Base Bureau

Abstract

To provide a base station capable of facilitating efficient processing of reference signals, a communication device, a method, and an integrated circuit.SOLUTION: A communication device for use in wireless communications includes: a transmitting / receiving unit that receives system information indicating the reference signal RS configuration in the operation; and a circuit that determines the RS setting based on the received system information in the operation. The transmitting / receiving unit assumes that the RS is capable of being used according to the determined RS configuration in the operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 14

Description

[[Technical Field]]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to transmission and reception of signals in a communication system, and particularly to a base station for such transmission and reception. [[Background Art]]

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

[0003] In systems such as LTE, LTE-A, and NR, further improvements and options can facilitate efficient operation of communication systems and specific devices related to such systems. [[Summary of the Invention]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] One non-limiting exemplary embodiment facilitates efficient processing of reference signals. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] In one embodiment, the technology disclosed herein is characterized by a communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising: a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal (RS) configuration; and circuitry that, in operation, determines the RS configuration based on the received system information, wherein the transceiver, in operation, assumes that an RS is available in accordance with the determined RS configuration.

[0006] These comprehensive or specific embodiments may be implemented as a system, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, or as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

[0007] Further advantages and effects of one embodiment of this disclosure will be made apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or effects are provided by several embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, but not all of them are necessarily provided in order to obtain one or more identical features. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] In the following, exemplary embodiments will be described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings. [Figure 1] A diagram showing an example of a 3GPP NR system architecture. [Figure 2] Schematic diagram showing the functional division between NG-RAN and 5GC. [Figure 3] Sequence diagram for RRC connection setup / reconfiguration procedure [Figure 4] A schematic diagram illustrating usage scenarios for high-speed, high-capacity (eMBB: enhanced Mobile Broadband), massive simultaneous connections (mMTC: massive Machine Type Communications), and ultra-reliable and low-latency (URLLC: Ultra Reliable and Low Latency Communications). [Figure 5] Block diagram showing an example of a 5G system architecture for a non-roaming scenario. [Figure 6] Graph illustrating the exemplary relationship between DRX cycle period, SSB period, and paging occasions and the wake-up behavior of idle UEs. [Figure 7] Graph illustrating the exemplary relationship between DRX cycle period, SSB period, and paging occasions and the wake-up behavior of idle UEs. [Figure 8] A graph illustrating an exemplary relationship between SSB and paging occasions in multibeam operation. [Figure 9] Block diagram showing base station and communication equipment [Figure 10] Block diagram showing the communication device circuit [Figure 11] Block diagram showing the base station circuit [Figure 12] Flowchart showing methods for communication devices [Figure 13] Flowchart showing methods for base stations [Figure 14] Flowchart showing methods for communication devices [Figure 15] Flowchart showing methods for communication devices [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] <5G NR System Architecture and Protocol Stack> 3GPP is working on the next release of fifth-generation cellular technology (also simply called 5G), including the development of a new radio access technology (NR) that operates in the frequency range up to 100 GHz. The first version of the 5G standard was completed at the end of 2017, and trials and commercial deployment of smartphones compliant with the 5G NR standard were able to proceed.

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

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

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

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

[0014] Use cases / deployment scenarios of NR include eMBB (enhanced Mobile Broadband), URLLC (Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communications), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communication), etc., and these have various requirements in terms of data rate, delay, and coverage. For example, eMBB is required to support a peak data rate (20 Gbps for downlink, 10 Gbps for uplink) that is about three times that provided in IMT-Advanced, and a user-experienced data rate. On the other hand, URLLC has stricter requirements: ultra-low delay (the delay of the user plane is 0.5 ms for both UL and DL) and high reliability (1-10 -5is imposed on the above. Finally, mMTC preferably requires high connection density (1 million devices per square kilometer in urban environments), wide coverage in harsh environments, and ultra-long service life batteries (15 years) for low-cost devices.

[0015] Therefore, an OFDM numerology suitable for one use case (e.g., subcarrier spacing, OFDM symbol length, cyclic prefix (CP) length, number of symbols per scheduling interval) may not be effective for other use cases. For example, low-latency services may preferably require a shorter symbol length (thus a larger subcarrier spacing) and / or a smaller number of symbols per scheduling interval (in other words, TTI) than mMTC services. Furthermore, in deployment scenarios with large channel delay spread, a longer CP length may preferably be required than in scenarios with small delay spread. In order to maintain similar CP overhead, the subcarrier spacing needs to be optimized accordingly. NR may support multiple values of subcarrier spacing. Correspondingly, subcarrier spacings of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, 60 kHz, ... are currently under consideration. Symbol length T u and the subcarrier spacing Δf satisfy the formula Δf=1 / T u and are directly related by this formula. Similar to LTE systems, the term "resource element" can be used to refer to the smallest resource unit consisting of one subcarrier for the length of one OFDM / SC-FDMA symbol.

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

[0017] <Functional Split Between NG-RAN and 5GC> Figure 2 shows the functional partitioning between NG-RAN and 5GC. NG-RAN logical nodes are either gNBs or ng-eNBs (next generation eNBs). 5GC includes logical nodes for AMF, UPF, and SMF.

[0018] gNB and ng-eNB specifically provide the following main functions: • Wireless resource management functions such as wireless bearer control, wireless admission control, connected mobility control, and dynamic resource allocation (scheduling) to UEs on both uplink and downlink. • Compression, encryption, and integrity protection of the IP header of the data. • AMF selection during UE attachment when routing to the AMF cannot be determined from the information provided by the UE. • Routing of user plane data for UPF • Routing of control plane information to AMF • Setting up and disconnecting connections • Scheduling and sending paging messages

[0019] It schedules and transmits system broadcast information (originating from AMF or OAM). • Measurement and measurement reporting settings for mobility and scheduling • Transport-level packet marking on the uplink • Session management • Support for network slicing • QoS flow management and deployment to data wireless bearers • Support for UEs in RRC_INACTIVE state • NAS message delivery function • Wireless access network sharing Dual connectivity • Close cooperation between NR and E-UTRA

[0020] The Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) provides the following key functions: • Termination of Non-Access Stratum (NAS) signaling • NAS signaling security • Access Layer (AS) security control • Core Network (CN) node-to-node signaling for mobility between 3GPP access networks • Reachability of the idle mode UE (including control and execution of paging retransmissions) Registration Area Management • Support for intra-system and inter-system mobility • Access Authentication • Access authorization including roaming permission checks • Mobility management and control (enrollment and policies) • Support for network slicing • Session Management Function (SMF) selection

[0021] Furthermore, the User Plane Function (UPF) provides the following key features: • Anchor points for mobility within / between RATs (when applicable) • External PDU session points for interconnection with data networks • Packet routing and forwarding • Packet inspection and enforcement of policy rules in the user plane. • Reporting traffic usage • Uplink classifier that supports routing of traffic flow to the data network. • Branch point that supports multi-homed PDU sessions • QoS processing for the user plane, such as packet filtering, gating, and UL / DL (uplink / downlink) rate enhancement. Uplink traffic verification (arrangement for SDF QoS flows) Downlink packet buffering and downlink data notification trigger

[0022] Finally, the session management function (SMF) provides the following main functions. Session management IP address allocation and management for UEs Selection and control of UPF Configuration of traffic steering in user plane function (UPF) for routing traffic to an appropriate destination Policy enforcement and QoS for the control plane Downlink data notification

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

[0024] RRC is a higher-layer signaling protocol used for configuring UEs and gNBs. Specifically, this transition involves the AMF preparing UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security key, UE radio capability, UE security capability, etc.) and sending it to the gNB along with an Initial Context Setup Request. The gNB then activates AS security together with the UE. This operation is performed by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE, to which the UE responds with a SecurityModeComplete message. Subsequently, the gNB sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE, and upon receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE, the gNB performs the reconfiguration to set up Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearer (DRB). In the case of a signaling-only connection, SRB2 and DRB are not configured, so the steps related to RRC reconfiguration are omitted. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the configuration procedure is complete with an Initial Context Setup Response.

[0025] Therefore, this disclosure provides a fifth-generation core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) comprising a control circuit that establishes a next-generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB during operation, and a transmitter that sends an initial context setting message to the gNodeB via the NG connection during operation so that a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and the terminal (UE) is configured. Specifically, the gNodeB transmits Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, including resource allocation setting information elements, to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then transmits an uplink or receives a downlink based on the resource allocation setting.

[0026] <IMT Usage Scenarios from 2020 Onward> Figure 4 shows some of the use cases for 5G NR. The 3rd Generation Partnership Project NR (3GPP NR) is considering three use cases where IMT-2020 is expected to support a wide variety of services and applications. The first phase of specification development for high-speed, high-capacity (eMBB) has been completed. In addition to further expanding eMBB support, research into standardization for ultra-high reliability, low latency (URLLC) and massive simultaneous connections is currently underway and will continue in the future. Figure 4 shows examples of usage scenarios expected for IMT from 2020 onwards (see, for example, Figure 2 of ITU-R M.2083).

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

[0028] From a physical layer perspective, there are various ways to improve reliability. Currently, ways to improve reliability include defining a separate CQI table for URLLC, a more compact DCI (downlink control information) format, and PDCCH repetition. However, as NR becomes more stable and more advanced (in relation to the main requirements of NR URLLC), the range of methods that can be considered to achieve ultra-high reliability may expand. Use cases specific to NR URLLC in Release 15 include augmented reality / virtual reality (AR / VR), e-health, e-safety, and mission-critical applications.

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

[0030] A key characteristic of mMTC (Massive Number of Simultaneous Connections) use cases is the extremely large number of connected devices that typically transmit relatively small amounts of data that are less susceptible to latency. Devices are required to be low-cost and have very long battery life. From a noise reduction (NR) perspective, utilizing a very narrow bandwidth is one way to enable power savings and extended battery life for the UE (Unified Element User).

[0031] As mentioned above, the scope of reliability improvements in NR is expected to broaden. One of the important requirements common to all cases, and especially required for URLLC and mMTC, is high reliability or very high reliability. Several mechanisms can be considered to improve reliability from both a radio and network perspective. In general, there are several important areas that help improve reliability. These areas include compact control channel information, data / control channel repetition, and diversity in the frequency, time, and spatial domains. These areas are generally applicable to reliability improvements regardless of the specific communication scenario.

[0032] For NR URLLC, further use cases with more stringent requirements have been identified, such as in factory automation, the transportation industry, and power distribution. These stringent requirements include high reliability (up to 10) depending on the use case. -6 Its features include high availability, a maximum packet size of 256 bytes, and time synchronization down to a few microseconds (which can be 1 microsecond or a few microseconds depending on the frequency range and short delays of about 0.5 to 1 ms (for example, a 0.5 ms delay in the target user plane)).

[0033] Furthermore, several technical enhancements have been confirmed in NR URLLC from a physical layer perspective. These include enhancements to the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) for compact DCI, increased PDCCH repetition, and increased PDCCH monitoring. Enhancements to Uplink Control Information (UCI) are related to enhanced Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) and CSI feedback. Enhancements to PUSCH related to minislot level hopping and improvements to retransmission / repetition have also been confirmed. A "minislot" refers to a transmit time interval (TTI) containing fewer symbols than a slot (a slot consisting of 14 symbols).

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

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

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

[0037] Figure 5 shows the non-roaming reference architecture for 5G NR (see TS 23.501 v16.1.0, Section 4.23). Application functions (AFs), such as external application servers hosting 5G services as illustrated in Figure 4, interact with the 3GPP core network to provide services. Examples include accessing Network Exposure Functions (NEFs) to support applications that affect traffic routing, and interacting with policy frameworks for policy controls such as QoS control (see Policy Control Functions (PCFs)). Based on operator deployment, application functions considered trusted by the operator can interact directly with the relevant network functions. Application functions not authorized by the operator to have direct access to network functions interact with the relevant network functions using an open framework to the outside via the NEF.

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

[0039] Therefore, in the present disclosure, in order to establish a PDU session including a radio bearer between a gNodeB and a UE according to QoS requirements, an application server (e.g., an AF in a 5G architecture) is provided, comprising: a transmitting unit configured to, in operation, transmit a request including QoS requirements for at least one of URLLC, eMBB, and mMTC services to at least one function of a 5GC (e.g., NEF, AMF, SMF, PCF, UPF, etc.); and a control circuit configured to, in operation, perform a service using the established PDU session.

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

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

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

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

[0044] In RRC_CONNECTED, the RRC context is established, and all parameters necessary for communication between the device and the radio access network are known to both entities. From the core network's perspective, the device is in the CN_CONNECTED state. The cell to which the device belongs is known, and the device's identification information (C-RNTI: Cell Radio-Network Temporary Identifier) ​​used for signaling between the device and the network is set. The connection state is intended for data transfer with the device, but discontinuous reception (DRX) can be set to reduce the device's power consumption. In the connection state, the gNB has an established RRC context, so stopping DRX and starting data transmission and reception is relatively fast because it does not require connection setup with its associated signaling. Mobility is managed by the radio access network; that is, the device provides neighboring cell measurements to the network, which instructs the device to perform a handover when applicable. Uplink time alignment may or may not exist, but it must be established and maintained using random access for data transmission to take place.

[0045] LTE only supports idle and connected states. In practice, the idle state is generally used as a primary sleep state to reduce device power consumption. However, frequent transmission of small packets is common in many smartphone applications, resulting in a significant amount of transitions from idle to active in the core network. These transitions come at the cost of signaling load and associated latency. Therefore, to reduce signaling load and generally latency, a third state is defined in NR, which is the RRC_INACTIVE state.

[0046] In RRC_INACTIVE, the RRC context is maintained by both the device and the gNB. The core network connection is also maintained; that is, the device is in CN_CONNECTED from the perspective of the core network. Therefore, the transition to a connected state for data transfer is fast. Core network signaling is not required. The RRC context is already running within the network, and the transition from idle to active can be handled within the wireless access network. Simultaneously, the device can sleep in a manner similar to an idle state, and mobility is handled through cell reselection, i.e., without network involvement. Therefore, the mobility of a communication device or device is device-controlled, not network-controlled, and the communication device can access the network via random access. Thus, RRC_INACTIVE can be considered a mixture of idle and connected states (see E. Dahlman et al., 5GNR: The Next Generation Wireless Access Technology, 1st edition, sections 6.5.1 to 6.5.3 for details).

[0047] In some wireless communication systems, including NR or NR-like systems such as NR Release 15 / 16, one or more resources in the time and frequency domains for Tracking Reference Signals (TRS) and / or Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) may be configured per UE using RRC parameters for sequence generation, resource mapping, and / or transmission timing (which may include position and / or density in the time domain). Such per-UE RRC configuration allows RS to be transmitted on demand to configured UEs (or groups of configured UEs), unlike systems, including some LTE systems, where CSI-RS is transmitted according to fixed parameters regardless of the current demand of the UEs.

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

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

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

[0051] Specifically, paging improvements(s) may be considered and implemented to reduce the reception of unnecessary monitoring and / or paging. Such improvements may be conditional on avoiding impact on legacy UEs.

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

[0053] On the other hand, power saving considerations can also address power saving techniques for connected mode UEs, provided that the impact on system performance is minimized.

[0054] This may include consideration and provision of expanded power saving adaptations, possibly including adaptive techniques from NR Release 16, such as reducing PDCCH monitoring when DRX (Discontinuous Reception) (C-DRX) is configured on connected UEs. It should be noted that power saving in NR Release 17 requires that power saving solutions available in Releases 15 and 16 be supported, evaluated, and appropriately utilized by UEs.

[0055] In considering power saving in connection modes, for example, the impact of mitigating UE measurements for Radio Link Monitoring (RLM) and / or Beam Failure Detection (BFD) can be further addressed, such as in low-mobility UEs with short DRX periods or DRX cycles.

[0056] As mentioned above, power-saving techniques for idle and inactive modes may include reducing unnecessary paging reception, where paging reception is intended to include PDCCH monitoring (e.g., for paging DCI) and possibly PDSCH reception (e.g., for acquiring paging messages), all of which contribute to the UE's power consumption. For example, the paging reception period (e.g., the interval between paging occasions corresponding to the DRX cycle period in idle or inactive mode) may be made longer. From the UE's perspective, a longer paging reception period results in longer sleep time and thus power savings. However, longer sleep time can introduce challenges related to time and frequency synchronization tracking (or "time / frequency tracking") as well as beam tracking.

[0057] As mentioned earlier, in the design of some systems such as NR Release 15 / 16, the UE in IDLE / INACTIVE mode relies on SSB for time and frequency tracking. However, if the DRX cycle is long in idle and inactive modes, the UE may need to wake up according to the SSB transmit timing to maintain time and frequency synchronization. For example, if the SSB and paging occasions are not close together, the UE may choose to wake up for a longer period to cover both, as shown in Figure 6. This can increase power consumption. However, the UE may also wake up first for SSB, then go back to sleep, and then wake up again for paging reception, as shown in Figure 7. This incurs additional power ramping effort, which can also result in more power consumption.

[0058] Furthermore, with respect to beam sweep operation, assuming the UE is on beam #K, the distance between the SSB with index K and the Kth PDCCH (or the paging occasion or paging search space with TCI (Transmission Configuration Indicator) #K) can become large, as shown in Figure 8, which can degrade paging reception performance. For example, the long interval between the SSB and paging can lead to weak channel correlation between them, UE mobility, or frequency-selective fading, all of which can degrade paging reception performance.

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

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

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

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

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

[0064] A base station 910, including a transceiver 920 and a circuit 930 (for example, a processing circuit), is also provided, which is also shown in Figure 9.

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

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

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

[0068] In accordance with the above-mentioned communication device, a wireless communication method is provided that is performed by a communication device such as a user device, as shown in Figure 12. This method includes receiving system information indicating the RS setting (step S1210). For example, the SI is received from the base station 910. This method further includes determining the RS setting based on the received SI (step S1220) and assuming that the RS is available according to the determined RS setting (step S1230).

[0069] Furthermore, corresponding to the base station 910 described above, the Disclosure provides a wireless communication method for a base station shown in Figure 13. This method includes the steps of determining or generating an RS setting S1310 and generating system information including or indicating the RS setting S1320. The method further includes transmitting the system information, i.e., step S1330. For example, the SI is transmitted to a communication device and received in step S1210 of the corresponding method for a communication device. The method for a base station further includes the step of transmitting a reference signal according to the determined RS setting S1340.

[0070] Any embodiment and example of this disclosure refers to and is applicable to, respectively, the communication device 960, the base station 910, and the corresponding methods for the communication device and the base station.

[0071] For example, system information that includes or displays RS settings is a system information block (SIB) or a master information block (MIB).

[0072] For example, the reference signals set by the RS configuration include at least one of the following: a tracking reference signal (TRS) and a channel status information reference signal (CSI-RS).

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

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

[0075] If UE960 receives an SIB and no TRS / CSI setting is detected in the received SIB in step S1415, UE does not assume that TRS / CSI RS is available and does not consider TRS / CSI RS when processing the received SIB (step S1450 in Figure 14).

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

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

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

[0079] For example, the communication system could be NR, and UE960 could be a UE belonging to Release 17 or any later release. In this example, base station 910 includes the configuration of a Release 17 or later UE in its SIB (or MIB). UE960 can perform rate matching for all possible PDSCHs received by all Release 17 or later UEs. For example, any Release 17 or later UE performs rate matching of received PDSCHs, taking into account the presence of RS according to its configuration.

[0080] Furthermore, the UE960 may perform tracking or synchronous tracking, including at least one of time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking, according to the configured RS settings.

[0081] For example, the UE960 receives a synchronization signal block (SSB) and performs at least one of the following based on the received SSB and RS: time tracking, frequency tracking, and beam tracking.

[0082] For example, as shown by step S1440 in Figure 14, the UE960 may perform time, frequency, and / or beam tracking by receiving SSB and the configured TRS / CSI-RS, and may also perform rate matching of data received around the configured TRS / CSI RS, taking into account resource mapping and / or transmit timing indicated by the RS configuration.

[0083] For example, if the configuration includes or has a Transmission Configuration Indicator (TCI) state, the UE960 can perform beam tracking by receiving the TRS / CSI-RS set in the wireless system implementing multibeam operation.

[0084] In some embodiments, the control resource set (CORESET) and RS for paging are quasi-co-locate (QCL). For example, if the TCI state is set for the CORESET for paging (or "paging CORESET"), UE960 (or UE circuit 980) assumes that the TRS / CSI-RS and paging CORESET are QCL. The paging CORESET is a set of resources that includes the paging DCI. For example, the paging CORESET can be transmitted with different OFDM symbols in a slot or TTI. Quasi-collocation of two signals means that the UE assumes that the transmission parameters of the two signals are similar, including, for example, Doppler shift, Doppler spread, mean delay, and delay spread.

[0085] For example, if additional TRS / CSI-RS is provided after a long sleep time (such as in an IDLE or INACTIVE mode UE), or if there are large gaps between SSB bursts, this disclosure can facilitate time / frequency tracking and beam tracking by enabling RS configuration and potentially SSB-based time / frequency tracking and beam tracking, rather than relying solely on SSB. Furthermore, when RS is used in addition to SSB, tracking can be performed with higher accuracy depending on the timing and the resources to which the RS is mapped.

[0086] The above disclosure describes embodiments in which RS is set by system information. However, this disclosure also provides embodiments in which the timing of RS transmission is set to be related to the timing of other signals. For example, a UE may be expected to receive TRS / CSI-RS on occasions (e.g., having a time relationship) related to the UE's paging occasions (POs) and / or paging frames (PFs). A PO is a set of occasions to monitor the paging PDCCH (occasions monitored for the paging DCI of the paging PDCCH), each occasion corresponding to one transmit beam in multibeam operation.

[0087] Such setting of RS transmission timing may be performed in combination with the above-described embodiments in which RS settings are provided within system information. However, the disclosure is not limited thereto, and transmission timing may also be a capability reported by the UE and may be set in other ways, for example by RRC parameters. Alternatively, transmission timing may be a fixed value or a default value (for example, one defined by a standard).

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

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

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

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

[0092] The UE may then assume that TRS / CSI-RS is available in the time window prior to the SIB or paging frame / occasion, perform time / frequency tracking by receiving TRS / CSI-RS and optionally SSB, and / or assume that RS is multiplexed with the PDCCH data, and perform rate matching on the PDCCH as described above.

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

[0094] By setting and transmitting the RS in a time window prior to the paging occasion, the UE can facilitate synchronous tracking, particularly with respect to SSB-dependent tracking, and further facilitate the execution of paging, such as secure sending and receiving of paging DCI and / or messages, in a reliable and robust manner, including in idle or inactive modes.

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

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

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

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

[0099] Here, "camping" a cell includes initiating paging monitoring, reading SIBs from the cell, and performing measurements using RSs from the cell. "Accessing a cell" refers to any additional step that may be performed in addition to camping, initiating random access for any reason. For example, such reasons may include detecting paging in this UE, having data to send from higher / higher layers, and / or updating the tracking area.

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

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

[0102] By providing embodiments for determining whether a UE should connect to a cell or receive cell paging, the disclosure facilitates efficient operation within a cell by preventing an inappropriate UE from performing communications in that cell and by preventing the UE from facing problems with insufficient synchronization, paging and other signal reception, channel estimation or other operational issues in terms of RS density requirements that the UE cannot meet.

[0103] This disclosure applies to UEs operating in each of the following modes: idle mode, inactive mode, and connected mode. For example, the RS settings described above can be made available to UEs in idle or inactive mode by providing them in system information. Furthermore, by specifying timing or time windows for receiving RS that are adjacent to or adjacent to paging frames / occasions or system information, depending on paging occasions, paging frames, or SIBs, idle or inactive UEs can conserve power by reducing wake-up time or by avoiding additional power ramping caused by the transition to additional wake-up / sleep for RS reception.

[0104] Furthermore, according to this disclosure, a UE may report its UE capabilities in RRC_CONNECTED mode, or provide supplementary information regarding TRS / CSI-RS density, and / or QCL support between RS and SSB index, and / or TCI status. The UE may also report a QCL source, such as an SSB index (or beam index), with respect to the TCI status.

[0105] In some embodiments, the UE960 transmits a report relating to at least one of the UE's capabilities and the required or proposed RS density. For example, the required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the UE's UE type, UE capabilities, mobility status, and traffic conditions (e.g., the traffic arrival rate mentioned above). For example, the report is transmitted in a MAC CE (control element) or RRC message.

[0106] For example, the UE960 may report the required TRS / CSI-RS density as capability, or report an indication of the UE's capability from which the base station can determine the required density of the UE. Capability or required density may be related to the type of UE, such as a reduced-capacity UE type, like an industrial wireless sensor, surveillance camera, or wearable, usable in one or more of the use scenarios such as eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC.

[0107] However, the UE960 may also report auxiliary information, such as a proposed or suggested RS density for TRS / CSI-RS density. For example, the proposed value may depend on the UE implementation and may depend on and take into account one or more of the hardware performance, such as the UE's traffic conditions, UE's mobility status, capabilities, and the UE's clock accuracy.

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

[0109] This disclosure can be implemented by software, hardware, or software that interacts with hardware. Each functional block used in the description of each embodiment described above can be implemented partially or entirely by an LSI (Large Scale Integration) such as an integrated circuit (IC), and each process described in each embodiment may be controlled partially or entirely by the same LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be formed as individual chips, or a single chip may be formed to include some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may include data inputs and outputs coupled thereto. Here, LSIs may be called ICs, system LSIs, super LSIs, or ultra LSIs depending on the degree of integration. However, the technology for realizing integrated circuits is not limited to LSIs, and may be implemented using dedicated circuits, general-purpose processors, or application-specific processors. Furthermore, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) that can be programmed after manufacturing of an LSI or reconfigurable processor in which the connections and settings of circuit cells arranged inside the LSI can be reconfigured may be used. This disclosure can be implemented as digital processing or analog processing. As a result of advancements in semiconductor technology and other derivative technologies, if future integrated circuit technology replaces LSIs, functional blocks can be integrated using future integrated circuit technology. Biotechnology can also be applied.

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

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

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

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

[0114] Communication may include, for example, the exchange of data via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, satellite systems, and various combinations thereof. Communication equipment may include devices such as controllers or sensors coupled to communication devices that perform the communication functions described in this disclosure. For example, communication equipment may include controllers or sensors that generate control signals or data signals used by communication devices that perform the communication functions of the communication equipment.

[0115] The communication equipment may also include infrastructure facilities such as base stations and access points, and any other equipment, devices, or systems that communicate with or control such equipment as those in the non-limiting examples above.

[0116] The present invention provides a communication device for use in wireless communication, comprising a transceiver that receives system information indicating the reference signal RS setting during operation, and a circuit that determines the RS setting based on the received system information during operation, wherein the transceiver assumes that RS is available according to the determined RS setting during operation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0127] The present invention provides a communication device for use in wireless communication, further comprising: a circuit that, in operation, determines the time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device; and a transceiver that, in operation, assumes that RS is available within the time window.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0137] The present invention further provides a base station for use in wireless communications, comprising: a circuit that, in operation, determines a reference signal RS setting and generates system information including the RS setting; and a transceiver that, in operation, transmits the system information and transmits RS according to the determined RS setting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0145] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0147] The present invention further provides a base station for use in wireless communications, comprising: a circuit that, in operation, determines the time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins before a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block; and a transceiver that, in operation, transmits RS within the time window.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0165] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0167] A method for wireless communication comprising the following steps performed by a communication device, the method further comprising the steps of determining a time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins, prior to a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device, and assuming that RS is available within the time window.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0177] A method for wireless communication, comprising the following steps performed by a base station, further comprising the steps of: determining a reference signal RS setting; generating system information including the RS setting; transmitting the system information; and transmitting an RS according to the determined RS setting.

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

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

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

[0181] In some embodiments, this method includes receiving a report on the ability of a communication device to transmit a report and at least one of the required or proposed RS densities, and determining the RS settings based on the report.

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

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

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

[0185] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0187] A method for wireless communication, comprising the following steps performed by a base station, further comprising the steps of determining a time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins, prior to a paging occasion, a paging frame, or a system information block; and transmitting the RS within the time window.

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

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

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

[0191] In some embodiments, this method includes receiving a report on the ability of a communication device to transmit a report and at least one of the required or proposed RS densities, and determining the RS settings based on the report.

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

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

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

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

[0196] The present invention further provides an integrated circuit that controls a communication device for use in wireless communication to perform the following actions during operation: receive system information indicating the reference signal RS setting; determine the RS setting based on the received system information; and assume that RS is available according to the determined RS setting.

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0203] For example, an RS configuration includes at least one of the following: RS sequence generation, resources for mapping RS, and RS transmission timing.

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

[0205] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0207] Further, the present invention provides an integrated circuit that controls a communication device for use in wireless communication to perform the following actions in operation: determine the time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins before the paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block of the communication device; and assume that RS is available within the time window.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0217] The present invention further provides an integrated circuit that controls a base station for use in wireless communication to perform the following actions during operation: determine a reference signal RS setting, generate system information including the RS setting, transmit the system information, and transmit the RS according to the determined RS setting.

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

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

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

[0221] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to perform the following: receive reports regarding the ability of a communications device to transmit reports and at least one of the required or proposed RS densities, and determine the RS settings based on the reports.

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

[0223] For example, an RS configuration includes at least one of the following: RS sequence generation, resources for mapping RS, and RS transmission timing.

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

[0225] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0227] Further, the present invention provides an integrated circuit that controls a base station for use in wireless communication to perform the following actions in operation: determine the time distance at which a time window containing a reference signal RS begins before a paging occasion, paging frame, or system information block; and transmit the RS within the time window.

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

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

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

[0231] In some embodiments, the integrated circuit controls the base station to receive reports regarding the ability of the communication device to transmit reports and at least one of the required or proposed RS densities, and to determine the RS settings based on the reports.

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

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

[0234] For example, the RS transmission timing is determined based on at least one of the following: the discontinuous receive DRX cycle of the communication device, the number of paging frames within the DRX cycle, the number of paging occasions for the paging frames, the offset used to determine the paging frames, and the temporary network subscriber identification information of the communication device.

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

[0236] An integrated circuit that controls the processing of a communication device during operation, wherein the processing is: Receiving system information indicating the reference signal RS setting, Determine the RS settings based on the received system information, It is assumed that RS is available according to the determined RS settings, Further integrated circuits are provided, including those mentioned above.

[0237] During operation, the integrated circuit controls the processing of the base station, and the processing is: Determining the reference signal RS setting, To generate system information including RS settings, Transmitting system information, To transmit RS according to the determined RS settings, Further integrated circuits are provided, including those mentioned above.

[0238] In summary, the present invention provides a communication device and base station for use in wireless communications, a method for the communication device, and a method for the base station. The communication device is a communication device for use in wireless communications and includes a transceiver that, in operation, receives system information indicating a reference signal RS setting, and a circuit that, in operation, determines the RS setting based on the received system information, wherein the transceiver, in operation, assumes that RS is available according to the determined RS setting.

Claims

1. A base station for use in wireless communications, A circuit that determines the reference signal (RS) setting and generates system information including the RS setting, A transceiver that transmits the aforementioned system information and transmits RS to a communication device according to the determined RS setting, Equipped with, Before the paging occasion of the communication device, the time distance at which the time window including the RS begins is determined. The aforementioned RS is available during the period indicated by the time window. Base station.

2. The transceiver receives a report relating to at least one of the capabilities of the communication device and the required or proposed RS density. The base station according to claim 1.

3. The required or proposed RS density is determined based on at least one of the following: the type of communication device, the capabilities of the communication device, the mobility status of the communication device, and the traffic conditions. The base station according to claim 2.

4. The RS configuration includes at least one of RS sequence generation, resources for mapping the RS, and RS transmission timing. The base station according to claim 1.

5. The transmission timing of RS is, The discontinuous reception DRX cycle of the aforementioned communication device, The number of paging frames within the aforementioned DRX cycle, The number of paging occasions in a paging frame. The offset used to determine the paging frame, and The temporary network subscriber identification information of the aforementioned communication device, Determined based on at least one of the following: The base station according to claim 4.

6. The RS includes at least one of the tracking reference signal TRS and the channel state information reference signal CSI-RS. The base station according to claim 1.

7. A method for wireless communication comprising the following steps performed by a base station, wherein the following steps are: The steps include determining the reference signal RS setting, The steps include generating system information including the aforementioned RS settings, The steps include transmitting the aforementioned system information, The steps include transmitting RS to the communication device according to the determined RS setting, Includes, Before the paging occasion of the communication device, the time distance at which the time window including the RS begins is determined. The aforementioned RS is available during the period indicated by the time window. method.

8. An integrated circuit that controls the processing of a base station, wherein the processing is To determine the reference signal RS setting, To generate system information including the aforementioned RS settings, Transmitting the aforementioned system information, Transmitting RS to the communication device according to the determined RS setting, Includes, Before the paging occasion of the communication device, the time distance at which the time window including the RS begins is determined. The aforementioned RS is available during the period indicated by the time window. Integrated circuit.

Images