Control device, communication device, and control method

Abstract

A control device according to the present disclosure is provided with a control unit. The control unit virtually generates a communication environment for communication conducted between a first communication device and a second communication device via a third communication device. The control unit determines control information, for controlling the third communication device, on the basis of the virtual communication environment. The control unit transmits the control information to the third communication device.

Description

Control device, communication device, and control method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a control device, a communication device, and a control method.

[0002] In wireless communication systems, a method for controlling radio wave propagation is known, which uses a Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS) or Intelligent Surface (IS). A RIS includes a large number of small electronically controlled elements (antenna elements) that can change the phase, amplitude, or reflection of an incident wave.

[0003] In the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP (registered trademark)), technical studies are being conducted on a network-controlled repeater (NCR) as a technology related to RIS.

[0004] "TR 38.867, 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access network; Study on NR network-controlled repeaters; (Release 18)" [online] [Retrieved April 12, 2023], Internet<URL: https: / / www.3gpp.org / ftp / Specs / archive / 38_series / 38.867 / 38867-i00.zip>

[0005] Radio wave propagation in wireless communication varies greatly depending on the presence or absence of obstacles between the transmitting point and the receiving point, as well as the movement of a terminal device.

[0006] Thus, even in an environment where radio wave propagation may change significantly, there is a demand for more accurate control of radio wave propagation.

[0007] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a mechanism for controlling radio wave propagation with higher accuracy.

[0008] It should be noted that the above problem or object is merely one of multiple problems or objects that can be solved or achieved by multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0009] The control device of the present disclosure includes a control unit. The control unit virtually generates a communication environment for communication between a first communication device and a second communication device via a third communication device. The control unit determines control information for controlling the third communication device based on the virtual communication environment. The control unit transmits the control information to the third communication device.

[0010] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an NCR. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of radio wave propagation. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an overview of a communication system using a RIS. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a relay device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a virtual space estimation unit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of a process for determining estimated control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a process for determining estimated control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a first use case of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating a second use case of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating a third use case of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In this specification and drawings, components having substantially the same functional configurations are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0012] Furthermore, in this specification and drawings, similar components of the embodiments may be distinguished by adding at least one different alphabet and / or number after the same reference numeral. However, if there is no need to particularly distinguish between similar components, only the same reference numeral is used. For example, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished as necessary, such as terminal device 40_1 and terminal device 40_2. For example, if there is no need to particularly distinguish between terminal device 40_1 and terminal device 40_2, they will simply be referred to as terminal device 40.

[0013] One or more embodiments (including examples, modifications, and application examples) described below can be implemented independently. However, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be implemented in appropriate combination with at least a portion of another embodiment. These embodiments may include novel features that are different from each other. Therefore, these embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may produce different effects from each other.

[0014] <<1. Introduction>> <1-1. Radio wave propagation estimation technology> In wireless communication, suitable communication can be achieved by adaptively controlling communication parameters according to the state of the propagation path between a base station and a terminal device. For example, a base station transmits a known signal, and a terminal device receives the known signal. The terminal device that receives the known signal can estimate the state of the propagation path from received power information of the signal, etc. Furthermore, the terminal device may feed back the estimated state of the propagation path to the base station. The base station can set suitable communication parameters for the terminal device by referring to the feedback information.

[0015] In addition, if there is no feedback from the terminal device regarding the propagation path conditions, the base station can recognize the average propagation path conditions by using a statistical propagation model (path loss model, interference model, etc.) according to the distance from the terminal device.

[0016] <1-2. Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)> A RIS or IS (Intelligent Surface) (hereinafter simply referred to as RIS) can be used to control radio wave propagation. For example, a RIS consists of a surface containing many small electronically controlled elements (antenna elements) that can change the phase, amplitude, or reflection of incident waves.

[0017] In particular, the advantage of using RIS in wireless communication systems is that it can improve communication coverage and capacity in difficult environments such as urban canyons and inside buildings. By controlling the phase and amplitude of the reflected wave in the RIS, the signal can be directed in a desired direction or concentrated in a specific location, thereby avoiding obstacles and improving the signal-to-interference and noise power ratio (SINR) in areas with high interference levels.

[0018] Another advantage is that the RIS allows the communication link to adapt to changing conditions in the communication environment, for example, if the User Equipment (UE) is moving or if interference levels are changing, the wireless communication system can reconfigure the RIS in real time to improve the reliability and efficiency of the communication link.

[0019] 3GPP (registered trademark) is currently studying a network-controlled repeater (NCR) as a technology related to the RIS. Details of this technology are described in Non-Patent Document 1.

[0020] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of an NCR. In the following, the NCR will be described as a RIS. The wireless communication system shown in Figure 1 includes a base station (gNB) 20, a RIS 30, and a UE (terminal device) 40R. The RIS includes a RIS-MT (Mobile Termination) and a RIS-FW (Forwarding).

[0021] The RIS-MT is defined as a functional entity for communicating with the base station 20 through a control link (C-link) to transmit and receive control information. The conventional control link is based on the Uu link (i.e., the downlink or uplink between the base station 20 and the UE 40 (hereinafter also referred to as the terminal device 40)).

[0022] The RIS-FW is defined as a functional entity for amplifying and forwarding downlink or uplink radio signals between the base station 20 and the UE 40 through a backhaul link and an access link. The operation of the RIS-FW can be controlled by control information from the base station 20.

[0023] <1-3. Problems> Figure 2 is a diagram for explaining an example of radio wave propagation. Figure 2(a) shows an example of radio wave propagation when there is no obstacle 600 between the transmission point (base station 20) and the reception point (terminal device 40). Figure 2(b) shows an example of radio wave propagation when there is an obstacle 600 between the transmission point (base station 20) and the reception point (terminal device 40).

[0024] For example, when the base station 20 transmits ｔｘ When there is no obstacle 600 (see FIG. 2(a)), the radio wave can reach a greater distance than when there is an obstacle 600 (see FIG. 2(b)).

[0025] The above-mentioned statistical propagation model may differ from the actual propagation path conditions. This is because the statistical propagation model is constructed by limiting the communication environment to typical propagation environments such as free space and urban areas. Therefore, in a specific environment, for example, when the assumed propagation environment differs from the actual propagation environment, the estimation accuracy of the radio wave strength deteriorates.

[0026] Therefore, in conventional interference design, wireless communication systems avoid interference with adjacent cells and surrounding base stations by adding a large margin to the interference power, taking into account fluctuations in radio wave strength caused by obstacle 600. However, such a margin significantly limits the utilization efficiency of wireless resources, and becomes a factor in significantly deteriorating communication performance.

[0027] Furthermore, by having UE 40 estimate the propagation path conditions and feed back the estimation results to base station 20, base station 20 can determine more accurate communication parameters. However, what base station 20 can grasp is limited to the propagation path conditions at the location where UE 40 is located. Therefore, when UE 40 moves, it is difficult for base station 20 to grasp the propagation path conditions at the destination more accurately.

[0028] Furthermore, when a large number of UEs 40 each feed back information on the propagation path conditions, the communication resources required for the feedback become overhead, which becomes a factor in reducing the efficiency of radio resource utilization in the entire system.

[0029] If a device that changes the radio wave propagation environment, such as the RIS 30, is added to the statistical propagation model described above, it becomes even more difficult for the wireless communication system to grasp the radio wave propagation conditions, which may become a factor that hinders improvement in the utilization efficiency of radio resources within the area where the wireless communication system provides services.

[0030] <1-4. Overview of Proposed Technology> Therefore, a wireless communication system according to the proposed technology of the present disclosure includes a control device. The control device includes a control unit.

[0031] The control unit virtually generates a communication environment for communication between a first communication device (e.g., a base station 20) and a second communication device (e.g., a terminal device 40) via a third communication device (e.g., a RIS 30).

[0032] The control unit determines control information for controlling the third communication device based on the virtual communication environment, and transmits the control information to the third communication device.

[0033] This allows the control device to perform radio wave propagation control with higher accuracy in a wireless communication environment using the RIS 30. In this way, in a wireless communication system using the RIS 30, the control device can perform radio wave propagation control efficiently and effectively.

[0034] 2. Configuration Example of a Communication System>> Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system illustrated in Fig. 3 includes a control station 10, a base station 20, a RIS 30, and a terminal device 40.

[0035] Although not shown in Fig. 3, the base station 20 and the control station 10 may be connected to a core network. Also, although Fig. 3 shows an example in which the control station 10 is connected to the base station 20, the connection destination of the control station 10 is not limited to the base station 20.

[0036] For example, the control station 10 may be connected to the terminal device 40 or the RIS 30 by wire or wirelessly. Alternatively, the control station 10 may be included in the core network or the base station 20 as one of the functions of the core network or the base station 20. Furthermore, the control station 10 may be included in the RIS 30 or the terminal device 40 as one of the functions of the RIS 30 or the terminal device 40.

[0037] RIS 30 is a communication node (communication device) that receives signals (information, data) from base station 20 and / or terminal device 40, performs predetermined processing, and then retransmits (repeats, relays) the signals to base station 20 and / or terminal device 40.

[0038] The RIS 30 may be called various names such as a smart repeater (network control repeater), a relay station, etc. In this embodiment, a communication node that retransmits signals from the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 to the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 is called the RIS 30.

[0039] 3, multiple communication links can be established between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. For example, a communication path (hereinafter referred to as communication link A) that does not go through the RIS 30 can be established between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40.

[0040] Furthermore, as communication paths between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 that go through the RIS 30, a communication link B1 between the base station 20 and the RIS 30 and a communication link B2 between the RIS 30 and the terminal device 40 can be established. Note that the communication path that goes through the RIS 30, i.e., the communication path that includes the communication links B1 and B2, is referred to as communication link B.

[0041] For example, if there are no obstacles (such as obstructions) that obstruct radio wave propagation between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 (i.e., if there is a line-of-sight (LOS) between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40), communication link A becomes a suitable communication link.

[0042] Furthermore, if there is an obstacle (such as a shield) between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 that obstructs radio wave propagation (i.e., if there is non-line-of-sight (NLOS) between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40), communication link B may be a suitable communication link.

[0043] The control regarding the selection (switching, determination) of communication link A and communication link B is performed by a transmitting station (base station 20 or terminal device 40) based on control information from a communication node including the transmitting station.

[0044] For example, in downlink communication from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40 , the base station 20 controls the selection of communication link A and communication link B based on control information from the control station 10 .

[0045] In the following explanation, a control method for a communication path (communication link B) that passes through RIS 30 will be described, but this control method can also be applied to control of a communication path (communication link A) that does not pass through RIS 30, in addition to the communication path (communication link B) that passes through RIS 30.

[0046] <2-1. Example of RIS Configuration> Reflectors (surfaces) are known as one type of device that relays data. Conventional reflectors re-emit radio waves at the same reflection angle as the angle of incidence of the radio waves on the reflector. However, in recent years, reflectors known as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces have also been considered.

[0047] 4 is a diagram showing an outline of a communication system using the RIS 30. The RIS 30 is a metamaterial (metasurface) composed of a plurality of reflecting elements whose reflection characteristics can be controlled.

[0048] For example, a signal transmitted by the base station 20 is re-radiated by the RIS 30. As a result, for example, both a signal directly transmitted from the base station 20 and a signal transmitted via the RIS 30_1 reach the terminal device 40_1. In this way, by using the RIS 30_1, the base station 20 can communicate with the terminal device 40_1 by MIMO spatial multiplexing (Multi-Input Multi-Output spatial multiplexing).

[0049] Furthermore, for example, if an obstacle 60_2 exists between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40, the base station 20 communicates with the terminal device 40 via the RIS 30_2. In this way, by going via the RIS 30_2, the base station 20 can communicate with the terminal device 40_2 by multipath diversity regardless of the obstacle 60_2.

[0050] Also, for example, when the terminal device 40 is located outside the communication area of ​​the base station 20, the base station 20 communicates with the terminal device 40 via the RIS 30_3. In this way, the base station 20 can expand its coverage by communicating via the RIS 30_3, and can communicate with the terminal device 40_3 outside the communication area.

[0051] The RIS 30 controls the reflection direction regardless of the incident angle by changing the phase of each reflecting element when re-emitting radio waves. Unlike a repeater, the RIS 30 does not need to include a digital-to-analog converter (DAC) / analog-to-digital converter (ADC) and a power amplifier circuit. Furthermore, the RIS 30 requires only a simple circuit, which offers advantages such as no amplification noise, low cost, low power consumption, and short relay processing delay.

[0052] RIS 30 is also called a Large Intelligent Surface, a Reflecting Surface, a Reconfigurable Surface, or a Meta-material Surface.

[0053] The RIS 30 does not have a radio resource control unit. Therefore, like a smart repeater, the RIS 30 is externally controlled. For example, the characteristics of the reflecting elements of the RIS 30 (such as phase, radiation intensity, reflection angle, amplitude, frequency, and polarization) are controlled by an external device (such as the base station 20).

[0054] An example of the configuration of the RIS 30 will now be described with reference to Fig. 5. The RIS 30 can also be referred to as a relay device 30. The relay device 30 is a communication device that relays communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40.

[0055] 5 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a relay device 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The relay device 30 includes a relay unit 31, a signal processing unit 32, a storage unit 33, and a control unit 34. Note that the configuration illustrated in FIG. 5 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from this. Furthermore, the functions of the relay device 30 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated configurations.

[0056] (Relay unit 31) The relay unit 31 transmits a signal from a transmission point (base station 20 or terminal device 40) to a reception point (base station 20 or terminal device 40). The relay unit 31 operates under the control of the control unit 34. The relay unit 31 includes an antenna unit 311.

[0057] The antenna unit 311 relays communication between the transmitting point and the receiving point (communication of communication link B). The antenna unit 311 may be configured with a plurality of antennas.

[0058] The relay unit 31 may include, for example, an amplifier and a phase shifter (not shown). The relay unit 31 may, for example, amplify a signal transmitted from a transmitting point and transmit the amplified signal to a receiving point. The relay unit 31 may be configured to be capable of beamforming.

[0059] (Signal Processing Unit 32) The signal processing unit 32 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, the base station 20 and the terminal device 40). The signal processing unit 32 operates under the control of the control unit 34. The signal processing unit 32 includes a transmission processing unit 321, a reception processing unit 322, and an antenna unit 323. These configurations may be similar to the signal processing unit 21, the transmission processing unit 211, the reception processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 of the base station 20, which will be described later. Furthermore, like the signal processing unit 21, the signal processing unit 32 may be configured to be capable of beamforming. Furthermore, like the signal processing unit 21, the signal processing unit 32 may be configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving spatially multiplexed signals.

[0060] Note that if the relay device 30 receives signals (e.g., control signals) from other wireless communication devices but does not transmit signals to other wireless communication devices, the transmission processing unit 321 may be omitted. Also, if the relay device 30 is configured to transmit and / or receive only predetermined signals (e.g., control signals, known signals, etc.), the transmission processing unit 321 and / or the reception processing unit 322 may be configured to transmit and / or receive only the predetermined signals.

[0061] Furthermore, at least a part of the configuration and / or function may be shared between the antenna units 311 and 323. At least a part of the configuration and / or function between the relay unit 31 and the signal processing unit 32 may be shared.

[0062] (Storage Unit 33) The storage unit 33 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a flash memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 33 functions as a storage unit of the relay device 30.

[0063] (Control Unit 34) The control unit 34 is a controller that controls each unit of the relay device 30. The control unit 34 is realized by a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or an MPU (Micro Processing Unit). For example, the control unit 34 is realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the relay device 30 using a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like as a work area. The control unit 34 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) or an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). A CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, and an FPGA can all be considered controllers. The control unit 34 may also be realized by a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) in addition to or instead of a CPU.

[0064] For example, the relay unit 31 is a functional block for implementing RIS-FW, and the signal processing unit 32 is a functional block for implementing RIS-MT.

[0065] In this configuration, the RIS 30 can generate and transmit physical signals and / or physical channels, facilitating control plane (C-Plane) communication with other devices (base stations 20, relay devices 30, or terminal devices 40).

[0066] Another example of the configuration of the RIS 30 is a configuration in which the RIS 30 includes a receiving circuit (receiver) but does not include a transmitter. As a specific example, the RIS 30 shown in Fig. 5 includes an antenna unit 323 that also serves as a reflector, and a reception processing unit 322, but does not include a transmission processing unit 321.

[0067] This configuration does not include the transmission processing unit 321 and is therefore only capable of receiving control information, but it has a simpler device configuration and makes it easier to reduce manufacturing costs.

[0068] Another example of the configuration of the RIS 30 is a configuration in which the RIS 30 does not include a receiver or a transmitter. In this case, the RIS 30 is controlled by, for example, a wired connection (backhaul) to the base station 20 or the control station 10.

[0069] An example of the architecture of the RIS 30 is an architecture in which the incident element and the reflecting element are the same, in which the incident radio waves are subjected to one or more of the processes of the above-described functions of the RIS 30, and then the processed radio waves are emitted from the same element as the incident element.

[0070] The advantage of this architecture is that it allows for an increased number of elements per area, making it easier to achieve precise beam control and reflection gain.

[0071] Another example of the architecture of the RIS 30 is an architecture in which the incident element and the reflecting element are different, in which the incident radio waves are subjected to one or more processes of the above-described functions of the RIS 30, and then the processed radio waves are emitted from an element different from the element that incident the radio waves.

[0072] One advantage of this architecture is that it allows independent control of incident and reflected waves, for example, a RIS 30 employing this architecture can configure the incident beam (receive beam) and the reflected beam (transmit beam) with different patterns.

[0073] One example of the function of the RIS 30 is the function of converting (rotating) the phase of a reflected wave. The RIS 30 can individually apply a phase shift to each of the reflected waves reflected by the multiple reflecting elements that make up the RIS 30.

[0074] As a specific example, the RIS 30 can impart a phase shift of 0 degrees or 180 degrees to the reflected waves of each reflecting element. By individually shifting the phase of the reflected waves, the RIS 30 can control the direction (beamforming), focusing, and scattering of the reflected waves.

[0075] Another example of the function of the RIS 30 is a function that can decrease or increase the amplitude of the reflected wave. As a specific example, the RIS 30 can decrease the amplitude of each reflected wave individually from the plurality of reflective elements that constitute the RIS 30. Alternatively, the RIS 30 that includes an amplifier can increase the amplitude of each reflected wave individually from the plurality of reflective elements that constitute the RIS 30.

[0076] The RIS 30 can control the direction of the reflected wave by increasing or decreasing the amplitude of the reflected wave. Also, by decreasing the amplitude of the reflected wave, it becomes easy to control the radio wave so that it is not reflected.

[0077] Another example of the function of the RIS 30 is a function that can convert the polarization of the reflected wave. As a specific example, the RIS 30 can control whether the reflected wave is to be the same polarized wave as the incident radio wave or the different polarized wave.

[0078] Another example of the function of the RIS 30 is the function of converting the frequency of the reflected wave. As a specific example, the RIS 30 can convert the frequency of the incident radio wave into a frequency different from that of the incident radio wave and emit the radio wave.

[0079] Another example of the function of the RIS 30 is the ability to superpose different signals on reflected waves. As a specific example, the RIS 30 can superpose different signals on the constellation of incident signals and then emit radio waves. The different signals may be signals input via a backhaul or may be signals of incident waves from different directions.

[0080] This function enables the communication system to realize communications such as MUST (Multiuser Superposition Transmission) and interference alignment.

[0081] RIS30 can be defined as follows:

[0082] RIS30 is considered a key candidate for the wireless technology trend of future networks. RIS30 consists of an array of unit cells, which are new network nodes, and their properties can be dynamically controlled to change their electromagnetic behavior.

[0083] The RIS 30 can be dynamically or semi-statically controlled by control signals that condition the incident radio signal in a variety of ways, such as reflection, refraction, focusing, collimation, modulation, absorption, or a combination thereof.

[0084] For example, the RIS 30 can be treated as a new network node that is dynamically or semi-statically configured by the RIS controller, thereby changing the radio environment from a passive to an intelligent actor and making the channels programmable.

[0085] This trend can create opportunities for innovation that expands fundamental wireless system design paradigms and gradually influences the evolution of wireless system architectures, access technologies, and network protocols.

[0086] The RIS 30 does not necessarily require high-cost active components such as power amplifiers, and can be implemented using mostly passive components, resulting in low implementation costs and low energy consumption for the RIS 30.

[0087] This allows communication systems to easily and flexibly deploy RIS 30. RIS 30 may take any shape and be integrated into an object (e.g., a wall, a building, a lamp post, etc.).

[0088] RIS 30 is expected to operate as a largely passive device, and therefore is unlikely to increase exposure to electromagnetic fields (EMF). In fact, RIS 30 may be used to mitigate electromagnetic field (EM) contamination in legacy deployments.

[0089] These relevant characteristics suggest that RIS30 may be considered as a sustainable, environmentally friendly technology solution. RIS30 may have different architectures depending on cost, form factor, design, and integration considerations.

[0090] The RIS 30 can have one or more operation modes, including, for example, the following operation modes: - Reflection mode - Refraction mode - Absorption mode - Backscattering mode - Transmitting mode - Receiving mode

[0091] Reflective Mode: Operating in reflective mode, the RIS 30 acts as a reflector in the environment and can be used to improve coverage, mitigate interference, and increase capacity.

[0092] Refraction Mode: In refraction mode, the RIS 30 can refract the incident EM wave passing through it in different target directions by adjusting its phase. The main difference between refraction mode and reflection mode is the absence of a shielding layer in the RIS panel, which allows the EM wave to pass through the panel.

[0093] A typical use case for the refraction mode is passing signals from outdoors to indoors. For example, the RIS 30 can be used as a window pane to improve coverage in a specific area of ​​a building. The RIS 30 can focus incident EM waves coming from outside the building onto different target areas.

[0094] (Absorption Mode) In absorption mode, impinging radio waves of a certain center frequency and a certain bandwidth are ideally completely absorbed by the RIS 30, and no reflected waves are observed. The absorption mode, which can reduce the output wave of the RIS 30 to almost zero, is beneficial to the interference mitigation, privacy, and information security industries.

[0095] A typical use case is to implement RIS 30 on the facade of a building to shield electromagnetic waves, so that the RIS 30 can separate indoor and outdoor electromagnetic waves, or electromagnetic waves in different indoor rooms, from each other.

[0096] The RIS plane absorbs the incident waves to prevent them from penetrating the building walls. The switching of the RIS 30 between absorption, refraction or reflection modes can be controlled by a bias voltage.

[0097] An example of an absorption-mode RIS 30 is a graphene-based RIS 30. The RIS 30 can achieve nearly 100% absorption in some specific bands according to design. Perfect absorption is achieved by electrically reconfiguring the meta-atom response via the chemical potential of graphene.

[0098] Backscatter Mode: With a RIS 30 in backscatter mode, the reflected waves cover a large area rather than a precise location. Therefore, a balance of gain and effective area is required to achieve wide-angle blind spot coverage. Backscatter mode can be used with passive RISs that are manufactured to reflect impinging EM signals in a specific direction.

[0099] Transmit Mode In transmit mode, the RIS is incorporated into a radio transmitter with the RIS assisting in shaping the transmitted radio waves.

[0100] For example, dynamic metasurface antennas (DMAs) have recently been proposed as an efficient realization of extremely large antenna arrays. DMAs have beam tuning capabilities and facilitate the processing of transmit and receive signals in the analog domain. DMAs operate in a dynamically configurable manner with simplified transceiver hardware. Furthermore, compared to conventional antenna arrays, DMA-based architectures require much less power and cost.

[0101] In this way, it is possible to eliminate the need for complex enterprise feeds and active phase shifters. Another promising advantage of DMA is the ability to construct a large number of tunable metamaterial-based antenna elements that fit into a small physical area and provide a wide range of operating frequencies.

[0102] The DMA architecture, consisting of multiple individual waveguide-fed element arrays, each connected to a single input / output port, is a typical reflective RIS. A large number of radiating elements can be accommodated in the waveguide, and due to the subwavelength spacing characteristic, each input / output port can feed a large number of combinable radiators.

[0103] In a 2D waveguide, the scattered waves from each element propagate in all directions. In a waveguide designed with a single mode (a 1D waveguide), the waves propagate along a single line. Therefore, their analysis is much easier than that of a 2D waveguide. Furthermore, ensuring isolation between different ports is easier in a 1D waveguide than with multiple ports in a 2D waveguide.

[0104] Receive Mode: In receive mode, the RIS 30 can receive and process radio signals. This can be accomplished by embedding a waveguide in each RIS element or group of elements to direct impinging radio signals to receive hardware. This hardware can include, for example, low noise amplifiers, mixers down to convert the signal from RF to baseband, analog-to-digital converters, etc.

[0105] For example, the impinging EM training signals at the RIS elements may be received in the RF domain via M RIS phase configurations, which may be randomly selected via a random spatial sampling unit. The collection of spatially random analog combined versions of the impinging wireless signals may facilitate the application of, for example, compressed sensing-based channel estimation techniques, enabling signal reception at the RIS 30 using much fewer receive RF chains than the number of RIS elements (e.g., one receive RF chain).

[0106] 2-2. Example of the Configuration of the Base Station The base station 20 can be referred to as a BS (Base Station) 20.

[0107] The base station 20 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with the terminal device 40. The base station 20 may be configured to perform wireless communication with the terminal device 40 via a relay station, or may be configured to perform wireless communication directly with the terminal device 40.

[0108] The base station 20 is a type of communication device. More specifically, the base station 20 is a device equivalent to a radio base station (e.g., base station, Node B, eNB, gNB, etc.) or a radio access point (Access Point). The base station 20 may be a radio relay station. The base station 20 may also be an optical device called an RRH (Remote Radio Head) or an RU (Radio Unit). The base station 20 may also be a receiving station such as an FPU (Field Pickup Unit). The base station 20 may also be an IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) donor node or an IAB relay node that provides radio access lines and radio backhaul lines using time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or space division multiplexing.

[0109] The wireless access technology used by the base station 20 may be cellular communication technology or wireless LAN technology. Of course, the wireless access technology used by the base station 20 is not limited to these and may be other wireless access technologies. For example, the wireless access technology used by the base station 20 may be low-power wide-area (LPWA) communication technology. Of course, the wireless communication used by the base station 20 may be wireless communication using millimeter waves. Furthermore, the wireless communication used by the base station 20 may be wireless communication using radio waves or wireless communication using infrared or visible light (optical wireless). Furthermore, the base station 20 may be capable of NOMA (Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access) communication with the terminal device 40. Here, NOMA communication refers to communication (transmission, reception, or both) using non-orthogonal resources. Furthermore, the base station 20 may be capable of NOMA communication with other base stations 20.

[0110] The base stations 20 may be able to communicate with each other via a base station-core network interface (e.g., NG Interface, S1 Interface, etc.). This interface may be either wired or wireless. The base stations 20 may be able to communicate with each other via an inter-base station interface (e.g., Xn Interface, X2 Interface, S1 Interface, F1 Interface, etc.). This interface may be either wired or wireless.

[0111] The concept of a base station includes not only a donor base station but also a relay base station (also called a relay station). For example, a relay base station may be any one of an RF Repeater, a Smart Repeater, and an Intelligent Surface. The concept of a base station also includes not only a structure having the functions of a base station 20 but also a device installed in the structure.

[0112] Examples of structures include high-rise buildings, houses, steel towers, station facilities, airport facilities, port facilities, office buildings, school buildings, hospitals, factories, commercial facilities, stadiums, and other buildings. The concept of a structure includes not only buildings, but also non-building structures such as tunnels, bridges, dams, fences, and steel pillars, as well as equipment such as cranes, gates, and wind turbines. The concept of a structure also includes not only land (ground in the narrow sense) or underground structures, but also water-based structures such as piers and megafloats, and underwater structures such as ocean observation facilities. The base station 20 can be rephrased as an information processing device.

[0113] The base station 20 may be a donor station or a relay station (relay station). The base station 20 may also be a fixed station or a mobile station. A mobile station is a wireless communication device (e.g., the base station 20) configured to be mobile. In this case, the base station 20 may be a device installed in a mobile body, or may be the mobile body itself. For example, a relay station with mobility can be considered as the base station 20 as a mobile station. Furthermore, devices that are inherently mobile and have the functions of the base station 20 (at least some of the functions of the base station 20), such as vehicles, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) represented by drones, and smartphones, also fall under the category of the base station 20 as a mobile station.

[0114] Here, the mobile body may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves on land (ground in the narrow sense) (e.g., vehicles such as automobiles, bicycles, buses, trucks, motorcycles, trains, and linear motor cars), or a mobile body that moves underground (e.g., in a tunnel) (e.g., a subway). The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves on water (e.g., ships such as passenger ships, cargo ships, and hovercraft), or a mobile body that moves underwater (e.g., submersibles such as submarines, submarines, and unmanned underwater vehicles). The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves within the atmosphere (e.g., aircraft such as airplanes, airships, and drones).

[0115] The base station 20 may also be a terrestrial base station (ground station) installed on the ground. For example, the base station 20 may be a base station located on a structure on the ground, or a base station installed on a mobile object moving on the ground. More specifically, the base station 20 may be an antenna installed on a structure such as a building and a signal processing device connected to the antenna. Of course, the base station 20 may also be the structure or mobile object itself. "Ground" refers not only to land (ground in the narrow sense) but also to ground, on water, and underwater. Note that the base station 20 is not limited to a terrestrial base station. For example, if the communication system S is a satellite communication system, the base station 20 may also be an aircraft station. From the perspective of the satellite station, an aircraft station located on Earth is a ground station.

[0116] The base station 20 is not limited to a terrestrial station. The base station 20 may be a non-terrestrial base station (non-terrestrial station) that can fly in the air or space. For example, the base station 20 may be an aircraft station or a satellite station.

[0117] A satellite station is a satellite station capable of floating outside the atmosphere. The satellite station may be a device mounted on a space vehicle such as an artificial satellite, or may be the space vehicle itself. A space vehicle is a vehicle that moves outside the atmosphere. Examples of space vehicles include artificial celestial bodies such as artificial satellites, spacecraft, space stations, and probes. Note that a satellite that serves as a satellite station may be any of a low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbiting (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO) satellite, and a highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite. Of course, the satellite station may be a device mounted on a low Earth orbiting (LEO), medium Earth orbiting (MEO), geostationary satellite, or highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite.

[0118] An aircraft station is a wireless communication device capable of floating in the atmosphere, such as an aircraft. The aircraft station may be a device mounted on the aircraft, or may be the aircraft itself. The concept of aircraft includes not only heavier-than-air vehicles such as airplanes and gliders, but also lighter-than-air vehicles such as balloons and airships. The concept of aircraft also includes not only heavier-than-air vehicles and lighter-than-air vehicles, but also rotorcraft such as helicopters and autogyros. The aircraft station (or an aircraft on which the aircraft station is mounted) may be an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone.

[0119] The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and tethered unmanned aerial systems (TAS). The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes lighter than air UAS (LTA) and heavier than air UAS (HTA). The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes high altitude unmanned aerial system platforms (HAPs).

[0120] The size of the coverage of the base station 20 may be as large as a macrocell or as small as a picocell. Of course, the size of the coverage of the base station 20 may also be extremely small, such as a femtocell. The base station 20 may also have beamforming capabilities. In this case, the base station 20 may form a cell or service area for each beam.

[0121] Fig. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a base station 20 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 20 includes a signal processing unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. Note that the configuration illustrated in Fig. 6 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from this. Furthermore, the functions of the base station 20 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated configurations.

[0122] (Signal Processing Unit 21) The signal processing unit 21 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, terminal devices 40 and other base stations 20). The signal processing unit 21 operates under the control of the control unit 23. The signal processing unit 21 supports one or more wireless access methods. For example, the signal processing unit 21 supports both NR and LTE. The signal processing unit 21 may support W-CDMA and cdma2000 in addition to NR and LTE. Furthermore, the signal processing unit 21 may support automatic retransmission techniques such as HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest).

[0123] The signal processing unit 21 includes a transmission processing unit 211, a reception processing unit 212, and an antenna 213. The signal processing unit 21 may include a plurality of transmission processing units 211, a reception processing unit 212, and an antenna 213. When the signal processing unit 21 supports a plurality of wireless access methods, each unit of the signal processing unit 21 may be configured individually for each wireless access method. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 and the reception processing unit 212 may be configured individually for LTE and NR. Furthermore, the antenna 213 may be configured with a plurality of antenna elements (e.g., a plurality of patch antennas). In this case, the signal processing unit 21 may be configured to be capable of beamforming. The signal processing unit 21 may be configured to be capable of polarization beamforming using vertical polarization (V polarization) and horizontal polarization (H polarization).

[0124] The transmission processing unit 211 performs transmission processing of downlink control information and downlink data. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 encodes the downlink control information and downlink data input from the control unit 23 using a coding method such as block coding, convolutional coding, or turbo coding. Here, the encoding may be performed using polar codes or low density parity check codes (LDPC codes). The transmission processing unit 211 then modulates the coded bits using a predetermined modulation method such as BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily need to be equidistant. The constellation may be a non-uniform constellation (NUC). The transmission processing unit 211 then multiplexes the modulation symbols of each channel and the downlink reference signal and allocates them to predetermined resource elements. The transmission processing unit 211 then performs various signal processing on the multiplexed signal. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 performs processes such as conversion to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform, addition of a guard interval (cyclic prefix), generation of a baseband digital signal, conversion to an analog signal, quadrature modulation, up-conversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, power amplification, etc. The signal generated by the transmission processing unit 211 is transmitted from an antenna 213.

[0125] The reception processing unit 212 processes the uplink signal received via the antenna 213. For example, the reception processing unit 212 performs downconversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, control of amplification level, quadrature demodulation, conversion to a digital signal, removal of guard intervals (cyclic prefixes), extraction of frequency domain signals by fast Fourier transform, and the like on the uplink signal. The reception processing unit 212 then separates uplink channels such as a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared CHannel) and a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control CHannel) and an uplink reference signal from the signal that has undergone these processes. Furthermore, the reception processing unit 212 demodulates the received signal using a modulation method such as BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) or QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) for the modulation symbols of the uplink channel. The modulation method used for demodulation may be 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily have to be equidistant. The constellation may be a non-uniform constellation (NUC). The reception processing unit 212 then performs decoding processing on the coded bits of the demodulated uplink channel. The decoded uplink data and uplink control information are output to the control unit 23.

[0126] The antenna 213 is an antenna device (antenna unit) that converts electric current and radio waves into each other. The antenna 213 may be composed of one antenna element (e.g., one patch antenna) or multiple antenna elements (e.g., multiple patch antennas). When the antenna 213 is composed of multiple antenna elements, the signal processing unit 21 may be configured to perform beamforming. For example, the signal processing unit 21 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a radio signal using multiple antenna elements. The antenna 213 may be a dual-polarized antenna. When the antenna 213 is a dual-polarized antenna, the signal processing unit 21 may use vertical polarization (V polarization) and horizontal polarization (H polarization) when transmitting a radio signal. The signal processing unit 21 may then control the directivity of the radio signal transmitted using the vertical polarization and the horizontal polarization. The signal processing unit 21 may also transmit and receive spatially multiplexed signals via multiple layers composed of multiple antenna elements.

[0127] (Storage Unit 22) The storage unit 22 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 22 functions as a storage means of the base station 20.

[0128] (Control Unit 23) The control unit 23 is a controller that controls each unit of the base station 20. The control unit 23 is realized by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. For example, the control unit 23 is realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the base station 20 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 23 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. A CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, and an FPGA can all be considered as controllers. The control unit 23 may also be realized by a GPU in addition to or instead of a CPU.

[0129] In this embodiment, the base station 20 may be configured as a collection of multiple physical or logical devices. For example, in this embodiment, the base station 20 may be divided into multiple devices such as a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). The base station 20 may be interpreted as a collection of these multiple devices. Furthermore, the base station 20 may be either a BBU or an RU, or both. The BBU and the RU may be connected via a predetermined interface (e.g., an enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI)). The RU may also be referred to as a remote radio unit (RRU) or a radio DoT (RD). The RU may correspond to a gNB distributed unit (gNB-DU) described later. Furthermore, the BBU may correspond to a gNB central unit (gNB-CU) described later. Alternatively, the RU may be a radio device connected to a gNB-DU described later. The gNB-CU, gNB-DU, and RU connected to the gNB-DU may be configured to comply with O-RAN (Open Radio Access Network). Furthermore, the RU may be a device integrally formed with an antenna. The antenna of the base station 20 (e.g., an antenna integrally formed with the RU) may employ an Advanced Antenna System and support MIMO (e.g., FD (Full Dimension)-MIMO) and beamforming. Furthermore, the antenna of the base station 20 may have, for example, 64 transmitting antenna ports and 64 receiving antenna ports.

[0130] The antenna mounted on the RU may be an antenna panel composed of one or more antenna elements, and the RU may be equipped with one or more antenna panels. For example, the RU may be equipped with two types of antenna panels, one for horizontal polarization and one for vertical polarization, or two types of antenna panels, one for right-handed circular polarization and one for left-handed circular polarization. The RU may also form and control independent beams for each antenna panel.

[0131] It should be noted that multiple base stations 20 may be connected to each other. One or more base stations 20 may be included in a radio access network (RAN). In this case, the base station 20 may simply be referred to as a RAN, a RAN node, an AN (Access Network), or an AN node. It should be noted that the RAN in LTE may be called an Enhanced Universal Terrestrial RAN (EUTRAN). The RAN in NR may be called an NGRAN. The RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) may be called a UTRAN.

[0132] Note that the LTE base station 20 may be referred to as an eNodeB (Evolved Node B) or eNB. In this case, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). Also, the NR base station 20 may be referred to as a gNodeB or gNB. In this case, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. The EUTRAN may include a gNB (en-gNB) connected to a core network (EPC) in the LTE communication system (EPS). Similarly, the NGRAN may include an ng-eNB connected to a core network 5GC in the 5G communication system (5GS).

[0133] When the base station 20 is an eNB, a gNB, or the like, the base station 20 may be referred to as a 3GPP access. When the base station 20 is a wireless access point, the base station 20 may be referred to as a non-3GPP access. Furthermore, the base station 20 may be a radio device called an RRH (Remote Radio Head) or an RU (Radio Unit). When the base station 20 is a gNB, the base station 20 may be a combination of the gNB-CU and gNB-DU described above, or may be either a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU.

[0134] Here, the gNB-CU hosts multiple upper layers (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control), SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol), PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)) of the access stratum for communication with the UE. On the other hand, the gNB-DU hosts multiple lower layers (e.g., RLC (Radio Link Control), MAC (Medium Access Control), PHY (Physical layer)) of the access stratum. That is, among the messages / information described below, RRC signaling (semi-static notification) is generated by the gNB-CU, while MAC The CE and DCI (dynamic notification) may be generated by the gNB-DU. Alternatively, some configurations of the RRC configuration (semi-static notification), such as IE:cellGroupConfig, may be generated by the gNB-DU, and the remaining configurations may be generated by the gNB-CU. These configurations may be transmitted and received over the F1 interface described below.

[0135] Note that the base station 20 may be configured to be able to communicate with other base stations 20. For example, when multiple base stations 20 are eNBs or a combination of an eNB and an en-gNB, the base stations 20 may be connected to each other via an X2 interface. Furthermore, when multiple base stations 20 are gNBs or a combination of a gn-eNB and a gNB, the devices may be connected to each other via an Xn interface. Furthermore, when multiple base stations 20 are a combination of a gNB-CU and a gNB-DU, the devices may be connected to each other via the above-mentioned F1 interface. Messages / information (e.g., RRC signaling, MAC CE (MAC Control Element), or DCI) described below may be transmitted between multiple base stations 20, for example, via an X2 interface, an Xn interface, or an F1 interface.

[0136] A cell provided by the base station 20 may be referred to as a serving cell. The concept of a serving cell includes a PCell (Primary Cell) and an SCell (Secondary Cell). When dual connectivity is configured in a UE (e.g., a terminal device 40), the PCell and zero or more SCells provided by a Master Node (MN) may be referred to as a Master Cell Group. Examples of dual connectivity include EUTRA-EUTRA Dual Connectivity, EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (ENDC), EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity with 5GC, NR-EUTRA Dual Connectivity (NEDC), and NR-NR Dual Connectivity.

[0137] The serving cell may include a PSCell (Primary Secondary Cell or Primary SCG Cell). When dual connectivity is configured for a UE, the PSCell and zero or more SCells provided by a Secondary Node (SN) may be referred to as a Secondary Cell Group (SCG). Unless special configuration (e.g., PUCCH on SCell) is performed, the physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) is transmitted by the PCell and PSCell but not by the SCell. In addition, radio link failure is detected by the PCell and PSCell but not by the SCell (it does not need to be detected). As such, the PCell and PSCell have special roles among serving cells and are therefore also referred to as Special Cells (SpCells).

[0138] One cell may be associated with one downlink component carrier and one uplink component carrier. Furthermore, the system bandwidth corresponding to one cell may be divided into multiple BWPs (Bandwidth Parts). In this case, one or multiple BWPs may be configured in a UE, and one BWP may be used by the UE as an active BWP. Furthermore, the radio resources (e.g., frequency band, numerology (subcarrier spacing), slot format) that the terminal device 40 can use may differ for each cell, each component carrier, or each BWP.

[0139] 2-3. Example Configuration of Terminal Device The terminal device 40 can be any type of computer, such as a mobile terminal, an imaging device, an M2M device, an IoT device, a wearable device, or an xR device.

[0140] Fig. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a terminal device 40 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal device 40 includes a signal processing unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43. Note that the configuration illustrated in Fig. 7 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from this. Furthermore, the functions of the terminal device 40 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated configurations.

[0141] (Signal Processing Unit 41) The signal processing unit 41 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, the base station 20 and other terminal devices 40). The signal processing unit 41 operates under the control of the control unit 43. The signal processing unit 41 includes a transmission processing unit 411, a reception processing unit 412, and an antenna 413. These configurations may be similar to the signal processing unit 21, the transmission processing unit 211, the reception processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 of the base station 20. Furthermore, like the signal processing unit 21, the signal processing unit 41 may be configured to be capable of beamforming. Furthermore, like the signal processing unit 21, the signal processing unit 41 may be configured to be capable of transmitting and receiving spatially multiplexed signals.

[0142] (Storage Unit 42) The storage unit 42 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 42 functions as a storage unit of the terminal device 40.

[0143] (Control Unit 43) The control unit 43 is a controller that controls each unit of the terminal device 40. The control unit 43 is realized by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. For example, the control unit 43 is realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the terminal device 40 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 43 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. A CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, and an FPGA can all be considered controllers. The control unit 43 may also be realized by a GPU in addition to or instead of a CPU.

[0144] 2-4. Example of the Configuration of the Control Station The control station 10 is an information processing device that controls at least the RIS 30 that establishes the communication link B.

[0145] 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the control station 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The control station 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13.

[0146] (Communication Unit 11) The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for communicating with other devices (e.g., the base station 20). The communication unit 11 may be a network interface or a device connection interface. For example, the communication unit 11 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), or a USB (Universal Serial Bus) interface configured by a USB host controller, a USB port, etc. The communication unit 11 may also be a wired interface or a wireless interface. The communication unit 11 functions as a communication means of the control station 10. The communication unit 11 communicates with the base station 20 under the control of the control unit 13.

[0147] (Storage Unit 12) The storage unit 12 is a data readable / writable storage device such as a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a flash memory, a hard disk, etc. The storage unit 12 functions as a storage means of the control station 10.

[0148] The storage unit 12 stores information (data) used by a virtual space estimation unit 132 (described later). For example, the storage unit 12 holds static or quasi-static communication environment information (described later).

[0149] Furthermore, for example, the storage unit 12 stores location information regarding the locations of the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40. Note that the location information stored in the storage unit 12 may be information about a communication node (for example, the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40) that is physically fixed and cannot be moved.

[0150] The storage unit 12 outputs the stored information to the virtual space estimation unit 132 .

[0151] (Control Unit 13) The control unit 13 is a controller that controls each unit of the control station 10. The control unit 13 is realized by a processor such as a CPU, an MPU, or a GPU.

[0152] For example, the control unit 13 is realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the control station 10 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 13 may also be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. A CPU, an MPU, a GPU, an ASIC, and an FPGA can all be considered as controllers.

[0153] The control unit 13 includes an acquisition unit 131, a virtual space estimation unit 132, a control information generation unit 133, and a notification unit 134. Each block constituting the control unit 13 (acquisition unit 131 to notification unit 134) is a functional block that indicates a function of the control unit 13.

[0154] These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the above-mentioned functional blocks may be a software module implemented by software (including a microprogram), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. The functional blocks may be configured in any manner.

[0155] The control unit 13 may be configured with functional units different from the above-mentioned functional blocks.

[0156] (Acquisition Unit 131) The acquisition unit 131 acquires information used by the virtual space estimation unit 132 via the communication unit 11. The acquisition unit 131 also acquires information used by the virtual space estimation unit 132 from the storage unit 12.

[0157] The acquisition unit 131 receives, via the communication unit 11, information that may be transmitted from at least one of the local network, the core network, the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and other communication nodes.

[0158] For example, the acquisition unit 131 acquires dynamic communication environment information, which will be described later, from the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 11. Furthermore, for example, the acquisition unit 131 receives location information relating to the locations of the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 via the communication unit 11. Note that the location information received by the acquisition unit 131 may be information about a mobile communication node.

[0159] The acquisition unit 131 acquires information (data) stored in the storage unit 12. The acquisition unit 131 acquires, for example, static or quasi-static communication environment information, which will be described later, from the storage unit 12.

[0160] In this way, the acquisition unit 131 acquires each piece of information directly or indirectly, and outputs the acquired information to the virtual space estimation unit 132.

[0161] (Virtual space estimation unit 132) The virtual space estimation unit 132 generates a virtual communication environment based on the information input from the acquisition unit 131. The virtual space estimation unit 132 further estimates communication characteristics using the generated virtual communication environment and generates estimated control information related to control of the RIS 30. Details of the virtual space estimation unit 132 will be described later.

[0162] The virtual space estimation unit 132 outputs the generated estimated control information to the control information generation unit 133 .

[0163] (Control Information Generator 133) The control information generator 133 generates control information related to the RIS 30 (hereinafter also referred to as RIS control information) based on the estimated control information acquired from the virtual space estimation unit 132. The control information generator 133 may further determine communication parameters of the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40, and generate control information related to the communication parameters (hereinafter also referred to as base station control information and / or terminal control information).

[0164] (Notification unit 134) The notification unit 134 directly or indirectly transmits (notifies) RIS control information to the RIS 30. Furthermore, the notification unit 134 directly or indirectly transmits (notifies) base station control information and / or terminal control information to the base station 20 and / or terminal device 40.

[0165] (Example of Information Acquired by Acquisition Unit 131) As described above, the acquisition unit 131 acquires information from other communication nodes. This information can be used by the subsequent virtual space estimation unit 132. An example of this information will be described below.

[0166] The information received by the acquisition unit 131 includes feedback information (an example of measurement information) based on radio wave propagation conditions (communication conditions, wireless quality conditions). This feedback information is information based on radio wave propagation conditions (communication conditions, wireless quality conditions) measured (measured, estimated) by the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30 using a reference signal transmitted and received via the RIS 30.

[0167] The reference signal used for the measurement is transmitted from the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30. The feedback information can be notified to the control station 10 by the base station 20, the RIS 30, and / or the terminal device 40.

[0168] This feedback information may include the status of the RIS 30 when the propagation status is measured. Examples of the status of the RIS 30 include beamforming of the RIS 30, the ON / OFF status of the RIS 30, and the control status of the transmission and reception power of the RIS 30.

[0169] The feedback information may also include information that indicates the status of the RIS 30 when the propagation status is measured. Examples of information that indicates the status of the RIS 30 include the timing of receiving the reference signal (date and time, slot number, reference signal number, etc.), the timing of measurement, etc.

[0170] In addition, if the base station 20 or the RIS 30 knows information about the measurement of the propagation conditions in advance, the feedback information may include the information about the measurement of the radio wave conditions that the base station 20 or the RIS 30 knows in advance. For example, the base station 20 or the RIS 30 may know the timing of transmitting a reference signal or the timing of measurement by the terminal device 40. In this case, the base station 20 or the RIS 30 may include the timing of transmitting a reference signal or the timing of measurement by the terminal device 40 in the feedback information.

[0171] Furthermore, when multiple terminal devices 40 are present within a predetermined area, some of these terminal devices 40 may transmit this feedback information. For example, when these terminal devices 40 are within a predetermined distance, a representative terminal device 40 (e.g., a master UE) transmits this feedback information. The representative terminal device 40 may be set by the base station 20, or may be selected from among these terminal devices 40 according to a predetermined procedure (criteria).

[0172] The feedback information may also include radio wave propagation conditions without going through the RIS 30 (i.e., communication link A). In this case, the feedback information may include information indicating whether the radio wave propagation conditions are those going through the RIS 30 or those not going through the RIS 30.

[0173] In the above example, the reference signal is transmitted from the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 , but the reference signal may also be transmitted from the RIS 30 .

[0174] In other words, the information acquired by the acquisition unit 131 may include feedback information based on the radio wave propagation conditions (communication conditions, wireless quality conditions) measured (measured, estimated) by the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 using a reference signal transmitted by the RIS 30, etc.

[0175] Here, it is stated that this feedback information includes information regarding the radio wave propagation conditions of at least one of communication links B1 and B2, but as described above, the feedback information may also include information regarding the radio wave propagation conditions of communication link A.

[0176] Furthermore, since the base station 20 and the RIS 30 are fixed communication nodes and the terminal device 40 is a mobile communication node, this feedback information may include information regarding the radio wave propagation conditions of communication link B2, but may not include information regarding the radio wave propagation conditions of communication link B1.

[0177] The base station 20 and / or terminal device 40 that performs the measurement may or may not recognize that the reference signal is transmitted from the RIS 30 .

[0178] (Detailed example of virtual space estimation unit 132) Figure 9 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the virtual space estimation unit 132 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The virtual space estimation unit 132 shown in Figure 9 includes a virtual space generation unit 1321, a RIS control parameter setting unit 1322, a communication characteristics estimation unit 1323, and a determination unit 1324. Note that the virtual space estimation unit 132 shown in Figure 9 is just an example, and the virtual space estimation unit 132 may be configured using functional units different from the functional blocks in Figure 9.

[0179] The RIS control parameter setting unit 1322, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323, and the determination unit 1324 can repeat the processing described below once or multiple times depending on the determination by the determination unit 1324 (whether or not a predetermined condition is satisfied).

[0180] (Virtual space generation unit 1321) The virtual space generation unit 1321 virtually generates a communication environment including the base station 20, the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 based on information from the acquisition unit 131 (communication environment information, location information of the base station 20, the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30, feedback information, etc.).

[0181] The virtual communication environment may further include structures (obstacles) that affect radio wave propagation (such as reflection and obstruction). Hereinafter, information about the virtual communication environment generated by the virtual space generation unit 1321 is also referred to as communication environment information.

[0182] (RIS Control Parameter Setting Unit) The RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 sets (provisionally determines, assumes, presumes, estimates) parameters (setting values, etc.) related to RIS control, which will be described later, in the generated virtual communication environment.

[0183] The parameters related to RIS control include any one of the following or a combination thereof: - Phase and / or amplitude values ​​of the antenna elements of the RIS 30 - Incident wave beam and / or reflected wave beam of the RIS 30 - Ratio of reflected wave power to incident wave power of the RIS 30 - Operation mode of the RIS 30 - Operating frequency of the RIS 30 (information on the frequency at which the RIS 30 operates) - Duplex mode of the RIS 30

[0184] Here, the phase and / or amplitude values ​​of the antenna elements of the RIS 30 may be set individually for each antenna element, or the values ​​may be set commonly within a set of antenna elements and individually between sets of antenna elements, or the values ​​may be set commonly for all antenna elements.

[0185] The parameters relating to the operating frequency of the RIS 30 include, for example, information on the frequency band, component carrier, FR1, FR2, terahertz band and / or unlicensed bands.

[0186] The parameters relating to the duplex mode of the RIS 30 include information relating to TDD, FDD and / or full duplex.

[0187] Here, when the RIS 30 operates in full duplex mode, the RIS 30 can simultaneously reflect the DL channel and the UL channel in the same frequency band. In such a case, the RIS 30 may further contribute more interference to the DL channel and the UL channel compared to a half-duplex system. Therefore, interference cancellation, etc. can be performed in the RIS 30 to minimize interference and realize the benefits of full duplex.

[0188] As will be described later, the determining unit 1324 can instruct the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 to reset parameters related to RIS control. When receiving information indicating parameter resetting, the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 resets parameters related to RIS control.

[0189] For example, the resetting can be performed based on parameters related to the RIS control up to that point, the estimated results when those parameters are used, the specified conditions described below, and / or the difference between the estimated results and the specified conditions.

[0190] (Communication Characteristics Estimation Unit 1323) The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 estimates communication characteristics based on the generated virtual communication environment and the set parameters related to RIS control.

[0191] For example, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs a radio wave propagation simulation between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 based on the generated virtual communication environment and the set parameters related to RIS control, and estimates the communication characteristics based on the simulation results. The communication characteristics estimated by the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 will be described in detail later.

[0192] (Determination unit 1324) The determination unit 1324 determines (analyzes) the estimated communication characteristics. For example, the determination unit 1324 determines whether the estimation result of the communication characteristics when the set parameters related to RIS control are used satisfies a predetermined condition.

[0193] If a predetermined condition is satisfied, the determining unit 1324 outputs the parameters related to the RIS control to the control information generating unit 133 as estimated control information.

[0194] If the predetermined condition is not satisfied, the determining unit 1324 notifies the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 of information indicating the resetting of parameters related to RIS control.

[0195] Here, examples of the predetermined conditions will be described using Examples 1 to 3.

[0196] (Example 1 of Predetermined Condition) The predetermined condition may be the number of times that the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323, and the determination unit 1324 repeat their processes.

[0197] For example, the number of repetitions may be set by the determination unit 1324 or may be predetermined. In addition, in the case of this predetermined condition, the estimation control information (parameters related to RIS control) output by the virtual space estimation unit 132 is one of the following: - parameters set at the end of the repetition - parameters when the estimated communication characteristics are favorable during the repetition

[0198] In this case, it is preferable to minimize the error of the estimated value, maximize the reliability or likelihood of the estimated value, and the like.

[0199] (Example 2 of Predetermined Condition) The predetermined condition may be the received power at the receiving point (received power of the desired signal, interference power of the interference signal).

[0200] For example, the determining unit 1324 determines that a predetermined condition is satisfied when the received power of a desired signal at a reception point (i.e., data, information, channel, or signal received by a communication node at the reception point) is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. If the received power of the desired signal at the reception point is less than the predetermined value, the determining unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

[0201] In other words, the virtual space estimation unit 132 searches for parameters related to RIS control that will make the desired signal at that reception point have a desired reception power or more.

[0202] Alternatively, the determination unit 1324 may determine that the predetermined condition is satisfied when, for example, the received power of an interference signal at a reception point (i.e., data, information, channels, or signals received by communication nodes other than the communication node at that reception point) is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The determination unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the received power of the interference signal at the reception point exceeds a predetermined value.

[0203] In other words, the virtual space estimation unit 132 searches for parameters related to RIS control that make the interference signal at the reception point equal to or less than the desired reception power.

[0204] In this example, the communication characteristic at the reception point is the reception power, but the present invention is not limited to this. The details of the reception characteristic will be described later.

[0205] (Example 3 of Predetermined Condition) The rank of the MIMO channel can be cited as a predetermined condition.

[0206] For example, if the rank of the receiving link (downlink) of the terminal device 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the determining unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied. On the other hand, if the rank of the receiving link of the terminal device 40 is less than the predetermined value, the determining unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

[0207] Furthermore, for example, the determining unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is satisfied when the rank of the transmission link (uplink) of the terminal device 40 is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. On the other hand, the determining unit 1324 determines that the predetermined condition is not satisfied when the rank of the transmission link of the terminal device 40 is less than the predetermined value.

[0208] (Detailed Example of Communication Characteristics Estimation Unit 1323) As described above, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 estimates communication characteristics based on the generated virtual communication environment and the set parameters related to RIS control.

[0209] For example, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs a radio wave propagation simulation between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 based on the generated virtual communication environment and the set parameters related to RIS control. The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 estimates communication characteristics based on the simulation results (simulation data, virtual space estimation information).

[0210] The virtual space estimation information is data (information) obtained by simulation. For example, the virtual space estimation information includes any of the following or a combination thereof: - LOS / NLOS information - Simulation information - Information generated / calculated based on the LOS / NLOS information, simulation information, etc.

[0211] The LOS / NLOS information includes information indicating whether the environment between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 is a LOS environment or a NLOS environment.

[0212] The LOS environment is also called a line-of-sight environment, and indicates a situation in which there are no obstacles such as structures or people on the line connecting the base station 20 and the terminal device 40, and direct waves can be transmitted and received between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. In this case, wireless communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 is performed through reflected waves, diffracted waves, and the like in addition to direct waves.

[0213] The NLOS environment is also called a non-line-of-sight environment, and indicates a situation in which there are obstacles such as structures or people on the line connecting the base station 20 and the terminal device 40, making it impossible to transmit and receive direct waves between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. In this case, wireless communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 is performed via reflected waves, diffracted waves, etc. other than direct waves.

[0214] The simulation information includes information about one or more paths (transmitted waves, incoming waves, rays) obtained by ray tracing simulation.

[0215] The paths include direct waves, reflected waves, diffracted waves, transmitted waves, etc. between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. Generally, there are various structures between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40, so the signal (radio wave) transmitted from the transmitting point travels along various routes, becomes multiple paths, and arrives at the receiving point.

[0216] The information about the path includes any one of the following or a combination thereof: - Received power at the receiving point - Transmitted power at the transmitting point - Path loss - Propagation distance - Number of reflections, diffractions, and / or transmissions - Phase variation - Emission angle at the transmitting point - Arrival angle at the receiving point - Arrival order of the path (the time sequence of the arrival among multiple paths) - Number of paths

[0217] Examples of information generated and calculated based on the LOS / NLOS information and simulation information include any of the following, or a combination thereof: - Path loss at the reception point - Received power - Interference power - RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power) - RSRQ (Reference Signal Received Quality) - RSSI (Received Signal Strength Indicator) - SNR (Signal-to-noise ratio) - Downlink throughput - Uplink throughput - Latency - Jitter - Ping value

[0218] Here, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 can estimate the communication characteristics using machine learning, artificial intelligence, deep learning (hereinafter simply referred to as AI (Artificial Intelligence)), or the like.

[0219] Data used for AI learning includes information stored in the storage unit 12 and information acquired by the acquisition unit 131. The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs AI learning using some or all of the information stored in the storage unit 12 and the information acquired by the acquisition unit 131, and generates (constructs) an AI model (communication characteristics estimation model, machine learning model, deep learning model). The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 estimates communication characteristics using the generated AI model.

[0220] For example, the data used for AI training may include communication environment information and virtual space estimation information. Furthermore, the data used for AI training may include parameters related to RIS control. For example, when real space measurement information is added as data used for AI training, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 may update (re-train) or regenerate (reconstruct) the AI ​​model that has been trained up to that point.

[0221] The real space measurement information is real space measurement information (actual measurement information) related to communication characteristics estimated by the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. The real space measurement information may include, for example, dynamic information among wireless communication information related to wireless communication, which will be described later. The real space measurement information may be acquired by the acquisition unit 131 from the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30.

[0222] When the acquisition unit 131 acquires real space measurement information, the above-described RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 can set the RIS control parameters using the real space measurement information in addition to the virtual space estimation information.

[0223] Note that AI learning and generation of the AI ​​model may be performed by a unit (device) different from the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. In this case, the generated AI model may be input to the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. Alternatively, the generated AI model may be stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 acquires the AI ​​model from the storage unit 12.

[0224] <<3. Example of Operation of Communication System>> Here, an example of operation performed in the communication system will be described.

[0225] <3-1. Estimation Control Information Determination Process> FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of estimation control information determination process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] As described above, the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 sets parameters related to RIS control (hereinafter also referred to as RIS control parameters) one or more times. In other words, when the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 sets the RIS control parameters N times, N communication links B1 and B2 corresponding to the set RIS control parameters can be assumed (communication links B1-1 to B1-N, B2-1 to B2-N), as shown in Fig. 10, where N is an integer equal to or greater than 1.

[0227] The communication links virtually assumed by the virtual space estimation unit 132 are hereinafter also referred to as virtual communication links. The above-mentioned communication links B1-1 to B1-N and B2-1 to B2-N are virtual communication links B1-1 to B1-N and B2-1 to B2-N.

[0228] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of a process for determining estimation control information according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The determination process illustrated in FIG. 11 is executed by each unit of the virtual space estimation unit 132 when controlling the RIS 30, for example.

[0229] As shown in FIG. 11, the virtual space estimation unit 132 sets n=1 (step S101).

[0230] Next, the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 of the virtual space estimation unit 132 sets the n-th RIS control parameter (step S102).

[0231] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 estimates the communication characteristics of wireless communication using virtual communication links B1-n, B2-n established by RIS30 using the nth RIS control parameter in the virtual communication environment generated by the virtual space generation unit 1321 (step S103).

[0232] The determining unit 1324 determines whether the estimation result of the communication characteristics estimating unit 1323 satisfies a predetermined condition (step S104).

[0233] If the predetermined condition is satisfied (step S104; Yes), the determining unit 1324 determines the estimated control information (step S105). For example, the determining unit 1324 determines the n-th RIS control parameter as the estimated control information.

[0234] On the other hand, if the predetermined condition is not satisfied (step S104; No), the determining unit 1324 determines whether n is equal to or greater than N (step S106). That is, the determining unit 1324 determines whether the RIS control parameter has been set N times or more.

[0235] If n is less than N (step S106; No), the virtual space estimation unit 132 increments n by 1 (n=n+1) (step S107) and returns to step S102. In other words, the determination unit 1324 instructs the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 to set the (n+1)th RIS control parameter.

[0236] On the other hand, if n is equal to or greater than N (step S106; Yes), the determining unit 1324 determines estimated control information from the RIS control parameters set by the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 (step S108).

[0237] If the predetermined condition is the number of repetitions, step S104 or step S106 may be omitted.

[0238] Although the virtual space estimation unit 132 has been described here as repeatedly setting the RIS control parameters N times, the virtual space estimation unit 132 may also repeatedly set the RIS control parameters within a predetermined time period, for example. That is, the trigger for the virtual space estimation unit 132 to end the determination process may be a predetermined condition or number of times, or may be a predetermined time period.

[0239] Also, here, the determination process when the control station 10 controls both the communication link B1 and the communication link B2 is shown. When the control station 10 controls one of the communication link B1 and the communication link B2, the RIS control parameter setting unit 1322 sets the RIS control parameters of one of the communication link B1 and the communication link B2 (the communication link to be controlled). Therefore, the RIS control parameters of the virtual communication links that are not to be controlled are constant, that is, the 1st to Nth RIS control parameters can all be the same value.

[0240] 3-2. RIS Control Here, an example of control of the RIS 30 according to this embodiment will be described.

[0241] <3-2-1. Beamforming (Beam Control)> In this embodiment, various methods can be used to perform beam control of the RIS 30. Examples of beam control include a dynamic method using physical layer signaling such as a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control CHannel) or a PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control CHannel), and a semi-static method using RRC (Radio Resource Control) or MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling.

[0242] As a first example, the RIS 30 controls a receiving beam in a backhaul link (communication link B1) from the base station 20 and / or a transmitting beam in an access link (communication link B2) to the terminal device 40.

[0243] Note that the receive beam and transmit beam of the RIS 30 may be controlled separately. For example, the receive beam of the RIS 30 may be controlled semi-statically using RRC or MAC signaling, and the transmit beam of the RIS 30 may be controlled dynamically using physical layer signaling. Alternatively, for example, the receive beam of the RIS 30 may be controlled dynamically using physical layer signaling, and the transmit beam of the RIS 30 may be controlled semi-statically using RRC or MAC signaling.

[0244] As a second example, the RIS 30 controls weighting (phase rotation and / or amplitude increase / decrease) of the antenna elements of the RIS 30. For example, the RIS 30 controls reflections on the backhaul link from the base station 20 and the access link to the terminal device 40.

[0245] As a third example, the RIS 30 controls the secondary modulation type of the incident signal, where the secondary modulation type is the distribution of power and frequency bands.

[0246] Here, when beamforming control of the RIS 30 is performed using AI, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 generates an AI model for suitably performing beamforming control in the RIS 30.

[0247] For example, if the objective is to maximize the throughput value at the receiving side (reception point) using RIS30, the throughput value becomes the objective variable of the AI ​​model, and at least parameters or values ​​related to beamforming control in RIS30 can become explanatory variables.

[0248] Note that the parameters or values ​​related to beamforming control in RIS 30 are the parameters or values ​​related to beamforming control when the throughput value is measured, and / or the parameters or values ​​related to beamforming control when estimated in virtual space.

[0249] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs beamforming control in the appropriate RIS 30 by estimating the throughput value at the receiving side (reception point) using an AI model learned and generated based on these variables.

[0250] Note that AI learning and generation of an AI model for suitably performing beamforming control in the RIS 30 may be performed by a unit (device) different from the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. In this case, the generated AI model may be input to the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. Alternatively, the generated AI model may be stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 acquires the AI ​​model from the storage unit 12.

[0251] <3-2-2. ON / OFF Control> In this embodiment, ON / OFF control includes control of transitioning the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) between the ON state and the OFF state.

[0252] Here, when RIS 30 is in the ON state, it means that the parts (modules, devices) related to the RIS-FW of RIS 30 are in an operable state, for example, the antenna element of RIS 30 is in an energized state.

[0253] Furthermore, when RIS30 is in the OFF state, it means that the parts (modules, devices) related to the RIS-FW of RIS30 are not operating, for example, the antenna element of the RIS-FW is not energized.

[0254] For example, the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) is always in the OFF state, but when the RIS control information notifies the ON state, the RIS 30 transitions (switches) to the ON state.

[0255] Alternatively, for example, the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) may be always in an ON state, but when an OFF state is notified by the RIS control information, the RIS 30 may transition (switch) to the OFF state.

[0256] Furthermore, notification of the ON state or OFF state can be explicitly performed using RIS control information. For example, if the RIS control information is 1-bit information, the RIS control information can indicate the ON state with "1" and the OFF state with "0".

[0257] Furthermore, for example, the RIS control information may be 1-bit trigger information. When the RIS control information is 1, the RIS 30 switches (changes) its state. For example, in this case, the RIS 30 transitions from an ON state to an OFF state, or from an OFF state to an ON state. When the RIS control information is 0, the RIS 30 does not switch its state and remains in the same state (ON state or OFF state).

[0258] The notification of the ON or OFF state may also be implicitly performed in relation to other control information, for example, based on the notification of other RIS control (e.g., beam control, etc.).

[0259] Specifically, when other RIS control is being performed based on the RIS control information, the RIS 30 is in the ON state. In other words, when other RIS control is not being performed based on the RIS control information, the RIS 30 is in the OFF state.

[0260] In addition, the RIS control information for ON / OFF control may include information that explicitly or implicitly indicates time resources (time, slot number, frame number, etc.), frequency resources (resource block number, subchannel number, resource pool number, etc.), and / or spatial resources (beam, MIMO layer, etc.) that are in an ON or OFF state.

[0261] In this embodiment, the ON / OFF control may be realized using TDD DL / UL control. For example, when the RIS 30 transmits and receives a DL signal from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40, the RIS 30 is controlled to be in an ON state when transmitting and receiving a DL symbol signal, and to be in an OFF state when transmitting and receiving a UL symbol signal.

[0262] On the other hand, when RIS 30 transmits and receives UL signals from terminal device 40 to base station 20, RIS 30 controls to be in the OFF state when transmitting and receiving DL symbol signals, and to be in the ON state when transmitting and receiving UL symbol signals.

[0263] Furthermore, when transmitting and receiving a signal of a symbol that is neither DL nor UL (for example, a Flexible symbol), the RIS 30 may be controlled by a predetermined method or a method set by the base station 20. For example, when transmitting and receiving a signal of a symbol that is neither DL nor UL, the RIS 30 controls the RIS 30 to be always in an OFF state or always in an ON state.

[0264] Here, when ON / OFF control in the RIS 30 is performed using AI, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 can generate an AI model for suitably performing ON / OFF control in the RIS 30 .

[0265] For example, if the purpose is to maximize the SINR (Signal-Interference and Noise Ratio) value at the receiving side (reception point) using RIS 30 (or if the purpose is to minimize the interference power value), the SINR value becomes the objective variable, and at least a parameter or value related to ON / OFF control in RIS 30 can become the explanatory variable.

[0266] In addition, the parameters or values ​​related to ON / OFF control in RIS30 are parameters or values ​​related to ON / OFF control when the SINR value is measured, and / or parameters or values ​​related to ON / OFF control when estimated in virtual space.

[0267] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs suitable ON / OFF control in RIS30 by estimating the SINR value at the receiving side (reception point) using an AI model learned and generated based on these variables.

[0268] Note that AI learning and generation of an AI model for optimally performing ON / OFF control in the RIS 30 may be performed by a unit (device) different from the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. In this case, the generated AI model may be input to the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. Alternatively, the generated AI model may be stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 acquires the AI ​​model from the storage unit 12.

[0269] <3-2-3. Power Control> In this embodiment, the RIS 30 controls the reception power in the backhaul link and / or the transmission power in the access link in the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) as power control.

[0270] In a first example, the RIS 30 controls the transmission power in the access link based on the reception power in the backhaul link and / or the RIS control information, which includes control information related to the transmission power in the access link.

[0271] For example, the RIS control information includes transmission power information that explicitly or implicitly indicates the transmission power in the access link. The RIS 30 determines the transmission power in the access link based on the transmission power information and outputs transmission data from the backhaul link to the access link.

[0272] Furthermore, for example, the RIS control information includes control information for determining the transmission power in the access link relative to the received power in the backhaul link. RIS 30 determines the transmission power in the access link based on the relative control information and the received power in the backhaul link, and outputs transmission data from the backhaul link to the access link. Specifically, if the received power in the backhaul link is 2 watts and the relative control information indicates "0.5," RIS 30 determines the transmission power in the access link to be 1 watt.

[0273] In the second example, the transmission power in the access link is determined based on the path loss (distance, communication quality, etc.) between the RIS 30 and the terminal device 40 and / or RIS control information.

[0274] For example, the RIS control information sets (notifies) information about the transmission power determined according to the path loss. Next, the RIS 30 acquires the path loss between the RIS 30 and the terminal device 40 in the access link, and determines the transmission power in the access link based on the path loss and the RIS control information. The path loss can be acquired using various methods, such as based on a reference signal transmitted from the terminal device 40 or via a control link.

[0275] In the third example, the transmission power of the access link output by the RIS 30 may be limited to be equal to or less than the received power of the backhaul link. In other words, the transmission power of the access link output by the RIS 30 is controlled to be within a range that does not exceed the received power of the backhaul link. This example is particularly suitable when, due to legislation or the like, the transmission power of the access link output by the RIS 30 is not permitted to exceed the received power of the backhaul link.

[0276] It is possible that, due to legislation or the like, the transmission power in the access link output by the RIS 30 may be permitted to exceed the reception power in the backhaul link. In this case, the RIS 30 may receive permission information or be preset, and thereby determine the transmission power in the access link to be a power that exceeds the reception power in the backhaul link.

[0277] Here, when power control in the RIS 30 is performed using AI, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 generates an AI model for suitably performing power control in the RIS 30. For example, when the purpose is to maximize the SINR value at the receiving side (reception point) using the RIS 30 (or when the purpose is to minimize the interference power value), the SINR value becomes the objective variable, and at least parameters or values ​​related to power control in the RIS 30 can become explanatory variables.

[0278] The parameters or values ​​relating to power control in the RIS 30 are the parameters or values ​​relating to power control when the SINR value is measured and / or the parameters or values ​​relating to power control when estimated in the virtual space.

[0279] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs suitable power control in the RIS 30 by estimating the SINR value at the receiving side (reception point) using an AI model learned and generated based on these variables.

[0280] Note that AI learning and generation of an AI model for optimally performing power control in the RIS 30 may be performed by a unit (device) different from the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. In this case, the generated AI model may be input to the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. Alternatively, the generated AI model may be stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 acquires the AI ​​model from the storage unit 12.

[0281] <3-2-4. Operation Mode Control> In this embodiment, the operation mode control controls some or all of the above-described operation modes in the RIS 30 (RIS-FW).

[0282] For example, the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) is always in the absorption mode, but when the RIS control information notifies it of the reflection mode, it transitions (switches) to the reflection mode. Alternatively, for example, the RIS 30 (RIS-FW) is always in the reflection mode, but when the RIS control information notifies it of the absorption mode, it transitions (switches) to the absorption mode.

[0283] Furthermore, the operation mode can be explicitly notified using RIS control information. For example, if the RIS control information is one-bit information, the RIS control information can indicate the absorption mode with "1" and the reflection mode with "0".

[0284] Furthermore, for example, the RIS control information may be 1-bit trigger information. When the RIS control information is 1, the RIS 30 switches (changes) the operation mode. For example, in this case, the RIS 30 transitions from the absorption mode to the reflection mode, or from the reflection mode to the absorption mode. When the RIS control information is 0, the RIS 30 does not switch the operation mode and remains in the same state (absorption mode or reflection mode).

[0285] Also, for example, the RIS control information can be notified by RRC or MAC layer signaling. In this way, the operation mode can be controlled semi-statically.

[0286] In addition, the RIS control information for controlling the operating mode may include information that explicitly or implicitly indicates time resources (time, slot number, frame number, etc.), frequency resources (resource block number, subchannel number, resource pool number, etc.), and / or spatial resources (beam, MIMO layer, etc.) that are absorption mode or reflection mode.

[0287] In this embodiment, the operation mode control may be realized using TDD DL / UL control. For example, when the RIS 30 transmits and receives DL signals from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40, the RIS 30 controls the operation mode so that it is in an absorption mode when transmitting and receiving DL symbol signals, and in a reflection mode when transmitting and receiving UL symbol signals.

[0288] On the other hand, when the RIS 30 transmits and receives an UL signal from the terminal device 40 to the base station 20, the RIS 30 controls the RIS 30 to be in reflection mode when transmitting and receiving a DL symbol signal, and in absorption mode when transmitting and receiving a UL symbol signal.

[0289] Furthermore, when transmitting and receiving a signal of a symbol that is neither DL nor UL (for example, a Flexible symbol), the RIS 30 may be controlled by a method that is defined in advance or a method that is set by the base station 20. For example, when transmitting and receiving a signal of a symbol that is neither DL nor UL, the RIS 30 controls to always be in the reflection mode or the absorption mode.

[0290] Here, when the operation mode control in the RIS 30 is performed using AI, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 generates an AI model for suitably performing the operation mode control in the RIS 30 .

[0291] For example, if the purpose is to maximize the SINR value at the receiving side (reception point) using RIS30 (or if the purpose is to minimize the interference power value), the SINR value becomes the target variable, and at least a parameter or value related to operation mode control in RIS30 can become the explanatory variable.

[0292] The parameters or values ​​relating to operation mode control in the RIS 30 are parameters or values ​​relating to operation mode control when the SINR value is measured and / or parameters or values ​​relating to operation mode control when estimated in a virtual space.

[0293] The communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 performs suitable operation mode control in the RIS 30 by estimating the SINR value at the receiving side (reception point) using an AI model learned and generated based on these variables.

[0294] Note that AI learning and AI model generation for suitably controlling the operation mode in the RIS 30 may be performed by a unit (device) different from the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. In this case, the generated AI model may be input to the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323. Alternatively, the generated AI model may be stored in the storage unit 12. In this case, the communication characteristics estimation unit 1323 acquires the AI ​​model from the storage unit 12.

[0295] Although the absorption mode and the reflection mode have been described as examples of modes that are the targets of operation mode control, the modes that are the targets of operation mode control are not limited to the absorption mode and the reflection mode. For example, the above-mentioned refraction mode, backscattering mode, transmission mode, and reception mode can also be targets of operation mode control.

[0296] <<4. Examples of Information Handled in the Communication System>> <4-1. Communication Characteristics Information> For example, the communication characteristics (communication characteristics information) according to this embodiment are any of the following, or a combination thereof: -Characteristics information based on radio wave propagation from a transmission point to a reception point -Communication parameter information at a transmission point, a reception point, a base station 20, a terminal device 40, and / or a communication node

[0297] The characteristic information based on radio wave propagation from a transmitting point to a receiving point includes, for example, information on characteristics in the downlink, uplink, and / or sidelink.

[0298] This characteristic information includes, for example, at least one of power characteristic information relating to received power, speed characteristic information relating to communication speed (throughput), and delay characteristic information relating to delay.

[0299] The power characteristic information includes, for example, at least one of received power, interference power, RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SNR, SINR, SIR (Signal to interference power ratio), and CLI (Cross Link Interference).

[0300] The speed characteristic information includes, for example, at least one of a downlink throughput, an uplink throughput, and a sidelink throughput.

[0301] The delay characteristic information includes, for example, at least one of latency, jitter, and ping value.

[0302] The communication parameter information at the transmitting point, the receiving point, the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the communication node includes, for example, at least one of dynamic parameter information that is determined dynamically and semi-static parameter information that is determined semi-statically.

[0303] The dynamic parameter information includes, for example, at least one of information on MCS (Modulation and coding scheme), information on transmission power, information on beam control, information on the number of MIMO multiplexing, and information on resource allocation.

[0304] The information regarding resource allocation includes, for example, information regarding the physical resources (time, frequency, space, etc.) used for transmission.

[0305] The quasi-static parameter information includes, for example, the range, maximum value, minimum value, average value, and median value of a parameter that can be selected by the base station 20 or the terminal device 40 (that is permitted for the base station 20 or the terminal device 40).

[0306] Alternatively, the semi-static parameter information includes, for example, physical resources selectable by (allowed to) the base station 20 or the terminal device 40. The physical resources are physical resources defined by, for example, frequency, frequency band, frequency bandwidth, time, time of day, space, direction, and area.

[0307] <4-2. Communication Environment Information> In the present disclosure, "communication environment information" includes at least one of static or quasi-static information and dynamic information. Static or quasi-static information is fixed information or information that is updated infrequently. Note that static or quasi-static information may be information in a higher communication layer (for example, an application layer, an RRC (Radio Resource Control) layer, etc.). Dynamic information is information that is updated frequently. Note that dynamic information may be information in a lower communication layer (for example, a physical layer, etc.).

[0308] The communication environment information includes at least one of the following types of static or quasi-static information: - Map information - Structure information - Device information related to the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30 - Sensing information acquired through a sensing device - Wireless communication information related to wireless communication

[0309] (Map Information) The map information includes information that allows the recognition of the positions (including absolute position information such as latitude and longitude and relative position information within an area) and sizes of structures, the base station 20, the terminal device 40, etc. The map information also includes, for example, topographical information, office layout diagrams, and premises diagrams.

[0310] (Structure Information) The structure information here includes information on things that affect radio wave propagation, such as reflection, diffraction, and transmission.

[0311] Examples of structures include buildings, walls, plantations, roads, signs, traffic lights, road signs, pillars, buildings, the ground, glass, windows, desks, and cabinets.

[0312] The structure information includes, for example, the position, shape, size, and material of the structure, as well as parameters related to radio wave propagation in the structure (dielectric constant, conductivity, etc.).

[0313] The structure information is generated and constructed based on, for example, the map information described above. In addition, the structure information may be generated and constructed based on information acquired from a sensing device, which will be described later.

[0314] (Device information related to the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30) Here, the device information related to the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30 includes, for example, at least one of the following information: - Antenna information related to the antenna - Capability information related to the functions and capabilities supported in wireless communication - Shape information related to the shape and weight of the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30 - Location information of the fixed base station 20, the fixed terminal device 40, and / or the fixed RIS 30

[0315] The antenna information here includes, for example, at least one of the antenna configurations of the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30, the beam pattern, the number of antenna elements, and the configuration of the antenna elements.

[0316] (Sensing information acquired through the sensing device) The sensing information acquired through the sensing device here includes object information regarding an object detected through the sensing device, and / or impact information regarding fluctuations and / or impacts on wireless communication caused by the detected object.

[0317] Here, the sensing device includes a camera, a sensor, etc. The sensor includes a photoelectric sensor, a fiber sensor, a laser sensor, a color sensor, a proximity sensor, an eddy current type displacement sensor, a contact type displacement sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, an image discrimination sensor, a pressure sensor, a vibration sensor, an inertial measurement sensor, etc.

[0318] Three-dimensional spatial information (e.g., the above-described structure information) is generated from sensing information acquired through a sensing device. For example, when the sensing information is an image or video acquired in real time by a camera, the three-dimensional spatial information is generated in real time using, for example, photogrammetry technology or volumetric capture technology.

[0319] The objects detected by the sensing device include various devices such as the sensing device itself, devices other than the sensing device, and the terminal device 40 that transmits information acquired by the sensing device. The objects detected by the sensing device also include the above-mentioned structures and objects other than structures.

[0320] The terminal device 40 that transmits the sensing information acquired by the sensing device may or may not be equipped with the sensing device. If the terminal device 40 and the sensing device are separate devices, it is preferable that the terminal device 40 acquires the sensing information from the sensing device via, for example, wired or wireless communication.

[0321] Note that the sensing information acquired by sensing (sensing information acquired through a sensing device) may include various sensing information in addition to object detection information. For example, the sensing information acquired by sensing may include beam information (e.g., information on a beam pattern, a beam angle, etc.) related to beams transmitted from the base station 20, the terminal device 40, and / or the RIS 30.

[0322] (Wireless communication information related to wireless communication) Here, the wireless communication information related to wireless communication includes, for example, at least one of the following information: - Communication information related to RAT (Radio access technology) and frequency - Transmission power information related to the transmission power of the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 - Scenario information related to a communication environment scenario - Constraint information related to conditions and constraints related to wireless communication available in the local network - Quality information related to communication quality in wireless communication

[0323] (Communication Information Related to RAT and Frequency) The communication information related to RAT includes, for example, information related to LTE, NR, wireless LAN, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. The communication information related to frequency includes information related to at least one of a frequency band, a center frequency, and a frequency bandwidth.

[0324] (Transmission Power Information Regarding Transmission Power of Base Station 20 and / or Terminal Device 40) The transmission power information regarding the transmission power of the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 includes, for example, control information broadcast from the base station 20.

[0325] Examples of control information broadcast from base station 20 include SS / PBCH (Synchronization Signal and Physical Broadcast CHannel) included in SIB1 (System Information Block type 1), information indicating the transmission power of a block (ss-PBCH-BlockPower), and the like.

[0326] (Scenario Information Regarding Communication Environment Scenarios) Scenario information regarding communication environment scenarios includes, for example, information regarding urban areas, suburban areas, depopulated areas (rural areas), indoor offices, indoor factories, and the like.

[0327] The scenario information may further include information on a radio wave propagation model (e.g., a path loss model) corresponding to the communication environment scenario. The radio wave propagation model may correspond to each of a LOS environment and a NLOS environment.

[0328] (Restriction Information Regarding Conditions and Restrictions on Wireless Communication Available in Local Network) The restriction information here includes information regarding conditions and restrictions on wireless communication permitted in the local network.

[0329] These conditions and constraints may include, for example, information about available RATs, areas where wireless communication is possible (geographical information (such as two-dimensional planar information and / or spatial information including three-dimensional height)), an upper limit on the amount of interference power outside the area, maximum transmit power that can be transmitted, transmittable frequency information, transmittable time information, and the installation location of the base station 20 and / or RIS 30.

[0330] These conditions and constraints may be set or defined in advance, and may be determined and / or changed based on information sent from a predetermined server or storage device (e.g., a Spectrum Access System (SAS) server).

[0331] (Quality Information Related to Communication Quality in Wireless Communication) The quality information includes, for example, terminal quality information related to communication quality in wireless communication measured or estimated by the terminal device 40. This terminal quality information includes, for example, at least one of received power, interference power, RSRP, RSRQ, RSSI, SNR, downlink throughput, uplink throughput, latency, jitter, and Ping value.

[0332] 4-3. Location Information Information handled by the communication system according to this embodiment (for example, the above-described communication characteristic information, communication environment information, and virtual space estimation information) can be information linked to location information.

[0333] The location information includes absolute location information such as latitude, longitude, and / or altitude obtained from, for example, a global positioning system (GPS) or a global navigation satellite system (GNSS).

[0334] Alternatively, the location information includes relative location information obtained by a beacon, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), or the like.

[0335] The absolute location information or relative location information may be information indicating an area divided by a predetermined distance or method.

[0336] <4-4. Signaling Example> Here, an example of signaling when the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 transmits the above-mentioned various information to the base station 20 and / or the control station 10 will be described.

[0337] In this embodiment, the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 transmit various pieces of information (e.g., sensing information, quality information, etc.) as described above to the base station 20 and / or the control station 10. The timing, trigger conditions, cycle, etc. of transmitting the information can be set or specified individually.

[0338] For example, when the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 transmits object detection information, the information is transmitted at the timing when the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 detects the object.

[0339] That is, the detection of an object is used as a trigger for the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 to transmit the detection information. In other words, the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 does not need to transmit the detection information while not detecting an object.

[0340] Also, for example, when the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 transmits information regarding communication quality, the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 determines whether or not to transmit the information depending on the difference between the information and the information transmitted last time.

[0341] Specifically, if the difference between the information and the previously transmitted information is equal to or greater than a predetermined value (or exceeds the predetermined value), the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 transmits the information. In other words, if the difference between the information and the previously transmitted information is less than a predetermined value (or equal to or less than the predetermined value), the terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 does not transmit the information.

[0342] The terminal device 40 and / or the RIS 30 may transmit, as quality information, information indicating the difference from the previous information.

[0343] As described above, the control station 10 according to this embodiment includes the control unit 13. The control unit 13 virtually generates a communication environment for communication between the base station 20 (an example of a first communication device) and the terminal device 40 (an example of a second communication device) via the RIS 30 (an example of a third communication device). The control unit 13 determines RIS control information (an example of control information) for controlling the RIS 30 based on the virtual communication environment. The control unit 13 transmits the RIS control information to the RIS 30.

[0344] In this way, by the control station 10 controlling the RIS 30 based on a virtual communication environment, the control station 10 can control the RIS 30 with greater precision, and can control radio wave propagation using the RIS 30 with greater precision.

[0345] <<5. Use Case>> Here, an example of a use case using the communication system according to this embodiment will be described.

[0346] <5-1. Received Power Control of Desired Signal> For example, as a first use case, the communication system according to this embodiment can be used for receiving power control of a desired signal in a terminal device 40. That is, in the communication system, received power control can be performed so as to maximize the received SNR in the terminal device 40, for example.

[0347] 12 is a diagram illustrating a first use case of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 12, an obstacle 600 exists between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. As a result, the received power of the signal transmitted from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40 decreases. On the other hand, the received power of the signal transmitted from the base station 20 via the RIS 30 to the terminal device 40 does not decrease.

[0348] In this way, whether or not the received power of the direct wave from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40 decreases depends on the positions of the terminal device 40 and / or the obstacle 600, etc.

[0349] Therefore, the control station 10 according to the present embodiment uses, for example, a virtual space to estimate the received power of a signal at the terminal device 40. This allows the control station 10 to more appropriately control the RIS 30 and more appropriately control the received power of a desired signal at the terminal device 40.

[0350] For example, in this use case, the control station 10 controls whether the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 communicate directly or via the RIS 30 by controlling the ON / OFF of the RIS 30. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the ON / OFF control of the RIS 30, the control station 10 may perform beamforming control to more appropriately control the reception power of a desired signal in the terminal device 40.

[0351] <5-2. Received Power Control of Interfering Signals> For example, as a second use case, the communication system according to this embodiment can be used for receiving power control of an interfering signal in a terminal device 40. That is, in the communication system, received power control can be performed so as to minimize the received power of an interfering signal (e.g., a signal from another base station 20) in the terminal device 40.

[0352] 13 is a diagram illustrating a second use case of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 13, a base station 20_1 communicates with a terminal device 40_1, and a base station 20_2 communicates with a terminal device 40_2.

[0353] At this time, the terminal device 40_1 receives the signal transmitted by the base station 20_2 as an interference signal, and therefore it is desirable to reduce the received power of this interference signal.

[0354] Therefore, the control station 10 performs phase control of the RIS 30 so that the signal that arrives directly from the base station 20_2 to the terminal device 40_1 and the signal that passes through the RIS 30 cancel each other out. In accordance with this control, the RIS 30 controls the phase of the signal from the base station 20_2 and transmits (reflects) it.

[0355] This allows the base station 20_2 to reduce interference with the terminal device 40_1. In this way, by using the RIS 30, the interference signal that the terminal device 40_1 receives from the base station 20_2 can be minimized.

[0356] For example, in this use case, the control station 10 can preferably control the reception power of an interference signal given to the terminal device 40_1 by performing phase control and / or beamforming control on the RIS 30.

[0357] 5-3. Reception Power Control for Security For example, as a third use case, the communication system according to this embodiment can be used for reception power control to improve the security accuracy of the terminal device 40.

[0358] In this use case, the communication system minimizes, for example, the received power of a signal addressed to another terminal device 40 at a specific terminal device 40. This prevents the specific terminal device 40 from demodulating and decoding the signal addressed to the other terminal device 40.

[0359] In this way, the communication system can improve security by using the RIS 30 to control the reception power.

[0360] 14 is a diagram illustrating a third use case of the communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. In FIG. 14, it is assumed that the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 communicate with each other, and the terminal device 40E is attempting to receive a signal from the terminal device 40.

[0361] In this case, the control station 10 performs phase control of the RIS 30 so that the signal arriving directly from the base station 20 at the terminal device 40E and the signal passing through the RIS 30 cancel each other out. In accordance with this control, the RIS 30 controls the phase of the signal from the base station 20 and transmits (reflects) it.

[0362] This allows the base station 20 to reduce the received power of the signal reaching the terminal device 40 E. As a result, the terminal device 40 E cannot demodulate and decode the signal from the base station 20 .

[0363] On the other hand, signals arrive directly at the terminal device 40 from the base station 20. Therefore, the terminal device 40 can demodulate and decode the signals from the base station 20.

[0364] In this way, by using the RIS 30, the transmission signal from the base station 20 can be received by the terminal device 40 that is the destination of this transmission signal, but cannot be received by the terminal device 40E that is not the destination of the transmission signal.

[0365] For example, in this use case, the control station 10 can suitably control the RIS 30 by performing phase control and / or beamforming control on the RIS 30 so that the received power of the signal at the terminal device 40E is reduced.

[0366] In this use case, location information of the terminal device 40E is required to reduce the received power of the signal at the terminal device 40E. It is considered difficult for the base station 20 to acquire the location information of the terminal device 40E from the terminal device 40E. Therefore, in this use case, the control station 10 is required to acquire the location information of the terminal device 40E, for example, using external sensing technology.

[0367] <5-4. MIMO Rank Control> For example, as a fourth use case, the communication system according to this embodiment can be used for control to improve the MIMO rank in communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40.

[0368] Generally, MIMO communication is realized by a plurality of received signals that have passed through a plurality of paths in a multipath environment due to reflected waves, etc. For example, in communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40, the terminal device 40 performs MIMO communication by receiving signals that arrive directly (direct waves) as well as signals that have passed through the RIS 30 (reflected waves). At this time, the RIS 30 controls the beamforming and phase of the reflected waves so that the terminal device 40 has an optimal MIMO rank.

[0369] For example, in this use case, the control station 10 can preferably control the RIS 30 by performing phase control and / or beamforming control on the RIS 30 so as to improve the MIMO rank in the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40.

[0370] <<6. Other Embodiments>> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0371] In the above embodiment, the communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 is performed using the RIS 30, but the communication using the RIS 30 is not limited to the communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40.

[0372] For example, the RIS 30 may be used for sidelink communication between the terminal devices 40. In other words, sidelink communication may be performed in the communication system according to the present embodiment.

[0373] Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example configuration of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. The communication system illustrated in Fig. 15 includes a base station 20, a Tx UE (transmitting device 40T), an Rx UE (receiving device 40R), and a RIS 30. Although not illustrated in Fig. 15, the communication system may also include another terminal device 40.

[0374] The communication system provides users with a wireless network that enables mobile communication by having wireless communication devices that configure the communication system work in cooperation with each other. The wireless network of this embodiment is configured, for example, with a wireless access network and a core network.

[0375] In this embodiment, a wireless communication device refers to a device having a wireless communication function, and in the example of Fig. 15, this corresponds to the base station 20, the transmitting device 40T, the receiving device 40R, and the RIS 30. Note that a wireless communication device may also be simply referred to as a communication device.

[0376] The communication system may include a plurality of base stations 20, a plurality of transmitting devices 40T, a plurality of receiving devices 40R, and a plurality of RISs 30.

[0377] In the communication system of Fig. 15, sidelink communication can be performed. In sidelink communication, direct communication is performed from the transmitting device 40T to the receiving device 40R. In this embodiment, direct communication (sidelink communication) is communication that does not go through the base station 20 and includes communication that goes through a communication node other than the base station 20 (e.g., the RIS 30). In addition to sidelink communication, in the communication system of Fig. 15, the transmitting device 40T, the receiving device 40R, and / or the RIS 30 can perform downlink communication and / or uplink transmission with the base station 20.

[0378] In this embodiment, the communication nodes other than the base station 20 may include various communication nodes such as a repeater, a UE relay (terminal device 40) in addition to the above-mentioned RIS 30.

[0379] Direct communication that does not go through the RIS 30 is referred to as sidelink communication SL-D. Direct communication that goes through the RIS 30 is referred to as sidelink communication SL-R. Of the sidelink communications SL-R, communication between the transmitting device 40T and the RIS 30 is referred to as sidelink communication SL-R1, and communication between the receiving device 40R and the RIS 30 is referred to as third sidelink communication SL-R2.

[0380] Sidelink communication SL-D may be suitable for a case where the transmitting device 40T and the receiving device 40R are in a line-of-sight (LOS) environment. Sidelink communication SL-R may be suitable for a case where the transmitting device 40T and the receiving device 40R are in a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) environment. Furthermore, in sidelink communication SL-R, it is desirable that the RIS 30 be optimally controlled depending on the positions of the transmitting device 40T and / or the receiving device 40R.

[0381] The RIS 30 in FIG. 15 may include a RIS-MT and a RIS-FW, similar to the RIS 30 in FIG.

[0382] The RIS-MT according to this embodiment is defined as a functional entity for communicating with the base station 20 and / or the terminal devices 40 (the transmitting device 40T, the receiving device 40R, and other terminal devices 40) through a control link to transmit and receive control information. The control link in this embodiment is based on a Uu link and / or a side link (PC5 link).

[0383] The RIS-FW according to this embodiment is defined as a functional entity for amplifying and forwarding a radio signal of a sidelink (sidelink communication SL-R) between the transmitter 40T and the receiver 40R through a backhaul link and an access link. The operation of the RIS-FW can be controlled by control information from the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 (the transmitter 40T, the receiver 40R, and other terminal devices 40).

[0384] The transmitting device 40T can perform communication by switching between the side link communication SL-D and the side link communication SL-R based on a predetermined condition. The transmitting device 40T can acquire the predetermined condition based on, for example, information (data, signals, control information, triggers, etc.) transmitted by at least one of the base station 20, the RIS 30, the receiving device 40R, and other terminal devices 40.

[0385] The transmitting device 40T can operate in the same manner as the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 of the above-described embodiment. The receiving device 40R can operate in the same manner as the base station 20 and / or the terminal device 40 of the above-described embodiment.

[0386] As in the above-described embodiment, the RIS 30 is controlled by the control station 10 via, for example, the base station 20. The RIS 30 operates in accordance with RIS control information transmitted by the control station 10. As in the above-described embodiment, the control station 10 generates a virtual communication environment for a communication system performing sidelink communication. The control station 10 determines RIS control information for controlling the RIS 30 based on the generated virtual communication environment. The control station 10 notifies the RIS 30 of the RIS control information.

[0387] Although the RIS control information is notified from the control station 10 to the RIS 30 via the base station 20, the RIS control information may be notified by the transmitting device 40T and / or the receiving device 40R. Also, the base station 20, the transmitting device 40T and / or the receiving device 40R may function as the control station 10.

[0388] In the above-described embodiment, one control station 10 controls the RIS 30, but multiple control stations 10 may control one RIS 30. For example, the control of the RIS 30 performed by each of multiple control stations 10 (e.g., a first control station 10_1 and a second control station 10_2) may be different. For example, the first control station 10_1 controls ON / OFF of the RIS 30. Meanwhile, the second control station 10_2 controls beamforming of the RIS 30.

[0389] Alternatively, the control of the RIS 30 performed by each of the multiple control stations 10 may be the same. In this case, priorities for the RIS control of the multiple control stations 10 (priorities of the RIS control information) may be set or defined in advance. The RIS 30 controls the RIS 30 based on the RIS control information with the highest priority.

[0390] Alternatively, the RIS 30 may be configured to control the RIS 30 based on the latest (most recent) RIS control information. When the RIS 30 receives new RIS control information from one of the control stations 10, the RIS 30 discards the old RIS control information and controls the RIS 30 based on the newly received RIS control information.

[0391] The control station 10, the base station 20, the RIS 30, or the control device that controls the terminal device 40 in this embodiment may be realized by a dedicated computer system or a general-purpose computer system.

[0392] For example, a communication program for executing the above-described operations is stored in a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, a magnetic tape, or a flexible disk and distributed. Then, for example, the program is installed in a computer and the above-described processing is executed to configure a control device. In this case, the control device may be a device (e.g., a personal computer) external to the control station 10, the base station 20, the RIS 30, or the terminal device 40. Alternatively, the control device may be a device (e.g., the control unit 13, the control unit 23, the control unit 34, or the control unit 43) internal to the control station 10, the base station 20, the RIS 30, or the terminal device 40.

[0393] The communication program may also be stored in a disk device provided in a server device on a network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer. The above-described functions may also be realized by a combination of an operating system (OS) and application software. In this case, the components other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be stored in a server device and downloaded to a computer.

[0394] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0395] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed and integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Note that this distribution and integration configuration may also be performed dynamically.

[0396] The above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of the present invention without causing any inconsistency in the processing content. The order of the steps shown in the sequence diagrams of the above-described embodiments can be changed as appropriate.

[0397] Furthermore, for example, the present embodiment can also be implemented as any configuration that constitutes an apparatus or system, such as a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), a module using multiple processors, a unit using multiple modules, a set in which other functions are added to a unit, or the like (i.e., a configuration of a part of an apparatus).

[0398] In this embodiment, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device in which multiple modules are housed in a single housing, are both systems.

[0399] Furthermore, for example, this embodiment can have a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared and processed jointly by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0400] <<7. Conclusion>> Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components of different embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0401] Furthermore, the effects of each embodiment described in this specification are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0402] The present technology may also be configured as follows: (1) A control device including: a control unit that virtually generates a communication environment for communication between a first communication device and a second communication device via a third communication device; determines control information for controlling the third communication device based on the virtual communication environment; and transmits the control information to the third communication device. (2) The control device according to (1), in which the control unit estimates the virtual communication environment using measurement information received from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. (3) The control device according to (2), in which the measurement information includes measurement information measured using a reference signal transmitted from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. (4) The control device according to (2) or (3), in which the measurement information includes feedback information based on radio wave propagation conditions. (5) The control device according to (4), in which the feedback information includes third communication device information related to a status of the third communication device. (6) The control device according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the measurement information is measured using a reference signal transmitted without passing through the third communication device. (7) The control device according to any one of (2) to (5), wherein the measurement information is measured using a reference signal transmitted via the third communication device. (8) The control device according to (7), wherein the measurement information includes information on a radio wave propagation condition between the first communication device and the third communication device and / or information on a radio wave propagation condition between the second communication device and the third communication device. (9) The control device according to any one of (1) to (8), wherein the virtual communication environment is generated based on communication environment information and position information of at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. (10) The control device according to (9), wherein the communication environment information includes at least one of map information, structure information, information on the first communication device and / or the second communication device, sensing information, and information on wireless communication.(11) The control device according to any one of (1) to (10), wherein the control information includes at least one of antenna information regarding an antenna element of the third communication device, beam information regarding a beam of the third communication device, power information regarding power of the third communication device, on / off control information indicating whether the third communication device relays the communication, and operation information regarding operation of the third communication device. (12) The control device according to (11), wherein the antenna information includes information regarding a phase and / or amplitude of the antenna element. (13) The control device according to (11) or (12), wherein the beam information includes incident wave beam information regarding a beam of an incident wave incident to the third communication device and / or reflected wave beam information regarding a beam of a reflected wave reflected by the third communication device. (14) The control device according to any one of (11) to (13), wherein the power information includes information regarding a ratio of reflected wave power to incident wave power of the third communication device. (15) The control device according to any one of (11) to (14), wherein the operation information includes at least one of information on an operation mode of the third communication device, information on an operating frequency of the third communication device, and information on a communication method of the third communication device. (16) The control device according to any one of (1) to (15), wherein the control unit sets the control information for the third communication device, performs a radio wave propagation simulation in a virtual communication environment based on the set control information to estimate communication characteristics of the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device, and determines the control information to be transmitted to the third communication device based on the estimated communication characteristics. (17) The control device according to (16), wherein the control unit determines the control information to be transmitted to the third communication device when the estimated communication characteristics satisfy a predetermined condition. (18) The control device according to (17), wherein the predetermined condition includes a condition related to any one of the number of times the radio wave propagation simulation is performed, received power at a reception point, and a rank of a MIMO channel. (19) The control device according to any one of (16) to (18), wherein the control unit, when receiving reconfiguration information indicating reconfiguration of the control information of the third communication device, reconfigures the control information.(20) The control device according to any one of (16) to (19), wherein the control unit estimates the communication characteristics based on virtual space estimation information including a result of the radio wave propagation simulation. (21) The control device according to (20), wherein the virtual space estimation information includes at least one of environmental information indicating a LOS environment or a NLOS environment, path information regarding one or more paths acquired by a ray tracing simulation, and generated information generated based on the environmental information and / or the path information. (22) The control device according to any one of (16) to (21), wherein the control unit estimates the communication characteristics using AI. (23) The control device according to any one of (16) to (22), wherein the communication characteristics include at least one of characteristic information based on radio wave propagation from a transmission point to a reception point, parameter information regarding communication parameters in a communication node, and a combination of the characteristic information and the parameter information. (24) The control device according to any one of (1) to (23), wherein the third communication device is a RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) or an IS (Intelligent Surface). (25) A communication device comprising: a relay unit that relays communication between a first communication device and a second communication device; and a control unit that controls relaying by the relay unit based on control information notified from a control device, wherein the control device virtually generates a communication environment for communication performed via the relay unit, and determines control information for controlling the relaying by the relay unit based on the virtual communication environment. (26) A control method including: virtually generating a communication environment for communication performed between a first communication device and a second communication device via a third communication device; determining control information for controlling the third communication device based on the virtual communication environment; and transmitting the control information to the third communication device.(27) A communication method including: relaying communication between a first communication device and a second communication device; and controlling the relaying of the communication based on control information notified from a control device, wherein the control device virtually generates a communication environment for the communication relayed between the first communication device and the second communication device, and determines control information for controlling the relaying based on the virtual communication environment.

[0403] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Control station 11 Communication unit 12, 22, 33, 42 Storage unit 13, 23, 34, 43 Control unit 20 Base station 21, 32, 41 Signal processing unit 30 Relay device 31 Relay unit 40 Terminal device 131 Acquisition unit 132 Virtual space estimation unit 133 Control information generation unit 134 Notification unit 1321 Virtual space generation unit 1323 Communication characteristic estimation unit 1324 Determination unit

Claims

1. A communication environment for communication between the first communication device and the second communication device via the third communication device is virtually created. Based on the virtual communication environment, control information for controlling the third communication device is determined. A control unit transmits the control information to the third communication device. Equipped with, The control unit generates a virtual communication environment using measurement information received from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device. The aforementioned measurement information includes feedback information based on radio wave propagation conditions. The feedback information includes third communication device information relating to the status of the third communication device. Control device.

2. (delete)

3. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement information includes measurement information measured using a transmitted reference signal from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device.

4. (delete)

5. (delete)

6. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement information is measured using a reference signal transmitted without going through the third communication device.

7. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the measurement information is measured using a reference signal transmitted via the third communication device.

8. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the virtual communication environment is generated based on communication environment information and location information of at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device.

9. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the control information includes at least one of antenna information relating to the antenna element of the third communication device, beam information relating to the beam of the third communication device, power information relating to the power of the third communication device, on / off control information indicating whether or not the third communication device relays the communication, and operation information relating to the operation of the third communication device.

10. The control unit, Set the control information of the third communication device, Based on the set control information, a radio wave propagation simulation is performed in the virtual communication environment to estimate the communication characteristics of the communication between the first communication device and the second communication device. The control device according to claim 1, which determines the control information to be transmitted to the third communication device based on the estimation result of the communication characteristics.

11. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit determines the control information to be transmitted to the third communication device when the estimation result of the communication characteristics satisfies predetermined conditions.

12. The control device according to claim 11, wherein the predetermined conditions include a condition relating to one of the number of radio wave propagation simulations, the received power at the receiving point, and the rank of the MIMO channel.

13. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit resets the control information when it receives reset information indicating the resetting of the control information of the third communication device.

14. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit estimates the communication characteristics based on virtual space estimation information including the results of the radio wave propagation simulation.

15. The control device according to claim 14, wherein the virtual space estimation information includes at least one of environment information indicating an LOS environment or an NLOS environment, path information relating to one or more paths obtained by ray tracing simulation, and generated information generated based on the environment information and / or path information.

16. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the control unit estimates the communication characteristics using AI.

17. The control device according to claim 10, wherein the communication characteristics include characteristic information based on radio wave propagation from a transmitting point to a receiving point, parameter information relating to communication parameters at a communication node, and at least one combination of the characteristic information and the parameter information.

18. The control device according to claim 1, wherein the third communication device is a RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface) or an IS (Intelligent Surface).

19. A relay unit that relays communication between the first communication device and the second communication device, A control unit controls relaying by the relay unit based on control information notified from the control device, Equipped with, The control device is A virtual communication environment is generated for communication conducted via the relay unit, and control information for controlling the relay by the relay unit is determined based on the virtual communication environment. A virtual communication environment is generated using measurement information received from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the relay unit. The aforementioned measurement information includes feedback information based on radio wave propagation conditions. The feedback information includes third communication device information relating to the status of the relay unit and / or the control unit. Communication device.

20. To virtually create a communication environment for communication between the first communication device and the second communication device via the third communication device, Based on the virtual communication environment, control information for controlling the third communication device is determined, The control information is transmitted to the third communication device, This includes generating a virtual communication environment using measurement information received from at least one of the first communication device, the second communication device, and the third communication device, The aforementioned measurement information includes feedback information based on radio wave propagation conditions. The feedback information includes third communication device information relating to the status of the third communication device. Control method.