Base station, terminal, and communication method

Abstract

This base station includes: a control circuit that determines a first setting of a random access channel resource in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into a plurality of bands by alternatively reading information on a second setting of a random access channel resource in a second time resource different from the first time resource; and a reception circuit that receives a random access channel signal on the basis of the first setting.

Description

Base station, terminal and communication method

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

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has completed the physical layer specifications for Release 18 NR (New Radio access technology) as a functional extension of 5th Generation mobile communication systems (5G). NR supports enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) to meet the requirements of high speed and large capacity, as well as ultra-reliable and low latency communication (URLLC) (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1-6).

[0003] 3GPP TS 38.211 V18.1.0, "NR; Physical channels and modulation (Release 18)," December 20233GPP TS 38.212 V18.1.0, "NR; Multiplexing and channel coding (Release 18)," December 20233GPP TS 38.213 V18.1.0, "NR; Physical layer procedure for control (Release 18)," December 20233GPP TS 38.214 V18.1.0, "NR; Physical layer procedures for data (Release 18)," December 20233GPP TS 38.215 V18.1.0, "NR; Physical layer measurements (Release 18)," December 20233GPP TS 38.331 V18.0.0, "NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) protocol specification (Release 18)", December 2023

[0004] However, there is room for further study on the method of resource configuration for the random access channel.

[0005] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure contribute to providing a base station, a terminal, and a communication method that can improve the efficiency of resource configuration for a random access channel.

[0006] A base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and a receiving circuit that receives a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

[0007] These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, or a recording medium, or may be realized as any combination of a system, an apparatus, a method, an integrated circuit, a computer program, and a recording medium.

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, resources for a random access channel can be appropriately configured.

[0009] Further advantages and benefits of one embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and / or benefits may be provided by some embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them may be provided to obtain one or more identical features.

[0010] 1. Diagram showing an example of a duplex method 2. Diagram showing an example of Dynamic Subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD) 3. Diagram showing an example of allocation of Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources in SBFD 4. Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a part of a base station 5. Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a part of a terminal 6. Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station 7. Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal 8. Sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of a base station and a terminal 9. Diagram showing an example of setting PRACH resources 10. Diagram showing an example configuration 11. Diagram of an example architecture of a 3GPP NR system 12. Diagram of an example functional division in 5G O-RAN

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0012] [Regarding Subband Non-Overlapping Full Duplex (SBFD)] "Study on the Evolution of NR Duplex Operation" was discussed as a Study Item in Release 18. One of the main topics of this Study Item is support for subband non-overlapping full duplex (SBFD, also known as Cross Division Duplex (XDD)).

[0013] Figure 1 is a diagram showing an example of the Duplex system. In Figure 1, the vertical axis represents frequency and the horizontal axis represents time. Also, in Figure 1, "U" represents uplink transmission and "D" represents downlink transmission.

[0014] FIG. 1(a) shows an example of half-duplex Time Division Duplex (TDD). In FIG. 1(a), a terminal (UE: User Equipment) is a terminal connected to a base station (e.g., gNB). In the half-duplex shown in FIG. 1(a), the transmission direction (e.g., downlink or uplink) in a certain time resource may be common between the base station and the terminal. For example, the transmission direction in a certain time resource does not differ between terminals.

[0015] FIG. 1(b) shows an example of SBFD. In SBFD, a frequency resource (or a frequency band) is divided into multiple bands (e.g., subbands, RB sets, subbands, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth Parts)), and transmission in different directions (e.g., downlink or uplink) is supported for each subband. In SBFD, a terminal transmits and receives data in either the uplink or downlink in a certain time resource, but does not transmit or receive data in the other direction. On the other hand, in SBFD, a base station can transmit and receive data in both the uplink and downlink simultaneously. There may be cases where a terminal does not use resources in the transmission direction in a certain time resource (e.g., resources indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 1(b)).

[0016] Although not shown in Fig. 1, a guard band may be arranged between an uplink subband (UL subband: U) and a downlink subband (DL subband: D). The guard band may be used to reduce cross link interference (CLI) between different transmission directions (links).

[0017] In the following description, a symbol on which SBFD operation or control is performed is called an "SBFD symbol." A symbol on which SBFD operation or control is not performed (for example, a symbol different from an SBFD symbol) may also be called a "non-SBFD symbol." For example, a slot configured with SBFD symbols may also be called an "SBFD slot," and a slot configured with non-SBFD symbols may also be called a "non-SBFD slot."

[0018] The subband configuration is expressed as {X...X}, where X represents the UL subband (U) or DL ​​subband (D). The order of notation corresponds to the order in which the subbands are arranged. For example, the subband configuration in Figure 1(b) is expressed as {DUD}.

[0019] [SBFD Symbol and SBFD-Compatible Terminal] The SBFD symbol may be configured using (for example, by changing) a legacy symbol (existing symbol) such as a DL symbol, a UL symbol, or a Flexible symbol. For example, the SBFD symbol may be configured using a DL symbol. The legacy symbol is configured by, for example, RRC signaling (for example, TDD-UL-DL-ConfigCommon). Here, the non-SBFD symbol is, for example, a symbol that is not an SBFD symbol (for example, a legacy symbol and a symbol not used as an SBFD symbol).

[0020] An SBFD-capable terminal (e.g., SBFD-aware UE) is a terminal that supports SBFD operation and control. An SBFD-capable terminal can acquire SBFD-related configurations, such as the frequency and time domain locations of subbands. An SBFD-incapable terminal is a terminal that does not support SBFD operation and control. An SBFD-incapable terminal (e.g., non-SBFD-aware UE), for example, does not recognize SBFD symbols, and therefore operates by recognizing the symbols as legacy symbols even when legacy symbols are set (or changed) to SBFD symbols.

[0021] [Regarding Random Access Channel (RACH) Transmission on SBFD Symbols] Supporting RACH transmission on SBFD symbols can increase the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources (e.g., also referred to as RACH occasions (ROs)) in the time domain compared to existing methods. Increasing ROs can reduce RACH transmission delay, reduce UE-to-UE collisions, and improve coverage through long preamble formats or PRACH repetition (e.g., repeated transmissions). On the other hand, PRACH transmission on the UL subband can cause UE-to-UE interference (e.g., UL-to-UE CLI) with DL reception on the DL subband, potentially degrading DL performance.

[0022] Figure 2 shows an example of RACH resource allocation on SBFD symbols. In the example of Figure 2, slot #0 is a slot consisting of DL symbols (e.g., referred to as a "DL slot"), slots #1, #2, and #3 are slots consisting of SBFD symbols (e.g., referred to as "SBFD slots"), and slot #4 is a slot consisting of UL symbols (e.g., referred to as a "UL slot"). Also, in the example of Figure 2, the subband configuration in the SBFD slot is {DUD}. In the example of Figure 2, PRACH resources (RO) are allocated to the UL subbands of slot #2 and slot #3. In this way, by supporting RACH transmission on SBFD symbols, it is possible to increase PRACH resources in the time domain compared to existing methods.

[0023] [Regarding PRACH Resource Configuration] The PRACH resource in the time domain may be configured, for example, by information (e.g., information in a table format) on the correspondence between configuration values ​​(candidate values) of one or more parameters related to the PRACH configuration and identification information (e.g., an index) indicating one of the configuration values. For example, the PRACH resource in the time domain may be configured by a "Random access configurations table." The Random access configurations table for TDD is defined, for example, in Tables 6.3.3.2-3 and 6.3.3.2-4 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). Note that the information on the PRACH resource configuration is not limited to Tables 6.3.3.2-3 and 6.3.3.2-4 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1), and may be information indicating other combinations of candidate values.

[0024] Tables 1 and 2 show excerpts of the indexes of Preamble format C2 from Table 6.3.3.2-3 and Table 6.3.3.2-4 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1).

[0025] The parameter "Subframe number" in Table 1 represents a subframe number within one frame, and the parameter "Slot number" in Table 2 represents a slot number within one frame (e.g., within 40 slots) in 60 kHz subcarrier spacing (SCS). The PRACH configuration index (index of each table in Table 1 or Table 2) shown in Table 1 or Table 2 is notified from the base station to the terminal, thereby enabling the terminal to determine the location of the available PRACH resource in the time domain.

[0026] Existing random access configuration tables such as Tables 1 and 2 are defined, for example, taking into account the position of the UL slot. For example, "Subframe number" in Table 1 represents the subframe number in which the PRACH resource is allocated. All indexes in Table 1 include subframe number "9" (hereinafter also referred to as "subframe 9"). This is because the slot corresponding to subframe 9 is often configured as the UL slot. Figure 3 shows an example of a comparison of slot configurations between TDD and SBFD. In the example of Figure 3, as an example of a typical TDD slot configuration, a slot configuration consisting of a repetition of "DDDSU" in the time domain is shown. Here, "D" represents a DL slot, "U" represents a UL slot, and "S" represents a special slot (e.g., a slot for switching from DL to UL). In addition, in the example of Figure 3, as an example of an SBFD slot configuration, a slot configuration consisting of a repetition of "DXXXU" in the time domain is shown. The example (pattern) of the slot configuration for SBFD shown in Figure 3 is, for example, a slot configuration that has been discussed as a typical slot configuration for SBFD. Here, "X" represents an SBFD slot.

[0027] For example, assuming a 15 kHz SCS, both subframes and slots have a duration (section) of 1 ms. Therefore, in both the TDD and SBFD slot configurations shown in Figure 3, subframe 9 corresponds to the UL slot. Therefore, for example, if the SBFD symbol is configured using the DL symbol, in the slot configuration shown in Figure 3, subframe 9 (corresponding to the UL slot) cannot be used to allocate PRACH resources on the SBFD symbol. Therefore, existing random access configurations tables may not be suitable for configuring PRACH resources on the SBFD symbol.

[0028] Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe a method for improving the efficiency of PRACH resource configuration. For example, non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe a method for flexibly configuring PRACH resources on SBFD symbols using an existing Random Access Configurations table.

[0029] [Overview of Communication System] A communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include, for example, a base station 100 (e.g., gNB) shown in Figures 4 and 6 and a terminal 200 (e.g., UE) shown in Figures 5 and 7. A plurality of base stations 100 and a plurality of terminals 200 may exist in the communication system.

[0030] 4 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a portion of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the base station 100 illustrated in FIG. 4 , a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines a first setting of random access channel resources (PRACH resources) in a first time resource (e.g., a slot configured with SBFD symbols) in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands, by interpreting information regarding a second setting of random access channel resources in a second time resource (e.g., a slot configured with non-SBFD symbols) different from the first time resource. A receiving unit (e.g., corresponding to a receiving circuit) receives a random access channel signal based on the first setting.

[0031] 5 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a portion of a terminal 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the terminal 200 shown in FIG. 5 , a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines a first setting of random access channel resources (PRACH resources) in a first time resource (e.g., a slot configured with SBFD symbols) in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands, by interpreting information regarding a second setting of random access channel resources in a second time resource (e.g., a slot configured with non-SBFD symbols) different from the first time resource. A transmission unit (e.g., corresponding to a transmission circuit) transmits a random access channel signal based on the first setting.

[0032] [Configuration of Base Station] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a base station 100 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. In Fig. 6, the base station 100 includes a receiving unit 101, a demapping unit 102, a demodulation and decoding unit 103, a preamble detection unit 104, a scheduling unit 105, an RO control unit 106, a control information holding unit 107, a data and control information generation unit 108, an encoding and modulation unit 109, a mapping unit 110, and a transmission unit 111.

[0033] For example, at least one of the demapping unit 102, demodulation / decoding unit 103, scheduling unit 105, RO control unit 106, control information holding unit 107, data / control information generation unit 108, coding / modulation unit 109, and mapping unit 110 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 4, and the receiving unit 101 may be included in the receiving unit shown in Figure 4.

[0034] The receiving unit 101 performs reception processing such as down-conversion or A / D conversion on a signal received via an antenna, and outputs the processed received signal to the demapping unit 102 .

[0035] The demapping unit 102 performs resource demapping on the received signal (for example, an uplink signal) input from the receiving unit 101 , and outputs the modulated signal to the demodulation and decoding unit 103 and the preamble detection unit 104 .

[0036] The demodulation and decoding section 103 demodulates and decodes the modulated signal input from the demapping section 102 , for example, and outputs the decoding result to the scheduling section 105 .

[0037] For example, the preamble detection section 104 detects a preamble (for example, a PRACH signal) transmitted in the PRACH from the modulated signal input from the demapping section 102 and outputs the detection result to the scheduling section 105 .

[0038] The scheduling unit 105 may perform scheduling for the terminals 200, for example. The scheduling unit 105 schedules transmission and reception for each terminal 200 based on, for example, at least one of the decoding result input from the demodulation and decoding unit 103, the preamble detection result input from the preamble detection unit 104, information input from the RO control unit 106 (including, for example, PRACH configuration information), and control information input from the control information holding unit 107, and instructs the data and control information generation unit 108 to generate at least one of data and control information. The scheduling unit 105 also instructs the data and control information generation unit 108 to transmit the PRACH configuration information input from the RO control unit 106 to the terminals 200 as signaling information. The scheduling unit 105 also outputs control information related to the terminals 200 to the control information holding unit 107.

[0039] The RO control unit 106 determines, for example, PRACH configuration information (including, for example, PRACH transmission power) associated with PRACH resources (RO) for each of the SBFD-compatible terminal and the SBFD-incompatible terminal, based on the control information (for example, information related to SBFD) input from the control information holding unit 107. The information related to SBFD may include, for example, at least one of information related to the slot configuration and information related to the subband configuration. The RO control unit 106 outputs the determined PRACH configuration information to the scheduling unit 105.

[0040] The control information holding unit 107 holds, for example, control information set in each terminal 200. The control information may include, for example, information related to SBFD. The control information holding unit 107 may output the held information to each component of the base station 100 (for example, the scheduling unit 105 and the RO control unit 106) as necessary.

[0041] The data and control information generating unit 108 generates at least one of data and control information, for example, in accordance with an instruction from the scheduling unit 105, and outputs a signal including the generated data or control information to the coding and modulation unit 109. The generated data may include, for example, signaling information of higher layers (for example, PRACH configuration information).

[0042] The coding and modulation section 109 codes and modulates, for example, the signal (for example, data, control information) input from the data and control information generation section 108 and outputs the modulated signal to the transmission section 111 .

[0043] Mapping section 110 performs resource mapping on the modulated signal input from coding and modulation section 109 , for example, and outputs the transmission signal to transmitting section 111 .

[0044] The transmitter 111 performs transmission processing such as D / A conversion, up-conversion, or amplification on the signal input from the mapping unit 110, and transmits the radio signal obtained by the transmission processing from the antenna to the terminal 200.

[0045] [Terminal Configuration] Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of terminal 200 according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In Fig. 7, terminal 200 includes receiving section 201, demapping section 202, demodulation and decoding section 203, RO determination section 204, control section 205, control information holding section 206, preamble generation section 207, data and control information generation section 208, coding and modulation section 209, mapping section 210, and transmission section 211.

[0046] For example, at least one of the demapping unit 202, demodulation / decoding unit 203, RO determination unit 204, control unit 205, control information storage unit 206, preamble generation unit 207, data / control information generation unit 208, coding / modulation unit 209, and mapping unit 210 may be included in the control unit shown in Figure 5, and the transmission unit 211 may be included in the transmission unit shown in Figure 5.

[0047] The receiving unit 201 performs reception processing such as down-conversion or A / D conversion on a received signal received via an antenna, and outputs the processed received signal to the demapping unit 202 .

[0048] The demapping unit 202 performs resource demapping on the received signal input from the receiving unit 201 , for example, and outputs the modulated signal to the demodulation and decoding unit 203 .

[0049] The demodulation / decoding unit 203 demodulates and decodes the modulated signal input from the demapping unit 202, and outputs the decoding result to the control unit 205. The decoding result may include, for example, at least one of upper layer signaling information and downlink control information.

[0050] The RO determination unit 204 determines a PRACH resource (RO) based on, for example, control information (e.g., PRACH setting information, information related to SBFD (e.g., information related to slot configuration or information related to subband configuration)) input from the control information storage unit 206, and outputs PRACH resource information indicating the determination result to the control unit 205.

[0051] The control unit 205 may determine whether or not to transmit or receive data or control information, or whether or not to transmit a PRACH, based on, for example, the decoding result (e.g., data or control information) input from the demodulation and decoding unit 203, the PRACH resource information input from the RO determination unit 204, and the control information input from the control information storage unit 206. For example, if the determination result indicates that data or control information is to be transmitted, the control unit 205 may instruct the data and control information generation unit 208 to generate at least one of data and control information. Furthermore, for example, if PRACH transmission is to be transmitted, the control unit 205 may instruct the preamble generation unit 207 to generate a preamble signal based on the PRACH resource information. Furthermore, the control unit 205 outputs, for example, control information related to the terminal 200 to the control information storage unit 206.

[0052] The control information holding unit 206 holds, for example, control information input from the control unit 205, and outputs the held information to each component (for example, the RO determination unit 204 and the control unit 205) as necessary.

[0053] For example, in accordance with an instruction from the control section 205 , the preamble generation section 207 generates a preamble signal to be transmitted in the PRACH (for example, a PRACH signal) and outputs the generated preamble signal to the mapping section 210 .

[0054] The data and control information generating unit 208 generates data or control information according to instructions from the control unit 205 , for example, and outputs a signal including the generated data or control information to the encoding and modulation unit 209 .

[0055] The coding and modulation section 209 codes and modulates the signal input from the data and control information generation section 208 , for example, and outputs the modulated signal to the mapping section 210 .

[0056] Mapping section 210 performs resource mapping on the modulated signal input from coding and modulation section 209 or the preamble signal input from preamble generation section 207 , and outputs the transmission signal to transmission section 211 .

[0057] The transmitter 211 performs transmission processing such as D / A conversion, up-conversion, or amplification on the signal input from the mapping unit 210, and transmits the radio signal obtained by the transmission processing from an antenna to the base station 100.

[0058] [Operations of Base Station 100 and Terminal 200] An example of operations in the base station 100 and terminal 200 having the above configuration will be described.

[0059] FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the base station 100 and the terminal 200.

[0060] In FIG. 8, the base station 100 determines, for example, a setting (configuration) related to SBFD or PRACH (S101).

[0061] The base station 100 transmits, for example, upper layer signaling information including the determined configuration information to the terminal 200 (S102). The transmission of the signaling information may be, for example, a notification by a System Information Block (SIB) or a notification by terminal-specific (terminal-individual) signaling information.

[0062] The terminal 200 determines available PRACH resources based on, for example, configuration information included in signaling information transmitted from the base station 100 (S103).

[0063] The terminal 200 transmits a PRACH (for example, a preamble signal) based on the determined PRACH resource, and the base station 100 receives the PRACH (S104).

[0064] [PRACH Resource Configuration Method] A PRACH resource configuration method in the base station 100 (e.g., the RO control unit 106) will be described. Note that the terminal 200 (e.g., the RO determination unit 204) may determine (or determine) available PRACH resources, for example, assuming the PRACH resource configuration method implemented by the base station 100.

[0065] For example, when configuring a PRACH resource for an SBFD-compatible terminal (e.g., a PRACH resource in an SBFD symbol), base station 100 reinterprets an existing Random access configurations table or changes the method of applying parameters defined in the existing Random access configurations table.

[0066] The replacement of the existing Random access configurations table may be performed, for example, according to a configuration or a predefined rule.

[0067] For example, PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals may be configured separately from PRACH resources for SBFD-non-compatible terminals (e.g., existing terminals, etc.). By separately configuring PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals, it becomes possible to configure (e.g., add) PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals while minimizing the impact on non-SBFD-compatible terminals. Furthermore, SBFD-compatible terminals may use, for example, PRACH resources for SBFD-non-compatible terminals in addition to PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals.

[0068] An example of a method for configuring PRACH resources will be described below.

[0069] <Method 1> In method 1, when determining PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals, the base station 100 reinterprets the existing Random access configurations table by replacing the subframe number or slot number included in the existing Random access configurations table with another number.

[0070] For example, since the subframe number is defined in the Random access configurations table (e.g., Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1)) used in Frequency Range 1 (FR1), the base station 100 may replace the subframe number with another subframe number.

[0071] For example, in the Random access configurations table (e.g., Table 6.3.3.2-4 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1)) used in Frequency Range 2 (FR2), slot numbers are defined, so the base station 100 may replace the slot number with another slot number.

[0072] As described above, the subframe numbers or slot numbers included in the existing Random access configurations table are defined assuming that the subframe numbers or slot numbers are subframe numbers or slot numbers in which UL slots can be allocated. Therefore, the base station 100 may replace the subframe numbers or slot numbers with other numbers so that the PRACH resources can be allocated to the SBFD symbols or SBFD slots.

[0073] For example, if the subframe number defined by a certain index is "9" and the SBFD slot is not allocated to subframe 9 (for example, if subframe 9 corresponds to the UL slot), the PRACH resource corresponding to that index is not used for the SBFD slot. In contrast, in method 1, base station 100 replaces subframe number "9" with another number, so that the index corresponding to subframe number "9" can also be used to allocate PRACH resources on the SBFD symbol.

[0074] For example, if the subframe numbers defined by a certain index are all subframe numbers, such as "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9," base station 100 may be able to allocate PRACH resources to SBFD slots without replacing the subframe numbers. However, if the setting is such that PRACH resources are allocated only to specific SBFD slots, the index cannot be used to allocate PRACH resources on SBFD symbols.

[0075] An example of a method for replacing subframe numbers or slot numbers according to Method 1 will be described below.

[0076] <Method 1-1> In method 1-1, base station 100 replaces some of the subframe numbers or slot numbers defined in an existing random access configurations table with other subframe numbers or other slot numbers.

[0077] The subframe number or slot number of the replacement destination may be set to the subframe number or slot number corresponding to the slot containing the SBFD symbol.

[0078] A subframe number or slot number of a replacement source and a subframe number or slot number of a replacement destination (for example, a set of subframe numbers or slot numbers of a replacement source and a replacement destination) may be set. The settings of the subframe numbers or slot numbers of a replacement source and a replacement destination may be defined in advance, or may be notified (or set) to terminal 200 by configuration. The configuration may be set, for example, in association with the SBFD symbol setting.

[0079] For example, one or more subframe numbers or slot numbers may be specified as the source subframe number or slot number and the destination subframe number or slot number. In this case, the number of source subframe numbers or slot numbers and the number of destination subframe numbers or slot numbers may be the same or different. For example, the source subframe number may be set to "9" and the destination subframe numbers may be set to "7, 8." In a slot configuration for SBFD, it is assumed that the number of UL slots and the number of SBFD slots in one frame may differ. Therefore, by allowing the number of source and destination subframe numbers to differ (e.g., when the number of destination subframe numbers is greater than the source number), it is possible to configure PRACH resources more suitable for SBFD slots compared to the configuration in the existing Random access configurations table.

[0080] Furthermore, a part of the subframe number or slot number of the replacement destination may overlap with either the subframe number or slot number of the replacement source.

[0081] Table 3 shows an example of subframe number replacement according to Method 1-1.

[0082] Table 3 excerpts, as an example, indexes 192, 193, and 194 from among multiple PRACH configuration indexes (hereinafter referred to as indexes) in the Random access configurations table shown in Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). In the example of Table 3, the subframe number to be replaced is set to "9," and the subframe number to be replaced is set to "7." In addition, in the "Subframe number" column shown in Table 3, the subframe number defined in the existing Random access configurations table (e.g., the subframe number to be replaced) is written to the left of the arrow, and the subframe number after replacement is written to the right of the arrow.

[0083] As shown in Table 3, at Index 192, subframe number "9" is replaced with subframe number "7," and the resulting subframe number is set to "7." At Index 193, subframe number "9" is replaced with "7," and the resulting subframe numbers are set to "7,8." At Index 194, subframe number "9" is replaced with "7," and since "7" is duplicated, the resulting subframe number is set to "7" (one subframe number).

[0084] In this way, in method 1-1, by using the existing Random access configurations table for PRACH resource configuration in SBFD, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD without adding a new table for SBFD.

[0085] In addition, by configuring PRACH resources suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration, the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration is improved and more PRACH resources can be allocated on the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, which reduces RACH transmission delays, reduces PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improves coverage.

[0086] <Method 1-2> In method 1-2, base station 100 replaces all of the multiple subframe numbers or multiple slot numbers defined in an existing random access configurations table with other subframe numbers or other slot numbers.

[0087] The subframe number or slot number of the replacement destination may be set to the subframe number or slot number corresponding to the slot containing the SBFD symbol.

[0088] The replacement subframe number or slot number may be defined in advance, or may be notified (or set) by configuration to terminal 200. The configuration may be set in association with the setting of the SBFD symbol, for example.

[0089] Some of the replacement subframe numbers or slot numbers may overlap with any of the subframe numbers or slot numbers (for example, the replacement source subframe numbers or slot numbers) included in the existing Random access configurations table.

[0090] Table 4 shows an example of subframe number replacement according to Method 1-2.

[0091] As an example, Table 4 excerpts Indexes 192, 193, and 194 from among the multiple indexes in the Random access configurations table shown in Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). In the example of Table 3, the replacement subframe numbers are set to "7, 8." Note that in Method 1-2, the replacement source subframe numbers do not need to be set.

[0092] As shown in Table 4, regardless of the subframe numbers defined in the existing Random access configurations table, all of the subframe numbers after replacement are set to "7, 8".

[0093] In this way, in Method 1-2, by using the existing Random access configurations table for PRACH resource configuration in SBFD, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD without adding a new table for SBFD.

[0094] In addition, by configuring PRACH resources suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration, the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration is improved and more PRACH resources can be allocated on the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, which reduces RACH transmission delays, reduces PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improves coverage.

[0095] Furthermore, in method 1-2, compared to method 1-1, it is not necessary to set the subframe number or slot number of the source of replacement, and therefore signaling overhead can be reduced.

[0096] <Method 2> In method 2, when determining a PRACH resource configuration for an SBFD-compatible terminal, the base station 100 rereads the existing Random access configurations table by adding (for example, appending) a set number (or a prescribed number) of other subframe numbers or other slot numbers to the subframe numbers or slot numbers included in the existing Random access configurations table.

[0097] The number of subframe numbers or slot numbers to be added may be predefined, or may be notified (or set) to terminal 200 by configuration.

[0098] For example, the subframe number or slot number to be added may be set to a number before or after the subframe number or slot number defined in the Random access configurations table. Note that the position at which the subframe number or slot number is added is not limited to before or after the existing subframe number or slot number.

[0099] Since SBFD can be used to improve, for example, UL delay or coverage, there is a possibility that more SBFD slots are allocated in one frame than UL slots. By adding the number of subframes or slots using Method 2, it becomes possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot configuration for SBFD.

[0100] Furthermore, when changing the symbol type in the time domain during transmission and reception, the switching time between DL and UL can become overhead, so it is assumed that SBFD slots and symbols are arranged contiguously to some extent. Therefore, in Method 2, adding contiguous subframes or slots is effective. Note that the method of adding subframe numbers or slot numbers is not limited to this, and adding non-contiguous subframes or slots may also be used.

[0101] Table 5 shows an example of how subframe numbers are interpreted according to Method 2.

[0102] Table 5 shows, as an example, indexes 192, 193, and 194 selected from the multiple indexes in the Random access configurations table shown in Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). The number of subframes to be added in Table 5 is set to 1. Furthermore, in Table 5, the number of the subframe to be added (subframe position) is set to the subframe number preceding the subframe number defined in the existing Random access configurations table.

[0103] As shown in Table 5, in Index 192, one subframe is added before subframe number "9," and the resulting subframe number is set to "8,9." In addition, in Index 193, one subframe is added before each of subframe numbers "8" and "9." However, since subframe number "8" already exists and is a duplicate, the resulting subframe number is set to "7,8,9" in Index 193. In addition, in Index 194, one subframe is added before each of subframe numbers "7" and "9," and the resulting subframe number is set to "6,7,8,9."

[0104] In this way, in Method 2, by using the existing Random access configurations table for PRACH resource configuration in SBFD, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD without adding a new table for SFFD.

[0105] In addition, by configuring PRACH resources suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration, the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration is improved and more PRACH resources can be allocated on the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, which reduces RACH transmission delays, reduces PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improves coverage.

[0106] Furthermore, in Method 2, even when PRACH setting is performed by configuration, it is sufficient to notify the number of subframes or the number of slots, and signaling overhead can be reduced compared to Method 1 (for example, when multiple subframe numbers or slot numbers are replaced, multiple subframe numbers or slot numbers are notified).

[0107] <Method 3> In method 3, when determining PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals, base station 100 shifts the subframe numbers or slot numbers included in the existing Random access configurations table, and reinterprets the existing Random access configurations table by adding a set number (or a prescribed number) of other subframes or other slots to the subframe numbers or slot numbers after the shift.

[0108] As described above, the subframe numbers or slot numbers defined in the existing Random access configurations table are defined assuming the positions of, for example, UL symbols or UL slots. In contrast, in Method 3, by applying a shift to the subframe numbers or slot numbers, it becomes easier to allocate PRACH resources to SBFD slots, avoiding UL slots.

[0109] An example of a method for shifting the subframe number or slot number will be described below. Note that the base station 100 may apply the addition of the number of subframes or slots in Method 2, for example, after shifting the subframe number or slot number.

[0110] <Method 3-1> In method 3-1, base station 100 shifts the subframe numbers or slot numbers based on a predefined shift amount (number of subframes or number of slots) or a shift amount (number of subframes or number of slots) notified by configuration. After the shift, base station 100 adds the subframe numbers or slot numbers of the set number of subframes or slots.

[0111] For example, if the shift causes the subframe number or slot number to fall below the minimum value (e.g., 0) or to exceed the maximum value of the subframe number or slot number (e.g., 9 for the subframe number or 39 for the slot number), the base station 100 may apply wraparound. For example, the following equation (1) may be applied.

[0112] where s n ' represents the subframe number or slot number after the shift, and s n represents a subframe number or slot number defined in the Random access configurations table, Δs represents the shift amount (number of subframes or number of slots), and L represents the number of subframes in one frame (e.g., 10 subframes) or the number of slots in one frame in 60 kHz SCS (e.g., 40 slots). Base station 100 may apply the above shift to all subframe numbers or slot numbers defined in the Random access configurations table, or may apply the above shift to some of the subframe numbers or slot numbers.

[0113] Table 6 shows an example of how subframe numbers are interpreted according to Method 3-1.

[0114] As an example, Table 6 excerpts Indexes 192, 193, and 194 from among the multiple indexes in the Random access configurations table shown in Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). In Table 6, the shift amount (number of subframes to shift) is set to one subframe, the shift direction is set to the forward direction (for example, in equation (1), Δs=9 taking wraparound into consideration), and the number of subframes to be added is set to one.

[0115] As shown in Table 6, in Index 192, subframe number "9" is shifted forward by one to become subframe number "8," and one subframe is added before the shifted subframe number "8," resulting in a rewritten subframe number of "7, 8." In Index 193, subframe numbers "8" and "9" are each shifted forward by one to become subframe number "7, 8," and one subframe is added before each of the shifted subframe numbers "7, 8." However, since subframe number "7" already exists and is a duplicate, the rewritten subframe number in Index 193 is set to "6, 7, 8." In Index 194, subframe numbers "7" and "9" are each shifted forward by one to become subframe number "6, 8," and one subframe is added before each of the shifted subframe numbers "6" and "8," resulting in a rewritten subframe number of "5, 6, 7, 8."

[0116] In this way, in method 3-1, by using the existing Random access configurations table for PRACH resource configuration in SBFD, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD without adding a new table for SBFD.

[0117] In addition, by configuring PRACH resources suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration, the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration is improved and more PRACH resources can be allocated on the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, which reduces RACH transmission delays, reduces PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improves coverage.

[0118] In addition, in method 3-1, by applying a shift in the subframe number or slot number, PRACH resources can be configured while avoiding UL slots, compared to method 2, making it possible to configure PRACH resources that are more suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration.

[0119] The shift amount of the subframe number or slot number may be a value set for the PRACH resource in SBFD, or may be set (reused) using a value for another purpose.

[0120] <Method 3-2> In method 3-2, base station 100 continues shifting the subframe number or slot number until the subframe number or slot number no longer conflicts with the original subframe number or slot number (for example, a number defined in an existing random access configurations table). This makes it possible to define the shift amount and apply a shift without notification of the shift amount.

[0121] Whether or not to apply the shift according to method 3-2 may be defined in advance, or may be notified (or set) to terminal 200 by configuration, for example.

[0122] In method 3-2, the shifting process may be applied according to the following procedure: After applying the shifting process, base station 100 adds subframe numbers or slot numbers of the set number of subframes or slots.

[0123] Step (1): The base station 100 extracts the subframe number or slot number defined in the Random access configurations table, and then proceeds to step (2).

[0124] Step (2): The base station 100 shifts the extracted subframe number or slot number by one subframe or one slot (the shift direction is either forward or backward), and then proceeds to step (3).

[0125] The shift method in procedure (2) may be the same as method 3-1. The shift amount in procedure (2) is not limited to one subframe or one slot.

[0126] Step (3): The base station 100 determines whether the subframe number or slot number shifted in step (2) collides (or overlaps) with any of the original subframe numbers or slot numbers (subframe numbers or slot numbers defined in the existing Random access configurations table). If there is no collision, the base station 100 uses the shifted subframe number or slot number and ends the shifting process. If there is a collision, the base station 100 proceeds to step (4).

[0127] Step (4): The base station 100 determines whether the subframe numbers or slot numbers shifted in step (2) are all the same as the original subframe numbers or slot numbers (e.g., subframe numbers or slot numbers defined in the Random Access Configurations table). If the subframe numbers or slot numbers are all the same, the base station 100 uses the original subframe numbers or slot numbers as they are and ends the shifting process. If the subframe numbers or slot numbers are different, proceed to step (2).

[0128] An example of the procedure for the shift process has been described above.

[0129] Table 7 shows an example of how subframe numbers are interpreted using Method 3-2.

[0130] As an example, Table 7 excerpts indexes 192, 193, 194, and 210 from among the multiple indexes in the Random access configurations table shown in Table 6.3.3.2-3 of TS38.211 (Non-Patent Document 1). In addition, in the example of Table 7, the number of subframes to be added is set to 0 (or the shift process is omitted), and only the shift results are shown. Base station 100 may add subframe numbers after the shift shown in Table 7, for example.

[0131] As shown in Table 7, in Indexes 192 and 194, the subframe numbers are shifted forward by one subframe, and since the shifted subframe numbers (e.g., "8" and "6, 8") are different from (do not conflict with) the original subframe numbers (e.g., "9" and "7, 9"), the converted subframe numbers are set to "8" and "6, 8," which are the results of the one subframe shift.

[0132] Furthermore, as shown in Table 7, for Index 193, the subframe numbers "8" and "9" are each shifted forward by one subframe to become subframe number "7, 8." Because the shifted subframe number "7, 8" is the same as the original subframe number ("8" of "8, 9") (there is a collision), it is further shifted forward by one subframe to become subframe number "6, 7." Because the shifted subframe number "6, 7" is different from the original subframe number ("8, 9") (there is no collision), the converted subframe number is set to "6, 8," which is the result of shifting two subframes.

[0133] Furthermore, as shown in Table 7, in Index 210, even if the subframe number is shifted by one subframe, it always collides with the original subframe number, and after 10 shifts it matches the original subframe number (for example, "0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9"), so the subframe number after conversion is set to the original subframe number, "0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9." Note that in Table 7, the details of the shift in Index 210 are omitted.

[0134] In this way, in method 3-2, by using the existing Random access configurations table for PRACH resource configuration in SBFD, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD without adding a new table for SBFD.

[0135] In addition, by configuring PRACH resources suitable for the SBFD slot or symbol configuration, the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration is improved and more PRACH resources can be allocated on the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, which reduces RACH transmission delays, reduces PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improves coverage.

[0136] Furthermore, in method 3-2, the number of subframes or slots to be shifted does not need to be notified, so signaling overhead can be reduced compared to method 3-1.

[0137] <Method 4> In method 4, base station 100 changes (or switches) the position of the PRACH slot in a subframe from the existing slot position when determining the PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals. For example, the position of the PRACH slot in a subframe is made different between the PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals and the PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-incompatible terminals.

[0138] For example, in FR1 30 kHz SCS, when the "Number of PRACH slots within a subframe" is 1, the existing specifications state that the PRACH slot is allocated to the second of two slots in the subframe. In the existing TDD slot configuration, the latter slot among multiple slots is more likely to be set as the UL slot. Therefore, it is easier to allocate PRACH resources by setting the second slot in one subframe of 30 kHz SCS as the PRACH slot.

[0139] On the other hand, the SBFD slot may be placed before the UL slot and cannot be set as the UL slot. For this reason, for example, it may be easier to allocate PRACH resources by setting the first slot as the PRACH slot rather than the second slot in one subframe of 30 kHz SCS.

[0140] Therefore, in method 4, base station 100 switches the PRACH slot position in a subframe from the second to the first in the configuration of PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals.

[0141] Note that the swapping of PRACH slot positions may be always applied when configuring PRACH resources for SBFD-compatible terminals, or may be applied depending on the configuration settings. Setting the swapping of PRACH slot positions by configuration improves the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration. On the other hand, always applying the swapping of PRACH slot positions can reduce signaling overhead.

[0142] Similarly, in 120 kHz SCS of FR2, when the "Number of PRACH slots within a subframe" (the number of PRACH slots within a 60 kHz slot) is 1, the base station 100 may switch the position of the PRACH slot from the second slot to the first slot.

[0143] Fig. 9 shows an example of a comparison between the existing PRACH slot allocation and the PRACH slot allocation according to Method 4. The example in Fig. 9 shows an example of 30 kHz SCS and PRACH configuration index 196 (subframe number = 4, 9). In Fig. 9, the correspondence between subframe numbers and slot numbers is shown in the first and second lines. As shown in Fig. 9, one subframe includes two slots. Also, in Fig. 9, slot numbers are expressed as 0 to 9.

[0144] The third row in Figure 9 shows the location of the PRACH slot based on the existing specifications, which specify that PRACH resources are allocated to subframes numbered 4 and 9, and that the PRACH slot is allocated to slot 9 in each subframe (e.g., the second slot in each subframe).

[0145] The fourth row in Figure 9 shows the location of the PRACH slot according to Method 4. Unlike existing specifications, the PRACH slot is allocated to slot 8 (e.g., the first slot of subframe numbers 4 and 9). For example, in the SBFD slot allocation shown in Figure 3, slot 8 is the SBFD slot and slot 9 is the UL slot. That is, by applying Method 4, the PRACH resource can be allocated to the SBFD slot.

[0146] In this way, in Method 4, by changing the position of the PRACH slot within a subframe or the PRACH slot position in a 60 kHz SCS, it is possible to configure PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD in the 30 kHz SCS in FR1 and the 120 kHz SCS in FR2. Configuring PRACH resources suitable for the slot or symbol configuration of SBFD improves the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration and allows more PRACH resources to be allocated in the SBFD slot or SBFD symbol, thereby reducing RACH transmission delays, reducing PRACH transmission collisions between terminals, and improving coverage.

[0147] The positions of the PRACH slots (positions before and after the change) are not limited to the second and first positions, and may be other positions.

[0148] An example of a method for configuring PRACH resources has been described above.

[0149] As described above, in the present embodiment, base station 100 and terminal 200 determine PRACH resource configuration in time resources configured with SBFD symbols (for example, SBFD slots or subframes) by reinterpreting information on PRACH resource configuration in time resources configured with non-SBFD symbols (for example, an existing Random access configurations table). This makes it possible to appropriately configure PRACH resources on SBFD symbols in PRACH resource configuration for SBFD using an existing Random access configurations table. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the efficiency of PRACH resource configuration.

[0150] (Other Embodiments) Note that in one embodiment of the present disclosure, a configuration such as that shown in Fig. 10 may be assumed as PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals. In Fig. 10, "additionalRACH-SBFD-ConfigList-r19" is an example of a PRACH configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals. For example, in Fig. 10, PRACH resources are configured for SBFD-incompatible terminals by "rach-ConfigCommon" or "additionalRACH-ConfigList-r17", and PRACH resources are configured for SBFD-compatible terminals by "additionalRACH-SBFD-ConfigList-r19". PRACH resource configuration for SBFD-compatible terminals is realized by adding different parameters for SBFD-compatible terminals.

[0151] Furthermore, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, an operation of configuring a PRACH resource for an SBFD-compatible terminal on an UL symbol or a Flexible symbol may be supported. If this operation is supported, by configuring a PRACH resource used only by an SBFD-compatible terminal on an UL symbol or a Flexible symbol, the PRACH resource for the SBFD-compatible terminal can be increased, thereby improving the flexibility of PRACH resource configuration. For example, if this operation is not supported and a PRACH resource for an SBFD-compatible terminal is configured on an UL symbol or a Flexible symbol, the base station 100 and the terminal 200 may determine the PRACH resource as invalid (e.g., determine that the RO is not valid). For example, by limiting the PRACH resource for an SBFD-compatible terminal to only the SBFD symbol, the PRACH resource configuration can be separated into SBFD symbols and non-SBFD symbols, thereby simplifying management and processing for PRACH transmission. For example, by individually associating SSB with the PRACH resource for the PRACH resource on the SBFD symbol and the PRACH resource on the non-SBFD symbol, management and processing can be simplified.

[0152] Although the above embodiment describes a method for configuring the time resource of the PRACH, the frequency resource may be configured using an existing method. For example, the start position of the PRACH resource in the frequency domain in the SBFD symbol may be specified by configuration.

[0153] Also, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, if a configured PRACH resource collides with a DL symbol, the configured PRACH resource may be determined to be invalid (e.g., may be determined not to be a valid RO), similar to existing methods.

[0154] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, the unit of time domain resources is not limited to symbols and slots, and may be other time domain resources or other combinations of time domain resources.

[0155] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, a case where SBFD is applied is described, but an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied in addition to SBFD as long as the transmission direction (e.g., DL or UL) is set in multiple bands (e.g., subbands) obtained by dividing the frequency band.

[0156] In the above-described embodiments, values ​​such as the number of subbands, the number of DL subbands, the number of UL subbands, the number of slots, the number of symbols, the subframe positions, the slot positions, and the shift amounts are merely examples and are not limited thereto. Also, the subband configurations used in the above-described embodiments are merely examples, and the number of subbands and the arrangement order of DL subbands and UL subbands are not limited thereto.

[0157] In the above-described embodiment, the parameters (or parameter combinations) and the setting values ​​(candidate values) of each parameter shown in Tables 1 to 7 are merely examples, and other parameter combinations and other setting values ​​may be used. For example, the existing parameters are not limited to the parameters included in the Random access configurations table, and may be other parameters.

[0158] (Supplementary Note) Information indicating whether the terminal 200 supports the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments may be transmitted (or notified) from the terminal 200 to the base station 100, for example, as capability information or capability parameters of the terminal 200.

[0159] The capability information may include an information element (IE) that individually indicates whether or not the terminal 200 supports at least one of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments. Alternatively, the capability information may include an information element that indicates whether or not the terminal 200 supports a combination of any two or more of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments.

[0160] For example, the base station 100 may determine (or decide or assume) functions, operations, or processes that the terminal 200 that transmitted the capability information supports (or does not support) based on the capability information received from the terminal 200. The base station 100 may perform operations, processes, or controls according to the determination result based on the capability information. For example, the base station 100 may control resource configuration of a random access channel based on the capability information received from the terminal 200.

[0161] Note that the fact that terminal 200 does not support some of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments may be interpreted as meaning that such some of the functions, operations, or processes are restricted in terminal 200. For example, information or a request regarding such restrictions may be notified to base station 100.

[0162] Information regarding the capabilities or limitations of terminal 200 may, for example, be defined in a standard, or may be implicitly notified to base station 100 in association with information known at base station 100 or information transmitted to base station 100.

[0163] (Control Signal) In the present disclosure, a downlink control signal (or downlink control information) related to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a signal (or information) transmitted in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) of a physical layer, or a signal (or information) transmitted in a Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) or Radio Resource Control (RRC) of a higher layer. Furthermore, the signal (or information) is not limited to being notified by a downlink control signal, but may be predefined in a specification (or standard) or preconfigured in a base station and a terminal.

[0164] In the present disclosure, an uplink control signal (or uplink control information) related to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a signal (or information) transmitted in a PUCCH of a physical layer, or a signal (or information) transmitted in a MAC CE or RRC of a higher layer. Furthermore, the signal (or information) is not limited to being notified by an uplink control signal, but may be predefined in a specification (or standard) or preconfigured in a base station and a terminal. Furthermore, the uplink control signal may be replaced with, for example, uplink control information (UCI), 1st stage sidelink control information (SCI), or 2nd stage SCI.

[0165] (Base Station) In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may be a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a cluster head, an access point, a Remote Radio Head (RRH), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a parent device, a gateway, or the like. In sidelink communication, a terminal may play the role of a base station. Instead of a base station, a relay device that relays communication between an upper node and a terminal may be used. Alternatively, a roadside unit may be used.

[0166] (Uplink / Downlink / Sidelink) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to, for example, any of the uplink, downlink, and sidelink. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), or a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) in the uplink, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), a PDCCH, or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the downlink, or a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), or a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) in the sidelink.

[0167] The PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH are examples of a downlink control channel, a downlink data channel, an uplink data channel, and an uplink control channel, respectively. The PSCCH and PSSCH are examples of a sidelink control channel and a sidelink data channel. The PBCH and PSBCH are examples of a broadcast channel, and the PRACH is an example of a random access channel.

[0168] (Data Channel / Control Channel) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to, for example, either a data channel or a control channel. For example, the channel in an embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced with any of the data channels PDSCH, PUSCH, and PSSCH, or the control channels PDCCH, PUCCH, PBCH, PSCCH, and PSBCH.

[0169] (Reference Signal) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a reference signal is, for example, a signal known by both a base station and a mobile station, and may also be called a Reference Signal (RS) or a pilot signal. The reference signal may be any of a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0170] (Time Interval) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the unit of time resource is not limited to one or a combination of slots and symbols, but may be, for example, a time resource unit such as a frame, a superframe, a subframe, a slot, a time slot, a subslot, a minislot, a symbol, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) symbol, or another time resource unit. Furthermore, the number of symbols included in one slot is not limited to the number of symbols exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be another number of symbols.

[0171] (Frequency Band) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to either a licensed band or an unlicensed band.

[0172] (Communication) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to communication between a base station and a terminal (Uu link communication), communication between terminals (Sidelink communication), or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication. For example, the channel in an embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced with any of PSCCH, PSSCH, Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH), PSBCH, PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, or PBCH.

[0173] An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a terrestrial network, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) using a satellite or a high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS), or a terrestrial network in which transmission delay is large compared to the symbol length or slot length, such as a network with a large cell size or an ultra-wideband transmission network.

[0174] (SBFD) In ​​one embodiment of the present disclosure, operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols may be applied to symbols (e.g., SBFD symbols) on which SBFD (Subband Non-Overlapping Full Duplex, Subband Full Duplex) operations or controls are performed. In SBFD symbols, a frequency domain (or frequency resource, frequency band) is divided into multiple frequency domains (e.g., subbands, RB sets, subbands, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth Parts)). A terminal transmits and receives in different directions (e.g., downlink or uplink) in units of subbands, which are the divided domains. In SBFD symbols, a terminal may transmit and receive in one direction, either uplink or downlink, but not in the other direction. On the other hand, a base station may be capable of transmitting and receiving on both the uplink and downlink simultaneously. SBFD symbols may have a smaller frequency domain available for downlink transmission than symbols that transmit and receive only downlink transmission. Also, SBFD symbols may have a smaller frequency domain available for uplink transmission than symbols that transmit and receive only uplink transmission.

[0175] In addition, in the SBFD symbol, a terminal may transmit and receive uplink and downlink simultaneously. In this case, the frequency domain in which the terminal transmits and the frequency domain in which the terminal receives may not be adjacent, but may be separated by a frequency interval (also called a frequency gap).

[0176] In addition, different transmission and reception directions in subband units, which are divided areas, may include transmission and reception of side links.

[0177] (XDD: Cross Division Duplex) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation for uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols may be applied to symbols (e.g., full duplex symbols) where full duplex operation or control is performed. In a full duplex symbol, both the terminal and the base station can simultaneously transmit and receive on the uplink and downlink. In a full duplex symbol, the terminal and the base station may simultaneously transmit and receive in an available frequency region (or frequency resource, frequency band), or may simultaneously transmit and receive in a partial frequency region (i.e., transmission or reception may be performed in other frequency regions). In this case, the frequency region in which the base station or terminal transmits and receives may not be adjacent, but may have a frequency interval (also called a frequency gap). Furthermore, for the purpose of, for example, reducing interference, either the terminal or the base station may simultaneously transmit and receive (i.e., the other may transmit or receive).

[0178] In addition, full duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which a terminal can simultaneously transmit and receive sidelinks, or to an operation in which a terminal can simultaneously transmit and receive sidelinks and uplinks or downlinks.

[0179] (Antenna Port) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna port refers to a logical antenna (antenna group) consisting of one or more physical antennas. For example, an antenna port does not necessarily refer to a single physical antenna, but may refer to an array antenna consisting of multiple antennas. For example, the number of physical antennas that an antenna port is composed of is not specified, and the antenna port may be specified as the smallest unit by which a terminal station can transmit a reference signal. Furthermore, an antenna port may also be specified as the smallest unit by which a weighting of a precoding vector is multiplied.

[0180] <5G NR System Architecture and Protocol Stack> The 5G NR system architecture generally assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) including gNBs. The gNBs provide UE-side termination of the NG radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocols. The gNBs are connected to each other via an Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected to a Next Generation Core (NGC) via a Next Generation (NG) interface, more specifically to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (e.g., a specific core entity that performs AMF) via an NG-C interface, and to a User Plane Function (UPF) (e.g., a specific core entity that performs UPF) via an NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in Figure 11 (see, for example, 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, section 4).

[0181] <RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedure> This shows the NAS part of the interaction between the UE, gNB, and AMF (5GC entity) when the UE transitions from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0182] RRC is a higher layer signaling protocol used to configure the UE and gNB. The AMF prepares UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, UE security capabilities, etc.) and sends it to the gNB along with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. The gNB then activates AS security together with the UE. This is done by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE, and the UE responding with a SecurityModeComplete message to the gNB. The gNB then sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE, and upon receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE, the gNB performs reconfiguration to set up Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearer (DRB). For signaling-only connections, the steps related to RRCReconfiguration are omitted because SRB2 and DRB are not set up. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the setup procedure is complete with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0183] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a 5th Generation Core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) that includes: a control circuit that, upon operation, establishes a Next Generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB; and a transmitter that, upon operation, transmits an initial context setup message to the gNodeB via the NG connection so that a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE) is set up. Specifically, the gNodeB transmits Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, including a resource allocation configuration information element (IE), to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then transmits in uplink or receives in downlink based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0184] <QoS Control> The 5G Quality of Service (QoS) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require a guaranteed flow bit rate (Guaranteed Bit Rate QoS flows (GBR)) and QoS flows that do not require a guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS flows). Thus, at the NAS level, a QoS flow is the finest granularity of QoS classification in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS Flow ID (QFI) carried in an encapsulation header over the NG-U interface.

[0185] For each UE, 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes, for example, at least one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for each PDU session. Additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session can be configured later (when this is up to the NG-RAN). The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS-level packet filters in the UE and 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS flows, while AS-level mapping rules in the UE and NG-RAN associate UL and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0186] (Open-RAN) The base station described in each embodiment (for example, a 5G NR base station called a gNB) may be configured with three functional modules: a Centralized Unit (CU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Radio Unit (RU).

[0187] A CU may be referred to as a centralized node, aggregation node, central station, aggregation station, or centralized unit. A DU may be referred to as an O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), distributed node, distributed station, or distributed unit. An RU may be referred to as an O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU), radio equipment, radio node, radio station, antenna unit, or radio unit.

[0188] There are several split options for the functional split configuration (or functional split point) between CU, DU, and RU. The term "functional split point" is sometimes referred to as "split," "option," or "split option."

[0189] Examples of "division options" include the following division options 1 to 8. The functions of the base station described in each embodiment may be divided into a CU, a DU, and an RU by any of the following division options 1 to 8. For example, the CU, DU, and RU may be functionally divided, or the functions may be divided only between the CU and DU or only between the DU and RU. (1) Segmentation option 1: Between RRC (radio resource control) and PDCP (2) Segmentation option 2: Between PDCP and RLC (High-RLC) (3) Segmentation option 3: Between High-RLC and Low-RLC (4) Segmentation option 4: Between RLC (Low-RLC) and MAC (High-MAC) (5) Segmentation option 5: Between High-MAC and Low-MAC (6) Segmentation option 6: Between MAC (Low-MAC) and PHY (High-PHY) (7) Segmentation option 7: Between High-PHY and Low-PHY (8) Segmentation option 8: Between PHY (Low-PHY) and RF

[0190] The functional split point between the CU and O-DU may be split option 2. The section between the CU and O-DU is called midhaul, and the F1 interface is specified by 3GPP. The section between the O-DU and O-RU is called fronthaul, and the functional split point may be split option 7-2x, which is adopted as the O-RAN fronthaul specification.

[0191] Figure 12 shows an example of functional division of the gNB base station functions into CU, O-DU, and O-RU using Split Option 2 and Split Option 7-2x.

[0192] The CU may have, for example, a radio resource control (RRC) function, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) function, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) function.

[0193] The O-DU may include, for example, a radio link control (RLC) function, a MAC function, and a higher physical layer (HIGH-PHY) function. The HIGH-PHY function may include an encoding function, a scrambling function, a modulation function, a layer mapping function, a precoding function, and a resource element (RE) mapping function for downlink (DL) transmission. The HIGH-PHY function may also include a decoding function, a descrambling function, a demodulation function, a layer demapping function, and a resource element (RE) demapping function for uplink (UL) reception.

[0194] The O-RU may have, for example, a LOW-PHY function and an RF function. The LOW-PHY function may also have, for downlink transmission, a beamforming function, an IFFT (Inverse First Fourier Transform) + CP (Cyclic Prefix) assignment function, and a D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion function. The LOW-PHY function may also have, for uplink reception, an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion function, a CP removal + FFT (First Fourier Transform) function, and a beamforming function.

[0195] In addition, if the O-DU does not have a precoding function, the O-RU may have a precoding function.

[0196] The O-RU may have a function related to LBT (listen before talk). The evolving common public radio interface (eCPRI) is specified as the communication method between the O-DU and the O-RU in Split Option 7-2x. In Split Option 7-2x, eCPRI transmits and receives sampling sequences of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the OFDM signal in the frequency domain, as well as information used for beamforming in the antenna and time synchronization signals.

[0197] Information transmitted by the signals described in each embodiment (PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, MAC CE, RRC, etc.) may be transmitted between the O-DU and the O-RU via the eCPRI User Plane (U-Plane) or Control Plane (C-Plane).

[0198] When the functions described in each embodiment are performed in the O-RU by functional division, the O-DU may control the O-RU by transmitting information for controlling the functions via a control signal (e.g., eCPRI) between the O-DU and the O-RU.

[0199] When the functions described in each embodiment are performed in the O-DU by functional division, the O-RU may receive the results of the functions performed in the O-DU via a control signal (e.g., eCPRI) and control the O-RU based on the received results.

[0200] The CU, O-DU, and O-RU may be deployed in physically different devices with their respective functions connected by optical fiber or the like, or some or all of their functions may be deployed in the same physical device.

[0201] The CU and O-DU may be logical entities implemented as software running on a server in the cloud or the like as a virtualized RAN (virtual Radio Access Network: vRAN). Also, some or all of the functions of the CU and O-DU may be provided as a virtualized network function (Network Functions Virtualization: NFV) service.

[0202] The transceiver does not have to be a radio transceiver, but may be, for example, a network transceiver, an optical transceiver, etc. The radio resources allocated by the O-DU may be resources for wireless communication between the O-RU and the UE.

[0203] The present disclosure can be realized in software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware.

[0204] Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0205] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0206] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0207] The present disclosure may be implemented in any type of apparatus, device, or system (collectively referred to as a communications apparatus) that has a communications function. The communications apparatus may include a radio transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The radio transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, or both functions. The radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) may include a radio frequency (RF) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or the like. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include telephones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (e.g., digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, communication-enabled vehicles or mobile transportation (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and combinations of the above devices.

[0208] The communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but also include any kind of non-portable or fixed equipment, devices, and systems, such as smart home devices (such as home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or measuring devices, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and any other "things" that may exist on an IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0209] Communications include data communications via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, communication satellite systems, and the like, as well as data communications via combinations of these.

[0210] A communications apparatus also includes devices such as controllers and sensors connected or coupled to a communications device that performs the communications functions described in this disclosure, such as controllers and sensors that generate control and data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0211] The communication apparatus also includes infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicates with or controls the various apparatuses listed above, but are not limited to these.

[0212] A base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and a receiving circuit that receives a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

[0213] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, replaces the subframe number or slot number included in the information regarding the second setting with another number.

[0214] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit replaces some of the plurality of subframe numbers or the plurality of slot numbers included in the information about the second setting with other numbers.

[0215] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit replaces all of the plurality of subframe numbers or the plurality of slot numbers included in the information about the second setting with other numbers.

[0216] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, adds another number to the subframe number or slot number included in the information regarding the second setting.

[0217] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and in determining the first setting, the control circuit shifts the subframe number or slot number included in the information about the second setting and adds another number to the subframe number or slot number after the shift.

[0218] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuitry performs the shifting based on a predefined or signaled shift amount.

[0219] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the control circuit performs the shifting until the subframe number or slot number after the shifting is different from the subframe number or slot number included in the information related to the second setting.

[0220] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the information regarding the second setting includes a subframe number, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, makes the slot position within the subframe of the subframe number different between the first time resource and the second time resource.

[0221] A terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and a receiving circuit that transmits a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

[0222] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and receives a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

[0223] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a terminal determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and transmits a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

[0224] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-013289, filed on January 31, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0225] One embodiment of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0226] 100 Base station 101, 201 Receiving unit 102, 202 Demapping unit 103, 203 Demodulation and decoding unit 104 Preamble detection unit 105 Scheduling unit 106 RO control unit 107, 206 Control information holding unit 108, 208 Data and control information generation unit 109, 209 Encoding and modulation unit 110, 210 Mapping unit 111, 211 Transmission unit 200 Terminal 204 RO determination unit 205 Control unit 207 Preamble generation unit

Claims

1. A base station comprising: a control circuit that determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information relating to a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource; and a receiving circuit that receives a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and the control circuit replaces a subframe number or slot number included in information relating to the second setting with another number when determining the first setting.

3. The base station according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit replaces some of the plurality of subframe numbers or the plurality of slot numbers included in the information relating to the second setting with other numbers.

4. The base station according to claim 2, wherein the control circuit replaces all of the plurality of subframe numbers or the plurality of slot numbers included in the information relating to the second setting with other numbers.

5. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, adds another number to the subframe number or slot number included in the information relating to the second setting.

6. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the first time resource and the second time resource are subframes or slots, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, shifts a subframe number or slot number included in information relating to the second setting and adds another number to the subframe number or slot number after the shift.

7. The base station according to claim 6, wherein the control circuit performs the shift based on a predefined or signaled shift amount.

8. The base station according to claim 6, wherein the control circuit performs the shift until the subframe number or slot number after the shift differs from the subframe number or slot number included in the information relating to the second setting.

9. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the information regarding the second setting includes a subframe number, and the control circuit, in determining the first setting, causes the slot position within the subframe of the subframe number to differ between the first time resource and the second time resource.

10. A terminal comprising: a control circuit that determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource; and a receiving circuit that transmits a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

11. A communication method in which a base station determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and receives a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

12. A communication method in which a terminal determines a first setting of resources for a random access channel in a first time resource in which a frequency band is divided into multiple bands by interpreting information regarding a second setting of resources for the random access channel in a second time resource different from the first time resource, and transmits a signal of the random access channel based on the first setting.

Images