Terminal and communication method
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/JP2023/039621
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-11-02
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-08
AI Technical Summary
In 5G NR positioning systems, when frequency hopping is applied to SRS, it may cause the SRS positioning signal to collide with other signals/channels, resulting in incorrect positioning or measurement.
By introducing control units and transmission units in the terminal and network, it is determined whether the position position reference signal and other signals/channels overlap in time and frequency, and a collision event is reported when a specific condition is met.
Ensure that in the event of a collision, the terminal and the network can operate appropriately, avoid positioning or measurement errors, and improve system reliability and performance.
Smart Images

Figure JP2023039621_08052025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
Terminal and communication method
[0001] The present invention relates to positioning techniques in wireless communication systems.
[0002] 3GPP (registered trademark) (3rd Generation Partnership Project) is currently studying a wireless communication method called 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter, this wireless communication method will be referred to as "NR") in order to achieve a larger system capacity, a higher data transmission speed, and a lower latency in wireless sections. 5G is studying various wireless technologies and network architectures to meet the requirements of achieving a throughput of 10 Gbps or more while reducing latency in wireless sections to 1 ms or less.
[0003] Furthermore, NR positioning, which performs positioning using a reference signal (RS), is being studied. In conventional NR positioning, measurements for positioning are performed using a reference signal specified for positioning, such as SRS for positioning (Non-Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc.).
[0004] 3GPP TS 38.331 V17.4.0 (2023-03)3GPP TS 37.355 V17.5.0 (2023-06)
[0005] Rel-18 NR positioning discusses frequency hopping of SRS for RedCap UE. When frequency hopping is applied to SRS for positioning, it is expected that the chance of collision between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels will increase. However, in the prior art, the behavior of UEs and networks in the event of collision between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels is not clear.
[0006] Therefore, there is a possibility that operation may not be performed properly when there is a collision between the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels, and as a result, positioning or desired measurements may not be performed properly.
[0007] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to provide a technology that enables a terminal or a network to operate appropriately when a collision occurs between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels.
[0008] According to the disclosed technology, there is provided a terminal including: a control unit that determines that a positioning reference signal will collide with a resource of a signal or channel other than the positioning reference signal when the resource and the resource of the signal or channel other than the positioning reference signal are within the same time width and satisfy specific conditions in the frequency direction; and a transmission unit that reports information indicating the occurrence of a collision to a network.
[0009] The disclosed technology provides a technology that enables a terminal or a network to operate appropriately when a collision occurs between an SRS for positioning and other signals / channels.
[0010] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining a configuration in which a plurality of base stations are present. FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining basic operation. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining embodiments 1 and 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining whether positioning is possible at the time of a collision. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining whether positioning is possible at the time of a collision. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining embodiment 3. FIG. 7 is a diagram for explaining embodiment 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining embodiment 8. FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 and an LMF 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram for explaining an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 or a terminal 20 or an LMF 30 in an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining an example of a vehicle.
[0011] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present invention is applied is not limited to the following embodiment. In the following description, " / " means "or" unless it is clear from the context that it has a different meaning.
[0012] (System Configuration) Fig. 1 is a diagram for explaining a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a base station 10 and a terminal 20. The core network is also provided with an LMF 30, which is capable of communicating with the base station 10. The LMF 30 may communicate with the base station 10 via an AMF. The LMF 30 is an example of a network device (which may also be called a network node). The base station 10 is also an example of a network device. The LMF 30 may also be called a management device.
[0013] 1 illustrates one base station 10 and one terminal 20, this is an example, and there may be a plurality of each. For example, there may be a plurality of base stations 10 to which reference signals transmitted by the terminal 20 are transmitted. One, some, or all of the plurality of base stations 10 may be airborne devices (e.g., satellites, HAPS).
[0014] The source or destination of a reference signal may be called a transmission reception point (TRP). A TRP may be called a transmission point or a reception point. A TRP may be called a base station.
[0015] The base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and performs wireless communication with the terminal 20. The physical resources of a wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain, and the time domain may be defined by the number of OFDM symbols, and the frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or the number of resource blocks. Furthermore, a TTI (Transmission Time Interval) in the time domain may be a slot, or a TTI may be a subframe. Note that a cell and a CC may be considered synonymous.
[0016] The base station 10 is capable of performing carrier aggregation, which aggregates multiple cells (multiple CCs (component carriers)) to communicate with the terminal 20. In carrier aggregation, one PCell (primary cell) and one or more SCells (secondary cells) are used.
[0017] The base station 10 transmits synchronization signals, system information, and the like to the terminal 20. The synchronization signals are, for example, NR-PSS and NR-SSS. The system information is transmitted, for example, via NR-PBCH or PDSCH, and is also referred to as broadcast information. As shown in FIG. 1, the base station 10 transmits control signals or data to the terminal 20 via DL (Downlink) and receives control signals or data from the terminal 20 via UL (Uplink). Note that, here, signals transmitted via control channels such as PUCCH and PDCCH are referred to as control signals, and signals transmitted via shared channels such as PUSCH and PDSCH are referred to as data, but these nomenclatures are merely examples. In addition, UCI (Uplink Control Information) is transmitted via PUCCH or PUSCH.
[0018] The terminal 20 is a communication device equipped with a wireless communication function, such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet, a wearable terminal, or an M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication module. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 20 receives control signals or data from the base station 10 via DL and transmits control signals or data to the base station 10 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system. The terminal 20 may be referred to as a UE, and the base station 10 may be referred to as a gNB.
[0019] The terminal 20 is capable of performing carrier aggregation, which aggregates multiple cells (multiple CCs (component carriers)) to communicate with the base station 10. In carrier aggregation, one PCell (primary cell) and one or more SCells (secondary cells) are used. Also, a PUCCH-SCell having a PUCCH may be used.
[0020] The LMF (Location Management Function) 30 is a function (device) responsible for communication control related to location information services defined in 5GC. The LMF 30 may also be called a location management server, a location management device, or a management device. The LMF 30 can receive, for example, measurement results (phase, received power, time difference, angle, etc.) of a reference signal from the terminal 20 or the base station 10 and calculate the position of the terminal 20. The LMF 30 can also provide setting information or control information related to positioning to the terminal 20 and the base station 10.
[0021] Fig. 2 shows an example of the configuration of a wireless communication system when DC (Dual Connectivity) is implemented. As shown in Fig. 2, a base station 10A serving as a Master Node (MN) and a base station 10B serving as a Secondary Node (SN) are provided. The base station 10A and the base station 10B are each connected to a core network 40. A terminal 20 can communicate with both the base station 10A and the base station 10B.
[0022] The cell group provided by the base station 10A, which is an MN, is called an MCG (Master Cell Group), and the cell group provided by the base station 10B, which is an SN, is called an SCG (Secondary Cell Group). In addition, in DC, the MCG is composed of one PCell and one or more SCells, and the SCG is composed of one PSCell (Primary SCell) and one or more SCells.
[0023] The processing operations in this embodiment may be performed in the system configuration shown in Fig. 1, the system configuration shown in Fig. 2, or other system configurations. Fig. 3 shows an example in which the terminal 20 performs positioning by receiving reference signals from multiple base stations 10A to 10C, or in which the terminal 20 performs positioning by transmitting reference signals to multiple base stations 10A to 10C. For example, the LMF 30 receives, from each base station, measurement results (received power, received phase, received angle, received time, etc.) of the SRS transmitted from the terminal 20, and calculates the position of the terminal 20 from the measurement results.
[0024] (Issues) As mentioned above, Rel-18 NR positioning discusses frequency hopping of SRS for RedCap UE. When frequency hopping is applied to SRS for positioning, it is expected that the chances of collision between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels will increase. However, in conventional technology, the behavior of terminals and networks in the event of collision between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels is unclear. Therefore, there is a possibility that the behavior in the event of collision between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels will not be performed properly, resulting in inappropriate positioning.
[0025] In view of the above, in the present embodiment (particularly in embodiments 1 and 2), the operation when an SRS other than SRS for positioning conflicts with an SRS for positioning is clarified. Note that, since an SRS other than SRS for positioning is used for channel estimation for MIMO transmission and reception in the terminal 20 / base station 10, this SRS will hereinafter be referred to as an SRS for MIMO.
[0026] The SRS for positioning may be called a positioning reference signal, and the SRS for MIMO may be called a measurement reference signal. However, the positioning reference signal is not limited to the SRS for positioning, and the measurement reference signal is not limited to the SRS for MIMO.
[0027] Furthermore, in this embodiment (particularly embodiment 3), a timeline for determining whether or not a collision has occurred between the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels, and operations before and after the collision are clarified.
[0028] (Outline of the embodiments) Hereinafter, embodiments 1 to 3 will be described as embodiments for solving the above problems. The outline of embodiments 1 to 3 is as follows. Embodiments 1 to 3 can be implemented in any combination.
[0029] Embodiment 1: It is assumed that the terminal 20 uses the SRS for MIMO transmitted instead of the SRS for positioning for positioning.
[0030] Second Embodiment: It is assumed that the terminal 20 uses the transmitted SRS for positioning instead of the SRS for MIMO for measurement.
[0031] Embodiment 3: When the terminal 20 receives from the network setting information / instruction information regarding the transmission and reception of SRS for positioning and other signals / channels that meets specific conditions, the terminal 20 determines that the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels will collide.
[0032] Each embodiment will be described in detail below. It is possible to combine any two or all of the first to third embodiments. In the following description, the "network" to which the terminal 20 transmits (reports) information or from which the terminal 20 transmits information is specifically the base station 10 or the LMF 30. Therefore, the "network" below may be replaced with the base station 10 or the LMF 30.
[0033] (Basic Operation Example) A basic operation example common to the first to third embodiments will be described with reference to FIG.
[0034] In S101, the terminal 20 transmits capability information (UE capability) to the NW. This capability information is information indicating whether the terminal 20 supports the operations of the first, second, or third embodiment, for example.
[0035] In S102, the NW transmits setting information to the terminal 20. This setting information includes setting information for SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO.
[0036] The configuration information includes, for example, information indicating resources (including sequences) for transmitting SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO, and includes any one, any plurality, or all of the following: time position, frequency position, time width (e.g., number of symbols), frequency width (e.g., number of resource blocks), comb pattern, period, information indicating a signal sequence (parameters for sequence generation, etc.), and frequency hopping pattern. Note that frequency hopping may be applied to both SRS for positioning and SRS for MIMO, or to only one of them, or to neither.
[0037] Furthermore, the setting information in S102 may include setting information for signals / channels (which may be UL or DL) other than "SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO."
[0038] Furthermore, in S102 or "after S102 and before S103," instruction information instructing the terminal 20 to transmit SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO may be transmitted from the NW to the terminal 20. The instruction information is transmitted, for example, by DCI or MAC signaling. The instruction information may be, for example, instruction information instructing the terminal 20 to transmit a specific SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO from among multiple SRS for positioning (or multiple SRS for MIMO) sets in the terminal 20.
[0039] In S103, the terminal 20 determines whether or not a collision has occurred. Details of the method for determining whether or not a collision has occurred will be described in the third embodiment.
[0040] In S104, a signal or a report is transmitted based on the result of the determination in S103. For example, in S104, the signal / channel that was not dropped due to the collision is transmitted. Also, in S104, the occurrence of a collision may be reported to the network.
[0041] In S105, the NW receives the SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO from the terminal 20 and performs measurements. This measurement may be for positioning or may not be for positioning. If this measurement is for positioning, the NW further performs positioning calculations. Alternatively, the NW may notify the terminal 20 of the measurement results, and the terminal 20 may perform positioning calculations.
[0042] When the positioning calculation for the terminal 20 is performed on the NW side in S105, the positioning result (position information of the terminal 20) may be notified from the NW to the terminal 20 in S106.
[0043] Each embodiment will be described below.
[0044] (Embodiment 1) First, embodiment 1 will be described. In embodiment 1, it is assumed that the SRS for MIMO transmitted by the terminal 20 instead of the SRS for positioning is used for positioning in the network. More specific operations are as follows. In the following explanation, the operation will be explained using the step numbers in FIG. 4 as appropriate.
[0045] <Operation of Embodiment 1> In S103 of Fig. 4, if the terminal 20 determines that the SRS for positioning and the SRS for MIMO collide, the terminal 20 drops the SRS for positioning and transmits the SRS for MIMO in S104. The terminal 20 assumes that this SRS for MIMO will be used for positioning, and receives the positioning result from the NW in S106, for example. The specific method for determining the collision can be the method described in embodiment 3.
[0046] It is assumed that, when the NW determines that the SRS for positioning and the SRS for MIMO collide, for example, using the same determination method as that used by the terminal 20, it receives the SRS for MIMO for positioning from the terminal 20. When the NW receives the SRS for MIMO from the terminal 20, it performs measurement and positioning calculations.
[0047] The terminal 20 dropping the SRS for positioning means, for example, that the terminal 20 does not transmit the SRS for positioning at the resource time of the SRS for positioning.
[0048] For example, when terminal 20 determines based on configuration information or instruction information that the resources for SRS for positioning overlap with the resources for SRS for MIMO, it drops the SRS for positioning and transmits SRS for MIMO using the resources instead of the SRS for positioning. The resources may be, for example, resources (hop(s) (hopping resource(s)) / symbol(s)) for a certain hop in the SRS for MIMO (or SRS for positioning) that performs frequency hopping.
[0049] In this case, the terminal 20 may assume that the NW notifies the terminal 20 of the positioning result using the resource of the hop. The terminal 20 may also report to the NW information (hop(s) / symbol(s)) indicating the hop corresponding to the collided SRS for positioning.
[0050] 5 shows resources A and B as an example of hopping resources in SRS for MIMO (or SRS for positioning) that performs frequency hopping. For example, if SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning collide during the hop of resource B and terminal 20 drops SRS for positioning, terminal 20 transmits SRS for MIMO during the hop of resource B and reports information indicating the hop of resource B (for example, hop number, symbol number) to the NW.
[0051] <Support / Not Support for Each Positioning Method> The terminal 20 or the NW may be configured to support (or not support) the above-described "operation of the first embodiment" for each positioning method. For example, the terminal 20 or the NW may support "the operation of the first embodiment" in UL TDOA w / frequency hopping, but may not support "the operation of the first embodiment" in Multi-RTT or UL-AoA.
[0052] <Regarding Sequences> The sequences to be used for SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO may be determined (set) in consideration of each other's sequences.
[0053] For example, the sequence of SRS for MIMO may be set to the same as the sequence of the conflicting SRS for positioning. This allows the continuity of the signal and phase with SRS for positioning to be maintained even if SRS for MIMO is applied to resources (hop(s) / symbol(s)) that conflict with SRS for positioning. As a result, positioning using SRS for MIMO can be performed appropriately.
[0054] More specifically, for example, in the setting information that the NW sets in the terminal 20, the sequence of SRS for MIMO and the sequence of SRS for positioning may be the same.
[0055] In addition, the network may set multiple sequences for each of SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning for the terminal 20, and the terminal 20 that transmits SRS for positioning may select and use the same sequence as the SRS for positioning as the SRS for MIMO sequence to transmit in the event of a collision.
[0056] <Regarding Resources Used for Positioning> In SRS for MIMO to which frequency hopping is applied, only some of the multiple resources obtained by hopping (only some of the multiple hops) may be used for positioning using SRS for MIMO. For example, in a case where two hops are repeated in the time direction as shown in Fig. 5, only the hop shown in B may be used for positioning by SRS for MIMO, and the hop shown in A may not be used for positioning by SRS for MIMO.
[0057] The NW may notify the terminal 20 of which hops in SRS for MIMO can be used for positioning by SRS for MIMO.
[0058] <Conditions> The terminal 20 may assume that positioning using SRS for MIMO can be performed when SRS for MIMO that satisfies specific conditions is configured (or instructed) in the terminal 20.
[0059] The specific conditions include, for example, a condition regarding a hopping pattern, a condition regarding a gap size, a condition regarding a frequency mapping, and a condition regarding an overlap size.
[0060] The specific condition may be defined in the specifications, or may be set / instructed from the NW to the terminal 20 by RRC / MAC / DCI, etc. Specific examples of the specific condition will be described with reference to Figs.
[0061] Example 1 (hopping pattern): Fig. 6 shows an example of conditions for hopping patterns. In the example of Fig. 6, it is assumed that there are two patterns of frequency hopping for SRS for MIMO: hop A -> hop B and hop A - hop C.
[0062] When a pattern of hop A -> hop B is set in terminal 20, even if hop B collides with SRS for positioning indicated by D and SRS for positioning is dropped, terminal 20 assumes that SRS for MIMO of hop B will not be used for positioning. This is because the frequency position of SRS for positioning and the frequency position of hop B are far apart (for example, by a threshold or more), and therefore frequency continuity in positioning cannot be maintained.
[0063] On the other hand, if the pattern of hop A -> hop C is set in terminal 20, hop C and the SRS for positioning indicated by D collide, and the SRS for positioning is dropped. Terminal 20 assumes that positioning will be performed using the SRS for MIMO transmitted in hop C. The network side determines whether or not to perform positioning using SRS for MIMO based on the above conditions.
[0064] The two dotted squares at the bottom of Figure 6 indicate a case where frequency hopping is not set or activated in SRS for MIMO. Even when frequency hopping is not set or activated in SRS for MIMO, the same operation as described above is performed. For example, if SRS for MIMO is located at the position of the two dotted squares at the bottom of Figure 6, positioning using SRS for MIMO is not possible.
[0065] Example 2 (gap size): In a network, in order to perform positioning (including measurements for positioning) between a certain SRS1 and another SRS2 with a different frequency position, a gap of a predetermined time length or more is required between SRS1 and SRS2.
[0066] In the example shown in Fig. 7, the SRS for MIMO indicated by A and the SRS for positioning indicated by C collide, so terminal 20 drops the SRS for positioning indicated by C and transmits the SRS for MIMO indicated by A. Note that in Fig. 7, A is shown shifted to the right from its actual position to make the situation easier to understand.
[0067] However, terminal 20 determines that the gap length between SRS for positioning indicated by B and SRS for MIMO indicated by A is small (e.g., smaller than a threshold value), and terminal 20 assumes that positioning using SRS for MIMO indicated by A will not be performed.
[0068] Example 3 (frequency mapping / overlap size): In a network, in order to perform positioning (including measurements for positioning) between a certain SRS1 and another SRS2 at a different frequency location, a certain frequency width overlap is required between SRS1 and SRS2.
[0069] 8, the SRS for MIMO indicated by A and the SRS for positioning indicated by C collide, and the terminal 20 drops C. The terminal 20 transmits the SRS for MIMO indicated by A.
[0070] However, since the overlapping frequency width between B and A is small (for example, smaller than a threshold), it is assumed that the terminal 20 will not perform positioning using SRS for MIMO indicated by A.
[0071] Example 4 (frequency mapping / overlap size): In the example shown in FIG. 9 , SRS for MIMO indicated by A and SRS for positioning indicated by C collide, but terminal 20 drops only the portion of A in C, transmits SRS for MIMO indicated by A, and also transmits the portions of SRS for positioning indicated by D and F.
[0072] Terminal 20 determines that the overlapping frequency width between the SRS for positioning indicated by B and the signals indicated by "F, A, D" is sufficiently large (for example, larger than a threshold), and terminal 20 assumes that positioning will be performed using the signals indicated by "F, A, D." Note that in the example of Fig. 9, the overlapping frequency width between the SRS for positioning indicated by B and only the signal indicated by A is small.
[0073] That is, among the resources (hop(s)) of SRS for positioning, only the RB(s) / symbol(s) in the overlapping portion of SRS for positioning and SRS for MIMO may be dropped, and the remaining RB(s) / symbol(s) may be continuously transmitted. In this case, the network may perform positioning by combining SRS for positioning and SRS for MIMO in the hop(s).
[0074] <Effects of First Embodiment> According to the first embodiment, even if SRS for positioning collides with SRS for MIMO, positioning can be continued.
[0075] (Embodiment 2) Next, embodiment 2 will be described. In embodiment 2, it is assumed that the terminal 20 uses SRS for positioning transmitted instead of SRS for MIMO for measurement. The measurement here is a measurement other than a measurement for positioning. Specifically, for example, the measurement here is a measurement normally performed by SRS for MIMO.
[0076] More specific operations are as follows: In the following explanation, the step numbers in FIG. 4 will be used as appropriate to explain the operations.
[0077] <Operation of Embodiment 2> If terminal 20 determines in S103 of Fig. 4 that SRS for positioning and SRS for MIMO collide, terminal 20 drops SRS for MIMO and transmits SRS for positioning in S104. Terminal 20 assumes that this SRS for positioning will be used for measurement. The specific method for collision determination can be the method described in embodiment 3.
[0078] It is assumed that, when the NW determines that the SRS for positioning and the SRS for MIMO collide, for example, using the same determination method as that used by the terminal 20, it receives the SRS for positioning for measurement from the terminal 20. When the NW receives the SRS for positioning from the terminal 20, it performs measurement.
[0079] The terminal 20 dropping the SRS for MIMO means, for example, that the terminal 20 does not transmit the SRS for MIMO at the time of the resource for the SRS for MIMO.
[0080] For example, when terminal 20 determines based on the configuration information or instruction information that the resources for SRS for positioning overlap with the resources for SRS for MIMO, it drops the SRS for MIMO and transmits the SRS for positioning using the resources instead of the SRS for MIMO. The resources may be, for example, resources (hop(s) (hopping resource(s)) / symbol(s)) for a certain hop in the frequency-hopping SRS for MIMO (or SRS for positioning).
[0081] In this case, the terminal 20 may report to the NW information on the hops (hop(s) / symbol(s)) corresponding to the collided SRS for MIMO (or SRS for positioning).
[0082] Here, the description will also be made with reference to Fig. 5. Resources A and B are shown as examples of hopping resources in SRS for MIMO (or SRS for positioning) that performs frequency hopping. For example, if the hopping of resource B collides with the SRS for positioning and terminal 20 drops the SRS for MIMO of resource B, terminal 20 transmits the SRS for positioning in the hopping of resource B and reports information indicating the hopping of resource B (for example, hop number, symbol number) to the NW.
[0083] <Support / Not Support for Each Measurement> The terminal 20 or the network may be configured to support (or not support) the above-mentioned "operation of the second embodiment" for each type of measurement. For example, the terminal 20 or the network may support "the operation of the second embodiment" for CSI acquisition (acquisition of channel state information) but may not support "the operation of the second embodiment" for beam management.
[0084] <Regarding Sequences> The sequences to be used for SRS for positioning / SRS for MIMO may be determined (set) in consideration of each other's sequences.
[0085] For example, the sequence of SRS for positioning may be set to the same as the sequence of SRS for MIMO that conflicts with it. This allows for signal continuity with SRS for MIMO to be maintained even if SRS for positioning is applied to resources (hop(s) / symbol(s)) that conflict with SRS for MIMO.
[0086] More specifically, for example, in the setting information that the NW sets in the terminal 20, the sequence of SRS for MIMO and the sequence of SRS for positioning may be the same.
[0087] In addition, the network may set multiple sequences for SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning for terminal 20, and terminal 20 that transmits SRS for positioning in the event of a collision may select and use the same SRS for positioning sequence as the SRS for MIMO sequence.
[0088] <Resources Used for Positioning> In SRS for positioning to which frequency hopping is applied, only some of the multiple resources obtained by hopping (only some of the multiple hops) may be used for measurement by SRS for positioning. For example, assuming that SRS for positioning is shown in Figure 5, when two hops shown in Figure 5 are repeated in the time direction, only the hop shown in B may be used for measurement by SRS for positioning, and the hop shown in A may not be used for measurement by SRS for positioning.
[0089] The NW may notify the terminal 20 of which hops in the SRS for positioning can be used for measurement by the SRS for positioning.
[0090] <Conditions> The same conditions as those described in the first embodiment may be applied to the assumption of whether measurement is possible. However, in the second embodiment, the SRS for positioning in the first embodiment is regarded as the SRS for MIMO, and the SRS for MIMO in the first embodiment is regarded as the SRS for positioning.
[0091] <Effects of Second Embodiment> According to the second embodiment, even if SRS for MIMO collides with SRS for positioning, it is possible to continue measurement.
[0092] (Selection Between First and Second Embodiments) When SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning collide, the priority regarding which one to drop may be set / instructed to the terminal 20 from the NW.
[0093] For example, when the NW sets / instructs the terminal 20 information indicating that "when SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning collide, SRS for positioning is dropped," the terminal 20 drops SRS for positioning and transmits SRS for MIMO when SRS for MIMO and SRS for positioning collide. In this case, it is assumed that the terminal 20 performs positioning using SRS for MIMO.
[0094] (Embodiment 3) Next, embodiment 3 will be described. In embodiment 3, an example of a condition (determination) for a "collision" will be described.
[0095] In the third embodiment, the objects of collision (two signals (or channels) between which collision may occur) are SRS for positioning and other signals / channels. SRS for MIMO described in the first and second embodiments is an example of "other signals / channels." The "other signals / channels" may be UL signals / channels or DL signals / channels. Examples of "other signals / channels" include SRS for MIMO, as well as reference signals other than "SRS for MIMO / SRS for positioning," SR, PUSCH, PUCCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, and sidelink signals / channels.
[0096] <Basic Example> In the third embodiment, when the terminal 20 determines that the "setting information / instruction information regarding transmission / reception of SRS for positioning and other signals / channels" received from the NW satisfies a specific condition, the terminal 20 determines that the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels will collide.
[0097] Examples of the above conditions include the following (1) and (2).
[0098] (1) The resources (transmission resources) for SRS for positioning and the resources (transmission or reception resources) for other signals / channels overlap in the frequency direction within the same time slot.
[0099] "Overlapping in the frequency direction" may mean any of the following: "When part of the frequency resources for SRS for positioning overlap with part of the frequency resources for other signals / channels," "When all of the frequency resources for SRS for positioning overlap with part of the frequency resources for other signals / channels," "When part of the frequency resources for SRS for positioning overlap with all of the frequency resources for other signals / channels," and "When all of the frequency resources for SRS for positioning overlap with all of the frequency resources for other signals / channels."
[0100] However, when a portion of the frequency resources for the SRS for positioning overlaps with a portion of the frequency resources for other signals / channels, if the frequency width of that portion is smaller than a threshold, it may be determined that there is no collision.
[0101] (2) The SRS for positioning resources and other signal / channel resources are in different BWPs within the same time slot.
[0102] Although multiple BWPs can be configured in terminal 20, only one BWP can be active at any given time. Therefore, as described above, if the resources for SRS for positioning and the resources for other signals / channels are in different BWPs within the same time slot, terminal 20 determines that the SRS for positioning and the resources for other signals / channels collide.
[0103] Figures 10 and 11 show examples of cases where collisions occur. Figures 10 and 11 show, as an example, an example where the other signal / channel is SRS for MIMO. Figure 10 shows the above case (1), and Figure 11 shows the above case (2).
[0104] <Variations> Even when the terminal 20 is not explicitly configured / instructed by the network to transmit / receive SRS for positioning and other signals / channels, the terminal 20 may determine that a collision will occur between SRS for positioning and other signals / channels due to a previously configured timer, an event trigger, a transmission request from the terminal 20, or the like. For example, when SRS for positioning is configured in the terminal 20 and the terminal 20 periodically transmits (or receives) a signal / channel based on a timer, the terminal 20 determines that a collision will occur if it determines that the SRS for positioning and the signal / channel satisfy the above-mentioned condition.
[0105] Furthermore, in the above case (2), instead of BWP, a frequency width generally available for transmitting and receiving signals / channels may be used. For example, if the frequency width is X, the condition of (2) becomes "the SRS for positioning resource and the other signal / channel resources are in the same time slot, the SRS for positioning resource is within a certain frequency width X, and the other signal / channel resources are outside the frequency width X."
[0106] The same time slot in each of the above conditions may be a time including the switching time. Also, instead of "time slot" in each of the above conditions, "N x time slot" (N > 1), "X symbol" (X is an integer), etc. may be used.
[0107] <Reporting to NW> When the terminal 20 determines that a collision will occur between the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels based on the setting information / instruction information received from the NW (or based on a trigger other than the setting information / instruction information received from the NW), the terminal 20 may report information indicating that a collision will occur to the NW.
[0108] The terminal 20 may return the above report as an ack (or nack) in response to an instruction to transmit the SRS for positioning from the NW, or may include the above report in a measurement report and transmit it.
[0109] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may report information about resources that could not be transmitted due to a collision (e.g., ID of hop(s) / symbol(s)) to the NW. For example, in the example of the first embodiment, when the terminal 20 determines that a collision occurs between the SRS for positioning and the RS for MIMO and drops the SRS for positioning, the terminal 20 reports information about the dropped resources to the NW.
[0110] Furthermore, if the terminal 20 does not report a collision to the NW for a certain period of time, the NW may assume that a collision has occurred in one of the resources (e.g., hop(s) / symbol(s)).
[0111] <Regarding Retransmission> After dropping the SRS for positioning due to the occurrence of a collision, the terminal 20 may perform operations related to retransmission of the SRS for positioning as shown in Options 1 to 3 below.
[0112] Option 1: The terminal 20 attempts to retransmit the SRS for positioning every X seconds (X≧0), where X may be an existing timer or a new timer.
[0113] Option 2: The terminal 20 may attempt to retransmit the SRS for positioning when it determines that the SRS for positioning will not collide with other signals / channels based on settings from the network or on measurement results at the terminal 20. Note that option 1 and option 2 may be combined.
[0114] Option 3: The terminal 20 drops the SRS for positioning entirely and does not retransmit it.
[0115] <Effects of Third Embodiment> According to the third embodiment, the terminal 20 can clearly determine the occurrence of a collision, and the actions before and after the collision become clear.
[0116] (Other Examples) Examples applicable to any of the first to third embodiments will be described below.
[0117] "PRS (Positioning Reference Signal)" may be interpreted as "DL-PRS", "UL-PRS (e.g., SRS for positioning, SRS)", etc.
[0118] "SRS" may be replaced with "SRS for MIMO", "SRS for positioning", etc. "PFL" may be replaced with "CC", etc. "NW" may be replaced with "gNB", "TRP", "LMF", etc.
[0119] "QCL" may be replaced with "TCI state", "spatial relation info", etc. "Configured / instructed from the NW" may be replaced with "configured / activated / indicated from the NW by RRC / MAC-CE / DCI".
[0120] (Device Configuration) Next, a description will be given of an example of the functional configuration of the NW (i.e., the base station 10 / LMF 30) that executes the processes and operations described above, and the terminal 20. The base station 10 / LMF 30 and the terminal 20 include functions for implementing all of the above-described embodiments. However, the base station 10, the LMF 30, and the terminal 20 may each be provided with only the functions of any of the embodiments.
[0121] <Base Station 10> Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10. As shown in Fig. 12, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 12 is merely an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. Furthermore, the transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be collectively referred to as a communication unit. The transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120 may be referred to as a transmitter and a receiver, respectively.
[0122] The transmitting unit 110 includes a function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 side and transmitting the signal wirelessly. The transmitting unit 110 can also transmit a signal to another network device such as the LMF 30. The receiving unit 120 includes a function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 and acquiring, for example, information of a higher layer from the received signal. The receiving unit 120 can also receive signals from a network device such as the LMF 30. The transmitting unit 110 also has a function of transmitting, to the terminal 20, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, DCI via PDCCH, data via PDSCH, and the like.
[0123] The setting unit 130 stores preset setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20 in a storage device provided in the setting unit 130, and reads out the information from the storage device as needed.
[0124] The control unit 140 includes a measurement function. The function unit related to signal transmission in the control unit 140 may be included in the transmitting unit 110, and the function unit related to signal reception in the control unit 140 may be included in the receiving unit 120.
[0125] Furthermore, the LMF 30 may also have the configuration shown in Fig. 12. When the configuration shown in Fig. 12 is an LMF, the transmitting unit 110 transmits signals to other network devices (including base stations), and the receiving unit 120 receives signals from other network devices (including base stations).
[0126] <Terminal 20> Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20. As shown in Fig. 13, the terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Fig. 13 is merely an example. As long as the operations related to the embodiment of the present invention can be performed, the names of the functional divisions and functional units may be any. The transmitting unit 210 and the receiving unit 220 may be collectively referred to as a communication unit.
[0127] The transmitter 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiver 220 receives various signals wirelessly and acquires higher layer signals from the received physical layer signals. The receiver 220 also has the function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL / SL control signals, DCI via PDCCH, data via PDSCH, etc. transmitted from the base station 10. Furthermore, for example, the transmitting unit 210 may transmit a PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel), a PSSCH (Physical Sidelink Shared Channel), a PSDCH (Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel), a PSBCH (Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel), or the like to another terminal 20 as D2D communication, and the receiving unit 220 may receive the PSCCH, the PSSCH, the PSDCH, the PSBCH, or the like from the other terminal 20.
[0128] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the base station 10 or other terminals by the receiving unit 220 in a storage device provided in the setting unit 230, and reads the information from the storage device as needed. The setting unit 230 also stores setting information that is set in advance.
[0129] The control unit 240 controls the terminal 20. The control unit 240 includes measurement and positioning functions. The functional unit in the control unit 240 related to signal transmission may be included in the transmitting unit 210, and the functional unit in the control unit 240 related to signal reception may be included in the receiving unit 220. Alternatively, the transmitting unit 210 may be called a transmitter, and the receiving unit 220 may be called a receiver.
[0130] This specification discloses at least the matters described in Supplementary Notes 1 and 2 below.
[0131] <Supplementary Note 1> (Supplementary Item 1) A terminal comprising: a transmitter that, when a positioning reference signal and a measurement reference signal collide, drops the positioning reference signal and transmits the measurement reference signal to a network; and a controller that assumes that positioning is performed using the measurement reference signal. (Supplementary Item 2) The terminal according to Supplementary Item 1, wherein the transmitter reports to the network information indicating a hop in frequency hopping corresponding to a resource of the dropped positioning reference signal. (Supplementary Item 3) The terminal according to Supplementary Item 1, wherein the controller assumes that positioning is performed using the measurement reference signal when the positioning reference signal and the measurement reference signal satisfy a specific condition. (Supplementary Item 4) A base station comprising: a receiver that receives, from the terminal, the measurement reference signal that is transmitted from the terminal when a positioning reference signal and a measurement reference signal collide; and a controller that performs positioning measurement using the measurement reference signal. (Supplementary Item 5) A terminal comprising: a transmitter that, when a positioning reference signal and a measurement reference signal collide, drops the measurement reference signal and transmits the positioning reference signal to a network, and a controller that assumes that a measurement other than positioning is performed by the positioning reference signal. (Supplementary Item 6) A communication method executed by a terminal that, when a positioning reference signal and a measurement reference signal collide, drops the positioning reference signal and transmits the measurement reference signal to a network, and assumes that positioning is performed by the measurement reference signal.
[0132] Any of the configurations described above provides a technique that enables a terminal or a network to operate appropriately when a collision occurs between the SRS for positioning and other signals / channels. Supplementary clause 2 allows the network to determine at which hop a drop occurred. Supplementary clause 3 allows, for example, positioning to be assumed not to be performed in situations unsuitable for positioning.
[0133] <Supplementary Note 2> (Supplementary Item 1) A terminal comprising: a control unit that determines that a positioning reference signal will collide with a resource of a signal or a channel other than the positioning reference signal when the resource and the resource of the signal or the channel are within the same time width and satisfy a specific condition in the frequency direction, and a transmission unit that reports information indicating the occurrence of collision to a network. (Supplementary Item 2) The specific condition is that the resource of the positioning reference signal and the resource of the signal or the channel overlap in the frequency direction, or that the resource of the positioning reference signal and the resource of the signal or the channel are in different BWPs. (Supplementary Item 3) The terminal according to Supplementary Item 1, wherein the transmission unit reports to the network, as the information indicating the occurrence of collision, information indicating a hop in frequency hopping corresponding to a resource that cannot be transmitted due to collision. (Supplementary Item 4) The terminal according to Supplementary Item 1, wherein, when the positioning reference signal is dropped due to a collision, the transmitter retransmits the positioning reference signal at predetermined time intervals or when it is determined that no collision with other signals or channels will occur. (Supplementary Item 5) A communication method executed by a terminal, wherein, when a resource of the positioning reference signal and a resource of a signal or channel other than the positioning reference signal are within the same time width and satisfy a specific condition in the frequency direction, the terminal determines that the positioning reference signal will collide with the signal or the channel, and reports information indicating that a collision will occur to a network.
[0134] Any of the configurations described above provides a technique that enables a terminal or a network to operate appropriately when a collision occurs between an SRS for positioning and another signal / channel. According to supplementary clause 2, it is possible to appropriately determine whether a collision has occurred. According to supplementary clause 3, it is possible for a network to grasp at which hop a collision has occurred. According to supplementary clause 4, it is possible to appropriately retransmit a positioning reference signal.
[0135] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (FIGS. 12 and 13) 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 (for example, using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.
[0136] 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.
[0137] For example, the base station 10, the LMF 30, the terminal 20, 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. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10, the terminal 20, and the LMF 30 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 10 and the terminal 20 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.
[0138] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be read as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configurations of the base station 10, the terminal 20, and the LMF 30 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.
[0139] Each function in the base station 10, terminal 20, and LMF 30 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as a processor 1001, a memory device 1002, etc., so that the processor 1001 performs calculations, controls communication by the communication device 1004, and controls at least one of reading and writing data in the memory device 1002 and the auxiliary memory device 1003.
[0140] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured as 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 140, control unit 240, etc. may be realized by the processor 1001.
[0141] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the 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 140 of the base station 10 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. Furthermore, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and running on the processor 1001. 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.
[0142] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured, for example, by at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0143] The secondary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be, for example, at least one of 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. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of the storage device 1002 and the secondary storage device 1003.
[0144] 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, or a communication module. 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, a transmission / reception antenna, an amplifier unit, a transmission / reception unit, a transmission path interface, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004. The transmission / reception unit may be implemented as a transmission unit and a reception unit that are physically or logically separated.
[0145] 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. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).
[0146] Furthermore, each device such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002 is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.
[0147] Furthermore, the base station 10, the terminal 20, and the LMF 30 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.
[0148] Furthermore, the terminal 20, the base station 10, or the LMF 30 may be provided in a vehicle 2001. Fig. 15 shows a configuration example of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 15, 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. The terminal 20, the base station 10, or the LMF 30 according to 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.
[0149] 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.
[0150] 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).
[0151] 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.
[0152] 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 for controlling these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013 or the like to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, a touch panel, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, a touch panel, etc.) that output information to the outside.
[0153] 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.
[0154] 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. When the terminal 20, the base station 10, or the LMF 30 is included in the communication module 2013, the communication module 2013 can perform the operations described in the first to third embodiments.
[0155] 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.
[0156] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021-2028 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 2021-2028, 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.
[0157] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle-to-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on an information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may 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 (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the 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, axles 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, etc. provided in the vehicle 2001.
[0158] (Supplementary Notes on the Embodiments) Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, and the like. While specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, unless otherwise specified, these numerical values are merely examples, and any appropriate values may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention; matters described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and matters described in one item may apply to matters described in another item (as long as there is no contradiction). Boundaries between functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to boundaries between physical components. The operations of multiple functional units may be performed by a single physical component, or the operations of a single functional unit may be performed by multiple physical components. The order of processing steps described in the embodiments may be reversed as long as there is no contradiction. For convenience of processing description, the base station 10, terminal 20, and LMF 30 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized by hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention may each be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or any other suitable storage medium.
[0159] Furthermore, the notification of information is not limited to the aspects / embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the 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, the 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.
[0160] Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be implemented using any of the following standards: 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 number)), 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 ( 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).
[0161] The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be rearranged unless it is consistent. 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.
[0162] In this specification, a specific operation described as being performed by the base station 10 may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having the base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 may be performed by at least one of the base station 10 and another network node other than the base station 10 (such as, but not limited to, an MME or an S-GW). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (such as an MME and an S-GW).
[0163] The information, signals, etc. described in the present disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer), or may be input / output via multiple network nodes.
[0164] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.
[0165] In the present disclosure, the determination may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a comparison of numerical values (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).
[0166] 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.
[0167] 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.
[0168] The 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. that 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.
[0169] 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.
[0170] As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.
[0171] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.
[0172] 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.
[0173] In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.
[0174] 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 small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage.
[0175] 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.
[0176] In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," etc. may be used interchangeably.
[0177] 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.
[0178] 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 a mobile object that moves autonomously 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.
[0179] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a terminal. For example, the aspects / 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 a plurality of terminals 20 (which may be referred to as, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device) or V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything)). In this case, the terminal 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 terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.
[0180] Similarly, the term "terminal" in the present disclosure may be read as "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the functions of the terminal described above.
[0181] 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 in a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, 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. 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.
[0182] 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.
[0183] The reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal) or may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.
[0184] 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."
[0185] As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc. 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 in some way precede the second element.
[0186] The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.
[0187] 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.
[0188] 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.
[0189] Numerology may be communication parameters that apply to the transmission and / or reception of a signal or channel, such as 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, specific windowing operations performed by the transceiver in the time domain, etc.
[0190] A slot may be composed of one or more symbols (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol) in the time domain. A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.
[0191] 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.
[0192] 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.
[0193] 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, or the like instead of a subframe. Furthermore, one slot may be called a unit time. The unit time may differ for each cell depending on the numerology.
[0194] 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 wireless resources (such as frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each terminal 20) to each terminal 20 in TTI units. Note that the definition of TTI is not limited to this.
[0195] 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.
[0196] 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.
[0197] 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.
[0198] 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.
[0199] 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 the numerology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be determined based on the numerology.
[0200] 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.
[0201] 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.
[0202] 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.
[0203] 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.
[0204] 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.
[0205] 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."
[0206] 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.
[0207] 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 in the plural form.
[0208] In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."
[0209] The aspects / embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).
[0210] 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.
[0211] 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 LMF 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheels 2008 Rear wheels 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 RPM sensor 2023 Tire pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driving assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (IO port)
Claims
1. A terminal comprising: a control unit that determines that a positioning reference signal will collide with a resource of a signal or channel other than the positioning reference signal when the resource of the positioning reference signal and the resource of the signal or channel are within the same time width and satisfy certain conditions in the frequency direction; and a transmission unit that reports information indicating the occurrence of a collision to a network.
2. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the specific condition is that there is an overlap in the frequency direction between the resource of the positioning reference signal and the resource of the signal or the channel, or that the resource of the positioning reference signal and the resource of the signal or the channel are in different BWPs.
3. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit reports to the network, as the information indicating that a collision will occur, information indicating a hop in frequency hopping corresponding to a resource that cannot be transmitted due to a collision.
4. The terminal according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit retransmits the positioning reference signal at predetermined time intervals or when it is determined that no collision with other signals or channels will occur if the positioning reference signal is dropped due to a collision.
5. A communication method executed by a terminal, in which, when a resource of a positioning reference signal and a resource of a signal or channel other than the positioning reference signal are within the same time width and satisfy certain conditions in the frequency direction, the terminal determines that the positioning reference signal will collide with the signal or channel, and reports information indicating the occurrence of collision to the network.