Method and device for transmitting and receiving signal related to ambient internet or things (IOT) in wireless communication system

Abstract

A method and a device for transmitting and receiving a signal related to ambient IoT in a wireless communication system are disclosed. The method according to one embodiment of the present disclosure may comprise steps in which a device: receives, from a reader, a signal for timing acquisition related to R2D reception; and receives, from the reader, a PRDCH on the basis of the reception of the signal. Here, the PRDCH can be configured to be received through an OFDM symbol, and the OFDM symbol can be configured to include a plurality of chips. A start time of the PPDCH can be determined on the basis of at least one from a predefined chip index and a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol.

Description

Method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals related to Ambient IoT (Internet or Things) 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 and receiving signals related to ambient IoT (Internet of Things).

[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 and receiving signals related to ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in a wireless communication system.

[0005] The technical problem of the present disclosure is to provide a method and apparatus for designing an R2D timing acquisition signal (R-TAS) by considering a CP handling method in a reader-to-device (R2D) transmission and reception situation.

[0006] 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.

[0007] A method according to one aspect of the present disclosure may include: receiving a signal from a reader for acquiring timing related to receiving R2D (reader to device) by a device; and receiving a PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) from the reader by the device based on the reception of the signal. Herein, the PRDCH is received through an OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbol, and the OFDM symbol may be configured to include a plurality of chips. The start time of the PRDCH may be determined based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

[0008] A method according to a further aspect of the present disclosure may include: transmitting a signal to a device for acquiring timing related to R2D (reader to device) transmission by a reader; and transmitting a PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) related to timing based on the signal by the reader to the device. Herein, the PRDCH is received via an OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbol, and the OFDM symbol may be configured to include a plurality of chips. The start time of the PRDCH may be based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

[0009] According to the present disclosure, a method and apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals related to ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in a wireless communication system may be provided.

[0010] According to the present disclosure, a method and apparatus for designing an R2D timing acquisition signal (R-TAS) by considering a CP handling method in a reader-to-device (R2D) transmission and reception situation may be provided.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, an OOK (ON-OFF Keying) based signal can be reliably detected through a CP processing method, and efficient communication can be supported while reducing interference with existing wireless communication systems and implementation complexity.

[0012] 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.

[0013] 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.

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flexible network topology to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0015] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary communication system to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless device to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0017] 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.

[0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional framework for AI operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0019] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] 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.

[0022] FIG. 9 shows an electromagnetic spectrum to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0023] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system information transmission / reception procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0024] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary beam management procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0025] FIG. 12 shows an example of an NTN scenario to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0026] FIG. 13 shows another example of an NTN scenario to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0027] FIG. 14 shows examples of sensing operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0028] FIG. 15 illustrates topologies that can be supported in ambient IoT communication to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0029] FIG. 16 illustrates a method of utilizing Manchester coding to solve unintended edge problems that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 17 illustrates a method for mapping codewords within OFDM symbols based on Manchester coding that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 18 illustrates an example indicating the start time of PRDCH when R-TAS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is aligned with OFDM symbol boundaries.

[0032] FIG. 19 illustrates an example indicating the start time of PRDCH in the case where R-TAS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary.

[0033] FIG. 20 illustrates another example indicating the start time of PRDCH when R-TAS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is aligned with OFDM symbol boundaries.

[0034] FIG. 21 illustrates another example indicating the start time of PRDCH in the case where R-TAS according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary.

[0035] FIG. 22 illustrates the operation of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 23 illustrates the operation of a reader according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] 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.

[0040] 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.

[0041] 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.

[0042] 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."

[0043] 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."

[0044] 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."

[0045] 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."

[0046] Additionally, parentheses used in the present 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 the present 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."

[0047] In the following explanation, '...when, if, in case of' can be replaced with '...based on'.

[0048] Technical features described individually within one drawing in this disclosure may be implemented individually or simultaneously.

[0049] 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.

[0050] In the present disclosure, the base station (BS, Base Station) may be a second node / IAB node / Transmission-Reception Point (TRP).

[0051] 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.

[0052] 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] 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.

[0056] Network structure

[0057] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary flexible network topology to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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.

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] Systems applicable to the present disclosure

[0065] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary communication system to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0066] 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).

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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.

[0069] Devices applicable to the present disclosure

[0070] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary wireless device to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0071] 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).

[0072] 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.

[0073] 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.

[0074] 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.

[0075] 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.

[0076] 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.

[0077] 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).

[0078] 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.

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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.

[0083] 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.

[0084] 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.

[0085] Communication procedures

[0086] 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.

[0087] 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.

[0088] 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).

[0089] 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 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.

[0090] 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).

[0091] 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.

[0092] 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.

[0093] 6G System Core Technology

[0094] 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.

[0095] artificial intelligence

[0096] 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.

[0097] FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary functional framework for AI operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0098] Below, to provide a more specific explanation of AI (or AI / ML (machine learning)), terms can be defined as follows.

[0099] - Data collection: Data collected from network nodes, management entities, or terminals, serving as a basis for AI model training, data analysis, and inference.

[0100] - 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.

[0101] - 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.

[0102] - AI / ML Inference: A process of making predictions or deriving decisions based on collected data and an AI model using a trained AI model.

[0103] 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).

[0104] Examples of input data may include measurements from terminals or other network entities, feedback from actors, and outputs from AI models.

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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).

[0107] 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.

[0108] 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).

[0109] 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).

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] Model performance feedback (14) can be used to monitor the performance of the AI ​​model if available, and this feedback may be omitted.

[0113] 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.

[0114] 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.

[0115] Meanwhile, the definitions of training, validation, and testing in data sets used in AI / ML can be distinguished as follows.

[0116] - Training data: Refers to the dataset used to train a model.

[0117] - 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.

[0118] - Test data: Refers to the dataset for final evaluation. This data is unrelated to training.

[0119] 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.

[0120] 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.

[0121] 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.

[0122] Category 0b: Corresponds to a framework that involves a wireless interface modified to fit efficient implementation-based AI / ML algorithms but lacks cooperation.

[0123] 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.

[0124] 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.

[0125] 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.

[0126] 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.

[0127] 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.

[0128] 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.

[0129] 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.).

[0130] 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.).

[0131] Step 2: Network nodes can train AI models using the received training data.

[0132] 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.

[0133] For the sake of convenience of explanation, it is assumed that the AI ​​model was deployed / updated only to RAN Node 1.

[0134] Step 4: RAN Node 1 can receive input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference from the terminal and RAN Node 2.

[0135] Step 5: RAN Node 1 can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0136] Step 6: If applicable, RAN node 1 can send model performance feedback to network nodes.

[0137] 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.

[0138] Step 8: RAN Node 1 and RAN Node 2 can transmit feedback information to network nodes.

[0139] 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.

[0140] 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.).

[0141] 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.

[0142] Step 2: RAN Node 1 can train an AI model using the received training data.

[0143] Step 3: RAN Node 1 can receive input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference from the terminal and RAN Node 2.

[0144] Step 4: RAN Node 1 can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0145] 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.

[0146] Step 6: RAN Node 2 can send feedback information to RAN Node 1.

[0147] 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.

[0148] 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.

[0149] 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.

[0150] Step 2: The RAN node can train an AI model using the received training data.

[0151] 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.

[0152] Step 4: Input data (e.g., inference data) for AI model inference can be received from terminals and RAN nodes (and / or other terminals).

[0153] Step 5: The terminal can perform AI model inference using the received inference data to generate output data (e.g., prediction or decision).

[0154] Step 6: If applicable, the terminal can transmit model performance feedback to the RAN node.

[0155] Step 7: The terminal and the RAN node can perform actions based on the output data.

[0156] Step 8: The terminal can transmit feedback information to the RAN node.

[0157] THz communication

[0158] 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.

[0159] FIG. 9 shows an electromagnetic spectrum to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0160] 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.

[0161] 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.

[0162] FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary system information transmission / reception procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0163] 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.

[0164] 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.

[0165] 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.

[0166] 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.

[0167] 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).

[0168] 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.

[0169] FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary beam management procedure to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0170] 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.

[0171] 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.

[0172] 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 used 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.

[0173] 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).

[0174] In step S1150, 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 S1130.

[0175] In step S1170, the first node (110) and the second node (120) can communicate. 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 S1150. If channel reciprocity is established, the transmission beam of the first node (110) can also be determined through steps S1130 and S1150, 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 S1150. 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).

[0176] Non-terrestrial networks (NTN)

[0177] FIGS. 12 and FIGS. 13 show examples of NTN scenarios to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0178] NTN can represent a network or network segment that uses RF (radio frequency) resources mounted on a satellite (or UAS (unmanned aerial system) platform).

[0179] 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.

[0180] 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.

[0181] 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.

[0182] 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.

[0183] 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.

[0184] 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).

[0185] Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC)

[0186] Wireless sensing is a technology that uses 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 the 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, object recognition (e.g., vehicles, humans, animals, UAVs), 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.

[0187] FIG. 14 shows examples of sensing operations to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0188] 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.

[0189] Ambient IoT (ambient internet of things)

[0190] Recently, the Internet of Things (IoT) has been attracting significant attention in the world of wireless communication. By reducing the size, complexity, and power consumption of IoT devices, and by installing and connecting tens of billions to hundreds of billions of IoT devices, it becomes possible to apply them to various fields.

[0191] In this regard, the IoT technology is being developed under the name Ambient IoT (AmIoT) for various use cases, scenarios, requirements, signaling, configuration, etc.

[0192] For example, active signal generation and / or backscattering may be one of the communication techniques considered to achieve low-power operation of AmIoT devices. For example, backscattering can enable the device to communicate with the network by reflecting incident waves after modulating them with the information to be transmitted. For example, the device may be powered by an incident RF signal or stored energy.

[0193] AmIoT devices can be classified into various device types, such as passive, semi-passive, and active, depending on the energy storage and transmission signal generation methods. For example, passive devices do not have energy storage devices (e.g., capacitors) and can communicate based on backscatter communication technology. For example, semi-passive devices have energy storage devices and can communicate using backscatter communication technology with the assistance of energy storage devices. For example, active devices have energy storage devices and can communicate by actively generating signals using active RF components and stored energy.

[0194] In the present disclosure, the following types of IoT devices may be considered.

[0195] Device type 1 has a maximum power consumption of approximately 1 uW and can perform uplink transmission by backscattering a carrier wave (CW) provided from an external source (e.g., a reader such as a base station / terminal or a separate node). For example, device type 1 may be a device without energy storage and without independent signal generation.

[0196] Device type 2 has a maximum power consumption of approximately several hundred uW and can perform uplink transmission by backscattering carrier waves provided from an external source (e.g., a reader such as a base station / terminal or a separate node) or through signals generated internally. Specifically, a device type that performs signal transmission via backscatter may be referred to as device type 2a, and a device type that performs signal transmission via signals generated internally may be referred to as device type 2b. For example, device type 2a is a device with energy storage and no independent signal generation, in which case the use of the stored energy may include amplification of the reflected signal. Additionally, for example, device type 2b may be a device with energy storage and independent signal generation (e.g., a device with active RF components for transmission).

[0197] In addition, in addition to the classification methods described above, the type / class of AmIoT devices can be distinguished based on parameters associated with device characteristics (e.g., presence / capacity of energy storage, degree of energy / power consumption, presence / capability of amplification, presence / capability of a band-pass filter (BPF), supported DL / UL transmission method(s), etc.) or combinations of parameters.

[0198] Regarding AmIoT communication, various basic topologies may be considered to support AmIoT devices in indoor and outdoor scenarios. For example, basic topologies may include a direct connection topology between a base station and an AmIoT device, a topology where the base station and an AmIoT device are connected through an intermediate node, a topology where connection via an auxiliary node is supported, and / or a connection topology between a terminal and an AmIoT device.

[0199] The basic topologies described in this disclosure are merely examples, and the proposals of this disclosure may be extended to other types of topologies.

[0200] FIG. 15 illustrates topologies that can be supported in ambient IoT communication to which some examples of the present disclosure may be applied.

[0201] FIG. 15(a) shows a direct connection topology between a base station and an AmIoT device (e.g., topology 1) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0202] Referring to FIG. 15(a), the AmIoT device can communicate directly and bidirectionally with a base station. For example, communication between the base station and the AmIoT device may include AmIoT data and / or signals. For example, AmIoT data and / or signals may be transmitted or received based on a control channel and / or a data channel (e.g., a shared channel). In this regard, the base station performing transmission to the AmIoT device and the base station performing reception from the AmIoT device may be different. For example, in Topology 1, the base station and the AmIoT device in a micro-cell environment may communicate directly with each other. For example, the base station may be located at a co-site with a base station equipped with existing 3GPP technology.

[0203] FIG. 15(b) shows a topology (e.g., topology 2) in which a base station and an AmIoT device are connected through an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0204] Referring to FIG. 15(b), an AmIoT device can communicate bidirectionally with an intermediate node between the device and the base station. For example, the intermediate node may be an AmIoT-enabled relay, IAB node, terminal, repeater, etc. The intermediate node may transmit AmIoT data and / or signals between the base station and the AmIoT device. AmIoT data and / or signals may be transmitted or received based on a control channel and / or a data channel (e.g., a shared channel). In this regard, the intermediate node performing transmission to the AmIoT device and the intermediate node performing reception from the AmIoT device may be different. For example, in Topology 2, an intermediate node may exist between the base station and the AmIoT device in a macro-cell environment. For example, the base station may be located at a co-site with a base station equipped with existing 3GPP technology. For example, the intermediate node may be limited to a terminal, and the intermediate node may be located indoors.

[0205] FIG. 15(c) shows a topology (e.g., topology 3) in which connection by an auxiliary node is supported according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0206] Referring to the left topology of FIG. 15(c), an auxiliary node may be supported for downlink reception. For example, an AmIoT device may transmit data / signals to a base station, and an AmIoT device may receive data / signals from an auxiliary node. Additionally, referring to the right topology of FIG. 15(c), an auxiliary node may be supported for uplink transmission. For example, an AmIoT device may receive data / signals from a base station, and an AmIoT device may transmit data / signals to an auxiliary node. For example, the auxiliary node may be an AmIoT-enabled relay, IAB node, terminal, repeater, etc.

[0207] FIG. 15 (d) shows a connection topology (e.g., topology 4) between a terminal and an AmIoT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0208] Referring to FIG. 15 (d), the AmIoT device can communicate bidirectionally with the terminal. For example, communication between the terminal and the AmIoT device may include AmIoT data and / or signals. AmIoT data and / or signals may be transmitted or received based on a control channel and / or a data channel (e.g., a shared channel).

[0209] Additionally, AmIoT devices may require externally provided CW for backscatter transmission. For example, the CW can be used to supply energy to AmIoT devices or as a CW for DL ​​transmission, regardless of the transmission mode (e.g., backscatter transmission or internally generated transmission).

[0210] In this regard, CW waveforms can be supported in various types. For example, the type of CW waveform can be a single-tone CW waveform or a somewhat complex multi-tone CW waveform. For example, single-tone CW may be advantageous over multi-tone CW in terms of the multiplexing capacity of tags or readers and in terms of interference because it uses fewer resources. On the other hand, multi-tone CW has advantages such as the ability to deliver more energy when transmitting CW over DL and to secure greater coverage on a single device.

[0211] Considering the advantages of these different CW waveform types, multiple CW waveform types may be supported in the AmIoT system, and the base station / IN / AN / UE may configure the CW waveform type. For example, one or more CW waveform types supported by the AmIoT communication system may be pre-configured / defined, and the base station / IN / AN / UE may select one of the one or more supported CW waveform types and transmit it to the AmIoT device. For example, the base station / IN / AN / UE may configure / instruct / display the selected CW waveform type to the AmIoT device in the form of a command / message transmitted as a preamble / frame-sync or payload.

[0212] In the present disclosure, for AmIoT communication, at least one of the necessary characteristics of a carrier waveform for a carrier provided outside the AmIoT device (including interference handling at the AmIoT device UL receiver and NR base station) may be proposed. Additionally, in the present disclosure, for AmIoT communication, at least one of paging, random access, data transmission including necessary radio resource control aspects complying with general range limitations, interaction with upper layers (e.g., RRC layer, NAS (non-access stratum) layer, application layer, etc.), device context management, data transmission, coexistence of AmIoT with 6G / NR / LTE, and / or RF requirements for AmIoT may be proposed.

[0213] Technical terms used in this disclosure may be as follows.

[0214] - SSB: Synchronization Signal Block

[0215] - MIB: Master Information Block

[0216] - RMSI: Remaining Minimum System Information

[0217] - FR1: Frequency Range 1. Refers to the frequency range of 6 GHz or lower (e.g., 450 MHz to 6000 MHz).

[0218] - FR2: Frequency Domain 2. Refers to the millimeter wave (mmWave) region above 24 GHz (e.g., 24,250 MHz ~ 52,600 MHz).

[0219] - BW: Bandwidth

[0220] - BWP: Bandwidth Part

[0221] - RNTI: Radio Network Temporary Identifier

[0222] - CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check

[0223] - SIB: System Information Block

[0224] - SIB1: SIB1 for NR devices (e.g., RMSI). Broadcasts information necessary for cell connection of NR terminals.

[0225] - CORESET: Control Resource Set. Time / frequency resource for which the NR terminal attempts candidate PDCCH decoding.

[0226] - CORESET#0: CORESET for Type0-PDCCH CSS set for NR devices (set in MIB)

[0227] - Type0-PDCCH CSS Set: A search space set in which NR terminals monitor a set of PDCCH candidates for DCI format with CRCs scrambled to SI-RNTI.

[0228] - MO: PDCCH monitoring opportunity for Type0-PDCCH CSS set

[0229] - SIB1-R: (Additional) SIB1 for NR devices with reduced capability. Limited to cases where it is created as a separate TB from the SIB1 and transmitted via a separate PDSCH.

[0230] - CORESET#0-R: CORESET#0 for Reduced Capability NR Devices

[0231] - Type0-PDCCH-R CSS Set: A search space set with redcap UEs monitoring a set of PDCCH candidates for DCI format with CRCs scrambled with SI-RNTI.

[0232] - MO-R: PDCCH monitoring opportunity for Type0-PDCCH CSS set

[0233] - Cell defining SSB (CD-SSB): An NR SSB that includes RMSI scheduling information

[0234] - Non-cell defining SSB (non-CD-SSB): Refers to an SSB placed in an NR sync raster that does not include the corresponding cell's RMSI scheduling information for measurement purposes. However, it may include information indicating the location of the cell defining SSB.

[0235] - SCS: Subcarrier spacing

[0236] - SI-RNTI: System Information-RNTI

[0237] - Camp On: "Camp On" is a terminal state where the UE remains in a cell and is ready to start potential dedicated services or receive ongoing broadcast services.

[0238] - TB: Transport Block

[0239] - RSA (Redcap standalone): A cell that supports only the Redcap device or service.

[0240] - SIB1(-R)-PDSCH: PDSCH transmitting SIB1(-R)

[0241] - SIB1(-R)-DCI: DCI scheduling SIB1(-R)-PDSCH. DCI format 1_0 CRC scrambled by SI-RNTI.

[0242] - SIB1(-R)-PDCCH: PDCCH transmitting SIB1(-R)-DCI

[0243] - FDRA: Frequency Domain Resource Allocation

[0244] - TDRA: Time Domain Resource Allocation

[0245] - RA: Random Access

[0246] - MSGA: Transmission of preamble and payload for a two-stage RA type random access procedure.

[0247] - MSGB: Response to MSGA in a two-stage random access procedure. MSGB may consist of responses to contention resolution, fallback instructions, and backoff instructions.

[0248] - RO-N: RO (RACH Occasion) for general terminal 4-stage RACH and 2-stage RACH (if configured)

[0249] - RO-N1, RO-N2: When a separate RO is configured for general terminal 2-stage RACH, it is classified as RO-N1 (4 stages) and RO-N2 (2 stages).

[0250] - RO-R: RO (RACH Occasion) configured separately from RO-N for Redcap terminal Level 4 RACH and Level 2 RACH (if configured)

[0251] - RO-R1, RO-R2: When a separated RO is configured for Redcap terminal 2-stage RACH, it is classified as RO-R1 (4 stages) and RO-R2 (2 stages).

[0252] - PG-R: MsgA-preamble group for redcap terminals

[0253] - RAR: Random Access Response

[0254] - RAR Window: Time window to monitor RA responses

[0255] - FH: Frequency Hopping

[0256] - iBWP: Initial BWP

[0257] - iBWP-DL(-UL): Initial DL(UL) BWP

[0258] - iBWP-DL(-UL)-R: Initial DL(UL) BWP (separated) for redcap

[0259] - CS: Cyclic shift

[0260] - NB: Narrowband

[0261] - TO: Traffic Offloading

[0262] - mMTC: Massive Machine Type Communications

[0263] - eMBB: Enhanced Mobile Broadband Communication

[0264] - URLLC: Ultra-Reliable and Low Latency Communication

[0265] - RedCap: Reduced Capability

[0266] - eRedCap: Enhanced RedCap

[0267] - FDD: Frequency Division Duplex

[0268] - HD-FDD: Half-Duplex-FDD

[0269] - DRX: Discontinuous Reception

[0270] - RRC: Radio Resource Control

[0271] - RRM: Radio Resource Management

[0272] - MM: Mobility Management

[0273] - IWSN: Industrial Wireless Sensor Network

[0274] - LPWA: Low Power Wide Area

[0275] - RB: Resource Block

[0276] - CCE: Control Channel Element

[0277] - AL: Aggregation Level

[0278] - PRG: Physical Resource-block Group

[0279] - DFT-s-OFDM: DFT-spread OFDM

[0280] - PBCH: Physical Broadcast Channel

[0281] - A-PBCH: Additional PBCH

[0282] - BD: Blind detection

[0283] - EPRE: Energy Per RE

[0284] - SNR: Signal-to-Noise Ratio

[0285] - TDM: Time Division Multiplexing

[0286] - FDM: Frequency Division Multiplexing

[0287] - DMRS: Demodulation Reference Signal

[0288] - TDD: Time Division Duplex

[0289] - PCI: Physical layer Cell ID

[0290] - EH: Energy Harvesting

[0291] - EH Device: A device operating based on EH. This may include all device types in AmIoT. Additionally, while this disclosure primarily considers RF EH, the EH device is not necessarily required to be RF EH-based.

[0292] - ES: Energizing Signal. A signal / channel transmitted by a base station / IN / AN / UE for the purpose of supplying RF energy to a device operating based on RF-based EH. (Modulated) CW, NR / LTE DL / UL signals, etc. can be ES, and a dedicated signal / channel for ES can be designed to support it.

[0293] - ET: Energy Transfer

[0294] - CW: Carrier wave. AmIoT devices supporting backscattering-based UL transmission transmit information by modulating and backscattering an "externally provided" CW. AmIoT devices supporting independent signal generation-based UL transmission transmit information by modulating an "internally generated" CW. Unless otherwise noted, it is assumed to refer to the "externally provided" CW for backscattering. The CW can be used as an ES (Energizing Signal) for RF energy transfer.

[0295] - CWN: CW Node. A node that provides CW. It can be a base station, IN, AN, or UE, and a separate CWN may exist for the purpose of providing CW.

[0296] - R: Reader / Interrogator. In the AmIoT description, depending on the topology, gNB / eNB, intermediate node (IN) / assisting node (AN), terminal, etc., can be readers. Additionally, since AmIoT is not limited to 4G / 5G communication systems, it may include base stations, intermediate nodes / assisting nodes, and terminals of next-generation communication systems. It may also mean an AmIoT reader.

[0297] - T: Tag / AmIoT device. It may be interchangeable with EH device in this disclosure, and in the AmIoT description, it mainly refers to an AmIoT device, device type 1 / 2a / 2b.

[0298] - D: AmIoT device (may have the same meaning as the aforementioned T)

[0299] - R=>T: Reader-to-Tag or Reader-to-Tag communication link. May have the same meaning as DL or forward link when the base station or intermediate node / auxiliary node is the reader.

[0300] - R2D: Reader (R)-to-Device (D) Link (May have the same meaning as R=>T or AmIoT DL. May be denoted as R=>D.)

[0301] - CW2D: CWN-to-Device(D) Link (CW Node-to-AmIoT Device Link)

[0302] - T=>R: Tag-to-Reader or Tag-to-Reader communication link. If the base station or intermediate / auxiliary node is the leader, it may have the same meaning as a UL or reverse / backward link.

[0303] - D2R: Device (D)-to-Reader (R) Link (May have the same meaning as T=>R or AmIoT UL. May be denoted as D=>R.)

[0304] - R<=>T: Includes cases of R=>T and T=>R, or R=>T or T=>R. May apply to both R=>T and T=>R.

[0305] - R<=>D: Includes cases of R2D and D2R, or R2D or D2R. May apply to both R2D and D2R. (May have the same meaning as R<=>T)

[0306] - RF-EH: RF energy harvesting

[0307] - PRDCH: Physical R2D Channel (may be denoted as PR2DCH). A physical channel for R2D communication.

[0308] - PDRCH: Physical D2R Channel (may be denoted as PD2RCH). A physical channel for D2R communication.

[0309] - BS: Base Station

[0310] - IN: Intermediate node. In Topology 2 (BS <-> IN <-> AmIoT device), IN acts as the leader. Relays, IABs, terminals, repeaters, etc. can be IN.

[0311] - AN: Assisting node. It can assist in DL transmission in Topology 3-1 (BS -> AN -> AmIoT device -> BS) or assist in UL transmission in Topology 3-2 (BS -> AmIoT device -> AN -> BS). Relays, IABs, terminals, repeaters, etc. can be ANs.

[0312] - UE: User Equipment. In the case of LTE, NR, or next-generation communication systems, it refers to the LTE, NR, or next-generation communication system UE / terminal, respectively. It is a general wireless communication terminal form distinct from AmIoT devices or device types 1 / 2a / 2b. In Topology 4 (UE <-> AmIoT device), the UE acts as the leader.

[0313] - Device: Unless otherwise noted, and when used alone, refers to an EH device, an AmIoT device, or device type 1 / 2a / 2b without distinction.

[0314] - AmIoT: Ambient IoT

[0315] - F-gap: Frequency gap

[0316] - T-gap: Time gap

[0317] - TD: Time Domain

[0318] - FD: Frequency Domain

[0319] - PEI: Paging Early Indication

[0320] - LP-WUS: Low-Power Wake-Up Signal

[0321] - LP-SS: Low-Power Synchronization Signal

[0322] - RSRP: Reference Signal Received Power

[0323] - ESRP: ES Received Power. May refer to RSRP measured using ES. May have the same meaning as ES-RSRP.

[0324] - PRB: Physical Resource Block

[0325] - EH Circuit: A circuit that performs EH operation. An EH device can be viewed as including an EH circuit in the form of a component.

[0326] - PHR: Power Headroom Report

[0327] - EHR: Energy Headroom Report

[0328] - BPF: Band-Pass Filter

[0329] - SM: Subcarrier Modulation

[0330] High-speed R2D transmission and reception support in AmIoT communication

[0331] In this disclosure, methods of operation are proposed to enable an AmIoT device to smoothly receive high-speed R2D transmissions.

[0332] An AmIoT device may communicate using a carrier wave (CW) transmitted by a base station (e.g., gNB) or an intermediate node. Here, the CW may include a CW for energy harvesting and a CW for backscattering. According to the present disclosure, the CW may be applied restrictively to either of the two aforementioned uses, or may be applied commonly to both of the aforementioned uses.

[0333] Additionally, the NR system in the present disclosure may be replaced with a wireless communication system including a 5G and / or 6G wireless communication system, and in some cases, may refer to a mother system or a coexisting communication system. Accordingly, a base station may refer to a base station of the NR system or wireless communication system, and a terminal may refer to a terminal of the NR system or wireless communication system.

[0334] Meanwhile, AmIoT devices can operate in units of AmIoT symbols, and to this end, the construction of a new communication system suitable for the AmIoT communication system, such as a slot structure, numerology, waveform, and modulation method, may be required. In this case, the AmIoT communication system can be designed considering coexistence with existing NR / LTE systems.

[0335] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, by configuring a plurality of AmIoT symbols to be included within a CP-OFDM symbol interval for coexistence with an NR / LTE system, AmIoT communication can be supported while maintaining the existing NR / LTE signal structure.

[0336] When CW is transmitted in the manner described above, when a backscattered signal is received at a base station, intermediate node (IN), access node (AN), or terminal, performance degradation issues may occur due to effects such as interference from a reception perspective. For example, when a backscattered signal is received through an OFDM-based receiver using FFT, orthogonality may be broken, which may affect the reception performance of AmIoT signals and NR signals or channels.

[0337] In relation to the transmission and reception of the aforementioned AmIoT signal, various CP processing methods may be considered by taking into account the influence of CP on R2D timing acquisition, the decoding and performance of PRDCH, the implementation complexity of the reader and device, interference between R2D and NR DL / UL within the same NR band, and spectral efficiency.

[0338] For example, the following two types of methods (hereinafter referred to as Method 1 and Method 2) may be considered as CP processing methods.

[0339] Method 1 is a method of removing CP at the device side when CP processing is not explicitly defined at the transmitting side. Additionally, Method 2 is a method of ensuring that no unintended edge occurs between the last OOK chip of OFDM symbol (n-1) and the first OOK chip of OFDM symbol n, even if CP insertion occurs in an OFDM-based waveform.

[0340] In the R2D transmission described in this disclosure, a total of M OOK chips can form one OFDM symbol using Discrete Fourier Transform-spread Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (DFT-s-OFDM). Based on this, the "chip" described in this disclosure may refer to an OOK chip.

[0341] Additionally, the “unintended edge” described in this disclosure is a virtual transition unrelated to actual data transitions and may be a concept including false rising edges and / or false falling edges.

[0342] In relation to Method 1, the following two alternatives (hereinafter Alternative 1-1 and Alternative 1-2) may be considered as a method for determining the location and length of the CP.

[0343] For example, according to Alternative 1-1, the device assumes that the same CP length is applied to each OFDM symbol, that is, this may be a method that does not distinguish the exact CP length between different OFDM symbols. In contrast, according to Alternative 1-2, the device can determine the location and length of the CP using the duration between transition edges, and, for example, can determine it as a CP interval if the duration is invalid in light of a previously known chip duration.

[0344] Meanwhile, regarding Method 2, the following approaches (e.g., Alternative 2-1 and Alternative 2-2) may be considered depending on whether subcarrier orthogonality is maintained.

[0345] For example, Alternative 2-1 is a method that maintains orthogonality and may include a method in which the CP is copied from the end of the OFDM symbol. In this case, the first OOK chip(s) and the last OOK chip(s) within the OFDM symbol may be set identically. Alternatively, it may be configured to ensure that a transition edge occurs only at the beginning or end of the CP interval, and not during the CP interval. Additionally, Alternative 2-2 is a method that does not maintain subcarrier orthogonality and may be a method that applies Method 2 but does not impose constraints on maintaining orthogonality.

[0346] In relation to the foregoing description, depending on the type of AmIoT device or depending on the case / situation, not all AmIoT devices may necessarily possess the capability to process CP. Based on the aforementioned CP processing method, the present disclosure proposes a method for an AmIoT that removes CP to perform a receiving operation in a situation where (high-speed) R2D transmission is performed.

[0347] The “high-speed R2D transmission” described in this disclosure may include a transmission in which the number of OOK chips (e.g., the value of M) included in one OFDM symbol is greater than or equal to 32. Similarly, the “low-speed R2D transmission” may include a transmission in which the number of OOK chips included in one OFDM symbol is less than 32.

[0348] In the case of R2D transmission, transmission can be performed using Manchester coding (e.g., Manchester line code). However, in an AmIoT device that cannot remove CP, or even if an AmIoT device can remove CP, unintended edges (e.g., virtual transitions unrelated to actual data transitions) may occur in a (high-speed) R2D transmission environment depending on the state of the last chip of the (N-1)th OFDM symbol, the CP interval of the Nth OFDM symbol, and the first chip. That is, when signal components included in the CP interval and the signal state at the beginning of the symbol are continuously observed near the OFDM symbol boundary, a problem may arise where the receiving side misdetects a rising edge or a falling edge.

[0349] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a Manchester line code can be applied to avoid situations where unintended edges such as the above occur.

[0350] FIG. 16 illustrates a method of utilizing Manchester coding to solve unintended edge problems that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0351] Referring to FIG. 16, the first codeword corresponding to the Nth OFDM symbol can be configured not to be initiated independently at the starting point of the Nth OFDM symbol, but to be initiated continuously from the last chip of the (N-1)th OFDM symbol. In other words, by arranging the Manchester codewords continuously "across" the OFDM symbol boundaries (e.g., by traversing the OFDM symbol), the possibility of unintended edges caused by the CP interval of the symbol boundary and the symbol start chip state can be reduced.

[0352] In this disclosure, a method for designing an R-TAS (R2D timing acquisition signal) for the case utilizing Manchester coding as shown in FIG. 16 described above is proposed.

[0353] For the sake of convenience of explanation, a representative example is provided where the chip index within one OFDM symbol is defined to start from 0 and go up to M-1. That is, parameter M represents the number of chips included in one OFDM symbol.

[0354] In the R2D transmission, the R-TAS placed immediately preceding the PRDCH transmission may be included to indicate the start of the R2D transmission in the time domain, at least for timing acquisition.

[0355] For example, R-TAS may include a start indicator part (SIP) that provides the start of an R2D transmission and a clock acquisition part (CAP) used to determine the OOK chip duration of a subsequent PRDCH transmission.

[0356] The start indicator portion of R-TAS is not included in the minimum time interval for D2R transmission, and an ON / OFF pattern corresponding to high voltage / low voltage transmission may be applied. Regarding the start indicator portion, the following options (hereinafter Option 1 and Option 2) may be considered.

[0357] First, as Option 1, ON-OFF transmission based on energy or edge detection can be considered, in which case multiple alternatives may be examined. For example, as Alternative 1, a single ON-OFF transmission can be applied, which may take the form of a single low-voltage (e.g., OFF) transmission following a single high-voltage (e.g., ON) transmission, and the ON and OFF periods may have the same duration or different durations. Additionally, as Alternative 2, multiple ON-OFF transmission can be applied, which may include multiple ON periods and multiple OFF periods, and the durations between different ON periods may be the same or different, and the durations between different OFF periods may also be the same or different. Furthermore, the durations between each part distinguished as ON / OFF may also be set to be the same or different.

[0358] Next, as Option 2, a design based on an ON-OFF sequence may be considered, which may be a method of configuring a predefined sequence and performing detection of the start indicator part based on digital correlation. For example, the receiving side may be configured to determine the presence or location of the start indicator part by performing a correlation operation between the predefined ON / OFF sequence and the received voltage level change.

[0359] Additionally, the clock acquisition portion of the R-TAS may be based on OOK without line coding and may be configured to include a rising edge and / or a falling edge. In particular, so that the device can determine the OOK chip interval, the clock acquisition portion may include at least two rising edges or at least two falling edges. Regarding the clock acquisition portion, the following options (hereinafter, Option A and Option B) may be considered.

[0360] First, as Option A, a configuration can be considered in which the duration of the clock acquisition portion is set to be variable depending on the value of M. For example, it can be designed so that the duration of the clock acquisition portion becomes shorter as the value of M increases. Next, as Option B, a configuration can be considered in which the duration of the clock acquisition portion is maintained constant regardless of the value of M. For example, this can be implemented based on repetition, and it can be designed so that the entire duration remains constant by increasing the repetition factor as the value of M increases.

[0361] Based on the SIP and CAP within the aforementioned R-TAS, the number of chips included in each OFDM symbol for PRDCH can be determined / indicated / set.

[0362] In the following, a method for indicating / setting the starting point of PRDCH (hereinafter, Example 1) and a method for designing R-TAS accordingly (hereinafter, Example 2) are proposed through specific embodiments when a Manchester coding method as shown in FIG. 16 (e.g., a method of transmitting a Manchester codeword through OFDM symbols) is utilized.

[0363] The embodiments described below are distinguished only for the sake of clarity of explanation, and it is obvious that the method described in Example 1 and the method described in Example 2 can be combined or substituted with one another.

[0364] Example 1

[0365] This embodiment relates to a method for indicating / setting the start time of PRDCH in R2D transmission.

[0366] To indicate / set the start time of PRDCH, methods utilizing separate signaling and methods utilizing predefined rules may be considered.

[0367] (Example 1-1)

[0368] First, a method can be applied in which the reader instructs / sets the start time of the PRDCH to the AmIoT device through signaling such as R-TAS (e.g., Start Indicator (SIP), Clock Acquisition (CAP)).

[0369] When the chip index constituting one OFDM symbol is 0 to M-1 (e.g., chip index = 0, 1, ..., M-1), the Manchester codeword based on the method of FIG. 16 must be transmitted starting from the odd index among the chip indices so that one codeword can be formed across a total of two OFDM symbols.

[0370] FIG. 17 illustrates a method for mapping codewords within OFDM symbols based on Manchester coding that can be applied to the present disclosure.

[0371] As illustrated in FIG. 17, for example, even when a Manchester codeword is transmitted at chip index M-3, the codeword transmission can be performed over multiple OFDM symbols as shown in FIG. 16, so no unintended edges occur.

[0372] Accordingly, transmission of PRDCH may be initiated only at M / 2 chip indices corresponding to odd indices among chip indices composed of 0 to M-1. Thus, as an example, a starting chip index of PRDCH may be indicated or set using ceil(log2(M / 2)) bits.

[0373] In addition, as another example, it can be configured to signal the time gap or offset between the first chip transmitting the PRDCH and the end of the clock acquisition part (CAP) through a separate signaling such as R-TAS. According to this configuration, the flexibility of the system design can be further enhanced by expressing the starting position of the PRDCH as a temporal relationship instead of a direct chip index value.

[0374] (Example 1-2)

[0375] Next, as a method to indicate / set the start time of PRDCH through predefined rules, the following two methods can be considered.

[0376] - A method for indicating / setting the start time of PRDCH from a specific chip index according to the value of M (hereinafter, the first method)

[0377] - A method for indicating / setting the start time of PRDCH from a specific chip index regardless of the value of M (hereinafter, the second method)

[0378] Here, the value of M represents the number of chips included in one OFDM symbol.

[0379] First, the first method is a method of starting the transmission of PRDCH from a predefined chip index (e.g., a chip index defined in the specification) (individually) according to the value of M. For the convenience of explanation, the method of indicating / setting the start time of PRDCH is explained by assuming the case where the value of M is 2 or greater.

[0380] For example, a chip index predefined according to the value of M can be set as M / 2. If the R-TAS is designed to be aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, 'OFF' or 'ON' chips can be mapped to the interval up to chip index M / 2. Alternatively, for the purpose of acquiring additional time and / or frequency synchronization, the interval up to chip index M / 2 can be composed of chips having a specific pattern (e.g., 'ON-OFF-ON-OFF-...'). Depending on the system design, the repetition period, ON / OFF ratio, or pattern type can be varied or designed in various ways.

[0381] FIG. 18 illustrates an example indicating the start time of PRDCH when the R-TAS is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 19 also illustrates an example indicating the start time of PRDCH when the R-TAS is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0382] Referring to FIGS. 18 and 19, depending on whether R-TAS is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary or not, PRDCH transmission can be directed / configured to be performed starting from a predefined chip index according to the value of M. For convenience of explanation, in this example, it is assumed that the value of M / 2 is even, and if the value of M / 2 is odd, PRDCH transmission can be performed starting from chip index M / 2.

[0383] Referring to FIG. 18, an empty chip may exist within the OFDM symbol where PRDCH transmission is performed, and this may correspond to chip indices 0 to M / 2. Also, referring to FIG. 19, if the last chip index of R-TAS is odd, one empty chip may exist.

[0384] In the present disclosure, "empty chip" refers to a chip segment within an OFDM symbol where data or control signals (e.g., valid signals), such as PRDCH, R-TAS, SIP, and / or CAP, are not substantially transmitted. In the application of the method proposed in the present disclosure, the term "empty chip" may be replaced with other terms having the same technical meaning (e.g., unallocated chip, padding chip, etc.).

[0385] In this regard, to obtain accurate synchronization performance from the R-TAS, the 'OFF' chip can be mapped to the empty chip. Alternatively, to resolve unintended edge issues that may occur due to the CP, a chip state different from the last chip state of the R-TAS can be mapped to the empty chip. For example, if the state of the last chip of the R-TAS is 'OFF', the chip state of the first chip (i.e., chip index 0) of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH transmission is performed can be mapped to 'ON'. Alternatively, for energy harvesting of the AmIoT device, the chip state of the first chip (i.e., chip index 0) of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH transmission is performed can be mapped to 'ON'.

[0386] In addition, if a relatively large M value (e.g., an M value greater than 8) is set and multiple chips are included in the CP interval, the state of the last chip within the CP interval may be mapped to the empty chip. Alternatively, in this case, the state of the last chip of the R-TAS or the opposite state of the last chip of the R-TAS may be mapped to the empty chip.

[0387] Next, in the case of the second method independent of the M value, if R-TAS is designed to be aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, the Manchester codeword of PRDCH (e.g., the first Manchester codeword) can be transmitted starting from the first odd chip index (e.g., chip index 1) of the OFDM symbol where PRDCH begins.

[0388] At this time, as explained in the first method, the following mapping can be applied to the empty chip, i.e., chip index 0.

[0389] To obtain accurate synchronization performance from R-TAS, an 'OFF' chip can be mapped to the empty chip. Alternatively, to resolve unintended edge issues that may occur due to CP, a chip state different from the last chip state of R-TAS can be mapped to the empty chip. For example, if the state of the last chip of R-TAS is 'OFF', the chip state of the first chip (i.e., chip index 0) of the OFDM symbol where PRDCH transmission is performed can be mapped to 'ON'. Alternatively, for energy harvesting of AmIoT devices, the chip state of the first chip (i.e., chip index 0) of the OFDM symbol where PRDCH transmission is performed can be mapped to 'ON'.

[0390] In addition, if a relatively large M value (e.g., an M value greater than 8) is set and multiple chips are included in the CP interval, the state of the last chip within the CP interval may be mapped to the empty chip. Alternatively, in this case, the state of the last chip of the R-TAS or the opposite state of the last chip of the R-TAS may be mapped to the empty chip.

[0391] Additionally, in the case of the second method independent of the M value, if the R-TAS is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, the R-TAS is mapped to the chip(s) prior to the predefined chip index, and PRDCH transmission can be performed at the first odd chip index thereafter.

[0392] For example, if the predefined chip index is even, the transmission of PRDCH may be initiated from the chip following the predefined chip index. Conversely, if the predefined chip index is odd, the transmission of PRDCH may be initiated from the corresponding predefined chip index.

[0393] FIG. 20 illustrates another example indicating the start time of PRDCH when the R-TAS is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 21 also illustrates another example indicating the start time of PRDCH when the R-TAS is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0394] Referring to FIGS. 20 and FIGS. 21, PRDCH transmission can be directed / configured to be performed from a predefined chip index regardless of the value of M, whether R-TAS is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary or not. The chip index K shown in FIG. 21 represents a predefined chip index, where K may be an odd value.

[0395] Additionally, as described above, if the R-TAS is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, the relevant method may be applied based on a predefined chip index, but PRDCH transmission may be initiated from the first odd chip index immediately after the R-TAS transmission ends.

[0396] Specifically, if the predefined chip index, that is, the last chip index constituting the R-TAS, is even, the first chip of PRDCH may be directed or set to the chip immediately following the last chip index of the R-TAS. On the other hand, if the predefined chip index is odd, the first chip of PRDCH may be directed or set to the chip after a certain number of odd (e.g., 1) chips from the last chip index of the R-TAS.

[0397] In this case as well, as described above, the state of the empty chip can be mapped in a manner such as, for example, the chip state for the last chip within the 'ON' section, 'OFF' section, or CP section, the last chip state of R-TAS, or the opposite state of the last chip state of R-TAS.

[0398] As described above, a technical feature of the proposed method of the present disclosure may be that a specific chip index indicating or setting the start time of PRDCH has an odd index.

[0399] Example 2

[0400] This embodiment relates to a method for designing an R-TAS when the start time of PRDCH transmission is indicated / set by a specific chip index within an OFDM symbol through the method(s) described in Example 1.

[0401] Specifically, this embodiment proposes a method for setting / defining a mapping for an empty chip when an empty chip exists between the end time of the (actual) R-TAS and the start time of the corresponding PRDCH transmission that is indicated or set. Additionally, this embodiment proposes a method for setting / defining a mapping for an empty chip when an empty chip occurs at the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH transmission ends.

[0402] When the start time of PRDCH transmission is indicated or set by a specific chip index within an OFDM symbol, as described above, R-TAS can be divided into two cases: one where it is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, and one where it is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary.

[0403] Among these, when R-TAS is aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, empty chips may occur within the OFDM symbol where PRDCH transmission is performed. For these chips, mapping can be performed using, for example, 'ON', 'OFF', or 'ON-OFF' patterns. In other words, by applying a predefined signal pattern to chips corresponding to the sections within the OFDM symbol where PRDCH is transmitted where data is not actually transmitted, operational stability or ease of signal interpretation at the receiving end can be achieved.

[0404] In the following, various mapping methods for empty chips are proposed. The methods described below are distinguished for clarity of explanation, and it is also possible to apply a combination of these methods.

[0405] (Example 2-1)

[0406] First, a method of reusing the start indicator part (SIP) and / or clock acquisition part (CAP) included in the R-TAS may be applied.

[0407] In the method, if the number of empty chips (e.g., X) is greater than the number of chips constituting the SIP and / or CAP (e.g., L), chip mapping for the empty chips can be performed through iteration of the SIP and / or CAP. In this case, if the total number of chips corresponding to the N SIPs and / or CAPs formed through iteration (e.g., N*L) does not match the number of empty chips (e.g., X), truncation can be performed on a certain number of chips (e.g., N*LX). Additionally, even if the number of chips constituting the SIP and / or CAP (e.g., L) is greater than the number of empty chips (e.g., X), chip mapping for the empty chips can be performed using the remaining chips after truncation is performed on a certain number of chips (e.g., LX).

[0408] For example, assuming a case where a CAP consisting of 4 chips (e.g., ON-OFF-ON-OFF) is reused for empty chips, if the number of empty chips is 8 (e.g., X=8), mapping to the empty chips is possible by repeating 2 CAPs (e.g., N=2) to form a total of 8 chips. Additionally, if the number of empty chips is 6 (e.g., X=6), 2 CAPs (e.g., N=2) are repeated to form a total of 8 chips, and then cutting is performed on 2 of these chips to map 6 chips (e.g., ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON-OFF) to the empty chips.

[0409] For the convenience of explanation, CAP was used as an example, but the same or similar method can be applied to SIP as well.

[0410] (Example 2-2)

[0411] Next, a method using an arbitrary binary pattern or sequence can be applied.

[0412] The method is a method for mapping any binary pattern or sequence to empty chips for purposes such as additional synchronization, energy harvesting, or guard time, as described in the second method of Example 1-2.

[0413] For example, assuming the number of empty chips is 4, for additional synchronization, any binary pattern such as 'ON-OFF-ON-OFF' or 'OFF-ON-OFF-ON', in which transitions occur frequently, can be mapped to the empty chips. Also, to apply relatively more power to one chip, a binary pattern such as 'ON-OFF-OFF-OFF' or 'OFF-OFF-OFF-ON' can be mapped.

[0414] Additionally, for energy harvesting, chips in an 'ON' state can be mapped to the empty chips, and chips in an 'OFF' state can be mapped to secure guard time. Furthermore, when considering energy harvesting and guard time in combination, binary patterns such as 'ON-ON-ON-OFF' or 'OFF-ON-ON-ON' can be mapped to the empty chips.

[0415] In addition, to resolve unintended edge issues that may occur due to CP, one or more chips or binary patterns may be mapped to empty chips to have a chip state different from the last chip state of R-TAS.

[0416] For convenience of explanation, the case where the number of empty chips is 4 was used as an example, but the proposed method can be applied regardless of the number of empty chips by using the same or similar binary patterns or sequences.

[0417] (Example 2-3)

[0418] Additionally, if the R-TAS is not aligned with the OFDM symbol boundary, the CAP options described above in the present disclosure (i.e., Option A, Option B) may be considered.

[0419] For example, if CAP is indicated or set according to Option A, the start time of PRDCH is indicated or set to the first odd chip index after R-TAS transmission, so that no empty chips occur or only one empty chip occurs. For empty chips that occur in this way, mapping to a single chip in an 'ON' or 'OFF' state can be performed as described above.

[0420] In addition, if a CAP is indicated or set according to Option B, an R-TAS can be configured by repeating (e.g., repeating a CAP) up to a specific chip index indicated or set according to the method of Example 1-2. In this case as well, similar to the method of Example 2-1, if the number of empty chips and the number of chips constituting the CAP are different from each other, a cutting process can be performed to configure the R-TAS.

[0421] In addition, as previously mentioned, it can be seen that when R-TAS is configured to always terminate at an even index, that is, when R-TAS is composed of an odd number of chips, no empty chip occurs. Accordingly, in the case of a CAP where two rising or falling edges must occur, since three chips (e.g., 'ON-OFF-ON') alone cannot form two or more edges, it can be composed of five or more chips (e.g., 'ON-OFF-ON-OFF-ON') or more odd number of chips.

[0422] (Examples 2-4)

[0423] As mentioned above, an empty chip may exist in the OFDM symbol where PRDCH begins, i.e., the first OFDM symbol of PRDCH, and an empty chip may also occur in the OFDM symbol where PRDCH transmission ends, i.e., the last OFDM symbol of PRDCH, due to the Manchester codeword that is mapped through the OFDM symbol. For these empty chips existing in the last OFDM symbol of PRDCH, mapping can be performed through the following methods.

[0424] For example, a method of transmitting a postamble or a violation pattern may be applied to the empty chip(s) present at the last OFDM symbol of the PRDCH. This may be intended to indicate to the AmIoT device that the transmission of the PRDCH has ended. In the case of the violation pattern, in an R2D transmission using Manchester coding, it may consist of Y consecutive 'ON' or 'OFF' chips (e.g., Y greater than or equal to 3). Alternatively, it may consist of two consecutive 'ON' or 'OFF' chips having the same state as the last chip state of the last Manchester codeword of the PRDCH.

[0425] FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate the operation of a device and a reader (or base station, etc.) in relation to a method for performing R2D transmission and reception (e.g., high-speed R2D transmission and reception) according to the embodiments of the present disclosure described above.

[0426] FIG. 22 illustrates the operation of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0427] Referring to FIG. 22, the device can receive a signal (e.g., R-TAS) from a reader for obtaining timing related to R2D reception (S2210).

[0428] Based on the reception of the signal, the device can receive PRDCH from the reader (S2220).

[0429] The corresponding PRDCH can be received via OFDM symbols, and the corresponding OFDM symbols can be configured to include multiple chips.

[0430] In this regard, the start time of PRDCH may be determined based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

[0431] According to the present disclosure, if the end time of the signal in step S2210 is aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH begins, the start time of the PRDCH may be determined by a predefined chip index. For example, the predefined chip index may correspond to the first odd chip index of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH begins.

[0432] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if the end time of the signal in step S2210 is not aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH starts, the start time of the PRDCH may correspond to the first odd chip index after the chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol.

[0433] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if one or more chips exist between the end time of the signal in step S2210 and the start time of PRDCH, a chip pattern based on the chip configuration of said signal may be mapped to said one or more chips. For example, if the number of said one or more chips is greater than the number of chips constituting said signal, the chip pattern may be repeatedly mapped to said one or more chips. As another example, if the number of said one or more chips is less than the number of chips constituting said signal, a portion of the chip pattern may be excluded from the mapping to said one or more chips.

[0434] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if one or more chips exist between the end time of the signal of step S2210 and the start time of PRDCH, a predefined chip pattern for at least one of synchronization, energy harvesting, or guard time may be mapped to said one or more chips. For example, the predefined chip pattern may be defined based on at least one of an ON state or an OFF state.

[0435] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if at least one chip exists between the end point of a PRDCH and the boundary of the OFDM symbol at which the PRDCH ends, postamble or pattern information related to the PRDCH may be transmitted from said at least one chip. In this regard, if a coding technique for generating codewords based on an ON chip and an OFF chip is applied to the PRDCH, said pattern information may be generated from three or more consecutive ON chips or three or more consecutive OFF chips.

[0436] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, each codeword associated with an OFDM symbol may be configured based on two chips. In this case, the first codeword associated with the nth OFDM may be configured based on the last chip of the (n-1)th OFDM symbol and the first chip of the nth OFDM symbol, and the last codeword associated with the nth OFDM may be configured based on the third last chip of the nth OFDM symbol and the second last chip.

[0437] The method described in the example of FIG. 22 can be performed by the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3. That is, the device of FIG. 22 can be implemented as the wireless device (200). For example, one or more processors (202) of the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 can be configured to receive a signal for obtaining timing related to R2D reception and to receive PRDCH based on the reception of said signal.

[0438] Furthermore, one or more memories (204) of the wireless device (200) may store instructions for performing the method described in the example of FIG. 22 or the examples described above when executed by one or more processors (202).

[0439] FIG. 23 illustrates the operation of a reader according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0440] Referring to FIG. 23, the reader can transmit a signal (e.g., R-TAS) to the device for acquiring timing related to the R2D transmission (S2310).

[0441] The reader can transmit a PRDCH related to timing based on the signal to the device (S2320).

[0442] The corresponding PRDCH can be transmitted via OFDM symbols, and the corresponding OFDM symbols can be configured to include multiple chips.

[0443] In this regard, the start time of PRDCH may be based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

[0444] According to the present disclosure, if the end time of the signal in step S2210 is aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH begins, the start time of the PRDCH may correspond to a predefined chip index. For example, the predefined chip index may correspond to the first odd chip index of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH begins.

[0445] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if the end time of the signal in step S2210 is not aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH starts, the start time of the PRDCH may correspond to the first odd chip index after the chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol.

[0446] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if one or more chips exist between the end time of the signal in step S2210 and the start time of PRDCH, a chip pattern based on the chip configuration of said signal may be mapped to said one or more chips. For example, if the number of said one or more chips is greater than the number of chips constituting said signal, the chip pattern may be repeatedly mapped to said one or more chips. As another example, if the number of said one or more chips is less than the number of chips constituting said signal, a portion of the chip pattern may be excluded from the mapping to said one or more chips.

[0447] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if one or more chips exist between the end time of the signal of step S2210 and the start time of PRDCH, a predefined chip pattern for at least one of synchronization, energy harvesting, or guard time may be mapped to said one or more chips. For example, the predefined chip pattern may be defined based on at least one of an ON state or an OFF state.

[0448] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, if at least one chip exists between the end point of a PRDCH and the boundary of the OFDM symbol at which the PRDCH ends, postamble or pattern information related to the PRDCH may be transmitted from said at least one chip. In this regard, if a coding technique for generating codewords based on an ON chip and an OFF chip is applied to the PRDCH, said pattern information may be generated from three or more consecutive ON chips or three or more consecutive OFF chips.

[0449] Additionally, according to the present disclosure, each codeword associated with an OFDM symbol may be configured based on two chips. In this case, the first codeword associated with the nth OFDM may be configured based on the last chip of the (n-1)th OFDM symbol and the first chip of the nth OFDM symbol, and the last codeword associated with the nth OFDM may be configured based on the third last chip of the nth OFDM symbol and the second last chip.

[0450] The method described in the example of FIG. 23 can be performed by the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3. That is, the reader of FIG. 23 can be implemented as the wireless device (200). For example, one or more processors (202) of the wireless device (200) of FIG. 3 can be configured to transmit a signal for obtaining timing related to R2D transmission and to transmit a PRDCH related to timing based on said signal.

[0451] Furthermore, one or more memories (204) of the wireless device (200) may store instructions for performing the method described in the example of FIG. 23 or the examples described above when executed by one or more processors (202).

[0452] 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.

[0453] 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.

[0454] 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.

[0455] 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.

[0456] 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.

Claims

1. Regarding the method, A step of receiving a signal from a reader for acquiring timing related to R2D (reader to device) reception by a device; and The above device includes the step of receiving a PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) from the reader based on the reception of the signal, The above PRDCH is received via OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbols, and The above OFDM symbol is configured to include a plurality of chips, and A method in which the starting point of the above PRDCH is determined based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the above OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

2. In Paragraph 1, A method in which the start time of the PRDCH is determined by the predefined chip index, based on the fact that the end time of the above signal is aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH starts.

3. In Paragraph 2, The above-defined predefined chip index corresponds to the first odd chip index of the OFDM symbol where the PRDCH starts, a method.

4. In Paragraph 1, A method in which, based on the fact that the end time of the above signal is not aligned with the boundary of the OFDM symbol where the above PRDCH starts, the start time of the above PRDCH corresponds to the first odd chip index after the chip index determined using the number of chips included in the OFDM symbol.

5. In Paragraph 1, A method in which a chip pattern based on the chip configuration of the signal is mapped to the one or more chips based on the existence of one or more chips between the end time of the signal and the start time of the PRDCH.

6. In Paragraph 5, A method in which the chip pattern is repeatedly mapped to the one or more chips based on the fact that the number of the one or more chips is greater than the number of chips constituting the signal.

7. In Paragraph 5, A method in which a portion of the chip pattern is excluded from mapping to the one or more chips based on the fact that the number of the one or more chips is smaller than the number of chips constituting the signal.

8. In Paragraph 1, A method in which, based on the existence of one or more chips between the end time of the signal and the start time of the PRDCH, a predefined chip pattern for at least one of synchronization, energy harvesting, or guard time is mapped to said one or more chips.

9. In Paragraph 8, A method in which the above-mentioned predefined chip pattern is defined based on at least one of an ON state or an OFF state.

10. In Paragraph 1, A method in which postamble or pattern information related to the RPDCH is transmitted from at least one chip based on the existence of at least one chip between the end point of the PRDCH and the boundary of the OFDM symbol at which the PRDCH ends.

11. In Paragraph 10, A method in which, based on applying a coding technique for generating codewords based on ON chips and OFF chips to the above PRDCH, the pattern information is generated as three or more consecutive ON chips or three or more consecutive OFF chips.

12. In Paragraph 1, A method in which each codeword associated with the above OFDM symbol is configured based on two chips.

13. In Paragraph 12, The first codeword associated with the nth OFDM is constructed based on the last chip of the (n-1)th OFDM symbol and the first chip of the nth OFDM symbol, and A method in which the last codeword associated with the nth OFDM is constructed based on the third last chip and the second last chip of the nth OFDM symbol.

14. In the device, 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: A device receives a signal from a reader for acquiring timing related to R2D (reader to device) reception; The above device is configured to receive PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) from the reader based on the reception of the signal, The above PRDCH is received via OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbols, and The above OFDM symbol is configured to include a plurality of chips, and A device in which the start time of the above PRDCH is determined based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the above OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

15. Regarding the method, A step of transmitting a signal to a device for acquiring timing related to R2D (reader to device) transmission by a reader; and The method includes the step of transmitting a PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) related to timing based on the signal to the device by the reader, The above PRDCH is received via OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbols, and The above OFDM symbol is configured to include a plurality of chips, and A device in which the starting point of the above PRDCH is based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the above OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

16. In the device, 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: A reader transmits a signal to a device for acquiring timing related to R2D (reader to device) transmission; The above reader is configured to transmit a PRDCH (physical reader to device channel) related to timing based on the signal to the device, wherein The above PRDCH is received via OFDM (orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing) symbols, and The above OFDM symbol is configured to include a plurality of chips, and A device in which the starting point of the above PRDCH is based on at least one of a chip index determined using the number of chips included in the above OFDM symbol or a predefined chip index.

17. 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 13 based on execution by one or more processors.

18. 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 13.

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