Base station, terminal, communication method, and program

Abstract

A base station conforming to the 3 GPP standard, characterized by comprising a transmission means for transmitting downlink control information (DCI) to a communication terminal in a network system in which the base station performs scheduling of a sidelink communication resource, wherein the DCI includes: a field related to sidelink control information (SCI) including information on a frequency resource in a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication; and a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

Description

Base station, terminal, communication method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a base station, a terminal, a communication method, and a program.

[0002] In a sidelink communication method conforming to the 3GPP (registered trademark) standard, there is a sidelink communication mode in which communication resource scheduling is performed under the control of a base station (Patent Document 1).

[0003] Special Publication No. 2022-544311

[0004] In sidelink communication, in which communication resource scheduling is performed under the control of a base station or a master station, it is assumed that a frequency band such as the 5.9 GHz band is used, and flexible allocation of sidelink communication frequency bands is not possible.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to provide a mechanism that enables flexible allocation of sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0006] A base station according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a base station in a network system in which the base station schedules sidelink communication resources, and includes a designation means for designating a frequency band to be used for sidelink communication, and a notification means for notifying a terminal of the frequency band.

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a mechanism that enables flexible allocation of sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0008] 1 is a block diagram illustrating a base station; FIG. 2 is a software functional block diagram of a base station; FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a terminal; FIG. 4 is a software functional block diagram of a terminal; FIG. 5 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a first embodiment; FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram of a base station according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is an example data structure of an SCI that does not include sidelink communication frequency band information; FIG. 8 is an example data structure of an SCI that includes sidelink communication frequency band information; FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram of a terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of a wireless communication system according to a second embodiment; FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram of a base station according to the second embodiment; FIG. 12 is an example data structure of two DCIs that include sidelink communication frequency band information; FIG. 13 is an example data structure of a DCI that includes sidelink communication frequency band information; FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram of a terminal according to the second embodiment; FIG. 15 is an example data structure of a DCI that does not include sidelink communication frequency band information; FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram of a base station according to a third embodiment; FIG. 17 is an example data structure of a DCI that includes two pieces of sidelink communication frequency band information.

[0009] First Embodiment A communication device according to a first embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[0010] The technical scope of the present invention is determined by the claims, and is not limited to the following individual embodiments.

[0011] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of base station 10. Control unit 101 controls itself by executing a control program stored in storage unit 102. Storage unit 102 stores the control program executed by control unit 101 and various information such as communication parameters. Various operations described below are performed by control unit 101 executing the control program stored in storage unit 102. Wireless receiving unit 103 receives signals conforming to the 3GPP standard. Wireless transmitting unit 104 transmits signals conforming to the 3GPP standard.

[0012] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of software function blocks of the base station 10. Reference numeral 201 denotes the entire software function block.

[0013] The signal transmitting unit 202 transmits signals conforming to the 3GPP standard.

[0014] The signal receiving unit 203 receives a signal conforming to the 3GPP standard.

[0015] The data storage unit 204 stores and holds the software itself and information such as authentication information.

[0016] The scheduling unit 205 schedules (allocates) resources to be used for sidelink communication.

[0017] The frequency band specifying unit 206 specifies a sidelink communication frequency band (a frequency band used for sidelink communication). The sidelink communication frequency band may be indicated by an operating band defined by 3GPP. The sidelink communication frequency band may also be interpreted as the operating band used for sidelink communication. Examples of operating bands include n38 (2570 MHz to 2620 MHz), n47 (5855 MHz to 5925 MHz), and n79 (4400 MHz to 5000 MHz). The frequency band specifying unit 206 may also specify multiple frequency bands to be used for sidelink communication. The sidelink communication frequency band may also be indicated by a channel number defined by 3GPP.

[0018] The scheduling unit 205 schedules resources to be used for sidelink communication from among the resources of the frequency band specified by the frequency band specifying unit 206.

[0019] The frequency band notification unit 207 notifies the terminal of the sidelink communication frequency band specified by the frequency band specifying unit 206. Furthermore, the frequency band notification unit 207 may notify the terminal of multiple frequency bands to be used for sidelink communication specified by the frequency band specifying unit 206.

[0020] The radio wave usage status acquisition unit 208 acquires the radio wave usage status of the sidelink communication frequency band.

[0021] The noise level acquisition unit 209 acquires the noise level of the side link communication frequency band.

[0022] The terminal capability acquisition unit 210 acquires the terminal's capabilities in the sidelink communication frequency band.

[0023] The frequency band designation unit 206 is an example of a designation unit, and the frequency band notification unit 207 is an example of a notification unit.

[0024] 3 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 30. The control unit 301 controls itself by executing a control program stored in the storage unit 302. The storage unit 302 stores the control program executed by the control unit 301 and various information such as communication parameters. The control unit 301 executes the control program stored in the storage unit 302 to perform various operations described below. The wireless receiving unit 303 receives signals conforming to the 3GPP standard. The wireless transmitting unit 304 transmits signals conforming to the 3GPP standard. In other words, the terminal 30 functions as a UE (User Equipment) capable of transmitting and receiving signals conforming to the 3GPP standard.

[0025] The output unit 305 performs various outputs, and has a function of outputting visually perceptible information using an LCD or LED, or a function of outputting sound using a speaker. The output unit 305 has a function of outputting at least one of visual information and sound information. The input unit 306 allows the user to perform various inputs, etc., or acquires sensor information.

[0026] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of software functional blocks of the terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

[0027] 401 indicates the entire software function block.

[0028] The signal transmission unit 402 transmits a signal conforming to the 3GPP standard. For example, the signal transmission unit 402 transmits a side link communication signal in a side link communication frequency band notified by the base station 10.

[0029] The signal receiving unit 403 receives signals conforming to the 3GPP standard. For example, the signal receiving unit 403 receives sidelink communication signals in a sidelink communication frequency band notified by the base station 10.

[0030] The data storage unit 404 stores and holds the software itself and information such as authentication information.

[0031] The input / output control unit 405 controls the output unit 305 and the input unit 306 .

[0032] The frequency band acquisition unit 406 acquires a sidelink communication frequency band from the base station 10. The frequency band acquisition unit 406 may also acquire multiple sidelink communication frequency bands from the base station 10. In this case, the signal transmission unit 402 and the signal reception unit 403 may perform sidelink communication in multiple sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0033] The frequency band acquisition unit 406 is an example of an acquisition unit, and the signal transmission unit 402 and the signal reception unit 403 are an example of a communication unit.

[0034] Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 5, the wireless communication system according to this embodiment includes a base station 10, a terminal 30A, and a terminal 30B. The wireless communication system is an example of a network system.

[0035] In reality, there may be many base stations and terminals, but Fig. 5 shows only the configuration necessary for explaining this embodiment. In the following explanation, when there is no need to distinguish between terminal 30A and terminal 30B, they will be referred to as terminal 30.

[0036] The base station 10 performs 3GPP-compliant sidelink communication resource scheduling.

[0037] Furthermore, the base station 10 notifies the terminal 30A of the sidelink communication frequency band and the radio resources to be used for sidelink communication in that frequency band. The terminal 30A performs sidelink communication with the terminal 30B using the radio resources of the frequency band notified by the base station 10. Note that the base station 10 may perform similar notification not only to the terminal 30A but also to the terminal 30B. The terminals 30A and 30B may perform sidelink communication with each other using the radio resources of the notified frequency band.

[0038] Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the base station 10 to flexibly allocate sidelink communication frequency bands. The base station 10 starts the processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 when allocating radio resources for sidelink communication to the terminal 30A. The control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 when receiving a sidelink communication request from the terminal 30A. Alternatively, the control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 when the terminal 30A connects to the base station 10. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 6 is performed by the control unit 101 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 102.

[0039] First, the base station 10 determines whether to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in a default sidelink communication frequency band (S601). The default sidelink communication frequency band may be predetermined according to the 3GPP specifications. Alternatively, the default sidelink communication frequency band may be determined by the base station 10 and set in advance in the terminal 30 by a Non Access Stratum (NAS) message, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message, or the like.

[0040] The base station 10 may determine whether to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band based on the radio wave usage status of the default sidelink communication frequency band. As an example, assume that the default sidelink communication frequency band is 5915 to 5925 MHz. For example, if the radio wave usage status of the frequency band acquired by the radio wave usage status acquisition unit 208 is less than 50%, the base station 10 may determine to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band (S601—Yes).

[0041] The base station 10 may also determine whether to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band based on the noise level in the default sidelink communication frequency band. For example, assume that the default sidelink communication frequency band is 5915 to 5925 MHz. For example, assume that the noise level of this communication frequency band acquired by the noise level acquisition unit 209 is better than the noise level of another sidelink communication frequency band, 5905 to 5915 MHz. In this case, the base station 10 may determine to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band (S601-Yes).

[0042] The base station 10 may also determine whether to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band based on the terminal 30A's capability to support the sidelink communication frequency band. For example, assume that the base station 10 is capable of allocating radio resources for sidelink communication in band n47 and band n263, and that the default sidelink communication frequency band is band n47. In this case, if the terminal 30A does not support sidelink communication in n263, the base station 10 may determine to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in the default sidelink communication frequency band (S601-Yes). The terminal capability acquisition unit 210 may determine which frequency bands of the sidelink communication frequency bands supported by the terminal 30A are supported based on terminal capability information acquired from the terminal 30A. The terminal capability information may be UE Capability Information.

[0043] If the result of S601 is Yes, the base station 10 performs a scheduling process for the terminal 30A in the default sidelink communication frequency band (S602). Note that the scheduling process refers to allocation of radio resources used for communication.

[0044] Next, the base station 10 transmits SCI (Sidelink Control Information) that does not include the sidelink communication frequency band (S603). The SCI is information transmitted via the PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel). An example of the data structure of the SCI is shown in FIG. 7.

[0045] If S601 is No, the base station 10 performs scheduling processing for the terminal 30A in a non-default side link communication frequency band (S604).

[0046] Next, the base station 10 transmits information about the SCI, including the sidelink communication frequency band information, to the terminal (S605). That is, the base station 10 notifies the terminal 30A of the sidelink communication frequency by including information indicating the sidelink communication frequency band in the information about the SCI transmitted to the terminal. An example of a data structure for transmitting the information about the SCI is shown in FIG. 8 . The data structure shown in FIG. 7 only includes a “Freq. resource assignment” field, which is resource assignment information, and therefore it is not possible to distinguish between a default sidelink communication frequency band and a non-default sidelink communication frequency band. On the other hand, the data structure shown in FIG. 8 includes a “Sidelink Communication Frequency Band” field, which makes it possible to distinguish between a default sidelink communication frequency band and a non-default sidelink communication frequency band. Furthermore, even if there are multiple non-default sidelink communication frequency bands, it is possible to specify a frequency band to which resources for sidelink communication are assigned to the terminal 30.

[0047] In the processing procedure of Fig. 6 described above, the base station 10 can transmit information related to the SCI by including it in DCI (Downlink Control Information). That is, Figs. 7 and 8 may be included in the SCI format 1-A fields of Fig. 15. The DCI is information transmitted on the PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). Also, Figs. 7 and 8 may be replaced with Figs. 15 and 13, respectively. That is, the base station 10 may notify the terminal 30A of the sidelink communication frequency by including information indicating the sidelink communication frequency band in the DCI. The DCI may be called DCI format 3_0, DCI format 3_2, DCI format 3_3, DCI format 3_4, DCI format 3_5, DCI format 4_0, DCI format 4_1, DCI format 4_2, DCI format 2_7, DCI format 2_8, DCI format 2_9.

[0048] Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure performed by the terminal 30A when operating in accordance with flexible allocation of sidelink communication frequency bands. The control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 9 when the base station 10 allocates radio resources and enables sidelink communication. Alternatively, the control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 9 when transmitting a sidelink communication request to the base station 10. Alternatively, the control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 9 when connecting to the base station 10. This flowchart is performed by the control unit 301 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 302.

[0049] The terminal 30A determines whether or not information related to the SCI has been received from the base station 10 (S901). If the result of S901 is No, the process returns to S901.

[0050] If S901 is Yes, the terminal 30A determines whether or not sidelink communication frequency band information is included in the information related to the SCI (S902). An example of a case where sidelink communication frequency band information is included in the information related to the SCI is as shown in Fig. 8. On the other hand, an example of a case where sidelink communication frequency band information is not included in the information related to the SCI is as shown in Fig. 7.

[0051] If S902 is Yes, the terminal 30A starts sidelink communication using the radio resources for sidelink communication specified as information about the SCI in the frequency band specified in the sidelink communication frequency band information in the information about the SCI (S903).

[0052] If S902 is No, the terminal 30A starts sidelink communication in the default sidelink communication frequency band using the radio resources for sidelink communication specified by the SCI (S904).

[0053] Thereafter, the terminal 30A performs side link communication with the terminal 30B in the side link communication frequency band specified by the base station 10.

[0054] In the processing procedure of Figure 9 described above, as mentioned above, information related to the SCI can be included in the DCI. That is, Figures 7 and 8 may be included in the SCI format 1-A fields of Figure 15. Also, Figures 7 and 8 may be replaced with Figures 15 and 13, respectively. The DCI may be called DCI format 3_0, DCI format 3_2, DCI format 3_3, DCI format 3_4, DCI format 3_5, DCI format 4_0, DCI format 4_1, DCI format 4_2, DCI format 2_7, DCI format 2_8, DCI format 2_9. Detailed radio resources for sidelink communication may be indicated in the SCI format 1-A fields in Fig. 15. In this case, the terminals 30A and 30B recognize the frequency band in which sidelink communication should be performed based on the sidelink communication frequency band information. Then, the terminals 30A and 30B acquire detailed scheduling information for radio resources in that frequency band from the SCI format 1-A fields and identify the radio resources to be used by themselves. Then, the terminals perform sidelink communication between the terminals using the identified radio resources.

[0055] It should be noted that SCI format 1-A fields may also be called SCI format 1-B fields, SCI format 1-C fields, or SCI format 1-D fields.

[0056] According to the above description, the base station 10 can flexibly allocate sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0057] <Second embodiment> In the second embodiment, the functional configuration of the base station 10, the configuration of the software function blocks of the base station 10, the functional configuration of the terminal 30, the configuration of the software function blocks of the terminal 30, and the configuration of the network may be the same as those in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, as in the first embodiment.

[0058] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the wireless communication system according to the second embodiment includes a base station 10, a terminal 30A, and a terminal 30B. Note that, although a large number of base stations and terminals may actually exist, Fig. 10 shows only the configuration necessary for explaining the second embodiment.

[0059] In the following description, the base station 10 notifies the terminals 30A and 30B, and when the terminal 30A receives the notification, it performs sidelink communication with the terminal 30B in an appropriate sidelink communication frequency band.

[0060] FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the base station 10 according to the second embodiment for enabling sidelink communication in a plurality of sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0061] The base station 10 starts the processing procedure shown in Fig. 11 when allocating radio resources for sidelink communication to the terminal 30A. The control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 11 when receiving a sidelink communication request from the terminal 30A. Alternatively, the control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 11 when the terminal 30A connects to the base station 10. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 11 is performed by the control unit 101 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 102.

[0062] The base station 10 determines whether or not to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in a plurality of side link communication frequency bands (S1101).

[0063] If S1101 is Yes, the base station 10 performs scheduling processing for the terminal 30A in multiple side link communication frequency bands (S1102).

[0064] In S1103, the base station 10 transmits a plurality of DCIs including sidelink communication frequency band information. That is, the frequency band notifying unit 207 of the base station 10 notifies the terminal 30A of the plurality of frequency bands by including, in each of the plurality of DCIs, information indicating a frequency band designated among the plurality of frequency bands.

[0065] An example of the data structure of the DCI is shown in Fig. 12. In the example of Fig. 12, a "first sidelink communication frequency band" is set in DCI #1, and a "second sidelink communication frequency band" is set in DCI #2. Note that DCI #1 and DCI #2 are DCIs transmitted to the terminal 30A. Therefore, DCI #1 and DCI #2 have a common (identical) CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check) scrambled using the RNTI assigned to the terminal 30A. RNTI is an abbreviation for Radio Network Temporary Identifier.

[0066] Note that DCI #1 and DCI #2 in Fig. 12 may be allocated to different resource blocks of a physical control channel (PDCCH) used by the base station 10 to transmit DCI to the terminal 30. Also, Fig. 12 shows an example in which two DCIs including sidelink communication frequency band information are transmitted, but a similar format is also used in the case in which three or more DCIs are transmitted.

[0067] If S1101 is No, the base station 10 performs a scheduling process of radio resources for sidelink communication in a single sidelink communication frequency band (S1104).

[0068] In step S1105, the base station 10 transmits DCI including sidelink communication frequency band information. An example of the data structure of the DCI is shown in FIG. 13 .

[0069] In the above-described processing procedure, the base station 10 may notify the terminal 30A of multiple sidelink communication frequency bands by including information indicating multiple sidelink communication frequency bands in one DCI. For example, the base station 10 may include a "first sidelink communication frequency band" and a "second sidelink communication frequency band" in one DCI. That is, in S1103, the base station 10 may transmit a DCI including both the "first sidelink communication frequency band" and the "second sidelink communication frequency band" to the terminal 30A. An example of the format of the DCI is shown in FIG. 17 .

[0070] According to the above description, it is possible to specify multiple sidelink communication frequency bands for the terminal 30A, and even when sidelink communication is performed using a single sidelink communication, it is possible to specify a sidelink communication frequency band other than the default.

[0071] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the terminal 30A according to the second embodiment when operating in accordance with flexible allocation of sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0072] The control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 14 when the base station 10 allocates radio resources and enables sidelink communication. Alternatively, the control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 14 when transmitting a sidelink communication request to the base station 10. Alternatively, the control unit 301 of the terminal 30A may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 14 when connecting to the base station 10. This flowchart is performed by the control unit 301 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 302.

[0073] The terminal 30A determines whether or not DCI has been received (S1401). If the result of S1401 is No, the process returns to S1401.

[0074] If S1401 is Yes, the terminal 30A determines whether or not the DCI includes sidelink communication frequency band information (S1402). An example of DCI including sidelink communication frequency band information is shown in Fig. 13. Also, an example of DCI not including sidelink communication frequency band information is shown in Fig. 15.

[0075] If S1402 is Yes, the terminal 30 performs sidelink communication using the radio resources of the sidelink communication frequency band specified in the DCI (S1403).

[0076] If the result of S1402 is No, the sidelink communication is performed using radio resources of the default sidelink communication frequency band (S1404).

[0077] In addition, in S1403 or S1404, the terminal 30 may perform sidelink communication with the terminal 30B using radio resources of the sidelink communication frequency band specified in the DCI.

[0078] According to the above description, sidelink communication is possible even in multiple sidelink communication frequency bands, and even when sidelink communication is performed using a single sidelink communication, communication is possible in a sidelink communication frequency band other than the default.

[0079] <Third Embodiment> In the third embodiment, the functional configuration of the base station 10, the configuration of the software function blocks of the base station 10, the functional configuration of the terminal 30, the configuration of the software function blocks of the terminal 30, and the configuration of the network may be the same as those in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, as in the first embodiment.

[0080] In the following description, the base station 10 notifies the terminals 30A and 30B of the sidelink communication frequency band. Upon receiving the notification, the terminal 30A performs sidelink communication with the terminal 30B in the sidelink communication frequency band designated by the base station 10.

[0081] FIG. 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a processing procedure performed by the base station 10 to enable sidelink communication in multiple sidelink communication frequency bands.

[0082] The base station 10 starts the processing procedure shown in Fig. 16 when allocating radio resources for sidelink communication to the terminal 30A. The control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 16 when receiving a sidelink communication request from the terminal 30A. Alternatively, the control unit 101 of the base station 10 may start the processing procedure shown in Fig. 16 when the terminal 30A connects to the base station 10. The processing procedure shown in Fig. 16 is performed by the control unit 101 reading and executing a computer program stored in the storage unit 102.

[0083] The base station 10 performs scheduling processing in the default sidelink communication frequency band (S1601).

[0084] Next, the base station 10 determines whether or not to allow the terminal 30A to communicate in multiple sidelink communication frequency bands (S1602).

[0085] If S1602 is Yes, the base station 10 performs the scheduling process in an additional sidelink communication frequency band other than the default sidelink communication frequency band (S1603).

[0086] Next, the base station 10 transmits DCI including multiple pieces of sidelink communication frequency band information (S1604). An example of this data structure is shown in Fig. 17. Note that SCI format 1-A fields 1 corresponds to the first sidelink communication frequency band, and SCI format 1-A fields 2 corresponds to the second sidelink communication frequency band. Also, Fig. 17 shows an example of a DCI including two pieces of sidelink communication frequency band information, but the same applies to a DCI including three or more pieces of sidelink communication frequency band information.

[0087] If S1602 is No, the base station 10 transmits DCI that does not include sidelink communication frequency band information (S1605).

[0088] According to the above description, it is possible to specify multiple sidelink communication frequency bands for the terminal 30A, and by transmitting DCI that does not include sidelink communication frequency band information, it is also possible to perform resource scheduling for conventional terminals.

[0089] The flowchart shown in FIG. 14, which shows the processing procedure performed by the terminal 30A, may also be applied to the third embodiment.

[0090] The terminal 30A performs sidelink communication with the terminal 30B in the sidelink communication frequency band determined in S1403 or S1404.

[0091] As a result, sidelink communication becomes possible even when multiple sidelink communication frequency bands exist, and even if the terminal 30B is a conventional terminal, it becomes possible to perform sidelink communication between the terminal 30B and the terminal 30A.

[0092] <Modification> In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the base station 10 notifies the terminal 30 of the frequency band and resources of sidelink communication using a signal of NR (New Radio) of the 3GPP standard. However, this is not limited to this, and it is also possible to configure the terminal 30 to notify the frequency band and resources of sidelink communication using a signal of a successor standard such as 6G.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the base station 10 comprehensively manages the frequency bands and resources for sidelink communication to be used by surrounding terminals. However, the device that comprehensively manages the frequency bands and resources for sidelink communication to be used by surrounding terminals is not limited to the base station 10. For example, the management function can be assigned to roadside devices such as traffic lights, surveillance cameras, and sensor nodes embedded in roads in V2X communication. In this case, the roadside device comprehensively manages the frequency bands and resources for sidelink communication to be used by surrounding terminals and notifies the surrounding terminals of the frequency bands and resources for sidelink communication to be used. In this case, the roadside device may be configured to notify the surrounding terminals of information on the frequency bands and resource allocation for sidelink communication via a physical sidelink control channel (PSCCH). In this case, the resource allocation information and information indicating the frequency band for sidelink communication can be included in sidelink control information (SCI).

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, a specific method in which a base station transmits information about SCI and information indicating a frequency band for sidelink communication is to include the information in DCI transmitted via PDCCH. However, this is not limiting. For example, the method may be modified so that information about SCI and information indicating a frequency band for sidelink communication are included in information elements other than the DCI transmitted via PDCCH.

[0095] Other Embodiments The present disclosure may be configured such that a recording medium storing software program code for realizing the above-described functions is supplied to a system or device, and a computer (CPU, MPU) of the system or device reads and executes the program code stored in the recording medium. In this case, the program code itself read from the storage medium realizes the functions of the above-described embodiments, and the storage medium storing the program code constitutes the present invention.

[0096] Examples of storage media that can be used to supply the program code include flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, magnetic tapes, non-volatile memory cards, ROMs, and DVDs.

[0097] Furthermore, the above-mentioned functions may be realized not only by the computer executing the read program code, but also by the operating system (OS) running on the computer performing some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program code.

[0098] Furthermore, the program code read from the storage medium is written into a memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the computer or a function expansion unit connected to the computer.

[0099] Then, based on the instructions of the program code, a CPU provided in the function expansion board or function expansion unit may perform some or all of the actual processing to realize the above-mentioned functions.

[0100] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the following claims are appended to apprise the public of the scope of the present invention.

[0101] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2023-146493, filed on September 8, 2023, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A base station conforming to the 3GPP standard, in a network system in which the base station performs resource scheduling for sidelink communication, comprising: a transmission means for transmitting Downlink Control Information (DCI) to a communication terminal, wherein the DCI includes a field related to Sidelink Control Information (SCI) including information on frequency resources of a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication, and a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits a plurality of pieces of Downlink Control Information (DCI), and each of the plurality of DCIs includes one field indicating information on a frequency band available for the sidelink communication.

3. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the Downlink Control Information (DCI) includes a plurality of fields indicating information on frequency bands available for the sidelink communication.

4. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting means transmits information about a frequency band available for the sidelink communication to the communication terminal using a Physical Downlink Control Channel.

5. A base station as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the information on the frequency band available for the sidelink communication is indicated by an operating band.

6. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the Downlink Control Information (DCI) includes information on frequency bands available for the sidelink communication excluding a predetermined frequency band.

7. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the Downlink Control Information (DCI) includes a plurality of fields related to the Sidelink Control Information (SCI).

8. A base station conforming to the 3GPP standard, in a network system in which the base station schedules sidelink communication resources, comprising: a transmission means for transmitting Downlink Control Information (DCI) to a communication terminal, wherein the DCI includes a field related to Sidelink Control Information (SCI) including information related to frequency resources of a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication, and the field related to the SCI includes a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

9. The base station according to claim 8, characterized in that the field relating to the SCI includes a plurality of fields indicating information on frequency bands available for the sidelink communication.

10. A communication terminal in a network system in which a base station schedules sidelink communication resources, the communication terminal having a receiving means for receiving Downlink Control Information (DCI) from a base station, the DCI including a field related to Sidelink Control Information (SCI) including information on frequency resources of a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication, and a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

11. The communications terminal according to claim 10, further comprising: a communications means for performing side link communications using the information on the frequency band available for side link communications received by the receiving means.

12. The communications terminal according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the receiving means receives the information on the frequency band available for sidelink communications via a Physical Downlink Control Channel.

13. A communications terminal according to any one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the information on the frequency band available for the sidelink communication is indicated by an operating band.

14. A communication method executed by a base station in a network system in which the base station schedules sidelink communication resources, the communication method comprising: a step of transmitting Downlink Control Information (DCI) to a communication terminal, the DCI including a field related to Sidelink Control Information (SCI) including information on frequency resources of a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication, and a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

15. A communication method executed by a communication terminal in a network system in which a base station schedules sidelink communication resources, the communication method comprising: a step of receiving Downlink Control Information (DCI) from a base station, the DCI including a field related to Sidelink Control Information (SCI) including information on frequency resources of a frequency band usable for the sidelink communication, and a field indicating information on the frequency band usable for the sidelink communication.

16. A program for causing a computer to function as a base station according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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