Information processing apparatus, communication apparatus, communication system, information processing method, and program

Abstract

An information processing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to a configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming by cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices. The processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices constituting the transmission system.

Description

Information processing device, communication device, communication system, information processing method, and program

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing device, a communication device, a communication system, an information processing method, and a program.

[0002] Recently, wireless communication technologies have been actively developed. Next-generation wireless communication requires further improvement in communication performance (e.g., improvement in utilization efficiency of wireless resources). One of the technologies for improving utilization efficiency of wireless resources is a technology that concentrates power at a specific point by utilizing a phase difference in a near field (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Mingyao Cui, Linglong Dai, Robert Schober, and Lajos Hanzo, “Near-Field Wideband Beamforming for Extremely Large Antenna Arrays,” arXiv preprint arXiv:2109.10054, Sep. 2021.3GPP TS 38.401 V16.8.0 (2021-12), 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical Specification Group Radio Access Network; NG-RAN; Architecture description (Release 16)

[0004] Although the above technology (technology for concentrating power at a specific point) is expected to enable more advanced spatial multiplexing, simply applying this technology to a wireless access network does not necessarily result in wireless communication with high communication performance (e.g., high resource utilization efficiency, large capacity, high speed, low latency, high reliability, large number of high density, low power consumption, or low processing load).

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure proposes an information processing device, a communication device, a communication system, an information processing method, and a program that can achieve high communication performance.

[0006] It should be noted that the above problem or object is merely one of multiple problems or objects that can be solved or achieved by multiple embodiments disclosed in this specification.

[0007] In order to solve the above problem, one form of information processing device according to the present disclosure includes a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by multiple transmission devices, and the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system.

[0008] 1 is a diagram for explaining a technique for concentrating power at a specific point (point forming); FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of point forming with a single antenna having a large number of antenna elements; FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining near field and far field; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the Fraunhofer distance, which is the boundary between the near field and the far field; FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of point forming in a distributed antenna environment; FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of an NG RAN architecture; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of an IAB architecture; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a gNB architecture in a state where CP and UP are separated; FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a network configuration that can be adopted by the communication system of the present embodiment; FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the communication system of the present embodiment; FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a configuration of a management device of the present embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a configuration of a base station of the present embodiment; FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a configuration of a relay station of the present embodiment; FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a configuration of a terminal device of the present embodiment; FIG. 12 is a diagram for explaining the architecture of the communication system of the present embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission system. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a transmission system. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of division when the first split position is 5GC and an RU is present. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of division when the first split position is CU and an RU is present. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of division when the first split position is CU and an RU is present. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of division when the first split position is DU and a DU and an RU are present below it. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of division when the first split position is DU and a DU and an RU are present below it.FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is DU and an RU is present. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is DU and an RU is present. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is DU and an RU is present. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is 5GC and an RU is not present. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is CU and an RU is not present. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of division when the first split position is CU and an RU is not present. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a table showing correspondence relationships. FIG. 8 is a sequence diagram for explaining the notification process of the power calculation result or the determination result of whether point forming can be performed.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, the same components are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted.

[0010] Additionally, in this description / specification, the phrase "at least one of" following a list of elements is understood to mean that the listed elements are optional. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" means "(A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C)." "At least one of A, B, or C" and "at least one of A, B, and / or C" are similar to "at least one of A, B, and C." Here, A, B, and C are all arbitrary expressions (e.g., words, phrases, clauses, terms, or items).

[0011] In addition, in this specification and drawings, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers to the same reference numeral. For example, multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration may be distinguished by adding different numbers to the same reference numerals to the terminal device 40 as needed. １ , 40 ２ , and 40 ３ However, when there is no need to particularly distinguish between multiple components having substantially the same functional configuration, only the same reference numerals are used. For example, the terminal device 40 １ , 40 ２ , and 40 ３ When there is no need to particularly distinguish between them, they will be simply referred to as terminal devices 40.

[0012] One or more embodiments (including examples and modified examples) described below can be implemented independently. However, at least a portion of the embodiments described below may be implemented in appropriate combination with at least a portion of another embodiment. These embodiments may include novel features that are different from one another. Therefore, these embodiments may contribute to solving different purposes or problems and may produce different effects.

[0013] The present disclosure will be described in the following order: 1. Overview 1-1. Power concentration technology at a specific point (point forming) 1-2. Distributed antenna environment in 3GPP 1-3. Issues 1-4. Overview of solutions 2. Configuration of communication system 2-1. Network configuration example 2-2. Functional configuration example of communication system 2-3. Configuration example of management device 2-4. Configuration example of base station 2-5. Configuration example of relay station 2-6. Configuration example of terminal device 3. Operation of communication system 3-1. Architecture of communication system according to this embodiment 3-2. Transmission system selection process 3-3. Configuration of transmission system pattern group for initial transmission 3-4. Determination of retransmission 3-5. Configuration of transmission system pattern group for retransmission 3-6. Configuration example of transmission system 3-7. Initial connection 3-8. Power calculation 3-9. Notification of result 4. Modification 5. Conclusion

[0014] <<1. Overview>> Before describing this embodiment in detail, an overview of this embodiment will be described.

[0015] In recent years, discussions on next-generation wireless communications have been progressing. To achieve requirements such as even higher speeds than 5G NR, low-latency, highly reliable communications, large numbers of high-density communications, and simultaneous support of multiple of these, further improvements in the utilization efficiency of wireless resources are required. As one technique for improving the utilization efficiency of wireless resources, a technique for concentrating power at a specific point by utilizing near-field phase differences has been disclosed (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1). In the following description, the technique for concentrating power at a specific point may be referred to as a power concentration technique at a specific point or pointforming.

[0016] <1-1. Technique for concentrating power at a specific point (point forming)> Before describing the outline of this embodiment (outline of the problem and the means for solving it), the technique for concentrating power at a specific point (point forming) will be described.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a technique for concentrating power at a specific point (point forming). In conventional cellular mobile communications, a base station (e.g., eNB (eNodeB), gNB (gNodeB), or RAN node (including EUTRAN and NGRAN)) concentrates power in a planar or beam-like manner to form a communication coverage area (including femtocells, small cells, and large cells). In the example of FIG. 1, the diagram on the left (classic cell) illustrates how a base station forms a planar cell. The diagram in the center (beamforming) illustrates how a base station forms a beam-like cell. In this way, the base station provides communications to terminal devices (e.g., UEs (User Equipment)). Next-generation cellular communications require maximizing the utilization efficiency of radio resources (e.g., at least one of frequency, space, and time) to meet increasingly advanced requirements (e.g., a greater number of terminal connections, low-latency, highly reliable communications, etc.).

[0018] In beamforming, a communication device increases the power value in a specific direction by cooperatively controlling multiple antennas. Currently, a technology that forms cells at a point (power concentration technology at a specific point) is attracting attention as the next technology after beamforming. This technology concentrates power at a single point in three dimensions by cooperatively controlling multiple transmitting devices (transmitting antennas or devices with one or more transmitting antennas), exceeding the spatial separation achieved by conventional beamforming. In the example of Figure 1, the diagram on the right (point forming) shows how a base station forms a point-like cell (hereinafter also referred to as a point cell). Hereinafter, this technology will be referred to as pointforming, but the terminology is not limited to this. For example, pointforming may also be referred to as beamfocusing or beamfocal.

[0019] Conventional beamforming did not allow multiplexing of beam directions, but pointforming allows three-dimensional multiplexing. This allows for simultaneous communication with even more terminals. Pointforming also makes it possible to suppress interference with multiple terminals. As a result, we can expect to see improved communication quality across the entire system, a reduction in communication dropout rates, and even greater multi-connection communication.

[0020] Point forming is a technology that maximizes the received power at a specific location by taking into account the phase difference between radio waves transmitted from multiple transmitting antennas and coordinating the operation of multiple transmitting antennas so that the radio waves are combined in phase at the specific location. Outside the specific location, the radio waves transmitted from the multiple transmitting antennas are received with random phases, and the received power is suppressed by averaging. This achieves point forming, which forms a cell at the specific location. Here, in controlling the phase difference between the radio waves transmitted from the multiple transmitting antennas, the control device may, for example, control the initial phase of each transmitting antenna or the amplitude of each transmitting antenna.

[0021] The multiple antennas (multiple transmission points) used in point forming may be one or multiple transmission panels with multiple transmitting antennas (antenna elements). Figure 2 shows an example of point forming using a single antenna with multiple antenna elements. When radio waves are transmitted from a single transmission panel with multiple transmitting antenna elements, near-field characteristics may be taken into account.

[0022] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining near and far fields. Conventionally, it has been assumed that a base station communicates with a distant terminal device such as a smartphone. Therefore, conventional studies have been conducted assuming a far field as shown on the right side of FIG. 3. However, in the future, communications using even larger transmitting panels are expected. Therefore, it may become possible to communicate taking into account the phase difference, which is a characteristic of the near field region. Point forming may be used in this near field region. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the Fraunhofer distance (also known as the Rayleigh distance), which is the boundary between the near field and the far field.

[0023] While the above example shows the application of point forming in the near field, point forming can be realized in any environment where phase differences can be taken into account. Therefore, in an environment where multiple distributed antennas are located around a receiving point, point forming can be implemented regardless of the Fraunhofer distance. Of course, if the phase difference at the power concentration point can be taken into account, a communication device can also implement point forming using a single antenna with multiple antenna elements.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of point forming in a distributed antenna environment. In the example of FIG. 5, a base station includes a control unit (CU (Central Unit) in the example of FIG. 5) that controls multiple antennas, and controls the transmitting antenna. In the example of FIG. 5, one CU controls the transmitting antenna, but control by only one CU is not required. Multiple elements (e.g., DU (Distributed Unit), RAT (Radio Access Technology), and TRP (Transmission Reception Point)) may operate cooperatively. Also, in the example of FIG. 5, the CU and the transmitting antenna are optically connected, but this does not necessarily have to be an optical connection. Note that each of multiple transmission points (transmitting antennas) may be a single base station. Also, multiple transmission points (transmitting antennas) may be controlled by one or multiple base stations.

[0025] In general, the degree of power concentration in point forming varies depending on the number of transmit points used during power concentration. The number of transmit points used to form one or more receive points and the fine power control are positively correlated. In other words, the more transmit points there are, the more fine power control is possible.

[0026] <1-2. Distributed Antenna Environment in 3GPP> Non-Patent Document 2 (3GPP TS 38.401 V16.8.0) describes the NG RAN Architecture defined by 3GPP. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the NG RAN architecture. Hereinafter, the definitions of names of functional division and the configuration in this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Note that the functional division in this embodiment is not limited to the contents of the following description.

[0027] In the current standard, the functions of a base station (gNB in ​​the example of FIG. 6) are separated into two: a CU (Central Unit) and a DU (Distributed Unit). Currently, the boundary between the CU and the DU (also called the split point or division point) is set between the Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer and the Radio Link Control (RLC) layer in the 3GPP protocol stack.

[0028] Here, the DU may include some or all of the RF functions known as RRH (Radio Remote Head), RRU (Remote Radio Unit), or RU (Radio Unit). Furthermore, the DU may be further divided into functions having RF functions and functions without RF functions. When this division is performed, a femtocell or a microcell may be composed of a group of functions having at least RF functions.

[0029] It is assumed that one gNB consists of one CU and one or more DUs. It is also assumed that one DU is connected to only one CU. For communication flexibility, one DU may be connected to multiple CUs in an appropriate implementation.

[0030] To establish communication between the CU and DU, 3GPP defines "F1" as the interface between these units. This interface is a logical interface. Communication between the CU and DU is established by IP packets passing through a network such as Ethernet (registered trademark) (IEEE 802.3). This is one form of the backhaul / midhaul mentioned above.

[0031] Because a general public network is used as the communication path, the F1 interface is a non-ideal wired interface in which synchronization between communication paths is difficult. Note that the F1 interface of this embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the standard also takes into account the case where the F1 interface is wireless. This corresponds to IAB (Integral and Backhaul). FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of an IAB architecture (C-plane). In IAB, F1 is wireless between a DU on an IAB donor or IAB node and a Mobile Terminal (MT) on the IAB node.

[0032] In addition, the CU and DU may be divided into a CP (Control Plane) and a UP (User Plane) and implemented. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of a gNB architecture in which the CP and UP are separated. In the 3GPP standard, a gNB is composed of one CU-CP, multiple CU-UPs, and a DU.

[0033] <1-3. Problems> Based on the above, problems of this embodiment will be described.

[0034] One of the challenges in implementing point forming in a distributed antenna environment is how to determine the distributed antennas to be used when implementing point forming. It is known that the performance of point forming (e.g., the degree of power concentration or resolution) is proportional to the number of transmitting devices used. On the other hand, there is a limit to the number of transmitting devices that can actually be used, and this number also varies depending on the topology consisting of control devices and transmitting devices. For these reasons, when implementing point forming, transmitting devices can be considered as finite resources. In other words, point forming should be implemented with a transmitting device configuration that is in line with the communication requirements and actual situation.

[0035] In the current standard, a terminal device has the function of selecting the optimal beam for communication. However, the current standard does not address the case where the number and / or combination of transmitters is related to the implementation of optimal power concentration, or the case where a receiver device intends to contribute to the implementation of optimal point forming power concentration. Therefore, a new procedure that takes into account the number and selection method of transmitters is required to implement optimal point forming power concentration in point forming.

[0036] Non-Patent Document 1 discloses the implementation of point forming using a single extremely large antenna array having a large number of antenna elements. This technique is for a single extremely large antenna array, and is not for a distributed antenna environment. Furthermore, other literature on distributed antenna environments does not take into consideration communication in a form such as point forming.

[0037] <1-4. Overview of Solution> Therefore, in this embodiment, the above-mentioned problems are solved as follows.

[0038] The communication system of this embodiment includes a plurality of transmitting devices. Each of the plurality of transmitting devices includes one or more transmitting antennas. One transmitting antenna may be considered as the transmitting device itself. In this embodiment, the plurality of transmitting devices form a distributed antenna environment (hereinafter referred to as a transmitting system) for point forming.

[0039] The transmission system includes a plurality of transmitting devices and a control device that controls the plurality of transmitting devices. The plurality of transmitting devices included in the transmission system are two or more transmitting devices selected from a plurality of transmitting devices included in the communication system. The transmission system performs power concentration for point forming by cooperative transmission of signals by the plurality of transmitting devices.

[0040] In this embodiment, the configuration of the transmission system can be changed dynamically or quasi-statically. That is, in this embodiment, the configuration of the transmission system is not fixed (determined statically) as in the past, but is determined dynamically or quasi-statically depending on the state of the terminal device and / or the communication environment, for example.

[0041] To achieve this, the communication system of this embodiment includes an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system. In the following description, this information processing device may be referred to as a higher-level control device. The higher-level control device may be a control device included in the transmission system, or may be a device different from the control device included in the transmission system. Of course, a device other than these devices (for example, a transmission device) may function as the higher-level control device.

[0042] The upper control device acquires information regarding the reception results of signals cooperatively transmitted by multiple transmission devices by a reception device (e.g., a terminal device). The information may include information regarding the reception power of the signals received by the reception device. The upper control device performs processing related to the selection of multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system based on the information regarding the reception results.

[0043] More specifically, the upper control device acquires information on a transmission system pattern group including a plurality of transmission system patterns indicating the configuration of a transmission system. The transmission system pattern is information on the configuration pattern of the transmission system. Each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group has a different combination of transmission devices from the other transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group.

[0044] The upper control device then causes each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group to transmit a cooperative transmission signal. The cooperative transmission signal is a signal that is cooperatively transmitted by the multiple transmission devices that make up the transmission system pattern. The upper control device then acquires information regarding the reception results of the cooperative transmission signal by the receiving device for each of the multiple transmission system patterns. The upper control device selects, as the transmission system configuration, a transmission system pattern whose information regarding the reception results satisfies a criterion. For example, the upper control device selects, as the transmission system configuration, a transmission system pattern with the strongest reception strength from one or more transmission system patterns whose reception strength of the cooperative transmission signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0045] This allows the communication system to perform optimal point-forming power concentration on the receiving device, resulting in high communication performance.

[0046] The outline of this embodiment has been described above, and the communication system 1 of this embodiment will now be described in detail.

[0047] <<2. Configuration of Communication System>> The configuration of the communication system 1 will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0048] <2-1. Network Configuration Example> Fig. 9 is a diagram showing a network configuration that can be adopted by the communication system 1 of this embodiment. The lines (dashed lines) in the figure represent logical connections and are not necessarily directly connected physically. The communication area is made up of "cells" (ellipses in the figure) each of which is serviced by a plurality of base stations. A single base station may provide multiple cells.

[0049] Base stations can communicate with each other via backhaul (whether wired or wireless), mainly exchanging control information. Communications using this backhaul are expected to use the X2 interface or S1 interface protocol.

[0050] The base station also has a backhaul to the core network of the system. In this case, the base station may connect to the core network by connecting to a control entity (the control entity may be considered as one of the elements of the core network). In addition to connecting to the control entity, the base station may also connect to the core network via an external network. Examples of base stations that connect in this way include femtocell base station devices that can be installed indoors or in homes, or HeNB devices.

[0051] Similarly, when base station functions are divided and a base station is defined as separate units, these units may have a mid-haul between them. These units may be individually connected to a control entity or a core network, thereby being connected to the core network. Furthermore, these units may be connected to the control entity or the core network in a relay manner between the same or different units resulting from the functional division. Alternatively, the division of base station functions may be implemented in different topologies or forms, such as a form configured for controlling the control entity and below (Control Plane, C-plane) and a form configured for performing data communication (User Plane, U-plane).

[0052] The division of base station functions may be implemented in different topologies or forms, such as a form configured for the purpose of controlling control entities and below (Control Plane, C-plane) and a form configured for the purpose of performing data communication (User Plane, U-plane).

[0053] Where a division of base station functions is implemented and base stations are defined as separate units, these units may be shared by devices or entities that constitute the same or separate base stations, macrocells or microcells.

[0054] When a division of base station functions is implemented and base stations are defined as separate units, these units do not necessarily have to be physically separated: they may be defined by virtual or logical separation.

[0055] The midhaul may be established physically or logically. In this case, the midhaul may be configured as a dedicated communication path or may be configured as a general public network. Alternatively, the midhaul may be established via a wireless device. The midhaul and backhaul may overlap.

[0056] A macrocell, microcell, or femtocell may have multiple transmitting devices or functions within its area for purposes other than cell creation. Base stations with the same cell identifier may exist for the purpose of coverage extension. Furthermore, devices constituting a macrocell, microcell, or femtocell may have a fronthaul between a unit including at least an RF (Radio Frequency) device or antenna device and other functions or devices. In this case, the fronthaul allows any connection, whether physical, logical, wireless, wired, dedicated line, or general network.

[0057] The devices constituting the small cell or femtocell may be configured by units including at least an RF device or an antenna device, and these units may be shared by one or more base stations or any devices with similar functionality.

[0058] Small cell areas are generally arranged so as to overlap with macro cell areas, but small cell areas may be arranged partially or completely outside the macro cell area.

[0059] Furthermore, devices constituting a macrocell, a microcell, or a femtocell may have characteristics in the radio resources they use. For example, the same frequency resource F1 (or time resource T1) may be used in a macrocell and a small cell. This makes it possible to improve the radio resource utilization efficiency of the entire system. On the other hand, the macrocell may use frequency resource F1 (or time resource T1), and the small cell may use frequency F2 (or time resource T2). This makes it possible to avoid interference between the macrocell and the small cell. Furthermore, both types of cells or devices having base station functions may each use F1 / 2 (T1 / 2). When applied to frequency resources, this is a concept equivalent to CA (Carrier Aggregation).

[0060] When macrocells or microcells operate cooperatively, there may be a master-slave relationship between the macrocells or microcells. The macrocells or microcells may be physically or logically connected to each other. This connection may be, for example, an Xn interface. A master cell and its subordinate cells may be defined as cells (Pcells or Scells) belonging to a main cell group (MCG). Furthermore, subordinate cells to the master cell and its subordinate cells may be defined as cells (Pcells or Scells) belonging to a secondary cell group (SCG).

[0061] Assuming that macrocells and small cells or devices with base station functionality are spatially separated, they may be characterized by the radio resources they use and the method of superimposing them, such as MIMO (Multi-Input Multiple-Output) and spatial division multiplexing using beamforming.

[0062] A macrocell and a small cell may include multiple transmission / reception points or multiple radio wave transmitters and receivers. In communications using multiple transmission / reception points or multiple radio wave transmitters and receivers, the multiple transmission / reception points and multiple radio wave transmitters and receivers may use different resources (frequencies, time) for transmission and reception, or may use the same resources. The multiple transmission / reception points and multiple radio wave transmitters and receivers may be shared and used by different cells.

[0063] <2-2. Example of Functional Configuration of Communication System> Next, an example of the functional configuration of the communication system 1 will be described.

[0064] 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a communication system 1 according to this embodiment. The communication system 1 includes a management device 10, a base station 20, a relay station 30, and a terminal device 40. The communication system 1 provides users with a wireless network (mobile network) that enables mobile communication by having the wireless communication devices that make up the communication system 1 operate in cooperation with each other.

[0065] The wireless network of this embodiment may be, for example, a cellular network configured with a radio access network RAN ​​and a core network CN. The mobile network may include a terminal device 40. In this embodiment, a wireless communication device is a device having a wireless communication function, and in the example of Fig. 10, this corresponds to the base station 20, the relay station 30, and the terminal device 40.

[0066] The communication system 1 may include a plurality of management devices 10, a plurality of base stations 20, a plurality of relay stations 30, and a plurality of terminal devices 40. In the example of FIG. 10, the communication system 1 includes a management device 10 １ and 10 ２ and the base station 20 is provided with １ , 20 ２ , and 20 ３ The communication system 1 also includes a relay station 30. １ and 30 ２ The terminal device 40 is provided with the terminal device 40 １ , 40 ２ , and 40 ３ It is equipped with:

[0067] The terminal device 40 may be configured to connect to a network using radio access technologies (RATs) such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), NR (New Radio), B5G (Beyond 5G), 6G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth (registered trademark), etc. In this case, the terminal device 40 may be configured to be able to use different radio access technologies (wireless communication methods). For example, the terminal device 40 may be configured to be able to use NR and Wi-Fi. Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may be configured to be able to use different cellular communication technologies (e.g., LTE, NR, B5G, or 6G). In the following description, the terminal device 40 may be referred to as UE (User Equipment) 40.

[0068] LTE and NR are types of cellular communication technologies that enable mobile communication for terminal devices by arranging multiple areas covered by devices with electromagnetic wave transmission and reception functions (for example, base stations or TRPs (Transmission Reception Points)) in the form of cells. 6G, as a type of cellular communication technology, has the potential to become a technology that enables mobile communication for terminal devices by arranging multiple areas covered by base stations in the form of cells.

[0069] In the following description, "LTE" includes LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), LTE-A Pro (LTE-Advanced Pro), and EUTRA (Evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access). NR includes NRAT (New Radio Access Technology) and FEUTRA (Further EUTRA). A single base station or one TRP may manage multiple cells. In the following description, a cell corresponding to LTE is referred to as an LTE cell, and a cell corresponding to NR is referred to as an NR cell.

[0070] NR is the next generation (5th generation) radio access technology after LTE (4th generation communications including LTE-Advanced and LTE-Advanced Pro). NR is a radio access technology that can support various use cases, including eMBB (Enhanced Mobile Broadband), mMTC (Massive Machine Type Communications), and URLLC (Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communications). NR was standardized in 3GPP (registered trademark) Rel-15 as a technical framework that supports the usage scenarios, requirements, and deployment scenarios of these use cases. 3GPP is also studying next-generation technologies, including enhancements to the NR standard. For example, in Rel-19, standardization activities are underway for 6G (B5G (Beyond 5G)), the next-generation communications standard.

[0071] 6G is the next generation of cellular communication technology, following NR and 5GS (5G system), which are fifth-generation mobile communications. 6G is required to simultaneously achieve multiple axes: high speed, large capacity, low latency, high reliability, and multiple simultaneous connections. 6G includes radio access technology and network technology between base stations, core networks, and data networks. 6G also includes technologies for the enhancement of eMBB, mMTC, and URLLC (extreme connectivity), which were major use cases or requirements of NR. 6G also includes new technologies in new areas. For example, 6G may include technologies related to AI (cognitive network, AI native air interface), sensing (including radar / RF sensing and network as a sensor), and terahertz communication.

[0072] The wireless network described above or below may correspond to at least one of radio access technologies (RATs) such as LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G. LTE, NR, and 6G are types of cellular communication technologies that enable mobile communication for terminal devices by arranging multiple areas covered by base stations in the form of cells. The wireless access method used by the communication system 1 is not limited to LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G, and may be other wireless access methods such as W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) and cdma2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000).

[0073] Furthermore, the base station 20 and the relay station 30 may be terrestrial stations or non-terrestrial stations. The non-terrestrial stations may be satellite stations or aircraft stations. If the non-terrestrial stations are satellite stations, the wireless network may be a bent-pipe (transparent) type mobile satellite communication system.

[0074] In this embodiment, terrestrial stations and terrestrial base stations refer to base stations and relay stations installed on the ground. Here, "terrestrial" refers to terrestrial in a broad sense, including not only land but also underground, on water, and underwater. In the following description, the term "terrestrial station" may be replaced with "gateway."

[0075] Note that an LTE base station may be referred to as an eNodeB (Evolved Node B) or eNB. An NR base station may be referred to as a gNodeB or gNB. A 6G base station may be referred to as a 6G NodeB (6GNB). In LTE, NR, and 6G, a terminal device (also referred to as a mobile station or terminal) may be referred to as a UE (User Equipment). Note that a terminal device is a type of communication device and is also referred to as a mobile station or terminal.

[0076] The terminal device 40 may be able to connect to a network using a wireless access technology (wireless communication method) other than LTE, NR, B5G, 6G, Wi-Fi, or Bluetooth. For example, the terminal device 40 may be able to connect to a network using low power wide area (LPWA) communication. The terminal device 40 may also be able to connect to a network using proprietary wireless communication.

[0077] Here, LPWA communication refers to wireless communication that enables low-power, wide-area communication. For example, LPWA wireless refers to IoT (Internet of Things) wireless communication using a specific low-power radio (e.g., the 920 MHz band) or the ISM (Industry-Science-Medical) band. LPWA wireless may include LTE-M, which operates in the cellular frequency band, and / or C-IoT (Cellular IoT), represented by NB-IoT. The LPWA communication used by the terminal device 40 may conform to the LPWA standard. The LPWA standard may be, for example, at least one of ELTRES, ZETA, SIGFOX, LoRaWAN, LTE-M, and NB-IoT. Of course, the LPWA standard is not limited to these and may be another LPWA standard.

[0078] Each wireless communication device shown in Fig. 5 may be considered as a device in a logical sense, i.e., a part of each wireless communication device may be realized by a virtual machine (VM), a container such as Docker, or the like, and these may be physically implemented on the same hardware.

[0079] In this embodiment, the concept of a wireless communication device includes not only portable mobile devices (terminal devices) such as mobile terminals, but also devices installed in structures or mobile bodies. The structures or mobile bodies themselves may be considered wireless communication devices. Furthermore, the concept of a wireless communication device includes not only terminal devices 40 but also base stations 20 and relay stations 30. A wireless communication device is a type of processing device or information processing device. A wireless communication device can also be referred to as a transmitting device or a receiving device.

[0080] Below, we will explain in detail the configuration of each wireless communication device that makes up the communication system 1. Note that the configuration of each wireless communication device shown below is merely an example. The configuration of each wireless communication device may be different from the configuration shown below.

[0081] 2-3. Example of the Configuration of the Management Device Next, an example of the configuration of the management device 10 will be described.

[0082] The management device 10 is an information processing device (computer) that manages a wireless network. For example, the management device 10 is an information processing device that manages communication of the base station 20.

[0083] The management device 10 may be a device constituting a core network CN. For example, the management device 10 may be a device having a function as an MME (Mobility Management Entity). The management device 10 may also be a device having a function as an AMF (Access and Mobility Management Function) and / or an SMF (Session Management Function). The MME, AMF, and SMF are control plane network function nodes in the core network CN. The management device 10 may be a device having a function as a control plane network function (6G CPNF) in 6G. The 6G CPNF may be composed of one or more logical nodes.

[0084] Of course, the functions of the management device 10 are not limited to MME, AMF, SMF, and 6G CPNF. The management device 10 may be a device having functions as a Network Slice Selection Function (NSSF), an Authentication Server Function (AUSF), a Policy Control Function (PCF), and a Unified Data Management (UDM). Furthermore, the management device 10 may be a device having functions as a Home Subscriber Server (HSS).

[0085] The management device 10 may have a gateway function. For example, the management device 10 may have a function as an S-GW (Serving Gateway) or a P-GW (Packet Data Network Gateway). The management device 10 may also have a function as a UPF (User Plane Function). In this case, the management device 10 may have multiple UPFs. The management device 10 may also be a device that has a function as a 6G User Plane Network Function (6G UPNF).

[0086] The core network CN is composed of multiple network functions, and each network function may be consolidated into one physical device or distributed across multiple physical devices. That is, the management device 10 may be distributed across multiple devices. Furthermore, this distributed distribution may be controlled to be executed dynamically. The base station 20, relay station 30, and management device 10 constitute a single network, providing wireless communication services to terminal devices 40. The management device 10 is connected to the Internet, and the terminal devices 40 can use various services provided via the Internet via the base station 20 and / or relay station 30.

[0087] The management device 10 does not necessarily have to be a device that constitutes the core network CN. For example, assume that the core network CN is a core network of W-CDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) or cdma2000 (Code Division Multiple Access 2000). In this case, the management device 10 may be a device that functions as an RNC (Radio Network Controller).

[0088] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a management device 10 according to this embodiment. The management device 10 includes a communication unit 11, a storage unit 12, and a control unit 13. The configuration shown in FIG. 11 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from this. Furthermore, the functions of the management device 10 may be statically or dynamically distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated configurations. The management device 10 may also be configured by multiple server devices.

[0089] The communication unit 11 is a communication interface for communicating with a wireless communication device (e.g., base station 20). The communication unit 11 may be a network interface or a device connection interface. The communication unit 11 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) interface such as a NIC (Network Interface Card), or a Universal Serial Bus (USB) interface configured by a USB host controller or a USB port. The communication unit 11 may be a wired interface or a wireless interface. The communication unit 11 is controlled by the control unit 13.

[0090] The storage unit 12 is a readable / writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk. The storage unit 12 stores, for example, the connection state of the terminal device 40. The storage unit 12 stores the state of the RRC (Radio Resource Control) of the terminal device 40 and the state of the ECM (EPS Connection Management) or the 5G System CM (Connection Management). The storage unit 12 may function as a home memory that stores location information of the terminal device 40.

[0091] The control unit 13 is a controller that controls each unit of the management device 10. The control unit 13 may be realized by a processor such as a CPU or MPU. In particular, the control unit 13 may be realized by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the management device 10 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 13 may be realized by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The control unit 13 may also be realized by a GPU. A CPU, MPU, ASIC, FPGA, and GPU can all be considered controllers. The control unit 13 may be composed of multiple physically separated objects. For example, the control unit 13 may be composed of multiple semiconductor chips.

[0092] The control unit 13 includes at least one block of a transmitting unit 131, a receiving unit 132, an acquiring unit 133, and a configuration processing unit 134. The control unit 13 may include a plurality of each of these blocks, or may include only one of each.

[0093] Each block (transmitter 131 to configuration processor 134) constituting the control unit 13 is a functional block that indicates the function of the control unit 13. These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the above-described functional blocks may be a software module realized by software (including a microprogram), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. The control unit 13 may be configured with functional units different from the above-described functional blocks. The method of configuring the functional blocks is arbitrary. Note that the operation of the control unit 13 may be the same as the operation of the control unit (control unit 23, control unit 33, or control unit 43) of the base station 20, relay station 30, or terminal device 40.

[0094] 2-4. Example of the Configuration of the Base Station Next, an example of the configuration of the base station 20 will be described.

[0095] The base station 20 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., a relay station 30, a terminal device 40, or another base station 20). The base station 20 may perform wireless communication with the terminal device 40 via the relay station 30, or may perform wireless communication directly with the terminal device 40.

[0096] The base station 20 is a device equivalent to a wireless base station (for example, a base station, a Node B, an eNB, a gNB, or a 6GNB) or a wireless access point. In the following description, the base station 20 may be referred to as a BS (Base Station), a Node B, an eNB, a gNB, a 6GNB, or a BS20.

[0097] The base station 20 may be a wireless relay station (e.g., a relay station 30 described later). The base station 20 may be an optical device called a remote radio head (RRH). The base station 20 may be a receiving station such as a field pickup unit (FPU). The base station 20 may be an integrated access and backhaul (IAB) donor node or an IAB relay node that provides wireless access lines and wireless backhaul lines using time division multiplexing, frequency division multiplexing, or space division multiplexing.

[0098] The wireless access technology used by the base station 20 may be cellular communication technology. The wireless access technology used by the base station 20 may be wireless LAN technology. The wireless access technology used by the base station 20 may be low-power wide-area (LPWA) communication technology. However, the wireless access technology used by the base station 20 is not limited to these and may be other wireless access technologies. The wireless communication used by the base station 20 may be wireless communication using millimeter waves or wireless communication using terahertz waves. The wireless communication used by the base station 20 may be wireless communication using radio waves or wireless communication using infrared or visible light (optical wireless). Furthermore, the base station 20 may be capable of NOMA (Non-Orthogonal Multiple Access) communication with the terminal device 40. Here, NOMA communication refers to communication (transmission, reception, or both) using non-orthogonal resources. Note that the base station 20 may be capable of NOMA communication with other base stations 20.

[0099] The base station 20 may be able to communicate with the core network via a base station-core network interface (e.g., NG Interface, S1 Interface, etc.). This interface may be either wired or wireless. The base station may also be able to communicate with other base stations via an inter-base station interface (e.g., Xn Interface, X2 Interface, F1 Interface, etc.). This interface may be either wired or wireless.

[0100] The concept of a base station (also referred to as a "base station device") includes not only a donor base station but also a relay base station (also referred to as a "relay station"). A relay base station may be any one of an RF Repeater, a Smart Repeater, and an Intelligent Surface. The concept of a base station may also include a road-side unit (RSU). The concept of a base station may also include not only a structure having the functions of a base station but also a device installed in the structure.

[0101] Examples of structures include high-rise buildings, houses, steel towers, station facilities, airport facilities, port facilities, office buildings, school buildings, hospitals, factories, commercial facilities, stadiums, and other buildings. The concept of a structure includes not only buildings, but also non-building structures such as tunnels, bridges, dams, fences, and steel pillars, as well as equipment such as cranes, gates, and wind turbines. The concept of a structure includes not only land (ground in the narrow sense) or underground structures, but also water-based structures such as piers or megafloats, and underwater structures such as ocean observation facilities. A base station can also be referred to as an information processing device.

[0102] The base station 20 may be a donor station or a relay station (relay station). The base station 20 may also be a fixed station or a mobile station. A mobile station is a wireless communication device (e.g., a base station) configured to be mobile. In this case, the base station 20 may be a device installed in a mobile body, or may be the mobile body itself. For example, a relay station with mobility can be considered as the base station 20 as a mobile station. Furthermore, devices that are inherently mobile and have base station functionality (at least part of the base station functionality), such as vehicles, UAVs (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles) represented by drones, and smartphones, also fall under the category of the base station 20 as a mobile station.

[0103] Here, the moving body may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The moving body may also be a moving body that moves on land (ground in the narrow sense) (e.g., a vehicle such as an automobile, bicycle, bus, truck, motorcycle, train, or linear motor car), or a moving body that moves underground (e.g., in a tunnel) (e.g., a subway). The moving body may also be a moving body that moves on water (e.g., a ship such as a passenger ship, cargo ship, or hovercraft), or a moving body that moves underwater (e.g., a submersible vessel such as a submersible boat, submarine, or unmanned submersible). The moving body may also be a moving body that moves within the atmosphere (e.g., an aircraft such as an airplane, airship, or drone).

[0104] The base station 20 may be a terrestrial base station (ground station) installed on the ground. The base station 20 may be a base station located on a structure on the ground, or a base station installed on a mobile object moving on the ground. The base station 20 may be an antenna installed on a structure such as a building and a signal processing device connected to that antenna. The base station 20 may be the structure or the mobile object itself. "Ground" refers not only to land (ground in the narrow sense) but also to ground, on water, and underwater in a broad sense. The base station 20 is not limited to a terrestrial base station. If the communication system 1 is a satellite communication system, the base station 20 may be an aircraft station. From the perspective of a satellite station, an aircraft station located on Earth is a ground station.

[0105] The base station 20 is not limited to a ground station. The base station 20 may be a non-terrestrial base station (non-ground station) that can float in the air or space. The base station 20 may be an aircraft station or a satellite station.

[0106] A satellite station is a wireless communication device capable of floating outside the atmosphere. The satellite station may be a device mounted on a space vehicle such as an artificial satellite, or may be the space vehicle itself. A space vehicle is a vehicle that moves outside the atmosphere. The space vehicle may be at least one of an artificial satellite, a spacecraft, a space station, and a probe. Of course, the space vehicle may also be an artificial celestial body other than these. Note that a satellite that serves as a satellite station may be any of a low Earth orbiting (LEO) satellite, a medium Earth orbiting (MEO) satellite, a geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO) satellite, or a highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite. The satellite station may be a device mounted on a low Earth orbiting (LEO), a medium Earth orbiting (MEO), a geostationary Earth orbiting (GEO), or a highly elliptical orbiting (HEO) satellite.

[0107] An aircraft station is a wireless communication device capable of floating in the atmosphere of an aircraft or the like. The aircraft station may be a device mounted on the aircraft or the like, or may be the aircraft itself. The concept of aircraft includes not only heavier-than-air vehicles such as airplanes and gliders, but also lighter-than-air vehicles such as balloons and airships. The concept of aircraft includes not only heavier-than-air vehicles or lighter-than-air vehicles, but also rotorcraft such as helicopters and autogyros. The aircraft station, or an aircraft equipped with an aircraft station, may be an unmanned aerial vehicle such as a drone.

[0108] The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and tethered unmanned aerial systems (TAS). The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes lighter than air UAS (LTA) and heavier than air UAS (HTA). The concept of unmanned aerial vehicles also includes high altitude unmanned aerial system platforms (HAPs).

[0109] The coverage size of the base station 20 may be relatively large, such as a macrocell, or relatively small, such as a picocell. The coverage size of the base station 20 may be extremely small, such as a femtocell. The base station 20 may have a beamforming function. The base station 20 may form a cell or service area for each beam. Additionally or alternatively, in addition to beamforming, which imparts directionality to a beam, the base station 20 may have a function for pinpointing a desired wave to a specific point by further considering distance information from the antenna of the base station 20. This function may be called beam focusing or point forming. The base station 20 may also be configured to acquire sensing data by performing sensing using beams.

[0110] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of a base station 20 according to this embodiment. The base station 20 includes a wireless communication unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a control unit 23. However, the configuration shown in Fig. 12 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different. Furthermore, the functions of the base station 20 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated units.

[0111] The base station 20 does not necessarily have to include all of the components described above or below, and may also include components other than the components described above or below.

[0112] The wireless communication unit 21 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., at least one of the terminal device 40 and another base station 20). The wireless communication unit 21 may be referred to as a wireless transceiver or simply as a transceiver. In this case, the wireless communication unit 21 may be a transceiver (hereinafter referred to as a 3GPP transceiver) conforming to the specifications defined in the Technical Specification (TS) of the 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The 3GPP transceiver may be a 3G transceiver, a 4G (LTE) transceiver, a 5G (NR) transceiver, or a transceiver of a generation after 5G (e.g., 6G). The wireless communication unit 21 is controlled by the control unit 23. The wireless communication unit 21 supports one or more wireless access methods. The wireless communication unit 21 may support at least one of NR, LTE, B5G (Beyond 5G), and 6G. The wireless communication unit 21 may support W-CDMA, cdma2000, etc. in addition to NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G. The wireless communication unit 21 may support automatic retransmission techniques such as HARQ (Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest). Some or all of the processing performed by the wireless communication unit 21 may be performed by the control unit 23.

[0113] The wireless communication unit 21 includes a transmission processing unit 211, a reception processing unit 212, and an antenna 213. Alternatively, at least one of the transmission processing unit 211, the reception processing unit 212, and the antenna 213 may be considered as the wireless communication unit 21. The wireless communication unit 21 may include a plurality of transmission processing units 211, a plurality of reception processing units 212, and a plurality of antennas 213. When the wireless communication unit 21 supports a plurality of wireless access methods, each unit of the wireless communication unit 21 may be configured individually for each wireless access method. The transmission processing unit 211 and the reception processing unit 212 may be configured individually for LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G. The antenna 213 may be configured with a plurality of antenna elements, for example, a plurality of patch antennas. The wireless communication unit 21 may have a beamforming function. For example, the wireless communication unit 21 may have a polarization beamforming function that uses vertically polarized waves (V polarization) and horizontally polarized waves (H polarization) (or a polarization beamforming function that uses dual polarization in polarization directions of 45 degrees and −45 degrees from the vertical direction). Note that the wireless communication unit 21 may transmit the sensing signal described above or below.

[0114] The transmission processing unit 211 performs transmission processing of the downlink control information and downlink data. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 encodes the downlink control information and downlink data input from the control unit 23 using a coding method such as block coding, convolutional coding, or turbo coding. Here, the encoding may be performed using polar codes or low density parity check codes (LDPC codes). The transmission processing unit 211 then modulates the coded bits using a predetermined modulation method (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, or a higher-order multi-level modulation method). In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily need to be equidistant. The constellation may also be a non-uniform constellation (NUC). The transmission processing unit 211 then multiplexes the modulation symbols of each channel and the downlink reference signal and allocates them to predetermined resource elements. The transmission processing unit 211 then performs various signal processing on the multiplexed signal. For example, the transmission processing unit 211 performs processes such as conversion to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform, addition of a guard interval (cyclic prefix), generation of a baseband digital signal, conversion to an analog signal, quadrature modulation, up-conversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, power amplification, etc. The signal generated by the transmission processing unit 211 is transmitted from an antenna 213.

[0115] The reception processing unit 212 processes the uplink signal received via the antenna 213. For example, the reception processing unit 212 performs downconversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, control of amplification level, quadrature demodulation, conversion to a digital signal, removal of guard intervals (cyclic prefixes), extraction of frequency domain signals by fast Fourier transform, and the like on the uplink signal. The reception processing unit 212 then separates uplink channels such as a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel) and a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) and an uplink reference signal from the signal that has undergone these processes. Furthermore, the reception processing unit 212 demodulates the received signal using a modulation method such as BPSK (Binary Phase Shift Keying) or QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keying) for the modulation symbols of the uplink channel. The modulation method used for demodulation may be 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily have to be equidistant. The constellation may be a non-uniform constellation (NUC). The reception processing unit 212 then performs decoding processing on the coded bits of the demodulated uplink channel. The decoded uplink data and uplink control information are output to the control unit 23.

[0116] The antenna 213 is an antenna device that converts electric current and radio waves into each other. The antenna 213 may be configured with a single antenna element, for example, a single patch antenna. The antenna 213 may be configured with multiple antenna elements, for example, multiple patch antennas. When the antenna 213 is configured with multiple antenna elements, the wireless communication unit 21 may have a beamforming function. The wireless communication unit 21 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a wireless signal using the multiple antenna elements. The antenna 213 may be a dual-polarized antenna. When the antenna 213 is a dual-polarized antenna, the wireless communication unit 21 may use vertical polarization (V polarization) and horizontal polarization (H polarization) (or dual polarization with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction) when transmitting a wireless signal. The wireless communication unit 21 may control the directivity of a wireless signal transmitted using vertical polarization and horizontal polarization (or dual polarization with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction). Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 21 may transmit and receive spatially multiplexed signals via multiple layers each consisting of multiple antenna elements.

[0117] The storage unit 22 is a readable and writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0118] The control unit 23 is a controller that controls each unit of the base station 20. The control unit 23 controls the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., relay station 30, terminal device 40, or other base station 20). The control unit 23 may be implemented by a processor such as a CPU or MPU. Specifically, the control unit 23 may be implemented by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the base station 20 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 23 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The control unit 23 may also be implemented by a GPU. A CPU, MPU, ASIC, FPGA, and GPU can all be considered controllers. The control unit 23 may be composed of multiple physically separated objects. For example, the control unit 23 may be composed of multiple semiconductor chips.

[0119] The control unit 23 includes at least one block of a transmitting unit 231, a receiving unit 232, an acquiring unit 233, and a configuration processing unit 234. The control unit 23 may include a plurality of each of these blocks, or may include only one of each.

[0120] Each block (transmitter 231 to configuration processor 234) constituting the control unit 23 is a functional block that indicates the function of the control unit 23. These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the above-described functional blocks may be a software module implemented by software (including a microprogram), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. The control unit 23 may be configured with functional units different from the above-described functional blocks. The method of configuring the functional blocks is arbitrary. Note that the operation of the control unit 23 may be the same as the operation of the control unit (control unit 13, control unit 33, or control unit 43) of the management device 10, relay station 30, or terminal device 40.

[0121] In some embodiments, the base station 20 may be configured as a collection of multiple physical or logical devices. As an example, the base station 20 of this embodiment may be divided into multiple devices such as a baseband unit (BBU) and a radio unit (RU). The base station 20 may be interpreted as a collection of these multiple devices. Furthermore, the base station may be either a BBU or an RU, or may be both. The BBU and the RU may be connected by a predetermined interface such as an enhanced Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI).

[0122] The RU may be referred to as an RRU (Remote Radio Unit) or an RD (Radio DoT). The RU may correspond to a gNB-DU (gNB Distributed Unit) described later. The BBU may correspond to a gNB-CU (gNB Central Unit) described later. The RU may be a device integrally formed with an antenna. The antenna of the base station 20, for example, an antenna integrally formed with the RU, may employ an Advanced Antenna System and support MIMO such as FD-MIMO or beamforming. The antenna of the base station 20 may include, for example, 64 transmitting antenna ports and 64 receiving antenna ports.

[0123] The antenna mounted on the RU may be an antenna panel consisting of one or more antenna elements, and the RU may be equipped with one or more antenna panels. The RU may be equipped with two types of antenna panels, a horizontally polarized antenna panel and a vertically polarized antenna panel. The RU may be equipped with two types of antenna panels, a right-handed circularly polarized antenna panel and a left-handed circularly polarized antenna panel, or an antenna panel with a polarization direction at 45 degrees from the vertical direction and an antenna panel with a polarization direction at -45 degrees from the vertical direction. Multiple antennas with these multiple polarization directions may be mounted on a single antenna panel. The RU may form and control an independent beam for each antenna panel.

[0124] A plurality of base stations 20 may be connected to each other. One or more base stations 20 may be included in a radio access network (RAN). In this case, the base station 20 may be simply referred to as a RAN, a RAN node, an AN (Access Network), an AN node, or the like. The RAN in LTE may be called an Enhanced Universal Terrestrial RAN (EUTRAN). The RAN in NR may be called an NGRAN. Furthermore, the RAN in 6G may be called a 6GRAN. The RAN in W-CDMA (UMTS) may be called a UTRAN.

[0125] An LTE base station 20 may be referred to as an eNodeB (Evolved Node B) or eNB. In this case, the EUTRAN includes one or more eNodeBs (eNBs). An NR base station 20 may be referred to as a gNodeB or gNB. In this case, the NGRAN includes one or more gNBs. A 6G base station may be referred to as a 6GNodeB, 6gNodeB, 6GNB, or 6gNB. In this case, the 6GRAN includes one or more 6GNBs. The EUTRAN may include a gNB (en-gNB) connected to a core network (EPC) in an LTE communication system (EPS). The NGRAN may include an ng-eNB connected to a core network 5GC in a 5G communication system (5GS).

[0126] When the base station 20 is an eNB, gNB, 6GNB, or the like, the base station 20 may be referred to as a 3GPP access. When the base station 20 is a wireless access point, the base station 20 may be referred to as a non-3GPP access. The base station 20 may be a radio device called an RRH (Remote Radio Head). When the base station 20 is a gNB, the base station 20 may be a combination of the gNB-CU and gNB-DU described above, or may be either a gNB-CU or a gNB-DU.

[0127] Here, the gNB-CU hosts multiple upper layers (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control), SDAP (Service Data Adaptation Protocol), PDCP (Packet Data Convergence Protocol)) of the access stratum for communication with the UE. On the other hand, the gNB-DU hosts multiple lower layers (e.g., RLC (Radio Link Control), MAC (Medium Access Control), PHY (Physical layer)) of the access stratum. That is, among the messages / information described below, RRC signaling (semi-static notification) is generated by the gNB-CU, while MAC The CE and DCI (dynamic notification) may be generated by the gNB-DU. Alternatively, some configurations of the RRC configuration (semi-static notification), such as IE:cellGroupConfig, may be generated by the gNB-DU, and the remaining configurations may be generated by the gNB-CU. These configurations may be transmitted or received over the F1 interface.

[0128] The base station 20 may be configured to be able to communicate with other base stations. When multiple base stations 20 are eNBs or a combination of eNBs and en-gNBs, these base stations 20 may be connected to each other via an X2 interface. When multiple base stations 20 are gNBs or a combination of gn-eNBs and gNBs, these base stations 20 may be connected to each other via an Xn interface. When multiple base stations 20 are a combination of gNB-CUs and gNB-DUs, these base stations 20 may be connected to each other via the F1 interface described above. Messages / information (e.g., RRC signaling, MAC Control Element (CE), or Downlink Control Information (DCI)) described below may be transmitted between multiple base stations 20 via an inter-base station interface (e.g., an X2 interface, an Xn interface, or an F1 interface).

[0129] A cell provided by the base station 20 may be referred to as a serving cell. The concept of a serving cell includes a PCell (Primary Cell) and an SCell (Secondary Cell). When dual connectivity is provided to the terminal device 40, the PCell and zero or more SCells provided by a Master Node (MN) may be referred to as a Master Cell Group. The dual connectivity may be at least one of EUTRA-EUTRA Dual Connectivity, EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity (ENDC), EUTRA-NR Dual Connectivity with 5GC, NR-EUTRA Dual Connectivity (NEDC), NR-NR Dual Connectivity, NR-6G Dual Connectivity, and 6G-NR Dual Connectivity. Of course, dual connectivity is not limited to these.

[0130] The serving cell may include a PSCell (Primary Secondary Cell or Primary SCG Cell). When dual connectivity is provided to the terminal device 40, the PSCell provided by a Secondary Node (SN) and zero or more SCells may be referred to as a Secondary Cell Group (SCG). Unless special configuration (e.g., PUCCH on SCell) is performed, the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) is transmitted by the PCell and PSCell but not by the SCell. Radio link failure is detected by the PCell and PSCell but not (does not need to be detected by) the SCell. As such, the PCell and PSCell play special roles among serving cells and are therefore also referred to as Special Cells (SpCells).

[0131] One cell may be associated with one downlink component carrier and one uplink component carrier. The system bandwidth corresponding to one cell may be divided into multiple BWPs (Bandwidth Parts). In this case, one or multiple BWPs may be configured in the terminal device 40, and one BWP may be used by the terminal device 40 as an active BWP. Radio resources available to the terminal device 40, such as a frequency band, numerology (subcarrier spacing), or slot format (Slot configuration), may differ for each cell, each component carrier, or each BWP.

[0132] 2-5. Example of the Configuration of the Relay Station Next, an example of the configuration of the relay station 30 will be described.

[0133] The relay station 30 is a wireless communication device that serves as a repeater for the base station 20. The relay station 30 is a type of base station (for example, the above-mentioned base station 20). The relay station 30 is also a type of information processing device. The relay station 30 can also be called a relay base station. Note that the relay station 30 may also be a device called a repeater (for example, an RF Repeater, a Smart Repeater, or an Intelligent Surface). The relay station 30 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, a base station 20, a terminal device 40, or another relay station 30).

[0134] The relay station 30 may be capable of NOMA communication with the terminal device 40. The relay station 30 relays communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40. The relay station 30 may be capable of wireless communication with other relay stations 30 and the base station 20. The relay station 30 may be a terrestrial station device or a non-terrestrial station device. The relay station 30, together with the base station 20, constitutes a radio access network RAN.

[0135] The relay station 30 may be a fixed device, a mobile device, or a floating device. The size of the coverage of the relay station 30 is not limited to a specific size. The cell covered by the relay station 30 may be a macrocell, a microcell, or a small cell.

[0136] The relay station 30 is not limited to a device that is installed as long as it fulfills the relay function. The relay station 30 may be installed in a terminal device such as a smartphone, a car, a train, a rickshaw, a hot air balloon, an airplane, a drone, or a home appliance such as a television, a game console, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, or a lighting fixture.

[0137] The configuration of the relay station 30 may be the same as the configuration of the base station 20 described above. Like the base station 20 described above, the relay station 30 may be a device installed in a mobile body, or may be the mobile body itself. As described above, the mobile body may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a mobile phone. The mobile body may be a mobile body that moves on land (terrestrial in the narrow sense) or may be a mobile body that moves underground. The mobile body may be a mobile body that moves on water or may be a mobile body that moves underwater. The mobile body may be a mobile body that moves within the atmosphere or may be a mobile body that moves outside the atmosphere. The relay station 30 may be a terrestrial station device or a non-terrestrial station device. The relay station 30 may be an aircraft station, a satellite station, or the like.

[0138] The size of the coverage of the relay station 30 may be as large as a macrocell or as small as a picocell, similar to the base station 20. The size of the coverage of the relay station 30 may be extremely small, such as a femtocell. The relay station 30 may have a beamforming function. In this case, the relay station 30 may form a cell or service area for each beam. The relay station 30 may also have a pointforming function. In this case, the relay station 30 may form a cell or service area for each point.

[0139] Fig. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a relay station 30 according to this embodiment. The relay station 30 includes a wireless communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. However, the configuration shown in Fig. 13 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different. Furthermore, the functions of the relay station 30 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated units.

[0140] It should be noted that the relay station 30 does not necessarily have to include all of the components described above or below, and may also include components other than the components described above or below.

[0141] The wireless communication unit 31 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., at least one of the terminal device 40 and another relay station 30). The wireless communication unit 31 may be referred to as a wireless transceiver or simply as a transceiver. In this case, the wireless communication unit 31 may be a transceiver of specifications defined in the 3GPP technical specifications (hereinafter referred to as a 3GPP transceiver). The 3GPP transceiver may be a 3G transceiver, a 4G (LTE) transceiver, a 5G (NR) transceiver, or a transceiver of a generation after 5G (e.g., 6G). The wireless communication unit 31 is controlled by the control unit 33. The wireless communication unit 31 supports one or more wireless access methods. The wireless communication unit 31 may be compatible with at least one of NR, LTE, B5G (and 6G). In addition to NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G, the wireless communication unit 31 may also be compatible with W-CDMA, cdma3000, and the like. The wireless communication unit 31 may be compatible with an automatic repeat transmission technique such as HARQ. A part or all of the processing performed by the wireless communication unit 31 may be performed by the control unit 33.

[0142] The wireless communication unit 31 includes a transmission processing unit 311, a reception processing unit 312, and an antenna 313. At least one of the transmission processing unit 311, the reception processing unit 312, and the antenna 313 may be considered as the wireless communication unit 31. The wireless communication unit 31 may include a plurality of transmission processing units 311, a plurality of reception processing units 312, and a plurality of antennas 313. When the wireless communication unit 31 supports a plurality of wireless access methods, each unit of the wireless communication unit 31 may be configured individually for each wireless access method. The transmission processing unit 311 and the reception processing unit 312 may be configured individually for LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G. The antenna 313 may be configured with a plurality of antenna elements, for example, a plurality of patch antennas. The wireless communication unit 31 may have a beamforming function. For example, the wireless communication unit 31 may have a polarization beamforming function that uses vertically polarized waves (V polarization) and horizontally polarized waves (H polarization) (or a polarization beamforming function that uses dual polarization in polarization directions of 45 degrees and −45 degrees from the vertical direction). Note that the wireless communication unit 31 may transmit the sensing signal described above or below.

[0143] The transmission processing unit 311 performs transmission processing of the downlink control information and downlink data. For example, the transmission processing unit 311 encodes the downlink control information and downlink data input from the control unit 33 using a coding method such as block coding, convolutional coding, or turbo coding. Here, the encoding may be performed using polar coding or LDPC coding. The transmission processing unit 311 then modulates the coded bits using a predetermined modulation method (e.g., BPSK, QPSK, 16QAM, 64QAM, 256QAM, or a higher-order multi-level modulation method). In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily need to be equidistant. The constellation may also be a non-uniform constellation. The transmission processing unit 311 then multiplexes the modulation symbols of each channel and the downlink reference signal and allocates the multiplexed signal to a predetermined resource element. The transmission processing unit 311 then performs various signal processing on the multiplexed signal. For example, the transmission processing unit 311 performs processes such as conversion to the frequency domain by fast Fourier transform, addition of a guard interval (cyclic prefix), generation of a baseband digital signal, conversion to an analog signal, quadrature modulation, up-conversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, power amplification, etc. The signal generated by the transmission processing unit 311 is transmitted from an antenna 313.

[0144] The reception processing unit 312 processes the uplink signal received via the antenna 313. For example, the reception processing unit 312 performs downconversion, removal of unnecessary frequency components, control of amplification level, quadrature demodulation, conversion to a digital signal, removal of guard intervals (cyclic prefixes), extraction of frequency domain signals using fast Fourier transform, and the like on the uplink signal. The reception processing unit 312 then separates uplink channels such as PUSCH and PUCCH and uplink reference signals from the processed signal. The reception processing unit 312 also demodulates the received signal using a modulation scheme such as BPSK or QPSK for the modulation symbols of the uplink channel. The modulation scheme used for demodulation may be 16QAM, 64QAM, or 256QAM. In this case, the signal points on the constellation do not necessarily have to be equidistant. The constellation may be a non-uniform constellation (NUC). The reception processing unit 312 then performs a decoding process on the coded bits of the demodulated uplink channel. The decoded uplink data and uplink control information are output to the control unit 33.

[0145] The antenna 313 is an antenna device that converts electric current and radio waves into each other. The antenna 313 may be composed of a single antenna element, for example, a single patch antenna. The antenna 313 may be composed of multiple antenna elements, for example, multiple patch antennas. When the antenna 313 is composed of multiple antenna elements, the wireless communication unit 31 may have a beamforming function. The wireless communication unit 31 may be configured to generate a directional beam by controlling the directivity of a wireless signal using the multiple antenna elements. The antenna 313 may be a dual-polarized antenna. When the antenna 313 is a dual-polarized antenna, the wireless communication unit 31 may use vertical polarization (V polarization) and horizontal polarization (H polarization) (or dual polarization with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction) when transmitting a wireless signal. The wireless communication unit 31 may control the directivity of a wireless signal transmitted using vertical polarization and horizontal polarization (or dual polarization with polarization directions at 45 degrees and -45 degrees from the vertical direction). Furthermore, the wireless communication unit 31 may transmit and receive spatially multiplexed signals via multiple layers each consisting of multiple antenna elements.

[0146] The storage unit 32 is a readable and writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0147] The control unit 33 is a controller that controls each unit of the relay station 30. The control unit 33 controls the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., the base station 20, the terminal device 40, or another relay station 30). The control unit 33 may be implemented by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. Specifically, the control unit 33 may be implemented by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device inside the relay station 30 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 33 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or an FPGA. The control unit 33 may also be implemented by a GPU. A CPU, an MPU, an ASIC, an FPGA, and a GPU can all be considered controllers. The control unit 33 may be configured by multiple physically separated objects. For example, the control unit 33 may be configured by multiple semiconductor chips.

[0148] The control unit 33 includes at least one block of a transmitting unit 331, a receiving unit 332, an acquiring unit 333, and a configuration processing unit 334. The control unit 33 may include a plurality of each of these blocks, or may include only one of each.

[0149] Each block (transmitter 331 to configuration processor 334) constituting the control unit 33 is a functional block that indicates the function of the control unit 33. These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the above-described functional blocks may be a software module implemented by software (including a microprogram), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. The control unit 33 may be configured with functional units different from the above-described functional blocks. The method of configuring the functional blocks is arbitrary. Note that the operation of the control unit 33 may be the same as the operation of the control unit (control unit 13, control unit 23, or control unit 43) of the management device 10, relay station 30, or terminal device 40.

[0150] The relay station 30 may be an IAB relay node. The relay station 30 operates as an IAB-MT (Mobile Termination) for an IAB donor node that provides backhaul, and operates as an IAB-DU (Distributed Unit) for a terminal device 40 that provides access. The IAB donor node may be, for example, a base station 20. In this case, the IAB donor node may operate as an IAB-CU (Central Unit).

[0151] 2-6. Example of the Configuration of the Terminal Device Next, an example of the configuration of the terminal device 40 will be described.

[0152] The terminal device 40 is a wireless communication device that performs wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (for example, a base station 20, a relay station 30, or another terminal device 40). In the following description, the terminal device 40 may be referred to as UE (User Equipment) or UE 40.

[0153] The terminal device 40 may be any type of information processing device (computer). For example, the terminal device 40 may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone, a smart device (smartphone or tablet), a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or a notebook PC. The terminal device 40 may also be a communication module that is connected to an information processing device (e.g., an imaging device without wireless communication capabilities) and provides the information processing device with wireless communication capabilities. The terminal device 40 may also be an imaging device with wireless communication capabilities (e.g., a camcorder).

[0154] The terminal device 40 may be a motorcycle or a mobile broadcasting vehicle equipped with a communication device such as a Field Pickup Unit (FPU). The terminal device 40 may be a Machine to Machine (M2M) device or an Internet of Things (IoT) device. The terminal device 40 may be a wearable device such as a smartwatch.

[0155] Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may be an XR (Extended Reality) device such as an AR (Augmented Reality) device, a VR (Virtual Reality) device, or an MR (Mixed Reality) device. In this case, the XR device may be a glasses-type device such as AR glasses or MR glasses, or a head-mounted device such as a VR head-mounted display. When the terminal device 40 is an XR device, the terminal device 40 may be a standalone device consisting only of a part worn by a user (e.g., a glasses part). Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may be a terminal-linked device consisting of a part worn by a user (e.g., a glasses part) and a terminal part (e.g., a smart device) linked to the part worn by a user.

[0156] The terminal device 40 may be capable of NOMA communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., a base station 20, a relay station 30, or another terminal device 40). The terminal device 40 may use an automatic repeat request (ARQ) technique when communicating with other wireless communication devices. The terminal device 40 may be capable of sidelink communication with other terminal devices 40. The terminal device 40 may use an automatic repeat request (ARQ) technique when performing sidelink communication. The terminal device 40 may be capable of NOMA communication when performing sidelink communication with other terminal devices 40. The terminal device 40 may be capable of LPWA communication with other wireless communication devices. The wireless communication used by the terminal device 40 may be wireless communication using millimeter waves. The wireless communication used by the terminal device 40, including sidelink communication, may be wireless communication using radio waves, or wireless communication using infrared or visible light, i.e., optical wireless.

[0157] The terminal device 40 may be a mobile wireless communication device, i.e., a mobile device. The terminal device 40 may be a wireless communication device installed in a mobile device, or may be the mobile device itself. The terminal device 40 may be a vehicle that moves on a road, such as an automobile, bus, truck, or motorcycle, or a train that runs on a track, or may be a wireless communication device mounted on the vehicle. The mobile device may be a mobile terminal, or a mobile device that moves on land (in the narrow sense of the word), underground, on water, or underwater. The mobile device may also be a mobile device that moves within the atmosphere, such as an airplane, airship, balloon, or helicopter, or a mobile device that moves outside the atmosphere, such as an artificial satellite. The mobile device may also be a UAV (Unmanned Aerial Vehicle) such as a drone. The terminal device 40 may also be a wireless communication device mounted on the mobile device.

[0158] The terminal device 40 may be capable of simultaneously connecting to and communicating with a plurality of base stations 20 or a plurality of cells. When one base station 20 supports a communication area via a plurality of cells (e.g., pCell or sCell), the plurality of cells can be bundled together to enable communication between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 by using carrier aggregation (CA) technology, dual connectivity (DC) technology, multi-connectivity (MC) technology, or the like. Alternatively, communication between the terminal device 40 and the plurality of base stations 20 can also be performed via cells of different base stations 20 by coordinated multi-point transmission and reception (CoMP) technology.

[0159] The terminal device 40 may be capable of connecting to and communicating with a plurality of base stations 20 or a plurality of cells. Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may transmit and / or receive a sensing signal to and from each of the plurality of base stations 20. The terminal device 40 may be configured to receive information about the sensing signal (e.g., information about resources) from at least one of the plurality of base stations 20, or may be configured to receive information about the sensing signal (e.g., information about resources) from each of the plurality of base stations 20. Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may transmit and / or receive a sensing signal in each of the plurality of cells. The terminal device 40 may be configured to receive information about the sensing signal (e.g., information about resources) from at least one of the plurality of cells, or may be configured to receive information about the sensing signal (e.g., information about resources) in each of the plurality of cells.

[0160] The terminal device 40 may be a relay terminal that relays communications to a remote terminal.

[0161] Multistatic sensing may be performed in the base station 20, the remote terminal, and the relay terminal. Specifically, a sensing signal may be transmitted from each of the base station 20 and the relay terminal. The remote terminal may receive the sensing signal transmitted from each of the base station 20 and the relay terminal.

[0162] The base station 20 and / or the relay terminal may transmit information regarding the sensing signals transmitted and / or received at the relay terminal and / or the remote terminal to the relay terminal and / or the remote terminal. In other words, the relay terminal and / or the remote terminal may receive information regarding the sensing signals transmitted and / or received at the relay terminal and / or the remote terminal from the base station 20 and / or the relay terminal.

[0163] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a terminal device 40 according to this embodiment. The terminal device 40 includes a wireless communication unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a control unit 43. The configuration shown in Fig. 14 is a functional configuration, and the hardware configuration may be different from this. Furthermore, the functions of the terminal device 40 may be distributed and implemented in multiple physically separated units.

[0164] It should be noted that the terminal device 40 does not necessarily have to have all of the configurations described above or below. Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may have a configuration other than the configurations described above or below. The terminal device 40 may have a beamforming function. Furthermore, the terminal device 40 may be configured to acquire sensing data by performing sensing using beams.

[0165] The wireless communication unit 41 is a signal processing unit for wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., the base station 20, the relay station 30, or another terminal device 40). The wireless communication unit 41 may be referred to as a wireless transceiver or simply as a transceiver. In this case, the wireless communication unit 41 may be a transceiver of a standard defined in the 3GPP technical specifications (hereinafter referred to as a 3GPP transceiver). The 3GPP transceiver may be a 3G transceiver, a 4G (LTE) transceiver, a 5G (NR) transceiver, or a transceiver of a generation after 5G. The wireless communication unit 41 is controlled by, for example, the control unit 43. The wireless communication unit 41 supports one or more wireless access methods. The wireless communication unit 41 may support at least one of NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G. The wireless communication unit 41 may support W-CDMA, cdma2000, etc. in addition to NR, LTE, B5G, and 6G. The wireless communication unit 41 may support automatic repeat transmission techniques such as HARQ. Some or all of the processing performed by the wireless communication unit 41 may be performed by the control unit 43.

[0166] The wireless communication unit 41 includes a transmission processing unit 411, a reception processing unit 412, and an antenna 413. At least one of the transmission processing unit 411, the reception processing unit 412, and the antenna 413 may be considered as the wireless communication unit 41. The wireless communication unit 41 may include a plurality of transmission processing units 411, a plurality of reception processing units 412, and a plurality of antennas 413. When the wireless communication unit 41 supports a plurality of wireless access methods, each unit of the wireless communication unit 41 may be configured individually for each wireless access method. The transmission processing unit 411 and the reception processing unit 412 may be configured individually for LTE, NR, B5G, and 6G. The antenna 413 may be configured with a plurality of antenna elements, for example, a plurality of patch antennas. The wireless communication unit 41 may have a beamforming function. For example, the wireless communication unit 41 may have a polarization beamforming function that uses vertically polarized waves (V polarization) and horizontally polarized waves (H polarization) (or a polarization beamforming function that uses dual polarization in polarization directions of 45 degrees and −45 degrees from the vertical direction). Note that the wireless communication unit 41 may transmit the sensing signal described above or below.

[0167] The storage unit 42 is a readable and writable storage device such as a DRAM, an SRAM, a flash memory, or a hard disk.

[0168] The control unit 43 is a controller that controls each unit of the terminal device 40. The control unit 43 controls the wireless communication unit to perform wireless communication with other wireless communication devices (e.g., the base station 20, the relay station 30, or another terminal device 40). The control unit 43 may be implemented by a processor such as a CPU or an MPU. In particular, the control unit 43 may be implemented by a processor executing various programs stored in a storage device internal to the terminal device 40 using RAM or the like as a work area. The control unit 43 may be implemented by an integrated circuit such as an ASIC or FPGA. The CPU, MPU, ASIC, and FPGA can all be considered controllers. The control unit 43 may be implemented by a GPU. The CPU, MPU, ASIC, FPGA, and GPU can all be considered controllers. The control unit 43 may be composed of multiple physically separated objects. For example, the control unit 43 may be composed of multiple semiconductor chips.

[0169] The control unit 43 includes at least one block of a transmitting unit 431, a receiving unit 432, an acquiring unit 433, and a configuration processing unit 434. The control unit 43 may include a plurality of each of these blocks, or may include only one of each.

[0170] Each block constituting the control unit 43 (transmitter 431 to configuration processor 434) is a functional block that represents a function of the control unit 43. These functional blocks may be software blocks or hardware blocks. For example, each of the above-described functional blocks may be a software module implemented by software (including a microprogram), or may be a circuit block on a semiconductor chip (die). Of course, each functional block may be a processor or an integrated circuit. The control unit 43 may be configured with functional units different from the above-described functional blocks. The configuration method of the functional blocks is arbitrary. The operation of the control unit 43 may be the same as the operation of the control unit (control unit 13, control unit 23, or control unit 33) of the management device 10, base station 20, or relay station 30.

[0171] <<3. Operation of the Communication System>> The configuration of the communication system 1 has been described above, and the operation of the communication system 1 will now be described in detail.

[0172] <3-1. Architecture of the Communication System of the Present Embodiment> In the present embodiment, a distributed antenna environment (hereinafter referred to as a transmission system) for point forming is formed by a plurality of transmission devices included in the communication system 1. As described above, in the communication system 1 of the present embodiment, the configuration of this transmission system can be changed dynamically or quasi-statically. Before describing the operation of the communication system 1, the architecture of the communication system 1 will be described below.

[0173] FIG. 15 is a diagram for explaining the architecture of the communication system 1 of this embodiment. The configuration of the communication system 1 is classified into a higher-level control device, a control device, a transmitting device, and a receiving device. In this embodiment, a transmission system is configured by two or more transmitting devices among the multiple transmitting devices included in the communication system 1. The transmission system may include not only transmitting devices but also control devices. As described above, in this embodiment, the configuration of the transmission system can be changed dynamically or quasi-statically. That is, the transmission system of this embodiment has multiple configuration patterns. In this embodiment, the configuration pattern of the transmission system is called a transmission system pattern.

[0174] 15 shows, as an example, a configuration in which the number of transmission system patterns is 3, the number of transmission devices is 6, the number of control devices is 2, and the number of upper control devices is 1. Note that the configuration shown in FIG. 15 is just an example. The number of devices and transmission system patterns is not limited to the example shown in FIG. 15.

[0175] The transmission system (transmission system pattern), the upper control device, the control device, the transmitting device, and the receiving device will be described below.

[0176] (1) Transmission System / Transmission System Pattern A transmission system is a system that concentrates power for point forming through cooperative transmission by multiple transmission devices. The transmission system includes at least multiple transmission devices. In addition to the multiple transmission devices, the transmission system may also include one or more control devices. In the following description, cooperative communication by a transmission system refers to cooperative communication by multiple transmission devices included in the transmission system.

[0177] As described above, in this embodiment, the configuration of the transmission system can be changed dynamically or quasi-statically. A transmission system pattern is one form of the transmission system. Different transmission system patterns may include the same control device and / or the same transmission device. In FIG. 15, transmission system pattern P1 １ and transmission system pattern P1 ２ and transmission system pattern P1 ３ In the example of FIG. 15, the transmission system pattern P1 １ and transmission system pattern P1 ２ In the example of FIG. 15, the control device is the same device (control device C1). １ and transmission system pattern P1 ２ In the above example, some of the transmitting devices are the same device (transmitting device T4). This embodiment also allows for such a configuration. One of the multiple transmitting system patterns ultimately becomes the transmitting system that performs cooperative communication for point forming. In the following description, the transmitting system pattern may be simply referred to as the transmitting system.

[0178] It is desirable that a control device included in a transmission system (transmission system pattern) is capable of controlling at least the transmission devices in the same transmission system. Alternatively, a transmission system (transmission system pattern) may be configured under the constraint of a control device and a transmission device that can be controlled by the control device.

[0179] (2) Upper-level control device The upper-level control device is an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system. For example, the upper-level control device performs processing related to the determination of retransmission, configuration / reconfiguration of the transmission system pattern group, and notification processing of the processing results to the control device. In the example of FIG. 15, the transmission system pattern group is transmission system pattern P1 １ ~P1 ３ The upper control device is typically a management device 10. However, the upper control device is not limited to the management device 10, and may be, for example, a base station 20, a relay station, or a terminal device 40. Of course, the upper control device may be a device other than these (for example, a server on the Internet). The upper control device may be configured physically or logically. For example, the upper control device may be configured logically together with the control devices in one or more servers. In this case, the connection between the control devices and the upper control device may be a physical connection or a logical connection.

[0180] (3) Control Device The control device is a device that controls the transmitting device. The control device is typically the management device 10. However, the control device is not limited to the management device 10 and may be, for example, a base station 20, a relay station 30, or a terminal device 40. Of course, the control device may be a device other than these (for example, a server on the Internet). The control device may be configured physically or logically. For example, the control device may be a physical device separate from other devices (for example, the control device may be a host management device and / or a transmitting device). The control device may also be the same device as the transmitting device. In other words, one device may include the functions of the transmitting device and the control device. The control device may also be logically configured together with the host control device in one or more servers.

[0181] The connection between the control device and the transmitting device or the upper control device may be a physical connection or a logical connection. For example, the control device and the transmitting device or the upper control device may be connected via an F1 interface, an Xn interface (e.g., an X1 interface or an X2 interface), an E1 interface, or an Sx interface (e.g., an S1 interface or an S2 interface).

[0182] The control device may transmit information for controlling the transmitting device to the transmitting device. Here, the information for controlling the transmitting device may be, for example, information regarding the cooperative operation of the transmission candidate point cloud. The information for controlling the transmitting device may be, for example, information regarding the carrier frequency to be used or information regarding the timing of radio wave emission.

[0183] The control device may be, for example, a device that configures a core network, or a device that forms a cell (for example, an Scell, a Pcell, or a PSCell). Alternatively, the control device may be a device that functions as a CU (Central Unit), a device that functions as a DU (Distributed Unit), a device that functions as a BBU (Base Band Unit), a device that functions as a gNB, or a device that functions as a TRP (Transmission Reception Point).

[0184] (4) Transmitting Device The transmitting device is a device that has the function of transmitting radio waves. The transmitting device has the function of modulating the phase and / or amplitude of the radio waves that it outputs. The transmitting device may also have the function of receiving radio waves. The transmitting device of this embodiment performs power concentration in cooperation with one or more other transmitting devices. The transmitting device is typically a transmitting antenna provided in the base station 20 (or relay station 30). However, the transmitting device is not limited to this and may be the base station 20 (or relay station 30) itself. Of course, the transmitting device is not limited to these and may be, for example, a terminal device 40.

[0185] The transmitting device may be a device that does not have a physical layer function (including a modulation / demodulation function), or may be a device that has some of the physical layer function. For example, the transmitting device may be a horn antenna, a planar antenna, a dual-polarized antenna, an array antenna, or an RRH (Remote Radio Unit).

[0186] The transmitting device may also be a device having all physical layer functions (including modulation and demodulation functions). For example, the transmitting device may be a BBU, a DU, a gNB, a TRP, a repeater, a reflector, or an intelligent surface. Alternatively, the transmitting device may be a device that forms a cell (e.g., an Scell, a Pcell, or a PSCell).

[0187] The transmitting devices belonging to the transmission system may have a physical or logical connection with each other. The transmitting devices may be identifiable from each other in some way. Furthermore, at least one of the receiving device, the upper control device, and the control device may be able to identify the transmitting devices.

[0188] In the following description, a transmission candidate point that is ultimately used for data communication may be referred to as a transmission point. Note that a transmission candidate point or a transmission point may be indicated by other expressions.

[0189] (5) Receiving Device The receiving device is a device having a function of receiving radio waves. The receiving device may have a function of receiving radio waves. For example, the receiving device of this embodiment, in which the receiving device may function as the above-mentioned transmitting device, receives radio waves cooperatively transmitted from the transmission system. The receiving device is typically a terminal device 40. However, the control device is not limited to the terminal device 40, and may be, for example, a base station 20 or a relay station 30.

[0190] <3-2. Transmission System Selection Process> Next, the transmission system selection process according to this embodiment will be described. The transmission system selection process is a process related to the selection of multiple transmission devices that constitute a transmission system. Figures 16A and 16B are sequence diagrams showing an example of the transmission system selection process according to this embodiment. Although Figures 16A and 16B show communication processes in downlink communication, the communication process of this embodiment can also be applied to uplink communication.

[0191] In the following description of the transmission system selection process, the upper control device is the management device 10, the transmission system is the transmission function of the base station 20, and the receiving device is the terminal device 40. Of course, the upper control device, the transmission system, and the receiving device are not limited to this example.

[0192] In the following description, it is assumed that the transmission system selection process is executed when the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 execute an initial connection process. Of course, the execution timing of the transmission system selection process is not limited to this example. For example, the transmission system selection process may be executed while the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 are connected.

[0193] The communication process according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS. 16A and 16B.

[0194] The upper control device configures a transmission system pattern group G1 (step S101). The transmission system pattern group G1 may be determined statically, semi-statically, or dynamically. The upper control device acquires information about the configured transmission system pattern group G1 as information about the transmission system pattern group for the initial transmission. In the example of FIG. 16A, the transmission system pattern P1 １ ~P1 Ｎ The N patterns constitute one transmission system pattern group G1. In the following explanation, ｉ The transmission system having the configuration shown in FIG. ｉ Here, "i" is an integer from 1 to N.

[0195] Transmission system P1 １ ~P1 ＮEach of the transmitting systems transmits a signal (first signal) to the receiving system by cooperative transmission of the multiple transmitting systems belonging to the transmitting system (step S102). The signals (first signals) to be cooperatively transmitted may be signals of different types / contents for each transmitting system, or may be signals of the same type / contents. When transmitting this signal (first signal), the transmitting system P1 １ ~P1 Ｎ may each notify the receiving device of initial information (e.g., information related to an initial connection). That is, the first signal may be a signal for the transmitting system to notify the receiving device of initial information. In this case, the initial information may have different content for each transmitting system.

[0196] Transmission system P1 １ ~P1 Ｎ may each use different resources to notify the initial information. The resources used for notification here may be divided using a predetermined division method (e.g., at least one of time division, frequency division, and space division). In this case, the granularity of resource division and / or the number of divisions may be changed depending on the number of transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1, or may be static values ​​determined in advance by the transmitting and receiving sides. For example, multiple pieces of initial information from different transmission systems may be transmitted in a time-division manner within a certain period of time. In this case, the multiple pieces of initial information may be transmitted in bursts. Of course, the multiple pieces of initial information from different transmission systems may be transmitted using different frequency resources on the time axis.

[0197] Transmission system P1 １ ~P1 Ｎmay each notify semi-static control information related to the cooperative transmission that it performs as initial information. Here, the semi-static control information may be cell-specific control information. The initial information may be notified during the initial connection procedure or after the initial connection. Furthermore, the initial information may be notified as part of an RRC procedure, such as RRC signaling, RRC configuration, or RRC reconfiguration. Furthermore, the initial information may be periodically notified from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40.

[0198] The initial information may include, for example, at least one of the following pieces of information (A1) to (A6).

[0199] (A1) Information about synchronization (for example, at least one of PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal), SSS (Secondary Synchronization signal), and SS / PBCH) (A2) Information for a receiving terminal to measure reception strength (A3) Information for identifying which transmission system pattern was used for transmission (for example, SSB index (SS-Block Index)) (A4) Information about the cell to which the terminal belongs (for example, PCID (Physical Cell ID)) (A5) Static or quasi-static information required for initial connection (at least one of MIB (Master Information block), SIB (System Information Block), and SRB (Signal Radio Bearer)) (A6) Information about the number of transmitting devices used when sending a notification

[0200] The transmission system may use at least one of the following (B1) to (B3) as a physical channel for notifying the initial information.

[0201] (B1) Broadcast channel (e.g., PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel)) (B2) Downlink control channel (e.g., PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) or EPDCCH (Enhanced Physical Downlink Control Channel)) (B3) Downlink shared channel (e.g., PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel))

[0202] The receiving device receives the cooperative transmission signal (first signal) transmitted in step S102. Then, the receiving device executes a receiving process for the cooperative transmission signal transmitted in step S102 (step S103). Here, the receiving process may include a process for acquiring information about the received power of the cooperative transmission signal. For example, the receiving process may include a calculation of the received strength of the cooperative transmission signal. For example, the receiving device receives the cooperative transmission signal from the transmitting system P1 based on the initial information notified in step S102. １ ~P1 Ｎ The received strength of the cooperative transmission signal may be calculated for each of the signals. The received strength calculated here may be, for example, reference signal received power (RSRP), received signal strength indicator (RSSI), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), or signal-to-noise and interference ratio (SINR). The received strength may also be a combination of multiple indices selected from these indices (SNR, RSSI, RSRP, and RSRQ). Of course, the received strength may also be quality (value / information) determined based on one or more indices selected from these indices (SNR, RSSI, RSRP, and RSRQ). Note that the received strength is not limited to the received strength. The received strength may also be referred to as, for example, reception quality or communication quality. The information regarding the received power may also be referred to as information regarding the received strength, information regarding the reception quality, or information regarding the communication quality.

[0203] The receiving device performs settings related to cooperative transmission (step S104). At this time, the receiving device may perform settings related to cooperative transmission based on the result of the reception process in step S103. For example, the receiving device may perform settings related to cooperative transmission based on the reception strength of the transmission system P1 among the plurality of reception strengths. １ When the received signal strength of the cooperative transmission signal transmitted by the transmitting system P1 is the strongest, １ Various communication parameters may be set so that signals can be transmitted and received.

[0204] Then, the receiving device transmits information about a reception result of the cooperative transmission signal (first signal) to any of the transmission systems (or any of the transmitting devices) included in the transmission system pattern group G1 (step S105). Here, the receiving device may transmit the information about the reception result together with information about the capability of the receiving device, or may transmit the information about the capability by including it in the information about the capability. The information about the reception result (information about the capability) may include the result of the reception process of step S103 (e.g., information about the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal). In this case, the information about the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal may be information for identifying a transmission system pattern in which the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal by the receiving device is the largest. Furthermore, the information about the reception result (information about the capability) may include information about whether to request re-execution of cooperative transmission, or may include information about the number of transmitting devices constituting a transmission system pattern included in a transmission system pattern group selected when cooperative transmission is re-executed. The receiving device may notify the information about the reception result (information about the capability) during an initial access procedure or after the initial access.

[0205] The transmission system may use at least one of the following (C1) to (C3) as a physical channel for notifying information about the reception result (information about the capability).

[0206] (C1) Random Access Channel (e.g., PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel)) (C2) Uplink Control Channel (e.g., PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel)) (C3) Uplink Shared Channel (e.g., PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel))

[0207] The transmission system may notify information about the reception result (information about capabilities) as logical information via a wired connection.

[0208] The transmitting system (or transmitting device) that has received the notification from the receiving device notifies the higher-level control information device of the notified information (step S106). The information notified here may include information required when cooperative transmission is performed again (hereinafter referred to as retransmission) as described below. For example, the information notified here may include at least one of information on the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal, information on whether to request retransmission, and information on the number of transmitting devices that constitute a transmission system pattern included in a transmission system pattern group that is selected when retransmission is performed.

[0209] This notification may be performed via a logical or physical connection. For example, the transmission system (or the transmitting device) that receives the notification from the receiving device may send the notification using an F1 interface, an Xn interface, or the like. Note that the functions of the higher-level control device (e.g., the determination of retransmission in the figure and / or the processing related to the reconfiguration of the transmission system pattern group) may be possessed by a control device included in any of the transmission system patterns in the transmission system pattern group. In this case, this notification may be sent to the control device.

[0210] The upper control device determines whether to retransmit the cooperative transmission signal based on the information received in step S106 (step S107). For example, the upper control device determines whether there is a transmission system pattern in which the information on the reception result of the first signal satisfies a first criterion. For example, the upper control device determines whether there is a transmission system pattern in which the reception strength of the first signal is equal to or greater than a first reference value. If retransmission is to be performed (for example, if there is no transmission system pattern that satisfies the first criterion), the upper control device proceeds to step S110.

[0211] If retransmission is not to be performed (e.g., if a transmission system pattern that satisfies the first criterion exists), i.e., if the initial transmission is to be completed, the upper control device performs processing related to the selection of multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system based on the information received in step S106. Specifically, the upper control device selects one transmission system pattern from the transmission system pattern group G1 based on the information received in step S106. For example, the upper control device selects one transmission system pattern from one or more transmission system patterns that satisfy the first criterion. At this time, the upper control device may select, from among the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1, the transmission system pattern that has the strongest reception strength of the cooperative transmission signal (first signal) as the transmission system configuration to be used in the future. In other words, the upper control device may select two or more transmission devices indicated by the selected transmission system pattern as the multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system. Note that the selection criteria shown here are merely examples. The selection criteria for the transmission system pattern are not limited to the above example. In the following description, a transmission system having the configuration of the selected transmission system pattern may be referred to as a selected transmission system.

[0212] Then, the upper control device transmits information necessary for continuing the initial connection using the selected transmission system to the receiving device via the selected transmission system (steps S108 and S109). The information necessary for continuing the initial connection is, for example, information about cooperative transmission. For example, if transmission system pattern P1 is selected as the configuration of the transmission system to be used in the future,１ In this case, the information required to continue the initial connection is, for example, the transmission system pattern P1 １ The received information is quasi-static information (e.g., communication parameters required to receive a coordinated transmission signal) regarding coordinated transmission performed by a plurality of transmission systems constituting the system. The receiving device continues initial connection processing with the selected transmission system based on the received information.

[0213] On the other hand, if retransmission is to be performed, the upper control device configures a new transmission system pattern group Gx (step S110). For example, if this is the second time a transmission system pattern group is configured, the upper control device configures a transmission system pattern group G2. If this is the third time a transmission system pattern group is configured, the upper control device configures a transmission system pattern group G3. If this is the mth time a transmission system pattern group is configured, the upper control device configures a transmission system pattern group Gm. In the following description, it is assumed that the upper control device has configured a transmission system pattern group Gx, but depending on the number of times this step is repeated, the description of the transmission system pattern group Gx may be appropriately replaced with a transmission system pattern group G2, etc. Here, "x" is an integer equal to or greater than 2 corresponding to the number of transmissions.

[0214] The transmission system pattern group Gx may be determined statically, semi-statically, or dynamically. The upper control device may configure the transmission system pattern group Gx by reconfiguring previous transmission system patterns. The upper control device may also configure the transmission system pattern group Gx by adding new transmission devices and / or new control devices not used in previous transmission system patterns. In this case, the transmission system pattern group Gx may be configured by selecting from a static table, or may be configured semi-statically or dynamically based on a notification from a receiving device. If the configuration of a new transmission system pattern group cannot be implemented for some reason, the upper control device may use the transmission system pattern group used in a previous transmission (including transmission using a system pattern group for an initial transmission) as the transmission system pattern group Gx.

[0215] The upper control device acquires the information of the transmission system pattern group Gx configured here as information on the transmission system pattern group for retransmission. In the example of FIG. 16B, １ ~Px Ｎ The N number of patterns constitutes one transmission system pattern group Gx. Here, the value of N may be different from the value of N in the initial transmission or other retransmissions, or may be the same value. In the following description, the transmission system pattern Px ｉ A transmission system having the configuration shown in ｉ As described above, "x" is an integer equal to or greater than 1 corresponding to the number of transmissions. Also, "i" is an integer between 1 and N. Here, the value of N may be different from or the same as the value of N in the initial transmission or other retransmissions.

[0216] Transmission system Px １ ~Px Ｎ Each of the transmitting systems transmits a signal (xth signal) to the receiving system by cooperative transmission of the multiple transmitting systems belonging to the transmitting system (step S111). The cooperatively transmitted signal (xth signal) may be a signal of a different type / content for each transmitting system, or may be a signal of the same type / content. When transmitting this signal (first signal), the transmitting system Px １ ~Px Ｎ may each notify the receiving device of initial information (e.g., information related to an initial connection). That is, the first signal may be a signal for the transmitting system to notify the receiving device of initial information. In this case, the initial information may have different content for each transmitting system.

[0217] Transmission system Px １ ~Px Ｎmay each use different resources to notify the initial information. The resources used for notification here may be divided using a predetermined division method (e.g., at least one of time division, frequency division, and space division). In this case, the granularity of resource division and / or the number of divisions may be changed depending on the number of transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1, or may be static values ​​determined in advance by the transmitting and receiving sides. For example, multiple pieces of initial information from different transmission systems may be transmitted in a time-division manner within a certain period of time. In this case, the multiple pieces of initial information may be transmitted in bursts. Of course, the multiple pieces of initial information from different transmission systems may be transmitted using different frequency resources on the time axis.

[0218] Transmission system Px １ ~Px Ｎ may each notify, as initial information, semi-static control information related to the cooperative transmission that it performs. Here, the semi-static control information may be cell-specific control information. Additionally, the initial information may include, for example, at least one of the information shown in (A1) to (A6) above. The initial information may be notified during the initial connection procedure or after the initial connection. Furthermore, the initial information may be notified as part of an RRC procedure, such as RRC signaling, RRC configuration, or RRC reconfiguration. Furthermore, the initial information may be periodically notified from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40. The transmission system may use at least one of the above-mentioned (B1) to (B3) as a physical channel for notifying the initial information.

[0219] The receiving device receives the coordinated transmission signal (xth signal) transmitted in step S111. Then, the receiving device executes a reception process for the coordinated transmission signal transmitted in step S111 (step S112). Here, the reception process may include calculation of the reception strength of the coordinated transmission signal. For example, the receiving device may calculate the reception strength of the coordinated transmission signal from the transmitting system P1 based on the initial information notified in step S111. １ ~P1 ＮThe received strength of the cooperative transmission signal may be calculated for each of the coordinated transmission signals. The calculated received strength may be, for example, at least one of RSRP, RSSI, RSRQ, and SINR. Of course, the received strength may be a value that is a combination of these or a value similar to these.

[0220] The receiving device performs settings related to cooperative transmission (step S113). At this time, the receiving device may perform settings related to cooperative transmission based on the result of the reception process in step S112. For example, the receiving device may perform settings related to cooperative transmission based on the reception strength of the transmitting system Px １ When the received signal strength of the cooperative transmission signal transmitted by the transmitting system Px is the strongest, １ Various communication parameters may be set so that signals can be transmitted and received.

[0221] Then, the receiving device transmits information about the reception result of the cooperative transmission signal (xth signal) to any of the transmission systems (or any of the transmitting devices) included in the transmission system pattern group G1 (step S114). Here, the receiving device may transmit this information about the reception result together with information about the capabilities of the receiving device, or may transmit the information about the capabilities by including it in the information about the capabilities. The information about the reception result (information about the capabilities) may include the result of the reception process of step S112 (e.g., information about the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal). In this case, the information about the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal may be information for identifying a transmission system pattern in which the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signal by the receiving device is the highest. Furthermore, the information about the reception result (information about the capabilities) may include information about whether to request a retransmission of the cooperative transmission, or may include information about the number of transmitting devices constituting a transmission system pattern included in a transmission system pattern group selected when the cooperative transmission is performed again. The receiving device may notify the information about the reception result (information about the capabilities) during an initial access procedure or after the initial access.

[0222] The transmission system may use at least one of the above-mentioned (C1) to (C3) as a physical channel for notifying information about the reception result (information about the capability). Note that the transmission system may notify information about the reception result (information about the capability) as logical information via a wire.

[0223] The transmission system (or the transmission device) that has received the notification from the receiving device notifies the higher-level control device of the notified information (step S115). The notified information may include information required for the next retransmission. For example, the notified information may include at least one of information on the received power (reception strength) of the cooperative transmission signal, information on whether to request retransmission, and information on the number of transmission devices that constitute a transmission system pattern included in a transmission system pattern group that will be selected when retransmission is performed.

[0224] This notification may be performed via a logical or physical connection. For example, the transmission system (or the transmitting device) that receives the notification from the receiving device may send the notification using an F1 interface, an Xn interface, or the like. Note that the functions of the higher-level control device (e.g., the determination of retransmission in the figure and / or the processing related to the reconfiguration of the transmission system pattern group) may be possessed by a control device included in any of the transmission system patterns in the transmission system pattern group. In this case, this notification may be sent to the control device.

[0225] The upper control device determines whether to retransmit the cooperative transmission signal based on the information received in step S115 (step S116). For example, the upper control device determines whether there is a transmission system pattern in which the information on the reception result of the xth signal satisfies the xth criterion. For example, the upper control device determines whether there is a transmission system pattern in which the reception strength of the xth signal is equal to or greater than the xth criterion. If retransmission is to be performed (for example, if there is no transmission system pattern that satisfies the xth criterion), the upper control device returns to step S110.

[0226] If retransmission is not to be performed (for example, if there is a transmission system pattern that satisfies the xth criterion), i.e., if the initial transmission is to be completed, the upper control device performs processing related to the selection of multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system based on the information received in step S115. Specifically, the upper control device selects one transmission system pattern from the transmission system pattern group Gx based on the information received in step S115. For example, the upper control device selects one transmission system pattern from one or more transmission system patterns that satisfy the xth criterion. At this time, the upper control device may select, as the configuration of the transmission system to be used in the future, the transmission system pattern that has the highest reception strength of the cooperative transmission signal (xth signal) from among the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group Gx. In other words, the upper control device may select two or more transmission devices indicated by the selected transmission system pattern as the multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system. Note that the selection criteria shown here are merely examples. The selection criteria for the transmission system pattern are not limited to the above example. In the following description, a transmission system having the configuration of the selected transmission system pattern may be referred to as a selected transmission system.

[0227] Then, the upper control device transmits information necessary for continuing the initial connection using the selected transmission system to the receiving device via the selected transmission system (steps S117 and S118). The information necessary for continuing the initial connection is, for example, information about cooperative transmission. For example, if the transmission system pattern P1 is selected as the configuration of the transmission system to be used in the future, １ In this case, the information required to continue the initial connection is, for example, the transmission system pattern Px １ The received information is quasi-static information (e.g., communication parameters required to receive a coordinated transmission signal) regarding coordinated transmission performed by a plurality of transmission systems constituting the group. Based on the received information, the receiving device continues initial connection processing with the selected transmission system (or a device that communicates with the receiving device using the selected transmission system).

[0228] Once the initial connection is complete, the base station 20 performs wireless communication using point-forming with the receiving device (for example, the terminal device 40) using the selected transmission system.

[0229] For example, suppose that downlink communication occurs from the base station 20 to the terminal device 40. For example, suppose that the terminal device 40 requests a data download (pull) or push data occurs to the terminal device 40. In this case, the base station 20 notifies the terminal device 40 of control information (dynamic control information). For example, the base station 20 notifies the terminal device 40 of information on radio resources to be used for downlink communication.

[0230] Here, the dynamic control information may be UE-specific or UE-group-specific control information. Here, the UE group is a group consisting of multiple terminal devices 40 that are destinations when downlink communication is multicast and / or broadcast, for example.

[0231] The dynamic control information includes, for example, information on resources to be allocated for downlink communication to a target terminal device 40 (or a terminal group). For example, the dynamic control information may include at least one of the following (D1) to (D9).

[0232] (D1) Frequency resource (e.g., at least one of resource block, subcarrier, and subcarrier group) (D2) Time resource (e.g., at least one of subframe, slot, mini-slot, and symbol) (D3) Spatial resource (e.g., at least one of antenna, antenna port, spatial layer, and spatial stream) (D4) Non-orthogonal resource for NOMA (Non-orthogonal Multiple Access), MUST (Multiuser Superposition Transmission), IDMA (Interleave Division Multiple Access), or CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) (e.g., at least one of power-related resource, interleaving pattern, scrambling pattern, and spreading pattern) (D5) Modulation level (D6) Information on the coding method and / or coding rate of packet coding (D7) Information about an error detection method assigned to the coded sequence and / or an identification number of the coded sequence. (D8) Settings related to ARQ / HARQ (e.g., NDI (New Data Indicator) and / or RV (Redundancy Version)). (D9) Identification number of the HARQ process.

[0233] The terminal device 40 that receives this dynamic control information performs settings in accordance with the control information to prepare for appropriate reception of downlink communications.

[0234] <3-3. Configuration of Transmission System Pattern Group for Initial Transmission> Next, the configuration of the transmission system pattern group for initial transmission will be described. In the example of the transmission system selection process described above, the transmission system pattern group for initial transmission corresponds to the transmission system pattern group G1 configured in step S101.

[0235] 17 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmission system pattern group for initial transmission. In the example of FIG. 17, an example of the configuration of a transmission system pattern group G1 is shown. In the example of FIG. 17, the transmission system pattern group G1 includes a transmission system pattern P1 １ and transmission system pattern P1 ２ and transmission system pattern P1 ３ In the example of FIG. １ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P1 １ A transmitting device that configures P1 ２ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P1 ２ A transmitting device that configures P1 ３ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P1 ３ The transmitting device is configured as follows.

[0236] The transmission system pattern group G1 for the initial transmission may be characterized by at least one of the following (1) to (4): The transmission system pattern group G1 for the initial transmission may have all or some of the following (1) to (4) characteristics.

[0237] (1) Combination of Transmission Devices Each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1 may be configured with multiple transmission devices in a combination different from that of the other transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1. In this case, the multiple transmission devices configuring a transmission system pattern may be located physically distant from the multiple transmission devices configuring other transmission system patterns, as shown in FIG. 17, for example. This allows the upper control device to determine a new transmission system pattern group Gx in a retransmission step (e.g., step S110 shown in FIG. 16B) by comparing information related to the reception result of the coordinated transmission signal (first signal).

[0238] (2) Number of Transmitting Devices The number of transmitting devices included in each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the transmitting system pattern group G1 may be the same (first number). That is, the number of transmitting devices may be the same value for all transmitting system patterns in the transmitting system pattern group G1. Of course, the number of transmitting devices may differ for each transmitting system pattern. Note that, when a transmitting system is constructed with four transmitting devices, the transmitting devices may be referred to as four transmitting system pattern groups, for example. The number of transmitting devices affects the power concentration capability. By maintaining the same number of transmitting devices, when performing more detailed power concentration in retransmission, a transmitting system pattern can be constructed with a larger number of transmitting devices than in the initial transmission.

[0239] (3) Association of Power Concentration Positions The plurality of transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group G1 may be associated with different power concentration positions. In other words, the transmission system patterns included in any transmission system pattern group may be controlled or configured so that power is concentrated at different positions. In the example of FIG. 17 , the three transmission system patterns P1 included in the transmission system pattern group G1 are １ ~P1 ３ Each of the transmission system patterns P1 and P2 includes four transmission devices. １ ~P1 ３ are associated with different power concentration positions, respectively.

[0240] (4) Notification from Transmission System Patterns Notifications from these transmission system patterns may be transmitted periodically regardless of the presence or absence of a receiving device, and may be initiated in response to a request from a receiving device.

[0241] <3-4. Determination of Retransmission> Next, the determination of retransmission in step S107 and / or step S116 will be described. In the example of the transmission system selection process described above, the upper control device made the determination of retransmission, but the determination of retransmission may be made by the receiving device, the transmitting device, the control device, or the transmission system. In this case, the description of the upper control device described above or below can be replaced with the receiving device, the transmitting device, the control device, or the transmission system, as appropriate.

[0242] The upper control device may determine whether retransmission is necessary based on the condition that "the receiving device receives the cooperative transmission signal with a reception power (reception strength) equal to or greater than a predetermined value." In the following description, this condition is referred to as condition 1 (first criterion / second criterion). Here, the "predetermined value" in condition 1 may be determined statically or quasi-statically. For example, this value may be an estimated minimum value of reception power (reception strength) roughly calculated from the number of transmitting devices included in the transmission system pattern that transmitted the notification.

[0243] As described above, the decision to retransmit may be made by the receiving device. In this case, the receiving device or the control device may change the content of the notification to the upper control device via the transmission system (e.g., the content of the notification made in step S105 and / or step S114) depending on whether condition 1 is met. Of course, the decision to retransmit may also be made by a device other than the upper control device and the receiving device (e.g., a transmitting device, a control device, or a transmission system). In this case, too, these devices may change the content of the notification to the upper control device (e.g., the content of the notification made in step S106 and / or step S115) depending on whether condition 1 is met.

[0244] 18 is a flowchart showing a retransmission request process. In the following description, the retransmission request process is assumed to be executed by a receiving device, but it may also be executed by a transmitting device, a control device, or a transmission system. In this case, the following description of a receiving device can be replaced with a transmitting device, a control device, or a transmission system. The retransmission request process according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG. 18.

[0245] The receiving device determines whether it has received a cooperative transmission signal with a reception power (reception intensity) exceeding a first reference value within a predetermined timing (step S201). The first reference value is, for example, the minimum reception power (reception intensity) at which it is possible to determine whether or not to transmit a signal. For example, the first reference value is the minimum reception intensity (amount of power) at which it is expected that a transmitting device can receive a signal when the receiving device transmits a signal to any transmitting device included in the transmission system that transmitted the cooperative transmission signal.

[0246] If the received power (received strength) of the received cooperative transmission signal does not exceed the first reference value (step S201: No), the receiving device repeats step S201 until it receives a cooperative transmission signal with received power (received strength) that exceeds the first reference value.

[0247] If the received power (reception strength) of the received cooperative transmission signal exceeds the first reference value (step S201: Yes), it is determined whether the received power (reception strength) of the received cooperative transmission signal exceeds a second reference value (step S202). The second reference value is, for example, the minimum received power (reception strength) determined to be suitable for cooperative transmission.

[0248] If the received power (reception strength) of the received cooperative transmission signal does not exceed the second reference value (step S202: No), the receiving device requests the upper control device to retransmit the cooperative transmission signal (step S203). For example, the receiving device requests the upper control device to retransmit the cooperative transmission signal using a new transmission system pattern group. At this time, the retransmission request may include at least one of the following (E1) to (E4):

[0249] (E1) Information regarding the reception power (reception strength) of the cooperative transmission signal. (E2) Information regarding the identification information of the transmission system pattern received by the receiving device. (E3) Information regarding whether to request the cooperative transmission to be performed again. (E4) Information regarding the number of transmitting devices that constitute a transmission system pattern included in a transmission system pattern group selected when the cooperative transmission is performed again.

[0250] In addition, when requesting another cooperative transmission, the receiving device may request that the retransmission be performed by a greater number of transmitting devices than the number of transmitting devices included in the transmission system that transmitted the cooperative transmission signal that was currently received.

[0251] If the received power (received strength) of the received cooperative transmission signal exceeds the second reference value (step S202: Yes), the receiving device notifies the upper control device that it will not request retransmission (step S204). At this time, the notification may include at least one of (E1) to (E3) described above. At this time, the identification information of (E2) may be information about multiple transmission system patterns. For example, suppose that the calculation of the received power (received strength) shows that the received power (received strength) of the cooperative transmission signals transmitted from two or more transmission systems exceeds the reference value. In this case, the receiving device may include information about the identification information of the two or more transmission systems in this notification.

[0252] After notifying that retransmission is not requested, the receiving device ends the retransmission request process.

[0253] <3-5. Configuration of Transmission System Pattern Group for Retransmission> Next, the configuration of the transmission system pattern group for retransmission will be described. In the example of the transmission system selection process described above, the transmission system pattern group for retransmission corresponds to the transmission system pattern group Gx configured in step S110.

[0254] 19 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a transmission system pattern group for retransmission. In the example of FIG. 19, an example of the configuration of a transmission system pattern group G2 is shown. In the example of FIG. 19, the transmission system pattern group G2 includes a transmission system pattern P2 １ and transmission system pattern P2 ２ and transmission system pattern P2 ３ In the example of FIG. １ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P2 １ A transmitting device that configures P2 ２ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P2 ２ A transmitting device that configures P2３ The transmitter marked with is the transmitter system pattern P2 ３ The transmitting device is configured as follows.

[0255] The transmission system pattern group Gx for retransmission may have at least one of the following characteristics (1) to (4): The transmission system pattern group G1 for initial transmission may have all or some of the following characteristics (1) to (4).

[0256] (1) Combination of Transmission Devices Each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group Gx may be configured with multiple transmission devices in a combination different from that of the other transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group Gx. In this case, the multiple transmission devices configuring a transmission system pattern may be located physically distant from the multiple transmission devices configuring other transmission system patterns, as shown in Fig. 19, for example. This allows the upper control device to determine a new transmission system pattern group in the next retransmission step by comparing information related to the reception result of the coordinated transmission signal (second signal).

[0257] (2) Number of Transmitting Devices The number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the transmitting system pattern group Gx may be greater than the maximum number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the previously configured transmitting system pattern group (e.g., the transmitting system pattern group G1 or the transmitting system pattern group Gx-1). For example, if the number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the transmitting system pattern group G1 is the first number, the number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the transmitting system pattern group G1 may be greater than the first number.

[0258] The number of transmitting devices included in each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group Gx may be the same (second number). That is, the number of transmitting devices may be the same for all transmission system patterns in the transmission system pattern group Gx. This number (second number) may be greater than the first number. Of course, the number of transmitting devices may differ for each transmission system pattern. In addition, when a transmission system is constructed with six transmitting devices, the transmitting devices may be referred to as six transmission system pattern groups, for example. The number of transmitting devices affects the power concentration capability. By maintaining the same number of transmitting devices, when more detailed power concentration is performed in the next retransmission, a transmission system pattern can be constructed with a larger number of transmitting devices than in the current retransmission.

[0259] The upper control device may determine the number of transmitting devices included in each of the multiple transmission system patterns constituting the new transmission system pattern group Gx using feedback information from the previous cooperative transmission (e.g., information on the reception results of the cooperative transmission signal (first signal / x-1th signal)). For example, the upper control device may determine the number of transmitting devices depending on the magnitude of the difference between the reception strength and a reference value. This allows the optimal transmission system configuration to be determined with a small number of repetitions.

[0260] (3) Association of Power Concentration Positions A plurality of transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group Gx may be associated with different power concentration positions. In other words, the transmission system patterns included in any transmission system pattern group may be controlled or configured so that power is concentrated at different positions. In the example of FIG. 19 , three transmission system patterns P2 included in the transmission system pattern group Gx are associated with different power concentration positions. １ ~P2 ３ Each of the transmission system patterns P2 and P3 includes six transmission devices. １ ~P2 ３ are associated with different power concentration positions. The transmission system pattern for realizing this embodiment may be set statically or quasi-statically.

[0261] (4) Configuration of a new transmission system pattern based on feedback information A new transmission system pattern and / or a new group of transmission system patterns may be configured using feedback information of the previous cooperative transmission (for example, information on the reception result of the cooperative transmission signal (first signal / x-1th signal)). FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a new transmission system pattern group. Specifically, FIG. 20 shows a transmission system pattern P1 with the highest reception power (reception strength) among the previously used transmission system pattern group G1. ２ This is an example of a new transmission system pattern group G2 that includes the above.

[0262] It should be noted that the previous transmission system pattern used to configure a new transmission system pattern (a new transmission system pattern group) is not limited to the transmission system pattern with the highest received power (reception strength). For example, the previous transmission system pattern used to configure a new transmission system pattern (a new transmission system pattern group) may be the transmission system pattern with the lowest received power (reception strength). In this case, the transmitting device and the control device selected for configuring the new transmission system pattern (a new transmission system pattern group) may be selected based on geographical information of the transmission system pattern used in the previous transmission. For example, the control device or the transmitting device located closest to the transmitting device or the control device belonging to the previously used transmission system pattern may be selected.

[0263] 3-6. Example of a Transmission System Configuration FIGS. 21 to 24 are diagrams showing example configurations of a transmission system (transmission system pattern). The transmission system (transmission system pattern) may be configured using at least one of the topologies shown in FIGS. 21 to 24. The start position of the split may be anywhere. Here, if DU and below are not written, the DU may include the functionality of the RU. In the examples of FIGS. 21 to 24, the number of divisions is 2. However, the number of divisions may be a value other than 2.

[0264] 25 to 38 show examples of topology and examples of division into a higher-level control device, a control device, and a transmission device. Note that the configuration of the transmission system (transmission system pattern) of this embodiment is not limited to the examples shown in FIGS. 25 to 38.

[0265] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of splitting when the first split position is 5GC and an RU is present.

[0266] 26 to 28 are diagrams showing examples of splitting when the first split position is a CU and an RU is present. Fig. 26 is an example of splitting when only a 5GC is included in the upper control device. Fig. 27 is an example of splitting when a 5GC and a CU are included in the upper control device. Fig. 28 is an example of splitting when only a CU is included in the upper control device.

[0267] 29 to 31 are diagrams showing examples of division when the first split position is DU, and DU and RU exist below it. Fig. 29 is an example of division when the upper control device contains only 5GC, CU, and DU. Fig. 30 is an example of division when the upper control device contains only CU and DU. Fig. 31 is an example of division when the upper control device contains only DU.

[0268] Figures 32 to 34 are diagrams showing examples of splitting when the initial split position is DU and RU is present. Figure 32 is an example of splitting when only 5GC is included in the upper control device. Figure 33 is an example of splitting when only 5GC and CU are included in the upper control device. Figure 34 is an example of splitting when only CU is included in the upper control device.

[0269] FIG. 35 shows an example of splitting when the first split position is 5GC and no RU is present.

[0270] 36 to 38 are diagrams showing examples of splitting when the first split position is a CU and no RU exists. Fig. 36 is an example of splitting when only a 5GC is included in the upper control device. Fig. 37 is an example of splitting when only a 5GC and a CU are included in the upper control device. Fig. 38 is an example of splitting when only a CU is included in the upper control device.

[0271] <3-7. Initial Connection> The transmission system selection process may be part of the initial connection process. The initial connection refers to, for example, a process using information transmitted from the transmitting device before the receiving device and the transmitting device are connected. Here, the receiving device is, for example, the terminal device 40, and the transmitting device is, for example, the base station 20.

[0272] The information transmitted from the transmitting device before the receiving device and transmitting device are connected is, for example, at least one of the following: MIB (Master Information Block) SIB X (System Information Block X) SSB (Synchronization Signal Block) PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel) PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel) DCI (Downlink Control Information) CORESET (Control Resource Set) PSS (Primary Synchronization Signal) SSS (Secondary Synchronization Signal) Here, X in SIB X is any Arabic numeral (especially 1).

[0273] The initial connection process refers to, for example, processing of the RACH (or PRACH). In this case, the RACH process may be performed using any of the following methods: contention-based, contention-free, 2-step RACH, and 4-step RACH. Of course, the RACH process may be performed using methods other than these. This initial connection process may be triggered, for example, by an RRC message sent from the transmitting device. Alternatively, the receiving device may trigger the initial connection process based on pre-configured information. For example, the initial connection process may be performed during handover.

[0274] The transmission system pattern group may be associated with a synchronization signal block (SSB), and the receiving device may identify the transmission system pattern based on the SSB.

[0275] For example, the receiving device may identify the transmission system pattern by referring to the PDCCH-config common in the RRC parameter "BWP-DownlinkCommon" or the TCI-state ID / CSI-RS ID of the CORESET information included in the commonControlResourceSet included in the PDSCH-config common. The receiving device may identify the transmission system pattern by referring to information transmitted to the receiving device using other resources (e.g., the TCI-state ID / CSI-RS ID included in the ControlResourceSet).

[0276] This correspondence may be grasped by at least one of the transmitting device and the receiving device. For example, a table showing the correspondence may be held by the transmitting device or the receiving device. Also, the table showing the correspondence may be shared between the transmitting device and the receiving device. This table may be updated based on some trigger.

[0277] FIG. 39 is a diagram showing an example of a table showing correspondence relationships. Here, Px (x is a positive integer from 0 to n) is a value for identifying an arbitrary transmission system pattern group. The transmission system pattern group ID is a term used only in this embodiment. The transmission system pattern group ID is an identification ID assigned to a transmission system belonging to one or more transmission system pattern groups. The transmission system pattern group ID may be expressed in any manner.

[0278] Note that a transmission system pattern group may be associated with a search space. For example, a transmission system pattern group ID may be associated with a value of ControlResourceSetZero or SearchSpaceZero. Also, a transmission system pattern group ID may be associated with a parameter related to the value of ControlResourceSetZero or SearchSpaceZero. For example, a transmission system pattern group ID may be associated with information included in a PDCCH or DCI discovered by a search space. A direct association represented by an identification number or the like may be indicated in the DCI. An association may also be implicitly indicated by other parameters included in the DCI.

[0279] <3-8. Power Calculation> When implementing point forming, power measurement may be performed based on a measurement report. For example, the receiving device may notify the upper management device of the measurement results of the received power (reception strength) by a measurement report. The following is an example of information in a measurement report. The measurement results of the downlink signal quality of the transmission system pattern group may be reported as separate information or at separate timings.

[0280] ・SS-RSRP ・CSI-RSRP ・SS-RSRQ ・CSI-RSRQ ・SS-RSSI ・CSI-RSSI ・SS-SINR ・CSI-SINR

[0281] When the receiving device or the higher-level control device determines whether or not point forming can be performed, the determination may be one of the following.

[0282] The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the target base station device group candidate is above a threshold. The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is not feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the target base station device group candidate is below a threshold. The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the transmission system pattern is above a threshold. The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is not feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the transmission system pattern is below a threshold. The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of a transmission system pattern candidate is above a threshold. The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming is feasible when the measured communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of a transmission system pattern candidate is above an offset from the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of another measured transmission system pattern. - A receiving device or a higher-level control device determines that point forming is not possible if the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of a measured transmission system pattern candidate is less than or equal to the Offset compared to the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of another measured transmission system pattern. - A receiving device or a higher-level control device determines that point forming is possible if the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of a measured transmission system pattern is a better reception quality than the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern. - A receiving device or a higher-level control device determines that point forming is not possible if the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of a measured transmission system pattern is a worse reception quality than the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern. - The receiving device or upper control device determines that point forming can be performed when the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern is below a first threshold and the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern is above a second threshold that is smaller than the first threshold.- If the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern is above a first threshold, or if the communication quality (e.g., RSRP) of the measured transmission system pattern is below a second threshold that is lower than the first threshold, the receiving device or higher control device determines that point forming cannot be performed.

[0283] To determine the quality of point forming, the transmitting device may include information on the transmission power of point forming by the transmitting system or information on the threshold in the MIB or SIB1. This value may be represented by a discrete value or a real number. It may also be an enumeration of predetermined values. This value may also be calculated from the correspondence between an ID and a table. The following is an example of what is actually shown in the MIB and SIB1. In this example, TransmitPowerForPointforming indicates information on the transmission power when implementing point forming, and thresholdPowerForPointforming indicates information on the threshold. There are no limitations on the layer in which this information is included.

[0284] MIB ::= SEQUENCE { systemFrameNumber BIT STRING (SIZE (6)), subCarrierSpacingCommon ENUMERATED {scs15or60, scs30or120}, ssb-SubcarrierOffset INTEGER (0..15), dmrs-TypeA-Position ENUMERATED {pos2, pos3}, pdcch-ConfigSIB1 PDCCH-ConfigSIB1, cellBarred ENUMERATED {barred, notBarred}, intraFreqReselection ENUMERATED {allowed, notAllowed}, spare BIT STRING (SIZE (1))} TransmitPowerForPointforming Value ThresholdPowerForPointforming Value} SIB1 ::= SEQUENCE { (omitted) TransmitPowerForPointforming Value ThresholdPowerForPointforming Value (omitted)}

[0285] <3-9. Notification of Results> Next, notification of the results of power calculation or the results of determination as to whether point forming can be performed will be described.

[0286] The notification of the power calculation result or the determination result of whether point forming can be performed may be performed during the initial connection process. Fig. 40 is a sequence diagram for explaining the notification process of the power calculation result or the determination result of whether point forming can be performed.

[0287] Notification of the determination result of whether point forming can be performed may be achieved by using the configuration of the RACH. In the example of FIG. 40, in the initial connection process, MIB and SIB1 are transmitted for each transmission system pattern (steps S301 and S302). The receiving device calculates the received power from the received MIB and / or SIB1 (step S303) and notifies the result to the upper transmitting device. At this time, notification from the receiving device to the upper control device may be made using PRACH (Msg. 1) (step S304). The notification may include the power calculation result or the determination result of whether point forming can be performed.

[0288] The upper control device determines whether point forming can be performed based on the notification from the receiving device (step S305). If it determines that point forming cannot be performed, the upper control device reconfigures the transmission system pattern (transmission system pattern group) (step S306). If reconfiguration of the transmission system pattern (transmission system pattern group) is to be performed, the upper control device notifies the receiving device of this via RAR (Msg. 2) (step S307).

[0289] The receiving device that has received the notification receives the MIB and SIB1 for each reconfigured transmission system pattern (steps S308 and S309). The receiving device calculates the received power from the received MIB and / or SIB1 (step S310) and notifies the result to the upper transmitting device. At this time, the notification from the receiving device to the upper control device may be sent using PRACH (Msg. 1) (step S311). The notification may include the power calculation result or the determination result of whether point forming can be performed.

[0290] The upper control device determines whether point forming can be performed based on the notification from the receiving device (step S312). If it determines that point forming cannot be performed, the upper control device reconfigures the transmission system pattern (transmission system pattern group) (step S313). If reconfiguration of the transmission system pattern (transmission system pattern group) is to be performed, the upper control device notifies the receiving device of this via RAR (Msg. 2) (step S314).

[0291] If point forming is possible, Msg. 3 and Msg. 4 are transmitted (steps S315 and S316), and the initial connection process ends.

[0292] The result of the power calculation or the result of the determination as to whether point forming can be performed may be notified explicitly or implicitly.

[0293] (When Explicitly Notified) When explicitly notified, the notified received power information may be any of the following: - Actual value - Discretized value - ID indicating a specific power from a power table

[0294] If the notification is made explicitly, the notification may be any of the following: - Notification by generating a preamble regarding whether point forming can be implemented - 1 bit indicating whether point forming can be implemented - Enumeration (e.g., {allowed, banned})

[0295] (When Implicit Notification Is Given) If a parameter indicating information regarding whether point forming can be performed or a parameter indicating received power does not contain a value, the upper management device may determine whether point forming can be performed. For example, if a parameter does not contain a value, the upper management device determines that point forming cannot be performed.

[0296] Notification of transmission system pattern reconfiguration may be made explicitly or implicitly. (When explicitly notified) When explicitly notified, the notification may be any of the following: Notification by generating a preamble related to transmission system pattern reconfiguration One bit indicating transmission system pattern reconfiguration Enumeration (e.g., {allowed, banned})

[0297] (When Implicit Notification Is Given) If the parameter indicating transmission system pattern reconfiguration does not contain a value, the upper management device may determine whether or not to perform point forming. For example, if the parameter does not contain a value, the upper management device does not perform reconfiguration and continues the initial connection.

[0298] <<4. Modifications>> The above-described embodiment is merely an example, and various modifications and applications are possible.

[0299] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the technology of the present disclosure has been described mainly using the processing between the base station 20 and the terminal device 40 as an example. However, the scope of application of the present embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to communication between multiple communication devices selected from the management device 10, the base station 20, the relay station 30, and the terminal device 40. Furthermore, the technology of the present disclosure can also be applied to communication between management devices 10, between base stations 20, between relay stations 30, or between terminal devices 40.

[0300] Furthermore, the wireless communication related to point forming of this embodiment may be near-field communication, where the near-field communication may be communication over a distance shorter than the Fraunhofer distance, which is determined by the frequency band and the aperture length of the transmitting panel.

[0301] The management device 10, the base station 20, the relay station 30, or the control device that controls the terminal device 40 in this embodiment may be realized by a dedicated computer system or a general-purpose computer system.

[0302] For example, a program for executing the above-described operations is stored and distributed on a computer-readable recording medium such as an optical disk, semiconductor memory, magnetic tape, or flexible disk. Then, for example, the program is installed on a computer and the above-described processing is executed to configure a control device. In this case, the control device may be a device (e.g., a personal computer) external to the management device 10, base station 20, relay station 30, or terminal device 40. Alternatively, the control device may be a device (e.g., control unit 13, control unit 23, control unit 33, or control unit 43) internal to the management device 10, base station 20, relay station 30, or terminal device 40.

[0303] The communication program may also be stored in a disk device provided in a server on a network such as the Internet, and may be downloaded to a computer. The above-described functions may also be realized by cooperation between an operating system (OS) and application software. In this case, the components other than the OS may be stored on a medium and distributed, or may be stored on a server and downloaded to a computer.

[0304] Furthermore, among the processes described in the above embodiments, all or part of the processes described as being performed automatically can be performed manually, or all or part of the processes described as being performed manually can be performed automatically using a known method. In addition, the information including the processing procedures, specific names, various data, and parameters shown in the above documents and drawings can be changed as desired unless otherwise specified. For example, the various information shown in each drawing is not limited to the information shown in the drawings.

[0305] Furthermore, the components of each device shown in the figure are conceptual functional units and do not necessarily have to be physically configured as shown. In other words, the specific form of distribution and integration of each device is not limited to that shown in the figure, and all or part of the devices can be functionally or physically distributed or integrated in any unit depending on various loads, usage conditions, etc. Note that this distribution or integration configuration may also be performed dynamically.

[0306] The above-described embodiments can be combined as appropriate within the scope of the processing content without causing inconsistency. The order of the steps shown in the flowcharts and sequence diagrams of the above-described embodiments can be changed as appropriate.

[0307] Furthermore, for example, the present embodiment can also be implemented as any configuration that constitutes an apparatus or system, such as a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), a module using multiple processors, a unit using multiple modules, a set in which other functions are added to a unit, or the like (i.e., a configuration of a part of an apparatus).

[0308] The functions performed by the components described herein may be implemented in circuitry or processing circuitry programmed to perform the described functions. Here, the circuitry or processing circuitry may be a general-purpose processor, an application-specific processor, an integrated circuit, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a CPU (a Central Processing Unit), conventional circuitry, and / or a combination thereof. Processors include transistors and other circuits. A processor may be considered to be circuitry or processing circuitry. A processor may also be a programmed processor that executes a program stored in a memory.

[0309] In this specification, a circuit, unit, or means may be hardware that is programmed to realize a described function or that performs a described function. The hardware may be any hardware disclosed in this specification or any hardware that is programmed to realize or known to perform the described function. If the hardware is a processor, which is considered a type of circuitry, the circuit, means, or unit may be a combination of hardware and software used to configure the hardware and / or processor.

[0310] Furthermore, for example, the present embodiment can be implemented as any configuration constituting an apparatus or system. For example, the present embodiment can be implemented as a processor as a system LSI (Large Scale Integration), a module using multiple processors, a unit using multiple modules, or a set in which a unit further has additional functions. In other words, the present embodiment can also be implemented as a part of the configuration of an apparatus.

[0311] The system LSI may also be referred to as an SOC (System on Chip). In other words, each of the above-described or later-described devices (e.g., the management device 10, the base station 20, the relay station 30, and the terminal device 40) may be interpreted as a processor (e.g., a CPU) serving as a system LSI (e.g., SoC), or as a module using or constituting the processor. Additionally or alternatively, the present embodiment may be implemented by any configuration constituting a device or system (e.g., a modem chip (baseband chip) or an RF (Radio Frequency) unit, or a combination thereof). The RF unit may include at least one of an RF circuit and an RF front-end. In other words, each of the above-described or later-described devices may be interpreted as a modem chip (baseband chip) or an RF unit, or a combination thereof. Additionally or alternatively, each of the above-described or later-described devices may be interpreted as a module using or constituting a modem chip or an RF unit.

[0312] The modem chip performs signal processing for communications within a device (including the devices described above or below). The modem chip may have at least a modulator or demodulator function. The RF unit may have at least one of an RF transceiver (RF upconverter and / or RF downconverter), a power amplifier, and a low-noise amplifier function. The RF transceiver converts between baseband signals and RF frequencies. The power amplifier amplifies signals for transmission from an antenna. The low-noise amplifier amplifies weak signals received from the antenna. Additionally or alternatively, the RF unit (particularly, the RF front end) may include at least one of the above-mentioned power amplifier, low-noise amplifier, envelope tracker, filter, duplexer, multiplexer, antenna switch, and antenna tuner.

[0313] The combination of the modem chip and the RF unit may be referred to as a modem-RF system. At least a portion of the modem chip or the RF unit, or a combination thereof, may be included in a system LSI (e.g., SoC). For example, the processing performed by at least a portion of the modem chip or the RF unit, or a combination thereof (e.g., at least a portion of the MAC layer processing / PHY layer processing) may be realized by the system LSI. Here, the MAC layer processing or the PHY layer processing may be at least a portion of the processing performed by the devices (e.g., the management device 10, the base station 20, the relay station 30, and the terminal device 40) in the above-mentioned or later-described embodiments.

[0314] In this embodiment, a system refers to a collection of multiple components (devices, modules (components), etc.), regardless of whether all of the components are in the same housing. Therefore, multiple devices housed in separate housings and connected via a network, and a single device in which multiple modules are housed in a single housing, are both systems.

[0315] Furthermore, for example, this embodiment can have a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared and processed jointly by a plurality of devices via a network.

[0316] <<5. Conclusion>> The communication system 1 includes a host control device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system. The host control device acquires information regarding the reception results by a receiving device (e.g., terminal device 40) of a signal cooperatively transmitted by multiple transmitting devices. The host control device performs processing related to the selection of multiple transmitting devices that configure the transmission system based on the information regarding the reception results.

[0317] For example, the upper control device acquires information on a transmission system pattern group including multiple transmission system patterns that indicate the configuration of a transmission system.The upper control device then causes each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the transmission system pattern group to transmit a cooperative transmission signal.The upper control device then acquires information on the reception results of the cooperative transmission signal by the receiving device for each of the multiple transmission system patterns.The upper control device selects, as the configuration of the transmission system, a transmission system pattern whose information on the reception results meets a criterion.For example, the upper control device selects, as the configuration of the transmission system, a transmission system pattern with the strongest reception strength from one or more transmission system patterns whose reception strength of the cooperative transmission signal is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold.

[0318] This allows the communication system to perform optimal point-forming power concentration on the receiving device, resulting in high communication performance.

[0319] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above, the technical scope of the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, components of different embodiments and modifications may be combined as appropriate.

[0320] Furthermore, the effects of each embodiment described in this specification are merely examples and are not intended to be limiting, and other effects may also be obtained.

[0321] Note that the present technology can also be configured as follows. (1) An information processing device comprising: a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by a plurality of transmitting devices, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmitting devices that constitute the transmission system. (2) The information processing device according to (1), comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires information related to a reception result of the coordinatedly transmitted signal by a receiving device, wherein the configuration processing unit performs processing related to selection of the plurality of transmitting devices based on the information related to the reception result. (3) The information processing device according to (2), wherein the acquisition unit acquires information of a first transmission system pattern group that includes a plurality of transmission system patterns that indicate the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the configuration processing unit causes each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group to perform the coordinated transmission of a first signal, and selects a transmission system pattern for which information related to the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device satisfies a first criterion as the configuration of the transmission system. (4) The information processing device according to (3), wherein the configuration processing unit selects two or more transmission devices indicated by a transmission system pattern whose information on the reception result of the first signal satisfies the first criterion as the plurality of transmission devices constituting the transmission system. (5) The information processing device according to (4), wherein the number of transmission devices in each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group is the same.(6) The information processing device according to (5), wherein the acquisition unit acquires information of a second transmission system pattern group when the first transmission system pattern group does not include a transmission system pattern that satisfies the first criterion, the second transmission system pattern group includes a plurality of transmission system patterns different from the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group, and the configuration processing unit causes each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group to perform the cooperative transmission of a second signal, and selects a transmission system pattern for which information related to a reception result of the second signal by the receiving device satisfies the second criterion as the configuration of the transmission system. (7) The information processing device according to (6), wherein the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is greater than the largest number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group. (8) The information processing device according to (7), wherein the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is the same. (9) The information processing device according to (8), wherein the configuration processing unit determines the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group based on information related to the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device. (10) The information processing device according to (6), wherein the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group is a first number, and the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is a number greater than the first number. (11) The information processing device according to (10), wherein the number of transmission devices for each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is a second number greater than the first number. (12) The information processing device according to (11), wherein the configuration processing unit determines the second number based on information related to the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device.(13) The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (12), wherein the information on the reception result includes information on reception power of the signal received by the receiving device. (14) The information processing device according to any one of (2) to (12), wherein the information on the reception result includes information for specifying a transmission system pattern in which the reception power of the signal by the receiving device is the largest. (15) A communication device comprising: a receiving unit that receives the cooperatively transmitted signals from a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmitting devices; and a transmitting unit that transmits information on the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signals to an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmitting devices based on the information on the reception result. (16) A communication system comprising an information processing device and a communication device, wherein the information processing device comprises: a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices, and the communication device comprises: a receiving unit that receives the cooperatively transmitted signals from the transmission system, and a transmitting unit that transmits information related to the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signals to the information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, and wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices based on the information related to the reception results. (17) An information processing method that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices, and wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices that constitute the transmission system.(18) A communication method, comprising: receiving cooperatively transmitted signals from a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices; and transmitting information related to the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signals to an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices based on the information on the reception results. (19) A program, comprising: making a computer function as a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices; and making a computer function as a receiving unit that receives the cooperatively transmitted signals from a transmission system that performs power concentration for point forming through cooperative transmission by a plurality of transmission devices, and a transmitting unit that transmits information related to the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signals to an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices based on the information on the reception results.

[0322] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 communication system 10 management device 20 base station 30 relay station 40 terminal device 11 communication unit 21, 31, 41 wireless communication unit 12, 22, 32, 42 storage unit 13, 23, 33, 43 control unit 211, 311, 411 transmission processing unit 212, 312, 412 reception processing unit 213, 313, 413 antenna 131, 231, 331, 431 transmission unit 132, 232, 332, 432 reception unit 133, 233, 333, 433 acquisition unit 134, 234, 334, 434 configuration processing unit RAN radio access network CN core network

Claims

1. An information processing device comprising: a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by multiple transmission devices, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the multiple transmission devices that constitute the transmission system.

2. The information processing device according to claim 1, further comprising an acquisition unit that acquires information regarding the reception results of the coordinated transmitted signals by the receiving device, and the configuration processing unit performs processing related to the selection of the plurality of transmitting devices based on the information regarding the reception results.

3. The information processing device described in claim 2, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information on a first transmission system pattern group that includes multiple transmission system patterns that indicate the configuration of the transmission system, and the configuration processing unit causes each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group to cooperatively transmit a first signal, and selects a transmission system pattern whose information on the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device satisfies a first criterion as the configuration of the transmission system.

4. The information processing device according to claim 3, wherein the configuration processing unit selects two or more transmitting devices indicated by a transmitting system pattern whose information regarding the reception result of the first signal satisfies the first criterion as the plurality of transmitting devices that constitute the transmitting system.

5. The information processing device according to claim 4, wherein the number of transmission devices in each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group is the same.

6. The information processing device of claim 5, wherein the acquisition unit acquires information about a second transmission system pattern group when the first transmission system pattern group does not contain a transmission system pattern that satisfies the first criterion, the second transmission system pattern group contains a plurality of transmission system patterns that are different from the plurality of transmission system patterns contained in the first transmission system pattern group, and the configuration processing unit causes each of the plurality of transmission system patterns contained in the second transmission system pattern group to cooperatively transmit a second signal, and selects a transmission system pattern whose information regarding the reception result of the second signal by the receiving device satisfies the second criterion as the configuration of the transmission system.

7. An information processing device as described in claim 6, wherein the number of transmitting devices for each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the second transmitting system pattern group is greater than the maximum number of transmitting devices for each of the multiple transmitting system patterns included in the first transmitting system pattern group.

8. The information processing device according to claim 7, wherein the number of transmission devices in each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is the same.

9. The information processing device according to claim 8, wherein the configuration processing unit determines the number of transmitting devices for each of a plurality of transmitting system patterns included in the second transmitting system pattern group based on information regarding the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device.

10. An information processing device as described in claim 6, wherein the number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the first transmission system pattern group is a first number, and the number of transmitting devices in each of the multiple transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is a number greater than the first number.

11. The information processing device according to claim 10, wherein the number of transmission devices in each of the plurality of transmission system patterns included in the second transmission system pattern group is a second number greater than the first number.

12. The information processing device according to claim 11, wherein the configuration processing unit determines the second number based on information relating to the reception result of the first signal by the receiving device.

13. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the information relating to the reception result includes information relating to the reception power of the signal received by the receiving device.

14. The information processing device according to claim 2, wherein the information regarding the reception result includes information for identifying a transmission system pattern that maximizes the reception power of the signal by the receiving device.

15. A communication device comprising: a receiving unit that receives a cooperatively transmitted signal from a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through cooperative transmission by multiple transmitting devices; and a transmitting unit that transmits information related to the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signal to an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the multiple transmitting devices based on the information related to the reception results.

16. A communication system comprising an information processing device and a communication device, wherein the information processing device comprises: a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by a plurality of transmission devices; and the communication device comprises: a receiving unit that receives the coordinated transmitted signal from the transmission system; and a transmitting unit that transmits information related to the reception results of the coordinated transmitted signal to the information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, and wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to selection of the plurality of transmission devices based on the information related to the reception results.

17. An information processing method, comprising: processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by a plurality of transmitting devices; wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the plurality of transmitting devices that constitute the transmission system.

18. A communication method comprising: receiving a cooperatively transmitted signal from a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through cooperative transmission by multiple transmitting devices; transmitting information relating to the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signal to an information processing device that performs processing relating to the configuration of the transmission system; and the processing relating to the configuration of the transmission system including processing relating to selection of the multiple transmitting devices based on the information relating to the reception results.

19. A program that causes a computer to function as a configuration processing unit that performs processing related to the configuration of a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through coordinated transmission by multiple transmission devices, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the multiple transmission devices that make up the transmission system.

20. A program that causes a computer to function as: a receiving unit that receives a cooperatively transmitted signal from a transmission system that concentrates power for point forming through cooperative transmission by multiple transmitting devices; and a transmitting unit that transmits information regarding the reception results of the cooperatively transmitted signal to an information processing device that performs processing related to the configuration of the transmission system, wherein the processing related to the configuration of the transmission system includes processing related to the selection of the multiple transmitting devices based on the information regarding the reception results.

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