Method and apparatus for configuration-based transmission or reception of low-power synchronization signal in wireless communication system

Abstract

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for transmitting or receiving a low-power signal on the basis of a parameter in a wireless communication system. A method, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure, may comprise the steps of: acquiring, by a terminal, parameters related to at least one of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS) and a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS); and receiving, by the terminal, at least one of the LP-SS and the LP-WUS from a network on the basis of the parameters. The parameters may include a first parameter set and a second parameter set, and one or more candidates of each parameter of the second parameter set may be based on a value of each parameter of the first parameter set.

Description

Method and device for setting-based transmission or reception of low-power synchronization signals in a wireless communication system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more specifically, to a method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving a low-power synchronization signal based on a setting for a low-power synchronization signal.

[0002] The 5th generation (5G) wireless communication system is a successor technology to 4G LTE (long term evolution) and is a new clean-slate type mobile communication system with characteristics such as high performance, low latency, and high availability. In the case of 5G NR (New Radio), all available spectrum resources can be utilized, ranging from low-frequency bands below 1 GHz to intermediate frequency bands between 1 GHz and 10 GHz, and high-frequency (or millimeter wave) bands above 24 GHz. Based on the foundational technology of 5G wireless communication, 6G wireless communication systems are being developed.

[0003] 6G wireless communication systems are being developed with the goal of (i) very high data rates per device, (ii) a very large number of connected devices, (iii) global connectivity, (iv) very low latency, (v) reduced energy consumption of battery-free IoT (internet of things) devices, (vi) ultra-reliable connectivity, and (vii) connected intelligence with machine learning capabilities. The vision of 6G systems can be seen in four aspects: intelligent connectivity, deep connectivity, holographic connectivity, and ubiquitous connectivity. Various technologies are being researched in consideration of the requirements for 6G systems, such as a peak data rate of 1 Tbps per device, an end-to-end (E2E) latency of 1ms, a maximum spectrum efficiency of 100 bps / Hz, support for mobility of 1000 km / h, satellite integration, artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous vehicles, extended reality (XR), and haptic communication.

[0004] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving a low-power synchronization signal based on a setting for a low-power synchronization signal in a wireless communication system.

[0005] The technical problems to be solved in this disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which this disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0006] A method performed by a terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include: receiving from a network by the terminal setting information including information regarding the period and time offset of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS); and receiving the LP-SS from the network by the terminal based on the setting information. The time offset may be set by reference to a system frame number (SFN) 0.

[0007] A method performed by a network node according to an additional aspect of the present disclosure may include: transmitting configuration information, which includes information regarding the period and time offset of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS), to a terminal by the network node; and transmitting the LP-SS to the terminal by the network node based on the configuration information. The time offset may be set by reference to system frame number (SFN) 0.

[0008] According to the present disclosure, a method and apparatus for transmitting or receiving a low-power synchronization signal based on a setting for a low-power synchronization signal in a wireless communication system may be provided.

[0009] The effects obtainable from the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other unmentioned effects will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs from the description below.

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are included as part of the detailed description to aid in understanding the present disclosure, provide embodiments of the present disclosure and explain the technical features of the present disclosure together with the detailed description.

[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flexible network topology to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary communication system to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless device to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary communication procedure between a first node and a second node to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0015] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional framework for AI operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0017] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0018] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0019] FIG. 9 shows an electromagnetic spectrum to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0020] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system information transmission / reception procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0021] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary beam management procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0022] FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 13 show examples of NTN scenarios to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0023] FIG. 14 shows examples of sensing operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0024] FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings for illustrating examples of OOK methods for LP signals according to the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method performed by a terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0026] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating an example of a method performed by a network node according to the present disclosure.

[0027] FIGS. 19 and 20 are drawings for illustrating examples of LP-SS burst patterns according to the present disclosure.

[0028] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description disclosed below, together with the accompanying drawings, is intended to describe exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure and is not intended to represent the only embodiment in which the present disclosure may be practiced. The following detailed description includes specific details to provide a complete understanding of the present disclosure. However, those skilled in the art will know that the present disclosure may be practiced without such specific details.

[0029] In some cases, to avoid obscuring the concept of the present disclosure, known structures and devices may be omitted or illustrated in the form of a block diagram focusing on the core functions of each structure and device.

[0030] In the present disclosure, when a component is described as being “connected,” “combined,” or “joined” with another component, this may include not only a direct connection but also an indirect connection in which another component exists between them. Furthermore, in the present disclosure, the terms “comprising” or “having” specify the presence of the mentioned features, steps, actions, elements, and / or components, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, steps, actions, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0031] In the present disclosure, terms such as "first," "second," etc. are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another and are not used to limit the components, nor do they limit the order or importance of the components unless specifically stated otherwise. Accordingly, within the scope of the present disclosure, a first component in one embodiment may be referred to as a second component in another embodiment, and likewise, a second component in one embodiment may be referred to as a first component in another embodiment.

[0032] The terms used in this disclosure are for the description of specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the claims. As used in the description of embodiments and the appended claims, the singular form is intended to include the plural form unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0033] In the present disclosure, "A or B" may mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." Alternatively, in the present disclosure, "A or B" may be interpreted as "A and / or B." For example, in the present disclosure, "A, B or C" may mean "only A," "only B," "only C," or "any combination of A, B and C."

[0034] A slash ( / ) or a comma used in the present disclosure may mean "and / or." For example, "A / B" may mean "A and / or B." Accordingly, "A / B" may mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." For example, "A, B, C" may mean "A, B or C."

[0035] In the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" may mean "only A," "only B," or "both A and B." Additionally, in the present disclosure, the expressions "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of A and / or B" may be interpreted as synonymous with "at least one of A and B."

[0036] Additionally, in the present disclosure, "at least one of A, B and C" may mean "only A," "only B," "only C," or "any combination of A, B and C." Additionally, "at least one of A, B or C" or "at least one of A, B and / or C" may mean "at least one of A, B and C."

[0037] Additionally, parentheses used in this disclosure may mean "for example." Specifically, when indicated as "control information (PDCCH)," "PDCCH" may be described as an example of "control information." In other words, the "control information" of this disclosure is not limited to "PDCCH," and "PDCCH" may be described as an example of "control information." Furthermore, even when indicated as "control information (i.e., PDCCH)," "PDCCH" may be described as an example of "control information."

[0038] In the following explanation, '...when, if, in case of' can be replaced with '...based on'.

[0039] Technical features described individually within one drawing in this disclosure may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

[0040] In the present disclosure, a terminal or user equipment (UE) may be a portable device and may be a first node that receives a signal from a base station / second node / integrated access backhaul (IAB) node.

[0041] In the present disclosure, the base station (BS, Base Station) may be a second node / IAB node / Transmission-Reception Point (TRP).

[0042] In the present disclosure, a higher layer parameter may be a parameter configured, pre-configured, or pre-defined for a terminal. For example, a base station or network may transmit the higher layer parameter to the terminal. For example, the higher layer parameter may be transmitted via radio resource control (RRC) signaling or medium access control (MAC) signaling.

[0043] In the present disclosure, "set or defined" may be interpreted as being set to a device through predefined signaling (e.g., System Information Block (SIB), MAC, RRC) from a base station or network. In the present disclosure, "set or defined" may be interpreted as being set to a device through separate signaling or being predefined without separate signaling.

[0044] In the present disclosure, transmitting or receiving a channel includes the meaning of transmitting or receiving information or a signal through said channel. For example, transmitting a control channel means transmitting control information or a signal through the control channel. Similarly, transmitting a data channel means transmitting data information or a signal through the data channel.

[0045] The technology described in this disclosure can be used in various wireless communication systems such as CDMA (code division multiple access), FDMA (frequency division multiple access), TDMA (time division multiple access), OFDMA (orthogonal frequency division multiple access), and SC-FDMA (single carrier frequency division multiple access). CDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as UTRA (universal terrestrial radio access) or CDMA2000. TDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as GSM (global system for mobile communications), GPRS (general packet radio service), and EDGE (enhanced data rates for GSM evolution). OFDMA can be implemented with wireless technologies such as IEEE (institute of electrical and electronics engineers) 802.11 (Wi-Fi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX), IEEE 802-20, E-UTRA (evolved UTRA), LTE (long term evolution), and 5G NR.

[0046] The technology described in this disclosure can be implemented as 6G wireless technology and applied to various 6G systems. For example, 6G systems may have key factors such as eMBB (enhanced mobile broadband), URLLC (ultra-reliable low latency communications), mMTC (massive machine-type communication), AI (artificial intelligence) integrated communication, tactile internet, high throughput, high network capacity, high energy efficiency, low backhaul and access network congestion, and enhanced data security.

[0047] Network structure

[0048] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flexible network topology to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0049] To compensate for incomplete areas of network coverage, a network topology in which the split radio access network (RAN) is configured more flexibly and resiliently may be considered. To this end, various nodes such as integrated access backhaul (IAB) nodes, relays, and radio frequency (RF) repeaters, as exemplified in Fig. 1, may be applied, and a non-terrestrial network (NTN) may be integrated. For example, an IAB node may correspond to a node that provides wireless backhaul. For example, a relay may refer to any intermediate point, and in the case of a sidelink relay where a terminal functions as a relay, it may collectively refer to a terminal-to-network (U2N) relay and a terminal-to-terminal (U2U) relay. For example, an RF repeater may correspond to a node that performs simple signal amplification and forwarding functions, and in the case of a network-controlled repeater, it may adjust transmit / receive settings based on information provided by the network as well as signal amplification and forwarding. For example, NTN nodes can correspond to satellites or aircraft that provide NTN coverage that is difficult for terrestrial networks to provide. In addition to these examples, various intermediate points can be introduced to improve the network topology.

[0050] Referring to FIG. 1, a split RAN can support the division of a base station into one centralized unit (CU) and one or more distributed units (DU). The CU and DU may correspond to logical units. The CU may be further divided into a control plane (CP) portion and one or more user plane (UP) portions. Since a failure in the CU-CP affects not only the CU-UP but also the DU, various intermediate points may be introduced to compensate for this.

[0051] An intermediate point may correspond to a terminal or a base station depending on its relative relationship with other nodes. For example, an IAB node may include a mobile-termination (MT) portion and a DU. The MT may connect the IAB node to a donor node. The DU of the IAB node may serve other terminals or connect to other IAB nodes to provide multi-hop wireless backhaul to terminals. For example, an IAB node may correspond to a base station in its relative relationship with a user-side node and to a terminal in its relative relationship with a network-side node.

[0052] In some examples of the present disclosure, the description of a terminal may apply equally to an intermediate point corresponding to a terminal in relation to a network-side endpoint as well as to a user-side endpoint. Similarly, in some examples of the present disclosure, the description of a base station may apply equally to an intermediate point corresponding to a base station in relation to a user-side endpoint as well as to a network-side endpoint. In most cases where there is no additional description of the operation of three or more subjects, the communication subjects in the present disclosure are briefly described by the term terminal and / or base station (or first node and / or second node), wherein the term terminal and / or base station (or first node and / or second node) is interpreted to include or replace any endpoint or any intermediate point in relation to other nodes.

[0053] As such, in some examples of the present disclosure, for the sake of brevity of description, the subject of the operation may be referred to as a terminal and / or base station (or a first node and / or a second node). Additionally, the term terminal and / or base station (or a first node and / or a second node) may be interpreted or substituted as in the following examples: for example, the terminal (or first node) and the base station (or second node) may correspond to a first endpoint and a second endpoint, respectively; may correspond to an endpoint and an intermediate point, respectively; may correspond to an intermediate point and an endpoint, respectively; or may correspond to a first intermediate point and a second intermediate point, respectively.

[0054] In the present disclosure, there may be no intermediate points between the base station and the terminal, or there may be one or more. If intermediate points exist, the intermediate points may correspond to IAB nodes, relays, RF repeaters, NTN nodes, or nodes supporting other functions. The intermediate points may be nodes with a fixed location or nodes with an indefinite location.

[0055] Systems applicable to the present disclosure

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary communication system to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0057] The communication system (100) to which the present disclosure applies includes a wireless device (110), a network device (120), and a network (130). Here, the wireless device (110) refers to a device that performs communication using wireless access technology (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A pro, NR, 5G, 5G-A, 6G) and may be referred to as a communication / wireless / 5G / 6G device. Although not limited thereto, the wireless device (110) may include a robot (110a), a vehicle (110b-1, 110b-2), an XR (extended reality) device (110c), a hand-held device (110d), a home appliance (110e), an IoT (Internet of Thing) device (110f), and an AI (artificial intelligence) device / server (110g). For example, the vehicle may include a vehicle equipped with wireless communication capabilities, an autonomous vehicle, a vehicle capable of performing inter-vehicle communication, etc. Here, the vehicle (110b-1, 110b-2) may include an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) (e.g., a drone). The XR device (110c) includes an augmented reality (AR) / virtual reality (VR) / mixed reality (MR) device and may be implemented in the form of a head-mounted device (HMD), a head-up display (HUD) equipped in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone, a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance, digital signage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. The portable device (110d) may include a smartphone, a smart pad, a wearable device (e.g., a smart watch, smart glasses), a computer (e.g., a laptop, etc.). The home appliance (110e) may include a TV, a refrigerator, a washing machine, etc. The IoT device (110f) may include a sensor, a smart meter, etc. The wireless device (110) may correspond to a terminal (or first node) or an intermediate point.The network device (120) may correspond to a base station (or a second node) or another intermediate point. For example, the network device (120) may also be implemented as a wireless device (110), and a specific wireless device (120a) may operate as a network device (120) to another wireless device (110).

[0058] Wireless devices (110a to 110f) can be connected to a network (130) through a network device (120). AI technology may be applied to the wireless devices (110a to 110f), and the wireless devices (110a to 110f) can be connected to an AI server (110g) through the network (130). The network (130) can be configured using a 3G network, a 4G (e.g., LTE) network, a 5G (e.g., NR) network, or a 6G network. The wireless devices (110a to 110f) may communicate with each other through the network device (120) / network (130), but may also communicate directly (e.g., sidelink communication) without going through the network device (120) / network (130). For example, vehicles (110b-1, 110b-2) can communicate directly (e.g., V2V (vehicle to vehicle) / V2X (vehicle to everything) communication). Also, an IoT device (110f) (e.g., a sensor) can communicate directly with another IoT device (e.g., a sensor) or other wireless devices (110a to 110f).

[0059] Wireless communication / connection (150a, 150b, 150c) can be established between wireless devices (110a to 110f) / network devices (120) and between network devices (120). Here, wireless communication / connection can be established through various wireless access technologies such as uplink / downlink communication (150a), sidelink communication (150b) (or D2D communication), and communication between network devices (150c) (e.g., relay, IAB (integrated access backhaul)). Through wireless communication / connection (150a, 150b, 150c), wireless devices and network devices / wireless devices, and network devices and network devices can transmit / receive wireless signals to / from each other. For example, wireless communication / connection (150a, 150b, 150c) can transmit / receive signals through various physical channels. To this end, based on the various descriptions of the present disclosure, at least some of the following may be performed: a process for setting various configuration information for transmitting / receiving wireless signals, a process for various signal processing (e.g., channel encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, resource mapping / demapping, etc.), a resource allocation process, etc.

[0060] Devices applicable to the present disclosure

[0061] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless device to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0062] Referring to FIG. 3, the wireless device (200) can transmit and receive wireless signals through various wireless access technologies (e.g., LTE, LTE-A, LTE-A pro, NR, 5G, 5G-A, 6G). The wireless device (200) includes at least one processor (202) and at least one memory (204), and may additionally include at least one transceiver (206) and / or at least one antenna (208).

[0063] The processor (202) controls the memory (204) and / or the transceiver (206) and may be configured to implement the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or sequences of operation disclosed in this document. For example, the processor (202) may process information within the memory (204) to generate a first information / signal and then transmit a wireless signal containing the first information / signal through the transceiver (206). Additionally, the processor (202) may receive a wireless signal containing a second information / signal through the transceiver (206) and then store information obtained from the signal processing of the second information / signal in the memory (204). The memory (204) may be connected to the processor (202) and may store various information related to the operation of the processor (202). For example, memory (204) may store software code containing instructions for performing some or all of the processes controlled by the processor (202) or for performing the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or sequences of operations disclosed in this document. Here, the processor (202) and memory (204) may be part of a communication modem / circuit / chip designed to implement wireless communication technology. A transceiver (206) may be connected to the processor (202) and may transmit and / or receive wireless signals through at least one antenna (208). The transceiver (206) may include a transmitter and / or receiver. The transceiver (206) may be interchangeable with a radio frequency (RF) unit. In this disclosure, a wireless device may mean a communication modem / circuit / chip.

[0064] Hereinafter, hardware elements of the wireless device (200) will be described in more detail. Although not limited thereto, at least one protocol layer may be implemented by at least one processor (202). For example, at least one processor (202) may implement at least one layer (e.g., functional layers such as PHY (physical), MAC (media access control), RLC (radio link control), PDCP (packet data convergence protocol), RRC (radio resource control), and SDAP (service data adaptation protocol). At least one processor (202) may generate at least one PDU (Protocol Data Unit) and / or at least one SDU (service data unit) according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operation sequences disclosed in this document. At least one processor (202) may generate messages, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operation sequences disclosed in this document. At least one processor (202) may generate a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) including a PDU, SDU, message, control information, data, or information according to the functions, procedures, proposals, and / or methods disclosed in this document and provide it to at least one transceiver (206). At least one processor (202) may receive a signal (e.g., a baseband signal) from at least one transceiver (206) and may obtain a PDU, SDU, message, control information, data, or information according to the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequences disclosed in this document.

[0065] At least one processor (202) may be referred to as a controller, microcontroller, microprocessor, or microcomputer. At least one processor (202) may be implemented by hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. For example, at least one application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), at least one digital signal processor (DSP), at least one digital signal processing device (DSPD), at least one programmable logic device (PLD), or at least one field programmable gate array (FPGA) may be included in at least one processor (202). The descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequences disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software, and the firmware or software may be implemented to include modules, procedures, functions, etc. Firmware or software configured to perform the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequences disclosed in this document may be included in at least one processor (202) or stored in at least one memory (204) and driven by at least one processor (202). The descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or flowcharts disclosed in this document may be implemented using firmware or software in the form of code, instructions, and / or sets of instructions.

[0066] At least one memory (204) may be connected to at least one processor (202) and may store various forms of data, signals, messages, information, programs, codes, instructions, and / or commands. At least one memory (204) may be composed of ROM (read-only memory), RAM (random access memory), EPROM (erasable programmable read-only memory), flash memory, hard drive, registers, cache memory, computer read storage media, and / or combinations thereof. At least one memory (204) may be located inside and / or outside of at least one processor (202). Additionally, at least one memory (204) may be connected to at least one processor (202) via various technologies, such as wired or wireless connections.

[0067] At least one transceiver (206) may transmit user data, control information, wireless signals / channels, etc., as mentioned in the methods and / or operation flowcharts, etc. of this document to at least one other device. At least one transceiver (206) may receive user data, control information, wireless signals / channels, etc., as mentioned in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods and / or operation flowcharts, etc. disclosed in this document from at least one other device. For example, at least one transceiver (206) may be connected to at least one processor (202) and may transmit and receive wireless signals. For example, at least one processor (202) may control at least one transceiver (206) to transmit user data, control information, or wireless signals to at least one other device. Additionally, at least one processor (202) may control at least one transceiver (206) to receive user data, control information, or wireless signals from at least one other device. Additionally, at least one transceiver (206) may be connected to at least one antenna (208), and at least one transceiver (206) may be configured to transmit and receive user data, control information, wireless signals / channels, etc., as described in the descriptions, functions, procedures, proposals, methods, and / or operation sequence diagrams disclosed in this document through at least one antenna (208). In this document, at least one antenna may be a plurality of physical antennas or a plurality of logical antennas (e.g., antenna ports). At least one transceiver (206) may convert the received wireless signals / channels, etc., from RF band signals to baseband signals in order to process the received user data, control information, wireless signals / channels, etc., using at least one processor (202).At least one transceiver (206) can convert user data, control information, wireless signals / channels, etc. processed using at least one processor (202) from a baseband signal to an RF band signal. To this end, at least one transceiver (206) may include an (analog) oscillator and / or filter.

[0068] The components of the wireless device described with reference to FIG. 3 may be referred to by other terms in terms of their function. For example, the processor (202) may be referred to as the control unit, the transceiver (206) as the communication unit, and the memory (204) as the storage unit. In some cases, the communication unit may be used to mean at least a part of the processor (202) and the transceiver (206).

[0069] The structure of the wireless device described with reference to FIG. 3 can be understood as the structure of at least part of various devices. For example, the structure of the wireless device illustrated in FIG. 3 may be at least part of the various devices described with reference to FIG. 2 (e.g., robot (110a), vehicle (110b-1, 110b-2), XR device (110c), portable device (110d), home appliance (110e), IoT device (110f), AI device / server (110g)). Furthermore, according to various embodiments, the device may include other components in addition to the components illustrated in FIG. 3.

[0070] For example, the device may be a portable device such as a smartphone, smartpad, wearable device (e.g., smart watch, smart glasses), or portable computer (e.g., laptop, etc.). In this case, the device may further include at least one of a power supply unit that supplies power and includes a wired / wireless charging circuit, a battery, etc., an interface unit that includes at least one port for connection with another device (e.g., an audio input / output port, a video input / output port), and an input / output unit for inputting and outputting video information / signals, audio information / signals, data, and / or information input by a user.

[0071] For example, the device may be a mobile device such as a mobile robot, vehicle, train, manned / unmanned aerial vehicle (AV), or ship. In this case, the device may further include at least one of a drive unit comprising at least one of an engine, motor, power train, wheel, brake, and steering device of the device; a power supply unit that supplies power and includes a wired / wireless charging circuit, battery, etc.; a sensor unit that senses state information, environmental information, and user information of the device or its surroundings; an autonomous driving unit that performs functions such as path maintenance, speed control, and destination setting; and a position measurement unit that acquires position information of the moving body through a GPS (global positioning system) and various sensors.

[0072] For example, the device may be an XR device such as an HMD, a HUD (head-up display) equipped in a vehicle, a television, a smartphone, a computer, a wearable device, a home appliance, digital signage, a vehicle, a robot, etc. In this case, the device may further include at least one of a power supply unit that supplies power and includes a wired / wireless charging circuit, a battery, etc., an input / output unit that acquires control information, data, etc. from the outside and outputs a generated XR object, and a sensor unit that senses state information, environment information, and user information of the device or the surroundings of the device.

[0073] For example, the device may be a robot that can be classified into industrial, medical, household, military, etc., depending on the purpose or field of use. In this case, the device may further include at least one of a sensor unit that senses state information, environmental information, and user information of the device or its surroundings, and a drive unit that performs various physical actions, such as moving robot joints.

[0074] For example, the device may be an AI device such as a TV, projector, smartphone, PC, laptop, digital broadcasting terminal, tablet PC, wearable device, set-top box (STB), radio, washing machine, refrigerator, digital signage, robot, vehicle, etc. In this case, the device may further include at least one of an input unit that acquires various types of data from the outside, an output unit that generates output related to sight, hearing, or touch, a sensor unit that senses state information, environmental information, and user information of the device or its surroundings, and a training unit that learns a model composed of an artificial neural network using training data.

[0075] The structure of the wireless device illustrated in FIG. 3 may be understood as part of a terminal (or first node), or part of an intermediate point, or part of a base station (or second node). If the device illustrated in FIG. 3 is a base station (or second node), the device may further include a wired transceiver for front haul and / or back haul communication. If the front haul and / or back haul communication is based on wireless communication, at least one transceiver (206) illustrated in FIG. 3 is used for front haul and / or back haul communication, and a wired transceiver may not be included.

[0076] Communication procedures

[0077] FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary communication procedure between a first node and a second node to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0078] FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of a first node (110) (e.g., a terminal) and a second node (120) (e.g., a base station) transmitting and / or receiving data, and the operation performed prior to this.

[0079] In step S101, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can perform synchronization. For example, the terminal (110) performs an initial cell search operation. Specifically, the terminal (110) can detect at least one synchronization signal transmitted from the base station (120) according to a predefined rule. Here, the synchronization signal may include a plurality of synchronization signals (e.g., a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal) classified according to structure or use. Through this, the terminal (110) can identify the boundaries of the frame, subframe, slot, and / or symbol of the base station (120) and obtain information about the base station (120) (e.g., a cell identifier).

[0080] In step S103, the first node (110) can obtain system information transmitted from the second node (120). For example, the system information is information related to the attributes, characteristics, and / or capabilities of the base station (120) required to connect to the base station (120) and use the service, and can be classified according to content (e.g., whether it is essential for connection), transmission structure (e.g., the channel used, whether it is provided on-demand), etc., and can be classified, for example, into a master information block (MIB) and a system information block (SIB). If necessary, the terminal (110) may transmit a signal requesting the system information prior to receiving the system information. Such request and provision of system information may be performed after a random access procedure described later.

[0081] In step S105, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can perform a random access procedure. For example, the terminal (110) can transmit and / or receive at least one message for a random access procedure (e.g., a random access preamble, a RAR (random access response) message, etc.) based on information related to the random access channel of the base station (120) obtained through system information (e.g., channel location, channel structure, structure of a supported preamble, etc.). For example, the terminal (110) may transmit a preamble (e.g., message 1 (MSG1)) through a random access channel, receive a random access response (RAR) message (e.g., message 2 (MSG2)), transmit a message (e.g., message 3 (MSG3)) containing information related to the terminal (110) (e.g., identification information) to the base station (120) using scheduling information included in the RAR message, and receive a message (e.g., message 4 (MSG4)) for contention resolution and / or connection establishment. As another example, MSG1 and MSG3 may be transmitted and received as a single message (e.g., message A (MSG A), or MSG2 and MSG4 may be transmitted and received as a single message (e.g., message B (MSG B).

[0082] In step S107, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can perform signaling of control information. For example, the control information may be defined in various layers, such as a layer that controls the connection (e.g., a radio resource control (RRC) layer), a layer that handles mapping between logical channels and transmission channels (e.g., a media access control (MAC) layer), and a layer that handles physical channels (e.g., a physical (PHY) layer). For example, the terminal (110) and the base station (120) may perform at least one of signaling to establish a connection, signaling to determine settings related to communication, and signaling to indicate allocated resources.

[0083] In step S109, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can transmit and / or receive data. For example, the terminal (110) and the base station (120) can process data based on the signaling of control information and transmit and / or receive data. For example, when transmitting data, the terminal (110) or the base station (120) can perform at least one of channel encoding, rate matching, scrambling, constellation mapping, layer mapping, waveform modulation, antenna mapping, and resource mapping on the information bits. For example, when receiving data, the terminal (110) or the base station (120) can perform at least one of extracting a signal from a resource, antenna-specific waveform demodulation, signal placement considering layer mapping, constellation demapping, descrambling, and channel decoding.

[0084] 6G System Core Technology

[0085] As core implementation technologies for 6G systems, technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), THz (Terahertz) communication, optical wireless technology, free space optics (FSO) backhaul network, multiple input multiple output (MIMO) technology, blockchain, 3D networking, quantum communication, unmanned aerial vehicles, cell-free communication, wireless information and energy transfer (WIET), integration of sensing and communication, integration of access backhaul networks, holographic beamforming, big data analysis, and large intelligent surface (LIS) can be adopted.

[0086] artificial intelligence

[0087] The introduction of AI into communications can streamline and enhance real-time data transmission. AI can determine how complex target tasks are performed using numerous analyses. AI can increase efficiency and reduce processing latency. Time-consuming tasks such as handover, network selection, and resource scheduling can be performed instantly using AI. AI can also play a significant role in machine-to-machine (M2M), machine-to-human, and human-to-machine communication. Furthermore, AI can enable rapid communication in Brain-Computer Interfaces (BCI). AI-based communication systems can be supported by metamaterials, intelligent structures, intelligent networks, intelligent devices, intelligent cognitive radios, self-sustaining wireless networks, and machine learning.

[0088] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional framework for AI operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0089] Below, to provide a more specific explanation of AI (or AI / ML (machine learning)), terms can be defined as follows.

[0090] - Data collection: Data collected from network nodes, management entities, or terminals, serving as a basis for AI model training, data analysis, and inference.

[0091] - AI model: A data-driven algorithm that applies AI technology to generate a set of outputs containing predictive information and / or decision parameters based on a set of inputs.

[0092] - AI / ML Training: An online or offline process of training an AI model by learning features and patterns that best represent data and acquire an AI / ML model trained for inference.

[0093] - AI / ML Inference: A process of making predictions or deriving decisions based on collected data and an AI model using a trained AI model.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 5, the data collection function (10) is a function that collects input data and provides processed input data to the model training function (20) and the model inference function (30).

[0095] Examples of input data may include measurements from terminals or other network entities, feedback from actors, and outputs from AI models.

[0096] The data collection function (10) performs data preparation based on input data and provides the input data processed through data preparation. Here, the data collection function (10) does not perform specific data preparation (e.g., data pre-processing and cleaning, forming and transformation) for each AI algorithm, and can perform data preparation common to AI algorithms.

[0097] After the data preparation process is performed, the data collection function (10) can provide training data (11) to the model training function (20) and provide inference data (12) to the model inference function (30). Here, the training data (11) corresponds to data required as input for the AI ​​model training function (20), and the inference data (12) corresponds to data required as input for the AI ​​model inference function (30).

[0098] The data collection function (10) may be performed by a single entity (e.g., terminal, RAN node, network node, etc.) but may also be performed by multiple entities. In this case, training data (11) and inference data (12) from multiple entities may be provided to the model training function (20) and the model inference function (30), respectively.

[0099] The model training function (20) may correspond to a function that performs AI model training, validation, and testing, which can generate model performance metrics as part of the AI ​​model testing procedure. If necessary, the model training function (20) may also be responsible for data preparation (e.g., data pre-processing and cleaning, formatting and transformation, etc.) based on training data (11) provided by the data collection function (10).

[0100] Here, model deployment / update (13) can be used to initially deploy a trained, validated, and tested AI model to the model inference function (30) or to provide an updated model to the model inference function (30).

[0101] The model inference function (30) may correspond to a function that provides an AI model inference output (16) (e.g., a prediction or a decision). The model inference function (30) may provide model performance feedback (14) to the model training function (20) where applicable. Additionally, the model inference function (30) may be responsible for data preparation (e.g., data pre-processing and cleaning, formatting and transformation, etc.) based on the inference data (12) provided by the data collection function (10) if necessary.

[0102] Here, output (16) refers to the inference output of an AI model generated by the model inference function (30), and the details of the inference output may vary depending on the use case.

[0103] Model performance feedback (14) can be used to monitor the performance of the AI ​​model if available, and this feedback may be omitted.

[0104] The actor function (40) is a function that receives an output (16) from the model inference function (30) and triggers or performs a corresponding operation / action. The actor function (40) can trigger an operation / action on another entity (e.g., one or more terminals, one or more RAN nodes, one or more network nodes, etc.) or on itself.

[0105] Feedback (15) can be used to derive training data (11) and inference data (12), or to monitor the performance of the AI ​​model, the impact on the network, etc.

[0106] Meanwhile, the definitions of training, validation, and testing in data sets used in AI / ML can be distinguished as follows.

[0107] - Training data: Refers to the dataset used to train a model.

[0108] - Validation data: This refers to a dataset used to validate a model that has already been trained. Validation data typically refers to a dataset used to prevent overfitting of the training dataset. Additionally, validation data can refer to a dataset used to select the best model among the various models trained during the learning process. Therefore, validation can be viewed as a type of training.

[0109] - Test data: Refers to the dataset for final evaluation. This data is unrelated to training.

[0110] For example, within the entire dataset, training data and validation data can be divided in a ratio of approximately 8:2 or 7:3. Alternatively, within the entire dataset, training data:validation data:test data can be divided in a ratio of 6:2:2.

[0111] Depending on whether the base station and the terminal possess the capability for AI / ML functions, the cooperation level can be defined as follows, and variations resulting from the combination of multiple levels below or the separation of any one level are also possible.

[0112] Category 0a: This corresponds to a no collaboration framework. In this case, the AI / ML algorithm is based on pure implementation and may not require changes to the wireless interface.

[0113] Category 0b: Corresponds to a framework that involves a wireless interface modified to fit efficient implementation-based AI / ML algorithms but lacks cooperation.

[0114] Category 1: This applies to cases involving inter-node support to improve the AI / ML algorithms of each node. For example, it applies when a terminal receives support from a base station (for training, adaptation, etc.), and vice versa. At this level, model exchange between network nodes is not required.

[0115] Category 2: This applies to cases where joint ML operations between a terminal and a base station can be performed. This level requires AI / ML model commands or exchanges between network nodes.

[0116] The functions exemplified in Figure 5 above may be implemented at RAN nodes (e.g., base station, TRP, base station CU, etc.), network nodes, network operator's OAM (operation administration maintenance), or terminals.

[0117] Alternatively, two or more entities among a RAN, a network node, a network operator's OAM, or a terminal may cooperate to implement the functions exemplified in FIG. 5. For example, one entity may perform some of the functions of FIG. 5, and another entity may perform the remaining functions. As such, some of the functions exemplified in FIG. 5 are performed by a single entity (e.g., a terminal, a RAN node, a network node, etc.), the transmission / provision of data / information between each function may be omitted. For example, if the model training function (20) and the model inference function (30) are performed by the same entity, the transmission / provision of model distribution / update (13) and model performance feedback (14) may be omitted.

[0118] Alternatively, any one of the functions exemplified in FIG. 5 may be performed by two or more entities among the RAN, network node, network operator's OAM, or terminal in collaboration. This may be referred to as a split AI operation.

[0119] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0120] For example, the AI ​​model training function can be performed by network nodes (e.g., core network nodes, network operator's OAM, etc.), and the AI ​​model inference function can be performed by RAN nodes (e.g., base station, TRP, base station's CU, etc.).

[0121] Step 1: RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2 can transmit input data (e.g., training data) for training an AI model to a network node. Here, RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2 can also transmit data collected from terminals to the network node (e.g., terminal measurements related to RSRP (reference signal received power), RSRQ (reference signal received quality), and SINR (signal to interference-plus-noise ratio) of the serving cell and neighboring cells, terminal location, speed, etc.).

[0122] Step 2: Network nodes can train AI models using the received training data.

[0123] Step 3: The network node can distribute / update the AI ​​model to RAN Node 1 and / or RAN Node 2. RAN Node 1 (and / or RAN Node 2) may also continue model training based on the received AI model.

[0124] For the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the AI ​​model was deployed / updated only to RAN Node 1.

[0125] Step 4: RAN Node 1 can receive input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference from the terminal and RAN Node 2.

[0126] Step 5: RAN Node 1 can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0127] Step 6: If applicable, RAN node 1 can send model performance feedback to network nodes.

[0128] Step 7: RAN Node 1, RAN Node 2, and the terminal (or 'RAN Node 1 and the terminal', or 'RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2') can perform an action based on the output data. For example, in the case of a load balancing action, the terminal may move from RAN Node 1 to RAN Node 2.

[0129] Step 8: RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2 can transmit feedback information to network nodes.

[0130] FIG. 7 illustrates another example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0131] For example, both AI model training and AI model inference functions can be performed by RAN nodes (e.g., base station, TRP, base station's CU, etc.).

[0132] Step 1: The terminal and RAN node 2 can transmit input data (e.g., training data) for training an AI model to RAN node 1.

[0133] Step 2: RAN Node 1 can train an AI model using the received training data.

[0134] Step 3: RAN Node 1 can receive input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference from the terminal and RAN Node 2.

[0135] Step 4: RAN Node 1 can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0136] Step 5: RAN Node 1, RAN Node 2, and the terminal (or 'RAN Node 1 and the terminal', or 'RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2') can perform an action based on the output data. For example, in the case of a load balancing action, the terminal may move from RAN Node 1 to RAN Node 2.

[0137] Step 6: RAN Node 2 can send feedback information to RAN Node 1.

[0138] FIG. 8 illustrates another example of operations related to AI model training and AI model inference to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0139] For example, the AI ​​model training function may be performed by a RAN node (e.g., base station, TRP, base station CU, etc.), and the AI ​​model inference function may be performed by a terminal.

[0140] Step 1: A terminal can transmit input data (e.g., training data) for training an AI model to a RAN node. Here, the RAN node can collect data (e.g., terminal measurements related to RSRP, RSRQ, SINR of the serving cell and neighboring cells, terminal location, velocity, etc.) from various terminals and / or other RAN nodes.

[0141] Step 2: The RAN node can train an AI model using the received training data.

[0142] Step 3: The RAN node can distribute / update the AI ​​model to the terminal. The terminal may also continue model training based on the received AI model.

[0143] Step 4: Input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference can be received from terminals and RAN nodes (and / or other terminals).

[0144] Step 5: The terminal can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0145] Step 6: If applicable, the terminal can transmit model performance feedback to the RAN node.

[0146] Step 7: The terminal and the RAN node can perform actions based on the output data.

[0147] Step 8: The terminal can transmit feedback information to the RAN node.

[0148] THz communication

[0149] Data transmission rates can be increased by expanding bandwidth. This can be achieved by using sub-THz communication with wide bandwidth and applying advanced large-scale MIMO technology. THz waves, also known as sub-millimeter radiation, generally refer to a frequency band between 0.1 THz and 10 THz with corresponding wavelengths ranging from 0.03 mm to 3 mm. The 100 GHz–300 GHz band range (sub-THz band) is considered the primary portion of the THz band for cellular communication. Adding the sub-THz band to the mmWave band increases 6G cellular communication capacity. Among the defined THz bands, the 300 GHz–3 THz band is located in the far-infrared (IR) frequency band. Although the 300 GHz–3 THz band is part of the broadband, it lies at the boundary of the broadband and immediately following the RF band. Therefore, this 300 GHz–3 THz band exhibits similarities to RF.

[0150] FIG. 9 shows an electromagnetic spectrum to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0151] Key characteristics of THz communication include (i) widely available bandwidth to support very high data transmission rates, and (ii) high path loss occurring at high frequencies (highly directional antennas are indispensable). The narrow beam width generated by highly directional antennas reduces interference. The small wavelength of THz signals allows a much larger number of antenna elements to be integrated into devices and BSs operating in this band. This enables the use of advanced adaptive array technologies that can overcome range limitations.

[0152] When transmitting system information (e.g., MIB) of a cell in the THz frequency band, it can be inefficient because, in the case of high frequency bands, beam sweeping must be performed more frequently to cover the entire area of ​​the cell as the beam width becomes narrower. In particular, transmitting system information using this method is even more inefficient when there are not many users in the cell.

[0153] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system information transmission / reception procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0154] The example of FIG. 10 is applicable not only to THz communication environments but also to 6G communication environments where THz communication is not applied. In addition, the procedure exemplified in FIG. 10 can be combined with various embodiments of the present disclosure described below. For example, embodiments described below can be performed based on system information obtained by the procedure exemplified in FIG. 10.

[0155] In step S1010, the second node (120) (e.g., a base station) can transmit system information of cell #1 through cell #2. For example, the base station provides at least two cells, cell #1 uses a THz frequency band, and cell #2 uses a frequency band other than the THz frequency band. Here, the system information may include at least one of a system frame number (SFN) generated at a higher layer, a PDCCH configuration for SIB1, cell barring, cell re-selection, and subcarrier spacing, and may include at least one of a synchronization signal / PBCH (physical broadcast channel) block index generated at a physical layer. To this end, as an example, cell #1 and cell #2 may have a secondary cell and primary cell relationship.

[0156] In step S1030, the first node (110) (e.g., a terminal) can acquire synchronization for cell #1. Synchronization can be acquired by detecting a synchronization signal. Generally, synchronization is acquired prior to receiving system information, but since the system information of cell #1 is received in cell #2, the acquisition of synchronization for cell #1 can be performed after receiving system information. For example, the terminal can acquire synchronization based on system information. Alternatively, the acquisition of synchronization may be performed prior to step S1010.

[0157] In step S1050, the first node (110) may transmit a signal to connect to cell #1. For example, the signal may include a random access preamble. The structure of such a signal and the resource for transmitting the signal (e.g., a channel) may be identified through system information. Subsequently, in step S1070, the first node (110) and the second node (120) may perform a connection procedure to cell #1 and perform communication.

[0158] The procedure described with reference to FIG. 10 may be performed when the first node (110) first connects to cell #1 of the second node (120). Alternatively, a similar procedure may be performed when the first node (110) handovers to cell #1 of the second node (120). However, in the case of a handover, the system information of cell #1 may be received from a cell of a different base station other than cell #2 of the second node (120).

[0159] Communication in the THz band is expected to experience severe path loss, and to overcome this, terminals and base stations may be required to use very sharp beams. The use of sharp beams implies that terminals and base stations must perform beam control in addition to beamforming, meaning that a very large number of beams are utilized. Consequently, aligning the transmit and receive beams between the base station and the terminal takes a very long time. Furthermore, if the beam alignment between the base station and the terminal is disrupted due to the movement of the terminal, time is frequently required to realign the beams, which may lead to link instability.

[0160] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary beam management procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0161] Figure 11 illustrates an example of a procedure for searching and / or selecting beams for THz communication, but this procedure is not limited to a THz environment and can also be applied in a 6G communication environment where THz communication is not applied.

[0162] Here, the term "beam" can be interpreted as other terms having equivalent technical meanings capable of distinguishing beams, such as "spatial domain filter," "spatial domain transmit filter," "spatial domain receive filter," reference signal (RS) resources for distinguishing beams, and SSB index.

[0163] In step S1110, the second node (120) (e.g., base station) may set resources for beam management to the first node (110) (e.g., terminal). Here, the resources may include at least one of time-frequency resources, channels, and spatial resources (e.g., antenna ports). For example, the base station may utilize a beam search signal (BSS) that is transmitted spatially separated from the existing downlink signal / channel for beam search. Here, the BSS may be transmitted based on a dedicated port for beam search. The dedicated port may be a port different from the port for transmitting the existing downlink signal / channel (e.g., SSB, PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel), etc.). BSS is a term defined for convenience of explanation, and the technical concept according to the present embodiment is not limited to the term BSS itself. For example, a signal transmitted based on a dedicated port defined / set for beam search may be included in the technical concept according to the present embodiment.

[0164] In step S1130, the second node (120) (e.g., a base station) transmits measurement signals using multiple transmission beams. For example, the measurement signals may include at least one of a reference signal and a synchronization signal. At this time, the measurement signals may be transmitted as many times as the number of beams requiring measurement, and may be transmitted using a multi-beam transmission method that forms multiple beams simultaneously to reduce sweeping time. Here, multi-beam transmission may be performed based on at least one of a multi-panel, a sub-array, or a true time delay (TTD).

[0165] In step S1050, the first node (110) (e.g., a terminal) may transmit a feedback signal to the second node (120) (e.g., a base station). The feedback signal may indicate at least one beam selected by the terminal. The terminal may select at least one preferred beam based on the measurement signals received in step S1030.

[0166] In step S1070, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can perform communication. For example, the second node (120) can perform transmission to the first node (110) using the receiving beam of the first node (110) selected in step S1050. If channel reciprocity is established, the transmission beam of the first node (110) can also be determined through steps S1030 and S1050, so the transmission operation from the first node (110) can also be performed using a beam that has a reciprocity relationship with the beam selected in step S1050. If channel reciprocity is not established, a procedure including the transmission of measurement signal(s) by the first node (110) and the transmission of feedback signal(s) by the second node (120) may be performed first to determine the transmission beam of the first node (110).

[0167] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN)

[0168] FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 13 show examples of NTN scenarios to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0169] NTN can represent a network or network segment that uses RF (radio frequency) resources mounted on a satellite (or UAS (unmanned aerial system) platform).

[0170] Figure 12 shows an example of a typical scenario of an NTN based on a transparent payload, and Figure 13 shows an example of a typical scenario of an NTN based on a regenerative payload.

[0171] Referring to FIG. 12, the satellite (or UAS platform) can establish a service link with a terminal. The satellite (or UAS platform) can be connected to a gateway via a feeder link. The satellite can be connected to a data network via the gateway. A beam footprint may refer to an area where signals transmitted by the satellite can be received.

[0172] Referring to FIG. 13, a satellite (or UAS platform) can establish a service link with a terminal. The satellite (or UAS platform) connected to the terminal can be connected to another satellite (or UAS platform) via inter-satellite links (ISL). Another satellite (or UAS platform) can be connected to a gateway via a feeder link. Based on a regenerated payload, the satellite can be connected to a data network via another satellite and a gateway. If no ISL exists between the satellite and another satellite, a feeder link between the satellite and the gateway may be required.

[0173] FIGS. 12 and 13 are merely examples of NTN scenarios, and NTN can be implemented based on various scenarios. For example, a satellite (or UAS platform) can implement a transparent or regenerative (with on-board processing) payload. For example, a satellite (or UAS platform) can generate multiple beams across a designated service area depending on the field of view of the satellite (or UAS platform). For example, the field of view of the satellite (or UAS platform) may vary depending on the on-board antenna diagram and the minimum elevation angle.

[0174] For example, the transparent payload may include radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion, and amplification. Therefore, the waveform signal repeated by the payload may not be altered.

[0175] For example, the regeneration payload may include radio frequency filtering, frequency conversion and amplification, demodulation / decoding, switching and / or routing, and coding / modulation. For example, the regeneration payload may be substantially the same as carrying all or part of the base station functions on a satellite (or UAS platform).

[0176] Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)

[0177] Wireless sensing is a technology that utilizes radio frequencies to determine the instantaneous linear velocity, angle, distance (or range) of an object, thereby obtaining information about the characteristics of the environment and / or objects within that environment. Since radio frequency sensing capabilities do not require connecting to objects via devices within a network, they can provide services for determining object locations without the need for devices. The ability to obtain range, velocity, and angle information from radio frequency signals can provide a wide range of new functions, such as various object detection and recognition (e.g., vehicles, humans, animals, UAVs), as well as high-precision localization, tracking, and activity recognition. Wireless sensing services can provide information to various industries (e.g., unmanned aerial vehicles, smart homes, V2X, factories, railways, public safety, etc.) that enable applications such as intruder detection, assisted vehicle steering and navigation, trajectory tracking, collision avoidance, traffic management, and health and traffic management. In some cases, wireless sensing may utilize non-3GPP type sensors (e.g., radar, cameras) to further support 3GPP-based sensing. For example, the operation of a wireless sensing service, such as sensing operations, may depend on the transmission, reflection, and scattering processing of wireless sensing signals. Therefore, wireless sensing can provide an opportunity to enhance existing communication systems from communication networks to wireless communication and sensing networks.

[0178] FIG. 14 shows examples of sensing operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0179] Specifically, FIG. 14(a) illustrates an example of monostatic sensing operation using a sensing receiver and a sensing transmitter located at the same position. FIG. 14(b) illustrates an example of bistatic sensing operation using a sensing receiver and a sensing transmitter located at separate positions. A sensing receiver receives a signal that is reflected or scattered by a sensing object from a sensing signal transmitted from a sensing transmitter, and can extract or acquire sensing data based on the received signal. A sensing result can be generated or determined through appropriate processing of this sensing data. The sensing result can be provided to a trusted third-party entity or service outside the 3GPP system via an entity or service within the 3GPP system.

[0180] Low-Power Wake-Up Signal (LP-WUS) and Low-Power Wake-Up Receiver (LP-WUR)

[0181] User devices or terminals in existing wireless communication systems consume tens of milliwatts of power even in RRC idle / inactive states, and hundreds of milliwatts of power when connected to RRC. Various measures are being discussed to extend battery life or improve energy efficiency in order to reduce power consumption and enhance the user experience.

[0182] Energy efficiency is more critical for terminals with little to no continuous energy source (e.g., sensors, actuators, wearable devices, etc.). Power consumption can vary depending on the length of the wake-up interval (e.g., phasing cycle). While larger eDRX (extended-discontinuous reception) cycles can be applied to meet battery life requirements, they may not be suitable for low-latency applications (e.g., fire sensors and fire extinguisher actuators).

[0183] Terminals in conventional wireless communication systems are required to wake up periodically, once per DRX cycle. This causes power consumption even during periods when there is no signal or data traffic for the terminal. Power consumption can be significantly reduced if the terminal wakes up only when triggered, such as during paging. To achieve this, a separate receiver can be used to trigger the main radio (MR) using a wake-up signal and monitor the wake-up signal with ultra-low power consumption. The MR operates for data transmission and reception and can be turned off or set to deep sleep unless turned on.

[0184] In the present disclosure, MR refers to a transmitting / receiving module that operates on general radio (e.g., NR) signals / channels excluding signals / channels associated with low-power wake-up. Additionally, a low-power-wake-up receiver (LP-WUR) may be referred to as LR and refers to a receiver module that operates to receive / process signals / channels associated with low-power wake-up.

[0185] For LP-WUS and LP-WUR: IoT applications such as industrial wireless sensors, controllers, and actuators; wearable applications such as smart watches, smart rings, and medical monitoring devices; and eMBB applications such as XR / smart glasses and smartphones may be considered.

[0186] For LP-WUS and LP-WUR, it is necessary to design an architecture for LP-WUR considering the benefits and scope of power saving and the resulting impact on system overhead and network energy, and to define / modify procedures and protocols for the lower layers (e.g., L1 PHY) and upper layers (e.g., L2 MAC, L3 RRC, etc.) supporting LP-WUS.

[0187] Accordingly, when sufficient relaxation is applied to MR RRM (radio resource management) measurements in RRC idle / inactive mode, it is expected that terminal power consumption can be significantly reduced by triggering MR paging monitoring using LP-WUS / WUR compared to cases where PEI (paging early indication) is included or not included in I-DRX (idle-DRX). In addition, unlike existing eDRX operation where paging monitoring is limited within the PTW (paging time window), it is expected that paging latency will be significantly reduced and terminal power consumption can be reduced when LP-WUS monitoring and paging monitoring after MR wake-up are performed. Furthermore, even in RRC connected mode, it is expected that terminal power consumption can be reduced if LP-WUS / WUR is used to trigger the terminal to monitor PDCCH in MR, and MR enters a deep sleep state while LR is monitoring LP-WUS.

[0188] In addition, since the terminal must wake up at regular intervals and perform RRM measurements in addition to receiving paging through MR, it is expected that the terminal's power consumption can be reduced if some or all of the RRM measurements through MR can be offloaded to be performed through LR.

[0189] In this way, the longer the power off / sleep / deep sleep state of the MR is maintained, the greater the power consumption of the terminal can be reduced.

[0190] To ensure that the LP-WUS is universally applicable to both RRC idle / inactive modes and RRC connections, an OOK-based (e.g., OOK-1 and / or OOK-4) LP-WUS can be identified by overlaying an OFDM sequence on an OOK (on-off keying) symbol. Additionally, the design of the LP-WUS must ensure that the same information is conveyed for idle / inactive operation regardless of the type of LP-WUS, and the OFDM sequence can carry this information. Furthermore, duty-cycle-based monitoring can be supported for the LP-WUS.

[0191] Briefly explain the OOK-1 and OOK-4 methods.

[0192] Basically, the OOK method may involve generating multiple carrier-amplitude shift keying (MC-ASK) waveforms. For example, an N-length LP-WUS and a general wireless communication signal (e.g., a legacy NR signal) can be mapped to K subcarriers (e.g., SC#0 to SC#K-1). Specifically, an N-length LP-WUS signal can be mapped to SC#0 to SC#N-1, and a legacy NR signal can be mapped to SC#N to SC#K-1. The K subcarriers can be converted into time-domain signals via an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT), and a cyclic prefix (CP) can be added to generate OFDM symbols containing the CP. Here, K is the size of the IFFT of the cyclic prefix-OFDMA (CP-OFDMA), and N corresponds to the number of subcarriers (SC) used in the LP-WUS that include a potential guard-band.

[0193] In the OOK-1 scheme, information for a single bit can be signaled through one OFDM symbol. OOK=1 means that all SCs are modulated, and OOK=0 means that all SCs have zero power (in terms of baseband).

[0194] In the OOK-4 method, an M-bit OOK can be transformed in the time domain. For example, for an LP-WUS time-domain signal of length N' for M bits, it is transformed into a frequency-domain signal via a discrete Fourier transform / least square (DFT / LS), and N length OOK-1 LP-WUS subcarriers can be generated by applying signal truncation / modification (if N' is different from N (greater than N)) or not applying it (if N' is equal to N). These N length LP-WUS signals and a general wireless communication signal (e.g., a legacy NR signal) are mapped to K subcarriers (e.g., SC#0 to SC#K-1) (where N' may be equal to K), and through IFFT+CP, one OFDM symbol containing CP can be generated. This one OFDM symbol can signal information for M bits.

[0195] In the case of OOK-4, the ZC (Zadoff-Chu) sequence, M-sequence, and QAM (quadrature amplitude modulation) sequence in the stage prior to the application of DFT / LS have a large amount of phase change, so a flat spectrum is expected and can provide robustness against frequency-selective fading. Additionally, when DFT is applied to OOK-4 (e.g., when the M value is 2 or greater), frequency shifts in the frequency domain or -1 / 1 alternations in time may be applied to match with CP-OFDM generation. If the sequence(s) used for LP-WUS generation are repeated in the frequency domain, robustness against the diversity of MC (multiple carrier)-OOK and the frequency offset of MC-FSK (multiple carrier-frequency shift keying) can be improved.

[0196] In the present disclosure, a symbol modulated by OOK-1 or OOK-4 may be referred to as an OOK symbol (or OOK signal). Unless explicitly distinguished in the present disclosure, an OOK symbol / signal may mean a symbol / signal modulated by OOK-1 and / or OOK-4.

[0197] The synchronization signal (SS) used in LP-WUR may be referred to as LP-SS. For example, LP-SS may be a non-periodic signal transmitted as part of LP-WUS. In this case, LP-SS may be transmitted additionally separately from LP-WUS, or it may not be transmitted additionally. Alternatively, LP-SS may be a periodic signal transmitted separately from LP-WUS. Alternatively, LP-SS may include both a non-periodic signal transmitted as part of LP-WUS and a periodic signal transmitted separately from LP-WUS.

[0198] Regarding RRM measurements performed by LP-WUR, measurement metrics may include signal quality, signal power, LP-WUS / SS detection rate, etc. For RRM serving cell measurements performed by LP-WUR based on a reference signal, LP-RSSI (received signal strength indicator) or energy detection, LP-RSRP, LP-SINR, LP-RSRQ, etc. may be defined. As such reference signals, SSB, LP-WUS waveform sequence, LP-SS, etc. may be used.

[0199] Periodic LP-SS may also be used for RRM measurement by LP-WUR, coarse time synchronization of LP-WUR, coarse frequency synchronization of LP-WUR, etc.

[0200] If the LP-WUR can receive the existing PSS (primary synchronization signal) / SSS (secondary synchronization signal) which may be aided by the PBCH-DMRS (demodulation reference signal) / TRS (tracking reference signal), it may be used for RRM measurement / time synchronization / frequency synchronization.

[0201] The coverage of periodic LP-SS (e.g., reach / range) may be better or the same as the coverage of LP-WUS.

[0202] For precise time / frequency synchronization, an additional signal (e.g., a preamble) may be used in front of or in part of the LP-WUS.

[0203] As a period for LP-SS, 320ms can be supported. For example, periods of 80ms, 160ms, 640ms, 1280ms, 2560ms, 5120ms, and 10240ms may also be supported for LP-SS.

[0204] An additional synchronization signal for LP-SS may or may not exist. If an additional synchronization signal exists, it may be set for the terminal by signaling from the network, and / or may be predefined to exist when certain conditions are satisfied (without separate signaling). For example, in OOK modulation for LP-WUS, an additional synchronization signal may or may not exist depending on the value of M.

[0205] FIGS. 15 and 16 are drawings for illustrating examples of OOK methods for LP signals according to the present disclosure.

[0206] The LP signal may include LP-SS and / or LP-WUS. That is, the examples of FIGS. 15 and 16 may be applied to LP-SS and may also be applied to LP-WUS.

[0207] Referring to FIG. 15, for example, among a total of K subcarriers (SC#0, ..., SC#K-1), an LP signal of length N can be mapped to SC#0, SC#1, ..., SC#N-1, and a legacy signal of length KN can be mapped to SC#N, SC#N+1, ..., SC#K-1. An OFDM symbol (including CP) can be generated through IFFT transform and CP addition for the K subcarriers. In an OOK-1 scheme such as the example in FIG. 15, information for a single bit can be signaled through one OFDM symbol. OOK=1 means that all SCs are modulated, and OOK=0 means that all SCs have zero power (in terms of baseband).

[0208] Referring to FIG. 16, for example, when M=4 bits, an LP signal of length N' corresponding to a 4-bit sequence 1001 can be generated. The signal of length N' is converted into a frequency domain signal through DFT / LS, and if necessary, truncation / correction is applied to generate N subcarriers of OOK-1 for the LP signal. This LP signal of length N and the legacy signal of length KN are mapped to K subcarriers, and through IFFT+CP, one OFDM symbol containing CP can be generated. Information for M bits can be signaled through this one OFDM symbol.

[0209] Settings for low-power synchronization signals

[0210] In the following description, a specific wireless communication system (e.g., an NR system) is described as an example of a wireless communication system to which the examples of the present disclosure apply, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited to a specific wireless communication system. The examples of the present disclosure may be applied to any wireless communication system as long as the features of the invention are maintained.

[0211] In order to receive a wake-up signal (e.g., LP-WUS) introduced to reduce the number of times the terminal wakes up the MR, it is necessary to receive a synchronization signal (e.g., LP-SS) in advance or simultaneously.

[0212] The aforementioned OOK-1 / OOK-4 signals are used as MC-OOK signals to maximize the utilization of the base station's OFDM transmitter, and the signal generation method and the maximum number of bits that can be transmitted may vary depending on the option.

[0213] In addition, the receiver's capabilities may vary depending on the WUR type. For example, there may be WURs capable of detecting an OFDM sequence overlaid on an OOK signal, while others may not. If the receiver supports an OFDM sequence overlaid on an OOK signal, coverage may be increased or additional bits may be transmitted.

[0214] In this disclosure, the transmission schemes of LP-SS are classified as follows:

[0215] Transmission Method 1: LP-SS is transmitted as part of LP-WUS and corresponds to a signal transmitted non-periodically;

[0216] Transmission Method 2: LP-SS is transmitted separately from LP-WUS and corresponds to a signal transmitted periodically;

[0217] Transmission method 3: By applying both transmission method 1 and transmission method 2, LP-SS is transmitted non-periodically as part of LP-WUS, and is also transmitted periodically separately from LP-WUS.

[0218] The aforementioned non-periodic LP-SS may be transmitted as part of the LP-WUS or as a preamble. Such non-periodic LP-SS is transmitted together with (or included with) the LP-WUS when there is transmission of the LP-WUS, but the non-periodic LP-SS may not be transmitted when there is no transmission of the LP-WUS. The LP-WUS may be transmitted to the terminal when an event occurs that requires waking up the terminal's MR. That is, the LP-WUS is transmitted on an event basis, and the non-periodic LP-SS may be transmitted together with the LP-WUS when the LP-WUS is transmitted on such an event basis.

[0219] The waveform applied to LP-SS in the present disclosure may include the following options.

[0220] Option 1: OOK-1

[0221] Option 2: OOK-4 where M=1, 2, 4, or 8

[0222] Parameters for LP-SS / WUS may include period (P), number of transmit bits (M) (or waveform), duration (D) (or number of OFDM symbols, or length of binary sequence), subcarrier spacing (SCS), whether additional SS is supported, etc., and some or all of these may be included in the parameter set. For example, parameters M, P, and / or SCS may have a higher probability of error (or lower error tolerance) as their values ​​increase, and a lower probability of error (or higher error tolerance) as their values ​​decrease. Parameter D may have a lower probability of error (or higher error tolerance) as its value increases, and a higher probability of error (or lower error tolerance) as its value decreases.

[0223] Among the parameters for the aforementioned LP-SS / WUS, the duration (D) may correspond to the binary sequence length of the LP-SS / WUS or the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the LP-SS / WUS, which can be applied regardless of the number of transmit bits used in the waveform of the LP-SS / WUS (e.g., OOK-4).

[0224] Among the parameters for the LP-SS / WUS described above, the waveform may correspond to various OOK waveforms (e.g., OOK-1, OOK-4, etc.), and since the OOK-1 waveform transmits one OOK symbol per one OFDM symbol similar to the OOK-4 waveform with M=1, the examples of the present disclosure may be applied by assuming that it corresponds to M=1. In the following description, the waveform of the low-power signal may correspond to or be substituted for the parameter M, which is the number of transmitted bits.

[0225] In a low-power communication system in which LP-SS / WUS can be supported, various methods are described for setting / instructing / defining parameters such as period (P), waveform (M), duration (D), SCS, and whether additional SS is supported for LP-SS / WUS, thereby enabling efficient transmission / reception of LP-SS / WUS.

[0226] The examples in this disclosure are described using LP-SS / WUS for convenience of explanation, but they can be applied to various low-power communication systems utilizing OOK waveforms. For example, the Internet of Things (IoT) has recently attracted significant attention in the wireless communication world. By reducing the size, complexity, and power consumption of IoT devices and installing and connecting tens of billions to hundreds of billions of IoT devices, applications in various fields can be made possible. Ambient IoT communication is also being discussed. For example, the transmission and reception of parameter-based low-power OOK signals / sequences described in this disclosure can be applied to various low-power communication systems, such as ambient IoT communication systems.

[0227] An LP-SS sequence may be defined / configured as a set of multiple (e.g., four) distinct sequences to distinguish adjacent cells. Since the cross-correlation property of the four distinct sequences within a set of OOK waveform-based LP-SS is not ideally displayed, terminals located at the cell edge may not be able to smoothly detect the timing of the LP-SS transmitted from their own cell due to interference from LP-SS transmitted from other cells. As a solution to this problem, the present disclosure describes various examples in which settings for the LP-SS (e.g., time domain resources for LP-SS transmission / reception) are provided from the network to the terminal, and the network node transmits the LP-SS or the terminal receives it based on the provided settings.

[0228] FIG. 17 is a drawing for explaining an example of a method performed by a terminal according to the present disclosure.

[0229] In step S1710, the terminal can receive configuration information from the network that includes information about the period and time offset of the LP-SS.

[0230] In some examples, the time offset can be set by reference to system frame number (SFN) 0.

[0231] In some examples, based on the period and time offset provided through the configuration information, the terminal can determine the slot(s) for LP-SS reception.

[0232] In some examples, the configuration information may include information about the start symbol within the slot for LP-SS reception.

[0233] In some examples, the configuration information may include information indicating a start symbol within the slot for LP-SS reception.

[0234] In some examples, configuration information may be included in the RRC (radio resource control) information element.

[0235] In step S1720, the terminal can receive LP-SS from the network based on configuration information.

[0236] In some examples, LP-SS can be received in slots based on period and time offset.

[0237] In some examples, an LP-SS may be received in one or more symbols within a slot. For example, an LP-SS may be received in consecutive symbols within a slot. For example, consecutive symbol(s) occupied by a single LP-SS may correspond to a single LP-SS reception occasion.

[0238] In some examples, an LP-SS may be received at one or more symbols containing a start symbol within a slot. For example, if the configuration information includes information about a start symbol within a slot for receiving an LP-SS, a single LP-SS may be received at a predetermined number of symbol(s) starting from the start symbol according to the provided information. For example, consecutive symbol(s) containing a start symbol occupied by a single LP-SS may correspond to a single LP-SS reception opportunity.

[0239] In some examples, two LP-SSs may be received within a single slot. For example, each of the two LP-SSs may correspond to a predetermined number of symbols (e.g., the aforementioned one LP-SS receiving opportunity).

[0240] The method described in the example of FIG. 17 can be performed by the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 corresponding to the first node (110) of FIG. 2 described above. For example, one or more processors (202) of the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 receive configuration information including information on the period and time offset of LP-SS from a network through one or more transceivers (206), and may be configured to receive LP-SS from a network through one or more transceivers (206) based on the configuration information. For example, one or more transceivers (206) may include MR and LP-WUR. Furthermore, one or more memories (204) of the wireless device (200) may store instructions for performing the method described in the example of FIG. 17 or the examples described below when executed by one or more processors (202).

[0241] FIG. 18 is a drawing illustrating an example of a method performed by a network node according to the present disclosure.

[0242] In step S1810, the network node may transmit configuration information to the terminal that includes information about the period and time offset of the LP-SS.

[0243] In step S1820, the network node can transmit LP-SS to the terminal based on the configuration information.

[0244] The specific characteristics of the transmission / reception of LP-SS based on the configuration information related to LP-SS and the various information included in the configuration information are the same as those described with reference to the example in FIG. 17, so redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0245] The method described in the example of FIG. 18 may be performed by the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 corresponding to the second node (120) of FIG. 2 described above. For example, one or more processors (202) of the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 may be configured to transmit configuration information, including information on the period and time offset of the LP-SS, to a terminal through one or more transceivers (206), and to transmit the LP-SS to the terminal through one or more transceivers (206) based on the configuration information. The terminal to which the wireless device (200) transmits the synchronization signal may be a terminal that has informed the base station of having LP-WUR capability or a terminal that the base station knows in advance. Furthermore, one or more memories (204) of the wireless device (200) may store instructions for performing the method described in the example of FIG. 18 or the examples described later when executed by one or more processors (202).

[0246] In the present disclosure, "specific information is set or pre-set for a terminal" may mean that said specific information is provided by upper-layer (e.g., L3 RRC) signaling from a network. In the present disclosure, "specific information is indicated for a terminal" may mean that said specific information is provided by lower-layer (e.g., L2 MAC CE or L1 PDCCH / DCI) signaling from a network. For example, if information A including candidate values ​​a1, a2, a3, ... is set for a terminal (via upper-layer signaling), and among them a1 is indicated for a terminal (via lower-layer signaling), the terminal may operate based on the value a1. In the present disclosure, "specific information is pre-defined" may mean that the network and the terminal each assume or know in advance that said specific information exists / applies without signaling between the network and the terminal.

[0247] Hereinafter, various examples of the present disclosure are described regarding providing a terminal with a setting / instruction for the time domain resources of LP-SS in order to support successful LP-SS detection even in multi-beam operation and inter-cell interference situations.

[0248] Example 1

[0249] This embodiment relates to the setting of the pattern of an LP-SS burst.

[0250] As described above, in a low-power communication system that supports LP-WUS signals, a terminal needs to acquire time / frequency synchronization to successfully receive LP-WUS signals. To acquire time / frequency synchronization of the terminal, a network node (e.g., a base station) can periodically transmit LP-SS signals to the terminal.

[0251] For example, LP-SS may be transmitted with multiple beams in mind, similar to SSB. For instance, it may be required that all beams (or beam directions) transmitted from SSB are also supported in LP-SS. Only when RRM measurements based on LP-SS in LR (low power radio) are successfully performed can fall-back to MR (main radio) also be performed smoothly.

[0252] In the following description, multiple LP-SSs for supporting multi-beam operation are also defined as LP-SS bursts (for convenience of explanation), just like SSB bursts. For example, a single LP-SS may correspond to a single beam direction. For example, just as SSBs of multiple beam directions within a single SSB burst are distinguished by different SSB indices, LP-SSs of multiple beam directions within a single LP-SS burst may be distinguished by different LP-SS indices. Additionally, SSB / LP-SS bursts may be repeated periodically, and a set of repeated SSB / LP-SS bursts may be defined.

[0253] For example, a single LP-SS burst considering multi-beam operation can be transmitted in a single full frame or a half frame. Examples of LP-SS bursts considering multi-beam operation having patterns similar to or different from SSB bursts are described below.

[0254] Example 1-1

[0255] For LP-SS bursts, the same pattern as SSB bursts can be applied to half-frame units.

[0256] The pattern may refer to the location of the slot(s) where LP-SS or SSB transmission is performed within a half frame. The LP-SS pattern and the SSB pattern being identical at the half frame level may include both cases where the LP-SS and SSB are transmitted at the same index slot(s) of a half frame of the same index and cases where they are transmitted at the same index slot(s) of half frames of different indices.

[0257] First, the pattern of SSB bursts transmitted in half-frame units defined in the 5G NR communication system (e.g., the location / index of the slot(s) where the SSB is transmitted within one half-frame) will be explained.

[0258] SSB bursts are transmitted in half-frame units, and a PBCH 1-bit payload can indicate which of the two half-frames of a single radio frame (e.g., the first or the second) the received SSB burst is.

[0259] In which slot the SSB is transmitted within the half frame in which the SSB is transmitted, and in which OFDM symbol the SSB is transmitted within that slot, can be represented as shown in Table 1 below.

[0260] The number of transmitted SSBs may correspond to the number of beams that a base station can operate. As shown in Table 1, the number of transmitted SSBs may differ depending on the case according to the frequency range (FR) to which the carrier frequency used belongs (e.g., FR1 for sub-7 GHz, FR2-1 and FR2-2 for millimeter wave (mmWave), FR-NTN for NTN) and SCS, etc. This may mean that the number of beams that a base station can operate may differ depending on the case.

[0261] Case A - 15 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have indices of {2, 8} + 14*n. - For operation without shared spectrum channel access: for carrier frequencies less than or equal to 3 GHz, n=0; for carrier frequencies within FR1 greater than 1.3 GHz, n=0, 1, 2, 3. - For operation with shared spectrum channel access, n=0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. Case B - 30 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have indices of {4, 8, 16, 20} + 28*n. For carrier frequencies less than or equal to 3 GHz, n=0. For carrier frequencies within FR1 greater than 3 GHz, n=0,1. Case C - 30 kHz SCS: The first symbols of candidate SS / PBCH blocks have {2,8} + 14*n indices. - For operation without shared spectrum channel access -- For paired spectrum operation --- For carrier frequencies less than or equal to 3 GHz, n=0,1. For carrier frequencies within FR1 greater than 3 GHz, n=0,1,2,3. -- For unpaired spectrum operation --- For carrier frequencies less than 1.88 GHz, n=0,1. For carrier frequencies in FR1 equal to or greater than 1.88 GHz, n=0,1,2,3. For operations with shared spectrum channel access, n=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9. Case D - 120 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have {4,8,16,20} + 28*n indices. For carrier frequencies in FR2 and FR2-NTN, n=0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18.Case E - 240 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have {8, 12, 16, 20, 32, 36, 40, 44} + 56*n indices. For the carrier frequencies in FR2-1 and FR2-NTN, n=0, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8. Case F - 480 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have {2, 9} + 14*n indices. For carrier frequencies within FR2-2, n=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31. Case G - 960 kHz SCS: The first symbols of the candidate SS / PBCH blocks have {2,9} + 14*n indices. For carrier frequencies within FR2-2, n=0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31.

[0262] FIGS. 19 and 20 are drawings for illustrating examples of LP-SS burst patterns according to the present disclosure. The examples in FIG. 19 exemplarily show patterns of SSB bursts and LP-SS bursts for cases where the value of L, the number of beams operated by the base station, is 4 and 8 in the SCS 15kHz case.

[0263] An LP-SS burst may be defined in half-frame(s) through the same pattern as an SSB burst (e.g., the slot used for SSB transmission in a half-frame). For example, the slot in which the LP-SS is transmitted in a half-frame(s) may be the same as the slot in which the SSB is transmitted in an SSB burst.

[0264] For example, when the value of L, which is the number of beams operated by the base station, is 4, it can be assumed that in the 5 slots (slots #0, #1, #2, #3, #4) included in one half frame, 2 SSBs are transmitted in each of the 2 slots, slot #0 and slot #1 (see L=4 in FIG. 19(a)).

[0265] In this case, LP-SS bursts can also be transmitted in a half frame containing slots where LP-SS bursts are transmitted (e.g., in the SCS 15 kHz case, slot #0, slot #1, ..., slot #4), with a total of two slots, slot #0 and slot #1, each containing two LP-SSs (see L=4 in FIG. 19(b)).

[0266] In the case where L=8, among the 5 slots included in one half frame, 2 SSBs can be transmitted in each of the 4 slots, slots #0, #1, #2, and #3 (see L=8 in FIG. 19(a)).

[0267] In this case, LP-SS bursts can also be transmitted in a half frame containing slots where LP-SS bursts are transmitted (e.g., in the SCS 15 kHz case, slot #0, slot #1, ..., slot #4), with a total of two slots, slot #0 and slot #1, each containing two LP-SSs (see L=4 in FIG. 19(b)).

[0268] A single LP-SS can occupy one or more OFDM symbols. This can be referred to as the LP-SS length. For example, each LP-SS can correspond to a predetermined number of (consecutive) symbols.

[0269] For example, each LP-SS can occupy consecutive symbols. For example, each LP-SS can be transmitted / received over consecutive symbols. For example, the length of each LP-SS can be the same as an SSB (e.g., 4 OFDM symbols). In this case, the LP-SS can be transmitted in the same way as an SSB burst.

[0270] Two LP-SSs may be transmitted within one slot. For example, if the length of each LP-SS (e.g., the number of consecutive OFDM symbols occupied by one LP-SS) is less than 8, two LP-SSs may be transmitted within one slot.

[0271] The SFN to which the LP-SS burst is transmitted may be the same as or different from the SFN to which the SSB burst is transmitted. If the SFN to which the LP-SS burst is transmitted and the SFN to which the SSB burst is transmitted are the same, the time resource of the LP-SS burst may be set / instructed to the terminal as described below.

[0272] If the length of each LP-SS is such that two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted within one slot (for example, if the number of (consecutive) OFDM symbols occupied by each LP-SS is eight or more), more time resources are required to transmit the LP-SS burst than to transmit one half frame of an SSB burst. Therefore, if two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted within one slot, the LP-SS burst can be transmitted using one frame (or radio frame).

[0273] For example, if two LP-SS transmissions cannot be made within one slot, transmissions can be made in the same slot as an SSB burst using one half-frame, but only one LP-SS can be transmitted in each slot. Thus, LP-SSs can be transmitted using two half-frames (e.g., one radio frame). In the first half-frame, L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #1, #2, ..., #L / 2 can be transmitted. In the second half-frame, L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #L / 2+1, #L / 2+2, ..., #L can be transmitted.

[0274] Referring to the example of L=4 in FIG. 19(c), in a single wireless frame containing 10 slots (e.g., slots #0, #1, ..., #9), LP-SS transmission can be performed in slots #0, #1, #5, and #6. In the case of L=8, LP-SS transmission can be performed in slots #0, #1, #2, #3, #5, #6, #7, and #8 among the 10 slots of a single wireless frame.

[0275] In this way, at the half-frame level, an LP-SS burst may be transmitted in a slot at the same location as the slot where the SSB burst is located. For example, as in the example of FIG. 19(a), two SSBs may be transmitted in one slot, and two LP-SSs may be transmitted at the corresponding slot location within the half-frame (Fig. 19(b)), or one LP-SS may be transmitted at the corresponding slot location within the half-frame (Fig. 19(c)).

[0276] In the example of Fig. 19, the explanation assumes an SCS of 15kHz, but for other SCSs, the same / similar pattern as the SSB burst can be applied to the LP-SS burst.

[0277] If two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted in a single slot (for example, if the number of OFDM symbols occupied by the LP-SS is 8 or more), the LP-SSs can be transmitted over two half frames. For each SCS, L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #1, #2, ..., #L / 2 can be transmitted in slot indices corresponding to the SSB case according to Table 1 among the slots of the first half frame, and the remaining L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #L / 2+1, #L / 2+2, ..., #L can be transmitted in slot indices corresponding to the SSB case according to Table 1 among the slots of the second half frame.

[0278] Examples 1-2

[0279] For LP-SS bursts, a pattern different from that of SSB bursts can be applied to half-frame units.

[0280] In this embodiment, based on L and LP-SS length (e.g., the number of (consecutive) OFDM symbols occupied by one LP-SS), the slot location (or pattern) where the LP-SS burst is transmitted may differ from the slot location (or pattern) where the SSB burst is transmitted on a half-frame basis.

[0281] As in Example 1-1, for cases where the LP-SS length is the same as the SSB (e.g., 4 OFDM symbols) or where the LP-SS length is such that two LP-SSs can be transmitted within one slot (e.g., when the number of OFDM symbols occupied by each LP-SS is less than 8), the slot position where the LP-SS is transmitted may be the same as the slot position where the SSB is transmitted in half-frame units. In this case, regardless of the value of L, LP-SS bursts may be transmitted for all beams operated by the base station.

[0282] For LP-SS lengths where two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted within one slot (e.g., when the number of OFDM symbols occupied by each LP-SS is 8 or more), more time resources may be required for the transmission of LP-SS bursts than for SSB bursts.

[0283] In this case, when LP-SS bursts are transmitted in both half frames of a single wireless frame, as in the example of FIG. 19(c) of Example 1-1, separate signaling or new rules are not required in that the same pattern is applied, whereas overhead increases due to the increase in half frames containing LP-SS and flexibility in terms of DL / UL scheduling may decrease.

[0284] In Example 1-2, depending on the range of L values, at low L values ​​(e.g., 4 or less in the case of SCS 15 kHz or 30 kHz), LP-SS bursts can be transmitted by making maximum use of the slots where LP-SS can be transmitted in one half-frame (or by including as many LP-SS transmission slots as possible in one half-frame unit). At high L values ​​(e.g., 8 or more in the case of SCS 15 kHz or 30 kHz), when LP-SS corresponding to all beam directions cannot be included in one half-frame, LP-SS can be transmitted by applying the same pattern to two half-frames of one wireless frame as in Example 1-1.

[0285] The threshold for distinguishing between low L values ​​or high L values ​​may be set / indicated according to the carrier frequency, as in the example in Table 1, or may be predefined.

[0286] FIGS. 20(a) and (b) are identical to FIGS. 19(a) and (b), so redundant descriptions are omitted. FIG. 20(c), which is an example of an LP-SS length in which two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted in one slot, may operate differently from the example in FIG. 19(c).

[0287] In the case where L=4 in FIG. 20(c), among the 5 slots of the half frame in which the LP-SS is transmitted, the LP-SS can be transmitted in slots #0, #1, #2, and #3. One LP-SS can be transmitted in each slot.

[0288] In the case where L=8 in FIG. 20(c), LP-SS can be transmitted using two half frames (e.g., one radio frame), similar to FIG. 19(c). In the first half frame, L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #1, #2, ..., #L / 2 can be transmitted. In the second half frame, L / 2 LP-SSs corresponding to beam indices #L / 2+1, #L / 2+2, ..., #L can be transmitted.

[0289] In the example of Fig. 20, the explanation assumes an SCS of 15kHz, but for other SCSs, the same / similar pattern as the SSB burst can be applied to the LP-SS burst.

[0290] As another example, the LP-SS of an LP-SS burst may be transmitted in a slot different from the slot in which the SSB of an SSB burst is transmitted and in a half-frame unit.

[0291] According to the above-described Example 1-1 or Example 1-2, the number of LP-SSs (hereinafter L_h) transmitted in one half frame may be determined. For example, in the case of L=4 in FIG. 19(c), L_h=2, and in the case of L=4 in FIG. 20(c), L_h=4. In the above examples, LP-SSs may be transmitted from the first slot of the corresponding half frame (e.g., slot index #0) to the L_h-th slot (e.g., slot index #L_h-1). In additional examples, L_h LP-SSs may be transmitted in consecutive slots, but the last LP-SS may be set / instructed / defined to be transmitted in the last slot of the corresponding half frame (or to be transmitted in the last L_h slots). For example, if the LP-SS is of a length where two LP-SSs cannot be transmitted within one slot and L_h=4 (for example, in the case of an SCS 15kHz case, the number of OFDM symbols occupied by each LP-SS is 8 or more), unlike the case where the SSB is transmitted from the first slot within the SSB burst in half-frame units, the LP-SS burst can be configured so that the LP-SS is transmitted in slots #1, #2, #3, and #4.

[0292] As in the examples described above, frames / slots constituting the LP-SS burst may be set / instructed. Alternatively, through signaling from the base station, the terminal may be set / instructed whether to transmit all L beams in one half frame (e.g., Example 1-2) or to divide them into two half frames (e.g., Example 1-1).

[0293] Example 2

[0294] This embodiment relates to a signaling method for the start position of an LP-SS burst.

[0295] In Example 1, examples were described in which an LP-SS burst is transmitted in one half-frame or one radio frame (or two half-frames), and examples were described regarding slot locations within the unit of said half-frame(s). In this example, examples of the locations of time-domain resources in which the LP-SS burst is transmitted are described.

[0296] To distinguish adjacent cells, four distinct sequences may be included in a single set of LP-SS sequences. Since the cross-correlation characteristic of the LP-SS composed of OOK waveforms does not ideally appear even when four distinct sequences are applied, terminals located at the cell edge may fail to detect timing due to interference from the LP-SS transmitted by other cells. Therefore, the base station can resolve the problem caused by inter-cell interference and support the terminal in successfully detecting the LP-SS by transmitting the LP-SS burst while appropriately distributing / distinguishing time resources from the LP-SS of other base stations.

[0297] Example 2-1

[0298] The time resources of an LP-SS burst can be set / directed through a time offset that references (or is relative to) the start or end point of an SSB burst.

[0299] For example, a base station may set / instruct a terminal via upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB) a time offset from the start or end point of an SSB burst to the start or end point of an LP-SS burst. For example, the unit of the time offset may be specified by one or more combinations of frame / half-frame / slot / symbol units.

[0300] If the half-frame and slot at the start time of the LP-SS burst are specified according to these settings / instructions, the LP-SS burst can be started in the specified half-frame and slot according to the examples of Proposal 1.

[0301] For example, if one LP-SS burst belongs to one half-frame, one time offset may be provided. Or, if one LP-SS burst belongs to two half-frames, two time offsets may be provided.

[0302] In the example of FIG. 19(c) and / or FIG. 20(c), the two half frames are depicted as two consecutive half frames belonging to one wireless frame, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the two half frames may not be consecutive or may not belong to one wireless frame.

[0303] For example, a first time offset from the start (or end) point of the SSB burst to the start (or end) point of the first LP-SS half burst, and a second time offset from the start (or end) point of the SSB burst to the start (or end) point of the second LP-SS half burst may be set / indicated.

[0304] Alternatively, a first time offset from the start (or end) point of the SSB burst to the start (or end) point of the first LP-SS half burst, and a second time offset from the start (or end) point of the first LP-SS half burst to the start (or end) point of the second LP-SS half burst may be set / indicated.

[0305] Example 2-2

[0306] Regardless of the SSB burst, the time resource for the LP-SS burst can be set / directed in a given SFN (e.g., in a specific SFN index).

[0307] The terminal can receive an LP-SS expecting the LP-SS burst to be transmitted in a radio frame corresponding to a given / specific SFN, and / or in a half frame within that radio frame, and / or in a specific slot within that half frame.

[0308] Example 2-2-1

[0309] The SFN index can be set / instructed directly to the terminal through upper-layer signaling. For example, the SFN index can be set / instructed to the terminal through upper-layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB).

[0310] For example, the base station may directly set / instruct the terminal to an SFN index where the LP-SS burst transmission takes place. For example, the base station may set / instruct the terminal to any one of 1024 SFNs. For example, the base station may determine one of the 1024 SFNs through 10-bit information as the SFN where the first LP-SS burst is transmitted, and set / instruct the terminal to the corresponding SFN index.

[0311] As another example, among 1024 SFNs, an SFN capable of transmitting an LP-SS burst may be set / instructed to the terminal through a modulo operation with a specific parameter X (e.g., an operation to derive the remainder value divided by X). For example, parameter X may be set / instructed to the terminal directly by the base station through upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB), or it may be set / instructed indirectly to the terminal by utilizing an LP-SS parameter (e.g., LP-SS period). For example, if the LP-SS period is set / instructed to the terminal as 320ms, parameter X may correspond to 32. Accordingly, the terminal can receive LP-SS bursts (periodically) from SFNs satisfying the modulo operation mod(SFN,X)=0.

[0312] As the LP-SS period is set for the terminal in this manner, the terminal can receive LP-SS for every SFN / frame / half-frame / slot that satisfies the period. A time offset for the time resources for receiving LP-SS at such a periodic location may be additionally set / instructed to the terminal. For example, the time offset may be defined as a time offset from SFN #0. Accordingly, a time resource for transmitting the first LP-SS burst may be set for the terminal, and the terminal can monitor and receive LP-SS bursts for every time resource and set period (e.g., 320ms or 320 slots or 32 frames).

[0313] For example, configuration information regarding the period and time offset may be provided to the terminal, and the terminal may specify the first SFN / frame / half-frame / slot to which the LP-SS is to be transmitted based on the time offset, and then specify the SFN / frame / half-frame / slots to be repeated periodically based on the period. In the specified SFN / frame / half-frame / slots, the terminal may receive the LP-SS.

[0314] Even if no separate signaling for the time offset is provided to the terminal, the terminal's LP-SS reception operation can be performed according to the SSB period and the LP-SS period.

[0315] If the LP-SS period is the same as the SSB period, the LP-SS burst transmission may be initiated from an unused half-frame within the frame in which the SSB burst was transmitted, or the LP-SS burst transmission may be initiated in the SFN following the SFN in which the SSB burst was transmitted.

[0316] If the LP-SS period is smaller than the SSB period, for example, if the LP-SS period is a divisor of the SSB period, the terminal monitors the LP-SS burst from the SFN where any SSB is transmitted, and the base station may transmit the LP-SS burst set by itself according to the period. As in the case where the LP-SS period is equal to the SSB period, the transmission of the LP-SS burst may begin from an unused half-frame within the frame in which the SSB burst was transmitted, or the transmission of the LP-SS burst may begin in the SFN following the transmission of the SSB burst.

[0317] When the LP-SS period is greater than the SSB period, similar to when the LP-SS period is smaller than the SSB period, the terminal monitors the LP-SS burst from the SFN where any SSB is transmitted, and the base station can transmit the LP-SS burst it has set itself according to the period.

[0318] When the LP-SS period is smaller than the SSB period or when the LP-SS period is larger than the SSB period, the LP-SS period may be set / instructed to the terminal, or the parameter X of the modulo operation for deriving the SFN in which the LP-SS burst is transmitted may be set / instructed to the terminal. For example, LP-SS burst transmission may be performed for an SFN satisfying mod(SFN,X)=0 through the parameter X. Here, the parameter X may be set / instructed to the terminal from the base station via upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB), or the parameter of LP-SS (e.g., LP-SS period) may be applied as parameter X. For example, assuming that the SFN indices in which the LP-SS burst can be transmitted through the modulo operation are SFN #10, #60, #110, ..., if the SSB burst is transmitted at SFN #55, the LP-SS burst may be transmitted first at SFN #60.

[0319] Example 2-2-2

[0320] The SFN index can be given to the terminal through predefined rules.

[0321] For example, a terminal can monitor LP-SS by deriving an SFN in which an LP-SS burst is transmitted through a predefined rule, and a base station can transmit an LP-SS burst in the SFN derived through the predefined rule.

[0322] The base station may provide the terminal with minimal information subject to predefined rules (e.g., LP-SS sequence index, information obtained from MR (e.g., cell identifier (CID)), and / or the period of the LP-SS). For example, through one of the examples of the following mathematical formulas, the index (i) of the SFN in which the LP-SS burst is transmitted for each cell (or for each LP-SS sequence of each cell) may be derived. In the examples of the following mathematical formulas, A may correspond to the number of cells to be distinguished via LP-SS, B to the physical cell ID, C to the LP-SS sequence index, and D to the value obtained by dividing the LP-SS period by the total of 1024 frames (e.g., D = (1024 * 10) / (LP-SS period)). Here, it is assumed that the unit of the LP-SS period is [ms].

[0323] The first exemplary mathematical expression is i = A*k+mod(B,A). Here, k can correspond to 0, 1, 2, ..., (1024 / A)-1. In this case, to denote i, ceil(log_2(1024 / A)) bits are required (ceil(x) is the smallest integer greater than or equal to x).

[0324] The second exemplary mathematical expression is i = A*k+mod(C,A). Here, k can correspond to 0, 1, 2, ..., (D / A)-1. In this case, since additional calculations based on the LP-SS period are performed compared to the first exemplary mathematical expression, ceil(log_2 (C / A)) bits are required to denote i, which is fewer than the number of bits required for the first exemplary mathematical expression.

[0325] According to the exemplary mathematical formulas above, for each cell (or for each LP-SS sequence of each cell), an SFN capable of transmitting an LP-SS burst can be derived at the base station and the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal can determine the SFN capable of transmitting an LP-SS burst through timing information (e.g., SFN) obtained from the MR and one of the exemplary mathematical formulas. Specifically, the base station transmits an LP-SS burst to the nearest (or earliest) SFN according to one of the exemplary mathematical formulas from the time the terminal switches to LR, and the terminal likewise monitors and receives an LP-SS burst at the nearest (or earliest) SFN according to one of the exemplary mathematical formulas from the time the terminal switches to LR.

[0326] As described above, the base station and the terminal can perform LP-SS burst transmission / reception on the nearest SFN (after the point of switching to LR) among the SFNs derived by themselves according to a specific rule (or mathematical formula). Alternatively, the base station can set / instruct the starting SFN of the LP-SS burst through upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB).

[0327] Unlike Example 2-2-1 (a method for setting / indicating the time resources of an LP-SS burst by setting / indicating a time offset from the start or end point of an SSB burst), in the case of Example 2-2-2, the SFN in which the LP-SS burst is transmitted may overlap with the SFN in which the SSB burst is transmitted. In such cases, depending on the method in which the LP-SS burst described in Example 1 is transmitted through one half-frame or two half-frames, if the SFN in which the SSB burst and the LP-SS burst are transmitted overlap, the method for setting / indicating the SFN of the LP-SS burst may be distinguished. For example, when one LP-SS burst is transmitted through one half-frame, the LP-SS burst may be transmitted in an unused half-frame (e.g., in which the SSB burst is not transmitted) among one radio frame, excluding the half-frame in which the SSB burst is transmitted. For example, if one LP-SS burst is transmitted over two half frames (or one radio frame), excluding the half frame in which the SSB burst is transmitted, the LP-SS burst corresponding to beams #1, #2, ... #L / 2 (e.g., the first LP-SS half burst) may be transmitted in the unused half frame (e.g., in which the SSB burst is not transmitted) of one radio frame, and then the LP-SS burst corresponding to beams #L / 2+1, L / 2+2, ... #L (e.g., the second LP-SS half burst) may be transmitted in the first half frame of the subsequent SFN (or in the half frame with the same index as the half frame index in which the first LP-SS half burst was transmitted).

[0328] As described above, when the SFNs of the SSB burst and the LP-SS burst overlap depending on the time resources occupied by the LP-SS burst, the time resources of the LP-SS burst may be different. Alternatively, when the SFNs of the SSB burst and the LP-SS burst overlap, the LP-SS burst may be transmitted and received in the same way regardless of the time resources occupied by the LP-SS in the SFN corresponding to SFN index+1 where the SSB burst is transmitted (for example, the SFN immediately following the SFN where the SSB burst is transmitted).

[0329] Example 3

[0330] This embodiment relates to LP-SS transmission symbols within a slot.

[0331] According to the examples of the aforementioned Embodiment 1 and / or Embodiment 2, an SFN / frame / half-frame / slot to which an LP-SS is transmitted may be specified. For example, based on setting information regarding the period and time offset for the LP-SS, the base station and the terminal may specify the slots in which the LP-SS is transmitted. In this embodiment, a method for setting / instructing which OFDM symbol (hereinafter referred to as "symbol") the transmission of the LP-SS starts or ends in each of the LP-SS slots thus specified is described.

[0332] Example 3-1

[0333] Regardless of the SSB pattern, the start and / or end times of the OFDM symbol of the LP-SS can be set / instructed to the terminal.

[0334] For example, a base station may directly set / instruct a terminal to a specific OFDM symbol index where LP-SS transmission is performed through upper layer signaling (e.g., RRC signaling or SIB). For example, a parameter with a name such as "lpss-startingsym" or "lpss-StartSymbol" may be provided from the base station to the terminal through upper layer signaling, and the parameter may indicate a starting symbol within a slot for LP-SS. Accordingly, the terminal may specify an OFDM symbol index where LP-SS transmission starts based on the parameter, and receive LP-SS on a number of symbols equal to the length of LP-SS (e.g., the number of OFDM symbols occupied by one LP-SS), including the specified symbol.

[0335] If a parameter such as the aforementioned "lpss-startingsym" is not provided to the terminal, the base station and the terminal can transmit / receive LP-SS bursts at the same OFDM symbol index as the SSB burst, and transmit / receive LP-SS at the corresponding OFDM symbol(s).

[0336] Example 3-2

[0337] In the same way as the SSB pattern, the start and / or end times of the OFDM symbols of the LP-SS can be set / indicated.

[0338] A base station and a terminal can transmit / receive LP-SS from predefined OFDM symbols. For example, the LP-SS can be started in the same way as the SSB pattern (e.g., in the same way as the OFDM symbol index where the SSB starts). Accordingly, when the LP-SS start symbol is determined within the LP-SS slot (at the same location as the SSB start symbol), the number of LP-SS that can be transmitted within one slot may vary depending on the LP-SS length (e.g., the number of OFDM symbols occupied by one LP-SS). In this case, similar to the example described in Example 1, if two LP-SS cannot be transmitted / received within one slot, an OFDM symbol index in which LP-SS bursts can be transmitted in one half-frame or two half-frames may be set / instructed to the terminal.

[0339] Similar to Example 1, when the LP-SS length is equal to the SSB length, LP-SS burst transmission and reception can be performed by assuming a start OFDM symbol index corresponding to the case of the set / instructed SSB burst. For example, Table 2 below shows examples in which the OFDM start symbol of the LP-SS is determined in each SSB case according to the present embodiment, identical to the SSB start symbol of the SSB pattern. Here, n may correspond to the slot index (or subframe index) and m may correspond to the half-frame index.

[0340] <ssb 케이스 a, scs="15kHz">LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-1 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {2} + 14*n + 70*m³ For carrier frequencies less than or equal to GHz, n=0,1 and m=0,1. For carrier frequencies greater than GHz, n=0,1,2,3 and m=0,1. LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-2 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {2} + 14*n + 70*m³ For carrier frequencies less than or equal to GHz, n=0,1,2,3 and m=0.3 For carrier frequencies greater than GHz, n=0,1,2,3 and m=0,1. < SSB Case B, SCS=30kHz > LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-1 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {4,16}+28*n+140*m3 For carrier frequencies less than or equal to GHz, n=0 and m=0,1 For carrier frequencies greater than 1.3 GHz, n=0,1 and m=0,1. LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-2 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {4,16}+28*n+140*m3 For carrier frequencies less than or equal to GHz, n=0,1 and m=0.3 For carrier frequencies greater than GHz, n=0,1 and m=0,1. <ssb 케이스 c, scs="30kHz">LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-1 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {2,16} + 28 * n + 140 * m For paired spectrum operation, for carrier frequencies less than or equal to 3 GHz, n = 0,1 and m = 0. For carrier frequencies greater than 3 GHz, n = 0,1 and m = 0,1. For unpaired spectrum operation, for carrier frequencies less than or equal to 1.88 GHz, n = 0,1 and m = 0.1. For carrier frequencies greater than 88 GHz, n = 0,1 and m = 0,1. LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-2 LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {2,16} + 28 * n + 140 * m For paired spectrum operation, for carrier frequencies less than or equal to 3 GHz, n = 0,1 and m = 0,1. For carrier frequencies greater than 3 GHz For, n=0,1 and m=0,1. For unpaired spectrum operation, for carrier frequencies less than or equal to 1.88 GHz, n=0,1,2,3 and m=0,1. For carrier frequencies greater than 88 GHz, n=0,1 and m=0,1. <ssb 케이스 d, scs="120kHz">For the carrier frequencies belonging to FR2, the LP-SS start OFDM symbol index in the case of Examples 1-1 and 2 is LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {4,16}+28*n+560*m, where n=0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18 and m=0,1. <ssb 케이스 e, scs="240kHz">For the LP-SS start OFDM symbol index of Example 1-1, LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {8,16,32,40} + 56*n + 1120*m; for the carrier frequencies belonging to FR2, n = 0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8 and m = 0,1. For the LP-SS start OFDM symbol index of Example 1-2, LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {8,16,32,40} + 56*n + 560*m; for the carrier frequencies belonging to FR2, n = 0,1,2,3,5,6,7,8,10,11,12,13,15,16,17,18 and m = 0,1. <ssb 케이스 f, scs="480kHz">For the LP-SS start OFDM symbol index in the case of Examples 1-1 and 1-2, LP-SS start OFDM symbol index = {2} + 14 * n + 448 * m. For the carrier frequencies belonging to FR2-2, n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and m = 0, 1. <ssb 케이스 g, scs="960kHz">LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-1 = {2} + 14 * n + 448 * m. For carrier frequencies belonging to FR2-2, n = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, and m = 0, 1. LP-SS start OFDM symbol index for Example 1-2 = {2} + 14 * n + 448 * m. For carrier frequencies belonging to FR2-2, n = 0,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,31, 32,33,34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41,42,43,44,45,46,47,48,49,50,51,52,53,54,55,56,57,58,59,60,61,62,63, m=0.

[0341] Within a single LP-SS cycle, there exists an LP-SS associated with a specific SSB index, and multiple locations may be set / indicated as candidate locations for the occasion of that LP-SS. The base station transmits the LP-SS at only one of the candidate locations, and the terminal can expect the LP-SS to be detected at one of them. For example, the base station may set N consecutive slots (to the terminal) where the LP-SS can be transmitted, and transmit the LP-SS at only one of them. The terminal may be set for one of the N slots as the slot where the LP-SS is actually transmitted. Alternatively, the terminal may monitor the LP-SS in the N slots (e.g., blind detection) to find the slot where the LP-SS is actually transmitted. This can increase the scheduling flexibility of the base station. In the example above, the two slots where the LP-SS can be transmitted may be designated as slot #(n0) and slot #(n0+1). Slot #(n0) may be set separately from the base station or determined as in the example of Example 1-1 described above.

[0342] Alternatively, slot #(n0) may be determined from SSB configuration parameters (similar to Type0-PDCCH CSS (common search space) set monitoring in existing wireless communication systems). For example, n0 is, It can be determined based on [this]. It can be determined whether the calculated n0 value belongs to an SFN of an even index or an SFN of an odd index. Based on the number of search space sets per slot and the index of the table containing the first symbol index, which are parameters for the PDCCH monitoring opportunity set by the network, the values ​​of M and O can be obtained. N_slot^frame,u is the number of slots per subframe for the SCS setting (u). According to the above mathematical formula, n0 can be determined for each index (i) of the SSB, and accordingly, the monitoring time of the corresponding SSB can be determined. Starting from the slot corresponding to the n0 determined in this way, PDCCH monitoring can be performed in two consecutive slots or slots at a specific interval according to the SCS setting (u).

[0343] Similarly, the base station can transmit an LP-SS in one of slots #(n0) and #(n0+1), and the terminal can monitor the LP-SS in slots #(n0) and #(n0+1) and expect the LP-SS to be detected.

[0344] When SSB / CORESET multiplexing pattern 1 (e.g., slot-based TDM (time division multiplexing) multiplexing mainly in FR1) is applied to the terminal, the above LP-SS transmission / reception method may be applied. Alternatively, when SSB / CORESET multiplexing pattern 2 (e.g., symbol-based TDM multiplexing mainly in FR2) is applied to the terminal and / or when SSB / CORESET multiplexing pattern 3 (e.g., frequency division multiplexing (FDM) multiplexing mainly in FR3) is applied, or regardless of the SSB / CORESET multiplexing pattern, the above LP-SS transmission / reception method may be applied.

[0345] Through the terminal's capability report or UAI (UE assistance information), it may be reported to the base station which LP-SS reception method is supported or preferred by the terminal.

[0346] The LP-SS reception method described above can be configured or enabled / activated to the terminal through the base station settings (e.g., RRC IE or SIB).

[0347] In the examples described above, consecutive N slots in which an LP-SS can be transmitted are described as exemplary, but the scope of the present disclosure is not limited thereto, and similar examples may be applied to other time resource units. For example, a base station may set / instruct a terminal to set / instruct consecutive N half-frames (or consecutive N SFNs) in which an LP-SS burst can be transmitted, and in practice, an LP-SS may be transmitted in one of those half-frames (or SFNs). Accordingly, the terminal may monitor (or blindly detect) the N slots / half-frames / SFNs and detect / receive an LP-SS in one of those slots / half-frames / SFNs. Additionally, the terminal may be set by the base station as to which of the N slots / half-frames / SFNs the LP-SS burst is actually transmitted.

[0348] In the examples described above, the two SFNs to which an LP-SS burst can be transmitted may be denoted as SFN #(n0) and SFN #(n0+1). SFN #(n0) may be separately set / instructed to the terminal by the base station, or may be determined according to the examples of Embodiment 2. Alternatively, SFN #(n0) to which an LP-SS can be transmitted may be determined from SSB setting parameters similar to the Type0-PDCCH CSS set monitoring operation described above. As described above, the base station may transmit an LP-SS burst in one of the set / instructed SFN #(n0) and SFN #(n0+1). The terminal may detect / receive an LP-SS burst by performing LP-SS monitoring for SFN #(n0) and SFN #(n0+1).

[0349] According to various examples of the present disclosure, based on the configuration for LP-SS provided by the base station, the terminal can accurately specify a time resource in which LP-SS can be transmitted (e.g., LP-SS receiving slot(s) based on period and time offset, and an LP-SS start symbol in each of said LP-SS receiving slot(s)), and receive LP-SS on said time resource to maximize the efficiency of low-power operation.

[0350] The embodiments described above are combinations of the components and features of the present disclosure in a specific form. Each component or feature should be considered optional unless otherwise explicitly stated. Each component or feature may be implemented in a form not combined with other components or features. Additionally, it is possible to construct embodiments of the present disclosure by combining some components and / or features. The order of operations described in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be changed. Some components or features of one embodiment may be included in another embodiment, or may be replaced with corresponding components or features of another embodiment. It is obvious that embodiments may be constructed by combining claims that are not explicitly related in the claims, or that they may be included as new claims by amendment after filing.

[0351] It is obvious to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential features of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the detailed description set forth above should not be interpreted restrictively in all respects and should be considered exemplary. The scope of the present disclosure shall be determined by a reasonable interpretation of the appended claims, and all modifications within the equivalent scope of the present disclosure are included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0352] The scope of the present disclosure includes software or machine-executable instructions (e.g., operating systems, applications, firmware, programs, etc.) that enable operations according to the methods of various embodiments to be executed on a device or computer, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium on which such software or instructions, etc. are stored and executable on a device or computer. Instructions that may be used to program a processing system to perform the features described in the present disclosure may be stored on or within a storage medium or a computer-readable storage medium, and the features described in the present disclosure may be implemented using a computer program product comprising such a storage medium. The storage medium may include, but is not limited to, high-speed random access memory such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random access solid-state memory devices, and may include non-volatile memory such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid-state storage devices. The memory may optionally include one or more storage devices located remotely from the processor(s). Memory or alternatively, non-volatile memory device(s) within memory comprises a non-transient computer-readable storage medium. The features described in this disclosure may be stored in any one of the machine-readable media and integrated into software and / or firmware that can control the hardware of a processing system and allow the processing system to interact with other mechanisms utilizing results according to the embodiments of this disclosure. Such software or firmware may include, but is not limited to, application code, device drivers, operating systems, and execution environments / containers.

[0353] Here, the wireless communication technology implemented in the device of the present disclosure may include LTE, NR, and 6G, as well as Narrowband Internet of Things for low-power communication. In this case, for example, NB-IoT technology may be an example of LPWAN (Low Power Wide Area Network) technology and may be implemented according to standards such as LTE Cat NB1 and / or LTE Cat NB2, but is not limited to the names mentioned above. Additionally, or generally, the wireless communication technology implemented in the device of the present disclosure may perform communication based on LTE-M technology. In this case, for example, LTE-M technology may be an example of LPWAN technology and may be referred to by various names such as eMTC (enhanced Machine Type Communication). For example, LTE-M technology may be implemented in at least one of various standards such as 1) LTE CAT 0, 2) LTE Cat M1, 3) LTE Cat M2, 4) LTE non-BL (non-Bandwidth Limited), 5) LTE-MTC, 6) LTE Machine Type Communication, and / or 7) LTE M, and is not limited to the names mentioned above. Additionally or generally, wireless communication technology implemented in the device (100, 200) of the present disclosure may include at least one of ZigBee, Bluetooth, and Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) for low-power communication, and is not limited to the names mentioned above. As an example, ZigBee technology may create personal area networks (PANs) related to small / low-power digital communication based on various standards such as IEEE 802.15.4, and may be referred to by various names.

[0354] Although the method proposed in this disclosure has been described with an example applied to 3GPP LTE / LTE-A, 5G, and 6G systems, it is possible to apply it to various wireless communication systems in addition to 3GPP LTE / LTE-A, 5G, and 6G systems.< / ssb> < / ssb> < / ssb> < / ssb> < / ssb> < / ssb>

Claims

1. In a method performed by a terminal, the method comprises: A step of obtaining parameters related to one or more of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS) by the terminal; and Based on the above parameters, the method includes the step of receiving one or more of the LP-SS or the LP-WUS from the network by the terminal, and The above parameters include a first parameter set and a second parameter set, and One or more candidates for each parameter of the second parameter set are based on the values ​​of each parameter of the first parameter set.

2. In Paragraph 1, A method in which, based on the fact that the value of each parameter of the first parameter set belongs to a first range, one or more candidates of each parameter of the second parameter set belong to a second range.

3. In Paragraph 1, A method in which, based on the fact that the value of each parameter of the first parameter set belongs to a second range, one or more candidates for each parameter of the second parameter set belong to a first range.

4. In Paragraph 2, The above first range is: The number of transmitted bits (M), period (P), or subcarrier spacing (SCS) is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold, and A method having a duration (D) that is less than the above-mentioned threshold.

5. In Paragraph 2, The above second range is less than a predetermined threshold for M, P, or SCS, and A method that is greater than or equal to the above-mentioned threshold with respect to D.

6. In Paragraph 1, The first parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes one or more of M or D, and A method in which the second parameter set for the above LP-SS includes P.

7. In Paragraph 1, The first parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes one or more of M or P, and A method in which the second parameter set for the above LP-SS includes D.

8. In Paragraph 1, The first parameter set for the above LP-SS includes one or more of D or P, and A method in which the second parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes M.

9. In Paragraph 1, The first parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes SCS, and A method in which the second parameter set for the above LP-SS includes one or more of M, D, or P.

10. In Paragraph 9, A method in which the first parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS further comprises one or more of M, D, or P.

11. In Paragraph 9, The above SCS is a method associated with the frequency range (FR).

12. In Paragraph 1, The first parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes one or more of M, SCS, D, or P, and A method in which the second parameter set for one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS includes whether additional SS is supported.

13. In Paragraph 1, A method in which signaling for the value of a specific parameter is provided to the terminal based on the fact that the number of candidates for the value of a specific parameter of the second parameter set is two or more.

14. In Paragraph 1, A method in which the value of a specific parameter of the first parameter set is provided to the terminal through signaling or is predefined.

15. In a terminal of a wireless communication system, One or more transceivers; and It includes one or more processors connected to the above one or more transmitters and receivers, and The above one or more processors are: Acquiring parameters related to one or more of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS); and Based on the above parameters, one or more of the LP-SS or the LP-WUS are configured to be received from the network through the one or more transceivers, and The above parameters include a first parameter set and a second parameter set, and One or more candidates for each parameter of the second parameter set are terminals based on the values ​​of each parameter of the first parameter set.

16. In a method performed by a base station, the method is: A step of generating one or more of the LP-SS or the LP-WUS by the base station based on parameters related to one or more of the low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS) or the low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS); and The method includes the step of transmitting one or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS to a terminal by the base station, The above parameters include a first parameter set and a second parameter set, and One or more candidates for each parameter of the second parameter set are based on the values ​​of each parameter of the first parameter set.

17. In a base station of a wireless communication system, One or more transceivers; and It includes one or more processors connected to the above one or more transmitters and receivers, and The above one or more processors are: Based on parameters related to one or more of a low-power synchronization signal (LP-SS) or a low-power wake-up signal (LP-WUS), one or more of the LP-SS or the LP-WUS are generated; and One or more of the above LP-SS or the above LP-WUS are configured to be transmitted to a terminal through the one or more transceivers, and The above parameters include a first parameter set and a second parameter set, and One or more candidates for each parameter of the second parameter set are base stations based on the values ​​of each parameter of the first parameter set.

18. One or more processors; and A processing device comprising one or more computer memories that are operably connected to one or more processors and store instructions for performing a method according to any one of claims 1 to 14 based on execution by one or more processors.

19. One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing one or more instructions that are executed by one or more processors to control the execution of a method according to any one of claims 1 through 14.

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