Systems and methods using reflection-based communication elements

Abstract

In some aspects, a wireless communication method includes transmitting a first message to a second wireless communication node by a first wireless communication node for suspending sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node, where the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Technical Field FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to wireless communications, and more particularly to systems and methods for designing or configuring reference signaling. [Background technology]

[0002] background The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®), a standards organization, is currently defining a new air interface called 5G New Radio (5G NR) and the Next Generation Packet Core Network (NG-CN or NGC). 5G NR will have three main components: the 5G Access Network (5G-AN), the 5G Core Network (5GC), and the User Equipment (UE). To facilitate the enablement of different data services and requirements, the elements of the 5GC, also known as network functions, have been simplified; some of them are software-based and some are hardware-based, so they can be adapted as needed. Summary of the Invention [Means for solving the problem]

[0003] overview The exemplary embodiments disclosed herein are directed to solving problems associated with one or more of the problems presented in the prior art, as well as providing additional features that will become readily apparent from a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In accordance with various embodiments, exemplary systems, methods, devices, and computer program products are disclosed herein. It is understood, however, that these embodiments are presented by way of example, and not limitation, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure that various modifications can be made to the disclosed embodiments while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0004] In some aspects, a wireless communication method includes transmitting, by a first wireless communication node to a second wireless communication node, a first message for suspending sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node, wherein the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node.

[0005] In some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node.

[0006] These and other aspects and their implementations are described in more detail in the drawings, the specification, and the claims. The present invention provides, for example, the following items. (Item 1) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: transmitting, by a first wireless communication node to a second wireless communication node, a first message for suspending sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; A wireless communication method comprising: (Item 2) The first message above is an identifier for said reflection-based communication element; the reason for said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; or the duration of said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; Item 1, the wireless communication method including at least one of the following. (Item 3) Item 10. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node. (Item 4) 4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein the first message further indicates that the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be partially used by the second wireless communication node. (Item 5) 5. The wireless communication method of claim 4, wherein, when a mode in which the reflection-based communication element is shared by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is time division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a period of time during which the reflection-based communication element is temporarily used by the second wireless communication node. (Item 6) 5. The wireless communication method of claim 4, wherein, if the mode in which the reflection-based communication element is shared by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is frequency division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a frequency band to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node. (Item 7) Item 5. The wireless communication method of item 4, wherein, when the mode in which the reflection-based communication element is shared by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is spatial division multiplexing, the first message further indicates information of a reflection panel temporarily used by the second wireless communication node. (Item 8) receiving, by the first wireless communication node, from the second wireless communication node, a second message acknowledging the first message; Item 1. The wireless communication method according to item 1, further comprising: (Item 9) The second message above is an identifier of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged; the duration of said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element being acknowledged; an acknowledgement of whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node; or which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged are configured for temporary use by the second wireless communication node; 9. The wireless communication method according to item 8, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 10) sending, by the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node to the reflection-based communication element, a third message indicating the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element if the second wireless communication node responds with an acknowledgment to the first message; Item 1. The wireless communication method according to item 1, further comprising: (Item 11) The third message above is: an identifier of the first wireless communication node; the reason for said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; a period of said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node; which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node; updated shared configuration parameters associated with said reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; Item 11. The wireless communication method according to item 10, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 12) 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein the original codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element remains during the suspension, and after the reflection-based communication element receives a fourth message indicating the suspension of its own sharing, the reflection-based communication element maintains the original codebook configured by the first wireless communication node for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element and the original shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element. (Item 13) restoring, by the first wireless communication node, the sharing of the reflection-based communication element. Item 1. The wireless communication method according to item 1, further comprising: (Item 14) transmitting, by the first wireless communication node to the second wireless communication node, a fifth message indicating the restoration of the sharing of the reflection-based communication element. Item 14. The wireless communication method according to item 13, further comprising: (Item 15) receiving, by the first wireless communication node, from the second wireless communication node, a sixth message acknowledging the fifth message; Item 15. The wireless communication method according to item 14, further comprising: (Item 16) transmitting, by the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node, to the reflection-based communication element, a seventh message indicating the restoration of the sharing of the reflection-based communication element. Item 14. The wireless communication method according to item 13, further comprising: (Item 17) The seventh message above is: an identifier of the wireless communication node that will resume sharing the reflection-based communication element; updated shared configuration parameters associated with said reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; Item 17. The wireless communication method according to item 16, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 18) Item 17. The wireless communication method of item 16, wherein the reflection-based communication element resumes the sharing in accordance with the seventh message. (Item 19) 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: receiving, by a reflection-based communication element from a first wireless communication node or a second wireless communication node, a first message for suspending sharing of the reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node, wherein the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; A wireless communication method comprising: (Item 20) The first message above is an identifier of the wireless communication node that is to discontinue sharing the reflection-based communication element; the reason for said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; a period of said interruption of said sharing of said reflection-based communication element; whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the wireless communication node that does not interrupt sharing; which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be temporarily used by the wireless communication node that does not discontinue sharing; updated shared configuration parameters associated with said reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; 20. The wireless communication method of claim 19, comprising at least one of: (Item 21) receiving, by the reflection-based communication element, from the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node, a second message for resuming the sharing; 20. The wireless communication method of claim 19, further comprising: (Item 22) The second message above is an identifier of the wireless communication node that will resume sharing the reflection-based communication element; updated shared configuration parameters associated with said reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; 22. The wireless communication method according to item 21, comprising at least one of the following: (Item 23) 23. A wireless communication device comprising at least one processor and a memory, wherein the at least one processor is configured to read code from the memory and to perform the method described in any one of items 1 to 22. (Item 24) 23. A computer program product comprising a computer-readable program medium code stored thereon, the code, when executed by at least one processor, causing the at least one processor to perform the method of any of items 1 to 22. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described in detail below with reference to the following figures or drawings. The drawings are provided for illustrative purposes only and merely depict exemplary embodiments of the present solution to facilitate the reader's understanding of the present solution. Therefore, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the breadth, scope, or applicability of the present solution. It should be noted that for clarity and ease of explanation, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary cellular communication network in which the techniques and other aspects disclosed herein may be implemented, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0009] [Figure 2] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary base station and user equipment device in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0010] [Figure 3] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an example coverage area of ​​multiple base stations, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0011] [Figure 4] FIG. 4 illustrates a swim-lane diagram of an example process for initiating the process of sharing a RIS between neighboring base stations, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0012] [Figure 5] FIG. 5 illustrates a swimlane diagram of another example process for initiating a shared suspension, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0013] [Figure 6]FIG. 6 illustrates a swim-lane diagram of an exemplary process for resuming joint use of a RIS, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0014] [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates a method for discontinuing sharing of a reflection-based communication element according to some embodiments.

[0015] [Figure 8] FIG. 8 illustrates a method for discontinuing sharing of a reflection-based communication element according to some embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0016] Detailed Description To enable those skilled in the art to make and use the present solution, various exemplary embodiments of the present solution are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, various changes or modifications can be made to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of the present solution. Therefore, the present solution is not limited to the exemplary embodiments and applications described and illustrated herein. Furthermore, any specific order or hierarchy of steps in the methods disclosed herein is merely an example approach. The specific order or hierarchy of steps in any disclosed method or process can be rearranged based on design preferences while remaining within the scope of the present solution. Therefore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the methods and techniques disclosed herein present various steps or operations in a sample order, and the present solution is not limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented, unless otherwise specified.

[0017] A. Network and Computing Environment 1 illustrates an exemplary wireless communication network and / or system 100 in which the techniques disclosed herein may be implemented, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the following description, the wireless communication network 100 may be any wireless network, such as a cellular network or a narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) network, and is referred to herein as “network 100.” Such exemplary network 100 includes a base station 102 (hereinafter “BS 102”) and user equipment devices 104 (hereinafter “UE 104”) that can communicate with each other via communication links 110 (e.g., wireless communication channels), and a cluster of cells 126, 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 that overlap a geographic region 101. In FIG. 1, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are contained within the respective geographic boundaries of the cell 126. Each of the other cells 130, 132, 134, 136, 138, and 140 may include at least one base station operating in its assigned bandwidth to provide adequate wireless coverage to its intended users.

[0018] For example, the BS 102 may operate in a channel transmission bandwidth allocated to provide adequate coverage to the UE 104. The BS 102 and the UE 104 may communicate via a downlink radio frame 118 and an uplink radio frame 124, respectively. Each radio frame 118 / 124 may be further divided into subframes 120 / 127, which may include data symbols 122 / 128. In this disclosure, the BS 102 and the UE 104 are generally described herein as non-limiting examples of "communication nodes" capable of implementing the methods disclosed herein. Such communication nodes may be capable of wireless and / or wired communication in accordance with various embodiments of the present solution.

[0019] 2 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary wireless communication system 200 for transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals, e.g., OFDM / OFDMA signals, in accordance with some embodiments of the present solution. System 200 may include components and elements configured to support known or conventional operational features that need not be described in detail herein. In one exemplary embodiment, system 200 may be used to communicate (e.g., transmit and receive) data symbols in a wireless communication environment, such as wireless communication environment 100 of FIG. 1, as described above.

[0020] The system 200 generally includes a base station 202 (hereinafter “BS 202”) and a user equipment device 204 (hereinafter “UE 204”). The BS 202 includes a BS (base station) transceiver module 210, a BS antenna 212, a BS processor module 214, a BS memory module 216, and a network communication module 218, each of which is coupled and interconnected as needed via a data communication bus 220. The UE 204 includes a UE (user equipment) transceiver module 230, a UE antenna 232, a UE memory module 234, and a UE processor module 236, each of which is coupled and interconnected as needed via a data communication bus 240. The BS 202 communicates with the UE 204 over a communication channel 250, which may be any wireless channel or other medium suitable for the transmission of data as described herein.

[0021] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, system 200 may further include any number of modules other than those shown in FIG. 2 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various exemplary blocks, modules, circuits, and processing logic described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware, computer-readable software, firmware, or any practical combination thereof. To clearly illustrate this compatibility and suitability of hardware, firmware, and software, the various exemplary components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are described generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software may depend on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those familiar with the concepts described herein may implement such functionality in a manner suitable for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the UE transceiver 230 may also be referred to herein as an “uplink” transceiver 230, which includes a radio frequency (RF) transmitter and an RF receiver, each with circuitry coupled to an antenna 232. Alternatively, a duplexing switch (not shown) may couple the uplink transmitter or receiver to the uplink antenna in a time-duplexed manner. Similarly, according to some embodiments, the BS transceiver 210 may also be referred to herein as a “downlink” transceiver 210, which includes an RF transmitter and an RF receiver, each with circuitry coupled to an antenna 212. Alternatively, a downlink duplexing switch may couple the downlink transmitter or receiver to the downlink antenna 212 in a time-duplexed manner. The operation of the two transceiver modules 210 and 230 may be coordinated in time such that the downlink transmitter is coupled to the downlink antenna 212 at the same time that the uplink receiver circuitry is coupled to the uplink antenna 232 for receiving transmissions over the wireless transmission link 250. In some embodiments, there is strict time synchronization with a minimum guard time between changes in duplexing direction.

[0023] The UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to communicate via a wireless data communication link 250 and cooperate with appropriately configured RF antenna arrangements 212 / 232 capable of supporting a particular wireless communication protocol and modulation scheme. In some exemplary embodiments, the UE transceiver 210 and the base station transceiver 210 are configured to support industry standards such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) and the emerging 5G standard. However, it will be understood that the present disclosure is not necessarily limited in application to a particular standard and associated protocol. Rather, the UE transceiver 230 and the base station transceiver 210 may be configured to support alternative or additional wireless data communication protocols, including future standards or variants thereof.

[0024] According to various embodiments, the BS 202 may be, for example, an evolved node B (eNB), a serving eNB, a target eNB, a femto station, or a pico station. In some embodiments, the UE 204 may be embodied in various types of user devices, such as a mobile phone, a smartphone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a tablet, a laptop computer, a wearable computing device, etc. The processor modules 214 and 236 may be implemented or realized using a general-purpose processor, an associative memory, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit, a field-programmable gate array, any suitable programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. As such, a processor may be realized as a microprocessor, a controller, a microcontroller, a state machine, etc. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a digital signal processor and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a digital signal processor core, or any other such configuration.

[0025] Furthermore, the steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in a software module executed by processor modules 214 and 236, respectively, or in any practical combination thereof. Memory modules 216 and 234 may be realized as RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. In this regard, memory modules 216 and 234 may be coupled to processor modules 210 and 230, respectively, such that processor modules 210 and 230 can read information from and write information to memory modules 216 and 234, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also be integrated into respective processor modules 210 and 230. In some embodiments, memory modules 216 and 234 may each include a cache memory for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively. Memory modules 216 and 234 may also each include non-volatile memory for storing instructions executed by processor modules 210 and 230, respectively.

[0026] The network communications module 218 generally represents the hardware, software, firmware, processing logic, and / or other components of the base station 202 that enable bidirectional communications between the base station transceiver 210 and other network components and communications nodes configured to communicate with the base station 202. For example, the network communications module 218 may be configured to support Internet or WiMAX traffic. In a typical deployment, without limitation, the network communications module 218 provides an 802.3 Ethernet interface to enable the base station transceiver 210 to communicate with conventional Ethernet-based computer networks. As such, the network communications module 218 may include a physical interface for connecting to a computer network (e.g., a mobile switching center (MSC)). As used herein with respect to a specified operation or function, the terms “configured for,” “configured to,” and conjugations thereof refer to a device, component, circuit, structure, machine, signal, etc. that is physically constructed, programmed, formatted, and / or arranged to perform the specified operation or function.

[0027] B. Reference Signaling Design and Configuration The prior art does not disclose a scenario in which multiple base stations (BSs, e.g., BS102, BS202, Next Generation Node Bs (gNBs), Evolved Node Bs (eNBs), wireless communication nodes, cell towers, 3GPP® wireless access devices, non-3GPP® wireless access devices, network nodes, etc.) share the same Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS). Disclosed herein are system, device, and method embodiments for negotiating and sharing RIS methods, processes, interaction parameters, RIS types, and other issues between base stations in this scenario.

[0028] Due to the explosive growth of data traffic, millimeter wave (mmWave) is being used in fifth-generation mobile communications due to the abundance of available frequency bands in mmWave. One challenge in realizing mmWave communications is path loss. To compensate for the severe path loss of mmWave transmission, mmWave base stations (BSs) can use large-scale antenna arrays for narrow-beam transmission, which can effectively transmit energy directed to a specific area or direction. However, mmWave directional transmission can be susceptible to congestion and even cause connection interruptions, which poses new challenges in establishing and maintaining mmWave links. To this end, reconfigurable intelligent surfaces (RISs) are integrated into mmWave cellular systems.

[0029] In some embodiments, a RIS is an antenna plane containing multiple (low-cost) passive reflecting elements. Each element can independently adjust the phase and amplitude of the incident electromagnetic wave, thereby changing the propagation path of the electromagnetic wave. While conventional wireless technologies can perform signal processing at the transmitting and receiving ends to adapt to dynamic and uncontrollable wireless environments, a RIS can (actively, intelligently, etc.) correct the wireless channel through controllable, intelligent signal reflection techniques. Therefore, a RIS can provide a new degree of freedom for improving wireless link performance and may pave the way for the realization of intelligent, programmable wireless environments. In millimeter-wave cellular systems, congestion issues can significantly degrade communication quality and even disrupt the link. With its ability to change the electromagnetic wave transmission environment, a RIS can be a new way to address the congestion problem in millimeter-wave communications. For a user whose link with its base station is interrupted, the phase of the RIS can be adjusted to allow the electromagnetic wave transmission path to bypass the obstacle and reach the user, thereby improving the communication quality and coverage of the millimeter-wave system.

[0030] Some embodiments of the RIS deployment method employ the deployment of one or more dedicated RISs in the coverage area of ​​a single base station to improve the signal quality of coverage blind spots within the coverage area of ​​the base station. However, the blind spots covered by the RIS may have busy periods and idle periods. When the RIS is in an inactive state or is only using a portion of the resources, the RIS may idle the resources. Therefore, how to fully and efficiently utilize the RIS is a problem that needs to be solved.

[0031] Some wireless communication systems may support the use of wireless repeaters. For example, a wireless repeater may be located between user equipment (UEs, e.g., UE 104, UE 204, mobile devices, wireless communication devices, terminals, etc.) and relay communications between a base station and the UE. Repeaters are used to extend the coverage area of ​​transmitting devices. A repeater may not attempt to decode the signal but may wirelessly receive, amplify, and retransmit an RF signal. Sometimes, the repeater's configuration, e.g., the configuration used to control the direction and width of the retransmitted signal, can be controlled by the base station to achieve flexible repeater use. The use cases and functions of a repeater may be similar to those of a RIS. The difference is that a RIS does not amplify the RF signal, which can save on device costs, and in some cases, may use larger reflective panels to ensure RF signal strength.

[0032] Disclosed herein are embodiments of a system, device, and method for how multiple base stations can improve the efficiency of joint use of a RIS. Figure 3 shows a block diagram of exemplary coverage areas of multiple base stations according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. When there are multiple blind spots near the overlapping area of ​​two or more base station coverage areas, a RIS can be placed in the overlapping area, as shown in Figure 3, and two or more base stations can share and use the RIS.

[0033] Because base station 1 (BS1) and base station 2 (BS2) may have different coverage requirements and beam configurations when covering their respective blind spot areas, different base stations such as BS1 and BS2 may use the RIS in different ways, with different resource and delay requirements.

[0034] In some embodiments, a BS acquires RIS sharing capabilities. Communication between neighboring BSs can include supporting shared RIS information (RIS type, RIS location, RIS sharing capabilities (sharing pattern), RIS terminal identification, and RIS user interface operating state (on / off)). Neighboring BSs can initiate the process of sharing a RIS. In some embodiments, during the (initiation) period, the sharing mode is negotiated and configuration parameters are shared, and during the sharing period, the control module of the RIS establishes a link with that BS. Other auxiliary processes include a sharing mode modification process, a sharing mode termination process, a sharing mode failure process, and a sharing mode abort process.

[0035] In some embodiments, base station 1 and base station 2 negotiate configuration parameters for RIS sharing according to the sharing capabilities of the RIS and their own requirements for using the RIS, and then perform sharing. In some embodiments, if BS1 or BS2 determines that it does not need to use the RIS for the time being but does not want to abandon the negotiated RIS sharing, BS1 or BS2 can request a RIS sharing suspension from the other BS. A RIS sharing suspension may refer to the suspension of joint use of the RIS, in which BS1 and BS2 retain existing RIS sharing configuration parameters, and the RIS retains RIS sharing configuration parameters corresponding to the suspended BS. During the sharing suspension period, whether RIS resources originally allocated by the RIS to the BS whose sharing has been suspended can be used by a BS whose sharing has not been suspended can be negotiated by BS1 and BS2 before the sharing is suspended. In some embodiments, when the suspended BS requests to resume sharing, the suspended BS requests a RIS sharing resume request from the other BS.

[0036] Disclosed herein are embodiments of RIS sharing suspend and resume processes. When BS1 or BS2 needs to suspend pre-negotiated RIS sharing, BS1 or BS2 can initiate a sharing suspend process with the other BS participating in the RIS sharing. Suspension may refer to the suspension, rather than the withdrawal, of the RIS sharing.

[0037] In one embodiment, BS2 initiates a suspension process, the steps of which may include: BS2 sending a RIS sharing suspension request to BS1, BS1 feedbacking a confirmation message, the BS currently establishing a link with the control module of the RIS sending a RIS sharing suspension message to the RIS, and according to the received message, the RIS saving the original sharing configuration parameters, suspending the reflection unit array codebook provided by the sharing BS (e.g., BS2), and performing operations during the sharing suspension.

[0038] BS2 can send a RIS sharing suspension request to BS1. The suspension sharing request can include one or more of the following: the need to suspend the shared RIS service; optionally, the reason for the suspension of sharing (change in its own resource requirements, change in blind spot coverage requirements, RIS coverage performance not meeting requirements, change in business requirements); optionally, the period for which sharing is suspended (defined by a start time and duration, or a start time and an end time); optionally, whether the RIS resources that are idle due to the suspension can be temporarily used by the other BS (BS1) during the suspension sharing period; or optionally, which idle RIS resources of BS2 can be temporarily used by the other BS (BS1) during the sharing suspension period.

[0039] The idle (RIS) resources of BS2 that can be temporarily used by the other BS may include all the idle resources temporarily used by BS1 or a portion of the idle resources temporarily used by BS1. The portion of the idle resources temporarily used by BS1 may include information about the period of time temporarily used by BS1 if the sharing mode is time sharing, information about the frequency band temporarily used by BS1 if the sharing mode is frequency division sharing, or information about the reflective panel (logo) temporarily used by BS1 if the sharing mode is space division sharing.

[0040] BS1 may feedback a confirmation message, where the confirmation message (e.g., content) may include one or more of: confirmation of the RIS logo of the suspended sharing, confirmation of the duration for which the sharing will be suspended, confirmation of whether RIS resources that are idle due to the suspension will be temporarily used by BS1, or confirmation of which idle RIS resources will be temporarily used by BS1 during the confirmed period of suspension of sharing.

[0041] A BS currently establishing a link with the RIS control module can send a RIS sharing suspension message to the RIS. That is, if BS1 is currently connected to the RIS control module, BS1 can send the message; if BS2 is connected to the RIS control module, BS2 can send the message to the RIS control module; or if both BS1 and BS2 are simultaneously establishing connections with the RIS control module, either BS1 or BS2 can send the message. The sharing suspension message can include one or more of the following: suspension of sharing BS identity (in this example, the identity of BS2); optionally, a reason for suspending sharing; optionally, a duration for suspending sharing; optionally, whether idle RIS resources will be temporarily used by BS1 during the suspension sharing period; optionally, which idle RIS resources will be temporarily used by BS1 during the sharing suspension period; and optionally, updated RIS configuration parameters and / or reflector array codebook.

[0042] In accordance with the received message, the RIS may save the original shared configuration parameters, suspend the reflector unit array codebook provided by the sharing BS (in this case, BS2), and perform operations during the sharing suspension. The operations performed during the sharing suspension may include one or more of the RIS maintaining the execution of the existing reflector panel configuration parameters and / or reflector array codebook (RIS resources that are idle due to the suspension remain idle), the RIS automatically applying the reflector panel configuration parameters and reflector unit array codebook used by the non-suspended RIS resources to the suspended RIS resources, or, if the RIS receives updated RIS shared configuration parameters and / or reflector unit array codebook, the RIS configuring the reflector panels according to the received parameters and codebook.

[0043] For a shared, suspended RIS, if BS1 or BS2 wishes to resume execution of the RIS share (e.g., the BS that initiated the suspension or the other BS requests restoration of the RIS share), a restoration process can be initiated.

[0044] In one embodiment, BS2 initiates resumption of RIS sharing execution. Steps for resuming RIS sharing execution may include: BS2 sending a RIS sharing suspend and resume request (e.g., a sharing recovery request) to BS1; BS1 feeding back a sharing recovery confirmation message or a sharing recovery rejection message; a BS currently establishing a link with the control module of the RIS sending a RIS sharing recovery message to the RIS; and the RIS restoring the saved sharing configuration parameters and reflective element array codebook.

[0045] BS2 may send a RIS sharing suspend and resume request to BS1, which may include one or more of an indication that the shared RIS logo needs to be restored, or updated shared configuration parameters for the RIS and / or reflector unit array codebook, as appropriate.

[0046] BS1 may feedback a sharing recovery confirmation message or a sharing recovery rejection message (with a reason for rejection, if necessary). The confirmation message may include one or more of the following: confirmation of restoration of the shared RIS logo, confirmation of the shared configuration parameters of the RIS and / or the reflector element array codebook provided by BS2, or modification of the shared configuration parameters and / or the reflector element array codebook provided by BS2, and transmission of the modified shared configuration parameters and / or the reflector element array codebook.

[0047] A BS that currently has a link established with the control module of the RIS can send a RIS shared recovery message to the RIS, which can include one or more of the following: restoration of the shared BS logo, or, if necessary, updated shared configuration parameters and / or reflective element array codebooks.

[0048] The RIS can restore the saved shared configuration parameters and reflective element array codebook, and if updated shared configuration parameters and / or reflective element array codebook are received, can be configured according to the updated shared configuration parameters and / or reflective element array codebook.

[0049] Before RIS sharing is suspended, the two network nodes sharing use of the RIS negotiate to determine sharing-related information. The sharing-related information may include one or more of the following: a RIS sharing mode, shared configuration parameters of the RIS, or a reflective element array codebook configured for the RIS. The RIS sharing mode may include one or more of time sharing, frequency division sharing, or air separation sharing. The RIS may have multiple reflective panels, and different panels may serve different network nodes.

[0050] BS1 and BS2 can exchange RIS information using the Xn setup process over the Xn interface or a newly defined process over the Xn interface. Shared related information can be sent by BS1 or BS2 to the control module of the RIS, and the transmission mode is that control plane signaling is used to carry the information.

[0051] The sharing configuration parameters may include one or more of configuration parameters for time division sharing, configuration parameters for frequency division sharing, or configuration parameters for air separation sharing. The configuration parameters for time division sharing may include one or more of sharing period information or a time point or time offset at which sharing starts. The sharing period information may indicate that the period may be periodic, i.e., sharing starts over a period of regular intervals, and the parameters include the period, the sharing duration of each period, and the start time offset of the sharing time for each period. The period may be aperiodic, i.e., a period defined by a start time and an end time. The period may be defined by a start time and a duration, or the granularity of the period may be defined in hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, or system frames, subframes, time slots, and symbols.

[0052] The configuration parameters for frequency division sharing may include one or more of shared frequency band information or a RIS reflecting unit array corresponding to the shared frequency band (defined by the number of reflecting units or the row and column extents of the reflecting units).

[0053] The configuration parameters for air separation sharing are one or more of the following: number of shared reflector panels; shared reflector panel identification; configuration mode of the antenna reflector unit array codebook for the shared reflector panel: dynamic, semi-static, static; update time interval for supported configuration parameters (if required); or physical parameters of the shared reflector panel and size of the reflector unit array.

[0054] 4 illustrates a swim-lane diagram of an exemplary process for initiating the process of sharing a RIS between neighboring base stations, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, a neighboring network node actively requests a neighboring cell node to share a RIS.

[0055] At 201: gNB2 determines whether it needs to use the RIS covered by gNB1 based on information previously communicated with gNB1 that can support RIS sharing. Based on the conditions for RIS3 to establish a successful connection, gNB2 can evaluate whether there is a blind spot around RIS3 that needs to be covered, and if so, gNB2 can decide to request RIS3 to be shared.

[0056] At 202: gNB2 sends a sharing request to gNB1. The sharing request may include identification information of the RIS requiring sharing (e.g., UE ID of RIS3), a sharing mode of the target RIS (e.g., sharing configuration parameters of the target RIS, under which one or more desired sharing modes can be provided). For example, RIS3 is a multi-panel RIS.

[0057] The sharing configuration parameters can include the number of reflective panels that need to be shared. For example, if gNB1 notifies RIS3 that there are two reflective panels in the previous RIS communication and that there is one panel that can be shared, gNB2 can apply to share one panel.

[0058] The shared configuration parameters may include a shared reflector panel identification. For example, the serial number of the panel applied for sharing may be used. The shared configuration parameters may include a configuration mode of the antenna reflector unit array of the shared reflector panel: one or more of dynamic, semi-static, and static may be selected, and the codebook configuration parameter update interval may also be notified. The shared configuration parameters may include one or more physical parameters of the scale of the shared reflector panel or reflector unit array: the size of the reflector unit array that needs to be used may be represented by the number of rows and columns.

[0059] In some embodiments, the RIS3 uses time-division sharing. Time-division sharing includes one or more of a request to share period information, a granularity of the period that can be defined in hours, minutes, seconds, milliseconds, or system frames, subframes, timeslots, and symbols, or a time point or time offset at which sharing begins. The request to share period information can indicate that the period may be periodic, i.e., that sharing begins over a period of regular intervals. Parameters include the period, the sharing duration of each period, and a start time offset of the sharing time for each period; the period can be aperiodic, i.e., defined by a start time and an end time, or the period can be defined by a start time and a duration.

[0060] In some embodiments, the RIS 3 uses frequency division sharing, which may include frequency band information that needs to be shared.

[0061] The sharing request may include whether the target RIS is connected to gNB1 or gNB2, or to gNB1 and gNB2 simultaneously, when gNB2 is using the target RIS (the RIS control module must support at least dual connectivity). The sharing request may include the reflective unit array codebook configured for the reflective panel (if multiple panels need to be shared, a corresponding number of reflective unit array codebooks should be provided).

[0062] In 203a: gNB1 decides whether to accept the sharing request. If not, it proceeds to step 603b. If it accepts, it feeds back an acceptance message to gNB2 and confirms or modifies the sharing information required by gNB2. The acceptance message may include an indication of acceptance of the identification information of one or more target RISs to be shared. In this embodiment, if gNB2's sharing request to RIS3 is accepted, the UE ID of RIS3 may be fed back to indicate confirmation. If gNB2 requires multiple RISs to be shared and gNB1 refuses to accept some of the RIS sharing requirements, gNB1 may feed back the identification information of the target RISs for which gNB1 refuses sharing, along with the reason for the refusal (e.g., the target RIS does not support the sharing mode or sharing required by gNB2, or the configuration parameters and target RIS lack sharable resources);

[0063] The acceptance message can include an indication of acceptance of the shared mode of the shared target RIS. The acceptance message can include an indication of acceptance of the shared configuration parameters of the shared target RIS. The acceptance message can include whether the control module of the target RIS is connected to gNB1 or gNB2, or to gNB1 and gNB2 simultaneously, when gNB2 is using the target RIS (the RIS control module must support at least dual connectivity).

[0064] At 203b: If gNB1 does not accept the sharing request, gNB1 feeds back to gNB2 a RIS sharing rejection message that may include the reason for the rejection. For example, the reason may include that the target RIS lacks sharable resources, does not support the required sharing mode or sharing configuration parameters.

[0065] At 204: If the sharing acceptance message is received, gNB1 sends a sharing configuration message to the RIS accepting the sharing. The sharing configuration message may include identification information of gNB2 participating in the sharing, such as the base station cell identification information or physical cell identification information. The sharing configuration message may include one or more of the following: a sharing mode, sharing configuration parameters, or whether the target RIS is connected to gNB1 or gNB2, or simultaneously connected to gNB1 and gNB2 when gNB2 is using the target RIS (the RIS control module must support at least dual connectivity). The sharing configuration message may include one or more of the following, if necessary: ​​a reflector unit array codebook configured by gNB1 for the RIS, or a reflector element array codebook configured by gNB2 for the RIS. At 205: The RIS control plane configures the reflector panel according to the configuration message to perform sharing.

[0066] 5 shows a swim-lane diagram of another example process for initiating a sharing suspension according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, BS1 and BS2 have established a sharing mechanism for RIS3, which is covered by BS1. If BS2 temporarily has no business in the RIS3 coverage area, BS2 can consider suspending the sharing of RIS3, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0067] At 301, BS2 sends a RIS sharing suspension request to BS1. The sharing suspension request can include one or more of the following: an indication of the need to suspend the shared RIS identifier (e.g., UE ID, IMSI, S-TMSI, etc. of RIS3) that can uniquely identify the RIS by BS1 and BS2; a reason for the suspension of sharing (e.g., a change in its own resource requirements, a change in blind spot coverage requirements, RIS coverage performance not meeting requirements, a change in business requirements); a suspension sharing period (which can be defined by a start time and duration, or a start time and an end time); whether RIS resources that are idle due to the suspension can be temporarily used by the other BS (BS1) during the suspension sharing period; or which idle RIS resources of BS2 can be temporarily used by the other BS (BS1) during the sharing suspension period. Examples of idle RIS resources that can be temporarily used by the other BS (BS1) are described above.

[0068] 302: BS1 feeds back a sharing suspension confirmation message, the content of which is described above.

[0069] 303: The BS currently establishing a link with the control module of the RIS sends a RIS sharing interruption message to the RIS. In this example, it is assumed that the RIS is established. In one embodiment, the linked BS is BS1, and BS1 sends the message to the RIS. The contents of the confirmation message are described above.

[0070] 304: According to the received message, the RIS saves the original sharing configuration parameters and the reflection unit array codebook provided by the interrupted sharing BS (in this case, BS2) and performs the operations during the sharing interruption, as described above.

[0071] 6 illustrates a swim-lane diagram of an exemplary process for resuming shared use of a RIS, according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, once BS2 regenerates the blind spot coverage requirements within the coverage area of ​​RIS3, BS2 can request BS1 to resume shared use of RIS3, as shown in FIG.

[0072] 401: BS2 sends a RIS sharing recovery request to BS1. The content of the sharing recovery request is described above.

[0073] 402a: BS1 feeds back a sharing recovery confirmation message or a sharing recovery rejection message (with a rejection reason, if necessary). The content of the confirmation message is described above.

[0074] 402b: If BS1 determines that RIS3's resources are not sufficient to be shared again with BS2 (e.g., BS1 has additional resource requirements for RIS3), BS1 can respond with a BS2 Sharing Restoration Rejection message, which can include the reason for the rejection. The reasons for the rejection are described above.

[0075] 403: The BS currently establishing a link with the control module of the RIS sends a RIS sharing recovery message to the RIS. In this example, assuming that the BS establishing a link with the RIS is BS1, BS1 sends the message to the RIS. The contents of the RIS sharing recovery message are described above.

[0076] 404: The RIS restores the saved shared configuration parameters and reflector array codebook. If the sharing mode is updated, the shared configuration parameters and / or reflector array codebook are received, and the BS is updated according to the shared configuration parameters and / or reflector array codebook.

[0077] 7 illustrates a method 700 for discontinuing sharing of a reflection-based communication element according to some embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1-6, in some embodiments, method 700 may be performed by a first wireless communication node (e.g., a base station, a gNB). Depending on the embodiment, additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in method 700.

[0078] Briefly, in some embodiments, a first wireless communication node sends a first message to a second wireless communication node to suspend sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node (710), and the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node (720).

[0079] More specifically, in operation 710, in some embodiments, a first wireless communication node transmits a first message to a second wireless communication node to suspend sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node is BS2 (which may be referred to as gNB2), the second wireless communication node is BS1 (which may be referred to as gNB1), and the reflection-based communication element is a RIS control module.

[0080] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of an identifier of the reflection-based communication element, a reason for the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element, or a duration of the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element. In some embodiments, the first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node.

[0081] In some embodiments, the first message further indicates that the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be partially used by a second wireless communication node. In some embodiments, if a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is time division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a period of temporary use by the second wireless communication node.

[0082] In some embodiments, if a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is frequency division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a frequency band temporarily used by the second wireless communication node. In some embodiments, if a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is space division multiplexing, the first message further indicates information of a reflection panel temporarily used by the second wireless communication node.

[0083] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node receives a second message from the second wireless communication node acknowledging the first message, wherein the second message includes at least one of an identifier of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged, a duration of the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged, an acknowledgement of whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node, or which resources of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged are configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node transmits a third message to the reflection-based communication element indicating the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element if the second wireless communication node responds with an acknowledgment to the first message, wherein the third message includes at least one of an identifier of the first wireless communication node, a reason for the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element, a duration of the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element, whether resources of the reflection-based communication element made available due to the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by the second wireless communication node, which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node, updated sharing configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element, or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element.

[0085] In some embodiments, the original codebook configured for the reflective element array of the reflection-based communication element remains during the suspension. In some embodiments, after the reflection-based communication element receives the fourth message indicating the suspension of its sharing, the reflection-based communication element maintains the original codebook that the first wireless communication node configured for the reflective element array of the reflection-based communication element and the original shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node restores the sharing of the reflection-based communication element. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node transmits a fifth message to the second wireless communication node indicating the restoration of the sharing of the reflection-based communication element. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node receives a sixth message from the second wireless communication node acknowledging the fifth message.

[0087] In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node transmits a seventh message to the reflection-based communication element indicating restoration of sharing of the reflection-based communication element. In some embodiments, the seventh message includes at least one of an identifier of the wireless communication node that resumes sharing of the reflection-based communication element, updated sharing configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element, or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element. In some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element resumes sharing in accordance with the seventh message.

[0088] At operation 720, in some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node.

[0089] 8 illustrates a method 800 for suspending sharing of a reflection-based communication element, according to some embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1-6, in some embodiments, method 800 may be performed by a reflection-based communication element (e.g., a RIS control module). Depending on the embodiment, additional, fewer, or different operations may be performed in method 800.

[0090] Briefly, in some embodiments, a reflection-based communication element receives a first message from a first wireless communication node or a second wireless communication node to discontinue sharing of the reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node, the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node (810), and the reflection-based communication element maintains shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node (820).

[0091] More specifically, in operation 810, in some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element receives a first message from a first wireless communication node or a second wireless communication node to discontinue sharing of the reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node. In some embodiments, the first wireless communication node is BS2 (which may be referred to as gNB2), the second wireless communication node is BS1 (which may be referred to as gNB1), and the reflection-based communication element is a RIS control module.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first message includes at least one of: an identifier of the wireless communication node that will suspend sharing of the reflection-based communication element; a reason for the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element; a duration of the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element; whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the suspension of sharing of the reflection-based communication element can be used by a wireless communication node that will not suspend sharing; which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be temporarily used by a wireless communication node that will not suspend sharing; updated sharing configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element.

[0093] At operation 820, in some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element maintains the shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node. In some embodiments, the reflection-based communication element receives a second message from the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node to resume sharing. In some embodiments, the second message includes at least one of an identifier of the wireless communication node that resumes sharing of the reflection-based communication element, updated shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element, or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element.

[0094] While various embodiments of the present solution have been described above, it should be understood that they are presented by way of example only, and not by way of limitation. Similarly, various diagrams may depict example architectures or configurations, which are provided to enable those skilled in the art to understand example features and functionality of the present solution. However, such skilled artisans will understand that the present solution is not limited to the example architectures or configurations shown, but can be implemented using a variety of alternative architectures and configurations. Moreover, as will be understood by those skilled in the art, one or more features of one embodiment can be combined with one or more features of another embodiment described herein. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the example embodiments described above.

[0095] It is also understood that any reference herein to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. Rather, these designations may be used herein as a convenient means of distinguishing between two or more elements or instances of an element. Thus, reference to a first element and a second element does not imply that only two elements can be used or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0096] Additionally, those skilled in the art will understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies and techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, and symbols that may be referred to in the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0097] Those skilled in the art will further appreciate that any of the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, processors, means, circuits, methods, and functions described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be implemented by electronic hardware (e.g., digital implementations, analog implementations, or a combination of the two), firmware, various forms of programs or design code incorporating instructions (which may be referred to herein for convenience as “software” or “software modules”), or any combination of these technologies. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware, firmware, and software, the various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware, firmware, or software, or a combination of these technologies, depends on the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art may implement the described functionality in various ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions do not cause a departure from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0098] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will understand that the various example logic blocks, modules, devices, components, and circuits described herein can be implemented in or performed by an integrated circuit (IC), which may include a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic device, or any combination thereof. The logic blocks, modules, and circuits may further include an antenna and / or transceiver for communicating with various components within a network or device. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but alternatively, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, or state machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, multiple microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other suitable configuration for performing the functions described herein.

[0099] If implemented in software, the functions can be stored as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. Thus, the steps of a method or algorithm disclosed herein can be implemented as software stored on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes both computer storage media and communication media, including any medium that can be enabled to transfer a computer program or code from one place to another. A storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not limitation, such computer-readable media can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0100] As used herein, the term "module" refers to software, firmware, hardware, and any combination of these elements for performing the associated functions described herein. Additionally, for purposes of explanation, various modules are described as individual modules, however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that two or more modules may be combined to form a single module that performs the associated functions according to embodiments of the present solution.

[0101] Additionally, memory or other storage, as well as communication components, may be used in embodiments of the solution. It will be understood that, for clarity, the above description describes embodiments of the solution with reference to different functional units and processors. However, it will be apparent that any suitable distribution of functionality between different functional units, processing logic elements, or domains may be used without detracting from the solution. For example, functionality illustrated as being performed by separate processing logic elements or controllers may be performed by the same processing logic element or controller. Thus, references to specific functional units do not indicate a strict logical or physical structure or organization, but merely to suitable means for providing the described functionality.

[0102] Various modifications to the implementations described in this disclosure will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other implementations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the implementations shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the novel features and principles disclosed herein, as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: The wireless communication method includes: a first wireless communication node transmitting, to a second wireless communication node, a first message for suspending sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; the reflection-based communication element stores shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node while sharing is suspended; 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured for use by the second wireless communication node.

2. The first message comprises: an identifier of the reflection-based communication element; the reason for the interruption of the sharing of the reflection-based communication element; or a period of interruption of the sharing of said reflection-based communication element; The wireless communication method of claim 1 , comprising at least one of:

3. The wireless communication method of claim 1 , wherein the first message further indicates that the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured for partial use by the second wireless communication node.

4. 4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein, when a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is time division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a time period configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node.

5. 4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein if a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is frequency division multiplexing, the first message further indicates a frequency band that is configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node.

6. 4. The wireless communication method of claim 3, wherein when a mode of sharing the reflection-based communication element by the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node is spatial division multiplexing, the first message further indicates information of a reflection panel configured to be temporarily used by the second wireless communication node.

7. The wireless communication method described in claim 1, further comprising the first wireless communication node receiving a second message from the second wireless communication node that acknowledges the first message.

8. The second message comprises: an identifier of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged; a period of interruption in the sharing of said reflection-based communication element being acknowledged; - an acknowledgement whether the resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of the sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured for use by the second wireless communication node; or an indication of which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element being acknowledged are configured for temporary use by the second wireless communication node; 8. The wireless communication method of claim 7, comprising at least one of:

9. The wireless communication method of claim 1, further comprising, when the second wireless communication node responds to the first message with an acknowledgment, the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node sending a third message to the reflection-based communication element indicating the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element.

10. The third message comprises: an identifier of the first wireless communication node; a reason for the interruption of the sharing of said reflection-based communication element; a period of interruption of the sharing of said reflection-based communication element; an indication of whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured for use by the second wireless communication node; an indication of which of the resources of the reflection-based communication element are configured for temporary use by the second wireless communication node; updated shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; 10. The wireless communication method of claim 9, comprising at least one of:

11. 2. The wireless communication method of claim 1, wherein an original codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element remains during the suspension, and after the reflection-based communication element receives a fourth message indicating the suspension of its sharing, the reflection-based communication element maintains the original codebook configured by the first wireless communication node for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element and the shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element.

12. The wireless communication method described in claim 1, further comprising the first wireless communication node restoring sharing of the reflection-based communication element.

13. The wireless communication method described in Claim 12, further comprising the first wireless communication node sending a fifth message to the second wireless communication node indicating restoration of sharing of the reflection-based communication element.

14. The wireless communication method described in Claim 13, further comprising the first wireless communication node receiving a sixth message from the second wireless communication node that acknowledges the fifth message.

15. The wireless communication method described in claim 12, further comprising the first wireless communication node or the second wireless communication node sending a seventh message to the reflection-based communication element indicating restoration of sharing of the reflection-based communication element.

16. The seventh message is an identifier of the wireless communication node that will resume sharing the reflection-based communication element; updated shared configuration parameters associated with the reflection-based communication element; or an updated codebook configured for the reflection element array of the reflection-based communication element; 16. The wireless communication method of claim 15, comprising at least one of:

17. 1. A wireless communication method, comprising: The wireless communication method includes receiving, by a reflection-based communication element, from a first wireless communication node or a second wireless communication node, a first message for suspending sharing of the reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; the reflection-based communication element stores shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node while sharing is suspended; 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured for use by the second wireless communication node.

18. A first wireless communication node, comprising: the first wireless communication node comprises at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to transmit, via a transmitter, a first message to a second wireless communication node to suspend sharing of a reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; the reflection-based communication element stores shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node while sharing is suspended; The first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be used by the second wireless communication node.

19. A reflection-based communication element, comprising: the reflection-based communication element comprises at least one processor; the at least one processor is configured to receive, via a receiver, a first message from a first wireless communication node or a second wireless communication node to discontinue sharing of the reflection-based communication element between the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node; the reflection-based communication element stores shared configuration parameters from the first wireless communication node and the second wireless communication node while sharing is suspended; The reflection-based communication element, wherein the first message indicates whether resources of the reflection-based communication element that become available due to the interruption of sharing of the reflection-based communication element are configured to be used by the second wireless communication node.

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