Base station

By defining new section types and extensions for SRS and beamforming information transmission between the distributed and radio units, the method addresses bandwidth and latency issues in O-RAN systems, enhancing network efficiency and compatibility.

WO2026083493A1PCT designated stage Publication Date: 2026-04-23NTT DOCOMO INC
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Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
WO · WO
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
NTT DOCOMO INC
Filing Date
2024-10-15
Publication Date
2026-04-23

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges with increased fronthaul bandwidth and latency due to large data transmission and inefficient transmission of information necessary for SRS-based beamforming, particularly in O-RAN environments where SRS channel estimation and processing functions are located in the distributed unit.

Method used

Implementing a novel section type and extension for transmitting SRS and beamforming information between the distributed unit and radio unit, utilizing data compression, ensuring compatibility with existing systems, and incorporating machine learning parameters for enhanced performance.

Benefits of technology

This approach reduces fronthaul bandwidth usage, decreases latency, and optimizes network performance by enabling efficient transmission of SRS and beamforming information, while maintaining compatibility with existing technologies and allowing for phased deployment.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

This base station includes a distributed unit and a radio unit. The distributed unit and the radio unit include: a control unit that assumes that a new section type, which is newly defined for transmitting information on beamforming based on a sounding reference signal (SRS), is used; and a communication unit that transmits and receives a message including the new section type between the distributed unit and the radio unit.
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Description

Base station

[0001] The present invention relates to a base station in a wireless communication system.

[0002] In a wireless communication system based on the 3GPP (registered trademark) standard, such as NR (New Radio) (also referred to as "5G") and a successor system of NR (e.g., "6G"), technologies that meet requirements such as a large-capacity system, high data transmission speed, low latency, simultaneous connection of a large number of terminals, low cost, and power saving are being studied (e.g., Non-Patent Document 1).

[0003] Also, in O-RAN (Open-Radio Access Network), improving the bandwidth requirements in the open fronthaul between the distributed unit (O-DU (Distributed Unit)) and the radio unit (O-RU (Radio Unit)) in a base station is being studied.

[0004] 3GPP TS 38.300 V18.3.0 (2024-09)

[0005] In the fronthaul split option in the prior art, the SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) channel estimation and SRS processing functions are arranged in the distributed unit (O-DU). Here, in O-RAN, the SRS channel estimation and SRS processing functions are arranged in the radio unit (O-RU), and by performing beam forming (Beam Forming, BF) based on SRS in the radio unit, improving the bandwidth of the open fronthaul is being studied.

[0006] However, the prior art has problems such as an increase in fronthaul bandwidth due to a large amount of data transmission (SRS IQ, channel information, etc.), an increase in latency due to an increase in data processing, and in the existing section type of specifications, being unable to efficiently transmit information necessary for beam forming based on SRS.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and aims to efficiently transmit information regarding SRS and beamforming via fronthaul in a wireless communication system.

[0008] The disclosed technology provides a base station including a distributed unit and a radio unit, wherein the distributed unit and the radio unit each include a control unit that assumes a newly defined novel section type is used for transmitting beamforming information based on a Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and a communication unit that sends and receives messages including the novel section type between the distributed unit and the radio unit.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, information regarding SRS and beamforming can be efficiently transmitted via fronthaul in a wireless communication system.

[0010] This figure shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention (1). This figure shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention (2). This figure shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention (3). This figure illustrates beamforming based on SRS in an embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of a terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a base station 10 or terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. This figure shows an example of the configuration of a vehicle 2001 in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention is applied are not limited to those described below.

[0012] Existing technologies may be used as appropriate in the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0013] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies may be, for example, existing LTE or existing NR, but are not limited to existing LTE or NR.

[0014] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technologies may be used as appropriate. However, such existing technologies may be, for example, existing LTE or existing NR, but are not limited to existing LTE or NR.

[0015] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention described below, terms such as SS (Synchronization signal), PSS (Primary SS), SSS (Secondary SS), PBCH (Physical broadcast channel), PRACH (Physical random access channel), PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel), and PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), which are used in existing LTE systems, will be used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc., may be called by other names. Also, the above terms in NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even if a signal is used in NR, it is not necessarily explicitly stated as "NR-".

[0016] Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present invention, the duplex system may be a TDD (Time Division Duplex) system, an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) system, or any other system (for example, a Flexible Duplex).

[0017] Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters means that predetermined values ​​are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from the base station 10 or terminal 20 are configured. Also, in the following description, " / " means "and / or" unless otherwise specified, or unless it is clear from the context that it has a different meaning.

[0018] Figure 1 shows an example configuration (1) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a base station 10 and a terminal 20, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows one base station 10 and one terminal 20, but this is an example, and there may be multiple base stations 10 and terminals 20.

[0019] Base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and communicates wirelessly with terminal 20. The physical resources of the wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols, and the frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or resource blocks. Base station 10 transmits synchronization signals and system information to terminal 20. Synchronization signals are, for example, NR-PSS and NR-SSS. System information is transmitted, for example, in NR-PBCH and is also called broadcast information. Synchronization signals and system information may also be called SSB (SS / PBCH block). As shown in Figure 1, base station 10 transmits control signals or data to terminal 20 via DL (Downlink) and receives control signals or data from terminal 20 via UL (Uplink). Both base station 10 and terminal 20 are capable of transmitting and receiving signals using beamforming. Furthermore, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 can apply MIMO (Multiple Input Multiple Output) communication to DL or UL. Also, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may communicate via Carrier Aggregation (CA) through secondary cells (SCell) and primary cells (PCell). Additionally, the terminal 20 may communicate via Dual Connectivity (DC) through the primary cell of base station 10 and the primary secondary cell group cell (PSCell) of another base station 10.

[0020] Terminal 20 is a communication device equipped with wireless communication capabilities, such as a smartphone, mobile phone, tablet, wearable device, or M2M (Machine-to-Machine) communication module. As shown in Figure 1, Terminal 20 receives control signals or data from the base station 10 via DL and transmits control signals or data to the base station 10 via UL, thereby utilizing various communication services provided by the wireless communication system. Terminal 20 also receives various reference signals transmitted from the base station 10 and performs propagation path quality measurement based on the reception results of said reference signals.

[0021] Furthermore, various requirements are being considered for the next generation of 6G. For example, these requirements may include ultra-broadband communication, mission-critical communication, ultra-massive connection, universal coverage, intelligent connection, and ubiquitous sensing.

[0022] Furthermore, these requirements may include ultra-high-speed communication, large-capacity communication, ultra-wide coverage, ultra-low power consumption, cost reduction, ultra-low latency, ultra-high reliability communication, ultra-high connectivity, and sensing.

[0023] To meet these requirements, the new concept aims for extensibility (e.g., making it more effective for future use), ease of operation, customizability (e.g., making it easier to operate), and sustainability (e.g., cost reduction, a more robust configuration, and resilience). Furthermore, guaranteed communication, ensuring a minimum level of performance at all times, is being considered.

[0024] Figure 2 shows an example configuration (2) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system when DC (Dual connectivity) is performed. As shown in Figure 2, a base station 10A that will be an MN (Master Node) and a base station 10B that will be an SN (Secondary Node) are provided. Base stations 10A and 10B are each connected to the core network. Terminal 20 can communicate with both base station 10A and base station 10B.

[0025] A cell group provided by base station 10A, which is an MN (Mobile Network), is called an MCG (Master Cell Group), and a cell group provided by base station 10B, which is an SN (Mobile Network), is called an SCG (Secondary Cell Group). In a data center, an MCG consists of one PCell and one or more SCells, and an SCG consists of one PSCell (Primary SCG Cell) and one or more SCells.

[0026] Figure 3 shows an example configuration (3) of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 3, the radio unit O-RU10A communicates with the distributed unit O-DU10B and the SMO (Service Management and Operation) 30A via an Open Fronthaul (or simply a Fronthaul). The SMO 30A communicates with the central control unit O-CU10C via the O1 interface and with the virtualization environment O-Cloud 30B, which provides RAN functions, etc., via the O2 interface. The O-DU10B and O-CU10C communicate via the F1 interface.

[0027] In O-RAN (Open-Radio Access Network), improvements are being considered to improve the bandwidth requirements in the open fronthaul between distributed units (O-DUs) and radio units (O-RUs) at base stations.

[0028] In conventional front hole splitting options, the SRS (Sounding Reference Signal) channel estimation and SRS processing functions are located in the distributed unit (O-DU). For example, in conventional technology, based on scheduling messages from the O-DU, an SRS IQ stream is sent from the O-RU to the O-DU, and SRS channel estimation and SRS processing are performed on the O-DU side. Furthermore, when using CIBF (Channel Information-Based Beamforming) in a Category B O-RU, estimated channel information is sent from the O-DU to the O-RU. Also, when using WDBF (Weight-Based Beamforming), the O-DU calculates beamforming weights using the estimated channels and sends them to the O-RU.

[0029] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating beamforming based on SRS in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, in O-RAN, it is being considered to place the SRS channel estimation and SRS processing functions in the radio unit (O-RU) and perform SRS-based beamforming in the radio unit. This makes it possible to significantly reduce the front hole bandwidth, as it is possible to omit the transmission of beamforming weights from the O-DU to the O-RU in the case of WDBF, and to omit the transmission of channel information from the O-DU to the O-RU in the case of CIBF.

[0030] However, conventional technologies have several drawbacks, including increased fronthaul bandwidth due to the transmission of large amounts of data (SRS IQ, channel information, etc.), increased latency due to increased data processing, and the inability to efficiently transmit the information necessary for SRS-based beamforming using existing section types.

[0031] The following describes a method for efficiently transmitting SRS and beamforming information via fronthaul in a wireless communication system.

[0032] (Method 1) Definition of a new section type The O-DU and O-RU may assume that a newly defined section type (section type X) is used for transmitting information related to beamforming based on SRS.

[0033] Furthermore, O-DU and O-RU may assume that section type X includes a field for efficiently transmitting SRS channel estimation results / parameters necessary for beamforming.

[0034] Furthermore, O-DU and O-RU may assume that the section type X is transmitted in either the direction from O-DU to O-RU or from O-RU to O-DU.

[0035] (Method 2) Definition of a new section extension The O-DU and O-RU may assume that a newly defined section extension (section extension Y) will be used to transmit additional information regarding beamforming based on SRS.

[0036] Furthermore, O-DU and O-RU may assume that the section extension Y includes fields for efficiently transmitting configuration information / control parameters necessary for SRS processing.

[0037] Furthermore, O-DU and O-RU may assume that the section extension Y is transmitted in either the direction from O-DU to O-RU or from O-RU to O-DU.

[0038] (Method 3) Efficient information transmission by data compression The O-DU and O-RU may compress information such as SRS channel estimation results / beamforming weights and transmit and receive them via the fronthaul. The O-DU and O-RU may also transmit and receive section type X / section extension Y in which the compressed information is set.

[0039] (Method 4) Ensuring compatibility and extensibility O-DU and O-RU may be designed to maintain compatibility with existing section types / section extensions and to anticipate the introduction / use of newly defined section types X / section extensions Y.

[0040] (Method 5) Use of Existing Section Types / Section Extensions The O-DU and O-RU may assume that information related to beamforming based on the SRS is set in unused areas (reservation fields, reserved bits, etc.) in existing section types / section extensions and that the information is transmitted and received.

[0041] Note that the section type / section extension may be referred to as a message, or information / field / format, etc. included in the message.

[0042] Hereinafter, examples will be described.

[0043] (Example 1) Definition and Application of New Section Type X A newly defined section type (section type X) for transmitting information related to beamforming based on the SRS may have, for example, the following configuration.

[0044] The common header field of section type X may include the following information: - dataDirection (1 bit): Indicates the direction of data (0: downlink, 1: uplink). - payloadVersion (3 bits): Indicates the version information of the payload. - filterIndex (4 bits): Specifies the index of the filter. - frameId (8 bits): Indicates the frame number. - subframeId (4 bits): Indicates the subframe number. - slotId (6 bits): Indicates the slot number. - startSymbolId (6 bits): Indicates the start symbol ID. - numberOfSections (8 bits): Indicates the number of sections. - sectionType (8 bits): Sets the identifier of section type X (for example, set the value to 128). - reserved (8 bits): Bits reserved for future extensions.

[0045] The section field of section type X may include the following information: - sectionId (12 bits): Identifier of the section. - srsChannelEstimate (variable length): Field containing the SRS channel estimation result.

[0046] Here, srsChannelEstimate may have the following data structure: - numAntennas (8 bits): Indicates the number of antennas. - channelCoefficients (complex number array): Includes the channel coefficients for each antenna. Here, each coefficient may be represented by 16 bits for both the I (In-phase component) and Q (Quadrature component).

[0047] (Continuation of the section field) - beamformingParameters (variable length): Parameters required for beamforming.

[0048] Here, beamformingParameters may have the following data structure: - beamId (15 bits): Identifier of the beam. - beamWeights (variable length): Beamforming weights. Here, data compression may be applied to the weight data to reduce the data volume.

[0049] (Operation of the O-RU regarding section type X) After receiving the SRS signal and performing channel estimation, the O-RU may store the estimation result in the srsChannelEstimate field in section type X.

[0050] Also, the O-RU may calculate parameters related to beamforming as needed and store the calculation result in the beamformingParameters field.

[0051] Also, the O-RU may create a message of section type X and send it to the O-DU.

[0052] (O-DU operation with respect to section type X) The O-DU may analyze section type X received from the O-RU and obtain the information contained in srsChannelEstimate and beamformingParameters.

[0053] The O-DU may perform beamforming control / resource allocation for the entire network based on the information obtained from section type X received from the O-RU.

[0054] (Example 2) Definition and Application of Section Extension Y A newly defined section extension (section extension Y) for transmitting additional information regarding beamforming based on SRS may have the following configuration, for example.

[0055] The extension header field of section extension Y may include the following information: • extType (7 bits): Identifier of section extension Y (e.g., set to value 128). • ef (1 bit): Flag indicating whether the extension continues (0: end, 1: continue). • extLen (8 bits or 16 bits): Indicates the length of the section extension in 32-bit words.

[0056] The extended fields of section extension Y may include the following information: srsConfiguration: SRS configuration information, including the following: srsPeriodicity (8 bits): SRS transmission period. srsBandwidth (8 bits): SRS bandwidth. srsConfigurationIndex (10 bits): Index of the SRS configuration. controlParameters: Beamforming control parameters, including the following information: bfAlgorithmType (4 bits): Type of beamforming algorithm (e.g., 0 = maximum ratio combining, 1 = zero forcing). bfWeightUpdateInterval (8 bits): Update interval for beamforming weights.

[0057] (O-DU operation regarding section extension Y) The O-DU may create a message including section extension Y by setting SRS configuration information / beamforming control parameters in the field of section extension Y, and send the message to the O-RU.

[0058] (O-RU operation regarding section extension Y) The O-RU may analyze the section extension Y received from the O-DU and update the SRS transmission settings based on the information contained in srsConfiguration, or it may perform beamforming processing settings based on the information contained in controlParameters.

[0059] (Example 3) Data Compression and Efficient Information Transmission The O-DU and O-RU may be transmitted by applying Block Floating Point compression to the channel coefficients, for example, as information regarding the channel estimation result, using a field containing the following information: • bfwCompHdr (8 bits): Specifies the compression method and bit width. • bfwIqWidth (4 bits): Bit width for I / Q. • bfwCompMeth (4 bits): Compression method (e.g., 0001 = Block Floating Point).

[0060] The bfwCompParam includes the following information: • exponent (8 bits): The common exponent of the block.

[0061] As a method for compressing beamforming weights, μ-law compression is applied to reduce the amount of data through nonlinear quantization.

[0062] This reduces the amount of data for channel estimation results and beamforming weights, thereby improving the efficiency of fronthaul bandwidth utilization.

[0063] (Example 4) Dynamic control using a combination of new section type X and section extension Y The O-DU may send a message to the O-RU containing a section extension Y configured to instruct the O-RU to update the SRS settings / beamforming parameters depending on the network conditions.

[0064] The O-RU may perform SRS channel estimation / beamforming processing according to instructions received from the O-DU.

[0065] Furthermore, the O-RU may send a message to the O-DU containing a section type X with updated channel estimation results / beamforming parameters.

[0066] As described above, by using section type X and section extension Y in combination, real-time control such as beamforming becomes more efficient, and network performance can be optimized.

[0067] (Example 5) Maintaining compatibility with existing section types: To ensure compatibility, O-DU and O-RU may use newly defined section type X and section extension Y with the same message structure as existing section types / section extensions, and may use unused type values / additionally defined fields.

[0068] Furthermore, O-RU and O-DU may, as a fallback function, automatically switch to communication using an existing section type if the O-RU / O-DU does not support a newly defined section type / section extension.

[0069] This allows for compatibility with existing equipment and enables phased deployment.

[0070] (Example 6) Information transmission utilizing reserved fields of existing section types For example, the following SRS information may be set in the reserved field (reserved) of an existing section type 6, and the information may be transmitted and received. ・reserved (4 bits) Here, each bit of reserved indicates the following information: Bit 0 (SRS sequence number): SRS sequence number transmitted in 3 bits (0 to 7). Bit 1 (SRS subband information): Flag indicating the presence or absence of a subband. Bit 2 (Beam ID information): Flag indicating the presence or absence of a beam ID. Bit 3 (RRM measurement information): Flag indicating the presence or absence of RRM measurement information.

[0071] Alternatively, the rb field (1 bit) in existing section types may be redefined as a flag indicating the presence or absence of CSI information.

[0072] (O-RU Operation) After receiving the SRS signal and performing channel estimation and necessary measurements, the O-RU may include the SRS sequence number and subband information in the reserved field. Here, the SRS sequence number is the number indicating the SRS sequence used, and the subband information is information indicating the start position and length of the subband used.

[0073] Furthermore, the O-RU may include beam ID information / RRM measurement information in the reserved field as needed. Here, the beam ID is an identifier for the beam used for beamforming, and the RRM measurement information is information such as RSSI, SINR, and channel quality indicator (CQI).

[0074] Additionally, the O-RU may indicate the presence or absence of CSI information in the rb field, and may include detailed CSI information in the data portion of Section Type 6.

[0075] (O-DU operation) The O-DU may parse the section type 6 message received from the O-RU, extract the necessary information from the reserved / redefined fields, and use the extracted information for scheduling, beamforming control, and resource allocation.

[0076] (Example 7) Information transmission utilizing the reserved field of a section extension For example, the reserved field (reserved) of an existing section extension 21 may be set with the following information, and the information may be transmitted and received. ・reserved (6 bits) Here, each bit of reserved represents the following information.

[0077] Bits 0-1 (Compression Method Selection): Specifies the compression method (00: Uncompressed, 01: Block Floating Point, 10: μ-law, 11: Other).

[0078] Bits 2-3 (Quantization Bits): Specifies the number of quantization bits (00: 4 bits, 01: 8 bits, 10: 12 bits, 11: 16 bits).

[0079] Bit 4 (Presence or absence of subsampling information): Indicates whether or not subsampling information is included.

[0080] Bit 5 (Presence or absence of additional channel information): Indicates whether additional information such as fading information and delay spread is included.

[0081] (O-DU operation) The O-DU may use section extension 21 to instruct the O-RU on the compression method and quantization bit depth. If subsampling information / additional channel information is required, it may be specified in the reserved field, and detailed information may be included in the data portion of section extension 21.

[0082] (O-RU operation) The O-RU may obtain compression parameters from the reserved field of section extension 21 received from the O-DU. Here, information regarding the channel estimation results may be compressed based on the specified compression scheme / quantization bit depth. The O-RU may also apply subsampling as needed and send additional channel information to the O-DU in combination with section type 6.

[0083] (Example 8) Data protection for enhanced security The O-DU and O-RU may assume that, as data encryption, an encryption method such as AES-256 is applied to important information transmitted in section type X / section extension Y.

[0084] O-DU and O-RU may assume that, as a measure of data integrity, an authentication code such as HMAC (Hash Based Message Authentication Code) is attached to each message.

[0085] This ensures the confidentiality and integrity of data, and reduces security risks.

[0086] (Example 9) Transmission of machine learning parameters by extending section extension Y O-DU and O-RU may assume that a field mlModelParameters containing the following information about machine learning parameters is added to section extension Y: ・modelType (4 bits): The type of machine learning model to use (e.g., 0 = linear regression, 1 = neural network). ・modelParameters (variable length): Parameters such as model weights and biases.

[0087] O-DU may set parameters related to updating machine learning models, etc., in section extension Y and send them to O-RU.

[0088] O-RU may use parameters related to updating machine learning models, etc., included in section extension Y received from O-DU to perform processes such as channel prediction / beamforming optimization.

[0089] This makes it possible to improve communication performance by utilizing advanced machine learning algorithms.

[0090] (Example 10) Efficient reporting of channel state information (CSI) by section type X The O-DU and O-RU may assume that the compressed CSI (Channel State Information) is set in the csiReport (variable length) field of section type X shown below, and that section type X is transmitted from the O-RU to the O-DU. ・csiCompressionMethod (4 bits): Specifies the CSI compression method. ・compressedCsiData (variable length): Compressed CSI data.

[0091] This makes it possible to efficiently provide the required CSI from O-RU to O-DU while saving fronthaul bandwidth.

[0092] (Example 11) Application to Multi-User Beamforming The O-DU and O-RU may be assumed to transmit a section type X in which information on beamforming for multiple users is simultaneously set in the fields shown below: ・userId (16 bits): User identifier. ・beamformingParameters: Channel estimation results / beamforming parameters for each user.

[0093] The O-RU may receive SRS from multiple users' terminals, perform channel estimation using each SRS, set each user's information, including the channel estimation results, in section type X, and report it to the O-DU.

[0094] This makes it possible to streamline beamforming control in multi-user environments.

[0095] (Example 12) Frequency Hopping / Discontinuous PRB Allocation Support The O-DU and O-RU may assume that information regarding frequency hopping / discontinuous PRB (Physical Resource Block) allocation is set in the field frequencyHoppingParameters of section extension Y shown below. ・hoppingPattern (8 bits): Specifies the frequency hopping pattern. ・prbAllocation (variable length): Contains discontinuous PRB allocation information.

[0096] The O-DU may instruct the O-RU to perform the frequency hopping / discontinuous PRB assignment by transmitting a section extension Y containing the setting.

[0097] The O-RU may perform SRS transmission / beamforming processing based on the instructions, including section extension Y, received from the O-DU.

[0098] This enables efficient use of frequency resources and reduction of interference.

[0099] The following describes some variations.

[0100] (Variation 1) Sharing of statistical information on SRS data The O-RU may send statistical information about SRS (e.g., mean SNR, user distribution) to the O-DU instead of detailed SRS data. This can reduce the amount of data transmitted and improve the efficiency of fronthaul bandwidth utilization.

[0101] (Modification 2) Prediction of processing mode by machine learning The O-RU may use a machine learning model to predict / select the optimal SRS processing mode. Here, the SRS processing mode may be, for example, one of the following modes: ・Local processing mode: The O-RU performs SRS channel estimation and beamforming weight generation, and then performs beamforming. ・Shared processing mode: The O-RU performs SRS channel estimation and sends a portion of the estimation results (only the necessary parameters) to the O-DU. ・Fully shared mode: The O-RU sends SRS IQ data to the O-DU, and the O-DU performs the processing.

[0102] Furthermore, the O-RU may perform training / retraining of the machine learning model using training data acquired / generated by its own device. Alternatively, the O-RU may acquire the machine learning model from the O-DU, O-CU, or SMO. The O-RU may also transmit training data for training the machine learning model to the O-DU, O-CU, or SMO. Here, section type X / section extension Y may be used in the transmission and reception of the machine learning model / training data.

[0103] (Modification 3) Cooperation between multiple O-RUs The O-DU and O-RU may assume that SRS information is shared among multiple O-RUs to perform cooperative beamforming. Here, an O-RU may transmit SRS information to other O-RUs. Alternatively, an O-RU may receive SRS information from other O-RUs and perform beamforming-related processing based on said SRS information.

[0104] (Effects) The following effects can be obtained by the method and examples described above.

[0105] (Reducing fronthaul bandwidth) By efficiently transmitting necessary information, the amount of bandwidth used in the fronthaul can be reduced.

[0106] (Reduced latency) By reducing the amount of data transmitted, transmission latency is reduced, enabling real-time beamforming control.

[0107] (Improved System Efficiency) New section types and section extensions enable efficient transmission of information necessary for SRS-based beamforming, thereby improving the overall system performance.

[0108] (Improved compatibility and scalability) It becomes possible to add new features while maintaining compatibility with existing specifications.

[0109] Therefore, the above-described method and embodiments enable efficient transmission of SRS and beamforming information via fronthaul in a wireless communication system. The above-described method, embodiments, and variations may be used in combination.

[0110] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above will be explained. The base station 10 and terminal 20 include the functions to carry out the above-described embodiment. However, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may each be equipped with only some of the functions in the embodiment.

[0111] <Base Station 10> Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a base station 10 in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 5, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 5 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 and transmitting the signal wirelessly. The transmitting unit 110 also transmits inter-network node messages to other network nodes. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 and obtaining information from the received signals, for example, higher layer information. The transmitting unit 110 also has the function of transmitting NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL control signals, etc. to the terminal 20. The receiving unit 120 also receives inter-network node messages from other network nodes.

[0113] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20.

[0114] The control unit 140 performs control related to the processing described in the embodiment. The control unit 140 also performs scheduling. The signal transmission function unit of the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function unit of the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0115] Furthermore, the base station 10 may include a distributed unit (O-DU) and a wireless unit (O-RU), and the distributed unit (O-DU) and the wireless unit (O-RU) may each have a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. Also, the distributed unit (O-DU) and the wireless unit (O-RU) may communicate with each other using the transmitting unit 110 and the receiving unit 120.

[0116] <Terminal 20> Figure 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20 in an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Figure 6, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 6 is merely an example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and acquires signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, DL / UL / SL control signals, etc. transmitted from the base station 10. For example, the transmitting unit 210 transmits PSCCH (Physical Sidelink Control Channel), PSSCH (Physical Sidelink Shared Channel), PSDCH (Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel), PSBCH (Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel), etc. to other terminals 20 as D2D communication, and the receiving unit 220 receives PSCCH, PSSCH, PSDCH or PSBCH, etc. from other terminals 20.

[0118] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the base station 10 by the receiving unit 220. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-configured setting information.

[0119] The control unit 240 performs control related to the processing described in the embodiment. The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0120] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 5 and 6) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0121] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0122] For example, the base station 10, terminal 20, etc. in one embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 7 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. The above-mentioned base station 10 and terminal 20 may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0123] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be read as "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0124] Each function in the base station 10 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0125] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0126] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 5 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 6 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0127] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing a communication method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0128] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0129] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0130] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0131] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0132] Furthermore, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0133] Figure 8 shows an example of the configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in Figure 8, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021 to 2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, for example, to the communication module 2013.

[0134] The drive unit 2002 consists of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and the rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel, which is operated by the user.

[0135] The electronic control unit 2010 consists of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and communication ports (IO ports) 2033. Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 installed in the vehicle 2001 are input to the electronic control unit 2010. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

[0136] Signals from various sensors 2021 to 2029 include current signals from current sensor 2021 for sensing motor current, front and rear wheel rotation speed signals acquired by rotation speed sensor 2022, front and rear wheel air pressure signals acquired by air pressure sensor 2023, vehicle speed signals acquired by vehicle speed sensor 2024, acceleration signals acquired by acceleration sensor 2025, accelerator pedal depression signals acquired by accelerator pedal sensor 2029, brake pedal depression signals acquired by brake pedal sensor 2026, shift lever operation signals acquired by shift lever sensor 2027, and detection signals acquired by object detection sensor 2028 for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc.

[0137] The Information Service Unit 2012 consists of various devices for providing (outputting) various types of information such as driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, including a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, and one or more ECUs that control these devices. The Information Service Unit 2012 uses information acquired from external devices via a communication module 2013, etc., to provide various multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001. The Information Service Unit 2012 may include input devices that accept input from the outside (e.g., keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, touch panel, etc.) and output devices that perform output to the outside (e.g., display, speaker, LED lamp, touch panel, etc.).

[0138] The driver assistance system unit 2030 consists of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents or reduce the driver's workload, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System)), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driver assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driver assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

[0139] The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via its communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 sends and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, the microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29 provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0140] The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it can send and receive various types of information with external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station or a mobile station.

[0141] The communication module 2013 may transmit at least one of the following to an external device via wireless communication: signals from the various sensors 2021-2028 input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on said signals, and information based on input from an external source (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2028, the information service unit 2012, etc., may also be called input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communication module 2013 may include the information based on the above input.

[0142] The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, signal information, inter-vehicle information, etc.) transmitted from an external device and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit, which outputs information (for example, outputs information to devices such as displays and speakers based on the PDSCH (or data / information decoded from the PDSCH) received by the communication module 2013). The communication module 2013 also stores the various information received from the external device in a memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in the memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, etc., provided in the vehicle 2001.

[0143] <Notes> (Note 1) A base station comprising a distributed unit and a radio unit, wherein the distributed unit and the radio unit each include a control unit which assumes that a newly defined new section type is used for transmitting information relating to beamforming based on SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), and a communication unit which sends and receives messages including the new section type between the distributed unit and the radio unit. (Note 2) The base station according to Note 1, wherein the control unit assumes that a newly defined new section extension is used for transmitting additional information relating to beamforming based on SRS, and the communication unit sends and receives messages including the new section extension between the distributed unit and the radio unit. (Note 3) The base station according to Note 2, wherein the communication unit sends and receives messages including the new section type or the new section extension which has compressed SRS channel estimation results or information relating to beamforming weights set between the distributed unit and the radio unit. (Note 4) The base station according to Note 2, wherein the control unit assumes that the new section type and the new section extension will be used while maintaining compatibility with existing section types and section extensions. (Note 5) The base station according to Note 2, wherein the control unit assumes that a message is transmitted from the distributed unit to the radio unit, including the new section extension in which instructions for updating SRS settings or updating beamforming parameters are set, and the radio unit transmits a message to the distributed unit, including the SRS estimation result or the new section type in which beamforming parameters are set. (Note 6) The base station according to Note 1, wherein the control unit assumes that a message is transmitted from the distributed unit to the radio unit, including the new section type in which compressed channel state information is set.

[0144] In any of the provisions of Appendix 1 to Appendix 6, beamforming based on SRS can be performed in the radio unit (O-RU) in the wireless communication system.

[0145] (Supplement to Embodiments) Embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0146] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information), UCI (Uplink Control Information)), upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) signaling, MAC (Medium Access Control) signaling), broadcast information (MIB (Master Information Block), SIB (System Information Block)), other signals, or combinations thereof. Also, RRC signaling may be called RRC messages, and may be, for example, RRC Connection Setup messages, RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages, etc.

[0147] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure refers to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-A (LTE-Advanced), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (where x is, for example, an integer or decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 may apply to at least one system utilizing UWB (Ultra-WideBand), Bluetooth®, or other appropriate systems, and to next-generation systems extended, modified, created, or defined based thereon. Alternatively, multiple systems may be applied in combination (e.g., a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0148] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0149] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0150] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0151] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0152] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0153] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0154] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0155] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0156] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0157] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0158] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0159] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0160] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0161] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0162] In this disclosure, the transmission of information by a base station to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to perform control or operation based on the information.

[0163] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0164] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0165] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object, and its speed of movement is arbitrary. This also includes the case when the mobile body is stationary. The mobile body includes, but is not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcarts, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and items mounted on them. The mobile body may also be a mobile body that moves autonomously based on operation commands. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile body (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). Furthermore, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may include devices that do not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

[0166] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device), V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), etc.). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the base station 10 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0167] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0168] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0169] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0170] The reference signal can also be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal), and may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0171] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0172] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0173] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0174] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0175] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0176] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0177] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0178] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0179] 10 Base station 110 Transmitting unit 120 Receiving unit 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitting unit 220 Receiving unit 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 30 Network node 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device 2001 Vehicle 2002 Drive unit 2003 Steering unit 2004 Accelerator pedal 2005 Brake pedal 2006 Shift lever 2007 Front wheel 2008 Rear wheel 2009 Axle 2010 Electronic control unit 2012 Information service unit 2013 Communication module 2021 Current sensor 2022 Rotation speed sensor 2023 Air pressure sensor 2024 Vehicle speed sensor 2025 Acceleration sensor 2026 Brake pedal sensor 2027 Shift lever sensor 2028 Object detection sensor 2029 Accelerator pedal sensor 2030 Driver assistance system unit 2031 Microprocessor 2032 Memory (ROM, RAM) 2033 Communication port (I / O port)

Claims

1. A base station comprising a distributed unit and a radio unit, wherein the distributed unit and the radio unit each include a control unit that assumes the use of a newly defined new section type for transmitting beamforming information based on an SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), and a communication unit that sends and receives messages including the new section type between the distributed unit and the radio unit.

2. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the control unit assumes that a newly defined new section extension is used for transmitting additional information relating to beamforming based on SRS, and the communication unit sends and receives messages including the new section extension between the distributed unit and the radio unit.

3. The base station according to claim 2, wherein the communication unit sends and receives messages between the distributed unit and the radio unit, including the new section type or the new section extension, in which information regarding compressed SRS channel estimation results or beamforming weights is set.

4. The base station according to claim 2, wherein the control unit assumes that the new section type and the new section extension will be used while maintaining compatibility with existing section types and section extensions.

5. The base station according to claim 2, wherein the control unit assumes that the distributed unit transmits a message to the radio unit including the new section extension which has been set to an instruction to update the settings related to SRS or an instruction to update the beamforming parameters, and the radio unit transmits a message to the distributed unit including the SRS estimation result or the new section type which has been set to beamforming parameters.

6. The base station according to claim 1, wherein the control unit assumes that a message including the new section type in which compressed channel state information is set is transmitted from the distributed unit to the radio unit.

Citation Information

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