Terminal device, operation method therefor, and base station device

Abstract

The present invention proposes a new technology capable of satisfying both the effect of network energy saving and the effect of preventing a cell search delay of a terminal for a cell through implementation of a specific configuration for adaptively adjusting a transmission time point of an SSB transmitted by the cell.

Description

Terminal device and method of operating the device, base station device

[0001] The present invention relates to a SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) transmission technology for transmitting to a cell coverage serviced by a base station.

[0002] This application claims the benefit of Korean Application No. 10-2024-0088845, filed July 5, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.

[0003] In 5G (NR), PBCH is defined as a single unit called SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) along with PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal) and SSS (Secondary SS) as a signal for synchronization between terminals and base stations.

[0004] When the terminal initially connects to the NR network, it does not have information about the cell, so it scans the frequency bands to receive SSB.

[0005] The terminal can perform downlink time / frequency synchronization between the terminal and the cell by detecting the PSS and SSS from the received SSB, and can obtain PCI to determine which cells are present around the terminal. This process is called the Cell Search process.

[0006] Afterwards, the terminal can obtain the MIB (Master Information Block) broadcast through SSB (especially, PBCH) and receive the SIB (System Information Block) containing specific system information, and based on this, it performs a process (Cell Selection) to determine a suitable cell for the terminal to connect to among the surrounding cells, and then connects to the corresponding cell through a Random Access procedure.

[0007] Unlike LTE, 5G (NR) has a beam-based design structure, so SSB that must be broadcast / transmitted to the entire cell coverage of the base station is repeatedly transmitted by sweeping in all beam directions.

[0008] Therefore, in 5G (NR), the cell is operated by repeatedly transmitting SSB with a basically fixed transmission cycle by sweeping it in all beam directions.

[0009] However, periodic SSB (hereinafter, background SSB) transmitted at a fixed transmission cycle increases the energy consumption of network equipment and has problems, which can also cause negative side effects such as increased operating costs / increased greenhouse gases and environmental pollution.

[0010] Accordingly, the transmission cycle of background SSB can be lengthened to save network energy, but if the transmission cycle of background SSB is lengthened, there is an unavoidable problem of increased cell search delay of the terminal for the corresponding cell and additional delay in subsequent processes / procedures.

[0011] Ultimately, even if the transmission cycle of background SSB is lengthened to save network energy, a solution is needed that does not cause the problem of delay in cell search for the corresponding cell.

[0012] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a technical solution capable of adaptively controlling the transmission time of SSB transmitted from a cell, taking into account both the effect of network energy saving and the prevention of cell search delay for the cell.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a terminal device includes a memory including a command; and a processor that receives transmission information for a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) aperiodically transmitted in a cell by executing the command, and receives the specific SSB based on the transmission information; and the specific SSB is transmitted when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within cell coverage and peripheral terminals in the cell.

[0014] Specifically, the Cell can analyze location and density information for at least one terminal among terminals within the Cell coverage and surrounding terminals from information obtained from a terminal connected to the Cell or an adjacent Cell, and determine whether transmission of the specific SSB is necessary based on the analyzed information.

[0015] Specifically, the Cell transmits a periodic SSB, and additionally transmits the specific SSB based on the judgment, and if it is determined that transmission of the specific SSB is necessary, transmission information for the specific SSB can be transmitted through at least one of the periodic SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB (System Information Block) transmission channels.

[0016] Specifically, the Cell can transmit transmission information for the specific SSB through one of the earliest transmission points among the periodic SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB transmission channels.

[0017] Specifically, the information obtained from the terminal can be obtained by setting or requesting to analyze information about a terminal within the cell coverage by a terminal connected to the cell.

[0018] Specifically, information obtained from the adjacent Cell can be obtained by requesting information about terminals around the Cell coverage from the adjacent Cell.

[0019] A method for operating a terminal device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises the steps of: receiving transmission information for a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) aperiodically transmitted from a cell; receiving the specific SSB based on the transmission information; and transmitting the specific SSB when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within cell coverage and peripheral terminals in the cell.

[0020] Specifically, the Cell can analyze location and density information for at least one terminal among terminals within the Cell coverage and surrounding terminals from information obtained from a terminal connected to the Cell or an adjacent Cell, and determine whether transmission of the specific SSB is necessary based on the analyzed information.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a computer program is stored in a medium to execute the steps of receiving transmission information on a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) aperiodically transmitted from a cell, and receiving the specific SSB based on the transmission information, in combination with hardware of a terminal device, and the step of receiving the specific SSB based on the transmission information, wherein the specific SSB can be transmitted when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information on at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and peripheral terminals in the cell.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the present invention, a base station device includes: a memory including a command; and a processor that, by executing the command, determines whether transmission of a specific non-periodic SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within cell coverage and peripheral terminals in a serving cell, and transmits the specific SSB when transmission is determined to be necessary.

[0023] Accordingly, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a specific technical solution for adaptively controlling the transmission time of SSB transmitted in a cell is realized.

[0024] Accordingly, according to the present invention, while achieving the effect of network energy saving, it also achieves the effect of preventing delay in cell search of a terminal for a cell.

[0025] Figure 1 is an example diagram showing a situation in which periodic SSB (hereinafter, background SSB) is transmitted.

[0026] Figure 2 is an example diagram showing a communication environment to which the present invention is applied.

[0027] FIG. 3 is a block diagram specifically explaining the configuration of a terminal device and a base station device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example in which the transmission timing of SSB is adaptively adjusted according to the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of an SSB adaptive transmission function according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0030] Hereinafter, various embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

[0031] The present invention relates to a SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) transmission technology for transmitting to a cell coverage serviced by a base station.

[0032] In 5G (NR), PBCH is defined as a single unit called SSB along with PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal) and SSS (Secondary SS) as a signal for synchronization between cells of terminals and base stations.

[0033] SSB is used for time / frequency synchronization when a terminal initially connects to the network, and can also be used for various purposes such as AGC control and cell quality measurement.

[0034] However, to explain the use of SSB as an example, when a terminal initially connects to an NR network, it does not have information about the cell, so it scans frequency bands to receive SSB.

[0035] Accordingly, the terminal can perform time / frequency synchronization in the downlink direction between the terminal and the cell by detecting the PSS and SSS from the received SSB, and can obtain PCI to determine which cells are present around the terminal. This process is called the Cell Search process.

[0036] Afterwards, the terminal can obtain the MIB (Master Information Block) broadcast through SSB (particularly, PBCH) and receive the SIB (System Information Block) containing specific system information, and based on this, perform a process (Cell Selection) to determine a suitable cell for the terminal to connect to among the surrounding cells, and then connect to the corresponding cell through a Random Access procedure.

[0037] Unlike LTE, 5G (NR) has a beam-based design structure, so SSB that must be broadcast / transmitted to the entire cell coverage of the base station is repeatedly transmitted by sweeping in all beam directions.

[0038] Therefore, in 5G (NR), the cell is operated by repeatedly transmitting SSB with a basically fixed transmission cycle by sweeping it in all beam directions.

[0039] In relation to this, Fig. 1 shows a situation in which SSB (hereinafter, background SSB) is periodically transmitted every fixed transmission period T1 as an example.

[0040] However, periodic SSB, i.e. background SSB, transmitted at a fixed transmission cycle like this increases the energy consumption of network equipment and has problems, which can also cause negative side effects such as increased operating costs / greenhouse gases and environmental pollution.

[0041] Accordingly, the transmission cycle of background SSB can be lengthened to save network energy, but if the transmission cycle of background SSB is lengthened, the problem of increased cell search delay of the terminal for the corresponding cell is caused, and additional delay in subsequent procedures cannot be avoided.

[0042] Ultimately, even if the transmission cycle of background SSB is lengthened to save network energy, a solution is needed that does not cause the problem of delay in cell search for the corresponding cell.

[0043] Accordingly, the present invention proposes a technical method capable of adaptively controlling the transmission time of SSB transmitted from a cell, taking into account both the effect of network energy saving and the prevention of cell search delay for the cell.

[0044] Briefly describing the technical solution (hereinafter, SSB adaptive transmission function) proposed in the present invention, a base station transmits background SSBs in each cell it serves as a basis, and additionally transmits aperiodic specific SSBs (hereinafter, demand-driven SSBs) as needed, thereby adaptively controlling the transmission timing of SSBs (background / demand-driven SSBs) transmitted in the cell.

[0045] In relation to this, Fig. 2 is an exemplary diagram showing a communication environment to which the present invention is applied. In Fig. 2, for convenience of explanation, an embodiment in which each base station (100) operates one Cell (e.g., C1, C2) is illustrated, but the present invention can also be applied to a situation in which each base station (100) operates two or more Cells.

[0046] Referring to FIG. 2, according to the present invention, each base station (100) performs background SSB transmission based on each Cell (C1, C2) that it serves.

[0047] In addition, according to the present invention, each base station (100) can additionally transmit aperiodic demand-driven SSB when it determines that demand-driven SSB transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and peripheral terminals in each cell (C1, C2) it serves, as needed.

[0048] For example, in the situation illustrated in FIG. 2, assuming an embodiment in which the determination is made based on location / density information for terminals inside and / or around the cell coverage when determining whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary, Cell (C1) may determine that demand-driven SSB transmission is necessary and may transmit demand-driven SSB, and Cell (C2) may determine that demand-driven SSB transmission is unnecessary and may not transmit demand-driven SSB.

[0049] At this time, in the present invention, the effect of network energy saving can be achieved by lengthening the transmission cycle of background SSB transmitted by default in each cell (C1, C2) or by stopping the transmission of background SSB itself.

[0050] In addition, in the present invention, by adaptively controlling the transmission timing of SSB (background / demand-driven SSB) by additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB only when it is determined that demand-driven SSB transmission is necessary in each cell (C1, C2), the effect of preventing an increase in cell search delay can be achieved.

[0051] Of course, the situation illustrated in Fig. 2 can change at any time depending on the movement of each terminal (UE 1, 2, 3...), and depending on the change, the result of determining whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary in each cell (C1, C2) can change, and demand-driven SSB will be transmitted only when necessary.

[0052] Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 3, the configuration of a terminal device (10) and a base station device (100) that realize the technical solution proposed in the present invention, that is, the SSB adaptive transmission function, will be specifically described.

[0053] First, a base station device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a memory (not shown) including a command; and a processor (hereinafter, information collection unit (110), determination unit (120), and transmission control unit (130)) that determines whether transmission of a specific non-periodic SSB is necessary based on information about terminals inside and / or around cell coverage in a serving cell by executing the command, and transmits the specific SSB when transmission is determined to be necessary.

[0054] At this time, a specific SSB refers to an SSB that is additionally transmitted when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about terminals inside and / or around the cell coverage of the cell, and corresponds to the demand-driven SSB described above.

[0055] That is, the base station device (100) of the present invention, through the respective functions and linkages of the information collection unit (110), the judgment unit (120), and the transmission control unit (130), transmits background SSB in each cell it serves as a base, but additionally transmits demand-driven SSB only when necessary as described above, thereby adaptively controlling the transmission timing of SSB (background / demand-driven SSB) transmitted in the cell.

[0056] Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the base station device (100) servicing C1 will be described with reference to FIG. 2.

[0057] In addition, for convenience of explanation, the following description will assume that the base station device (100) and Cell (C1) are the same entity.

[0058] Specifically, Cell (C1) analyzes location and density information about terminals within and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage from information obtained from terminals connected to Cell (C1) itself or from adjacent Cells (e.g., C2), and can determine whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary based on the analyzed information.

[0059] In relation to this, the information collection unit (110) is responsible for the function of acquiring / collecting information about terminals inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage, i.e., information necessary for analyzing location / density information.

[0060] Specifically, the information collection unit (110) can obtain / collect information necessary for analyzing location / density information for terminals within and / or around the coverage of Cell (C1) from terminals (e.g., UE 1, 2, 3,...) connected to Cell (C1) or adjacent Cell (e.g., C2).

[0061] At this time, information obtained from terminals (e.g., UE 1,2,3,...) can be obtained by setting or requesting information about terminals within the coverage of Cell (C1) connected to Cell (C1) in Cell (C1).

[0062] For example, the information collection unit (110) can provide settings related to a measurement object / report for obtaining / collecting information necessary for information analysis to a terminal attached to a cell (C1), and can receive a report on measurement according to these settings from the terminal, thereby obtaining necessary information therefrom.

[0063] As another example, the information collection unit (110) can request an uplink signal for sensing purposes for obtaining / collecting information necessary for information analysis from a terminal attached to a cell (C1), and receive the corresponding uplink signal from the terminal to obtain necessary information therefrom.

[0064] Meanwhile, information obtained from an adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) can be obtained by requesting information about terminals around the coverage area of ​​Cell (C1) from another adjacent Cell (C1).

[0065] At this time, requests / information can be transmitted / exchanged between cells through the Xn (or other) interface.

[0066] For example, the information collection unit (110) can request and receive location / density information about a terminal by collecting and analyzing information from a cell adjacent to the cell (C1), such as a cell of a surrounding base station (e.g., C2), and obtain the information.

[0067] The location / density information for terminals in an adjacent cell (e.g., C2) obtained in this way can be utilized as location / density information for terminals around the coverage area of ​​Cell (C1).

[0068] In particular, the "location / density information for terminals in an adjacent Cell (e.g., C2)" requested by Cell (C1) and acquired from an adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) may be limited to information about terminals located in a specific location range / area (e.g., a defined boundary area between a base station and a surrounding base station), and the location range / area may be shared in advance through a coordination signal between base stations (e.g., beam exchange).

[0069] As another example, the information collection unit (110) can request and receive information (e.g., measurement report / sensing result) collected for analysis from another cell adjacent to the cell (C1), such as a cell of a surrounding base station (e.g., C2), and obtain necessary information therefrom.

[0070] At this time, information (e.g., measurement report / sensing result) requested by Cell (C1) and acquired from an adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) may be limited to information about terminals located in a specific location range / area (e.g., a defined boundary area between a base station and a neighboring base station), and the location range / area may be shared in advance through a coordination signal between base stations (e.g., beam exchange).

[0071] The judgment unit (120) is responsible for analyzing information about terminals within and / or around the coverage of Cell (C1) from information acquired / collected from terminals (e.g., UE 1, 2, 3,...) connected to Cell (C1) or from adjacent Cells (e.g., C2).

[0072] Additionally, the judgment unit (120) is responsible for the function of judging whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary based on the analyzed information / results.

[0073] Specifically, the judgment unit (120) can analyze location / density information for terminals within and / or around the coverage of Cell (C1) from information acquired / collected from terminals (e.g., UE 1, 2, 3,...) connected to Cell (C1) or adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) through the information collection unit (110) as described above.

[0074] Such analysis can also be conducted using pre-trained artificial intelligence (AI) models.

[0075] And, the judgment unit (120) determines whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary based on the analyzed information / result, i.e., location / density information for terminals inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage.

[0076] That is, the judgment unit (120) determines whether a situation requires transmission of demand-driven SSB, depending on where the terminal is located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and the density of the terminal.

[0077] The transmission control unit (130) is responsible for controlling the transmission of background SSB and additional transmission of demand-driven SSB in Cell (C1).

[0078] Specifically, the transmission control unit (130) can control / perform all operations for transmitting background SSB at set intervals in Cell (C1). Of course, the transmission control unit (130) can control not to transmit background SSB when the background SSB transmission function in Cell (C1) is turned off.

[0079] In particular, the transmission control unit (130) can control / perform all operations for additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB when it is determined that transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary.

[0080] To explain this in detail, when the judgment unit (120) of the abovementioned case determines that transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary, the transmission control unit (130) can transmit transmission information for the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted thereafter through at least one of periodic SSB (background SSB) transmission, paging transmission, and SIB (System Information Block) transmission channel.

[0081] More specifically, the transmission control unit (130) can transmit transmission information for demand-driven SSB through one of the transmission channels, which is transmitted at the earliest point in time, among the background SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB transmission channels.

[0082] At this time, transmission information for demand-driven SSB may include time / frequency / beam information to be used for transmitting demand-driven SSB, and transmission time window of demand-driven SSB.

[0083] In explaining the first embodiment, when the transmission function of the background SSB is assumed to be in the On state, the transmission control unit (130) can control transmission of the demand-driven SSB after transmitting the background SSB if the transmission timing of the closest Upcoming background SSB is within a certain time (T_upcoming_ssb_th).

[0084] In this embodiment, the transmission control unit (130) can transmit transmission information (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) of the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted later by explicitly / implicitly indicating it through the nearest corresponding Upcoming background SSB.

[0085] In relation to this, FIG. 4 shows an example in which the transmission time of SSB is adaptively adjusted according to the present invention.

[0086] According to the example of Fig. 4, in Cell (C1), background SSB is transmitted at a relatively long set period (T2), and when transmission of demand-driven SSB is determined to be necessary (T demand (Point in time) The transmission information (a) of the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted later is transmitted through the nearest Upcoming background SSB, and additional demand-driven SSBs are transmitted thereafter.

[0087] In this way, a terminal located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and receiving background SSB can receive / acquire transmission information (a) indicated / transmitted from this background SSB, receive demand-driven SSB based on this, and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0088] Meanwhile, the transmission control unit (130) can control transmission of a demand-driven SSB at a predefined / instructed time when the transmission timing of the nearest Upcoming background SSB is not within a certain time (T_upcoming_ssb_th) or when the transmission function of the background SSB is in the Off state.

[0089] At this time, according to one embodiment, the transmission control unit (130) transmits a demand-driven SSB at a time defined / indicated in advance, and can transmit transmission information (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) of the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted later by explicitly / implicitly indicating the transmission information through the demand-driven SSB transmitted in this manner.

[0090] In this way, a terminal located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and receiving a demand-driven SSB can receive / acquire transmission information instructed / transmitted from the demand-driven SSB, and based on this, receive the next demand-driven SSB and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0091] According to another embodiment, the transmission control unit (130) transmits a demand-driven SSB at a predefined / indicated time when the transmission timing of the closest Upcoming background SSB is not within a certain time (T_upcoming_ssb_th) or when the transmission function of the background SSB is in the Off state, but transmits the transmission information of the demand-driven SSB (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) by explicitly / implicitly indicating the transmission information of the demand-driven SSB (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) through a paging transmission or SIB transmission channel transmitted at the earliest time before transmitting the demand-driven SSB.

[0092] In this way, a terminal located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and receiving a Paging or SIB transmission channel in which transmission information is directed / transmitted can receive / acquire transmission information for demand-driven SSB therefrom, receive demand-driven SSB based on this, and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0093] Meanwhile, to explain another second embodiment, if the judgment unit (120) of the foregoing determines that transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary, the transmission control unit (130) can transmit transmission information (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) for demand-driven SSB to be transmitted later through one of the earliest transmission channels among background SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB transmission, regardless of the On / Off state of the background SSB transmission function.

[0094] In this way, a terminal located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and receiving a background SSB or Paging or SIB transmission channel in which transmission information is directed / transmitted can receive / acquire transmission information for demand-driven SSB therefrom, receive demand-driven SSB based on this, and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0095] Furthermore, in the present invention, when a base station device (100) wants to transmit demand-driven SSB in its own Cell (e.g., C1), it can exchange settings / related information for the demand-driven SSB with a surrounding base station (e.g., C2) through an Xn (or other) interface.

[0096] Additionally, when a base station device (100) wants to transmit demand-driven SSB in its own Cell (e.g., C1), it may exchange information about the location range / area of ​​the terminal that is the main target of the demand-driven SSB, measurement report / sensing results, etc. with a surrounding base station (e.g., C2) through the Xn (or other) interface.

[0097] Next, a terminal device (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 3.

[0098] A terminal device (10) according to one embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a memory (not shown) including a command, a processor (hereinafter, SSB receiving unit (11)) that receives transmission information for a specific SSB aperiodically transmitted from a cell by executing the command, and receives the specific SSB based on the transmission information.

[0099] At this time, a specific SSB corresponds to a tactical demand-driven SSB.

[0100] In the following, for convenience of explanation, UE 1 among the terminals (UE 1, 2, 3...) shown in Fig. 2 will be assumed as the explanation.

[0101] As described in the tactic, the base station device (100) transmits background SSB at set intervals in the Cell (C1, C2) it serves, but can additionally transmit demand-driven SSB if it determines that transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary.

[0102] In particular, the base station device (100) can lengthen the transmission period of the background SSB or stop the transmission of the background SSB itself, and transmit the demand-driven SSB only when it determines that additional transmission of the SSB is necessary.

[0103] At this time, the SSB receiving unit (11) of the terminal device (10, UE 1) located at the location shown in FIG. 2 can receive the background SSB or demand-driven SSB transmitted from the Cell (C1, C2) at the time of transmission of the SSB, and can utilize the SSB for its intended purpose.

[0104] For example, a terminal device (10, UE 1) can detect / acquire PSS, SSS, and PCI from the received background SSB or demand-driven SSB, and perform a cell search process to synchronize time / frequency in the downlink direction and check surrounding cells.

[0105] That is, in Cell (C1, C2), while saving network energy by transmitting background SSB at long intervals or stopping it, by additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB as needed, the SSB that can be received by the terminal device (10, UE 1) can be adaptively additionally transmitted, thereby preventing an increase in cell search delay in the terminal device (10, UE 1).

[0106] To be more specific, the terminal device (10, UE 1) can transmit a report on the set measurement or transmit the requested uplink signal / result according to a request for an uplink signal for sensing or a setting related to a measurement object / report from a Cell (e.g., C1) to which it is attached.

[0107] Such information (e.g., measurement report / sensing results) can be used to analyze location / density information for terminals inside and / or around the Cell (e.g., C1) coverage.

[0108] Meanwhile, since Cell (C1, C2) additionally transmits demand-driven SSB as needed, the terminal device (10, UE 1) must be able to receive demand-driven SSB that is adaptively transmitted as needed.

[0109] In this regard, in the present invention, the base station device (100, e.g., C1) transmits transmission information for the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted by explicitly / implicitly indicating the transmission information when it determines that transmission of the demand-driven SSB is necessary, as described in the various embodiments described above.

[0110] Accordingly, the SSB receiving unit (11) in the terminal device (10, UE 1) can receive transmission information for a specific SSB, i.e., demand-driven SSB, transmitted aperiodically from the cell.

[0111] Specifically, when receiving a (background or demand-driven) SSB from a cell (e.g., C1), the SSB receiver (11) checks whether transmission information for a demand-driven SSB is indicated / transmitted within the received (background or demand-driven) SSB, and if so, acquires it and can receive the next demand-driven SSB based on it and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0112] Meanwhile, when receiving a paging or SIB transmission channel from a cell (e.g., C1), the terminal device (10, UE 1) can check whether transmission information for demand-driven SSB is indicated / transmitted within the signal / channel, and if present, can acquire it and transmit it to the SSB receiving unit (11).

[0113] Accordingly, the SSB receiver (11) can receive transmission information for a demand-driven SSB transmitted aperiodically from a cell (e.g., C1), and based on this, can receive the next demand-driven SSB and utilize this SSB for its intended purpose.

[0114] Furthermore, in the present invention, terminals (e.g., UE 1, 2, 3, ...) may directly request demand-driven SSB.

[0115] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the terminal device (10, UE 1) may further include an SSB request unit (12).

[0116] When the SSB request unit (12) determines that cell reselection / handover is necessary based on information such as RSRP / RSRQ / SINR in the terminal device (10, UE 1) or when it determines that transmission information for demand-driven SSB has not been normally received / acquired, the terminal device (10, UE 1) can request demand-driven SSB to the cell (e.g., C1) to which it is attached.

[0117] In this case, when the base station device (100, e.g., C1) of the present invention receives a request for demand-driven SSB transmission from a terminal (10, UE 1), it can select cells (e.g., C2) that are likely to be suitable for the terminal (10, UE 1) based on the location of the terminal (10, UE 1), measurement report / sensing results, etc.

[0118] And, in the present invention, the base station device (100, e.g., C1) can exchange information about the location range / area of ​​the corresponding terminal (10, UE 1), measurement report / sensing results, a demand-driven SSB transmission request signal from the terminal (10, UE 1), etc. with the base station of the cell (e.g., C2) through the Xn (or other) interface so that demand-driven SSB can be additionally transmitted only to selected cells (e.g., C2).

[0119] As specifically described above, according to the SSB adaptive transmission function of the present invention, a configuration is realized that adaptively controls the transmission timing of SSB (background / demand-driven SSB) transmitted in a cell by transmitting background SSB at a longer cycle than before, and additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB only when necessary based on the terminal location / density inside and / or around cell coverage.

[0120] Accordingly, according to the present invention, through a specific technology for adaptively controlling the transmission time of SSB transmitted from a cell, it is possible to satisfy both the effect of network energy saving and the effect of preventing cell search delay of a terminal for a cell.

[0121] In the following description, the flow of operation of the SSB adaptive transmission function according to an embodiment of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0122] For convenience of explanation, referring to FIG. 2, the base station device (100) and the cell served by the base station device (100) will be described as being the same entity.

[0123] According to the present invention, a base station device (100), i.e., a Cell (e.g., C1), can obtain / collect information necessary for analysis by interworking with a terminal (10, e.g., UE 1, 2, 3, ...) attached to it or an adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) (S10).

[0124] For example, a cell (e.g., C1) can provide settings related to a measurement object / report for obtaining / collecting information necessary for information analysis to a terminal (10) attached to itself (C1), and receive a report on measurement according to these settings from the terminal (10) to obtain necessary information therefrom.

[0125] As another example, a cell (e.g., C1) may request an uplink signal for sensing purposes for obtaining / collecting information necessary for information analysis from a terminal (10) attached to the cell (C1), and may receive the corresponding uplink signal from the terminal (10) to obtain necessary information therefrom.

[0126] As another example, a Cell (e.g., C1) can request and receive location / density information about terminals collected and analyzed by another Cell (e.g., C2) adjacent to itself (C1) and a Cell of a surrounding base station, and the location / density information about terminals of the adjacent Cell (e.g., C2) thus obtained can be used as location / density information about terminals around the coverage of the Cell (C1).

[0127] As another example, a cell (e.g., C1) can request and receive information (e.g., measurement report / sensing result) collected for analysis from another cell adjacent to itself (e.g., C2), such as a cell of a surrounding base station, and obtain necessary information from this.

[0128] Accordingly, according to the present invention, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), can analyze location / density information for terminals within and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage area from the information collected in step S10 (S20). This analysis may also be performed utilizing a pre-trained AI (Artificial Intelligence) model.

[0129] And, according to the present invention, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), determines whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary based on the information / result analyzed in step S20, i.e., location / density information for terminals inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage (S30).

[0130] That is, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), determines whether transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary depending on where the terminal is located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and the density of the terminal.

[0131] According to the present invention, if the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), determines that transmission of demand-driven SSB is unnecessary (S30 No), it can only perform an operation of transmitting background SSB at a longer period than before (S40).

[0132] Meanwhile, according to the present invention, if the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), determines that transmission of demand-driven SSB is necessary (S30 Yes), transmission information for demand-driven SSB can be transmitted through one of the background SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB transmission channels that is transmitted at the earliest point in time based on the determination time (S50).

[0133] For example, a base station device (100), i.e., a cell (e.g., C1), transmits a demand-driven SSB after transmitting the Upcoming background SSB when the transmission timing of the nearest Upcoming background SSB is within a certain time (T_upcoming_ssb_th), and can transmit transmission information (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) of the demand-driven SSB to be transmitted thereafter through the Upcoming background SSB by explicitly / implicitly indicating the transmission.

[0134] Meanwhile, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), when the transmission timing of the nearest Upcoming background SSB is not within a certain time (T_upcoming_ssb_th) or the transmission function of the background SSB is in the Off state, transmits a demand-driven SSB at a time defined / indicated in advance, but transmits transmission information of the demand-driven SSB (e.g., time / frequency / beam information / demand-driven SSB transmission time window, etc.) by explicitly / implicitly indicating it through a Paging transmission or SIB transmission channel transmitted at the earliest time before transmitting the demand-driven SSB.

[0135] In this way, a terminal (10, e.g., UE 1) located inside and / or around the Cell (C1) coverage and receiving a background SSB or Paging or SIB transmission channel can receive / acquire transmission information for demand-driven SSB therefrom (S60), and based on this, demand-driven SSB reception becomes possible (S80).

[0136] Of course, according to the present invention, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), can perform an operation of transmitting background SSB after step S50 and an operation of additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB in parallel (S70).

[0137] And according to the present invention, the base station device (100), i.e., Cell (e.g., C1), can perform an operation of additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB as needed by repeating the steps S10 and thereafter described above, unless the SSB adaptive transmission function of the present invention is turned off (S90 No).

[0138] As specifically described above, according to the SSB adaptive transmission function of the present invention, a configuration is realized that adaptively controls the transmission timing of SSB (background / demand-driven SSB) transmitted in a cell by transmitting background SSB at a longer cycle than before, and additionally transmitting demand-driven SSB only when necessary based on the terminal location / density inside and / or around cell coverage.

[0139] Accordingly, according to the present invention, through a specific technology for adaptively controlling the transmission time of SSB transmitted from a cell, it is possible to satisfy both the effect of network energy saving and the effect of preventing cell search delay of a terminal for a cell.

[0140] Meanwhile, the operating method of the SSB adaptive transmission function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the operating method of the terminal device and the base station device realizing the same, may be implemented in the form of program commands that can be executed through various computer means and recorded on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may include program commands, data files, data structures, etc., either singly or in combination. The program commands recorded on the medium may be those specially designed and configured for the present invention or may be those known and usable by those skilled in the art of computer software. Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CD-ROMs and DVDs, magneto-optical media such as floptical disks, and hardware devices specially configured to store and execute program commands such as ROMs, RAMs, and flash memories. Examples of the program commands include not only machine language codes generated by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter, etc. The above hardware devices may be configured to operate as one or more software modules to perform the operations of the present invention, and vice versa.

[0141] Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it will be understood that the technical idea of ​​the present invention extends to a range in which various modifications or changes can be made by anyone having ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from the gist of the present invention as claimed in the following claims.

Claims

1. In the terminal device, memory containing instructions; and By executing the above command, a processor is included that receives transmission information for a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) that is transmitted aperiodically from a cell and receives the specific SSB based on the transmission information; The above specific SSB is, A terminal device characterized in that transmission is performed when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and surrounding terminals in the above cell.

2. In paragraph 1, The above Cell is, Analyze location and density information for at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and surrounding terminals from information obtained from a terminal connected to the cell or an adjacent cell, A terminal device characterized in that it determines whether transmission of the specific SSB is necessary based on the above-described analyzed information.

3. In paragraph 1, The above Cell is, Transmit periodic SSBs, but additionally transmit specific SSBs based on the above judgment. A terminal device characterized in that, when it is determined that transmission of the specific SSB is necessary, transmission information for the specific SSB is transmitted through at least one of the periodic SSB transmission, paging transmission, and SIB (System Information Block) transmission channels.

4. In paragraph 3, The above Cell is, A terminal device characterized in that transmission information for the specific SSB is transmitted through one of the transmission channels, Paging transmission, and SIB transmission, which is transmitted at the earliest point in time.

5. In paragraph 2, The information obtained from the above terminal is: A terminal device characterized in that it is set or requested to obtain information about a terminal within the cell coverage, and is connected to the cell.

6. In paragraph 2, The information obtained from the adjacent Cell is: A terminal device characterized in that it obtains information about terminals around the coverage of the cell by requesting it from an adjacent cell in the cell.

7. In the method of operating a terminal device, A step of receiving transmission information for a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) transmitted aperiodically in a cell; A step of receiving the specific SSB based on the above transmission information is included; The above specific SSB is, An operating method of a terminal device characterized in that transmission is performed when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and surrounding terminals in the cell.

8. In paragraph 7, The above Cell is, Analyze location and density information for at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and surrounding terminals from information obtained from a terminal connected to the cell or an adjacent cell, An operating method of a terminal device characterized in that it determines whether transmission of the specific SSB is necessary based on the above-described analyzed information.

9. A step for receiving transmission information for a specific SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) transmitted aperiodically from a cell by being combined with the hardware of a terminal device, It is stored in the medium to execute the step of receiving the specific SSB based on the above transmission information, The above specific SSB is, A computer program characterized in that transmission is performed when it is determined that transmission is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and surrounding terminals in the cell.

10. In the base station equipment, memory containing instructions; and A base station device characterized in that it comprises a processor that determines whether transmission of a specific non-periodic SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) is necessary based on information about at least one terminal among terminals within the cell coverage and peripheral terminals in the cell served by the base station device by executing the above command, and transmits the specific SSB when transmission is determined to be necessary.

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