Communication device and communication method

Abstract

This communication device includes: a control unit for determining the transmission of a signal to be initially accessed by a device of lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; and a transmission unit for transmitting the signal to be initially accessed by the device, the signal being transmitted using a resource smaller than the resource of the signal to be initially accessed by the NB-IoT device. The transmission unit assumes that the signal to be initially accessed by the device and a signal between the communication device and a base station do not overlap, or assumes that the signal to be initially accessed by the device and a signal between the communication device and a terminal do not overlap.

Description

Communication device and communication method

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

[0002] For NR (New Radio) (also known as "5G"), the successor system to LTE (Long Term Evolution), technologies that satisfy requirements such as a large-capacity system, high-speed data transmission speed, low latency, simultaneous connection of a large number of terminals, low cost, and low power consumption are being considered (for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, 3GPP (registered trademark) Release 18 is considering Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Ambient IoT targets devices with extremely simple configurations for low-end IoT applications that operate with extremely low power consumption.

[0004] 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.3.0 (2022-12)"New SID: Study on Ambient IoT ", RP-222685, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #97-e, September 20223GPP TR 38.848 V0.1.0 (2023-03)3GPP TS 36.211 V16.7.0 (2021-09)

[0005] However, the handling of initial access in ambient IoT has not been sufficiently studied, and further study is required.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a communication device and a communication method that can appropriately process initial access.

[0007] A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that determines the transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the device using resources smaller than the resources for the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit assumes that the signal for initial access by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a base station, or assumes that the signal for initial access by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a terminal.

[0008] A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that determines the transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the device using resources smaller than the resources of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit prioritizes the transmission of the signal for initial access by the device when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, or when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal.

[0009] A communication device according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control unit that determines the transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the device using resources smaller than the resources of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit prioritizes the signal between the communication device and a base station when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, or prioritizes the signal between the communication device and a terminal when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal.

[0010] A communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is a communication method for a communication device, which determines the transmission of an initial access signal by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, transmits the initial access signal by the device using resources smaller than the resources of the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device, and assumes that the initial access signal by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a base station, or assumes that the initial access signal by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a terminal.

[0011] A communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for a communication device, which determines the transmission of an initial access signal for a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, transmits the initial access signal for the device using resources smaller than the resources for the initial access signal for the NB-IoT device, and prioritizes the transmission of the initial access signal for the device when the initial access signal for the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, or when the initial access signal for the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal.

[0012] A communication method according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a communication method for a communication device, which determines the transmission of an initial access signal for a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device, transmits the initial access signal for the device using resources smaller than the resources for the initial access signal for the NB-IoT device, and, if the initial access signal for the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, prioritizes the signal between the communication device and the base station, or, if the initial access signal for the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal, prioritizes the signal between the communication device and the terminal.

[0013] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment; FIG. 2 is a diagram explaining topology 1; FIG. 3 is a diagram explaining topology 2; FIG. 4 is a diagram explaining topology 3 in DL support; FIG. 5 is a diagram explaining topology 3 in UL support; FIG. 6 is a diagram explaining topology 4; FIG. 7 is a diagram explaining backscattering transmission; FIG. 8 is a diagram explaining proposals 1 and 2; FIG. 9 is a diagram explaining proposals 1 and 2; FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station according to an embodiment; FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device according to an embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station and a device according to an embodiment; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle.

[0014] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0015] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, existing technologies are used as appropriate. However, the existing technologies are, for example, but not limited to, existing LTE. Furthermore, the term "LTE" as used in this specification has a broad meaning including LTE-Advanced and systems subsequent to LTE-Advanced (e.g., NR) unless otherwise specified.

[0016] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure described below, terms used in existing LTE, such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), are used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc. may be referred to by other names. Furthermore, the above-mentioned terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even signals used in NR are not necessarily referred to as "NR-".

[0017] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the duplex method may be a time division duplex (TDD) method, a frequency division duplex (FDD) method, or another method (for example, flexible duplex, etc.).

[0018] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, "configuring" radio parameters and the like may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that radio parameters notified from a base station or a terminal including a device are set.

[0019] <System Configuration> Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment. As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system includes a base station 10 and a device 20. Although Fig. 1 shows one base station 10 and one device 20, this is an example, and there may be a plurality of each. The device 20 may be an ambient IoT device.

[0020] The base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and performs wireless communication with the device 20. The physical resources of a wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or the number of resource blocks.

[0021] The base station 10 transmits a synchronization signal and system information to the device 20. The base station 10 transmits a control signal and data to the device 20 via DL (Downlink). The base station 10 receives a control signal and data from the device 20 via UL (Uplink).

[0022] As will be described later, the wireless communication system may include intermediate nodes and / or assisting nodes (see <Device Types and Topologies> below). Hereinafter, "and / or" may be simply written as " / ".

[0023] <Ambient IoT> Release-18 approved a study on ambient IoT, which is even lower-end than the existing Narrow Band IoT (NB-IoT: see, for example, Section 10 of Non-Patent Document 4) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Ambient IoT targets ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity devices.

[0024] For Ambient IoT, for example, the following deployment scenarios and characteristics can be considered for the relevant use cases: Indoor or outdoor environment Base station type, e.g., macro / micro / pico cell-based deployment Connectivity topology, e.g., which nodes communicate with Ambient IoT devices, such as base stations, terminals (UE), relays, and repeaters Duplexing method, TDD or FDD, licensed or unlicensed frequency band Coexistence with UE and network equipment in frequency bands for existing 3GPP technologies Assumptions of traffic originating from / terminating to the device

[0025] Based on the above deployment scenarios and characteristics, for example, the following RAN design targets can be formulated: Power consumption Complexity Coverage Data rate Positioning accuracy

[0026] Based on deployment scenarios appropriate for the relevant use cases, compare and evaluate the feasibility of meeting design targets and identify supporting features.

[0027] <Device Types and Topologies> Based on the results of the study item, TR 38.848 (Non-Patent Document 3) was approved. TR 38.848 considers the following categories of ambient IoT devices: Device A: Device A does not have power storage and does not have independent signal generation and signal amplification functions. Device A performs backscattering transmission. Device B: Device B has power storage and does not have independent signal generation functions. Device B performs backscattering transmission. Device B uses the stored power to amplify the reflected signal. Device C: Device C has power storage and has independent signal generation functions. That is, Device C has an active RF component for transmission.

[0028] The complexity of device A is assumed to be about the same as that of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID).

[0029] TR 38.848 defines the following topologies 1 to 4 for ambient IoT networks.

[0030] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating Topology 1. As shown in Figure 2, Topology 1 is a configuration in which a base station (BS) and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other. The ambient IoT device communicates directly with the base station in both directions.

[0031] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating Topology 2. As shown in Figure 3, Topology 2 is a configuration in which a base station and an ambient IoT device communicate via an intermediate node. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication with the intermediate node located between the base station and the ambient IoT device. The intermediate node may be, for example, a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a UE, or a repeater.

[0032] Fig. 4 is a diagram illustrating Topology 3 in DL assistance. As shown in Fig. 4, Topology 3 is a configuration including communication between a base station and an assisting node, communication between the assisting node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between the ambient IoT device and a base station.

[0033] The support node supports DL communication. For example, the support node receives DL signals from the base station and transmits them to the ambient IoT device, as shown in Figure 4. For UL signals, the ambient IoT device transmits directly to the base station.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating Topology 3 in UL support. As shown in Fig. 5, Topology 3 is a configuration including communication between a base station and a support node, communication between a support node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between an ambient IoT device and a base station.

[0035] The support node supports UL communication. For example, the support node receives UL signals from the ambient IoT device and transmits them to the base station, as shown in Figure 5. For DL ​​signals, the ambient IoT device receives directly from the base station.

[0036] The support node shown in Figures 4 and 5 may send out a carrier wave for the ambient IoT device to generate backscatter. The support node may be, for example, a relay, an IAB node, a UE, or a repeater.

[0037] Figure 6 illustrates Topology 4. Topology 4 is a configuration in which a UE and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other. The ambient IoT device communicates with the UE bidirectionally. Topology 4 can also be considered as sidelink (SL) communication.

[0038] In the above Topologies 1 to 4, the ambient IoT device may be provided with a carrier wave from another node inside or outside the topology (Section 4.2.1 of Non-Patent Document 3).

[0039] Backscatter Transmission: Base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes transmit RF signals to ambient IoT devices that are activated and obtain power from the RF operating field from the base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes via inductive coupling.

[0040] The ambient IoT device backscatters and modulates the RF signals received from the base station, intermediate node, support node, and other nodes by switching the reflection coefficient of its own antenna, and transmits information to the base station, intermediate node, support node, and other nodes.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating backscatter transmission. FIG. 7 shows an example in which an ambient IoT device performs ON-OFF keying and transmits information. The dashed line area in FIG. 7 indicates an OFF section, which may correspond to the information (bit) "0." A sine wave signal may correspond to the information "1."

[0042] <Synchronization Signals and PBCH in NR> In NR, the PSS, SSS, and PBCH are transmitted in consecutive symbols as an SSB (SS / PBCH block).

[0043] Time location: Multiple SSBs may be transmitted in a half frame. The time location of the SSBs within the half frame is defined in the specification.

[0044] An SSB consists of four OFDM symbols. At the start of an SSB, the PSS occupies one symbol (symbol 0), the SSS occupies one symbol (symbol 2), and the PBCH occupies three symbols (symbols 1, 2, and 3). During initial access, the terminal may assume that half frames with an SSB occur at a period of 20 ms.

[0045] Frequency location PSS / SSS consists of 127 subcarriers. PBCH consists of 240 subcarriers.

[0046] ・SS sequence generation There are 1008 unique physical cell IDs (PCI). Each PSS and SSS carries a part of the PCI. The terminal obtains the PCI by detecting the boundaries of time units such as symbols, slots, subframes, and frames through SSB detection.

[0047] In NR, for example, the following information is carried by the PBCH (MIB): System frame number Half-frame indication SSB index Subcarrier spacing Frequency offset in number of subcarriers between the SSB and the entire resource block grid Position information of the DMRS (DeModulation Reference Signal) for PDSCH and PUSCH Information for determining the CORESET of SIB1 Information indicating whether a cell is barred If a cell is barred, information indicating whether the terminal can reselect another cell on the same frequency as the barred cell

[0048] <Synchronization Signals and PBCH in MB-IoT> In LTE, NPSS (narrowband PSS), NSSS (narrowband SSS), and NPBCH (narrowband PBCH) are transmitted for NB-IoT.

[0049] Time location: The time location of NPSS / NSSS / NPBCH is defined in the specifications. NPSS / NSSS occupies 11 OFDM symbols in one subframe.

[0050] The NPBCH occupies 64 subframes (11 OFDM symbols in each subframe). The 64 subframes consist of one subframe in 64 consecutive radio frames. The 64 subframes are actually eight repetitions of the NPBCH, each repetition occupying eight subframes.

[0051] During initial access, the terminal may assume that the NPSS is transmitted with a period of 10 ms. During initial access, the terminal may assume that the NSSS is transmitted with a period of 20 ms. The NPBCH is transmitted with a period of 640 ms.

[0052] Frequency location NPSS consists of 11 subcarriers. NSSS consists of 12 subcarriers. NPBCH consists of 12 subcarriers.

[0053] ・SS sequence generation There are 504 unique PCIs. NSSS carries PCIs, and NPSS does not carry PCIs. The terminal detects the boundaries of time units such as symbols, slots, subframes, and frames by detecting the SS, and obtains the PCIs.

[0054] In NB-IoT, for example, the following information is carried by the NPBCH (MIB in NB-IoT): System frame number SIB schedule information Notification of changes in system information Information indicating whether cell access prohibition is enabled Notification of the following operating modes: Intraband deployment with NB-IoT cells and LTE cells on a shared PCI Intraband deployment with NB-IoT cells and LTE cells on different PCIs Guard band Standalone

[0055] <Analysis> Ambient IoT targets IoT technologies that rely on ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity devices for very low-end IoT applications.

[0056] As such, ambient IoT devices are expected to have lower complexity, lower power consumption, and lower data rates than NB-IoT, and similar to NB-IoT, ambient IoT is expected to rely on narrowband transmissions.

[0057] There is no concrete study on how to handle initial access such as synchronization signals and PBCH (MIB) for ambient IoT devices like those mentioned above, which means that ambient IoT devices cannot properly start communication.

[0058] Therefore, this disclosure provides the following proposal regarding the handling of initial access such as synchronization signals and PBCH in ambient IoT.

[0059] In addition, this disclosure provides the following proposals regarding synchronization signal and PBCH (MIB) technologies to meet the above characteristics of ambient IoT.

[0060] Note that the following proposals may apply to Ambient A-IoT devices of a specific device type (Device A / B / C) or to Ambient A-IoT devices of all device types, and different solutions may be applied to different device types.

[0061] <Proposal 1> Proposal 1 relates to synchronization signals in ambient IoT. In the following, we define a new type of synchronization signal for ambient IoT, which we refer to as AIoT-SS. In the following, ambient IoT may also be referred to as A-IoT.

[0062] The AIoT-SS is transmitted from a base station / support node / intermediate node to an A-IoT device. The support node / intermediate node may be a terminal, an IAB node, a relay, or a repeater.

[0063] <Proposal 1: AIoT-SS Type> Regarding the AIoT-SS type, we offer the following options 1 and 2.

[0064] <Proposal 1: AIoT-SS Type: Option 1> Two types of synchronization signals are defined for A-IoT. For example, AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS are defined. The two types, AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS, are transmitted to A-IoT devices.

[0065] AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS are used to detect (synchronize) boundaries of time units such as symbols, slots, subframes, frames, and radio frames. For example, A-IoT devices use two synchronization signals, AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS, to detect boundaries of time units.

[0066] <Proposal 1: AIoT-SS Type: Option 2> One type of synchronization signal is defined for A-IoT. For example, AIoT-SS is defined as one type of synchronization signal. One type of AIoT-SS is transmitted to A-IoT devices.

[0067] AIoT-SS is used to detect boundaries of time units such as symbols, slots, subframes, frames, and radio frames. For example, an A-IoT device uses one AIoT-SS to detect boundaries of time units.

[0068] Option 2, AIoT-SS, is more simply defined than NR and NB-IoT. A-IoT devices may be able to utilize simplified functionality by detecting a single synchronization signal. This may reduce the power consumption and complexity of A-IoT devices.

[0069] <Proposal 1: Frequency domain resources> For A-IoT, the following options 1-3 are provided regarding frequency domain resources in synchronization signals.

[0070] <Proposal 1: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 1> AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-SS are mapped to multiple consecutive subcarriers. For example, as shown by arrow A8a in Figure 8, the synchronization signal in A-IoT is mapped to multiple consecutive subcarriers (frequency domain resource units in Figure 8).

[0071] The number of subcarriers (e.g., "X") per synchronization signal may be defined in the specifications. For example, the number of subcarriers for each of the AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-SS may be defined in the specifications. Also, for example, one number of subcarriers (one X for the two AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS) may be defined in the specifications.

[0072] The number of subcarriers in the synchronization signal in A-IoT may be less than the number of subcarriers in the synchronization signal in NB-IoT. For example, "X=6" may be defined for AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS. For example, "X=6" may be defined for AIoT-SS. In NB-IoT, the number of subcarriers in NPSS is 11. The number of subcarriers in NSSS is 12. By reducing the number of consecutive subcarriers in the synchronization signal in A-IoT, the power consumption of A-IoT devices can be reduced.

[0073] <Proposal 1: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 2> AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-SS are mapped to one subcarrier. For example, as shown by arrow A9a in Figure 9, the synchronization signal in A-IoT is mapped to one subcarrier (frequency domain resource unit in Figure 9). In other words, the synchronization signal in A-IoT is transmitted to the A-IoT device as a single tone.

[0074] In A-IoT, the bandwidth is expected to be very narrow, so the synchronization signal in A-IoT may occupy only one subcarrier.

[0075] <Proposal 1: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 3> AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-SS are mapped to discontinuous subcarriers. A single subcarrier may be discontinuous, or multiple groups of subcarriers may be discontinuous.

[0076] <Proposal 1: Time Domain Resources> AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-SS are mapped to time units such as multiple consecutive or non-consecutive symbols, slots, subframes, and frames.

[0077] The AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS may be transmitted in different symbols, and may also be transmitted in different slots or subframes.

[0078] The time locations of AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS within a slot / subframe / system frame may be defined in the specification, for example, the time location may be defined as the Xth symbol of the Yth subframe.

[0079] AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS are transmitted periodically. For example, as shown by arrow A8b in Figure 8 and arrow A9b in Figure 9, AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS are transmitted periodically. The periodicity (e.g., "P") may be defined in the specification.

[0080] The period of the synchronization signal in A-IoT may be set longer than that in NB-IoT. In NB-IoT, the period of NPSS is 10 ms and the period of NSSS is 20 ms. By lengthening the period of the synchronization signal in A-IoT, the power consumption of A-IoT devices can be reduced.

[0081] <Proposal 1: Time-Frequency Domain Resources> The number of time-frequency domain resources (resource elements) occupied by AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS is set to be smaller than that of NR and NB-IoT. This configuration can reduce the power consumption of A-IoT devices.

[0082] <Proposal 1: Sequence Generation> AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS sequences are generated based on PCI. The number of supported unique PCIs (e.g., "N") may be defined in the specification.

[0083] The number of PCIs may be defined to be less than that of NB-IoT, which has a PCI number of 504. Reducing the number of PCIs can reduce the complexity of A-IoT devices.

[0084] When transmitting two types of synchronization signals, AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS, the following options 1 and 2 are provided.

[0085] <Proposal 1: Sequence Generation: Option 1> AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS are each generated based on a part of PCI. For example, PCI is expressed by the following equation (1). The AIoT-PSS is generated based on the identifier shown in the second term on the right side of equation (1). The AIoT-SSS is generated based on the identifier shown in the first term on the right side of equation (1). Note that k, m, and n in equation (1) are determined, for example, so that the number of PCIs is less than the number of PCIs of NB-IoT.

[0086] <Proposal 1: Sequence Generation: Option 2> AIoT-PSS sequences may be defined in the specification. AIoT-PSS sequences are independent of PCI and do not carry PCI. AIoT-SSS sequences are generated based on PCI and carry PCI.

[0087] In addition, AIoT-SSS sequences may be defined in specifications. AIoT-SSS sequences are independent of PCI and do not carry PCI. AIoT-PSS sequences are generated based on PCI and carry PCI.

[0088] <Proposal 1: Subcarrier Spacing (SCS)> The SCS of AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS may be 15 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 3.75 kHz. The SCS of AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, and AIoT-SSS may also be smaller than 3.75 kHz. Note that the SCS of the synchronization signal in NR and NB-IoT is 15 kHz.

[0089] In AIoT, a fixed SCS or multiple SCSs may be supported. SCSs may be defined corresponding to frequency bands, for example, in a specification. For example, SCS "x" may be defined in one frequency band, and SCS "y" may be defined in another frequency band. If multiple SCSs are supported, AIoT devices may attempt to detect multiple SCSs.

[0090] The length of a time domain resource unit, such as a symbol, may be scaled with the SCS or may be fixed. When scaled with the SCS, the length of the time domain resource unit may decrease as the SCS increases.

[0091] The above SCS may be applied to DL traffic / UL traffic in A-IoT, and may also be applied to control channels or signals in A-IoT.

[0092] <Proposal 1: Summary> The above-described configuration enables A-IoT devices to communicate properly and provides a synchronization signal that is compatible with the characteristics of A-IoT, such as ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity.

[0093] <Proposal 2> Proposal 2 relates to system information in A-IoT. In the following, a new parameter is introduced to provide master system information (MIB) for A-IoT. The new parameter is called AIoT-MIB. A new physical channel called AIoT-PBCH is also introduced to transmit the AIoT-MIB.

[0094] The AIoT-PBCH and AIoT-MIB are transmitted from a base station / support node / intermediate node to an A-IoT device. The support node / intermediate node may be a terminal, an IAB node, a relay, or a repeater.

[0095] <Proposal 2: Frequency Domain Resources> The following options 1-3 are provided for frequency domain resources in AIoT's AIoT-PBCH (AIoT-MIB).

[0096] <Proposal 2: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 1> The AIoT-PBCH is mapped to multiple consecutive subcarriers. For example, as shown by arrow A8a in Figure 8, the broadcast signal in AIoT is mapped to multiple consecutive subcarriers (frequency domain resource units in Figure 8).

[0097] The number of subcarriers (e.g., "X") may be defined in the specifications. The number of subcarriers for the AIoT-PBCH in A-IoT may be less than the number of subcarriers for the synchronization signal in NB-IoT. For example, the number of subcarriers for the AIoT-PBCH may be defined as "X=6". Note that in NB-IoT, the number of subcarriers for the NPBCH is 12. By reducing the number of consecutive subcarriers for the broadcast signal in A-IoT, the power consumption of the A-IoT device can be reduced.

[0098] <Proposal 2: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 2> The AIoT-PBCH is mapped to one subcarrier. For example, as shown by arrow A9a in Figure 9, the broadcast signal in AIoT is mapped to one subcarrier (frequency domain resource unit in Figure 9). In other words, the broadcast signal in A-IoT is transmitted to the A-IoT device using a single tone.

[0099] In A-IoT, the bandwidth is expected to be very narrow, so the broadcast signal in A-IoT may occupy only one subcarrier.

[0100] <Proposal 2: Frequency Domain Resources: Option 3> The AIoT-PBCH is mapped to discontinuous subcarriers. A single discontinuous subcarrier or a group of discontinuous subcarriers may be used.

[0101] <Proposal 2: Time Domain Resources> The AIoT-PBCH is mapped to time units such as multiple consecutive or non-consecutive symbols, slots, subframes, and frames.

[0102] The time location of the AIoT-PBCH within a slot / subframe / system frame may be defined in the specification, for example, the time location may be defined as the Xth symbol of the Yth subframe.

[0103] The AIoT-PBCH is transmitted periodically. For example, as shown by arrow A8b in Figure 8 and arrow A9b in Figure 9, the AIoT-PBCH is transmitted periodically. The periodicity (e.g., "P") may be defined in the specification.

[0104] <Proposal 2: SCS> The SCS of the AIoT-PBCH may be 15 kHz, 7.5 kHz, or 3.75 kHz. The SCS of the AIoT-PBCH may also be smaller than 3.75 kHz. Note that the SCS of the PBCH in NR and the SCS of the NPBCH in NB-IoT are 15 kHz.

[0105] In AIoT, a fixed SCS or multiple SCSs may be supported. The length of a time domain resource unit, such as a symbol, may be scaled according to the SCS or may be fixed. When scaled according to the SCS, the length of the time domain resource unit may be shortened as the SCS increases.

[0106] <Proposal 2: AIoT-SSB> AIoT-SS, AIoT-PSS, AIoT-SSS, and AIoT-PBCH are transmitted in consecutive time units as AIoT-SSB (SS / PBCH block). A-IoT devices receive AIoT-SSB.

[0107] <Proposal 2: Time-Frequency Domain Resources> The number of time-frequency domain resources occupied by AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB is set to be smaller than that of NR and NB-IoT. This configuration reduces the power consumption of A-IoT devices.

[0108] <Proposal 2: AIoT-MIB / AIoT-PBCH Payload> The payload of the AIoT-PBCH (AIoT-MIB) is set smaller than that of NR and NB-IoT. The following information about A-IoT or a subset of the following information is transmitted by the AIoT-PBCH (AIoT-MIB): - System frame number - Scheduling information for the remaining system information (SIB1 or SIBs dedicated to A-IoT devices) - Cell access barring information - Notification of system information changes - Notification of coexistence operation mode with normal UEs (e.g., notification of intra-band / inter-band, notification of same / different PCI) - SCS information in DL and UL for control channel of broadcast information such as traffic, remaining system information (e.g., SIB1 or SIBs dedicated to A-IoT devices), initial access related information, or UE dedicated information - Frequency offset between AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB and the boundary of the resource block grid - SSB index - DMRS location information in DL and UL for control channel of broadcast information such as traffic, remaining system information (e.g., SIB1 or SIBs dedicated to A-IoT devices), initial access related information, or UE dedicated information

[0109] <Proposal 2: Summary> The above-described configuration enables A-IoT devices to communicate properly and provides a synchronization signal that is compatible with the characteristics of A-IoT, such as ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity.

[0110] <Proposal 3> Proposal 3 relates to the coexistence of A-IoT and normal UE. Regarding the coexistence of A-IoT and normal UE, we provide the following options 1 and 2.

[0111] <Proposal 3: Option 1> A-IoT devices and normal UEs expect that the time / frequency resources for AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmissions do not overlap with the transmission and reception of signals by normal UEs.

[0112] <Proposal 3: Option 2> The time / frequency resources used for AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmission are notified to normal UEs by higher layer signaling such as SIB or RRC. Normal UEs do not use the notified time / frequency resources for signal transmission or reception.

[0113] <Proposal 3: Variation> The above options may be applied to specific types of signals for normal UEs. For example, the above options may be applied to synchronization signals such as NR PSS and SSS, reference signals such as NR DMRS and CSI-RS (Channel State Information Reference Signal), or NR PRACH transmission signals.

[0114] <Proposal 3: Summary> With the configuration described above, A-IoT devices can properly communicate.

[0115] <Proposal 4> Proposal 4 relates to the coexistence of signals between intermediate nodes / support nodes / UEs (UEs in Topology 4) and base stations, or between intermediate nodes / support nodes / UEs and normal UEs, with AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB.

[0116] In Topologies 2, 3, and 4, intermediate nodes / supporting nodes / UEs transmit AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB. A-IoT devices receive AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB from the intermediate nodes / supporting nodes / UEs. Frequency and time resources for AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmissions are provided to the intermediate nodes / supporting nodes / UEs by the base station.

[0117] Regarding the coexistence of signals between intermediate nodes / support nodes / UEs and base stations, or between intermediate nodes / support nodes / UEs and normal UEs, and AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB, the following options 1-3 are provided.

[0118] <Proposal 4: Option 1> The intermediate node / support node / UE assumes that its AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmissions (time / frequency resources) do not overlap with the signals (time / frequency resources) between the intermediate node / support node / UE and the base station. The signals between the intermediate node / support node / UE and the base station may be DL / UL.

[0119] The intermediate node / support node / UE assumes that AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmissions do not overlap with signals (time / frequency resources) between the intermediate node / support node / UE and normal UE, which may be DL / UL.

[0120] <Proposal 4: Option 2> An intermediate node / support node / UE prioritizes AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmissions if they overlap with signals between the intermediate node / support node / UE and the base station.

[0121] An intermediate node / support node / UE prioritizes AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmission if the AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmission overlaps with a signal between the intermediate node / support node / UE and a normal UE.

[0122] <Proposal 4: Option 3> If an AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmission overlaps with a signal between the intermediate node / support node / UE and a base station, the intermediate node / support node / UE prioritizes the signal between the intermediate node / support node / UE and a base station.

[0123] If an AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB transmission overlaps with a signal between the intermediate node / support node / UE and a normal UE, the intermediate node / support node / UE prioritizes the signal between the intermediate node / support node / UE and a normal UE.

[0124] <Proposal 4: PCI Provision> The PCI for generating AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS is provided from the base station to the intermediate node / support node / UE. The intermediate node / support node / UE uses the PCI provided by the base station to generate AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS, for example, based on the method described in <Proposal 1: Sequence Generation>.

[0125] <Proposal 4: MIB Provision> The content of the AIoT-PBCH (AIoT-MIB) is provided from the base station to the intermediate node / support node / UE. The content of the AIoT-PBCH (AIoT-MIB) may be the information described in <Proposal 2: AIoT-MIB / AIoT-PBCH Payload>.

[0126] <Proposal 4: Summary> With the configuration described above, A-IoT devices can properly communicate.

[0127] <Capabilities> A-IoT devices may report the following capability information (AIoT capability) to base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and terminals: A-IoT device type

[0128] Intermediate nodes, support nodes, and terminals may report the following capability information to the base station and A-IoT device: Information on whether communication with A-IoT devices is supported Supported A-IoT device types

[0129] Each of the above proposals and options may apply if the A-IoT device, intermediate node, and supporting node indicate support for the corresponding proposal or option, or if enabled by higher layer signaling.

[0130] <Others> Regarding frequency domain resource units, new terms may be defined for A-IoT. For example, the term "subcarrier" may be defined differently for A-IoT.

[0131] Regarding time domain resource units, new terms may be defined for A-IoT. For example, the terms "symbol," "slot," "subframe," and "frame" may be defined differently for A-IoT.

[0132] An A-IoT device may also be referred to as an A-IoT UE, an A-IoT terminal, an A-IoT node, a terminal, or a communication device, or may simply be referred to as an A-IoT.

[0133] An A-IoT device may be considered to be a device with lower complexity than an NB-IoT device. The complexity may be considered to be, for example, the complexity of the configuration / structure related to the minimum / maximum transmit / receive bandwidth supported by the device, and / or the maximum DL / UL data rate supported by the device, and / or the maximum DL / UL TB size supported by the device, and / or the Layer 2 buffer size. The configuration / structure may be translated into hardware. TB stands for Transport Block.

[0134] The base station, intermediate node, support node, and terminal (UE in Topology 4) may be referred to as an A-IoT base station, an A-IoT parent node, an A-IoT NB, a base station, or a communication device.

[0135] The initial access may be, for example, cell search, time / frequency synchronization, and MIB acquisition.

[0136] <Configuration of Base Station> Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station 10 according to an embodiment. The base station 10 includes, for example, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a control unit 103. The base station 10 communicates with the device 20 (see Fig. 11) by radio. The base station 10 may be an intermediate node, a support node, or a terminal (a terminal in SL that communicates with the device 20).

[0137] The transmitter 101 transmits a downlink (DL) signal to the device 20. For example, the transmitter 101 transmits the DL signal under the control of the controller 103.

[0138] The DL signal may include, for example, a downlink data signal and control information (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI)). The DL signal may also include information indicating scheduling related to signal transmission of the device 20 (e.g., an UL grant). The DL signal may also include control information of higher layers (e.g., control information of Radio Resource Control (RRC)). The DL signal may also include a reference signal.

[0139] The channels used for transmitting DL signals include, for example, a data channel and a control channel. For example, the data channel may include a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), and the control channel may include a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). For example, the base station 10 transmits control information to the device 20 using the PDCCH and transmits downlink data signals using the PDSCH.

[0140] The reference signal included in the DL signal may include at least one of a demodulation reference signal (Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS)), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) for position information. For example, reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used for demodulating downlink data signals and are transmitted using the PDSCH.

[0141] The receiving unit 102 receives an uplink (UL) signal transmitted from the device 20. For example, the receiving unit 102 receives the UL signal under the control of the control unit 103.

[0142] The control unit 103 controls the communication operations of the base station 10 , including the transmission processing of the transmission unit 101 and the reception processing of the reception unit 102 .

[0143] For example, the control unit 103 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 101. The control unit 103 also outputs the data, control information, etc. received from the receiving unit 102 to the upper layer.

[0144] For example, the control unit 103 allocates resources (or channels) used for transmitting and receiving DL signals and / or resources used for transmitting and receiving UL signals based on signals (e.g., data and control information, etc.) received from the device 20 and / or data and control information, etc. acquired from a higher layer. Information on the allocated resources may be included in control information transmitted to the device 20.

[0145] The control unit 103 configures PUCCH resources as an example of resource allocation used for transmitting and receiving UL signals. Information related to PUCCH configuration such as a PUCCH cell timing pattern (PUCCH configuration information) may be notified to the device 20 by RRC.

[0146] The control unit 103 may determine transmission of a signal for initial access by the device 20, which has lower complexity than the NB-IoT device. The signal for initial access by the device 20 may be, for example, AIoT-SS / AIoT-PSS / AIoT-SSS / AIoT-PBCH / AIoT-SSB.

[0147] The transmitting unit 101 may transmit the signal for initial access by the device 20 using resources smaller than those for the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device. The resources may be frequency / time resources.

[0148] The transmitter 101 may transmit two types of synchronization signals or one type of synchronization signal as a signal for initial access by the device 20. The two types of synchronization signals may be AIoT-PSS and AIoT-SSS. The one type of synchronization signal may be AIoT-SS.

[0149] The transmitter 101 may map the signal used by the device 20 for initial access to a plurality of subcarriers, or may map the signal to a single subcarrier.

[0150] When the base station 10 is an intermediate node, a support node, or a terminal (SL terminal), the control unit 103 may operate as follows (hereinafter, for simplicity of explanation, the base station 10 is assumed to be an intermediate node).

[0151] The control unit 103 may assume that the signal that the device 20 initially accesses does not overlap with the signal between the intermediate node and the base station of the intermediate node, or may assume that the signal that the device 20 initially accesses does not overlap with the signal between the intermediate node and a normal UE.

[0152] The control unit 103 may prioritize transmission of the signal for initial access by the device 20 when the signal for initial access by the device 20 overlaps with the signal between the intermediate node and the base station of the intermediate node, or when the signal for initial access by the device 20 overlaps with the signal between the intermediate node and the terminal.

[0153] The control unit 103 may prioritize the signal between the intermediate node and the base station of the intermediate node when the signal that the device 20 initially accesses overlaps with the signal between the intermediate node and the base station of the intermediate node, or may prioritize the signal between the intermediate node and the terminal when the signal that the device 20 initially accesses overlaps with the signal between the intermediate node and the terminal.

[0154] 11 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device 20 according to an embodiment. The device 20 includes, for example, a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, and a control unit 203. The device 20 communicates with, for example, a base station 10 wirelessly. The device 20 may be, for example, an A-IoT device.

[0155] The receiving unit 201 receives a DL signal transmitted from the base station 10. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0156] The transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal to the base station 10. For example, the transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0157] The UL signal may include, for example, an uplink data signal and control information (e.g., UCI). For example, information related to the processing capabilities of the device 20 (e.g., UE capability) may be included. The UL signal may also include a reference signal.

[0158] The channels used for transmitting UL signals include, for example, a data channel and a control channel. For example, the data channel includes a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and the control channel includes a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel). For example, the device 20 receives control information from the base station 10 using the PUCCH and transmits uplink data signals using the PUSCH.

[0159] The reference signals included in the UL signal may include, for example, at least one of DMRS, PTRS, CSI-RS, SRS, and PRS. For example, the reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used for demodulating the uplink data signal and are transmitted using an uplink channel (for example, PUSCH).

[0160] The control unit 203 controls the communication operations of the device 20 , including the reception processing in the receiving unit 201 and the transmission processing in the transmitting unit 202 .

[0161] For example, the control unit 203 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 202. Also, the control unit 203 outputs, for example, the data and control information received from the receiving unit 201 to the upper layer.

[0162] For example, the control unit 203 controls transmission of information to be fed back to the base station 10. The information to be fed back to the base station 10 may include, for example, HARQ-ACK, channel state information (CSI), or a scheduling request (SR). The information to be fed back to the base station 10 may be included in UCI. The UCI is transmitted in the resources of the PUCCH.

[0163] The control unit 203 sets PUCCH resources based on configuration information (for example, configuration information such as a PUCCH cell timing pattern notified by RRC and / or DCI) received from the base station 10. The control unit 203 determines the PUCCH resources to be used for transmitting information to be fed back to the base station 10. Under the control of the control unit 203, the transmission unit 202 transmits the information to be fed back to the base station 10 in the PUCCH resources determined by the control unit 203.

[0164] Note that the channel used for transmitting the DL signal and the channel used for transmitting the UL signal are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, the channel used for transmitting the DL signal and the channel used for transmitting the UL signal may include a Random Access Channel (RACH) and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The RACH may be used to transmit Downlink Control Information (DCI) including a Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI), for example.

[0165] The control unit 203 may determine to receive an initial access signal, for example, based on a trigger from the base station 10 or without a trigger. The receiving unit 201 may receive the initial access signal in resources smaller than those of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device. The receiving unit 201 may receive two types of synchronization signals or one type of synchronization signal as the initial access signal. The receiving unit 201 may receive the initial access signal mapped to one or more subcarriers.

[0166] The present disclosure has been described above. Note that the division of items in the above description is not essential to the present disclosure, and items described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and items described in one item may be applied to items described in another item (unless they are inconsistent).

[0167] <Hardware Configuration, etc.> The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0168] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0169] For example, a base station, a device, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station and a device according to the embodiment. The above-described base station 10 and device 20 may be physically configured as a computer including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0170] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the device 20 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0171] Each function in the base station 10 and the device 20 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0172] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 103 and control unit 203 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0173] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 203 of the device 20 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0174] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0175] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0176] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned transmitter 101, receiver 102, receiver 201, transmitter 202, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004.

[0177] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0178] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0179] Furthermore, the base station 10 and the device 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0180] <Notification of Information, Signaling> Notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0181] <Applicable Systems> The embodiments described in the present disclosure are applicable to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 (WiMAX (registered trademark The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0182] <Processing Procedures, etc.> The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0183] <Operation of Base Station> In the present disclosure, specific operations described as being performed by a base station may also be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, an MME or an S-GW, etc., but are not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

[0184] <Direction of Input / Output> Information, etc. (see <Information, Signal>) can be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer). It may also be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0185] <Handling of Input / Output Information, etc.> Input / output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input / output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information, etc. may be deleted. Input information, etc. may be sent to another device.

[0186] <Determination method> The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0187] <Variations of Aspects, etc.> Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. In addition, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0188] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0189] <Software> Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0190] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0191] Information, Signals, etc., described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0192] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0193] <System, Network> As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0194] <Parameter and Channel Names> Furthermore, the information, parameters, and the like described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0195] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0196] <Base Station> In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0197] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of ​​the base station can be partitioned into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a remote radio head (RRH)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or the entire coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage area.

[0198] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0199] Mobile Station In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0200] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0201] <Base Station / Mobile Station> At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be an autonomous mobile object operating based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0202] Furthermore, the base station in the present disclosure may be read as a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the device 20 may be configured to have the functions of the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to device-to-device communication (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0203] Similarly, the term "device" in the present disclosure may be read as "base station." In this case, the base station 10 may be configured to have the functions of the device 20 described above.

[0204] Fig. 13 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 13, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0205] The drive unit 2002 is configured, for example, by an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0206] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0207] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0208] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 provides various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001 by using information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc.

[0209] The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, microphones, switches, buttons, sensors, touch panels, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., displays, speakers, LED lamps, touch panels, etc.) that output to the outside.

[0210] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driving burden on the driver, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize the driving assistance function or the autonomous driving function.

[0211] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 29, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0212] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0213] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021 to 2029 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021 to 2029, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0214] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH received by the communication module 2013 (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH)).

[0215] Furthermore, the communication module 2013 stores various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, and the like provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0216] <Meaning and Interpretation of Terms> As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining something that is considered to be a "judging" or "determining," and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like that are considered to be a "judging" or "determining." Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0217] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0218] <Reference Signal> A reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may also be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0219] <Meaning of "based on"> As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0220] "First," "Second" Any reference to an element using designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0221] <Means> The "means" in the configuration of each device above may be replaced with "section," "circuit," "device," or the like.

[0222] Open Format: When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0223] <Time Units such as TTI, Frequency Units such as RB, and Radio Frame Configuration> A radio frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of the one or more frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0224] Numerology may be a communication parameter that applies to the transmission and / or reception of a signal or channel, and may indicate, for example, at least one of subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering operations performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing operations performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0225] A slot may be composed of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol). A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.

[0226] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or multiple symbols in the time domain. A minislot may also be called a subslot. A minislot may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0227] The radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol all represent time units for transmitting signals, and may be referred to by other names corresponding to the radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol.

[0228] For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. That is, at least one of the subframe and the TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc. instead of a subframe.

[0229] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, a base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each user terminal) to each user terminal in TTI units. Note that the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0230] The TTI may be a transmission time unit for a channel-encoded data packet (transport block), a code block, a code word, etc., or may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. When a TTI is given, the time interval (e.g., the number of symbols) to which a transport block, a code block, a code word, etc. is actually mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

[0231] When one slot or one minislot is called a TTI, one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more minislots) may be the minimum time unit for scheduling. Also, the number of slots (minislots) constituting the minimum time unit for scheduling may be controlled.

[0232] A TTI having a time length of 1 ms may be called a regular TTI (TTI in LTE Rel. 8-12), normal TTI, long TTI, regular subframe, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a regular TTI may be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial or fractional TTI, shortened subframe, short subframe, minislot, subslot, slot, etc.

[0233] In addition, a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a time length of more than 1 ms, and a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a TTI length shorter than the TTI length of a long TTI and greater than or equal to 1 ms.

[0234] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and the frequency domain, and may include one or more consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be the same regardless of numerology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be determined based on numerology.

[0235] The time domain of an RB may include one or more symbols and may have a length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. One TTI, one subframe, etc. may each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0236] Note that one or more RBs may also be called a physical resource block (PRB), a sub-carrier group (SCG), a resource element group (REG), a PRB pair, an RB pair, etc.

[0237] Furthermore, a resource block may be composed of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource region of one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0238] A Bandwidth Part (BWP) (which may also be referred to as a fractional bandwidth) may represent a subset of contiguous common resource blocks (RBs) for a given numerology on a given carrier, where the common RBs may be identified by their index relative to a Common Reference Point of the carrier. PRBs may be defined in a BWP and numbered within the BWP.

[0239] The BWP may include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL ​​(DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be configured for a UE within one carrier.

[0240] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE may not expect to transmit or receive a given signal / channel outside the active BWP. Note that the terms "cell," "carrier," etc. in this disclosure may be read as "BWP."

[0241] The above-described structures of radio frames, subframes, slots, minislots, symbols, etc. are merely examples, and various changes may be made to the number of subframes included in a radio frame, the number of slots per subframe or radio frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, the number of symbols in a TTI, the symbol length, the cyclic prefix (CP) length, etc.

[0242] <Maximum Transmit Power> The "maximum transmit power" in the present disclosure may refer to the maximum value of transmit power, the nominal UE maximum transmit power, or the rated UE maximum transmit power.

[0243] Articles In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are plural.

[0244] <"Different"> In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." Note that the term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0245] One aspect of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0246] 10 Base station 20 Device 101, 202 Transmitter 102, 201 Receiver 103, 203 Controller

Claims

1. A communications device comprising: a control unit that determines transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device using resources smaller than those of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit assumes that the signal for initial access by the device does not overlap with a signal between the communications device and a base station, or assumes that the signal for initial access by the device does not overlap with a signal between the communications device and a terminal.

2. A communications device comprising: a control unit that determines transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device using resources smaller than those of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit prioritizes transmission of the signal for initial access by the device when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communications device and a base station, or when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communications device and a terminal.

3. A communications device comprising: a control unit that determines transmission of a signal for initial access by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; and a transmission unit that transmits the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device using resources smaller than those of the signal for initial access by the NB-IoT device, wherein the transmission unit prioritizes the signal between the communications device and a base station when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communications device and a base station, or prioritizes the signal between the communications device and a terminal when the signal for initial access by the device overlaps with a signal between the communications device and a terminal.

4. A communication method for a communication device, comprising: determining to transmit an initial access signal by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; transmitting the initial access signal by the device using resources smaller than the resources of the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device; and assuming that the initial access signal by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a base station, or assuming that the initial access signal by the device does not overlap with signals between the communication device and a terminal.

5. A communication method of a communication device, comprising: determining to transmit an initial access signal by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; transmitting the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device using resources smaller than those of the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device; and prioritizing the transmission of the initial access signal by the device when the initial access signal by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, or when the initial access signal by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal.

6. A communication method of a communication device, comprising: determining to transmit an initial access signal by a device with lower complexity than a Narrow Band-Internet of Things (NB-IoT) device; transmitting the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device using resources smaller than those of the initial access signal by the NB-IoT device; and, if the initial access signal by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a base station, prioritizing the signal between the communication device and a base station; or, if the initial access signal by the device overlaps with a signal between the communication device and a terminal, prioritizing the signal between the communication device and the terminal.

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