Communication device and base station

Abstract

Provided are a communications apparatus and base station for use in wireless communications, a method for the communications apparatus, and a method for the base station, the communications apparatus for use in wireless communications including a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration, and circuitry that, in operation, determines an RS configuration based on the received system information, the transceiver, in operation, assuming that an RS is available according to the determined RS configuration.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to signal transmission and reception in a communication system, and more particularly, to a method and a communication device for such transmission and reception.

Background Art

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) is formulating the technical specifications of the next-generation cellular technology (including New Radio (NR) radio access technology (RAT)), also known as the 5th generation (5G), which operates in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. NR is a successor to technologies represented by LTE (Long Term Evolution) and LTE-A (LTE Advanced).

[0003] In systems such as LTE, LTE-A, and NR, further improvements and options can promote the efficient operation of the communication system and specific devices related to the system.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] One non-limiting and exemplary embodiment facilitates efficient processing of reference signals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is a communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising a transceiver that receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) setting during operation, and a circuit that determines an RS setting based on the received system information during operation, wherein the transceiver assumes that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting during operation.

[0006] Note that these general or specific aspects may be implemented in a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, or may be implemented in any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0007] Further advantages and effects in an embodiment of the present disclosure will be clarified from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are respectively provided by several embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, but not all are necessarily provided in order to obtain one or more identical features.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <5G NR System Architecture and Protocol Stack> 3GPP is working on the next release of the 5th generation cellular technology (simply referred to as 5G), including the development of a new radio access technology (NR) operating in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, enabling the trial and commercial deployment of smartphones compliant with the 5G NR standard.

[0010] In particular, the overall system architecture assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation-Radio Access Network) with gNB (gNodeB). The gNB provides the UE-side termination of the user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocols for NG radio access. The gNBs are interconnected by the Xn interface. Further, the gNB is connected to the next-generation core (NGC: Next Generation Core) via the next-generation (NG: Next Generation) interface, more specifically, to the access and mobility management function (AMF: Access and Mobility Management Function, e.g., a specific core entity that executes the AMF) via the NG-C interface, and also to the user plane function (UPF: User Plane Function, e.g., a specific core entity that executes the UPF) via the NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in FIG. 1 (see, for example, section 4 of 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0011] The user plane protocol stack of NR (see, for example, Section 4.4.1 of 3GPP TS 38.300) includes the PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol; see Section 6.4 of TS 38.300), RLC (Radio Link Control; see Section 6.3 of TS 38.300), and MAC (Medium Access Control; see Section 6.2 of TS 38.300) sublayers, which are terminated on the network side in the gNB. Further, a new access stratum (AS) sublayer (SDAP: Service Data Adaptation Protocol) is introduced above PDCP (see, for example, sub-clause 6.5 of 3GPP TS 38.300). Also, the control plane protocol stack is defined in NR (see, for example, Section 4.4.2 of TS 38.300). An overview of the layer 2 functions is described in sub-clause 6 of TS 38.300. The functions of the PDCP sublayer, RLC sublayer, and MAC sublayer are described in Sections 6.4, 6.3, and 6.2 of TS 38.300, respectively. The functions of the RRC layer are enumerated in sub-clause 7 of TS 38.300.

[0012] For example, the MAC layer is responsible for scheduling and scheduling-related functions, including multiplexing of logical channels and processing of various numerologies.

[0013] The physical layer (PHY) is responsible for, for example, encoding, PHY HARQ processing, modulation, multi-antenna processing, and the placement of signals onto appropriate physical time-frequency resources. It also performs the placement of transport channels onto physical channels. The physical layer provides services to the MAC layer in the form of transport channels. A physical channel corresponds to a set of time-frequency resources used for transmitting a specific transport channel, and each transport channel is placed on the corresponding physical channel. For example, the physical channels are PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel), PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) in the uplink, and PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), and PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) in the downlink.

[0014] The use cases / deployment scenarios of NR include eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communication), etc., which have diverse requirements regarding data rate, latency, and coverage. For example, in eMBB, peak data rates (20 Gbps downlink, 10 Gbps uplink) and user-experienced data rates approximately three times those provided by IMT-Advanced are required. On the other hand, in URLLC, more stringent requirements are for ultra-low latency (user plane latency is 0.5 ms for both UL and DL) and high reliability (1 - 10 within 1 ms) -5) is imposed. Finally, mMTC preferably requires a high connection density (1 million devices per square kilometer in an urban environment), wide coverage in harsh environments, and an ultra-long-life battery (15 years) for low-cost devices.

[0015] Therefore, an OFDM numerology (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol length, cyclic prefix (CP) length, number of symbols per scheduling interval) suitable for one use case may not be effective for other use cases. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol length (and thus a larger subcarrier spacing) and / or fewer symbols per scheduling interval (in other words, TTI) than mMTC services. Further, in a deployment scenario with a large channel delay spread, a longer CP length may preferably be required than in a scenario with a short delay spread. In order to maintain a similar CP overhead, the subcarrier spacing needs to be optimized as appropriate. In NR, multiple values of subcarrier spacing may be supported. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz,... are currently being considered. The symbol length T u and the subcarrier spacing Δf are directly related by the formula Δf = 1 / T u In the same way as in the LTE system, the term "resource element" can be used to indicate the smallest resource unit composed of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

[0016] In the new radio system 5G-NR, for each numerology and carrier, a resource grid of subcarriers and OFDM symbols is defined for each of the uplink and downlink. Each element in the resource grid is called a resource element and is identified based on the frequency index in the frequency domain and the symbol position in the time domain (see 3GPP TS 38.211 v15.6.0).

[0017] <Functional Split between NG-RAN and 5GC> Figure 2 shows the functional split between the NG-RAN and the 5GC. The NG-RAN logical node is a gNB or an ng-eNB (next generation eNB). The 5GC includes logical nodes for the AMF, UPF, and SMF.

[0018] The gNB and ng-eNB specifically provide the following main functions. · Radio resource management functions such as radio bearer control, radio admission control, connection mobility control, and dynamic resource allocation (scheduling) to the UE in both the uplink and downlink · IP header compression, encryption, and integrity protection of data · AMF selection at UE attachment when the routing to the AMF from the information provided by the UE cannot be determined · Routing of user plane data towards the UPF · Routing of control plane information towards the AMF · Establishment and release of connections · Scheduling and transmission of paging messages

[0019] Perform scheduling and transmission of system information messages (sent from the AMF or OAM). · Measurement and measurement reporting configuration for mobility and scheduling · Transport level packet marking in the uplink · Session management · Support for network slicing · QoS flow management and placement to data radio bearers · Support for UEs in the RRC_INACTIVE state · NAS message delivery function · Radio access network sharing · Dual connectivity · Tight cooperation between NR and E-UTRA

[0020] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) provides the following main functions. · Termination of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling · Security of NAS signaling · Access Stratum (AS) security control · Core Network (CN) node - to - node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks · Reachable of idle - mode UEs (including control and execution of paging re - transmission) Registration area management · Support for in - system and inter - system mobility · Access authentication · Access authorization including roaming right check · Mobility management control (subscription and policy) · Support for network slicing · Selection of Session Management Function (SMF)

[0021] Furthermore, the User Plane Function (UPF) provides the following main functions. · Anchor point for RAT - in / RAT - between mobility (when applicable) · External PDU session point for interconnection with data networks · Packet routing and forwarding · Packet inspection and enforcement of policy rules for the user plane part · Reporting of traffic usage · Uplink classifier to support routing of traffic flows to data networks · Branch point to support multi - home PDU sessions · QoS processing for the user plane such as packet filtering, gating, UL / DL (uplink / downlink) rate enforcement · Uplink traffic verification (placement for QoS flows of SDF) · Downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification trigger

[0022] Finally, the Session Management Function (SMF) provides the following main functions. · Session management · IP address allocation and management for the UE · Selection and control of the UPF · Traffic steering configuration in the User Plane Function (UPF) for routing traffic to the appropriate destination · Enforcement of control plane policies and QoS · Notification of downlink data

[0023] <RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedure> Figure 3 shows a part of the interaction between the UE, the gNB, and the AMF (5GC entity) when the UE moves from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED in the NAS part (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0024] RRC is the upper layer signaling (protocol) used for the configuration of the UE and gNB. This transition specifically involves the AMF preparing UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE Radio Capability, UE Security Capabilities, etc.) and sending it to the gNB together with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. Then, the gNB activates AS security with the UE. This operation is performed by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE and the UE responding to the gNB with a SecurityModeComplete message. Subsequently, the gNB sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE, and upon receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE in response, the gNB executes a reconfiguration to set up Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearer (DRB). In the case of a signaling-only connection, since SRB2 and DRB are not set up, the steps related to RRC reconfiguration are omitted. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF in an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE that the configuration procedure has been completed.

[0025] Therefore, in the present disclosure, an entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) of the 5th generation core network (5GC) is provided, which includes a control circuit that establishes a next-generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB during operation, and a transmission unit that transmits an initial context setup message to the gNodeB via the NG connection during operation so that a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and a terminal (UE) is set. Specifically, the gNodeB transmits radio resource control (RRC) signaling including a resource allocation setting information element to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. Then, the UE performs uplink transmission or downlink reception based on the resource allocation setting.

[0026] <IMT Usage Scenarios After 2020> Figure 4 shows a part of the use cases of 5G NR. In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project NR (3GPP NR), three use cases that are supposed to support a variety of services and applications by IMT-2020 are being studied. The formulation of the first-phase specifications for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) has been completed. In addition to further expanding the support for eMBB, currently and in the future, the standardization research on ultra-reliable and low-latency communication (URLLC) and massive machine-type communications (mMTC) is also being advanced. Figure 4 shows an example of the usage scenarios assumed for IMT after 2020 (see, for example, Figure 2 of ITU-R M.2083).

[0027] URLLC use cases have strict requirements for performance such as throughput, latency, and availability, and are envisioned as one of the means to enable future vertical applications such as wireless control of industrial production and manufacturing processes, remote medical surgery, power distribution automation in smart grids, and traffic safety. The ultra-high reliability of URLLC is supported by identifying technologies that meet the requirements set by TR 38.913. For NR URLLC in Release 15, the main requirement is to target a user plane latency of 0.5 ms for UL (uplink) and 0.5 ms for DL (downlink). The general requirement for a single packet transmission in URLLC is that when the user plane latency is 1 ms, the block error rate (BLER) is 1E-5 for a packet size of 32 bytes.

[0028] From a physical layer perspective, there are various ways to improve reliability. Currently, to improve reliability, it is conceivable to define an independent CQI table for URLLC, a more compact DCI (downlink control information) format, repetition of PDCCH, etc. However, as NR becomes more stable and evolves (with respect to the main requirements of NR URLC), the range of methods considered to achieve ultra-high reliability can expand. The use cases specific to NR URLLC in Release 15 include extended reality / virtual reality (AR / VR), e-health, e-safety, and mission-critical applications.

[0029] In addition, the technical enhancements targeted by NR URLLC are latency improvement and reliability improvement. Technical enhancements for latency improvement include configurable numerology, non-slot-based scheduling by flexible mapping, grant-free uplink (configured grant), slot-level repetition of data channels, and downlink pre-emption. Pre-emption means stopping a transmission for which resources have already been allocated and using the said resources that have already been allocated for another transmission that is requested later and requires less latency or higher priority. Therefore, a transmission that has already been permitted is replaced by a later transmission. Pre-emption can be applied regardless of the specific service type. For example, a transmission of service type A (URLLC) may be pre-empted by a transmission of service type B (e.g., eMBB). Technical enhancements for reliability improvement include a dedicated CQI / MCS table for a target BLER of 1E-5.

[0030] The characteristics of the use cases of mMTC (massive machine-type communications) are typically that the number of connected devices transmitting a relatively small amount of data, which is not typically affected by latency, is extremely large. The devices are required to be low-cost and have a very long battery life. From the perspective of NR, using a very narrow bandwidth part is one measure that enables power saving for the UE and a long battery life.

[0031] As described above, the scope of reliability improvement in NR is expected to be broader. One of the important requirements common to all cases, especially those necessary for URLLC and mMTC, is high reliability or ultra-high reliability. To improve reliability, several mechanisms can be considered from the wireless perspective and the network perspective. Generally, there are several important areas that contribute to reliability improvement. These areas include compact control channel information, repetition of data / control channels, diversity in the frequency domain, time domain, and spatial domain, etc. These areas are generally applicable to reliability improvement regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0032] For NR URLLC, additional use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, such as factory automation, the transportation industry, and power distribution. The more stringent requirements are high reliability (up to 10 -6 levels), high availability, a packet size of up to 256 bytes, time synchronization up to about a few μs (which can be 1 μs or a few μs depending on the frequency range and a short delay of about 0.5 to 1 ms, e.g., a delay of 0.5 ms in the target user plane).

[0033] Furthermore, in NR URLLC, several technical enhancements have been identified from the perspective of the physical layer. These include enhancements to the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) related to compact DCI, repetition of the PDCCH, and increased monitoring of the PDCCH. Also, the enhancement of uplink control information (UCI) is related to the enhancement of extended HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request) and CSI feedback. In addition, enhancements to the PUSCH related to mini-slot level hopping and retransmission / repetition have also been identified. A "mini-slot" represents a transmission time interval (TTI) that contains a smaller number of symbols than a slot (a slot composed of 14 symbols).

[0034] In slot - based scheduling and allocation, a slot corresponds to the granularity of the timing of the scheduling allocation (TTI: transmission time interval). Generally, the TTI determines the granularity of the timing of the scheduling allocation. One TTI is the time interval during which a signal is placed in the physical layer. For example, the TTI length can range from 14 symbols (slot - based scheduling) to 2 symbols (non - slot - based scheduling) conventionally. Downlink (DL: downlink) and uplink (UL: uplink) transmissions are defined to be organized into frames (duration 10 ms) consisting of 10 sub - frames (duration 1 ms). In slot - based transmission, a sub - frame is further divided into slots, and the number of those slots is defined by numerology and sub - carrier spacing. The defined values range from 10 slots per frame (1 slot per sub - frame) for a sub - carrier spacing of 15 kHz to 80 slots per frame (8 slots per sub - frame) for a sub - carrier spacing of 120 kHz. The number of OFDM symbols per slot is 14 for a normal cyclic prefix and 12 for an extended cyclic prefix (see section 4.1 (general frame structure), 4.2 (Numerologies), 4.3.1 (frames and sub - frames) of 3GPP TS 38.211 V15.3.0, Physical channels and modulation, 2018 - 09). However, the time resource allocation for transmission may also be non - slot - based. In particular, the TTI for non - slot - based allocation corresponds to a mini - slot rather than a slot. That is, one or more mini - slots are allocated for the transmission of data / control signaling that requires them. In non - slot - based allocation, the minimum TTI length can be, for example, 1 or 2 OFDM symbols.

[0035] <QoS control> The 5G QoS (Quality of Service) model is based on QoS flows and caters to both QoS flows that require a guaranteed flow bitrate (GBR QoS flows) and QoS flows that do not require a guaranteed flow bitrate (non-GBR QoS flows). Therefore, at the NAS level, a QoS flow is the finest-grained QoS classification in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS flow ID (QFI) that is carried in the encapsulation header via the NG-U interface.

[0036] For each UE, the 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes at least one data radio bearer (DRB) in accordance with the PDU session, and additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session can be configured later (when to configure depends on the NG-RAN), as described above with reference to Figure 3 for example. The NG-RAN places packets belonging to different PDU sessions in different DRBs. The NAS-level packet filters in the UE and the 5GC associate UL packets and DL packets with QoS flows, while the AS-level mapping rules in the UE and the NG-RAN associate UL QoS flows and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0037] Figure 5 shows the non-roaming reference architecture of 5G NR (see TS 23.501 v16.1.0, section 4.23). Application functions (AFs), such as external application servers that host 5G services exemplified in Figure 4, interact with the 3GPP core network to provide services. For example, accessing the Network Exposure Function (NEF) to support applications that affect traffic routing, and interacting with the policy framework for policy control such as QoS control (see Policy Control Function (PCF)). Based on operator deployment, application functions considered trusted by the operator can interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions not permitted by the operator to directly access network functions use the external exposure framework via the NEF to interact with the relevant network functions.

[0038] Figure 5 shows further functional units of the 5G architecture, namely, the Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), Network Repository Function (NRF), Unified Data Management (UDM), Authentication Server Function (AUSF), Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF), Session Management Function (SMF), and Data Network (DN) (operator services, Internet access, third-party services, etc.). All or some of the core network functions and application services may be deployed and operate on a cloud computing environment.

[0039] Therefore, in the present disclosure, in order to establish a PDU session including a radio bearer between a gNodeB and a UE according to QoS requirements, during operation, a request including QoS requirements for at least one of URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC services is transmitted to at least one of the functions of the 5GC (for example, NEF, AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, etc.), and during operation, a control circuit that executes a service using the established PDU session are provided, and an application server (for example, AF in the 5G architecture) is provided.

[0040] In LTE and NR, the terminal is called a UE (User Equipment). This may be a mobile device or a communication device such as a wireless telephone having the functions of a user device, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) stick. However, the term mobile device is not limited to this, and generally, a repeater may also have the functions of such a mobile device, and the mobile device may function as a repeater.

[0041] The base station is a network node or a scheduling node, and forms, for example, a part of a network for providing services to a terminal. The base station is a network node that provides wireless access to a terminal.

[0042] <RRC state> In a wireless communication system including NR, a device or a communication apparatus (e.g., UE) can be in different states depending on traffic activities. In NR, a device can be in one of three RRC states: RRC_IDLE, RRC_CONNECTED, and RRC_INACTIVE. The first two RRC states (RRC_IDLE and RRC_CONNECTED) are similar to their counterparts in LTE, and RRC_INACTIVE is newly introduced in NR and does not exist in the original LTE design. There are also core network states such as CN_IDLE and CN_CONNECTED, which depend on whether the device has established a connection with the core network.

[0043] In RRC_IDLE, the RRC context, i.e., the parameters necessary for communication between the device and the network, does not exist in the radio access network, and the device does not belong to a specific cell. From the perspective of the core network, the device is in the CN_IDLE state. Since the device sleeps most of the time to reduce battery consumption, data transfer may not be necessary. In the downlink, an idle device wakes up periodically to receive paging messages from the network if there are any. Mobility is handled by the device through cell reselection. Uplink synchronization is not maintained, and thus the only uplink transmission activity that can occur is random access, for example, to transition to the connected state. As part of the transition to the connected state, the RRC context is established in both the device and the network.

[0044] In the RRC_CONNECTED state, the RRC context is established, and all the parameters necessary for communication between the device and the radio access network are known to both entities. From the perspective of the core network, the device is in the CN_CONNECTED state. The cell to which the device belongs is known, and the device's identification information (C-RNTI: Cell Radio-Network Temporary Identifier) used for signaling between the device and the network is set. The connected state aims at data transfer between the device, but discontinuous reception (DRX) can be set to reduce the device's power consumption. Since the RRC context is established at the gNB in the connected state, stopping DRX and starting data transmission and reception is relatively fast because connection settings with the related signaling are not required. Mobility is managed by the radio access network. That is, the device provides the measurement values of neighboring cells to the network that issues commands to the device to perform handover when relevant. Uplink time alignment may or may not exist, but it needs to be established and maintained using random access for data transmission to occur.

[0045] In LTE, only the idle state and the connected state are supported. In practice, generally, the idle state is used as a primary sleep state to reduce the device's power consumption. However, since frequent transmission of small packets is common in many smartphone applications, as a result, a significant amount of transition from idle to active occurs in the core network. These transitions come at the cost of signaling load and related delays. Therefore, to reduce the signaling load and generally the delay, a third state is defined in NR, which is the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0046] In RRC_INACTIVE, the RRC context is retained both at the device and the gNB. Also, the core network connection is maintained. That is, the device is CN_CONNECTED from the perspective of the core network. Therefore, the transition to the connected state for data transfer is performed quickly. Core network signaling is not required. The RRC context already exists within the network, and the transition from idle to active can be processed within the radio access network. At the same time, the device can sleep in a similar manner to the idle state, and mobility is processed through cell reselection, i.e., without network involvement. Therefore, the mobility of the communication device or device is device-controlled rather than network-controlled, and the communication device can contact the network via random access. Therefore, RRC_INACTIVE can be regarded as a mixture of the idle state and the connected state (for details, see E. Dahlman et al., 5G NR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology, 1st edition, Sections 6.5.1 to 6.5.3).

[0047] In some wireless communication systems, including NR or systems similar to NR, such as NR Release 15 / 16, one or more resources in the time and frequency domains, etc., for the Tracking Reference Signal (TRS) and / or CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal) can be set for each UE using RRC parameters for sequence generation, resource mapping, and / or transmission timing (optionally including position and / or density in the time domain). Such per-UE RRC configuration enables on-demand transmission of RS to the configured UE (or group of configured UEs), which is different from systems including some LTE systems where CSI-RS is transmitted according to fixed parameters regardless of the current needs of the UE.

[0048] In some systems such as NR (e.g., Release 15 / 16), the TRS / CSI resources are configured for the UE to be utilized by the UE in RRC_CONNECTED mode for measurements such as, for example, channel state estimation, time tracking, frequency tracking, and / or beam tracking. For UEs in other modes such as RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE, such measurements rely on the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB).

[0049] Furthermore, some systems such as NR Release 16 and later releases may apply relaxation of Radio Resource Management (RRM) measurements to promote power saving of the UE. For example, the UE may be permitted to provide RRM reports less frequently.

[0050] On the other hand, the power saving considerations of NR and similar systems (e.g., NR Release 17) can address the power saving of UEs in idle and inactive modes (RRC_IDLE and RRC_INACTIVE), where system performance is taken into account.

[0051] Specifically, improvements to paging (multiple possible) can be considered and defined to reduce unnecessary monitoring and / or paging reception. Such improvements may be conditional on avoiding impacts on legacy UEs.

[0052] Furthermore, with respect to power saving in the idle and inactive states, potential TRS / CSI opportunities available in the connected mode can be made available to UEs in the idle / inactive mode while minimizing the impact on system overhead.

[0053] On the other hand, considerations regarding power saving can also address the power saving technology of UEs in the connected mode, on the condition that the impact on system performance is minimized.

[0054] This may include the consideration and specification of an extension of power saving adaptation, optionally including adaptation techniques from NR Release 16, including the reduction of PDCCH monitoring when DRX (Discontinuous Reception) (C-DRX) of the connected UE is set. Note that for power saving in NR Release 17, the power saving solutions available in Releases 15 and 16 need to be supported, evaluated, and appropriately utilized by the UE.

[0055] In the consideration of power saving in the connected mode, for example, it is possible to further address the impact of relaxation of UE measurements for radio link monitoring (RLM) and / or beam failure detection (BFD) for low-mobility UEs with short DRX cycles or DRX periods.

[0056] As described above, power saving technologies for the idle mode and the inactive mode may include the reduction of unnecessary paging reception, where paging reception is intended to include PDCCH monitoring (e.g., for paging DCI) and optionally PDSCH reception (e.g., for obtaining paging messages), all of which contribute to the power consumption of the UE. For example, the period of paging reception (e.g., the interval between paging occasions corresponding to the DRX cycle period in the idle mode or the inactive mode) can be made longer. From the perspective of the UE, when the paging reception period becomes longer, the sleep time becomes longer and power is saved. However, a long sleep time can bring issues regarding time and frequency synchronization tracking (or "time / frequency tracking") and beam tracking.

[0057] As described above, in the design of some systems such as NR Release 15 / 16, UEs in the IDLE / INACTIVE mode rely on SSBs for time and frequency tracking. However, when the DRX cycle is long in the idle mode and inactive mode, the UE may need to wake up according to the SSB transmission timing to maintain time and frequency synchronization. For example, when the SSB and the paging occasion are not close, the UE may choose to wake up for a longer period as shown in FIG. 6 to cover both. This may increase power consumption. However, the UE may also wake up first for the SSB as shown in FIG. 7, then go back to the sleep state, and then wake up again for paging reception. This generates additional power ramping effort, which may also be accompanied by more power consumption.

[0058] Furthermore, regarding the beam sweep operation, assuming that the UE is in beam #K, as shown in FIG. 8, the distance between the SSB with index K and the K-th PDCCH (or the paging occasion or paging search space with TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) #K) may increase, which may reduce the paging reception performance. For example, the paging reception performance may be reduced due to the long interval between the SSB and paging resulting in weak channel correlation between them, the mobility of the UE, or frequency selective fading.

[0059] The technology provided by the present disclosure includes an improved configuration of TRS / CSI-RS, which facilitates time / frequency domain tracking and may reduce the power consumption for time / frequency domain tracking and / or paging monitoring.

[0060] A communication device 960 for use in wireless communication is provided and shown in FIG. 9. The communication device 960 includes a transceiver 970 and a circuit 980, such as a processing circuit.

[0061] In some exemplary embodiments, a transceiver 970 (or simply "UE transceiver") of a communication device receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration during operation. A circuit 980 (or "UE circuit") of the communication device determines an RS configuration based on the received system information during operation. The UE transceiver 970 assumes that the RS is available according to the determined RS configuration during operation.

[0062] For example, the communication device 960 is a user terminal or user equipment (UE) in a wireless or cellular communication system such as 3GPP NR, which communicates with a base station 910 and other UEs via a wireless channel. Without limiting the present disclosure to any particular wireless communication system, this communication device is referred to as a "UE" in the present disclosure.

[0063] For example, the UE circuit 980 includes an RS configuration determination circuit 985. According to the present disclosure, an exemplary RS configuration determination circuit of the communication device 960 shown in FIG. 10 may include at least one of an SI (system information) processing circuit 1086 and an RS timing determination circuit 1087.

[0064] A base station 910 further provided that includes a transceiver 920 and a circuit 930 (e.g., a processing circuit), which is also shown in FIG. 9.

[0065] In some exemplary embodiments, a circuit 930 (or "base station circuit") of the base station determines an RS configuration and generates system information including the RS configuration during operation. A transceiver 920 (or "base station transceiver") of the base station 910 transmits the system information during operation. The base station transceiver 920 transmits the RS according to the determined RS configuration.

[0066] The base station 910 communicates with one or more UEs via a wireless channel in a wireless or cellular communication system such as 3GPP NR. For example, the base station is a network node or a scheduling node or device, such as a gNodeB (gNB). For example, the base station provides services to cells in a wireless or cellular network.

[0067] For example, the base station circuit 930 includes an RS configuration circuit 935. An exemplary RS configuration circuit 935 includes an RS configuration determination circuit or an RS configuration generation circuit 1137 and a system information (SI) generation circuit 1136.

[0068] Corresponding to the above communication device, a wireless communication method executed by a communication device such as a user equipment is provided, which is shown in FIG. 12. This method includes receiving system information indicating an RS configuration (step S1210). For example, the SI is received from the base station 910. This method further includes determining an RS configuration based on the received SI (step S1220) and assuming that the RS is available according to the determined RS configuration (step S1230).

[0069] Also, corresponding to the above base station 910, the present disclosure provides a wireless communication method for the base station shown in FIG. 13. This method includes a step S1310 of determining or generating an RS configuration and a step S1320 of generating system information including or indicating the RS configuration. This method further includes transmitting the system information, that is, step S1330. For example, the SI is transmitted to a communication device and received in step S1210 of the corresponding method for the communication device. The method for the base station further includes a step S1340 of transmitting a reference signal according to the determined RS configuration.

[0070] Any embodiment and example of the present disclosure refer to and are understood to be applicable to the communication device 960, the base station 910, and the corresponding methods for the communication device and the base station, respectively.

[0071] For example, system information including or indicating RS configuration is a system information block (SIB) or a master information block (MIB).

[0072] For example, the reference signal configured by the RS configuration includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0073] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of sequence generation (e.g., setting one or more parameters for generating a sequence of RS values, or row indices of a table defining all possible RS values), resource mapping (e.g., mapping of the RS to resources in the frequency domain such as physical resource blocks (PRBs) or bandwidth parts, and resources in the time domain such as frames, subframes, slots (or TTIs), and symbols), and transmission timing.

[0074] According to some exemplary embodiments, UE 960 is expected to receive an RS configuration such as a TRS / CSI-RS configuration transmitted or broadcast by base station 910 in an SIB. This is shown as step S1410 (corresponding to step S1210 in FIG. 12) in FIG. 14, which gives an example of the method of the UE shown in FIG. 12.

[0075] If UE 960 receives an SIB and the TRS / CSI configuration is not detected in the received SIB where the TRS / CSI is received in step S1415, the UE does not assume that the TRS / CSI RS is available and does not consider the TRS / CSI RS in processing the received SIB (step S1450 in FIG. 14).

[0076] However, if the UE detects the TRS / CSI configuration in the SIB in step 1415, the UE assumes that the TRS and / or CSI-RS are available according to the configuration indicated by the SIB (step 1430 corresponding to S1230). For example, as will be described in more detail, the UE may assume that the RS is available before the paging occasion or before the SIB.

[0077] Assuming that the RS is available according to the configuration, the UE may receive the RS according to the configuration.

[0078] For example, the UE may receive data multiplexed on physical (e.g., time and frequency) resources and perform rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS configuration.

[0079] For example, the communication system may be NR, and the UE 960 may be a UE belonging to Release 17 or any later release. In this example, the base station 910 includes the configuration of the UE after Release 17 in the SIB (or MIB). The UE 960 may perform rate matching for all possible PDSCHs received by all UEs after Release 17. For example, any UE after Release 17 performs rate matching of the received PDSCH considering the presence of the RS according to the configuration.

[0080] Also, the UE 960 may perform tracking or synchronization tracking including at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking according to the configured RS configuration.

[0081] For example, the UE 960 receives a synchronization signal block (SSB), and performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0082] For example, as shown by step S1440 in FIG. 14, the UE 960 may perform time, frequency, and / or beam tracking by receiving the SSB as well as the configured TRS / CSI-RS, and / or perform rate matching of the data received around the configured TRS / CSI RS, such as considering the resource mapping and / or transmission timing indicated by the RS configuration.

[0083] For example, if the configuration includes a configuration of the transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state or is a configuration having a TCI state, the UE 960 may perform beam tracking by receiving the TRS / CSI-RS configured in a wireless system implementing multi-beam operation.

[0084] In some embodiments, the control resource set (CORESET) and RS for paging are quasi-co-located (QCL). For example, if the TCI state is set for the CORESET for paging (or "paging CORESET"), the UE 960 (or UE circuit 980) assumes that the TRS / CSI-RS and the paging CORESET are QCL. The paging CORESET is a set of resources including paging DCI. For example, the paging CORESET can be transmitted in different OFDM symbols within a slot or TTI. The quasi-collocation of two signals means that the UE assumes that the transmission parameters of the two signals are similar, including, for example, Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, and delay spread.

[0085] For example, when additional TRS / CSI-RS are provided after a long sleep time (such as a UE in IDLE or INACTIVE mode), or when there is a large gap between SSB bursts, the present disclosure can facilitate time / frequency tracking and beam tracking by enabling RS configuration and, in some cases, time / frequency tracking and beam tracking based on SSB, rather than relying solely on SSB. Further, when not only SSB but also RS is used, tracking can be performed with higher accuracy depending on the timing and the resources to which the RS are mapped.

[0086] In the above disclosure, embodiments in which the RS are configured by system information have been described. However, the present disclosure also provides embodiments in which the timing of RS transmission is set to be related to the timing of other signals. For example, a UE may be expected to receive TRS / CSI-RS at an opportunity (e.g., having a time relationship) related to the paging occasion (PO) and / or paging frame (PF) of the UE. A PO is a set of opportunities to monitor paging PDCCH (opportunities to monitor for paging DCI of the paging PDCCH), and each opportunity corresponds to one transmission beam in a multi-beam operation.

[0087] Such a setting of the transmission timing of the RS can be performed in combination with the above-described embodiments in which the RS configuration is provided within system information. However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the transmission timing can also be a capability reported by the UE and, alternatively, can be set by, for example, RRC parameters. Or, the transmission timing can be a fixed value or a default value (e.g., defined in the standard).

[0088] In some embodiments, the UE circuit 980, in operation, determines the time distance at which a time window including a reference signal starts before a paging occasion, paging frame, or SIB of the communication device, and the UE transceiver 970, in operation, assumes that the RS is available within the time window.

[0089] For example, the RS setting of the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0090] Thus, the start position or start boundary of the time window of the RS can be set by the system information, but this is not essential as it can be reported by the UE, for example, set as an RRC parameter, or fixed. This is shown in FIGS. 10 and 15 by dashed lines, and FIG. 15 shows steps S1520 and S1530 corresponding to steps S1220 and S1230, but does not show the step corresponding to step S1210.

[0091] For example, the TRS / CSI-RS time domain position is a time window that starts before the X frames, subframes, slots / TTIs, or symbols of the PO / PF. For example, X can be the number of TTIs (e.g., slots), the number of symbols, or any combination of frames, subframes, TTIs / slots, and symbols. However, the TRS / CSI-RS time domain position can also be a time window that starts before the X TTIs / slots or symbols of the SIB.

[0092] And the UE assumes that the TRS / CSI-RS is available in the time window before the SIB or before the paging frame / occasion, performs time / frequency tracking by receiving the TRS / CSI-RS and optionally the SSB, and / or assumes that the RS is multiplexed with the data of the PDCCH and performs rate matching for the PDCCH as described above.

[0093] Also, as described above, for example, if the configuration includes a configuration in the TCI state or has a configuration in the TCI state, the UE may perform beam tracking by receiving the configured TRS / CSI-RS. If the TCI state is configured for the paging CORESET, the UE may assume that the TRS / CSI-RS and the paging are QCL.

[0094] By setting and transmitting the RS in the time window before the paging occasion, the UE may facilitate synchronous tracking particularly for tracking that depends on the SSB, and may further facilitate the execution of paging, such as the secure transmission and reception of paging DCI and / or messages, in a reliable and robust manner in the idle mode or non-active mode.

[0095] For example, the transmission timing (for example, at least one of the time domain position and the RS density such as the above-mentioned time window) is determined based on at least one of the following parameters. · The discontinuous reception DRX cycle T of the communication device · The number of paging frames N in the DRX cycle (for example, the total number of paging frames in the DRX cycle). · The number of paging occasions Ns of the paging frame (for example, the total number of paging occasions in the paging frame, or the number of paging occasions per beam). · The offset used for determining the paging frame (for example, the parameter PF_offset) · The identifier of the UE corresponding to the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device (for example, the shortened temporary network subscriber identification information 5G-S-TMSI). For example, the timing of the RS may be determined based on the value of 5G-S-TMSI mod 1024.

[0096] The TRS / CSI-RS time domain position and / or density can be calculated by the UE circuit 980 and the base station circuit 930 based on at least one of the parameters listed above. For example, the calculation function used for this calculation can be a linear function.

[0097] From the perspective of individual UEs, the required RS density, e.g., the density of TRS / CSI-RS required to perform RS-based channel state measurement or synchronization, can depend on the UE's mobility status, channel state, and traffic arrival rate (e.g., the arrival rate of service-driven data packets from the application layer). Additionally, UE types with reduced UE capabilities may also be considered to have different requirements for TRS / CSI-RS density.

[0098] In some embodiments, the UE circuit 980 determines the RS density at which RS is transmitted within the cell based on the received RS configuration, and based on the determined RS density and at least one of the UE's capabilities, mobility status, channel state, and traffic arrival rate, determines or decides whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging (e.g., monitoring paging occasions), or accessing the cell.

[0099] Here, "camping on the cell" includes starting to monitor paging, reading the SIB from the cell, and performing measurements using the RS from the cell. "Accessing the cell" refers to the step of starting a random access for some reason, which can be further performed in addition to camping. For example, such reasons may include detecting paging of this UE, having data to transmit from the upper / higher layer, and / or updating the tracking area.

[0100] The UE may be expected to receive broadcast information (e.g., system information) including minimum requirements for TRS / CSI-RS configuration and / or TRS / CSI-RS density from a base station or gNB that provides services to the cell supported by the network, base station, or cell. The UE may then determine or decide whether to permit access to the cell or whether it is possible, for example, by comparing the required RS density or the RS density supported by the network with the UE capabilities or the RS density corresponding to the UE capabilities, or other parameters such as the mobility status, channel state, or traffic arrival rate.

[0101] RS density means the frequency at which the RE (resource element) carrying the RS appears in the time and frequency domain resource grid of the RS pattern. For example, TRS / CSI-RS is configured with resources every two OFDM symbols within one TTI (e.g., slot), or every two subsequent TTIs every 5 TTIs, and / or every three (or, for example, two, four, or more numbers) subcarriers of each PRB. Alternatively, the number of symbols between symbols having RS may vary within a TTI.

[0102] By providing an embodiment for determining whether the UE should perform connection to the cell or receive paging of the cell, the present disclosure eliminates inappropriate UEs from communicating in this cell, and facilitates efficient operation within the cell by preventing the UE from facing problems such as insufficient synchronization, reception of paging and other signals, channel estimation, or other operations in terms of RS density requirements that the UE cannot meet.

[0103] The present disclosure is applicable to a UE operating in each of an idle mode, an inactive mode, and a connected mode. For example, by providing the above-described RS configuration in system information, it becomes available to a UE in an idle mode or an inactive mode. Further, by specifying a timing or a time window for receiving an RS that depends on a paging occasion, a paging frame, or an SIB, and in some cases is close to or adjacent to the paging frame / occasion or system information, a UE in an idle state or an inactive state can save power by shortening the wake-up time or by avoiding additional power ramping caused by a transition to additional wake-up / sleep for RS reception.

[0104] Further, according to the present disclosure, a UE may report its UE capabilities or provide assistance information regarding a TRS / CSI-RS density and / or support for QCL between an RS and an SSB index and / or a TCI state in the RRC_CONNECTED mode. The UE may also report a QCL source, e.g., an SSB index (or a beam index), with respect to the TCI state.

[0105] In some embodiments, the UE 960 transmits a report regarding at least one of the UE capabilities and a required or proposed RS density. For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the UE type, UE capabilities, mobility status, and traffic situation (e.g., the above-described traffic arrival rate) of the UE. For example, the report is transmitted in a MAC CE (control element) or an RRC message.

[0106] For example, UE 960 may report the required TRS / CSI-RS density as a capability, or report an indication of the UE's capabilities from which the base station may determine the required density of the UE. The capabilities or required density may be related to UE types such as industrial wireless sensors, surveillance cameras, or wearables that can be used in one or more of the usage scenarios such as eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC, for example, UE types with reduced capabilities.

[0107] However, UE 960 may also report, for example, proposed information including a proposal regarding the TRS / CSI-RS density or a proposed RS density. For example, the proposed value may depend on the implementation of the UE, and may depend on and take into account one or more of the hardware performances such as the traffic situation of the UE, the mobility status of the UE, the capabilities, and the accuracy of the UE's clock.

[0108] Based on the capabilities or required / proposed density values reported by the UE, gNB or base station 910 may determine RS settings such as the TRS / CSI-RS settings of the reporting UE, depending on the implementation, etc.

[0109] The present disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware, or software operating in conjunction with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each of the above-described embodiments can be partially or entirely realized by a large-scale integration (LSI) such as an integrated circuit (IC). Each process described in each embodiment may be partially or entirely controlled by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be formed as an individual chip, or one chip may be formed to include part or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include data input / outputs coupled thereto. Here, the LSI may be referred to as an IC, a system LSI, a super LSI, or an ultra LSI depending on the degree of integration. However, the technology for realizing the integrated circuit is not limited to the LSI and may be realized using an application-specific circuit, a general-purpose processor, or an application-specific processor. Further, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) that can be programmed after manufacturing of an LSI or a reconfigurable processor in which the connection and setting of circuit cells arranged inside the LSI are reconfigurable may be used. The present disclosure can be realized as digital processing or analog processing. As a result of the progress of semiconductor technology and other derivative technologies, when future integrated circuit technology replaces the LSI, the functional blocks can be integrated using the future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

[0110] The present disclosure can be implemented by any type of device, apparatus, or system having a communication function, referred to as a communication device.

[0111] The communication device may have a transceiver and a processing / control circuit. The transceiver may have and / or function as a receiver and a transmitter. The transceiver as a transmitter and a receiver may include an RF (Radio Frequency) module including an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, etc. and one or more antennas.

[0112] Some non-limiting examples of such communication devices include telephones (e.g., mobile (cell) phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, netbooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, remote health / telemedicine devices, and vehicles that provide communication capabilities (e.g., automobiles, airplanes, ships), as well as various combinations thereof.

[0113] The communication device is not limited to being portable or mobile, and may include any type of device, apparatus or system that is non-portable or fixed, such as smart home devices (e.g., home appliances, lighting, smart meters, control panels), vending machines, and any other "things" in a network of the "Internet of Things (IoT)".

[0114] Communication may include, for example, exchanging data via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, etc., and various combinations thereof. The communication device may include a device such as a controller or sensor coupled to a communication device that performs the communication functions described in this disclosure. For example, the communication device may include a controller or sensor that generates a control signal or data signal used by a communication device that performs the communication functions of the communication device.

[0115] The communication device may also include an infrastructure facility such as a base station, access point, etc., and any other device, apparatus or system that communicates with or controls a device such as those in the above non-limiting examples.

[0116] A communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising: a transceiver that receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) setting during operation; and a circuit that determines an RS setting based on the received system information during operation, wherein the transceiver assumes that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting during operation.

[0117] In some embodiments, the transceiver receives data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS during operation, and the circuit performs rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS setting during operation.

[0118] For example, the circuit performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS during operation.

[0119] For example, the transceiver receives a synchronization signal block (SSB) during operation, and the circuit performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS during operation.

[0120] In some embodiments, the circuit determines an RS density at which the RS is transmitted within a cell based on the RS setting during operation, and determines whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0121] In some embodiments, the transceiver transmits a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and a required or proposed RS density during operation.

[0122] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0123] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping RS, and the transmission timing of RS.

[0124] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including RS starts before the paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0125] For example, the transmission timing of RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0126] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0127] A communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising, in operation, a circuit that determines the time distance at which a time window including a reference signal RS starts before the paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device, and a transceiver that, in operation, assumes that RS is available within the time window.

[0128] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives data on a physical resource multiplexed with RS, and the circuit, in operation, performs rate matching of the received data according to RS assumed to be available in the time window.

[0129] For example, the circuit, in operation, performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0130] For example, during operation, the transceiver receives a synchronization signal block SSB, and the circuit, during operation, performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0131] In some embodiments, the circuit, during operation, determines the RS density within the time window in which the RS is transmitted within the cell based on the RS configuration, and determines whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0132] In some embodiments, the transceiver, during operation, transmits a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0133] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0134] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0135] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0136] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0137] A base station for use in wireless communication, comprising, in operation, a circuit that determines a reference signal RS setting and generates system information including the RS setting, and a transceiver that, in operation, transmits the system information and transmits the RS according to the determined RS setting.

[0138] In some embodiments, the circuit, in operation, performs rate matching of data according to the determined RS setting, and the transceiver, in operation, transmits the rate-matched data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS.

[0139] For example, the transceiver, in operation, transmits the RS to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0140] For example, the transceiver, in operation, transmits a synchronization signal block SSB to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0141] In some embodiments, the transceiver, in operation, receives a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of a communication device that transmits a report and the required or proposed RS density, and the circuit determines the RS setting based on the report.

[0142] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0143] For example, the RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0144] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device.

[0145] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, an offset used for determining the paging frame, and temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0146] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0147] A base station for use in wireless communication, comprising, in operation, a circuit that determines a time distance at which a time window including a reference signal (RS) starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block, and a transceiver that transmits the RS within the time window in operation.

[0148] In some embodiments, the circuit performs rate matching of data according to a determined RS setting in operation, and the transceiver transmits, in operation, data rate-matched with the RS on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS according to the RS setting within the time window.

[0149] For example, the transceiver transmits the RS to the communication device in operation, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0150] For example, during operation, the transceiver transmits a synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0151] In some embodiments, during operation, the transceiver receives a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device that transmits a report and the required or proposed RS density, and the circuit determines the RS setting based on the report.

[0152] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0153] For example, the RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0154] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0155] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0156] A method for wireless communication including the following steps performed by a communication device, the following steps including receiving system information indicating an RS setting, determining an RS setting based on the received system information, and assuming that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting, is further provided.

[0157] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving data with physical resources multiplexed with the RS, and performing rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS configuration.

[0158] For example, the method includes performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0159] For example, the method includes receiving a synchronization signal block SSB, and performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0160] In some embodiments, the method includes determining an RS density at which the RS is transmitted within a cell based on the RS configuration, and determining whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0161] In some embodiments, the method includes transmitting a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0162] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0163] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and transmission timing of the RS.

[0164] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device.

[0165] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, an offset used for determining the paging frame, and temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0166] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0167] A method for wireless communication including the following steps performed by a communication device, the following steps including determining a time distance at which a time window including a reference signal (RS) starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device, and assuming that the RS is available within the time window.

[0168] In some embodiments, this method includes receiving data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS and performing rate matching of the received data according to the RS assumed to be available within the time window.

[0169] For example, this method includes performing at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0170] For example, this method includes receiving a synchronization signal block SSB, and the circuit, in operation, executes at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0171] In some embodiments, this method includes determining the RS density within a time window in which the RS is transmitted within the cell based on the RS configuration, and determining whether to execute at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0172] In some embodiments, this method includes transmitting a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0173] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0174] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0175] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0176] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0177] A method for wireless communication including the following steps performed by a base station, the steps including determining a reference signal RS setting, generating system information including the RS setting, transmitting the system information, and transmitting the RS according to the determined RS setting. Further provided is a method.

[0178] In some embodiments, the method includes performing rate matching of data according to the determined RS setting and transmitting the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS.

[0179] For example, the method includes transmitting the RS to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0180] For example, the method includes transmitting a synchronization signal block SSB to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0181] In some embodiments, the method includes receiving a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of a communication device transmitting a report and a required or proposed RS density, and determining the RS setting based on the report.

[0182] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0183] For example, the RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0184] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device.

[0185] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0186] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0187] A method for wireless communication including the following steps executed by a base station, the steps including determining a time distance at which a time window including a reference signal (RS) starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block, and transmitting the RS within the time window, further provides a method.

[0188] In some embodiments, this method includes performing rate matching of data according to the determined RS setting, and transmitting the data rate-matched with the RS according to the RS setting on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS within the time window.

[0189] For example, this method includes transmitting the RS to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0190] For example, this method includes transmitting a synchronization signal block SSB to a communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0191] In some embodiments, this method includes receiving a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device transmitting the report and the required or proposed RS density, and determining an RS setting based on the report.

[0192] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0193] For example, the RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0194] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0195] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0196] In operation, an integrated circuit is further provided to control a communication device for use in wireless communication to receive system information indicating an RS setting, determine an RS setting based on the received system information, and assume that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting.

[0197] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive data with physical resources multiplexed with RS and perform rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS settings.

[0198] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0199] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive the synchronization signal block SSB and perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0200] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to determine the RS density at which RS is transmitted within the cell based on the RS settings, and determine whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to transmit a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0202] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0203] For example, the RS settings include at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping RS, and the transmission timing of RS.

[0204] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device.

[0205] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of a discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0206] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0207] In operation, an integrated circuit is further provided to control a communication device for use in wireless communication to determine the time distance at which a time window including a reference signal (RS) starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block of the communication device, and to assume that the RS is available within the time window.

[0208] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to receive data with physical resources multiplexed with the RS and perform rate matching of the received data according to the RS assumed to be available within the time window.

[0209] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS.

[0210] For example, the integrated circuit controls the communication device to perform at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS.

[0211] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls a communication device to determine, based on the RS configuration, the RS density within the time window in which the RS is transmitted within the cell, and based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device, determine whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell.

[0212] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls a communication device to transmit a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density.

[0213] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0214] For example, the RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0215] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0216] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0217] In operation, there is further provided an integrated circuit that controls a base station for use in wireless communication to determine a reference signal RS configuration, generate system information including the RS configuration, transmit the system information, and transmit the RS according to the determined RS configuration.

[0218] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to perform rate matching of data according to determined RS settings and transmit the rate-matched data on physical resources multiplexed with the RS.

[0219] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit the RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0220] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block SSB to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0221] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to receive a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device transmitting the report and the required or proposed RS density, and determine the RS settings based on the report.

[0222] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation.

[0223] For example, the RS settings include at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and the transmission timing of the RS.

[0224] For example, the transmission timing includes the time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before the paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device.

[0225] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of the discontinuous reception (DRX) cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame, the offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0226] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS).

[0227] In operation, an integrated circuit is further provided to control a base station for use in wireless communication to determine a time distance at which a time window including the reference signal (RS) starts before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block, and to transmit the RS within the time window.

[0228] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to perform rate matching of data according to the determined RS setting and to transmit the rate-matched data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS according to the RS setting within the time window.

[0229] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit the RS to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the RS received from the base station.

[0230] For example, the integrated circuit controls the base station to transmit a synchronization signal block (SSB) to the communication device, and the communication device performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the RS received from the base station.

[0231] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls a base station to receive a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of a communication device that transmits a report and a required or proposed RS density, and determine an RS setting based on the report.

[0232] For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of a type of the communication device, capabilities of the communication device, a mobility status of the communication device, and a traffic situation.

[0233] For example, the RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and transmission timing of the RS.

[0234] For example, the transmission timing of the RS is determined based on at least one of a discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, a number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, a number of paging occasions of the paging frame, an offset used for determination of the paging frame, and temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

[0235] In some embodiments, the RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS.

[0236] In operation, an integrated circuit that controls processing of a communication device, the processing including receiving system information indicating a reference signal RS setting, determining an RS setting based on the received system information, assuming that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting, is further provided.

[0237] In operation, an integrated circuit that controls processing of a base station, the processing including determining a reference signal RS setting, generating system information including the RS setting, Transmitting system information, transmitting RS according to the determined RS setting, and further providing an integrated circuit including the above.

[0238] In summary, there is provided a communication device and a base station for use in wireless communication, a method for the communication device, and a method for the base station. The communication device is a communication device for use in wireless communication, and includes a transceiver that receives system information indicating an RS setting during operation, and a circuit that determines an RS setting based on the received system information during operation. The transceiver assumes that RS is available according to the determined RS setting during operation.

Claims

1. A communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising: a transceiver that receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) setting; a circuit that determines the RS setting based on the received system information; The circuit determines, prior to a paging occasion of the communication device, a time distance at which a time window including the RS starts, The time window indicates a period during which the RS is available. A communication device.

2. The transceiver receives data on a physical resource multiplexed with the RS, The circuit performs rate matching of the received data according to the determined RS setting. The communication device according to claim 1.

3. The circuit performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received RS. The communication device according to claim 1.

4. The transceiver receives a synchronization signal block SSB, The circuit performs at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking based on the received SSB and the received RS. The communication device according to claim 3.

5. The circuit determines an RS density at which the RS is transmitted within a cell based on the RS setting, and determines whether to perform at least one of camping on the cell, monitoring paging, or accessing the cell based on the RS density and the capabilities of the communication device. The communication device according to claim 1.

6. The transceiver transmits a report regarding at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and a required or proposed RS density. The communication device according to claim 1.

7. The required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the type of the communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic situation. The communication device according to claim 6.

8. The RS setting includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and transmission timing of the RS. The communication device according to claim 1.

9. The transmission timing of the RS is a discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions of the paging frame. ​ The offset used for determining the paging frame, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device, determined based on at least one of them, The communication device according to claim 8.

10. The RS includes at least one of a tracking reference signal TRS and a channel state information reference signal CSI-RS, The communication device according to claim 1.

11. A method for wireless communication including the following steps executed by a communication device, wherein the following steps are: Receiving system information indicating a reference signal RS setting; Determining the RS setting based on the received system information; Determining a time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion of the communication device, wherein the time window indicates a period during which the RS is available, Method.

12. An integrated circuit for controlling the processing of a communication device, wherein the processing is: Receiving system information indicating a reference signal RS setting; Determining the RS setting based on the received system information; Determining a time distance at which a time window including the RS starts before a paging occasion of the communication device, wherein the time window indicates a period during which the RS is available, Integrated circuit.

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