Terminals and communication methods

Abstract

This terminal comprises: a communication unit that transmits radio waves to and receives radio waves from a base station via a plurality of radio relay devices; and a transmission unit that transmits control information indicating the activation or deactivation of the relay functions of the radio relay devices to the radio relay devices. The transmission unit transmits the control information by means of a higher layer configuration or a physical layer control signal.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to terminals in wireless communication systems. sequel Regarding communication methods. [Background technology]

[0002] The 3GPP (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is exploring a wireless communication method called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter referred to as "NR") in order to achieve even greater system capacity, even faster data transmission speeds, and even lower latency in the wireless section. In 5G, various wireless technologies and network architectures are being considered to meet the requirements of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more while keeping the latency in the wireless section to less than 1 ms (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] The use of high-frequency bands is expected in next-generation communications. Due to the characteristics of these high-frequency bands, such as a reduction in the number of scatterers, a decrease in the shadow-wing effect, and an increase in distance attenuation, improvements in communication quality are required. Beam control and environmental factors that ensure communication quality are anticipated to be necessary.

[0004] For example, in high-frequency bands, there is a problem of dead zones easily occurring due to the strong directivity of radio waves. Therefore, methods to improve communication quality in multipath environments are being attempted using passive repeaters or active reflectors (RIS: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), smart repeaters that receive, amplify, and re-radiate signals, etc. (e.g., Non-Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0005] [Non-Patent Document 1] 3GPP TS 38.300 V16.7.0 (2021-09) [Non-Patent Document 2] NTT DOCOMO, "White Paper: Advancement of 5G and 6G" (February 2021, Version 3.0) Internet <URL: https: / / www.nttdocomo.co.jp / binary / pdf / corporate / technology / whitepaper_6g / DOCOMO_6G_White_PaperJP_20210203.pdf> [Non-Patent Document 3] 3GPP TS 38.331 V16.6.0 (2021-09) [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0006] Reflectors or wireless relay devices such as smart repeaters that relay radio waves from a radio wave source such as a base station or terminal to a radio wave receiving destination by reflecting or transmitting those radio waves must appropriately enable or disable their radio wave relay function in order to avoid unnecessary reflection or radiation and reduce interference.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to appropriately enable or disable a wireless relay device in a wireless communication system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to the disclosed technology, the system includes a communication unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from a base station via a plurality of wireless relay devices, and a transmission unit that transmits control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, wherein the transmission unit When an uplink signal that can be transmitted in RRC (Radio Resource Control) idle or inactive mode is detected, it indicates activation. The control information is transmitted via upper layer settings or physical layer control signals. To the aforementioned wireless relay device A device for sending data will be provided. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, in a wireless communication system, a wireless relay device can be appropriately activated or deactivated.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of communication in a high-frequency band. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing an example of the reflective wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of the transmissive wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of communication (1) in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of communication (2) in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] It is a diagram for explaining an example of a signal via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] It is a diagram for explaining an example of communication (1) via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] It is a diagram for explaining an example of communication (2) via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of notifying control information to a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15]This figure illustrates the beams for each resource in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] This figure illustrates the beams for each resource in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] This figure shows an example of directing a beam to a low-priority resource in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] This figure shows an example in which the beam is not directed to a low-priority resource in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] This figure illustrates the application of beams to semi-persistent resources in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] This figure illustrates a method for determining priority in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 21] This is a diagram illustrating a method for determining a beam in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 22] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation (1) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 23] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation (2) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 24] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation (3) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 25] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation (4) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 26] This is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation (5) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 27] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10, terminal 20, or wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 28] This figure shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to those described below.

[0012] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiments of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies include, for example, existing LTE, but are not limited to existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" as used herein has a broad meaning that includes LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced and later methods (e.g., NR), unless otherwise specified.

[0013] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention described below, terms such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), which are used in existing LTE systems, will be used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc., may be called by other names. Also, the above terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even if a signal is used in NR, it is not necessarily explicitly stated as "NR-".

[0014] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the duplex method may be a TDD (Time Division Duplex) method, an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) method, or any other method (for example, a Flexible Duplex).

[0015] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from the base station 10 or terminal 20 are configured.

[0016] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system in the embodiment of the present invention includes a base station 10 and a terminal 20, as shown in Figure 1. There may be multiple base stations 10 and terminals 20.

[0017] Base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and performs wireless communication with terminal 20. The physical resources of the wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, and the frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or resource blocks. In addition, the TTI (Transmission Time Interval) in the time domain may be a slot or a subslot, or the TTI may be a subframe.

[0018] Base station 10 is capable of performing carrier aggregation, which involves bundling multiple cells (multiple CCs (component carriers)) together to communicate with terminal 20. Carrier aggregation uses one primary cell (PCell) and one or more secondary cells (SCell).

[0019] The base station 10 transmits synchronization signals and system information to the terminal 20. Synchronization signals include, for example, NR-PSS and NR-SSS. System information is transmitted via, for example, NR-PBCH or PDSCH, and is also called broadcast information. As shown in Figure 1, the base station 10 transmits control signals or data to the terminal 20 via DL (Downlink) and receives control signals or data from the terminal 20 via UL (Uplink). Here, signals transmitted via control channels such as PUCCH and PDCCH are called control signals, and signals transmitted via shared channels such as PUSCH and PDSCH are called data, but this is just one example of terminology.

[0020] Terminal 20 is a communication device equipped with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, wearable device, or M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication module. As shown in Figure 1, Terminal 20 receives control signals or data from the base station 10 via DL and transmits control signals or data to the base station 10 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system. Terminal 20 may also be referred to as UE, and base station 10 as gNB.

[0021] Terminal 20 is capable of performing carrier aggregation, which involves bundling multiple cells (multiple CCs) together to communicate with base station 10. Carrier aggregation uses one primary cell and one or more secondary cells. A PUCCH-SCell with PUCCH may also be used.

[0022] Furthermore, in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, the base station 10 is, for example, a wireless base station operating with 5G or 6G, and forms a cell. A cell is a relatively large cell and is called a macrocell.

[0023] Base stations 10A and 10D are base stations operated with 5G or 6G. Base stations 10A and 10D each form cells A and D, which are smaller in size compared to macrocells. Cells A and D may also be called small cells or macrocells. As shown in Figure 1, cells A and D may be formed to be included in a macrocell.

[0024] A macrocell can generally be interpreted as a communication area with a radius of several hundred meters to several tens of kilometers covered by a single base station. A small cell, on the other hand, can be interpreted as a general term for cells with low transmission power that cover a smaller area compared to a macrocell.

[0025] Furthermore, base station 10 and base stations 0A-10D may be denoted as gNodeB (gNB) or BS (Base Station), etc. Also, terminal 20 may be denoted as UE or MS, etc. Moreover, the specific configuration of the wireless communication system, including the number and types of base stations and terminals, is not limited to the example shown in Figure 1.

[0026] Furthermore, the wireless communication system is not necessarily limited to a wireless communication system conforming to 5G or 6G. For example, the wireless communication system may be a next-generation wireless communication system based on 6G, or a wireless communication system conforming to LTE.

[0027] Base stations 10 and 10A-10D perform wireless communication with terminal 20 in accordance with 5G or 6G, as an example. Base stations 10 and 10A-10D and terminal 20 may support Massive MIMO, which generates a more directional beam by controlling the radio signals transmitted from multiple antenna elements; Carrier aggregation (CA), which uses multiple component carriers (CCs) bundled together; Dual connectivity (DC), which enables simultaneous communication between terminal 20 and each of the two NG-RAN nodes; and Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), which integrates wireless backhaul between wireless communication nodes such as gNBs and wireless access to terminal 20.

[0028] Furthermore, wireless communication systems may support higher frequency bands than those specified in 3GPP Release 15 (Frequency Range, FR). For example, FR1 may support 410 MHz-7.125 GHz, and FR2 may support 24.25 GHz-52.6 GHz. In addition, wireless communication systems may support frequency bands exceeding 52.6 GHz up to 114.25 GHz. This frequency band may be called the millimeter wave band.

[0029] Here, the base station 10, which supports massive MIMO, can transmit a beam. Massive MIMO generally refers to MIMO communication using an antenna with 100 or more antenna elements, enabling faster wireless communication than conventional methods through the multiplexing effect of multiple streams. It also enables advanced beamforming. The beam width can be dynamically changed depending on the frequency band used or the state of the terminal 20. Furthermore, it is possible to increase the received signal power through beamforming gain by using a narrow beam. In addition, effects such as reduced interference and efficient use of wireless resources are expected.

[0030] Furthermore, the wireless communication system may include a wireless relay device 30. In embodiments of the present invention, for example, the wireless relay device 30 may be a reflector (RIS), a phase-controlled reflector, a passive repeater, an IRS (Intelligent Reflecting Surface), etc. Specific examples of a reflector (RIS: Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) may include a metamaterial reflector, a dynamic metasurface, a metasurface lens, etc. (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2).

[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless relay device 30 relays, for example, a wireless signal transmitted from a base station 10A. In the description of the embodiments of the present invention, "relay" may refer to at least one of "reflection," "transmission," "aggregation (concentrating radio waves to approximately one point)," and "diffraction." The terminal 20 can receive the wireless signal relayed by the wireless relay device 30. Furthermore, the wireless relay device 30 may relay wireless signals transmitted from the terminal 20, or it may relay wireless signals transmitted from the base station 10.

[0032] As an example, the wireless relay device 30 can change the phase of the wireless signal relayed to the terminal 20. From this viewpoint, the wireless relay device 30 may also be called a phase-variable reflector. In this embodiment, the wireless relay device 30 may have the function of changing the phase of the wireless signal before relaying it, but is not limited to this. The wireless relay device 30 may also be called a repeater, relay device, reflect array, IRS, or transmit array, etc.

[0033] Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, the wireless repeater 30, such as a RIS, may also be called a battery-less device, a metamaterial functional device, an intelligent reflecting surface, a smart repeater, etc. As an example, the wireless repeater 30, such as a RIS or smart repeater, may be defined as having the functions shown in 1)-5) below.

[0034] 1) The base station 10 may have a function to receive signals transmitted from the base station 10. These signals may be DL signals such as SSB (SS / PBCH block), PDCCH, PDSCH, DM-RS (Demodulation Reference Signal), PT-RS (Phase Tracking Reference Signal), CSI-RS (Channel Status Information Reference Signal), RIS-dedicated signals, etc. The base station 10 may also have a function to receive signals that carry information related to metamaterial functions. The base station 10 may also have a function to transmit these signals to the terminal 20. The SSB may be a signal that includes synchronization signals and broadcast information.

[0035] 2) It may have a function to transmit signals to the base station 10. These signals may be UL signals such as PRACH, PUCCH, PUSCH, DM-RS, PT-RS, SRS, RIS-dedicated signals, etc. It may also have a function to transmit information related to metamaterial functions. It may also have a receiving function to receive these signals from the terminal 20.

[0036] 3) It may have a frame synchronization function with the base station 10. It may also have a frame synchronization function with the terminal 20.

[0037] 4) The base station 10 or terminal 20 may have a function to reflect signals transmitted from the base station 10 or terminal 20. For example, the reflection function may be a function related to phase change, a function related to beam control (e.g., a function related to the control of TCI (Transmission Configuration Indication)-state and QCL (Quasi Co Location), selective beam application, and selective application of spatial filters / precoding weights). 5) The base station 10 or terminal 20 may have a power modification function for the signal transmitted from the base station 10 or terminal 20. For example, the power modification function may be power amplification.

[0038] Furthermore, in the wireless relay device 30 such as an RIS or smart repeater, "receive and transmit" or "relay" may mean that the following functions A are performed, but the transmission is performed without performing functions B below. Function A: Apply a phase shifter. Function B: No compensation circuit (e.g., amplification, filtering) is used.

[0039] As another example, Function A: Apply a phase shifter and compensation circuit. Function B: No frequency conversion is involved.

[0040] Furthermore, in the wireless relay device 30 such as a RIS, the amplitude may be amplified when the phase is changed. Also, "relaying" in the wireless relay device 30 such as a RIS may mean transmitting the received signal as is without performing processing at the Layer 2 or Layer 3 level, transmitting the received signal as is at the physical layer level, or transmitting the received signal as is without interpreting the signal (in which case, phase changes or amplitude amplification may occur).

[0041] (Device configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10, a terminal 20, and a wireless relay device 30 that perform the processing and operations in the embodiment of the present invention will be described. The base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 include functions that perform the embodiments described later. However, the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 may each have only one of the functions from the embodiments.

[0042] <Base station 10> Figure 2 shows an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10. As shown in Figure 2, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 2 is merely an example. The names of the functional categories and functional units can be anything as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention. The transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be called the communication unit.

[0043] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 and transmitting the signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 and obtaining information from the received signals, for example, information of a higher layer. The transmitting unit 110 also has the function of transmitting NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, DL data, etc. to the terminal 20. The transmitting unit 110 also transmits setting information, etc., as described in the embodiment.

[0044] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The control unit 140 performs tasks such as resource allocation and overall control of the base station 10. Note that the signal transmission function in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function in the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120. The transmission unit 110 and the reception unit 120 may also be referred to as the transmitter and receiver, respectively.

[0045] <Terminal 20> Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20. As shown in Figure 3, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 3 is merely an example. The names of the functional categories and functional units can be anything as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention. The transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be called the communication unit.

[0046] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and obtains signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The transmitting unit 210 also transmits a HARQ-ACK, and the receiving unit 220 receives configuration information and the like, as described in the embodiment.

[0047] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the base station 10 by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device and reads it from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-set setting information. The control unit 240 controls the entire terminal 20. The signal transmission function of the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function of the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220. The transmission unit 210 and the reception unit 220 may also be called the transmitter and receiver, respectively.

[0048] <Wireless relay device 30> Figure 4 shows an example of the functional configuration of a wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, the wireless relay device 30 has a transmitting unit 310, a receiving unit 320, a control unit 330, a variable unit 340, and an antenna unit 350. The names of the functional classifications and functional units can be anything as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention. The transmitting unit 310 and the receiving unit 320 may be called the communication unit.

[0049] The antenna section 350 includes at least one antenna connected to the variable section 340. For example, the antenna section 350 may be arranged as an array antenna. In embodiments of the present invention, the antenna section 350 may be specifically referred to as a relay antenna. The variable section 340 and the antenna section 350 may also be referred to as a relay section.

[0050] The variable unit 340 is connected to the antenna unit 350 and can change the phase, load, amplitude, etc. For example, the variable unit 340 may be a variable phase shifter, a phase shifter, an amplifier, etc. For example, by changing the phase of the radio waves that arrive at the relay antenna from the radio wave source, the direction or beam of the radio waves can be changed.

[0051] The control unit 330 is a control means for controlling the variable unit 340. In an embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 330 functions as a control unit that controls the relay state when relaying radio waves from the base station 10 or terminal 20 without signal interpretation. Here, the control unit 330 may change the relay state based on control information received from the base station 10 or terminal 20 via the communication unit, or it may change the relay state based on the reception state of radio waves from the base station 10 or terminal 20. For example, the control unit 330 may select an appropriate receiving beam and transmitting beam (direction) based on control information such as SSB, and control the variable unit 340. Similarly, the control unit 330 may select an appropriate combination of receiving direction and transmitting direction based on the reception state, based on criteria such as the highest reception quality or highest received power, and control the variable unit 340.

[0052] Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, the control unit 330 can control the variable unit 340 based on information relating to the propagation path between the terminal 20 or base station 10A and the antenna unit 350 (including information estimated from the reception status and control information; the same applies hereinafter). For example, the control unit 330 can relay radio waves received from the base station 10A to a specific direction such as the radio wave receiving destination (in this case, the terminal 20) by changing the phase without using transmission power, using a known method such as an active repeater or RIS. Specifically, the control unit 330 uses estimated propagation path information H PT and H RP Based on this, the phase of the radio signal is controlled in order to relay it toward terminal 20 or base station 10A. In other words, by changing the phase of an array antenna, etc., using a principle similar to beamforming, radio waves can be relayed in a specific direction. The radio relay device 30 controls (changes) only the phase of the radio signal (radio wave) by the control unit 330, and may relay without power supply without amplifying the power of the relayed radio signal.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the control unit 330 may acquire information based on the reception status. Also, the receiving unit 320 may acquire control information from the base station 10A or the terminal 20. For example, the receiving unit 320 may receive various signals such as SSB (including the various signals exemplified in the above-described functions) transmitted from the base station 10A or the terminal 20 as control information.

[0054] Furthermore, the control unit 330, based on the reception state during control of the variable unit 340 (for example, changes in received power, etc.), generates propagation path information (H) between the radio wave source (for example, base station 10A or terminal 20) and the antenna unit 350. PT and H RP ) may be estimated.

[0055] The propagation path information (propagation channel information) for each propagation path specifically refers to information such as amplitude or phase, and in the embodiment of the present invention, it is information estimated regarding the propagation path of radio waves arriving at the antenna section 350. As an example, the control unit 330 may estimate the propagation path information of the antenna section 350 based on the change in received power when the phase of the variable section 340 of the array-shaped antenna section 350 is switched orthogonally, using a principle similar to I / Q (In-phase / Quadrature) detection.

[0056] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, as an example, the wireless relay device 30 is interposed between a base station 10A (or other base station 10, etc.) and a terminal 20, and relays (reflects, transmits, aggregates, diffracts, etc.) wireless signals transmitted and received between the base station 10A and the terminal 20.

[0057] As a specific example, when the wireless quality is good, the base station 10A and the terminal 20 transmit and receive wireless signals directly without going through the wireless relay device 30. On the other hand, if the wireless quality deteriorates, such as when there is an obstruction between the base station 10A and the terminal 20, the wireless relay device 30 relays the wireless signals transmitted and received between the base station 10A and the terminal 20.

[0058] Specifically, the wireless relay device 30 receives propagation path information H between the base station 10A or terminal 20 and the relay antenna based on the change in received power when controlling the variable unit 340 such as a variable phase meter. PT H RT The system estimates the propagation path information and, based on the estimated propagation path information, controls the variable unit 340, such as a variable phase shifter, to relay the wireless signal to the radio wave receiving destination, such as the terminal 20. PT H RT The wireless relay device 30 is not limited to estimating the radio frequency, but may also relay the wireless signal to the radio wave receiving destination such as the base station 10A or terminal 20 by controlling a variable unit 340 such as a variable phase shifter based on control information received from the base station 10A or terminal 20.

[0059] Here, a propagation path or propagation channel refers to an individual communication path in wireless communication, and in this case, it refers to the communication path between each transmitting and receiving antenna (such as the base station antenna and terminal antenna in the diagram).

[0060] As an example, the wireless relay device 30 includes an antenna section 350 having a small multi-element antenna compatible with massive MIMO, and a variable section 340 having a variable phase shifter or phase changer that changes the phase of a wireless signal, essentially a radio wave, to a specific phase. The variable section 340 is used to control the phase of the radio wave relayed to the terminal 20 or base station 10A.

[0061] Figure 6 shows an example of communication in the high-frequency band. As shown in Figure 6, when using high-frequency bands of several GHz to tens of GHz or higher, dead zones are likely to occur due to the strong directivity of radio waves. When there is a line of sight between the base station 10A and the terminal 20, the use of the high-frequency band does not affect wireless communication between the base station 10A and the terminal 20. On the other hand, if the line of sight between the base station 10A and the terminal 20 is blocked by an obstruction such as a building or tree, the wireless quality deteriorates significantly. In other words, if the terminal 20 moves into a dead zone where it is blocked by an obstruction, communication may be interrupted.

[0062] Considering the existence of applications that take advantage of high speed, large capacity, and low latency characteristics (such as remote control), it is important to eliminate dead zones and ensure that communication between base stations and terminals is not interrupted within the wireless communication system.

[0063] Therefore, technologies have been developed that can relay radio waves between the base station 10A and the terminal 20, such as RIS or smart repeater radio wave propagation control devices. In this way, communication characteristics can be improved by controlling the propagation characteristics of the base station signal, expanding coverage without the need for a signal source, and reducing installation and operating costs by adding base stations.

[0064] Conventional radio wave propagation control devices come in two types: passive and active. Passive devices have the advantage of not requiring control information, but they cannot track moving objects or environmental changes. On the other hand, active devices require control information and have the disadvantage of increased overhead, but they can variably control the radio wave propagation characteristics by changing the load (phase) state of the control antenna, and can track moving objects and environmental changes.

[0065] There are two types of active radio wave propagation control devices and control methods: feedback (FB) norms and propagation path information norms. In the FB norm, a variable radio wave propagation control device randomly changes the load (phase) state and receives feedback on the communication state to terminal 20, etc., to search for optimal conditions. On the other hand, in the propagation path information norm, the load state is determined based on propagation path information between the base station and the radio wave propagation control device, enabling optimal radio wave propagation control. In embodiments of the present invention, either type is applicable.

[0066] Furthermore, while there are various types of relay methods, such as reflection, transmission, diffraction, and aggregation, in this embodiment, as an example, configurations of the reflection type and the transmission type will be described below (for diffraction type and aggregation type, see Non-Patent Document 2, etc.).

[0067] Figure 7 shows an example of a reflective wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the system configuration of the reflective wireless relay device 30 will be explained using Figure 7. Figure 7 shows the relationship between a transmitting antenna Tx such as a base station 10A, a relay antenna Sx of a transmissive wireless relay device 30, and a receiving antenna Rx such as a terminal 20. As shown in Figure 7, in an embodiment of the present invention, MIMO is used as an example, and there are multiple propagation paths between Tx and Sx and multiple propagation paths between Sx and Rx, and the wireless relay device 30 relays radio waves by controlling a variable unit 340 having a variable phase meter of the relay antenna Sx.

[0068] As shown in Figure 7, in the case of a reflective antenna, the array of relay antennas are arranged facing the same direction. This makes it possible to estimate the propagation path of the relay antennas based on the reception state observed when the phase conditions of the relay antennas are changed multiple times.

[0069] Figure 8 shows an example of a transparent wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the system configuration of the transparent wireless relay device 30 will be explained using Figure 8. Figure 8 shows the relationship between a transmitting antenna Tx such as a base station 10A, a relay antenna Sx of the transparent wireless relay device 30, and a receiving antenna Rx such as a terminal 20. As shown in Figure 8, in the embodiment of the present invention, MIMO is used as an example, and there are multiple propagation paths between Tx and Sx and multiple propagation paths between Sx and Rx, and the wireless relay device 30 relays radio waves arriving from one side to the other side via a variable part 340 such as a variable phase shifter of the relay antenna Sx, as shown in the figure. In this way, in the transparent type, the reference antenna on the left side of the figure and the relay antenna on the right side of the figure are arranged in pairs facing opposite directions so that radio waves arriving from one side can be relayed to the other side. In either the transparent or reflective type, the system may be configured to detect the power received by the relay antenna using a power detector or the like, and the reception state may be measured. Furthermore, the propagation path of the relay antenna can be estimated based on the received signals observed when the phase conditions of the relay antenna are changed in multiple ways.

[0070] For example, future networks such as 6G will require even higher quality compared to 5G. This includes ultra-high speeds on the order of terabits per second, high reliability and low latency at the level of optical communication, and more. Furthermore, designs will need to consider ultra-high coverage expansion, ultra-long-distance communication, ultra-reliable communication, virtual cells, flexible networks, mesh networks, enhanced side links, and RIS or smart repeaters.

[0071] To achieve this quality, the use of extremely high frequencies, such as teraHz waves, is anticipated. For example, when using extremely high frequencies such as teraHz waves, the advantages are expected to be high speed due to the use of ultra-wideband and low latency due to the short symbol length. However, disadvantages are also expected, such as narrow coverage due to the large attenuation rate and reduced reliability due to high directivity. For each location where 6G communication is required, it is necessary to consider how to ensure redundancy, that is, how to increase the number of communication transmission points.

[0072] As described above, the RIS reflects or transmits the beam transmitted from the base station 10 or terminal 20 in a predetermined direction and delivers it to the terminal 20 or base station 10. A passive RIS is a device that does not change the control of the reflection angle or beam width, etc., according to the position of the mobile station, and does not require control information, but precise beam control is difficult. An active RIS is a device that changes the control of the reflection angle and beam width, etc., according to the position of the mobile station, and does not require control information, but overhead increases because control information is required. The RIS can increase the number of transmission points for communication.

[0073] Furthermore, RIS may be any of the names shown in 1)-4) below, but is not limited to these. 1) Battery-less device 2) Metamaterial Functional Device 3) Intelligent reflecting surface 4) Smart repeater

[0074] RIS can be any device having a predetermined function, and that predetermined function may be at least one of the following functions 1) and 2).

[0075] 1) UE function A function to receive signals transmitted from the base station 10 (e.g., DL signals, SSB, PDCCH, PDSCH, DM-RS, PT-RS, CSI-RS, RIS-dedicated signals). This receiving function may also receive information related to the metamaterial function described in 2) below. A function to transmit signals to the base station 10 (e.g., UL signals, PRACH, PUCCH, PUSCH, DM-RS, PT-RS, SRS, RIS-dedicated signals). This transmitting function may also transmit information related to the metamaterial function described in 2) below. A frame synchronization function with the base station 10.

[0076] 2) Metamaterial function A function to reflect signals transmitted from the base station 10 or terminal 20 (e.g., phase change). Signal reflection may be performed by changing the phase for each of the multiple reflecting elements of the RIS, or a common phase change may be performed for multiple reflecting elements. Functions related to beam control (e.g., functions related to TCI-state and QCL control, selective beam application, selective application of spatial filters / precoding weights). A function to change the power of signals transmitted from the base station 10 or terminal 20 (e.g., power amplification). Different power changes may be performed for each of the reflecting elements of the RIS, or a common power change may be performed for multiple reflecting elements.

[0077] In RIS (Radio Station), "receive and transmit" may also mean reflecting radio waves / signals. Hereafter, the terms "base station" and "terminal" will be used, but they are not limited to these and may be replaced with communication devices. RIS may also be replaced with smart repeaters, relay devices, etc.

[0078] For example, RIS may operate under the assumptions shown in 1)-6) below. 1) The network operator configures the RIS. 2) The RIS is fixed and does not move. 3) RIS relays signals from only one base station. 4) Capable of receiving and transmitting control signals. 5) Operates using half-double-duplex signaling. 6) Single RIS environment

[0079] As described above, the use of RISs, smart repeaters, etc., can be considered for the purpose of flexibly and cost-effectively expanding the communication area of ​​a wireless communication network. A major difference between an RIS or smart repeater and an IAB node is that an IAB node performs baseband signal processing, while an RIS or smart repeater does not. In order to control the transmission direction or transmission beam of an RIS or smart repeater, a connection may be established between the base station 10 and the RIS or smart repeater, and configuration information may be defined in advance.

[0080] Here, it is necessary to define the operation when terminal 20 uses signals transmitted via multiple RISs or other wireless relay devices 30 such as smart repeaters. In the following description, RIS may be replaced with smart repeater.

[0081] Figure 9 shows an example of communication (1) in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 9, the presence of the RIS 30 is transparent, and Case 1 is assumed in which the base station 10 and terminal 20 are unaware that they are communicating via the RIS 30. Note that multiple RIS 30s may operate transparently to perform communication between the base station 10 and terminal 20.

[0082] Figure 10 shows an example of communication (2) in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 10, the presence of multiple RISs 30 is opaque, and a case 2 is assumed in which the base station 10 and terminal 20 are aware that they are communicating via multiple RISs 30.

[0083] The embodiments of the present invention primarily envision Case 2 described above, but are not limited thereto. Embodiments of the present invention may also be applied to Case 1 described above.

[0084] In both Case 1 and Case 2 described above, the following scenarios may be applied, for example, but are not limited to them.

[0085] 1) The installer is the operator. 2) The RIS30 is fixed in place and not intended to be moved. 3) The number of base stations 10 connected to RIS30 is 1. 4) The hop count is 1. 5) RIS30 has the function of transmitting and receiving control signals. 6) The duplexing system is half-duplexing. That is, DL and UL do not need to be relayed simultaneously in RIS30. 7) Multiple RISs may be interposed between base station terminals.

[0086] Here, when terminal 20 performs initial access using signals transmitted via multiple wireless relay devices 30 such as RISs, it is necessary to define the operation related to initial access that is adapted to the signals transmitted via the wireless relay devices.

[0087] Therefore, the operations described in 1)-3) below regarding initial access via RIS may be enabled. Note that 1)-3) below may be performed in combination.

[0088] 1) The SSB index may be expanded. The SSB index may be expanded to account for cases where the RIS is installed in the cell or not, and the base station 10 may notify the RIS of information related to the SSB index.

[0089] 2) DL time synchronization may be performed between the base station 10 and the RIS. The RIS may synchronize its transmission pattern, reflection pattern, beam switching timing, etc., with that of the base station 10.

[0090] 3) UL time synchronization may be performed between the base station 10 and the RIS. The RIS may synchronize the UL switching time, for example, by taking into account the transmission timing of the terminal 20, in order to advance the beam switching timing relative to the DL.

[0091] Figure 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a signal transmitted via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 11, base station 10 transmits an SSB index for an existing cell or when a RIS is not installed. <0> ~ <x-1>In addition to the SSB, you may also send SSBs with SSB indices <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1> for RIS, for example. Note that i is the RIS index and can take values ​​such as {0, 1, 2, ...}. Also, SSB index ~ The notation indicates a series of SSB indexes, from SSB index A to SSB index B.

[0092] Figure 11 shows an example where X=4. For example, SSB indices 0 to 3 may be assigned to the existing cells transmitted and received by terminal 20A, SSB indices 4 to 7 may be assigned to RIS30A transmitted and received by terminal 20B, and SSB indices 8 to 11 may be assigned to RIS30B transmitted and received by terminal 20C.

[0093] RIS may be installed at will. Situations such as installation, non-installation, and changes in installation location after installation are all possible. For example, if RIS is not installed, SSB indices from 0 to X-1 are sufficient, but if RIS is installed, SSB indices from X to X+Y-1 may be required. Also, if two RISs are installed, SSB indices from X+Y to X+Y+Z-1 may be required. However, X is the number of SSB indices assigned to SSB transmitted directly from base station 10 to terminal 20, and Y and Z are the number of SSB indices assigned to SSB transmitted from RIS 30 to terminal 20.

[0094] The number of SSB indices assigned to each RIS may differ or be the same. The number of SSB indices assigned to a RIS may be set by a higher layer or defined by a specification.

[0095] For example, the number of SSB indexes assigned to all RISs may be the same. If the number of SSB indexes assigned between BS and UE, and the number of SSB indexes assigned to all RISs are the same, then, with i being the RIS index {0, 1, 2, ...} and X being the number of indexes assigned to BS and each RIS, the SSB indexes assigned to each RIS will be <(i+1)·X> to <(i+2)·X-1>.

[0096] For example, the number of SSB indexes assigned between the BS and the UE may be different from the number of SSB indexes assigned to each RIS. When X, the number of SSB indexes assigned to the BS and the number of SSB indexes assigned to all RISs are the same, let i be the index of the RIS {0, 1, 2,...}, X be the number of SSB indexes assigned to the BS, and Y be the number of SSB indexes assigned to each RIS. Then, the SSB indexes assigned to each RIS are <X + i·Y> to <(X + (i + 1)·Y - 1).

[0097] For example, the number of SS indexes assigned to each RIS may be different. Y i When Y is the number of SSB indexes of index i and i > 0, the SSB indexes assigned to the RIS of index i are <X + Σ j=0 i-1 {Y j}> to <X + Σ j=0 i {Y j}- 1>. When i = 0, the SSB index is <x>~<X+Y0-1> This is the result.

[0098] The base station 10 may set the SSB index as shown in 1)-3) below.

[0099] 1) SSB Index <0> ~ <x-1>The SSB index assigned to the RIS, for example, <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1>, may always be set. The base station 10 has the SSB index <0> ~ <x-1>And <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1> are assigned, and the transmission of SSB indices <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1> may be determined by the presence or absence of RIS.

[0100] For example, if a control connection exists between the RIS and the base station 10, the base station 10 may start transmitting SSB beams corresponding to SSB indices <(i+1)·X> to <(i+2)·X-1> once the connection with the RIS is established (e.g., completion of the random access procedure or establishment of the RRC connection).

[0101] When RIS connects to base station 10, it may, as a capability, report to base station 10 at least one of its own device's transmission pattern, reflection pattern, and beam count. Base station 10 may allocate SSBs based on the number reported by RIS. For example, base station 10 may allocate additional SSBs corresponding to the number reported by RIS. Base station 10 may explicitly notify RIS of the number of SSBs to allocate and / or SSB indices, or it may implicitly notify RIS by decoding SSBs with SSB indices <(i+1)·X> to <(i+2)·X-1>.

[0102] The maximum number of transmission patterns, reflection patterns, and / or beams of the RIS (e.g., 4 or 8), i.e., the maximum number of SSBs, may be specified in the specifications, set, or pre-set. The base station 10 may assign a number of SSB indices less than or equal to the maximum value to a single RIS.

[0103] 2) SSB Index <0> ~ <x-1>This is always set, and the SSB index <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1> may be added based on the presence or absence of RIS. Base station 10 has the SSB index <0> ~ <x-1>A value is assigned, and SSB indices <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1> may be added depending on the presence or absence of RIS. For example, a flag bit may be provided in the PBCH, etc., to enable or disable the SSB indices <(i+1)·X>~<(i+2)·X-1>. If the flag bit indicates disabled, terminal 20 will have an SSB index of <0> ~ <x-1>If it is determined that the flag bit is valid, terminal 20 will determine that the SSB index is <0> ~ <x-1>It may be determined that α is added to the formula. This α may be defined in the specification or notified separately. For example, this α may be the SSB index <(i+1)·X> ~ <(i+2)·X-1>.

[0104] 3) SSB Index <0> ~ <x-1>The SSB indices <(i+1)·X> to <(i+2)·X-1> may always be set. If the RIS is capable of transmitting both wide beam and narrow beam simultaneously, the RIS may reflect or re-radiate the SSB corresponding to one SSB index (e.g., X) using one wide beam. For example, the RIS may decode the PBCH and SIB and obtain the transmission period and timing of the SSB.

[0105] Furthermore, the RIS may be assigned multiple CSI-RSs and reflect or re-radiate with multiple narrow beams. When connecting with the base station 10, the RIS may, as a capability, report to the base station 10 at least one of its transmission pattern, reflection pattern, and number of beams. The base station 10 may assign CSI-RSs based on the RIS's report. The base station 10 may notify the RIS of information related to the assigned CSI-RSs (e.g., time resources and / or frequency resources). Note that the directions of the multiple narrow beams may be included in the directions of the wide beams.

[0106] As another example, if the RIS can transmit either wide beam or narrow beam only, the RIS may reflect or re-radiate an SSB corresponding to a single SSB index (e.g., X) using multiple narrow beams. Here, for example, if the RIS reflects or re-radiates using four narrow beams, the SSB transmission period via the RIS becomes four times longer. Note that if the RIS can transmit either wide beam or narrow beam only, the RIS may reflect or re-radiate an SSB corresponding to a single SSB index (e.g., X) using one wide beam. Note that the directions of the multiple narrow beams may be included in the directions of the wide beam.

[0107] In the operations described in 1)-3) above, if the total number of beams for existing cells and beams for RIS exceeds the maximum value of the existing SSB index (8 for FR1, 64 for FR2), the SSB index may be expanded.

[0108] For example, the SSB index may be extended using one of the reserved bits in the MIB of the PBCH. Alternatively, in the case of the operation shown in 2) above, the SSB index may be extended using a bit that enables the SSB index for the RIS. For example, if the bit indicating enable or disable is 0, the SSB index may be assigned to an existing cell and terminal 20 may only search for the SSB index of the existing cell; if the bit indicating enable or disable is 1, the extended SSB index may be assigned to the RIS and terminal 20 may search for the SSB index of the existing cell as well as the SSB index reflected or re-radiated by the RIS.

[0109] DL time synchronization between base station 10 and RIS may be performed as follows:

[0110] The RIS may synchronize its transmission pattern, reflection pattern, and / or beam switching timing with the base station 10 using an external source or using SSB. The external source may be, for example, a GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) or a PTP (Precision Time Protocol). When using SSB for time synchronization, a difference in propagation delay between the base station 10 and the RIS may be tolerated. Also, when using SSB for time synchronization, the RIS may be notified of timing-related information such as TA (Timing Advance) and correct the propagation delay based on this information, or it may estimate the propagation delay based on the position information of the base station 10 and the RIS.

[0111] UL time synchronization between base station 10 and RIS may be performed as follows:

[0112] The RIS needs to synchronize its DL time with the base station 10, and at the same time, it needs to take into account the transmission timing of the terminal 20, so that the UL beam switching timing is earlier than the DL beam switching timing.

[0113] For example, if the base station 10 and the RIS are in the same position and propagation path, and the timing is always constant, the RIS may recognize the TDD pattern and the UL slot may advance the beam switching timing. For example, the beam switching timing may be advanced at the timing of the flexible symbol in the special slot. The TDD pattern may be notified by the base station 10, pre-configured, or specified in the specifications. For example, the timing for switching the UL pattern and / or beam may be based on the propagation delay by the RIS, or on the timing based on the TA set by the base station 10, or timing information may be notified from the base station 10 or terminal 20. For example, different timing information may be notified to different RISs. By notifying different timing information to different RISs, in the case of multiple RISs, since the propagation delay between the base station and RIS differs for each RIS, applying different timings can be used to avoid UL / DL collisions with higher accuracy.

[0114] For example, if the position and propagation path of the base station 10 and the RIS change, and the timing changes, the timing may be adjusted in accordance with the change in the propagation path between the base station 10 and the RIS. For example, the timing for switching the UL pattern and / or beam may be a timing that the RIS dynamically switches according to the TA set by the base station 10, or timing-related information may be notified from the base station 10 or the terminal 20.

[0115] As described above, the base station 10 and terminal 20 can improve the reliability of initial access via RIS or smart repeater.

[0116] In other words, in wireless communication systems, the reliability of initial access via wireless relay devices can be improved.

[0117] The following describes an example in which information regarding the beam transmitted by the wireless relay device 30 is specified for each resource.

[0118] Figure 12 is a diagram illustrating an example (1) of communication via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. Terminal 20 does not have to simultaneously receive beams transmitted from different RISs 30. For example, as shown in Figure 12, terminal 20 does not have to simultaneously receive beam #A2 transmitted from RIS 30A and beam #B1 transmitted from RIS 30B. Figure 12 shows an example in which terminal 20 moves from the area of ​​beam #A2 to the area of ​​beam #B1.

[0119] Figure 13 is a diagram illustrating an example (2) of communication via a wireless relay device in an embodiment of the present invention. Terminal 20 may simultaneously receive beams transmitted from different RISs 30. For example, as shown in Figure 13, terminal 20 may simultaneously receive beam #A2 transmitted from RIS 30A and beam #B1 transmitted from RIS 30B. Figure 13 shows an example in which terminal 20 moves from the area of ​​beams #A2 and #B1 to the area of ​​beam #B2.

[0120] Figure 14 shows an example of notifying a wireless relay device of control information in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 14, the wireless relay device 30 may receive beam-related information from the base station 10 and determine which beam to use when transmitting signals to terminals 20A and 20B based on that information. In Figure 14, the base station 10 may notify the wireless relay device 30 that beam #1 and beam #2 will be used.

[0121] In addition, in any of the following embodiments, the wireless relay device 30 may receive beam selection information as shown in at least one of the following options.

[0122] <Option 1> The wireless relay device 30 may receive information indicating the uplink RS of a specific terminal 20 that has a spatial relation to it.

[0123] <Option 2> The wireless relay device 30 may receive information regarding the direction of the beam to be applied.

[0124] <Option 3> The wireless relay device 30 may receive information regarding the beam index to be applied.

[0125] <Option 4> The wireless relay device 30 may receive information indicating the terminal 20 to which the beam is directed.

[0126] The following describes an example in which the wireless relay device 30 is instructed to apply a beam to a resource for which scheduling has been set.

[0127] The wireless relay device 30 may receive information from the base station 10 regarding periodic signal resources and beams for each resource, and apply beams to each resource based on the received information.

[0128] The periodic signal resources may include, for example, SSB, Periodic CSI-RS, Periodic SRS, PDCCH, Periodic PUCCH, PUSCH with type 1 configured grant, etc.

[0129] Depending on predetermined rules or the capabilities of the wireless relay device 30, the minimum time interval and minimum frequency interval at which different beams can be directed may be determined.

[0130] For example, a rule could be that different beams must be spaced at a frequency interval of X RBs or X RE or more from each other. Alternatively, a rule could be that different beams must be spaced at a time interval of Y symbols, Y slots or Y ms or more from each other.

[0131] The wireless relay device 30 may assume that the control information does not include the specification of different beams within the minimum time interval or minimum frequency interval.

[0132] Figure 15 is a diagram illustrating the beams for each resource in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 15, SSB#0 and SSB#2 are linked to Beam#0, and SSB#1 and SSB#3 are linked to Beam#1. Furthermore, different Beam#0 and Beam#1 must be separated by a time interval of at least Y symbols from each other.

[0133] The beam information for each resource may be different or the same for each wireless relay device 30. If the beam information for each resource is the same, the beam information for each resource may be set with the same upper-layer parameters, or it may be set with different parameters.

[0134] As described above, in multiple RISs, if the optimal beam differs for each RIS resource, reliability can be improved by setting different beam information for each RIS.

[0135] The wireless relay device 30 may determine the priority of the beam to apply by any or a combination of the following options when the distance between resources associated with different applied beams is less than or equal to the minimum time / frequency interval.

[0136] <Option A> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority according to the channel type of the resource. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may determine priority in the order of SSB, Periodic CSI-RS, Periodic PUCCH, PUSCH with type 1 configured grant, PDCCH, and Periodic SRS.

[0137] Figure 16 is a diagram illustrating the beams for each resource in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 16, SSB#0 and PUSCH#1 have a frequency interval of less than X RBs, so different beams cannot be applied to them. Therefore, the wireless relay device 30 decides to prioritize SSB#0 according to priority and applies the beam corresponding to SSB#0.

[0138] Furthermore, since the time interval between SSB#1 and SRS is less than Y symbols, different beams cannot be applied. Therefore, the wireless relay device 30 decides to prioritize SSB#1 according to the priority order and applies the beam corresponding to SSB#1.

[0139] <Option B> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the index of each resource. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the lowest "configuration index" or "SSB index" of each resource.

[0140] <Option C> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the priority of each resource. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the "priority index" of the channel assigned to each resource.

[0141] The wireless repeater 30 may, depending on its capabilities, decide whether or not to direct the beam of a lower-priority resource when the distance between resources associated with different application beams is less than or equal to the minimum time / frequency interval. For example, the wireless repeater 30 may decide whether or not to direct the beam of a lower-priority resource using one of the following options:

[0142] <Option 1> The wireless relay device 30 may direct a beam associated with a lower-priority resource outside the minimum time interval or frequency interval of a higher-priority resource.

[0143] Figure 17 shows an example of directing a beam to a low-priority resource in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 17, if the wireless relay device 30 cannot apply different beams because the high-priority resource #0 and the low-priority resource #1 are separated by a frequency interval of less than X RBs, it may direct Beam #0 corresponding to the high-priority resource #0 and Beam #1 corresponding to the low-priority resource #1 only to a range of frequency intervals of X RBs or more. Note that directing may mean relaying or reflecting the signal.

[0144] <Option 2> The wireless relay device 30 does not need to direct beams associated with low-priority resources that overlap with the minimum time interval or frequency interval of high-priority resources.

[0145] Specifically, the wireless relay device 30 does not need to relay (or reflect) the signal of a low-priority resource if it does not direct a beam associated with a low-priority resource, or it may relay (or reflect) the signal of a low-priority resource if it directs a beam associated with a high-priority resource.

[0146] Figure 18 shows an example in an embodiment of the present invention where the beam is not directed to a lower priority resource. As shown in Figure 18, if the time interval between the high-priority resource #0 and the low-priority resource #1 is less than Y symbols, and therefore different beams cannot be applied, the wireless relay device 30 may direct Beam #0 corresponding to the high-priority resource #0, but may not direct the beam corresponding to the low-priority resource #1.

[0147] The wireless relay device 30 may receive information from the base station 10 regarding semi-persistent resources and beams for each resource, and apply beams to each resource based on the received information.

[0148] Semi-persistent resources may include, for example, CSI-RS, SPS (Semi-Persistent Scheduling) SRS, PUSCH with type 2 configured grant, SPS PDSCH, etc.

[0149] The wireless relay device 30 may receive a signal indicating the activation of a semi-persistent resource allocation and apply a beam to each resource. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may determine, based on the received DCI or MAC-CE, that a semi-persistent resource is being activated and apply a beam to each resource.

[0150] The beam information for each resource may be different or the same for each wireless relay device 30. If the beam information for each resource is the same, the beam information for each resource may be set with the same upper-layer parameters, or it may be set with different parameters.

[0151] Figure 19 illustrates the application of beams to semi-persistent resources in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 19, the wireless relay device 30 may receive a PDCCH indicating the activation of a semi-persistent resource allocation and apply Beam #1 to the resource-specific beam of the PCSCH, which is a semi-persistent resource.

[0152] The beam information for each resource may be different or the same for each wireless relay device 30. If the beam information for each resource is different, the beam information for each resource may be set based on different DCI or MAC-CE. If the beam information for each resource is the same, the beam information for each resource may be set based on the same DCI or MAC-CE.

[0153] The wireless relay device 30 may determine that a semi-persistent resource is activated based on a signal transmitted toward one of the following options, and may apply a beam to each resource.

[0154] <Option 1> The wireless relay device 30 may determine whether a semi-persistent resource is activated based on a signal (e.g., DCI or MAC-CE) transmitted to the wireless relay device 30.

[0155] For example, the wireless relay device 30 may determine whether or not the signal is intended for it (DCI or MAC-CE on PUSCH) using an RNTI that scrambles the CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check).

[0156] Specifically, the wireless relay device 30 may determine whether a signal is intended for it based on an RNTI that identifies a single wireless relay device 30 (for example, CS-RNTI).

[0157] Furthermore, the wireless relay device 30 may determine whether a signal is intended for it based on the RNTI which identifies multiple wireless relay devices 30. Here, the wireless relay device 30 may determine which of the fields included in the DCI is intended for it based on the settings of the higher layer.

[0158] The wireless relay device 30 may further determine that a field included in the DCI is destined for it by one of the following options:

[0159] <Option 1-A> The wireless relay device 30 may determine that a field included in the DCI scrambled with RNTI corresponding to a group set up in the upper layer is destined for itself.

[0160] <Option 1-B> The wireless relay device 30 may determine that the fields included in the DCI, which has been scrambled with an RNTI corresponding to each DCI format set in the upper layer, are destined for itself.

[0161] <Option 2> The wireless relay device 30 may determine whether a semi-persistent resource is activated based on a signal (e.g., DCI or MAC-CE) transmitted to a specific terminal 20.

[0162] The wireless relay device 30 may store information indicating the RNTI assigned to a specific terminal 20 and determine whether or not it is a signal (DCI or MAC-CE on PUSCH) destined for that terminal 20.

[0163] Each wireless relay device 30 may report to the base station 10 the maximum number of RNTIs it can store. Additionally, each wireless relay device 30 may report to the base station 10 the maximum number of PDCCH candidates and the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs that can be monitored for each specific section.

[0164] The following describes an example in which the wireless relay device 30 is instructed to apply a beam to dynamically scheduled resources.

[0165] The wireless relay device 30 may receive information from the base station 10 regarding dynamically allocated resources and beams for each resource, and apply beams to each resource based on the received information.

[0166] Dynamically allocated resources may include, for example, PDSCH / PUSCH scheduled by DCI or RAR, AP CSI-RS, AP SRS, etc.

[0167] The beam information for each resource may be different or the same for each wireless relay device 30. If the beam information for each resource is the same, the beam information for each resource may be set with the same upper-layer parameters, or it may be set with different parameters.

[0168] The wireless relay device 30 may receive information regarding dynamic resource allocation to terminal 20 and apply beams on a per-resource basis. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may recognize a dynamic resource allocation to a specific terminal 20 based on the received DCI and apply beams on a per-resource basis.

[0169] <Option A> Here, in a similar manner to the example where the scheduling described above assumes that a beam is directed to be applied to the resource, the wireless relay device 30 may recognize dynamic resource allocation based on the DCI transmitted to the wireless relay device 30.

[0170] <Option B> Furthermore, in a similar manner to the example described above where it is assumed that a beam is directed to be applied to a resource for which scheduling has been set, the wireless relay device 30 may recognize dynamic resource allocation based on the DCI transmitted to a specific terminal 20.

[0171] Each wireless relay device 30 may report to the base station 10 the maximum number of monitorable PDCCH candidates and the maximum number of non-overlapped CCEs for each specific section.

[0172] The wireless relay device 30 may determine the priority of the beam to apply by any or a combination of the following options when the distance between resources associated with different applied beams is less than or equal to the minimum time / frequency interval.

[0173] <Option 1> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority according to the type of channel of the resource, similar to option A described above.

[0174] <Option 2> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the index of each resource, similar to option B described above.

[0175] <Option 3> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on the priority of each resource, similar to option C described above.

[0176] <Option 4> The wireless relay device 30 may determine priority based on whether a resource is a periodic resource or an aperiodic resource. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may assign a higher priority to aperiodic resources than to periodic resources.

[0177] Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating the method for determining priority in an embodiment of the present invention. "AP CSI-RS" and "P CSI-RS" shown in Figure 20 have frequency intervals of less than X RBs or time intervals of less than Y Symbols, and therefore different beams cannot be applied to them. Thus, the wireless relay device 30 decides to prioritize "AP CSI-RS," which is a non-periodic resource, and applies the beam corresponding to "AP CSI-RS."

[0178] Depending on its capabilities, the wireless relay device 30 may or may not direct beams associated with lower-priority resources outside the minimum time / frequency interval.

[0179] The following describes an example in which the wireless relay device 30 determines which beam to apply based on scheduling information.

[0180] The wireless relay device 30 may determine the beam based on the RS index referenced by the terminal 20 for each resource.

[0181] Specifically, it may be assumed that the wireless relay device 30 sets the mapping between the referenced RS index and the beam to which the wireless relay device 30 applies using RRC or the like.

[0182] Furthermore, the wireless relay device 30 may determine the RS index to be referenced using one or a combination of the following options.

[0183] <Option 1> The wireless relay device 30 may determine the beam based on the RS index, which the terminal 20 uses as a spatial relation during transmission.

[0184] Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating the beam determination method in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 21, the wireless relay device 30 determines the beam by referring to the SSB / CSI-RS index, which is the spatial relation RS between the SRS (Sounding reference signal) transmitted by the terminal 20.

[0185] <Option 2> The wireless relay device 30 may determine the beam based on the receiving channel of the terminal 20 and the RS index of the QCL relationship.

[0186] <Option 3> The wireless relay device 30 may determine the beam based on the RS index transmitted through the same antenna port as the transmission signal of the terminal 20.

[0187] <Option 4> The wireless relay device 30 may determine the beam based on the RS index transmitted by each resource.

[0188] The following describes a case where, as shown in Figure 13, the base station 10 uses multiple beams for RISs simultaneously, and the terminal 20 may simultaneously receive multiple beams from different RISs. Note that whether or not the terminal 20 simultaneously receives multiple beams transmitted from RISs may be determined based on certain conditions.

[0189] Terminal 20 may simultaneously receive at least two signals consisting of downlink data, control information, and a reference signal using multiple different beams, provided that at least one of the following conditions 1)-6) is met. The signals received simultaneously may be the same data, the same control information, or the same reference signal, or they may be different data, different control information, or different reference signals. The signals received simultaneously may also be independent signals of different types.

[0190] 1) When the identifiers of the control information or data scheduling control information are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating the resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is the physical layer information of the control information (for example, the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0191] 2) When the time resources of data, control information, or reference signals partially or completely overlap with other downstream signals.

[0192] 3) When the frequency resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other downstream signals, or when they overlap in part or in whole.

[0193] 4) When the identifiers of the data retransmission processes (e.g., HARQ process ID) are the same or different.

[0194] 5) When higher-layer parameters related to simultaneous reception are set or enabled.

[0195] 6) If terminal 20 has reported the ability to receive simultaneously (e.g., UE capability).

[0196] When receiving downlink data simultaneously using different beams, terminal 20 may be expected to perform the operations shown in 1)-3) below.

[0197] 1) Out-of-order scheduling of PDSCH. If terminal 20 is scheduled to schedule a downlink data channel of a start symbol by a downlink control channel of a end symbol i for any two HARQ process IDs in a scheduled cell, terminal 20 may receive a downlink data channel in which the start symbol scheduled by a downlink control channel in which the end symbol is later than i is earlier than the end of the downlink data channel.

[0198] 2) Out-of-order scheduling of HARQ-ACKs. In a scheduled cell, if terminal 20 receives in slot i a downlink data channel corresponding to a HARQ-ACK containing retransmission control information that it has been instructed to send in slot j, it may receive a downlink data channel that starts after the downlink data channel corresponding to a HARQ-ACK that it has been instructed to send before slot j.

[0199] 3) Regarding HARQ-ACK feedback, when receiving multiple downlink data using different beams, the corresponding HARQ-ACK feedback may be transmitted on the same uplink control channel, or it may be transmitted individually on different uplink control channels.

[0200] Terminal 20 does not need to assume that it will simultaneously receive at least two signals consisting of downlink data, control information, and a reference signal using multiple different beams, provided that at least one of the following conditions 1)-6) is met.

[0201] 1) When the identifiers of the control information or data scheduling control information are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating the resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is the physical layer information of the control information (for example, the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0202] 2) When the time resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other downstream signals, or when they overlap in part or in whole.

[0203] 3) When the frequency resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other downstream signals, or when they overlap in part or in whole.

[0204] 4) When the identifiers of the data retransmission processes (e.g., HARQ process ID) are the same or different.

[0205] 5) When the higher-layer parameters related to simultaneous reception are not set or are disabled.

[0206] 6) If terminal 20 has not reported its ability to receive simultaneously (e.g., UE capability).

[0207] If terminal 20 receives data related to only one beam, it may select or determine the corresponding received beam using one of the methods shown in 1)-5) below. Terminal 20 may also select or determine the transmitted beam to receive.

[0208] 1) The beam with the smallest or largest identifier for the control information that schedules the control information or data. This identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating the resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, this identifier may be the value of the SSB index when the SSB was received during the initial access.

[0209] 2) Beams notified or configured by base station 10. Terminal 20 may select or determine a beam based on notifications via control information or configurations at higher layers. If base station 10 does not notify or configure, initial values ​​may be determined or applied based on 1) above.

[0210] 3) Terminal 20 may select a beam for each resource. 4) Terminal 20 may select a beam based on the channel status at the time of DL reception up to the time of selecting or deciding on a beam. 5) The beam with the smallest or largest identifier for the corresponding data retransmission process (e.g., HARQ process ID). Note that control information may be received simultaneously using different beams, while data is received using a single beam, which is expected to reduce power consumption in the network or UE.

[0211] Terminal 20 may simultaneously transmit at least two signals consisting of uplink data, control information, and a reference signal using multiple different beams, provided that at least one of the following conditions 1)-7) is met. The signals transmitted simultaneously may be the same data, the same control information, or the same reference signal, or they may be different data, different control information, or different reference signals. The signals transmitted simultaneously may also be independent signals of different types.

[0212] 1) When the identifiers of the downstream control information used to schedule the data are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is physical layer information of the control information (for example, the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0213] 2) When the identifiers of the downlink control information notifying the resources of the uplink control information (e.g., transmission timing) are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating the resource information of the control information (e.g., coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is the physical layer information of the control information (e.g., the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0214] 3) When the time resources of data, control information, or reference signals partially or completely overlap with other upstream signals.

[0215] 4) When the frequency resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other uplink signals, or when they overlap in part or in whole.

[0216] 5) When the identifiers of the retransmission processes for the uplink control information (e.g., HARQ process ID) are the same or different.

[0217] 6) When higher-layer parameters related to simultaneous transmission are set or enabled.

[0218] 7) If terminal 20 has reported the capability to transmit simultaneously (e.g., UE capability).

[0219] When transmitting uplink data simultaneously using different beams, terminal 20 may be expected to operate as shown below.

[0220] Out-of-order scheduling of PUSCH. For any two HARQ process IDs in a scheduled cell, if terminal 20 is scheduled to have an up data channel of a start symbol by a down control channel of a end symbol i, terminal 20 may transmit an up data channel in which the start symbol scheduled by a down control channel whose end symbol is later than i is earlier than the end of the up data channel.

[0221] Terminal 20 does not need to simultaneously transmit at least two signals consisting of uplink data, control information, and a reference signal using multiple different beams if at least one of the following conditions 1)-7) is met.

[0222] 1) When the identifiers of the downstream control information used to schedule the data are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is physical layer information of the control information (for example, the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0223] 2) When the identifiers of the downlink control information notifying the resources of the uplink control information (e.g., transmission timing) are the same or different. The identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating the resource information of the control information (e.g., coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, the identifier may be the value of any field that is the physical layer information of the control information (e.g., the ID of the DCI field, the TCI of the DCI field, etc.).

[0224] 3) When the time resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other uplink signals, or overlap in part or in whole.

[0225] 4) When the frequency resources of data, control information, or reference signals do not overlap at all with other uplink signals, or when they overlap in part or in whole.

[0226] 5) When the identifiers of the retransmission processes for the uplink control information (e.g., HARQ process ID) are the same or different.

[0227] 6) When the higher-level parameters related to simultaneous transmission are not set or are disabled.

[0228] 7) If terminal 20 has not reported its ability to transmit simultaneously (e.g., UE capability).

[0229] If terminal 20 transmits only data relating to one beam, it may select or determine the transmission beam in any of the following ways: 1)-6)

[0230] 1) The beam with the smallest or largest identifier in the downlink control information used to schedule the data. This identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter indicating resource information of the control information (for example, coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, this identifier may be the value of the SSB index when the SSB was received during the initial access.

[0231] 2) The beam with the smallest or largest control information identifier that notifies the uplink control information resource (e.g., transmission timing). This identifier may be the value of a higher-layer parameter that indicates the control information resource information (e.g., coresetPoolIndex included in ControlResourceSet (see Non-Patent Document 3)). Alternatively, this identifier may be the value of the SSB index when the SSB was received during the initial access.

[0232] 3) Beams notified or configured by base station 10. Terminal 20 may select or determine a beam based on notifications via control information or configurations at higher layers. If base station 10 does not notify or configure, initial values ​​may be determined or applied based on 1) above.

[0233] 4) Terminal 20 may select a beam for each resource. 5) Terminal 20 may select a beam based on the channel status at the time of DL reception up to the time of selecting or determining the beam. 6) The beam with the smallest or largest identifier for the corresponding data retransmission process (e.g., HARQ process ID). Note that control information may be received simultaneously using different beams, while data is received using a single beam, which is expected to reduce power consumption in the network or UE.

[0234] The above embodiment allows us to define the operation when multiple wireless relay devices are installed between a base station and a terminal.

[0235] In other words, in a wireless communication system, communication can be performed via multiple wireless relay devices.

[0236] Here, for example, control may be performed to appropriately enable or disable the functions of the wireless relay device 30 for the purposes shown in 1)-3) below. Note that this enable or disable control may be performed assuming that multiple wireless relay devices 30 are installed between base station terminals, as shown in Figure 10. 1) Avoid unwanted reflections or repetitions (radiation) and suppress interference. 2) Reducing power consumption of RIS or smart repeaters 3) When providing temporary coverage to a specific area (for example, for an event)

[0237] A wireless repeater 30, such as a RIS or smart repeater, may control the activation or deactivation of its reflection or radiation function based on higher-layer settings and / or physical layer instructions from other network nodes. The higher-layer settings may be RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling or MAC (Medium Access Control)-CE (Control Element). The physical layer instructions may be DCI (Downlink Control Information) or UCI (Uplink Control Information). Activation or deactivation may mean turning the function ON / OFF or activating / deactivating the function.

[0238] For example, the information element (IE) of the above RRC signaling may be as follows: RepeaterConfig ::= SEQUENCE { repeaterState ENUMERATED {activated, deactivated} OPTIONAL, -- Need M }

[0239] The above IE"RepeaterConfig" may be an IE instance that configures settings related to the reflection / emission function. The above IE"repeaterState" may be an IE instance that enables or disables the reflection / emission function.

[0240] For example, the above MAC-CE may consist of one octet as a Repeater State Command, with one bit in that octet indicating whether to enable or disable the reflection / emission function. For example, the bit may be 1 to indicate enable and 0 to indicate disable. The remaining seven bits of the octet may be reserved bits.

[0241] For example, the DCI or UCI may have a 1-bit Repeater State field, where 1 indicates the activation of the reflection / emission function and 0 indicates the deactivation of the reflection / emission function.

[0242] For example, the wireless repeater 30 may be configured with multiple settings that associate information indicating the activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function via RRC signaling with information indicating the duration of that state, and the wireless repeater 30 may be instructed by DCI or UCI to use which of these multiple settings.

[0243] Figure 22 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of operation (1) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may perform activation or deactivation control based on settings and / or instructions from the base station 10. Such settings and / or instructions may be the higher layer settings or physical layer instructions.

[0244] In step S11, the base station 10 transmits settings and / or instructions related to the reflection / radiation function to the radio relay device 30. In the subsequent step S12, the radio relay device 30 enables or disables the reflection / radiation function based on the settings and / or instructions. Hereinafter, "reflection / radiation" may mean reflection or radiation, or reflection and radiation.

[0245] Figure 23 is a sequence diagram illustrating an example (2) of the operation of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may perform activation or deactivation control based on settings and / or instructions from the terminal 20. Such settings and / or instructions may be the higher layer settings or physical layer instructions.

[0246] In step S21, terminal 20 transmits settings and / or instructions related to the reflection / radiation function to wireless relay device 30. In the subsequent step S22, wireless relay device 30 enables or disables the reflection / radiation function based on the settings and / or instructions.

[0247] FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram for explaining an operation example (3) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may perform activation or deactivation control based on settings and / or instructions from the base station 10 and the terminal 20. The settings and / or instructions may be the above upper layer settings or physical layer instructions.

[0248] In step S31, the base station 10 transmits settings and / or instructions related to the reflection / radiation function to the wireless relay device 30. In step S32, the terminal 20 transmits settings and / or instructions related to the reflection / radiation function to the wireless relay device 30. The execution order of step S31 and step S32 may be reversed, or only one of them may be executed. In step S33, the wireless relay device 30 executes activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function based on the settings and / or instructions.

[0249] Here, the wireless relay device 30 may apply the settings and / or instructions only when it receives the same settings and / or instructions from the base station 10 and the terminal 20. For example, when the wireless relay device 30 receives activation settings and / or instructions from both the base station 10 and the terminal 20, it may activate the reflection / radiation function. For example, when the wireless relay device 30 receives deactivation settings and / or instructions from both the base station 10 and the terminal 20, it may deactivate the reflection / radiation function.

[0250] In addition, the wireless relay device 30 may autonomously determine activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function. For example, when the wireless relay device 30 does not receive settings and / or instructions related to the reflection / radiation function from the base station 10 and the terminal 20, it may perform a predetermined autonomous operation.

[0251] When the wireless relay device 30 controls the activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function based on upper layer settings and / or instructions from the base station 10 or terminal 20, the activation or deactivation state may be set directly and semistatically, or the period during which the state is activated or deactivated may be set semistatically.

[0252] The above upper-layer settings may be performed by RRC signaling or by MAC-CE. The information elements included in the RRC signaling may be able to set either semi-static activation or semi-static deactivation of the reflection / emission function. In addition, the commands included in the MAC-CE may be able to notify either semi-static activation or semi-static deactivation of the reflection / emission function.

[0253] The above-mentioned upper layer settings may define different activation or deactivation periods for each wireless relay device 30, or the same activation or deactivation period may be defined for multiple wireless relay devices 30. If different activation or deactivation periods are defined for each wireless relay device 30, different upper layer parameters may be defined for each wireless relay device 30. The scope to which the upper layer parameters apply may be per wireless relay device 30, or per group including any wireless relay devices 30. If the same activation or deactivation period is defined for multiple wireless relay devices 30, the same upper layer parameters may be defined for multiple wireless relay devices 30.

[0254] If the wireless relay device 30 is dynamically instructed to enable or disable its reflection / radiation function by a physical layer control signal (e.g., PDCCH or PUCCH) from the base station 10 or terminal 20, the time from receiving the physical layer control signal to applying the enablement or disablement may be specified in the specifications, instructed by the physical layer control signal, or a minimum time may be specified, and the wireless relay device 30 does not have to assume that a time shorter than the minimum time will be instructed.

[0255] Multiple wireless relay devices 30 may be instructed to be enabled or disabled collectively with the same signal, or each wireless relay device 30 may be instructed to be enabled or disabled with a different signal. The different signals may be DCI or UCI fields that target the individual wireless relay device 30 to be enabled or disabled, or a group including any multiple wireless relay devices 30.

[0256] When the wireless relay device 30 is dynamically instructed to enable or disable its reflection / radiation function by a physical layer control signal (e.g., PDCCH or PUCCH) from the base station 10 or terminal 20, it may disable its reflection / radiation function after reflecting / radiating the PDSCH and PUCCH scheduled for the DL grant when it has reflected / radiated a PDCCH including a DL grant.

[0257] If the wireless relay device 30 is dynamically instructed to enable or disable its reflection / radiation function by a physical layer control signal (e.g., PDCCH or PUCCH) from the base station 10 or terminal 20, it may disable its reflection / radiation function after reflecting / radiating a PDCCH that includes a UL grant and then reflecting / radiating a PUSCH scheduled with that UL grant.

[0258] When the wireless relay device 30 detects a configured UL (UL) signal triggered by the terminal 20, it may enable or disable its reflection / radiation function. In other words, it may use the UL signal from the terminal 20 as a WUS (Wake-up signal).

[0259] The wireless relay device 30 may enable or disable the reflection / radiation function when it detects a signal from the terminal 20 that instructs the activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function, if the base station 10 and / or terminal 20 have set the signal to be valid. In other words, the UL signal and WUS from terminal 20 may be transmitted separately. Terminal 20 may always transmit the signal before performing the UL transmission, or it may transmit the signal only when the wireless relay device 30 has disabled the reflection / radiation function.

[0260] Figure 25 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation (4) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S41, the wireless relay device 30 determines whether the reception quality of a predetermined signal is above a threshold. If the reception quality of the predetermined signal is above the threshold (YES in S41), the process proceeds to step S42. If the reception quality of the predetermined signal is not above the threshold (NO in S41), the process ends. In step S42, the wireless relay device 30 may activate the reflection / radiation function.

[0261] Figure 26 is a flowchart illustrating an example of operation (5) of the wireless relay device 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. In step S51, the wireless relay device 30 determines whether the reception quality of a predetermined signal is below a threshold. If the reception quality of the predetermined signal is above the threshold (YES in S51), the process proceeds to step S52. If the reception quality of the predetermined signal is not above the threshold (NO in S51), the process ends. In step S52, the wireless relay device 30 may disable the reflection / radiation function.

[0262] The predetermined signal may be an SSB from base station 10, a TRS from base station 10, or an SRS from terminal 20. The signal for measuring reception quality may be defined or set as the predetermined signal. The reception quality may be RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality), or SINR (Signal to interference plus noise ratio). The threshold may be defined in the specifications or set by another node. That is, the radio relay device may receive information related to the threshold from base station 10 or terminal 20. Furthermore, the threshold may have hysteresis set, and may be enabled if the reception quality exceeds the threshold N times in a row during the defined or set reception quality measurement opportunities, and disabled if it falls below the threshold M times in a row.

[0263] The operation shown in Figure 25 or Figure 26 above allows for the activation or deactivation of all wireless relay devices 30 when multiple wireless relay devices 30 are installed, provided that any of the wireless relay devices 30 meet the threshold condition, or only the wireless relay devices 30 that meet the threshold condition may be activated or deactivated.

[0264] The wireless relay device 30 may control the activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function for both DL and UL, or it may control the activation or deactivation of the reflection / radiation function independently for DL ​​and UL.

[0265] The specification may define whether DL and UL are controlled commonly or independently, or they may be configured or instructed from other nodes. If they are controlled commonly, for example, they may be controlled commonly from base station 10 using upper layer settings, or from base station 10 using physical layer control signals, or from terminal 20 using upper layer settings, or from terminal 20 using physical layer control signals.

[0266] When controlled independently, for example, DL may be controlled by upper-layer settings from base station 10 and UL may be controlled by physical-layer control signals from terminal 20. Alternatively, DL may be controlled by physical-layer control signals from base station 10 and UL may be controlled by physical-layer control signals from terminal 20. Alternatively, DL may be controlled by physical-layer control signals from base station 10 and UL may be controlled by upper-layer settings from terminal 20. Alternatively, DL may be controlled by upper-layer settings from base station 10 and UL may be controlled by upper-layer settings from terminal 20. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may independently receive setting information from UL and DL, and based on that setting information, it may independently enable or disable the reflection / radiation function for UL and DL.

[0267] When the reflection / radiation function is enabled, the wireless relay device 30 may reflect / radiate all signals from the base station 10 and the terminal 20. The period during which the reflection / radiation function is enabled may be the period during which an RRC connection state is established with the base station 10, or the period during which an RRC connection state is established with the terminal 20. For example, the wireless relay device 30 may maintain its activation when it receives a WUS addressed to itself in the PDCCH MO (Monitoring Occasion), such as in CDRX (Connected mode DRX) with the base station 10, and deactivate it until the next MO if it does not receive a WUS addressed to itself.

[0268] When the wireless relay device 30 has the reflection / radiation function disabled, it does not have to reflect / radiate the signals from the base station 10 and the terminal 20. The period during which the reflection / radiation function is disabled may be the period when the RRC state with the base station 10 is in the RRC idle or RRC inactive state, or may be the period when the RRC state with the terminal 20 is in the RRC idle or RRC inactive state. For example, when the main circuit receives a PEI (Paging Early Indication) which is a WUS (Wake-up Signal) before a PO (Paging Occasion), it may maintain the activation, and when it does not receive the PEI, it may disable it until the next PEI. For example, when the reflection / radiation function of the main circuit is disabled and the WUS is received by a passive circuit dedicated to WUS reception, the reflection / radiation function of the main circuit may be activated.

[0269] The wireless relay device 30 may control the activation or deactivation of reflection / radiation in conjunction with the RRC connection state between the base station 10 of the terminal 20 that is connected to or reflects / radiates signals from the device itself.

[0270] Upon an instruction from the terminal 20 that is connected to or reflects / radiates signals from the device itself, the wireless relay device 30 may change the state of activation or deactivation of reflection / radiation. For example, when the terminal 20 detects a UL signal that can be transmitted in the RRC idle or inactive mode, the state of activation or deactivation of reflection / radiation may be changed, for example, it may be activated. That is, the UL signal from the terminal 20 may be used as a WUS.

[0271] The UL signal may be PRACH in a 4-step random access procedure, MsgA in a 2-step random access procedure, or CG-PUSCH in SDT (Small Data Transmission), etc. Furthermore, if the wireless relay device 30 detects the UL signal, and it is set to be valid from the base station 10 and / or terminal 20, it may enable or disable its reflection / radiation function. That is, the UL signal and WUS from terminal 20 may be transmitted separately. Terminal 20 may always transmit the signal before performing a UL transmission, or it may transmit the signal only when the wireless relay device 30 has disabled its reflection / radiation function.

[0272] Furthermore, UE capability related to the relay function as shown in 1)-4) below may be specified.

[0273] 1) UE capability related to the ability to transmit control information to wireless relay devices. 2) UE capability related to the ability to transmit control information to enable or disable the relay function of a wireless relay device in a semi-static manner. 3) UE capability related to the ability to transmit control information to dynamically instruct the activation and deactivation of the relay function of a wireless relay device. 4) UE capability related to the ability to transmit signals for measuring reception quality used to enable and disable the relay function of wireless relay devices.

[0274] Terminal 20 may report the above UE capability to base station 10, or it may control wireless relay device 30 based on the above UE capability.

[0275] In the above embodiment, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals, including settings or instructions, from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on said settings or instructions.

[0276] In other words, in a wireless communication system, wireless relay devices can be appropriately enabled or disabled.

[0277] (Hardware configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 2, 3, and 4) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the above one device or the above multiple devices with software.

[0278] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, judgment, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0279] For example, the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 27 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, storage device 1002, auxiliary storage device 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc.

[0280] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be read as "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured to omit some of the devices.

[0281] Each function in the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of the reading and writing of data in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0282] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0283] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes a computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 2 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 3 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0284] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of this disclosure.

[0285] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disc, a digital multipurpose disc, a Blu-ray® disc), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0286] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include high-frequency switches, duplexers, filters, frequency synthesizers, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antennas, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0287] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0288] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0289] Furthermore, the base station 10, terminal 20, and wireless relay device 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable logic device (PLD), and field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0290] Furthermore, the wireless relay device 30 may include, as necessary, hardware components constituting the variable section 340 and the antenna section 350, such as a variable phase shifter, a phase shifter, an amplifier, an antenna, an array antenna, etc.

[0291] Figure 28 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 28, vehicle 2001 comprises a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021-2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0292] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0293] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0294] Signals from various sensors 2021-2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 which senses motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0295] The Information Services Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Services Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001.

[0296] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also sends and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0297] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via its communication port 2033 to the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0298] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information to and from external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0299] The communication module 2013 transmits current signals from current sensors input to the electronic control unit 2010 to an external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 also transmits, via wireless communication, other signals input to the electronic control unit 2010, including front and rear wheel rotation speed signals obtained by the rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals obtained by the air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals obtained by the vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals obtained by the acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals obtained by the accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals obtained by the brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals obtained by the shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals obtained by the object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0300] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 installed in the vehicle 2001. The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in memory 2032, which is available to the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., installed in the vehicle 2001.

[0301] (Summary of the embodiments) As described above, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a terminal is provided which includes a communication unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from a base station via a plurality of wireless relay devices, and a transmission unit that transmits control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, wherein the transmission unit transmits the control information via upper layer settings or physical layer control signals.

[0302] With the above configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals, including settings or instructions, from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on those settings or instructions. In other words, the wireless relay device can be appropriately enabled or disabled in a wireless communication system.

[0303] When the transmitting unit transmits the control information via the upper layer setting, the control information may be information that sets an enable or disable period common to the multiple wireless relay devices. With this configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals including settings or instructions from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on the settings or instructions.

[0304] When the transmitting unit transmits the control information via the physical layer control signal, the control information may be the same information common to the multiple wireless relay devices. With this configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals including settings or instructions from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on the settings or instructions.

[0305] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a base station is provided which includes a communication unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from a terminal via a plurality of wireless relay devices, and a transmission unit that transmits control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, wherein the transmission unit transmits the control information via upper layer settings or physical layer control signals.

[0306] With the above configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals, including settings or instructions, from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on those settings or instructions. In other words, the wireless relay device can be appropriately enabled or disabled in a wireless communication system.

[0307] When the transmitting unit transmits the control information via the upper layer setting, the control information may be information that sets an enable or disable period common to the multiple wireless relay devices. With this configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals including settings or instructions from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on the settings or instructions.

[0308] Furthermore, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a communication method is provided in which a terminal performs a communication procedure for sending and receiving radio waves with a base station via a plurality of wireless relay devices, a transmission procedure for sending control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, and a procedure for sending the control information via upper layer settings or physical layer control signals.

[0309] With the above configuration, the wireless relay device 30 can receive control signals, including settings or instructions, from the base station 10 or terminal 20, and enable or disable the reflection / radiation function based on those settings or instructions. In other words, the wireless relay device can be appropriately enabled or disabled in a wireless communication system.

[0310] (Supplement to the embodiment) While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. Regarding the processing procedures described in the embodiments, the order of processing may be changed as long as it does not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, registers, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.

[0311] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the embodiments / models described herein and may be carried out by other methods. For example, the notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling, broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block))), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0312] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure includes LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), and IEEE This may apply to at least one system utilizing 802.20, UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. It may also apply to a combination of multiple systems (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0313] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0314] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0315] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0316] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0317] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0318] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0319] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0320] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0321] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0322] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0323] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0324] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0325] In this disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0326] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into several smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0327] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0328] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0329] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operation. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0330] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the base station 10 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0331] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0332] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiry (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), and ascertaining. “Determining” may also include, for example, receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, and accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0333] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0334] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0335] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0336] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0337] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0338] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0339] A wireless frame may consist of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of these frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further consist of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0340] Numerical logic may be communication parameters applied to at least one of the transmission and reception of a signal or channel. Numerical logic may include, for example, at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame configuration, specific filtering processes performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing processes performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0341] A slot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, SC-FDMA (Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access) symbols, etc.). A slot may also be a time unit based on neurology.

[0342] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain. Minislots may also be called subslots. Minislots may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0343] Wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols all represent units of time when transmitting a signal. Different names may be used for each of these terms.

[0344] For example, one subframe may be called a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one mini-slot may be called a TTI. In other words, at least one of a subframe and a TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (e.g., 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, mini-slot, etc., instead of a subframe.

[0345] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest unit of time for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, the base station schedules each terminal 20 to allocate wireless resources (such as the frequency bandwidth and transmission power available to each terminal 20) in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0346] TTI may be a transmission time unit for channel-encoded data packets (transport blocks), code blocks, code words, etc., or it may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. Given a TTI, the actual time interval (e.g., number of symbols) to which the transport block, code block, code word, etc. are mapped may be shorter than the given TTI.

[0347] Furthermore, if one slot or one mini-slot is referred to as TTI, then one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more mini-slots) may constitute the minimum time unit of scheduling. In addition, the number of slots (number of mini-slots) that constitute the minimum time unit of scheduling may be controlled.

[0348] A TTI with a time length of 1ms may also be called a normal TTI, long TTI, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a normal TTI may also be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial or fractional TTI, shortened subframe, short subframe, mini slot, sub slot, slot, etc.

[0349] Furthermore, long TTIs (e.g., normal TTIs, subframes, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a time length exceeding 1 ms, and short TTIs (e.g., shortened TTIs, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a TTI length less than that of a long TTI but 1 ms or more.

[0350] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and frequency domain, and in the frequency domain, it may contain one or more consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be the same regardless of the neurology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be determined based on the neurology.

[0351] Furthermore, the time domain of the RB may contain one or more symbols and may be the length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. Each TTI, subframe, etc., may consist of one or more resource blocks.

[0352] One or more RBs may also be called a Physical RB (PRB), Sub-Carrier Group (SCG), Resource Element Group (REG), PRB pair, RB pair, etc.

[0353] Furthermore, a resource block may consist of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource area comprising one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0354] A Bandwidth Part (BWP), also known as a partial bandwidth, may represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (RBs) for a particular neurology system in a given carrier. These common RBs may be identified by an index of the RBs relative to a common reference point of the carrier. A Bandwidth Part (PRB) may be defined and numbered within a given BWP.

[0355] A BWP may include a BWP for UL (Ultraviolet Link) and a BWP for DL ​​(Download Link). One or more BWPs may be set for a terminal 20 within a single carrier.

[0356] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and terminal 20 does not need to be expected to send or receive a predetermined signal / channel outside of the active BWP. In this disclosure, terms such as "cell" and "carrier" may be read as "BWP".

[0357] The structures described above, such as wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols, are merely illustrative. For example, the number of subframes included in a wireless frame, the number of slots per subframe or wireless frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, and the number of symbols, symbol length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length within a TTI can be varied in various ways.

[0358] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0359] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0360] Each aspect / embodiment described herein may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0361] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way. [Explanation of symbols]

[0362] 10 base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting section 140 Control Unit 20 devices 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting section 240 Control Unit 30 Wireless relay device 310 Transmitter 320 Receiver 330 Control Unit 340 Variable part 350 Antenna section 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive Unit 2003 Steering Department 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift Lever 2007 Front Wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic Control Unit 2012 Information Services Department 2013 Communication Module 2021 Current Sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Pneumatic Sensor 2024 Vehicle Speed ​​Sensor 2025 Accelerometer 2026 Brake Pedal Sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object Detection Sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver Support Systems Department 2031 Microprocessor 2032 memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port) < / x>

Claims

1. A communication unit that transmits and receives radio waves to and from a base station via multiple wireless relay devices, The system includes a transmitting unit that transmits control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, The transmitting unit is a terminal that, when it detects an uplink signal that can be transmitted in RRC (Radio Resource Control) idle or inactive mode, transmits the control information indicating activation to the wireless relay device via a higher layer setting or physical layer control signal.

2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the transmitting unit transmits the control information via the upper layer setting, the control information is information that sets an enable or disable period common to the plurality of wireless relay devices.

3. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein when the transmitting unit transmits the control information via the physical layer control signal, the control information is the same information common to the plurality of wireless relay devices.

4. A communication procedure for sending and receiving radio waves to and from a base station via multiple wireless relay devices, A transmission procedure for transmitting control information to the wireless relay devices indicating whether to enable or disable the relay function of the plurality of wireless relay devices, A communication method in which a terminal performs the following steps: when it detects an uplink signal that can be transmitted in RRC (Radio Resource Control) idle or inactive mode, it transmits the control information indicating activation to the wireless relay device via a higher layer setting or physical layer control signal.

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