Relay device, wireless system, and relay method

Abstract

This relay device is provided with: a control unit for setting switching between a first mode for sensing a sensing region and a second mode for transmitting a signal from a transmission device to a reception device; and an antenna unit for transferring a signal on the basis of the mode set by the control unit.

Description

Relay device, wireless system, and relay method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a relay device, a wireless system, and a relay method.

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has developed specifications for the 5th generation mobile communication system (5G, also known as New Radio (NR) or Next Generation (NG)), and is also developing specifications for the next generation, known as Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G.

[0003] In NR, in addition to user terminals (which may be referred to as UEs (User Equipment) or simply as terminals) and radio base stations (which may be simply referred to as base stations), the introduction of radio devices such as RISs (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surfaces) is being considered to achieve higher data rates and wider coverage (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Furthermore, in NR, it is being considered that radio devices such as RISs will support sensing.

[0004] International Publication No. 2022 / 151016

[0005] However, there is room for further study on how wireless devices that are being considered for introduction can efficiently support sensing.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a relay device, a wireless system, and a relay method that can efficiently support sensing.

[0007] A relay device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a control unit that sets switching between a first mode for sensing a sensing area and a second mode for transmitting a signal from a transmitting device to a receiving device, and an antenna unit that transfers signals based on the mode set by the control unit.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a far user in a high frequency band; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a non-line-of-sight user in a high frequency band; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication using an NCR configuration; FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of communication using a RIS; FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system architecture including a RIS; FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a near field (NF) and a far field (FF) of a RIS; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of DFT-based beamforming (BF); FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of beam focusing with an optimal phase; FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of beam focusing with a near field (NF) steering vector; FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of SSB transmission using a RIS; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a precoder according to Example 1-1-1; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a reference point; FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a precoder according to Example 1-1-2; FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a uniform grid in Cartesian coordinates.Figures showing examples of active imaging and passive imaging, figures showing types of active imaging and passive imaging, figures showing comparisons of active imaging, figures showing an example of the configuration of a phased array system, figures showing an example of the configuration of SAR, figures showing an overview of a RIS-assisted wireless sensing system, figures showing an example of the system model of a RIS-assisted wireless imaging system, figures showing examples of inverse projection algorithms, figures showing an example of a system with separated reception and transmission, figures showing an example of a system with integrated reception and transmission, figures showing a comparison of the characteristics of a system with separated reception and transmission and an integrated system, figures showing examples of grid division, figures showing examples of grid division, figures showing an example of the imaging result in grid division, figures showing examples of mode switching based on periodic instructions to a system including RIS, figures showing examples of mode switching based on trigger-based instructions to a system including RIS, figures showing an example of wireless imaging, figures showing the relationship between the number of quantization bits of phase shift and the imaging result, figures showing imaging results at different focal planes, tables showing examples of aperture sizes, figures showing an example of the overview of the system in Case 1 of implementation, sequence diagrams showing the signal exchanges of Option 1 in Case 1 of the implementation shown in FIG. 29A, sequence diagrams showing the signal exchanges of Option 2 in Case 1 of the implementation shown in FIG. 29A, figures showing an example of the overview of the system in Case 2 of implementation, sequence diagrams showing the signal flow in Case 2 of the implementation shown in FIG. 30A, figures showing an example of the overview of the system in Case 3 of implementation, sequence diagrams showing the signal flow in Case 3 of the implementation shown in FIG. 31A, figures showing an example of the overview of the system in Case 4 of implementation, sequence diagrams showing the signal flow in Case 4 of the implementation shown in FIG. 32A, figures showing an example of a uniform grid RTC, a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a figure showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station, a terminal, and a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a figure showing an example of the configuration of a vehicle.

[0009] Hereinafter, an embodiment according to one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and the embodiment to which the present disclosure is applied is not limited to the following embodiment.

[0010] In operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, existing technology is used as appropriate, for example, existing LTE or existing NR, but is not limited to existing LTE or NR.

[0011] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure described below, terms used in existing LTE or NR, such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), are used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc. may be referred to by other names. Furthermore, the above-mentioned terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even signals used in NR are not necessarily referred to as "NR-".

[0012] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the duplex method may be a time division duplex (TDD) method, a frequency division duplex (FDD) method, or another method (for example, flexible duplex, etc.).

[0013] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, "configuring" radio parameters and the like may mean that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that radio parameters notified from a base station or a terminal are set.

[0014] <Wireless Communication System> Fig. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless communication system 10 is a wireless communication system conforming to 5G NR or 6G NR, and includes a Next Generation-Radio Access Network 20 (hereinafter, NG-RAN 20) and a terminal 200 (hereinafter, also referred to as UE (User Equipment) 200).

[0015] The wireless communication system 10 may be a wireless communication system conforming to a system called Beyond 5G, 5G Evolution, or 6G.

[0016] The NG-RAN 20 includes a base station 100 (hereinafter also referred to as a gNB 100). Note that the number of gNBs and UEs is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 1 .

[0017] The NG-RAN 20 actually includes multiple NG-RAN nodes, specifically, gNBs (or ng-eNBs), and is connected to a core network conforming to 5G or 6G. The NG-RAN 20 and the core network may be simply referred to as a "network." In the following description, the term "gNB" may be replaced with "network (NW)."

[0018] As an example, gNB100 is a base station conforming to 5G or 6G and performs wireless communication conforming to 5G or 6G with UE200.

[0019] 1 also shows a radio device 300 that transfers signals between the gNB 100 and the UE 200. Hereinafter, the radio device 300 may be referred to as a RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface).

[0020] For example, the radio device 300 performs a forwarding operation of forwarding a signal transmitted from the gNB 100 to the UE 200. The radio device 300 may also perform a forwarding operation of forwarding a signal transmitted from the UE 200 to the gNB 100. Note that "forward" may be replaced with "relay." Furthermore, "operation" may be replaced with "processing," "control," or the like. Furthermore, a RIS, which is an example of the radio device 300 under consideration in NR, will be described below.

[0021] The gNB 100 and the UE 200 may support MIMO (Multiple-Input Multiple-Output), which generates more directional beams by controlling radio signals transmitted from multiple antenna elements, carrier aggregation (CA), which bundles and uses multiple component carriers (CC), and dual connectivity (DC), which communicates between the UE and each of two NG-RAN nodes.

[0022] The wireless communication system 10 may also support multiple frequency ranges (FR). The wireless communication system 10 may support FR1 and FR2. The frequency bands of each FR are, for example, as follows: FR1: 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz FR2: 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz

[0023] FR1 may use a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz, and a bandwidth (BW) of 5 to 100 MHz. FR2 is a higher frequency than FR1, and may use an SCS of 60 kHz or 120 kHz (including 240 kHz), and a bandwidth (BW) of 50 to 400 MHz.

[0024] Note that SCS may be interpreted as numerology, which is defined in 3GPP TS 38.300 and corresponds to one subcarrier spacing in the frequency domain.

[0025] Furthermore, the wireless communication system 10 may support a frequency band higher than the FR2 frequency band. Specifically, the wireless communication system 10 may support a frequency band exceeding 52.6 GHz up to 114.25 GHz. For convenience, such a high frequency band may be referred to as "FR2x." When using a frequency band exceeding 52.6 GHz, CP-OFDM (Cyclic Prefix-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) / DFT-S-OFDM (Discrete Fourier Transform-Spread-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) with a larger SCS may be applied.

[0026] The time direction (t) may be called a time domain, a symbol period, a symbol time, etc. The frequency direction may be called a frequency domain, a resource block, a subcarrier, a bandwidth part (BWP), etc.

[0027] The gNB 100 transmits control information, configuration information, etc. of the gNB 100 to the UE 200 as a downlink (DL) signal.

[0028] Furthermore, for example, gNB100 receives control information, data signals, information regarding the processing capabilities of UE200 (terminal capabilities (information); for example, UE capability), etc. from UE200 as uplink (UL) signals.

[0029] Radio device 300 performs a forwarding operation to forward a DL signal to UE 200. Radio device 300 also performs a forwarding operation to forward a UL signal to gNB 100. Note that, hereinafter, the UL signal that gNB 100 receives from UE 200 and / or the DL signal that UE 200 receives from gNB 100 may be a signal forwarded by radio device 300.

[0030] The UE 200 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.

[0031] The UE 200 receives a control signal or a data signal from the gNB 100 via DL and transmits a control signal or a data signal to the gNB 100 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system 10. The UE 200 also receives various reference signals transmitted from the gNB 100 and performs measurement of propagation path quality based on the reception results of the reference signals.

[0032] Channels used for transmitting DL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the control channel may include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). For example, the gNB 100 transmits control information to the UE 200 using the PDCCH, and transmits DL data signals using the PDSCH. Note that the PDSCH is an example of a downlink shared channel, and the PDCCH is an example of a downlink control channel. Note that the PDCCH may be interpreted as downlink control information (DCI), control information, etc. transmitted in the PDCCH.

[0033] The reference signal included in the DL signal may include, for example, at least one of a DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal), a PTRS (Phase Tracking Reference Signal), a CSI-RS (Channel State Information - Reference Signal), an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), and a PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) for position information. For example, reference signals such as the DMRS and PTRS are used to demodulate DL data signals and are transmitted using the PDSCH.

[0034] Channels used for transmitting UL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and the control channel may include a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). For example, the UE 200 transmits control information using the PUCCH and transmits UL data signals using the PUSCH. Note that the PUSCH is an example of an uplink shared channel, and the PUCCH is an example of an uplink control channel. The shared channel may also be called a data channel. Note that the PUSCH or the PUCCH may be interpreted as uplink control information (UCI), control information, etc. transmitted in the PUSCH or the PUCCH.

[0035] The reference signal included in the UL signal may include, for example, at least one of DMRS, PTRS, CSI-RS, SRSRS, and PRS for location information. For example, the reference signal such as DMRS or PTRS is used for demodulating the UL data signal and is transmitted using the PUSCH.

[0036] <Utilization of Sub-Terahertz Waves> Future wireless communication systems (e.g., 6G and beyond) have introduced stringent requirements regarding capacity, coverage, power consumption, and other aspects. Utilizing the sub-terahertz (e.g., 100 GHz to 300 GHz) spectrum, which is a higher frequency band than existing systems (e.g., NR Rel. 15 / 16 / 17), is being considered to achieve a data rate of 100 Gbps while maintaining sufficient coverage.

[0037] Among these, the design of a line of sight (LOS)-MIMO (Multi-Input Multi-Output) transmission method suitable for access links is being considered, with the goal of 100 GHz, 100 Gbps, and 100 m (coverage).

[0038] 2A is a diagram showing an example of a distant user in a high frequency band, in which orthonormal transmission is not possible for the distant user due to the size limitations of the mega-MIMO base station (BS).

[0039] 2B illustrates an example of a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) user in the high frequency band, where blockages (e.g., buildings) prevent efficient LOS-MIMO transmission to the non-line-of-sight user.

[0040] Existing NR MIMO (NR MIMO) does not support LOS-MIMO. Existing NR requires a very large bandwidth to achieve a data rate of 100 Gbps, which is difficult to secure.

[0041] NR MIMO is designed for antenna far-field applications, supporting only rank-1 transmission per polarization direction in LOS channels. Using dual polarization enables rank-2 multiplexing, but ranks higher than this are not available. Achieving 100 Gbps requires a bandwidth of several tens of GHz, which is difficult to achieve in practical systems and places high demands on RF components.

[0042] The LOS-MIMO schemes already considered require fixed transmitting and receiving positions, making them unsuitable for access links or requiring too large array sizes.

[0043] For this reason, the introduction of fixed widely spaced antenna arrays, Orbital Angular Momentum (OAM)-MIMO, and Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)-aided Mega MIMO are being considered.

[0044] Not limited to the above-mentioned example of sub-terahertz waves, RIS has attracted much attention as a new device for network deployment due to its flexible and cost-effective approach. RIS enables the achievement of very high data rates and wide coverage extension, and is being considered as a promising technology within the topology of 6G wireless networks. For example, RIS is being considered in 3GPP Release 19 (Rel. 19).

[0045] <Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface (RIS)> A RIS relays communications between a BS and a UE by controlling the reflection angle in at least one of a backhaul link to an access link and a backhaul link. The RIS is an example of a wireless device for implementing a flexible and cost-effective approach to network deployment compared to new types of network (NW) nodes such as an Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB), an RF repeater, and an NCR (Network-controlled Repeater).

[0046] The RIS may be composed of a number of reconfigurable scattering components, hereinafter sometimes referred to as elements or antenna elements.

[0047] The RIS may control the direction of the reflected signal or the direction of the transmitted (refracted) signal.

[0048] In the present disclosure, reflection, transmission, and refraction may be interpreted as interchangeable terms. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, reflection, transmission, and refraction of a signal at a RIS may be understood as the RIS receiving a signal transmitted from a specific direction and transmitting (or receiving) a signal in the same direction as the specific direction or in a direction different from the specific direction. In this case, the signal transmitted by the RIS may be the same signal as the signal received by the RIS, or may be a signal received by the RIS that has been subjected to specific processing. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, forwarding processing at a RIS may be understood as processing in which at least one of reflection, transmission, and refraction occurs at the RIS.

[0049] While the NCR amplifies the signals it relays, the RIS may not require an RF amplifier, which can reduce power consumption.

[0050] While the RIS can obtain beam gain with narrowband beams, an increase in the number of RIS beams (beams reflected / refracted by the RIS) is required.

[0051] The RIS may reflect / refract signals other than the target frequency.

[0052] The RIS may be made of a material such as a liquid crystal, a metal, a semiconductor, etc. For example, a RIS using a liquid crystal has a slower beam sweep speed than a semiconductor, and is therefore considered unsuitable for current beam sweep operations.

[0053] Due to its thin and flexible shape, the RIS may be installed on an object such as a building.

[0054] 3A is a diagram showing an example of communication using the NCR configuration. The NCR may include an NCR-mobile termination (MT) and an NCR-forwarding (Fwd). The NCR-MT communicates with the BS (gNB) via a control link.

[0055] The communication between the NCR-MT and the BS may include at least one of receiving configuration / instruction / control information from the BS and sending requests / reports / responses to the BS. The NCR-Fwd relays communications between the BS and the UE by relaying / amplifying signals from the backhaul link to the access link and from the access link to the backhaul link.

[0056] In addition, the RIS may also include a configuration for communicating with a BS (gNB), similar to the NCR. In the RIS, the configuration for communicating with a BS (gNB) may be referred to as a RIS-MT. In other words, the RIS may also have a RIS-MT and a RIS-Fwd, similar to the NCR. Furthermore, the RIS-Fwd may simply be referred to as a RIS. In the following description, the operation of the RIS may be regarded as the operation of the RIS-Fwd or the operation of the RIS-MT.

[0057] 3B is a diagram illustrating an example of communication using a RIS, in which the RIS relays communication between a BS and a UE by controlling a reflection angle in at least one of a reflection from a backhaul link to an access link and a reflection from the access link to the backhaul link.

[0058] <System Architecture Including RIS> Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a system architecture including a RIS. Below, a system architecture including a RIS will be described with reference to Fig. 4, but this is merely an example.

[0059] A system architecture including a RIS may include multiple (eg, two) design phases.

[0060] For example, a system architecture including a RIS may include an aperture pre-adaptation phase.

[0061] In the aperture pre-adaptation phase, UE positioning may be performed first. In the UE positioning, the UE may report information about its position / attitude to the network (NW). In addition, in the UE positioning, the NW (base station) may estimate information about the UE's position / attitude based on a signal (e.g., UL RS) transmitted from the UE.

[0062] Note that UE positioning in the aperture pre-adaptation phase may be omitted.

[0063] Then, in an aperture pre-adaptation phase, pre-adaptation of the apertures (eg, antenna elements) of the RIS may be performed.

[0064] In this disclosure, aperture adaptation may mean determining / determining / selecting which antenna elements / arrays to use.

[0065] Then, in an aperture pre-adaptation phase, pre-adaptation of the aperture (eg, antenna elements) of the BS may be performed.

[0066] A system architecture including a RIS may also include a beamforming phase.

[0067] The beamforming phase may, for example, follow an aperture pre-adaptation phase.

[0068] In the beamforming phase, beamforming may be performed first at the BS.

[0069] Then, in the beamforming phase, beamforming in the RIS may be performed.

[0070] Reception may then occur in the beamforming phase by the UE, which may use a CSI reception (CSIR) based MIMO receiver.

[0071] Note that reception by the UE in the beamforming phase may be omitted.

[0072] <Far field and near field beamforming method> Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the near field (NF) and far field (FF) of a RIS. Fig. 5 illustrates an RIS array, and examples of radio wave propagation in the near field and far field relative to the RIS array. Note that the RIS array may be considered as an example of a surface in the RIS that transmits signals or a surface that emits radio waves. Furthermore, the near field may be replaced with a short distance. Furthermore, the far field may be replaced with a long distance.

[0073] A large aperture in a RIS exhibits certain characteristics that enhance the range of the near field. For example, as shown in FIG. 5 , the near field boundary (e.g., the boundary between the near field and the far field) is proportional to the square of D, where D represents the size associated with the RIS aperture. Therefore, a large aperture in a RIS enhances the range of the near field. Furthermore, the near field boundary is inversely proportional to the wavelength λ, so the shorter the wavelength, i.e., the higher the frequency, the greater the range of the near field. Within this near field region, the phase delays for the various elements of the RIS become distinguishable. As a result, the assumption of a plane wavefront is no longer valid; spherical wavefronts must be considered. As shown in FIG. 5 , within the far field region, the radio waves emitted from each element of the RIS are assumed to be plane waves, whereas within the near field region, the wavefronts of the radio waves emanating from each element are spherical.

[0074] Several methods are being investigated as existing far-field (FF) and near-field (NF) beamforming methods.

[0075] For example, the beamforming method may be DFT-based beamforming (BF), beamfocusing with optimum phase, and beamfocusing with near-field (NF) steering vector.

[0076] The DFT-based BF may be used primarily for transmitting signals to terminals at long distances, and may use a precoder (matrix) based on an angle-dependent linear phase.

[0077] Figure 6A shows an example of DFT-based beamforming (BF) for a uniform, linear array, where x is the distance from the array center to element n in the array and the angle of the beam with respect to the axis normal to the array.

[0078] Beam focusing with optimal phase may be used primarily for transmitting signals to terminals at short distances, and may use a precoder (matrix) based on a position (distance)-dependent non-linear phase.

[0079] Figure 6B shows an example of beam focusing with optimal phase, showing an example of a uniform linear array, where DF is the focal length and x' is the distance from the axis normal to the array to the focal point.

[0080] Beam focusing with short-range steering vectors may be used primarily for transmitting signals to short-range terminals. Beam focusing with short-range steering vectors may use a precoder (matrix) based on angle- and position (distance)-dependent quadratic phase.

[0081] Figure 6C shows an example of beam focusing with near-field (NF) steering vectors, showing an example of a uniform linear array, where D is the distance from the center of the array to the focal point, and ω is the angle from the axis normal to the array to the line connecting the array center and the focal point.

[0082] Conventional codebooks for far-field beamforming, such as DFT codebooks, cannot be directly applied to near-field beamforming due to a mismatch with the near-field channel. If DFT codebooks were applied to near-field beamforming, it could cause severe SNR loss. On the other hand, focused beamforming, such as ring-type codebooks (RTC), a near-field version of coherent beamformers, does not have the near-field limitation.

[0083] For example, RIS is employed for data channel transmission, and the RTC described above generates a UE-specific focused beam, enabling high-speed transmission.

[0084] On the other hand, the adoption of RIS for the transfer of control channels (for example, SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) and the like) is being considered.

[0085] 7 is a diagram showing an example of SSB forwarding using RIS. In FIG. 7, RIS forwards SSBs #2 to #4 of SSBs #0 to #4 transmitted by the gNB.

[0086] When the RIS transmits a control channel (for example, SSB, etc.), it is considered to transmit the control channel by expanding the beam.

[0087] Here, we will describe existing methods of SSB transmission over RIS and existing RIS beam expansion techniques.

[0088] <Existing Methods> The following describes existing methods for transmitting SSBs by a RIS. In existing methods, the RIS uses multiple narrow beams to transmit SSBs transmitted by a gNB. Therefore, existing methods require significant allocation of SSB resources or significant changes to the SSB scheme.

[0089] Existing typical beam expansion techniques can be classified into numerical optimization algorithm-based techniques, aperture adjustment-based techniques, logical subarray division-based techniques, and wide-area illumination approaches.

[0090] For example, in technologies based on numerical optimization algorithms, the algorithms are complex, which makes the processing complicated, making it difficult to achieve beamforming in a realistic time frame.

[0091] Also, for example, with high-pass illumination approaches, it is difficult to precisely control the shaping of the wide beam pattern of the RIS according to the actual coverage requirements.

[0092] Also, for example, aperture-adjustment based techniques reduce the beamforming gain of the array due to the aperture adjustment.

[0093] Furthermore, for example, in a technology based on logical subarray division, the beamforming gain across the entire area varies significantly.

[0094] Here, examples of related techniques for RIS including aperture adjustment and logical sub-array division will be described.

[0095] <First Example of Related Art> The first example relates to codebook / precoder design.

[0096] The codebook / precoder may be a codebook / precoder for short distance (NF) or a codebook / precoder for long distance (FF).

[0097] In the present disclosure, a short distance may mean a distance less than (or equal to or less than) a certain threshold. In the present disclosure, a long distance may mean a distance greater than (or equal to or greater than) a certain threshold.

[0098] The RIS (RIS-NCR) may receive information for the precoder / codebook from the NW. The information may be, for example, information about the location of another node (e.g., a UE / NW node). The information about the location may be, for example, information about angle and / or information about distance.

[0099] The first example is roughly divided into examples 1-1 and 1-2. Either example 1-1 or example 1-2 may be applied, or a combination of examples 1-1 and 1-2 may be applied.

[0100] Example 1-1 Example 1-1 relates to a specific codebook / precoder design.

[0101] Example 1-1 is broadly divided into Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-4. Any one of Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-4 may be applied, or at least two of Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-4 may be applied in combination.

[0102] The precoder may be calculated, for example, as the output of a particular multiplication of different precoders / matrices.

[0103] In the present disclosure, the terms codebook, precoder, codeword, matrix, term, vector, and element may be interchangeable.

[0104] <Example 1-1-1> The precoder in the RIS may be a precoder that decouples angle-dependent terms and distance (position)-dependent terms.

[0105] Example 1-1-1 may be used, for example, for beamforming / focusing of NCR including RIS (RIS-NCR).

[0106] The precoder in the RIS may be calculated, for example, by the product (e.g., Hadamard product, e.g., element-by-element product) of a distance-dependent precoder / matrix (e.g., WRing) and an angle-dependent precoder / matrix (e.g., WDFT).

[0107] For example, the precoder may be calculated using the following equation 1.

[0108] Here, D Ｆ may be the axial distance between the array and the focal position.

[0109] In the present disclosure, a phase shift associated with a distance-dependent precoder may be referred to as a ring-type phase distribution, and a codebook associated with a distance-dependent precoder may be referred to as a ring-type codebook (RTC).

[0110] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a precoder according to Example 1-1-1. An example of a uniform and linear array is shown in FIG. 8. In the example shown in FIG. 8, beam focusing at the boresight is performed first. The above-described distance-dependent precoder may be used for the beam focusing. k is an index corresponding to the phase in the DFT.

[0111] In the example shown in Figure 8, the focal position is then shifted by the DFT vector, which may utilize the angle-dependent precoder described above.

[0112] According to Example 1-1-1, by using angle-dependent terms and distance (position)-dependent terms, signals can be transmitted appropriately to targets at long and short distances, and implementation is also easy.

[0113] <Example 1-1-2> The precoder in the RIS may be a precoder that uses piecewise linear approximation with DFT vectors.

[0114] For example, the precoder may be a precoder that includes a term for each subarray (one or more arrays) and a distance (position) dependent term.

[0115] Example 1-1-2 may be used, for example, for beamforming / focusing of NCR with RIS (RIS-NCR) and / or coherent transmission of multiple panels (e.g., widely spaced panels).

[0116] Moreover, Example 1-1-2 is suitable for subarray-based RIS-NCR.

[0117] The precoder in the RIS may be calculated by, for example, the product (for example, the Hadamard product (for example, the product of each element)) of a precoder for each subarray (one or more arrays) and an angle-dependent precoder.

[0118] The precoder for each subarray (one or more arrays) may be expressed, for example, as the product of a phase offset for each subarray and an angle offset of the subarray.

[0119] For example, the precoder may be calculated using the following equation 2.

[0120] where φ （ｉ，ｊ） ＰＯ may represent the phase offset of subarray (i, j). The phase offset of subarray (i, j) may be quantized with specific bits (e.g., b bits) that can take on specific values ​​(e.g., values ​​from 0 to 2π). （ｉ，ｊ） ＡＯ may denote the angular offset of subarray (i,j).

[0121] W(i,j)AO may be calculated based on the dot product of the vector from the array reference point to the subarray (i,j) reference point and the vector from the subarray (i,j) reference point to antenna element (m,n) in subarray (i,j).

[0122] For example, W （ｉ，ｊ） ＡＯ may be calculated using the following equation 3:

[0123] where D may be the distance from the array (e.g., the reference point of the array) to the object (e.g., the UE). （ｉ，ｊ） ＳＡ denotes the vector from the reference point of the array to the reference point of the subarray (i,j), and r （ｍ，ｎ） ＡＥ may denote the vector from the reference point of subarray (i,j) to antenna element (m,n) in subarray (i,j) (see FIG. 9).

[0124] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a precoder according to Example 1-1-2. Fig. 10 shows an example of a uniform and linear array. In the example shown in Fig. 8, first, beam direction focusing is performed for multiple arrays (each subarray) using phase offsets (Step 1). For this beam focusing, a precoder based on the above-described phase offset and angle offset may be used.

[0125] In the example shown in Figure 10, the focal position is then shifted by the DFT vector (step 2), which may utilize the angle-dependent precoder described above.

[0126] According to Example 1-1-2, by using a term for each subarray (one or more arrays) and a distance (position) dependent term, it is possible to transmit a signal appropriately to targets at long and short distances.

[0127] <Example 1-1-3> The precoder in the RIS may be a precoder that uses a term related to short distance and a term related to long distance.

[0128] Examples 1-1-3 may be used, for example, to acquire CSI in either or both of FF and NF (not limited to FF and NF), or may be used for localization / sensing of NF.

[0129] The precoder in the RIS may be calculated by, for example, multiplying a first precoder and a second precoder (e.g., a Kronecker product (e.g., an element-wise product)). The first / second precoder may include a term corresponding to a long distance (or angle dependency) and a term corresponding to a short distance (or distance dependency).

[0130] The precoder in this example may be applied in a uniform planar array.

[0131] For example, the precoder W may be expressed by the following equation 4.

[0132] where W is the first precoder W Ｎ＿１，Ｏ＿１，ｋ＿１，Ｄ，Ｌ＿１ and the second precoder W Ｎ＿２，Ｏ＿２，ｋ＿２，Ｄ，Ｌ＿２ It should be noted that "N_1" is expressed as the Kronecker product of "N １ ". Other notations other than "N_1" may also be expressed in the same way as "N_1".

[0133] W Ｎ＿ｉ，Ｏ＿ｉ，ｋ＿ｉ，Ｄ，Ｌ＿ｉ may be expressed, for example, by the following Equation 5:

[0134] Here, the number of antenna elements (scattering elements) in the i-th axial direction in the RIS array is N ｉ and the number of oversamplings in the i-th axis direction O ｉ may be the same as the NR DFT-based codebook defined in the existing NR. i=1 may correspond to the x-axis direction (horizontal direction). i=2 may correspond to the z-axis direction (vertical direction). Also, k ｉ is the codeword index, and k′ may represent a quadratic term.

[0135] Also, N ＲＰmay be a value that depends on the reference point of the RIS array. For example, N ＲＰ is N ＲＰ = 2(d ＲＰ -d ０ ) / Δd.

[0136] For example, d ＲＰ -d ０ may denote the distance between a particular antenna element (e.g., antenna element #0) and the reference point, and Δd may denote the antenna element spacing.

[0137] For example, if the bottom leftmost element of the array is used as the reference point, then N ＲＰ may be 0.

[0138] For example, if the center coordinate of the array is used as the reference point, N ＲＰ is N ｉ It may be calculated as -1.

[0139] D may represent the normalized distance between the reference point and the focal length, for example, D may be calculated as (focal length) / λ.

[0140] L may be a value related to a normalized equivalent aperture, and may be calculated, for example, as ON·Δd / λ.

[0141] <Example 1-1-4> The precoder in the RIS may be a precoder that uses a precoder for an access link (between the UE and the RIS) and a precoder for a backhaul link (between the BS and the RIS).

[0142] For example, the precoder may be a precoder that includes a term for each subarray (one or more arrays) and a distance (position) dependent term.

[0143] Examples 1-1-4 may be used, for example, for beamforming / focusing of NCR with RIS (RIS-NCR) on the backhaul link / access link, and / or cascaded LoS-MIMO (e.g., LoS-MIMO requiring joint focal points indication).

[0144] The precoder in the RIS may be calculated, for example, by the product (e.g., Hadamard product, e.g., element-by-element product) of the precoder for the access link and the precoder for the backhaul link.

[0145] For example, the precoder may be calculated using the following equation 6.

[0146] Here, W ＡＣ may represent the precoder of the beam (access beam, beam for UE) in the access link of RIS-NCR. ＢＨ may denote the precoder of the beam (backhaul beam, beam for BS) in the backhaul link of RIS-NCR.

[0147] W ＡＣ and W ＢＨ At least one of may be, for example, a precoder calculated by at least one of the methods described in Examples 1-1-1 to 1-1-3 above.

[0148] W ＡＣ and W ＢＨ The focal lengths of W may be selected / determined independently or jointly. ＡＣ and W ＢＨ The focal lengths of may be selected / determined in a conjugate symmetric manner.

[0149] According to Example 1-1-4, it is possible to appropriately design the precoder / codebook not only in the access link but also in the backhaul link.

[0150] <Parameters Related to Codebook / Precoder> The parameters of the formulas in Example 1-1 above will be described below.

[0151] L may be a parameter related to an aperture (e.g., an antenna element), and may be reported as the capability of the RIS-NCR (NCR-MT).

[0152] L may be reported by the RIS, for example, as antenna number / spacing in n dimensions (eg, n is 2).

[0153] L may be reported by the RIS, for example, as the length of a side of the RIS (eg, antenna number x antenna spacing).

[0154] N ｉ , O ｉ , k ｉ , k ｉｐ , D ｉ (i=1 or 2) may be a parameter related to the codebook of the access link / backhaul link.

[0155] N ｉ and O ｉ may be related to a codebook of the RIS, which may be preset for the RIS or may be predefined in the specification.

[0156] N ｉ and O ｉ may be determined based on reports on the capabilities of the RIS or may be determined independently of the dimensions of the RIS.

[0157] k ｉ may be related to a codebook of the RIS, which may be indicated to the RIS.

[0158] k ｉｐ may be calculated at the RIS based on specific settings / instructions for the RIS.

[0159] D ｉ (e.g., i=1) may be a parameter related to the distance between the BS and the RIS. ｉ(eg, i=2) may be a parameter related to the distance between the UE and the RIS.

[0160] For example, D １ may be pre-configured by the BS for the RIS, or D ２ may be indicated by the BS to the RIS.

[0161] For example, D １ and D ２ may be commanded by the BS (using a compound CW).

[0162] For example, D １ may be pre-configured by the BS for the RIS, or D ２ may be measured by RIS.

[0163] For example, D １ and D ２ may be measured by RIS.

[0164] For example, D １ and D ２ Logarithmic quantization may be used to determine .

[0165] N ＲＰ may be a parameter related to the reference point of the RIS. ＲＰ may be, for example, a parameter relating to the offset of the reference point of the RIS.

[0166] N ＲＰ may be related to a codebook of the RIS, which may be indicated to the RIS.

[0167] A reference point in a RIS may refer to a specific location.

[0168] For example, the reference point for the RIS may be the location of an antenna / subarray at a particular location (eg, the bottom left most).

[0169] For example, the reference point for the RIS may be the location of the center point of the RIS, which is appropriate for a single large RIS or multiple separate sub-arrays.

[0170] For example, the reference point of the RIS may be reported by the RIS. The reference point of the RIS may be determined according to the reference point reported by the RIS.

[0171] A parameter indicating an adaptation (aperture adaptation) mode may be defined, which may be used for aperture control of the RIS.

[0172] The parameter indicating the adaptation mode may be associated with a codebook of the RIS, which may be indicated to the RIS.

[0173] Parameters may be defined that indicate the shape / size of the RIS, which may be used to control the aperture of the RIS.

[0174] A parameter indicating the shape / size of the RIS may be associated with a codebook of the RIS, which may be indicated to the RIS.

[0175] The parameter may be indicated by a bitmap. Alternatively, the parameter may be indicated by the direction and length of two sides of an aperture forming a parallelogram. Alternatively, the parameter may be indicated by the arrangement of subarrays (e.g., direction / spacing / subarray number / subarray size). Alternatively, the parameter may be indicated by at least one of the direction / length of two sides of an aperture forming a parallelogram (which may be called a general mode), the subarray number (sampling rate), and the subarray size.

[0176] A parameter may be defined that indicates the roll-off factor.

[0177] Parameters for a conjugate symmetric RTC may be defined, which may be parameters for a reference point related to the location of the UE.

[0178] A reference point for the location of a UE may refer, for example, to an antenna port (e.g., antenna port #0) of a particular UE.

[0179] The reference point for the UE's location may refer to, for example, a particular (eg, central) UE array established by the BS.

[0180] <Example 1-2> In Example 1-2, quantization of angle (angle information) and distance (distance information) in codebook notification (to NW / RIS-NCR) will be described.

[0181] Example 1-2 is roughly divided into Examples 1-2-1 and 1-2-2. Either of Examples 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 below may be applied, or Examples 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 below may be applied in combination.

[0182] The NW (or RIS-NCR) may transmit angle information / distance information regarding the quantized codebook / precoder using at least one of Examples 1-2-1 and 1-2-2 to the RIS-NCR (or NW).

[0183] <Example 1-2-1> Quantization regarding angles and quantization regarding distances may be performed separately (independently).

[0184] A specific quantization method may be used for the angle. The specific quantization method may be, for example, a DFT-based quantization method. By using a DFT-based method for angle quantization, quantization suitable for a unified design for FF and NF can be performed.

[0185] For example, linear quantization may be used for the distance. Using linear quantization makes it easier to implement in the device. For example, logarithmic quantization may be used for the distance. Using logarithmic quantization allows appropriate quantization regardless of whether the distance between the devices is long or short.

[0186] Quantization of the distance may be performed using Equation 7 below.

[0187] In the present disclosure, the range of NF may be related to the array area, for example, the range of NF may be (approximately) proportional to the array area.

[0188] <Example 1-2-2> Quantization regarding angles and quantization regarding distances may be performed jointly.

[0189] For example, the quantization of angles and distances may use a uniform grid in Cartesian coordinates (angles and distances may be quantized on a uniform grid), which is suitable for use in localization / position-based beam focusing.

[0190] For example, angle and distance quantization may use a non-uniform grid in spherical coordinates (angles and distances may be quantized on a non-uniform grid), which is favorable in terms of aperture / NF range at boresight, and allows for more uniform coverage and fewer beams by using wider beams at close range.

[0191] For example, quantization for angles and distances may be performed using Equation 8 below.

[0192] 11 is a diagram showing an example of a uniform grid in Cartesian coordinates. In the example shown in FIG. 11, a uniform grid in Cartesian coordinates for RIS (RIS-NCR) is shown.

[0193] In FIG. 11, (x ｇｉ , y ｇｉ , z ｇｉ ) may denote the center coordinate of the ith grid obtained from grid index i.

[0194] The uniform grid RTC may be calculated according to at least one of the following options 1 and 2.

[0195] The RTC using a uniform grid may be calculated using Equation 9 below (option 1).

[0196] The RTC using a uniform grid may be calculated using Equation 10 below (option 2).

[0197] Here, the above θ may be calculated using the following equation 11.

[0198] Here, μ may represent the azimuth angle and ν may represent the elevation angle, and μ and ν may be obtained by a specific coordinate transformation.

[0199] According to Example 1-2, it is possible to appropriately quantize the angle (angle information) and distance (distance information) in the notification of the codebook.

[0200] <Second Example of Related Art> The second example relates to aperture adaptation in a RIS.

[0201] The second example is roughly divided into examples 2-1 and 2-2. The following examples 2-1 or 2-2 may be applied, or the following examples 2-1 and 2-2 may be applied in combination.

[0202] The RIS-NCR may receive information (setting information) related to the control of apertures (e.g., antenna elements) from the NW. Based on the information, the RIS-NCR may determine the apertures / antenna elements to be used for signals destined for the terminal.

[0203] <Example 2-1> The RIS (RIS-NCR) may select / decide / determine the aperture to be used from among the apertures included in the RIS.

[0204] Example 2-1 is roughly divided into Examples 2-1-1 and 2-1-2. The following Examples 2-1-1 or 2-1-2 may be applied, or the following Examples 2-1-1 and 2-1-2 may be applied in combination.

[0205] <Example 2-1-1> Unnecessary RIS elements (for example, antenna elements) may be set to off. Information about this setting may be included in information about aperture control received from the NW.

[0206] The unwanted RIS elements may be configured to not scatter (or reflect / refract) the incident signal, or the unwanted RIS elements may be configured to scatter (or reflect / refract) the incident signal in a diffuse or random manner.

[0207] <Example 2-1-2> Beamforming and aperture adaptation may be used in combination.

[0208] The beamforming information may include, for example, information about the beamforming vector of the RIS.

[0209] For example, the (desired and actually used) apertures may be expressed as values ​​(e.g., aperture functions) that indicate the on / off state of each RIS element, and the (desired and actually used) apertures may be applied to the beamforming vectors of that RIS.

[0210] For example, a value (e.g., aperture function) corresponding to a RIS element may indicate that the RIS element is in an OFF state when the value (e.g., aperture function) corresponding to the RIS element is a first value (e.g., 0), and a value (e.g., aperture function) corresponding to the RIS element may indicate that the RIS element is in an ON state when the value (e.g., aperture function) corresponding to the RIS element is a second value (e.g., 1).

[0211] Aperture adaptation may be used to control the beam shape (eg, at least one of the beam width, side lobes, main lobe, and focal spot shape / size).

[0212] <Example 2-2> In Example 2-2, aperture control in RIS (RIS-NCR) will be described.

[0213] Example 2-2 is roughly divided into Examples 2-2-1 and 2-2-2. The following Examples 2-2-1 or 2-2-2 may be applied, or the following Examples 2-2-1 and 2-2-2 may be applied in combination.

[0214] <Example 2-2-1> A mode relating to the aperture of RIS-NCR may be defined.

[0215] The RIS-NCR may determine the aperture to use based on the mode, which may include, for example, first to third modes.

[0216] The first mode may be a mode in which some or all of the elements of the RIS are used in a square configuration, and may be called, for example, a fallback mode.

[0217] The second mode may be, for example, a mode in which some of the elements of the RIS are used in a parallelogram (diamond) shape. The second mode may be, for example, called a semi-continuous mode.

[0218] The third mode may be a mode in which only a specific RIS is used among the RIS elements. The specific RIS may be determined by selecting a portion of the RIS elements in a parallelogram (diamond) shape. The third mode may be called, for example, a discrete mode.

[0219] <Example 2-2-2> The shape / size of the aperture of the RIS-NCR to be used may be instructed in a specific manner. Information regarding the instruction may be included in information regarding aperture control received from the NW.

[0220] For example, the shape / size of the aperture of the RIS-NCR used may be determined by a bitmap / parameter indicating the on / off state of the elements of the RIS used.

[0221] The shape / size of the aperture (e.g., parallelogram (diamond)-shaped aperture) in the second / third mode may be indicated in a specific manner, for example, based on the lengths and angles of two sides relative to a specific point (e.g., a reference point) of the RIS element (selected RIS element).

[0222] In the third mode, the size / number of subarrays to be used may be additionally indicated.

[0223] According to the second example described above, the elements / apertures of the RIS to be used can be appropriately determined / selected.

[0224] <New requirements for 6G> IMT-2030 is expected to integrate sensing and AI-related functions into communications and serve as the basic infrastructure for realizing new user and application trends.

[0225] Sensing supports a variety of innovative applications. For example, imaging supports high-precision positioning and localization of devices and / or objects, high-resolution and real-time 3D mapping for automated and safe driving and transportation, digital twins, industrial automation, etc. Other applications supported by sensing include human activity (e.g., gesture) recognition, personal health sensing, sports analytics, environmental monitoring, and material testing.

[0226] <Wireless Sensing> Our living environment is seamlessly surrounded by wireless signals. Ubiquitous signals support wireless sensing. Typical examples of wireless sensing include smart factories, smart homes, and environmental sensing. A typical application of wireless sensing is called radio frequency sensing. For example, a signal beam is customized to scan the position of a person. This scanning of the person's position corresponds to detection. Furthermore, for example, the wireless environment is adjusted to detect the posture of a person or other object. This posture sensing corresponds to imaging. Note that, in the present disclosure, sensing and imaging may be interchangeable. Furthermore, since an object (e.g., a target) is scanned in sensing (imaging), scanning, sensing, and imaging may be interchangeable.

[0227] Radio frequency (RF) sensing extends remote RF sensing (e.g., wireless sensing) by customizing the radio environment, improving accuracy, and enables highly accurate localization and recognition of people and objects indoors.

[0228] <Imaging Method> Imaging methods are broadly classified into active imaging and passive imaging.

[0229] 12 is a diagram illustrating examples of active imaging and passive imaging. As shown in FIG. 12, in active imaging, a radar (detector in FIG. 12) emits electromagnetic waves to illuminate a detection area (corresponding to an object in FIG. 12) and receives and records data of the electromagnetic waves reflected from the detection area. The radar processes the recorded electromagnetic wave data to obtain an image or feature that characterizes the reflection characteristics of the detection area.

[0230] Active imaging technology has the advantage of providing high SNR and high resolution, but it also increases the system complexity and cost.

[0231] As shown in Figure 12, in passive imaging, a device (detector in Figure 12) captures and records radiant energy emitted by an object (object in Figure 12) within a detection area. In passive imaging, the device performs information processing on the recorded information to obtain an image or signature that characterizes the radiative properties of the detection area.

[0232] Passive imaging technology has the advantages of real-time imaging and high concealment, but it also suffers from low resolution and is susceptible to environmental influences.

[0233] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing types of active imaging and passive imaging. As shown in Fig. 13, active imaging includes real beam imaging and synthetic aperture imaging. Real beam imaging includes narrow beam mechanical scanning and phased array. Synthetic aperture imaging also includes imaging methods using a single transmitter and multiple receivers and imaging methods using multiple transmitters and multiple receivers.

[0234] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 13, passive imaging includes real aperture imaging (eg, focal plane imaging) and interferometric synthetic aperture imaging.

[0235] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing a comparison of active imaging, illustrating the characteristics and challenges of three types of imaging: Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), a phased array imaging system, and a metamaterial aperture imaging system.

[0236] SAR has high imaging accuracy, but has some drawbacks, such as slow imaging speed, the need for relative motion between the imaging system and the object, and a large system size.

[0237] The phased array imaging system has high imaging accuracy and fast imaging speed, but the phased array system has a complex overall system, which increases the cost of the phased array and the size of the imaging system.

[0238] Metamaterial aperture imaging systems have the advantages of high imaging accuracy, fast imaging speed, simple system, low cost, and compact size. However, they have some drawbacks, such as the existence of self-interference, limited imaging area, and difficulty in designing the metamaterial aperture antenna.

[0239] RIS aided wireless sensing: For the imaging (or sensing) discussed above, new technologies are expected to offer low manufacturing costs, easy and flexible deployment, and compatibility with 6G requirements for sensing and localization.

[0240] The aforementioned RIS is one such emerging technology that is attracting attention. RIS utilizes metamaterials, is cost-effective to manufacture and deploy, and enables control and customization of the wireless environment. RIS can also provide highly accurate contact and non-contact sensing with wireless data collection.

[0241] Therefore, a RIS-assisted wireless sensing system, which introduces a RIS to support a sensing (imaging) system, is being considered.

[0242] RIS can control the wireless environment and create a good RF sensing environment. Therefore, RIS-assisted wireless sensing systems have been studied, and in particular, applying RIS-assisted wireless sensing systems to human posture recognition makes it possible to image various human postures.

[0243] Here, existing methods of imaging include phased array imaging systems and

[0244] Phased Array Imaging Systems: Phased array systems perform electronic scanning, which is faster and more efficient than mechanical scanning methods. This scanning speed is crucial for applications such as radar, where rapid target detection and tracking are essential.

[0245] The advantages of phased array imaging include the ability to produce high-resolution images, the ability to rapidly adapt to changing conditions, and the reduced need for mechanical scanning. However, phased array imaging comes at the expense of high cost and power consumption when using phased array antennas with large apertures.

[0246] Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a phased array system, which shows a transmit aperture, a receive aperture, and a scanning target located at z = 0 in a three-dimensional orthogonal space of x, y, and z.

[0247] In the far-field condition, the distribution of the transmitting array is a ｔ (x, y), and the distribution of the receiving array is a ｒ It is expressed as (x, y). AF Ｔｘ and AF Ｒｘ are the array coefficients of the transmitting array and the receiving array, respectively. The overall array coefficient AF is expressed as the product of the array coefficient of the transmitting array and the array coefficient of the receiving array. ｔ (x, y) and a ｒ The convolution with (x,y) is called the effective aperture or equivalent array.

[0248] For example, AF Ｔｘ , A.F. Ｒｘ , and AF are expressed as in the following equation (12).

[0249] The resolutions δx, δy, and δz in the x-axis direction, y-axis direction, and z-axis direction, respectively, are expressed by the following equation (13).

[0250] where R represents the distance from the target to the center of the array. ｔ ｘ and L ｔ ｙ L represents the dimensions of the transmit array in the x and y directions. ｒ ｘ and L ｒ ｙ represents the dimensions of the receive array in the x and y directions.

[0251] SAR In SAR, data collection is performed by moving a radar along a trajectory in the XY plane, creating a rectangular grid of measurement points that reconstructs a two-dimensional image of a scene.

[0252] Advantages of SAR include the ability to achieve high-resolution imaging using antennas with small apertures, whereas achieving synthetic apertures with large apertures in SAR requires mechanical scanning of the antenna.

[0253] 16A and 16B are diagrams showing an example of the configuration of an SAR, in which (a) shows the configuration of the entire system and (b) shows the configuration of an aperture.

[0254] As shown in FIG. 16, the aperture of the SAR scans the target along a specific trajectory.

[0255] Here, a two-dimensional imaging algorithm used in SAR etc. will be explained.

[0256] After the coordinates of the target to be scanned and the aperture are associated, the two-dimensional reflectivity image is expressed as in the following equation (14).

[0257] Here, FT ２Ｄ and FT －１ ２Ｄ where f(x,y) represents the two-dimensional Fourier transform and inverse Fourier transform in the xy plane, f(x,y) represents the two-dimensional target reflectivity function, s(x,y) represents the measured radar signal, and h(x,y) represents the impulse response or point spread function of the imaging system calculated for each (x,y) measurement point as follows:

[0258] <Considerations> As described above, a RIS-aided wireless sensing system may provide various advantages such as cost efficiency, sensing accuracy, etc. However, there is room for further consideration as to how a RIS can efficiently assist sensing in a RIS-aided wireless sensing system.

[0259] For example, there is room for consideration as to how to control the scanning beam output from the RIS to achieve high sensing accuracy and high sensing speed.

[0260] For example, to obtain high sensing accuracy, it is desirable to perform scanning at a fine granularity, but scanning at a granularity that is finer than necessary will cause sensing delays and reduce efficiency. Therefore, it is desirable to perform appropriate scanning depending on the scan target (sensing (imaging) target), the required scan accuracy, the time required for scanning, etc.

[0261] Furthermore, for example, there is room for consideration as to how to realize sensing and communication in a system including a RIS. For example, it is conceivable that a system including a RIS can efficiently perform both sensing and communication by achieving both sensing and communication. Furthermore, by achieving both sensing and communication in a system including a RIS, it is not necessary to install both a system for sensing and a system for communication, which can reduce installation costs.

[0262] Therefore, in the following Proposal 1 of this embodiment, a method for adjusting the granularity of scanning in a RIS will be described, and in Proposal 2, a method for efficiently achieving both sensing and communication in a system including a RIS will be described.

[0263] <Proposal 1> Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an overview of a RIS-assisted wireless sensing system. As shown in Fig. 17, in a RIS-assisted wireless sensing system, a RIS assists wireless sensing by controlling a reflected beam between a pair of Tx-Rx APs.

[0264] Although an AP (access point) is an example of a wireless communication device, in the system of the present disclosure, the wireless communication device is not limited to an AP. For example, a BS (e.g., a gNB), a UE, a distributed AP, or the like may be used instead of the AP.

[0265] In Proposal 1, the following two-step RIS beam scanning is performed: At least one of the following two-step RIS beam scanning may use a near-field ring-type codebook (RTC): Step 1: Coarse beam scanning; Step 2: Fine beam scanning.

[0266] Note that a method for switching granularity in beam scanning using an RTC (e.g., RTC-Based Beam Scanning Granularity Switching) will be described later. Furthermore, the terms "coarse" and "fine" in the two steps above refer to relative differences in granularity. In other words, the granularity of step 1 is intended to be coarser than that of step 2.

[0267] In the above-described step 1, for example, detection of a person's posture is realized. In step 2, gesture recognition is realized. In step 2, for example, gestures around the hand are recognized. In Proposal 1, the RIS-assisted wireless sensing system may perform these two steps in order, or may be configured to perform either one of them.

[0268] For example, the RIS sets either a beam to be used in coarse beam scanning or a beam to be used in fine beam scanning, and forms a beam and transfers a signal based on the setting. The coarse beam scanning corresponds to scanning with a first granularity, and the fine beam scanning corresponds to scanning with a second granularity that is finer than the first granularity.

[0269] This two-step scanning allows for relatively fast sensing of a person's posture and centimeter-level accuracy in gesture recognition, enabling centimeter-level wireless sensing accuracy with relatively low latency and efficient sensing.

[0270] Although the above description illustrates an example in which two steps are performed, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, three or more beam scans with different granularities may be used. Furthermore, the RIS may select two or more of the three available beam scans. The types of beam scans available to the RIS may be reported as the capabilities of the RIS.

[0271] Fig. 18 shows an example of a system model of a RIS-assisted wireless imaging system, which includes a pair of transmitter (Tx) and receiver (Rx), a RIS, and an imaging target (object). The RIS has a uniform rectangular array of M × N elements.

[0272] FIG. 18 shows the path distance from the transmitter to the RIS, the path distance of reflection (or refraction) from the RIS to the target, and the path distance from the target to the receiver.

[0273] Here, the signal received by the receiver is expressed as in equation (16). In addition, which represents the phase shifter of all RIS elements.

[0274] G Ｓ represents the effect of time delay and path loss caused by signal propagation. For example, the time delay induces a phase shift in the transmitted signal relative to the frequency of the sth subcarrier. The path loss is given by multiplying the signal amplitude by an attenuation factor.

[0275] Therefore, G Ｓ Each element of is expressed as in equation (17).

[0276] Point-by-point compensation is performed to correct the phase difference of the echo signals caused by the spatial distance between the scattering point and the sampling point. Then, coherent summation is applied to the echo signals of each sampling point. Here, the backprojection algorithm will be described as an example of an imaging algorithm.

[0277] <Back-Projection (BP) Algorithm> Figure 19 shows an example of the back-projection algorithm. The back-projection algorithm process begins by subdividing the imaging region into multiple imaging units. For each imaging unit, the spatial distances to all sampling points are calculated and the phase changes associated with different frequencies are determined.

[0278] This phase change is used as a transformation rule to apply phase compensation to the echo data, which is data obtained from signals reflected from the object being imaged. The signals reflected from the object being imaged may hereinafter be referred to as echo signals.

[0279] The three-dimensional complex vector matrix is ​​then coherently summed to obtain a magnitude that represents the intensity of the reflectance coefficient for that imaging unit.

[0280] The three-dimensional imaging result reflecting the intensity of the reflection coefficient of the target across all imaging units in the three-dimensional imaging region is obtained. The imaging process of the BP algorithm is expressed as follows:

[0281] The RIS supports both separate receive-transmit systems and integrated receive-transmit systems, both of which can effectively achieve wireless imaging.

[0282] Fig. 20A is a diagram showing an example of a system in which reception and transmission are separated. Fig. 20A shows a system in which a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) are provided separately. In the system shown in Fig. 20A, a signal transmitted from the transmitter and reflected by the RIS is reflected at a target. The reflected signal reflected at the target is received by a receiver separate from the transmitter.

[0283] Fig. 20B is a diagram showing an example of a system in which reception and transmission are integrated. Fig. 20B shows a system including a communication device in which a transmitter (Tx) and a receiver (Rx) are integrated. In the system shown in Fig. 20B, a signal transmitted from the communication device and reflected by a RIS is reflected at a target. The reflected signal reflected at the target is reflected by the RIS and received by the communication device.

[0284] Fig. 21 is a comparison diagram of the characteristics of a separate receive-transmit system and an integrated receive-transmit system. Fig. 21 shows the results of target imaging in an exemplary separate receive-transmit system and an integrated receive-transmit system. According to the example in Fig. 21, the integrated receive-transmit system provides better imaging accuracy.

[0285] <RTC-Based Beam Scanning Granularity Switching> Next, a method using an RTC will be described as an example of the beam scanning method with different granularities described above. The RIS uses the RTC in both the communication mode and the sensing (imaging) mode.

[0286] Throughout the sensing process, the granularity of the RTC's beam scanning is dynamically adjusted at different stages.

[0287] The RTC uses a coarse-grained grid division for tasks such as coarse target positioning and / or attitude detection, which can effectively reduce the scan time.

[0288] The RTC uses a fine grid division for tasks such as gesture recognition, which can improve scanning accuracy.

[0289] <Coarse-Fine Granularity Grid Division of RTC> Figures 22A and 22B are diagrams showing examples of grid division. In sensing (imaging) mode, the RIS employs a uniform grid RTC for beam scanning. Figure 22A shows an example of a relatively coarse grid division, and Figure 22B shows an example of a relatively fine grid division.

[0290] In RTC-based beam scanning, different granularities are used at different stages of sensing (imaging).

[0291] The granularity of the grid division, together with the size of the target area, determines the number of codewords in the subset of the beamforming codebook for uniform grid RTC beam scanning.

[0292] The larger the size of the target area, the greater the number of codewords. Also, the smaller the granularity of the grid division (e.g., the size of the grid division), the greater the number of codewords.

[0293] If the size of the target area is M x M x M cubic meters and the granularity of the grid division is N x N x N cubic meters, the subset of the beamforming codebook for the uniform grid RTC has a total of (M / N) ３ Includes:

[0294] As mentioned above, the granularity of the grid division directly affects the resolution of the image.

[0295] 23 is a diagram showing an example of the imaging results with grid division. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of the imaging results with fine-grained grid division. The imaging results of three types of targets are shown. The three types of targets are common to each other. As shown in FIG. 23, the coarse grid division results in coarse imaging, while the fine grid division can achieve highly accurate imaging.

[0296] The choice of grid division granularity may be dynamically adjusted based on the resolution requirements of the actual system.

[0297] Although the above description shows an example in which the grid size of the grid division is uniform, the present disclosure is not limited to this. The grid size may be non-uniform. For example, an area of ​​the sensing target where detailed sensing is desired may be divided into finer grids than other areas.

[0298] <Proposal 2: Mode Switching> In Proposal 2, the RIS has a configuration in which it switches between multiple modes. For example, the RIS may have two modes, a communication mode and a sensing mode, and switch between the two modes. This switching may be performed dynamically, for example, by an instruction. The sensing mode may be referred to as an imaging mode.

[0299] The network side periodically or on a trigger basis instructs the system including the RIS to perform mode switching.

[0300] The RIS switches between a sensing mode and a communication mode, and transfers signals based on the selected mode. The sensing mode is a mode for sensing a sensing area, and the communication mode is a mode for transmitting signals from a transmitting device (e.g., an AP) to a receiving device (e.g., a UE).

[0301] In the case where the mode is periodically switched, the network side periodically instructs the system including the RIS to switch the mode. The network side may be, for example, an AP or a control device higher than the AP. Instruction information for the network side to instruct the system may include information on the selection of the Tx, RIS, and Rx, their relative spatial relationships, the sensing area, the granularity of the beam scan, etc.

[0302] In the case of trigger-based mode switching, a receiver (e.g., a UE) transmits a mode switching request to the network, and the network side instructs the system to perform mode switching. In this case, the sensing result may be transmitted from the network side to the UE, or the UE may receive echo signals as a receiver and process the sensing independently. Instruction information for the network side to instruct the system may include information on the selection of Tx, RIS, and Rx, relative spatial relationship, sensing area, beam scanning granularity, etc.

[0303] Fig. 24A is a diagram showing an example of mode switching based on a periodic instruction to a system including a RIS. Fig. 24A shows an example of switching from a communication mode to a sensing mode and then switching from the sensing mode back to the communication mode. Fig. 24A shows the flow of signals or information between the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and receiver (Rx).

[0304] In the example of Fig. 24A, in the communication mode, the AP transmits a communication signal (communication signal in Fig. 24A), and the RIS performs processing to transfer the communication signal. Note that the AP may receive the communication signal, or the AP may both transmit and receive the communication signal in one communication mode section.

[0305] In the example of FIG. 24A, at the end of the communication mode, the AP instructs the RIS-MT and receiver to switch modes from communication mode to sensing mode. In other words, when a mode switch instruction is issued, the mode switches from communication mode to sensing mode. For example, the instruction is issued by transmitting a control signal including control information instructing the mode switch from the AP to the RIS-MT and receiver. The control information may include information regarding the configuration of the RIS and / or receiver. The information regarding the configuration of the RIS and / or receiver includes at least one of information regarding the selection of the transmitter (e.g., AP), RIS, and receiver, the relative spatial relationship, the sensing area, the granularity of the beam scan, and the control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC). For example, the RIS-MT instructs the configuration of the RIS based on the instruction. For example, the RIS-MT instructs the RIS to change the forwarding destination, the direction in which the RIS forwards signals, the control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC), etc. The RIS, upon receiving the instruction, performs configuration based on the instruction. The receiver may also perform the setting based on the control information.

[0306] In the example of Fig. 24A, the AP instructs the RIS-MT to switch modes, the RIS is configured, and the mode is switched from communication mode to sensing mode. After switching to sensing mode, the AP transmits a sensing signal (sensing signal in Fig. 24A), and the RIS performs processing to transfer the sensing signal. An echo signal (echo signal in Fig. 24A) of the sensing signal reflected by the target is received by the receiver. Note that the AP may also be configured to receive the echo signal.

[0307] In the example of FIG. 24A, at the end of the sensing mode, the AP instructs the RIS-MT and receiver to switch modes from sensing mode to communication mode. For example, the instruction is made by transmitting a control signal including control information instructing the mode switch from the AP to the RIS-MT and receiver. The RIS-MT instructs the configuration of the RIS based on the instruction. For example, the RIS-MT instructs a change in the direction in which the RIS transfers signals, a change in control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC), etc. The RIS that received the instruction performs configuration based on the instruction. The receiver may perform configuration based on the control information.

[0308] As described above, in FIG. 24A, the AP instructs the RIS-MT and the receiver to switch modes, the RIS is configured, and the sensing mode is switched to the communication mode.

[0309] Fig. 24B is a diagram showing an example of mode switching based on a trigger-based instruction to a system including a RIS. Fig. 24B shows an example of switching from a communication mode to a sensing mode and then switching from the sensing mode back to the communication mode. Fig. 24B shows the flow of signals or information between the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and receiver (Rx).

[0310] In the example of Fig. 24B, in the communication mode, the AP transmits a communication signal (communication signal in Fig. 24B), and the RIS performs processing to transfer the communication signal. Note that the AP may receive the communication signal, or the AP may both transmit and receive the communication signal in one communication mode section.

[0311] In the example of Figure 24B, at the end of the communication mode, the UE requests the AP to switch from communication mode to sensing mode. In other words, when a mode switch request is made, the mode switches from communication mode to sensing mode. The AP that receives the mode switch request instructs the RIS-MT and the UE to switch from communication mode to sensing mode. For example, the instruction is made by transmitting a control signal including control information instructing the mode switch from the AP to the RIS-MT and the UE. The control information may include information regarding the settings of the RIS and / or UE. The information regarding the configuration of the RIS and / or UE includes at least one of information regarding the selection of a transmitter (e.g., AP, RIS, receiver (e.g., UE), relative spatial relationship, sensing area, beam scanning granularity, and control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC). For example, the RIS-MT instructs the configuration of the RIS based on an instruction. For example, the RIS-MT instructs a change in the forwarding destination of the RIS, a change in the direction in which the RIS forwards signals, a change in the control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC), etc. The RIS that receives the instruction performs configuration based on the instruction. The UE may also perform configuration based on the control information.

[0312] In the example of Fig. 24B, the UE requests the AP to switch modes, the AP instructs the RIS-MT to switch modes, the RIS is configured, and the mode is switched from communication mode to sensing mode. After switching to sensing mode, the AP transmits a sensing signal (sensing signal in Fig. 24B), and the RIS performs processing to transfer the sensing signal. An echo signal (echo signal in Fig. 24B) of the sensing signal reflected by the target is received by the receiver. Note that the AP may also be configured to receive the echo signal.

[0313] As described above, when the network side (e.g., AP) performs sensing processing, information regarding the echo signal received by the UE may be transmitted to the network side. The network side, which has acquired information regarding the echo signal, performs sensing processing and obtains the sensing results. In the example of FIG. 24B , at the end of the sensing mode, the AP transmits the sensing results to the UE. The AP then instructs the RIS-MT and the UE to switch modes from sensing mode to communication mode. For example, the instruction is made by transmitting a control signal including control information instructing the mode switch from the AP to the RIS-MT. The RIS-MT instructs the configuration of the RIS based on the instruction. For example, the RIS-MT instructs a change in the direction in which the RIS transfers signals, a change in control information used by the RIS (e.g., RTC), etc. The RIS that received the instruction performs configuration based on the instruction. The UE may perform configuration based on the control information.

[0314] As described above, in FIG. 24B, the AP instructs the RIS-MT and the receiver to switch modes, the RIS is configured, and the sensing mode is switched to the communication mode.

[0315] In this way, a system including a RIS can efficiently perform both sensing and communication by switching modes, and since a system including a RIS can perform both sensing and communication, it is not necessary to install both a system for sensing and a system for communication, which reduces installation costs.

[0316] 24A and 24B show an example in which the receiver receives an echo signal but does not receive a communication signal, the present disclosure is not limited to this example, and the receiver in FIG. 24A and 24B may receive both an echo signal and a communication signal.

[0317] In addition, in FIGS. 24A and 24B, a specific time may be required from when a mode switching instruction is given until the mode is switched.

[0318] 24A and 24B, a gap section for switching modes may be provided between the communication mode and the sensing mode. During the gap section, instructions may be given from the AP to the RIS-MT, changes to the RIS settings may be made, etc. The gap section may be instructed by the AP, or the RIS-MT may report the gap section to the AP as a RIS capability.

[0319] Furthermore, although the above description illustrates an example in which two modes, a communication mode and a sensing mode, exist, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, one or more modes other than the communication mode and the sensing mode may exist. For example, in addition to the communication mode in which communication is performed between the AP and the UE, a mode in which the AP communicates with the RIS-MT may exist. Furthermore, as shown in Proposal 1, the sensing mode may be divided into a sensing mode with coarse beam scanning and a sensing mode with fine beam scanning.

[0320] <Example of Characteristics> With the support of RIS, a sensing system including RIS can realize wireless imaging of posture and gesture, and can provide various imaging resolutions to meet various imaging requirements.

[0321] Fig. 25 is a diagram showing an example of wireless imaging, in which an example of the results of posture or gesture imaging is shown.

[0322] It should be noted that in the above-mentioned method, the quantization resolution of the phase shift of the RIS affects the imaging resolution, for example, to obtain better imaging results, it is preferable to have a better quantization resolution of the phase shift.

[0323] Fig. 26 is a diagram showing the relationship between the number of quantization bits of the phase shift and the imaging result, showing the case where the quantization resolution is infinite, the case where the number of quantization bits is 2 bits, and the case where the number of quantization bits is 1 bit.

[0324] As shown in FIG. 26, to obtain good imaging results, a RIS with a phase shift quantization resolution (eg, number of bits) of 2 or more bits is preferred.

[0325] Based on the above-described imaging method, it is possible to achieve a resolution in the range dimension (e.g., the depth dimension). For example, the above-described method can effectively suppress the impact of objects in different focal planes on the imaging resolution.

[0326] Fig. 27 is a diagram showing the results of imaging at different focal planes. Fig. 27 shows the results of imaging for two cases with different focal planes as Example 1 and Example 2. As shown in Example 1 and Example 2 of Fig. 27, images located at different focal planes are displayed distinctly. In addition, the influence from other focal planes is suppressed.

[0327] An example of the imaging processing time using the above method is described below. The above method can achieve an imaging speed of 24 frames per second, which is a benchmark for imaging in high-speed security inspections.

[0328] At millimeter-wave frequencies, centimeter-level imaging accuracy can be achieved using acceptable aperture sizes.

[0329] Here, the time required for imaging is evaluated.

[0330] The switching time of a high-frequency switch (e.g., a PIN switch) is approximately 100 ns, which is the time it takes for the beam to scan a point in space. Assuming the scan area is 1 m x 2 m and the size of each pixel is 5 mm x 5 mm, the total scan time T is T = {(1000 mm x 2000 mm) / (5 mm x 5 mm)} x 100 x 10 －９ s = 0.008 s.

[0331] As a practical beam imaging method, the back-end signal processing requires minimal computational resources and the signal processing time can be very short, which overall improves the imaging speed and enables rapid imaging detection.

[0332] Also, the characteristics of the aperture size are evaluated here.

[0333] Fig. 28 is a table showing an example of aperture sizes. In Fig. 28, R0 indicates the distance from the imaging target to the center of the RIS. δ indicates the sensing (or imaging) resolution. L indicates the size of the RIS aperture (the length of a side of the RIS).

[0334] As shown in FIG. 28, centimeter-level resolution can be achieved with an aperture size of approximately 1 m at maximum.

[0335] <Implementation Examples> <Case 1: Echo Signals Received by the RIS-MT> Case 1 describes a case where echo signals are received by the RIS-MT. In this case, typically, the refractive RIS introduced functions as a "window" to extend coverage and for intrusion detection. In this case 1, the RIS-MT has the ability to receive signals (e.g., echo signals). Furthermore, in this case 1, the RIS-MT may have the ability to process signals (e.g., echo signals).

[0336] There are two possible options for handling echo signals in the RIS-MT. Option 1: The RIS-MT forwards the echo signals to the AP. Option 2: The RIS-MT performs imaging processing on the received echo signals and sends the processing results to the AP. In this option 2, the RIS-MT has the capability of signal processing.

[0337] Fig. 29A is a diagram showing an example of an overview of a system in implementation case 1. Fig. 29B is a sequence diagram showing signal exchanges for option 1 in implementation case 1 shown in Fig. 29A. Fig. 29C is a sequence diagram showing signal exchanges for option 2 in implementation case 1 shown in Fig. 29A.

[0338] FIG. 29A shows the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target (object in FIG. 29A) in implementation case 1, and also shows the signal flow.

[0339] FIG. 29B shows signaling between the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target for option 1 in case 1 of the implementation shown in FIG. 29A.

[0340] As shown in Figure 29B, the AP instructs the RIS-MT to enter sensing mode (S11). Next, the AP transmits a sensing signal (sensing signal in Figure 29B) to the RIS (S12), and the RIS forwards the sensing signal (S13). The forwarded sensing signal is reflected by the target object, and the reflected echo signal is received by the RIS-MT (S14). In option 1, the RIS-MT forwards the echo signal to the AP (S15).

[0341] Figure 29C shows signal exchanges between the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target in the case of Option 2 in the implementation case 1 shown in Figure 29A. Note that in Figure 29C, the same processes as those in Figure 29B are denoted by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0342] In Fig. 29B, the RIS-MT transfers the echo signal to the AP, whereas in Fig. 29C, the RIS-MT performs imaging processing of the echo signal (S21), and then transmits the processing results to the AP (S22).

[0343] <Case 2: Echo Signal Received by AP> In case 2, the echo signal is received by the AP. Typically, the RIS is installed near a full-duplex AP. In this case 2, the full-duplex AP is used to transmit and receive the sensing signal and the echo signal.

[0344] Fig. 30A is a diagram showing an example of an outline of a system in implementation case 2. Fig. 30B is a sequence diagram showing the flow of signals in implementation case 2 shown in Fig. 30A.

[0345] Figure 30A shows the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target (object in Figure 30A) in implementation case 2, and shows the flow of signals. Figure 30B shows the exchange of signals between the AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target in implementation case 2 shown in Figure 30A. In Figure 30B, the same processes as in Figure 29B are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted.

[0346] The steps up to S13 in Fig. 30B are the same as those in Fig. 29B. In Fig. 30B, the sensing signal transferred by the RIS in S13 is reflected by the target object, and the reflected echo signal reaches the RIS (S34). In Case 2, the RIS transfers the echo signal to the AP (S35).

[0347] In Case 2, as shown in Figures 30A and 30B, the echo signal is received by a full-duplex AP. Because the AP has full-duplex functionality, both the transmission of the sensing signal and the reception of the echo signal are processed by the AP.

[0348] In Case 2, by installing the RIS relatively close to the AP, a sufficient SNR can be ensured for the echo signal, and imaging accuracy can be improved.

[0349] <Case 3: Echo Signals Received by Distributed APs> In Case 3, echo signals are received by distributed APs. Case 3 is typically realized by RIS-assisted distributed MIMO. In Case 3, a pair of APs function as a transmitter of a sensing signal and a receiver of an echo signal.

[0350] Fig. 31A is a diagram showing an example of an outline of a system in implementation case 3. Fig. 31B is a sequence diagram showing the flow of signals in implementation case 3 shown in Fig. 31A.

[0351] Fig. 31A shows a distributed AP functioning as a transmitter (AP(Tx) in Fig. 31A), a distributed AP functioning as a receiver (AP(Rx) in Fig. 31A), a RIS, a RIS-MT, and a target (object in Fig. 31A) in implementation case 3, and shows the flow of signals. Fig. 31B shows the exchange of signals between the distributed AP, RIS, RIS-MT, and target in implementation case 3 shown in Fig. 31A.

[0352] As shown in Figure 31B, the AP (Tx) instructs the RIS-MT to enter sensing mode (S41). Next, the AP transmits a sensing signal (sensing signal in Figure 31B) to the RIS (S42), and the RIS forwards the sensing signal (S43). The forwarded sensing signal is reflected by a target object, and the reflected echo signal is received by the AP (Rx) (S44).

[0353] 31A and 31B, the echo signals are received by distributed APs. According to Case 3, by preferentially using distributed APs closer to the target as receivers of the echo signals, the path loss that reduces the SNR of the echo signals can be reduced, and the imaging accuracy can be improved.

[0354] <Case 4: Echo Signal Received by UE> In Case 4, an echo signal is received by the UE. In Case 4, typically, the RIS assists the UE with environmental sensing and / or fall detection. In Case 4, the UE determines its relative position relationship with the RIS.

[0355] Fig. 32A is a diagram showing an example of an outline of a system in implementation case 4. Fig. 32B is a sequence diagram showing the flow of signals in implementation case 4 shown in Fig. 32A.

[0356] Fig. 32A shows the AP functioning as a transmitter, the UE functioning as a receiver, the RIS, the RIS-MT, and the target (object in Fig. 32A) in implementation case 4, and illustrates the flow of signals. Fig. 32B shows the signal exchanges between the AP, UE, RIS, the RIS-MT, and the target in implementation case 4 shown in Fig. 32A.

[0357] As shown in Figure 32B, the UE requests sensing from the AP (S51). The AP transmits information about the RIS (RIS information in Figure 32B) to the UE (S52). The AP instructs the RIS-MT to be in sensing mode (S53). Next, the AP transmits a sensing signal (sensing signal in Figure 32B) to the RIS (S54), and the RIS forwards the sensing signal (S55). The forwarded sensing signal is reflected by a target object, and the reflected echo signal is received by the UE (S56).

[0358] As shown in Figures 32A and 32B, the echo signal is received by the UE. In Case 4, the UE determines the relative positional relationship between the RIS and the UE before performing imaging processing. For example, to determine the relative positional relationship, the network (e.g., AP) transmits location information of the RIS to the UE.

[0359] In a system including a RIS, the above-described four cases may be fixed or dynamically switched. For example, one of the four cases may be selected based on at least one of the position and size of the target to be sensed by the system, the positions of the selected Tx, Rx, and RIS, and the capabilities of the Tx, Rx, and RIS, and sensing may be performed based on the selected case. The capabilities of the Tx and Rx may indicate, for example, at least one of whether full duplex is supported and whether imaging processing is possible. Furthermore, the capabilities of the RIS may indicate, for example, at least one of whether imaging processing is possible, whether coarse-grained grid division is supported, and whether fine-grained grid division is supported.

[0360] <Relationship with Specifications> The above-described embodiment may be described in the specifications as follows.

[0361] <RIS-assisted switching between communication mode and sensing (imaging) mode> The RIS can dynamically switch between communication mode and sensing (imaging) mode based on instructions. The instructions include the following information: mode switching instruction, selection of Tx node, RIS, Rx node, and relative spatial relationship between the Tx node, RIS, sensing (imaging) area and Rx node.

[0362] Selection method of Tx node, RIS and Rx node: The network instructs the AP or UE whether to function as a Tx node and / or an Rx node for sensing. The RIS instructs the RIS whether to function as an assisting node for sensing. The RIS-MT instructs the RIS whether to function as an Rx node for sensing.

[0363] Mode Switching Indication: The network instructs the RIS-MT to switch between the communication mode and the sensing mode via control information such as RRC / MAC CE / DCI. In the case of RIS, different codebooks may be used in the communication mode and the sensing mode. For example, the codebook shown in this disclosure may be used in the sensing mode, and a codebook different from that disclosed in this disclosure may be used in the communication mode. Alternatively, both the communication mode and the sensing mode may use the proposed codebook generation described above, but with different beam granularities.

[0364] Relative spatial relationship: The network indicates the relative spatial relationship between the Tx node, RIS, sensing (imaging) area, and Rx node to the Tx node and the Rx node. The relative spatial relationship is used by the Tx node to generate a codeword for the transfer / transmission of the sensing signal, and the Rx node uses the relative spatial relationship for image processing. For example, the network indicates the coordinates of the Tx node, RIS, sensing (imaging) area, and Rx node to the Tx node and the Rx node.

[0365] RTC-based beam scanning granularity switching: The RIS uses the RTC in both communication and sensing (imaging) modes. Different beam granularities may be used for communication and sensing modes. The RTC beam scanning granularity is dynamically adjusted at different stages throughout the sensing (imaging) process.

[0366] RTC utilizes coarse-grained grid division for tasks such as rough target positioning and / or pose detection, effectively reducing scan time.

[0367] RTC uses fine grid division for tasks such as gesture recognition, improving scanning accuracy.

[0368] Instructions: The network instructs the RIS on the extent of the target area and the granularity of the grid division.

[0369] The RIS may determine the coordinates of the target based on a "grid index" dictated by the network. The RIS determines the mapping between coordinates and "grid index" based on the extent of the target area and the granularity of the grid division.

[0370] <RIS-MT Functions> If the RIS-MT functions, such as receiving and processing echo signals, are enhanced, the performance of the RIS-assisted sensing (imaging) system can be further improved. In this case, the capabilities of the RIS-MT may be reported to the network.

[0371] <RTC-Based Beam Scanning Granularity Switching> Fig. 33 is a diagram showing an example of uniform grid RTC. Fig. 33 shows that a three-dimensional orthogonal space of x, y, and z is divided into Nx pieces in the x-axis direction, Ny pieces in the y-axis direction, and Nz pieces in the z-axis direction. Fig. 33 also shows that the RIS is divided into N １ ×N ２ It is shown to have elements of

[0372] The coefficient (e.g., RTC) w used for RTC-based beam scanning is expressed in Alt. 1 by the following equation (19).

[0373] In addition, Alt.2 is expressed as the following equation (20).

[0374] In the above formulas, (x ０ , y ０ , z ０ ) represents the coordinates of the center point of the RIS. ｇｉ , y ｇｉ , z ｇｉ ) represents the coordinate of the i-th grid center, which can be obtained from the grid index, and where α and ν represent the physical angles of azimuth and elevation, respectively, and are obtained by coordinate transformation based on the coordinates of the RIS elements and the coordinates of the sensing (imaging) area.

[0375] <Coordination among Tx, RIS, and Rx in Sensing (Imaging) Mode> In sensing (imaging) mode, coordination among Tx, RIS, and Rx is desired. Tx transmits sensing signals to RIS, and RIS forwards the sensing signals to scan the target area using beamforming. The received echo signals are collected by Rx.

[0376] The following cases are possible for cooperation between Tx, RIS, and Rx.

[0377] In case 1, the RIS-MT acts as the Rx. In this case, the AP is selected as the Tx.

[0378] In case 2, the AP acts as the Rx. In this case, a full-duplex AP is selected as both the Tx and Rx.

[0379] In case 3, distributed APs function as Rx. In this case, one AP is selected as Tx and another AP is selected as Rx. The network side needs to know the relative spatial relationship between RIS and AP (Rx).

[0380] In case 4, the UE becomes the Rx. In this case, the AP needs to be selected as the Tx. The UE needs to know the relative spatial relationship between the RIS and itself.

[0381] In case 4, control of the RIS by the UE may be considered, known as UE-controlled RIS.

[0382] In case 4, two options are possible.

[0383] In option 1, the RIS is completely controlled by the UE. In this option, the UE instructs the RIS with control information in both communication mode and sensing mode. In sensing mode, the UE instructs the RIS-MT via sidelink control information to switch modes, select the RIS, and switch the beam scanning granularity. For example, the UE may instruct the RIS-MT in the same way as the network instructs the RIS-MT.

[0384] In option 2, both the network and the UE control the RIS. In this option, in communication mode, the network notifies the RIS of control information. For sensing, the UE instructs the RIS to switch modes, select the RIS, and switch the beam scanning granularity.

[0385] The above items may be included in upcoming specifications.

[0386] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, an example in which one RIS is provided between the gNB and the UE has been described, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, multiple RISs may be provided between the gNB and the UE. For example, a configuration may be adopted in which a first RIS forwards a signal transmitted by the gNB to a second RIS, and the second RIS forwards the signal to the UE. In this case, the first RIS may generate multiple beams (e.g., the multi-wide beams described above) and forward the signal to multiple second RISs, and each of the multiple second RISs may further forward a signal to the UE.

[0387] In the present disclosure, "A / B" and "at least one of A and B" may be interpreted interchangeably. Also, in the present disclosure, "A / B / C" may mean "at least one of A, B, and C."

[0388] In the present disclosure, terms such as notify, activate, deactivate, indicate (or indicate), select, configure, update, and determine may be read interchangeably. In the present disclosure, terms such as support, control, controllable, operate, and operate may be read interchangeably.

[0389] In the present disclosure, Radio Resource Control (RRC), RRC parameters, RRC messages, higher layer parameters, fields, information elements (IEs), settings, etc. may be interchangeable. In the present disclosure, Medium Access Control (MAC) control elements (CEs), update commands, activation / deactivation commands, etc. may be interchangeable.

[0390] In the present disclosure, the higher layer signaling may be, for example, any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information, other messages (e.g., messages from the core network such as positioning protocol (e.g., NR Positioning Protocol A (NRPPa) / LTE Positioning Protocol (LPP)) messages), or a combination thereof.

[0391] In the present disclosure, MAC signaling may use, for example, a MAC Control Element (MAC CE), a MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU), etc. Broadcast information may be, for example, a Master Information Block (MIB), a System Information Block (SIB), Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI), Other System Information (OSI), etc.

[0392] In the present disclosure, physical layer signaling may be, for example, Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI), and the like.

[0393] In this disclosure, terms such as aperture, antenna array, array, subarray (multiple antenna elements, part of an array), panel, RIS, RIS array, scattering element array, etc. may be interchangeable. In this disclosure, terms such as antenna, antenna element, scattering element, etc. may be interchangeable.

[0394] In the present disclosure, NCR, RIS, NCR including RIS, network node, device, IAB, IAB-MT (Mobile Termination), IAB-DU (Distribution Unit), IAB-CU (Central Unit), terminal, base station, relay station, relay device, repeater, reflector, transmittance plate, RIS-NCR, RIS type NCR, extended NCR, etc. may be read interchangeably.

[0395] <Block Configuration Diagram> Fig. 34 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The base station 100 includes, for example, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a control unit 103. The base station 100 communicates wirelessly with a terminal 200 (see Fig. 35). The transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 may be collectively referred to as a communication unit. The control unit may also be referred to as a processing unit, a processor, or the like.

[0396] The transmitter 101 transmits a DL signal to the terminal 200. For example, the transmitter 101 transmits the DL signal under the control of the controller 103. For example, the DL signal may include information indicating scheduling related to signal transmission by the terminal 200 (for example, an UL grant), control information of higher layers, and the like.

[0397] For example, the transmitter 101 transmits, as DL signals, various control signals (such as control signals for higher layers), reference signals, data signals, etc. to the terminal 200 and / or the radio device 300. The transmitter 101 transmits, as DL signals, various signals, channels, setting information, control information, etc., described in the above embodiments, to the terminal 200.

[0398] For example, transmitting unit 101 transmits information related to the control of terminal 200, which is generated by control unit 103, to terminal 200. Also, for example, transmitting unit 101 transmits information related to the control of wireless device 300, which is generated by control unit 103, to wireless device 300. Also, transmitting unit 101 transmits a data signal generated by control unit 103 to terminal 200.

[0399] The receiving unit 102 receives the UL signal transmitted from the terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 102 receives the UL signal under the control of the control unit 103. The receiving unit 102 may also receive the UL signal transmitted from the wireless device 300.

[0400] For example, the receiving unit 102 receives, as UL signals, signals including terminal capability information (e.g., UE capability) of the terminal 200, various control signals, reference signals, data signals, etc. from the terminal 200. The receiving unit 102 may also receive signals including capability information (e.g., capability) of the wireless device 300.

[0401] The control unit 103 controls the overall (communication) operation of the base station 100 , including the transmission processing in the transmission unit 101 and the reception processing in the reception unit 102 .

[0402] For example, the control unit 103 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 101. The control unit 103 also outputs the data, control information, etc. received from the receiving unit 102 to the upper layer.

[0403] For example, the control unit 103 allocates resources to be used for transmitting and receiving DL signals and / or resources to be used for transmitting and receiving UL signals based on signals (e.g., data and control information, etc.) received from the terminal 200 and / or data and control information, etc. acquired from a higher layer. Information on the allocated resources may be included in control information to be transmitted to the terminal 200.

[0404] The control unit 103 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the transmission unit 101 and / or the reception unit 102).

[0405] Furthermore, the control unit 103 may generate control information related to the forwarding operation of the wireless device 300. The control unit 103 may transmit instructions (e.g., control information) related to communication control of the wireless device 300 via the transmission unit 101.

[0406] 35 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The terminal 200 includes, for example, a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, and a control unit 203. The terminal 200 communicates with, for example, a base station 100 (see FIG. 34 ) wirelessly. Note that the receiving unit 201 and the transmitting unit 202 may be collectively referred to as a communication unit.

[0407] The receiving unit 201 receives a DL signal transmitted from the base station 100. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0408] For example, the receiving unit 201 receives, as DL signals, various control signals, reference signals, data signals, etc. from the base station 100. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives, as DL signals, various signals, channels, setting information, control information, etc. described in the above embodiments from the base station 100.

[0409] For example, the receiving unit 201 receives a signal from the base station 100 .

[0410] The transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal to the base station 100. For example, the transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0411] For example, the transmitter 202 transmits, as UL signals, signals including information about the processing capacity of the terminal 200, various control signals, reference signals, data signals, and the like to the base station 100.

[0412] The control unit 203 controls the overall (communication) operation of the terminal 200 , including the reception processing in the reception unit 201 and the transmission processing in the transmission unit 202 .

[0413] For example, the control unit 203 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 202. Also, the control unit 203 outputs, for example, the data and control information received from the receiving unit 201 to the upper layer.

[0414] The control unit 203 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the receiving unit 201 and / or the transmitting unit 202).

[0415] Note that the signal that terminal 200 receives from base station 100 may be a signal that has been transmitted directly from base station 100, or may be a signal that has been transmitted from base station 100 and transferred by radio device 300. Furthermore, the signal that terminal 200 transmits to base station 100 may be received directly by base station 100, or may be transferred by radio device 300 and then received by base station 100. In this case, terminal 200 does not need to recognize whether the signal has been transferred by radio device 300 or not.

[0416] FIG. 36 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a wireless device 300 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The wireless device 300 corresponds to an example of a RIS. The wireless device 300 includes, for example, a receiving unit 301, a transmitting unit 302, and a control unit 303. The wireless relay device 300 wirelessly communicates with, for example, a base station 100 (see FIG. 34) and a terminal 200 (see FIG. 35). The receiving unit 301 and the transmitting unit 302 may be collectively referred to as a communication unit. The communication unit has a radiation surface (e.g., a RIS array) that radiates radio waves, and may transmit signals from the radiation surface or receive signals at the radiation surface. The radiation surface may be referred to as an antenna unit.

[0417] The receiving unit 301 receives a DL signal transmitted from the base station 100. The receiving unit 301 also receives a UL signal transmitted from the terminal 200. For example, the receiving unit 301 receives DL signals and UL signals under the control of the control unit 303. Note that the received signals may include a signal addressed to the base station 100, a signal addressed to the terminal 200, and a signal addressed to the wireless device 300. For example, the receiving unit 301 receives a signal addressed to the terminal 200 from the base station 100 (e.g., a signal unique to the terminal 200). Note that the transfer process may include at least one of a process of transmitting a signal addressed to the terminal 200 received from the base station 100 to the terminal 200 and a process of receiving a signal addressed to the base station 100 from the terminal 200.

[0418] The transmitting unit 302 transmits to the base station 100 an UL signal addressed to the base station 100 that has been received from the terminal 200. The transmitting unit 302 also transmits to the terminal 200 a DL signal addressed to the terminal 200 that has been received from the base station 100. For example, the transmitting unit 302 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 303. For example, the transmitting unit 302 transfers to the terminal 200 a signal addressed to the terminal 200 that has been received from the base station 100.

[0419] The control unit 303 controls the overall (communication) operation of the wireless device 300 , including the reception processing in the receiving unit 301 and the transmission processing in the transmitting unit 302 .

[0420] For example, the control unit 303 sets either a first beam that scans at a first granularity (e.g., a beam for coarse beam scanning) or a second beam that scans at a second granularity that is finer than the first granularity (e.g., a beam for fine beam scanning). In this case, the RIS array (an example of an antenna unit) forms a beam and transfers a signal based on the setting of the control unit 303.

[0421] Also, for example, the control unit 303 performs setting for switching between a first mode (for example, a sensing mode) for sensing a sensing area and a second mode (for example, a communication mode) for transmitting a signal from a transmitting device (for example, the base station 100) to a receiving device (for example, the terminal 200). In this case, the RIS array (an example of an antenna unit) transfers a signal based on the mode set by the control unit.

[0422] The control unit 303 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the receiving unit 301 and / or the transmitting unit 302).

[0423] Note that the wireless device 300 (e.g., RIS) in the present disclosure may be an example of a communication device. Furthermore, the wireless device 300 in the present disclosure may be referred to by other names such as a relay device, a forwarding device, or a relay device. Furthermore, the wireless device 300 in the present disclosure may be replaced with a terminal 200 (e.g., UE). For example, the wireless device 300 may be considered as a terminal 200 having a forwarding function (or a relay function).

[0424] The present disclosure has been described above. Note that the division of items in the above description is not essential to the present disclosure, and items described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and items described in one item may be applied to items described in another item (unless they are inconsistent).

[0425] <Hardware Configuration, etc.> The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0426] 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.

[0427] For example, a base station, a terminal, a wireless device, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 37 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a base station, a terminal, and a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-described base station 100, terminal 200, and wireless device 300 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0428] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configurations of the base station 100, the terminal 200, and the wireless device 300 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.

[0429] Each function in the base station 100, the terminal 200, and the wireless device 300 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and the storage 1003.

[0430] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 103, control unit 203, and control unit 303 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0431] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 203 of the terminal 200 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0432] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0433] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of, 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. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0434] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned transmitter 101, receiver 102, receiver 201, transmitter 202, receiver 301, transmitter 302, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004.

[0435] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0436] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0437] Furthermore, base station 100, terminal 200, and wireless device 300 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, processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0438] <Notification of Information, Signaling> Notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0439] <Applicable Systems> The embodiments described in the present disclosure are applicable to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 (WiMAX (registered trademark The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0440] <Processing Procedures, etc.> The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0441] <Operation of Base Station> In the present disclosure, specific operations described as being performed by a base station may also be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, an MME or an S-GW, etc., but are not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

[0442] <Direction of Input / Output> Information, etc. (see <Information, Signal>) can be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer). It may also be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0443] <Handling of Input / Output Information, etc.> Input / output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input / output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information, etc. may be deleted. Input information, etc. may be sent to another device.

[0444] <Determination method> The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0445] <Variations of Aspects, etc.> Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. In addition, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0446] 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.

[0447] <Software> Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0448] 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.

[0449] Information, Signals, etc., described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0450] 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.

[0451] <System, Network> As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0452] <Parameter and Channel Names> Furthermore, the information, parameters, and the like described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0453] 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.

[0454] <Base Station> In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0455] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can provide communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The term "cell" or "sector" refers to a part or the entire coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and base station subsystem that provides communication services in this coverage. In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control and operate based on the information.

[0456] Mobile Station In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0457] 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.

[0458] <Base Station / Mobile Station> At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be an autonomous mobile object operating based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0459] Furthermore, a base station in the present disclosure may be read as a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D) or Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X)). In this case, the functions of the base station 100 described above may be configured to be possessed by the terminal 200 and the wireless device 300. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0460] Similarly, the term "terminal" in the present disclosure may be interpreted as a base station, in which case the base station 100 and the relay station 300 may be configured to have the functions of the terminal 20 described above.

[0461] Fig. 38 shows a configuration example of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 38, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0462] 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.

[0463] 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).

[0464] 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.

[0465] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 provides various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001 by using information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc.

[0466] The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, microphones, switches, buttons, sensors, touch panels, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., displays, speakers, LED lamps, touch panels, etc.) that output to the outside.

[0467] 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.

[0468] 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.

[0469] 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.

[0470] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021 to 2029 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021 to 2029, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0471] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH received by the communication module 2013 (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH)).

[0472] Furthermore, the communication module 2013 stores various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, and the like provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0473] <Meaning and Interpretation of Terms> As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining something that is considered to be a "judging" or "determining," and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like that are considered to be a "judging" or "determining." Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0474] 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.

[0475] <Reference Signal> A reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may also be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0476] <Meaning of "based on"> As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0477] "First," "Second" Any reference to an element using designations such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must precede the second element in some way.

[0478] <Means> The "means" in the configuration of each device above may be replaced with "section," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0479] Open Format: When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0480] <Time Units such as TTI, Frequency Units such as RB, and Radio Frame Configuration> A radio frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of the one or more frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0481] Numerology may be a communication parameter that applies to the transmission and / or reception of a signal or channel, and may indicate, for example, at least one of subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering operations performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing operations performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0482] A slot may be composed of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol). A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.

[0483] 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.

[0484] 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.

[0485] For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. That is, at least one of the subframe and the TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc. instead of a subframe.

[0486] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, a base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each user terminal) to each user terminal in TTI units. Note that the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0487] 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.

[0488] 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.

[0489] 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.

[0490] 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.

[0491] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and the frequency domain, and may include one or more consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be the same regardless of numerology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be determined based on numerology.

[0492] 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.

[0493] 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.

[0494] 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.

[0495] 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.

[0496] 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.

[0497] 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."

[0498] 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.

[0499] <Maximum Transmit Power> The "maximum transmit power" in the present disclosure may refer to the maximum value of transmit power, the nominal UE maximum transmit power, or the rated UE maximum transmit power.

[0500] Articles In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0501] <"Different"> In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." Note that the term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0502] One aspect of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0503] 10 Wireless communication system 20 NG-RAN 100 Base station (gNB) 200 Terminal (UE) 300 Radio equipment (RIS) 101, 202, 302 Transmitter 102, 201, 301 Receiver 103, 203, 303 Control unit 1001 Processor 1002 Memory 1003 Storage 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 1007 Bus

Claims

1. A relay device comprising: a control unit configured to set switching between a first mode for sensing a sensing area and a second mode for transmitting a signal from a transmitting device to a receiving device; and an antenna unit configured to transfer a signal based on the mode set by the control unit.

2. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs the setting based on an instruction from the transmitting device.

3. The relay device according to claim 2, wherein the instruction is periodically performed.

4. The relay device according to claim 1, wherein in the first mode, the control unit performs a setting to switch to the first mode based on a request from a processing device that receives the signal and performs processing related to sensing.

5. A wireless system comprising a transmitting device and a relay device, wherein the transmitting device includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit a signal toward the relay device, and the relay device includes: a control unit configured to set switching between a first mode for sensing a sensing area and a second mode for transmitting a signal from the transmitting device to the receiving device; and an antenna unit configured to transfer the signal based on the mode set by the control unit.

6. A relay method, wherein a relay device sets switching between a first mode for sensing a sensing area and a second mode for transmitting a signal from a transmitting device to a receiving device, and transfers a signal based on the set mode.

Images