Wireless terminal, wireless access network node, and methods for same

Abstract

A wireless terminal according to the present invention uses a parameter included in a 5G MIB to detect whether or not at least one of a cell which is associated with a 5G synchronization signal (SS) and a 5G PBCH, a frequency band in which the 5G SS and the 5G PBCH are transmitted, one or more settings which are included in the 5G SS, the 5G PBCH, and the 5G MIB, and one or more settings which are included in a 5G SIB received on the basis of the 5G MIB is shared for a radio access technology RAT which is different from a 5G RAT. This allows, for example, a wireless terminal to easily identify whether a 5G cell is a pure 5G cell or a cell that supports multi-RAT spectrum sharing with another RAT (e.g., 6G RAT).

Description

Wireless terminals, wireless access network nodes, and methods thereof

[0001] This disclosure relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to multi-Radio Access Technology (RAT) spectrum sharing (MRSS).

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) has committed to the development of sixth-generation (6G) mobile systems and plans to begin work on 6G standardization in 2024. For the deployment of 6G systems and the migration from fifth-generation (5G) systems to 6G systems, several vendors are recommending Multi-RAT Spectrum Sharing (MRSS) between 5G and 6G (see, for example, Non-Patent Documents 1-3).

[0003] Non-patent document 3 describes MRSS as follows: As research and development of 6G networks progresses, addressing the challenge of frequency shortages is becoming extremely important. New frequency bands may be allocated for 6G, but existing frequency bands used for 5G remain important for 6G coverage and capacity. MRSS and 6G carrier aggregation are recommended to achieve a seamless transition from 5G to 6G without compromising network performance. Initial 6G deployments are expected to provide coverage and capacity performance at least equivalent to 5G. To achieve this goal, the MRSS approach should strive to achieve maximum dynamic spectrum sharing with 5G with minimal overhead. In MRSS, the fixed downlink overhead of 5G NR may be due to 5G Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) symbols, as well as Synchronization Signal (SS) / Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) block (SSB), system information, and paging transmissions. In addition to the flexibility offered by 5G NR, there is room for further improvement. For example, some reuse of 5G reference signals is being considered. Primary and Secondary Synchronization Signals (PSS and SSS) from 5G NR cells are promising candidates. This approach not only minimizes physical layer overheads but could also improve overall energy efficiency in certain scenarios.

[0004] Ericsson, "Co-creating a cyber-physical world", [online], July 2024, [searched on October 27, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.ericsson.com / en / reports-and-papers / white-papers / co-creating-a-cyber-physical-world> Qualcomm, "6G foundry: Make the migration from 5G to 6G a rewarding experience", [online], [searched on October 27, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / www.qualcomm.com / content / dam / qcomm-martech / dm-assets / documents / 6G-foundry-2-5G-to-6G-migration.pdf> Nokia, "Simplifying spectrum migration from 5G to 6G", [online], [searched on October 27, 2024], Internet <URL: https: / / onestore.nokia.com / asset / 213378>

[0005] As described in Non-Patent Document 3, it is preferable that the MRSS between 5G and 6G can minimize the overhead when sharing the spectrum (i.e., frequency band), which can contribute to improving the frequency utilization efficiency. As described above, Non-Patent Document 3 mentions the possibility of reducing the downlink overhead of MRSS by reusing 5G reference signals to some extent, and states that the PSS and SSS of 5G NR cells are promising candidates. However, at present, the detailed mechanism for reducing the overhead of MRSS is not clear.

[0006] To reduce the overhead of MRSS, it may be desirable to design the 6G architecture or MRSS mechanism to share as much as possible between 5G and 6G, including not only 5G NR PSS and SSS, but also other 5G NR downlink physical signals, 5G NR downlink physical channels, and / or 5G NR system information. If 5G NR downlink physical signals, 5G NR downlink physical channels, and / or 5G NR system information are shared between 5G and 6G systems, a mechanism may be needed to allow 6G User Equipment (UEs) to easily identify whether a 5G NR cell is a pure 5G NR cell or a cell that supports MRSS with 6G (e.g., an MRSS cell, an MRSS-supporting cell, a 5G / 6G cell, or a 5G / 6G shared cell).

[0007] One of the objectives that the embodiments disclosed herein seek to achieve is to provide an apparatus, method, and program that contribute to solving at least one of several problems related to MRSS, including the problems described above. It should be noted that this objective is only one of several objectives that the embodiments disclosed herein seek to achieve. Other objectives or problems and novel features will be revealed in this specification or in the accompanying drawings.

[0008] In a first embodiment, a wireless terminal is configured to receive a 5G NR SS and a 5G NR PBCH, and to decode a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH. The wireless terminal is further configured to detect, using parameters contained in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another RAT (e.g., a 6G RAT) different from the 5G NR Radio Access Technology (RAT): the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings contained in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings contained in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB.

[0009] In a second embodiment, the method performed by the wireless terminal includes the following steps: (a) receiving a 5G NR SS and a 5G NR PBCH; (b) decoding a 5G NR MIB from the received 5G NR PBCH; and (c) detecting, using parameters contained in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another RAT (e.g., a 6G RAT) different from the 5G NR RAT: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings contained in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings contained in the 5G NR SIB received based on the 5G NR MIB.

[0010] In the third embodiment, one or more programs include one or more instructions. When the one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of a wireless terminal, they cause the wireless terminal to perform the method according to the second embodiment.

[0011] In a fourth embodiment, a radio access network node is configured to transmit 5G NR SS and 5G NR PBCH. The 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR MIB. The 5G NR MIB includes parameters indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR SIB associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for another RAT (e.g., a 6G RAT) different from the 5G NR RAT.

[0012] In a fifth embodiment, the method performed by a radio access network node includes transmitting a 5G NR SS and a 5G NR PBCH. The 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR MIB. The 5G NR MIB includes parameters indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR SIB associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for another RAT (e.g., a 6G RAT) different from the 5G NR RAT.

[0013] In the sixth aspect, one or more programs include one or more instructions. When the one or more instructions are executed by one or more processors of a wireless access network node, they cause the access network node to perform the method according to the fifth aspect.

[0014] According to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide an apparatus, method, and program that contribute to solving at least one of several problems related to MRSS.

[0015] This is a diagram showing an example configuration of a wireless communication system relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a UE and a radio access network node relating to one or more embodiments. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a UE relating to one or more embodiments. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a UE relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a UE and a radio access network node relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of resource allocation for an extended SSB relating to one or more embodiments. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a UE relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of an extended 5G NR SIB Type 1 (SIB1) relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of the operation of a UE and a radio access network node relating to one or more embodiments. This is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of a UE relating to one or more embodiments. This is a diagram showing an example of information elements included in an extended 5G NR SIB Type 1 (SIB1) relating to one or more embodiments. This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a UE relating to one or more embodiments. This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a radio access network node relating to one or more embodiments. This is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a radio access network node relating to one or more embodiments.

[0016] The following describes specific embodiments in detail with reference to the drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are omitted where necessary for clarity.

[0017] The multiple embodiments described below may be used individually or two or more embodiments may be combined as appropriate. These multiple embodiments may have novel features that differ from each other. Therefore, these multiple embodiments may contribute to achieving different objectives or solving different problems, and may contribute to producing different effects.

[0018] Each drawing is merely illustrative to illustrate one or more embodiments. Each drawing may be associated with one or more other embodiments, rather than being associated with only one specific embodiment. As those skilled in the art will understand, various features or steps described with reference to any one drawing can be combined with features or steps shown in one or more other drawings, for example, to create embodiments not explicitly shown or described. Not all features or steps shown in any one drawing to illustrate an exemplary embodiment are necessarily required, and some features or steps may be omitted. The order of steps described in any of the drawings may be changed as appropriate.

[0019] The following embodiments primarily describe 3GPP mobile communication systems, specifically 5G and 6G systems. However, these embodiments may also be applicable to other wireless communication systems. The term 5G as used herein includes improvements and developments of 5G and 5G-Advanced to enable interworking with 6G systems, unless otherwise specified.

[0020] As used herein, depending on the context, "if" may be interpreted as meaning "when," "while," "at or around the time," "after," "upon," "in response to," "in response to determining," "in accordance with a determination," or "in response to detecting." These expressions may be interpreted as having the same meaning depending on the context. As used herein, depending on the context, "in response to" may be rephrased as "based on."

[0021] First, the configuration and operation of several network elements common to multiple embodiments will be described. Figure 1 shows an example configuration of a wireless communication system according to multiple embodiments. Each element (network function) shown in Figure 1 can be implemented, for example, as a network element on dedicated hardware, as a running software instance on dedicated hardware, or as an instantiated virtualization function on an application platform.

[0022] Figure 1 shows an example of a 6G system development using MRSS between 5G and 6G. Cell 13 is a cell that supports MRSS between 5G and 6G. It can also be said that MRSS cell 13 is shared by a 5G NR RAT and other RATs (i.e., a 6G RAT). Cell 13 may also be called, for example, an MRSS cell, an MRSS supporting cell, a 5G cell, a 5G / 6G cell, a 5G / 6G MRSS cell, or a 5G / 6G shared cell. Cell 13 (i.e., MRSS cell) may be shared by one or more 5G UEs 3 and one or more 6G UEs 4.

[0023] In some implementations, one or more 5G UEs 3 can camp on to MRSS cell 13, access cell 13, and transition to the Radio Resource Control (RRC)_CONNECTED state in cell 13. One or more 5G UEs 3 may also be configured as a data radio bearer (DRB) in cell 13 and perform user-plane communication via the DRB. Similarly, in some implementations, one or more 6G UEs 4 can camp on to MRSS cell 13, access cell 13, and transition to the RRC_CONNECTED state in cell 13. One or more 6G UEs 4 may also be configured as a DRB in cell 13 and perform user-plane communication via the DRB.

[0024] In contrast, cell 23 is a cell specific to 6G (or 6G RAT). Cell 23 may also be called a 6G cell, a 6G specific cell, or a 6G-dedicated cell. Cell 23 (i.e., 6G cell) may be used by one or more 6G UEs 4. In some implementations, one or more 6G UEs 4 may have a DRB configured in cell 13 and perform user plane communication via the DRB.

[0025] As described above, MRSS and 6G carrier aggregation may be useful in achieving a seamless transition between 5G and 6G. The MRSS cell 13 may be deployed in the low frequency band (e.g., sub-6 GHz) for coverage, and the 6G cell 23 may be deployed in the mid frequency band (e.g., 6–15 GHz) or high frequency band (e.g., millimeter wave or subterahertz) for capacity. The network may configure carrier aggregation between the MRSS cell 13 and the 6G cell 23 in the 6G UE 4, and the 6G UE 4 may use the 6G cell 23 as a secondary cell for carrier aggregation.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 1, the radio unit (RU) 12 is shared for 5G and 6G. The RU 12 may be called, for example, a 5G / 6G RU, a 5G / 6G shared RU, an MRSS RU, or an MRSS supporting RU. The RU 12 may also be called a Transmission Reception Point (TRP) or a Remote Radio Head (RRH). The 5G / 6G RU 12 performs low physical (PHY) layer signal processing and analog Radio Frequency (RF) signal processing for the MRSS cell 13. The 5G / 6G RU 12 may be an existing or improved RU compliant with the Open Radio Access Network (O-RAN) technical specification, i.e., an O-RAN RU (O-RU).

[0027] The 5G / 6G RU 12 includes or is connected to one or more antenna arrays. The 5G / 6G RU 12 has multiple RF chains equal to or less than the total number of antenna elements included in the one or more antenna arrays. The 5G / 6G RU 12 further includes a Digital Front End (DFE). The DFE provides lower PHY layer signal processing and digital radio signal processing. Lower PHY layer signal processing includes, for example, fast Fourier Transform (FFT) and inverse FFT (IFFT). Lower PHY layer signal processing may further include Cyclic Prefix (CP) removal and Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) extraction or filtering. Digital radio signal processing may include, for example, digital pre-distortion (DPD), crest factor reduction (CFR), digital up conversion (DUC), digital down conversion (DDC), and transmit / receive baseband channel filtering. The DFE may perform digital baseband precoding for beamforming. If a hybrid beamforming scheme is employed, analog beamformer circuits or analog precoders (e.g., phase shifter matrices) may be placed between one or more antenna arrays and multiple RF chains.

[0028] On the other hand, in the example of Figure 1, RU22 is an RU specific to 6G (or 6G RAT). RU22 may also be called a 6G RU, a 6G-specific RU, or a 6G-dedicated RU. RU22 may also be called a TRP or RRH. The 6G RU22 performs low-PHY layer signal processing and analog RF signal processing for the 6G cell 23. The 6G RU22 may have a configuration similar to the 5G / 6G RU12 described above.

[0029] The 5G RAN functions 11 provide the functions and processing of a 5G NR RAN node (i.e., gNB), excluding the functions and processing provided by the 5G / 6G RU 12. The 5G RAN functions 11 may also provide the functions of a gNB central unit (CU) and a gNB distributed unit (DU), excluding the functions and processing provided by the 5G / 6G RU 12. The 5G RAN functions 11 may also provide the functions of an O-RAN CU (O-CU) and an O-RAN DU (O-DU). The 5G RAN functions 11 may be connected to the 5G / 6G RU 12 by an existing or enhanced O-RAN fronthaul interface. The O-RAN fronthaul interface is a logical interface, also known as a lower layer split (LLS). In some implementations, the 5G RAN function 11 may include the gNB's RRC layer, Service Data Adaptation Protocol (SDAP) layer, Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP) layer, Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, Medium Access Control (MAC) layer, and high PHY layer. In other words, the 5G RAN function 11 may include the 5G NR RRC, 5G NR SDAP, 5G NR PDCP, 5G NR RLC, 5G NR MAC, and 5G NR high PHY layer.

[0030] The 6G RAN functions 21 provide the functions and processing of a 6G RAN node, excluding the functions and processing provided by the 5G / 6G RU 12 and 6G RU 22. The 6G RAN node may also be referred to in other terms such as a 6G base station, 6G radio station, or 6G access point. The 6G RAN functions 21 may be connected to the 5G / 6G RU 12 with an existing or enhanced O-RAN fronthaul interface. The 6G RAN functions 21 may be connected to the 6G RU 22 with an enhanced O-RAN fronthaul interface. The 6G RAN functions 21 provide RAN functions specific to the 6G RAT, distinct from the 5G RAN functions. In some implementations, the 6G RAN functions 21 may include a 6G RRC layer, a 6G data link layer, and a 6G upper PHY layer. The 6G data link layer may also be referred to as 6G Layer 2. The data link layer of the 6G control plane may include a PDCP sublayer, an RLC sublayer, and a MAC sublayer, similar to that of 5G. The data link layer of the 6G user plane may also include an SDAP sublayer, a PDCP sublayer, an RLC sublayer, and a MAC sublayer, similar to that of 5G.

[0031] The 6G RAN functions 21 and the 6G UE 4 may support 6G carrier aggregation between the MRSS cell 13 and the 6G cell 23. The MRSS cell 13 may be used as the primary cell (i.e., anchor cell) of the 6G carrier aggregation, and the 6G cell 23 may be used as the secondary cell of the 6G carrier aggregation.

[0032] As shown by the dotted line in Figure 1, one or more interfaces are provided between the 5G RAN function 11 and the 6G RAN function 21, and these interfaces may be used for MRSS. These interfaces may include a control plane interface and a user plane interface. These interfaces may include an interface between a 5G CU (e.g., gNB-CU or O-CU) in the 5G RAN function 11 and a 6G CU in the 6G RAN function 21. These interfaces may also include an interface between a 5G DU (e.g., gNB-DU or O-DU) in the 5G RAN function 11 and a 6G DU in the 6G RAN function 21.

[0033] <First Embodiment> The configuration example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration example described with reference to Figure 1. Figure 2 shows an example of the operation of the 6G UE 4 and the RAN node 202. The RAN node 202 may be one of the 5G / 6G RU 12, 5G RAN function 11, and 6G RAN function 21 shown in Figure 1, or any combination thereof.

[0034] In step 221, RAN node 202 transmits a 5G NR SS / PBCH block (SSB) in MRSS cell 13. The 5G NR SSB may be transmitted as an SSB burst. According to the current 5G NR 3GPP specification, the SSB burst period, i.e., the transmission period or cycle of the SSB burst, can be 5 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, or 160 ms. However, a typical value for the SSB burst period is 20 ms. If not specified, the UE defaults to assuming an SSB period of 20 milliseconds and searches for the SSB.

[0035] According to the current 5G NR 3GPP specification, one 5G NR SSB includes a 5G NR PSS, 5G NR SSS, 5G NR PBCH, and 5G NR PBCH Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS). One 5G NR SSB spans four consecutive Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in the time domain and 240 consecutive subcarriers (i.e., 20 resource blocks) in the frequency domain.

[0036] 5G NR PSS and 5G NR SSS are physical layer signals used by 5G UEs3 and 6G UEs4 for downlink synchronization (or radio frame synchronization). If a UE (i.e., a 5G UE or 6G UE) is in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state and is not synchronized with the radio access network, the UE first attempts to detect the PSS, and if successful, begins decoding the entire SSB. The UE can obtain the Physical Cell ID (PCI) from the PSS and SSS sequences.

[0037] The 5G NR PBCH DMRS is used by 5G UEs3 and 6G UEs4 to demodulate 5G NR PBCH. The location of the PBCH DMRS depends on the PCI. The UE (i.e., 5G UE or 6G UE) can determine the location of the PBCH DMRS within the SSB based on the PCI obtained from the PSS and SSS sequences. The UE performs channel estimation based on the received PBCH DMRS and demodulates and decodes the PBCH using the estimated channel matrix.

[0038] The 5G NR PBCH is the downlink physical channel. The payload of the 5G NR PBCH contains essential system information, namely the Master Information Block (MIB), along with other information (e.g., part of the SSB index). The SSB index is divided into two fields: the first field is carried as part of the PBCH payload, and the second field of the SSB index is carried as part of the PBCH DMRS sequence.

[0039] The SSB in step 221 may be a Cell Defining SSB (CD-SSB). According to the current 5G NR 3GPP specification, CD-SSB is an SSB associated with Remaining Minimum System Information (RMSI), i.e., System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1). CD-SSB is transmitted within a synchronous raster, which occupies a predetermined (or fixed) portion of the frequency range within the 5G NR channel bandwidth.

[0040] 6G UE4 attempts to receive 5G NR SSB (221) in MRSS cell 13. In step 222, 6G UE4 decodes the 5G NR PSS sequence and the 5G NR SSS sequence. In step 223, 6G UE4 decodes the 5G NR PBCH. In step 224, 6G UE4 decodes the 5G NR MIB from the 5G NR PBCH.

[0041] In step 225, the 6G UE 4 detects MRSS information from the decoded 5G NR MIB. MRSS information may also be called MRSS parameters. The 6G UE 4 uses the MRSS information contained in the 5G NR MIB to determine whether at least one of the following is shared for the 6G RAT: 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13, 5G NR frequency band on which 5G NR SSB is transmitted, 5G NR SS (i.e., PSS and SSS), 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings contained in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings contained in the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) received based on the 5G NR MIB.

[0042] The MRSS information may indicate whether at least one of the following is shared for 6G RAT: MRSS cell 13, 5G NR frequency bands transmitted by 5G NR SSB, 5G NR SS (e.g., PSS and SSS), 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) received based on 5G NR MIB.

[0043] A spare bit (1 bit) in the 5G NR MIB may be used for MRSS information. For example, if the MRSS information (e.g., the spare bit in the 5G NR MIB) is set to a predetermined value (e.g., 1), the 6G UE 4 may consider the received 5G NR MIB to be a 6G MIB. If the MRSS information is set to a predetermined value, the 6G UE 4 may understand that the 5G NR cell 13 is a cell that supports 6G RAT (i.e., an MRSS cell).

[0044] Figure 3 shows an example of the operation of 6G UE 4. In step 301, 6G UE 4 decodes the 5G NR MIB transmitted in 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13 (or associated with 5G cell 13). In step 302, 6G UE 4 uses the MRSS information included in the 5G NR MIB to detect whether at least one of the 5G NR cell 13, the 5G NR frequency band of 5G NR cell 13, 5G NR SS, 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR SIB is shared for the 6G RAT.

[0045] According to the operations described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, 6G UE 4 can identify whether the 5G NR cell is a pure 5G NR cell or a cell that supports MRSS with 6G using the parameters (i.e., the above-mentioned MRSS information) included in the 5G NR MIB. In other words, the operations described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 enable 6G UE 4 to easily identify whether the 5G NR cell is a pure 5G NR cell or a cell that supports MRSS with 6G.

[0046] A mechanism similar to the transmission of the MRSS information described in this embodiment may be used as follows. In some implementations, 5G NR SSB may be fully reused for the transmission of synchronization signals and MIB in 6G RAT. In other words, in a pure 6G cell (or 6G RAT cell), such as 6G cell 23 in FIG. 1, an SSB similar to 5G NR SSB may be transmitted. In this case, the MIB carried by the SSB transmitted in the pure 6G cell may include information indicating that the cell is a 6G cell (or for 6G RAT). For example, bits corresponding to spare bits in the 5G NR MIB may be used for this information.

[0047] <Second Embodiment> The configuration example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration example described with reference to FIG. 1. This embodiment provides a specific example of the operations of the 6G UE and the RAN node described in the first embodiment. This embodiment relates to a case where some or all of the settings, parameters, or fields included in the 5G NR MIB are shared for 6G.

[0048] FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation of the 6G UE 4. Step 401 is the same as step 301 in FIG. 3. Specifically, the 6G UE 4 decodes the 5G NR MIB transmitted in the 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13 (or associated with the cell 13). In step 402, it is detected using the MRSS information included in the 5G NR MIB whether one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB are shared for the 6G RAT.

[0049] The MRSS information may indicate whether the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT. If the MRSS information indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT, the 6G UE 4 may consider the received 5G NR MIB as the 6G MIB.

[0050] Further or alternatively, if the MRSS information indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT, the 6G UE 4 may understand that the 5G NR cell 13 is a cell that supports the 6G RAT (i.e., MRSS cell).

[0051] Further or alternatively, if the MRSS information indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT, the 6G UE 4 may reuse one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB for the 6G cell deployed in the 5G NR frequency band. When the MRSS cell 13 is deployed or identified as two individual cells, namely the 5G NR cell and the 6G cell, the 6G UE 4 may operate in this way.

[0052] Furthermore, or alternatively, if the MRSS information indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT, the 6G UE 4 may understand that the entire 5G NR MIB also applies to the 6G RAT. The 6G UE 4 may also understand that the 5G NR synchronous raster of the 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13 and the cell ID (PCI) obtained from the 5G NR PSS and SSS also apply to the 6G RAT. Furthermore, the 6G UE 4 may also understand that all parameters or fields included in the 5G NR MIB, namely systemFrameNumber, subcarrierSpacingCommon, ssb-SubcarrierOffset, dmrs-TypeA-Position, pdcch-ConfigSIB1, cellBarred, and intraFreqReselection, also apply to the 6G RAT.

[0053] Furthermore, or alternatively, if the MRSS information indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or 5G NR MIB is shared for the 6G RAT, the 6G UE 4 may understand that some (or only some) of the settings included in the 5G NR MIB also apply to the 6G RAT. The 6G UE 4 may also understand that the cell ID (PCI) obtained from the 5G NR synchronous raster and 5G NR PSS and SSS of the 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13 also applies to the 6G RAT. In addition, the 6G UE 4 may understand that some of the systemFrameNumber, subcarrierSpacingCommon, ssb-SubcarrierOffset, dmrs-TypeA-Position, pdcch-ConfigSIB1, cellBarred, and intraFreqReselection included in the 5G NR MIB also apply to the 6G RAT. For example, 6G UE4 can be understood as including at least systemFrameNumber, subcarrierSpacingCommon, and ssb-SubcarrierOffset, which are included in the 5G NR MIB, and also apply to 6G RAT.

[0054] For example, a 6G cellBarred field specific to or separate for 6G UEs may be defined separately from the 5G NR cellBarred field included in the 5G NR MIB. In some implementations, if the 5G NR cellBarred field included in the 5G NR MIB received in MRSS cell 13 is set to "barred", 6G UE 4 may obtain and follow the 6G specific or separate cellBarred field. If the 5G NR cellBarred field included in the 5G NR MIB received in MRSS cell 13 is set to "not barred", 6G UE 4 may skip obtaining the 6G specific or separate cellBarred field. This allows MRSS cell 13 to impose different barring criteria on 6G UEs than on 5G UEs.

[0055] In other examples, a 6G pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field specific to or separate for 6G UEs may be defined separately from the 5G NR pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field included in the 5G NR MIB. Furthermore, or alternatively, a 6G ssb-SubcarrierOffset field specific to or separate for 6G UEs may be defined separately from the 5G NR ssb-SubcarrierOffset field included in the 5G NR MIB. In some implementations, if the 5G NR pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field indicates that SIB1 does not exist, or if the 5G NR pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field indicates a frequency location where the UE cannot find an SS / PBCH with the control resource set and search space of SIB1, the 6G UE 4 may obtain and follow one or both of the 6G specific or separate pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field and the ssb-SubcarrierOffset field. Otherwise, the 6G UE4 may skip retrieving one or both of the 6G-specific or separate pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field and ssb-SubcarrierOffset field.

[0056] As described with reference to Figure 4, the 6G UE 4 can use the parameters contained in the 5G NR MIB (i.e., the MRSS information mentioned above) to determine whether the 5G NR PBCH and / or 5G NR MIB are shared for 6G. In other words, the operation described with reference to Figure 4 allows the 6G UE 4 to easily determine whether a 5G NR cell is a pure 5G NR cell or a cell that supports MRSS with 6G.

[0057] In cases where only some of the settings included in the 5G NR MIB are shared for the 6G RAT, the 5G NR MIB may be extended to include one or more shared settings shared for both the 5G NR RAT and the 6G RAT, one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR RAT, and one or more individual settings specific to the 6G RAT.

[0058] Furthermore, or alternatively, the MRSS cell 13 may further transmit a 6G MIB containing settings, parameters, or fields specific to or unique to 6G. The 6G MIB may be carried by a 6G specific or unique 6G PBCH. The 6G UE 4 may receive the 6G PBCH in the MRSS cell 13 and decode the 6G MIB from the 6G PBCH.

[0059] Figure 5 shows an example of the operation of the 6G UE 4 and the RAN node 502. The RAN node 502 may be one of the 5G / 6G RU 12, 5G RAN function 11, and 6G RAN function 21 shown in Figure 1, or any combination thereof. Steps 521 to 525 in Figure 5 are the same as steps 221 to 225 in Figure 2. Steps 524 and 525 in Figure 5 are the same as steps 401 and 402 in Figure 4.

[0060] In step 526, RAN node 502 transmits a 6G(-specific) PBCH in MRSS cell 13. The 6G(-specific) PBCH carries another 6G(-specific) PBCH. In step 527, 6G UE 4 receives the 6G(-specific) PBCH in MRSS cell 13 and decodes it. In step 528, 6G UE 4 decodes the 6G(-specific) MIB from the 6G(-specific) PBCH. As described above, 6G UE 4 may receive the 6G(-specific) PBCH and 6G(-specific) MIB as necessary (steps 527 and 528), taking into consideration or based on the information contained in the 5G NR MIB.

[0061] 6G(-specific) PBCH may be transmitted using one or more OFDM symbols that are included in or consecutive with the 5G NR SS (i.e., PSS and SSS) and 5G NR PBCH transmitted, and multiple subcarriers that are included in or consecutive with the 5G NR SS and 5G NR PBCH transmitted. In some implementations, 6G(-specific) PBCH may be transmitted using the OFDM symbols and subcarriers shown in Figure 6.

[0062] <Third Embodiment> The configuration example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration example described with reference to Figure 1. This embodiment provides a specific example of the operation of the 6G UE and RAN node described in the first embodiment. This embodiment relates to a case in which some or all of the settings, parameters, or fields included in the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) are shared for 6G.

[0063] Figure 7 shows an example of the operation of 6G UE 4. Step 701 is the same as step 301 in Figure 3 and step 401 in Figure 4. Specifically, 6G UE 4 decodes the 5G NR MIB transmitted in (or associated with) the 5G cell (i.e., MRSS cell) 13. In step 702, MRSS information contained in the 5G NR MIB is used to determine whether one or more settings contained in the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) are shared for the 6G RAT. The MRSS information may indicate whether the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) is shared for the 6G RAT.

[0064] If MRSS information indicates that a 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) is shared for 6G RAT, then 6G UE4 may understand that the entire 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) also applies to 6G RAT. 6G UE4 may also understand that all parameters or fields included in 5G NR SIB1 also apply to 6G RAT. Parameters or fields included in 5G NR SIB1 include cellSelectionInfo, CellAccessRelatedInfo, connEstFailureControl, si-SchedulingInfo, servingCellConfigCommon, ims-EmergencySupport, ue-TimersAndConstants, uac-BarringInfo, and useFullResumeID. SIB1 fields shared for 6G may be specified, for example, based on the release. For example, the Release 15 SIB1 field may be shared for 6G RAT, or the Release 15 and Release 16 SIB1 fields may be shared for 6G RAT.

[0065] Furthermore, if MRSS information indicates that a 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) is shared for 6G RATs, 6G UE4 may understand that some (or only some) of the settings included in the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) also apply to 6G RATs. For example, 6G UE4 may understand that at least cellSelectionInfo, CellAccessRelatedInfo, and connEstFailureControl included in 5G NR SIB1 also apply to 6G RATs. MRSS cell 13 may specify one or more SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields that are specific or separate for 6G UEs. These 6G-specific or separate SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields are optional, and if they are not present, 6G UE4 may understand that the corresponding 5G SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields are also used for 6G.

[0066] 6G-specific or individual SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields may include at least one of the following: si-SchedulingInfo, servingCellConfigCommon, ims-EmergencySupport, ue-TimersAndConstants, uac-BarringInfo, and useFullResumeID.

[0067] 6G-specific or individual SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields may include random access settings (or RACH settings) specific to 6G RATs. 6G RAT-specific random access (or RACH) settings may include a 6G RAT-specific rach-ConfigCommon field. In this case, MRSS information within the 5G NR MIB may indicate whether random access settings included in the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) are shared for 6G RATs.

[0068] 6G-specific or individual SIB1 settings, parameters, or fields may include at least one of the following settings specific to a 6G RAT: PDCCH settings, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) settings, Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) settings, and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) settings. 6G-specific or individual PDCCH settings may include at least one of the pdcch-ConfigCommon field and pdcch-ServingCellConfig field. 6G-specific or individual PUCCH settings may include the pucch-configCommon field. 6G-specific or individual PDSCH settings may include at least one of the pdsch-ConfigCommon field and pdsch-ServingCellConfig field. 6G-specific or individual PUSCH settings may include at least one of the pushch-ConfigCommon field and pushch-ServingCellConfig field.

[0069] As described with reference to Figure 7, the 6G UE 4 can use parameters included in the 5G NR MIB (i.e., the MRSS information mentioned above) to determine whether a 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) is shared for 6G. In other words, the operation described with reference to Figure 7 allows the 6G UE 4 to easily determine whether a 5G NR cell is a pure 5G NR cell or a cell that supports MRSS with 6G.

[0070] In cases where only some of the multiple settings included in a 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) are shared for a 6G RAT, the 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) may be extended to include one or more shared settings shared for both the 5G NR RAT and the 6G RAT (e.g., cellSelectionInfo, CellAccessRelatedInfo, and connEstFailureControl), one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR RAT (e.g., 5G specific servingCellConfigCommon), and one or more individual settings specific to the 6G RAT (e.g., 6G specific servingCellConfigCommon).

[0071] Figure 8 shows several examples of how one or more individual settings specific to a 6G RAT (e.g., 6G specific servingCellConfigCommon) can be included in the 5G NR SIB1. In the first option, indicated by reference numeral 801, the 5G NR SIB1 is extended to include a 6G RAT specific rach-ConfigCommon field (e.g., rach-ConfigCommon6G-r20). In the second option, indicated by reference numeral 802, the 5G NR SIB1 is extended to include a 6G RAT specific initialUplinkBWP field (e.g., initialUplinkBWP6G-r20). In the third option, indicated by reference numeral 803, the 5G NR SIB1 is extended to include a 6G RAT specific uplinkConfigCommon field (e.g., uplinkConfigCommon6G-r20). In the fourth option indicated by reference numeral 804, the 5G NR SIB1 is extended to include a servingCellConfigCommon field specific to the 6G RAT (i.e., servingCellConfigCommon6G-r20).

[0072] Furthermore, or alternatively, in cases where only some of the multiple settings included in a 5G NR SIB (e.g., SIB1) are shared for a 6G RAT, the MRSS cell 13 may further transmit a 6G(-specific) SIB (e.g., 6G(-specific) SIB1) containing settings, parameters, or fields specific to or unique to 6G. The 6G-specific or separate pdcch-ConfigSIB1 fields described in the second embodiment may be used to specify the control resource set and search space for monitoring the PDCCH and Downlink Control Information (DCI) indicating the scheduling of the 6G(-specific) SIB1. Alternatively, a 6G-specific or separate System Information Radio Network Temporary Identifier (SI-RNTI) may be defined to decode the DCI indicating the scheduling of the 6G(-specific) SIB1. In a common control resource set and search space for 5G SIB1 and 6G SIB1, 6G UE4 monitors the scheduling (PDCCH / DCI) of 5G SIB1 using 5G NR SI-RNTI and the scheduling (PDCCH / DCI) of 6G SIB1 using 6G SI-RNTI.

[0073] Figure 9 shows an example of the operation of the 6G UE4 and RAN node 902. The RAN node 902 may be one of the 5G / 6G RU12, 5G RAN function 11, and 6G RAN function 21 shown in Figure 1, or any combination thereof. Steps 921 to 925 in Figure 9 are the same as steps 221 to 225 in Figure 2. Steps 924 and 925 in Figure 9 are the same as steps 701 and 702 in Figure 7.

[0074] In step 926, RAN node 902 transmits a 5G NR SIB1 in MRSS cell 13. In step 927, 6G UE 4 receives the 5G NR SIB1 in MRSS cell 13 and decodes it. In step 928, RAN node 902 transmits a 6G(-specific) SIB1 in MRSS cell 13. In step 929, 6G UE 4 receives the 6G(-specific) SIB1 in MRSS cell 13 and decodes it.

[0075] <Fourth Embodiment> The configuration example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration example described with reference to Figure 1. This embodiment relates to the camp-on of a 6G UE 4 to an MRSS cell 13. This embodiment may be used in combination with at least one of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0076] When the RRC state of 6G UE4 is RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE, 6G UE4 searches for a suitable cell to camp on according to the cell selection criteria or cell reselection criteria. Once a suitable cell is found, 6G UE4 camps on to that cell. Camping on to a cell means that 6G UE4 has completed the cell selection or reselection process and selected the cell. The term "camp on" means that 6G UE4 is staying in a cell and ready to initiate potential dedicated services in that cell. To do this, 6G UE4 needs to acquire or possess essential system information (e.g., MIB and SIB1, either or both) in that cell. In particular, when 6G UE4 is in the RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE state, a serving cell of 6G UE4 can be said to be a cell to which 6G UE4 is camped. Serving cells are sometimes also called camped cells.

[0077] Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of 6G UE 4. In step 1001, 6G UE 4 starts cell selection or cell re-selection. In step 1002, 6G UE 4 decides whether to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE.

[0078] In the first option, whether to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE depends on the implementation of the 6G UE 4.

[0079] In the second option, the 6G UE 4 is configured by the network to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as either a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE. In other words, the 6G UE 4 decides whether to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE according to the network configuration. The network may configure the corresponding neighboring frequency (or cell) as a 5G cell or a 6G cell via an SIB (for RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE UE) or an RRC message (for RRC_CONNECTED UE). The 6G UE 4 may receive this network configuration in the serving cell or the camped-on cell as configuration information for, for example, inter-frequency cell reselection or inter-RAT cell reselection. If 6G UE4 does not receive such a configuration, whether it camps on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE may depend on the implementation of 6G UE4.

[0080] In the third option, 6G UE 4 determines, based on one or more rules, whether to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE or a 6G UE. The network may indicate to 6G UE 4 whether to apply these rules via an SIB (for RRC_IDLE or RRC_INACTIVE UE) or a dedicated RRC message (for RRC_CONNECTED UE). These rules may include at least one of the following rules:

[0081] Under one rule, if 6G UE4 is already camped on another 5G NR cell in the same frequency band as MRSS cell 13, it decides to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE. In other words, if 6G UE4 is already camped on another cell (e.g., a 5G NR cell, another MRSS cell) in the same frequency band as MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE, it decides to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE.

[0082] Under one rule, if 6G UE4 is already camped on another 6G cell in the same frequency band as MRSS cell 13, it decides to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE. In other words, if 6G UE4 is already camped on another cell (e.g., a 6G cell, another MRSS cell) in the same frequency band as MRSS cell 13, it decides to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE.

[0083] Under one rule, if 6G UE4 has previously camped on MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE, it will decide to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE.

[0084] According to one rule, if 6G UE4 has previously been camped on MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE, then it decides to camp on MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE.

[0085] According to one rule, 6G UE4 decides to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 5G NR UE if 6G UE4 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing the RRC connection in the 5G NR cell (or MRSS cell 13 connected as a 5G NR UE or another MRSS cell).

[0086] Under one rule, 6G UE4 decides to camp on to MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE if 6G UE4 is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing the RRC connection in the 6G cell (or MRSS cell 13 connected as a 6G UE or another MRSS cell).

[0087] The operation described with reference to Figure 10 contributes to clarifying the operation of camping on the 6G UE 4 to the MRSS cell 13.

[0088] When performing random access to MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE, 6G UE 4 may use the random access resources (or RACH resources) allocated to the 6G RAT. This behavior helps enable 6G UE 4 to access MRSS cell 13 using the same random access procedure as 5G UEs. This behavior helps enable the network to identify 6G UE 4 when it accesses MRSS cell 13 using the same random access procedure as 5G UEs.

[0089] For example, 6G UE4 selects one RACH resource from a set of random access resources (or RACH resources) partitioned for 6G RAT to be used for RACH preamble transmission. The set of RACH resources includes RACH preambles, or combinations of RACH occasions and RACH preambles. One RACH occasion is the time and frequency resources for RACH preamble transmission.

[0090] A RAN node, i.e., one or any combination of the 5G / 6G RU 12, 5G RAN function 11, and 6G RAN function 21 shown in Figure 1, may transmit a 5G NR SIB1 in MRSS cell 13 that includes a setting specifying a set of random access resources (e.g., a set of preambles) for the 6G RAT. When the 6G UE 4 receives the 5G NR SIB1 in MRSS cell 13 and performs random access to MRSS cell 13 as a 6G UE, it may select the RACH preamble from the corresponding set of preambles.

[0091] The configuration of the set of random access resources for a 6G RAT contained in SIB1 may be a FeatureCombinationPreambles field or information element. The FeatureCombinationPreambles field or information element associates a set of preambles with features or feature combinations. To specify a FeatureCombinationPreambles field or information element for a 6G RAT, the FeatureCombination information element may be extended to include a 6GRAT field 1101, as shown in Figure 11. The FeatureCombination information element indicates the features or feature combinations associated with the set of random access resources (i.e., instances of FeatureCombinationPreambles).

[0092] <Fifth Embodiment> The configuration example of the wireless communication system according to this embodiment is the same as the configuration example described with reference to Figure 1. This embodiment relates to PDCCH and DCI transmitted in the MRSS cell 13. This embodiment may be used in combination with at least one of the first to third embodiments described above.

[0093] In 5G NR, several types of DCI or DCI formats are used for PUSCH and PDSCH scheduling, i.e., for uplink resource allocation for PUSCH and downlink resource allocation for PDSCH. These DCI or DCI formats transmitted in MRSS cell 13 may be extended to indicate whether it is a resource allocation for 5G NR or a resource allocation for 6G. This indication may be a one-bit flag added to each DCI format.

[0094] The channel coding for PDCCHs carrying these DCI or DCI formats is the same as that for 5G NR PDCCHs. More specifically, the transmission process for PDCCHs carrying these DCI or DCI formats (which includes cyclic redundancy check (CRC) addition, channel coding, scrambling, and modulation, etc.) may be the same as that for 5G NR PDCCHs.

[0095] In this case, the 6G UE 4 determines whether to generate and transmit a 5G NR PUSCH or a 6G PUSCH according to the indication in the received DCI format for PUSCH scheduling (i.e., scheduling grant). Similarly, the 6G UE 4 recognizes whether the PDSCH to be received is 5G NR or 6G according to the indication in the received DCI format for PDSCH scheduling.

[0096] The channel coding for 6G PUSCH may differ from that of 5G NR PUSCH. More specifically, the transmission process for 6G PUSCH (including channel coding, scrambling, and modulation) may differ from that of 5G NR PUSCH.

[0097] Similarly, the channel coding of a 6G PDSCH may differ from that of a 5G NR PDSCH. More specifically, the transmission process of a 6G PDSCH (which includes channel coding, scrambling, and modulation, etc.) may differ from that of a 5G NR PDSCH.

[0098] Next, configuration examples of the 6G UE 4, 5G RAN function 11, 6G RAN function 21, and 5G / 6G RU 12 related to the above-described embodiments will be explained. Figure 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the 6G UE 4. The RF transceiver 1201 performs analog RF signal processing to communicate with the 5G / 6G RU 12 and 6G RU 22. The RF transceiver 1201 may include multiple transceivers. The analog RF signal processing performed by the RF transceiver 1201 includes frequency upconversion, frequency downconversion, and amplification. The RF transceiver 1201 is coupled with the antenna array 1202 and the baseband processor 1203. The RF transceiver 1201 receives modulation symbol data (or orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol data) from the baseband processor 1203, generates a transmit RF signal, and supplies the transmit RF signal to the antenna array 1202. Furthermore, the RF transceiver 1201 generates a baseband received signal based on the received RF signal received by the antenna array 1202 and supplies it to the baseband processor 1203. The RF transceiver 1201 may also include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming. The analog beamformer circuit may include, for example, a plurality of phase shifters and a plurality of power amplifiers.

[0099] The baseband processor 1203 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communication. Digital baseband signal processing may include (a) data compression / decompression, (b) data segmentation / concatenation, (c) generation / decomposition of transmission format (transmission frame), (d) transmission path coding / decoding, (e) modulation (symbol mapping) / demodulation, and (f) generation of OFDM symbol data (baseband OFDM signal) by Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT). On the other hand, control plane processing may include communication management at Layer 1 (e.g., transmit power control), Layer 2 (e.g., radio resource management and hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) processing), and Layer 3 (e.g., signaling related to attach, mobility, and call management).

[0100] For example, the digital baseband signal processing by the baseband processor 1203 may include signal processing for the PDCP layer, RLC layer, MAC layer, and PHY layer. Furthermore, the control plane processing by the baseband processor 1203 may include processing for the Non-Access Stratum (NAS) protocol, RRC protocol, MAC Control Elements (CEs), and DCIs.

[0101] The baseband processor 1203 may perform multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) encoding and precoding for beamforming.

[0102] The baseband processor 1203 may include a modem processor (e.g., Digital Signal Processor (DSP)) for performing digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., Central Processing Unit (CPU) or Micro Processing Unit (MPU)) for performing control plane processing. In this case, the protocol stack processor for performing control plane processing may be shared with the application processor 1204 described later.

[0103] The application processor 1204 is also called a CPU, MPU, microprocessor, or processor core. The application processor 1204 may include multiple processors (multiple processor cores). The application processor 1204 implements various functions of the 6G UE4 by executing system software programs (Operating System (OS)) and various application programs (e.g., calling applications, web browsers, mail clients, camera operation applications, music playback applications) read from memory 1206 or other memory.

[0104] In some implementations, the baseband processor 1203 and the application processor 1204 may be integrated on a single chip, as shown by the dashed line (1205) in Figure 12. In other words, the baseband processor 1203 and the application processor 1204 may be implemented as a single System on Chip (SoC) device 1205. An SoC device is sometimes called a System Large Scale Integration (LSI) or chipset.

[0105] Memory 1206 is volatile memory, non-volatile memory, or a combination thereof. Memory 1206 may include multiple physically independent memory devices. Volatile memory is, for example, Static Random Access Memory (SRAM) or Dynamic RAM (DRAM), or a combination thereof. Non-volatile memory is Mask Read Only Memory (MROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), flash memory, or hard disk drive, or any combination thereof. For example, memory 1206 may include an external memory device accessible from the baseband processor 1203, the application processor 1204, and the SoC 1205. Memory 1206 may also include an internal memory device integrated within the baseband processor 1203, the application processor 1204, or the SoC 1205. Furthermore, memory 1206 may include memory within a Universal Integrated Circuit Card (UICC).

[0106] The memory 1206 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 1207 containing instruction sets and data for processing by the 6G UE 4. In some implementations, the baseband processor 1203 or the application processor 1204 may be configured to read and execute the software modules 1207 from the memory 1206 to perform the processing of the 6G UE 4 as described in one or more of the multiple embodiments.

[0107] Furthermore, the control plane processing and operation performed by the 6G UE 4 described in the above embodiment can be realized by elements other than the RF transceiver 1201 and antenna array 1202, namely at least one of the baseband processor 1203 and application processor 1204 and the memory 1206 storing the software module 1207.

[0108] Figure 13 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the 5G RAN function 11. The configuration of the 6G RAN function 21 may be similar to that shown in Figure 13. Referring to Figure 13, the 5G RAN function 11 includes a network interface 1301, a processor 1302, and memory 1303. The network interface 1301 is used to communicate with network nodes (e.g., 5G / 6G RU 12, 6G RAN function 21, and control plane (CP) nodes and / or user plane (UP) nodes in the core network). The network interface 1301 may include multiple interfaces. The network interface 1301 may include, for example, an optical fiber interface for DU-RU communication, an optical fiber interface for CU-DU communication, and a network interface compliant with the IEEE 802.3 series.

[0109] Processor 1302 performs digital baseband signal processing (data plane processing) and control plane processing for wireless communication. Processor 1302 may include multiple processors. For example, processor 1302 may include a modem processor (e.g., DSP) for digital baseband signal processing and a protocol stack processor (e.g., CPU or MPU) for control plane processing. Processor 1302 may include a digital beamformer module for beamforming. The digital beamformer module may include a MIMO encoder and a precoder.

[0110] Memory 1303 is composed of a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, SRAM or DRAM or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory is MROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or a hard disk drive or any combination thereof. Memory 1303 may include storage located away from the processor 1302. In this case, the processor 1302 may access memory 1303 via a network interface 1301 or other I / O interfaces.

[0111] The memory 1303 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 1304 containing instruction sets and data for processing by the 5G RAN function 11 as described in the above embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 1302 may be configured to read and execute the one or more software modules 1304 from the memory 1303 to perform the processing of the 5G RAN function 11 as described in the above embodiments.

[0112] Figure 14 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of a 5G / 6G RU 12. The configuration of a 6G RU 22 may be similar to that shown in Figure 14. Referring to Figure 14, the 5G / 6G RU 12 includes an RF transceiver 1401, a network interface 1403, a processor 1404, and a memory 1405. The RF transceiver 1401 performs analog RF signal processing to communicate with UEs. The RF transceiver 1401 may include multiple transceivers. The RF transceiver 1401 is coupled with an antenna array 1402 and a processor 1404. The RF transceiver 1401 receives modulation symbol data from the processor 1404, generates a transmit RF signal, and supplies the transmit RF signal to the antenna array 1402. The RF transceiver 1401 also generates a baseband receive signal based on the received RF signal received by the antenna array 1402 and supplies this to the processor 1404. The RF transceiver 1401 may include an analog beamformer circuit for beamforming. The analog beamformer circuit may include, for example, multiple phase shifters and multiple power amplifiers.

[0113] The network interface 1403 is used to communicate with network nodes (e.g., 5G RAN function 11, 6G RAN function 21, and other RUs). The network interface 1403 may include multiple interfaces. For example, the network interface 1403 may include a fiber optic interface for DU-RU communication (and RUs-to-RU communication) and a network interface compliant with the IEEE 802.3 series.

[0114] The processor 1404 may include one or more processors. The processor 1404 may also include a DFE and a controller. The DFE provides lower PHY layer signal processing and digital radio signal processing.

[0115] Memory 1405 is composed of a combination of volatile memory and non-volatile memory. The volatile memory is, for example, SRAM or DRAM or a combination thereof. The non-volatile memory is MROM, EEPROM, flash memory, or a hard disk drive or any combination thereof. Memory 1405 may include storage located away from the processor 1404. In this case, the processor 1404 may access memory 1405 via the network interface 1403 or other I / O interfaces.

[0116] The memory 1405 may store one or more software modules (computer programs) 1406 containing instruction sets and data for performing at least a portion of the processing by the 5G / 6G RU 12 as described in the above embodiments. In some implementations, the processor 1404 may be configured to perform at least a portion of the processing by the 5G / 6G RU 12 as described in the above embodiments by reading and executing the software modules 1406 from the memory 1405.

[0117] The embodiments described above are merely examples of how the technical concept obtained by the present inventor can be applied. In other words, the technical concept is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are certainly possible.

[0118] For example, some or all of the embodiments described above may also be described as follows, but are not limited to: Some or all of the elements (e.g., configuration and function) described in the notes directed to devices (e.g., wireless terminals, RAN nodes) may also be described as notes directed to methods and programs. For example, some or all of the elements described in notes 2-32, which are dependent on note 1, may also be described as notes dependent on notes 33 and 34, in a similar dependency relationship to notes 2-32. Similarly, some or all of the elements described in notes 36-58, which are dependent on note 35, may also be described as notes dependent on notes 59 and 60, in a similar dependency relationship to notes 36-58. Some or all of the elements described in any note may be applied to various hardware, software, recording means for recording software, systems, and methods.

[0119] (Note 1) A wireless terminal comprising: means for receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH); means for decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH; and means for detecting, using parameters included in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another wireless access technology different from the 5G NR wireless access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB. (Note 2) The wireless terminal according to Note 1, wherein the parameter indicates whether at least one of the cell, the frequency band, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other wireless access technology. (Note 3) The wireless terminal according to Note 1 or 2, wherein the other wireless access technology is the wireless access technology of a 3GPP 6th generation wireless access network. (Note 4) The wireless terminal according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology. (Note 5) The wireless terminal according to Note 4, wherein the detection means is configured to consider the 5G NR MIB to be the MIB of the other wireless access technology if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.(Note 6) The wireless terminal according to Note 4, wherein the detection means is configured to understand that the cell supports the other radio access technology if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 7) The wireless terminal according to Note 4, wherein the detection means is configured to reuse one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB for a cell of the other radio access technology deployed in the 5G NR frequency band if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 8) The detection means is configured to understand that if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, then some of the settings included in the 5G NR MIB are also applicable to the other radio access technology, and the radio terminal further comprises means for receiving a second PBCH for the other radio access technology, and means for decoding a second MIB from the received second PBCH, as described in Note 4. (Note 9) The radio terminal according to Note 8, wherein the second MIB includes a cellBarred field specific to the radio terminal supporting the other radio access technology. (Note 10) The radio terminal according to Note 8, wherein the second MIB includes a pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field specific to the radio terminal supporting the other radio access technology. (Note 11) The wireless terminal described in Note 8, wherein the second PBCH is transmitted using one or more OFDM symbols included in or consecutive to the plurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols to which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, and a plurality of subcarriers included in or consecutive to the plurality of subcarriers to which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted.(Note 12) The wireless terminal according to any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 13) The wireless terminal according to Note 12, wherein one or more settings included in the 5G NR SIB include settings relating to random access in the cell. (Note 14) The wireless terminal according to Note 12 or 13, wherein the 5G NR SIB is a 5G NR System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1). (Note 15) The wireless terminal according to Note 14, wherein the detecting means is configured to understand that if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other radio access technology, then the entire set of settings included in the 5G NR SIB1 also applies to the other radio access technology. (Note 16) The wireless terminal according to Note 14, wherein the detecting means is configured to understand that if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other wireless access technology, then some of the settings included in the 5G NR SIB1 apply to both the 5G NR wireless access technology and the other wireless access technology. (Note 17) The wireless terminal according to Note 16, wherein the 5G NR SIB1 includes one or more shared settings shared for the 5G NR wireless access technology and the other wireless access technology, one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR wireless access technology, and one or more individual settings specific to the other wireless access technology. (Note 18) The wireless terminal according to Note 16, further comprising means for receiving a second SIB1 specific to the other wireless access technology, the second SIB1 including one or more individual settings specific to the other wireless access technology.(Note 19) The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following fields specific to the other wireless access technology: the si-SchedulingInfo field, the servingCellConfigCommon field, the ims-EmergencySupport field, the ue-TimersAndConstants field, the uac-BarringInfo field, and the useFullResumeID field, the wireless terminal as described in Note 17 or 18. (Note 20) The one or more individual settings include a random access setting specific to the other wireless access technology, the wireless terminal as described in Note 17 or 18. (Note 21) The one or more individual settings include a rach-ConfigCommon field specific to the other wireless access technology, the wireless terminal as described in Note 17 or 18. (Note 22) The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following settings specific to the other radio access technology: Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) setting, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) setting, Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) setting, and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) setting, the radio terminal as described in Note 17 or 18. (Note 23) The radio terminal as described in any one of Notes 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the random access settings included in the 5G NR SIB are shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 24) The radio terminal as described in any one of Notes 1 to 23, comprising means for determining whether to camp on to a first cell as a radio terminal of the 5G NR radio access technology or a radio terminal of the other radio access technology. (Note 25) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine to camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal for the 5G NR wireless access technology if it is already camped on to another 5G NR cell in the same frequency band as the first cell.(Note 26) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal is already camped on to another cell of the other wireless access technology in the same frequency band as the first cell, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other non-wireless access technology. (Note 27) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal has previously camped on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology. (Note 28) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal has previously camped on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology. (Note 29) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell of the 5G NR wireless access technology, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology. (Note 30) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell of the other wireless access technology, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology. (Note 31) The wireless terminal according to Note 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine whether to camp on to the cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology or a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology, according to the network settings. (Note 32) A wireless terminal according to any one of Notes 1 to 31, which is equipped with means for using random access resources allocated to the other wireless access technology when performing random access to a cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.(Note 33) A method performed by a wireless terminal, comprising: receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH); decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH; and detecting, using parameters included in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another wireless access technology different from the 5G NR wireless access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB.(Note 34) Receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH, and detecting, using parameters included in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another radio access technology different from the 5G NR radio access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB. One or more programs comprising one or more instructions which, when executed by one or more processors of a wireless terminal, cause the wireless terminal to perform. (Note 35) A radio access network node comprising means for transmitting a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes a parameter indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology.(Note 36) The radio access network node according to Note 35, wherein the other radio access technology is the radio access technology of a 3GPP 6th generation radio access network. (Note 37) The radio access network node according to Note 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 38) The radio access network node according to Note 37, wherein if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes the radio terminal to consider the 5G NR MIB to be the MIB of the other radio access technology. (Note 39) The radio access network node according to Note 37, wherein if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes the radio terminal to understand that the cell supports the other radio access technology. (Note 40) If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes the radio terminal to reuse one or more settings contained in the 5G NR MIB for the cells of the other radio access technology deployed in the 5G NR frequency band, the radio access network node according to Note 37. (Note 41) If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes the radio terminal to understand that some of the settings contained in the 5G NR MIB also apply to the other radio access technology, the radio access network node further comprises means for transmitting a second PBCH for the other radio access technology, the second PBCH carries a second MIB for the other radio access technology, the radio access network node according to Note 37.(Note 42) The radio access network node according to Note 41, wherein the second MIB includes a cellBarred field specific to a radio terminal that supports the other radio access technology. (Note 43) The radio access network node according to Note 41, wherein the second MIB includes a pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field specific to a radio terminal that supports the other radio access technology. (Note 44) The radio access network node according to Note 41, wherein the second PBCH is transmitted using one or more OFDM symbols included in or consecutive to a plurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, and a plurality of subcarriers included in or consecutive to a plurality of subcarriers on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted. (Note 45) The radio access network node according to Note 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 46) A radio access network node as described in Note 45, wherein one or more settings included in the 5G NR SIB include settings relating to random access in the cell. (Note 47) A radio access network node as described in Note 45 or 46, wherein the 5G NR SIB is a 5G NR System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1). (Note 48) A radio access network node as described in Note 47, wherein if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that the entirety of the multiple settings included in the 5G NR SIB1 also applies to the other radio access technology.(Note 49) If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that some of the settings included in the 5G NR SIB1 apply to both the 5G NR radio access technology and the other radio access technology, the radio access network node according to Note 47. (Note 50) The radio access network node according to Note 49, wherein the 5G NR SIB1 includes one or more shared settings shared for the 5G NR radio access technology and the other radio access technology, one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR radio access technology, and one or more individual settings specific to the other radio access technology. (Note 51) The radio access network node according to Note 49, further comprising means for transmitting a second SIB1 specific to the other radio access technology, the second SIB1 including one or more individual settings specific to the other radio access technology. (Note 52) The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following fields specific to the other wireless access technology: the si-SchedulingInfo field, the servingCellConfigCommon field, the ims-EmergencySupport field, the ue-TimersAndConstants field, the uac-BarringInfo field, and the useFullResumeID field, as described in Note 50 or 51 for the wireless access network node. (Note 53) The one or more individual settings include a random access setting specific to the other wireless access technology, as described in Note 50 or 51 for the wireless access network node. (Note 54) The one or more individual settings include a rach-ConfigCommon field specific to the other wireless access technology, as described in Note 50 or 51 for the wireless access network node.(Note 55) The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following settings specific to the other radio access technology: Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) setting, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) setting, Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) setting, and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) setting, the radio access network node as described in Note 50 or 51. (Note 56) The radio access network node as described in Note 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the random access settings included in the 5G NR SIB are shared for the other radio access technology. (Note 57) The radio access network node as described in any one of Notes 35 to 56, comprising means for providing a setting to a radio terminal indicating whether it should camp on to a cell as a radio terminal of the 5G NR radio access technology or a radio terminal of the other radio access technology. (Note 58) A wireless access network node according to any one of Notes 35 to 57, comprising means for transmitting the settings of random access resources used by a wireless terminal when performing random access to a cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.(Note 59) A method performed by a radio access network node, comprising transmitting a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes a parameter indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology. (Note 60) One or more programs comprising one or more instructions causing one or more processors of a radio access network node to transmit a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes a parameter indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology.

[0120] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-195773, filed on 8 November 2024, and incorporates all of its disclosures herein.

[0121] 3 5G UE 4 6G UE 11 5G RAN function 12 5G / 6G RU 13 MRSS cell 21 6G RAN function 22 6G RU 23 6G cell 1203 Baseband processor 1204 Application processor 1206 Memory 1207 Modules 1302 Processor 1303 Memory 1304 Modules 1404 Processor 1405 Memory 1406 Modules

Claims

1. A wireless terminal comprising: means for receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH); means for decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH; and means for detecting, using parameters included in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another wireless access technology different from the 5G NR wireless access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB.

2. The wireless terminal according to claim 1, wherein the parameter indicates whether at least one of the cell, the frequency band, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

3. The wireless terminal according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the other wireless access technology is a wireless access technology of a 3GPP 6th generation wireless access network.

4. The wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

5. The wireless terminal according to claim 4, wherein the detection means is configured to consider the 5G NR MIB to be the MIB of the other wireless access technology if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

6. The wireless terminal according to claim 4, wherein the detection means is configured to understand that the cell supports the other wireless access technology if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

7. The wireless terminal according to claim 4, wherein the detection means is configured to reuse one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB for cells of the other wireless access technology deployed in the 5G NR frequency band, if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

8. The detection means is configured to understand that if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, then some of the settings included in the 5G NR MIB are also applicable to the other radio access technology, and the radio terminal further comprises means for receiving a second PBCH for the other radio access technology, and means for decoding a second MIB from the received second PBCH, the radio terminal according to claim 4.

9. The wireless terminal according to claim 8, wherein the second MIB includes a cellBarred field specific to wireless terminals that support the other wireless access technology.

10. The wireless terminal according to claim 8, wherein the second MIB includes a pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field specific to wireless terminals that support the other wireless access technology.

11. The wireless terminal according to claim 8, wherein the second PBCH is transmitted using one or more OFDM symbols included in or consecutive to the plurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, and a plurality of subcarriers included in or consecutive to the plurality of subcarriers on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted.

12. The wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other wireless access technology.

13. The wireless terminal according to claim 12, wherein one or more settings included in the 5G NR SIB include settings relating to random access in the cell.

14. The wireless terminal according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the 5G NR SIB is a 5G NR System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1).

15. The wireless terminal according to claim 14, wherein the detection means is configured to understand that if the parameters indicate that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other wireless access technology, then the entire set of settings encompassed in the 5G NR SIB1 also applies to the other wireless access technology.

16. The wireless terminal according to claim 14, wherein the detection means is configured to understand that if the parameters indicate that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other wireless access technology, then some of the settings encompassed in the 5G NR SIB1 are applicable to both the 5G NR wireless access technology and the other wireless access technology.

17. The wireless terminal according to claim 16, wherein the 5G NR SIB1 comprises one or more shared settings shared for the 5G NR wireless access technology and the other wireless access technology, one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR wireless access technology, and one or more individual settings specific to the other wireless access technology.

18. The wireless terminal according to claim 16, further comprising means for receiving a second SIB1 specific to the other wireless access technology, wherein the second SIB1 comprises one or more individual settings specific to the other wireless access technology.

19. The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following fields specific to the other wireless access technology: the si-SchedulingInfo field, the servingCellConfigCommon field, the ims-EmergencySupport field, the ue-TimersAndConstants field, the uac-BarringInfo field, and the useFullResumeID field, the wireless terminal according to claim 17 or 18.

20. The wireless terminal according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the one or more individual settings include random access settings specific to the other wireless access technology.

21. The wireless terminal according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the one or more individual settings include a rach-ConfigCommon field specific to the other wireless access technology.

22. The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following settings specific to the other wireless access technology: Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) setting, Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) setting, Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) setting, and Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) setting, the wireless terminal according to claim 17 or 18.

23. The wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the parameter indicates whether the random access settings included in the 5G NR SIB are shared for the other wireless access technologies.

24. A wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 23, comprising means for determining whether to camp on to a first cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology or a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.

25. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine to camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal for the 5G NR wireless access technology if it is already camped on to another 5G NR cell in the same frequency band as the first cell.

26. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine to camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology if it is already camped on to another cell of the other wireless access technology in the same frequency band as the first cell.

27. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the means for determining the wireless terminal is configured to determine that the wireless terminal should camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal for the 5G NR wireless access technology if the wireless terminal has previously camped on to the first cell as a wireless terminal for the 5G NR wireless access technology.

28. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the means for determining the wireless terminal is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal has previously camped on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology, it should camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.

29. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that the wireless terminal camps on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology if the wireless terminal is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell of the 5G NR wireless access technology.

30. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine that if the wireless terminal is in the RRC_INACTIVE state by releasing a Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection in the cell of the other wireless access technology, it will camp on to the first cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.

31. The wireless terminal according to claim 24, wherein the determining means is configured to determine whether to camp on to a cell as a wireless terminal of the 5G NR wireless access technology or a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology, according to network settings.

32. A wireless terminal according to any one of claims 1 to 31, comprising means for using random access resources allocated to the other wireless access technology when performing random access to a cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.

33. A method performed by a wireless terminal, comprising: receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH); decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH; and detecting, using parameters included in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another radio access technology different from the 5G NR radio access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB, and one or more settings included in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB.

34. One or more programs comprising one or more instructions that cause one or more processors of a wireless terminal to perform the following actions: receiving a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH); decoding a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB) from the received 5G NR PBCH; and detecting, using parameters contained in the 5G NR MIB, whether at least one of the following is shared for another radio access technology different from the 5G NR radio access technology: the cell associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH; the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted; the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, one or more settings contained in the 5G NR MIB; and one or more settings contained in the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) received based on the 5G NR MIB.

35. A radio access network node comprising means for transmitting a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes parameters indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology.

36. The wireless access network node according to claim 35, wherein the other wireless access technology is a wireless access technology of a 3GPP sixth-generation wireless access network.

37. The radio access network node according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology.

38. A radio access network node according to claim 37, wherein if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to consider the 5G NR MIB to be the MIB of the other radio access technology.

39. A radio access network node according to claim 37, wherein if the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that the cell supports the other radio access technology.

40. If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to reuse one or more settings included in the 5G NR MIB for the cells of the other radio access technology deployed in the 5G NR frequency band, according to claim 37.

41. If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR PBCH or the 5G NR MIB is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that some of the settings included in the 5G NR MIB also apply to the other radio access technology, and the radio access network node further comprises means for transmitting a second PBCH for the other radio access technology, and the second PBCH carries a second MIB for the other radio access technology, the radio access network node according to claim 37.

42. The wireless access network node according to claim 41, wherein the second MIB includes a cellBarred field specific to a wireless terminal that supports the other wireless access technology.

43. The radio access network node according to claim 41, wherein the second MIB includes a pdcch-ConfigSIB1 field specific to a radio terminal that supports the other radio access technology.

44. The radio access network node according to claim 41, wherein the second PBCH is transmitted using one or more OFDM symbols that are included in or consecutive to a plurality of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, and a plurality of subcarriers that are included in or consecutive to a plurality of subcarriers on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted.

45. The radio access network node according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other radio access technology.

46. ​​The radio access network node according to claim 45, wherein one or more settings included in the 5G NR SIB include settings relating to random access in the cell.

47. The radio access network node according to claim 45 or 46, wherein the 5G NR SIB is a 5G NR System Information Block Type 1 (SIB1).

48. If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that the entire set of settings encompassed in the 5G NR SIB1 also applies to the other radio access technology, according to claim 47.

49. If the parameter indicates that the 5G NR SIB1 is shared for the other radio access technology, the parameter causes a radio terminal to understand that some of the settings encompassed in the 5G NR SIB1 apply to both the 5G NR radio access technology and the other radio access technology, according to claim 47.

50. The radio access network node according to claim 49, wherein the 5G NR SIB1 comprises one or more shared settings shared for the 5G NR radio access technology and the other radio access technology, one or more individual settings specific to the 5G NR radio access technology, and one or more individual settings specific to the other radio access technology.

51. A wireless access network node according to claim 49, further comprising means for transmitting a second SIB1 specific to the other wireless access technology, wherein the second SIB1 comprises one or more individual settings specific to the other wireless access technology.

52. The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following fields specific to the other wireless access technology: the si-SchedulingInfo field, the servingCellConfigCommon field, the ims-EmergencySupport field, the ue-TimersAndConstants field, the uac-BarringInfo field, and the useFullResumeID field, the wireless access network node according to claim 50 or 51.

53. The wireless access network node according to claim 50 or 51, wherein the one or more individual settings include random access settings specific to the other wireless access technology.

54. The wireless access network node according to claim 50 or 51, wherein the one or more individual settings include a rach-ConfigCommon field specific to the other wireless access technology.

55. The one or more individual settings include at least one of the following settings specific to the other wireless access technology: a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) setting, a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) setting, a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH) setting, and a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) setting, the wireless access network node according to claim 50 or 51.

56. The radio access network node according to claim 35 or 36, wherein the parameter indicates whether the random access configuration included in the 5G NR SIB is shared for the other radio access technology.

57. A radio access network node according to any one of claims 35 to 56, comprising means for providing a radio terminal with a setting indicating whether it should camp on to a cell as a radio terminal of the 5G NR radio access technology or a radio terminal of the other radio access technology.

58. A wireless access network node according to any one of claims 35 to 57, comprising means for transmitting the settings of random access resources used by a wireless terminal when performing random access to a cell as a wireless terminal of the other wireless access technology.

59. A method performed by a radio access network node, comprising transmitting a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes a parameter indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology.

60. One or more programs comprising one or more instructions causing one or more processors of a radio access network node to transmit a 5G NR Synchronization Signal (SS) and a 5G NR Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), wherein the 5G NR PBCH carries a 5G NR Master Information Block (MIB), and the 5G NR MIB includes parameters indicating whether at least one of the cells associated with the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH, the frequency band on which the 5G NR SS and the 5G NR PBCH are transmitted, the 5G NR SS, the 5G NR PBCH, the 5G NR MIB, and the 5G NR System Information Block (SIB) associated with the 5G NR MIB is shared for other radio access technologies different from the 5G NR radio access technology.

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