Wireless communication device, base station, communication system, and communication method

Abstract

This wireless communication device (200) performs side-link communication by a plurality of wireless communication devices (200). The wireless communication device (200) is provided with a control unit (240). The control unit (240) acquires determination information for determining a plurality of master devices (200M) that communicate with a base station (100) in side-link communication. The control unit (240) assesses, on the basis of the determination information, whether or not the local device is one of the master devices (200M).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication device, a base station, a communication system, and a communication method. [Background technology]

[0002] In 3GPP, D2D (Device-to-Device) communication, which is direct communication between terminals (UE), has been standardized as sidelink communication in 4G LTE (Long Term Evolution) and 5G NR (New Radio). One of the main use cases for sidelink communication is V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything) communication. V2X communication is expected to include V2V (Vehicle-to-Vehicle), V2I (Vehicle-to-Infrastructure), V2P (Vehicle-to-Pedestrian), and V2N (Vehicle-to-Network).

[0003] In particular, specific use cases for V2X communication in 5G NR are being considered, including platooning, advanced driving, extended sensors, and remote driving. In addition, standards are being developed to achieve URLLC requirements for V2X communication, with latency of 10 milliseconds or less and reliability of 99.999%.

[0004] Furthermore, sidelink communication is not limited to V2X communication and can be used in various use cases. For example, automation factories are one use case where sidelink communication can be utilized. In such factories, numerous devices such as sensors and cameras are installed, and direct communication between them is being considered. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] "3GPP TS22.186 version 16.2.0 Release 16", [online], [Retrieved January 7, 2021], Internet<https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / / Specs / archive / 22_series / 22.186 / 22186-g20.zip> [Non-patent document 2] "3GPP TS22.104 version 17.4.0 Release 17", [online], [Retrieved January 7, 2021], Internet<https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / / Specs / archive / 22_series / 22.104 / 22104-h40.zip> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] As mentioned above, inter-vehicle communication has been considered in V2X communication to date, but intra-vehicle communication may be proposed as a future technological extension of sidelink communication. In intra-vehicle communication, for example, sensors and camera modules that have previously been connected to each other by wires may be connected to each other by wireless communication as wireless communication devices. In particular, as autonomous driving and other technologies become more widespread, the number of devices such as sensors and camera modules is expected to increase rapidly. Therefore, it is expected that there will be an increasing demand for connecting such sensors and camera modules to each other by wireless communication.

[0007] When considering autonomous driving, it is important to control the vehicle based on data from sensors and cameras inside the vehicle, and information obtained through inter-vehicle communication (i.e., conventional V2X communication) is used as auxiliary information. Therefore, intra-vehicle communication will be required to have even lower latency and higher reliability than conventional inter-vehicle communication.

[0008] Furthermore, even in the automation factory described above, even lower delays and higher reliability are required, especially when the production line is frequently changed to match the products being manufactured.

[0009] Thus, there is a demand for even lower latency and higher reliability in sidelink communications.

[0010] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a mechanism that can achieve lower latency and more reliable sidelink communication.

[0011] It should be noted that the above problem or object is merely one of multiple problems or objects that can be solved or achieved by multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification. [Means for solving the problem]

[0012] According to the present disclosure, there is provided a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device performs sidelink communication with a plurality of wireless communication devices. The wireless communication device includes a control unit. The control unit acquires determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with a base station in the sidelink communication. The control unit determines whether the wireless communication device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system that performs sidelink communication. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating another example of a schematic configuration of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5]FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the flow of a determination process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating another example of the flow of the determination process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0015] In this specification and drawings, similar components of the embodiments may be distinguished by adding different letters or numbers after the same reference numeral. However, if there is no need to particularly distinguish between the similar components, only the same reference numeral will be used.

[0016] One or more embodiments (including examples and modifications) described below can be implemented independently. However, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be implemented in appropriate combination with at least a portion of another embodiment. These embodiments may include novel features that are different from one another. Therefore, these embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may produce different effects.

[0017] Furthermore, sidelink communication in this specification and drawings is basically based on the LTE V2X and NR V2X radio access schemes, which are described in 3GPP TR37.985.

[0018] The explanation will be given in the following order. 1. Introduction 1.1. Example of Sidelink Communication 1.2.Challenges 1.3. Overview of the proposed technology 2.Communication System Configuration 2.1. Overall configuration of the communication system 2.2. Base Station Configuration 2.3. Terminal Device Configuration 3. Method for determining multiple master UEs 3.1.Decision method by terminal device 3.2.Decision method by base station 3.3.Other 4. Master UE type 5. Other embodiments 6. Application Examples 7. Summary

[0019] <<1. Introduction>> Before describing the embodiments of the present disclosure in detail, a background of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described. As a background of the embodiments, first, an example of sidelink communication will be briefly described.

[0020] <1.1. Example of Sidelink Communication> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system 1a that performs sidelink communication. The communication system 1a shown in Fig. 1 includes a base station 100a and a plurality of terminal devices 200a.

[0021] The multiple terminal devices 200a are, for example, smartphones, sensors, camera devices, etc., and are divided into groups that perform sidelink communication with each other in a predetermined area. In the example of FIG. 1, the multiple terminal devices 200a are divided into three groups 12a to 12c. The multiple terminal devices 200a included in the same group share data by performing sidelink communication with each other. For example, in intra-vehicle communication, the multiple terminal devices 200a (for example, sensors) installed in the same vehicle are grouped together.

[0022] In the communication system 1a, one of the multiple terminal devices 200a belonging to one group is set as a representative device (hereinafter also referred to as a master UE 200m). When the multiple terminal devices 200a communicate with the base station 100a, the communication is performed via the master UE 200m. That is, the master UE 200m communicates with the base station 100a on behalf of the group. This communication may be sidelink communication, downlink communication, or uplink communication.

[0023] Here, the master UE 200m communicates with the base station 100a on behalf of the group, but this is not limiting. For example, the master UE 200m may be a control terminal that controls a predetermined area. Hereinafter, when simply referring to the base station 100, this control terminal is also included.

[0024] As described above, in sidelink communication, a communication method within a group by the master UE 200m and a method for selecting the master UE 200m are disclosed in, for example, International Publication No. 2014 / 119099 and International Publication No. 2014 / 119112.

[0025] <1.2.Challenges> As described above, in the communication system 1a, the master UE 200m communicates with the base station 100a on behalf of the group. If the communication environment between the master UE 200m and the base station 100a deteriorates, there is a risk that the master UE 200m will be reselected or the network within the group will be reconstructed. This will result in a communication delay before communication between the master UE 200m and the base station 100a is resumed.

[0026] Such delays have a significant impact on use cases where low latency and high reliability (URLLC) are important, and could affect communications across the entire network within the group.

[0027] One possible method for suppressing such delays is for all terminal devices 200a in the group to communicate with the base station 100a. However, this method results in many terminal devices 200a communicating with the base station 100a, which reduces frequency utilization efficiency. Furthermore, when the terminal devices 200a and the base station device 100a perform sidelink communication, congestion within the radio resources increases, which increases the probability of collision of transmission data, potentially causing delays in data transmission.

[0028] <1.3. Overview of proposed technology> Therefore, in the technology disclosed herein, multiple master UEs (an example of a master device) are set within one group, and the multiple master UEs communicate with the base station, respectively. This allows the technology disclosed herein to provide redundancy in communication with the base station.

[0029] Therefore, even if a communication link between one master UE and a base station is interrupted, communication with the base station can be continued via another communication link, thereby improving the reliability of communication.

[0030] In addition, there is no need to reselect a master UE from multiple terminal devices in the group, and the master UE does not need to perform the process of reconnecting to the base station, so the time required to continue communication with the base station can be saved, thereby achieving low latency.

[0031] The outline of this embodiment has been described above, and the communication system according to this embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0032] <<2. Communication System Configuration>> <2.1. Overall configuration of the communication system> Next, an example of a schematic configuration of a system to which the proposed technology is applied will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 2, the system 1 includes a base station 100, a terminal device 200, a core network 20, and a packet data network (PDN) 30.

[0033] Here, the communication system 1 may be a cellular communication system such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access), cdma2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000), LTE, or NR. In the following description, "LTE" includes LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), LTE-A Pro (LTE-Advanced Pro), and EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access). Furthermore, "NR" includes NRAT (New Radio Access Technology) and FEUTRA (Further EUTRA).

[0034] NR is the next generation (5th generation) radio access technology (RAT) after LTE, and is a radio access technology that can support various use cases, including eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications), and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications).

[0035] The communication system 1 is not limited to a cellular communication system. For example, the communication system 2 may be another wireless communication system such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) system, a television broadcasting system, an aviation wireless communication system, or a space wireless communication system.

[0036] The base station 100 is a communication device that operates a cell 11 and provides wireless services to one or more terminal devices 200 located within the coverage of the cell 11. The cell 11 may be operated according to any wireless communication method, such as LTE or NR. The base station 100 is connected to a core network 20. The core network 20 is connected to a PDN 30.

[0037] Note that the base station 100 may be configured as a collection of multiple physical or logical devices. For example, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station 100 may be divided into multiple devices, a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU), and interpreted as a collection of these multiple devices. Additionally or alternatively, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station 100 may be either or both of a BBU and a RU. The BBU and the RU may be connected via a predetermined interface (e.g., eCPRI). Additionally or alternatively, the RU may be referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU) or a radio DoT (RD). Additionally or alternatively, the RU may support the gNB-DU described below. Additionally or alternatively, the BBU may support the gNB-CU described below. Additionally or alternatively, the RU may be a device integrally formed with an antenna. The antenna of the base station (e.g., an antenna integrally formed with the RU) may employ an advanced antenna system and support MIMO (e.g., FD-MIMO) and beamforming. In the Advanced Antenna System, the antennas possessed by base station 100 (for example, antennas formed integrally with RUs) may include, for example, 64 transmitting antenna ports and 64 receiving antenna ports.

[0038] Furthermore, multiple base stations 100 may be connected to each other. One or more base stations 100 may be included in a Radio Access Network (RAN). That is, the base station 100 may simply be referred to as a RAN, a RAN node, an Access Network (AN), or an AN node. The RAN in LTE is called EUTRAN (Enhanced Universal Terrestrial RAN). The RAN in NR is called NGRAN. The RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) is called UTRAN. The LTE base station 100 is called eNodeB (Evolved Node B) or eNB. That is, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). The NR base station 100 is called gNodeB or gNB. That is, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. Furthermore, the EUTRAN may include a gNB (en-gNB) connected to a core network (EPC) in an LTE communication system (EPS). Similarly, the NGRAN may include an ng-eNB connected to a core network 5GC in a 5G communication system (5GS). Additionally or alternatively, if the base station 100 is an eNB, gNB, or the like, it may be referred to as a 3GPP access. Additionally or alternatively, if the base station 100 is a wireless access point (Access Point), it may be referred to as a non-3GPP access. Additionally or alternatively, the base station 100 may be an optical extension device called an RRH (Remote Radio Head). Additionally or alternatively, if the base station 100 is a gNB, it may be referred to as a combination of the gNB CU (Central Unit) and gNB DU (Distributed Unit) described above, or as either one of them. The gNB CU (Central Unit) hosts multiple upper layers (e.g., RRC, SDAP, PDCP) in the Access Stratum for communication with UEs. Meanwhile, the gNB-DU hosts multiple lower layers (e.g., RLC, MAC, PHY) in the Access Stratum.That is, among the messages and information described below, RRC signaling (e.g., MIB, various SIBs including SIB1, RRC Setup message, RRC Reconfiguration message) may be generated by the gNB CU, while DCI and various physical channels (e.g., PDCCH, PBCH) described below may be generated by the gNB-DU. Alternatively, among the RRC signaling, some configurations, such as IE:cellGroupConfig, may be generated by the gNB-DU, and the remaining configurations may be generated by the gNB-CU. These configurations may be transmitted and received via the F1 interface described below. A base station 100 may be configured to be able to communicate with other base stations 100. For example, when multiple base station 100 devices are eNBs or a combination of an eNB and an en-gNB, the base stations 100 may be connected to each other via an X2 interface. Additionally or alternatively, when multiple base stations 100 are gNBs or a combination of a gn-eNB and a gNB, the devices may be connected to each other via an Xn interface. Additionally or alternatively, if the multiple base stations 100 are a combination of a gNB CU (Central Unit) and a gNB DU (Distributed Unit), the devices may be connected via the F1 interface described above. Message information (RRC signaling or DCI information, physical channel) described below may be communicated between the multiple base stations (e.g., via the X2, Xn, or F1 interfaces).

[0039] Furthermore, as described above, the base station 100 may be configured to manage multiple cells. A cell provided by the base station 100 is called a serving cell. The serving cell includes a PCell (Primary Cell) and an SCell (Secondary Cell). When dual connectivity (e.g., EUTRA-EUTRA Dual Connectivity, EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (ENDC), EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity with 5GC, NR-EUTRA Dual Connectivity (NEDC), NR-NR Dual Connectivity) is provided to a UE (e.g., a terminal device 200), a PCell and zero or one or more SCell(s) provided by a Master Node (MN) are called a Master Cell Group. Furthermore, the serving cell may include a PSCell (Primary Secondary Cell or Primary SCG Cell). That is, when dual connectivity is provided to a UE, a PSCell and zero or one or more SCell(s) provided by a Secondary Node (SN) are called a Secondary Cell Group (SCG). Unless special configuration (for example, PUCCH on SCell) is performed, the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) is transmitted on the PCell and PSCell, but not on the SCell. Also, Radio Link Failure is detected on the PCell and PSCell, but not on the SCell (it does not have to be detected). As such, the PCell and PSCell have special roles among the Serving Cell(s), and are therefore also called Special Cells (SpCells). One cell may be associated with one Downlink Component Carrier and one Uplink Component Carrier. Furthermore, the system bandwidth corresponding to one cell may be divided into multiple bandwidth parts.In this case, one or more Bandwidth Parts may be configured for the UE, and one Bandwidth Part may be used by the UE as an Active BWP. Also, radio resources (for example, frequency band, numerology (subcarrier spacing), slot format (Slot configuration)) that the terminal device 200 can use may differ for each cell, each component carrier, or each BWP.

[0040] When the core network 120 is an NR core network (5G Core (5GC)), the core network 120 may include an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function), an SMF (Session Management Function), a UPF (User Plane Function), a PCF (Policy Control Function), and a UDM (Unified Data Management).

[0041] When the core network 120 is an LTE core network (Evolved Packet Core (EPC)), the core network 120 may include an MME (Mobility Management Entity), an S-GW (Serving gateway), a P-GW (PDN gateway), a PCRF (Policy and Charging Rule Function), and an HSS (Home Subscriber Server). The AMF and MME are control nodes that handle control plane signals and manage the mobility state (mobility) of the terminal device 40. The UPF and S-GW / P-GW are nodes that handle user plane signals. The PCF / PCRF are control nodes that perform control related to policies and charging, such as QoS (Quality of Service) for PDU sessions or bearers. The UDM / HSS are control nodes that handle subscriber data and perform service control.

[0042] The terminal device 200 is a wireless communication device that communicates wirelessly with other devices. The terminal device 110 is, for example, a sensor or camera device with a communication function, a mobile phone, a smart device (smartphone or tablet), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a personal computer. The terminal device 110 may also be a head-mounted display or VR goggles that have the function of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly.

[0043] For example, the terminal device 200 wirelessly communicates with another terminal device 200 under control of the base station 100 or autonomously. In this case, the terminal device 200 transmits a sidelink signal to the other terminal device 200 and receives a sidelink signal from the other terminal device 200 via a PC5 link. Hereinafter, the transmission and reception of a sidelink signal by the terminal device 200 will be collectively referred to as sidelink communication. When performing sidelink communication, the terminal device 200 may be able to use an automatic retransmission technique such as HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest).

[0044] In the communication system 1, a plurality of terminal devices 200 are classified into at least one group, and sidelink communication is performed within the group. In the example of Fig. 2, a plurality of terminal devices 200 are classified into three groups 12A to 12C, and sidelink communication is performed within each group 12.

[0045] Furthermore, among the terminal devices 200 included in group 12, a plurality of terminal devices 200 communicate wirelessly with the base station 100 under the control of the base station 100. In this way, the terminal device 200 that communicates wirelessly with the base station 100 on behalf of the group is referred to as a representative terminal device or a master UE 200M.

[0046] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a plurality of master UEs 200M are included in the group 12. The plurality of master UEs 200M perform duplication communication or multiplication communication with the base station 100. While Fig. 2 shows a case where two master UEs 200M exist in each of the groups 12A to 12C, the number of master UEs 200M is not limited to two and may be three or more.

[0047] The multiple master UEs 200M may be determined autonomously by the multiple terminal devices 200 in the group 12, or may be determined by a device outside the group 12, such as the base station 100. A method for determining the multiple master UEs 200M will be described later.

[0048] The terminal device 200, which is the master UE 200M, may be capable of NOMA (Non Orthogonal Multiple Access) communication with the base station device 130. The terminal device 200 may also be capable of NOMA communication in communication (sidelink) with other terminal devices 200. The terminal device 200 may also be capable of LPWA (Low Power Wide Area) communication with other communication devices (for example, the base station 100 and other terminal devices 200). Alternatively, the wireless communication used by the terminal device 200 may be wireless communication using millimeter waves or terahertz waves. The wireless communication (including sidelink communication) used by the terminal device 200 may be wireless communication using radio waves, or may be wireless communication using infrared rays or visible light (optical wireless).

[0049] In the above-described communication system 1, all of the multiple master UEs 200M have a function of representing the group 12 and communicate with the base station 100, but this is not limiting. For example, a priority (rank) for communicating with the base station 100 may be set for the multiple master UEs 200M. For example, some of the multiple master UEs 200M may communicate with the base station 100 according to the priority.

[0050] Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of a schematic configuration of the communication system 1 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example of Fig. 3, the multiple master UEs 200M include a primary master UE 200MP (hereinafter also referred to as pmUE200MP) having the highest priority and a secondary master UE 200MS (hereinafter also referred to as smUE200MS) having a lower priority.

[0051] The pmUE 200MP (an example of a first master device) communicates with the base station 100 on behalf of multiple master UEs 200M. The smUE 200MS (an example of a second master device) communicates with the base station 100 on behalf of the pmUE 200MP depending on the communication state between the pmUE 200MP and the base station 100, for example, when communication between the pmUE 200MP and the base station 100 is interrupted. For example, while the pmUE 200MP is communicating with the base station 100, the smUE 200MS performs sidelink communication in the same manner as other terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12.

[0052] 3, it is assumed that the terminal device 200 belonging to group 12 performs sidelink communication with both the pmUE 200MP and the smUE 200MS. However, the master UE 200M with which the terminal device 200 performs sidelink communication may be the smUE 200MS. Such a case will be described using FIG. 4.

[0053] 4 is a diagram illustrating another example of a schematic configuration of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Below, group 13C will be described, but the other groups 12 are similar. As shown in FIG. 4, pmUE 200MP communicates with the base station 100. Furthermore, pmUE 200MP performs sidelink communication with smUE 200MS, but does not communicate with other terminal devices 200. smUE 200MS performs sidelink communication with pmUE 200MP and other terminal devices 200.

[0054] In the communication system 1 shown in FIG. 4, the processing load on the pmUE 200MP and smUE 200MS can be reduced by forming a hierarchical structure of devices that are connected in the order of the base station 100, pmUE 200MP, smUE 200MS, and other terminal devices 200.

[0055] 3 and 4 show a case where one pmUE 200MP and one smUE 200MS are configured for each of the groups 12A to 12C, but the number of smUEs 200MS is not limited to this. For example, two or more smUEs 200MS may be configured.

[0056] When two or more smUE200MS are configured, a priority (order) may be set for the two or more smUE200MS. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, when the smUE200MS and the terminal device 200 perform sidelink communication, the terminal device 200 connected to each of the multiple smUE200MS may be divided. That is, a subgroup may be formed for each of the multiple smUE200MS, and each smUE200MS may perform sidelink communication with the terminal device 200 included in the corresponding subgroup.

[0057] Details of the functions and determination methods of pmUE200MP and smUE200MS will be described later.

[0058] In addition, in the following, for the sake of simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that all of the multiple master UEs 200M perform duplication communication or multiplication communication with the base station 100 unless otherwise specified.

[0059] 2.2. Base station configuration 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 5, the base station 100 includes an antenna unit 110, a wireless communication unit 120, a network communication unit 130, a storage unit 140, and a control unit 150.

[0060] (1) Antenna unit 110 The antenna unit 110 radiates the signal output by the wireless communication unit 120 into space as radio waves. The antenna unit 110 also converts the radio waves in space into signals and outputs the signals to the wireless communication unit 120. The antenna unit 110 of this embodiment has multiple antenna elements and can form beams.

[0061] (2) Wireless communication unit 120 The wireless communication unit 120 transmits and receives signals. For example, the wireless communication unit 120 transmits a downlink signal to the terminal device 200 and receives an uplink signal from the terminal device 200. Note that the wireless communication unit 120 of this embodiment can form multiple beams using the antenna unit 110 to communicate with the terminal device 200.

[0062] (3) Network communication unit 130 The network communication unit 130 transmits and receives information. For example, the network communication unit 130 transmits information to other nodes and receives information from other nodes. For example, the other nodes include other base stations 100 and core network nodes.

[0063] (4) Storage section 140 The storage unit 140 temporarily or permanently stores programs and various data for the operation of the base station 100 .

[0064] (5) Control unit 150 The control unit 150 controls the overall operation of the base station 100 and provides various functions of the base station 100. The control unit 150 includes a determination unit 151 and a notification unit 152.

[0065] (5-1) Determination unit 151 For example, when the base station 100 determines multiple master UEs 200M, the determination unit 151 determines the multiple master UEs 200M based on information acquired from the terminal device 200. The information acquired by the determination unit 151 from the terminal device 200 is determination information for determining multiple master UEs 200M. Details of such determination information will be described later.

[0066] Also, for example, when the terminal device 200 determines multiple master UEs 200M, the determination unit 151 determines information to be transmitted to the terminal device 200. This information is determination information used by the terminal device 200 to determine multiple master UEs 200M. Details of the determination information will be described later.

[0067] (5-2) Notification section 152 The notification unit 152 notifies the terminal device 200 of the determination result of the determination unit 151. For example, when the base station 100 determines multiple master UEs 200M, the notification unit 152 notifies the multiple master UEs 200M determined by the determination unit 151 that they have been determined to be the master UEs 200M.

[0068] Furthermore, when the terminal device 200 determines a plurality of master UEs 200M, the notification unit 152 notifies the terminal device 200 of the determination information determined by the determination unit 151.

[0069] The control unit 150 may further include other components in addition to these components, that is, the control unit 150 may perform operations other than those of these components.

[0070] <2.3. Terminal Device Configuration> 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a terminal device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring to FIG. 6, the terminal device 200 includes an antenna unit 210, a wireless communication unit 220, a storage unit 230, and a control unit 240.

[0071] (1) Antenna unit 210 The antenna unit 210 radiates the signal output by the wireless communication unit 220 into space as radio waves. The antenna unit 210 also converts the radio waves in space into signals and outputs the signals to the wireless communication unit 220. The antenna unit 210 of this embodiment has a plurality of antenna elements and can form beams.

[0072] (2) Wireless communication unit 220 The wireless communication unit 220 transmits and receives signals. For example, the wireless communication unit 220 receives a downlink signal from the base station 100 and transmits an uplink signal to the base station 100. Note that the wireless communication unit 220 of this embodiment can form multiple beams using the antenna unit 210 to communicate with the base station 100.

[0073] (3) Storage section 230 The storage unit 230 temporarily or permanently stores programs and various data for the operation of the terminal device 200 .

[0074] (4) Control unit 240 The control unit 240 controls the overall operation of the terminal device 200 and provides various functions of the terminal device 200. The control unit 240 includes a determination unit 241, a determination unit 242, and a notification unit 243.

[0075] (4-1) Decision Unit 241 For example, the determination unit 241 or the determination unit 251 determines information to be transmitted to the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100. This information is determination information used by the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100 to determine multiple master UEs 200M. Details of the determination information will be described later.

[0076] (4-2) Judgment section 242 Also, for example, when the terminal device 200 determines multiple master UEs 200M, the determination unit 242 determines whether the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M based on information acquired from the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100. The information acquired by the determination unit 242 from the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100 is determination information for determining the multiple master UEs 200M. Details of such determination information will be described later.

[0077] (4-3) Notification section 243 The notification unit 243 notifies the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100 of the decision information decided by the decision unit 241. Furthermore, when the determination unit 242 determines that the own device is one of the multiple master UEs 200M, the notification unit 243 notifies the base station 100 of the determination result.

[0078] The control unit 240 may further include other components in addition to these components, that is, the control unit 240 may perform operations other than those of these components.

[0079] <<3. Method for Determining Multiple Master UEs>> Next, a method for determining the multiple master UEs 200M will be described. As described above, the multiple master UEs 200M can be determined autonomously by the multiple terminal devices 200 belonging to the group 12, or by a device other than the group 12 (for example, the base station 100).

[0080] <3.1. Decision method by terminal device> First, a method in which multiple terminal devices 200 belonging to a group 12 autonomously determine multiple master UEs 200M will be described. In this case, the terminal device 200 acquires determination information for determining multiple master UEs 200M (an example of a master device). The terminal device 200 determines whether or not the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M based on the acquired determination information. For example, the terminal device 200 acquires the determination information from the terminal device 200, another terminal device 200, or the base station 100.

[0081] (1) Decision information First, an example of the decision information will be described. The decision information may include the following information. Received power information ·Location information Capability information Coverage Information Assistance information from base stations

[0082] The terminal device 200 acquires at least one of the above-mentioned information from another terminal device 200 or the base station 100, and determines whether or not the terminal device 200 is the master UE 200M based on the acquired information.

[0083] (1-1) Received power The decision information includes information about the received power of the signal received from the base station 100. Examples of the received power include the following, which are specified in TS38.215. ·RSRP(Reference Signal Received Power) ·RSRQ(Reference Signal Received Quality) ·RSSI(Received Signal Strength Indicator) ·SIR(Signal to Interference Ratio)

[0084] The terminal device 200 transmits information about the received power of the own device to other terminal devices 200 that belong to the same group 12 as the own device, and acquires information about the received power from the other terminal devices 200.

[0085] The terminal device 200 compares the acquired reception power with its own reception power, and if the reception power of the own device is included within the n largest reception power, determines that the own device is one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0086] As a result, the communication system 1 can determine, from among the multiple terminal devices 200 included in the group 12, the n terminal devices 200 with the highest received power as the master UE 200M.

[0087] Alternatively, for example, when pmUE200MP and smUE200MS are set as multiple master UEs 200M, the terminal device 200 with the highest received power may be determined as pmUE200MP, and the terminal device 200 with the lowest received power may be determined as smUE200MS. For example, if the surrounding environment changes and the received power between the pmUE200MP and the base station 100 decreases, the received power of the smUE200MS, which had previously had low received power, may increase.

[0088] Therefore, by having terminal devices 200 with low reception power function as multiple master UEs 200M in addition to terminal devices 200 with high reception power, it is possible to build a communication system 1 that can better respond to changes in communication conditions. This makes it possible to further improve the low latency and high reliability of the communication system 1.

[0089] (1-2) Location information The decision information includes location information of the terminal device 200. Examples of location information of the terminal device 200 include the following: Information indicating the relative positional relationship with the base station 100 Information indicating the relative positions of the terminal devices 200 within the group 12 Information indicating the absolute location of the terminal device 200

[0090] (Relative position to the base station) An example of the relative positional relationship with the base station 100 is the distance between the base station 100 and the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 transmits information relating to the distance between the terminal device 200 and the base station 100 to other terminal devices 200 belonging to the same group 12 as the terminal device 200, and acquires information relating to the distance to the base station 100 from the other terminal devices 200.

[0091] The terminal device 200 compares the acquired distance with the distance of the own device, and if the distance of the own device is included within the nth shortest distance, determines that the own device is one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0092] As a result, the communication system 1 can determine, from among the multiple terminal devices 200 included in the group 12, n terminal devices 200 that are located at short distances from the base station 100 as the master UE 200M.

[0093] Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may compare the acquired distance with the distance of its own device, and determine that its own device is one of multiple master UEs 200M if the distance of its own device is either within the n1th shortest distance or within the n2th longest distance.

[0094] As a result, the communication system 1 can determine, from the multiple terminal devices 200 included in the group 12, n1 terminal devices 200 that are close to the base station 100 and n2 terminal devices 200 that are far from the base station 100 as the master UE 200M.

[0095] Furthermore, the relative positional relationship with the base station 100 may be, for example, the direction as seen from the base station 100.

[0096] For example, if the terminal device 200 is the rightmost terminal device 200 or the leftmost terminal device 200 as seen from the base station 100 within the area of ​​group 12, the terminal device 200 determines that the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0097] Furthermore, information indicating the direction as seen from the base station 100 includes, for example, information about the beam transmitted by the base station 100.

[0098] In 5G, beamforming is performed by the base station 100. The base station 100 forms multiple beams and transmits signals. Each beam is assigned information (beam ID) that identifies the beam.

[0099] The terminal device 200 transmits information about the beam ID to other terminal devices 200 that belong to the same group 12 as the terminal device 200, for example, and acquires information about the beam ID from the other terminal devices 200.

[0100] The terminal device 200 compares the acquired beam ID with the beam ID of the terminal device 200, and if the beam ID of the terminal device 200 is the largest or the smallest, determines that the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M. Alternatively, if the acquired beam ID or the beam ID of the terminal device 200 is a predetermined value (for example, zero), the terminal device 200 determines that the device corresponding to the beam ID is one of the multiple master UEs 200M. Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may determine whether or not the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M using a function or the like shared within the group 12. Such a function may be, for example, a function for determining the terminal device 200 located at the rightmost or leftmost end as viewed from the base station 100 within the area of ​​the group 12 as the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0101] This allows the terminal device 200 to select multiple terminal devices 200 that are located in different directions as seen from the base station 100 as multiple master UEs 200M.

[0102] (Relative position of terminal device) In the method using location information described above, multiple master UEs 200M are determined in accordance with the locational relationship between the base station 100 and the terminal device 200. However, this is not limiting. For example, the terminal device 200 may determine multiple master UEs 200M based on the locational relationship between the multiple terminal devices 200, regardless of the locational relationship with the base station 100.

[0103] For example, zones are set to divide the area of ​​the group 12 into predetermined regions, and identification information (zone ID) is set for each zone. The terminal device 200 transmits, as decision information, for example, the zone ID of the zone in which the terminal device 200 is located to the other terminal devices 200.

[0104] The terminal device 200 determines whether or not the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M by using, for example, a function shared within the group 12. The function is assumed to be a function set so that terminal devices 200 located in different zones are selected as multiple master UEs 200M.

[0105] Alternatively, when multiple terminal devices 200 are installed in a vehicle, for example, and perform intra-vehicle communication, each terminal device 200 may be installed in a predetermined location such as a side mirror or a windshield. In this way, when the installation locations of the multiple terminal devices 200 are known in advance, multiple master UEs 200M may be determined according to the installation locations of the multiple terminal devices 200.

[0106] This allows the terminal device 200 to select multiple terminal devices 200 that are separated from one another within the group 12 as multiple master UEs 200M.

[0107] (absolute position of terminal device) The terminal device 200 may determine the multiple master UEs 200M from absolute location information of the multiple terminal devices 200, rather than from relative location information.

[0108] Absolute location information may be obtained by, for example, a global positioning system (GPS). Alternatively, the terminal device 200 may obtain its own location information by measuring a positioning reference signal transmitted from an LTE or NR base station 100.

[0109] The terminal device 200 transmits the acquired location information to the other terminal devices 200. The terminal device 200 determines whether or not the terminal device 200 is one of multiple master UEs 200M based on its location information and the location information of the other terminal devices 200. This determination is similar to the determination using relative location information. For example, when the absolute location information of the base station 100 is known, multiple master UEs 200M can be selected according to the distance between the base station 100 and the terminal device 200 based on the location information of the base station 100 and the location information of the terminal device 200. In addition, multiple master UEs 200M can be selected according to the direction as seen from the base station 100 or the positional relationship of the multiple terminal devices 200.

[0110] In this way, the communication system 1 can select multiple master UEs 200M even with absolute location information of the terminal device 200, just like with relative location information.

[0111] (1-3) Capability information The above-mentioned decision information includes capability information of the terminal device 200. The capability information may include at least one of the following information: Maximum transmit power (Power class) Sidelink communication sending and receiving capabilities · Capability of sending and receiving data on the Uu link

[0112] First, the capability information of the terminal device 200 may include information regarding the maximum transmission power (power class) of the terminal device 200. For example, a terminal device 200 whose maximum transmission power is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0113] Furthermore, the capability information of the terminal device 200 may include capability information related to transmission and reception of sidelink communication. More specifically, the capability information may include information indicating whether transmission or reception is possible on a channel (e.g., PSCCH, PSSCH, PSFCH, etc.) in a predetermined sidelink communication. For example, a terminal device 200 that is capable of transmission or reception on a channel in a predetermined sidelink communication is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0114] The capability information of the terminal device 200 may include capability information for transmission and reception in the Uu link. That is, the capability information of the terminal device 200 may include information indicating whether transmission or reception is possible in at least one of the downlink and the uplink with the base station 100. For example, a terminal device 200 that is capable of transmission or reception in the Uu link is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0115] (1-4) Coverage information The decision information includes information (coverage information) indicating whether the terminal device 200 is within the coverage of the base station 100. For example, a terminal device 200 that is at least within the coverage of the base station 100 is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0116] More specifically, the terminal device 200 measures the received power of a reference signal transmitted from the base station 100 and transmits the measurement result as coverage information to the other terminal devices 200. If at least the measurement result of the terminal device 200 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the terminal device 200 determines that it can become one of the multiple master UEs 200M. In other words, the terminal device 200 whose received power of at least the reference signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0117] Alternatively, the terminal device 200 transmits the received power at the base station 100 of a reference signal that the terminal device 200 has transmitted to the base station 100 as coverage information to the other terminal devices 200. If at least the measurement result at the base station 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold, the terminal device 200 determines that it can become one of the multiple master UEs 200M. In other words, a terminal device 200 for which at least the received power of the reference signal at the base station 100 is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is selected as one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0118] (1-5) Assistance information from the base station Although the above-described decision information is information transmitted from a terminal device 200 to another terminal device 200, it is not limited to this. For example, the decision information may include assistance information transmitted from the base station 100 to a plurality of terminal devices 200. The assistance information includes at least one of information acquired by the base station 100 from each terminal device 200 and information determined based on the information.

[0119] The base station 100 acquires, for example, at least one of the above-described reception power information, location information, and capability information from the terminal device 200. The terminal device 200 transmits at least one of the reception power information, location information, and capability information to the base station 100 instead of transmitting it to another terminal device 200. The base station 100 transmits the acquired at least one of the reception power information, location information, and capability information to the terminal device 200.

[0120] Furthermore, the base station 100 may transmit a list of multiple terminal devices 200 belonging to the group 12 to the terminal device 200 as decision information.

[0121] The terminal device 200 that has acquired this information determines whether or not the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M based on the acquired information.

[0122] Alternatively, the base station 100 may determine terminal devices 200 (hereinafter also referred to as multiple master candidate terminals) to recommend as multiple master UEs 200M based on information acquired from the terminal device 200. The base station 100 may determine multiple master candidate terminals in the same manner as the terminal device 200 determines whether or not it is the master UE 200M. In this case, the base station 100 notifies the terminal device 200 of information related to the determined multiple master candidate terminals as candidate information.

[0123] In this case, if the terminal device 200 itself is included in a plurality of master candidate terminals, the terminal device 200 determines that the terminal device 200 itself is one of the plurality of master UEs 200M.

[0124] Furthermore, the base station 100 may determine terminal devices 200 (hereinafter also referred to as exclusion candidate terminals) that are not to be recommended as multiple master UEs 200M based on information acquired from the terminal devices 200. For example, the base station 100 may determine, as exclusion candidate terminals, terminal devices 200 whose received power is equal to or less than a threshold based on received power information. Alternatively, the base station 100 may determine exclusion candidate terminals based on capability information, such as determining, as exclusion candidate terminals, terminal devices 200 whose maximum transmission power is equal to or less than a threshold.

[0125] In this case, the base station 100 notifies the terminal device 200 of information related to the determined exclusion candidate terminal as exclusion information. If the terminal device 200 is included in the exclusion candidate terminals, the terminal device 200 determines that the terminal device 200 is not one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0126] (2) Decision process flow Next, a description will be given of the flow of the process of determining multiple master UEs 200M in the communication system 1. As described above, in the communication system 1, the terminal device 200 acquires determination information and determines whether the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M based on the acquired determination information and a predetermined criterion.

[0127] As described above, the terminal device 200 notifies the other terminal devices 200 or the base station 100 of the decision information related to the terminal device itself. The decision information may include the various information described above, but in the following, for the sake of simplicity, it is assumed that the terminal device 200 notifies the other terminal devices 200 of information related to received power as the decision information.

[0128] 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of a determination process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 7, the multiple terminal devices 200 belonging to the group 12 are referred to as terminal devices 200A to 200D in order to distinguish them from one another.

[0129] 7, base station 100 first transmits a reference signal to terminal devices 200A to 200D (step S101). The reference signal transmitted by base station 100 is a signal for terminal devices 200 to measure received power, and for example, a CSI-RS (Channel state information - reference signal) is used. CSI-RS is broadcast to all terminal devices 200 in group 12, for example.

[0130] The terminal devices 200A to 200D measure the received power of the reference signal (step S102). The terminal device 200A notifies the terminal devices 200B to 200D of the measurement results as decision information by groupcast transmission (step S103).

[0131] Similarly, terminal device 200B notifies terminal devices 200A, 200C, and 200D of the measurement result as decision information by groupcast transmission (step S104). Terminal device 200C notifies terminal devices 200A, 200B, and 200D of the measurement result as decision information by groupcast transmission (step S105). Terminal device 200D notifies terminal devices 200A to 200C of the measurement result as decision information by groupcast transmission (step S106).

[0132] The terminal device 200 transmits the decision information using, for example, at least one of the PSCCH and the PSSCH. Note that the decision information may be information of the physical layer or information of a higher layer (such as MAC or RRC).

[0133] Furthermore, when the terminal devices 200A to 200D can simultaneously transmit and receive sidelink communication, some or all of the terminal devices 200A to 200D may simultaneously transmit the decision information, that is, the terminal devices 200A to 200D may simultaneously perform the processes of steps S103 to S106.

[0134] On the other hand, when the terminal devices 200A to 200D cannot simultaneously transmit and receive sidelink communication, in other words, when they perform either transmission or reception, the terminal devices 200A to 200D transmit the decision information at different timings, as shown in Fig. 7. Note that the transmission timing (transmission order) of the decision information by each of the terminal devices 200A to 200D is determined based on an identification number assigned in advance to each of the terminal devices 200A to 200D, etc.

[0135] Based on the received determination information, the terminal devices 200A to 200D determine whether or not the terminal device 200A is one of the multiple master UEs 200M (step S107). For example, if the received power of the terminal device 200A is within the second highest, the terminal device 200 determines that the terminal device 200A is one of the multiple master UEs 200M. Here, for example, it is assumed that the terminal devices 200A and 200B have determined that the terminal device 200A is one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0136] One of the terminal devices 200A and 200B (terminal device 200B in FIG. 7) that has been determined to be one of the plurality of master UEs 200M notifies the base station 100 of information relating to the plurality of master UEs 200M as master UE information (step S108).

[0137] The terminal device 200B transmits the master UE information using an uplink channel such as at least one of a PUCCH and a PUSCH. Alternatively, the terminal device 200B may transmit the master UE information using a sidelink channel such as at least one of a PSCCH and a PSSCH.

[0138] Note that, although it has been described here that one of the terminal devices 200A, 200B determined to be one of the multiple master UEs 200M notifies the base station 100 of information relating to the multiple master UEs 200M as master UE information, this is not limiting. Each of the terminal devices 200A, 200B determined to be one of the multiple master UEs 200M may also notify the base station 100 of information relating to the multiple master UEs 200M as master UE information.

[0139] In this way, the terminal device 200 shares determination information for determining multiple master UEs 200M within the group 12 and determines multiple master UEs 200M based on the criteria shared in advance. This allows the terminal device 200 to determine multiple master UEs 200M.

[0140] Here, the number of terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12 is four, and the number of master UEs 200M is two, but this is not limited to this. The number of terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12 may be two or more, and may be three or four or more. Also, the number of master UEs 200M may be three or more.

[0141] (3) Master UE reselection When a reselection trigger is activated, the terminal device 200 reselects the master UE 200M. In this reselection, at least one master UE 200M may be reselected from among the multiple master UEs 200M. In other words, this reselection does not necessarily result in the reselection of all master UEs 200M.

[0142] Furthermore, the reselection trigger is transmitted, for example, to the base station 100 or to a terminal device 200 in which at least one of the multiple master UEs 200M belongs to the group 12. Of the multiple master UEs 200M, for example, a master UE 200M that satisfies a predetermined condition may transmit the reselection trigger. Alternatively, a master UE 200M with a high priority (rank), such as a pmUE 200MP, may transmit the reselection trigger. Note that, in the following, for simplicity of explanation, it is assumed that one of the multiple master UEs 200M transmits the reselection trigger (performs selection).

[0143] Examples of conditions for sending a reselection trigger (hereinafter also referred to as trigger conditions) include the following: ·time Receiving power ·Location information Coverage Information

[0144] (time) An example of the trigger condition is time. For example, the master UE 200M performs reselection by transmitting a reselection trigger every time a predetermined time (e.g., X milliseconds) has elapsed. The predetermined time X may be set randomly or may be specified by the base station 100, for example.

[0145] (received power) The trigger condition may be reception power between the base station 100. For example, the master UE 200M performs reselection when reception power between the base station 100 and the master UE 200M becomes equal to or less than a predetermined threshold.

[0146] (location information) An example of a trigger condition is the positional relationship of the terminal devices 200. For example, the master UE 200M performs reselection when the spatial correlation with another terminal device 200 becomes close and falls below a predetermined threshold. For example, the master UE 200M performs reselection when the distance to the other terminal device 200 falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0147] (Coverage information) The trigger condition may be whether the master UE 200M is within the coverage of the base station 100. For example, the master UE 200M performs reselection when it goes out of the coverage of the base station 100.

[0148] The terminal device 200 that receives the reselection trigger from the master UE 200M shares the determination information and performs reselection by determining whether the terminal device 200 is one of the multiple master UEs 200M, similar to the method for determining the master UE 200M described above.

[0149] In addition to the above-mentioned conditions, the reselection trigger may be transmitted depending on whether or not the same information as the decision information used to select the plurality of master UEs 200M satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0150] <3.2. Decision method by base station> Next, a method for determining multiple master UEs 200M by the base station 100 will be described. In this case, the base station 100 sets multiple master UEs 200M for the group 12 at the timing when multiple terminal devices 200 are set in one group 12.

[0151] The base station 100, for example, acquires decision information from the multiple terminal devices 200 in the group 12 and determines the multiple master UEs 200M based on the acquired decision information. Note that the decision information and the method for determining the multiple master UEs 200M are the same as when the terminal device 200 described above determines the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0152] The base station 100 notifies the terminal devices 200 in the group 12 of master UE information related to the determined plurality of master UEs 200M. At this time, the base station 100 may notify all the terminal devices 200 in the group 12 of the master UE information, or may notify the terminal device 200 determined to be the master UE 200M of the master UE information.

[0153] The base station 100 sets the terminal device 200 determined through RRC (higher layer) signaling as the master UE 200M, for example.

[0154] Next, a description will be given of the flow of a process for determining multiple master UEs 200M in the communication system 1. Here, the base station 100 acquires determination information and determines multiple master UEs 200M based on the acquired determination information and predetermined criteria. The base station 100 notifies information about the determined multiple master UEs 200M.

[0155] 8 is a sequence diagram showing another example of the flow of the determination process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 8, the multiple terminal devices 200 belonging to the group 12 are referred to as terminal devices 200A to 200D in order to distinguish them from one another.

[0156] As shown in Fig. 8, the base station 100 first transmits a request signal to the terminal devices 200A to 200D to request transmission of decision information (step S201). The request signal is transmitted using a downlink channel such as at least one of the PDCCH and the PDSCH. Alternatively, the request signal may be transmitted using a sidelink channel such as at least one of the PSCCH and the PSSCH. Fig. 8 shows, as an example, a case where the request signal is notified by Groupcast transmission in sidelink communication.

[0157] In response to the request signal, the terminal devices 200A to 200D transmit the decision information to the base station 100 (step S202). The terminal devices 200A to 200D transmit the decision information to the base station 100 at the transmission timing included in the request signal, for example.

[0158] The decision information is transmitted using an uplink channel such as at least one of a PUCCH and a PUSCH. Alternatively, the decision information may be transmitted using a sidelink channel such as at least one of a PSCCH and a PSSCH. Note that the decision information may be information of a physical layer or information of a higher layer (such as MAC or RRC).

[0159] Furthermore, the terminal devices 200A to 200D may transmit the decision information simultaneously. In this case, the terminal devices 200A to 200D transmit the decision information by performing frequency division multiplexing or code division multiplexing using at least one of different frequency resources and different code resources.

[0160] Alternatively, the terminal devices 200A to 200D may transmit the decision information at different times. In this case, the timing (transmission order) of transmitting the decision information by each of the terminal devices 200A to 200D may be determined according to the timing included in the request signal as described above. Alternatively, the transmission timing may be determined based on an identification number assigned in advance to the terminal devices 200A to 200D.

[0161] The base station 100 determines a plurality of master UEs 200M based on the acquired determination information (step S203). Here, it is assumed that the base station 100 determines the terminal devices 200A and 200D as a plurality of master UEs 200M.

[0162] The base station 100 transmits master UE information related to the determined multiple master UEs 200M to the terminal devices 200A and 200D (step S204). Fig. 8 shows a case where the base station 100 notifies the terminal devices 200A and 200D of the master UE information individually by unicast transmission. Alternatively, the base station 100 may notify all of the terminal devices 200A to 200D of the master UE information by groupcast transmission.

[0163] The master UE information is transmitted using a downlink channel such as at least one of a PDCCH and a PDSCH, or alternatively, the master UE information may be transmitted using a sidelink channel such as at least one of a PSCCH and a PSSCH.

[0164] In this way, the base station 100 acquires determination information for determining multiple master UEs 200M from the terminal devices 200 in the group 12, and determines multiple master UEs 200M. In this way, the base station 100 can determine multiple master UEs 200M.

[0165] Here, the number of terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12 is four, and the number of master UEs 200M is two, but this is not limited to this. The number of terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12 may be two or more, and may be three or four or more. Also, the number of master UEs 200M may be three or more.

[0166] Next, reselection of multiple master UEs 200M will be described. The base station 100 and the terminal device 200 perform reselection of multiple master UEs 200M in accordance with a reselection trigger. The trigger condition for performing reselection may be the same as the trigger condition described above.

[0167] Furthermore, the reselection trigger may be transmitted by the base station 100 or by multiple master UEs 200M. Alternatively, multiple master UEs 200M may transmit a reselection request to the base station 100, and the base station 100 may transmit the reselection trigger. When the base station 100 transmits the reselection trigger, the multiple master UEs 200M, upon receiving the reselection trigger, forward the received reselection trigger to the terminal devices 200 in the group 12.

[0168] The reselection request may be transmitted by a terminal device 200 in group 12. In this case, the terminal device 200 transmits the reselection request to the master UE 200M. The master UE 200M that has received the reselection request transmits a reselection trigger if it is capable of transmitting a reselection trigger. On the other hand, if the base station 100 transmits a reselection trigger, the master UE 200M transfers the reselection request to the base station 100.

[0169] The terminal device 200 that has received the reselection trigger transmits information to be used for reselection of the multiple master UEs 200M to the base station 100 based on the reselection trigger. The information to be used for reselection may be transmitted to the base station 100 via the multiple master UEs 200M, for example. The information to be used for reselection may be the same as the determination information used for determining the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0170] Furthermore, the reselection trigger may cause reselection of all of the plurality of master UEs 200M, or may cause reselection of at least one master UE 200M.

[0171] <3.3.Other> In the above-described determination method, the terminal device 200 or the base station 100 determines the multiple master UEs 200M, but this is not limiting. A device other than the terminal device 200 and the base station 100 may determine the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0172] For example, multiple master UEs 200M may be determined by an installer who installs the terminal devices 200 or a user who uses the services of the communication system 1. For example, assume that the terminal devices 200 belonging to group 12 are sensors, cameras, etc. installed in vehicles, and the communication system 1 is a system that provides intra-vehicle network services.

[0173] In this case, for example, an installer who installs sensors, cameras, and the like inside a vehicle may determine multiple master UEs 200M when building a system. The installer may determine multiple master UEs 200M according to, for example, the location of the terminal device 200 and the type of function to be provided (for example, the type of sensor, etc.).

[0174] Alternatively, a user who uses an intra-vehicle network service, such as a driver, may determine multiple master UEs 200M, for example, before using the service. Hereinafter, the installer and the user will also be collectively referred to as a determiner.

[0175] The decider decides on a plurality of master UEs 200M based on, for example, information displayed on a display device (not shown) such as a display provided in the vehicle.

[0176] The display device may display, for example, terminal information about terminal devices 200 (hereinafter also referred to as candidate terminals) that are candidates for the master UE 200M. Such terminal information may include, for example, identification information that identifies the candidate terminals, display names set for the candidate terminals, and the like.

[0177] The display device may also display the terminal information and the determination information in association with each other. For example, a list may be displayed in which the terminal information and the received power of the candidate terminal corresponding to the terminal information are associated with each other. The received power may be displayed as numerical information or as icon information indicating the strength.

[0178] Furthermore, if the determination information is information indicating the installation location of the candidate terminal, the display device may display the terminal information of the candidate terminal together with the surrounding situation (for example, a map or a vehicle image). For example, the display device may display an icon indicating the candidate terminal superimposed on an image of the vehicle.

[0179] When displaying terminal information on a display device, the display method may be changed according to the priority (recommended degree) of the multiple candidates for the master UE 200M. For example, the display device may highlight and display the terminal information according to the priority, such as by changing the display color or the font size according to the priority of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0180] The decision maker selects at least one of the plurality of master UEs 200M based on the terminal information displayed on the display device, and the decision maker selects at least one of the plurality of master UEs 200M using, for example, a mouse, a keyboard, a touch panel, or the like.

[0181] When the decider selects some of the master UEs 200M from among the multiple master UEs 200M, the terminal devices 200 or base stations 100 belonging to group 12 decide on the remaining master UEs 200M. For example, the terminal devices 200 or base stations 100 belonging to group 12 can decide on the remaining master UEs 200M based on the above-described decision method.

[0182] For example, when a plurality of master UEs 200M include a pmUE 200MP and an smUE 200MS, the determiner may determine the pmUE 200MP, and the terminal device 200 or the base station 100 may determine the smUE 200MS.

[0183] In this way, the decision maker can also configure at least one of the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0184] Note that the reselection of the plurality of master UEs 200M may also be performed by the decider in the same manner as the selection of the plurality of master UEs 200M.

[0185] Furthermore, a device other than the determiner may determine the multiple master UEs 200M. For example, a device other than the terminal device 200 and the base station 100, such as a node in the core network of the communication system 1, may determine the multiple master UEs 200M.

[0186] <<4. Master UE Type>> As described above, the multiple master UEs 200M may be prioritized according to their functions. For example, the multiple master UEs 200M may be divided into one primary master UE (pmUE) 200MP and at least one secondary master UE (smUE) 200MS.

[0187] In addition, when there are multiple smUE200MS, a priority order (rank) may be set among the multiple smUE200MS.

[0188] The setting method of the pmUE 200MP and the smUE 200MS is the same as the above-mentioned method of determining the plurality of master UEs 200M. Note that different determination methods may be adopted for the pmUE 200MP and the smUE 200MS.

[0189] For example, the pmUE 200 MP may be determined by the base station 100, and the smUE 200 MS may be determined by the terminal device 200. Alternatively, the pmUE 200 MP may be determined based on received power, and the smUE 200 MS may be determined based on location information of the terminal device 200, and the determination information used for the determination may be different.

[0190] The pmUE200MP and the smUE200MS may be assigned different roles and may perform different functions.

[0191] (pmUE200MP features) The pmUE200MP may implement at least one of the following functions: Communication with base station 100 Control of the terminal device 200 ·Determining physical resources · Decision on smUE200MS smUE200MS communication control

[0192] [Communication with base station 100] The pmUE 200MP has a function of communicating with the base station 100, and is assigned the role of communicating with the base station 100. That is, the pmUE 200MP communicates with the base station 100 on behalf of the group 12.

[0193] [Control of terminal device 200] The pmUE 200MP controls the smUE 200MS and / or all the terminal devices 200 in the group 12 by controlling the transmission of signals or control information related to predetermined functions to these devices.

[0194] Here, the predetermined function includes at least one of the following functions: Resource selection and / or sensing Synchronization (frame synchronization, symbol synchronization) HARQ feedback CSI (Channel state information) report

[0195] (resource selection and / or sensing) The pmUE200MP, for example, transmits information regarding resources suitable for transmission by a predetermined terminal device 200 (for example, permission list information, acceptable list information) to the smUE200MS and / or all terminal devices 200 in the group 12. Specifically, it transmits information regarding resources that are not reserved for other terminal devices 200. Here, the other terminal devices 200 may be terminal devices 200 that belong to the same group 12 as the pmUE200MP, or may be terminal devices 200 that belong to a different group 12.

[0196] The pmUE200MP, for example, transmits information on resources unsuitable for transmission by a specific terminal device 200 (for example, block list information, drop list information) to the smUE200MS and / or all terminal devices 200 in the group 12. Specifically, it transmits information on resources that have already been reserved by other terminal devices 200. Here, the other terminal devices 200 may be terminal devices 200 that belong to the same group 12 as the pmUE200MP, or may be terminal devices 200 that belong to a different group 12.

[0197] (synchronous) The pmUE 200MP transmits, for example, an S-SSB (Sidelink-Synchronization Signal and physical broadcast channel Block) as a signal and channel required for synchronization.

[0198] (HARQ feedback) The pmUE 200MP, for example, configures resources for a channel (for example, PSFCH) required for HARQ feedback.

[0199] (CSI Report) The pmUE 200MP, for example, configures resources for channels (for example, PSSCH and PSFCH) required for CSI reporting.

[0200] [Physical resource determination] The pmUE 200MP determines, for example, physical resources within the group 12 (for example, a resource pool, a Sidelink BWP (Sidelink Bandwidth Part)).

[0201] For example, the pmUE 200MP determines the same physical resources as those set by the base station 100 as the physical resources in group 12.

[0202] Alternatively, the pmUE200MP may determine and notify individual physical resources for each smUE200MS or terminal device 200 in the group 12.

[0203] [smUE200MS decision] The pmUE 200MP determines, for example, an smUE 200MS in the group 12. The method for determining the smUE 200MS by the pmUE 200MP may be the same as the method for determining the multiple master UEs 200M by the base station 100. The pmUE 200MP notifies the smUE 200MS or the terminal devices 200 in the group 12 of information related to the determined smUE 200MS.

[0204] Furthermore, when multiple smUEs 200MS are configured, a subgroup of terminal devices 200 that communicate with each smUE 200MS may be formed. In this case, the pmUE 200MP may determine the subgroup. For example, the pmUE 200MP sets the subgroup by determining at least one terminal device 200 that communicates with each smUE 200MS.

[0205] [Communication control of smUE200MS] The pmUE200MP controls, for example, communication between the smUE200MS and the base station 100. For example, the pmUE200MP controls data and information that the smUE200MS transmits to the base station 100. Such control may include control of the content of the information to be transmitted, the timing of transmission, the channel used for transmission, etc. Similarly, the pmUE200MP may also control data and information that the smUE200MS receives from the base station 100.

[0206] (Features of smUE200MS) The smUE200MS may perform at least one of the following functions: Communication with base station 100 Communication with pmUE200MP Control of the terminal devices 200 in the subgroup

[0207] The smUE 200MS has a function of communicating with the base station 100, and can be given the role of communicating with the base station 100. That is, the smUE 200MS can communicate with the base station 100 on behalf of the group 12.

[0208] In addition, the smUE 200MS has a communication function with the pmUE 200MP and may be assigned the role of communicating with the pmUE 200MP. For example, if at least one subgroup is set in group 12, the smUE 200MS may communicate with the pmUE 200MP on behalf of the subgroup.

[0209] The smUE 200MS controls the terminal devices 200 that it controls (for example, the terminal devices 200 that belong to a subgroup) by controlling the transmission of signals or control information related to predetermined functions. Note that the predetermined functions are the same as those described above.

[0210] As described above, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, multiple master UEs 200M can be set from among the terminal devices 200 in the group 12. This makes it possible to provide a communication system 1 that can achieve lower delay and higher reliability. Furthermore, even when a new terminal device 200 is added to the group 12, multiple master UEs 200M can be reconfigured, making it easier to configure the group 12.

[0211] <<5. Other embodiments>> In the above-described embodiment, the master UE 200M communicates with the base station 100 or the terminal device 200 in the group 12, but this is not limiting. The master UE 200M may communicate with the master UE 200M in another group 12 or the terminal device 200 in another group 12.

[0212] For example, a plurality of master UEs 200M may represent the group 12 and perform sidelink communication with the terminal devices 200 of other groups 12 in addition to communication with the base station 100.

[0213] Alternatively, the multiple master UEs 200M may include a master UE 200M that communicates with the base station 100 and a master UE 200M that communicates with terminal devices 200 in other groups 12.

[0214] <<6. Application Examples>> (Intra-vehicle communication) The technology according to the present disclosure (the present technology) can be applied to various systems. For example, the technology according to the present disclosure may be applied to an intra-vehicle network of an automobile.

[0215] 9 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. When the technology according to the present disclosure is applied to an intra-vehicle network of an automobile, for example, a single group 12 is formed by a plurality of sensors and cameras mounted on the automobile.

[0216] 9, cameras 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, and 7918 are mounted on a vehicle 7900. In addition, sensors 7920, 7926, and 7930 are mounted on the vehicle 7900. These cameras 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, and 7918 and LIDAR devices 7920, 7926, and 7930 have communication capabilities and correspond to terminal devices 200 belonging to the same group 12 in the embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0217] Cameras 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, and 7918 are provided, for example, at least one of the front nose, side mirrors, rear bumper, back door, and upper part of the windshield inside the vehicle cabin of vehicle 7900. Fig. 9 shows an example of the imaging ranges of each of cameras 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, and 7918. Imaging range a indicates the imaging range of camera 7910 provided on the front nose, imaging ranges b and c indicate the imaging ranges of cameras 7912 and 7914 provided on the side mirrors, respectively, and imaging range d indicates the imaging range of camera 7916 provided on the rear bumper or back door.

[0218] The sensors 7920, 7926, and 7930 are, for example, LIDAR devices, and are primarily used to detect preceding vehicles, pedestrians, obstacles, and the like.

[0219] For example, the cameras 7910, 7912, 7914, 7916, 7918 and the sensors 7920, 7926, 7930 determine whether or not the own device is one of the multiple master UEs 200M. If the own device is one of the multiple master UEs 200M, the device communicates with other terminal devices 200 in the group 12 and also communicates with the base station 100 (not shown).

[0220] In this way, by applying this technology to intra-vehicle communication, the base station 100 can perform communication on a vehicle-by-vehicle basis. Also, by setting multiple master UEs 200M, it is possible to perform communication with lower latency and higher reliability.

[0221] Although the present technology has been described as being applied to intra-vehicle communication, it can also be applied to inter-vehicle communication, in which case a group 12 is formed by a plurality of vehicles.

[0222] (Smart factory) The technology disclosed herein may be applied to a smart factory that utilizes AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology and IoT (Internet of Things) technology. For example, in an automation factory, various data acquired from devices installed in the factory is used to automatically control the devices.

[0223] Fig. 10 is a diagram illustrating an application example of the communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. For example, in an automation factory, a large number of industrial robots as shown in Fig. 10 are installed within the factory. For example, sensors and motors are arranged for each joint of the robot, and the sensors detect the angles and speeds of the joints and transmit control information to the motors.

[0224] In this case, for example, a plurality of sensors and motors mounted on one robot form one group 12. That is, the plurality of sensors and motors mounted on the robot have communication functions and function as terminal devices 200 belonging to one group 12. This allows a base station 100 (not shown) installed in the factory to communicate on a robot-by-robot basis, making it easy to add or change robots.

[0225] Furthermore, by setting a plurality of master UEs 200M from among the terminal devices 200 included in the group 12, communication with lower delay and higher reliability can be achieved.

[0226] Although the application of the technology of the present disclosure to an automation factory has been described here, the technology can also be applied to automated guided vehicles (AGVs). In this case, for example, a group 12 is formed for each vehicle that automatically travels according to a guide in the factory.

[0227] (Smart Surgery) Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein may be applied to smart surgery that utilizes AI (Artificial Intelligence) technology and IoT (Internet of Things) technology. For example, the technology may be applied to remote surgery.

[0228] 11 is a diagram illustrating an application example of a communication system 1 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 11, in a state in which a practitioner 520 and a patient 540 are located at different locations, the practitioner 520 operates an arm device 510a, which causes an arm device 510b to operate in the same manner, and surgery is performed on the patient 540. The practitioner 520 performs surgery while checking an image captured by a camera 560 installed near the patient 540 and displayed on a display device 550. Note that locations that are located at different locations (remote locations) may be, for example, different hospitals, adjacent rooms in the same hospital, or locations at different locations in the same operating room.

[0229] The arm devices 510a and 510b, the camera 560, and the display device 550 are connected to each other via, for example, a network N1.

[0230] At this time, for example, it is assumed that one group 12 is formed by the arm device 510a and the display device 550 arranged in a space (such as an operating room) where the practitioner 520 is present. In this case, the master UE 200M of the group 12 connects to the network N1 via the base station 100 (not shown). In other words, it is assumed that the arm device 510a and the display device 550 have a communication function and correspond to the terminal device 200 of the present technology.

[0231] Also, it is assumed that one group 12 is formed by the arm device 510b and the camera 560 that are placed in a space (such as an operating room) where the patient 540 is present. In this case, the master UE 200M of the group 12 connects to the network N1 via the base station 100 (not shown). In other words, it is assumed that the arm device 510b and the camera 560 have a communication function and correspond to the terminal device 200 of the present technology.

[0232] In addition to the arm devices 510a, 510b, the display device 550, and the camera 560 described above, various devices placed in the operating room, such as sensors that detect the condition of the patient 540 and lighting devices, may also correspond to the terminal device 200 of the present technology.

[0233] Alternatively, a sensor or the like mounted on the arm devices 510a and 510b may correspond to the terminal device 200 of the present technology.

[0234] In this technique, a plurality of master UEs 200M are set from among the terminal devices 200 included in the group 12. This enables low-delay, highly reliable communication.

[0235] Although the application of the technology of the present disclosure to remote surgery has been described here, the present disclosure is not limited to this application and may also be applied to, for example, automated surgery.

[0236] <<7. Summary>> The steps in the processes performed by each device in this specification do not necessarily have to be processed in chronological order according to the order shown in the sequence diagrams. For example, the steps in the processes performed by each device may be processed in an order different from the order shown in the sequence diagrams, or may be processed in parallel.

[0237] It is also possible to create a computer program that causes the hardware, such as the CPU, ROM, and RAM, built into each device to perform functions equivalent to those of the above-mentioned device configurations. Storage media storing such computer programs can also be provided. Furthermore, by configuring each functional block shown in the functional block diagram with hardware, a series of processes can be realized by hardware.

[0238] Although the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure have been described in detail above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art of the present disclosure can conceive of various modified or altered examples within the scope of the technical idea described in the claims, and it is understood that these also naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0239] Furthermore, the effects described herein are merely descriptive or exemplary and are not limiting. In other words, the technology according to the present disclosure may achieve other effects that will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of this specification, in addition to or in place of the above-described effects.

[0240] The present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) A wireless communication device that performs sidelink communication with a plurality of wireless communication devices, obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with a base station in the sidelink communication; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; A wireless communication device comprising a control unit. (2) The wireless communication device according to (1), wherein the control unit transmits the determination information to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices that perform the side link communication. (3) The wireless communication device according to (1) or (2), wherein the control unit receives the decision information from each of the plurality of wireless communication devices. (4) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (3), wherein the control unit receives the decision information from the base station. (5) The wireless communication device described in (4), wherein the decision information includes at least one of candidate information regarding the wireless communication device to be selected as a candidate for the plurality of master devices and exclusion information regarding the wireless communication device to be excluded from the plurality of master devices. (6) The wireless communication device described in any one of (1) to (5), wherein the decision information includes at least one of the received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station. (7) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (6), wherein, when the control unit determines that the device is the master device, the control unit transmits the determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. (8) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (7), wherein the control unit re-determines whether the device itself is the master device when a reselection condition for reselecting the master device is satisfied. (9) The wireless communication device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority. (10) the first master device communicates with the base station; the second master device communicates with the base station depending on a communication state between the first master device and the base station; (9) A wireless communication device according to (9). (11) the first master device communicates with the base station; the second master device performs the sidelink communication with the first master device; the plurality of wireless communication devices perform the sidelink communication with the second master device; A wireless communication device according to (9) or (10). (12) acquiring determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with the base station from a plurality of wireless communication devices that perform sidelink communication; determining the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; notifying information about the determined plurality of master devices; A base station comprising a control unit. (13) A system including: a plurality of wireless communication devices that perform sidelink communication; and a base station that communicates with at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices; The wireless communication device obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with the base station; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; A communication system comprising a control unit. (14) A communication method by a plurality of wireless communication devices performing sidelink communication, the method comprising: obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with a base station in the sidelink communication; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; Communication method. (15) acquiring determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with the base station from a plurality of wireless communication devices that perform sidelink communication; determining the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; notifying information about the determined plurality of master devices; Communication method. [Explanation of symbols]

[0241] 100 base stations 200 Terminal Device 200M Master UE 110, 210 Antenna section 120, 220 Wireless Communication Department 130 Network Communications Department 140, 230 storage section 150, 240 control section 151, 241 Decision Section 242 Judgment section 152, 243 Notification Department

Claims

1. A wireless communication device that performs sidelink communication with multiple wireless communication devices included in a vehicle-based group, obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with a base station in the sidelink communication; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; If the device determines that it is the master device, it transmits a determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. A control unit is provided, the determination information includes at least one of received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station; the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority for communication with the base station; Wireless communication device.

2. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit transmits the determination information to each of the plurality of wireless communication devices that perform the side link communication.

3. The wireless communication device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit receives the decision information from each of the plurality of wireless communication devices.

4. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit receives the decision information from the base station.

5. The wireless communication device according to claim 4 , wherein the determination information includes at least one of candidate information regarding the wireless communication device to be a candidate for the plurality of master devices and exclusion information regarding the wireless communication device to be excluded from the plurality of master devices.

6. The wireless communication device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit re-determines whether the device itself is the master device when a reselection condition for reselecting the master device is satisfied.

7. the first master device communicates with the base station; the second master device communicates with the base station depending on a communication state between the first master device and the base station; The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

8. the first master device communicates with the base station; the second master device performs the sidelink communication with the first master device; the plurality of wireless communication devices perform the sidelink communication with the second master device; The wireless communication device according to claim 1 .

9. A wireless communication device as described in claim 1, wherein the master device is determined depending on the installation position of at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices in the vehicle.

10. A method for determining a plurality of master devices to communicate with a base station from among a plurality of wireless communication devices that perform sidelink communication, the method comprising: acquiring determination information for determining a plurality of master devices to communicate with a base station from among the plurality of wireless communication devices that perform sidelink communication; determining the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; notifying the plurality of master devices of information about the plurality of determined master devices; A control unit is provided, the determination information includes at least one of received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station; the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority for communication with the base station; When the plurality of master devices determine that the device itself is the master device, the master devices transmit a determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. Base station.

11. A plurality of wireless communication devices included in a vehicle-based group, the plurality of wireless communication devices performing sidelink communication, and a base station performing communication with at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices; The wireless communication device obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with the base station; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; If the device determines that it is the master device, it transmits a determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. A control unit is provided, the determination information includes at least one of received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station; the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority for communication with the base station; Communication system.

12. A communication method for a plurality of wireless communication devices included in a vehicle-based group performing sidelink communication, comprising: obtaining determination information for determining a plurality of master devices that will communicate with a base station in the sidelink communication; determining whether the own device is one of the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; If the device determines that it is the master device, it transmits a determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices; the determination information includes at least one of received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station; the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority for communication with the base station; Communication method.

13. A base station, acquiring determination information for determining a plurality of master devices to communicate with the base station from among a plurality of wireless communication devices included in a vehicle-based group that perform sidelink communication; determining the plurality of master devices based on the determination information; notifying the plurality of master devices of information about the plurality of determined master devices; the determination information includes at least one of received power between the base station, location information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, capability information of the plurality of wireless communication devices, and information indicating whether each of the plurality of wireless communication devices is within the coverage of the base station; the plurality of master devices include a first master device having a high priority for communication with the base station and a second master device having a low priority for communication with the base station; When the plurality of master devices determine that the device itself is the master device, the master devices transmit a determination result to the base station and at least one of the plurality of wireless communication devices. Communication method.

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