Communication device, base station, communication method, and integrated circuit

Abstract

The present invention appropriately transmits an uplink signal. This terminal comprises: a control circuit that, if an event in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal cannot be maintained occurs in a section where an orthogonally coded uplink signal is allocated, determines the configuration of a plurality of time resources for combining a demodulation reference signal on the basis of the event and the section; and a transmission circuit that transmits the demodulation reference signal on the basis of the configuration.

Description

Communication device, base station, communication method, and integrated circuit

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a communication device, a base station, a communication method, and an integrated circuit.

[0002] New Radio access technology (NR) for 5G has been specified by 3GPP, and specifications up to Release 18 (Rel.18) of NR have been published.

[0003] 3GPP, TR 38.821, V16.1.0 “Solutions for NR to support non-terrestrial networks (NTN) (Release 16)”3GPP, TS 38.214, V18.1.0 “NR; Physical layer procedures for data (Release 18)”

[0004] However, there is room for further consideration regarding the method of transmitting the upstream signal.

[0005] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure contribute to providing a communication device, a base station, a communication method, and an integrated circuit that can appropriately transmit an uplink signal.

[0006] A terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determines a setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section, and a transmission circuit that transmits the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

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

[0008] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, uplink signals can be transmitted appropriately.

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

[0010] Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of a terminal.Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of a base station.Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a terminal.Block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station.Diagram showing an example of setting the actual Time Domain Window (TDW).Diagram showing an example of setting the actual TDW.Diagram showing an example of setting the actual TDW.Diagram showing an example of setting the actual TDW.Diagram showing an example of setting the actual TDW.Diagram showing an example of the relationship between the sequence length of an Orthogonal Cover Code (OCC) and φ.Diagram of an example architecture of a 3GPP NR system.Diagram of an example functional division in 5G O-RAN.

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

[0012] <Regarding Non-Terrestrial Networks (NTNs)> NR Rel. 15 is specified as a radio access technology for terrestrial networks. On the other hand, NR is being considered for extension to non-terrestrial networks (NTNs), such as communications using satellites or high-altitude platform stations (HAPSs) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

[0013] In the case of communications via satellite, the distance between the satellite and the terminal (also called user equipment (UE)) is long, which means that propagation attenuation is likely to be large. To achieve a sufficiently high reception quality at the satellite, it is expected that the terminal will use a method such as repeatedly transmitting multiple pieces of data (e.g., repetition transmission).

[0014] In an NTN environment, satellite coverage areas (e.g., one or more cells) for terminals located on the ground, in the sky, such as aircraft or drones, or at sea are formed by beams from the satellite (also called satellite beams). The size of a single beam on the Earth's surface can be, for example, 50 to 1,000 km in diameter. For this reason, NTNs are expected to accommodate a large number of terminals.

[0015] Therefore, for example, for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) used for uplink data transmission, studies are being conducted to increase the number of terminals that can be accommodated by multiplying repeatedly transmitted data by orthogonal codes (e.g., orthogonal cover codes (OCCs)) that differ between terminals and multiplexing the data onto the same time-frequency resources.

[0016] Three methods of applying OCC are under consideration: (1) "Inter-slot OCC," (2) "Inter-symbol OCC," and (3) "Intra-symbol OCC."

[0017] In inter-slot OCC, PUSCHs between terminals are made orthogonal in units of multiple slots by multiplying by OCC when repetition is performed in units of slots.

[0018] Inter-symbol OCC makes PUSCHs between terminals orthogonal in units of multiple symbols by multiplying by OCC when repetition is performed between OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols.

[0019] Intra-symbol OCC, the modulation symbols before DFT spreading are replicated in the DFT (Discrete Fourier Transform)-S (spread)-OFDM signal generation process and multiplied by OCC, thereby orthogonalizing the PUSCHs between terminals in units of multiple modulation symbols.

[0020] NR Rel.17 and NR Rel.18 support DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal) bundling. When using DMRS bundling, when transmitting PUSCH using multiple slots such as repetition transmission or TBoMS (Transport Block Processing over Multiple Slots) transmission, the base station combines or combines (hereinafter referred to as combining) DMRS signals across multiple slots to perform channel estimation (also called joint channel estimation). Furthermore, when using DMRS bundling, the terminal transmits signals while maintaining fluctuations in power and phase between slots within a specified range (e.g., maintaining continuity of power and phase).

[0021] In DMRS bundling, the number of slots for combining DMRSs is called the Time Domain Window (TDW). The base station sets a TDW (for example, referred to as the "nominal TDW") for each terminal by RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling. On the other hand, if an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity cannot be maintained in the PUSCH transmission of the terminal, one or more TDWs (for example, referred to as the "actual TDW") are set. The terminal transmits the PUSCH while maintaining the power and phase continuity within the actual TDW.

[0022] Here, examples of events that make it impossible to maintain the continuity of power and phase include discontinuous transmission of PUSCH due to setting of PRACH (Physical Random Access Channel) resources or DL ​​(Downlink) slots in slots where PUSCH is transmitted (e.g., multiple slots corresponding to the nominal TDW), or timing change due to TA (Timing Advance).

[0023] However, there is room for consideration regarding the setting of the TDW when transmitting a PUSCH that applies OCC. For example, if an event occurs in a PUSCH transmission interval that applies one OCC sequence (e.g., also referred to as an "OCC application interval" or "OCC interval"), even if the channel estimation accuracy is improved by joint channel estimation, orthogonality between terminals for the PUSCH that applies OCC may not be maintained, which may lead to degradation of reception performance.

[0024] In a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for suppressing the loss of orthogonality between terminals transmitting a PUSCH with OCC applied and suppressing degradation of reception performance is described. For example, in a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a TDW is set so that a boundary of the TDW is aligned with a boundary of an OCC interval. Furthermore, when DMRS bundling is applied to a PUSCH with OCC applied, if an event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained, an actual TDW is started from the first slot of the OCC interval after the OCC interval in which the event occurred. This makes it possible to set an actual TDW that matches a PUSCH with OCC applied, the transmission of which is postponed when an event occurs, thereby improving the accuracy of channel estimation by joint channel estimation and reducing the loss of orthogonality of a PUSCH with OCC applied.

[0025] [Overview of Communication System] A communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a terminal 100 and a base station 200.

[0026] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a portion of a terminal 100. In the terminal 100 shown in FIG. 1, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal (e.g., PUSCH) to which an orthogonal code (e.g., OCC) is applied in an interval (OCC interval) where the uplink signal cannot be maintained, a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines a setting of multiple time resources (e.g., TDW setting of DMRS bundling) for combining a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on the event and the interval. A communication unit (e.g., corresponding to a transmission circuit) transmits the demodulation reference signal based on the setting.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a portion of a base station 200. In the base station 200 shown in FIG. 2, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal (e.g., PUSCH) to which an orthogonal code (e.g., OCC) is applied in an interval (OCC interval) where the uplink signal is allocated, a control unit (e.g., corresponding to a control circuit) determines a setting of multiple time resources (e.g., TDW setting of DMRS bundling) for combining a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) based on the event and the interval. A communication unit (e.g., a receiving circuit) receives the demodulation reference signal based on the setting.

[0028] In this embodiment, when transmitting a PUSCH to which OCC is applied, if there is a slot in which the PUSCH cannot be transmitted within the section to which OCC is applied (OCC section), terminal 100 stops (e.g., drops or postpones) the PUSCH transmission in the OCC section including the slot in which the PUSCH cannot be transmitted.

[0029] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of terminal 100 according to this embodiment. Terminal 100 has radio receiving section 101, data reception processing section 102, control section 103, data transmission processing section 104, and radio transmitting section 105.

[0030] At least one of the data reception processing unit 102, the control unit 103, and the data transmission processing unit 104 shown in Fig. 3 may be included in the control unit shown in Fig. 1. Also, at least one of the wireless reception unit 101 and the wireless transmission unit 105 shown in Fig. 3 may be included in the communication unit shown in Fig. 1.

[0031] The radio receiving section 101 performs analog receiving processing and digital receiving processing such as down-conversion, A / D conversion, and filtering on a signal received from the base station 200 via an antenna, and outputs the processed signal to the data receiving processing section 102 .

[0032] The data reception processing unit 102 demodulates and decodes downlink signals such as SSB (Synchronization Signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) Block), downlink control channels (e.g., PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel), and downlink shared channels (e.g., PDSCH: Physical Downlink Shared Channel) output from the radio reception unit 101.

[0033] The SSB includes, for example, a synchronization signal and broadcast information to the entire cell.

[0034] The PDSCH may include, in addition to user data, broadcast information such as system information, RRC control information, MAC CE (Medium Access Control Element) control information, a RACH (Random Access Channel) response (e.g., Msg2), a TA command, and the like. Furthermore, the data reception processing unit 102 performs reception processing of RRC control information (e.g., an RRC Reconfiguration message, and the like) and outputs the received RRC control information to the control unit 103. The RRC control information may include, for example, information regarding the number of slots or information regarding DMRS bundling. The information regarding the number of slots may be, for example, at least one of the number of slots for repetition transmission, the number of repetitions, and the number of slots to which one TB (Transport Block) is mapped (e.g., the number of slots for TBoMS transmission). Furthermore, the information regarding DMRS bundling may include, for example, information regarding TDW. Furthermore, these pieces of information may be included in MAC CE or Msg.2 transmitted in the PDSCH. Furthermore, the system information may include information regarding time / frequency synchronization, such as satellite ephemeris, common TA parameters, and Epoch time. The data reception processing unit 102 may output the control information included in the PDSCH to the control unit 103 .

[0035] The PDCCH includes, for example, resource allocation information for the PDSCH, resource allocation information for the PUSCH, and resource allocation information for an uplink control channel (for example, PUCCH: Physical Uplink Control Channel) used for HARQ-ACK transmission for the PDSCH.

[0036] The PDSCH or PDCCH may include, for example, information regarding an OCC sequence length, an OCC sequence, or a port (DMRS port) of a demodulation reference signal (e.g., DMRS). The PDSCH or PDCCH may include, for example, information regarding the transmission timing of uplink control information (e.g., UCI (Uplink Control Information)). The UCI may include, for example, HARQ-ACK, a Scheduling Request (SR), and Channel State Information (CSI) feedback. The PDSCH or PDCCH may include, for example, information regarding PRACH resources (e.g., information regarding PRACH transmission slots or resource blocks) or information regarding DL slots. The information regarding PRACH resources (slots or resource blocks) or DL ​​slots may be information broadcast individually to cells, such as a System Information Block (SIB). The PDSCH or PDCCH may also include, for example, information regarding a transmission request, transmission period, and resources of an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal). Furthermore, the PDSCH or PDCCH may include, for example, information relating to transmission power control (such as a TPC command).

[0037] The control unit 103 may acquire location information of the terminal 100 from a Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) or the like. The control unit 103 may also calculate the orbit and position of a satellite based on information such as satellite ephemeris and epoch time input from the data reception processing unit 102. The control unit 103 may calculate a timing adjustment value (TA value) using a round-trip delay time between the terminal 100 and the satellite calculated from the location information, a round-trip delay time between the satellite and the base station calculated from common TA parameters, and information on a TA command notified from the base station 200, and output the TA value to the wireless transmission unit 105.

[0038] The control unit 103 may calculate the Doppler shift based on the satellite orbit information and the terminal position information of the terminal 100 and output it to the radio transmission unit 105 .

[0039] Here, in a time interval (OCC interval) in which multiplication by a certain OCC sequence is applied, it may be desirable to maintain continuity of phase and amplitude (or power) in order to maintain orthogonality of the OCC-applied signal. For this reason, the control unit 103 may adjust the transmission timing or frequency at timings other than the time interval in which multiplication by a certain OCC sequence is applied.

[0040] Control unit 103 outputs information related to the OCC, information related to the number of slots, and information related to the OCC sequence number or DMRS port input from data reception processing unit 102 to data transmission processing unit 104. Control unit 103 also outputs information related to the time / frequency resources for PUSCH transmission notified from base station 200 (input from data reception processing unit 102 to control unit 103) to data transmission processing unit 104.

[0041] Furthermore, based on TDW information input from data reception processing unit 102 (for example, nominal TDW notified from base station 200 by an RRC message), PRACH resource or DL ​​slot information, information on slots where PUSCH transmission cannot be performed, SRS transmission slot or SRS resource information, and TA (timing adjustment) or transmission power control (transmission power adjustment), control unit 103 sets an actual TDW and outputs it to data transmission processing unit 104. An example of a method for setting the actual TDW will be described later.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 103 may output, for example, information on OCC-related capabilities (UE capability) such as the corresponding OCC sequence length, or information on capabilities related to DMRS bundling and power and phase maintenance (e.g., maximum TDW), to the data transmission processing unit 104 (transmitting this as UE capability via an RRC message), taking into consideration the corresponding functions or performance of the data transmission processing unit 104 and the radio transmission unit 105 of the terminal 100.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 103 generates UCI and outputs it to the data transmission processing unit 104 at a timing based on information about the UCI transmission timing notified from the base station 200 .

[0044] The data transmission processing unit 104 may perform coding such as LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) on the transmission data, modulation such as QPSK and 16QAM (Quadrature Amplitude Modulation), DFT-s-OFDM modulation processing, and mapping to time / frequency resources based on information about the PUSCH resource, OCC sequence length, OCC sequence number information, or slot number information input from the control unit 103. Furthermore, the data transmission processing unit 104 may perform data repetition and OCC multiplication based on information about the OCC and information about the slot number. Furthermore, the data transmission processing unit 104 may multiplex UCI and data and transmit the PUSCH at the UCI transmission timing.

[0045] However, if an OCC interval includes a slot in which PUSCH transmission cannot be performed, such as a PRACH slot or a DL slot, the data transmission processing unit 104 does not transmit the PUSCH in that OCC interval (for example, determines to stop transmission). Furthermore, if SRS transmission is performed in the OCC interval, the data transmission processing unit 104 does not transmit the PUSCH in that OCC interval (for example, determines to stop transmission). For example, the data transmission processing unit 104 performs transmission (for example, PUSCH transmission) in the OCC interval while maintaining the continuity of power and phase (or maintaining them below a specified fluctuation amount). An example of the operation of PUSCH transmission in the OCC interval will be described later.

[0046] Furthermore, the data transmission processing unit 104 may generate a DMRS based on information relating to the antenna port or DMRS port input from the control unit 103 and output the DMRS to the radio transmission unit 105 .

[0047] The radio transmitting unit 105 performs analog transmission processing and digital transmission processing such as D / A conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and amplification on the signal input from the data transmission processing unit 104, and transmits the radio signal from an antenna. The radio transmitting unit 105 may perform either or both of timing adjustment and frequency correction based on timing information (e.g., TA information) and a frequency correction value input from the control unit 103.

[0048] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of base station 200 according to this embodiment. Base station 200 has radio receiving section 201, data reception processing section 202, control section 203, data transmission processing section 204, and radio transmitting section 205.

[0049] At least one of the data reception processing unit 202, the control unit 203, and the data transmission processing unit 204 shown in Fig. 4 may be included in the control unit shown in Fig. 2. Also, at least one of the wireless reception unit 201 and the wireless transmission unit 205 shown in Fig. 4 may be included in the communication unit shown in Fig. 2.

[0050] The radio receiving section 201 performs analog and digital receiving processes such as down-conversion, A / D conversion, and filtering on the signal received from the terminal 100 via the antenna, and outputs the processed signal to the data receiving processing section 202 .

[0051] Data reception processing section 202 performs channel estimation and demodulation / decoding processing on uplink signals such as PUSCH, PUCCH, and PRACH input from radio reception section 201 to obtain a received data sequence. When receiving a PUSCH to which OCC is applied, data reception processing section 202 may perform despreading processing (e.g., adding signals multiplied by the complex conjugate or reciprocal of the OCC sequence) in accordance with an OCC sequence or an OCC sequence number set by control section 203. Furthermore, when receiving a PUSCH from terminal 100 configured with DMRS bundling, data reception processing section 202 may perform channel estimation by combining DMRSs of multiple slots. Furthermore, even if DMRS bundling is not configured, data reception processing section 202 may perform combined channel estimation using DMRSs of multiple slots if the despreading interval of one OCC sequence spans multiple slots. Furthermore, data reception processing section 202 may perform channel estimation by combining DMRSs within the range of the TDW based on the actual TDW input from control section 203.

[0052] In addition, when receiving a PUSCH to which OCC is applied, if a PRACH resource or DL ​​slot is within the OCC interval, if SRS transmission is within the OCC interval, or if timing adjustment is performed by a TA command, the data reception processing unit 202 does not receive the PUSCH in the OCC interval (for example, performs reception control assuming that PUSCH transmission in the terminal 100 will be stopped).

[0053] Furthermore, the data reception processing unit 202 outputs the RRC message and MAC CE data included in the PUSCH to the control unit 203. The RRC message may include, for example, information on terminal capabilities related to OCC, DMRS bundling, or terminal capabilities related to maintaining power and phase continuity.

[0054] The control unit 203 generates system information (broadcast information) such as a master information block (MIB) and a system information block (SIB), and control information such as terminal-specific control information (RRC message). The system information may include, for the NTN, information such as satellite ephemeris information, common TA parameters used for terminal TA, and epoch time. The system information may also include information on a TA command or transmission power control. The system information may also include, for example, information on a PRACH resource or a DL slot. The RRC message may include, for example, information on an OCC such as an OCC sequence length or an OCC number, information on the number of slots to be transmitted in repetition or the number of slots for TBoMS, information on DMRS bundling, and information on UCI transmission timing. The RRC message may also include, for example, information on an SRS transmission period or resources.

[0055] The control unit 203 generates downlink control information (DCI) or a PDCCH associated with PDSCH transmission. The DCI may include, for example, information related to PDSCH retransmission control, such as a new data indicator (NDI) and a redundancy version (RV), information related to the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the PDSCH and the PUSCH, resource allocation information for the PDSCH and the PUSCH, resource allocation information for the PUCCH used for HARQ-ACK transmission for the PDSCH, or information related to the transmission timing of the UCI. The DCI may also include, for example, information related to the OCC, such as an OCC sequence length and an OCC sequence number, or information related to the antenna port or DMRS port used for transmitting the PUSCH and the PUCCH.

[0056] The control unit 203 outputs, for example, this control information to the data transmission processing unit 204, and also outputs setting values ​​based on the control information (e.g., PUSCH and PUCCH resources, OCC sequence length, OCC sequence number, number of TBoMS slots, number of repetitions, TDW of DMRS bundling, etc.) to the data reception processing unit 202.

[0057] Furthermore, control section 203 estimates the occurrence timing of an event in which power and phase continuity is not maintained on the terminal 100 side, based on the TA command, the transmission power control command, the PRACH resource, the DL resource, or information on the SRS transmission timing. Control section 203 sets an actual TDW based on the nominal TDW and the occurring event, and outputs the actual TDW to data reception processing section 202. Note that an example of setting the actual TDW when a PUSCH to which OCC is applied is used will be described later.

[0058] The data transmission processing unit 204 performs coding such as LDPC on the transmission data and control information input from the control unit 203 , performs modulation such as QPSK and 16QAM, and outputs the result to the radio transmission unit 205 .

[0059] The radio transmitting section 205 performs transmission processing such as D / A conversion, filtering, up-conversion, and amplification on the signal input from the data transmission processing section 204, and transmits the radio signal from the antenna.

[0060] [Example of Operation of Terminal and Base Station] Hereinafter, an example of a method for setting the TDW when DMRS bundling is used during PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied will be described.

[0061] Base station 200 sets a nominal TDW that is, for example, an integral multiple of the OCC sequence length. Information about the set nominal TDW is reported from base station 200 to terminal 100.

[0062] Furthermore, if an event occurs (or is predicted to occur) in which the power and phase continuity of PUSCH transmission is not maintained in the OCC period of PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, terminal 100 determines to stop (e.g., drop or postpone) the transmission of PUSCH. Furthermore, the actual TDW is set according to the operation of the PUSCH to which OCC is applied.

[0063] Here, examples of events in which the continuity of the power and phase of PUSCH transmission is not maintained include SRS transmission, PUCCH transmission, timing adjustment (for example, timing adjustment according to a TA command or autonomous timing adjustment by terminal 100), transmission power adjustment (for example, transmission power change according to a TPC command or autonomous transmission power change by terminal 100), PRACH resources or slots, DL slots, SBFD (Subband non-overlapping full duplex) slots, etc. Note that these are merely examples, and other events in which the continuity of the power and phase of PUSCH transmission is not maintained may also be used.

[0064] <Method 1> In method 1, if an event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained during PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, terminal 100 does not transmit PUSCH to which OCC is applied in the OCC interval in which the event occurred (or the OCC interval in which the event is predicted to occur) (for example, determines to stop PUSCH transmission).

[0065] At this time, terminal 100 does not transmit the PUSCH in any slot of the OCC interval in which the PUSCH cannot be transmitted continuously, and does not postpone the PUSCH transmission to another slot. In other words, terminal 100 determines not to transmit (drop) the PUSCH.

[0066] 5 and 6 show examples of setting the actual TDW when the number of repetitions is 8 and the OCC sequence length is 4.

[0067] For example, as shown in FIG. 5, if there is a PUSCH transmission (e.g., another OCC interval) after an OCC interval in which a PUSCH transmission is dropped (an OCC interval in which an event occurs), the actual TDW is set (or starts) from the first slot of the next OCC interval.

[0068] The actual TDW may continue for, for example, the period until the next event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained, the range of the nominal TDW, or the range of the maximum TDW supported by terminal 100.

[0069] For example, as shown in FIG. 6 , if there is no PUSCH transmission (e.g., another OCC interval) after the OCC interval in which the PUSCH transmission is dropped (the OCC interval in which the event occurs), the actual TDW ends in the OCC interval before the OCC interval in which the PUSCH is dropped (e.g., it is not set in that OCC interval).

[0070] Even if an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of PUSCH transmission is not maintained, method 1 makes it possible to reduce inter-code interference between terminals transmitting PUSCHs to which OCC is applied. Furthermore, even if multiplexed transmission is not performed between terminals, there is also an effect of reducing inter-slot interference due to power or phase fluctuations when despreading multiple slots to which OCC is applied in terminal 100.

[0071] Furthermore, in method 1, the dropped PUSCH is not postponed to another slot for transmission, and therefore does not overlap with the transmission of another terminal 100 whose transmission of a PUSCH or PUCCH is separately scheduled.

[0072] Furthermore, since the actual TDW starts from the OCC interval following the OCC interval in which the PUSCH is dropped, it is possible to set the actual TDW according to the PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, thereby improving reception performance through joint channel estimation using an appropriate TDW.

[0073] <Method 2> In method 2, if an event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained during PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, terminal 100 does not transmit PUSCH to which OCC is applied within the OCC interval in which the event occurred (or the OCC interval in which the event is predicted to occur) (for example, determines to stop PUSCH transmission).

[0074] At this time, terminal 100 does not transmit PUSCHs in all slots of the OCC interval in which PUSCHs cannot be transmitted continuously, and transmits the PUSCHs that were scheduled to be transmitted in these slots in a later OCC interval (for example, the next OCC interval). That is, terminal 100 postpones (or shifts) PUSCH transmission by a time equivalent to the OCC interval.

[0075] Here, when PUSCH transmission in an OCC interval in which an event occurs is postponed, the actual TDW is set (or starts) from the slot at the beginning of the OCC interval following the OCC interval in which the event occurred (e.g., the beginning of the postponed PUSCH transmission). In this way, when PUSCH transmission in an OCC interval in which an event occurs is postponed, the actual TDW (the plurality of time resources) is set from the postponed time resource.

[0076] FIG. 7 shows an example of setting the actual TDW when the number of repetitions is 8 and the OCC sequence length is 4.

[0077] As shown in Fig. 7, when an event occurs, PUSCH transmission is postponed to the next OCC interval, and the actual TDW is also set to the next OCC interval. That is, as shown in Fig. 7, the start slot of the actual TDW is aligned with the start slot of the OCC interval.

[0078] The actual TDW may continue for, for example, the period until the next event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained, the range of the nominal TDW, or the range of the maximum TDW supported by terminal 100.

[0079] Method 2 enables PUSCH transmission while reducing the loss of orthogonality (or inter-code interference) between terminals transmitting OCC-applied PUSCHs, even when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of PUSCH transmission is not maintained. Furthermore, even when multiplexed transmission is not performed between terminals, there is also the effect of reducing inter-slot interference due to power or phase fluctuations when despreading multiple slots to which OCC is applied in terminal 100.

[0080] Furthermore, in method 2, the PUSCH to which OCC is applied is postponed and transmitted, so that PUSCH transmission can be performed while maintaining the amount of PUSCH resources (e.g., slots) allocated by the PDCCH, and degradation of PUSCH reception performance can be suppressed.

[0081] Furthermore, for example, in the case of an event (e.g., SRS transmission or PUCCH transmission) that occurs individually (independently) in terminals 100, PUSCH transmission may be postponed in some terminals 100 among the terminals performing multiplex transmission (PUSCH transmission may not be postponed in other terminals 100). Even in this case, since PUSCH transmission is postponed in units of OCC intervals (OCC interval length or OCC grid), it is possible to match the OCC interval in which a terminal 100 that postpones PUSCH transmission performs PUSCH transmission with the OCC interval in which other terminals 100 (terminals 100 that do not postpone PUSCH transmission) perform PUSCH transmission. This makes it possible to prevent orthogonality between terminals from being lost.

[0082] Furthermore, since the actual TDW starts from the start slot of the postponed PUSCH transmission (the first slot of the OCC period), it is possible to set the actual TDW according to the PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, thereby improving reception performance through joint channel estimation using an appropriate TDW.

[0083] The period during which PUSCH transmission is postponed (or shifted) is not limited to the OCC interval next (immediately after) the OCC interval during which PUSCH transmission is not possible, but may be, for example, a period in OCC interval units (e.g., OCC grids).

[0084] <Method 3> In method 3, if an event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained during PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, terminal 100 does not transmit PUSCH to which OCC is applied within the OCC interval in which the event occurred (or the OCC interval in which the event is predicted to occur) (for example, determines to stop PUSCH transmission).

[0085] At this time, terminal 100 does not transmit the PUSCH in the period from the first slot to the slot in which the event occurs in the OCC interval in which the PUSCH cannot be transmitted continuously, and transmits the PUSCH that was scheduled to be transmitted in these slots in an OCC interval whose first slot is a slot after the slot in which the event occurs (for example, the next slot).In other words, terminal 100 postpones (or shifts) the PUSCH transmission by a time equivalent to the number of slots between the start of the OCC interval and the slot in which the event occurs.

[0086] Here, when PUSCH transmission in the OCC interval in which an event has occurred is postponed, the actual TDW is set (or starts) from the slot at the beginning of the OCC interval (for example, the beginning of the postponed PUSCH transmission) whose leading slot is the slot next to the slot in which the event has occurred. In this way, when PUSCH transmission in the OCC interval in which an event has occurred is postponed, the actual TDW (the plurality of time resources are set from the postponed time resources) is set.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows an example of setting the actual TDW when the number of repetitions is 8 and the OCC sequence length is 4.

[0088] As shown in Figure 8, when an event occurs, PUSCH transmission is postponed to the next slot, and the actual TDW is also set to the next slot. That is, as shown in Figure 8, the start slot of the actual TDW is aligned with the start slot of the OCC period.

[0089] The actual TDW may continue for, for example, the period until the next event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained, the range of the nominal TDW, or the range of the maximum TDW supported by terminal 100.

[0090] Method 3 enables PUSCH transmission while reducing the loss of orthogonality (or inter-code interference) between terminals transmitting OCC-applied PUSCHs, even when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of PUSCH transmission is not maintained. Furthermore, even when multiplexed transmission is not performed between terminals, there is also the effect of reducing inter-slot interference due to power or phase fluctuations when despreading multiple slots to which OCC is applied in terminal 100.

[0091] Furthermore, in Method 3, the PUSCH to which OCC is applied is postponed and transmitted, so that PUSCH transmission can be performed while maintaining the amount of PUSCH resources (slots) allocated by the PDCCH, and degradation of PUSCH reception performance can be suppressed.

[0092] Furthermore, in method 3, PUSCH transmission is postponed in slot units, so that the amount of delay by which PUSCH transmission is postponed can be reduced compared to, for example, method 2, thereby enabling PUSCH transmission with reduced data transmission delay. For example, in the case of a cell-specific event (e.g., an event that occurs due to cell-unit settings notified by an SIB, such as a PRACH slot or DL ​​slot), the event may occur simultaneously for multiple terminals 100 in the cell. Therefore, for example, in PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, multiple multiplexed terminals 100 perform the same operation (e.g., an operation to postpone PUSCH transmission when an event occurs), so PUSCH transmission with aligned OCC intervals between terminals is possible. This makes it possible to minimize PUSCH transmission delay while preventing orthogonality between terminals from being lost.

[0093] Furthermore, since the actual TDW starts from the start slot of the postponed PUSCH transmission (the first slot of the OCC period), it is possible to set the actual TDW according to the PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, thereby improving reception performance through joint channel estimation using an appropriate TDW.

[0094] Methods 1 to 3 have been described above.

[0095] The base station 200 may control reception of the PUSCH and set the actual TDW, assuming that the terminal 100 will stop (drop or postpone) PUSCH transmission based on, for example, any of the above-mentioned methods 1 to 3.

[0096] In this manner, in the present embodiment, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of the PUSCH cannot be maintained in an interval to which a PUSCH to which OCC is applied is allocated, terminal 100 determines the setting of the TDW of DMRS bundling (the number of multiple time resources to combine DMRSs) based on the event and the OCC interval.

[0097] As a result, even if an event occurs within the OCC interval when transmitting a PUSCH with OCC, it is possible to appropriately set the TDW, for example, to improve the accuracy of channel estimation by joint channel estimation, and to suppress degradation of reception performance by maintaining orthogonality between terminals for PUSCHs with OCC.

[0098] Therefore, according to this embodiment, the upstream signal can be transmitted appropriately.

[0099] Note that, when an event occurs in which power and phase continuity is not maintained in PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied, base station 200 may notify terminal 100 of information regarding whether terminal 100 will set the actual TDW based on an operation of dropping PUSCH transmission (method 1) or postponing PUSCH transmission (method 2 or method 3), or information regarding whether terminal 100 will set the actual TDW based on an operation of method 1, method 2, or method 3. Terminal 100 may set the actual TDW in accordance with the notification from base station 200.

[0100] Furthermore, the terminal 100 may use different methods (e.g., methods 1 to 3) for setting the actual TDW depending on whether the cause of an event in which power and phase continuity is not maintained in the OCC interval is due to a UE-specific setting or a cell-specific setting. For example, as shown in FIG. 9 , when the cause of an event in which power and phase continuity is not maintained in the OCC interval is due to a UE-specific setting, method 2 may be applied, and when the cause of an event in which power and phase continuity is not maintained in the OCC interval is due to a cell-specific setting, method 3 may be applied.

[0101] Here, examples of terminal-specific events include SRS transmission, timing adjustment (e.g., timing adjustment according to a TA command or autonomous timing adjustment of terminal 100), transmission power adjustment (e.g., transmission power change according to a TPC command or autonomous transmission power change of terminal 100), UCI or PUCCH transmission, etc. Furthermore, examples of cell-specific events include PRACH resources or slots, DL slots, SBFD slots, etc. Note that terminal-specific events and cell-specific events are not limited to the above examples, and may be other events.

[0102] In the above-described methods 1 to 3, the start and end timings of the actual TDW coincide with the start and end timings of the OCC interval. That is, the boundaries of the actual TDW coincide with the boundaries of the OCC interval. This allows terminal 100 to perform transmission while maintaining power and phase continuity in a common interval (e.g., TDW) for both DMRS bundling and OCC, thereby enabling DMRS bundling and OCC to be realized with simple operations.

[0103] Note that the start and end timings of the actual TDW do not have to coincide with the start and end timings of the OCC section. The length of the actual TDW may be set to the same value as the OCC sequence length, or may be set to a value different from the OCC sequence length. For example, the length of the actual TDW may be set to an integer multiple of the OCC sequence length.

[0104] Also, if no events occur that disrupt the continuity of power and phase, the actual TDW may be set to the same length as the nominal TDW.

[0105] Base station 200 may set (or limit or restrict) the nominal TDW (or actual TDW) to a value that is an integer multiple of the OCC sequence length. Alternatively, base station 200 may set the OCC sequence length to a value that is an integer division of the nominal TDW. This allows the boundaries of the actual TDW to coincide with the boundaries of the OCC interval. Furthermore, terminal 100 may assume that the nominal TDW will be set to a value that is an integer multiple of the OCC sequence length. Alternatively, terminal 100 may assume that the OCC sequence length will be set to a value that is an integer division of the nominal TDW.

[0106] Furthermore, base station 200 may set (or limit or restrict) a nominal TDW (or actual TDW) that is equal to or longer than the OCC sequence length. Alternatively, base station 200 may set an OCC sequence length that is equal to or shorter than the nominal TDW. Furthermore, terminal 100 may assume that a nominal TDW that is equal to or longer than the OCC sequence length will be set. Alternatively, terminal 100 may assume that an OCC sequence length that is equal to or shorter than the nominal TDW will be set. This makes it possible to ensure that power and phase continuity is maintained by the TDW within the OCC interval.

[0107] Alternatively, the actual TDW may be terminated at the boundary of the OCC interval, or PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied may be terminated at the boundary of the actual TDW. For example, if the actual TDW ends in the middle of the OCC interval, terminal 100 may transmit the PUSCH using an OCC with an OCC sequence length equal to or shorter than the actual TDW. Furthermore, if the actual TDW ends in the middle of the OCC interval, there is a risk that the continuity of power and phase may not be maintained, and therefore the PUSCH to which OCC is applied may not be transmitted (dropped or postponed).

[0108] Furthermore, when OCC is applied, transmission that maintains power and phase continuity is required in a time interval in which a certain OCC sequence is used, and therefore the OCC sequence length may be regarded as the actual TDW. Alternatively, if the TDW is not explicitly notified to terminal 100, terminal 100 may regard the OCC sequence length as the actual TDW.

[0109] When terminal 100 supports OCC, terminal 100 may report its terminal capability supporting DMRS bundling as well. Terminal 100 may also report its terminal capability supporting a TDW that is equal to or longer than the supported OCC sequence length.

[0110] In addition, when an event occurs in which the continuity of power and phase cannot be maintained, the operation of postponing PUSCH transmission in the OCC interval in which the event occurred without transmitting the PUSCH may be an operation of setting a new OCC interval in place of the OCC interval that was initially set.

[0111] Furthermore, the above-described methods 2 and 3 are methods for postponing PUSCH transmission using OCC. However, if an event occurs in which power and phase continuity cannot be maintained even in the postponed OCC section, PUSCH transmission may be further postponed or dropped (not transmitted). Even in these cases, the actual TDDW may be set using any of methods 1 to 3. Dropping can prevent an increase in delay. Furthermore, whether to postpone or drop may be determined based on, for example, the maximum number of postponements (or the number of slots to be delayed) or a timer that starts when a postponement is performed. For example, a postponement may be applied if the number of postponements is equal to or less than the maximum number of postponements or if the timer has not yet expired, and a drop may be applied if the number of postponements is greater than the maximum number of postponements or if the timer has expired. The maximum number of postponements and the timer setting values ​​may be notified to the terminal 100 by the base station 200.

[0112] Furthermore, terminal 100 may notify base station 200 as a terminal capability (UE capability) whether or not dropping or postponing PUSCH transmission to which OCC is applied is supported. Base station 200 may perform settings in accordance with the notification from terminal 100, and terminal 100 may perform operations in accordance with the settings.

[0113] Furthermore, any of methods 1 to 3 may be applied in combination.

[0114] Additionally, information regarding DL slots or SBFD slots may be included in information in TDD format.

[0115] Alternatively, the OCC interval may be a time period of the PUSCH multiplied by one OCC sequence, may be expressed in slot units, or may be expressed in symbol units, or may be referred to as an OCC group.

[0116] Although the OCC application method has been described using an example of a method of multiplying an OCC by multiple slots to be repeated (inter-slot OCC), the unit of applying the OCC is not limited to slot units and may be a different time unit. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a method of multiplying an OCC by multiple OFDM symbols (inter-symbol OCC).

[0117] Furthermore, DFT-s-OFDM modulation may be performed on the uplink PUSCH, or CP (Cyclic Prefix)-OFDM modulation may be performed, or other modulation methods may be applied.

[0118] Furthermore, OCC sequences include Walsh sequences, DFT sequences, and cyclic shift sequences, and an embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to any of these sequences.

[0119] For example, the sequence described below may be used.

[0120] sequence length n OCC The OCC sequence m is expressed by the following equation (see, for example, TS38.211 V15.10.0 Table 6.3.2.4.1-2):

[0121] However, ψ(m) may be set to a value in the table shown in FIG. OCC When =4, there are four OCC sequences: [1 1 1 1], [1 -1 1 -1], [1 1 -1 -1], and [1 -1 -1 1].

[0122] Furthermore, OCC may be interpreted as an orthogonal code, a spreading code, a spreading sequence, a spreading code, etc. Furthermore, OCC sequence length may be interpreted as a spreading factor, a spreading code length, etc. Furthermore, the code used for multiplexing signals between terminals is not limited to OCC, and other orthogonal codes may be used. Furthermore, the OCC sequence may be a sequence such as a cyclic shift sequence.

[0123] Furthermore, the loss of orthogonality may be interpreted as inter-code interference.

[0124] The transmission unit may be a slot, a frame, or a symbol. When TBoMS is applied, a TBoMS slot, which is a group of multiple slots, may be used as the transmission unit instead of a slot.

[0125] The OCC sequence length may be interpreted as the time interval (OCC application interval) during which multiplication by one OCC sequence is applied.

[0126] An embodiment of the present disclosure can be applied to both mapping type A, which is allocation in slot units, and mapping type B, which is allocation in symbol units. Also, the repetition can be applied to both type A and type B.

[0127] The control information regarding the OCC may include information regarding the OCC application method (inter-slot, inter-symbol, intra-symbol).

[0128] Furthermore, the present disclosure is not limited to the case where OCC is applied to PUSCH, and may also be applied to the case where OCC is applied to DMRS.

[0129] Furthermore, the base station may be read as a network or a RAN (Radio Access Network).

[0130] Furthermore, the above embodiment may be applied to networks other than NTN.

[0131] An embodiment of the present disclosure can be used for different types of satellite communications, such as Low Earth Orbit satellites (LEO), Medium Earth Orbit satellites (MEO), Highly Elliptical Orbit satellites (HEO), or Geostationary Earth Orbit satellites (GEO), which are located at different altitudes above the Earth's surface.

[0132] In the above-described embodiment, satellite ephemeris information, which is information related to satellite positions, may be reported by system information or may be stored in advance by the terminal 100. Furthermore, the satellite ephemeris information may be updated when communication is possible. Furthermore, the terminal 100 may identify satellite positions using information other than the satellite ephemeris information.

[0133] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which GNSS such as GPS (for example, position detection using satellite signals) is used, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, position detection using a terrestrial cellular base station, position detection using a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) signal or a Bluetooth (registered trademark) signal, position detection using an acceleration sensor, or position detection using a combination of these detection methods may be performed. Furthermore, altitude information may be obtained from a barometric pressure sensor, etc.

[0134] In the above-described embodiments, "report" may be read as "notification," and "notification" may be read as "report." "Calculate" may be read as "determine" or "generate."

[0135] Furthermore, in each of the above-described embodiments, the transmission of an uplink signal from a terminal to a base station has been described, but the present invention may also be applied to the transmission of a downlink signal from a base station to a terminal.

[0136] An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied regardless of the type of satellite, such as GEO, MEO, LEO, or HEO. Furthermore, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to non-terrestrial communications, such as HAPS or drone base stations.

[0137] Although the above-described embodiment has been described using an NTN environment (e.g., a satellite communication environment) as an example, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The present disclosure may be applied to other communication environments (e.g., a terrestrial cellular environment of at least one of LTE and NR). For example, one embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to terrestrial communications in an environment where the cell size is large and the propagation delay between the base station 200 and the terminal 100 is longer (e.g., above a threshold).

[0138] In the above-described embodiment, the satellite communication may be in the form of a configuration in which the base station functions are located on a satellite (e.g., a "regenerative satellite"), or a configuration in which the base station functions are located on the ground and a satellite relays communication between the base station and a terminal (e.g., a "transparent satellite"). For example, in one embodiment of the present disclosure, the downlink and the uplink may be links between a terminal and a satellite, or links via a satellite.

[0139] The method of notifying the control information from the base station 200 to the terminal 100 is not limited to the above-mentioned example, and may be notified (or reported, indicated, or set) by at least one of system information such as MIB and SIB, RRC control information, MAC control information, and downlink control information (DCI), or may be pre-set in the terminal 100 or may be pre-defined in a standard.

[0140] The base station may be referred to as a gNodeB or a gNB, and the terminal may be referred to as a UE.

[0141] The time resource units such as symbols and slots may be replaced with system frames, time slots, minislots, frames, subframes, and the like.

[0142] Furthermore, parameters such as the OCC sequence length, the time interval to which OCC is applied (for example, the number of slots), and the number of repetitions are not limited to the above examples, and other values ​​may be used.

[0143] Furthermore, the notation "... section" in the above-described embodiments may be replaced with other notations such as "... circuitry," "... device," "... unit," or "... module."

[0144] (Supplementary Note) Information indicating whether the terminal 100 supports the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments may be transmitted (or notified) from the terminal 100 to the base station 200, for example, as capability information or capability parameters of the terminal 100.

[0145] The capability information may include an information element (IE) that individually indicates whether or not the terminal 100 supports at least one of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments. Alternatively, the capability information may include an information element that indicates whether or not the terminal 100 supports a combination of any two or more of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments.

[0146] For example, the base station 200 may determine (or decide or assume) the functions, operations, or processes that the terminal 100 that transmitted the capability information supports (or does not support) based on the capability information received from the terminal 100. The base station 200 may perform operations, processes, or controls according to the determination result based on the capability information. For example, the base station 200 may control communications based on the capability information received from the terminal 100.

[0147] Note that the fact that the terminal 100 does not support some of the functions, operations, or processes described in the above-described embodiments may be interpreted as meaning that such some of the functions, operations, or processes are restricted in the terminal 100. For example, information or a request regarding such restrictions may be notified to the base station 200.

[0148] Information regarding the capabilities or limitations of the terminal 100 may, for example, be defined in a standard, or may be implicitly notified to the base station 200 in association with information known at the base station 200 or information transmitted to the base station 200.

[0149] (Control Signal) In the present disclosure, a downlink control signal (or downlink control information) related to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a signal (or information) transmitted in a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) of a physical layer, or a signal (or information) transmitted in a Medium Access Control Control Element (MAC CE) or Radio Resource Control (RRC) of a higher layer. Furthermore, the signal (or information) is not limited to being notified by a downlink control signal, but may be predefined in a specification (or standard) or preconfigured in a base station and a terminal.

[0150] In the present disclosure, an uplink control signal (or uplink control information) related to an embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a signal (or information) transmitted in a PUCCH of a physical layer, or a signal (or information) transmitted in a MAC CE or RRC of a higher layer. Furthermore, the signal (or information) is not limited to being notified by an uplink control signal, but may be predefined in a specification (or standard) or preconfigured in a base station and a terminal. Furthermore, the uplink control signal may be replaced with, for example, uplink control information (UCI), 1st stage sidelink control information (SCI), or 2nd stage SCI.

[0151] (Base Station) In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the base station may be a Transmission Reception Point (TRP), a cluster head, an access point, a Remote Radio Head (RRH), an eNodeB (eNB), a gNodeB (gNB), a Base Station (BS), a Base Transceiver Station (BTS), a parent device, a gateway, or the like. In sidelink communication, a terminal may play the role of a base station. Instead of a base station, a relay device that relays communication between an upper node and a terminal may be used. Alternatively, a roadside unit may be used.

[0152] (Uplink / Downlink / Sidelink) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to, for example, any of the uplink, downlink, and sidelink. For example, an embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), or a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) in the uplink, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), a PDCCH, or a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) in the downlink, or a Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), a Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), or a Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH) in the sidelink.

[0153] The PDCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, and PUCCH are examples of a downlink control channel, a downlink data channel, an uplink data channel, and an uplink control channel, respectively. The PSCCH and PSSCH are examples of a sidelink control channel and a sidelink data channel. The PBCH and PSBCH are examples of a broadcast channel, and the PRACH is an example of a random access channel.

[0154] (Data Channel / Control Channel) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to, for example, either a data channel or a control channel. For example, the channel in an embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced with any of the data channels PDSCH, PUSCH, and PSSCH, or the control channels PDCCH, PUCCH, PBCH, PSCCH, and PSBCH.

[0155] (Reference Signal) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a reference signal is, for example, a signal known by both a base station and a mobile station, and may also be called a Reference Signal (RS) or a pilot signal. The reference signal may be any of a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS), a Channel State Information - Reference Signal (CSI-RS), a Tracking Reference Signal (TRS), a Phase Tracking Reference Signal (PTRS), a Cell-specific Reference Signal (CRS), or a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS).

[0156] (Time Interval) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the unit of time resource is not limited to one or a combination of slots and symbols, but may be, for example, a time resource unit such as a frame, a superframe, a subframe, a slot, a time slot, a subslot, a minislot, a symbol, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol, a Single Carrier-Frequency Division Multiplexing Access (SC-FDMA) symbol, or another time resource unit. Furthermore, the number of symbols included in one slot is not limited to the number of symbols exemplified in the above-mentioned embodiment, and may be another number of symbols.

[0157] (Frequency Band) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to either a licensed band or an unlicensed band.

[0158] (Communication) An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to communication between a base station and a terminal (Uu link communication), communication between terminals (Sidelink communication), or Vehicle to Everything (V2X) communication. For example, the channel in an embodiment of the present disclosure may be replaced with any of PSCCH, PSSCH, Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH), PSBCH, PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, or PBCH.

[0159] An embodiment of the present disclosure may be applied to a terrestrial network, a non-terrestrial network (NTN) using a satellite or a high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS), or a terrestrial network in which transmission delay is large compared to the symbol length or slot length, such as a network with a large cell size or an ultra-wideband transmission network.

[0160] (SBFD) In ​​one embodiment of the present disclosure, operations on uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols may be applied to symbols (e.g., SBFD symbols) on which SBFD (Subband Non-Overlapping Full Duplex, Subband Full Duplex) operations or controls are performed. In SBFD symbols, a frequency domain (or frequency resource, frequency band) is divided into multiple frequency domains (e.g., subbands, RB sets, subbands, or sub-BWPs (Bandwidth Parts)). A terminal transmits and receives in different directions (e.g., downlink or uplink) in units of subbands, which are the divided domains. In SBFD symbols, a terminal may transmit and receive in one direction, either uplink or downlink, but not in the other direction. On the other hand, a base station may be capable of transmitting and receiving on both the uplink and downlink simultaneously. SBFD symbols may have a smaller frequency domain available for downlink transmission than symbols that transmit and receive only downlink transmission. Also, SBFD symbols may have a smaller frequency domain available for uplink transmission than symbols that transmit and receive only uplink transmission.

[0161] In addition, in the SBFD symbol, a terminal may transmit and receive uplink and downlink simultaneously. In this case, the frequency domain in which the terminal transmits and the frequency domain in which the terminal receives may not be adjacent, but may be separated by a frequency interval (also called a frequency gap).

[0162] In addition, different transmission and reception directions in subband units, which are divided areas, may include transmission and reception of side links.

[0163] (XDD: Cross Division Duplex) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the operation for uplink, downlink, and sidelink symbols may be applied to symbols (e.g., full duplex symbols) where full duplex operation or control is performed. In a full duplex symbol, both the terminal and the base station can simultaneously transmit and receive on the uplink and downlink. In a full duplex symbol, the terminal and the base station may simultaneously transmit and receive in an available frequency region (or frequency resource, frequency band), or may simultaneously transmit and receive in a partial frequency region (i.e., transmission or reception may be performed in other frequency regions). In this case, the frequency region in which the base station or terminal transmits and receives may not be adjacent, but may have a frequency interval (also called a frequency gap). Furthermore, for the purpose of, for example, reducing interference, either the terminal or the base station may simultaneously transmit and receive (i.e., the other may transmit or receive).

[0164] In addition, full duplex operation may be applied to an operation in which a terminal can simultaneously transmit and receive sidelinks, or to an operation in which a terminal can simultaneously transmit and receive sidelinks and uplinks or downlinks.

[0165] (Antenna Port) In one embodiment of the present disclosure, an antenna port refers to a logical antenna (antenna group) consisting of one or more physical antennas. For example, an antenna port does not necessarily refer to a single physical antenna, but may refer to an array antenna consisting of multiple antennas. For example, the number of physical antennas that an antenna port is composed of is not specified, and the antenna port may be specified as the smallest unit by which a terminal station can transmit a reference signal. Furthermore, an antenna port may also be specified as the smallest unit by which a weighting of a precoding vector is multiplied.

[0166] <5G NR System Architecture and Protocol Stack> The 5G NR system architecture generally assumes an NG-RAN (Next Generation - Radio Access Network) including gNBs. The gNBs provide UE-side termination of the NG radio access user plane (SDAP / PDCP / RLC / MAC / PHY) and control plane (RRC) protocols. The gNBs are connected to each other via an Xn interface. The gNBs are also connected to a Next Generation Core (NGC) via a Next Generation (NG) interface, more specifically to an Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) (e.g., a specific core entity that performs AMF) via an NG-C interface, and to a User Plane Function (UPF) (e.g., a specific core entity that performs UPF) via an NG-U interface. The NG-RAN architecture is shown in Figure 11 (see, for example, 3GPP TS 38.300 v15.6.0, section 4).

[0167] <RRC connection setup and reconfiguration procedure> This shows the NAS part of the interaction between the UE, gNB, and AMF (5GC entity) when the UE transitions from RRC_IDLE to RRC_CONNECTED (see TS 38.300 v15.6.0).

[0168] RRC is a higher layer signaling protocol used to configure the UE and gNB. The AMF prepares UE context data (including, for example, PDU session context, security keys, UE radio capabilities, UE security capabilities, etc.) and sends it to the gNB along with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP REQUEST. The gNB then activates AS security together with the UE. This is done by the gNB sending a SecurityModeCommand message to the UE, and the UE responding with a SecurityModeComplete message to the gNB. The gNB then sends an RRCReconfiguration message to the UE, and upon receiving an RRCReconfigurationComplete from the UE, the gNB performs reconfiguration to set up Signaling Radio Bearer 2 (SRB2) and Data Radio Bearer (DRB). For signaling-only connections, the steps related to RRCReconfiguration are omitted because SRB2 and DRB are not set up. Finally, the gNB notifies the AMF that the setup procedure is complete with an INITIAL CONTEXT SETUP RESPONSE.

[0169] Therefore, the present disclosure provides a 5th Generation Core (5GC) entity (e.g., AMF, SMF, etc.) that includes: a control circuit that, upon operation, establishes a Next Generation (NG) connection with a gNodeB; and a transmitter that, upon operation, transmits an initial context setup message to the gNodeB via the NG connection so that a signaling radio bearer between the gNodeB and a user equipment (UE) is set up. Specifically, the gNodeB transmits Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, including a resource allocation configuration information element (IE), to the UE via the signaling radio bearer. The UE then transmits in uplink or receives in downlink based on the resource allocation configuration.

[0170] <QoS Control> The 5G Quality of Service (QoS) model is based on QoS flows and supports both QoS flows that require a guaranteed flow bit rate (Guaranteed Bit Rate QoS flows (GBR)) and QoS flows that do not require a guaranteed flow bit rate (non-GBR QoS flows). Thus, at the NAS level, a QoS flow is the finest granularity of QoS classification in a PDU session. A QoS flow is identified within a PDU session by a QoS Flow ID (QFI) carried in an encapsulation header over the NG-U interface.

[0171] For each UE, 5GC establishes one or more PDU sessions. For each UE, the NG-RAN establishes, for example, at least one Data Radio Bearer (DRB) for each PDU session. Additional DRBs for the QoS flows of that PDU session can be configured later (when this is up to the NG-RAN). The NG-RAN maps packets belonging to different PDU sessions to different DRBs. NAS-level packet filters in the UE and 5GC associate UL and DL packets with QoS flows, while AS-level mapping rules in the UE and NG-RAN associate UL and DL QoS flows with DRBs.

[0172] (Open-RAN) The base station described in each embodiment (for example, a 5G NR base station called a gNB) may be configured with three functional modules: a Centralized Unit (CU), a Distributed Unit (DU), and a Radio Unit (RU).

[0173] A CU may be referred to as a centralized node, aggregation node, central station, aggregation station, or centralized unit. A DU may be referred to as an O-RAN Distributed Unit (O-DU), distributed node, distributed station, or distributed unit. An RU may be referred to as an O-RAN Radio Unit (O-RU), radio equipment, radio node, radio station, antenna unit, or radio unit.

[0174] There are several split options for the functional split configuration (or functional split point) between CU, DU, and RU. The term "functional split point" is sometimes referred to as "split," "option," or "split option."

[0175] Examples of "division options" include the following division options 1 to 8. The functions of the base station described in each embodiment may be divided into a CU, a DU, and an RU by any of the following division options 1 to 8. For example, the CU, DU, and RU may be functionally divided, or the functions may be divided only between the CU and DU or only between the DU and RU. (1) Segmentation option 1: Between RRC (radio resource control) and PDCP (2) Segmentation option 2: Between PDCP and RLC (High-RLC) (3) Segmentation option 3: Between High-RLC and Low-RLC (4) Segmentation option 4: Between RLC (Low-RLC) and MAC (High-MAC) (5) Segmentation option 5: Between High-MAC and Low-MAC (6) Segmentation option 6: Between MAC (Low-MAC) and PHY (High-PHY) (7) Segmentation option 7: Between High-PHY and Low-PHY (8) Segmentation option 8: Between PHY (Low-PHY) and RF

[0176] The functional split point between the CU and O-DU may be split option 2. The section between the CU and O-DU is called midhaul, and the F1 interface is specified by 3GPP. The section between the O-DU and O-RU is called fronthaul, and the functional split point may be split option 7-2x, which is adopted as the O-RAN fronthaul specification.

[0177] Figure 12 shows an example of functional division of the gNB base station functions into CU, O-DU, and O-RU using Split Option 2 and Split Option 7-2x.

[0178] The CU may have, for example, a radio resource control (RRC) function, a service data adaptation protocol (SDAP) function, and a packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) function.

[0179] The O-DU may include, for example, a radio link control (RLC) function, a MAC function, and a higher physical layer (HIGH-PHY) function. The HIGH-PHY function may include an encoding function, a scrambling function, a modulation function, a layer mapping function, a precoding function, and a resource element (RE) mapping function for downlink (DL) transmission. The HIGH-PHY function may also include a decoding function, a descrambling function, a demodulation function, a layer demapping function, and a resource element (RE) demapping function for uplink (UL) reception.

[0180] The O-RU may have, for example, a LOW-PHY function and an RF function. The LOW-PHY function may also have, for downlink transmission, a beamforming function, an IFFT (Inverse First Fourier Transform) + CP (Cyclic Prefix) assignment function, and a D / A (Digital to Analog) conversion function. The LOW-PHY function may also have, for uplink reception, an A / D (Analog to Digital) conversion function, a CP removal + FFT (First Fourier Transform) function, and a beamforming function.

[0181] In addition, if the O-DU does not have a precoding function, the O-RU may have a precoding function.

[0182] The O-RU may have a function related to LBT (listen before talk). The evolving common public radio interface (eCPRI) is specified as the communication method between the O-DU and the O-RU in Split Option 7-2x. In Split Option 7-2x, eCPRI transmits and receives sampling sequences of the in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components of the OFDM signal in the frequency domain, as well as information used for beamforming in the antenna and time synchronization signals.

[0183] Information transmitted by the signals described in each embodiment (PDCCH, PUCCH, PDSCH, PUSCH, MAC CE, RRC, etc.) may be transmitted between the O-DU and the O-RU via the eCPRI User Plane (U-Plane) or Control Plane (C-Plane).

[0184] When the functions described in each embodiment are performed in the O-RU by functional division, the O-DU may control the O-RU by transmitting information for controlling the functions via a control signal (e.g., eCPRI) between the O-DU and the O-RU.

[0185] When the functions described in each embodiment are performed in the O-DU by functional division, the O-RU may receive the results of the functions performed in the O-DU via a control signal (e.g., eCPRI) and control the O-RU based on the received results.

[0186] The CU, O-DU, and O-RU may be deployed in physically different devices with their respective functions connected by optical fiber or the like, or some or all of their functions may be deployed in the same physical device.

[0187] The CU and O-DU may be logical entities implemented as software running on a server in the cloud or the like as a virtualized RAN (virtual Radio Access Network: vRAN). Also, some or all of the functions of the CU and O-DU may be provided as a virtualized network function (Network Functions Virtualization: NFV) service.

[0188] The transceiver does not have to be a radio transceiver, but may be, for example, a network transceiver, an optical transceiver, etc. The radio resources allocated by the O-DU may be resources for wireless communication between the O-RU and the UE.

[0189] The present disclosure can be realized in software, hardware, or software in conjunction with hardware.

[0190] Each functional block used in the description of the above embodiments may be partially or entirely realized as an LSI, which is an integrated circuit, and each process described in the above embodiments may be partially or entirely controlled by a single LSI or a combination of LSIs. The LSI may be composed of individual chips, or may be composed of a single chip that includes some or all of the functional blocks. The LSI may have data input and output. Depending on the degree of integration, the LSI may also be called an IC, system LSI, super LSI, or ultra LSI.

[0191] The integrated circuit method is not limited to LSI, and may be realized by a dedicated circuit, a general-purpose processor, or a dedicated processor. Also, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) that can be programmed after LSI manufacturing, or a reconfigurable processor that can reconfigure the connections and settings of circuit cells within the LSI, may be used. The present disclosure may be realized as digital processing or analog processing.

[0192] Furthermore, if an integrated circuit technology that can replace LSI emerges due to advances in semiconductor technology or other derivative technologies, it is natural that such technology may be used to integrate functional blocks. The application of biotechnology, etc. is also a possibility.

[0193] The present disclosure may be implemented in any type of apparatus, device, or system (collectively referred to as a communications apparatus) that has a communications function. The communications apparatus may include a radio transceiver and processing / control circuitry. The radio transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter, or both functions. The radio transceiver (transmitter and receiver) may include a radio frequency (RF) module and one or more antennas. The RF module may include an amplifier, an RF modulator / demodulator, or the like. Non-limiting examples of communication devices include telephones (e.g., cell phones, smartphones), tablets, personal computers (PCs) (e.g., laptops, desktops, notebooks), cameras (e.g., digital still / video cameras), digital players (e.g., digital audio / video players), wearable devices (e.g., wearable cameras, smartwatches, tracking devices), game consoles, digital book readers, telehealth / telemedicine devices, communication-enabled vehicles or mobile transportation (e.g., cars, airplanes, ships), and combinations of the above devices.

[0194] The communication devices are not limited to portable or mobile devices, but also include any kind of non-portable or fixed equipment, devices, and systems, such as smart home devices (such as home appliances, lighting equipment, smart meters or measuring devices, control panels, etc.), vending machines, and any other "things" that may exist on an IoT (Internet of Things) network.

[0195] Communications include data communications via cellular systems, wireless LAN systems, communication satellite systems, and the like, as well as data communications via combinations of these.

[0196] A communications apparatus also includes devices such as controllers and sensors connected or coupled to a communications device that performs the communications functions described in this disclosure, such as controllers and sensors that generate control and data signals used by the communications device to perform the communications functions of the communications apparatus.

[0197] The communication apparatus also includes infrastructure facilities, such as base stations, access points, and any other apparatus, device, or system that communicates with or controls the various apparatuses listed above, but are not limited to these.

[0198] A terminal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determines a setting of multiple time resources for combining a demodulation reference signal based on the event and the section, and a transmission circuit that transmits the demodulation reference signal based on the setting.

[0199] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if there is another section after the section in which the event occurs, the plurality of time resources are set from the first time resource of the other section.

[0200] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if there is no other section after the section in which the event occurs, the plurality of time resources are not set.

[0201] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, if transmission of the uplink signal in the section where the event occurs is postponed, the plurality of time resources are set from the postponed time resources.

[0202] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the transmission of the uplink signal is postponed for the length of the section or in units of slots.

[0203] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the method of configuring the plurality of time resources differs depending on whether the cause of the event is a terminal-specific setting or a cell-specific setting.

[0204] In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the plurality of time resources are actual Time Domain Windows (TDWs) of DMRS bundling, and the nominal TDW notified from the base station to the terminal is an integer multiple of the sequence length of the orthogonal code.

[0205] A base station according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a control circuit that, when an event occurs in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determines a setting of multiple time resources for combining demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section, and a receiving circuit that receives the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

[0206] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, a terminal determines a configuration of multiple time resources for combining a demodulation reference signal based on the event and the section, and transmits the demodulation reference signal based on the configuration.

[0207] In a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, a base station determines a configuration of multiple time resources for combining a demodulation reference signal based on the event and the section, and receives the demodulation reference signal based on the configuration.

[0208] The disclosures of the specification, drawings and abstract contained in Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-127692, filed on August 2, 2024, are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0209] One aspect of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

[0210] 100 Terminal 101, 201 Radio receiving unit 102, 202 Data receiving processing unit 103, 203 Control unit 104, 204 Data transmitting processing unit 105, 205 Radio transmitting unit 200 Base station

Claims

1. A communication device comprising: a control circuit that, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determines the setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section; and a transmission circuit that transmits the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

2. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when there is another section after the section in which the event occurred, the plurality of time resources are set starting from the first time resource of the other section.

3. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are not set if there is no other interval following the interval in which the event occurred.

4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein, when transmission of the uplink signal in the section where the event occurs is postponed, the plurality of time resources are set from the postponed time resources.

5. The communication device according to claim 4, wherein the transmission of the upstream signal is postponed by the length of the section or in units of slots.

6. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein a method of setting the plurality of time resources differs depending on whether the cause of the event is a terminal-specific setting or a cell-specific setting.

7. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of time resources are actual Time Domain Windows (TDWs) of DMRS bundling, and a nominal TDW notified from a base station to the communication device is an integer multiple of a sequence length of the orthogonal code.

8. A base station comprising: a control circuit that, when an event occurs in which the power and phase continuity of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determines the setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section; and a receiving circuit that receives the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

9. A communication method in which, when an event occurs in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, a communication device determines a setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section, and transmits the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

10. A communication method in which, when an event occurs in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, a base station determines a setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section, and receives the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

11. An integrated circuit that controls the processing of a communication device, the processing comprising: when an event occurs in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determining a setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section; and transmitting the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

12. An integrated circuit that controls the processing of a base station, the processing comprising: when an event occurs in which the continuity of the power and phase of an uplink signal to which an orthogonal code is applied cannot be maintained in a section to which the uplink signal is assigned, determining a setting of multiple time resources to combine demodulation reference signals based on the event and the section; and receiving the demodulation reference signals based on the setting.

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