Terminal and base station

Abstract

Provided is a terminal including: a reception unit that receives setting information related to measurement of a first reference signal transmitted by applying a plurality of beams, the setting information specifying at least the time intervals of a plurality of specific future timings among the time intervals of the plurality of specific future timings, the number of the plurality of specific future timings, and offsets defining the start timings of the plurality of specific future timings; a control unit that predicts, on the basis of the setting information, an optimal beam that provides a highest reception quality at each of the plurality of specific future timings; and a transmission unit that transmits information indicating the optimal beam at each of the plurality of specific future timings predicted by the control unit.

Description

Terminals and base stations

[0001] This invention relates to terminals and base stations in wireless communication systems.

[0002] The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP®) is exploring wireless communication methods known as 5G or NR (New Radio) (hereinafter referred to as "NR") in order to achieve further increases in system capacity, further increases in data transmission speed, and further decreases in latency in the wireless section. In 5G, various wireless technologies and network architectures are being considered to meet the requirements of achieving throughput of 10 Gbps or more while keeping the latency in the wireless section below 1 ms.

[0003] A common operation is known in which a base station periodically transmits a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) while performing a beam sweep, and uses the beam fed back from the terminal to transmit data.

[0004] In 5G NR Release 18, beam prediction in the time domain (BM-Case 2) is being considered as a study item (SI).

[0005] 3GPP TR 38.843 V18.0.0 (2023-12) 3rd Generation Partnership Project; Technical specification Group Radio Access Network; Study on Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) for NR air interface (Release 18)

[0006] To conserve radio resources, one possible approach is to lengthen the transmission period of the synchronization / broadcast signal (SS / PBCH) when the base station transmits it.

[0007] When the transmission period of the synchronization / broadcast signal (SS / PBCH) is set to a long duration, if the terminal moves at high speed, the beam fed back by the terminal may differ from the optimal beam for data transmission, potentially leading to a decrease in reception quality as the terminal moves.

[0008] There is a need for technology to estimate the optimal beam for data transmission.

[0009] According to the disclosed technology, a terminal is provided, comprising: a receiving unit that receives setting information relating to the measurement of a first reference signal transmitted by applying multiple beams, the setting information specifying at least the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, among a time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, the number of the plurality of specific future timings, and an offset defining the start timing of the plurality of specific future timings; a control unit that predicts an optimal beam for which reception quality is best at each of the plurality of specific future timings based on the setting information; and a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the optimal beam at each of the plurality of specific future timings predicted by the control unit.

[0010] According to the disclosed technology, a technique is provided for estimating the optimal beam during data transmission.

[0011] This diagram illustrates the wireless communication system in the embodiment. This diagram shows an example of the SSB transmission period and the period of the SSB-based RRM Measurement Timing Configuration window (SMTC window). This diagram shows an example of beam search and data transmission. This diagram shows an example of the difference between the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB and the optimal beam during data transmission. This diagram shows an example of predicting the reception quality of an SSB transmitted on the same specific beam M times ahead, based on the measurement of the reception quality of an SSB transmitted on the same specific beam N times in the past. This diagram shows an example of sampling during the learning period and estimating a function that represents the time variation of reception quality for each beam. This diagram shows an example of setting up machine learning. This diagram shows an example of the contents of the machine learning settings. This diagram shows an example of the operation during optimal beam inference. This diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 in the embodiment. This diagram shows an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 in the embodiment. This figure shows an example of a procedure for estimating the optimal beam for data transmission within the SSB period using AI / ML. This figure shows another example of the operation during inference. This figure shows an example of the operation during machine learning. This figure shows another example of the operation during inference. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 in the embodiment. This figure shows an example of the functional configuration of the terminal 20 in the embodiment. This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 according to the embodiment.

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiments described below are examples, and the embodiments to which the present invention applies are not limited to those described below.

[0013] In the operation of the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present invention, existing technologies are used as appropriate. Such existing technologies include, for example, existing New Radio (NR). That is, the base station 10 and terminal 20 described below basically operate according to the specifications of the existing NR, but the operation in the embodiment is a modified version of the operation according to the specifications of the existing NR. Note that the embodiment is not limited to NR and can be applied to any wireless communication system.

[0014] Furthermore, in the embodiment, the duplex method may be a Time Division Duplex (TDD) method, a Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) method, or any other method (for example, Flexible Duplex, Full Duplex, etc.).

[0015] Furthermore, in embodiments of the present invention, "configuring" wireless parameters means that predetermined values ​​are set in advance (Pre-config), or that wireless parameters notified from the base station 10 or terminal 20 are configured.

[0016] (System configuration)

[0017] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating a wireless communication system in an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless communication system in the embodiment of the present invention includes a base station 10 and a terminal 20, as shown in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows one base station 10 and one terminal 20, but this is an example, and there may be multiple base stations 10 and terminals 20. Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, the Synchronization signal (SS), Primary SS (PSS), Secondary SS (SSS), Physical broadcast channel (PBCH), Physical random access channel (PRACH), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and Sounding are used in existing NRs. Terms such as Reference Signal (SRS), Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), and Physical Sidelink Feedback Channel (PSFCH) are used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc., may be called by other names.

[0018] Base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and communicates wirelessly with terminal 20. The physical resources of the wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, and the frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or resource blocks. Base station 10 transmits synchronization signals and system information to terminal 20. Synchronization signals are, for example, PSS and SSS. System information is also called broadcast information.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, the base station 10 transmits control information or data to the terminal 20 in the Downlink (DL) and receives control information or data from the terminal 20 in the Uplink (UL). Both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 are capable of performing beamforming to transmit and receive signals. Also, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 are capable of applying communication by Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) to the DL or UL. Further, both the base station 10 and the terminal 20 may communicate via a Secondary Cell (SCell) and a Primary Cell (PCell) by Carrier Aggregation (CA). Furthermore, the terminal 20 may communicate via the primary cell of the base station 10 and the primary / secondary cell group cell (PSCell: Primary SCG Cell) of another base station 10 by Dual Connectivity (DC).

[0020] The terminal 20 is a communication device equipped with a wireless communication function such as a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet, a wearable terminal, a communication module for Machine-to-Machine (M2M), etc. As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal 20 receives a control signal or data from the base station 10 in the DL and transmits a control signal or data to the base station 10 in the UL, thereby using various communication services provided by the wireless communication system. Also, the terminal 20 receives various reference signals transmitted from the base station 1 and performs measurement of the propagation path quality based on the reception result of the reference signal.

[0021] Measurement of reception quality in NR can be performed using an SS / PBCH Block (SSB) composed of a Synchronization Signal (SS) and a Physical Broadcast CHannel (PBCH).

[0022] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the transmission period of SSB and the period of the SSB based RRM Measurement Timing Configuration window (SMTC window). As shown in Figure 2, the SS burst is composed of a plurality of SSBs (in the example of Figure 2, SSB#0, SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3), and for the transmission of different SSBs among the plurality of SSBs within the SS burst, different beams corresponding one-to-one to the transmission of the different SSBs are applied. The transmission period of SSB may be the transmission period of the SS burst (in the following embodiments, the transmission of the SS burst may also be expressed as the transmission of SSB). The transmission period of SSB can be set for each cell within the range of 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, 160 ms.

[0023] As a function of notifying the terminal 20 of the measurement period and timing of the SSB used for measurement from the base station 10 to the terminal 20, the SMTC window is known. The period of the SMTC window can be set within the range of 5 ms, 10 ms, 20 ms, 40 ms, 80 ms, 160 ms. The window width of the SMTC window can be set to each value of 1 ms, 2 ms, 3 ms, 4 ms, 5 ms according to the number of SSBs transmitted by the cell to be measured within the SS burst. When the terminal 20 is notified of the SMTC window from the base station 10, the terminal 20 detects and measures the SSB within the window and reports the result to the base station 10.

[0024] Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of beam search and data transmission. In the example shown in Figure 3, the base station 10 applies beams to transmit a plurality of SSBs to the terminal 20. The beam applied to the transmission of SSB can be identified by the SSB index. For example, the beam applied to the transmission of the SSB with the SSB index of 0 is different from the beam applied to the transmission of the SSB with the SSB index of 1. For the transmission of the SS / PBCH block, antenna ports starting from 4000 are defined.

[0025] In step S101 of Figure 3, the base station 10 configures the terminal 20 to perform SS / PBCH block (SSB) measurement and to report the measurement results. By configuring the terminal 20 to perform measurements on multiple SS / PBCH blocks (SSBs) and to report the measurement results, the base station 10 requests the terminal 20 to report the beam of the SS / PBCH block (SSB) that has the best reception quality. In other words, the base station 10 requests the terminal 20 to report the index and reception quality of the SS / PBCH block (SSB) that has the best reception quality. Alternatively, the base station 10 may request the terminal 20 to report the indices and measurement results of the nth (n>1) SSBs from the SSB with the best reception quality among the measurement results of multiple SSBs.

[0026] In step S102 of Figure 3, the base station 10 applies a beam sweep and transmits an SSB to the terminal 20. That is, the base station 10 applies multiple different beams and transmits multiple SSBs to the terminal 20. The terminal 20 measures the reception quality of the received SSB for each SSB index. For reception quality, for example, Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Reference Signal Received Quality (RSRQ), Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI), Signal to Interference plus Noise Ratio (SINR), SS reference signal received power (SS-RSRP), etc. may be used.

[0027] In step S103 of Figure 3, the terminal 20 compares the SSB reception quality measured for each SSB index, identifies the SSB index corresponding to the best reception quality, and reports the identified SSB index and the corresponding reception quality to the base station 10. Alternatively, the terminal 20 may report to the base station 10, along with the corresponding reception quality, the nth (n>1) SSB indexes from the SSB with the best reception quality among the measurement results of multiple SSBs.

[0028] In step S104 of Figure 3, the base station 10 applies a beam corresponding to the SSB index reported by the terminal 20 and performs PDCCH / PDSCH transmission. In this way, the base station 10 can improve the reception quality at the terminal 20 by applying the optimal beam for data transmission.

[0029] Figure 4 shows an example of a discrepancy between the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB and the optimal beam for data transmission when terminal 20 is moving at high speed. To conserve radio resources, it is conceivable to lengthen the SSB transmission period (or the transmission period of the Channel State Information-Reference Signal (CSI-RS), which is a reference signal for beam search). In this case, we assume that terminal 20 is moving at high speed. When data transmission within the SSB period (i.e., during data transmission in the time interval between the transmission timing of one SSB and the transmission timing of the next SSB), if the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB for that data transmission is used, a discrepancy may occur between the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB and the optimal beam for data transmission due to the movement of terminal 20. In other words, the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB may be different from the optimal beam for data transmission. Therefore, when transmitting data within the SSB cycle, if a beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent SSB transmission is used, the reception quality may deteriorate as the terminal 20 moves.

[0030] Figure 5 shows an example in which terminal 20 predicts the reception quality of an SSB transmitted on the same specific beam M times ahead, based on measurements of the reception quality of N past SSBs transmitted on the same beam. Artificial Intelligence (AI) / Machine Learning (ML) functions may be applied to predict the reception quality. In other words, terminal 20 may have a function that predicts the reception quality of an SSB transmitted on the same beam M times ahead, based on measurements of the reception quality of N past SSBs transmitted on the same beam, using AI / ML. As shown in Figure 5, it is assumed that terminal 20 can predict the reception quality of an SSB transmitted on the same specific beam M times ahead, based on measurements of the reception quality of SSBs transmitted on that specific beam N times in the past. However, it is not currently assumed that terminal 20 can predict the reception quality of a specific beam during data transmission within an SSB cycle (within the time interval between the transmission timing of one SSB and the transmission timing of the next SSB).

[0031] Therefore, when the SSB transmission cycle is set to be long in order to conserve wireless resources, there is a need for a technology to estimate the optimal beam for data transmission from the base station 10 to the terminal 20 within the SSB transmission cycle.

[0032] In the following embodiment, the base station 10 sets a learning period during which the terminal 20 acquires input data used to predict the reception quality for each beam (the learning period may be defined by the specifications). The learning period during which the terminal 20 acquires input data used to predict the reception quality for each beam may be, for example, an integer multiple of the SSB transmission period.

[0033] During the learning period in which input data used to predict the reception quality for each beam is acquired, terminal 20 receives SSB transmitted with multiple different beams applied and samples the reception quality of the SSB for each beam. Based on the sampled reception quality of the SSB for each beam, terminal 20 estimates the time variation of the reception quality of the SSB for each beam as a function of time. This estimation may also be performed using the AI / ML function of terminal 20.

[0034] Subsequently, during the period for estimating the reception quality for each beam, terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam at a specific timing based on an estimated function that represents the time variation of the SSB reception quality for each beam, and reports this to base station 10. Base station 10 applies the reported optimal beam at a timing close to the specific timing and performs PDCCH / PDSCH transmission.

[0035] Figure 6 shows an example in which terminal 20 performs sampling during the learning period and estimates a function representing the time variation of the reception quality for each beam. In Figure 6, the learning period is three times the SSB period, but the learning period is not limited to this example and may be longer or shorter than three times. Also, in Figure 6, there are three beams, but the number of beams is not limited to this example and may be more or fewer than three.

[0036] In the example shown in Figure 6, terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam at a specific timing during the SSB period based on a function that represents the time variation of the reception quality for each beam, which it has estimated. At the specific timing shown in the example in Figure 6, terminal 20 estimates that beam 3 has the best reception quality. Therefore, terminal 20 reports the beam index of beam 3 to base station 10, and base station 10 applies beam 3 to PDCCH / PDSCH transmissions at timings close to the specific timing. Terminal 20 may also report the estimated reception quality of beam 1, beam 2, and beam 3 at the specific timing to base station 10, along with the indices of beam 1, beam 2, and beam 3.

[0037] The following describes an example in which terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam during data transmission within the SSB cycle using AI / ML (i.e., during data transmission in the time interval between the transmission timing of one SSB and the transmission timing of the next SSB). The example mainly consists of a learning phase and an inference phase. Figure 7 shows an example in which base station 10 sets up learning for terminal 20. In the example in Figure 7, base station 10 sets up learning for terminal 20 to estimate a function that represents the time variation of reception quality for each beam. Specifically, in step S201 of Figure 7, base station 10 sets the timing for terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam based on prior RRC settings, and further sets up terminal 20 to transmit the prediction result to base station 10.

[0038] Figure 8 shows an example of the settings that the base station 10 pre-configures for the terminal 20 in step S201 of Figure 7. As shown in the example in Figure 8, the base station 10 may set the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately before the timing (which may be multiple timings as shown in Figure 8) at which the terminal 20 is instructed to predict the optimal beam, and may also configure the base station 10 to estimate a function representing the time variation of the reception quality for each beam based on the measurement results of the past N SS bursts, counting from the SS burst immediately preceding the configured setting. N is an integer of 1 or more.

[0039] Furthermore, the base station 10 may set a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period as the period for the timing that causes the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam in step S201 of Figure 7 (X=3 in the example of Figure 8). Also, the base station 10 may set Y timings for the timing that causes the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam in step S201 of Figure 7 (Y=3 in the example of Figure 8). In addition, the base station 10 may set Z, which is an offset that indicates the starting position of the Y timings that cause the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam in step S201 of Figure 7. Z may be set in units of a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, in units of slots, or in units of symbols. In other words, in step S201 of Figure 7, the base station 10 may set X, Y, and Z for the terminal 20 to predict Y optimal beams after the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately preceding the timing to have the terminal 20 predict the optimal beam. In the example of Figure 8, X=3 and Y=3 are set, but this is just an example, and the values ​​of X and Y may be values ​​other than 3.

[0040] Furthermore, the base station 10 may configure the learning settings to apply a beam sweep at time intervals of 1 / X of the SSB period (when SSB is not transmitted) within one SSB period, and transmit a Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS). In other words, the base station 10 may provide training data for learning at the terminal 20 by applying multiple beams that correspond one-to-one with multiple beams applied to SSB transmission at time intervals of 1 / X of the SSB period within the SSB period, and transmitting CSI-RS. In this way, during the period when the terminal 20 learns the reception quality for each beam, the number of beam-specific reception quality samples at the terminal 20 can be increased by applying multiple beams and transmitting CSI-RS at time intervals of 1 / X of the SSB period (when SSB is not transmitted). As a result, the accuracy of estimating the optimal beam at terminal 20 can be improved.

[0041] Figure 9 shows an example of the operation of terminal 20 during optimal beam inference. As shown in Figure 9, in step S301, base station 10 requests terminal 20 to report the predicted optimal beam (report the beam index of the predicted optimal beam) via PDCCH at a timing prior to the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately preceding the timing of predicting the optimal beam. In the example in Figure 9, base station 10 requests terminal 20 to report the predicted optimal beam via PDCCH using Downlink Control Information (DCI), but the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the request for reporting the predicted optimal beam may be made based on the RRC setting in step S201 of Figure 7.

[0042] In step S302 of Figure 9, terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam for each of the Y timings based on the estimated function representing the time variation of reception quality for each beam, and reports the estimated optimal beam (beam index of the optimal beam) for each timing to base station 10 via PUCCH and / or PUSCH. In the example of Figure 9, terminal 20 reports the beam index of the estimated optimal beam for each of the Y timings to base station 10, but the embodiment is not limited to this example, and terminal 20 may report the estimated reception quality and beam index of each beam for each of the Y timings to base station 10.

[0043] In step S303 of Figure 9, the base station 10 uses the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings to perform PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission). However, if the terminal 20 reports to the base station 10 the estimated reception quality and beam index for each beam at each of the Y timings, the base station 10 may determine the optimal beam based on the estimated reception quality for each beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings, and use the determined optimal beam to perform PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission).

[0044] According to the above embodiment, beam tracking can be performed while minimizing transmission and reception between the base station 10 and the terminal 20.

[0045] Although the above embodiment describes the case of downlink data transmission via PDSCH, the embodiment is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to uplink data transmission via PUSCH. For example, terminal 20 may periodically apply multiple beams to transmit Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and base station 10 may estimate the time variation of the reception quality of the SRS for each beam as a function of time, based on the reception quality of the SRS for each sampled beam. The estimation may be performed using the AI / ML function of base station 10. Base station 10 may estimate the optimal beam for each of the Y timings and report the index of the estimated optimal beam for each timing to terminal 20 via PDCCH. Terminal 20 may perform uplink data transmission via PUSCH using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings.

[0046] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the resource transmitted by the prediction source beam (set A) is SS / PBCH, and the resource transmitted by the prediction target beam (set B) is CSI-RS. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the resource used in set A may also be CSI-RS.

[0047] Furthermore, terminal 20 may select X from a set of integer values ​​such as 2, 4, 8, and 16 based on the index transmitted by base station 10. In the above embodiment, X specifies a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, X may specify a time interval of 1 / X of the CSI-RS transmission period (CSI-ResourcePeriodity). In other words, the SSB period may be replaced with a CSI-RS transmission period that is shorter than the SSB period, and the above-mentioned X, Y, and Z may be set accordingly.

[0048] Furthermore, regardless of the SSB period, a pre-set time interval may be specified by X. For example, one time interval may be specified by X from a set of time intervals such as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc. The time interval is not limited to 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc., and may be, for example, a time interval based on slots, a time interval based on symbols, a time interval based on subframes, or a time interval based on frames.

[0049] According to the above embodiment, the terminal 20 is a terminal that predicts a future beam at the base station 10 based on a signal transmitted from the base station 10, and may comprise: a receiving unit that receives the timing at which the terminal 20 reports the prediction result to the base station 10; a receiving unit that receives the future predicted timing of the terminal 20 from the base station 10; and a transmitting unit that reports the prediction result at the predicted timing to the base station 10.

[0050] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may calculate the prediction result for an integer number of predicted timings that are integer numbers after the timing following the reception timing of the most recently transmitted periodically transmitted signal, from among the candidate predicted timings where the predicted future timing is at an interval smaller than the period of the signal periodically transmitted from the base station 10, and feed this result back to the base station 10.

[0051] Furthermore, the terminal 20 may feed back the results of its prediction of the reception quality for each beam to the base station 10.

[0052] According to the above embodiment, the base station 10 is a base station 10 that communicates with a terminal 20 based on a signal transmitted by the base station 10, and may include a transmitting unit that notifies the terminal 20 of the timing at which the terminal 20 predicts a future beam, a receiving unit that receives the prediction result from the terminal 20 at an interval shorter than the notified timing, and a control unit that controls the base station 10 to transmit the downlink shared channel to the terminal 20 with the predicted beam at the timing closest to the timing at which it will transmit using the downlink shared channel.

[0053] Furthermore, the base station 10 may transmit a reference signal using the beam used to transmit the synchronization / synchronization signal, at intervals smaller than the period of the previously notified broadcast / synchronization signal or reference signal of the prediction source, as output for machine learning prediction at the terminal 20.

[0054] Figure 10 shows an example of the functional configuration of base station 10. Figure 10 is an example of the functional configuration, and the functional configuration of base station 10 is not limited to the example in Figure 10.

[0055] The control unit of the base station 10 instructs the transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 to transmit RRC layer setting information, including beam prediction timing, to the terminal 20. The setting information may include X, Y, and Z as parameters, as in the embodiment described above. The control unit of the base station 10 also instructs the transmission signal generation unit and antenna unit of the base station 10 to transmit a synchronization / broadcast signal (SS / PBCH) for each predefined analog beam at a predefined period (SSB periodicity). The control unit of the base station 10 also instructs the transmission signal generation unit and antenna unit of the base station 10 to transmit a reference signal (CSI-RS) for each predefined analog beam at a pre-set beam prediction timing. Furthermore, the control unit of the base station 10 instructs the transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 to transmit a request for prediction beam reporting (PDCCH), instructs the transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 to transmit a signal (PDCCH) containing scheduling information for data transmission to the terminal 20, and instructs the transmission signal generation unit and antenna unit of the base station 10 to transmit data to the terminal 20 (PDSCH) with the prediction beam at the timing closest to the pre-scheduled timing. In addition, the control unit of the base station 10 acquires the prediction beam and its prediction quality from the CSI Report received from the terminal 20 via PUSCH and / or PUCCH.

[0056] The transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 outputs signals to the digital signal processing unit of the base station 10 for transmitting RRC layer setting information, SS / PBCH, CSI-RS, PDCCH, PDSCH, etc. to the terminal 20.

[0057] The receiving signal processing unit of base station 10 receives a PUSCH or PUCCH signal from the digital signal processing unit of base station 10.

[0058] Figure 11 shows an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20. Figure 11 is an example of the functional configuration, and the functional configuration of terminal 20 is not limited to the example shown in Figure 11.

[0059] The receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20 receives RRC layer setting information, including beam prediction timing, from base station 10 and outputs it to the control unit of terminal 20. The receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20 also receives a synchronization / broadcast signal (SS / PBCH) for each predefined analog beam at a predefined period (SSB periodicity) and outputs it to the beam prediction unit of terminal 20. The receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20 also receives information requesting a report of the predicted beam via PDCCH and outputs it to the control unit of terminal 20. The receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20 also receives scheduling information for data transmission to terminal 20 via PDCCH and receives data transmission to terminal 20 via PDSCH.

[0060] The control unit of terminal 20 receives RRC layer setting information, including beam prediction timing, from the receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20. Furthermore, when the control unit of terminal 20 receives information requesting a predicted beam report via PDCCH, it instructs the beam prediction unit of terminal 20 to calculate the predicted beam at a predefined timing. After receiving the prediction result from the beam prediction unit of terminal 20, it instructs the transmission signal generation unit of terminal 20 to transmit a CSI report, including the predicted beam and its predicted reception quality, via PUSCH and / or PUCCH.

[0061] The transmission signal generation unit of terminal 20 outputs a signal to the digital signal processing unit of terminal 20 for transmitting PUSCH and / or PUCCH to base station 10.

[0062] The beam prediction unit of terminal 20 receives RSRP for each SSB index from the receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20, and also receives RSRP for each CSI-RS resource index from the receiving signal processing unit of terminal 20. The beam prediction unit of terminal 20 also constructs and trains a machine learning model using the RSRP for each SSB index as input data and the RSRP for each CSI-RS resource index as output data. Furthermore, when the beam prediction unit of terminal 20 receives information via PDCCH indicating a request for reporting of predicted beams, it calculates predicted beams at predefined timings from the RSRP data for each SSB index and outputs the prediction results to the control unit of terminal 20.

[0063] Furthermore, if terminal 20 has an analog beam, by making predictions for the beam pair between the base station 10's beam and terminal 20's beam, it is possible to estimate the beam pair that will provide the best communication quality during downlink data transmission from base station 10, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0064] Figure 12 shows an example of the procedure by which terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam for data transmission within the SSB period using AI / ML.

[0065] In step S401 of Figure 12, the base station 10 transmits RRC layer configuration information to the terminal 20. The RRC layer configuration information may include X, a parameter for setting a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period; Y, a parameter for setting Y timings that cause the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam; and Z, a parameter for setting an offset that indicates the starting position of the Y timings. Additionally, the RRC layer configuration information may include configuration information for causing the terminal 20 to receive SSBs transmitted with multiple different beams applied for each SSB period and to sample the reception quality of the SSB for each beam, and configuration information for causing the terminal 20 to estimate the time variation of the reception quality of the SSB for each beam as a function of time, based on the sampled reception quality of the SSB for each beam. Furthermore, the RRC layer configuration information may include configuration information for the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately preceding the timing that causes the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam.

[0066] In step S402 of Figure 12, the base station 10 transmits an SSB to the terminal 20 for each beam of the SS burst set. The base station 10 repeats the transmission of the SSB in step S402 for each SSB cycle until a specific condition is met. This specific condition may be that the transmission timing of the SS burst just before the timing to have the terminal 20 predict the optimal beam has been reached. Also in step S402 of Figure 12, the terminal 20 receives the SSB transmitted using multiple different beams and samples the reception quality of the SSB for each beam. The terminal 20 repeats the sampling of the reception quality of the SSB for each beam in step S402 for each SSB cycle until a specific condition is met.

[0067] In step S403 of Figure 12, the base station 10 transmits information indicating a request for beam reporting to the terminal 20 via the PDCCH.

[0068] In step S404 of Figure 12, terminal 20 estimates a function representing the time variation of reception quality for each beam, estimates the optimal beam for each of the Y timings based on the estimated function representing the time variation of reception quality for each beam, and reports the beam index of the estimated optimal beam for each timing to base station 10 via PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0069] Subsequently, in step S405, the base station 10 schedules data transmission to the terminal 20, and in step S406, it transmits data to the terminal 20. When transmitting the scheduling information in step S405 and transmitting the data in step S406, the base station 10 applies an estimated optimal beam that corresponds to one of the Y timings that minimizes the time difference with the scheduled data transmission timing.

[0070] Although the example in Figure 12 describes the case of downlink data transmission via PDSCH, the embodiment is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to uplink data transmission via PUSCH. For example, terminal 20 may periodically apply multiple beams to transmit Sounding Reference Signal (SRS), and base station 10 may estimate the time variation of the reception quality of the SRS for each beam as a function of time, based on the reception quality of the SRS for each sampled beam. Base station 10 may estimate the optimal beam for each of the Y timings and report the index of the estimated optimal beam for each timing to terminal 20 via PDCCH. Terminal 20 may perform PUCCH / PUSCH transmission using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings.

[0071] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 12, the resource transmitted by the prediction source beam (set A) is SS / PBCH, and the resource transmitted by the prediction target beam (set B) is CSI-RS. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the resource used in set A may also be CSI-RS.

[0072] Furthermore, terminal 20 may select X from a set of integer values ​​such as 2, 4, 8, and 16 based on the index transmitted by base station 10. In the example in Figure 12, X specifies a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, X may specify a time interval of 1 / X of the CSI-RS transmission period (CSI-ResourcePeriodity). In other words, the SSB period may be replaced with a CSI-RS transmission period that is shorter than the SSB period, and the above-mentioned X, Y, and Z may be set accordingly.

[0073] Figure 13 shows another example of the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 during inference. In this example, the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 during learning may be the same as the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 described with reference to Figures 7 and 8.

[0074] As shown in Figure 13, in step S501, the base station 10 transmits information to the terminal 20 via the PDCCH at a timing prior to the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately preceding the timing of predicting the optimal beam, requesting a report of the predicted optimal beam (a report of the beam index of the predicted optimal beam). At the same time, it transmits information via the PDCCH to adaptively change the timing (X, Y, Z) that specifies when the terminal 20 should predict the optimal beam, which was set using the RRC layer setting information during learning. In other words, in step S501, the base station 10 transmits additional information to the terminal 20 that instructs the terminal 20 on the timing of when the optimal beam should be predicted, in accordance with the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20. Note that in step S501, the base station 10 may instruct only changes to Y and Z among X, Y, and Z. Alternatively, in step S501, the base station 10 may instruct only a change to Y among X, Y, and Z, or it may instruct only a change to Z among X, Y, and Z. For example, in step S501, the base station 10 may transmit information via the PDCCH to adaptively change (X, Y, Z) so that one of the Y timings is the same timing as the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20. Here, "same timing" means that one of the Y timings is exactly the same timing as the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20, or that the time difference between one of the Y timings and the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20 is within n symbols, or that the time difference between one of the Y timings and the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20 is within n slots (n may be an integer of 1 or more).

[0075] In step S502 of Figure 13, terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam for each of the Y timings based on the estimated function representing the time variation of the reception quality for each beam, and reports the estimated optimal beam (beam index of the optimal beam) for each timing to base station 10 via PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0076] In step S503 of Figure 13, the base station 10 uses the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings to perform PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission). In this way, the base station 10 can improve the accuracy of the optimal beam estimation by adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) so that the time difference between any one of the Y timings and the data transmission timing scheduled for the terminal 20 becomes smaller.

[0077] In the example shown in Figure 13, the base station 10 transmits information for adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) using DCI transmitted via the PDCCH, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the base station 10 may transmit information for adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) using Medium Access Control Element (MAC CE) transmitted via the PDCCH. By using DCI or MAC CE, Y and Z in particular can be flexibly set for the terminal 20. In addition, when using MAC CE, PDCCH resources can be saved compared to when using DCI.

[0078] Although Figure 13 shows an example of downlink data transmission via PDSCH, the embodiment is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to uplink data transmission via PUSCH.

[0079] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 13, the resource transmitted by the prediction source beam (set A) is SS / PBCH, and the resource transmitted by the prediction target beam (set B) is CSI-RS. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the resource used in set A may also be CSI-RS.

[0080] Furthermore, terminal 20 may select X from a set of integer values ​​such as 2, 4, 8, and 16 based on the index transmitted by base station 10. In the above embodiment, X specifies a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, X may specify a time interval of 1 / X of the CSI-RS transmission period (CSI-ResourcePeriodity). In other words, the SSB period may be replaced with the CSI-RS transmission period, which is shorter than the SSB period, and the above-mentioned X, Y, and Z may be set accordingly.

[0081] Furthermore, regardless of the SSB period, a pre-set time interval may be specified by X. For example, one time interval may be specified by X from a set of time intervals such as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc. The time interval is not limited to 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc., and may be, for example, a time interval based on slots, a time interval based on symbols, a time interval based on subframes, or a time interval based on frames.

[0082] The above embodiment shows a method for estimating the optimal beam for data transmission timing based on the reception of past N SS / PBCH (SS burst) signals. Taking into account the inference processing time at the terminal 20, the base station 10 may send information to the terminal 20 requesting a report of the predicted optimal beam, so that it can be counted from the transmission timing of the SS / PBCH (SS burst) signal immediately preceding the timing of feeding back the estimated optimal beam to the base station 10.

[0083] In the above-described embodiment, an example was shown in which the terminal 20 uses a pre-configured predicted timing based on the RRC layer configuration information. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the base station 10 may configure the terminal 20 so that, in accordance with the speed of the terminal 20, the terminal 20 itself specifies the beam predicted timing and provides feedback of the specified beam predicted timing.

[0084] The difference between the example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 described with reference to Figure 10 and the example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 that executes the example in Figure 13 lies in the functional configuration of the control unit of the base station 10. Specifically, the control unit of the base station 10 instructs the transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 to transmit a request for prediction beam reporting (PDCCH), and also instructs the transmission signal generation unit of the base station 10 to transmit information (PDCCH) for adaptively changing the timing (X, Y, Z) that specifies when to cause the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam.

[0085] The difference between the example of the functional configuration of terminal 20 described with reference to Figure 11 and the example of the functional configuration of terminal 20 executing the example in Figure 13 lies in the functional configuration of the control unit and the received signal processing unit of terminal 20. Specifically, when the control unit of terminal 20 receives information via PDCCH to adaptively change the information requesting a report of the predicted beam and the timing (X, Y, Z) that specifies when terminal 20 should predict the optimal beam, it instructs the beam prediction unit of terminal 20 to calculate the predicted beam at the timing changed based on the notification. After receiving the prediction result from the beam prediction unit of terminal 20, it instructs the transmission signal generation unit of terminal 20 to transmit a CSI report including the predicted beam and its predicted reception quality via PUSCH and / or PUCCH. Furthermore, the received signal processing unit of terminal 20 receives information via PDCCH to adaptively change the information requesting a report of the predicted beam and the timing (X, Y, Z) that specifies when terminal 20 should predict the optimal beam, and outputs it to the control unit of terminal 20.

[0086] Figure 14 shows an example of the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 during learning. In step S601 of Figure 14, the base station 10 transmits RRC layer configuration information to the terminal 20. The RRC layer configuration information may include X, a parameter for setting a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period; Y, a parameter for setting Y timings that cause the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam; and Z, a parameter for setting an offset that indicates the starting position of the Y timings. Additionally, the RRC layer configuration information may include configuration information for causing the terminal 20 to receive SSBs transmitted with multiple different beams applied as input data for training data in machine learning, and to sample the reception quality of the SSB for each beam; and configuration information for causing the terminal 20 to estimate the time variation of the reception quality of the SSB for each beam as a function of time, based on the sampled reception quality of the SSB for each beam. Furthermore, the RRC layer configuration information may include settings for causing terminal 20 to receive CSI-RS signals transmitted with multiple different beams applied at a pre-set prediction timing as output data for training data in machine learning, and for terminal 20 to measure the reception quality of the CSI-RS for each beam as the beam quality of the predicted target (i.e., causing terminal 20 to check the prediction at a pre-set prediction timing). In addition, the RRC layer configuration information may include settings for the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately before the timing at which terminal 20 is instructed to predict the optimal beam.

[0087] In step S602 of Figure 14, the base station 10 transmits an SSB to the terminal 20 for each beam of the SS burst set. The base station 10 repeats the transmission of the SSB in step S602 for each SSB period until a specific condition is met. This specific condition may be that the transmission timing for the SS burst immediately preceding the timing at which the terminal 20 is prompted to predict the optimal beam has been reached. Also in step S602 of Figure 14, the terminal 20 receives the SSB transmitted using multiple different beams and samples the reception quality of the SSB for each beam. The terminal 20 repeats the sampling of the reception quality of the SSB for each beam in step S402 for each SSB period until a specific condition is met. In step 602 of Figure 14, the SSB is transmitted periodically for each beam of the SS burst set in order to measure the reception quality of the beams as input data for training data in machine learning. In addition, as output data for training data in machine learning, multiple different beams are applied at pre-set prediction timings, and CSI-RS is transmitted to terminal 20. Terminal 20 then measures the reception quality of the CSI-RS for each beam as the predicted beam quality.

[0088] In step S603 of Figure 14, terminal 20 performs machine learning using the RSRP of SSB for the past N cycles as input data and the RSRP of CSI-RS at a pre-set predicted timing as output data. In this way, by transmitting SSB for each beam as input data for training data in machine learning, and transmitting CSI-RS for each beam at a pre-set predicted timing as output data for training data in machine learning, terminal 20 can verify the prediction of beam reception quality at the pre-set predicted timing, and therefore improve the accuracy of the prediction. In other words, terminal 20 can correct the predicted value of beam reception quality based on the difference between the predicted value of beam reception quality predicted based on the reception of SSB for each beam and the measured value of beam reception quality measured based on the actual reception of CSI-RS for each beam.

[0089] In the example shown in Figure 14, the resource transmitted by the prediction source beam (set A) is SSB, and the resource transmitted by the prediction target beam (set B) is CSI-RS. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the resource used in set A may also be CSI-RS.

[0090] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 14, X specifies a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, X may specify a time interval of 1 / X of the CSI-RS transmission period (CSI-ResourcePeriodity). Alternatively, terminal 20 may select X from a set of integer values ​​such as 2, 4, 8, and 16 based on an index transmitted by base station 10. The SSB period may also be replaced with the CSI-RS transmission period, which is shorter than the SSB period, and the above-mentioned X, Y, and Z may be set accordingly.

[0091] Figure 15 shows another example of the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 during inference. In this example, the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 during learning may be the same as the operation of the base station 10 and terminal 20 described with reference to Figure 14.

[0092] As shown in Figure 15, in step S701, the base station 10 transmits information to the terminal 20 via the PDCCH at a timing prior to the transmission timing of the SS burst immediately preceding the timing of predicting the optimal beam, requesting a report of the predicted optimal beam (a report of the beam index of the predicted optimal beam). At the same time, it transmits information via the PDCCH to adaptively change the timing (X, Y, Z) that specifies when the terminal 20 should predict the optimal beam, which was set using the RRC layer setting information during learning. In other words, in step S701, the base station 10 transmits additional information to the terminal 20 that instructs the terminal 20 on the timing of when the optimal beam should be predicted, in accordance with the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20. Note that in step S701, the base station 10 may instruct only changes to Y and Z among X, Y, and Z. Alternatively, in step S701, the base station 10 may instruct only a change to Y among X, Y, and Z, or it may instruct only a change to Z among X, Y, and Z. For example, in step S701, the base station 10 may transmit information via the PDCCH to adaptively change (X, Y, Z) so that one of the Y timings is the same timing as the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20. Here, "same timing" means that one of the Y timings is exactly the same timing as the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20, or that the time difference between one of the Y timings and the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20 is within n symbols, or that the time difference between one of the Y timings and the timing of the data transmission scheduled for the terminal 20 is within n slots (n may be an integer of 1 or more).

[0093] In step S702 of Figure 15, the base station 10 transmits the SS burst immediately before the timing for predicting the optimal beam. In other words, the base station 10 transmits an SSB to the terminal 20 for each beam in the SS burst set.

[0094] In step S703 of Figure 15, terminal 20 estimates the optimal beam for each of the Y timings based on machine learning, and reports the estimated optimal beam (beam index of the optimal beam) for each timing to base station 10 via PUCCH and / or PUSCH.

[0095] In step S704 of Figure 15, the base station 10 schedules data transmission. In step S705 of Figure 15, the base station 10 performs data transmission using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the Y timings. In this way, the base station 10 can improve the accuracy of the optimal beam estimation by adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) so that the time difference between any one of the Y timings and the data transmission timing scheduled for the terminal 20 becomes smaller.

[0096] In the example shown in Figure 15, the base station 10 transmits information for adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) using DCI transmitted via the PDCCH, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the base station 10 may transmit information for adaptively changing (X, Y, Z) using Medium Access Control Element (MAC CE) transmitted via the PDCCH. By using DCI or MAC CE, Y and Z in particular can be flexibly set for the terminal 20. In addition, when using MAC CE, PDCCH resources can be saved compared to when using DCI.

[0097] Although Figure 15 shows an example of downlink data transmission via a PDSCH, the embodiment is not limited to this example and can be similarly applied to uplink data transmission via a PUSCH.

[0098] Furthermore, in the example shown in Figure 15, the resource transmitted by the prediction source beam (set A) is SS / PBCH, and the resource transmitted by the prediction target beam (set B) is CSI-RS. However, the embodiment is not limited to this example, and the resource used in set A may also be CSI-RS.

[0099] Furthermore, terminal 20 may select X from a set of integer values ​​such as 2, 4, 8, and 16 based on the index transmitted by base station 10. In the above embodiment, X specifies a time interval of 1 / X of the SSB period, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, X may specify a time interval of 1 / X of the CSI-RS transmission period (CSI-ResourcePeriodity). In other words, the SSB period may be replaced with the CSI-RS transmission period, which is shorter than the SSB period, and the above-mentioned X, Y, and Z may be set accordingly.

[0100] Furthermore, regardless of the SSB period, a pre-set time interval may be specified by X. For example, one time interval may be specified by X from a set of time intervals such as 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc. The time interval is not limited to 5ms, 10ms, 20ms, 30ms, etc., and may be, for example, a time interval based on slots, a time interval based on symbols, a time interval based on subframes, or a time interval based on frames.

[0101] In the above embodiment, terminal 20 may transmit information to base station 10 as UE capability indicating that it has the function of predicting the optimal beam at a specific timing using AI / ML. When base station 10 receives the UE capability and determines that terminal 20 has the function of predicting the optimal beam at a specific timing using AI / ML, it may transmit setting information to terminal 20 to cause terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam at a specific timing.

[0102] The above embodiments may also be applied to the random access procedure for beam failure recovery. For example, the base station 10 transmits setting information for causing the terminal 20 to predict the optimal beam at a specific timing to the terminal 20. Accordingly, the terminal 20 performs machine learning for predicting the optimal beam at a specific timing. When a beam failure occurs, the terminal 20 transmits a random access preamble for beam failure recovery. For example, the terminal 20 predicts the optimal beam at the timing of transmitting the random access preamble for beam failure recovery, and may include the index of the predicted optimal beam in the transmission of the random access preamble for beam failure recovery. Accordingly, the base station 10 may apply the optimal beam predicted by the terminal 20 when transmitting the random access response. Further, when applying a collision-type random access procedure for beam failure recovery, the base station 10 may apply the optimal beam predicted by the terminal 20 when transmitting the random access response and the contention resolution message.

[0103] In the above example, one (X, Y, Z) is set based on the setting information of the RRC layer, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the base station 10 sets a plurality of sets of (X, Y, Z), for example, {(X １ , Y １ , Z １ ), (X ２ , Y ２ , Z ２ ),..., (X ｎ , Y ｎ , Z ｎ ), n>1, for the terminal 20 based on the setting information of the RRC layer, and uses MAC CE to set {(X １ , Y １ , Z １ ), (X ２ , Y ２ , Z ２ ),..., (X ｎ , Y ｎ , Z ｎA subset of )}, for example, {(X ｋ , Y ｋ Z ｋ ), (X ｌ , Y ｌ Z ｌ ), (X ｍ , Y ｍ Z ｍ )}, select and select {(X ｋ , Y ｋ Z ｋ ), (X ｌ , Y ｌ Z ｌ ), (X ｍ , Y ｍ Z ｍ Based on {(X ｋ , Y ｋ Z ｋ ), (X ｌ , Y ｌ Z ｌ ), (X ｍ , Y ｍ Z ｍ )} any one of the following (for example, (X ｍ , Y ｍ Z ｍ )) is specified, and terminal 20 is Y ｍ The optimal beam for each of the individual timings may be estimated, and the beam index of the estimated optimal beam for each timing may be reported to the base station 10. ｍ PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission) may be performed using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the available timings.

[0104] In the example above, (X, Y, Z) are set based on the RRC layer configuration information, but the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, the base station 10 may set only (X) for the terminal 20 based on the RRC layer configuration information, and the parameters Y and Z may be determined by the specifications, for example, Y=X for all timings obtained by dividing the SSB period into X parts, and Z=0 for no offset; or only (X, Y) may be set, and the parameter Z may be determined by the specifications, for example, Z=0 for no offset; or only (X, Z) may be set, and the parameter Y may be determined by the specifications, for example, Y=X for all timings obtained by dividing the SSB period into X parts. Furthermore, the parameter values ​​may be pre-set to arbitrary values, not limited to the cases exemplified above.

[0105] While the above example demonstrates the use of a machine learning model, the embodiment is not limited to this example. For example, terminal 20 may predict the optimal beam using an Autoregressive (AR) model, linear prediction, spline interpolation, or the like.

[0106] In the above-described embodiment, the device referred to as "base station" can be interchangeably replaced with terms such as "wireless base station," "NodeB," "eNodeB," "gNodeB," "access point," "transmission point," "receiver point," "transmission / reception point," "cell," "macrocell," "small cell," "femtocell," and "picocell."

[0107] (Device Configuration) Next, an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 that perform the processes and operations described above will be explained. The base station 10 and terminal 20 include the functions to carry out the above-described embodiment. However, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may each be equipped with only some of the functions in the embodiment.

[0108] <Base Station 10> Figure 16 shows an example of the functional configuration of the base station 10 in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, the base station 10 has a transmitting unit 110, a receiving unit 120, a setting unit 130, and a control unit 140. The functional configuration shown in Figure 16 is just one example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment.

[0109] The transmitting unit 110 includes the function of generating a signal to be transmitted to the terminal 20 and transmitting the signal wirelessly. The transmitting unit 110 also transmits inter-network node messages to other network nodes. The receiving unit 120 includes the function of receiving various signals transmitted from the terminal 20 and obtaining information from the received signals, for example, higher layer information. The transmitting unit 110 also has the function of transmitting PSS, SSS, PBCH, DL / UL control signals, etc. to the terminal 20. The receiving unit 120 also receives inter-network node messages from other network nodes.

[0110] The setting unit 130 stores pre-configured setting information and various setting information to be transmitted to the terminal 20. The content of the setting information includes, for example, setting information to cause the terminal 20 to estimate the optimal beam at a specific timing.

[0111] As described in the embodiment, the control unit 140 performs a process to apply the optimal beam for a specific timing, estimated by the terminal 20, to the data transmission at that specific timing. The control unit 140 also performs scheduling. The signal transmission function unit of the control unit 140 may be included in the transmission unit 110, and the signal reception function unit of the control unit 140 may be included in the reception unit 120.

[0112] <Terminal 20> Figure 17 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of terminal 20 in the embodiment. As shown in Figure 17, terminal 20 has a transmitting unit 210, a receiving unit 220, a setting unit 230, and a control unit 240. The functional configuration shown in Figure 17 is just one example. Any functional classification and functional unit names are acceptable as long as they can perform the operations according to the embodiment.

[0113] The transmitting unit 210 creates a transmission signal from the transmission data and transmits the transmission signal wirelessly. The receiving unit 220 wirelessly receives various signals and acquires signals from higher layers from the received physical layer signals. The receiving unit 220 also has the function of receiving PSS, SSS, PBCH, DL / UL / SL control signals, etc. transmitted from the base station 10. Furthermore, for example, the transmitting unit 210 transmits the Physical Sidelink Control Channel (PSCCH), Physical Sidelink Shared Channel (PSSCH), Physical Sidelink Discovery Channel (PSDCH), Physical Sidelink Broadcast Channel (PSBCH), etc., to other terminals 20 as D2D communication, and the receiving unit 220 receives the PSCCH, PSSCH, PSDCH, or PSBCH, etc., from other terminals 20.

[0114] The setting unit 230 stores various setting information received from the base station 10 by the receiving unit 220. The setting unit 230 also stores pre-set setting information. The content of the setting information includes, for example, setting information for the terminal 20 to estimate the optimal beam at a specific timing.

[0115] The control unit 240 performs processing to estimate the optimal beam at a specific timing, as described in the embodiment. The signal transmission function in the control unit 240 may be included in the transmission unit 210, and the signal reception function in the control unit 240 may be included in the reception unit 220.

[0116] (Hardware Configuration) The block diagrams (Figures 16 and 17) used in the description of the above embodiments show functional units. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method of realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using one device that is physically or logically coupled, or it may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (for example, using wired or wireless connections). A functional block may be realized by combining the one device or the multiple devices with software.

[0117] Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, decision, determination, calculation, calculation, processing, derivation, investigation, exploration, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, assumption, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating (mapping), and assigning. For example, a functional block (configuration part) that enables transmission is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. In all cases, as mentioned above, the method of implementation is not particularly limited.

[0118] For example, the base station 10, terminal 20, etc. in the embodiment may function as a computer that processes the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 according to the embodiment. The base station 10 and terminal 20 described above may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, a storage device 1002, an auxiliary storage device 1003, a communication device 1004, an input device 1005, an output device 1006, a bus 1007, etc.

[0119] In the following explanation, the term "device" can be read as "circuit," "device," "unit," etc. The hardware configuration of the base station 10 and terminal 20 may include one or more of the devices shown in the figure, or it may be configured without some of the devices.

[0120] Each function in the base station 10 and terminal 20 is realized by loading predetermined software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and storage device 1002, which allows the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communication by the communication device 1004, and control at least one of data reading and writing in the storage device 1002 and auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0121] The processor 1001 controls the entire computer, for example, by running an operating system. The processor 1001 may consist of a central processing unit (CPU) that includes interfaces with peripheral devices, control devices, arithmetic units, registers, etc. For example, the control unit 140, control unit 240, etc., described above may be implemented by the processor 1001.

[0122] Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, or data from at least one of the auxiliary storage device 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the storage device 1002, and executes various processes accordingly. The program used is one that causes the computer to execute at least a part of the operations described in the above embodiment. For example, the control unit 140 of the base station 10 shown in Figure 17 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Also, for example, the control unit 240 of the terminal 20 shown in Figure 16 may be implemented by a control program stored in the storage device 1002 and operated by the processor 1001. Although the above-described processes have been explained as being executed by one processor 1001, they may be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented by one or more chips. The program may also be transmitted from the network via a telecommunications line.

[0123] The storage device 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: Read Only Memory (ROM), Erasable Programmable ROM (EPROM), Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM (EEPROM), Random Access Memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory, etc. The storage device 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc., for implementing the communication method according to the embodiment.

[0124] The auxiliary storage device 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium and may consist of at least one of the following: an optical disc such as a Compact Disc ROM (CD-ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital multipurpose disk, a Blu-ray® disk), a smart card, flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy® disk, a magnetic strip, etc. The above-mentioned storage medium may also be a database, server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of the storage device 1002 and the auxiliary storage device 1003.

[0125] The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmitting / receiving device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, communication module, etc. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include, for example, a high-frequency switch, duplexer, filter, frequency synthesizer, etc., in order to implement at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the transmitting and receiving antenna, amplifier section, transmitting and receiving section, transmission path interface, etc., may be implemented by the communication device 1004. The transmitting and receiving section may be implemented in a physically or logically separated manner, with a transmitting section and a receiving section.

[0126] The input device 1005 is an input device that accepts input from an external source (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.). The output device 1006 is an output device that outputs to an external source (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.). The input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be configured as an integrated unit (e.g., a touch panel).

[0127] Furthermore, each device, such as the processor 1001 and the storage device 1002, is connected by a bus 1007 for communicating information. The bus 1007 may be configured using a single bus, or different buses may be configured for each device.

[0128] Furthermore, the base station 10 and terminal 20 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), and a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA), and some or all of each functional block may be realized by such hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these hardware components.

[0129] (Summary of Embodiments) As described above, according to the embodiment, a terminal is provided comprising: a receiving unit that receives setting information relating to the measurement of a first reference signal transmitted by applying multiple beams, which specifies at least the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, among the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, the number of the plurality of specific future timings, and an offset that defines the start timing of the plurality of specific future timings; a control unit that predicts the optimal beam that will have the best reception quality at each of the plurality of specific future timings based on the setting information; and a transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the optimal beam at each of the plurality of specific future timings predicted by the control unit.

[0130] With the above configuration, the base station can perform PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission) using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among several specific future timings. Even when the terminal is moving at high speed, it is possible to reduce the discrepancy between the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent first reference signal and the optimal beam at the time of data transmission, thereby reducing the degradation of reception quality that occurs with terminal movement.

[0131] The time intervals between the aforementioned multiple specific future timings may be shorter than the first transmission cycle of the first reference signal. This configuration allows the base station to transmit data using an optimal beam estimated for a timing closer to the data transmission timing among the multiple specific future timings, thereby reducing the degradation of reception quality associated with terminal movement.

[0132] The first reference signal may be a Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB) consisting of a synchronization signal and a downlink physical broadcast channel. With this configuration, the terminal can estimate the optimal beam based on the continuously transmitted SSB.

[0133] The control unit uses the SSB as input data for training data in machine learning and uses the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), which is a second reference signal that is transmitted by applying multiple different beams at pre-set predicted timings, as output data for training data in machine learning. The second reference signal is transmitted periodically, and the transmission interval of the second reference signal may be the same as the time interval of the multiple specific future timings. With this configuration, the terminal can correct the predicted value of the reception quality for each beam based on the difference between the predicted value of the reception quality for each beam predicted based on the reception of the SSB for each beam and the measured value of the reception quality for each beam measured based on the actual reception of the CSI-RS for each beam.

[0134] Furthermore, according to the embodiment, a base station is provided, comprising: a transmitting unit that transmits to the terminal setting information relating to the measurement of a first reference signal transmitted by applying multiple beams, the setting information specifying at least the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, among the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, the number of the plurality of specific future timings, and an offset defining the start timing of the plurality of specific future timings; a receiving unit that receives information indicating the optimal beam that will have the best reception quality at each of the plurality of specific future timings predicted by the terminal based on the setting information; and a control unit that applies the optimal beam at the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the plurality of specific future timings to the data transmission. With the above configuration, the base station can perform PDCCH / PDSCH transmission (data transmission) using the optimal beam estimated for the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the plurality of specific future timings, and even when the terminal is moving at high speed, it is possible to reduce the discrepancy between the beam selected based on the reception quality of the most recent first reference signal and the optimal beam at the time of data transmission, thereby reducing the deterioration of reception quality associated with the movement of the terminal.

[0135] The time intervals of the aforementioned multiple specific future timings may be shorter than the first transmission cycle of the first reference signal, and the first reference signal may be a Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB) consisting of a synchronization signal and a downlink physical broadcast channel. With this configuration, the terminal can estimate the optimal beam based on the continuously transmitted SSB, and the base station can transmit data using the estimated optimal beam for the timing closer to the data transmission timing among the multiple specific future timings, thereby reducing the degradation of reception quality due to terminal movement.

[0136] The transmitting unit transmits the SSB to the terminal as input data for training data in machine learning, and applies multiple different beams at pre-set prediction timings to transmit Channel State Information Reference Signals (CSI-RS) to the terminal as output data for training data in machine learning. The CSI-RS is transmitted periodically, and the transmission interval of the CSI-RS may be the same as the time interval of multiple specific future timings. With this configuration, the terminal can correct the predicted value of the reception quality for each beam based on the difference between the predicted value of the reception quality for each beam, which is predicted based on the reception of the SSB for each beam, and the measured value of the reception quality for each beam, which is measured based on the actual reception of the CSI-RS for each beam.

[0137] (Supplement to Embodiments) Although embodiments have been described above, the disclosed invention is not limited to such embodiments, and those skilled in the art will understand various modifications, alterations, alternatives, substitutions, etc. Specific numerical examples have been used to facilitate understanding of the invention, but unless otherwise specified, these numerical values ​​are merely examples, and any appropriate values ​​may be used. The division of items in the above description is not essential to the present invention, and matters described in two or more items may be combined as needed, and matters described in one item may be applied to matters described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other). The boundaries of functional units or processing units in the functional block diagram do not necessarily correspond to the boundaries of physical parts. The operation of multiple functional units may be physically performed by one part, or the operation of one functional unit may be physically performed by multiple parts. The processing procedures described in the embodiments may be rearranged as long as they do not contradict each other. For the convenience of explaining the processing, the base station 10 and terminal 20 have been described using functional block diagrams, but such devices may be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. The software operated by the processor of the base station 10 according to the embodiment and the software operated by the processor of the terminal 20 according to the embodiment may be stored in any suitable storage medium such as random access memory (RAM), flash memory, read-only memory (ROM), EPROM, EEPROM, register, hard disk (HDD), removable disk, CD-ROM, database, server, or other appropriate storage medium.

[0138] Furthermore, notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described herein and may be carried out by other means. For example, notification of information may be carried out by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), upper layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling), broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB)), other signals, or combinations thereof. Furthermore, RRC signaling may also be called RRC messages, such as RRC Connection Setup messages and RRC Connection Reconfiguration messages.

[0139] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure is Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4th generation mobile communication system (4G), 5th generation mobile communication system (5G), Future Radio Access (FRA), new Radio (NR), W-CDMA®, GSM®, CDMA2000, Ultra Mobile Broadband (UMB), IEEE This may be applied to at least one of the following systems: 802.11 (Wi-Fi®), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX®), IEEE 802.20, Ultra-WideBand (UWB), Bluetooth®, and other appropriate systems, as well as next-generation systems extended based on these. Furthermore, multiple systems may be applied in combination (for example, a combination of at least one of LTE and LTE-A with 5G).

[0140] The processing procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc., of each aspect / embodiment described herein may be reordered, provided they are consistent with each other. For example, the methods described herein present various step elements in an exemplary order and are not limited to that specific order.

[0141] In this specification, specific operations performed by the base station 10 may, in some cases, be performed by its upper node. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station 10, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with the terminal 20 can be performed by the base station 10 and at least one of the other network nodes (for example, an MME or S-GW, but not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates the case where there is one other network node besides the base station 10, the other network node may be a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW).

[0142] The information or signals described in this disclosure may be output from a higher layer (or lower layer) to a lower layer (or higher layer). They may also be input and output via multiple network nodes.

[0143] Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (e.g., memory) or managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or appended to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to other devices.

[0144] The determination in this disclosure may be made by a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), by a Boolean value (true or false), or by a numerical comparison (for example, a comparison with a predetermined value).

[0145] Software should be broadly interpreted to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, procedures, functions, and so on, whether they are called software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or by any other name.

[0146] Furthermore, software, instructions, information, etc., may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using at least one of wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or digital subscriber line (DSL)) and wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then at least one of these wired and wireless technologies is included in the definition of a transmission medium.

[0147] The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of the various different techniques. For example, the data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltage, current, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

[0148] In addition, terms used in this disclosure and terms necessary for understanding this disclosure may be replaced with terms having the same or similar meanings. For example, at least one of the channel and symbol may be a signal (signaling). Also, a signal may be a message. Furthermore, a component carrier (CC) may be called a carrier frequency, cell, frequency carrier, etc.

[0149] The terms “system” and “network” as used in this disclosure are interchangeable.

[0150] Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc., described in this disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, relative values ​​from a given value, or other corresponding information. For example, wireless resources may be indicated by an index.

[0151] The names used for the parameters described above are not restrictive in any way. Furthermore, the formulas and other expressions using these parameters may differ from those expressly disclosed in this disclosure. Various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements can be identified by any suitable name, and therefore, the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not restrictive in any way.

[0152] In this disclosure, terms such as "Base Station (BS)", "wireless base station", "base station equipment", "fixed station", "NodeB", "eNodeB (eNB)", "gNodeB (gNB)", "access point", "transmission point", "reception point", "transmission / reception point", "cell", "sector", "cell group", "carrier", and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. Base stations may also be referred to by terms such as macrocell, small cell, femtocell, and picocell.

[0153] A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. If a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of ​​the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, each of which may also be provided with communication services by a base station subsystem (e.g., a Remote Radio Head (RRH)). The terms “cell” or “sector” refer to part or all of the coverage area of ​​at least one of the base station and / or base station subsystems that provide communication services in that coverage.

[0154] In this disclosure, the transmission of information by a base station to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to perform control or operation based on the information.

[0155] In this disclosure, terms such as "Mobile Station (MS)," "user terminal," "User Equipment (UE)," and "terminal" may be used interchangeably.

[0156] A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or several other appropriate terms.

[0157] At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be called a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may also be a device mounted on a mobile body, the mobile body itself, etc. The mobile body refers to a movable object, and its speed of movement is arbitrary. This naturally includes the case where the mobile body is stationary.

[0158] Furthermore, the term "base station" in this disclosure may be interpreted as "user terminal." For example, the various aspects / embodiments of this disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a user terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals 20 (which may be called, for example, Device-to-Device (D2D), Vehicle-to-Everything (V2X), etc.). In this case, the terminals 20 may have the functions that the base station 10 has. Also, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be interpreted as terms corresponding to terminal-to-terminal communication (for example, "side"). For example, uplink channel, downlink channel, etc., may be interpreted as side channel.

[0159] Similarly, the term "user terminal" in this disclosure may be replaced with "base station." In this case, the base station may be configured to have the same functions as the user terminal described above.

[0160] As used in this disclosure, the terms “determining” and “determining” may encompass a wide variety of actions. “Determining” may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, or inquiring (e.g., searching in a table, database, or other data structure), or ascertaining. “Determining” may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), inputting, outputting, or accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory). Furthermore, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, etc. In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include considering something as having been "judged" or "decided" after some action. Also, "judgment (decision)" can be reinterpreted as "assuming," "expecting," or "considering."

[0161] The terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variation thereof, mean any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may include the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are “connected” or “coupled” with each other. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. For example, “connection” may be reinterpreted as “access.” As used in this disclosure, two elements may be considered to be “connected” or “coupled” with each other using at least one of one or more wires, cables, and printed electrical connections, and, in some non-limiting and non-exclusive examples, electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency domain, microwave domain, and optical (both visible and invisible) domain.

[0162] The reference signal may also be abbreviated as RS, and may be called Pilot depending on the applicable standard.

[0163] In this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based solely on" unless otherwise specified. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based solely on" and "based at least on."

[0164] Any reference to elements using the designations “first,” “second,” etc., as used in this disclosure does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient way to distinguish between two or more elements. Accordingly, references to the first and second elements do not imply that only two elements may be employed, or that the first element must precede the second element in any way.

[0165] In the configuration of each of the above devices, "means" may be replaced with "part," "circuit," "device," etc.

[0166] Where the terms “include,” “including,” and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, as is the term “comprising.” Furthermore, the term “or” as used in this disclosure is not intended to mean exclusive OR.

[0167] A wireless frame may consist of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of these frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further consist of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

[0168] Numerical logic may be communication parameters applied to at least one of the transmission and reception of a signal or channel. Numerical logic may include, for example, at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame configuration, specific filtering processes performed by the transceiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing processes performed by the transceiver in the time domain.

[0169] A slot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain (such as an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol or a Single Carrier Frequency Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA) symbol). A slot may also be a time unit based on neurologic.

[0170] A slot may include multiple minislots. Each minislot may consist of one or more symbols in the time domain. Minislots may also be called subslots. Minislots may consist of fewer symbols than a slot. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted in a time unit larger than a minislot may be called a PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type A. A PDSCH (or PUSCH) transmitted using a minislot may be called a PDSCH (or PUSCH) mapping type B.

[0171] Wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols all represent units of time when transmitting a signal. Different names may be used for each of these terms.

[0172] For example, one subframe may be called a Transmission Time Interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. In other words, at least one of a subframe and a TTI may be a subframe in existing LTE (1 ms), a period shorter than 1 ms (e.g., 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc., instead of a subframe.

[0173] Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, the base station schedules each terminal 20 to allocate wireless resources (such as the frequency bandwidth and transmission power available to each terminal 20) in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

[0174] TTI may be a transmission time unit for channel-encoded data packets (transport blocks), code blocks, code words, etc., or it may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. When a TTI is given, the actual time interval (e.g., number of symbols) in which the transport block, code block, code word, etc. are mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

[0175] Furthermore, if one slot or one mini-slot is referred to as a TTI, then one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more mini-slots) may constitute the minimum time unit for scheduling. In addition, the number of slots (number of mini-slots) that constitute this minimum time unit for scheduling may be controlled.

[0176] A TTI with a time length of 1 ms may be called a normal TTI, a long TTI, a normal subframe, a long subframe, a slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a normal TTI may be called a shortened TTI, a short TTI, a partial or fractional TTI, a shortened subframe, a short subframe, a mini slot, a sub slot, a slot, etc.

[0177] Furthermore, long TTIs (e.g., normal TTIs, subframes, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a time length exceeding 1 ms, and short TTIs (e.g., shortened TTIs, etc.) may be interpreted as TTIs with a TTI length less than that of a long TTI but 1 ms or more.

[0178] A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and frequency domain, and in the frequency domain, it may contain one or more consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be the same regardless of the neurology, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers in an RB may be determined based on the neurology.

[0179] Furthermore, the time domain of the RB may contain one or more symbols and may be the length of one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI. One TTI, one subframe, etc., may each consist of one or more resource blocks.

[0180] One or more RBs may also be called a Physical RB (PRB), Sub-Carrier Group (SCG), Resource Element Group (REG), PRB pair, RB pair, etc.

[0181] Furthermore, a resource block may consist of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource area comprising one subcarrier and one symbol.

[0182] A Bandwidth Part (BWP), also known as a partial bandwidth, may represent a subset of consecutive common resource blocks (RBs) for a particular neurology in a given carrier. These common RBs may be identified by an index of the RBs relative to a common reference point of the carrier. The PRBs may be defined and numbered within a given BWP.

[0183] A BWP may include a BWP for UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for DL ​​(DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be set within a single carrier for a UE.

[0184] At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE does not need to assume that it will transmit or receive a predetermined signal / channel outside of the active BWP. In this disclosure, terms such as "cell" and "carrier" may be read as "BWP".

[0185] The structures described above, such as wireless frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols, are merely illustrative. For example, the number of subframes included in a wireless frame, the number of slots per subframe or wireless frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, and the number of symbols, symbol length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length within the TTI can be varied in various ways.

[0186] In this disclosure, if articles are added through translation, such as a, an, and the in English, this disclosure may include the fact that the noun following these articles is plural.

[0187] In this disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "combine" may be interpreted similarly to "different."

[0188] Each aspect / embodiment described in this disclosure may be used individually, in combination, or switched between as needed during implementation. Furthermore, notification of specific information (e.g., notification that "X is") is not limited to explicit notification, but may also be implicit (e.g., by not providing such notification).

[0189] Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the intent and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the claims. Therefore, the descriptions in the present disclosure are illustrative and not intended to be restrictive in any way.

[0190] 10 Base station 110 Transmitter 120 Receiver 130 Setting unit 140 Control unit 20 Terminal 210 Transmitter 220 Receiver 230 Setting unit 240 Control unit 1001 Processor 1002 Storage device 1003 Auxiliary storage device 1004 Communication device 1005 Input device 1006 Output device

Claims

A receiving unit that receives setting information relating to the measurement of a first reference signal transmitted by applying multiple beams, which specifies at least the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, among the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, the number of such plurality of specific future timings, and an offset that defines the start timing of the plurality of specific future timings, A control unit predicts the optimal beam that will provide the best reception quality at each of the multiple specific future timings based on the aforementioned setting information, A transmitting unit that transmits information indicating the optimal beam at each of the multiple specific future timings predicted by the control unit, A terminal equipped with the following features. 　 The time intervals of the aforementioned multiple specific future timings are shorter than the first transmission period of the first reference signal. The terminal according to claim 1. 　 The first reference signal is a Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB) consisting of a synchronization signal and a downlink physical broadcast channel. The terminal according to claim 2. 　 The control unit uses the SSB as input data for training data in machine learning and uses the Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS), which is a second reference signal transmitted by applying multiple different beams at a pre-set prediction timing, as output data for training data in machine learning. The second reference signal is transmitted periodically, and the transmission interval of the second reference signal is the same as the time interval of the plurality of specific future timings. The terminal according to claim 3. 　 A transmitting unit transmits to the terminal setting information relating to measurements at a terminal of a first reference signal transmitted by applying multiple beams, which specifies at least the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, among the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings, the number of such plurality of specific future timings, and an offset that defines the start timing of the plurality of specific future timings, to the terminal. A receiving unit that receives information indicating the optimal beam that will provide the best reception quality at each of the multiple specific future timings predicted by the terminal, based on the aforementioned setting information. A control unit that applies the optimal beam at the timing closest to the data transmission timing among the multiple specific future timings, A base station equipped with the necessary equipment. 　 The time intervals of the aforementioned multiple specific future timings are shorter than the first transmission period of the first reference signal. The base station according to claim 5. 　 The first reference signal is a Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SSB) consisting of a synchronization signal and a downlink physical broadcast channel. The base station according to claim 6. 　 The transmitting unit transmits the SSB to the terminal as input data for training data in machine learning, and applies multiple different beams at a pre-set prediction timing to transmit Channel State Information Reference Signal (CSI-RS) to the terminal as output data for training data in machine learning. The CSI-RS is transmitted periodically, and the transmission interval of the CSI-RS is the same as the time interval of a plurality of specific future timings. The base station according to claim 7.

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