WO2025158598A1 - Terminal, wireless communication system, and communication method - Google Patents

Abstract

This terminal comprises: a reception unit that receives a signal from a base station; and a control unit that, on the basis of the signal, controls the transmission of information to an ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that communicates with the base station via the terminal.

Description

Terminal, wireless communication system, and communication method

This disclosure relates to a terminal, a wireless communication system, and a communication method.

For NR (New Radio) (also known as "5G"), the successor system to LTE (Long Term Evolution), technologies are being considered that meet the requirements of a large-capacity system, high-speed data transmission, low latency, simultaneous connection of a large number of terminals, low cost, and low power consumption (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 1).

Furthermore, 3GPP (registered trademark) Release 18 (Rel-18) is considering ambient IoT (A-IoT: Ambient Internet of Things) (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2). Ambient IoT targets devices with extremely simple configurations for low-end IoT applications that operate with extremely low power consumption.

3GPP TS 38.300 V17.3.0 (2022-12) “Revised SID on Ambient IoT”, RP-232404, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #101, September 2023 "Summary for RAN Rel-19 Package: RAN1/2/3-led", RP-232745, 3GPP RAN #102, December 2023 “Study on solutions for Ambient IoT (Internet of Things) in NR”, RP-234058, 3GPP TSG RAN Meeting #102, December 2023 3GPP TS 36.211 V16.8.0 (2023-09) 3GPP TR 38.848 V1.0.0 (2023-09)

In A-IoT communication systems that include ambient IoT devices, it is being considered that terminals that receive signals from base stations will communicate with ambient IoT devices, but there is room for further consideration regarding the signals received from base stations.

One aspect of the present disclosure provides a terminal, wireless communication system, and communication method that can appropriately configure signals that the terminal receives from a base station in an A-IoT communication system that includes an ambient IoT device.

A terminal according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from a base station, and a control unit that controls, based on the signal, the transmission of information to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that communicates with the base station via the terminal.

1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating Topology 1. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating Topology 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating topology 3 in DL support. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating Topology 3 in UL support. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating Topology 4. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an interaction between a network and an A-IoT device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the DT case in topology 1. 1 shows an example of Topology 1 and the DO-DTT case. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of the DT case in topology 2. A diagram showing an example of the DO-DTT case in topology 2. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a variation of a signal X. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a base station, a device, and an intermediate node according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a vehicle according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Below, an embodiment of one aspect of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is an example, and embodiments to which the present disclosure can be applied are not limited to the following embodiment.

In operating the wireless communication system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, existing technology is used as appropriate. Such existing technology may be, for example, existing LTE or NR, but is not limited to existing LTE or NR. Furthermore, the term "LTE" used in this specification has a broad meaning, including LTE-Advanced and systems beyond LTE-Advanced, unless otherwise specified.

Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure described below, terms used in existing LTE, such as SS (synchronization signal), PSS (primary SS), SSS (secondary SS), PBCH (physical broadcast channel), PRACH (physical random access channel), PDCCH (physical downlink control channel), PDSCH (physical downlink shared channel), PUCCH (physical uplink control channel), and PUSCH (physical uplink shared channel), are used. This is for convenience of description, and similar signals, functions, etc. may be referred to by other names. Furthermore, the above-mentioned terms for NR correspond to NR-SS, NR-PSS, NR-SSS, NR-PBCH, NR-PRACH, etc. However, even signals used in NR are not necessarily referred to as "NR-".

Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the duplex method may be a TDD (Time Division Duplex) method, an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) method, or another method (for example, Flexible Duplex, etc.).

Furthermore, in the embodiments of the present disclosure, "configuring" wireless parameters, etc. may mean that predetermined values are pre-configured, or that wireless parameters notified from a base station, device, etc. are set.

(Embodiment)
<Wireless communication system>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the wireless communication system 1 includes a base station 10 and a device 20. While FIG. 1 illustrates one base station 10 and one device 20, this is merely an example, and multiple base stations and devices may exist. The device 20 may be considered a form of terminal (UE: User Equipment) and may be an ambient IoT device, which is a device with lower complexity than an NB-IoT device. The ambient IoT device may also be referred to as an ambient IoT terminal, ambient IoT UE, A-IoT UE, etc.

The base station 10 is a communication device that provides one or more cells and performs wireless communication with the device 20. The physical resources of a wireless signal are defined in the time domain and the frequency domain. The time domain may be defined by the number of OFDM (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing) symbols. The frequency domain may be defined by the number of subcarriers or the number of resource blocks.

The base station 10 transmits DL signals such as control information, configuration information, and data to the device 20 via DL (Downlink). The base station 10 receives UL signals such as control information, information related to the processing capabilities of the device 20 (capability (information) or device capability (information); for example, capability, device capability, A-IoT capability, A-IoT device capability, etc.), and data from the device 20 via UP (Uplink).

Channels used to transmit DL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and the control channel may include a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH). For example, the base station 10 transmits control information to the device 20 using the PDCCH, and transmits DL data signals using the PDSCH. Note that the PDSCH is an example of a downlink shared channel or data channel, and the PDCCH is an example of a downlink control channel. The PDCCH may be interpreted as downlink control information (DCI), control information, etc. transmitted on the PDCCH.

As will be described later, the wireless communication system may also include intermediate nodes, assisting nodes, and/or terminals (UE) (see Device Types and Topologies below). Note that hereinafter, "and/or" may be written simply as "/".

Device 20 is a communication device with wireless communication capabilities, and as described above, may be an ambient IoT device (e.g., a sensor, etc.).

Device 20 receives DL signals such as control signals, configuration information, and data from base station 10 via DL, and transmits UL signals such as control signals, device 20 capability information, and data to base station 10 via UL.

Channels used to transmit UL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH), and the control channel may include a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH). For example, the device 20 transmits control information using the PUCCH and transmits UL data signals using the PUSCH. Note that the PUSCH is an example of an uplink shared channel or data channel, and the PUCCH is an example of an uplink control channel. Note that the PUSCH or PUCCH may be interpreted as uplink control information (UCI), control information, etc. transmitted in the PUSCH or PUCCH.

Ambient IoT
Rel-18 approved the study of ambient IoT (see, for example, Non-Patent Document 2), which is even lower-end than the existing NB-IoT (see, for example, Section 10 of Non-Patent Document 5). Ambient IoT targets ultra-low power consumption and ultra-low complexity devices.

Ambient IoT may consider, for example, the following deployment scenarios and characteristics for relevant use cases:
Indoor or outdoor environment Base station type, for example, macro/micro/pico cell-based deployment Connectivity topology, for example, which nodes, such as base stations, terminals (UE), relays and repeaters, communicate with ambient IoT devices Duplexing method, TDD or FDD, frequency band, licensed or unlicensed band Coexistence with UE and network equipment in frequency bands for existing 3GPP technologies Assumptions of traffic originating from/terminating to devices

Based on the above deployment scenarios and characteristics, for example, the following RAN design targets can be formulated:
・Power consumption ・Complexity ・Coverage ・Data rate ・Positioning accuracy

Compare and evaluate the feasibility of meeting design targets based on deployment scenarios appropriate for relevant use cases and identify supporting features.

<Device types and topologies>
Based on the results of the study items, TR 38.848 (Non-Patent Document 6) was approved. TR 38.848 considers the following categories of ambient IoT devices:
Device A: Device A has no power (energy) storage, no independent signal generation and amplification functions, and performs backscattering transmission.
Device B: Device B has power storage, does not have the capability of independent signal generation, and performs backscatter transmission. Device B uses the stored power to amplify the reflected signal.
Device C: Device C has power storage, is capable of independent signal generation, and has active RF (radio frequency) components for transmission.

The complexity of device A is expected to be about the same as RFID (radio frequency identification).

TR 38.848 defines topologies 1 to 4, described below, for ambient IoT networks.

Figure 2 is a diagram explaining Topology 1. As shown in Figure 2, Topology 1 is a configuration in which a base station (BS) and an ambient IoT device communicate. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication directly with the base station.

Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating Topology 2. As shown in Figure 3, Topology 2 is a configuration in which a base station and an ambient IoT device communicate via an intermediate node. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication with the intermediate node located between the base station and the ambient IoT device. The intermediate node may be, for example, a relay, an IAB (integrated access and backhaul) node, a UE, a repeater, etc.

Figure 4 is a diagram explaining Topology 3 in DL assistance. As shown in Figure 4, Topology 3 is a configuration that includes communication between a base station and an assisting node, communication between the assisting node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between the ambient IoT device and a base station.

The support node supports DL communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the support node receives DL signals from the base station and transmits the received DL signals to the ambient IoT device. For UL communication, the ambient IoT device transmits UL signals directly to the base station.

Figure 5 is a diagram explaining Topology 3 in UL support. As shown in Figure 5, Topology 3 is a configuration that includes communication between a base station and a support node, communication between a support node and an ambient IoT device, and communication between an ambient IoT device and a base station.

The support node supports UL communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the support node receives UL signals from the ambient IoT device and transmits the received UL signals to the base station. For DL communication, the ambient IoT device receives DL signals directly from the base station.

The support nodes shown in Figures 4 and 5 may be, for example, relays, IAB nodes, UEs, repeaters, etc.

Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating Topology 4. Topology 4 is a configuration in which a UE and an ambient IoT device communicate with each other. The ambient IoT device performs bidirectional communication with the UE. Communication related to Topology 4 may be considered side link (SL) communication.

In the above topologies 1 to 4, the ambient IoT device may be provided with a carrier wave from another node inside or outside the topology (see Section 4.2.1 of Non-Patent Document 6).

In addition to device 20, wireless communication system 1 (wireless communication network) may also include base stations, support nodes, intermediate nodes, and/or terminals (UEs in Topology 4). In this specification, base stations, support nodes, intermediate nodes, and terminals may be interpreted as networks or (network) nodes. Furthermore, A-IoT devices may be referred to simply as A-IoT.

<Backscatter transmission>
Base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes transmit RF signals to ambient IoT devices, which are activated and obtain power from the RF operating fields from the base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes via inductive coupling.

Ambient IoT devices backscatter modulate RF signals received from base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes by switching the reflection coefficient of their own antennas, and transmit information to base stations, intermediate nodes, support nodes, and other nodes.

Figure 7 is a diagram explaining backscatter transmission. Figure 7 shows an example in which an ambient IoT device performs ON-OFF keying and transmits information. The dashed line area in Figure 7 indicates the OFF section, which may correspond to the information (bit) "0". A sine wave signal may also correspond to the information "1".

Hereinafter, the network may include base stations, support nodes, intermediate nodes, and terminals (UEs in Topology 4). Hereinafter, the base stations, support nodes, intermediate nodes, relays, and terminals may be referred to as network nodes. Ambient IoT may be referred to as A-IoT.

A-IoT, as described above, has been raised as a topic for 3GPP Rel-19. The following items are being considered for A-IoT. In the following, ambient IoT devices will be referred to as ambient IoT UEs, and ambient IoT UEs will be referred to as A-IoT UEs. In the following explanations, base stations may be replaced with other terms such as BS or gNB.

<Traffic flow>
The following DT and DO-DTT are being considered as traffic flows for A-IoT.
DT (device terminated): There is no traffic from the A-IoT UE, but there is information to be sent to the A-IoT UE. For example, DT corresponds to a command type in which there is an instruction (e.g., an instruction or command) to the A-IoT UE.
DO-DTT (device originated - device terminated triggered): Traffic indicates that a trigger is present from the network (e.g., a base station). Traffic also indicates that information is being transmitted from the A-IoT UE. For example, DO-DTT may also indicate that information is being transmitted to the A-IoT UE. For example, DO-DTT corresponds to a sensor information report type that collects sensor information from the A-IoT UE.

In this embodiment, transmitting information corresponds to transmitting a signal containing information, or transmitting a signal. In this embodiment, transmitting to a certain device X corresponds to transmitting a signal (or information) to device X. In addition, transmitting from a certain device X and transmitting by a certain device X correspond to device X transmitting a signal (or information). In addition, receiving from a certain device X corresponds to receiving a signal (or information) transmitted by device X. In addition, receiving by a certain device X corresponds to device X receiving a signal (or information).

<Device assumptions>
For devices such as A-IoT UEs, the following assumptions may exist:
Transmission (TX) is an unamplified backscatter UL (uplink) transmission or a general amplified UL transmission. Alternatively, an amplified backscatter UL transmission may be performed.
FR (frequency range) 1-FDD is applied. That is, the A-IoT UE can switch the carrier frequency between a DL (downlink) carrier and a UL (uplink) carrier. However, this embodiment is not limited to FR1-FDD, and may be applied to TDD, FR2, or FR3.

The frequency bands of each FR are, for example, as follows:
・FR1: 410MHz to 7.125GHz
・FR2: 24.25GHz to 52.6GHz
・FR3: 7.125GHz to 24.25GHz

FR1 uses a sub-carrier spacing (SCS) of 15 kHz, 30 kHz, or 60 kHz, and may use a bandwidth (BW) of 5 to 100 MHz. FR2 is a higher frequency than FR1, uses an SCS of 60 kHz or 120 kHz (which may include 240 kHz), and may use a bandwidth (BW) of 50 to 400 MHz.

<Topology>
Among the topologies shown in FIGS. 2 to 6, attention is focused on Topology 1 and Topology 2.

In Topology 1, UL and/or DL communication takes place between the base station and the A-IoT UE. Note that the base station in Topology 1 may also support a microcell.

In Topology 2, a base station and an A-IoT UE communicate via an intermediate node. The A-IoT UE performs bidirectional communication with the intermediate node located between the base station and the A-IoT UE. Note that, below, the intermediate node is referred to as int. UE (intermediate UE). Note that the case of Topology 2 may also be applied to indoor cases. Furthermore, the base station in the case of Topology 2 may correspond to a macrocell.

The signal design for A-IoT UE may be common between Topology 1 and Topology 2 described above.

Next, we will explain examples of communication flows for each combination of topology and traffic. Below, we will explain the following combinations of topology and traffic: DT in Topology 1, DO-DTT in Topology 1, DT in Topology 2, and DO-DTT in Topology 2.

<DT case in topology 1>
Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the DT case in Topology 1. Figure 8 shows the signal flow between the base station (gNB) and the A-IoT UE. Note that since this is the DT case in Topology 1, there is information transmission from the base station to the A-IoT UE, but there is no information transmission from the A-IoT UE to the base station.

In the case of DT in topology 1, a communication flow of the following two steps is assumed: Step 1 starts, for example, when a packet arrives at the base station.
Step 1: A-IoT UE wakes up.
Step 2: The A-IoT UE receives information from the base station, in other words, the base station transmits information to the A-IoT UE.

Note that steps 1 and 2 may be performed together, for example, by the same signal.

In step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal transmitted from a base station. The signal transmitted from the base station may be referred to as a carrier waveform. Here, the signal transmitted from the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE. Note that in this embodiment, carrier waveform may be replaced with carrier wave.

Also, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the base station (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE. Alternatively, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal other than the base station (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be an example of a signal requesting a wake-up.

In steps 1 and 2 described above, when a signal is transmitted from the base station, the transmission method of the signal transmitted from the base station may be any one of the following methods 1a to 1c.

(1a) A signal transmitted from a base station may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs. In this case, there is no need to distinguish whether the destination of the transmission from the base station is a UE or a UE group including one or more UEs. In other words, an A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) that receives a signal does not need to detect whether the received signal is addressed to A-IoT UE #1 or to a group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs.

(1b) A signal transmitted from a base station may be multicast to a group including one or more A-IoT UEs. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

(1c) A signal transmitted from a base station is unicast to a single A-IoT UE. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1 based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

In addition, the A-IoT UE may notify a capability indicating whether it supports reception of at least one of the above-mentioned transmissions 1a to 1c.

Note that the method of transmitting signals from the base station may differ between step 1 and step 2 described above. For example, in step 1, the signal used to wake up an A-IoT UE may be broadcast to one or more A-IoT UEs as in 1a, and in step 2, the signal used to send information to an A-IoT UE may be multicast as in 1b, or unicast as in 1c.

Note that the above-mentioned steps 1 and 2 may be consecutive in time, or there may be an interval between steps 1 and 2. For example, the wake-up signal and the signal containing information to be transmitted to A-IoT may be consecutive in time.

Note that in step 1 and/or step 2 of the above example, the base station may transmit to the A-IoT multiple times, or may transmit to two or more A-IoTs individually.

<DO-DTT case in topology 1>
Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of topology 1 and DO-DTT. Figure 9 shows the signal flow between the base station (gNB) and the A-IoT UE. Note that, since this is the case of DO-DTT in topology 1, there is information transmission from the base station to the A-IoT UE and information transmission from the A-IoT UE to the base station.

In the case of DO-DTT in Topology 1, a communication flow consisting of the following three steps is assumed: Step 1 starts, for example, when a packet arrives at the base station.
Step 1: A-IoT UE wakes up.
Step 2: The A-IoT UE receives information from the base station, in other words, the base station transmits information to the A-IoT UE.
Step 3: The A-IoT UE sends a signal to the base station. In other words, the base station receives a signal from the A-IoT UE.

Note that steps 1 and 2 may be performed together, for example, using the same signal. The signal in step 2 may also be a carrier waveform signal.

In step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal transmitted from a base station. The signal transmitted from the base station may be referred to as a carrier waveform. Here, the signal transmitted from the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

Also, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the base station (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE. Alternatively, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up in response to a signal other than the base station (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the base station may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be an example of a signal requesting a wake-up.

In steps 1 and 2 described above, when a signal is transmitted from the base station, the signal transmitted from the base station may be one of the following 2a to 2c.

(2a) A signal transmitted from a base station may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs. In this case, there is no need to distinguish whether the destination of the transmission from the base station is a UE or a UE group including one or more UEs. In other words, an A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) that receives a signal does not need to detect whether the received signal is addressed to A-IoT UE #1 or to a group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs.

(2b) A signal transmitted from a base station may be multicast to a group including one or more A-IoT UEs. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

(2c) A signal transmitted from a base station is unicast to a single A-IoT UE. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1 based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

In addition, the A-IoT UE may notify a capability indicating whether it supports reception of at least one of the transmissions 2a to 2c described above.

Note that the method of transmitting signals from the base station may differ between step 1 and step 2 described above. For example, in step 1, the signal used to wake up an A-IoT UE may be broadcast to one or more A-IoT UEs as in 2a, and in step 2, the signal used to send information to an A-IoT UE may be multicast as in 2b or unicast as in 2c.

Note that the above-mentioned steps 1 and 2 may be consecutive in time, or there may be an interval between steps 1 and 2. For example, the wake-up signal and the signal containing information to be transmitted to A-IoT may be consecutive in time.

In step 3 above, when transmitting a signal from the A-IoT UE to the base station, the signal transmission method may be either 2d or 2e below.

(2d) The transmission in step 3 may be a backscattered UL transmission. In this case, timing adjustment (e.g., timing advance) between DL reception and UL transmission may or may not be applied. Also, power adjustment (e.g., power amplifier) may or may not be applied. Also, transmit timing adjustment may or may not be applied.

(2e) The transmission in step 3 may be a non-backscattered UL transmission. The non-backscattered UL transmission may be a general UL transmission. For example, a UL channel (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, PRACH, etc.) and/or a UL reference signal (e.g., SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), sequence-based signal, etc.) is generated and transmitted. In this case, timing adjustment between DL reception and UL transmission may or may not be applied. Also, power adjustment may be applied.

Note that in the above example (e.g., Figure 9), an example was shown in which transmission from the base station to the A-IoT UE and transmission from the A-IoT UE to the base station were each performed once, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, multiple transmissions from the base station to the A-IoT UE may be performed, followed by one transmission from the A-IoT UE to the base station. In this case, one transmission from the A-IoT UE to the base station may include responses to the multiple transmissions from the base station to the A-IoT UE.

<DT case in topology 2>
Figure 10 is a diagram showing an example of the DT case in Topology 2. Figure 10 shows the signal flow between the base station (gNB), int. UE, and A-IoT UE. Note that since this is the DT case in Topology 2, there is information transmission to the A-IoT UE, but there is no information transmission from the A-IoT UE.

In the case of DT in topology 2, a communication flow of the following four steps is assumed: Step 0 starts, for example, when a packet arrives at the base station.
Step 0: The int. UE receives a trigger to transmit a signal to the A-IoT UE from the base station, and transmits the signal to the A-IoT UE based on the trigger. Step 0 includes an operation of the base station transmitting the trigger to the int. UE.
Step 1: A-IoT UE wakes up.
Step 2: The A-IoT UE receives information from the int. UE. In other words, the int. UE sends information to the A-IoT UE.
Step X: int. The UE transmits a signal to the base station.

Note that steps 1 and 2 may be performed together, for example, using the same signal.

Of these four steps, steps 0 to 2 may be executed in this order. Step X is not limited to being executed after step 2. The timing at which step X is executed will be described later. In step 0, the signal received by the int. UE may be referred to as signal X. In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE (signal transmitted by the int. UE) may be referred to as signal Y. In step 2, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be referred to as signal Z. In step X, the signal transmitted by the int. UE may be referred to as signal R.

Note that step 0 may be performed without receiving a trigger to send a signal to the A-IoT UE. For example, the int. UE sends a signal to the A-IoT UE without receiving a trigger. Illustratively, the int. UE sends a signal to the A-IoT UE periodically, or at predetermined resources, etc.

In step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal transmitted from the int. UE. The signal transmitted from the int. UE may be referred to as a carrier waveform. Here, the signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

Also, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE. Alternatively, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal other than the int. UE (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be an example of a signal requesting a wake-up.

In steps 1 and 2 described above, when a signal is transmitted from the int. UE, the transmission method of the signal transmitted from the int. UE may be one of the following methods 3a to 3c.

(3a) A signal transmitted from an int. UE may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs. In this case, there is no need to distinguish whether the destination of the transmission from the int. UE is a UE or a UE group including one or more UEs. In other words, an A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) that receives a signal does not need to detect whether the received signal is addressed to A-IoT UE #1 or to a group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs.

(3b) A signal transmitted from an int. UE may be multicast to a group including one or more A-IoT UEs. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

(3c) Signals transmitted from an int. UE are unicast to a single A-IoT UE. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1 based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

In addition, the A-IoT UE may notify a capability indicating whether it supports reception of at least one of the transmissions 3a to 3c described above.

Note that the method of transmitting signals from the int. UE may differ between step 1 and step 2 described above. For example, in step 1, the signal used to wake up the A-IoT UE may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs as in 3a, and in step 2, the signal used to send information to the A-IoT UE may be multicast as in 3b or unicast as in 3c.

Note that the above-mentioned steps 1 and 2 may be consecutive in time, or there may be an interval between steps 1 and 2. For example, the wake-up signal and the signal containing information to be transmitted to A-IoT may be consecutive in time.

The timing at which step X is executed may be any of the following 3d to 3f.

(3d) Step X is performed before step 2. That is, the int. UE sends a signal to the base station before the A-IoT UE receives the information. In other words, the int. UE sends a signal to the base station before the int. UE sends information to the A-IoT UE. In this case, the signal sent to the base station may include a report indicating that the trigger was successfully received.

(3e) Step X is executed after step 2. That is, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the A-IoT UE receives information. In other words, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the int. UE transmits information to the A-IoT UE. In this case, the signal transmitted to the base station includes a report indicating whether the transmission to the A-IoT UE was completed or failed. Note that whether the transmission to the A-IoT UE was completed or failed may correspond to whether the int. UE was able to execute the transmission or was unable to execute it. Note that the signal transmitted to the base station in this case may include a report indicating that the trigger was successfully received.

(3f) Step X is executed before step 0. That is, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station before the int. UE receives a trigger from the base station. In this case, the signal transmitted to the base station includes information on the type of request from the int. UE. The information on the type of request may be information related to a transmission request from the int. UE to the A-IoT UE (e.g., a transmission resource request).

Note that step X may be performed at multiple times. For example, the above-mentioned 3f and 3d or 3e may be applied. In this case, the information contained in the signal transmitted by the int. UE to the base station at each timing may differ for each timing. When the above-mentioned 3f and 3d are applied, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station before receiving a trigger from the base station, and transmits a signal to the base station before the A-IoT UE receives information.

The timing of step X may be specified in advance, or may be set or instructed by the base station. The instruction for the timing of step X may be included in a trigger transmitted from the base station.

In addition, the int. UE may notify the base station of a capability indicating when step X, in which the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station, can be performed. For example, the int. UE may notify the base station of a capability indicating whether step X can be performed before step 2, whether step X can be performed after step 2, or whether step X can be performed before step 0. The base station may instruct the int. UE on the timing of step X based on the notified capability.

<DO-DTT case in topology 2>
Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of the DO-DTT case in Topology 2. Figure 11 shows the signal flow between the base station (gNB), int. UE, and A-IoT UE. Note that since this is the DO-DTT case in Topology 2, there is information transmission to the A-IoT UE and information transmission from the A-IoT UE.

In the case of DO-DTT in Topology 2, a communication flow consisting of the following five steps is assumed: Step 0 starts when a packet arrives at the base station, for example.
Step 0: The int. UE receives a trigger to transmit a signal to the A-IoT UE from the base station, and transmits the signal to the A-IoT UE based on the trigger. Step 0 includes an operation of the base station transmitting the trigger to the int. UE.
Step 1: A-IoT UE wakes up.
Step 2: The A-IoT UE receives information from the int. UE. In other words, the int. UE sends information to the A-IoT UE.
Step 3: The A-IoT UE sends a signal to the base station. In other words, the base station receives a signal from the A-IoT UE.
Step X: int. The UE transmits a signal to the base station.

Note that steps 1 and 2 may be performed together, for example, using the same signal. The signal in step 2 may also be a carrier waveform signal.

Of these five steps, steps 0 to 3 may be executed in this order. Step X is not limited to being executed after step 3. The timing at which step X is executed will be described later. In step 0, the signal received by the int. UE may be referred to as signal X. In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE (the signal transmitted by the int. UE) may be referred to as signal Y. In step 2, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be referred to as signal Z. In step X, the signal transmitted by the int. UE may be referred to as signal R.

Note that step 0 may be performed without receiving a trigger to send a signal to the A-IoT UE. For example, the int. UE sends a signal to the A-IoT UE without receiving a trigger. Illustratively, the int. UE sends a signal to the A-IoT UE periodically, or at predetermined resources, etc.

In step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal transmitted from the int. UE. The signal transmitted from the int. UE may be referred to as a carrier waveform. Here, the signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

Also, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE. Alternatively, in step 1, the A-IoT UE may wake up using a signal other than the int. UE (e.g., an RF signal (radio frequency signal)). Here, the signal other than the carrier waveform signal transmitted from the int. UE may correspond to an energy source that supplies energy to the A-IoT UE.

In step 1, the signal received by the A-IoT UE may be an example of a signal requesting a wake-up.

In steps 1 and 2 described above, when a signal is transmitted from the int. UE, the transmission method of the signal transmitted from the int. UE may be any of the following methods 4a to 4c.

(4a) A signal transmitted from an int. UE may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs. In this case, there is no need to distinguish whether the destination of the transmission from the int. UE is a UE or a UE group including one or more UEs. In other words, an A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) that receives a signal does not need to detect whether the received signal is addressed to A-IoT UE #1 or to a group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs.

(4b) A signal transmitted from an int. UE may be multicast to a group including one or more A-IoT UEs. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to the group to which A-IoT UE #1 belongs based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

(4c) Signals transmitted from an int. UE are unicast to a single A-IoT UE. In this case, a certain A-IoT UE (e.g., A-IoT UE #1) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1. For example, A-IoT UE #1 detects whether the signal was transmitted to A-IoT UE #1 based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

In addition, the A-IoT UE may notify a capability indicating whether it supports reception of at least one of the transmissions 4a to 4c described above.

Note that the method of transmitting signals from the int. UE may differ between step 1 and step 2 described above. For example, in step 1, the signal used to wake up the A-IoT UE may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary A-IoT UEs as in 4a, and in step 2, the signal used to send information to the A-IoT UE may be multicast as in 4b or unicast as in 4c.

Note that the above-mentioned steps 1 and 2 may be consecutive in time, or there may be an interval between steps 1 and 2. For example, the wake-up signal and the signal containing information to be transmitted to A-IoT may be consecutive in time.

In step 3, the destination int. UE to which the A-IoT UE transmits a signal (e.g., the int. UE that receives the signal transmitted by the A-IoT UE) may be the same as or different from the source int. UE that transmitted information to the A-IoT UE in step 2.

The timing at which step X is executed may be any of the following 4d to 4g.

(4d) Step X is performed before step 2. That is, the int. UE sends a signal to the base station before the A-IoT UE receives the information. In other words, the int. UE sends a signal to the base station before the int. UE sends information to the A-IoT UE. In this case, the signal sent to the base station may include a report indicating that the trigger was successfully received.

(4e) Step X is executed after step 2. That is, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the A-IoT UE receives information. In other words, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the int. UE transmits information to the A-IoT UE. In this case, the signal transmitted to the base station includes a report indicating whether the transmission to the A-IoT UE was completed or failed. Note that whether the transmission to the A-IoT UE was completed or failed may correspond to whether the int. UE was able to execute the transmission or was unable to execute it. Note that the signal transmitted to the base station in this case may include a report indicating that the trigger was successfully received.

(4f) Step X is performed after step 3. That is, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the A-IoT UE transmits information. In other words, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station after the int. UE receives information from the A-IoT UE. In this case, the signal transmitted to the base station may include a report indicating whether transmission to the A-IoT UE has been completed or failed, and/or a report indicating whether reception from the A-IoT UE has been completed or failed. In addition, the signal transmitted to the base station may include a report indicating that the trigger was successfully received.

(4g) Step X is executed before step 0. That is, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station before the int. UE receives a trigger from the base station. In this case, the signal transmitted to the base station includes information on the type of request from the int. UE. The information on the type of request may be information related to a transmission request from the int. UE to the A-IoT UE (e.g., a transmission resource request).

Note that step X may be performed at multiple times. For example, the above-mentioned 4g and at least one of 4d, 4e, and 4f may be applied. In this case, the information contained in the signal transmitted by the int. UE to the base station at each timing may differ for each timing. When the above-mentioned 4g and 4d are applied, the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station before receiving a trigger from the base station, and transmits a signal to the base station before the A-IoT UE receives information.

The timing of step X may be specified in advance, or may be set or instructed by the base station. The instruction for the timing of step X may be included in a trigger transmitted from the base station.

In addition, the int. UE may notify the base station of a capability indicating when step X, in which the int. UE transmits a signal to the base station, can be performed. For example, the int. UE may notify the base station of a capability indicating whether step X can be performed before step 2, whether step X can be performed after step 2, or whether step X can be performed before step 0. The base station may instruct the int. UE on the timing of step X based on the notified capability.

In step 3 above, when transmitting a signal from the A-IoT UE to the int. UE, the signal transmission method may be either 4h or 4k.

(4h) The transmission in step 3 may be a backscattered UL transmission. In this case, timing adjustment (e.g., timing advance) between DL reception and UL transmission may or may not be applied. Also, power adjustment (e.g., power amplifier) may or may not be applied. Also, transmission timing adjustment may or may not be applied.

(4k) The transmission in step 3 may be a non-backscattered UL transmission. The non-backscattered UL transmission may be a general UL transmission. For example, a UL channel (e.g., PUCCH, PUSCH, PRACH, etc.) and/or a UL reference signal (e.g., SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), sequence-based signal, etc.) is generated and transmitted. In this case, timing adjustment between DL reception and UL transmission may or may not be applied. Also, power adjustment may be applied.

Note that in the above example (e.g., FIG. 11), an example was shown in which transmission from the base station to the int. UE, transmission from the int. UE to the A-IoT UE, transmission from the A-IoT UE to the int. UE, and transmission from the int. UE to the base station each occurred once, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The number of times these transmissions occur may differ from one another.

In the above-described embodiment, "wake up" may mean preparing to receive signals from a base station and/or int. UE, or may mean starting to monitor signals from a base station and/or int. UE.

<Items to consider>
As described above, in Topology 2, as shown in Figures 10 and 11, an int. UE may receive a signal from a base station. Then, in Topology 2, the int. UE transmits a signal to one or more A-IoT UEs based on the signal received from the base station. In Topology 2, a signal received from the int. UE and the base station is referred to as signal X. The int. UE transmits a signal to one or more A-IoT UEs based on signal X.

int. The signal X received by the UE is unclear and needs further investigation.

For example, the transmission operation, such as the signaling method or cast type of signal X, is unclear. If the transmission operation is unclear, signal X may not be transmitted to an int. UE that should receive it, potentially preventing the int. UE from performing the next operation (for example, transmitting to an A-IoT UE). Furthermore, if the transmission operation is unclear, signal X may be transmitted to an int. UE that does not need to receive it, potentially wasting resources used to transmit and receive signal X. Furthermore, if the transmission operation is unclear, signaling may be excessive, increasing overhead, or signaling may be insufficient, preventing the int. UE from performing the appropriate next operation (for example, transmitting to an A-IoT UE).

Furthermore, for example, the content of signal X (e.g., the information contained in signal X) is unclear. If the content of signal X is unclear, it may not be possible to give sufficient instructions/settings to int. UE, and int. UE may not be able to perform the next operation (e.g., transmission operation to A-IoT UE). Furthermore, if the content of signal X is unclear, there is a possibility that instructions/settings to int. UE may be duplicated or excessive, resulting in increased signaling overhead.

Furthermore, for example, it is unclear as to the next action to be taken in response to receiving signal X (e.g., transmission to an A-IoT UE). Since it is not clear to which A-IoT UE int. UE should transmit signal X in response to receiving signal X, transmission to the A-IoT UE cannot be performed appropriately.

Therefore, in this embodiment, we will explain the signaling method of signal X, transmission operations such as cast type, the contents of signal X, and the next operations upon receiving signal X.

<Proposal 1. Transmission of signal X>
<1-1. Signaling>
In Topology 2, the int. UE receives a signal X from the base station. Then, the int. UE transmits a signal to the A-IoT UE based on the signal X. This signal X may be transmitted in response to a request from the int. UE or may be transmitted without a request from the int. UE.

Signal X may be any of the following signaling 1a to 1d.

(1a): Signal X is RRC signaling.
For example, periodic resources may be configured by RRC signaling, and the UE that becomes the int. UE may then use these resources. The RRC signaling may be a System Information Block (SIB) (i.e., common signaling) or a dedicated RRC configuration (e.g., UE-specific or group-common signaling).

(1b): Signal X is a Medium Access Control Element (MAC-CE).
In this case, the PDSCH includes the MAC-CE, and a hybrid automatic repeat request-acknowledgement (HARQ-ACK) corresponding to the PDSCH (for example, the MAC-CE) is notified to the base station.

(1c): Signal X is DCI.
In this case, the DCI may be a DL assignment, an SL grant, or a dedicated DCI format. Whether the DCI is a signal X is detected.

In the case of (1c), for example, whether the DCI is signal X is detected based on at least one of the monitoring opportunity, payload size, instructions included in the DCI, and the RNTI (Radio Network Temporary Identifier) that scrambles the CRC for the DCI. Here, the DCI is not signal X when the DCI does not include information related to A-IoT transmission, or when the DCI includes only information related to communications other than A-IoT communications.

In case (1c), at least one of the RNTI, time resource, frequency resource, code resource, and spatial resource for monitoring the DCI may be configured for the DCI.

In the case of (1c), the DCI of signal X may be a single DCI or may have multiple stages. For example, the DCI may be divided into multiple units (e.g., stages), and each unit (each stage) may be transmitted at a different timing.

(1d): Signal X may be a combination of (1a)-(1c) above.
For example, a set of resources may be configured by RRC and a subset of the configuration may be activated by either MAC-CE or DCI.

(Variations of signal X)
Signal X may have the same format as the format of the signal transmitted from the base station to the A-IoT UE in Topology 1. Also, if signal X is divided into multiple stages, at least the first stage of signal X may have the same format as the signal transmitted from the base station to the A-IoT UE in Topology 1.

Figure 12 shows an example of a variation of signal X. Like Figure 11, Figure 12 shows the case of DO-DTT in topology 2. However, in addition to A-IoT UE #1, which receives a signal from int. UE, Figure 12 also includes A-IoT UE #2 ("Another A-IoT UE" in Figure 12), which receives a signal from the base station (gNB).

In FIG. 12, the base station transmits signal X to int. UE and A-IoT UE #2. For example, the base station transmits signal X to int. UE and A-IoT UE #2 by broadcast (or multicast). In this case, signal X has the format of a signal transmitted from the base station to the A-IoT UE, so that signal X can be received by int. UE and A-IoT UE #2.

By applying any of the signaling methods described above, the signaling method for signal X can be clarified. For example, by applying any of the signaling methods described above, the number of signaling events can be appropriately set, which prevents the signaling overhead from increasing and allows the int. UE to perform the appropriate next operation (for example, a transmission operation to the A-IoT UE).

<1-2. Restrictions on signal X>
The signal X is not limited to being transmitted once, but may be transmitted multiple times. Restrictions may be placed on the multiple transmissions of the signal X. In other words, the int. UE may receive the signal X based on restrictions on the multiple receptions of the signal X. Restrictions may also be placed on the multiple transmissions of the signal X. For example, at least one of the following restrictions 1e to 1g may be applied to the operation related to the multiple receptions of the signal X.

(1e): When signal X (e.g., scheduling of transmission to an A-IoT UE) is received, the UE (e.g., a UE that may be an int. UE) assumes that another signal X (e.g., next signal X) will be received at least T slots after the reception of the previous signal X. Alternatively, when signal X is received, the UE assumes that another signal X will be received at least T slots after the completion of transmission of the signal corresponding to the previous signal X. Note that T slots may be replaced with another time unit, such as T milliseconds.

For example, (1e) shows an example in which two signals X are described as signal X1 and signal X2, with signal X1 being transmitted first and signal X2 being transmitted later. In this example, when signal X1 is received, the UE assumes that signal X2 will be received at least T slots after reception of signal X1. Alternatively, in this example, when signal X1 is received, the UE assumes that signal X2 will be received at least T slots after completion of transmission of the signal corresponding to signal X1. Note that in this case, after transmitting signal X1, the base station may control the transmission timing of signal X2 so that int. UE receives signal X2 at least T slots after reception of signal X1.

(1f): When multiple different signals X are received at the same time (e.g., the same time interval), a UE (e.g., a UE that can be an int.UE) may transmit based on all of the multiple signals X, or may transmit based on some (one or more than all) of the multiple signals X. Note that for transmissions based on all or some of the signals X, priority may be assigned to the trigger indicated by the signal X. For example, for transmissions based on all or some of the signals X, a later trigger may take priority, or an earlier trigger may take priority.

For example, in (1f), when multiple different signals X are received for transmission at the same time (e.g., the same time interval), the UE may transmit based on all of the multiple signals X, or may transmit based on some (one or more than all) of the multiple signals X. Note that for transmissions based on all or some of the signals X, priority may be given to the trigger indicated by the signal X. For example, for transmissions based on all or some of the signals X, later triggers may take priority, or earlier triggers may take priority.

(1g): When two signals X are described as signal X1 and signal X2, and signal X1 is received and then signal X2 is received, the UE may execute the transmission corresponding to signal X1 before the transmission corresponding to signal X2. Alternatively, when signal X1 is received and then signal X2 is received, the UE may execute the transmission corresponding to signal X1 before the transmission corresponding to signal X2. Note that the transmission corresponding to signal X1 may be described as TX1, and the transmission corresponding to signal X2 may be described as TX2. Furthermore, the transmission corresponding to signal X1 may be the transmission instructed/set by signal X1.

By applying the above-mentioned restrictions, the transmission interval of signal X and/or the timing of the transmission operation corresponding to signal X can be clarified, and appropriate operations related to signal X can be performed taking into account the processing time related to sending and receiving signal X.

<1-3. Cast type>
As the cast type of the signal X, any one of the following three types 1h to 1j may be applied.

(1h): Signal X transmitted from a base station may be broadcast to one or more arbitrary UEs (e.g., UEs that can become int.UEs). In this case, there is no need to distinguish whether the destination of the transmission from the base station is a UE or a UE group that includes one or more UEs. In other words, a UE that receives signal X (e.g., described as UE #1 that can become int.UE) does not need to detect whether the received signal X is addressed to UE #1 or to a group to which UE #1 belongs. Also, in the case of (1h), signal X may be transmitted via SIB.

(1i): Signal X transmitted from a base station may be multicast to a group including one or more arbitrary UEs (e.g., UEs that can become int.UEs). In this case, a UE that receives signal X (e.g., UE #1 that can become int.UE) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to a group to which UE #1 belongs. For example, UE #1 detects whether signal X was transmitted to a group to which UE #1 belongs based on information included in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code). Note that in the case of (1i), signal X may be included in a group-common PDSCH and/or a group-common PDCCH.

(1j): Signal X transmitted from the base station is unicast to a single UE (e.g., a UE that can be an int.UE). In this case, a certain UE (e.g., UE #1 that can be an int.UE) detects whether the received signal was transmitted to UE #1. For example, UE #1 detects whether signal X was transmitted to UE #1 based on information contained in the signal (e.g., CRC (cyclic redundancy check)) and/or resources used for the signal (e.g., at least one of time, frequency, and code).

By applying any of the transmission operations described above, it is possible to clarify transmission operations such as the signaling method and cast type of signal X. For example, by applying appropriate signaling, cast type, etc. as a transmission operation, signal X is appropriately transmitted to int. UE that should receive signal X. Furthermore, by applying appropriate signaling, cast type, etc. as a transmission operation, int. UE can appropriately perform the next operation (e.g., transmission operation to A-IoT UE). Furthermore, by applying appropriate signaling, cast type, etc. as a transmission operation, it is possible to reduce waste of resources used for sending and receiving signal X and to prevent an increase in overhead.

<Proposal 2. Contents of Signal X>
The signal X includes at least one of information regarding scheduling, information regarding the difference between DT and DO-DTT, information regarding the difference between Topology 1 and Topology 2, and information regarding reporting from the int. UE to the base station.

For example, signal X carries at least one piece of information listed below:

(2a): At least one of the following transmission timings (or transmission periods): Transmission timing (or transmission period) of a signal Y that wakes up the A-IoT UE
・Transmission timing (or transmission period) of signal Z that transmits information to A-IoT UE
The transmission timing may be indicated by a time offset relative to the reception timing of signal X. For example, the transmission timing of signal Y may be indicated by the time offset between the reception timing of signal X and signal Y. For example, the transmission timing of signal Z may be indicated by the time offset between the reception timing of signal X and signal Z. Note that signal Z does not contain information and may be a signal for backscattered UL transmission.

(2b): At least one of the following transmission resources (at least one transmission resource in the time, frequency, code domain, or spatial domain): Transmission resource of signal Y Transmission resource of signal Z The transmission resource may be indicated by an offset relative to the transmission resource of signal X.

Note that with respect to signal Y, (2b) above may indicate the time resource (e.g., slot) for transmitting signal Y, and (2a) may indicate the transmission timing of signal Y within the time resource indicated by (2b).

(2c): At least one of the following transmission powers: - Transmission power of signal Y - Transmission power of signal Z The transmission power may be indicated as an absolute value or as a value relative to a specific transmission power value.

(2d): At least one of the following information about the destination: A-IoT UE and/or cast type of the target (destination) of signal Y; A-IoT UE and/or cast type of the target (destination) of signal Z.

(2e): Information regarding the signal transmission method At least one of the signal format, information, waveform, modulation method, and encoding method of the signal Y At least one of the signal format, information, waveform, modulation method, and encoding method of the signal Z

(2f): Timing of report corresponding to signal X For example, the timing of report corresponding to signal X may be indicated by an offset between the reception timing of signal X and the report timing. Alternatively, the timing of report corresponding to signal X may be indicated by an offset between the transmission timing of signal Y or signal Z and the report timing. Alternatively, the timing of report corresponding to signal X may be indicated by an offset between the reception timing from the A-IoT UE and the report timing. Here, "timing" may be replaced with "time interval."

(2g): Transmission resource of report corresponding to signal X (transmission resource in time, frequency, code domain, or spatial domain).
The transmission resource may be indicated by an offset relative to the transmission resource of signal X.

(2h): Reported transmit power corresponding to signal X. The transmit power may be expressed as an absolute value or as a value relative to a specific transmit power.

(2i): Method of Reporting For example, information indicating at least one of which information to report, the number of reports to generate, and the number of bits to generate as a report may be included as information indicating the method of reporting.

(2j): Either DT or DO-DTT is required. The signal X may explicitly include information indicating that DT or DO-DTT is required. Furthermore, for example, if the reporting timing and/or the reporting resources are not provided, DT without a report from the int. UE to the base station is triggered. If the reporting timing and/or the reporting resources are provided, DO-DTT with a report from the int. UE to the base station is triggered. Here, the case where the reporting timing and/or the reporting resources are not provided may correspond to the case where the information regarding the reporting timing and/or the reporting resources is indicated to be 0.

(2k): Either Topology 1 or Topology 2 is required. In other words, whether Topology 2 is required or not.
Signal X may explicitly include information indicating that topology 1 or topology 2 is requested. Furthermore, for example, topology 1 is triggered when the transmission timing and/or transmission resources of signal Y and/or signal Z are not provided. The case where the transmission timing and/or transmission resources of signal Y are not provided corresponds to the case where transmission of signal Y is not instructed/configured. Topology 2 is triggered when the transmission timing and/or transmission resources of signal Y and/or signal Z are provided. Here, the case where the transmission timing and/or transmission resources of signal Y and/or signal Z are not provided may correspond to the case where information regarding the transmission timing and/or transmission resources of signal Y and/or signal Z is instructed to be 0. Furthermore, requesting topology 2 corresponds to requesting the UE to operate as an int. UE.

(2l): Resource information for receiving subsequent stages when signal X consists of a set of multiple stages. For example, signal X of the first stage (e.g., signal X including DCI of the first stage) includes resource information for receiving signal X of at least one stage after the second stage.

(2m): Which UE becomes the int. UE and performs the operation corresponding to the int. UE? For example, identification information (e.g., UE ID) that specifies the UE that instructs the int. UE to perform the operation corresponding to the int. UE may be included in the signal X. For example, the destination of the multicast or unicast signal X may be the UE that instructs the int. UE to perform the operation corresponding to the int. UE.

(2n): At least one of the timing, time interval, and resource expected for receiving a signal from A-IoT. For example, in the case of DO-DTT, information (2n) is included. In other words, in the case of DT, information (2n) does not need to be included. For example, if information (2n) is included, it may be determined that DO-DTT is requested, and if information (2n) is not included, it may be determined that DO-DTT is not requested.

(Variations regarding content)
Among the information listed above, different pieces of information may be transmitted via different signaling methods. The signaling method may be any of 1a to 1c shown in <1-1. Signaling>. Also, multiple transmissions by the int. UE may be triggered by a single transmission from the base station to the int. UE. For example, two or more sets of the contents shown in <2. Contents of Signal X> may be included in a single signal X.

By applying any of the contents of signal X described above, the contents of signal X (e.g., the information contained in signal X) can be clarified. This allows sufficient instructions/settings to be given to int. UE, allowing the int. UE to perform the next operation (e.g., transmission operation to A-IoT UE). This also prevents overlapping or excessive instructions/settings to int. UE, thereby suppressing increases in signaling overhead.

<Proposal 3. Transmission operation corresponding to signal X>
The int. UE transmits to one or more A-IoT UEs based on the information of the signal X. For example, the transmission may correspond to the transmission method of the signal X (e.g., the reception method of the signal X by the int. UE). Illustratively, this may be one of the following cases 3a to 3c.

(3a): Case in which the int. UE receives the broadcast signal X. In this case, one of the following two operations is performed.
A UE capable of becoming an int. UE operates to transmit a signal corresponding to signal X to an A-IoT UE. Note that transmission of a signal corresponding to signal X corresponds to transmission of a signal instructed/configured by signal X.
A UE capable of becoming an int. UE determines whether to operate to transmit a signal corresponding to signal X to an A-IoT UE. For example, this decision is made based on at least one of information about signal X, measurement results (e.g., a comparison result between measured channel information (e.g., RSRP (Reference Signal Received Power)) and a threshold), and UE implementation. The criteria for this decision (e.g., the threshold to be compared with RSRP) may be specified in a specification or may be configured/instructed by the NW (network) via SIB/RRC/MAC-CE/DCI.

(3b): Case in which int. UE receives multicast signal X In this case, one of the following two operations is performed.
A UE that belongs to the group targeted for multicast and has the capability to become an int. UE operates to transmit a signal corresponding to signal X to the A-IoT UE.
A UE that belongs to a multicast target group and has the capability to become an int. UE determines whether to operate to transmit a signal corresponding to signal X to an A-IoT UE. For example, this decision is made based on at least one of information about signal X, measurement results (e.g., a comparison result between measured channel information (e.g., RSRP) and a threshold), and UE implementation. The criteria for this decision (e.g., the threshold to be compared with RSRP) may be specified in the specifications or may be configured/instructed by the NW via SIB/RRC/MAC-CE/DCI.

(3c): Case where int. UE receives unicast signal X. In this case, the UE that is the destination of signal X and has the capability to become an int. UE operates to transmit a signal corresponding to signal X to the A-IoT UE.

By applying any of the transmission operations corresponding to signal X described above, it is possible to clarify the transmission operation corresponding to signal X. This allows the int. UE to appropriately transmit to the A-IoT UE in response to receiving signal X.

<Proposal 4. UE Capability>
A UE capable of becoming an int. UE may report its capability. For example, the capability may include any of the following information:

For example, capabilities for DT and DO-DTT may be reported together, or capabilities for DT and DO-DTT may be reported separately.

For example, the UE reports that it supports sidelink transmission/reception/synchronization. This report may be reported together with other information (e.g., a capability indicating that the UE has int.UE capability). For example, if the UE reports a capability indicating that it has int.UE capability, it may be assumed that it must also report that it supports sidelink transmission/reception/synchronization.

For example, a UE capable of being an int. UE for DT reports that it supports sidelink transmission/synchronization. This report may be reported together with other information (e.g., a capability indicating that the UE has the capability to be an int. UE for DT). For example, if a UE reports a capability indicating that it has the capability to be an int. UE for DT, it may be assumed that it must also report that it supports sidelink transmission/synchronization.

For example, a UE capable of being an int. UE for DO-DTT reports that it supports sidelink transmission/reception/synchronization. This report may be reported together with other information (e.g., a capability indicating that the UE is capable of being an int. UE for DO-DTT). For example, if a UE reports a capability indicating that it is capable of being an int. UE for DO-DTT, it may be assumed that it must also report that it supports sidelink transmission/reception/synchronization.

Capabilities for 1a, 1b, and 1c in <1-1. Signaling> above may be reported. For example, capabilities for 1a, 1b, and 1c may be reported together or separately.

The capability for the combination of 1c in <1-1. Signaling> and 3a in <3. Transmission Operation Corresponding to Signal X> above, the capability for the combination of 1i and 3b, and the capability for the combination of 1j and 3c may be reported together or separately.

Next, the configuration of the base station 10 and the device 20 will be described. Note that the configuration of the base station 10 and the device 20 described below is an example of the functions related to this embodiment. The base station 10 and the device 20 may have functions not shown. Furthermore, the functional divisions and/or names of the functional units are not limited as long as they are functions that perform the operations related to this embodiment.

<Base station configuration>
Fig. 13 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a base station 10 according to an embodiment. The base station 10 includes, for example, a transmitting unit 101, a receiving unit 102, and a control unit 103. The base station 10 communicates with a device 20 (see Fig. 14) by radio. The base station 10 may be an intermediate node, a support node, or a terminal (a terminal of an SL that communicates with the device 20).

The transmitter 101 transmits a downlink (DL) signal to the device 20. For example, the transmitter 101 transmits the DL signal under the control of the controller 103.

The DL signal may include, for example, a downlink data signal and control information (e.g., DCI (Downlink Control Information)). The DL signal may also include information indicating scheduling regarding signal transmission from the device 20 (e.g., an UL grant). The DL signal may also include control information from higher layers (e.g., RRC (Radio Resource Control) control information). The DL signal may also include a reference signal.

Channels used to transmit DL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel), and the control channel may include a PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel). For example, the base station 10 transmits control information to the device 20 using the PDCCH, and transmits downlink data signals using the PDSCH.

The reference signals included in the DL signal may include, for example, at least one of the following: DMRS (Demodulation Reference Signal), PTRS (Phase Tracking Reference Signal), CSI-RS (Channel State Information-Reference Signal), SRS (Sounding Reference Signal), and PRS (Positioning Reference Signal) for positioning information. For example, reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used to demodulate downlink data signals and are transmitted using the PDSCH.

The receiving unit 102 receives an uplink (UL) signal transmitted from the device 20. For example, the receiving unit 102 receives the UL signal under the control of the control unit 103.

The control unit 103 controls the communication operations of the base station 10, including the transmission processing of the transmission unit 101 and the reception processing of the reception unit 102. The control unit 103 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the transmission unit 101 and/or the reception unit 102).

For example, the control unit 103 acquires information such as data and control information from higher layers and outputs it to the transmission unit 101. The control unit 103 also outputs data, control information, etc. received from the reception unit 102 to higher layers.

For example, the control unit 103 allocates resources (or channels) to be used for transmitting and receiving DL signals and/or resources to be used for transmitting and receiving UL signals based on signals (e.g., data and control information, etc.) received from the device 20, etc. and/or data and control information, etc. acquired from a higher layer. Information regarding the allocated resources may be included in the control information transmitted to the device 20.

Here, the transmitting unit 101 and the receiving unit 102 (which may be collectively referred to as the communication unit) communicate with the device 20.

In the case of Topology 2, there is an intermediate node (for example, the above-mentioned int.UE, an example of a device) that relays between the base station 10 and the device 20. In this case, the transmitter 101 may transmit a DL signal to the device 20 via the intermediate node, and the receiver 102 may receive a UL signal from the device 20 via the intermediate node. In this case, the transmitter 101 may also transmit a trigger (or instruction) to the intermediate node, and the receiver 102 may receive a signal (for example, a report) from the intermediate node. Furthermore, the signal transmitted to the intermediate node may correspond to a DL signal, and the signal transmitted from the intermediate node may correspond to a UL signal.

For example, in the case of Topology 1, the transmitter 101 may transmit a signal to the device 20 to wake it up. In the case of Topology 2, the transmitter 101 may transmit a trigger to an intermediate node (e.g., the int.UE described above) between the base station 10 and the device 20.

Furthermore, for example, in the case of DO-DTT in Topology 1, the receiving unit 102 may receive a signal (or information) from the device 20. In the case of Topology 2, the receiving unit 102 may receive a signal (or information) from an intermediate node (e.g., the int.UE described above) between the base station 10 and the device 20.

<Device configuration>
14 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device 20 according to an embodiment. The device 20 includes, for example, a receiving unit 201, a transmitting unit 202, and a control unit 203. The device 20 communicates with, for example, a base station 10 wirelessly. The device 20 may be, for example, an A-IoT device or an A-IoT UE.

The receiving unit 201 receives a DL signal transmitted from the base station 10. For example, the receiving unit 201 receives the DL signal under the control of the control unit 203.

The transmitter 202 transmits the UL signal to the base station 10. For example, the transmitter 202 transmits the UL signal under the control of the controller 203.

The UL signal may include, for example, an uplink data signal and control information (e.g., UCI (Uplink Control Information)). For example, it may include information regarding the processing capabilities of the device 20 (e.g., A-IoT capability). The UL signal may also include a reference signal.

Channels used to transmit UL signals include, for example, data channels and control channels. For example, the data channel may include a PUSCH (Physical Uplink Shared Channel), and the control channel may include a PUCCH (Physical Uplink Control Channel). For example, the device 20 transmits control information from the base station 10 using a PUCCH and transmits uplink data signals using a PUSCH.

Reference signals included in UL signals may include, for example, at least one of DMRS, PTRS, CSI-RS, SRS, and PRS. For example, reference signals such as DMRS and PTRS are used to demodulate uplink data signals and are transmitted using an uplink channel (e.g., PUSCH).

The control unit 203 controls the communication operations of the device 20, including the reception processing in the receiving unit 201 and the transmission processing in the transmitting unit 202. For example, the control unit 203 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the receiving unit 201 and/or the transmitting unit 202).

For example, the control unit 203 acquires information such as data and control information from a higher layer and outputs it to the transmission unit 202. Furthermore, the control unit 203 outputs data, control information, etc. received from the reception unit 201 to a higher layer.

Note that the channels used to transmit DL signals and UL signals are not limited to the examples described above. For example, the channels used to transmit DL signals and UL signals may include a RACH (Random Access Channel) and a PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel). The RACH may be used to transmit DCI, including an RA-RNTI (Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier), for example.

Here, the receiving unit 201 and the transmitting unit 202 (which may be collectively referred to as the communication unit) communicate with a network such as the base station 10. Note that the transmitting unit 202 does not necessarily have to be included in the device 20.

In the case of Topology 2, there is an intermediate node (for example, the above-mentioned int.UE, an example of a device) that relays between the base station 10 and the device 20. In this case, the transmitter 202 may transmit an UL signal to the base station 10 via the intermediate node, and the receiver 201 may receive a DL signal from the base station 10 via the intermediate node.

In the case of DT, the transmitter 202 does not transmit a signal to the base station 10 or an intermediate node. In this case, the device 20 may not have a transmitter 202.

In the case of DO-DTT in Topology 1, the transmitter 202 may transmit a signal to the base station 10. In the case of DO-DTT in Topology 2, the transmitter 202 may transmit a signal to an intermediate node (e.g., the int.UE described above) between the base station 10 and the device 20.

<Configuration of intermediate node>
15 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the intermediate node 30 according to the embodiment. The intermediate node 30 (for example, an example of the above-mentioned int.UE, a UE capable of being an int.UE, or a UE that can become an int.UE) communicates between the base station 10 and the device 20 in Topology 2. Note that in the case of Topology 1, the intermediate node 30 does not need to be included in the wireless communication system according to the embodiment. The intermediate node 30 includes, for example, a receiving unit 301, a transmitting unit 302, and a control unit 303.

The receiving unit 301 receives a signal (e.g., signal X) transmitted from the base station 10. In the case of DO-DTT, the receiving unit 301 receives a signal transmitted from the device 20. For example, the receiving unit 301 receives the signal under the control of the control unit 303.

The transmitting unit 302 transmits a signal (e.g., signal R) to the base station 10. The transmitting unit 302 also transmits a signal (e.g., signal X/signal Y) to the device 20. For example, the transmitting unit 302 transmits the signal under the control of the control unit 303.

The control unit 303 controls the communication operations of the intermediate node 30, including the reception processing in the receiving unit 301 and the transmission processing in the transmitting unit 302. For example, the control unit 303 performs operations other than the transmission and reception described in the above embodiment (note that these operations may be performed by the receiving unit 301 and/or the transmitting unit 302).

For example, the intermediate node 30 (an example of a terminal) includes a receiver 301 that receives a signal (e.g., signal X) from the base station 10, and a controller 303 that controls the transmission of information (e.g., signal Y and/or signal Z) to a device 20 that communicates with the base station 10 via the intermediate node 30 based on the received signal.

Signals transmitted from the base station 10 are transmitted using at least one of the following methods: RRC signaling, MAC-CE, and DCI.

The signal transmitted from the base station 10 includes information regarding at least one of the following: the method of transmitting information to the device 20, the destination of the information transmitted to the device 20, and the method of reporting to the base station 10.

When a signal transmitted from the base station 10 is broadcast, the control unit 303 determines, based on the signal, whether or not to transmit information to the device 20. When the control unit 303 determines that a signal transmitted from the base station 10 is multicast and that the signal is addressed to a group to which the intermediate node 30 belongs, the control unit 303 determines, based on the signal, whether or not to transmit information to the device 20. When the control unit 303 determines that a signal transmitted from the base station 10 is unicast and that the signal is addressed to the intermediate node 30, the control unit 303 determines, based on the signal, whether or not to transmit information to the device 20.

Note that in the above description, the terms DL and UL are used as examples, and the present disclosure is not limited to these. Transmission from the intermediate node 30 to the base station 10 may or may not be referred to as UL transmission. Transmission from the base station 10 to the intermediate node 30 may or may not be referred to as DL transmission. Transmission from the intermediate node 30 to the device 20 may or may not be referred to as DL transmission. Transmission from the device 20 to the intermediate node 30 may or may not be referred to as UL transmission.

The present disclosure has been described above. Please note that the division of items in the above description is not essential to the present disclosure, and items described in two or more items may be used in combination as needed, and items described in one item may apply to items described in another item (as long as they do not contradict each other).

<Hardware configuration, etc.>
The block diagrams used to explain the above embodiments show functional blocks. These functional blocks (components) are realized by any combination of at least one of hardware and software. Furthermore, the method for realizing each functional block is not particularly limited. That is, each functional block may be realized using a single device that is physically or logically coupled, or may be realized using two or more physically or logically separated devices that are directly or indirectly connected (e.g., wired, wireless, etc.) and these multiple devices. The functional block may also be realized by combining software with the single device or multiple devices.

Functions include, but are not limited to, judgment, determination, assessment, calculation, computation, processing, derivation, investigation, search, confirmation, reception, transmission, output, access, resolution, selection, selection, establishment, comparison, assumption, expectation, regard, broadcasting, notifying, communicating, forwarding, configuring, reconfiguring, allocating, mapping, and assignment. For example, a functional block (component) that performs transmission functions is called a transmitting unit or transmitter. As mentioned above, there are no particular limitations on how these are implemented.

For example, a base station, device, etc. in an embodiment of the present disclosure may function as a computer that performs processing of the wireless communication method of the present disclosure. Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a base station, device, and intermediate node according to an embodiment. The above-mentioned base station 10, device 20, and intermediate node may be physically configured as a computer device including a processor 1001, memory 1002, storage 1003, communication device 1004, input device 1005, output device 1006, bus 1007, etc.

In the following explanation, the term "apparatus" can be interpreted as circuit, device, unit, etc. The hardware configurations of the base station 10, device 20, and intermediate node 30 may be configured to include one or more of the apparatuses shown in the diagram, or may be configured to exclude some of the apparatuses.

The functions of the base station 10, device 20, and intermediate node 30 are realized by loading specific software (programs) onto hardware such as the processor 1001 and memory 1002, causing the processor 1001 to perform calculations, control communications via the communication device 1004, and control at least one of reading and writing data from and to the memory 1002 and storage 1003.

The processor 1001, for example, runs an operating system to control the entire computer. The processor 1001 may be configured as a central processing unit (CPU) that includes an interface with peripheral devices, a control unit, an arithmetic unit, registers, etc. For example, the above-mentioned control unit 103, control unit 203, and control unit 303 may be realized by the processor 1001.

Furthermore, the processor 1001 reads programs (program code), software modules, data, etc. from at least one of the storage 1003 and the communication device 1004 into the memory 1002, and executes various processes in accordance with these. The programs used are those that cause a computer to execute at least some of the operations described in the above-mentioned embodiments. For example, the control unit 103 of the base station 10, the control unit 203 of the device 20, and the control unit 303 of the intermediate node 30 may be implemented by a control program stored in the memory 1002 and running on the processor 1001, and similar implementations may be made for other functional blocks. While the above-mentioned various processes have been described as being executed by a single processor 1001, they may also be executed simultaneously or sequentially by two or more processors 1001. The processor 1001 may be implemented on one or more chips. The programs may also be transmitted from a network via a telecommunications line.

Memory 1002 is a computer-readable recording medium and may be composed of, for example, at least one of ROM (Read Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable ROM), RAM (Random Access Memory), etc. Memory 1002 may also be called a register, cache, main memory (primary storage device), etc. Memory 1002 can store executable programs (program code), software modules, etc. for implementing a wireless communication method relating to one embodiment of the present disclosure.

Storage 1003 is a computer-readable recording medium, and may be composed of at least one of, for example, an optical disk such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc ROM), a hard disk drive, a flexible disk, a magneto-optical disk (e.g., a compact disk, a digital versatile disk, a Blu-ray (registered trademark) disk), a smart card, a flash memory (e.g., a card, a stick, a key drive), a floppy (registered trademark) disk, a magnetic strip, etc. Storage 1003 may also be referred to as an auxiliary storage device. The above-mentioned storage medium may be, for example, a database, a server, or other suitable medium that includes at least one of memory 1002 and storage 1003.

The communication device 1004 is hardware (transmission/reception device) for communicating between computers via at least one of a wired network and a wireless network, and is also referred to as a network device, network controller, network card, or communication module, for example. The communication device 1004 may be configured to include high-frequency switches, duplexers, filters, frequency synthesizers, etc. to realize at least one of frequency division duplex (FDD) and time division duplex (TDD). For example, the above-mentioned transmitter 101, receiver 102, receiver 201, transmitter 202, receiver 301, and transmitter 302 may be realized by the communication device 1004.

The input device 1005 is an input device (e.g., a keyboard, mouse, microphone, switch, button, sensor, etc.) that accepts input from the outside. The output device 1006 is an output device (e.g., a display, speaker, LED lamp, etc.) that outputs to the outside. Note that the input device 1005 and the output device 1006 may be integrated into one device (e.g., a touch panel).

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

Furthermore, the base station 10, device 20, and intermediate node 30 may be configured to include hardware such as a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), or a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and some or all of the functional blocks may be realized by this hardware. For example, the processor 1001 may be implemented using at least one of these pieces of hardware.

<Information notification, signaling>
The notification of information is not limited to the embodiments described in the present disclosure, and may be performed using other methods. For example, the notification of information may be performed by physical layer signaling (e.g., Downlink Control Information (DCI), Uplink Control Information (UCI)), higher layer signaling (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control (MAC) signaling, broadcast information (Master Information Block (MIB), System Information Block (SIB))), other signals, or a combination thereof. Furthermore, the RRC signaling may be referred to as an RRC message, and may be, for example, an RRC Connection Setup message, an RRC Connection Reconfiguration message, or the like.

<Applicable systems>
The embodiments described in this disclosure are applicable to LTE (Long Term Evolution), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), SUPER 3G, IMT-Advanced, 4G (4th generation mobile communication system), 5G (5th generation mobile communication system), 6th generation mobile communication system (6G), xth generation mobile communication system (xG) (xG (x is, for example, an integer or a decimal)), FRA (Future Radio Access), NR (new Radio), New radio access (NX), Future generation radio access (FX), W-CDMA (registered trademark), GSM (registered trademark), CDMA2000, UMB (Ultra Mobile Broadband), IEEE 802.11 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.17 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.19 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.20 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.21 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.22 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.23 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.24 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.25 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.26 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.27 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.28 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.29 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.30 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.31 (Wi-Fi (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.32 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.33 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 802.34 (WiMAX (registered trademark)), IEEE 80 The present invention may be applied to at least one of systems using 802.20, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or other suitable systems, and next-generation systems that are extended, modified, created, or defined based on these systems. The present invention may also be applied to a combination of multiple systems (e.g., a combination of LTE and/or LTE-A with 5G).

<Processing procedures, etc.>
The order of the procedures, sequences, flowcharts, etc. of each aspect/embodiment described in this disclosure may be changed unless it is consistent. For example, the methods described in this disclosure present elements of various steps using an example order, and are not limited to the particular order presented.

<Base station operation>
In the present disclosure, a specific operation described as being performed by a base station may be performed by its upper node in some cases. In a network consisting of one or more network nodes having a base station, it is clear that various operations performed for communication with a terminal may be performed by at least one of the base station and another network node other than the base station (for example, an MME or an S-GW, etc., but are not limited to these). Although the above example illustrates a case where there is one other network node other than the base station, a combination of multiple other network nodes (for example, an MME and an S-GW) may also be used.

<Input/output direction>
Information, etc. (see the section on information and signals) can be output from a higher layer (or a lower layer) to a lower layer (or a higher layer). Information may be input or output via multiple network nodes.

<Handling of input and output information>
Input and output information may be stored in a specific location (for example, memory) or may be managed using a management table. Input and output information may be overwritten, updated, or added to. Output information may be deleted. Input information may be transmitted to another device.

<Judgment method>
The determination may be made based on a value represented by one bit (0 or 1), a Boolean value (true or false), or a numerical comparison (e.g., comparison with a predetermined value).

<Variations in form, etc.>
The aspects/embodiments described in this disclosure may be used alone, in combination, or switched depending on the implementation. Notification of predetermined information (e.g., notification that "X is true") is not limited to explicit notification, but may be implicit (e.g., not notifying the predetermined information).

Although the present disclosure has been described in detail above, it will be clear to those skilled in the art that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described herein. The present disclosure can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, which are defined by the claims. Therefore, the description of the present disclosure is intended for illustrative purposes only and does not have any limiting meaning on the present disclosure.

<Software>
Software shall be construed broadly to mean instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subprograms, software modules, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, threads of execution, procedures, functions, etc., whether referred to as software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description language, or otherwise.

In addition, software, instructions, information, etc. may be transmitted and received via a transmission medium. For example, if software is transmitted from a website, server, or other remote source using wired technology (such as coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, or Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) and/or wireless technology (such as infrared or microwave), then the wired and/or wireless technology is included within the definition of a transmission medium.

<Information, Signals>
The information, signals, etc. described in this disclosure may be represented using any of a variety of different technologies. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, chips, etc. that may be referred to throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or magnetic particles, optical fields or photons, or any combination thereof.

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

<Systems, Networks>
As used in this disclosure, the terms "system" and "network" are used interchangeably.

<Parameter and channel names>
Furthermore, the information, parameters, etc. described in the present disclosure may be expressed using absolute values, may be expressed using relative values from a predetermined value, or may be expressed using other corresponding information. For example, a radio resource may be indicated by an index.

The names used for the parameters described above are not intended to be limiting in any way. Furthermore, the mathematical formulas using these parameters may differ from those explicitly disclosed in this disclosure. The various channels (e.g., PUCCH, PDCCH, etc.) and information elements may be identified by any suitable names, and therefore the various names assigned to these various channels and information elements are not intended to be limiting in any way.

<Base station>
In the present disclosure, terms such as "base station (BS),""radio base station,""fixedstation,""NodeB,""eNodeB(eNB),""gNodeB(gNB),""accesspoint,""transmissionpoint,""receptionpoint,""transmission/receptionpoint,""cell,""sector,""cellgroup,""carrier," and "component carrier" may be used interchangeably. A base station may also be referred to by terms such as a macrocell, a small cell, a femtocell, and a picocell.

A base station can accommodate one or more (e.g., three) cells. When a base station accommodates multiple cells, the entire coverage area of the base station can be divided into multiple smaller areas, and each smaller area can also provide communication services through a base station subsystem (e.g., a small indoor base station (RRH: Remote Radio Head)). The terms "cell" or "sector" refer to part or all of the coverage area of at least one of the base station and base station subsystem that provides communication services within this coverage area.

In this disclosure, a base station transmitting information to a terminal may be interpreted as the base station instructing the terminal to control or operate based on the information.

<Mobile Station>
In this disclosure, the terms "Mobile Station (MS),""userterminal,""User Equipment (UE),""terminal," and the like may be used interchangeably.

A mobile station may also be referred to by those skilled in the art as a subscriber station, mobile unit, subscriber unit, wireless unit, remote unit, mobile device, wireless device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile subscriber station, access terminal, mobile terminal, wireless terminal, remote terminal, handset, user agent, mobile client, client, or some other suitable terminology.

<Base station/mobile station>
At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be referred to as a transmitting device, a receiving device, a communication device, etc. At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device mounted on a mobile object, the mobile object itself, etc. The mobile object refers to a movable object, and may move at any speed. Naturally, this also includes cases where the mobile object is stationary. Examples of the mobile object include, but are not limited to, vehicles, transport vehicles, automobiles, motorcycles, bicycles, connected cars, excavators, bulldozers, wheel loaders, dump trucks, forklifts, trains, buses, handcars, rickshaws, ships and other watercraft, airplanes, rockets, satellites, drones (registered trademark), multicopters, quadcopters, balloons, and objects mounted thereon. The mobile object may also be a mobile object that moves autonomously based on an operational command. It may be a vehicle (e.g., a car, an airplane, etc.), an unmanned mobile object (e.g., a drone, an autonomous vehicle, etc.), or a robot (manned or unmanned). At least one of the base station and the mobile station may be a device that does not necessarily move during communication operations. For example, at least one of the base station and the mobile station may be an IoT (Internet of Things) device such as a sensor.

Furthermore, the term "base station" in the present disclosure may be read as "terminal." For example, the embodiments of the present disclosure may be applied to a configuration in which communication between a base station and a terminal is replaced with communication between multiple terminals (which may be called, for example, D2D (Device-to-Device) or V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything)). In this case, the device 20 may be configured to have the functions possessed by the base station 10 described above. Furthermore, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" may be read as terms corresponding to communication between terminals (for example, "side"). For example, terms such as "uplink channel" and "downlink channel" may be read as "side channel."

Similarly, the term "terminal" in this disclosure may be interpreted as a base station. In this case, the base station 10 may be configured to have the functions of the device 20 described above.

FIG. 17 shows an example configuration of vehicle 2001. As shown in FIG. 17, vehicle 2001 includes a drive unit 2002, a steering unit 2003, an accelerator pedal 2004, a brake pedal 2005, a shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, an axle 2009, an electronic control unit 2010, various sensors 2021-2029, an information service unit 2012, and a communication module 2013. Each aspect/embodiment described in this disclosure may be applied to a communication device mounted on vehicle 2001, and may be applied to communication module 2013, for example.

The drive unit 2002 is composed of, for example, an engine, a motor, or a hybrid of an engine and a motor. The steering unit 2003 includes at least a steering wheel (also called a handle) and is configured to steer at least one of the front wheels and rear wheels based on the operation of the steering wheel operated by the user.

The electronic control unit 2010 is composed of a microprocessor 2031, memory (ROM, RAM) 2032, and a communication port (IO port) 2033. Signals are input to the electronic control unit 2010 from various sensors 2021 to 2029 provided on the vehicle 2001. The electronic control unit 2010 may also be called an ECU (Electronic Control Unit).

Signals from the various sensors 2021-2029 include a current signal from a current sensor 2021 that senses the motor current, a front and rear wheel rotation speed signal obtained by a rotation speed sensor 2022, a front and rear wheel air pressure signal obtained by an air pressure sensor 2023, a vehicle speed signal obtained by a vehicle speed sensor 2024, an acceleration signal obtained by an acceleration sensor 2025, an accelerator pedal depression amount signal obtained by an accelerator pedal sensor 2029, a brake pedal depression amount signal obtained by a brake pedal sensor 2026, a shift lever operation signal obtained by a shift lever sensor 2027, and a detection signal for detecting obstacles, vehicles, pedestrians, etc. obtained by an object detection sensor 2028.

The information service unit 2012 is composed of various devices, such as a car navigation system, audio system, speakers, television, and radio, that provide (output) various types of information, including driving information, traffic information, and entertainment information, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The information service unit 2012 uses information obtained from external devices via the communication module 2013, etc., to provide various types of multimedia information and multimedia services to the occupants of the vehicle 2001.

The information service unit 2012 may include input devices (e.g., keyboards, mice, microphones, switches, buttons, sensors, touch panels, etc.) that accept input from the outside, and may also include output devices (e.g., displays, speakers, LED lamps, touch panels, etc.) that output to the outside.

The driving assistance system unit 2030 is composed of various devices that provide functions to prevent accidents and reduce the driver's driving burden, such as millimeter-wave radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, positioning locators (e.g., GNSS, etc.), map information (e.g., high-definition (HD) maps, autonomous vehicle (AV) maps, etc.), gyro systems (e.g., IMU (Inertial Measurement Unit), INS (Inertial Navigation System), etc.), AI (Artificial Intelligence) chips, and AI processors, as well as one or more ECUs that control these devices. The driving assistance system unit 2030 also transmits and receives various information via the communication module 2013 to realize driving assistance functions or autonomous driving functions.

The communication module 2013 can communicate with the microprocessor 2031 and components of the vehicle 2001 via the communication port. For example, the communication module 2013 transmits and receives data via the communication port 2033 between the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axle 2009, microprocessor 2031 and memory (ROM, RAM) 2032 in the electronic control unit 2010, and sensors 2021-29, all of which are provided on the vehicle 2001.

The communication module 2013 is a communication device that can be controlled by the microprocessor 2031 of the electronic control unit 2010 and can communicate with external devices. For example, it sends and receives various information to and from external devices via wireless communication. The communication module 2013 may be located either inside or outside the electronic control unit 2010. The external device may be, for example, a base station, a mobile station, etc.

The communications module 2013 may transmit, via wireless communication, to an external device at least one of the signals from the various sensors 2021-2029 described above input to the electronic control unit 2010, information obtained based on the signals, and information based on input from the outside (user) obtained via the information service unit 2012. The electronic control unit 2010, the various sensors 2021-2029, the information service unit 2012, etc. may also be referred to as input units that accept input. For example, the PUSCH transmitted by the communications module 2013 may include information based on the above input.

The communication module 2013 receives various information (traffic information, traffic signal information, vehicle distance information, etc.) transmitted from external devices and displays it on the information service unit 2012 provided in the vehicle 2001. The information service unit 2012 may also be called an output unit that outputs information (for example, outputs information to a device such as a display or speaker based on the PDSCH received by the communication module 2013 (or data/information decoded from the PDSCH)).

In addition, the communication module 2013 stores various information received from external devices in memory 2032 that can be used by the microprocessor 2031. Based on the information stored in memory 2032, the microprocessor 2031 may control the drive unit 2002, steering unit 2003, accelerator pedal 2004, brake pedal 2005, shift lever 2006, front wheels 2007, rear wheels 2008, axles 2009, sensors 2021-2029, and the like provided on the vehicle 2001.

<Terminology and interpretation>
As used in this disclosure, the terms "determining" and "determining" may encompass a wide variety of actions. "Determining" and "determining" may include, for example, judging, calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up, searching, inquiring (e.g., searching a table, database, or other data structure), ascertaining, and the like. "Determining" and "determining" may also include receiving (e.g., receiving information), transmitting (e.g., sending information), input, output, accessing (e.g., accessing data in memory), and the like, all of which are considered to be "determining.""Determining" and "determining" may also include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing, comparing, and the like, all of which are considered to be "determining." In other words, "judgment" and "decision" can include regarding some action as having been "judged" or "decided." Also, "judgment (decision)" can be interpreted as "assuming,""expecting,""considering," etc.

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

<Reference signal>
The reference signal may be abbreviated as RS (Reference Signal) or may be called a pilot depending on the applicable standard.

<The meaning of "based on">
As used in this disclosure, the phrase "based on" does not mean "based only on," unless expressly stated otherwise. In other words, the phrase "based on" means both "based only on" and "based at least on."

<"First" and "Second">
As used in this disclosure, any reference to an element using a designation such as "first,""second," etc. does not generally limit the quantity or order of those elements. These designations may be used in this disclosure as a convenient method of distinguishing between two or more elements. Thus, a reference to a first and a second element does not imply that only two elements may be employed or that the first element must in some way precede the second element.

<Means>
The "means" in the configuration of each of the above devices may be replaced with "part,""circuit,""device," etc.

<Open format>
When the terms "include,""including," and variations thereof are used in this disclosure, these terms are intended to be inclusive, similar to the term "comprising." Furthermore, when the term "or" is used in this disclosure, it is not intended to be an exclusive or.

<Time units such as TTI, frequency units such as RB, and radio frame configuration>
A radio frame may be composed of one or more frames in the time domain. Each of the one or more frames in the time domain may be called a subframe. A subframe may further be composed of one or more slots in the time domain. A subframe may have a fixed time length (e.g., 1 ms) that is independent of numerology.

Numerology may be a communication parameter that applies to at least one of the transmission and reception of a signal or channel. Numerology may indicate, for example, at least one of the following: subcarrier spacing (SCS), bandwidth, symbol length, cyclic prefix length, transmission time interval (TTI), number of symbols per TTI, radio frame structure, specific filtering operations performed by the transmitter/receiver in the frequency domain, and specific windowing operations performed by the transmitter/receiver in the time domain.

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

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

Radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol all represent time units for transmitting signals. Other names corresponding to radio frame, subframe, slot, minislot, and symbol may also be used.

For example, one subframe may be called a transmission time interval (TTI), multiple consecutive subframes may be called a TTI, or one slot or one minislot may be called a TTI. In other words, at least one of the subframe and the TTI may be a subframe (1 ms) as in existing LTE, or a period shorter than 1 ms (for example, 1-13 symbols), or a period longer than 1 ms. Note that the unit representing the TTI may be called a slot, minislot, etc. instead of a subframe.

Here, TTI refers to, for example, the smallest time unit for scheduling in wireless communication. For example, in an LTE system, a base station performs scheduling to allocate radio resources (such as the frequency bandwidth and transmission power that can be used by each user terminal) to each user terminal in TTI units. However, the definition of TTI is not limited to this.

The TTI may be a transmission time unit for a channel-encoded data packet (transport block), code block, code word, etc., or may be a processing unit for scheduling, link adaptation, etc. When a TTI is given, the time interval (e.g., number of symbols) to which a transport block, code block, code word, etc. is actually mapped may be shorter than the TTI.

Note that when one slot or one minislot is called a TTI, one or more TTIs (i.e., one or more slots or one or more minislots) may be the smallest time unit for scheduling. Furthermore, the number of slots (minislots) that make up the smallest time unit for scheduling may be controlled.

A TTI with a time length of 1 ms may be called a regular TTI (TTI in LTE Rel. 8-12), normal TTI, long TTI, regular subframe, normal subframe, long subframe, slot, etc. A TTI shorter than a regular TTI may be called a shortened TTI, short TTI, partial TTI (partial or fractional TTI), shortened subframe, short subframe, minislot, subslot, slot, etc.

Note that a long TTI (e.g., a normal TTI, subframe, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a time length of more than 1 ms, and a short TTI (e.g., a shortened TTI, etc.) may be interpreted as a TTI having a TTI length of 1 ms or more but less than the TTI length of a long TTI.

A resource block (RB) is a resource allocation unit in the time domain and frequency domain, and may include one or more consecutive subcarriers in the frequency domain. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may be the same regardless of numerology, and may be, for example, 12. The number of subcarriers included in an RB may also be determined based on numerology.

Furthermore, the time domain of an RB may include one or more symbols and may be one slot, one minislot, one subframe, or one TTI in length. One TTI, one subframe, etc. may each be composed of one or more resource blocks.

Note that one or more RBs may also be referred to as a physical resource block (PRB), a sub-carrier group (SCG), a resource element group (REG), a PRB pair, an RB pair, etc.

Furthermore, a resource block may be composed of one or more resource elements (REs). For example, one RE may be a radio resource region of one subcarrier and one symbol.

A Bandwidth Part (BWP) (which may also be referred to as a partial bandwidth) may represent a subset of contiguous common resource blocks (RBs) for a given numerology on a given carrier, where the common RBs may be identified by the RB's index relative to the common reference point of the carrier. PRBs may be defined in a BWP and numbered within that BWP.

BWPs may include a BWP for the UL (UL BWP) and a BWP for the DL (DL BWP). One or more BWPs may be configured for a UE within one carrier.

At least one of the configured BWPs may be active, and the UE may not expect to transmit or receive a given signal/channel outside the active BWP. Note that "cell," "carrier," etc. in this disclosure may be read as "BWP."

The structures of the radio frames, subframes, slots, minislots, and symbols described above are merely examples. For example, the number of subframes included in a radio frame, the number of slots per subframe or radio frame, the number of minislots included in a slot, the number of symbols and RBs included in a slot or minislot, the number of subcarriers included in an RB, as well as the number of symbols in a TTI, symbol length, and cyclic prefix (CP) length can be changed in various ways.

<Maximum transmission power>
The "maximum transmit power" in this disclosure may mean the maximum value of transmit power, the nominal UE maximum transmit power, or the rated UE maximum transmit power.

＜Article＞
In this disclosure, where articles are added by translation, such as a, an, and the in English, the disclosure may include that the nouns following these articles are in the plural form.

"Different"
In the present disclosure, the term "A and B are different" may mean "A and B are different from each other." The term may also mean "A and B are each different from C." Terms such as "separate" and "coupled" may also be interpreted in the same way as "different."

One aspect of the present disclosure is useful in wireless communication systems.

10 Base station 20 Device 30 Intermediate node 101, 202, 302 Transmitter 102, 201, 301 Receiver 103, 203, 303 Controller

Claims (6)

A terminal,
a receiving unit for receiving a signal from a base station;
A control unit that controls, based on the signal, transmission of information to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that communicates with the base station via the terminal;
A terminal comprising: The signal is transmitted by at least one of the following methods: Radio Resource Control (RRC) signaling, Medium Access Control - Control Element (MAC-CE), and Downlink Control Information (DCI);
The terminal according to claim 1 . the signal includes information regarding at least one of a method of transmitting the information, a destination of the information, and a method of reporting to the base station;
The terminal according to claim 1 . The control unit
When the signal is broadcast, determine whether to transmit the information to the A-IoT device based on the signal;
When it is determined that the signal is multicast and the signal is addressed to a group to which the terminal belongs, it determines whether or not to transmit the information to the A-IoT device based on the signal;
When the signal is unicast and it is determined that the signal is addressed to the terminal, it determines whether or not to transmit the information to the A-IoT device based on the signal.
The terminal according to claim 1 . a base station for transmitting signals to a terminal;
A terminal that receives the signal and controls, based on the signal, transmission of information to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that communicates with the base station via the terminal;
A wireless communication system comprising: The device is
Receives a signal from a base station,
Based on the signal, control transmission of information to an Ambient Internet of Things (A-IoT) device that communicates with the base station via the terminal.
Communication method.