AMF are network nodes that execute processing related to the control plane. The nodes may be referred to as functions.

[0020] Here, the interface between the eNB 111 and the MME and the interface between the gNB 121 and the MME may be referred to as the S1 interface. The interface between the gNB 121 and the AMF may be referred to as the NG interface or the N2 interface. The interface between the eNB 111 and the eNB 111 and the interface between the eNB 111 and the gNB 121 may be referred to as the X2 interface. The interface between the gNB 121 and the gNB 121 may be referred to as the Xn interface. The interface between the MME and the AMF may be referred to as the N26 interface.

[0021] (2) Functional block configuration of the terminal FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the functional block configuration of the UE 200 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the UE 200 includes a receiving unit 210, a transmitting unit 220, and a control unit 230.

[0022] The receiving unit 210 receives various types of information from a network (e.g., eNB 111 or gNB 121). For example, the receiving unit 210 receives an RRC (Radio Resource Connection) message. The RRC message may include an information element (hereinafter, Multiple configured grant configuration) for configuring configured grants (hereinafter, CGs) for a plurality of cells in one cell group. The configured CGs may be identified by identification information (hereinafter, ConfiguredGrantIndex). The ConfiguredGrantIndex is a unique CG ID for each MAC entity and may be configured by RRC. The receiving unit 210 receives the information element via a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). The information element received via the PDCCH includes an information element (hereinafter, DCI; Downlink Control Information) that indicates at least one of activation and release of at least one configured CG. The DCI may include an information element that indicates activation of one configured CG (Separate activation for each Type 2 CG). The DCI may include an information element that indicates release of one activated CG (Separate release for each Type 2 CG). Separate release for each Type 2 CG may also be referred to as Separate deactivation for each Type 2 CG. The DCI may include an information element that indicates activation of a plurality of configured CGs (Joint activation for each Type 2 CG). The DCI may include an information element that indicates release of a plurality of activated CGs (Joint release for each Type 2 CG). Joint release for each Type 2 CG may also be referred to as Joint deactivation for each Type 2 CG. Note that the term "configured" may be read as "set".For example, "configured grant" may be read as "configured permission", and "configured grant confirmation" may be read as "configured permission confirmation".

[0023] The transmission unit 220 transmits various information to a network (e.g., eNB 111 or gNB 121). For example, the transmission unit 220 transmits a configured grant confirmation in response to receiving DCI via PDCCH. The configured grant confirmation may include a configured grant confirmation for confirming at least one of activation and release of one CG. The configured grant confirmation may include a multiple entry configured grant confirmation for confirming at least one of activation and release of a plurality of CGs. The transmission unit 220 transmits a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) on the activated CG(s).

[0024] Here, the configured CG(s) are radio resources that can transmit a PUSCH. The activated CG(s) are radio resources used for transmitting a PUSCH. Separate activation and Joint activation may be identified by the HPN (HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) Number) included in the DCI. Separate release and Joint release may be identified by the HPN (HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) Number) included in the DCI.

[0025] The control unit 230 controls the operation of the UE 200. For example, the control unit 230 controls the transmission of the multiple entry configured grant confirmation. The control unit 230 may control the transmission of the configured grant confirmation.

[0026] (3) Functional block configuration of the base station FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a functional block configuration of the base station 300 according to the embodiment. In the embodiment, the above-described eNB 111 and gNB 121 may have the same configuration. Therefore, the base station 300 will be described without distinguishing them. As shown in FIG. 3, the base station 300 includes a receiving unit 310, a transmitting unit 320, and a control unit 330.

[0027] The receiving unit 310 receives various information from the UE 200. For example, the receiving unit 310 receives the above-described configured grant confirmation. The receiving unit 310 receives the above-described PUSCH.

[0028] The transmitting unit 320 transmits various information to the UE 200. For example, the transmitting unit 320 transmits the above-described RRC message. The transmitting unit 320 transmits the above-described information element via the PDCCH.

[0029] The control unit 330 controls the operation of the base station 300. For example, the control unit 330 executes a process of configuring configured grants (hereinafter, CGs; Configured Grants) for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0030] (4) Configured Grant Confirmation FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an LCID (Logical Channel Identifier) according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the multiple entry configured grant confirmation may be identified by the Index of LCID = 51 included in the MAC sub-header. The configured grant confirmation may be identified by the Index of LCID = 55 included in the MAC sub-header.

[0031] (5) Configured Grant Confirmation FIG. 5 describes the configured grant confirmation according to the embodiment. Since the configured grant confirmation is the configured grant confirmation for one CG, the description thereof is omitted. Here, the multiple entry configured grant confirmation will be described.

[0032] As shown in FIG. 5, the multiple entry configured grant confirmation includes a plurality of CGs i . The CG i is a field indicating whether the PDCCH (DCI) indicates the activation or release (which may also be referred to as deactivation) of the CG for which the ConfiguredGrantIndex i is received. When the PDCCH (DCI) indicates the activation or release (which may also be referred to as deactivation) of the CG for which the ConfiguredGrantIndex i is received, "1" may be set in the CG i field. When the PDCCH (DCI) indicates the activation or release (which may also be referred to as deactivation) of the CG for which the ConfiguredGrantIndex i is not received, "0" may be set in the CG i field.

[0033] (6) Operation Example 1 Hereinafter, Operation Example 1 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, the separate activation for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0034] As shown in FIG. 6, in step S10, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes a Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0035] In step S11, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE 200 via the PDCCH. The information element includes DCI indicating Separate activation.

[0036] In step S12, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0037] That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300 even when the activation of one CG is instructed.

[0038] Although not particularly mentioned in FIG. 6, the UE 200 may transmit a multiple entry configured grant confirmation to the base station 300 when a plurality of CGs are configured and a plurality of CGs are activated. In other words, when a plurality of CGs are configured but only one CG is activated, the UE 200 may transmit a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300 instead of a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51).

[0039] (7) Operation Example 2 Hereinafter, operation example 2 according to the embodiment will be described. Here, Separate release for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7, in step S20, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0041] In step S21, at least one or more CG(s) is / are activated. In operation example 2, since the release of the CG is mainly described, the method of activation and the transmission of the configuration permission confirmation are not questioned.

[0042] In step S22, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE 200 via the PDCCH. The information element includes DCI indicating Separate release.

[0043] In step S23, the UE 200 transmits the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0044] That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured, the UE 200 transmits the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300 even when the release of one CG is instructed.

[0045] Although not particularly mentioned in FIG. 7, the UE 200 may transmit the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300 when a plurality of CGs are configured and a plurality of CGs are activated. In other words, when a plurality of CGs are configured but only one CG is activated, the UE 200 may transmit the configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) instead of the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300.

[0046] (8) Actions and effects In an embodiment, when multiple CGs for a plurality of cells are configured in one cell group, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51). According to such a configuration, when both the configured grant confirmation and the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) are defined, the conditions for transmitting the multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) are clarified.

[0047] [Modification Example 1] Hereinafter, Modification Example 1 of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the embodiment will be mainly described. In Modification Example 1, joint activation for each Type 2 CG and joint release for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0048] (1) Operation Example 1 Hereinafter, Operation Example 1 according to Modification Example 1 will be described. Here, joint activation for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 8, in step S30, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes a Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0050] In step S31, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE 200 via the PDCCH. The information element includes a DCI indicating joint activation.

[0051] In step S32, UE200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to base station 300.

[0052] That is, when multiple CGs are configured and activation of multiple CGs is instructed, UE200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to base station 300.

[0053] Although not particularly mentioned in FIG. 8, Modification Example 1 may be combined with the above-described embodiment. That is, when multiple CGs are configured, UE200 may transmit a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to base station 300 whether activation of one CG is instructed or activation of multiple CGs is instructed.

[0054] However, Modification Example 1 is not limited thereto. When multiple CGs are configured, UE200 may transmit a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to base station 300 when activation of one CG is instructed, and may also transmit a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to base station 300 even when activation of multiple CGs is instructed.

[0055] (2) Operation Example 2 Hereinafter, Operation Example 2 according to Modification Example 1 will be described. Here, Joint release for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0056] As shown in FIG. 9, in step S40, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0057] In step S41, at least two or more CG(s) are activated. In operation example 2, since the release of the CG is mainly described, the method of activation and the transmission of the configured grant confirmation are not questioned.

[0058] In step S42, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE 200 via the PDCCH. The information element includes DCI indicating Joint release.

[0059] In step S43, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0060] That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured and the release of a plurality of CGs is instructed, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300.

[0061] Although not particularly mentioned in FIG. 9, modification example 1 may be combined with the above-described embodiment. That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured, the UE 200 may transmit a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300 whether the release of one CG is instructed or the release of a plurality of CGs is instructed.

[0062] However, Modification Example 1 is not limited to this. When multiple CGs are configured, if the release of one CG is instructed, UE200 may send a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300, and even if the release of multiple CGs is instructed, UE200 may also send a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300.

[0063] [Modification Example 2] In the following, Modification Example 2 of the embodiment will be described. In the following, the differences from the embodiment will be mainly described. In Modification Example 2, a case where configured grant confirmation is used for the activation of CG(s) and a case where configured grant confirmation is used for the release of CG(s) will be described.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 10, in step S50, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE200. The RRC message includes a Multiple configured grant configuration. UE200 configures CGs for multiple cells in one cell group.

[0065] In step S51, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE200 via the PDCCH. The information element includes DCI instructing Separate activation.

[0066] In step S52, UE200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0067] That is, when multiple CGs are configured, if the activation of one CG is instructed, UE200 also sends a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300.

[0068] Note that the processes of steps S51 to S52 may be repeated.

[0069] In step S53, the base station 300 transmits an information element to the UE 200 via the PDCCH. The information element may include DCI indicating Separate release or may include DCI indicating Joint release.

[0070] In step S54, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0071] That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured, when activation of one CG is instructed, the UE 200 transmits a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300, and when release of one or more CGs is instructed, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300.

[0072] [Modification Example 3] Hereinafter, modification example 3 of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, differences from the embodiment will be mainly described. In modification example 3, a case of receiving an information element via two or more PDCCHs within a predetermined time will be described. The predetermined time may be defined by one or more symbols, may be defined by one or more slots, or may be defined by one or more subframes. The predetermined time may be considered as the reception window of the PDCCH.

[0073] (1) Operation Example 1 Hereinafter, operation example 1 according to modification example 3 will be described. Here, Separate activation for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 11, in step S60, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0075] In step S61, the base station 300 transmits information elements to the UE 200 via two or more PDCCHs within a predetermined time. Each of the information elements via the two or more PDCCHs includes DCI indicating Separate activation.

[0076] In step S62, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0077] That is, when a plurality of CGs are configured in the UE 200 and the activation of two or more CGs is instructed by the DCI of two or more PDCCHs received within a predetermined time, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300. In other words, when a plurality of CGs are configured in the UE 200 and the activation of one CG is instructed by the DCI of one PDCCH received within a predetermined time, the UE 200 may transmit a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300.

[0078] (2) Operation Example 2 Hereinafter, operation example 2 according to modification example 3 will be described. Here, Separate release for each Type 2 CG will be described.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 12, in step S70, the base station 300 transmits an RRC message to the UE 200. The RRC message includes Multiple configured grant configuration. The UE 200 configures CGs for a plurality of cells in one cell group.

[0080] In step S71, at least one or more CG(s) is / are activated. In operation example 2, since the release of the CG is mainly described, the method of activation and the transmission of the configured grant confirmation are not questioned.

[0081] In step S72, the base station 300 transmits information elements to the UE 200 via two or more PDCCHs within a predetermined time. Each of the information elements via two or more PDCCHs includes DCI indicating Separate release.

[0082] In step S73, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) shown in FIG. 5 to the base station 300.

[0083] That is, the UE 200 transmits a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) to the base station 300 when a plurality of CGs are configured and the release of two or more CGs is indicated by the DCI of two or more PDCCHs received within a predetermined time. In other words, when a plurality of CGs are configured and the release of one CG is indicated by the DCI of one PDCCH received within a predetermined time, the UE 200 may transmit a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) to the base station 300.

[0084] [Modification Example 4] Hereinafter, modification example 4 of the embodiment will be described. Hereinafter, the differences from the embodiment will be mainly described.

[0085] In Modification Example 4, whether to transmit a multiple entry configured grant confirmation (LCID = 51) or a configured grant confirmation (LCID = 55) is determined depending on the implementation of UE200. In such a case, the base station 300 distinguishes the type of configured grant confirmation received from UE200 by referring to the LCID.

[0086] [Other Embodiments] Although the content of the present invention has been described along with the embodiments above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to these descriptions and various modifications and improvements are possible.

[0087] The block configuration diagrams (FIGS. 2 and 3) used in the description of the above-described embodiments show blocks of functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Also, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one physically or logically combined device, or two or more physically or logically separated devices may be directly or indirectly (for example, using wired, wireless, etc.) connected and realized using these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the above one device or the above multiple devices.

[0088] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision-making, determination, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, solution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regarded as, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), assigning, etc. For example, a functional block (component) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or a transmitter. As described above, the implementation method is not particularly limited.

[0089] Furthermore, the above-described eNB111, gNB121, and UE200 (the device) may function as a computer that performs the processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the device. As shown in FIG. 13, the device may be configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, and a bus 1007, etc.

[0090] Note that in the following description, the term "device" can be read as a circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the device may be configured to include one or more of each device shown in the figure, or may be configured without including some devices.

[0091] Each functional block of the device (see FIG. 3) is realized by any hardware element of the computer device or a combination of the hardware elements.

[0092] In addition, each function in the apparatus is realized by causing a predetermined software (program) to be loaded onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, so that the processor 1001 performs operations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, or controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0093] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by operating, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be constituted by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic device, registers, and the like.

[0094] Further, the processor 1001 reads a program (program code), a software module, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes according to these. As the program, a program that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiments is used. Furthermore, the above various processes may be executed by one processor 1001, or may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. Note that the program may be transmitted from a network via a telecommunication line.

[0095] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be referred to as a register, a cache, a main memory (main storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store a program (program code), a software module, etc. that can execute the method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0096] The storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be constituted by at least one of, for example, an optical disc such as a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital versatile disc, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disc), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-described recording medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate media including at least one of the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0097] The communication device 1004 is hardware (a transmission / reception device) for performing communication between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc.

[0098] The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. in order to implement at least one of, for example, Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) and Time Division Duplex (TDD).

[0099] The input device 1005 is an input device that receives external input (for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that performs output to the outside (for example, a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.). Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may have an integrated configuration (for example, a touch panel).

[0100] Also, each device such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus or may be configured using different buses for each device.

[0101] Furthermore, the device may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), etc., and part or all of each functional block may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0102] Also, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure, and other methods may be used. For example, the notification of information may be implemented by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, etc.

[0103] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to at least one of systems using Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), Future Radio Access (FRA), New Radio (NR), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth (registered trademark), other suitable systems, and next-generation systems extended based thereon. Also, multiple systems may be combined (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A and 5G) and applied.

[0104] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be reordered as long as there is no contradiction. For example, for the methods described in the present disclosure, the elements of various steps are presented using an exemplary order and are not limited to the specific order presented.

[0105] Certain operations assumed to be performed by a base station in the present disclosure may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal can be performed by at least one of the base station and other network nodes other than the base station (for example, but not limited to, MME or S-GW, etc.). Although the case where there is one other network node other than the base station is exemplified above, a combination of a plurality of other network nodes (for example, MME and S-GW) may also be possible.

[0106] Information, signals (such as information) can be output from an upper layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or upper layer). They may also be input and output via a plurality of network nodes.

[0107] The input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. The input and output information can be overwritten, updated, or appended. The output information may be deleted. The input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0108] The determination may be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, comparison with a predetermined value).

[0109] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched and used during execution. Further, the notification of predetermined information (for example, the notification of "being X") is not limited to being explicitly performed, and may be performed implicitly (for example, by not performing the notification of the predetermined information).

[0110] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, etc., whether called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, a hardware description language, or by some other name.

[0111] Also, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, when software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technologies (such as coaxial cables, fiber optic cables, twisted pairs, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), etc.) and wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwaves, etc.), at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included within the definition of the transmission medium.

[0112] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0113] In addition, with regard to the terms described in the present disclosure and the terms necessary for understanding the present disclosure, they may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, the signal may be a message. Further, a component carrier (CC) may be referred to as a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, or the like.

[0114] The terms "system" and "network" used in the present disclosure are used interchangeably.

[0115] Also, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be represented using absolute values, relative values from a predetermined value, or corresponding other information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0116] The names used for the above-described parameters are not limiting names in any respect. Furthermore, mathematical formulas, etc. using these parameters may be different from those explicitly disclosed in the present disclosure. Since various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable names, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not limiting names in any respect.

[0117] In the present disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "radio base station", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", "component carrier" can be used interchangeably. The base station may also be referred to by terms such as macro cell, small cell, femto cell, pico cell, etc.

[0118] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells (also called sectors). When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, and each of the smaller areas can also provide communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (Remote Radio Head: RRH)).

[0119] The term "cell" or "sector" refers to a part or the whole of the coverage area of at least one of the base station and the base station subsystem that provides communication services within this coverage.

[0120] In the present disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)", "user terminal", "User Equipment (UE)", "terminal" can be used interchangeably.

[0121] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable term.

[0122] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. Note that at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a moving body, the moving body itself, etc. The moving body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), a moving body that moves unmanned (e.g., a drone, a self-driving vehicle, etc.), or a robot (humanoid or non-humanoid). Note that at least one of the base station and the mobile station also includes a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an Internet of Things (IoT) device such as a sensor.

[0123] Also, the base station in the present disclosure may be read as a mobile station (user terminal, the same hereinafter). For example, for a configuration in which communication between the base station and the mobile station is replaced with communication between a plurality of mobile stations (which may be referred to as, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), etc.), each aspect / embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied. In this case, the functions of the base station may be configured as those of the mobile station. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to communication between terminals (e.g., "side"). For example, an uplink channel, a downlink channel, etc. may be read as a side channel.

[0124] Similarly, the mobile station in the present disclosure may be read as a base station. In this case, the functions of the mobile station may be configured as those of the base station.

[0125] A wireless frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of the one or more frames in the time domain may be called a sub-frame.

[0126] The sub-frame may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain. The sub-frame may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that does not depend on numerology.

[0127] Numerology may be communication parameters applied to at least one of transmission and reception of a certain signal or channel. Numerology may indicate, for example, at least one of sub-carrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, wireless frame configuration, specific filtering processing performed by a transceiver in the frequency domain, specific windowing processing performed by a transceiver in the time domain, etc.

[0128] A slot may be composed of one or more symbols (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbols, etc.) in the time domain. A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.

[0129] The slot may include a plurality of mini-slots. Each mini-slot may be composed of one or more symbols in the time domain. Also, the mini-slot may be called a sub-slot. The mini-slot may be composed of a smaller number of symbols than the slot. The PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than the mini-slot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. The PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using the mini-slot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0130] The radio frame, sub-frame, slot, mini-slot, and symbol all represent time units when transmitting signals. Different names corresponding to each of them may be used.

[0131] For example, one sub-frame may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), or a plurality of consecutive sub-frames may be called a TTI, or one slot or one mini-slot may be called a TTI. That is, at least one of the sub-frame and the TTI may be the sub-frame (1 ms) in the existing LTE, or a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1 - 13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, a mini-slot, etc. instead of a sub-frame.

[0132] Here, the TTI refers to, for example, the minimum time unit of scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in the LTE system, the base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (frequency bandwidth, transmission power, etc. that can be used in each user terminal) to each user terminal in units of TTI. Note that the definition of the TTI is not limited to this.

[0133] The TTI may be a transmission time unit such as a channel-coded data packet (transport block), a code block, a codeword, etc., or may be a processing unit such as scheduling or link adaptation. When the TTI is given, the time interval (e.g., the number of symbols) in which a transport block, a code block, a codeword, etc. are actually mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

[0134] When one slot or one mini-slot is called a TTI, one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more mini-slots) may be the minimum time unit for scheduling. Also, the number of slots (mini-slot numbers) constituting the minimum time unit for the scheduling may be controlled.

[0135] A TTI having a time length of 1 ms may be called a normal TTI (TTI in LTE Rel.8 - 12), a normal TTI, a long TTI, a normal subframe, a normal subframe, a long subframe, a slot, etc. A TTI shorter than the normal TTI may be called a shortened TTI, a short TTI, a partial TTI (partial or fractional TTI), a shortened subframe, a short subframe, a mini-slot, a sub-slot, a slot, etc.

[0136] Note that a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.) may be read as a TTI having a time length exceeding 1 ms, or a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) may be read as a TTI having a TTI length less than that of the long TTI and not less than 1 ms.

[0137] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and the frequency domain, and in the frequency domain, it may include one or a plurality of consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers included in the RB may be the same regardless of the numerology, and may be, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in the RB may be determined based on the numerology.

[0138] Also, the time domain of the RB may include one or more symbols, and may be the length of 1 slot, 1 mini-slot, 1 sub-frame, or 1 TTI. 1 TTI, 1 sub-frame, etc. may each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0139] Note that one or more RBs may be referred to as physical resource blocks (PRBs), sub-carrier groups (SCGs), resource element groups (REGs), PRB pairs, RB pairs, etc.

[0140] Also, a resource block may be composed of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, 1 RE may be a radio resource region of 1 sub-carrier and 1 symbol.

[0141] A bandwidth part (BWP) (which may also be called a partial bandwidth, etc.) may represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (common RBs) for a certain numerology in a certain carrier. Here, the common RB may be specified by the index of the RB based on the common reference point of the carrier. The PRB may be defined in a certain BWP and numbered within the BWP.

[0142] The BWP may include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL (DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be set within one carrier for the UE.

[0143] At least one of the set BWPs may be active, and the UE may not be assumed to transmit and receive a predetermined signal / channel outside the active BWP. Note that "cell", "carrier", etc. in the present disclosure may be read as "BWP".

[0144] The structures such as the above-mentioned radio frames, sub-frames, slots, mini-slots, and symbols are merely illustrative. For example, the number of sub-frames included in a radio frame, the number of slots per sub-frame or radio frame, the number of mini-slots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or mini-slot, the number of sub-carriers included in an RB, and the number of symbols, symbol length, Cyclic Prefix (CP) length, etc. within a TTI can be variously changed.

[0145] The terms "connected" and "coupled", or any variations thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and can include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "accessed". As used in this disclosure, two elements can be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using at least one of one or more electric wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and also, as some non-limiting and non-inclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and optical (both visible and invisible) region.

[0146] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as Reference Signal (RS) and may be called a Pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0147] The description "based on" used in this disclosure does not mean "only based on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the description "based on" means both "only based on" and "at least based on".

[0148] In the configuration of each of the above devices, the "means" may be replaced with "section", "circuit", "device", etc.

[0149] In the present disclosure, any reference to an element using designations such as "first", "second", etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in the present disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not mean that only two elements can be employed there, or that the first element must precede the second element in any form.

[0150] In the present disclosure, when terms such as "include", "including" and their variants are used, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising". Further, the term "or" used in the present disclosure is not intended to be an exclusive disjunction.

[0151] In the present disclosure, for example, when articles are added by translation, such as a, an and the in English, the present disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0152] The terms "determining" and "determination" as used in this disclosure may encompass a wide variety of operations. "Determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., searching in a table, database, or another data structure), ascertaining, and considering something as having been "determined". "Determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., transmitting information), inputting, outputting, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and considering something as having been "determined". "Determining" may further include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc., and considering something as having been "determined". That is, "determining" may include considering something as having determined some action. Also, "determining (determination)" may be read as "assuming", "expecting", "considering", etc.

[0153] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean that "A and B are different from each other". Note that the term may also mean that "A and B are each different from C". Terms such as "separated", "coupled", etc. may be interpreted in the same way as "different".

[0154] As described in detail above, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and changed forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is for illustrative purposes only and has no restrictive meaning for the present disclosure.

Explanation of Signs

[0155] 100…Wireless communication system, 110…E-UTRAN, 111…eNB, 120…NG RAN, 121…gNB121, 130…Core network, 200…UE, 210…Receiving unit, 220…Transmitting unit, 230…Control unit, 300…Base station, 310…Receiving unit, 320…Transmitting unit, 330…Control unit, 400…Upper node, 1001…Processor, 1002…Memory, 1003…Storage, 1004…Communication device, 1005…Input device, 1006…Output device, 1007…Bus

Claims

1. A receiving unit that receives downlink control information via a physical downlink control channel, A transmitting unit that transmits a first configuration grant confirmation or a second configuration grant confirmation including fields related to a plurality of configuration grants in response to the reception of the downlink control information, The transmitting unit, When the plurality of configuration grants are configured, in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the activation of one of the plurality of configuration grants, transmits the second configuration grant confirmation including the field related to the configuration grant for which activation is instructed, or, in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the release of one or more of the plurality of configuration grants, transmits the second configuration grant confirmation including the field related to the configuration grant for which release is instructed, A terminal that transmits the first configuration grant confirmation in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the activation or release of the one configuration grant when one configuration grant is configured.

2. The transmitting unit transmits the second configuration grant confirmation when the downlink control information via two or more physical downlink control channels as the physical downlink control channel is received within a predetermined time. The terminal according to claim 1.

3. A wireless communication system including a terminal and a base station, The terminal, A receiving unit that receives downlink control information via a physical downlink control channel, A transmitting unit that transmits a first configuration grant confirmation or a second configuration grant confirmation including fields related to a plurality of configuration grants in response to the reception of the downlink control information, The transmitting unit, When the plurality of configuration grants are configured, in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the activation of one of the plurality of configuration grants, transmits the second configuration grant confirmation including the field related to the configuration grant for which activation is instructed, or, in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the release of one or more of the plurality of configuration grants, transmits the second configuration grant confirmation including the field related to the configuration grant for which release is instructed, A wireless communication system that transmits the first configuration grant confirmation in response to the reception of the downlink control information instructing the activation or release of the one configuration grant when one configuration grant is configured.

4. A receiving step of receiving downlink control information via a physical downlink control channel, A transmission step of transmitting a first configuration grant confirmation or transmitting a second configuration grant confirmation including fields related to a plurality of configuration grants in response to reception of the downlink control information. The transmission step includes: When the plurality of configuration grants are configured, in response to reception of the downlink control information indicating activation of one of the plurality of configuration grants, transmitting the second configuration grant confirmation including a field related to the configuration grant for which activation is indicated, or in response to reception of second downlink control information indicating release of one or more of the plurality of configuration grants, transmitting the second configuration grant confirmation including a field related to the configuration grant for which release is indicated. A wireless communication method of a terminal, which transmits the first configuration grant confirmation in response to reception of the downlink control information indicating activation or release of the one configuration grant when one configuration grant is configured. **Claim 5**: A transmitting unit that transmits downlink control information via a physical downlink control channel; A receiving unit that receives a first configuration grant confirmation or receives a second configuration grant confirmation including fields related to a plurality of configuration grants in response to transmission of the downlink control information; The receiving unit includes: When the plurality of configuration grants are configured, in response to transmission of the downlink control information indicating activation of one of the plurality of configuration grants, receiving the second configuration grant confirmation including a field related to the configuration grant for which activation is indicated, or in response to transmission of second downlink control information indicating release of one or more of the plurality of configuration grants, receiving the second configuration grant confirmation including a field related to the configuration grant for which release is indicated. A base station that receives the first configuration grant confirmation in response to transmission of the downlink control information indicating activation or release of the one configuration grant when one configuration grant is configured.

Citation Information

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