Method and apparatus in wireless communication system

The ambient IoT frame structure addresses the challenges of low-cost, low-power AIoT devices by enabling efficient communication through a broadcast channel with synchronization signals, supporting diverse UE capabilities and reducing power consumption.

WO2025170369A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2025-08-14SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
PCT/KR2025/001852
Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Priority Date
2024-02-08
Filing Date
2025-02-07
Publication Date
2025-08-14

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wireless communication technologies face challenges in efficiently supporting low-cost, low-power Ambient IoT (AIoT) devices due to their simple structure and different communication principles, which prevent deployment in traditional cell networks, and require enhanced methods for signal transmission and reception.

Method used

A method and apparatus for providing an ambient IoT frame structure that includes a broadcast channel with specific signals and channels, such as synchronization signals, for efficient communication in wireless systems, allowing synchronization before signal transmission or reception, and supporting various UE capabilities and signal durations.

Benefits of technology

Enables efficient communication for Ambient IoT devices by reducing costs and power consumption through simplified signal transmission methods, such as backscattering, and supports diverse UE capabilities and signal formats.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method and an apparatus in a wireless communication system are disclosed, the method including: receiving a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal; and receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel, wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting the at least one signal or channel.
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Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS IN WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus in a wireless communication system.

[0002] 5G mobile communication technologies define broad frequency bands such that high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can be implemented not only in "Sub 6GHz" bands such as 3.5GHz, but also in "Above 6GHz" bands referred to as mmWave including 28GHz and 39GHz. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technologies (referred to as Beyond 5G systems) in terahertz bands (for example, 95GHz to 3THz bands) in order to accomplish transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technologies and ultra-low latencies one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technologies.

[0003] At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technologies, in order to support services and to satisfy performance requirements in connection with enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization regarding beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio-wave path loss and increasing radio-wave transmission distances in mmWave, supporting numerologies (for example, operating multiple subcarrier spacings) for efficiently utilizing mmWave resources and dynamic operation of slot formats, initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and broadbands, definition and operation of BWP (BandWidth Part), new channel coding methods such as a LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code for large amount of data transmission and a polar code for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing for providing a dedicated network specialized to a specific service.

[0004] Currently, there are ongoing discussions regarding improvement and performance enhancement of initial 5G mobile communication technologies in view of services to be supported by 5G mobile communication technologies, and there has been physical layer standardization regarding technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) for aiding driving determination by autonomous vehicles based on information regarding positions and states of vehicles transmitted by the vehicles and for enhancing user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) aimed at system operations conforming to various regulation-related requirements in unlicensed bands, NR UE Power Saving, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) which is UE-satellite direct communication for providing coverage in an area in which communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.

[0005] Moreover, there has been ongoing standardization in air interface architecture / protocol regarding technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interworking and convergence with other industries, IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for providing a node for network service area expansion by supporting a wireless backhaul link and an access link in an integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover, and two-step random access for simplifying random access procedures (2-step RACH for NR). There also has been ongoing standardization in system architecture / service regarding a 5G baseline architecture (for example, service based architecture or service based interface) for combining Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE positions.

[0006] As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devices that have been exponentially increasing will be connected to communication networks, and it is accordingly expected that enhanced functions and performances of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To this end, new research is scheduled in connection with eXtended Reality (XR) for efficiently supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) and the like, 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication.

[0007] Furthermore, such development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a basis for developing not only new waveforms for providing coverage in terahertz bands of 6G mobile communication technologies, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas and large-scale antennas, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional space multiplexing technology using OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum), and RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), but also full-duplex technology for increasing frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technologies and improving system networks, AI-based communication technology for implementing system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technology for implementing services at levels of complexity exceeding the limit of UE operation capability by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources.

[0008] In order to meet the increasing demand for wireless data communication services since the deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved 5G or pre-5G communication systems. Therefore, 5G or pre-5G communication systems are also called "Beyond 4G networks" or "Post-LTE systems".

[0009] In order to achieve a higher data rate, 5G communication systems are implemented in higher frequency (millimeter, mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands. In order to reduce propagation loss of radio waves and increase a transmission distance, technologies such as beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming and large-scale antenna are discussed in 5G communication systems.

[0010] In addition, in 5G communication systems, developments of system network improvement are underway based on advanced small cell, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation, etc.

[0011] In 5G systems, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies have been developed.

[0012] The present disclosure relates to a method and apparatus for providing an ambient IoT frame structure.

[0013] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system including: receiving a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal; and receiving and / or transmitting the at least one signal or channel, wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.

[0014] In some implementations, a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located includes at least one of the following signals or channels: the synchronization signal; the signal for indicating UE selection; the signal or channel for random access; the uplink control signal or control channel; the downlink control signal or control channel; the uplink data signal or data channel; the downlink data signal or data channel; the CW; and the charging signal.

[0015] In some implementations, the charging signal includes at least one of: an uplink signal and / or a downlink signal in any communication process; a signal transmitted and / or received by a base station or an intermediate node; any wireless signal in an environment in which the UE is located; and the CW.

[0016] In some implementations, the broadcast channel further includes at least one of: information of a length of an information bit corresponding to a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located; information of a length of a transmission time corresponding to a time unit in which the broadcast channel is located; information of a usage corresponding to the communication process; configuration information associated with the at least one signal or channel; information associated with the synchronization signal; information of a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the at least one signal or channel; a rate and / or coding efficiency corresponding to an uplink transmission and / or a downlink transmission in the communication process; and an operation mode corresponding to the communication process.

[0017] In some implementations, the method further includes determining whether a signal or channel received by the UE is the broadcast channel according to at least one of: a position of the received signal or channel; a signal type indicator or a channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal or channel; and a coding mode corresponding to the received signal or channel.

[0018] In some implementations, the signal for indicating UE selection includes information of a UE that is required to receive the communication process in which the signal for indicating UE selection is located, wherein the information of the UE includes at least one of an identifier (ID) of at least one UE, an ID of at least one UE group, and a range of at least one UE ID.

[0019] In some implementations, when a second signal or channel in the communication process is received, a start position of the second signal or channel is determined based on a first indicator; and / or an end position of the at least one signal or channel is determined based on a second indicator; and / or when the second signal or channel in the communication process is transmitted, the start position of the second signal or channel is indicated based on the first indicator, and / or the end position of the at least one signal or channel is indicated based on the second indicator.

[0020] In some implementations, the second signal or channel is at least one of: the broadcast channel; the signal for indicating UE selection; the signal or channel for random access; the uplink control signal or control channel; the downlink control signal or control channel; the uplink data signal or data channel; and the downlink data signal or data channel.

[0021] In some implementations, when the second signal or channel is received, if there is a second synchronization signal located within a predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is determined based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the start position is determined based on the first indicator; and / or when the second signal or channel is transmitted, if the second synchronization signal is transmitted within the predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is indicated based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the first indicator is transmitted at the start position, and the start position is indicated based on the first indicator.

[0022] In some implementations, the synchronization signal includes at least one of: a first synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the communication process; a second synchronization signal transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel; and a third synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from that of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal.

[0023] In some implementations, the third synchronization signal includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a signal or channel; a synchronization signal transmitted between two signals or channels; and a synchronization signal transmitted at a time-domain position determined based on a preset time order relationship.

[0024] In some implementations, when the third synchronization signal is the synchronization signal transmitted in the middle of the signal or channel, there is a third indicator before the third synchronization signal to indicate interruption of the signal or channel, and / or a fourth indicator after the third synchronization signal to indicate continuous transmission of the signal or channel.

[0025] In some implementations, the third synchronization signal transmitted at the time-domain position determined based on the preset time order relationship includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point; a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point, wherein the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal is not in the time window; a synchronization signal transmitted after a time window with a length of T or at least T, or every time window with a length of T or at least T.

[0026] In some implementations, when a duration of a signal or channel exceeds T, the third synchronization signal is transmitted in a middle of the signal or channel.

[0027] In some implementations, the reference time point includes at least one of: a start position of the communication process; a start position and / or an end position of at least one first synchronization signal; a start position and / or an end position of at least one second synchronization signal; a start position and / or an end position of another or previous or last third synchronization signal; a start position and / or an end position of at least one downlink signal and / or channel; and a start position and / or an end position of at least one uplink signal and / or channel.

[0028] In some implementations, when the synchronization signal is transmitted at a start position of the communication process, the start position of the communication process is determined according to the synchronization signal.

[0029] In some implementations, when the synchronization signal is transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel, the start position of the at least one signal or channel is determined according to the synchronization signal.

[0030] In some implementations, the broadcast channel further includes information for indicating whether the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal is included in the communication process.

[0031] In some implementations, the method further includes reporting a capability of whether transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is supported.

[0032] In some implementations, when a signal or channel is transmitted to multiple UEs, whether the third synchronization signal is transmitted is determined based on a capability of at least one of the multiple UEs.

[0033] In some implementations, a position of the third synchronization signal is determined based on a capability of the UE to support transmitting and / or receiving the third synchronization signal in a middle of at least one signal or channel.

[0034] In some implementations, when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal or channel, a length of an information bit corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, wherein a value of N is determined based on a capability of the UE.

[0035] In some implementations, if the capability of the UE does not support transmitting and / or receiving the third synchronization signal, or does not support transmitting and / or receiving the third synchronization signal in a middle of other signals or channels, N=N1, otherwise, N=N2, where N1 and N2 are values indicated in the broadcast channel, configured or preset.

[0036] In some implementations, a gap G between two adjacent signals or channels in the communication process is equal to or greater than 0, and a value and / or a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the gap G is configured and / or preset and / or indicated in the signal or channel.

[0037] In some implementations, the gap G includes at least one of: a gap G1 between a time point at which the charging signal and / or the carrier wave starts to transmit and a start position of the communication process; a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the communication process and a start position of a first synchronization signal in the communication process; a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the broadcast channel; a gap G3-2 between a first synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the signal for indicating UE selection; a gap G4 between an end position of the broadcast channel and a start position of a subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or a start position of a subsequent payload signal; a gap G5-1 between at least two signals or channels among signals or channels for random access; a gap G5-2 between at least two signals or channels in a payload signal; a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal; a gap G6 between an end position of a second synchronization signal transmitted before other at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the other at least one signal or channel and the start position of the other at least one signal or channel; a gap G7-1 between a start position of a third synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process that is not at the start position of the communication process or before the other at least one signal or channel or at the start position of the other at least one signal or channel and an end position of a previous signal or channel; and a gap G7-2 between an end position of the third synchronization signal and an end position of a next signal or channel.

[0038] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system including: transmitting a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal; and receiving and / or transmitting the at least one signal or channel, wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.

[0039] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a user equipment (UE) including: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

[0040] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a node including: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

[0041] According to embodiments of the present disclosure, efficient communication can be achieved.

[0042] In order to illustrate the technical schemes of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly introduced below. Apparently, the drawings described below only refer to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the disclosure. In the drawings:

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example wireless network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0044] FIG. 2a illustrates example wireless transmission and reception paths according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] FIG. 2b illustrates example wireless transmission and reception paths according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] FIG. 3a illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0047] FIG. 3b illustrates an example gNB according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0048] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] FIG. 5a illustrates diagrams of signal structures transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050] FIG. 5b illustrates diagrams of signal structures transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051] FIG. 5c illustrates diagrams of signal structures transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052] FIG. 6a illustrates diagrams of synchronization signals transmitted based on a reference time point according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0053] FIG. 6b illustrates diagrams of synchronization signals transmitted based on a reference time point according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0054] FIG. 6c illustrates diagrams of synchronization signals transmitted based on a reference time point according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0055] FIG. 7a illustrates diagrams of signals and / or channels transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0056] FIG. 7b illustrates diagrams of signals and / or channels transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0057] FIG. 7c illustrates diagrams of signals and / or channels transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0058] FIG. 8 illustrates a diagram of gaps between signals and / or channels transmitted in a physical layer frame structure according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0059] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

[0060] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a node according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0061] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

[0062] The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0063] It is to be understood that the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to "a component surface" includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

[0064] The term "include" or "may include" refers to the existence of a corresponding disclosed function, operation or component which can be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. The terms such as "include" and / or "have" may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0065] The term "or" used in various embodiments of the present disclosure includes any or all of combinations of listed words. For example, the expression "A or B" may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

[0066] Unless defined differently, all terms used herein, which include technical terminologies or scientific terminologies, have the same meaning as that understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0068] The wireless network 100 includes a gNodeB (gNB) 101, a gNB 102, and a gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network 130, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0069] Depending on a type of the network, other well-known terms such as "base station" or "access point" can be used instead of "gNodeB" or "gNB". For convenience, the terms "gNodeB" and "gNB" are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access for remote terminals. And, depending on the type of the network, other well-known terms such as "mobile station", "user station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal" or "user apparatus" can be used instead of "user equipment" or "UE". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to remote wireless devices that wirelessly access the gNB, no matter whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a smart phone) or a fixed device (such as a desktop computer or a vending machine).

[0070] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) within a coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs include a UE 111, which may be located in a Small Business (SB); a UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi Hotspot (HS); a UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R); a UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop computer, a wireless PDA, etc. GNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs include a UE 115 and a UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101-103 can communicate with each other and with UEs 111-116 using 5G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A, WiMAX or other advanced wireless communication technologies.

[0071] The dashed lines show approximate ranges of the coverage areas 120 and 125, and the ranges are shown as approximate circles merely for illustration and explanation purposes. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with the gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120 and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on configurations of the gNBs and changes in the radio environment associated with natural obstacles and man-made obstacles.

[0072] As will be described in more detail below, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 include a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 support codebook designs and structures for systems with 2D antenna arrays.

[0073] Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the wireless network 100, various changes can be made to FIG. 1. The wireless network 100 can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement, for example. Furthermore, gNB 101 can directly communicate with any number of UEs and provide wireless broadband access to the network 130 for those UEs. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 can directly communicate with the network 130 and provide direct wireless broadband access to the network 130 for the UEs. In addition, gNB 101, 102 and / or 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

[0074] FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate example wireless transmission and reception paths according to the present disclosure. In the following description, the transmission path 200 can be described as being implemented in a gNB, such as gNB 102, and the reception path 250 can be described as being implemented in a UE, such as UE 116. However, it should be understood that the reception path 250 can be implemented in a gNB and the transmission path 200 can be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, the reception path 250 is configured to support codebook designs and structures for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0075] The transmission path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block 205, a Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 210, a size N Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) block 215, a Parallel-to-Serial (P-to-S) block 220, a cyclic prefix addition block 225, and an up-converter (UC) 230. The reception path 250 includes a down-converter (DC) 255, a cyclic prefix removal block 260, a Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 265, a size N Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) block 270, a Parallel-to-Serial (P-to-S) block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

[0076] In the transmission path 200, the channel coding and modulation block 205 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency-domain modulated symbols. The Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 210 converts (such as demultiplexes) serial modulated symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is a size of the IFFT / FFT used in gNB 102 and UE 116. The size N IFFT block 215 performs IFFT operations on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time-domain output signal. The Parallel-to-Serial block 220 converts (such as multiplexes) parallel time-domain output symbols from the Size N IFFT block 215 to generate a serial time-domain signal. The cyclic prefix addition block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time-domain signal. The up-converter 230 modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the cyclic prefix addition block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at a baseband before switching to the RF frequency.

[0077] The RF signal transmitted from gNB 102 arrives at UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and operations in reverse to those at gNB 102 are performed at UE 116. The down-converter 255 down-converts the received signal to a baseband frequency, and the cyclic prefix removal block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. The Serial-to-Parallel block 265 converts the time-domain baseband signal into a parallel time-domain signal. The Size N FFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. The Parallel-to-Serial block 275 converts the parallel frequency-domain signal into a sequence of modulated data symbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0078] Each of gNBs 101-103 may implement a transmission path 200 similar to that for transmitting to UEs 111-116 in the downlink, and may implement a reception path 250 similar to that for receiving from UEs 111-116 in the uplink. Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 may implement a transmission path 200 for transmitting to gNBs 101-103 in the uplink, and may implement a reception path 250 for receiving from gNBs 101-103 in the downlink.

[0079] Each of the components in FIGs. 2a and 2b can be implemented using only hardware, or using a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example, at least some of the components in FIGs. 2a and 2b may be implemented in software, while other components may be implemented in configurable hardware or a combination of software and configurable hardware. For example, the FFT block 270 and IFFT block 215 may be implemented as configurable software algorithms, in which the value of the size N may be modified according to the implementation.

[0080] Furthermore, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is only illustrative and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms can be used, such as Discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions. It should be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer which is a power of 2 (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

[0081] Although FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate examples of wireless transmission and reception paths, various changes may be made to FIGs. 2a and 2b. For example, various components in FIGs. 2a and 2b can be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific requirements. Furthermore, FIGs. 2a and 2b are intended to illustrate examples of types of transmission and reception paths that can be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture can be used to support wireless communication in a wireless network.

[0082] FIG. 3a illustrates an example UE 116 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of UE 116 shown in FIG. 3a is for illustration only, and UEs 111-115 of FIG. 1 can have the same or similar configuration. However, a UE has various configurations, and FIG. 3a does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation of the UE.

[0083] UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 310, a transmission (TX) processing circuit 315, a microphone 320, and a reception (RX) processing circuit 325. UE 116 also includes a speaker 330, a processor / controller 340, an input / output (I / O) interface 345, an input device(s) 350, a display 355, and a memory 360. The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0084] The RF transceiver 310 receives an incoming RF signal transmitted by a gNB of the wireless network 100 from the antenna 305. The RF transceiver 310 down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is transmitted to the RX processing circuit 325, where the RX processing circuit 325 generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuit 325 transmits the processed baseband signal to speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to processor / controller 340 for further processing (such as for web browsing data).

[0085] The TX processing circuit 315 receives analog or digital voice data from microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as network data, email or interactive video game data) from processor / controller 340. The TX processing circuit 315 encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuit 315 and up-converts the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via the antenna 305.

[0086] The processor / controller 340 can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute an OS 361 stored in the memory 360 in order to control the overall operation of UE 116. For example, the processor / controller 340 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of backward channel signals through the RF transceiver 310, the RX processing circuit 325 and the TX processing circuit 315 according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0087] The processor / controller 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs residing in the memory 360, such as operations for channel quality measurement and reporting for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor / controller 340 can move data into or out of the memory 360 as required by an execution process. In some embodiments, the processor / controller 340 is configured to execute the application 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to signals received from the gNB or the operator. The processor / controller 340 is also coupled to an I / O interface 345, where the I / O interface 345 provides UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. I / O interface 345 is a communication path between these accessories and the processor / controller 340.

[0088] The processor / controller 340 is also coupled to the input device(s) 350 and the display 355. An operator of UE 116 can input data into UE 116 using the input device(s) 350. The display 355 may be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of presenting text and / or at least limited graphics (such as from a website). The memory 360 is coupled to the processor / controller 340. A part of the memory 360 can include a random access memory (RAM), while another part of the memory 360 can include a flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0089] Although FIG. 3a illustrates an example of UE 116, various changes can be made to FIG. 3a. For example, various components in FIG. 3a can be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific requirements. As a specific example, the processor / controller 340 can be divided into a plurality of processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Furthermore, although FIG. 3a illustrates that the UE 116 is configured as a mobile phone or a smart phone, UEs can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or fixed devices.

[0090] FIG. 3b illustrates an example gNB 102 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of gNB 102 shown in FIG. 3b is for illustration only, and other gNBs of FIG. 1 can have the same or similar configuration. However, a gNB has various configurations, and FIG. 3b does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation of a gNB. It should be noted that gNB 101 and gNB 103 can include the same or similar structures as gNB 102.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 3b, gNB 102 includes a plurality of antennas 370a-370n, a plurality of RF transceivers 372a-372n, a transmission (TX) processing circuit 374, and a reception (RX) processing circuit 376. In certain embodiments, one or more of the plurality of antennas 370a-370n include a 2D antenna array. gNB 102 also includes a controller / processor 378, a memory 380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

[0092] RF transceivers 372a-372n receive an incoming RF signal from antennas 370a-370n, such as a signal transmitted by UEs or other gNBs. RF transceivers 372a-372n down-convert the incoming RF signal to generate an IF or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is transmitted to the RX processing circuit 376, where the RX processing circuit 376 generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. RX processing circuit 376 transmits the processed baseband signal to controller / processor 378 for further processing.

[0093] The TX processing circuit 374 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, network data, email or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 378. TX processing circuit 374 encodes, multiplexes and / or digitizes outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceivers 372a-372n receive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from TX processing circuit 374 and up-convert the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via antennas 370a-370n.

[0094] The controller / processor 378 can include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 378 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of backward channel signals through the RF transceivers 372a-372n, the RX processing circuit 376 and the TX processing circuit 374 according to well-known principles. The controller / processor 378 can also support additional functions, such as higher-level wireless communication functions. For example, the controller / processor 378 can perform a Blind Interference Sensing (BIS) process such as that performed through a BIS algorithm, and decode a received signal from which an interference signal is subtracted. A controller / processor 378 may support any of a variety of other functions in gNB 102. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0095] The controller / processor 378 is also capable of executing programs and other processes residing in the memory 380, such as a basic OS. The controller / processor 378 can also support channel quality measurement and reporting for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the controller / processor 378 supports communication between entities such as web RTCs. The controller / processor 378 can move data into or out of the memory 380 as required by an execution process.

[0096] The controller / processor 378 is also coupled to the backhaul or network interface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems through a backhaul connection or through a network. The backhaul or network interface 382 can support communication over any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when gNB 102 is implemented as a part of a cellular communication system, such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G or new radio access technology or NR, LTE or LTE-A, the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs through wired or wireless backhaul connections. When gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network, such as the Internet, through a wired or wireless local area network or through a wired or wireless connection. The backhaul or network interface 382 includes any suitable structure that supports communication through a wired or wireless connection, such as an Ethernet or an RF transceiver.

[0097] The memory 380 is coupled to the controller / processor 378. A part of the memory 380 can include an RAM, while another part of the memory 380 can include a flash memory or other ROMs. In certain embodiments, a plurality of instructions, such as the BIS algorithm, are stored in the memory. The plurality of instructions are configured to cause the controller / processor 378 to execute the BIS process and decode the received signal after subtracting at least one interference signal determined by the BIS algorithm.

[0098] As will be described in more detail below, the transmission and reception paths of gNB 102 (implemented using RF transceivers 372a-372n, TX processing circuit 374 and / or RX processing circuit 376) support aggregated communication with FDD cells and TDD cells.

[0099] Although FIG. 3b illustrates an example of gNB 102, various changes may be made to FIG. 3b. For example, gNB 102 can include any number of each component shown in FIG. 3a. As a specific example, the access point can include many backhaul or network interfaces 382, and the controller / processor 378 can support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another specific example, although shown as including a single instance of the TX processing circuit 374 and a single instance of the RX processing circuit 376, gNB 102 can include multiple instances of each (such as one for each RF transceiver).

[0100] In order to make the purpose, technical schemes and advantages of the present application clearer, the implementations of the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0101] The text and drawings are provided as examples only to help readers understand the present disclosure. They are not intended and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, based on the content disclosed herein, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications to the illustrated embodiments and examples can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0102] In the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology includes Machine Type Communication (MTC) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). These two kinds of communication technologies have the characteristics of low cost, low power consumption, high delay, wide coverage, large-scale access and so on, and can be used in Internet of Things scenarios such as smart cities, smart factories and remote meter reading.

[0103] The Internet of Things technology has the characteristics of low cost, low power consumption, supporting large-scale connection and so on, and is usually used in smart factories, smart medical care, urban management and other application scenarios with a large number of devices and emphasis on cost control to achieve the communication effect of the Internet of Everything.

[0104] IoT devices receive downlink signals and transmit uplink signals in different ways from traditional wireless communication. Ambient IoT (AIoT) devices are a kind of low-end IoT devices with low cost and low power consumption. In the application, because the transmission of such IoT devices mainly depends on ambient signals, they are called Ambient IoT devices, which are named mainly for convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of devices.

[0105] Ambient IoT devices can receive downlink signals and send uplink signals on the basis of charging their own batteries or external signals. The methods of receiving downlink signals and sending uplink signals of Ambient IoT devices are different from traditional wireless communication methods. The downlink reception is mainly based on envelope detection, and the uplink transmission can be based on backscattering. The backscattering technology means that the device modulates the carrier wave (CW) existing in the environment or transmitted by other nodes, modulates its own information on the CW transmitted by other nodes, and reflects the modulated CW, thus completing the transmission of uplink signals. The transmitting device that transmits signals based on backscattering cannot generate carrier waves carrying information, thus eliminating the need for radio frequency circuits such as amplifiers and mixers of traditional communication devices, thus greatly reducing the cost of the device and the demand for power supply or batteries.

[0106] The AIoT device cannot be deployed and operated in traditional cell communication due to its simple structure and different basic communication principles from traditional wireless communication methods, so it needs to be enhanced.

[0107] In an AIoT system, the transmission of signals / channels such as data and services can be directly transmitted between a base station and an AIoT node (such as tag device); it can also be transmitted via an intermediate node, for example, the base station transmits information related to the AIoT system to the intermediate node, and the intermediate node transmits data to the AIoT node; and the AIoT node transmits the data to the intermediate node, and the intermediate node transmits the information related to the AIoT system to the base station.

[0108] In the specification, for the services in the AIoT system, with a similar principle to the traditional cell communication, the transmission transmitted by the base station or by the intermediate node to the AIoT node is called downlink transmission, and the transmission transmitted by the AIoT node to the base station or to the intermediate node is called uplink transmission. In addition, the transmission related to the AIoT system that is transmitted by the base station to the intermediate node can also be called downlink transmission, and the transmission related to the AIoT system that is transmitted by the intermediate node to the base station can be called uplink transmission. Unless otherwise specified in the specification, the uplink / downlink transmission corresponds to the relationship between the transmitting and receiving nodes, and is not used to limit whether the transmission occurs on uplink or downlink resources. For example, the uplink transmission in the AIoT system can also be transmitted and received in the downlink spectrum in an FDD system, and the downlink transmission in the AIoT system can also be transmitted and received in the uplink slot in a TDD system.

[0109] The base station in the specification can also be replaced by other devices, such as communication devices as plug-in attachments of the base station, relay nodes, IAB nodes, repeater nodes and sidelink nodes. Any mechanism applicable to the base station in the specification can also be similarly used in the scenario where the base station is replaced by other nodes, and the description are not redundantly repeated. The difference between the communication devices of plug-in attachments of the base station and the base station may include: the devices can transmit DL signals / channels on the UL spectrum in the FDD system and on the UL time unit in the TDD system, including transmitting DL signals / channels corresponding to the communication between the base station and the UE and the communication between the base station and the AIoT device.

[0110] The intermediate node in the specification may be at least one of a relay node, an IAB node, a repeater node, and a sidelink node.

[0111] The UE in the specification includes a device node in the AIoT system, which can be a specific type of node or device, such as a tag type of device.

[0112] In the embodiment of the application, below a threshold can also be replaced by below or equal to the threshold, above (exceeding) the threshold can also be replaced by above or equal to the threshold, less than or equal to can also be replaced by less than, greater than or equal to can also be replaced by greater than; and vice versa.

[0113] In the embodiment of the application, unless otherwise specified, configuration information includes at least one of information configured by the base station, indicated in the received signaling, configured by the higher layer and preconfigured. Further, it can be a set of configuration information obtained by the above method; it can also be multiple sets of configuration information obtained by the above method, and the UE or node can select a set of configuration information to use according to predefined conditions; it can also be a set of configuration information obtained by the above method, and the set of configuration information includes multiple subsets, and the UE or node can select a subset to use according to predefined conditions.

[0114] In the specification, a physical layer frame structure is described, which can be used in the AIoT system, further, for the communication between the UE (such as an AIoT node as a tag device) and the base station in the AIoT system, and / or the communication between the UE and an intermediate node. In the specification, the physical layer frame structure is described as an example, but the specification is not limited to this. For example, in the specification, the physical layer frame structure and communication process can be used interchangeably, and for another example, the physical layer frame structure or communication process can also be used interchangeably with a communication burst. Further, the physical layer frame structure, communication process and communication burst include all AIoT transmissions within a period of time when there are AIoT transmissions, which may be frames, slots or time units.

[0115] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In S401, a broadcast channel is received, which includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, where the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, an downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal. In S402, the at least one signal or channel is received and / or transmitted. Optionally, synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.

[0116] In various embodiments, the UE receives a broadcast channel, which includes information for indicating a type of a signal / channel, and the type includes at least one of: a signal for indicating UE selection, a signal / channel for random access, an uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel, an uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel, a carrier wave (CW), and a charging signal; the UE receives and / or transmits the signal / channel based on information indicating the type of the signal / channel included in the broadcast channel; before receiving and / or transmitting at least one of the signals / channels, synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal.

[0117] Receiving and / or transmitting the signal / channel based on the information for indicating the type of the signal / channel enables a UE, a base station or an intermediate node to receive and / or transmit the signal / channel as required, instead of transmitting a signal / channel with various usages and possibly unnecessary according to a preset structure, thus improving the flexibility of configuration.

[0118] Optionally, a physical layer frame structure includes at least one of the following signals / channels: a synchronization signal; a broadcast channel; a signal for indicating UE selection; a signal / channel for random access; an uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel; an uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel; a carrier wave (CW); a charging signal.

[0119] Optionally, the charging signal includes at least one of: a downlink signal in a physical layer frame structure, a signal transmitted by a base station and / or an intermediate node, any wireless signal in the environment, and a CW.

[0120] Optionally, the charging signal and / or CW is transmitted before the start position of the physical layer frame structure and / or continuously transmitted until the end position of the physical layer frame structure. Accordingly, the start position and / or end position of the physical layer frame structure is not determined according to the position of the charging signal and / or CW transmission.

[0121] Optionally, the charging signal and / or CW is transmitted at the position of the AIoT uplink transmission, and / or at least one charging signal and / or CW starts to transmit before the start position of at least one AIoT uplink transmission, and / or continuously transmits until the end position of at least one AIoT uplink transmission. Optionally, the charging signal and / or CW is not transmitted at the position of the AIoT downlink transmission.

[0122] Optionally, although the broadcast channel in the physical layer frame structure is called broadcast, it can also be used as a groupcast channel or a unicast channel. For example, if a physical layer frame structure is used to communicate with a specific AIoT UE in the system (the specific AIoT UE can be indicated by a signal / channel for indicating UE selection), the broadcast channel in the physical layer frame structure can be received only by the specific AIoT UE, that is, actually as a groupcast or unicast channel.

[0123] Optionally, the broadcast channel in the physical layer frame structure indicates at least one of:

[0124] a length (which may be the maximum length) of information bits corresponding to the physical layer frame structure and / or a length (which may be the maximum length) of a transmission time corresponding to the physical layer frame structure;

[0125] a usage corresponding to the physical layer frame structure, further including at least one of: random access, data transmission (which can be further divided into uplink data and / or downlink data), inventory, command, positioning and sensor. Optionally, when the usage corresponding to the physical layer frame structure includes inventory, the parameters corresponding to inventory are further indicated;

[0126] types of signals / channels included in the physical layer frame structure, further including at least one of: a signal for indicating UE selection; a signals / channel for random access; an uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel; an uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel;

[0127] configuration information corresponding to at least one signal / channel included in the physical layer frame structure, further including at least one of: a signal format and / or length (which may be the maximum length) corresponding to the at least one signal / channel; configuration information corresponding to the signal / channel for random access; a signal format and / or length (which may be the maximum length) corresponding to the uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel; a length (which may be the maximum length) corresponding to the uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel;

[0128] information corresponding to a synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure, further including at least one of a signal structure and a waveform length;

[0129] a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the signal / channel included in the physical layer frame structure, where the signal / channel can be at least one type of other signals / channels except the broadcast channel and / or the synchronization signal; optionally, the modulation type includes at least one of OOK, BPSK, FSK, QAM-4 and QAM-16; optionally, the coding type includes at least one of PIE, FM0, Miller and Manchester. For example, the broadcast channel indicates that the transmission of uplink data signals and uplink control signals in the physical layer frame structure uses Miller code, and indicates that the transmission of downlink data signals and downlink control signals in the physical layer frame structure uses FM0 code or PIE code. The base station, the intermediate node and the UE transmit and / or receive the AIoT signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure according to the information indicated by the broadcast channel;

[0130] at least one of a rate and coding efficiency corresponding to uplink transmission and / or downlink transmission in the physical layer frame structure;

[0131] an operation mode corresponding to the physical layer frame structure including at least one of in-band, guard-band and stand-alone.

[0132] In an exemplary embodiment, since a new UE may join the communication system every time the AIoT communication is started through a physical layer frame structure, and since the UE in the AIoT system is at risk of losing memory information after power failure, a broadcast channel can be included in each physical layer frame structure to indicate the information corresponding to the transmission in the physical layer frame structure. In another exemplary embodiment, a physical layer frame structure can be used for communication to a specific UE (which can be one or more UEs). At this time, if the base station or intermediate node has obtained the communication of the specific UE and indicated the configuration information to the specific UE, the broadcast channel may not be included in the physical layer frame structure.

[0133] Optionally, the information indicated in the broadcast channel in the physical layer frame structure may correspond to the signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure, but not to the signals / channels in other physical layer frame structures; it can also correspond to the signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure and the signals / channels in other subsequent physical layer frame structures until a broadcast channel in other subsequent physical layer frame structures indicates new information.

[0134] The method can also be similarly applied to synchronization signals. For example, timing information used in a physical layer frame structure can only be used in this physical layer frame structure, and different physical layer frame structures use different timing information (such as different time-domain lengths of waveforms) to flexibly adjust the transmission rates corresponding to physical layer frame structures with different usages. Optionally, the synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure may correspond to the signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure, but not to the signals / channels in other physical layer frame structures; it can also correspond to the signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure and the signals / channels in other subsequent physical layer frame structures until a new synchronization signal is transmitted in other subsequent physical layer frame structures; and / or, the synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure can correspond to all signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure; it can also correspond to the signals / channels corresponding to the synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure (for example, the second synchronization signal corresponds to other signals / channels after the second synchronization signal) and / or to other subsequent signals / channels in the physical layer frame structure until a new synchronization signal is transmitted in the physical layer frame structure.

[0135] Optionally, the UE determines whether the received signal / channel is the broadcast channel according to at least one of:

[0136] a position of the received signal / channel. For example, the position of the broadcast channel in a physical layer frame structure is relatively fixed, for example, it is transmitted after the synchronization signal at the start position of the physical layer frame structure; then the signal / channel received at the position is the broadcast channel, and the signal received at other positions is not the broadcast channel;

[0137] a signal / channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal / channel, which can be at a specific position in the structure of the signal / channel, for example, there is a header including the type indicator at a start position of a signal / channel;

[0138] a coding mode corresponding to the received signal / channel, for example, the broadcast channel is always transmitted by PIE code, and the channels corresponding to other coding do not belong to the broadcast channel.

[0139] Optionally, the signal for indicating UE selection indicates which UEs are required to receive the physical layer frame structure where the signal is located. The content of the indication may be at least one of an ID of a UE, an ID of a UE group and a range of UE ID. Optionally, it is indicated by a sequence generated by information bit coding, or by a preset different waveform sequence.

[0140] In an exemplary embodiment, a physical layer frame structure includes a synchronization signal, a broadcast channel, a signal for indicating UE selection that may or may not exist, and a payload signal in chronological order from the start position. FIG. 7a illustrates a schematic example of the embodiment. In the example, after decoding the broadcast channel, the UE can determine whether it is necessary to receive the following part of the physical layer frame structure according to the usage of the physical layer frame structure and / or according to the information indicated in the signal for indicating UE selection, so that the UE that is not the communication target can skip part of the reception and achieve the effect of power saving.

[0141] In another exemplary embodiment, the position of the signal for indicating UE selection can also be before the broadcast signal, that is, a physical layer frame structure includes a synchronization signal, a signal for indicating UE selection that may or may not exist, a broadcast channel and a payload signal in chronological order from the start position. FIG. 7b illustrates a schematic example of the embodiment. In the example, the UE can similarly skip part of the reception to achieve the effect of power saving. In addition, in the example, if the signal for indicating UE selection is indicated by a specific sequence or a sequence in a specific coding mode, the synchronization signal at the start position of the frame structure (i.e., the first synchronization signal in FIG. 7b) can correspond to a relatively loose synchronization accuracy, so that the UE can more quickly determine the information carried in the signal for indicating UE selection and determine whether it is necessary to receive the subsequent part. Other synchronization signals after the signal for indicating UE selection, such as the second synchronization signal in FIG. 7b, can correspond to higher synchronization accuracy, so that the UE that needs to receive the subsequent part can continue to perform fine synchronization based on the synchronization signal.

[0142] In another exemplary embodiment, the position of the signal for indicating UE selection can also be at the start position of the frame structure, that is, a physical layer frame structure includes the signal for indicating UE selection that may or may not exist, the synchronization signal, the broadcast channel and the payload signal in chronological order from the start position. FIG. 7c illustrates a schematic example of the embodiment. In the example, the UE can similarly skip the reception of the whole subsequent physical layer frame structure, so as to achieve a more power-saving effect. However, in the example, since the signal for indicating UE selection is before the synchronization signal, the design of the signal for indicating UE selection needs to use a waveform without obtaining synchronization related information in advance.

[0143] The payload signal includes at least one of a signal / channel for random access, an uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel, and an uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel. The type included in the payload signal may be indicated in the broadcast channel. When the payload signal includes multiple types, the order of different types may be indicated in the broadcast channel. For example, the broadcast channel indicates that the payload signal includes the signal / channel for random access and the downlink data signal in chronological order.

[0144] In an exemplary embodiment, the payload signal includes a signal / channel for random access and a downlink data channel. The intermediate node and / or the base station first determines which UEs it can communicate with currently through random access, and transmits downlink data to the determined UEs that communicates with it. In another exemplary embodiment, the payload signal includes a signal / channel for random access and an uplink data channel. The intermediate node and / or the base station first determines which UEs currently have the need to access the system and report their own inventory information through random access, and allocate uplink resources for the UEs that successfully access the system in random access procedure for their uplink transmission. In another exemplary embodiment, the payload signal includes a downlink data channel and / or an uplink data channel. The intermediate node and / or the base station has already obtained the information of the UE in other previous communication frames, and can directly perform uplink and downlink communication without using the random access procedure.

[0145] There may be other synchronization signals before or in the middle of any other signal / channels except the initial synchronization signal.

[0146] Optionally, when at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure is transmitted / received, its start position starts with a start indicator and its end position ends with an end indicator. At least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure can be at least one of: a broadcast channel, a signal for indicating UE selection, a signal / channel for random access, an uplink and / or downlink control signal and / or channel, an uplink and / or downlink data signal and / or channel. FIG. 5a schematically illustrates an example when at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure is a downlink data signal.

[0147] Optionally, the start / end indicator is a signal waveform whose signal structure is different from that corresponding to information bits "0" and "1"; for example, the signal structure corresponding to information bit "0" is a low voltage level with a length of x1 followed by a high voltage level with a length of x2, the signal structure corresponding to information bit "1" is a high voltage level with a length of x3, the start indicator is a low voltage level with a length of y1 followed by a high voltage level with a length of y2, and the end indicator is a low voltage level with a length of y3 followed by a high voltage level with a length of y4, and x1 is not equal to y1 and / or x2 is not equal to y2, and x1 is not equal to y3 and / or x2 is not equal to y4. Further, the start and end indicators may correspond to the same or different signal waveforms, for example, y1 is not equal to y3 and / or y2 is not equal to y4. Optionally, the start / end indicator can also be a preset specific field, such as "000" and "111".

[0148] Optionally, when at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure is transmitted / received, if there is a synchronization signal before or at its start position (i.e., the second synchronization signal hereinafter, see below for specific design), the synchronization signal can be transmitted before or after the start indicator. FIG. 5a illustrates an example in which the synchronization signal is before the start indicator, and the positions of the second synchronization signal and the start indicator in FIG. 5a may be exchanged as an example in which the synchronization signal is after the start indicator.

[0149] Optionally, when at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure is transmitted / received, if there is the second synchronization signal before or at its start position, the at least one signal / channel does not start with a start indicator. An example is shown in FIG. 5c. In this case, the second synchronization signal can be used as a start indicator; for example, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determines the start position of the at least one signal / channel through the position of the second synchronization signal (which may be the start and / or end position).

[0150] Optionally, the synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure includes at least one of:

[0151] a synchronization signal transmitted at the start position of the physical layer frame structure. For convenience of description, it is referred to as the first synchronization signal in the embodiment of the present application. Optionally, there may be transmission / reception of the CW before the synchronization signal transmitted at the start position of the physical layer frame structure, which is considered as a CW transmitted / received before a physical layer frame structure, that is, it is not a part of the physical layer frame structure; optionally, there may be the transmission / reception of the CW at the synchronization signal transmitted at the start position of the physical layer frame structure, and the CW is a part of the physical layer frame structure, then the synchronization signal transmitted at the start position of the physical layer frame structure refers to an earliest synchronization signal transmitted in the physical layer frame structure and / or an earliest synchronization signal after the initial CW signal in the physical layer frame structure. Since the structure of an AIoT device is simple, its timing module is usually weak, and it may not be able to keep the system clock during the period when there is no external signal to supply energy. The first synchronization signal can enable the AIoT device to obtain the system clock before each communication starts, and perform subsequent communication in the physical layer frame structure based on the clock.

[0152] a synchronization signal transmitted before or at the start position of other at least one signal / channel. For convenience of description, it is referred to as the second synchronization signal in the embodiment of the present application. The other at least one signal / channel may be at least one signal / channel of other types (not synchronization signals) included in the physical layer frame structure. Optionally, when the synchronization signal is transmitted at the start position of other at least one signal / channel, the synchronization signal may be a part of the signal / channel structure of the other at least one signal / channel. For example, the synchronization signal is transmitted at the start position of the downlink data channel, which can be understood as the channel structure of the downlink data channel including the initial synchronization signal and downlink data after the synchronization signal. Since the structure of an AIoT device is simple, the clock drift will occur when the timing module keeps the system clock, and the clock drift range may no longer satisfy the accuracy requirements after a period of time after each synchronization; therefore, transmitting a synchronization signal before each signal / channel is helpful for the AIoT device to calibrate the clock based on the synchronization signal, thus improving the accuracy of transmitting / receiving subsequent signal channels;

[0153] a synchronization signal transmitted in the physical layer frame structure that is not at the start position of the physical layer frame structure or before other at least one signal / channel or at the start position of other at least one signal / channel. For convenience of description, it is referred to as the third synchronization signal in the embodiment of the present application. The design of the clock also takes into account the clock drift problem of the AIoT device, allowing no synchronization signal before some other signals / channels in a physical layer frame structure, and a long continuous transmission time of some other signals / channels due to their own heavy payload or repeated coding, etc., the AIoT device may not always be able to calibrate the clock based on the second synchronization signal in time; therefore, the introduction of the third synchronization signal into the physical layer frame structure can make the AIoT device perform clock calibration more flexibly according to the device performance of the AIoT and the requirements of the system for clock accuracy.

[0154] Optionally, a position of the third synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure includes at least one of: a position between any two other signals / channels, a position in the middle of any other signal / channel, and a position determined based on a preset time order relationship.

[0155] Optionally, when the position of the third synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure is in the middle of another signal / channel, the part of the other signal / channel before the third synchronization signal ends with a suspending indicator, and / or the part after the third synchronization signal starts with a continuation indicator. FIG. 5b schematically illustrates an example when the other signal / channel is a downlink data signal.

[0156] Optionally, the continuation indicator has the same signal structure as the start indicator for indicating a start position of a signal / channel, and / or the suspending indicator has the same signal structure as the end indicator for indicating an end position of a signal / channel, or at least two of the start indicator, the suspending indicator, the continuation indicator and the end indicator have the same signal structure, thereby simplifying the design of channel detection and reducing the system complexity; optionally, the start indicator, the suspending indicator, the continuation indicator and the end indicator all have different signal structures, so that the base station, the intermediate node and the UE can accurately identify whether the signal / channel really ends or is temporarily suspended due to the synchronization signal, so as to better detect the third synchronization signal based on the indicator, and it is easier to resume continuous reception of the signal / channel after detecting the third synchronization signal instead of treating the subsequent signal / channel as a new transmission.

[0157] Optionally, the determining of the position of the third synchronization signal based on the preset time order relationship includes at least one of:

[0158] transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point. Optionally, from a reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, if the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal are not in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received, otherwise, it is not necessary to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal. Optionally, this method is used when a duration of at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T. Optionally, in this method, the transmitting and / or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal includes transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at any position in the time window with the length of T, or transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at an end position of the time window with the length of T (including starting transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting and / or receiving process can exceed the time window; and further including completing the transmitting and / or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal). For example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received in [t0, t0+T]; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, transmitting and / or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal is started at time t0+T;

[0159] transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal after a time window with a length of T or at least T, or every time window with a length of T or at least T; optionally, transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal after a time window with a length of T or at least T or every time window with a length of T or at least T from a reference time point. Optionally, after the time window with the length of T or at least T, or every time window with the length of T or at least T, if the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal are not in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received, otherwise it is not necessary to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal; optionally, from the reference time point, after the time window with the length of T or at least T, or every time window with the length of T or at least T, if the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal are not in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received, otherwise it is not necessary to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal. Optionally, this method is used when a duration of at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T. Optionally, in this method, the transmitting and / or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal includes: when a condition of a gap between the third synchronization signal and other third synchronization signals not less than T is satisfied, and / or when a condition of a gap between the position of the third synchronization signal and the reference time point not less than T is satisfied, flexibly selecting the position of the third synchronization signal; alternatively, transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at an end position of the time window with the length of at least T (including starting transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting process and / or receiving process can exceed the time window; and further including completing the transmitting and / or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal); alternatively, transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal in a time range with a length not exceeding T1 after the end position of the time window with the length of at least T (including starting transmitting and / or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting process and / or receiving process can exceed the time range; and further including completing the transmitting and / or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal), wherein the position of the third synchronization signal can be flexibly selected in the time range. For example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received after [t0, t0+T]; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, transmitting and / or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal is started at time t0+T; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received in a range of [t0+T, t0+T+T1];

[0160] when a duration of at least one signal / channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T, transmitting at least one third synchronization signal in the middle of the signal / channel. Optionally, when a start position of the signal / channel is t0, the transmitting and / or receiving of the signal / channel is temporarily suspended at t0+T or at a position not later than t0+T, and at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received; and then the transmitting and / or receiving of the signal / channel is continued.

[0161] The reference time point includes at least one of: a start position of the physical layer frame structure, a start and / or end position of at least one first synchronization signal, a start and / or end position of at least one second synchronization signal, a start and / or end position of another or last or previous or at least one third synchronization signal, and a start and / or end position of at least one uplink and / or downlink signal and / or channel. Further, when the uplink and / or downlink signal and / or channel starts with a start indicator and / or a continuation indicator, and / or when the uplink and / or downlink signal and / or channel ends with a suspending indicator and / or an end indicator, the reference time point includes a start position and / or an end position of at least one of the start indicator, the continuation indicator, the suspending indicator and the end indicator.

[0162] Optionally, when the reference time point is at least one of the first, second and third synchronization signals, the reference time point may be the latest one of first, second and third synchronization signals having time positions earlier than the third synchronization signal that needs to be transmitted and / or received.

[0163] In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6a, with the end position of the second synchronization signal, that is, the start position of the downlink data signal, as the reference time point, the base station or the intermediate node transmits a third synchronization signal to the UE in a time window with a length of T; with the end position of the third synchronization signal as the reference time point, the base station or the intermediate node transmits another third synchronization signal to the UE in a time window with a length of T. The transmitting of the third synchronization signal shown in the figure is completed in the time window with the length of T, and in another exemplary embodiment, the transmitting of the third synchronization signal may also be started in the time window with the length of T.

[0164] In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6b, with the end position of the first synchronization signal as the reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, since there is the second synchronization signal in the time window, it is not necessary to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal. Then, with the end position of the second synchronization signal as the reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, since there are no first, second and third synchronization signals in the time window, the end position of the second synchronization signal is used as the reference time point, and the base station or the intermediate node transmits a third synchronization signal to the UE after a time window with a length of T; specifically, a third synchronization signal is transmitted in a time range with a length not exceeding T1 after the end position of the time window with the length of T.

[0165] In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6c, a start position of a downlink data signal is t0, with a duration exceeding T, and the transmitting and / or receiving of the signal / channel is temporarily suspended at t0+T, and at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and / or received; and then the transmitting and / or receiving of the signal / channel is continued. In FIG. 6c, a position of t0+T is calculated based on the length of the data channel itself, and at t0+T, a suspending indicator is transmitted first, and then the third synchronization signal is transmitted. In another exemplary embodiment, it is also possible to complete the transmitting of the suspending indicator and start the transmitting of the third synchronization signal at t0+T.

[0166] Optionally, when the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determine to transmit the first third synchronization signal based on the above methods, the third synchronization signal may not be actually transmitted (or may be postponed or skipped). The receiving node determines whether the third synchronization signal is actually transmitted according to the detected signal (for example, blindly detects whether the received waveform matches the waveform of the third synchronization signal), and if so, it can adjust the clock based on the third synchronization signal.

[0167] Optionally, when the synchronization signal is transmitted at the start point of the physical layer frame structure (i.e., the first synchronization signal), at least one of the UE, the base station and the intermediate node can determine the start point of the physical layer frame structure according to the synchronization signal; for example, it is determined that the start point of the physical layer frame structure is the start position or the end position of the first synchronization signal.

[0168] Optionally, when the synchronization signal is transmitted before or at the start position of other at least one signal / channel (i.e., the second synchronization signal), at least one of the UE, the base station and the intermediate node can determine the start point of the other at least one signal / channel according to the synchronization signal, for example, determining that the start point of the other at least one signal / channel is the start position or the end position of the synchronization signal.

[0169] Optionally, the broadcast channel in the physical layer frame structure indicates whether the physical layer frame structure contains the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal.

[0170] Since the scenarios and usages of the first, second and third synchronization signals are different in the above methods, the requirements for their capabilities may also be different. For example, the first synchronization signal needs to ensure that a completely out-of-sync UE can achieve synchronization through this signal, so the synchronization accuracy corresponding to the synchronization signal is required to be higher; the second and third synchronization signals correspond to the clock drift that may occur after the UE achieves synchronization, so the requirements for the synchronization accuracy corresponding to the synchronization signals are low.

[0171] Optionally, the signal structure of the second synchronization signal and / or the signal structure of the third synchronization signal is a subset of the signal structure of the first synchronization signal; optionally, the signal structure of the third synchronization signal is a subset of the signal structure of the second synchronization signal, or is the same as the signal structure of the second synchronization signal.

[0172] Since there may be differences in the capabilities of AIoT devices, for example, there are different performances in timing accuracy, the range or speed of clock drift, whether data can be cached and the reception of data can be temporarily suspended to calibrate timing, etc., the applying of the above methods may be related to the capabilities of the UE.

[0173] Optionally, whether to support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is determined based on the UE capability. Optionally, the UE reports, to the intermediate node or the base station, the capability corresponding to whether to support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal. Accordingly, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determines whether to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal according to the capability of the UE of whether to support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal. For example, when the UE capability can support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal and it is determined that the third synchronization signal needs to be transmitted and / or received according to the above methods, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE transmits and / or receives the third synchronization signal.

[0174] Optionally, when a signal / channel is transmitted to multiple UEs, whether to also transmit the third synchronization signal is determined based on the capability of at least one of the multiple UEs. The capability of the at least one UE may be the worst capability. For example, when a downlink data signal is transmitted by the base station or the intermediate node to multiple UEs, and the capabilities of the multiple UEs all support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal, the base station or the intermediate node will determine whether to transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal in the middle of the downlink data signal according to the methods of other embodiments in the specification (including determining that the position of the third synchronization signal is in the middle of the downlink data signal based on the preset time order relationship); otherwise, the base station or the intermediate node will not transmit and / or receive the third synchronization signal in the middle of the downlink data signal. Optionally, when a UE transmits the signal / channel to one or more intermediate nodes and / or base stations, whether to also transmit the third synchronization signal is determined based on the capability of the UE.

[0175] Optionally, the position of the third synchronization signal is determined based on the UE capability. Further, the position that can be used for the third synchronization signal is determined based on whether the UE capability supports the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals / channels. For example, if the position of the third synchronization signal is determined to be between two other signals / channels by the methods in other embodiments in the specification, the third synchronization signal can be transmitted and / or received at the position. For another example, if the position of the third synchronization signal is determined to be in the middle of another signal / channel by the methods in other embodiments in the specification (including determining that the position of the third synchronization signal is in the middle of another signal / channel based on the preset time order relationship), then when the UE capability supports the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal / channel, or when the capabilities of multiple UEs that are required to receive the other signal / channel all support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal / channel; otherwise, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal / channel, or when the capability of at least one of multiple UEs that are required to receive the other signal / channel does not support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal / channel, the third synchronization signal is not transmitted and / or received at the position.

[0176] Optionally, the determining of the position of the third synchronization signal based on the UE capability further includes if it is determined that the position corresponding to the third synchronization signal cannot be actually used for the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal based on the UE capability, postponing the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal until the UE capability can support it. For example, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals / channels, the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is delayed until after the end position of the other signals / channels.

[0177] Considering that the UE capability is not enough to support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals / channels, if the UE continues to transmit the other signals / channels instead of transmitting the third synchronization signal, the subsequent part of the other signals / channels may not be received correctly or the decoding performance may be reduced due to out-of-sync. Another feasible method is to limit the maximum duration of other signals / channels without transmitting the third synchronization signal (possibly because the UE capability is limited). Accordingly, the maximum duration of other signals / channels can be limited by limiting the maximum number of information payloads of other signals / channels.

[0178] Optionally, when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal / channel, a length of information bits corresponding to the signal / channel does not exceed N. A value of N is determined based on the UE capability, and can be reported to the intermediate node and / or the base station. For example, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal, or does not support the transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals / channels, N=N1; otherwise, N=N2, and optionally, other methods in the specification are used to determine the position that may be used for the third synchronization signal. Optionally, the transmission and reception may correspond to the same or different values of N, or different values of N1 and / or N2. N1 and N2 may be values indicated in a broadcast channel, or indicated in other broadcast channels, or (pre-)configured, or preset. The method has the advantages that N1 and N2 can correspond to the maximum number of bits when the UE cannot recalibrate the clock drift through the third synchronization signal and the maximum number of bits when the UE can recalibrate the clock drift through the third synchronization signal, respectively, and for the former, the value can be calculated according to the speed of the clock drift and the accuracy of decoding to the timing. Therefore, when the number of information bits corresponding to a signal / channel does not exceed N1, the negative impact of the clock drift of the UE on the capability of decoding of the signal / channel may not be considered, that is, when the UE capability does not support the clock recalibration based on the third synchronization signal, a duration of a single transmitted signal / channel can be controlled to be in a duration range in which clock calibration is not required.

[0179] Optionally, according to the moving speed of at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE, a value of at least one of the following items is determined: a time length T corresponding to a (minimum / maximum) gap or a (minimum / maximum) period of the third synchronization signal, and a parameter N corresponding to the maximum number of bits of the signal / channel. For example, different moving speed ranges correspond to different values or value ranges of T and / or N.

[0180] Optionally, the signals / channels included in a physical layer frame structure may be consecutive or inconsecutive in time. If a gap between two adjacent signals / channels is denoted as G, G can be equal to 0 (corresponding to being consecutive) or greater than 0 (corresponding to being inconsecutive). Optionally, the value, and / or maximum value, and / or minimum value of the gap G between two adjacent signals / channels may be (pre-)configured, and / or preset, and / or indicated in the signals / channels.

[0181] Optionally, the gap G between two adjacent signals / channels includes at least one of:

[0182] a gap G1 between the time point at which the charging signal and / or CW starts to transmit and the start position of the physical layer frame structure. In a specific example, the physical layer frame structure starts with the first synchronization signal, as shown in FIG. 7a, and G1 corresponds to the gap between the time point at which the charging signal and / or CW start to transmit and the start position of the first synchronization signal. In another specific example, the physical layer frame structure starts with a signal for indicating UE selection, as shown in FIG. 7c, and G1 corresponds to the gap between the time point at which the charging signal and / or CW starts to transmit and the start position of the signal for indicating UE selection. The length of G1 may correspond to the length of time that the battery of the UE has been fully charged, for example, the length of time required for the battery to be fully charged for downlink reception and / or uplink transmission;

[0183] a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the physical layer frame structure and the start position of the first synchronization signal in the physical layer frame structure (i.e., the first synchronization signal shown in FIG. 7c). Optionally, the gap is used when the signal for indicating UE selection is transmitted before other signals / channels (as shown in FIG. 7c). The length of G2 may correspond to the processing delay required for the UE to decode the signal for indicating UE selection;

[0184] a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the physical layer frame structure, that is, the first synchronization signal, and the start position of the broadcast channel. Optionally, the gap is used when the broadcast channel is transmitted after the first synchronization signal and before other signals / channels, as shown in FIG. 7a. The length of G3-1 may correspond to the processing delay for the UE to achieve clock synchronization based on the first synchronization signal;

[0185] a gap G3-2 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the physical layer frame structure, that is, the first synchronization signal, and the start position of the signal for indicating UE selection. Optionally, the gap is used when the signal for indicating UE selection is transmitted after the first synchronization signal and before other signals / channels, as shown in FIG. 7b. The length of G3-2 may correspond to the processing delay for the UE to achieve clock synchronization based on the first synchronization signal; considering that the timing accuracy required for UE to receive the signal for indicating UE selection is different from that required for receiving the broadcast channel, G3-1 and G3-2 can correspond to different processing delays;

[0186] a gap G4 between the end position of the broadcast channel and the start position of its subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or the start position of its subsequent payload signal. Optionally, if the signal for indicating UE selection does not exist in the physical layer frame structure, or the position of the signal for indicating UE selection is before the broadcast channel, G4 corresponds to the end position of the broadcast channel to the start position of its subsequent payload signal; otherwise G4 corresponds to the end position of the broadcast channel to the start position of its subsequent signal for indicating UE selection. The length of G4 may correspond to the processing delay corresponding to the UE receiving and decoding the broadcast channel and / or adjusting the subsequent transmission / reception parameters according to the content of the broadcast channel; optionally, a value of G4 is indicated in the broadcast channel;

[0187] a gap G5-1 between at least two signals / channels among the signals / channels used for random access;

[0188] a gap G5-2 between at least two signals / channels in the payload signal; optionally, the gap G5-2 is indicated in the earlier signal / channel or the earliest signal / channel among the at least two signals / channels;

[0189] a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal; optionally, the gap G5-3 is indicated in the broadcast channel;

[0190] a gap G6 between the end position of the synchronization signal transmitted before or at the start position of other at least one signal / channel, that is, the second synchronization signal, and the start position of other at least one signal / channel. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example of the gap G6. The length of G6 may correspond to the processing delay for the UE to achieve or calibrate clock synchronization based on the second synchronization signal; considering that the timing accuracy required for the UE to achieve or calibrate synchronization may be different from other timing accuracy requirements, G6 may correspond to different processing delays with G3-1 and G3-2;

[0191] a gap G7-1 between the start position of the synchronization signal transmitted in the physical layer frame structure that is not at the start position of the physical layer frame structure or before other at least one signal / channel or at the start position of other at least one signal / channel, that is, the third synchronization signal, and the end position of the previous signal / channel. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example of the gap G7-1. When the third synchronization signal is transmitted in the middle of a signal / channel, G7-1 is the gap between the suspending position of the part of the signal / channel before the third synchronization signal (for example, the end of the suspending indicator) and the start position of the third synchronization signal. The length of G7-1 may correspond to the processing delay required for the UE to suspend or end receiving the signal / channel and prepare to start calibrating the clock timing;

[0192] a gap G7-2 between the end position of the third synchronization signal and the end position of the next signal / channel. FIG. 8 schematically illustrates an example of the gap G7-2. When the third synchronization signal is transmitted in the middle of a signal / channel, G7-2 is the gap between the end position of the third synchronization signal and the position of the continuation of the part of the signal / channel after the third synchronization signal (for example, the beginning of the continuation indicator). The length of G7-2 may correspond to the processing delay required for the UE to calibrate the clock timing based on the third synchronization signal and continue to be ready to receive the signal / channel.

[0193] The above various gaps can be the gaps from the start position and / or end position of the previous signal / channel to the start position and / or end position of the next signal / channel. For the convenience of description, one of the start position and the end position is used or not explicitly shown for the positions of some signals / channels, but it can be replaced by another one or any one of the start position and the end position can be used in other embodiments.

[0194] Among the above various gaps, at least for the gap between the synchronization signal and other signals, the gap can usually be used to make the UE (or intermediate node / base station) receive the synchronization signal, adjust the clock timing based on the synchronization signal, and prepare to receive / transmit the subsequent signal / channel based on the adjusted timing. The gap (which may correspond to whether the UE needs the gap, similarly below) is usually used as the processing delay, so its value may be related to the UE capability. For example, when the UE is capable of buffering signals within a period of time and receiving and processing synchronization signals while buffering newly received signals, the gap between synchronization signals and subsequent signals / channels may be zero. For the UE capability related to buffering, the buffering manner and buffering capability of channels with and without repetition may be different, so the value of the gap may also be related to whether other signals have repetition enabled.

[0195] In addition, the value of the gap may also be related to whether other channels after the synchronization signal belong to uplink or downlink. For example, there needs to be a processing delay between the UE receiving the downlink synchronization signal and transmitting the uplink signal / channel to allow the UE to adjust the clock timing and perform transmission based on the adjusted clock; however, there may be no gap between the UE receiving the downlink synchronization signal and receiving other downlink signals / channels, that is, it is consecutive. The UE buffers the synchronization signal and other downlink signals / channels after it, and receives and processes the synchronization signal while buffering the newly received downlink signal, and then adjusts the clock timing according to the synchronization signal and receives and decodes other downlink signals / channels.

[0196] In addition, the value of the gap may also be related to the type / position / usage of the synchronization signal (for example, the synchronization signal is the first, second and third). For example, the UE capability may be enough to support the presence of the first / second synchronization signal, but not enough to support the presence of the third synchronization signal; or it may support no gap between the first / second synchronization signal and the subsequent signal / channel, but it is required that there is a gap between the third synchronization signal and the signal / channel before it, and it may be required that there is a gap between the third synchronization signal and the signal / channel after it.

[0197] Therefore, optionally, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determines the gap between the synchronization signal and the other at least one synchronization signal / channel, including determining at least one of G2, G3-1, G3-2, G6, G7-1 and G7-2, based on the UE capability (including at least the UE capability of the AIoT system such as the UE capability of the tag, and / or further including the UE capability of the intermediate node), and / or other at least one signal / channel belonging to uplink or downlink, and / or whether repetition is enabled for other at least one signal / channel or enabled repetition parameters, and / or the synchronization signal being at least one of the first / second / third synchronization signal. The UE capabilities include the capability to buffer signals / channels, and / or the capability to buffer signals / channels with repetition enabled, and / or the capability to process synchronization signals (including the capability of whether the first, second and third synchronization signals are supported, and if so, the processing capabilities corresponding to the first, second and third synchronization signals may be different).

[0198] FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a configuration of a user equipment (UE) 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0199] Referring to FIG. 9, the UE 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a transceiver 901 and a controller 902. For example, the transceiver 901 may be configured to transmit and receive signals. For example, the controller 902 may be coupled to the transceiver 901 and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

[0200] FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a configuration of a node 1000 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0201] Referring to FIG. 10, the node 1000 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a transceiver 1001 and a controller 1002. For example, the transceiver 1001 may be configured to transmit and receive signals. For example, the controller 1002 may be coupled to the transceiver 1001 and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

[0202] Those skilled in the art will understand that the above illustrative embodiments are described herein and are not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that any two or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in any combination. Furthermore, other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the invention of the disclosure as generally described herein and shown in the drawings may be arranged, replaced, combined, separated and designed in various different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

[0203] Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described in this application may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described above in the form of their functional sets. Whether such function sets are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Technicians may implement the described functional sets in different ways for each specific application, but such design decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of this application.

[0204] The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in this application may be implemented or performed by a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logics, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, more than one microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

[0205] The steps of the method or algorithm described in this application may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination thereof. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, register, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor to enable the processor to read and write information from / to the storage media. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in the user terminal as discrete components.

[0206] In one or more exemplary designs, the functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, each function may be stored as one or more pieces of instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or delivered through it. The computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium, the latter including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

[0207] The above description is only an exemplary implementation of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1.A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system comprising:receiving a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal; andreceiving or transmitting the at least one signal or channel,wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.2.The method of claim 1, wherein a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located includes at least one of the following signals or channels:the synchronization signal;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel;the downlink data signal or data channel;the CW; andthe charging signal,wherein the charging signal includes at least one of:an uplink signal and / or a downlink signal in any communication process;a signal transmitted and / or received by a base station or an intermediate node;any wireless signal in an environment in which the UE is located; andthe CW, andwherein the broadcast channel further includes at least one of:information of a length of an information bit corresponding to a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a length of a transmission time corresponding to a time unit in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a usage corresponding to the communication process;configuration information associated with the at least one signal or channel;information associated with the synchronization signal;information of a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the at least one signal or channel;a rate and / or coding efficiency corresponding to an uplink transmission and / or a downlink transmission in the communication process; andan operation mode corresponding to the communication process.3.The method of claim 1, further comprising determining whether a signal or channel received by the UE is the broadcast channel according to at least one of:a position of the received signal or channel;a signal type indicator or a channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal or channel; anda coding mode corresponding to the received signal or channel,wherein the signal for indicating UE selection includes information of a UE that is required to receive the communication process in which the signal for indicating UE selection is located,wherein the information of the UE includes at least one of an identifier (ID) of at least one UE, an ID of at least one UE group, and a range of at least one UE ID,wherein the synchronization signal includes at least one of:a first synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the communication process;a second synchronization signal transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel; anda third synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from that of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted at a start position of the communication process, the start position of the communication process is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel, the start position of the at least one signal or channel is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein the broadcast channel further includes information for indicating whether the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal is included in the communication process,wherein reporting of a capability of whether transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is supported,wherein when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal or channel, a length of an information bit corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, wherein a value of N is determined based on a capability of the UE,wherein a gap G between two adjacent signals or channels in the communication process is equal to or greater than 0, and a value and / or a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the gap G is configured and / or preset and / or indicated in the signal or channel, andwherein the gap G includes at least one of:a gap G1 between a time point at which the charging signal and / or the carrier wave starts to transmit and a start position of the communication process;a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the communication process and a start position of a first synchronization signal in the communication process;a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the broadcast channel;a gap G3-2 between a first synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the signal for indicating UE selection;a gap G4 between an end position of the broadcast channel and a start position of a subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or a start position of a subsequent payload signal;a gap G5-1 between at least two signals or channels among signals or channels for random access;a gap G5-2 between at least two signals or channels in a payload signal;a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal;a gap G6 between an end position of a second synchronization signal transmitted before other at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the other at least one signal or channel and the start position of the other at least one signal or channel;a gap G7-1 between a start position of a third synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process that is not at the start position of the communication process or before the other at least one signal or channel or at the start position of the other at least one signal or channel and an end position of a previous signal or channel; anda gap G7-2 between an end position of the third synchronization signal and an end position of a next signal or channel.4.The method of claim 1, wherein when a second signal or channel in the communication process is received, a start position of the second signal or channel is determined based on a first indicator; and / or an end position of the at least one signal or channel is determined based on a second indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel in the communication process is transmitted, the start position of the second signal or channel is indicated based on the first indicator, and / or the end position of the at least one signal or channel is indicated based on the second indicator,wherein the second signal or channel is at least one of:the broadcast channel;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel; andthe downlink data signal or data channel,wherein when the second signal or channel is received, if there is a second synchronization signal located within a predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is determined based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the start position is determined based on the first indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel is transmitted, if the second synchronization signal is transmitted within the predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is indicated based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the first indicator is transmitted at the start position, and the start position is indicated based on the first indicator.5.A method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system comprising:transmitting a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to user equipment (UE) selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal; andreceiving or transmitting the at least one signal or channel,wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.6.The method of claim 5, wherein a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located includes at least one of the following signals or channels:the synchronization signal;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel;the downlink data signal or data channel;the CW; andthe charging signal,wherein the charging signal includes at least one of:an uplink signal and / or a downlink signal in any communication process;a signal transmitted and / or received by a base station or an intermediate node;any wireless signal in an environment in which the UE is located; andthe CW, andwherein the broadcast channel further includes at least one of:information of a length of an information bit corresponding to a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a length of a transmission time corresponding to a time unit in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a usage corresponding to the communication process;configuration information associated with the at least one signal or channel;information associated with the synchronization signal;information of a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the at least one signal or channel;a rate and / or coding efficiency corresponding to an uplink transmission and / or a downlink transmission in the communication process; andan operation mode corresponding to the communication process.7.The method of claim 5, wherein whether a signal or channel received by the UE is the broadcast channel is determined according to at least one of:a position of the received signal or channel;a signal type indicator or a channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal or channel; anda coding mode corresponding to the received signal or channel,wherein the signal for indicating UE selection includes information of a UE that is required to receive the communication process in which the signal for indicating UE selection is located,wherein the information of the UE includes at least one of an identifier (ID) of at least one UE, an ID of at least one UE group, and a range of at least one UE ID,wherein the synchronization signal includes at least one of:a first synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the communication process;a second synchronization signal transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel; anda third synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from that of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted at a start position of the communication process, the start position of the communication process is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel, the start position of the at least one signal or channel is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein the broadcast channel further includes information for indicating whether the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal is included in the communication process,wherein reporting of a capability of whether transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is supported,wherein when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal or channel, a length of an information bit corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, wherein a value of N is determined based on a capability of the UE,wherein a gap G between two adjacent signals or channels in the communication process is equal to or greater than 0, and a value and / or a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the gap G is configured and / or preset and / or indicated in the signal or channel, andwherein the gap G includes at least one of:a gap G1 between a time point at which the charging signal and / or the carrier wave starts to transmit and a start position of the communication process;a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the communication process and a start position of a first synchronization signal in the communication process;a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the broadcast channel;a gap G3-2 between a first synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the signal for indicating UE selection;a gap G4 between an end position of the broadcast channel and a start position of a subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or a start position of a subsequent payload signal;a gap G5-1 between at least two signals or channels among signals or channels for random access;a gap G5-2 between at least two signals or channels in a payload signal;a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal;a gap G6 between an end position of a second synchronization signal transmitted before other at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the other at least one signal or channel and the start position of the other at least one signal or channel;a gap G7-1 between a start position of a third synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process that is not at the start position of the communication process or before the other at least one signal or channel or at the start position of the other at least one signal or channel and an end position of a previous signal or channel; anda gap G7-2 between an end position of the third synchronization signal and an end position of a next signal or channel.8.The method of claim 5, wherein when a second signal or channel in the communication process is received, a start position of the second signal or channel is determined based on a first indicator; and / or an end position of the at least one signal or channel is determined based on a second indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel in the communication process is transmitted, the start position of the second signal or channel is indicated based on the first indicator, and / or the end position of the at least one signal or channel is indicated based on the second indicator,wherein the second signal or channel is at least one of:the broadcast channel;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel; andthe downlink data signal or data channel,wherein when the second signal or channel is received, if there is a second synchronization signal located within a predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is determined based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the start position is determined based on the first indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel is transmitted, if the second synchronization signal is transmitted within the predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is indicated based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the first indicator is transmitted at the start position, and the start position is indicated based on the first indicator.9.A user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system comprising:a transceiver; anda controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to:receive a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to UE selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal, andreceive or transmitting the at least one signal or channel,wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.10.The UE of claim 9, wherein a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located includes at least one of the following signals or channels:the synchronization signal;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel;the downlink data signal or data channel;the CW; andthe charging signal,wherein the charging signal includes at least one of:an uplink signal and / or a downlink signal in any communication process;a signal transmitted and / or received by a base station or an intermediate node;any wireless signal in an environment in which the UE is located; andthe CW, andwherein the broadcast channel further includes at least one of:information of a length of an information bit corresponding to a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a length of a transmission time corresponding to a time unit in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a usage corresponding to the communication process;configuration information associated with the at least one signal or channel;information associated with the synchronization signal;information of a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the at least one signal or channel;a rate and / or coding efficiency corresponding to an uplink transmission and / or a downlink transmission in the communication process; andan operation mode corresponding to the communication process.11.The UE of claim 9, wherein the controller is configured to determine whether a signal or channel received by the UE is the broadcast channel according to at least one of:a position of the received signal or channel;a signal type indicator or a channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal or channel; anda coding mode corresponding to the received signal or channel,wherein the signal for indicating UE selection includes information of a UE that is required to receive the communication process in which the signal for indicating UE selection is located,wherein the information of the UE includes at least one of an identifier (ID) of at least one UE, an ID of at least one UE group, and a range of at least one UE ID,wherein the synchronization signal includes at least one of:a first synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the communication process;a second synchronization signal transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel; anda third synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from that of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted at a start position of the communication process, the start position of the communication process is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel, the start position of the at least one signal or channel is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein the broadcast channel further includes information for indicating whether the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal is included in the communication process,wherein reporting of a capability of whether transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is supported,wherein when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal or channel, a length of an information bit corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, wherein a value of N is determined based on a capability of the UE,wherein a gap G between two adjacent signals or channels in the communication process is equal to or greater than 0, and a value and / or a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the gap G is configured and / or preset and / or indicated in the signal or channel, andwherein the gap G includes at least one of:a gap G1 between a time point at which the charging signal and / or the carrier wave starts to transmit and a start position of the communication process;a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the communication process and a start position of a first synchronization signal in the communication process;a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the broadcast channel;a gap G3-2 between a first synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the signal for indicating UE selection;a gap G4 between an end position of the broadcast channel and a start position of a subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or a start position of a subsequent payload signal;a gap G5-1 between at least two signals or channels among signals or channels for random access;a gap G5-2 between at least two signals or channels in a payload signal;a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal;a gap G6 between an end position of a second synchronization signal transmitted before other at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the other at least one signal or channel and the start position of the other at least one signal or channel;a gap G7-1 between a start position of a third synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process that is not at the start position of the communication process or before the other at least one signal or channel or at the start position of the other at least one signal or channel and an end position of a previous signal or channel; anda gap G7-2 between an end position of the third synchronization signal and an end position of a next signal or channel.12.The UE of claim 9, wherein when a second signal or channel in the communication process is received, a start position of the second signal or channel is determined based on a first indicator; and / or an end position of the at least one signal or channel is determined based on a second indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel in the communication process is transmitted, the start position of the second signal or channel is indicated based on the first indicator, and / or the end position of the at least one signal or channel is indicated based on the second indicator,wherein the second signal or channel is at least one of:the broadcast channel;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel; andthe downlink data signal or data channel,wherein when the second signal or channel is received, if there is a second synchronization signal located within a predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is determined based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the start position is determined based on the first indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel is transmitted, if the second synchronization signal is transmitted within the predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is indicated based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the first indicator is transmitted at the start position, and the start position is indicated based on the first indicator.13.A node in a wireless communication system comprising:a transceiver; anda controller coupled with the transceiver and configured to:transmit a broadcast channel that includes first information indicating at least one signal or channel, wherein the at least one signal or channel includes at least one of: a signal related to user equipment (UE) selection, a signal or channel for random access, an uplink control signal or control channel, a downlink control signal or control channel, an uplink data signal or data channel, a downlink data signal or data channel, a Carrier Wave (CW), a charging signal and a synchronization signal, andreceive or transmitting the at least one signal or channel,wherein synchronization is performed based on a synchronization signal before receiving and / or transmitting a signal or channel among the at least one signal or channel.14.The first node of claim 13, wherein a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located includes at least one of the following signals or channels:the synchronization signal;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel;the downlink data signal or data channel;the CW; andthe charging signal,wherein the charging signal includes at least one of:an uplink signal and / or a downlink signal in any communication process;a signal transmitted and / or received by a base station or an intermediate node;any wireless signal in an environment in which the UE is located; andthe CW, andwherein the broadcast channel further includes at least one of:information of a length of an information bit corresponding to a communication process in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a length of a transmission time corresponding to a time unit in which the broadcast channel is located;information of a usage corresponding to the communication process;configuration information associated with the at least one signal or channel;information associated with the synchronization signal;information of a modulation type and / or a coding type used for the at least one signal or channel;a rate and / or coding efficiency corresponding to an uplink transmission and / or a downlink transmission in the communication process; andan operation mode corresponding to the communication process.15.The first node of claim 13, wherein whether a signal or channel received by the UE is the broadcast channel is determined according to at least one of:a position of the received signal or channel;a signal type indicator or a channel type indicator corresponding to the received signal or channel; anda coding mode corresponding to the received signal or channel,wherein the signal for indicating UE selection includes information of a UE that is required to receive the communication process in which the signal for indicating UE selection is located,wherein the information of the UE includes at least one of an identifier (ID) of at least one UE, an ID of at least one UE group, and a range of at least one UE ID,wherein the synchronization signal includes at least one of:a first synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the communication process;a second synchronization signal transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel; anda third synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from that of the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted at a start position of the communication process, the start position of the communication process is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein when the synchronization signal is transmitted within a predetermined time before the at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the at least one signal or channel, the start position of the at least one signal or channel is determined according to the synchronization signal,wherein the broadcast channel further includes information for indicating whether the first synchronization signal and / or the second synchronization signal and / or the third synchronization signal is included in the communication process,wherein reporting of a capability of whether transmitting and / or receiving of the third synchronization signal is supported,wherein when the UE transmits and / or receives a signal or channel, a length of an information bit corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, wherein a value of N is determined based on a capability of the UE,wherein a gap G between two adjacent signals or channels in the communication process is equal to or greater than 0, and a value and / or a maximum value and / or a minimum value of the gap G is configured and / or preset and / or indicated in the signal or channel,wherein the gap G includes at least one of:a gap G1 between a time point at which the charging signal and / or the carrier wave starts to transmit and a start position of the communication process;a gap G2 between the signal for indicating UE selection at the start position of the communication process and a start position of a first synchronization signal in the communication process;a gap G3-1 between the synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the broadcast channel;a gap G3-2 between a first synchronization signal at the start position of the communication process and a start position of the signal for indicating UE selection;a gap G4 between an end position of the broadcast channel and a start position of a subsequent signal for indicating UE selection or a start position of a subsequent payload signal;a gap G5-1 between at least two signals or channels among signals or channels for random access;a gap G5-2 between at least two signals or channels in a payload signal;a gap G5-3 between the broadcast channel and at least one payload signal;a gap G6 between an end position of a second synchronization signal transmitted before other at least one signal or channel or at a start position of the other at least one signal or channel and the start position of the other at least one signal or channel;a gap G7-1 between a start position of a third synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process that is not at the start position of the communication process or before the other at least one signal or channel or at the start position of the other at least one signal or channel and an end position of a previous signal or channel; anda gap G7-2 between an end position of the third synchronization signal and an end position of a next signal or channel, andwherein when a second signal or channel in the communication process is received, a start position of the second signal or channel is determined based on a first indicator; and / or an end position of the at least one signal or channel is determined based on a second indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel in the communication process is transmitted, the start position of the second signal or channel is indicated based on the first indicator, and / or the end position of the at least one signal or channel is indicated based on the second indicator,wherein the second signal or channel is at least one of:the broadcast channel;the signal for indicating UE selection;the signal or channel for random access;the uplink control signal or control channel;the downlink control signal or control channel;the uplink data signal or data channel; andthe downlink data signal or data channel,wherein when the second signal or channel is received, if there is a second synchronization signal located within a predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is determined based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the start position is determined based on the first indicator; and / orwhen the second signal or channel is transmitted, if the second synchronization signal is transmitted within the predetermined time before the start position or at the start position, the start position is indicated based on the second synchronization signal; otherwise, the first indicator is transmitted at the start position, and the start position is indicated based on the first indicator.

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