Device, wireless communication device, and wireless communication method

Abstract

This device is an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and is provided with: a control unit for determining a spread code, if multiplexing using a spread code is performed; and a communication unit for transmitting a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spread code.

Description

Device, wireless communication apparatus and wireless communication method

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a device, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication method.

[0002] For NR (New Radio) (also called "5G"), the successor system to LTE (Long Term Evolution), technologies are being considered that meet the requirements of a large-capacity system, high-speed data transmission speed, low latency, simultaneous connection of a large number of terminals, low cost, low power consumption, etc. (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Furthermore, in Release 18 (Rel-18) of 3GPP (registered trademark), ambient IoT (A-IoT: Ambient Internet of Things) is being considered (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Ambient IoT targets devices with extremely simple configurations for low-end IoT applications that operate with extremely low power consumption.

[0004] 3GPP TS 38.300 V17.3.0 (2022-12)”Revised SID on Ambient IoT”, RP-232404, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #101, September 20233GPP TR 38.848 V1.0.0 (2023-09)3GPP TS 36.211 V16.8.0 (2023-09)”Study on solutions for Ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in NR”, RP-234058, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #102, December 2023

[0005] In a communication system including ambient IoT devices, a large number of ambient IoT devices may exist, and the device density may be high. However, there is room for consideration regarding the communication method when a large number of ambient IoT devices exist. If the communication method when a large number of ambient IoT devices exist is inappropriate, the multiple ambient IoT devices may not be able to communicate appropriately, and system performance may be degraded.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure provides a device, a wireless communication apparatus, and a wireless communication method that can appropriately communicate when multiple ambient IoT devices are present.

[0007] A device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, and includes: a control unit that determines a spreading code when multiplexing using the spreading code; and a communication unit that transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spreading code.

[0008] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating topology 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating topology 2. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating topology 3 in DL assistance. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating topology 4. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating backscatter transmission. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of a candidate topology for CW / R2D / D2R transmission in topology 1. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a candidate topology for CW / R2D / D2R transmission in topology 2. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a relationship between modulation symbols and chip lengths of spreading codes. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a relationship between modulation symbols and chip lengths of spreading codes. FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a base station and a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

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

[0010] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, existing technology is used as appropriate. The existing technology is, for example, the existing LTE or NR, but is not limited to the existing LTE or NR. In addition, the term "LTE" used in this specification has a broad meaning including LTE-Advanced and systems subsequent to LTE-Advanced, unless otherwise specified.

[0011] In addition, in the embodiments of the present disclosure described below, terms such as SS (synchronization signal), PSS (primary SS), SSS (secondary SS), PBCH (physical broadcast channel), PRACH (physical random access channel), PDCCH (physical downlink control channel), PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel), PUCCH (physical uplink control channel), and PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel) used in existing LTE are used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc. may be referred to by other names. Furthermore, the above-mentioned terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even signals used in NR are not necessarily designated as "NR-".

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

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

[0014] (Embodiment) <Wireless Communication System> FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a base station 10 and a device 20. While FIG. 1 illustrates one base station 10 and one device 20, this is merely an example, and multiple base stations and devices may exist. The base station may also be referred to as a BS (Base Station), gNB, or the like. The device 20 may be a form of terminal (UE: User Equipment) and may be an ambient IoT device, which is a device with lower complexity than an NB-IoT (Narrow Band Internet of Things) device. The ambient IoT device may also be referred to as an ambient IoT terminal, ambient IoT UE, or the like.

[0015] The base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and performs wireless communication with the device 20. The physical resources of a wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols. The frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or the number of resource blocks (RBs).

[0016] The base station 10 transmits DL signals such as control information, setting information, and data via DL (Downlink) to the device 20. The base station 10 receives UL signals such as control information, information related to the processing capability of the device 20 (device capability (information) or A-IoT capability (information); for example, capability, device capability, A-IoT capability, A-IoT device capability, etc.), and data via UP (Uplink) from the device 20.

[0017] Channels used for transmitting DL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the control channel may include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). For example, the base station 10 transmits control information to the device 20 using the PDCCH, and transmits DL data signals using the PDSCH. Note that the PDSCH is an example of a downlink shared channel or a data channel, and the PDCCH is an example of a downlink control channel. The PDCCH may be interpreted as downlink control information (DCI), control information, etc. transmitted in the PDCCH.

[0018] As will be described later, the wireless communication system may include intermediate nodes, assisting nodes, and / or terminals (UEs) (see <Device Types and Topologies> below). Note that, hereinafter, "and / or" may be written simply as " / ".

[0019] The device 20 is a communication device equipped with a wireless communication function, and as described above, may be an ambient IoT device (e.g., a sensor). Hereinafter, the ambient IoT device will also be referred to as an A-IoT UE or an A-IoT device.

[0020] The device 20 receives DL signals such as control signals, setting information, and data from the base station 10 via DL, and transmits UL signals such as control signals, capability information of the device 20, and data to the base station 10 via UL.

[0021] Channels used for transmitting UL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the control channel may include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). For example, the device 20 transmits control information using the PUCCH and transmits UL data signals using the PUSCH. Note that the PUSCH is an example of an uplink shared channel or a data channel, and the PUCCH is an example of an uplink control channel. Note that the PUSCH or the PUCCH may be interpreted as uplink control information (UCI), control information, etc. transmitted in the PUSCH or the PUCCH.

[0022] <Ambient IoT> Rel-18 approved the study of ambient IoT, which is even lower-end than the existing NB-IoT (see, for example, Section 10 of Non-Patent Document 4) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Ambient IoT targets ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity devices.

[0023] In Ambient IoT, for example, the following deployment scenarios and characteristics may be considered for relevant use cases: Indoor or outdoor environment Base station type, e.g., macro / micro / pico cell-based deployment Connectivity topology, e.g., which nodes communicate with Ambient IoT devices, such as base stations, terminals (UE), relays and repeaters Duplexing method, TDD or FDD, licensed or unlicensed frequency band Coexistence with UE and network equipment in frequency bands for existing 3GPP technologies Assumptions of traffic originating from / terminating to devices

[0024] Based on the above deployment scenarios and characteristics, for example, the following RAN design targets can be formulated: Power consumption Complexity Coverage Data rate Positioning accuracy

[0025] Based on deployment scenarios appropriate for the relevant use cases, compare and evaluate the feasibility of meeting design targets and identify supporting features.

[0026] <Device Types and Topologies> Based on the results of the study items, TR 38.848 (Non-Patent Document 3) was approved. TR 38.848 considers the following categories of ambient IoT devices: Device A: Device A has no power (energy) storage, no independent signal generation or signal amplification functions, and performs backscattering transmission. Device B: Device B has power storage, no independent signal generation function, and performs backscattering transmission. Device B uses the stored power to amplify the reflected signal. Device C: Device C has power storage, independent signal generation function, and an active RF (radio frequency) component for transmission.

[0027] The complexity of device A is assumed to be about the same as RFID (Frequency Frequency Identification).

[0028] TR 38.848 defines the following topologies 1 to 4 in an ambient IoT network.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating Topology 1. As shown in Fig. 2, Topology 1 is a configuration in which a base station (BS) and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other. The ambient IoT device directly communicates with the base station in a two-way manner.

[0030] 3 is a diagram illustrating Topology 2. As shown in FIG. 3, Topology 2 is a configuration in which a base station and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other via an intermediate node. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication with the intermediate node located between the base station and the ambient IoT device. The intermediate node may be, for example, a relay, an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) node, a UE, a repeater, or the like.

[0031] 4 is a diagram illustrating Topology 3 in DL assistance. As shown in FIG. 4, Topology 3 is a configuration including communication between a base station and an assisting node, communication between the assisting node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between the ambient IoT device and a base station.

[0032] The support node supports DL communication. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the support node receives DL signals from the base station and transmits the received DL signals to the ambient IoT device. For UL communication, the ambient IoT device transmits UL signals directly to the base station.

[0033] Fig. 5 is a diagram illustrating Topology 3 in UL support. As shown in Fig. 5, Topology 3 is a configuration including communication between a base station and a support node, communication between a support node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between the ambient IoT device and a base station.

[0034] The support node supports UL communication. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the support node receives UL signals from the ambient IoT device and transmits the received UL signals to the base station. For DL ​​communication, the ambient IoT device receives DL signals directly from the base station.

[0035] The supporting nodes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 may be, for example, relays, IAB nodes, UEs, repeaters, etc.

[0036] 6 is a diagram illustrating Topology 4. Topology 4 is a configuration in which a UE and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication with the UE. Communication related to Topology 4 may be considered as side link (SL) communication.

[0037] In the above topologies 1 to 4, the ambient IoT device may be provided with a carrier wave from another node inside or outside the topology (see Section 4.2.1 of Non-Patent Document 3).

[0038] The wireless communication system 1 (wireless communication network) may include a base station, a support node, an intermediate node, and / or a terminal (UE of Topology 4) in addition to the device 20. In this specification, the base station, the support node, the intermediate node, and the terminal may be read as a network or a (network) node. Also, an A-IoT device may be simply referred to as A-IoT.

[0039] Backscatter Transmission Base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes transmit RF signals to ambient IoT devices that are activated and obtain power from the RF operating fields from the base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes via inductive coupling.

[0040] The ambient IoT device backscatters and modulates the RF signals received from the base station, intermediate node, support node, and other nodes by switching the reflection coefficient of the device's antenna, and transmits information to the base station, intermediate node, support node, and other nodes.

[0041] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating backscatter transmission. FIG. 7 shows an example in which an ambient IoT device performs ON-OFF keying and transmits information. The dashed line area shown in FIG. 7 indicates an OFF section, which may correspond to information (bit) "0." A sine wave signal may correspond to information "1."

[0042] <Rel-19 SID> The Rel-19 SID (Study Item Description) examined solutions necessary and feasible for A-IoT (see Section 4.1 of Non-Patent Document 5). The examined solutions include, for example, determining which functions, procedures, etc. are necessary and which functions, procedures, etc. are not.

[0043] Additionally, for the DL and UL of A-IoT, several issues will be discussed under the leadership of RAN 1. One of the issues to be discussed is the scheduling and timing relationship between DL and UL in A-IoT. In discussing the scheduling and timing relationship, the following 1. traffic flow, 2. device assumptions, and 3. topology may be considered.

[0044] 1. Traffic Flow The following DT and DO-DTT are being considered as traffic flows for A-IoT.

[0045] DT (device terminated) Traffic includes transmission (DL) to the A-IoT UE, but no transmission (UL) from the A-IoT UE. In other words, there is information to be transmitted to the A-IoT UE, but no information to be transmitted from the A-IoT UE. DT corresponds to a command type in which there is an instruction such as a command or instruction to the A-IoT UE.

[0046] DO-DTT (device originated - device terminated triggered) Traffic includes a trigger from the network (NW) and a transmission (UL) from the A-IoT UE. In other words, traffic includes information transmitted from the A-IoT UE. DO-DTT corresponds to, for example, a sensor information report type in which the A-IoT UE transmits sensor information collected by the A-IoT UE.

[0047] In this disclosure, transmission of information corresponds to transmission of a signal containing information or transmission of a signal. In this disclosure, transmission to a certain device X corresponds to transmission of a signal (or information) to device X. In addition, transmission from a certain device X and transmission by a certain device X correspond to device X transmitting a signal (or information). In addition, reception from a certain device X corresponds to receiving a signal (or information) transmitted by device X. In addition, reception by a certain device X corresponds to device X receiving a signal (or information).

[0048] 2. Device Assumptions The following TX (transmission) and FR (frequency range) 1-FDD are assumed for A-IoT UE.

[0049] TX TX is a backscatter UL transmission without amplification or a general amplified UL transmission. Alternatively, an amplified backscatter UL transmission may be performed.

[0050] FR1-FDD FR1-FDD is applied to the A-IoT UE. That is, the A-IoT UE can switch carrier frequencies between DL carriers and UL carriers. However, the present disclosure is not limited to FR1-FDD and may be applied to TDD, FR2, or FR3.

[0051] The frequency bands of each FR are, for example, as follows: FR1: 410 MHz to 7.125 GHz FR2: 24.25 GHz to 52.6 GHz FR3: 7.125 GHz to 24.25 GHz

[0052] FR1 may use a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz, and a bandwidth (BW) of 5 to 100 MHz. FR2 is a higher frequency than FR1, and may use an SCS of 60 kHz or 120 kHz (including 240 kHz), and a bandwidth (BW) of 50 to 400 MHz.

[0053] 3. Topology Among the topologies shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, attention is focused on Topology 1 and Topology 2.

[0054] In Topology 1, UL and / or DL ​​communication is performed between a base station and an A-IoT UE without passing through an intermediate node. Note that the base station in Topology 1 may correspond to a microcell.

[0055] In Topology 2, communication is performed between a base station and an A-IoT UE via an intermediate node. The A-IoT UE performs bidirectional communication with an intermediate node located between the base station and the A-IoT UE. Note that the base station in Topology 2 may correspond to a macrocell. The Topology 2 case may also be applied to indoor cases. Hereinafter, the intermediate node will also be referred to as an intermediate UE, int. UE (intermediate UE), etc. Note that in the A-IoT UE, the signal design may be common between Topology 1 and Topology 2.

[0056] <Device Types> The following three device types, Device 1, Device 2a, and Device 2b, are defined for A-IoT devices.

[0057] Device 1 (may be referred to as Type 1) Device 1 is a device type that consumes a peak power of 1 μW or less. Device 1 has energy storage and an initial sampling frequency offset (SFO) of up to Z ppm (parts per million) (Z is 10 to the xth power (x is an integer equal to or greater than 0)). Device 1 does not have any amplification in either DL or UL. UL transmission in Device 1 is performed by backscattering an externally provided carrier wave (CW), i.e., an unmodulated wave.

[0058] Device 2a (may be referred to as type 2a) Device 2a is a device type that consumes a peak power of several hundred μW. Device 2a has energy storage and has an initial sampling frequency offset of up to Z [ppm] (Z is 10 to the xth power (x is an integer equal to or greater than 0)). Furthermore, DL and / or UL amplification is performed in device 2a. UL transmission in device 2a is performed by backscattering in CW provided from an external device.

[0059] Device 2b (may be referred to as type 2b) Device 2b is a device type that consumes a peak power of several hundred μW. Device 2b has energy storage and an initial sampling frequency offset of up to Z [ppm] (Z is 10 to the xth power (x is an integer equal to or greater than 0)). Furthermore, DL and / or UL amplification is performed in device 2b. UL transmission in device 2b is performed inside device 2b. In other words, UL transmission in device 2b does not need to be performed by backscattering in CW provided from an external source.

[0060] <Candidate Topologies> Next, candidate topologies for CW / R2D / D2R transmission will be described.

[0061] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing examples of candidate topologies for CW / R2D / D2R transmission in Topology 1. Fig. 8 shows Topology 1A, Topology 1B, Topology 1C, Topology 1D, and Topology 1E as examples of candidate topologies.

[0062] As shown in FIG. 8, in topologies 1A to 1E, CW / R2D communication signals (sometimes referred to as "R2D" in FIG. 8 and below) / D2R communication signals (sometimes referred to as "D2R" in FIG. 8 and below) can be transmitted and received to A-IoT devices.

[0063] In this embodiment, DL and R2D (reader to device) may be interchangeable, and UL and D2R (device to reader) may be interchangeable, where the reader corresponds to a BS and / or an intermediate UE, and the device corresponds to an A-IoT device.

[0064] In Topology 1A, the node (first BS) that transmits the CW is different from the node (second BS) that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering, and the node that transmits the CW is the same as the node that transmits the R2D communication signal. Also, the node that transmits the R2D communication signal is different from the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering. In other words, the R in R2D is different from the R in D2R.

[0065] In Topology 1B, the node (BS) that transmits the CW, the node that transmits the R2D communication signal, and the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering are the same.

[0066] In topology 1C, the node that transmits the CW (CW node) is different from the node that transmits the R2D communication signal (BS). Also, in topology 1C, the node that transmits the CW is different from the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering (BS). Also, in topology 1C, the node that transmits the R2D communication signal is the same as the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering. In other words, the R in R2D and the R in D2R are the same. Note that the CW node may be a BS / (intermediate) UE / IAB node / NCR (network-controlled repeater) node / relay node / other type of node.

[0067] In Topology 1D, the node (BS) that transmits the signal for R2D communication is the same as the node that receives the signal for D2R communication generated and transmitted by the A-IoT device, i.e., R in R2D and R in D2R are the same.

[0068] In Topology 1E, the node (first BS) that transmits the R2D communication signal is different from the node (second BS) that receives the D2R communication signal generated and transmitted by the A-IoT device. That is, the R in R2D is different from the R in D2R.

[0069] Fig. 9 is a diagram showing examples of candidate topologies for CW / R2D / D2R transmission in Topology 2. Fig. 9 shows Topology 2A, Topology 2B, Topology 2C, Topology 2D, and Topology 2E as examples of candidate topologies.

[0070] As shown in Figure 9, in topologies 2A to 2E, CW / R2D communication signals (denoted as "R2D" in Figure 9) / D2R communication signals (denoted as "D2R" in Figure 9) can be sent and received to A-IoT devices.

[0071] In Topology 2A, the node (first intermediate UE) that transmits the CW is different from the node (second intermediate UE) that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering, and the node that transmits the CW is the same as the node that transmits the R2D communication signal. Also, the node that transmits the R2D communication signal is different from the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering. In other words, the R in R2D is different from the R in D2R.

[0072] In Topology 2B, the node that transmits the CW (intermediate UE), the node that transmits the R2D communication signal, and the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering are the same.

[0073] In Topology 2C, the node that transmits the CW (CW node) is different from the node that transmits the R2D communication signal (intermediate UE). Also, in Topology 1C, the node that transmits the CW is different from the node (BS) that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering. Also, in Topology 1C, the node that transmits the R2D communication signal is the same as the node that receives the D2R communication signal transmitted by the A-IoT device via backscattering. In other words, the R in R2D and the R in D2R are the same. Note that the CW node may be a BS / (intermediate) UE / IAB node / NCR node / relay node / other type of node.

[0074] In Topology 2D, the node (intermediate UE) that transmits the signal for R2D communication is the same as the node that receives the signal for D2R communication generated and transmitted by the A-IoT device, i.e., R in R2D and R in D2R are the same.

[0075] In Topology 2E, the node (first intermediate UE) that transmits the R2D communication signal is different from the node (second intermediate UE) that receives the D2R communication signal generated and transmitted by the A-IoT device. That is, R in R2D is different from R in D2R.

[0076] <Agreed matters> The following agreements were made in 3GPP regarding R2D communication and D2R communication.

[0077] Data transmission for R2D may be transmitted on a PRDCH (Physical Reader to Device Channel). Control information for R2D may be transmitted on the PRDCH or on a physical R2D channel different from the PRDCH. Data transmission for D2R may be transmitted on a PDRCH (Physical Device to Reader Channel). System information may also be transmitted on the PRDCH.

[0078] An R2D preamble may indicate the start of R2D transmission in the time domain, and an R2D timing acquisition signal (e.g., an R2D preamble) is included for timing acquisition and to indicate the start of R2D transmission in the time domain, and a D2R timing acquisition signal (e.g., a D2R preamble) is included for timing acquisition and to indicate the start of D2R transmission in the time domain.

[0079] <Analysis> The density of devices targeted by A-IoT may be much greater than the density of devices in NR. There is room for consideration regarding communication methods when device density increases.

[0080] As a communication method for the case where multiple A-IoT devices exist and the device density increases, it is desirable to improve the multiplexing capacity using a multiple access method. For example, multiple access methods such as CDMA (code division multiple access) are being considered to improve the multiplexing capacity.

[0081] In A-IoT devices, it is difficult to perform fine timing control in the A-IoT devices, and it may also be difficult to synchronize between A-IoT devices. Therefore, asynchronous systems are being considered for A-IoT devices. For example, systems that do not achieve symbol-level synchronization between A-IoT devices are being considered. CDMA, which has quasi-orthogonality, is applied to asynchronous systems. Therefore, in A-IoT devices, it is being considered to improve the multiplexing capacity by using a multiple access method such as CDMA.

[0082] However, there is room for consideration regarding appropriate communication when multiple A-IoT devices exist. For example, there is room for consideration regarding how to design CDMA when multiple A-IoT devices exist.

[0083] For example, there is room for consideration as to which channels / signals CDMA should be applied. If CDMA is applied to channels / signals that should not be applied, the consumption of CDMA resources (e.g., mutually orthogonal spreading codes) will increase. Furthermore, if CDMA is not applied to channels / signals that should be applied, the channels / signals cannot be multiplexed, which may result in the inability to ensure multiplexing capacity for devices or the inability to properly receive signals at the destination.

[0084] Furthermore, there is room for further study on how to design the spreading codes used in CDMA, for example. It is desirable to appropriately design the type of spreading code sequence, the length of the spreading code, the length of the chip of the spreading code, and the like as design items of the spreading code.

[0085] The number of devices that can be multiplexed in CDMA varies depending on the length of the spreading code and the length of the chips of the spreading code. Furthermore, the transmission rate and the frequency bandwidth used vary depending on the length of the spreading code and the length of the chips of the spreading code. Therefore, if the length of the spreading code and the length of the chips of the spreading code are not designed appropriately, it may be impossible to ensure a sufficient number of devices that can be multiplexed, a sufficient transmission rate, or an appropriate frequency bandwidth. Thus, an appropriate design is required that takes into consideration the number of devices that can be multiplexed, the transmission rate, the frequency bandwidth, and other requirements.

[0086] Furthermore, it is desirable that the type of sequence be determined according to the design of, for example, the length of the spreading code and the chip length of the spreading code. The length of the spreading code, the orthogonality or quasi-orthogonality properties of the spreading code, the number of orthogonal sequences, etc. vary depending on the type of sequence. Therefore, if an appropriate type of sequence is not determined and used, it may not be possible to generate a spreading code that meets requirements such as the length of the spreading code and the chip length of the spreading code.

[0087] There is room for further consideration as to how the spreading code should be set / instructed / determined. If the spreading code is not set / instructed / determined appropriately, a discrepancy may occur in the spreading code used between the receiving device and the transmitting device, and the receiving device may not be able to receive the signal that has been spread by the transmitting device using the spreading code.

[0088] Therefore, in this embodiment, a CDMA / CDM design for appropriate communication when multiple A-IoT devices exist will be described.

[0089] The items described below may be combined as appropriate unless a contradiction occurs.

[0090] As mentioned above, "R2D" means a link from a reader to a device, and "D2R" means a link from a device to a reader. The reader corresponds to a BS or an intermediate UE, and the device corresponds to an A-IoT device.

[0091] R2D reception may correspond to the device receiving a signal / channel / information transmitted by a reader. Alternatively, R2D reception may correspond to a signal / channel / information transmitted by a reader and received by a device. Note that the reader transmitting a signal / channel / information to a device, or the transmitted signal / channel / information, may be referred to as "R2D transmission."

[0092] D2R transmission may correspond to a device transmitting a signal / channel / information to a reader. Alternatively, D2R transmission may correspond to a signal / channel / information transmitted by a device and received by a reader. Note that a reader receiving a signal / channel / information from a device, or the received signal / channel / information, may be referred to as "D2R reception."

[0093] In the following, notifications / indications may be carried in the physical (PHY) layer / Medium Access Control (MAC) layer / Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer / a new layer defined for A-IoT.

[0094] Hereinafter, "R2D control" corresponds to information / signals / channels related to control transmitted from a reader to a device. The "R2D control" may be transmitted in the PRDCH or in a channel for R2D of a PHY different from the PRDCH (e.g., a channel dedicated to R2D control of a PHY).

[0095] Hereinafter, "D2R control" corresponds to information / signals / channels related to control transmitted from a device to a reader. The "D2R control" may be transmitted in the PDRCH or in a D2R channel of a PHY different from the PDRCH (e.g., a dedicated channel for D2R control of a PHY).

[0096] The "subcarriers," "frequency units," and "resource blocks (RBs)" described below may be referred to as frequency resources (or frequency domain resources). For example, one or a single "subcarrier," "frequency unit," and "resource block (RB)" are all examples of one or a single frequency resource.

[0097] In the following, a "resource block (RB)" may include multiple subcarriers / frequency units.

[0098] <Application of CDMA and CDM> CDMA is supported for A-IoT D2R links. In this case, each A-IoT device transmits a signal obtained by spreading a signal using a spreading code (hereinafter referred to as a spread signal) to a reader (e.g., a BS or intermediate UE). The reader on the receiving side receives the spread signal and performs reception processing (e.g., despreading processing using the spreading code, etc.) to acquire the signal. When CDMA using spreading codes is applied to A-IoT D2R links, synchronization does not need to be achieved between A-IoT devices. Due to the pseudo-orthogonality of the spreading codes used by each A-IoT device, even if spread signals transmitted asynchronously are multiplexed, the multiplexed spread signals can be separated on the receiving side.

[0099] Code division multiplexing (CDM) is supported for A-IoT R2D links. In this case, a reader spreads a signal using a spreading code and transmits the resulting spread signal to one or more A-IoT devices. The receiving A-IoT devices receive the spread signal and perform reception processing (e.g., despreading processing using the spreading code) to acquire the signal.

[0100] <Scope of application of CDMA and CDM> CDMA is applied to channels / signals transmitted and received in a D2R link. For example, CDMA is applied to at least one or more of the following channels / signals: PDRCH Physical channels for the D2R link other than PDRCH D2R synchronization signal (e.g., D2R timing acquisition signal) D2R preamble / D2R midamble / D2R postamble D2R signal for channel measurement / D2R signal for channel estimation

[0101] CDM is applied to channels / signals transmitted and received in the R2D link. For example, CDM is applied to at least one or more of the following channels / signals: PRDCH Physical channels for the R2D link other than PRDCH R2D synchronization signal (e.g., R2D timing acquisition signal) R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble R2D signal for channel measurement / R2D signal for channel estimation

[0102] CDMA is primarily applied to D2R links, although CDMA may also be applied to R2D links as well as CDM.

[0103] For example, the design of CDMA for the D2R link (e.g., the design of spreading codes, setting / instruction / determination methods, etc.) in the following description may be applied to the design of CDM for the R2D link. In this case, the design of CDMA for the D2R link and the design of CDM for the R2D link may be the same or may be at least partially different from each other.

[0104] <Sequence Type> The type of sequence of the spreading code is not particularly limited. For example, at least one of the sequence types shown in the following options 1 to 11 may be used.

[0105] Option 1: Gold sequence Option 2: m-sequence (may be written as M-sequence) Option 3: ZC sequence (Zadoff-Chu sequence) Option 4: Chirp sequence Option 5: Walsh sequence Option 6: Golay sequence Option 7: Kasami sequence Option 8: Low density sequence Option 9: DFT / FFT sequence (discrete fourier transform / fast fourier transform sequence) Option 10: QAM symbol-based sequence (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation symbol-based sequence) Option 11: Other PN sequence (other Pseudo-Noise sequence)

[0106] Note that different sequences may be applied depending on the channel / signal. For example, the same sequence or different sequences may be applied to different channels / signals. At least one applied sequence may be associated with each of the channels / signals.

[0107] Also, different sequences may be applied depending on the type of device, for example, the same sequence may be applied to different device types, or different sequences may be applied, and at least one sequence may be applied corresponding to each of the device types.

[0108] Also, different sequences may be applied depending on the connection topology. For example, the same sequence may be applied to different connection topologies, or different sequences may be applied. At least one sequence to be applied may be associated with each connection topology. The connection topology may be, for example, at least one of the topologies shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.

[0109] That is, the type of sequence used for the spreading code may vary depending on at least one of the type of channel / signal, the type of device, and the connection topology.

[0110] Also, a combination of two or more of the above-mentioned options 1 to 11 may be applied. For example, a sequence generated by the product or concatenation of any two or more of the sequence types shown in options 1 to 11 may be used.

[0111] For example, in D2R, an A-IoT device transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code generated from any of the sequence types from option 1 to option 11 described above. Then, in D2R, a reader on the receiving side (e.g., a BS or an intermediate UE) receives the spread signal that has been spread with the spreading code. Also, in R2D, a reader transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code generated from any of the sequence types from option 1 to option 11 described above. Then, in R2D, the A-IoT device on the receiving side receives the spread signal that has been spread with the spreading code.

[0112] <Setting / Instructing / Determining Spread Codes> As an example of setting / instructing / determining spread codes in D2R / R2D, setting / instructing / determining whether to apply a spread code may be performed. Furthermore, when a spread code is applied, setting / instructing / determining which spread code to apply may be performed. Each of these will be described below.

[0113] <Setting / Instructing / Determining Whether to Apply Spreading Codes> Whether to apply spreading codes may be set / instructed / determined by any of the following options 1 to 7.

[0114] In addition, in D2R, applying a spreading code may correspond to performing CDMA, and not applying a spreading code may correspond to not performing CDMA. Performing CDMA in D2R corresponds to the A-IoT device transmitting a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code, and the reader receiving the spread signal spread by the spreading code. In addition, in R2D, applying a spreading code may correspond to performing CDM, and not applying a spreading code may correspond to not performing CDM. Performing CDM in R2D corresponds to the reader transmitting a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code, and the A-IoT device receiving the spread signal spread by the spreading code.

[0115] Option 1: Whether or not to apply a spreading code is specified by the specification. Option 1 corresponds to an example of semi-static configuration.

[0116] Option 1': The method for determining whether to apply a spreading code is specified by the specifications. For example, a relationship with a device ID may be specified. For example, whether to apply a spreading code may be determined by processing based on the device ID (for example, the result of a modulo operation on the device ID). Alternatively, a relationship between whether to apply a spreading code and a D2R time / frequency resource may be specified. Alternatively, whether to apply a spreading code may be selected randomly. Option 1' corresponds to an example of a semi-static configuration.

[0117] Option 2: Whether or not to apply a spreading code may be predefined in the system. Option 2 corresponds to an example of semi-static setting. In option 2, whether or not to apply a spreading code may be configurable for each system.

[0118] Option 3: Whether to apply a spreading code may be indicated via an R2D signal including a PRDCH. Note that this indication may be an indication at the PHY layer or an indication at a higher layer. Option 3 is an explicit indication, and corresponds to an example of a dynamic indication.

[0119] Option 4: Whether to apply a spreading code is determined based on an R2D control signal. Note that the R2D control signal here may be a physical layer control signal or a higher layer control signal (e.g., control information). Option 4 is an explicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction.

[0120] Option 5: Whether to apply a spreading code is determined based on the R2D synchronization signal. Option 5 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction. For example, two or more R2D synchronization signal types (e.g., sequences) are defined, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., whether to apply a spreading code) by identifying the type of the received R2D synchronization signal.

[0121] Option 6: Whether to apply a spreading code is determined based on the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble. Option 6 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction. For example, two or more types (e.g., sequences) of the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble are specified, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., whether to apply a spreading code) by identifying the type of the received R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble.

[0122] Option 7: Two or more of the above options 1 to 6 may be combined.

[0123] The semi-static setting is used for multiplexing within an A-IoT leader / cell. For example, when inter-cell interference is to be reduced, each cell is set to apply a spreading code, and when inter-cell interference reduction is not required, each cell is set not to apply a spreading code. This setting allows switching between application of spreading codes as needed, thereby reducing inter-cell interference. Furthermore, this setting eliminates the need for dynamic instructions, thereby reducing signaling overhead. Furthermore, this setting allows switching between application of spreading codes, so that application of CDMA can be set depending on the system to be introduced, traffic, etc. For example, when traffic is greater than a predetermined amount, the traffic can be multiplexed and transmitted using CDMA, and when traffic is less than a predetermined amount, the traffic can be transmitted without multiplexing using CDMA.

[0124] Furthermore, dynamic instructions are used for multiplexing within A-IoT devices. For example, when reducing interference between A-IoT devices, an instruction is given to apply a spreading code, and when there is no need to reduce interference between A-IoT devices, an instruction is given not to apply a spreading code. This instruction allows switching whether or not to apply a spreading code as needed, thereby reducing interference between devices. Furthermore, since this instruction switches whether or not to apply a spreading code, it is possible to instruct whether or not to apply CDMA depending on the system to be introduced, traffic, etc. For example, when traffic is greater than a predetermined amount, the traffic can be multiplexed and transmitted using CDMA, and when traffic is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the traffic can be transmitted without multiplexing using CDMA.

[0125] For example, in D2R, whether to apply a spreading code may be set for, instructed to, or determined by the A-IoT device based on at least one of the above-mentioned options 1 to 7. In R2D, whether to apply a spreading code may be set for, instructed to, or determined by the A-IoT device based on at least one of the above-mentioned options 1 to 7.

[0126] <Setting / instruction / decision of which spreading code to apply>

[0127] When a spreading code is to be applied, which spreading code is to be applied is set / indicated / determined. In other words, when a spreading code is to be applied, the spreading code to be applied is set / indicated / determined. The spreading code to be applied may be set / indicated / determined by any of the following options 1 to 7.

[0128] Option 1: Which spreading code to apply is specified by the specification. Option 1 corresponds to an example of semi-static configuration.

[0129] Option 1': The method for determining which spreading code to apply is specified by the specifications. For example, a relationship with a device ID may be specified. For example, which spreading code to apply may be determined by processing based on the device ID (for example, the result of a modulo operation on the device ID). Illustratively, an index identifying the spreading code to apply is determined by the result of a modulo operation on the device ID. The modulo operation in this case is expressed as "(device ID) mod (total number of indices)." Alternatively, a relationship between whether to apply a spreading code and the time / frequency resources of D2R may be specified. Alternatively, whether to apply a spreading code may be selected randomly. Option 1' corresponds to an example of semi-static configuration.

[0130] Option 2: Which spreading code to apply may be predefined in the system. Option 2 corresponds to an example of semi-static setting.

[0131] Option 3: The spreading code to be applied may be indicated via an R2D signal including a PRDCH. Note that this indication may be an indication at the PHY layer or an indication at a higher layer. Option 3 is an explicit indication, and corresponds to an example of dynamic indication.

[0132] Option 4: The spreading code to be applied is determined based on an R2D control signal. Note that the R2D control signal here may be a physical layer control signal or a higher layer control signal (e.g., control information). Option 4 is an explicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction.

[0133] Option 5: The spreading code to be applied is determined based on the R2D synchronization signal. Option 5 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction. For example, two or more R2D synchronization signal types (e.g., sequences) are defined, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., which spreading code to apply) by identifying the type of the received R2D synchronization signal.

[0134] Option 6: The spreading code to be applied is determined based on the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble. Option 6 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of dynamic instruction. For example, two or more types (e.g., sequences) of the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble are specified, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., which spreading code to apply) by identifying the type of the received R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble.

[0135] Option 7: Two or more of the above options 1 to 6 may be combined. For example, a set of PN sequences may be semi-statically set, and one of the PN sequences may be dynamically designated.

[0136] Semi-static settings are used for multiplexing within an A-IoT leader / cell. For example, the same spreading code is set within a cell, and different spreading codes are set between cells. This setting can reduce interference between cells. This also eliminates the need for dynamic instructions, reducing signaling overhead.

[0137] Dynamic instructions are also used for multiplexing among A-IoT devices. For example, different spreading codes are instructed between A-IoT devices. This instruction can reduce interference between devices.

[0138] For example, the spreading code to be applied is set / instructed / determined based on at least one of the above-mentioned options 1 to 7. The A-IoT device may determine the spreading code to be applied based on a setting, or may determine the spreading code to be applied based on an instruction. In D2R, the A-IoT device transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with the determined spreading code. Then, the reader receives the spread signal spread with the spreading code and performs reception processing (e.g., despreading processing) on ​​the spread signal using the spreading code. Also, in R2D, the reader transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with the spreading code determined by the reader. Then, the A-IoT device receives the spread signal spread with the spreading code and performs reception processing (e.g., despreading processing) on ​​the spread signal using the spreading code.

[0139] Whether to apply a spreading code may be set / instructed / determined implicitly based on a setting / instruction / decision regarding which spreading code to apply. For example, if an instruction regarding which spreading code to apply is received, it may be decided to apply a spreading code, and if no instruction regarding which spreading code to apply is received, it may be decided not to apply a spreading code.

[0140] <Length of Spreading Code> Regarding the length of the spreading code, any of the following options may be applied. Note that the length of the spreading code and the length of the channel / signal, etc. in the following description may be the length in the time direction, the length in the frequency direction, or a combination of the lengths in both the time direction and the frequency direction.

[0141] Option 1: The length of the spreading code corresponds to the length of one physical channel. In other words, one spreading code is not applied to two or more physical channels collectively. The spreading code is applied to each PDRCH, each PRDCH, or each other physical channel. Note that in option 1, the length of the spreading code may be the same as the length of one physical channel, or may be a length obtained by performing a specific operation (e.g., multiplication by a coefficient, addition of a predetermined value, etc.) on the length of one physical channel.

[0142] Option 2: The length of the spreading code corresponds to the length of one transport block (TB) or one media access control protocol data unit (MAC PDU). In other words, one spreading code is not applied to two or more transport blocks (TB) or two or more MAC PDUs collectively. In Option 2, the length of the spreading code may be the same as the length of one TB or one MAC PDU, or may be the same as the length obtained by performing a specific operation (e.g., multiplying by a coefficient, adding a predetermined value, etc.) on the length of one TB or one MAC PDU.

[0143] Option 3: The length of the spreading code corresponds to one transmission set. Here, one transmission set may be two or more consecutive D2R transmissions or two or more consecutive PDRCHs. Alternatively, one transmission set may correspond to two or more TBs or two or more MAC PDUs. Furthermore, one transmission set may include two or more of the following: a PDRCH, a preamble provided before the PDRCH, a midamble provided in the PDRCH, and a postamble provided after the PDRCH. In Option 3, the length of the spreading code may be the same as the length of one transmission set, or may be the same as the length obtained by performing a specific operation (e.g., multiplication by a coefficient, addition of a predetermined value, etc.) on the length of one transmission set.

[0144] Option 4: The length of the spreading code corresponds to the length of the information block unit other than those of options 1 to 3 above. For example, the information block unit may be information bits in one slot or one symbol, or may be information bits in other time units other than slots or symbols. Also, the information block unit may be information bits in two or more slots or two or more symbols, or may be information bits in two or more time units other than slots or symbols. Note that in option 4, the length of the spreading code may be the same as the length of the information block unit, or may be the same as the length obtained by performing a specific operation (e.g., multiplication by a coefficient, addition of a predetermined value, etc.) on the length of the information block unit.

[0145] The information block unit in option 4 may be X information bits (X is an integer equal to or greater than 1). X may be determined based on any of the following options 4-1 to 4-7.

[0146] Option 4-1 X is specified by the specification. Option 4-1 corresponds to an example of semi-static setting.

[0147] Option 4-1': The method for determining X is specified by the specification. For example, a relationship with a device ID may be specified. For example, X may be determined by processing based on the device ID (for example, the result of a modulo operation on the device ID). Alternatively, a relationship between X and a time / frequency resource of D2R may be specified. Alternatively, X may be selected randomly. Option 4-1' corresponds to an example of semi-static configuration.

[0148] Option 4-2: X may be predefined in the system. Option 4-2 corresponds to an example of semi-static setting. For example, X may be different for each system.

[0149] Option 4-3 X may be indicated via an R2D signal including a PRDCH. Note that this indication may be an indication in the PHY layer or an indication in a higher layer. Option 4-3 is an explicit indication and corresponds to an example of a dynamic indication.

[0150] Option 4-4: X is determined based on an R2D control signal. Note that the R2D control signal here may be a physical layer control signal or a higher layer control signal (e.g., control information). Option 4-4 is an explicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction.

[0151] Option 4-5: X is determined based on the R2D synchronization signal. Option 4-5 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction. For example, two or more R2D synchronization signal types (e.g., sequences) are defined, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information (e.g., X) corresponding to the identified type by identifying the type of the received R2D synchronization signal.

[0152] Option 4-6: X is determined based on the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble. Option 4-6 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of dynamic instruction. For example, two or more types (e.g., sequences) of the R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble are specified, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information (e.g., X) corresponding to the identified type by identifying the type of the received R2D preamble / R2D midamble / R2D postamble.

[0153] Options 4-7: Two or more of the above options 1 to 6 may be combined. For example, a set of candidates for X may be semi-statically set, and one of the candidates may be dynamically designated.

[0154] Of the above options 4-1 to 4-7, the semi-static setting is used for multiplexing within an A-IoT leader / cell, and the dynamic instruction is used for multiplexing within an A-IoT device.

[0155] In option 4, the length X of the information block unit is set / indicated / determined by one of the above-mentioned options 4-1 to 4-7.

[0156] In Option 4, an example has been given in which X is the length of the information block unit corresponding to the length of the spreading code, but X may also be the length of the spreading code. In this case, the length of the spreading code is set / indicated / determined by any of Options 4-1 to 4-7 described above. Also, in Option 4, when X is the length of the spreading code, the length of the spreading code may be set / indicated / determined first, and then the length of the information block unit corresponding to the length of the spreading code may be determined based on the length of the spreading code.

[0157] The length of the spreading code to be applied is set / instructed / determined based on at least one of the above-mentioned options 1 to 4. The A-IoT device may determine the length of the spreading code to be applied based on a setting, or may determine the length of the spreading code to be applied based on an instruction. Alternatively, the length of the spreading code may be fixed. In D2R, the A-IoT device transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code having a determined length or a fixed length. Then, the reader receives the spread signal spread with the spreading code and performs reception processing (e.g., despreading processing) on ​​the spread signal using the spreading code. Also, in R2D, the reader transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a transmission signal with a spreading code having a length determined by the reader or a fixed length. Then, the A-IoT device receives the spread signal spread with a spreading code having a determined length or a fixed length and performs reception processing (e.g., despreading processing) on ​​the spread signal using the spreading code.

[0158] <Chip Length of Spreading Code> The relationship between the modulated symbol and the chip length of the spreading code will now be described. The relationship between the modulated symbol and the chip length of the spreading code may correspond to the relationship between the length of the signal before spreading and the length of the spreading code.

[0159] The relationship between the modulation symbol and the chip length of the spreading code is expressed by a spreading rate. The spreading rate is expressed as the ratio of the chip rate of the spreading code to the chip rate of the modulation. For example, the spreading rate is expressed as "(chip rate of the spreading code) / (chip rate of the modulation)". The spreading rate may be 1 or a value greater than 1.

[0160] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing a first example of the relationship between modulation symbols and the chip length of a spreading code. Fig. 10 shows an OOK (on off keying) modulation symbol as an example of a modulation symbol before being spread by a spreading code. In the example of Fig. 10, one modulation symbol is spread by a length of 12 chips of the spreading code. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 10, the spreading factor is 12.

[0161] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing a second example of the relationship between modulation symbols and the chip length of a spreading code. Fig. 11 shows an OOK modulation symbol as an example of a modulation symbol before being spread by a spreading code. In the example of Fig. 11, one modulation symbol is spread by the length of one chip of the spreading code. Therefore, in the example of Fig. 11, the spreading factor is 1.

[0162] Regarding the relationship between the chip length or chip rate of the spreading code and the chip length, symbol length, chip rate, symbol rate, or M value of the modulation (hereinafter referred to as the "relationship regarding the chip length of the spreading code"), any of the following options 1 to 7 may be applied. Note that the M value of OOK (on off keying) may be the number of chips in one OOK symbol / one OFDM symbol / other time unit, or may be the number of information bits in one OOK symbol / one OFDM symbol / other time unit. Furthermore, the above-mentioned spreading factor may be an example of the relationship regarding the chip length of the spreading code. Furthermore, the relationship regarding the chip length of the spreading code may be considered as the relationship between the modulation scheme and the spreading factor of the spreading code.

[0163] Option 1: The relationship for the chip length of the spreading code is specified by the specification. Option 1 corresponds to an example of a semi-static setting.

[0164] Option 1': A method for determining the relationship of the chip length of the spreading code, for example, a method for determining the chip length of the spreading code or the chip rate of the spreading code, is specified by the specifications. For example, the relationship with the modulation chip length, symbol length, chip rate, symbol rate, or M value may be specified. For example, the chip length of the spreading code or the chip rate of the spreading code may be determined based on a function of the modulation chip length, symbol length, chip rate, symbol rate, or M value. In this case, the modulation chip length, symbol length, chip rate, symbol rate, or M value may be set or signaled in advance. Alternatively, the relationship between the chip length of the spreading code or the chip rate of the spreading code and the time / frequency resources of D2R may be specified. Option 1' corresponds to an example of semi-static configuration.

[0165] Option 2: The relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes may be predefined in the system. Option 2 corresponds to an example of semi-static setting. In Option 2, the relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes may be configurable for each system.

[0166] Option 3: The relationship between the chip lengths of spreading codes may be indicated via an R2D signal including the PRDCH. Note that this indication may be an indication at the PHY layer or an indication at a higher layer. Option 3 is an explicit indication, and corresponds to an example of dynamic indication.

[0167] Option 4: The relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes is determined based on an R2D control signal. Note that the R2D control signal here may be a physical layer control signal or a higher layer control signal (e.g., control information). Option 4 is an explicit instruction and corresponds to an example of a dynamic instruction.

[0168] Option 5: The relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes is determined based on the R2D synchronization signal. Option 5 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of dynamic instruction. For example, two or more R2D synchronization signal types (e.g., sequences) are defined, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., the relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes) by identifying the type of the received R2D synchronization signal.

[0169] Option 6: The relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes is determined based on the R2D preamble, R2D midamble, and R2D postamble. Option 6 is an implicit instruction and corresponds to an example of dynamic instruction. For example, two or more types (e.g., sequences) of the R2D preamble, R2D midamble, and R2D postamble are specified, and the A-IoT device implicitly acquires information corresponding to the identified type (e.g., the relationship between the chip lengths of the spreading codes) by identifying the type of the received R2D preamble, R2D midamble, or R2D postamble.

[0170] Option 7: Two or more of the above options 1 to 6 may be combined. For example, a set of candidates for the chip length of the spreading code or the chip rate of the spreading code may be semi-statically set, and one of the candidates may be dynamically designated.

[0171] Of the above options 1 to 7, the semi-static setting is used for multiplexing within an A-IoT leader / cell, and the dynamic instruction is used for multiplexing within an A-IoT device.

[0172] In A-IoT, the relationship between the chip length of the spreading code (e.g., spreading factor) can be set / instructed / determined for each reader, cell, or device, allowing for flexible CDMA multiplexing.

[0173] Variations Different alternatives / options from those described above may be applied to each of the preamble, midamble, and postamble.

[0174] Different alternatives / options from those described above may be applied to R2D and D2R, respectively.

[0175] Different alternatives / options from those described above may apply to each of the different device types.

[0176] Different of the above alternatives / options may be applied to each of the different connection topologies.

[0177] Different alternatives / options among the above alternatives / options may be applied to different R2D / D2R channels. For example, the R2D channel may include a PRDCH and a PHY channel for R2D control. The D2R channel may include a PDRCH and a PHY channel for D2R control.

[0178] Different alternatives / options among the above alternatives / options may be applied to different R2D information / D2R information / R2D format / D2R format / R2D command / D2R command. For example, the R2D information / R2D format / R2D command may include R2D data, R2D control, R2D system information, and R2D information triggering contention-based access. For example, the D2R information / D2R format / D2R command may include D2R data, D2R control, D2R ACK / NACK (Acknowledgement / Negative Acknowledgement) responses, and D2R responses in contention-based access. Note that the D2R responses in contention-based access may be messages called Msg. 1 / Msg. 3, for example.

[0179] In the present disclosure, A / B may mean at least one of A and B. In the present disclosure, "A / B / C" may mean "at least one of A, B, and C."

[0180] In the present disclosure, higher layer signaling may be, for example, any one of Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information, and the like, or a combination thereof.

[0181] The MAC signaling may use, for example, a MAC Control Element (MAC CE), a MAC Protocol Data Unit (PDU), etc. The broadcast information may be, for example, a Master Information Block (MIB), a System Information Block (SIB), Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI), Other System Information (OSI), etc.

[0182] The physical layer signaling may be, for example, downlink control information (DCI).

[0183] Next, the configurations of the base station 10 and the device 20 will be described. Note that the configurations of the base station 10 and the device 20 described below are examples of functions related to this embodiment. The base station 10 and the device 20 may have functions not shown. Furthermore, the functional divisions and / or names of the functional units are not limited as long as the functions perform the operations related to this embodiment.

[0184] <Configuration of Base Station> Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station 10 according to an embodiment. The base station 10 includes, for example, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a control unit 103. The base station 10 communicates with a device 20 (see Fig. 13) wirelessly. The base station 10 may be a terminal (an intermediate UE communicating with the device 20) or a CW node.

[0185] The transmitter 101 transmits a downlink (DL) signal to the device 20. For example, the transmitter 101 transmits the DL signal under the control of the controller 103.

[0186] The DL signal may include, for example, a downlink data signal and control information (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information)). The DL signal may also include information indicating scheduling related to signal transmission of the device 20 (e.g., an UL grant). The DL signal may also include control information of higher layers (e.g., control information of RRC (Radio Resource Control)). The DL signal may also include a reference signal.

[0187] The channels used for transmitting DL signals include, for example, a data channel and a control channel. For example, the data channel may include a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), and the control channel may include a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). For example, the base station 10 transmits control information to the device 20 using the PDCCH and transmits downlink data signals using the PDSCH.

[0188] The reference signal included in the DL signal may include at least one of, for example, a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and a Positioning Reference Signal (PRS) for position information. For example, reference signals such as the DMRS and PTRS are used for demodulating downlink data signals and are transmitted using the PDSCH.

[0189] The receiving unit 102 receives an uplink (UL) signal transmitted from the device 20. For example, the receiving unit 102 receives the UL signal under the control of the control unit 103.

[0190] The control unit 103 controls the communication operations of the base station 10, including the transmission processing of the transmission unit 101 and the reception processing of the reception unit 102. For example, the control unit 103 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the reception unit 102 and / or the transmission unit 101).

[0191] For example, the control unit 103 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 101. The control unit 103 also outputs the data, control information, etc. received from the receiving unit 102 to the upper layer.

[0192] For example, the control unit 103 allocates resources (or channels) used for transmitting and receiving DL signals and / or resources used for transmitting and receiving UL signals based on signals (e.g., data and control information, etc.) received from the device 20 and / or data and control information, etc. acquired from a higher layer. Information on the allocated resources may be included in control information transmitted to the device 20.

[0193] The control unit 103 configures PUCCH resources as an example of allocation of resources used for transmitting and receiving UL signals. Information related to the configuration of the PUCCH, such as a PUCCH cell timing pattern (PUCCH configuration information), may be notified to the device 20 by RRC.

[0194] Here, the transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 (which may be collectively referred to as a communication unit) communicate with the device 20 .

[0195] For example, the transmitting unit 101 may perform R2D transmission under the control of the control unit 103, and the receiving unit 102 may perform D2R reception under the control of the control unit 103. For example, the R2D transmission includes the transmission of at least one of the above-mentioned R2D preamble, R2D midamble, R2D postamble, R2D control, and PRDCH. Also, for example, the D2R reception includes the reception of at least one of the D2R preamble, R2D midamble, R2D postamble, D2R control, and PDRCH.

[0196] When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed in D2R (for example, when CDMA is applied), the receiving unit 102 receives the spread signal. The control unit 103 determines the applied spreading code. As an example of reception processing, the control unit 103 performs despreading processing of the spread signal using the determined spreading code.

[0197] When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed in the R2D (for example, when CDM is applied), the control unit 103 determines the spreading code. Furthermore, as an example of transmission processing, the control unit 103 performs signal spreading processing using the determined spreading code. A signal that has undergone spreading processing is called a spread signal. The transmission unit 101 transmits the spread signal obtained by spreading the signal using the spreading code.

[0198] For example, a base station 10 (an example of a wireless communication device) according to this embodiment communicates with a device 20 (for example, an A-IoT device). When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed, a control unit 103 of the base station 10 determines the spreading code. A communication unit transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spreading code.

[0199] For example, a base station 10 (an example of a wireless communication device) according to this embodiment communicates with a device 20 (e.g., an A-IoT device). When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed, a control unit 103 of the base station 10 determines the spreading code. A communication unit receives a spread signal that has been spread using the spreading code.

[0200] 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the device 20 according to the embodiment. The device 20 includes, for example, a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, and a control unit 203. The device 20 communicates with, for example, the base station 10 wirelessly. The device 20 may be a terminal (for example, an intermediate UE) or a CW node.

[0201] The receiving unit 201 receives a DL signal transmitted from the base station 10. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0202] The transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal to the base station 10. For example, the transmitting unit 202 transmits the UL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

[0203] The UL signal may include, for example, an uplink data signal and control information (e.g., UCI (Uplink Control Information)). For example, information related to the processing capability of the device 20 (e.g., A-IoT capability) may be included. The UL signal may also include a reference signal.

[0204] The channels used for transmitting UL signals include, for example, a data channel and a control channel. For example, the data channel may include a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and the control channel may include a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel). For example, the device 20 transmits control information from the base station 10 using the PUCCH and transmits uplink data signals using the PUSCH.

[0205] The reference signal included in the UL signal may include, for example, at least one of a DMRS, a PTRS, a CSI-RS, an SRS, and a PRS. For example, the reference signal such as the DMRS or the PTRS is used for demodulating an uplink data signal and is transmitted using an uplink channel (for example, a PUSCH).

[0206] The control unit 203 controls communication operations of the device 20, including reception processing in the receiving unit 201 and transmission processing in the transmitting unit 202. For example, the control unit 203 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the receiving unit 201 and / or the transmitting unit 202).

[0207] For example, the control unit 203 acquires information such as data and control information from the upper layer and outputs it to the transmitting unit 202. Also, the control unit 203 outputs, for example, the data and control information received from the receiving unit 201 to the upper layer.

[0208] For example, the control unit 203 controls transmission of information to be fed back to the base station 10. The information to be fed back to the base station 10 may include, for example, Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request (HARQ) ACK / NACK (Acknowledgement / Negative Acknowledgement), Channel State Information (CSI), or Scheduling Request (SR). The information to be fed back to the base station 10 may be included in UCI. The UCI is transmitted, for example, in PUCCH resources.

[0209] Control unit 203 configures PUCCH resources based on configuration information (for example, configuration information such as a PUCCH cell timing pattern and / or DCI notified by RRC) received from base station 10. Control unit 203 determines PUCCH resources to be used for transmitting information to be fed back to base station 10. Under the control of control unit 203, transmission unit 202 transmits the information to be fed back to base station 10 in the PUCCH resources determined by control unit 203.

[0210] Note that the channel used for transmitting the DL signal and the channel used for transmitting the UL signal are not limited to the above-mentioned examples. For example, the channel used for transmitting the DL signal and the channel used for transmitting the UL signal may include a Random Access Channel (RACH) and a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH). The RACH may be used to transmit DCI including a Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI), for example.

[0211] Here, the receiving unit 201 and the transmitting unit 202 (which may be collectively referred to as a communication unit) communicate with the network, such as the base station 10 and intermediate UEs.

[0212] For example, the receiving unit 201 may perform R2D reception under the control of the control unit 203, and the transmitting unit 202 may perform D2R transmission under the control of the control unit 203. For example, the R2D reception includes reception of at least one of the above-mentioned R2D preamble, R2D midamble, R2D postamble, R2D control, and PRDCH. Also, for example, the D2R transmission includes transmission of at least one of the D2R preamble, R2D midamble, R2D postamble, D2R control, and PDRCH.

[0213] When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed in D2R (for example, when CDMA is applied), the control unit 203 determines the spreading code. Furthermore, as an example of transmission processing, the control unit 203 performs signal spreading processing using the determined spreading code. A signal that has undergone spreading processing is called a spread signal. The transmitting unit 202 transmits the spread signal obtained by spreading the signal using the spreading code.

[0214] When multiplexing using a spreading code is performed in the R2D (for example, when CDM is applied), the receiving unit 201 receives a spread signal. The control unit 203 determines the applied spreading code. As an example of reception processing, the control unit 203 performs despreading processing of the spread signal using the determined spreading code.

[0215] For example, when multiplexing using a spreading code is performed, the control unit 203 of the device 20 according to this embodiment determines the spreading code. The communication unit transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spreading code.

[0216] For example, the control unit 203 of the device 20 according to this embodiment determines the spreading code when multiplexing using the spreading code. The communication unit receives a spread signal that has been spread using the spreading code.

[0217] The present disclosure has been described above. Note that the division of items in the above description is not essential to the present disclosure, and items described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and items described in one item may be applied to items described in another item (unless they are inconsistent).

[0218] <Hardware Configuration, etc.> The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., using wires, wirelessly, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or the multiple devices.

[0219] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, consideration, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these functions are implemented.

[0220] For example, a base station, a device, etc. according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station and a device according to the embodiment. The above-described base station 10 and device 20 may be physically configured as a computer including a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a storage 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0221] In the following description, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as a circuit, a device, a unit, etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and the device 20 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the drawings, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

[0222] Each function in the base station 10 and the device 20 is realized by loading specified software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data in the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0223] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer by running, for example, an operating system. The processor 1001 may be configured by a central processing unit (CPU) including an interface with peripheral devices, a control device, an arithmetic unit, a register, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 103 and control unit 203 may be realized by the processor 1001.

[0224] The processor 1001 also reads programs (program codes), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002 and executes various processes in accordance with the programs. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-described embodiments. For example, the control unit 103 of the base station 10 and the control unit 203 of the device 20 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be used for other functional blocks. While the above-described various processes have been described as being executed by one processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

[0225] The memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be configured by, for example, at least one of a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable ROM (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable ROM (EEPROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The memory 1002 may also be called a register, a cache, a main memory (primary storage device), etc. The memory 1002 can store executable programs (program codes), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0226] Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other appropriate medium including at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

[0227] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission / reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as, for example, a network device, a network controller, a network card, a communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include a high-frequency switch, a duplexer, a filter, a frequency synthesizer, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned transmitter 101, receiver 102, receiver 201, transmitter 202, etc. may be realized by the communication device 1004.

[0228] The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a switch, a button, a sensor, etc.) that receives input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, a speaker, an LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

[0229] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the memory 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or may be configured using different buses between each device.

[0230] Furthermore, the base station 10 and the device 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by the hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

[0231] <Notification of Information, Signaling> Notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure and may be performed using other methods. For example, notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

[0232] <Applicable Systems> The embodiments described in the present disclosure are applicable to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 (WiMAX (registered trademark The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and / or LTE-A with 5G).

[0233] <Processing Procedures, etc.> The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be rearranged unless inconsistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

[0234] <Operation of Base Station> In the present disclosure, specific operations described as being performed by a base station may also be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, an MME or an S-GW, etc., but are not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

[0235] <Direction of Input / Output> Information, etc. (see <Information, Signal>) can be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer). It may also be input / output via multiple network nodes.

[0236] <Handling of Input / Output Information, etc.> Input / output information, etc. may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input / output information, etc. may be overwritten, updated, or added. Output information, etc. may be deleted. Input information, etc. may be sent to another device.

[0237] <Determination method> The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

[0238] <Variations of Aspects, etc.> Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. In addition, notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to being done explicitly, but may be done implicitly (e.g., by not notifying the predetermined information).

[0239] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

[0240] <Software> Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

[0241] Software, instructions, information, etc. may also be transmitted or received over a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technologies (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)), and / or wireless technologies (such as infrared, microwave), then these wired and / or wireless technologies are included within the definition of transmission media.

[0242] Information, Signals, etc., described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc., which may be referred to throughout the above description, may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0243] Note that terms described in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of a channel and a symbol may be a signal (signaling). Furthermore, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, a cell, a frequency carrier, etc.

[0244] <System, Network> As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

[0245] <Parameter and Channel Names> Furthermore, the information, parameters, and the like described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a predetermined value, or other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

[0246] The names used for the above-described parameters are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical expressions using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

[0247] <Base Station> In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS)," "radio base station," "fixed station," "NodeB," "eNodeB (eNB)," "gNodeB (gNB)," "access point," "transmission point," "reception point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "sector," "cell group," "carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

[0248] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the overall coverage area of ​​the base station can be partitioned into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a remote radio head (RRH)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or the entire coverage area of ​​a base station and / or base station subsystem that provides communication services within that coverage area.

[0249] In the present disclosure, the base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

[0250] Mobile Station In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," "terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

[0251] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

[0252] <Base Station / Mobile Station> At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be an autonomous mobile object operating based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0253] Furthermore, the base station in the present disclosure may be read as a terminal. For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device) or V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything)). In this case, the device 20 may be configured to have the functions of the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as an uplink channel and a downlink channel may be read as a side channel.

[0254] Similarly, the term "terminal" in the present disclosure may be read as a base station. In this case, the base station 10 may be configured to have the functions of the device 20 described above.

[0255] Fig. 15 shows an example configuration of a vehicle 2001. As shown in Fig. 15, the vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in the present disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on the vehicle 2001, and may be applied to the communication module 2013, for example.

[0256] The drive unit 2002 is configured, for example, by an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

[0257] The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, a memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided in the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0258] The signals from the various sensors 2021 to 2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the current of the motor, a rotation speed signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, an air pressure signal of the front and rear wheels obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

[0259] The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, an audio system, speakers, a television, and a radio, for providing (outputting) various types of information, such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 provides various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001 by using information acquired from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc.

[0260] The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, microphones, switches, buttons, sensors, touch panels, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., displays, speakers, LED lamps, touch panels, etc.) that output to the outside.

[0261] The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions for preventing accidents and reducing the driving burden on the driver, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. In addition, the driving assistance system unit 2030 transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize the driving assistance function or the autonomous driving function.

[0262] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 to and from the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021 to 29, which are provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0263] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with an external device. For example, it transmits and receives various information to and from the external device via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, or the like.

[0264] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of signals from the above-mentioned various sensors 2021 to 2029 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012 to an external device via wireless communication. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021 to 2029, the information service unit 2012, etc. may be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include information based on the above-mentioned input.

[0265] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle distance information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH received by the communication module 2013 (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH)).

[0266] Furthermore, the communication module 2013 stores various information received from external devices in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, sensors 2021 to 2029, and the like provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0267] <Meaning and Interpretation of Terms> As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining something that is considered to be a "judging" or "determining," and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like that are considered to be a "judging" or "determining." Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. as having been "judged" or "decided." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Furthermore, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming," "expecting," "considering," etc.

[0268] The terms "connected," "coupled," or any variation thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" to each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, "connected" may be read as "access." As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" to each other using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency range, microwave range, and optical (both visible and invisible) range, as some non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples.

[0269] <Reference Signal> A reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may also be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0270] <Meaning of "based on"> As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

[0271] "First," "Second" Any reference to an element using a designation such as "first," "second," etc., used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

[0272] <Means> The "means" in the configuration of each device above may be replaced with "section," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0273] Open Format: When the terms "include," "including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

[0274] <Time Units such as TTI, Frequency Units such as RB, and Radio Frame Configuration> A radio frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of the one or more frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0275] Numerology may be a communication parameter that applies to the transmission and / or reception of a signal or channel, and may indicate, for example, at least one of subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering operations performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing operations performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0276] A slot may be composed of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol). A slot may be a time unit based on numerology.

[0277] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or multiple symbols in the time domain. A minislot may also be called a subslot. A minislot may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0278] The radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol all represent time units for transmitting signals, and may be referred to by other names corresponding to the radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol.

[0279] For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. That is, at least one of the subframe and the TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) in existing LTE, a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc. instead of a subframe.

[0280] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, a base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each user terminal) to each user terminal in TTI units. Note that the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0281] The TTI may be a transmission time unit for a channel-encoded data packet (transport block), a code block, a code word, etc., or may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. When a TTI is given, the time interval (e.g., the number of symbols) to which a transport block, a code block, a code word, etc. is actually mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

[0282] When one slot or one minislot is called a TTI, one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more minislots) may be the minimum time unit for scheduling. Also, the number of slots (minislots) constituting the minimum time unit for scheduling may be controlled.

[0283] A TTI having a time length of 1 ms may be called a regular TTI (TTI in LTE Rel. 8-12), normal TTI, long TTI, regular subframe, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a regular TTI may be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial or fractional TTI, shortened subframe, short subframe, minislot, subslot, slot, etc.

[0284] In addition, a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, a subframe, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a time length of more than 1 ms, and a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a TTI length shorter than the TTI length of a long TTI and greater than or equal to 1 ms.

[0285] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and the frequency domain, and may include one or more consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be the same regardless of numerology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be determined based on numerology.

[0286] The time domain of an RB may include one or more symbols and may have a length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. One TTI, one subframe, etc. may each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

[0287] Note that one or more RBs may also be called a physical resource block (PRB), a sub-carrier group (SCG), a resource element group (REG), a PRB pair, an RB pair, etc.

[0288] Furthermore, a resource block may be composed of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource region of one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0289] A Bandwidth Part (BWP) (which may also be referred to as a fractional bandwidth) may represent a subset of contiguous common resource blocks (RBs) for a given numerology on a given carrier, where the common RBs may be identified by their index relative to a Common Reference Point of the carrier. PRBs may be defined in a BWP and numbered within the BWP.

[0290] The BWP may include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL ​​(DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be configured for a UE within one carrier.

[0291] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE may not expect to transmit or receive a given signal / channel outside the active BWP. Note that the terms "cell," "carrier," etc. in this disclosure may be read as "BWP."

[0292] The above-described structures of radio frames, subframes, slots, minislots, symbols, etc. are merely examples, and various changes may be made to the number of subframes included in a radio frame, the number of slots per subframe or radio frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, the number of symbols in a TTI, the symbol length, the cyclic prefix (CP) length, etc.

[0293] <Maximum Transmit Power> The "maximum transmit power" in the present disclosure may refer to the maximum value of transmit power, the nominal UE maximum transmit power, or the rated UE maximum transmit power.

[0294] Articles In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

[0295] <"Different"> In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." Note that the term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

[0296] One aspect of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0297] 10 Base station 20 Device 101, 202 Transmitter 102, 201 Receiver 103, 203 Controller

Claims

1. An Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device comprising: a control unit that determines a spreading code when multiplexing using the spreading code; and a communication unit that transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spreading code.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether or not to perform the multiplexing based on a signal received by the communication unit.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the spreading code varies depending on at least one of the type of the signal, the type of the device, and the topology including the device.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit determines the relationship between the lengths of the spreading codes and the signals based on the received signals received by the communication unit.

5. A wireless communication device that communicates with an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device, comprising: a control unit that determines a spreading code when multiplexing using the spreading code; and a communication unit that transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading a signal using the spreading code.

6. A wireless communication method in which an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device determines a spreading code when multiplexing using the spreading code, and transmits a spread signal obtained by spreading the signal using the spreading code.

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