WO2025095635A1 - Method and apparatus for determining repetition factor of uplink control channel signal in non-terrestrial communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present disclosure is to configure an uplink signal transmission method in a wireless communication system, and the method performed by a terminal comprises the steps of: receiving, from a base station, a message including information for configuring sections of reference signal received power (RSRP) and candidates of repetition factors indicating the number of repeated transmissions of an uplink control channel; determining a section of RSRP corresponding to an RSRP value measured with respect to the message from the base station; transmitting a message including response information for configuring repeated transmission of the uplink control channel of the terminal on the basis of the determined RSRP section; receiving information related to a repeated transmission factor of the uplink control channel from the base station; and transmitting an uplink control channel signal on the basis of the information related to the repeated transmission of the uplink control channel, wherein the response information for configuring the repeated transmission may include at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports the repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section.

Description

Method and device for determining repetition factor of uplink control channel signal in non-terrestrial communication system

The present disclosure relates to a device and method for setting up repetitive transmission of an uplink control channel signal in a non-terrestrial communication system, and more particularly, to a device and method for determining a repetition factor of an uplink control channel signal.

Communication networks (e.g., 5G communication networks, 6G communication networks, etc.) are being developed to provide improved communication services compared to existing communication networks (e.g., LTE (long term evolution), LTE-A (advanced), etc.). A 5G communication network (e.g., NR (new radio) communication network) can support not only a frequency band below 6 GHz but also a frequency band above 6 GHz. That is, the 5G communication network can support FR1 band and/or FR2 band. A 5G communication network can support various communication services and scenarios compared to an LTE communication network. For example, usage scenarios of a 5G communication network can include eMBB (enhanced Mobile BroadBand), URLLC (Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communication), mMTC (massive Machine Type Communication), etc.

6G communication networks can support various communication services and scenarios compared to 5G communication networks. 6G communication networks can satisfy requirements of ultra-performance, ultra-bandwidth, ultra-space, ultra-precision, ultra-intelligence, and/or ultra-reliability. 6G communication networks can support various and wide frequency bands and can be applied to various usage scenarios (e.g., terrestrial communication, non-terrestrial communication, sidelink communication, etc.).

To improve coverage in non-terrestrial communication environments, various discussions have been conducted in the Rel-18 NTN RAN#1 meeting. In RAN1#110, coverage-related performance results of various physical channels and services in a reference NTN environment were reviewed. As a result, it was concluded that repeated transmission of PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel) for Msg4 HARQ-ACK (Hybrid Automatic Repeat Request Acknowledgement) is necessary to meet the coverage requirements.

In this repetitive transmission setup procedure, information related to a repetition factor indicating the number of times an uplink control channel signal is repetitively transmitted can be signaled. However, according to the existing repetitive transmission setup procedure of an uplink control channel signal, the communication status between the terminal and the base station may not be accurately reflected. Therefore, a method for repetitively setting an uplink control channel transmission that can accurately reflect the communication status between the terminal and the base station is required.

Meanwhile, the technology that serves as the background for the invention was written to promote understanding of the background for the invention, and may include content that is not a prior art already known to a person with ordinary knowledge in the field to which the technology belongs.

The present disclosure can provide a device and method for setting a repetition factor for repeated transmission of an uplink control channel according to a section corresponding to a reference signal received power (RSRP) value measured in a communication system.

The technical objectives to be achieved in the present disclosure are not limited to those mentioned above, and other technical tasks not mentioned can be considered by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the technical configuration of the present disclosure is applied from the embodiments of the present disclosure described below.

As an example of the present disclosure, a method for operating a terminal in a wireless communication system includes the steps of: receiving a message including candidates for a repetition factor indicating a number of times of repeated transmission of an uplink control channel from a base station and information for setting intervals of an RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power); determining an interval of an RSRP corresponding to a measured RSRP value with respect to the message from the base station; transmitting a message including response information for setting repeated transmission of an uplink control channel of the terminal based on the determined RSRP interval; receiving repetition transmission factor related information of the uplink control channel from the base station; and transmitting an uplink control channel signal based on the repeated transmission related information of the uplink control channel, wherein the response information for setting repeated transmission may include at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP interval.

Here, the sections of the RSRP may be characterized as corresponding to each of the candidates of the repetition factor.

Here, the repetition request level information may be characterized by indicating a repetition factor candidate corresponding to the determined RSRP section.

Here, the information related to the repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel may be characterized by including information indicating a repetition factor candidate determined based on the determined RSRP section.

Here, information for setting the intervals of the RSRP may include a first threshold value of RSRP for determining whether to repeatedly transmit an uplink control channel and additional information for setting a plurality of RSRP intervals.

Here, additional information for setting the plurality of RSRP intervals may include information about the RSRP value of each RSRP interval.

Here, additional information for setting the plurality of RSRP sections may include information about differences between RSRP values of each of the RSRP sections.

Here, when it is determined that the uplink control channel signal is repeatedly transmitted based on the determined RSRP interval, the response information for setting the repeated transmission may be characterized by including at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP interval.

As an example of the present disclosure, a method of operating a base station in a wireless communication system includes the steps of transmitting, to a terminal, a message including candidates of a repetition factor indicating a number of times of repeated transmission of an uplink control channel and information for setting intervals of an RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), receiving a message including response information set based on interval information of an RSRP corresponding to an RSRP value measured by the terminal, transmitting, to the terminal, information related to a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel set based on the interval of an RSRP corresponding to the measured RSRP value, and receiving, from the terminal, an uplink control channel signal based on the information related to repeated transmission of the uplink control channel, wherein the response information for setting repeated transmission may include at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the RSRP interval.

Here, the sections of the RSRP may be characterized as corresponding to each of the candidates of the repetition factor.

Here, the repetition request level information may be characterized by indicating a repetition factor candidate corresponding to the determined RSRP section.

Here, the information related to the repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel may be characterized by including information indicating a repetition factor candidate determined based on the determined RSRP section.

Here, information for setting the intervals of the RSRP may include a first threshold value of RSRP for determining whether to repeatedly transmit an uplink control channel and additional information for setting a plurality of RSRP intervals.

Here, additional information for setting the plurality of RSRP intervals may include information about the RSRP value of each RSRP interval.

Here, additional information for setting the plurality of RSRP sections may include information about differences between RSRP values of each of the RSRP sections.

Here, if it is determined that the uplink control channel signal is repeatedly transmitted based on the determined RSRP interval, the response information may be characterized by including at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP interval.

As an example of the present disclosure, in a wireless communication system, a terminal includes at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform a specific operation, wherein the specific operation comprises: receiving a message including candidates of a repetition factor indicating a number of times of repeated transmission of an uplink control channel from a base station and information for setting intervals of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), determining an interval of an RSRP corresponding to a measured RSRP value for the message from the base station, transmitting a message including response information for setting repeated transmission of an uplink control channel of the terminal based on the determined RSRP interval, receiving information related to a repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel from the base station, and transmitting an uplink control channel signal based on the information related to repeated transmission of the uplink control channel, wherein the response information for setting repeated transmission includes at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP interval. You can do it.

As an example of the present disclosure, a base station operating in a wireless communication system may include at least one transmitter, at least one receiver, at least one processor, and at least one memory operably connected to the at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the at least one processor to perform a specific operation, wherein the specific operation may include: transmitting a message including candidates of a repetition factor indicating a number of times of repeated transmission of an uplink control channel and information for setting intervals of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), to a terminal, receiving a message including response information set based on interval information of an RSRP corresponding to an RSRP value measured by the terminal, transmitting to the terminal information related to a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel set based on an interval of an RSRP corresponding to the measured RSRP value, and receiving an uplink control channel signal from the terminal based on the information related to the repeated transmission of the uplink control channel, wherein the response information for setting the repeated transmission includes at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the RSRP interval.

The above-described aspects of the present disclosure are only some of the preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, and various embodiments reflecting the technical features of the present disclosure can be derived and understood by those skilled in the art based on the detailed description of the present disclosure to be described below.

The following effects may be achieved by embodiments based on the present disclosure.

According to the present disclosure, a device and method for setting up repetitive transmission of an uplink control channel that more specifically reflects a communication state can be provided by setting a repetition factor for repetitive transmission of an uplink control channel according to a section corresponding to an RSRP (reference signal received power) value measured by a terminal in a communication system.

The effects obtainable from the embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly derived and understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the technical configuration of the present disclosure is applied from the description of the embodiments of the present disclosure below. That is, unintended effects resulting from implementing the configuration described in the present disclosure can also be derived by a person having ordinary skill in the art from the embodiments of the present disclosure.

The drawings attached below are intended to aid in understanding the present disclosure and may provide embodiments of the present disclosure together with detailed descriptions. However, the technical features of the present disclosure are not limited to specific drawings, and the features disclosed in each drawing may be combined with each other to form a new embodiment. Reference numerals in each drawing may mean structural elements.

Figure 1a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Figure 1b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Figure 2a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Figure 2b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Figure 2c is a conceptual diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a communication node constituting a non-terrestrial network.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of communication nodes performing communication.

FIG. 5a is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a transmission path.

FIG. 5b is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a receiving path.

FIG. 6a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a user plane in a non-terrestrial network based on transparent payload.

FIG. 6b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a control plane in a non-terrestrial network based on transparent payload.

FIG. 7a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a user plane in a non-terrestrial network based on regenerative payload.

FIG. 7b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a control plane in a non-terrestrial network based on regenerative payload.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting intervals of RSRP threshold values to request repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using variables representing RSRP values of the present disclosure and state information of RSRP.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using variables representing RSRP values of the present disclosure and state information of RSRP.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure may have various modifications and various embodiments, and thus specific embodiments are illustrated and described in detail in the drawings. However, this is not intended to limit the present disclosure to specific embodiments, but should be understood to include all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives included in the spirit and technical scope of the present disclosure.

The terms first, second, etc. may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The terms are only used to distinguish one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component could be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component could also be referred to as the first component. The term "and/or" can mean a combination of a plurality of related listed items or any one of a plurality of related listed items.

In the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" can mean "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of combinations of one or more of A and B." Additionally, in the present disclosure, "at least one of A and B" can mean "at least one of A or B" or "at least one of combinations of one or more of A and B."

In the present disclosure, (re)transmitting can mean “transmitting”, “retransmitting”, or “transmitting and retransmitting”, (re)setting can mean “setting”, “resetting”, or “setting and resetting”, (re)connecting can mean “connecting”, “reconnecting”, or “connecting and reconnecting”, and (re)connecting can mean “connecting”, “reconnecting”, or “connecting and reconnecting”.

When it is said that a component is "connected" or "connected" to another component, it should be understood that it may be directly connected or connected to that other component, but that there may be other components in between. On the other hand, when it is said that a component is "directly connected" or "directly connected" to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

The terminology used in this disclosure is only used to describe specific embodiments and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. The singular expression includes the plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. In this disclosure, it should be understood that the terms "comprises" or "has" and the like are intended to specify that a feature, number, step, operation, component, part or combination thereof described in the specification is present, but do not exclude in advance the possibility of the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning they have in the context of the relevant art, and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly defined in this disclosure.

Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, preferred embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in more detail. In order to facilitate an overall understanding in describing the present disclosure, the same reference numerals are used for the same components in the drawings, and redundant descriptions of the same components are omitted. In addition to the embodiments explicitly described in the present disclosure, operations according to combinations of embodiments, extensions of embodiments, and/or modifications of embodiments can be performed. The performance of some operations can be omitted, and the order of performing the operations can be changed.

In an embodiment, even if a method (e.g., transmitting or receiving a signal) performed by a first communication node among communication nodes is described, a second communication node corresponding thereto can perform a method (e.g., receiving or transmitting a signal) corresponding to the method performed by the first communication node. That is, if an operation of a UE (user equipment) is described, a base station corresponding thereto can perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the UE. Conversely, if an operation of a base station is described, a UE corresponding thereto can perform an operation corresponding to the operation of the base station.

The base station may be referred to as a NodeB, an evolved NodeB, a gNodeB (next generation node B), a gNB, a device, an apparatus, a node, a communication node, a BTS (base transceiver station), an RRH (radio remote head), a TRP (transmission reception point), a RU (radio unit), an RSU (road side unit), a radio transceiver, an access point, an access node, etc. The UE may be referred to as a terminal, a device, an apparatus, a node, a communication node, an end node, an access terminal, a mobile terminal, a station, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a portable subscriber station, an OBU (on-broad unit), etc.

In the present disclosure, signaling may be at least one of upper layer signaling, MAC signaling, or PHY (physical) signaling. A message used for upper layer signaling may be referred to as an "upper layer message" or an "upper layer signaling message". A message used for MAC signaling may be referred to as a "MAC message" or a "MAC signaling message". A message used for PHY signaling may be referred to as a "PHY message" or a "PHY signaling message". Upper layer signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of system information (e.g., a master information block (MIB), a system information block (SIB)) and/or an RRC message. MAC signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of a MAC control element (CE). PHY signaling may refer to a transmission and reception operation of control information (e.g., downlink control information (DCI), uplink control information (UCI), sidelink control information (SCI)).

In the present disclosure, "an operation (e.g., a transmission operation) is set" may mean that "setting information for the operation (e.g., an information element, a parameter)" and/or "information instructing performance of the operation" are signaled. "An information element (e.g., a parameter) is set" may mean that the information element is signaled. In the present disclosure, "a signal and/or a channel" may mean a signal, a channel, or "a signal and a channel," and a signal may be used to mean "a signal and/or a channel."

The communication network to which the embodiment is applied is not limited to what is described below, and the embodiment can be applied to various communication networks (e.g., a 4G communication network, a 5G communication network, and/or a 6G communication network). Here, the communication network can be used in the same meaning as the communication system.

Figure 1a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Referring to FIG. 1A, the non-terrestrial network may include a satellite (110), a communication node (120), a gateway (130), a data network (140), etc. A unit including the satellite (110) and the gateway (130) may be a remote radio unit (RRU). The non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 1A may be a transparent payload-based non-terrestrial network. The satellite (110) may be a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite, a medium earth orbit (MEO) satellite, a geostationary earth orbit (GEO) satellite, a high elliptical orbit (HEO) satellite, or an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) platform. The UAS platform may include a high altitude platform station (HAPS). The non-GEO satellite may be a LEO satellite and/or a MEO satellite.

The communication node (120) may include a communication node located on the ground (e.g., UE, terminal) and a communication node located off the ground (e.g., airplane, drone). A service link may be established between the satellite (110) and the communication node (120), and the service link may be a radio link. The satellite (110) may be referred to as an NTN payload. The gateway (130) may support a plurality of NTN payloads. The satellite (110) may provide a communication service to the communication node (120) using one or more beams. The shape of the reception range (footprint) of the beam of the satellite (110) may be elliptical or circular.

In non-terrestrial networks, three types of service links can be supported as follows:

- Earth-fixed: the service link may be provided by beam(s) that continuously cover the same geographic area at all times (e.g. Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO) satellites).

- Quasi-earth-fixed: the service link may be provided by beam(s) that cover one geographic area for a limited period and another geographic area for another period (e.g., NGSO (non-GSO) satellites producing steerable beams).

- Earth-moving: Service links may be provided by beam(s) moving over the surface of the Earth (e.g., NGSO satellites producing fixed beams or non-steerable beams).

The communication node (120) can perform communication (e.g., downlink communication, uplink communication) with the satellite (110) using 4G communication technology, 5G communication technology, and/or 6G communication technology. Communication between the satellite (110) and the communication node (120) can be performed using an NR-Uu interface and/or a 6G-Uu interface. When DC (dual connectivity) is supported, the communication node (120) can be connected to not only the satellite (110) but also other base stations (e.g., base stations supporting 4G functions, 5G functions, and/or 6G functions), and can perform DC operations based on technologies defined in the 4G standard, the 5G standard, and/or the 6G standard.

The gateway (130) may be located on the ground, and a feeder link may be established between the satellite (110) and the gateway (130). The feeder link may be a wireless link. The gateway (130) may be referred to as a “non-terrestrial network (NTN) gateway.” Communication between the satellite (110) and the gateway (130) may be performed based on an NR-Uu interface, a 6G-Uu interface, or a satellite radio interface (SRI). The gateway (130) may be connected to a data network (140). A “core network” may exist between the gateway (130) and the data network (140). In this case, the gateway (130) may be connected to the core network, and the core network may be connected to the data network (140). The core network may support 4G communication technology, 5G communication technology, and/or 6G communication technology. For example, the core network may include an access and mobility management function (AMF), a user plane function (UPF), a session management function (SMF), etc. Communication between the gateway (130) and the core network may be performed based on a NG-C/U interface or a 6G-C/U interface.

As in the embodiment of Fig. 1b below, in a non-terrestrial network based on transparent payload, a base station and a core network may exist between a gateway (130) and a data network (140).

Figure 1b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a second embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Referring to FIG. 1b, a gateway may be connected to a base station, the base station may be connected to a core network, and the core network may be connected to a data network. Each of the base station and the core network may support 4G communication technology, 5G communication technology, and/or 6G communication technology. Communication between the gateway and the base station may be performed based on an NR-Uu interface or a 6G-Uu interface, and communication between the base station and the core network (e.g., AMF, UPF, SMF) may be performed based on an NG-C/U interface or a 6G-C/U interface.

Figure 2a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a third embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Referring to FIG. 2a, the non-terrestrial network may include satellite #1 (211), satellite #2 (212), communication node (220), gateway (230), data network (1240), etc. The non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 2a may be a regenerative payload-based non-terrestrial network. For example, each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) may perform a regenerative operation (e.g., a demodulation operation, a decoding operation, a re-encoding operation, a re-modulation operation, and/or a filtering operation) on a payload received from another entity constituting the non-terrestrial network (e.g., a communication node (220), a gateway (230)) and transmit the regenerated payload.

Each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) may be a LEO satellite, a MEO satellite, a GEO satellite, a HEO satellite, or a UAS platform. The UAS platform may include HAPS. Satellite #1 (211) may be connected to satellite #2 (212), and an inter-satellite link (ISL) may be established between satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212). The ISL may operate in a radio frequency (RF) frequency or an optical band. The ISL may be optionally established. The communication node (220) may include a ground-located communication node (e.g., UE, terminal) and a non-ground-located communication node (e.g., an airplane, a drone). A service link (e.g., a wireless link) may be established between satellite #1 (211) and the communication node (220). Satellite #1 (211) may be referred to as an NTN payload. Satellite #1 (211) may provide communication services to a communication node (220) using one or more beams.

The communication node (220) can perform communication (e.g., downlink communication, uplink communication) with satellite #1 (211) using 4G communication technology, 5G communication technology, and/or 6G communication technology. Communication between satellite #1 (211) and the communication node (220) can be performed using an NR-Uu interface or a 6G-Uu interface. When DC is supported, the communication node (220) can be connected to other base stations (e.g., base stations supporting 4G functions, 5G functions, and/or 6G functions) as well as satellite #1 (211), and can perform DC operations based on technologies defined in the 4G standard, the 5G standard, and/or the 6G standard.

The gateway (230) may be located on the ground, and a feeder link may be established between satellite #1 (211) and the gateway (230), and a feeder link may be established between satellite #2 (212) and the gateway (230). The feeder link may be a wireless link. If an ISL is not established between satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212), the feeder link between satellite #1 (211) and the gateway (230) may be established mandatory. Communication between each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) and the gateway (230) may be performed based on an NR-Uu interface, a 6G-Uu interface, or SRI. The gateway (230) may be connected to a data network (240).

As in the embodiments of FIGS. 2b and 2c below, a “core network” may exist between the gateway (230) and the data network (240).

FIG. 2b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a fourth embodiment of a non-terrestrial network, and FIG. 2c is a conceptual diagram illustrating a fifth embodiment of a non-terrestrial network.

Referring to FIGS. 2b and 2c, the gateway may be connected to a core network, and the core network may be connected to a data network. The core network may support 4G communication technology, 5G communication technology, and/or 6G communication technology. For example, the core network may include AMF, UPF, SMF, etc. Communication between the gateway and the core network may be performed based on a NG-C/U interface or a 6G-C/U interface. The function of the base station may be performed by a satellite. That is, the base station may be located on a satellite. The payload may be processed by a base station located on a satellite. Base stations located on different satellites may be connected to the same core network. One satellite may have one or more base stations. In the non-terrestrial network of FIG. 2b, an ISL between satellites may not be established, and in the non-terrestrial network of FIG. 2c, an ISL between satellites may be established.

Meanwhile, entities (e.g., satellites, base stations, UEs, communication nodes, gateways, etc.) constituting the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 1a, FIG. 1b, FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, and/or FIG. 2c may be configured as follows. In the present disclosure, entities may be referred to as communication nodes.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a communication node constituting a non-terrestrial network.

Referring to FIG. 3, a communication node (300) may include at least one processor (310), a memory (320), and a transceiver device (330) that is connected to a network and performs communication. In addition, the communication node (300) may further include an input interface device (340), an output interface device (350), a storage device (360), etc. Each component included in the communication node (300) may be connected by a bus (370) and communicate with each other.

However, each component included in the communication node (300) may be connected through an individual interface or individual bus centered around the processor (310), rather than a common bus (370). For example, the processor (310) may be connected to at least one of a memory (320), a transceiver (330), an input interface device (340), an output interface device (350), or a storage device (360) through a dedicated interface.

The processor (310) can execute program commands stored in at least one of the memory (320) and the storage device (360). The processor (310) may mean a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), or a dedicated processor on which methods according to the embodiments are performed. Each of the memory (320) and the storage device (360) may be configured with at least one of a volatile storage medium or a nonvolatile storage medium. For example, the memory (320) may be configured with at least one of a read only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

Meanwhile, communication nodes performing communication in a communication network (e.g., a non-terrestrial network) may be configured as follows. The communication node illustrated in Fig. 4 may be a specific embodiment of the communication node illustrated in Fig. 3.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of communication nodes performing communication.

Referring to FIG. 4, each of the first communication node (400a) and the second communication node (400b) may be a base station or a UE. The first communication node (400a) may transmit a signal to the second communication node (400b). The transmission processor (411) included in the first communication node (400a) may receive data (e.g., a data unit) from a data source (410). The transmission processor (411) may receive control information from the controller (416). The control information may include at least one of system information, RRC configuration information (e.g., information configured by RRC signaling), MAC control information (e.g., MAC CE), or PHY control information (e.g., DCI, SCI).

The transmitting processor (411) can perform a processing operation (e.g., an encoding operation, a symbol mapping operation, etc.) on data to generate data symbol(s). The transmitting processor (411) can perform a processing operation (e.g., an encoding operation, a symbol mapping operation, etc.) on control information to generate control symbol(s). In addition, the transmitting processor (411) can generate synchronization/reference symbol(s) for a synchronization signal and/or a reference signal.

The Tx MIMO processor (412) can perform spatial processing operations (e.g., a precoding operation) on data symbol(s), control symbol(s), and/or synchronization/reference symbol(s). An output (e.g., a symbol stream) of the Tx MIMO processor (412) can be provided to modulators (MODs) included in the transceivers (413a to 413t). The modulators (MODs) can perform processing operations on the symbol streams to generate modulation symbols and perform additional processing operations (e.g., an analog conversion operation, an amplification operation, a filtering operation, an upconversion operation) on the modulation symbols to generate signals. The signals generated by the modulators (MODs) of the transceivers (413a to 413t) can be transmitted via the antennas (414a to 414t).

The signals transmitted by the first communication node (400a) may be received by the antennas (464a to 464r) of the second communication node (400b). The signals received by the antennas (464a to 464r) may be provided to the demodulators (DEMODs) included in the transceivers (463a to 463r). The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a filtering operation, an amplification operation, a down-conversion operation, a digital conversion operation) on the signal to obtain samples. The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform an additional processing operation on the samples to obtain symbols. The MIMO detector (462) may perform a MIMO detection operation on the symbols. The receiving processor (461) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a deinterleaving operation, a decoding operation) on the symbols. The output of the receiving processor (461) may be provided to a data sink (460) and a controller (466). For example, data may be provided to the data sink (460) and control information may be provided to the controller (466).

Meanwhile, the second communication node (400b) can transmit a signal to the first communication node (400a). The transmitting processor (468) included in the second communication node (400b) can receive data (e.g., data units) from a data source (467) and perform a processing operation on the data to generate data symbol(s). The transmitting processor (468) can receive control information from the controller (466) and perform a processing operation on the control information to generate control symbol(s). In addition, the transmitting processor (468) can perform a processing operation on a reference signal to generate reference symbol(s).

The Tx MIMO processor (469) can perform spatial processing operations (e.g., precoding operations) on data symbol(s), control symbol(s), and/or reference symbol(s). An output (e.g., a symbol stream) of the Tx MIMO processor (469) can be provided to modulators (MODs) included in the transceivers (463a to 463t). The modulators (MODs) can perform processing operations on the symbol streams to generate modulation symbols and can perform additional processing operations (e.g., an analog conversion operation, an amplification operation, a filtering operation, an upconversion operation) on the modulation symbols to generate signals. The signals generated by the modulators (MODs) of the transceivers (463a to 463t) can be transmitted via the antennas (464a to 464t).

The signals transmitted by the second communication node (400b) may be received by the antennas (414a to 414r) of the first communication node (400a). The signals received by the antennas (414a to 414r) may be provided to the demodulators (DEMODs) included in the transceivers (413a to 413r). The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a filtering operation, an amplification operation, a down-conversion operation, a digital conversion operation) on the signal to obtain samples. The demodulator (DEMOD) may perform an additional processing operation on the samples to obtain symbols. The MIMO detector (420) may perform a MIMO detection operation on the symbols. The receiving processor (419) may perform a processing operation (e.g., a deinterleaving operation, a decoding operation) on the symbols. The output of the receiving processor (419) may be provided to a data sink (418) and a controller (416). For example, data may be provided to the data sink (418) and control information may be provided to the controller (416).

Memories (415 and 465) can store data, control information, and/or program code. Scheduler (417) can perform scheduling operations for communications. The processors (411, 412, 419, 461, 468, 469) and controllers (416, 466) illustrated in FIG. 4 may be the processor (310) illustrated in FIG. 3 and may be used to perform the methods described in the present disclosure.

FIG. 5a is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a transmission path, and FIG. 5b is a block diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a reception path.

Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B, a transmission path (510) may be implemented in a communication node that transmits a signal, and a reception path (520) may be implemented in a communication node that receives a signal. The transmission path (510) may include a channel coding and modulation block (511), an S-to-P (serial-to-parallel) block (512), an N IFFT (Inverse Fast Fourier Transform) block (513), a P-to-S (parallel-to-serial) block (514), a CP (cyclic prefix) addition block (515), and an UC (up-converter) (UC) (516). The receiving path (520) may include a DC (down-converter) (521), a CP removal block (522), an S-to-P block (523), an N FFT block (524), a P-to-S block (525), and a channel decoding and demodulation block (526). Here, N may be a natural number.

In the transmission path (510), information bits may be input to a channel coding and modulation block (511). The channel coding and modulation block (511) may perform a coding operation (e.g., a low-density parity check (LDPC) coding operation, a polar coding operation, etc.) and a modulation operation (e.g., a quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), a quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), etc.) on the information bits. An output of the channel coding and modulation block (511) may be a sequence of modulation symbols.

The S-to-P block (512) can convert modulation symbols in the frequency domain into parallel symbol streams to generate N parallel symbol streams. N can be an IFFT size or an FFT size. The N IFFT block (513) can perform an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate signals in the time domain. The P-to-S block (514) can convert the output (e.g., parallel signals) of the N IFFT block (513) into a serial signal to generate a serial signal.

The CP addition block (515) can insert a CP into a signal. The UC (516) can up-convert the frequency of the output of the CP addition block (515) to an RF (radio frequency) frequency. Additionally, the output of the CP addition block (515) can be filtered at baseband before up-conversion.

A signal transmitted from the transmit path (510) may be input to the receive path (520). An operation in the receive path (520) may be an inverse operation of the operation in the transmit path (510). The DC (521) may down-convert the frequency of the received signal to a frequency of a baseband. The CP removal block (522) may remove a CP from the signal. An output of the CP removal block (522) may be a serial signal. The S-to-P block (523) may convert the serial signal into parallel signals. The NFFT block (524) may perform an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel signals. The P-to-S block (525) may convert the parallel signals into a sequence of modulation symbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block (526) may perform a demodulation operation on the modulation symbols and perform a decoding operation on the result of the demodulation operation to restore data.

In FIGS. 5A and 5B, Discrete Fourier Transform (DFT) and Inverse DFT (IDFT) can be used instead of FFT and IFFT. Each of the blocks (e.g., components) in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be implemented by at least one of hardware, software, or firmware. For example, some of the blocks in FIGS. 5A and 5B can be implemented by software, and the remaining blocks can be implemented by hardware or a “combination of hardware and software.” In FIGS. 5A and 5B, one block can be subdivided into multiple blocks, multiple blocks can be integrated into one block, some blocks can be omitted, and blocks supporting other functions can be added.

Meanwhile, NTN reference scenarios can be defined as shown in [Table 1] below.

In the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 1a and/or FIG. 1b, if the satellite (110) is a GEO satellite (e.g., a GEO satellite supporting the transparent function), this may be referred to as “Scenario A.” In the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, and/or FIG. 2c, if each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) is a GEO satellite (e.g., a GEO supporting the regeneration function), this may be referred to as “Scenario B.”

If the satellite (110) in the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 1a and/or FIG. 1b is a LEO satellite having steerable beams, this may be referred to as “Scenario C1”. If the satellite (110) in the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 1a and/or FIG. 1b is a LEO satellite having beams move with satellite, this may be referred to as “Scenario C2”. If each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) in the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, and/or FIG. 2c is a LEO satellite having steerable beams, this may be referred to as “Scenario D1”. In the non-terrestrial network illustrated in FIG. 2a, FIG. 2b, and/or FIG. 2c, where each of satellite #1 (211) and satellite #2 (212) are LEO satellites having beams that travel together with the satellites, this may be referred to as “Scenario D2.”

Parameters for NTN reference scenarios defined in [Table 1] can be defined as shown in [Table 2] below.

Additionally, in the NTN reference scenario defined in [Table 1], the delay constraint can be defined as in [Table 3] below.

FIG. 6a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a user plane in a non-terrestrial network based on transparent payload, and FIG. 6b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a control plane in a non-terrestrial network based on transparent payload.

Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B, user data may be transmitted and received between a UE and a core network (e.g., UPF), and control data (e.g., control information) may be transmitted and received between the UE and a core network (e.g., AMF). Each of the user data and the control data may be transmitted and received via a satellite and/or a gateway. The protocol stack of the user plane illustrated in FIG. 6A may be applied identically or similarly to a 6G communication network. The protocol stack of the control plane illustrated in FIG. 6B may be applied identically or similarly to a 6G communication network.

FIG. 7a is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a user plane in a non-terrestrial network based on regenerative payload, and FIG. 7b is a conceptual diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a protocol stack of a control plane in a non-terrestrial network based on regenerative payload.

Referring to FIGS. 7A and 7B, user data and control data (e.g., control information) may be transmitted and received through an interface between a UE and a satellite (e.g., a base station), respectively. The user data may mean a user PDU (protocol data unit). A protocol stack of a satellite radio interface (SRI) may be used to transmit and receive user data and/or control data between a satellite and a gateway. The user data may be transmitted and received through a GTP (GPRS (general packet radio service) tunneling protocol)-U tunnel between the satellite and a core network.

Meanwhile, in a non-terrestrial network, a base station can transmit system information (e.g., SIB19) including satellite assistance information for NTN access. A UE can receive system information (e.g., SIB19) from a base station, check satellite assistance information included in the system information, and perform communication (e.g., non-terrestrial communication) based on the satellite assistance information. SIB19 can include information element(s) defined in [Table 4] below.

NTN-Config defined in [Table 4] may include information element(s) defined in [Table 5] below.

EphemerisInfo defined in [Table 5] may include information element(s) defined in [Table 6] below.

After the meeting up to 3GPP RAN1 #114bis, most of the key approvals required for coverage enhancement for Release 18 5G NTN have been decided. Among them, the topic of PUCCH repetition for Msg4 HARQ deals with repetition transmission using common PUCCH resources before dedicated PUCCH resource configuration is done. Henceforth, all descriptions below deal with repetition transmission using common PUCCH resources.

Based on the contents of the approvals up to the recent meeting (RAN1 #114bis), PUCCH repeat transmission can be considered as follows.

Figure 8 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel.

In step S810, the base station can set repetition factors up to four to the terminal through SIB. Each of the repetition factors can be expressed by four binary code points of 00, 01, 10, and 11. And, each of the repetition factors can be mapped to a PUCCH repetition count. Here, repetition factors can be sequentially assigned to each of the repetition factors 00 to 11. The PUCCH repetition factor can be 1 or 2 or 4 or 8.

And, at step S810, the base station can transmit RSRP_TH, which is information indicating a threshold value of RSRP for determining PUCCH repeated transmission, to the terminal through SIB.

If the terminal supports PUCCH repetition transmission and the RSRP measured by the terminal is less than (or less than or equal to) a threshold value, at step S820, the terminal may transmit PUCCH repetition capability report information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_cap) to the base station via Msg3.

At step S830, the base station that has received the PUCCH repetition performance report information can transmit information indicating a repetition factor to the terminal through DCI for Msg4. At this time, the information indicating the repetition factor can be transmitted using the DAI (downlink allocation index) field. If the configured repetition factor is 2 or less, the DAI field can use 1 bit. On the other hand, if the configured repetition factor is 3 to 4, the DAI field can use 2 bits.

In step S840, a terminal that has received information indicating a repetition factor can repeatedly transmit a PUCCH a number of times corresponding to the repetition factor. Here, the repeated PUCCH transmission may be, for example, HARQ feedback signal transmission for Msg4, or repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using common PUCCH resources after Msg4.

Here, if repeated transmission is required, the terminal can report to the base station whether it supports repeated transmission (PUCCH repetition capability, PUCCH_REP_cap in FIG. 8). For example, if the RSRP measured by the terminal is smaller than the value of RSRP_TH_PUCCH indicated by the base station, the terminal can report to the base station whether it supports repeated transmission. Here, the information on whether it supports repeated transmission can also indicate whether it requests a repetition request.

Here, the base station can set up to four PUCCH repetition factors to the terminal. Each repetition factor can be expressed by four code points of 00, 01, 10, and 11. And, each repetition factor can be mapped to four repetition counts of 1, 2, 4, and 8.

If the base station sets the repetition counts 1 and 4 for repetition factors 00 and 01, respectively, and does not set the repetition counts 10 and 11. Here, if the terminal does not report PUCCH repetition transmission request information to the base station, the base station can transmit a repetition factor indicating 00 to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal can transmit an uplink control channel signal only once. On the other hand, if the terminal reports PUCCH repetition transmission request information, the base station can transmit a repetition factor indicating 01 to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal can transmit an uplink control channel signal 4 times.

In another embodiment, the base station can set three or more repetition factors. For example, repetition factors 00, 01, 10, and 11 can be set with repetition counts of 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively. Here, if the terminal does not report PUCCH repetition transmission request information to the base station, the base station can transmit a repetition factor indicating 00 to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal can transmit an uplink control channel signal only once. On the other hand, if the terminal reports PUCCH repetition transmission request information to the base station, the base station can transmit a repetition factor indicating one of the repetition factors 01, 10, 11, or 00 set for the terminal to the terminal. Accordingly, the terminal can repeatedly transmit an uplink control channel signal as many times as the repetition count corresponding to the repetition factor.

The present disclosure may propose a method applicable to a situation in which a terminal is instructed to select one of a plurality of repetition factors as presented above. In the present disclosure, the terminal may perform a 4-step initial connection to the base station.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a base station can measure the communication quality of an uplink signal of a terminal, and select a repetition factor of Msg4 HARQ feedback or PUCCH transmission using common resources based on the measured communication quality information. In an initial access process, a terminal can transmit Msg3 PUSCH to a base station. The base station can measure the quality of the uplink signal through the quality of a received signal compared to the Msg3 PUSCH transmission power transmitted by the terminal. Based on the quality of the uplink signal measured in this process, the base station can estimate the quality of Msg4 HARQ feedback or PUCCH of the terminal using common resources. Then, the base station can select a repetition factor based on the estimated PUCCH quality and transmit it to the terminal. The process of selecting one repetition factor from among a plurality of repetition factors can be performed before step S830 of FIG. 8.

A method of selecting a repetition factor based on the quality of an uplink signal measured from Msg3 received by the base station or the PUCCH quality may be implemented by the base station. In addition, the above embodiments of the present disclosure are based on currently established standards and approvals and may not require additional signaling.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the repetition factor can be selected and set by introducing additional information exchanged between the terminal and the base station. For example, the base station can set the repetition counts of the repetition factor represented by four code points 00, 01, 11, and 11 to 1, 2, 4, and 8, respectively.

Based on the approved matters so far, a UE capable of PUCCH repeat transmission can report whether PUCCH repeat transmission is supported if the measured RSRP is less than the RSRP threshold (RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP) for determining whether to report PUCCH repeat transmission support. Therefore, the base station can receive status information about whether the measured RSRP is larger than or smaller than RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP. In other words, if the UE does not report whether PUCCH repeat transmission is supported, the base station can determine that the RSRP value measured by the UE is a value greater than or equal to the RSRP threshold (RSRP_measure >= RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP). On the other hand, if the UE reports whether repeat transmission is supported, the base station can determine that the RSRP value measured by the UE is a value less than the RSRP threshold (RSRP_measure < RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP).

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, one or more additional RSRP_TH variables in a similar form to RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP may be introduced. A method for requesting repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal by using the additional RSRP_TH variables may be as described below.

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a method for setting intervals of RSRP threshold values to request repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, variables RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2, which are lower RSRP values than the existing RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP, can be additionally introduced. Here, the relationship between the variables representing the RSRP values can be RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP > RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 > RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2. If three RSRP value related variables are set, the terminal can specify one of the four RSRP states based on the measured RSRP, as illustrated in FIG. 9. The present disclosure can express and define the state information of RSRP as PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl. The variable (PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl) indicating the RSRP state information can be transmitted together with PUCCH_REP_cap. Referring to FIG. 9, the PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl value can be set to 0 to 3. When the measured RSRP is high, the value of PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl can be set to 0, and when the measured RSRP is very low, the value of PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl can be set to 3.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, the additionally introduced variables may be two, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2. However, according to another embodiment, one or more variables may be additionally introduced.

According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 may be set together in the process of setting RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP via SIB. Here, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 may be transmitted in the same data format as RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP. For example, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 may be transmitted in a format in which the RSRP absolute value of -100dBm is expressed in binary form. However, when RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 are transmitted in a data format similar to RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP, the capacity of information for transmitting the variables may increase. Therefore, to reduce the amount of information required to transmit variables, the following methods can be considered.

Alternatively, referring to FIG. 9, in order to produce a lower RSRP value than the existing RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP, variables RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta_2, which are variables indicating difference values between RSRP intervals, may be additionally introduced.

That is, the base station can set RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 by transmitting information indicating the difference value between RSRP intervals, such as RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta2. As illustrated in Fig. 9, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta1 can be defined as RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP - RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1, and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta2 can be defined as RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 - RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2. Therefore, even if the base station does not directly inform the terminal of RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2, it can set RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the terminal can specify one of the four RSRP states based on the measured RSRP. The present disclosure can indicate and define the state information of RSRP as PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl. The variable (PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl) indicating the RSRP state information can be transmitted as PUCCH_REP_cap.

The RSRP level information (PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl) for requesting PUCCH repeated transmission can be transmitted together with the existing PUCCH repeated transmission support information. Alternatively, the RSRP level information (PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl) for requesting PUCCH repeated transmission can be transmitted instead of the existing PUCCH repeated transmission support information. The base station can determine the repetition factor of the uplink control channel signal based on the PUCCH repeated transmission support information and the RSRP level information for requesting PUCCH repeated transmission received from the terminal, and transmit the value of the repetition factor to the terminal through DCI.

In order to set up RSRP intervals, various modifications similar to the above embodiments of the present disclosure can be defined. Finally, at least one or more reference points that demarcate RSRP intervals can be transmitted to the terminal to set up repeated transmission of uplink control channel signals.

As explained above, you can indirectly set the RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2 values by using other values instead of RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2. That is, by sending RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta2 instead of RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2, you can reduce the number of bits used to transmit the variable values.

Here, if a total of N RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP values are set to distinguish RSRP sections, N+1 RSRP sections can be set. In this case, the terminal can use min(1, log2(N+1)) bits to report the RSRP status.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, variables indicating RSRP intervals may have a relationship of RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP < RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1 < RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2. In this case, there may be four RSRP states of the terminal. Here, the base station may obtain RSRP state information from the terminal and determine a repetition factor of an uplink control channel signal.

Here, if PUCCH repetition transmission is not required (i.e., PUCCH_REP_req_Lvl = 0), the UE may not transmit PUCCH repetition capability report information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_cap) and RSRP status information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_req_lvl) indicating an RSRP value range corresponding to the RSRP measured by the UE.

The operation of setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using variables representing RSRP values and status information of RSRP may be as described below.

FIG. 10 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using variables representing RSRP values of the present disclosure and state information of RSRP.

In step S1010, the base station can set repetition factors to the terminal up to four through SIB. Each of the repetition factors can be expressed by four binary code points of 00, 01, 10, and 11. And, each of the repetition factors can be mapped to a PUCCH repetition count. Here, repetition factors can be sequentially assigned to each of the repetition factors 00 to 11. The PUCCH repetition factor can be 1 or 2 or 4 or 8.

And, at step S1010, the base station can transmit, to the terminal, through SIB, RSRP_TH, which is information indicating a threshold value of RSRP for determining PUCCH repeated transmission, and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_1, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_2, which are variables indicating lower RSRP values. Accordingly, the terminal can set different RSRP value intervals by using the variables indicating RSRP values.

If the terminal supports PUCCH repetition transmission, at step S1020, the terminal may transmit to the base station PUCCH repetition capability report information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_cap) and RSRP status information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_req_lvl) indicating an RSRP value range corresponding to the RSRP measured by the terminal through Msg3.

In step S1030, the base station that has received the PUCCH repetition performance report information can transmit information indicating a repetition factor to the terminal through DCI for Msg4. Here, the repetition factor can be set to a value corresponding to RSRP state information acquired from the terminal. At this time, the information indicating the repetition factor can be transmitted using the DAI (downlink allocation index) field. If the set repetition factor is 2 or less, the DAI field can use 1 bit. On the other hand, if the set repetition factor is 3 to 4, the DAI field can use 2 bits.

In step S1040, a terminal that has received information indicating a repetition factor can repeatedly transmit a PUCCH a number of times corresponding to the repetition factor. Here, the repeated PUCCH transmission may be, for example, HARQ feedback signal transmission for Msg4, or repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using common PUCCH resources after Msg4.

FIG. 11 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using variables representing RSRP values of the present disclosure and state information of RSRP.

In step S1110, the base station can set repetition factors to the terminal up to four through SIB. Each of the repetition factors can be expressed by four binary code points of 00, 01, 10, and 11. And, each of the repetition factors can be mapped to a PUCCH repetition count. Here, repetition factors can be sequentially assigned to each of the repetition factors 00 to 11. The PUCCH repetition factor can be 1 or 2 or 4 or 8.

And, at step S1110, the base station can transmit, to the terminal, through SIB, RSRP_TH, which is information indicating a threshold value of RSRP for determining PUCCH repeated transmission, and RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta_1, RSRP_TH_PUCCH_REP_Delta_2, which are variables indicating difference values between RSRP intervals. Accordingly, the terminal can set intervals of different RSRP values by using variables indicating RSRP values.

If the terminal supports PUCCH repetition transmission, at step S1120, the terminal may transmit to the base station PUCCH repetition capability report information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_cap) and RSRP status information (e.g., PUCCH_REP_req_lvl) indicating an RSRP value range corresponding to the RSRP measured by the terminal through Msg3.

In step S1130, the base station that has received the PUCCH repetition performance report information can transmit information indicating a repetition factor to the terminal through DCI for Msg4. Here, the repetition factor can be set to a value corresponding to RSRP state information acquired from the terminal. At this time, the information indicating the repetition factor can be transmitted using the DAI (downlink allocation index) field. If the set repetition factor is 2 or less, the DAI field can use 1 bit. On the other hand, if the set repetition factor is 3 to 4, the DAI field can use 2 bits.

In step S1140, a terminal that has received information indicating a repetition factor can repeatedly transmit a PUCCH a number of times corresponding to the repetition factor. Here, the repeated PUCCH transmission may be, for example, HARQ feedback signal transmission for Msg4, or repeated transmission of an uplink control channel signal using common PUCCH resources after Msg4.

FIG. 12 illustrates an example of a procedure for setting a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel according to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

In step S1210, the terminal receives a message including candidates for a repetition factor indicating the number of times an uplink control channel is repeatedly transmitted from a base station and information for setting intervals of a RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power);

At step S1220, the terminal can determine an RSRP interval corresponding to the measured RSRP value for a message from the base station.

At step S1230, the terminal can transmit a message including response information for setting up repeated transmission of the terminal's uplink control channel based on the determined RSRP interval.

At step S1240, the terminal can receive information related to a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel from the base station.

At step S1250, the terminal can transmit an uplink control channel signal based on information related to repeated transmission of the uplink control channel.

Here, the response information for setting up repeated transmission may include at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section.

Here, the sections of RSRP can correspond to each of the candidates for the repetition factor.

Here, the repetition request level information can indicate a repetition factor candidate corresponding to the determined RSRP section.

Here, the information related to the repetition factor of the uplink control channel may include information indicating a repetition factor candidate determined based on the determined RSRP interval.

Here, information for setting the intervals of RSRP may include a first threshold value of RSRP for determining whether to repeatedly transmit an uplink control channel and additional information for setting a plurality of RSRP intervals.

Here, additional information for setting multiple RSRP intervals may include information about the RSRP value of each RSRP interval.

Here, additional information for setting multiple RSRP intervals may include information about differences between RSRP values of each RSRP interval.

Here, if it is determined that the uplink control channel signal is to be repeatedly transmitted based on the determined RSRP interval, the response information for setting the repeated transmission may include at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP interval.

Meanwhile, the base station can perform operations corresponding to the steps described in Fig. 12.

The operation of the method according to the present disclosure can be implemented as a computer-readable program or code on a computer-readable recording medium. The computer-readable recording medium includes all types of recording devices that store information that can be read by a computer system. In addition, the computer-readable recording medium can be distributed over network-connected computer systems so that the computer-readable program or code can be stored and executed in a distributed manner.

Additionally, the computer-readable recording medium may include hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as ROM, RAM, flash memory, etc. The program instructions may include not only machine language codes produced by a compiler, but also high-level language codes that can be executed by the computer using an interpreter, etc.

While some aspects of the present disclosure have been described in the context of an apparatus, they may also represent a description of a corresponding method, wherein a block or device corresponds to a method step or a feature of a method step. Similarly, aspects described in the context of a method may also be described as a feature of a corresponding block or item or a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps may be performed by (or using) a hardware device, such as, for example, a microprocessor, a programmable computer, or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, at least one or more of the most significant method steps may be performed by such a device.

A programmable logic device (e.g., a field-programmable gate array) may be used to perform some or all of the functions of the methods described in the present disclosure. The field-programmable gate array may operate in conjunction with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described in the present disclosure. In general, the methods are preferably performed by some hardware device.

Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes may be made to the present disclosure without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the claims below.

The present invention can be used in a device for transmitting and receiving a signal and a transmitter/receiver.

Claims (18)

In a method of operating a terminal in a wireless communication system, A step of receiving a message including candidates for a repetition factor indicating the number of times an uplink control channel is repeatedly transmitted from a base station and information for setting intervals of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP); A step of determining an RSRP interval corresponding to a measured RSRP value for a message from the above base station; A step of transmitting a message including response information for setting up repeated transmission of an uplink control channel of the terminal based on the determined RSRP interval; A step of receiving information related to a repetition transmission factor of an uplink control channel from the base station; and A step of transmitting an uplink control channel signal based on information related to repeated transmission of the above uplink control channel is included, The response information for setting the above repeated transmission is: A method comprising at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeat transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section. In claim 1, The above RSRP sections are: A method characterized in that each candidate of the above repetition factor corresponds to the same. In claim 2, The above repeat request level information is: A method characterized by indicating a repetition factor candidate corresponding to the above-determined RSRP section. In claim 1, Information related to the repetition transmission factor of the above uplink control channel is: A method characterized by including information indicating a repetition factor candidate determined based on the determined RSRP section. In claim 1, Information for setting the above RSRP sections is: A method comprising a first threshold value of RSRP for determining whether to repeat transmission of an uplink control channel and additional information for setting a plurality of RSRP intervals. In claim 5, Additional information for setting up the above multiple RSRP sections is: A method comprising information about the RSRP value of each RSRP interval. In claim 5, Additional information for setting up the above multiple RSRP sections is: A method comprising information about differences between RSRP values of each RSRP interval. In claim 1, If it is determined that the uplink control channel signal is to be repeatedly transmitted based on the determined RSRP interval, A method characterized in that the response information for setting the above repeated transmission includes at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeated transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section. In a method of operating a base station in a wireless communication system, A step of transmitting a message to a terminal, the message including candidates for a repetition factor indicating the number of times an uplink control channel is repeatedly transmitted and information for setting intervals of RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power); A step of receiving a message including response information set based on section information of RSRP corresponding to the RSRP value measured by the terminal; A step of transmitting to the terminal information related to the repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel set based on the section of the RSRP corresponding to the measured RSRP value; and A step of receiving an uplink control channel signal based on information related to repeated transmission of the uplink control channel from the terminal is included. The response information for setting the above repeated transmission is: A method comprising at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeat transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the RSRP section. In claim 9, The above RSRP sections are: A method characterized in that each candidate of the above repetition factor corresponds to the same. In claim 10, The above repeat request level information is: A method characterized by indicating a repetition factor candidate corresponding to the above-determined RSRP section. In claim 9, Information related to the repetition transmission factor of the above uplink control channel is: A method characterized by including information indicating a repetition factor candidate determined based on the determined RSRP section. In claim 9, Information for setting the above RSRP sections is: A method comprising a first threshold value of RSRP for determining whether to repeat transmission of an uplink control channel and additional information for setting a plurality of RSRP intervals. In claim 13, Additional information for setting up the above multiple RSRP sections is: A method comprising information about the RSRP value of each RSRP interval. In claim 13, Additional information for setting up the above multiple RSRP sections is: A method comprising information about differences between RSRP values of each RSRP interval. In claim 9, If it is determined that the uplink control channel signal is to be repeatedly transmitted based on the determined RSRP interval, A method characterized in that the above response information includes at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeat transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section. In a wireless communication system, at a terminal, At least one transmitter; At least one receiver; at least one processor; and At least one memory operably connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause said at least one processor to perform a specific operation; The above specific actions are: Receive a message including candidates for a repetition factor indicating the number of times an uplink control channel is repeatedly transmitted from a base station and information for setting intervals of a Reference Signal Received Power (RSRP), Determine the RSRP interval corresponding to the measured RSRP value for the message from the above base station, Transmitting a message including response information for setting up repeated transmission of the uplink control channel of the terminal based on the determined RSRP interval, Receive information related to the repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel from the above base station, and Transmitting an uplink control channel signal based on information related to repeated transmission of the above uplink control channel, The response information for setting the above repeated transmission is: A terminal characterized by including at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeat transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the determined RSRP section. In a base station operating in a wireless communication system, At least one transmitter; At least one receiver; at least one processor; and At least one memory operably connected to said at least one processor and storing instructions that, when executed, cause said at least one processor to perform a specific operation; The above specific actions are: Transmits a message to a terminal including information for setting candidates for repetition factors indicating the number of repetition transmissions of an uplink control channel and intervals of RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power), Receive a message including response information set based on the RSRP interval information corresponding to the RSRP value measured by the above terminal, Transmitting to the terminal information related to the repetition transmission factor of the uplink control channel set based on the RSRP section corresponding to the measured RSRP value, and Receive an uplink control channel signal based on information related to repeated transmission of the uplink control channel from the terminal, The response information for setting the above repeated transmission is: A base station, characterized in that it includes at least one of information indicating whether the terminal supports repeat transmission and repetition request level information corresponding to the RSRP section.

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