WO2025170330A1

WO2025170330A1 - Method and apparatus for synchronization in a wireless communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2025170330A1
Application number: PCT/KR2025/001749
Authority: WO
Inventors: Miao ZHOU; Feifei SUN; Di SU
Original assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Current assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
Priority date: 2024-02-08
Filing date: 2025-02-06
Publication date: 2025-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-08
Also published as: CN120456218A

Abstract

The disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method and an apparatus in a wireless communication system are disclosed, the method including: receiving synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and receiving and/or transmitting a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals, wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process.

Description

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SYNCHRONIZATION IN A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and more specifically, to a method and an apparatus for synchronization in a wireless communication system.

5G mobile communication technologies define broad frequency bands such that high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can be implemented not only in “Sub 6GHz” bands such as 3.5GHz, but also in “Above 6GHz” bands referred to as mmWave including 28GHz and 39GHz. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technologies (referred to as Beyond 5G systems) in terahertz (THz) bands (for example, 95GHz to 3THz bands) in order to accomplish transmission rates fifty times faster than 5G mobile communication technologies and ultra-low latencies one-tenth of 5G mobile communication technologies.

At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technologies, in order to support services and to satisfy performance requirements in connection with enhanced Mobile BroadBand (eMBB), Ultra Reliable Low Latency Communications (URLLC), and massive Machine-Type Communications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization regarding beamforming and massive MIMO for mitigating radio-wave path loss and increasing radio-wave transmission distances in mmWave, supporting numerologies (for example, operating multiple subcarrier spacings) for efficiently utilizing mmWave resources and dynamic operation of slot formats, initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and broadbands, definition and operation of BWP (BandWidth Part), new channel coding methods such as a LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) code for large amount of data transmission and a polar code for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing for providing a dedicated network specialized to a specific service.

Currently, there are ongoing discussions regarding improvement and performance enhancement of initial 5G mobile communication technologies in view of services to be supported by 5G mobile communication technologies, and there has been physical layer standardization regarding technologies such as V2X (Vehicle-to-everything) for aiding driving determination by autonomous vehicles based on information regarding positions and states of vehicles transmitted by the vehicles and for enhancing user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed) aimed at system operations conforming to various regulation-related requirements in unlicensed bands, NR UE Power Saving, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) which is UE-satellite direct communication for providing coverage in an area in which communication with terrestrial networks is unavailable, and positioning.

Moreover, there has been ongoing standardization in air interface architecture/protocol regarding technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interworking and convergence with other industries, IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul) for providing a node for network service area expansion by supporting a wireless backhaul link and an access link in an integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover, and two-step random access for simplifying random access procedures (2-step RACH for NR). There also has been ongoing standardization in system architecture/service regarding a 5G baseline architecture (for example, service based architecture or service based interface) for combining Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) and Software-Defined Networking (SDN) technologies, and Mobile Edge Computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE positions.

As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, connected devices that have been exponentially increasing will be connected to communication networks, and it is accordingly expected that enhanced functions and performances of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To this end, new research is scheduled in connection with eXtended Reality (XR) for efficiently supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality) and the like, 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by utilizing Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication.

Furthermore, such development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a basis for developing not only new waveforms for providing coverage in terahertz bands of 6G mobile communication technologies, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as Full Dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas and large-scale antennas, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving coverage of terahertz band signals, high-dimensional space multiplexing technology using OAM (Orbital Angular Momentum), and RIS (Reconfigurable Intelligent Surface), but also full-duplex technology for increasing frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technologies and improving system networks, AI-based communication technology for implementing system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI (Artificial Intelligence) from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technology for implementing services at levels of complexity exceeding the limit of UE operation capability by utilizing ultra-high-performance communication and computing resources.

The present disclosure relates to method and apparatus for synchronization in a wireless communication system.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided a communication method in a wireless communication system.

Aspects of the present disclosure provide efficient communication methods in a wireless communication system.

In order to illustrate the technical schemes of the embodiments of the present disclosure more clearly, the drawings of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be briefly introduced below. Apparently, the drawings described below only refer to some embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the disclosure. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of an example wireless network according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate example wireless transmission and reception paths according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3a illustrates an example user equipment (UE) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3b illustrates an example gNB according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a first node according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram of a synchronization signal transmitted in a physical layer frame structure (or a communication process) according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 6a and 6b illustrate diagrams of synchronization signals transmitted in a repetition mode according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIGs. 7a-7c illustrate diagrams of synchronization signals transmitted in a repetition mode according to various embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a UE according to various embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of an intermediate node according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of various embodiments of the present disclosure as defined by the claims and their equivalents. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the various embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. In addition, descriptions of well-known functions and constructions may be omitted for clarity and conciseness.

The terms and words used in the following description and claims are not limited to the bibliographical meanings, but, are merely used by the inventor to enable a clear and consistent understanding of the present disclosure. Accordingly, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that the following description of various embodiments of the present disclosure is provided for illustration purpose only and not for the purpose of limiting the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

It is to be understood that the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “a component surface” includes reference to one or more of such surfaces.

The term “include” or “may include” refers to the existence of a corresponding disclosed function, operation or component which can be used in various embodiments of the present disclosure and does not limit one or more additional functions, operations, or components. The terms such as “include” and/or “have” may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, component or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, components or combinations thereof.

The term “or” used in various embodiments of the present disclosure includes any or all of combinations of listed words. For example, the expression “A or B” may include A, may include B, or may include both A and B.

Unless defined differently, all terms used herein, which include technical terminologies or scientific terminologies, have the same meaning as that understood by a person skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Such terms as those defined in a generally used dictionary are to be interpreted to have the meanings equal to the contextual meanings in the relevant field of art, and are not to be interpreted to have ideal or excessively formal meanings unless clearly defined in the present disclosure.

In order to meet the increasing demand for wireless data communication services since the deployment of 4G communication systems, efforts have been made to develop improved 5G or pre-5G communication systems. Therefore, 5G or pre-5G communication systems are also called “Beyond 4G networks” or “Post-LTE systems”.

In order to achieve a higher data rate, 5G communication systems are implemented in higher frequency (millimeter, mmWave) bands, e.g., 60 GHz bands. In order to reduce propagation loss of radio waves and increase a transmission distance, technologies such as beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beamforming and large-scale antenna are discussed in 5G communication systems.

In addition, in 5G communication systems, developments of system network improvement are underway based on advanced small cell, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense network, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation, etc.

In 5G systems, hybrid FSK and QAM modulation (FQAM) and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as advanced coding modulation (ACM), and filter bank multicarrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA) and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as advanced access technologies have been developed.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example wireless network 100 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The embodiment of the wireless network 100 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The wireless network 100 includes a gNodeB (gNB) 101, a gNB 102, and a gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one Internet Protocol (IP) network 130, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

Depending on a type of the network, other well-known terms such as “base station” or “access point” can be used instead of “gNodeB” or “gNB”. For convenience, the terms “gNodeB” and “gNB” are used in this patent document to refer to network infrastructure components that provide wireless access for remote terminals. And, depending on the type of the network, other well-known terms such as “mobile station”, “user station”, “remote terminal”, “wireless terminal” or “user apparatus” can be used instead of “user equipment” or “UE”. For convenience, the terms “user equipment” and “UE” are used in this patent document to refer to remote wireless devices that wirelessly access the gNB, no matter whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or a smart phone) or a fixed device (such as a desktop computer or a vending machine).

gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to the network 130 for a first plurality of User Equipments (UEs) within a coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs include a UE 111, which may be located in a Small Business (SB); a UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise (E); a UE 113, which may be located in a WiFi Hotspot (HS); a UE 114, which may be located in a first residence (R); a UE 115, which may be located in a second residence (R); a UE 116, which may be a mobile device (M), such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop computer, a wireless PDA, etc. GNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a second plurality of UEs within a coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs include a UE 115 and a UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101-103 can communicate with each other and with UEs 111-116 using 5G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-A, WiMAX or other advanced wireless communication technologies.

The dashed lines show approximate ranges of the coverage areas 120 and 125, and the ranges are shown as approximate circles merely for illustration and explanation purposes. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with the gNBs, such as the coverage areas 120 and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on configurations of the gNBs and changes in the radio environment associated with natural obstacles and man-made obstacles.

As will be described in more detail below, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 include a 2D antenna array as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, one or more of gNB 101, gNB 102, and gNB 103 support codebook designs and structures for systems with 2D antenna arrays.

Although FIG. 1 illustrates an example of the wireless network 100, various changes can be made to FIG. 1. The wireless network 100 can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement, for example. Furthermore, gNB 101 can directly communicate with any number of UEs and provide wireless broadband access to the network 130 for those UEs. Similarly, each gNB 102-103 can directly communicate with the network 130 and provide direct wireless broadband access to the network 130 for the UEs. In addition, gNB 101, 102 and/or 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks, such as external telephone networks or other types of data networks.

FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate example wireless transmission and reception paths according to the present disclosure. In the following description, the transmission path 200 can be described as being implemented in a gNB, such as gNB 102, and the reception path 250 can be described as being implemented in a UE, such as UE 116. However, it should be understood that the reception path 250 can be implemented in a gNB and the transmission path 200 can be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, the reception path 250 is configured to support codebook designs and structures for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure.

The transmission path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block 205, a Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 210, a size N Inverse Fast Fourier Transform (IFFT) block 215, a Parallel-to-Serial (P-to-S) block 220, a cyclic prefix addition block 225, and an up-converter (UC) 230. The reception path 250 includes a down-converter (DC) 255, a cyclic prefix removal block 260, a Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 265, a size N Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) block 270, a Parallel-to-Serial (P-to-S) block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

In the transmission path 200, the channel coding and modulation block 205 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as Low Density Parity Check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as using Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency-domain modulated symbols. The Serial-to-Parallel (S-to-P) block 210 converts (such as demultiplexes) serial modulated symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is a size of the IFFT/FFT used in gNB 102 and UE 116. The size N IFFT block 215 performs IFFT operations on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time-domain output signal. The Parallel-to-Serial block 220 converts (such as multiplexes) parallel time-domain output symbols from the Size N IFFT block 215 to generate a serial time-domain signal. The cyclic prefix addition block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time-domain signal. The up-converter 230 modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the cyclic prefix addition block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal can also be filtered at a baseband before switching to the RF frequency.

The RF signal transmitted from gNB 102 arrives at UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and operations in reverse to those at gNB 102 are performed at UE 116. The down-converter 255 down-converts the received signal to a baseband frequency, and the cyclic prefix removal block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. The Serial-to-Parallel block 265 converts the time-domain baseband signal into a parallel time-domain signal. The Size N FFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. The Parallel-to-Serial block 275 converts the parallel frequency-domain signal into a sequence of modulated data symbols. The channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

Each of gNBs 101-103 may implement a transmission path 200 similar to that for transmitting to UEs 111-116 in the downlink, and may implement a reception path 250 similar to that for receiving from UEs 111-116 in the uplink. Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 may implement a transmission path 200 for transmitting to gNBs 101-103 in the uplink, and may implement a reception path 250 for receiving from gNBs 101-103 in the downlink.

Each of the components in FIGs. 2a and 2b can be implemented using only hardware, or using a combination of hardware and software/firmware. As a specific example, at least some of the components in FIGs. 2a and 2b may be implemented in software, while other components may be implemented in configurable hardware or a combination of software and configurable hardware. For example, the FFT block 270 and IFFT block 215 may be implemented as configurable software algorithms, in which the value of the size N may be modified according to the implementation.

Furthermore, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is only illustrative and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms can be used, such as Discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and Inverse Discrete Fourier Transform (IDFT) functions. It should be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer (such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer which is a power of 2 (such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

Although FIGs. 2a and 2b illustrate examples of wireless transmission and reception paths, various changes may be made to FIGs. 2a and 2b. For example, various components in FIGs. 2a and 2b can be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific requirements. Furthermore, FIGs. 2a and 2b are intended to illustrate examples of types of transmission and reception paths that can be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture can be used to support wireless communication in a wireless network.

FIG. 3a illustrates an example UE 116 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of UE 116 shown in FIG. 3a is for illustration only, and UEs 111-115 of FIG. 1 can have the same or similar configuration. However, a UE has various configurations, and FIG. 3a does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation of the UE.

UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a radio frequency (RF) transceiver 310, a transmission (TX) processing circuit 315, a microphone 320, and a reception (RX) processing circuit 325. UE 116 also includes a speaker 330, a processor/controller 340, an input/output (I/O) interface 345, an input device(s) 350, a display 355, and a memory 360. The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

The RF transceiver 310 receives an incoming RF signal transmitted by a gNB of the wireless network 100 from the antenna 305. The RF transceiver 310 down-converts the incoming RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is transmitted to the RX processing circuit 325, where the RX processing circuit 325 generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding and/or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuit 325 transmits the processed baseband signal to speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to processor/controller 340 for further processing (such as for web browsing data).

The TX processing circuit 315 receives analog or digital voice data from microphone 320 or other outgoing baseband data (such as network data, email or interactive video game data) from processor/controller 340. The TX processing circuit 315 encodes, multiplexes, and/or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The RF transceiver 310 receives the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from the TX processing circuit 315 and up-converts the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via the antenna 305.

The processor/controller 340 can include one or more processors or other processing devices and execute an OS 361 stored in the memory 360 in order to control the overall operation of UE 116. For example, the processor/controller 340 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of backward channel signals through the RF transceiver 310, the RX processing circuit 325 and the TX processing circuit 315 according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor/controller 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The processor/controller 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs residing in the memory 360, such as operations for channel quality measurement and reporting for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. The processor/controller 340 can move data into or out of the memory 360 as required by an execution process. In some embodiments, the processor/controller 340 is configured to execute the application 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to signals received from the gNB or the operator. The processor/controller 340 is also coupled to an I/O interface 345, where the I/O interface 345 provides UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. I/O interface 345 is a communication path between these accessories and the processor/controller 340.

The processor/controller 340 is also coupled to the input device(s) 350 and the display 355. An operator of UE 116 can input data into UE 116 using the input device(s) 350. The display 355 may be a liquid crystal display or other display capable of presenting text and/or at least limited graphics (such as from a website). The memory 360 is coupled to the processor/controller 340. A part of the memory 360 can include a random access memory (RAM), while another part of the memory 360 can include a flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

Although FIG. 3a illustrates an example of UE 116, various changes can be made to FIG. 3a. For example, various components in FIG. 3a can be combined, further subdivided or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific requirements. As a specific example, the processor/controller 340 can be divided into a plurality of processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). Furthermore, although FIG. 3a illustrates that the UE 116 is configured as a mobile phone or a smart phone, UEs can be configured to operate as other types of mobile or fixed devices.

FIG. 3b illustrates an example gNB 102 according to the present disclosure. The embodiment of gNB 102 shown in FIG. 3b is for illustration only, and other gNBs of FIG. 1 can have the same or similar configuration. However, a gNB has various configurations, and FIG. 3b does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation of a gNB. It should be noted that gNB 101 and gNB 103 can include the same or similar structures as gNB 102.

As shown in FIG. 3b, gNB 102 includes a plurality of antennas 370a-370n, a plurality of RF transceivers 372a-372n, a transmission (TX) processing circuit 374, and a reception (RX) processing circuit 376. In certain embodiments, one or more of the plurality of antennas 370a-370n include a 2D antenna array. gNB 102 also includes a controller/processor 378, a memory 380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

RF transceivers 372a-372n receive an incoming RF signal from antennas 370a-370n, such as a signal transmitted by UEs or other gNBs. RF transceivers 372a-372n down-convert the incoming RF signal to generate an IF or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is transmitted to the RX processing circuit 376, where the RX processing circuit 376 generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding and/or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. RX processing circuit 376 transmits the processed baseband signal to controller/processor 378 for further processing.

The TX processing circuit 374 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, network data, email or interactive video game data) from the controller/processor 378. TX processing circuit 374 encodes, multiplexes and/or digitizes outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. RF transceivers 372a-372n receive the outgoing processed baseband or IF signal from TX processing circuit 374 and up-convert the baseband or IF signal into an RF signal transmitted via antennas 370a-370n.

The controller/processor 378 can include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of gNB 102. For example, the controller/processor 378 can control the reception of forward channel signals and the transmission of backward channel signals through the RF transceivers 372a-372n, the RX processing circuit 376 and the TX processing circuit 374 according to well-known principles. The controller/processor 378 can also support additional functions, such as higher-level wireless communication functions. For example, the controller/processor 378 can perform a Blind Interference Sensing (BIS) process such as that performed through a BIS algorithm, and decode a received signal from which an interference signal is subtracted. A controller/processor 378 may support any of a variety of other functions in gNB 102. In some embodiments, the controller/processor 378 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

The controller/processor 378 is also capable of executing programs and other processes residing in the memory 380, such as a basic OS. The controller/processor 378 can also support channel quality measurement and reporting for systems with 2D antenna arrays as described in embodiments of the present disclosure. In some embodiments, the controller/processor 378 supports communication between entities such as web RTCs. The controller/processor 378 can move data into or out of the memory 380 as required by an execution process.

The controller/processor 378 is also coupled to the backhaul or network interface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems through a backhaul connection or through a network. The backhaul or network interface 382 can support communication over any suitable wired or wireless connection(s). For example, when gNB 102 is implemented as a part of a cellular communication system, such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G or new radio access technology or NR, LTE or LTE-A, the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs through wired or wireless backhaul connections. When gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the backhaul or network interface 382 can allow gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network, such as the Internet, through a wired or wireless local area network or through a wired or wireless connection. The backhaul or network interface 382 includes any suitable structure that supports communication through a wired or wireless connection, such as an Ethernet or an RF transceiver.

The memory 380 is coupled to the controller/processor 378. A part of the memory 380 can include an RAM, while another part of the memory 380 can include a flash memory or other ROMs. In certain embodiments, a plurality of instructions, such as the BIS algorithm, are stored in the memory. The plurality of instructions are configured to cause the controller/processor 378 to execute the BIS process and decode the received signal after subtracting at least one interference signal determined by the BIS algorithm.

As will be described in more detail below, the transmission and reception paths of gNB 102 (implemented using RF transceivers 372a-372n, TX processing circuit 374 and/or RX processing circuit 376) support aggregated communication with FDD cells and TDD cells.

Although FIG. 3b illustrates an example of gNB 102, various changes may be made to FIG. 3b. For example, gNB 102 can include any number of each component shown in FIG. 3a. As a specific example, the access point can include many backhaul or network interfaces 382, and the controller/processor 378 can support routing functions to route data between different network addresses. As another specific example, although shown as including a single instance of the TX processing circuit 374 and a single instance of the RX processing circuit 376, gNB 102 can include multiple instances of each (such as one for each RF transceiver).

In order to make the purpose, technical schemes and advantages of the present application clearer, the implementations of the present application will be further described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The text and drawings are provided as examples only to help readers understand the present disclosure. They are not intended and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the present disclosure in any way. Although certain embodiments and examples have been provided, based on the content disclosed herein, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that modifications to the illustrated embodiments and examples can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

In the Long Term Evolution (LTE) technology, the Internet of Things (IoT) technology includes Machine Type Communication (MTC) and Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT). These two kinds of communication technologies have the characteristics of low cost, low power consumption, high delay, wide coverage, large-scale access and so on, and can be used in Internet of Things scenarios such as smart cities, smart factories and remote meter reading.

The Internet of Things technology has the characteristics of low cost, low power consumption, supporting large-scale connection and so on, and is usually used in smart factories, smart medical care, urban management and other application scenarios with a large number of devices and emphasis on cost control to achieve the communication effect of the Internet of Everything.

IoT devices receive downlink signals and transmit uplink signals in different ways from traditional wireless communication. Ambient IoT (AIoT) devices are a kind of low-end IoT devices with low cost and low power consumption. In the application, because the transmission of such IoT devices mainly depends on ambient signals, they are called Ambient IoT devices, which are named mainly for convenience of description and are not used to limit the scope of devices. The methods of receiving downlink signals and transmitting uplink signals of Ambient IoT devices are different from those of traditional wireless communication, so it is impossible to correctly receive the synchronization signals in cell communication and perform system synchronization based on the synchronization signals in cell communication. Therefore, an enhanced transmission method of synchronization signals is needed, which can be used for synchronization of AIoT devices.

In an AIoT system, the transmission of signals/channels such as data and services can be directly transmitted between a base station and an AIoT node (such as tag device); it can also be transmitted via an intermediate node, for example, the base station transmits information related to the AIoT system to the intermediate node, and the intermediate node transmits data to the AIoT node; and the AIoT node transmits the data to the intermediate node, and the intermediate node transmits the information related to the AIoT system to the base station.

In the specification, for the services in the AIoT system, with a similar principle to the traditional cell communication, the transmission transmitted by the base station or by the intermediate node to the AIoT node is called downlink transmission, and the transmission transmitted by the AIoT node to the base station or to the intermediate node is called uplink transmission. In addition, the transmission related to the AIoT system that is transmitted by the base station to the intermediate node can also be called downlink transmission, and the transmission related to the AIoT system that is transmitted by the intermediate node to the base station can be called uplink transmission. Unless otherwise specified in the specification, the uplink/downlink transmission corresponds to the relationship between the transmitting and receiving nodes, and is not used to limit whether the transmission occurs on uplink or downlink resources. For example, the uplink transmission in the AIoT system can also be transmitted and received in the downlink spectrum in an FDD system, and the downlink transmission in the AIoT system can also be transmitted and received in the uplink slot in a TDD system.

The base station in the specification can also be replaced by other devices, such as communication devices as plug-in attachments of the base station, relay nodes, IAB nodes, repeater nodes and sidelink nodes. Any mechanism applicable to the base station in the specification can also be similarly used in the scenario where the base station is replaced by other nodes, and the description are not redundantly repeated. The difference between the communication devices of plug-in attachments of the base station and the base station may include: the devices can transmit DL signals/channels on the UL spectrum in the FDD system and on the UL time unit in the TDD system, including transmitting DL signals/channels corresponding to the communication between the base station and the UE and the communication between the base station and the AIoT device.

The intermediate node in the specification may be at least one of a relay node, an IAB node, a repeater node, and a sidelink node.

The UE in the specification includes a device node in the AIoT system, which can be a specific type of node or device, such as a tag type of device.

In the embodiment of the application, below a threshold can also be replaced by below or equal to the threshold, above (exceeding) the threshold can also be replaced by above or equal to the threshold, less than or equal to can also be replaced by less than, greater than or equal to can also be replaced by greater than; and vice versa.

In the embodiment of the application, unless otherwise specified, configuration information includes at least one of information configured by the base station, indicated in the received signaling, configured by the higher layer and preconfigured. Further, it can be a set of configuration information obtained by the above method; it can also be multiple sets of configuration information obtained by the above method, and the UE or node can select a set of configuration information to use according to predefined conditions; it can also be a set of configuration information obtained by the above method, and the set of configuration information includes multiple subsets, and the UE or node can select a subset to use according to predefined conditions.

A method related to synchronization is described in the specification, which can be used for synchronization in an AIoT system, further, for synchronization between a UE (such as an AIoT node as a tag device) and a base station in the AIoT system, and/or synchronization between a UE and an intermediate node.

FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of a method performed by a first node including a UE and/or an intermediate node according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. In S401, synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal are received. The third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal. In S402, a signal and/or a channel is received and/or transmitted based on the synchronization signals.

In various embodiments, the UE is described as an example, but the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the method performed by the UE may also be performed by the intermediate node.

Since the synchronization signals are transmitted by one device to another device, and both devices are required to determine a position for transmitting or receiving the synchronization signals, in various embodiments, the synchronization signals transmitted at a certain position can also be replaced by the synchronization signals received at a certain position, or collectively referred to as the synchronization signals transmitted at a certain position; the synchronization signals transmitted in a certain way can also be replaced by the synchronization signals received in a certain way, or collectively referred to as the synchronization signals transmitted in a certain way.

In various embodiments, the UE receives at least one synchronization signal, and receives and/or transmits at least one signal/channel carrying payload information based on the synchronization signal. The synchronization signal includes at least one of:

a first synchronization signal including at least one of: at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of a physical layer frame structure, at least one synchronization signal transmitted in the physical layer frame structure with an earliest transmission time or an earliest time-domain position or the first synchronization signal among synchronization signals transmitted in the physical layer frame structure, at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a start position in a communication process, at least one synchronization signal transmitted in the communication process with an earliest transmission time or an earliest time-domain position or the first synchronization signal among synchronization signals transmitted in the communication process, at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of a broadcast channel and/or before the broadcast channel, and at least one synchronization signal used for initial synchronization. The first synchronization signal can be used for the UE to achieve synchronization from a completely out-of-sync state, and can also be used for the UE to calibrate synchronization after the UE has achieved synchronization;

a second synchronization signal including at least one of: at least one synchronization signal transmitted before at least one payload channel, and at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of at least one payload channel. The payload channel includes at least one of: a broadcast channel, an uplink data signal/channel, a downlink data signal/channel, an uplink control signal/channel, a downlink control signal/channel, a signal/channel for random access, and a signal for indicating UE selection. Optionally, the at least one synchronization signal transmitted before at least one payload channel includes at least one synchronization signal transmitted before at least one payload channel that has a gap between its start and/or end position and a start position of the payload channel not exceeding Tint, which may be a preset and/or (pre)configured time gap threshold. The second synchronization signal can be used at least for the UE to calibrate synchronization after it has achieved synchronization, and may also be used for the UE to achieve synchronization from a completely out-of-sync state;

a third synchronization signal including at least one of: other synchronization signals transmitted in the physical layer frame structure that do not belong to the first synchronization signal and the second synchronization signal, at least one synchronization signal transmitted in the middle of at least one payload channel, at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a position between any two other signals or channels, at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a position in the middle of any other signals or channels, and at least one synchronization signal transmitted at a position determined based on a preset time order relationship. The third synchronization signal can be used for the UE to calibrate synchronization after it has achieved synchronization.

The communication process includes: all transmissions from the time when the base station and/or the intermediate node transmits an indication signal that triggers communication to the time when all signals/channels in response to the indication signal of the UE are transmitted and all signals/channels corresponding to the indication signal of the base station and/or the intermediate node are transmitted; and/or all transmissions from the time when the base station and/or the intermediate node starts transmission of signals/channels of AIoT to the UE to the time when the base station and/or the intermediate node completes transmission of signals/channels of AIoT to the UE and the UE completes transmission of signals/channels of AIoT to the base station and/or the intermediate node, and there is no AIoT transmission (including uplink transmission of AIoT, downlink transmission of AIoT and transmission of CW) between the start and the end. This communication process can also be called a transmission burst.

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates examples of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the third synchronization signal. A physical layer frame structure is shown in the figure, or which is called a communication process. The first, second and third synchronization signals are transmitted at different positions respectively.

In the specification, the synchronization signals may include at least one of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the third synchronization signal, if it is not limited in the description.

In the specification, the physical layer frame structure and/or communication process corresponding to the synchronization signals includes a physical layer frame structure where the first synchronization signal is located or before which the first synchronization signal is transmitted and/or the communication process where the first synchronization signal is located or before which the first synchronization signal is transmitted, and may also include a physical layer frame structure and/or communication process where the second and/or third synchronization signal is located. The payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signals includes at least one of: a payload channel in the physical layer frame structure where the first synchronization signal is located or before which the first synchronization signal is transmitted, and/or a payload channel in the communication process where the first synchronization signal is located or before which the first synchronization signal is transmitted, and/or a broadcast channel where the first synchronization signal is located or before which the first synchronization signal is transmitted; a payload channel where the second synchronization signal is located or before which the second synchronization signal is transmitted; a payload channel where the third synchronization signal is located or before which the third synchronization signal is transmitted or in the middle of which the third synchronization signal is transmitted.

Optionally, the synchronization signals include at least one of:

at least one specific combination of at least one signal in a first state and at least one signal in a second state, wherein the order of each signal in the first state and each signal in the second state in the combination, and/or the duration of each signal in the first state and/or signal in the second state in the combination can be preset and/or (pre)configured. The first state includes a low level of the signal and the second state includes a high level of the signal; alternatively, the first state includes a signal waveform corresponding to a payload “0” and the second state includes a signal waveform corresponding to a payload “1”; alternatively, the first state includes a rising edge of the signal waveform from the low level to the high level, and the second state includes a falling edge of the signal waveform from the high level to the low level; alternatively, the first state includes a position of signal waveform inversion (including high-to-low inversion and low-to-high inversion) as a start and/or end position of a signal bit window, and the second state includes the position of signal waveform inversion including the start and/or end position and a middle position of the signal bit window, wherein the signal bit window can be a time window for detection with a preset length and/or start position and/or end position. Optionally, this method can be used for at least one of the first, second and third synchronization signals;

at least one specific sequence consisting of at least one of the payload codewords “0” and “1”. The waveforms of the payload codewords “0” and “1” can be preset and/or (pre)configured, including one waveform preset and/or (pre)configured, or multiple waveforms preset and/or (pre)configured and at least one of which is indicated in the synchronization signals. In the latter case, the indicated waveforms of the payload codewords “0” and “1” can be used to indicate waveforms of the payload codewords “0” and “1” used by at least one payload channel subsequent to the synchronization signals and/or used to indicate waveforms of the payload codewords “0” and “1” used by the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signals. Optionally, this method can be used for at least one of the second and third synchronization signals;

a signal corresponding to N information bits, where N is a positive integer, and a value of N can be preset and/or preconfigured. Optionally, information indicated by the N information bits includes at least one of: the payload channel after the synchronization signal, including uplink and/or downlink channels, and further including the types of channels, such as data channels, random access channels and broadcast channels; coding methods such as Manchester code, Miller code, PIE code, FM0 code and/or modulation methods such as OOK, ASK, FSK, PSK, BPSK, QPSK and QAM used by the payload channel after the synchronization signals and/or other synchronization channels. The method can be understood as that the structure of the synchronization signal includes two parts: a signal for timing (at least including determining the waveform of the information bits and/or the time length of the information bits and/or the time length of the high level and the low level in the information bits) and a signal for indicating the information bits. Optionally, this method can be used for at least one of the first, second and third synchronization signals.

Optionally, the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal may be a subset of the first synchronization signal, and the third synchronization signal may be a subset of the second synchronization signal. The subset includes at least one of:

the synchronization signals including multiple specific combinations and/or multiple sequences, and a subset of which being at least one of the multiple specific combinations and/or at least one of the multiple sequences; the sequence is used as an example for illustration, the first synchronization signal includes two sequences “000111” and “101010”, and the second synchronization signal as a subset thereof includes one sequence “000111”.

the synchronization signal including at least one specific combination and/or at least one sequence, and a subset of which being a part of a waveform of at least one synchronization signal corresponding to at least one specific combination and/or a part of a waveform of at least one synchronization signal corresponding to at least one sequence. The sequence is used as an example for illustration, the first synchronization signal includes two sequences “000111” and “101010”, and the third synchronization signal as a subset thereof includes two sequences “0001” and “1010”. Similar to a specific combination, the third synchronization signal as a subset thereof can be a waveform on the first X1 time units of a waveform of the synchronization signal with a length of X time units (e.g., microseconds) corresponding to the specific combination, where X1 < X.

The method has the advantages that the first, second and third synchronization signals correspond to different synchronization requirements in different scenarios, so the synchronization accuracy required is different. The first synchronization signal corresponds to higher synchronization accuracy, so a longer waveform/sequence is required, and the synchronization accuracy corresponding to the second and third synchronization signals decreases, so a shorter waveform/sequence can be used. Some synchronization signals as a subset of others can reduce the complexity of design and implementation.

Optionally, the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal may be a superset of the first synchronization signal, and specifically, the first synchronization signal includes N1 specific combinations and/or N1 sequences, and the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal includes N2 specific combinations and/or N2 sequences, where N2 > N1; and the N2 specific combinations and/or N2 sequences may include N1 specific combinations and/or N1 sequences included in the first synchronization signal. Alternatively, the first synchronization signal includes at least one specific combination, and the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal includes at least one sequence. The method has the advantages that the first synchronization signal is used as initial synchronization, and the complexity of detection can be reduced and the performance of detection can be improved by limiting the number of possible signal waveforms; and after the UE achieves the initial synchronization through the first synchronization signal, its downlink detection performance is better than that before achieving the initial synchronization, so the detection of the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal after the initial synchronization can correspond to a more complicated design without excessively affecting the detection performance and complexity, and the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal can indirectly indicate more information by corresponding to various signal waveforms.

Optionally, after the position of the next third synchronization signal is determined based on the methods in the above various embodiments, if more than P third synchronization signals have been cumulatively transmitted or the third synchronization signal has been cumulatively transmitted more than P times in the middle of at least one payload channel and/or after at least one transmitted second synchronization signal and/or after at least one transmitted first synchronization signal, then the second synchronization signal or the first synchronization signal is transmitted at the position of the next third synchronization signal.

Optionally, after the position of the next second synchronization signal is determined based on the methods in the above various embodiments, if more than Q second synchronization signals have been cumulatively transmitted or the second synchronization signal has been cumulatively transmitted more than Q times after at least one transmitted first synchronization signal and/or in a communication process, then the first synchronization signal is transmitted at the position of the next second synchronization signal.

P and Q are positive integers or zero, and their values can be preset and/or (pre)configured.

Optionally, when repetition is enabled in the system, and/or when repetition is used in the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signals, the synchronization signals are transmitted with repetition. Further, the following methods are included:

the synchronization signals being transmitted with repetition, and there being no payload channels and/or other synchronization signals between the repeated synchronization signals. A specific example is shown in FIG. 6a;

the synchronization signals being transmitted with repetition, and there being payload channels corresponding to the synchronization signals between the repeated synchronization signals, and further, including at least one repetition of the payload channels corresponding to the synchronization signals. A specific example is shown in FIG. 6b.

Optionally, for the synchronization signals (further, for at least one of the first synchronization signal, the second synchronization signal and the third synchronization signal), at least one of the following parameters may be preset and/or (pre)configured; and/or for the first synchronization signal, at least one of the following parameters may be indicated in the signal for UE selection; and/or for the second synchronization signal, at least one of the following parameters may be indicated in the first synchronization signal and/or the broadcast channel; and/or for the third synchronization signal, at least one of the following parameters may be indicated in the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal and/or the broadcast channel and/or the payload channel in the middle of which the third synchronization signal is transmitted:

a length of a physical time of the synchronization signal, such as microseconds;

a length of a sequence used by the synchronization signal, that is, a number of payload codewords included in the sequence;

an encoding mode corresponding to the synchronization signal or an encoding mode used by the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal.

Optionally, the UE receives at least one synchronization signal, and acquires, based on the synchronization signal, at least one of: timing information, a start and/or end position of at least one payload channel (for example, a data signal/channel, a random access request signal/random access response signal in a random access procedure, a broadcast signal/channel).

The timing information includes at least one of: a waveform of a payload codeword “0”, a waveform of a payload codeword “1”, a reference time length T_ref for calculating the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and/or the payload codeword “1”, and a length T_uni for calculating a time unit of communication.

Further, the acquiring of the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and/or the payload codeword “1” includes acquiring at least one of the following items and acquiring the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and/or the payload codeword “1” accordingly, according to the synchronization signal and/or preset and/or (pre)configured synchronization-related information:

a duration of at least one high level and/or a duration of at least one low level in the waveform;

a total duration of the waveform;

a ratio of the lengths of at least one high level and at least one low level, and/or a ratio of the lengths of at least one high level and other at least one high level, and/or a ratio of the lengths of at least one low level and other at least one low level; and/or a ratio of the length of at least one high level and T_ref, and/or a ratio of the length of at least one low level and T_ref in the waveform.

Optionally, the length of a time unit of communication is N times at least one of T_uni, the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “1”, where a value of N can be preset and/or (pre)configured. The UE acquires T_uni and acquires the length of a time unit of communication according to T_uni.

Optionally, the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and/or the payload codeword “1” of communication is N’ times T_ref, where a value of N’ can be preset and/or (pre)configured. The UE acquires T_ref and acquires the length of a time unit of communication according to T_ref. Optionally, the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “0” of communication is N’’ times the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “1”, where a value of N’’ can be preset and/or (pre)configured. The UE acquires at least one of the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “0” and the length of the waveform of the payload codeword “1” and calculates the other according to N’’.

The UE acquiring T_uni and/or T_ref includes acquiring a synchronization signal, and acquiring T_uni and/or T_ref according to the synchronization signal, wherein a time length of the synchronization signal or at least one waveform combination in the synchronization signal is T_uni and/or T_ref, or several times T_uni and/or T_ref.

Optionally, if in the system, the synchronization signal includes multiple specific combinations consisting of signals in the first state and signals in the second state, and/or multiple specific sequences, and/or a signal corresponding to N information bits, the UE can acquire, through a specific combination used by a synchronization signal being one of multiple specific combinations, and/or a sequence used by a synchronization signal being one of multiple sequences, and/or information indicated by information bits in the signal corresponding to N information bits, at least one of:

a selected UE corresponding to the payload channel and/or frame structure and/or communication process corresponding to the synchronization signal. The selected UE is required to receive the payload channel and/or frame structure and/or communication process, and other UEs may not receive the payload channel and/or frame structure and/or communication process. The selected UE may include at least one of all UEs, one UE group and one UE. Therefore, the method can be understood as enabling the payload channel and/or frame structure and/or communication process corresponding to the synchronization signal to be broadcast, multicast or unicast by indicating the selected UE in the synchronization signal;

a channel type of the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal, including that the channel is an uplink or downlink signal/channel, and/or the channel is at least one of a broadcast signal/channel, a data signal/channel, a signal/channel for random access, a control signal/channel, and a signal/channel for indicating the selected UE;

a usage type of the frame structure and/or communication process corresponding to the synchronization signal, including at least one of random access, inventory, command, downlink data transmission, downlink control information transmission, uplink data transmission and uplink control information transmission;

a channel type of at least one payload channel included in the frame structure and/or communication process corresponding to the synchronization signal, including that the channel is an uplink or downlink signal/channel, and/or the channel is at least one of a broadcast signal/channel, a data signal/channel, a signal/channel for random access, a control signal/channel, and a signal/channel for indicating the selected UE.

Optionally, the corresponding relationship between the specific combination used by a synchronization signal being one of multiple specific combinations, and/or the sequence used by a synchronization signal being one of multiple sequences, and/or the information indicated by the information bits in the signal corresponding to N information bits and the above at least one information is preset and/or (pre)configured.

For example, the base station can configure a UE with a specific combination used by the synchronization signal, and transmit the synchronization signal using the specific combination before the payload channel that needs to be transmitted to the UE; when the UE receives a downlink signal, it can detect whether there is a synchronization signal transmitted to the UE based on the specific combination configured by the base station, and if so, it considers that a payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal is also a payload channel transmitted to the UE, and receives the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal. This method has the advantages that the UE can perform correlation detection on the received signal based on the preset or configured specific sequence/specific combination of the first state and the second state, and the performance of the correlation detection is better than that of general downlink decoding, so this method can improve the downlink receiving performance of the UE.

The above provides a method for indicating a selected UE through a synchronization signal. Optionally, the UE can also detect the selected UE through a preset and/or (pre)configured specific combination and/or sequence that does not have the synchronization function, and the details are similar to the above method; that is, when the synchronization signal in the above method does not actually have the synchronization function (at least does not have the function of allowing the UE to acquire the timing), its function for indicating the selected UE can still take effect, and the beneficial effect is still that the downlink receiving performance of the UE can be improved.

Optionally, the UE blindly detects whether the synchronization signal is received during downlink reception and/or during any time when it is not scheduled/triggered to perform uplink transmission.

Optionally, and/or, the UE determines a position that may be used for receiving the synchronization signal according to the frame structure and/or according to a period of the synchronization signal, and blindly detects whether the synchronization signal is received at the position; the period may be preset and/or (pre)configured.

Optionally, and/or, the UE does not blindly detect whether the synchronization signal is received when at least one of the following conditions is satisfied, and blindly detects whether the synchronization signal is received in other cases:

at least one synchronization signal transmitted to other UEs and/or at least one synchronization signal transmitted by other UEs to the base station or the intermediate node being detected, and a time position of the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal being detected (for example, the corresponding information decoded in a header of the payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signal). At the time position, or at the time position and between an end position of the time position and the next time position that can be used for transmission of the payload channel and/or synchronization channel, whether the synchronization signal is received is not blindly detected. The end position of the time position to the next time position that can be used for transmission of the payload channel and/or synchronization channel can be determined by a parameter corresponding to a processing delay, which can be preset and/or (pre)configured;

at least one random access response transmitted to other UEs and/or at least one random access request signal transmitted by other UEs being detected, and a position of the next resource that can be used to transmit the random access request signal being determined. Whether the synchronization signal is received is not blindly detected between a resource position of the random access response and the position of the next resource that can be used to transmit the random access request signal. The location of the next resource that can be used to transmit the random access request signal can be determined according to information indicated in the response and/or according to preset and/or (pre)configured information.

In an OFDM-based system, such as a traditional NR Uu communication system, due to the orthogonality between carriers, the mutual interference caused by different base stations or other nodes transmitting synchronization signals at different frequency-domain positions can be well controlled by the orthogonality, and the impact on system synchronization is in an acceptable range. However, in a system based on envelope detection and backscattering, it is difficult for different transmissions to be orthogonal. Therefore, in order to avoid the mutual interference between synchronization signals in this kind of system and the huge impact on system synchronization caused by the interference caused by other transmissions to the synchronization signals, it is necessary to additionally design an interference control mechanism for synchronization signals.

The interference between intermediate nodes can be avoided by base station scheduling. However, whether there may be mutual interference between two or more intermediate nodes does not belong to the information that the base station itself can obtain, and because the impact of channel conditions and obstacles is difficult to be directly determined based on geographical position by means of positioning, etc., the intermediate nodes can assist the base station to control the interference, or the intermediate nodes can control the interference themselves.

Optionally, the intermediate node detects whether signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received, and if so, reports to the base station at least one of: IDs of the other intermediate nodes, and the resource positions of the signals/channels. Optionally, if the signals/channels are transmitted to a UE in the Internet of Things system and an ID of the UE is detected, the ID of the UE is reported to the base station. Optionally, if the signals/channels are synchronization signals in the Internet of Things system, at least one of the above items is reported to the base station; otherwise it will not be reported. Optionally, if the signals/channels overlap with the transmissions/receptions corresponding to the Internet of Things system of the intermediate node itself, and/or overlap with other transmissions/receptions of the intermediate node itself, at least one of the above items is reported to the base station; otherwise it will not be reported. The method can enable the base station to acquire the case of the mutual interference between intermediate nodes, and accordingly avoid the interference between intermediate nodes through scheduling, such as scheduling TDM resources for intermediate nodes with interference.

Optionally, the intermediate node detects whether signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received, and if so, indicates to the other intermediate nodes at least one of: an ID of the intermediate node, IDs of the other intermediate node, and the resource positions of the signals/channels. Optionally, if the signals/channels are transmitted to the UE in the Internet of Things system, and the ID of the UE is detected, the ID of the UE is indicated to the other intermediate nodes. Optionally, if the signals/channels are synchronization signals in the Internet of Things system, at least one of the above items and/or the ID of the UE is indicated to the other intermediate nodes, and it is not indicated if the signals/channels are other types of signals. Optionally, if the signals/channels overlap with the transmissions/receptions corresponding to the Internet of Things system of the intermediate node itself, and/or overlap with other transmissions/receptions of the intermediate node itself, at least one of the above items is indicated to the other intermediate nodes; otherwise, it is not indicated. Optionally, the resource positions that the intermediate node itself needs for the transmissions/receptions corresponding to the Internet of Things system are also indicated to the other intermediate nodes, at least including time-domain positions. The method can enable other intermediate nodes to acquire the case of the mutual interference between intermediate nodes, and accordingly avoid the interference between intermediate nodes by means of resource reselection.

Optionally, the intermediate node detects whether signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received or whether synchronization signals in the Internet of Things transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received, and if so, determines first resource positions corresponding to the signals/channels or synchronization signals in the Internet of Things, and/or corresponding second resource positions that may be used by the other intermediate nodes to transmit signals/channels or synchronization signals in the Internet of Things subsequently. The second resource locations may be determined according to locations of the resources reserved by the other intermediate nodes that are received at the first resource locations. The intermediate node can avoid interference by selecting resources that do not overlap with the first resource positions and/or the second resource positions. In the method, the intermediate node can select appropriate resources to avoid interference itself.

Optionally, if the intermediate node receives at least one information of the above ID of the intermediate node, IDs of the other intermediate nodes, resource positions of the signals/channels, and UE ID in the Internet of Things system to which the signals/channels are transmitted that are indicated by other intermediate nodes, in which the information corresponds to the other intermediate nodes receiving the signals/channels transmitted by the intermediate node, the intermediate node reselects resources. Optionally, if the other intermediate nodes also indicate the resource positions that the other intermediate nodes needs for the transmissions/receptions corresponding to the Internet of Things system, it is avoided to reselect the resources at the indicated resource positions.

In each of the above interference control methods, the overlapping of resources includes overlapping/partial overlapping in time domain and/or overlapping/partial overlapping in frequency domain. Non-overlapping of resources includes non-overlapping of positions in time domain, and/or non-overlapping of positions in frequency domain, and/or non-overlapping of positions in frequency domain and a gap between positions in frequency domain exceeding a threshold, which may be preset and/or (pre)configured.

In each of the above interference control methods, the detecting of whether signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received or whether synchronization signals in the Internet of Things transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received includes: if it is detected that the signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received or synchronization signals in the Internet of Things transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received, and the signal strength and/or RSRP of the signals/channels or synchronization signals in the Internet of Things exceeds a threshold, it is considered that signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received or synchronization signals in the Internet of Things transmitted by other intermediate nodes are received, and/or behaviors such as subsequent reporting/indication/resource reselection in the above methods are performed; otherwise, it will not be treated as receiving signals/channels transmitted by other intermediate nodes or receiving synchronization signals in the Internet of Things transmitted by other intermediate nodes.

Optionally, the determining of the position of the third synchronization signal based on the preset time order relationship includes at least one of:

transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point. Alternatively, from a reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, if the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal does not exist in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received, otherwise, it is not necessary to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal. Optionally, this method is used when a duration of at least one signal/channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T. Optionally, in this method, the transmitting and/or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal includes transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at any position in the time window with the length of T, or transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at an end position of the time window with the length of T (including starting transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting and/or receiving process can exceed the time window; and further including completing the transmitting and/or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal). For example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received in [t0, t0+T]; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, transmitting and/or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal is started at time t0+T;

transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal after a time window with a length of T or at least T, or at least one third synchronization signal after every time window with a length of T or at least T; optionally, transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal after a time window with a length of T or at least T or at least one third synchronization signal after every time window with a length of T or at least T from a reference time point. Alternatively, after the time window with the length of T or at least T, or after every time window with the length of T or at least T, if the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal does not exist in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received, otherwise it is not necessary to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal; optionally, from the reference time point, after the time window with the length of T or at least T, or after every time window with the length of T or at least T, if the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal does not exist in the time window, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received, otherwise it is not necessary to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal. Optionally, this method is used when a duration of at least one signal/channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T. Optionally, in this method, the transmitting and/or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal includes: when a condition of a gap between the third synchronization signal and other third synchronization signals not less than T is satisfied, and/or when a condition of a gap between the position of the third synchronization signal and the reference time point not less than T is satisfied, flexibly selecting the position of the third synchronization signal; alternatively, transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal at an end position of the time window with the length of at least T (including starting transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting process and/or receiving process can exceed the time window; and further including completing the transmitting and/or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal); alternatively, transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal in a time range with a length not exceeding T1 after the end position of the time window with the length of at least T (including starting transmitting and/or receiving at least one third synchronization signal, that is, the complete transmitting process and/or receiving process can exceed the time range; and further including completing the transmitting and/or receiving of the at least one third synchronization signal), wherein the position of the third synchronization signal can be flexibly selected in the time range. For example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received after [t0, t0+T]; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, transmitting and/or receiving of at least one third synchronization signal is started at time t0+T; for another example, when the reference time point is t0, at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received in a range of [t0+T, t0+T+T1];

when a duration of at least one signal/channel in the physical layer frame structure exceeds T, transmitting at least one third synchronization signal in the middle of the signal/channel. Optionally, when a start position of the signal/channel is t0, the transmitting and/or receiving of the signal/channel is temporarily suspended at t0+T or at a position not later than t0+T, and at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received; and then the transmitting and/or receiving of the signal/channel is continued.

The reference time point includes at least one of: a start position of the physical layer frame structure, a start and/or end position of at least one first synchronization signal, a start and/or end position of at least one second synchronization signal, a start and/or end position of another or last or previous or at least one third synchronization signal, and a start and/or end position of at least one uplink and/or downlink signal and/or channel. Further, when the uplink and/or downlink signal and/or channel starts with a start indicator and/or a continue indicator, and/or when the uplink and/or downlink signal and/or channel ends with a suspend indicator and/or an end indicator, the reference time point includes a start position and/or an end position of at least one of the start indicator, the continue indicator, the suspend indicator and the end indicator.

Alternatively, when the reference time point is at least one of the first, second and third synchronization signals, the reference time point may be the latest one of first, second and third synchronization signals having time positions earlier than the third synchronization signal that needs to be transmitted and/or received.

In an exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7a, with the end position of the second synchronization signal, that is, the start position of the downlink data signal, as the reference time point, the base station or the intermediate node transmits a third synchronization signal to the UE in a time window with a length of T; with the end position of the third synchronization signal as the reference time point, the base station or the intermediate node transmits another third synchronization signal to the UE in a time window with a length of T. The transmitting of the third synchronization signal shown in the figure is completed in the time window with the length of T, and in another exemplary embodiment, the transmitting of the third synchronization signal may also be started in the time window with the length of T.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7b, with the end position of the first synchronization signal as the reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, since there is the second synchronization signal in the time window, it is not necessary to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal. Then, with the end position of the second synchronization signal as the reference time point, in a time window with a length of T, since there are no first, second and third synchronization signals in the time window, the end position of the second synchronization signal is used as the reference time point, and the base station or the intermediate node transmits a third synchronization signal to the UE after a time window with a length of T; specifically, a third synchronization signal is transmitted in a time range with a length not exceeding T1 after the end position of the time window with the length of T.

In another exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7c, a start position of a downlink data signal is t0, with a duration exceeding T, and the transmitting and/or receiving of the signal/channel is temporarily suspended at t0+T, and at least one third synchronization signal is transmitted and/or received; and then the transmitting and/or receiving of the signal/channel is continued. In FIG. 7c, a position of t0+T is calculated based on the length of the data channel itself, and at t0+T, a suspend indicator is transmitted first, and then the third synchronization signal is transmitted. In another exemplary embodiment, it is also possible to complete the transmitting of the suspend indicator and start the transmitting of the third synchronization signal at t0+T.

Optionally, when the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determine to transmit the first third synchronization signal based on the above methods, the third synchronization signal may not be actually transmitted (or may be suspended or skipped). The receiving node determines whether the third synchronization signal is actually transmitted according to the detected signal (for example, blindly detects whether the received waveform matches the waveform of the third synchronization signal), and if so, it can adjust the clock based on the third synchronization signal.

Since there may be differences in the capabilities of AIoT devices, for example, there are different performances in timing accuracy, the range or speed of clock drift, whether data can be cached and the reception of data can be temporarily suspended to calibrate timing, etc., the applying of the above methods may be related to the capabilities of the UE.

Optionally, whether to support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal is determined based on the UE capability. Optionally, the UE reports, to the intermediate node or the base station, the capability corresponding to whether to support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal. Accordingly, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE determines whether to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal according to the capability of the UE of whether to support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal. For example, when the UE capability can support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal and it is determined that the third synchronization signal needs to be transmitted and/or received according to the above methods, at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE transmits and/or receives the third synchronization signal.

Optionally, when a signal/channel is transmitted to multiple UEs, whether to also transmit the third synchronization signal is determined based on the capability of at least one of the multiple UEs. The capability of the at least one UE may be the worst capability. For example, when a downlink data signal is transmitted by the base station or the intermediate node to multiple UEs, and the capabilities of the multiple UEs all support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal, the base station or the intermediate node will determine whether to transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal in the middle of the downlink data signal according to the methods of other embodiments in the specification (including determining that the position of the third synchronization signal is in the middle of the downlink data signal based on the preset time order relationship); otherwise, the base station or the intermediate node will not transmit and/or receive the third synchronization signal in the middle of the downlink data signal. Optionally, when a UE transmits the signal/channel to one or more intermediate nodes and/or base stations, whether to also transmit the third synchronization signal is determined based on the capability of the UE.

Optionally, the position of the third synchronization signal is determined based on the UE capability. Further, the position that can be used for the third synchronization signal is determined based on whether the UE capability supports the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals/channels. For example, if the position of the third synchronization signal is determined to be between two other signals/channels by the methods in other embodiments in the specification, the third synchronization signal can be transmitted and/or received at the position. For another example, if the position of the third synchronization signal is determined to be in the middle of another signal/channel by the methods in other embodiments in the specification (including determining that the position of the third synchronization signal is in the middle of another signal/channel based on the preset time order relationship), then when the UE capability supports the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal/channel, or when the capabilities of multiple UEs that are required to receive the other signal/channel all support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal/channel; otherwise, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal/channel, or when the capability of at least one of multiple UEs that are required to receive the other signal/channel does not support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of the other signal/channel, the third synchronization signal is not transmitted and/or received at the position.

Optionally, the determining of the position of the third synchronization signal based on the UE capability further includes if it is determined that the position corresponding to the third synchronization signal cannot be actually used for the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal based on the UE capability, delaying the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal until the UE capability can support it. For example, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals/channels, the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal is delayed until after the end position of the other signals/channels.

Considering that the UE capability is not enough to support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals/channels, if the UE continues to transmit the other signals/channels instead of transmitting the third synchronization signal, the subsequent part of the other signals/channels may not be received correctly or the decoding performance may be reduced due to out-of-sync. Another feasible method is to limit the maximum duration of other signals/channels without transmitting the third synchronization signal (possibly because the UE capability is limited). Accordingly, the maximum duration of other signals/channels can be limited by limiting the maximum number of information payloads of other signals/channels.

Optionally, when the UE transmits and/or receives a signal/channel, a length of information bits corresponding to the signal/channel does not exceed N. A value of N is determined based on the UE capability. For example, when the UE capability does not support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal, or does not support the transmitting and/or receiving of the third synchronization signal in the middle of other signals/channels, N=N3; otherwise, N=N4, and optionally, other methods in the specification are used to determine the position that may be used for the third synchronization signal. Optionally, the transmission and reception may correspond to the same or different values of N, or different values of N3 and/or N4. N3 and N4 may be values indicated in a broadcast channel, or (pre)configured, or preset. The method has the advantages that N3 and N4 can correspond to the maximum number of bits when the UE cannot recalibrate the clock drift through the third synchronization signal and the maximum number of bits when the UE can recalibrate the clock drift through the third synchronization signal, respectively, and for the former, the value can be calculated according to the speed of the clock drift and the accuracy of decoding to the timing. Therefore, when the number of information bits corresponding to a signal/channel does not exceed N3, the negative impact of the clock drift of the UE on the capability of decoding of the signal/channel may not be considered, that is, when the UE capability does not support the clock recalibration based on the third synchronization signal, a duration of a single transmitted signal/channel can be controlled to be in a duration range in which clock calibration is not required.

Optionally, according to the moving speed of at least one of the base station, the intermediate node and the UE, a value of at least one of the following items is determined: a time length T corresponding to a (minimum/maximum) gap or a (minimum/maximum) period of the third synchronization signal, and a parameter N corresponding to the maximum number of bits of the signal/channel. For example, different moving speed ranges correspond to different values or value ranges of T and/or N.

In various embodiments in the specification, the synchronization signals can be transmitted by the base station or the intermediate node to the UE, and can be used by the UE to achieve downlink synchronization, and accordingly receive downlink channels and transmit uplink channels according to the downlink synchronization; they can also be transmitted by the UE to the base station or the intermediate node, can be used by the UE to indicate the timing-related information used by itself, and can be used by the base station or the intermediate node to achieve the uplink synchronization of the UE, so that when the clock of the UE has a certain drift, the base station or the intermediate node can decode the uplink channels transmitted by the UE according to the clock of the UE instead of the clock of the base station or the intermediate node itself, thereby improving the performance of receiving the uplink channels in the system.

FIG. 8 illustrates a block diagram of a configuration of a user equipment (UE) 800 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 8, the UE 800 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a transceiver 801 and a controller 802. For example, the transceiver 801 may be configured to transmit and receive signals. For example, the controller 802 may be coupled to the transceiver 801 and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

FIG. 9 illustrates a block diagram of a configuration of a node 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 9, the node 900 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure may include a transceiver 901 and a controller 902. For example, the transceiver 901 may be configured to transmit and receive signals. For example, the controller 902 may be coupled to the transceiver 901 and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system including: receiving synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and receiving and/or transmitting a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals, wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.

In some implementations, the first synchronization signal includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the frame; a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position in the communication process; a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of a broadcast channel and/or before the broadcast channel; and a synchronization signal used for initial synchronization.

In some implementations, the second synchronization signal includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted before at least one payload channel; and a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of at least one payload channel.

In some implementations, the third synchronization signal includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel; a synchronization signal transmitted between two payload channels; and a synchronization signal transmitted at a time-domain position determined based on a preset time order relationship.

In some implementations, the synchronization signals include at least one of: at least one combination of at least one signal in a first state and at least one signal in a second state; at least one sequence consisting of payload codewords; and at least one signal corresponding to N information bits, where N is a positive integer.

In some implementations, a combination or a sequence or an information bit included in the synchronization signals is determined based on at least one of: information related to the UE; information related to a channel type of a payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signals; information related to a usage of a frame and/or a communication process corresponding to the synchronization signals; and information related to a channel type of at least one payload channel included in the frame and/or the communication process corresponding to the synchronization signals.

In some implementations, the first synchronization signal includes multiple combinations and/or multiple sequences, and the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal is at least one of the multiple combinations and/or at least one of the multiple sequences.

In some implementations, the first synchronization signal includes at least one combination and/or at least one sequence, and the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal is a part of a waveform of a synchronization signal corresponding to the at least one combination and/or a part of a waveform of a synchronization signal corresponding to the at least one sequence.

In some implementations, a combination or a sequence or an information bit included in the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal is a superset of the first synchronization signal.

In some implementations, the first synchronization signal includes N1 combinations and/or N1 sequences, the second synchronization signal and/or the third synchronization signal includes N2 combinations and/or N2 sequences, and wherein the N2 combinations and/or the N2 sequences include the N1 combinations and/or the N1 sequences, where N1 and N2 are integers and N2>N1.

In some implementations, the synchronization signals are transmitted with repetition.

In some implementations, transmitting of the synchronization signals with repetition includes at least one of: there being no payload channel or fourth synchronization signal corresponding to the synchronization signals between the synchronization signals; and there being the payload channel and/or the fourth synchronization signal corresponding to the synchronization signals between the synchronization signals, wherein the fourth synchronization signal is a synchronization signal different from the synchronization signals.

In some implementations, when the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel, there is a first indicator before the third synchronization signal and/or a second indicator after the third synchronization signal.

In some implementations, the synchronization signal transmitted at the time-domain position determined based on the preset time order relationship includes at least one of: a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point; a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point, wherein the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal does not exist in the time window; a synchronization signal transmitted after a time window with a length of T or at least T, or a synchronization signal transmitted after every time window with the length of T or at least T.

In some implementations, the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel, and a duration of the payload channel exceeds T.

In some implementations, the reference time point includes at least one of: a start position of the frame or the communication process; a start position and/or an end position of at least one first synchronization signal; a start position and/or an end position of at least one second synchronization signal; a start position and/or an end position of another or last or previous third synchronization signal; and a start position and/or an end position of at least one downlink signal and/or channel.

In some implementations, when the UE transmits and/or receives a signal or channel, a length of information bits corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, where N is an integer greater than 0.

In some implementations, the N is determined based on a capability of the UE.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided a method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system including: transmitting synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and receiving and/or transmitting a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals, wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.

In some implementations, the first node includes a user equipment (UE).

In some implementations, the first node is a first intermediate node.

In some implementations, the method further includes: detecting whether a signal and/or a channel transmitted by a second intermediate node is received; and if the signal and/or the channel is received, transmitting, to a base station, at least one of: an identification (ID) of the second intermediate node, and a resource position of the signal and/or the channel.

In some implementations, the method further includes: detecting whether a signal and/or a channel transmitted by a second intermediate node is received; and if the signal and/or the channel is received, transmitting, to the second intermediate node, at least one of: an identification (ID) of the intermediate node, an ID of the second intermediate node, and a resource position of the signal and/or the channel.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, there is provided an electronic device in a wireless communication system including: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to perform the aforementioned methods.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the above illustrative embodiments are described herein and are not intended to be limiting. It should be understood that any two or more of the embodiments disclosed herein may be combined in any combination. Furthermore, other embodiments may be utilized and other changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter presented herein. It will be readily understood that aspects of the invention of the disclosure as generally described herein and shown in the drawings may be arranged, replaced, combined, separated and designed in various different configurations, all of which are contemplated herein.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and steps described in this application may be implemented as hardware, software, or a combination of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability between hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps are generally described above in the form of their functional sets. Whether such function sets are implemented as hardware or software depends on the specific application and the design constraints imposed on the overall system. Technicians may implement the described functional sets in different ways for each specific application, but such design decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of this application.

The various illustrative logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in this application may be implemented or performed by a general purpose processor, a Digital Signal Processor (DSP), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logics, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. The general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, but in an alternative, the processor may be any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. The processor may also be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, more than one microprocessors, one or more microprocessors cooperating with a DSP core, or any other such configuration.

The steps of the method or algorithm described in this application may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination thereof. The software module may reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, register, hard disk, removable disk, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor to enable the processor to read and write information from/to the storage media. In an alternative, the storage medium may be integrated into the processor. The processor and the storage medium may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In an alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside in the user terminal as discrete components.

In one or more exemplary designs, the functions may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, each function may be stored as one or more pieces of instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium or delivered through it. The computer-readable medium includes both a computer storage medium and a communication medium, the latter including any medium that facilitates the transfer of computer programs from one place to another. The storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

The above description is only an exemplary implementation of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of the present invention, which is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

A method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system comprising:

receiving synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and

receiving and/or transmitting a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals,

wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and

wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first synchronization signal includes at least one of:

a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of the frame;

a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position in the communication process;

a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of a broadcast channel and/or before the broadcast channel; and

a synchronization signal used for initial synchronization.
The method of claim 1, wherein the second synchronization signal includes at least one of:

a synchronization signal transmitted before at least one payload channel; and

a synchronization signal transmitted at a start position of at least one payload channel.
The method of claim 1, wherein the third synchronization signal includes at least one of:

a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel;

a synchronization signal transmitted between two payload channels; and

a synchronization signal transmitted at a time-domain position determined based on a preset time order relationship.
The method of claims 1, wherein the synchronization signals include at least one of:

at least one combination of at least one signal in a first state and at least one signal in a second state;

at least one sequence consisting of payload codewords; and

at least one signal corresponding to N information bits, where N is a positive integer.
The method of claims 1, wherein a combination or a sequence or an information bit included in the synchronization signals is determined based on at least one of:

information related to the UE;

information related to a channel type of a payload channel corresponding to the synchronization signals;

information related to a usage of a frame and/or a communication process corresponding to the synchronization signals; and

information related to a channel type of at least one payload channel included in the frame and/or the communication process corresponding to the synchronization signals.
The method of claims 1, wherein the synchronization signals are transmitted with repetition.
The method of claims 1, wherein transmitting of the synchronization signals with repetition includes at least one of:

there being no payload channel or fourth synchronization signal corresponding to the synchronization signals between the synchronization signals; and

there being the payload channel and/or the fourth synchronization signal corresponding to the synchronization signals between the synchronization signals,

wherein the fourth synchronization signal is a synchronization signal different from the synchronization signals.
The method of claim 4, wherein when the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel, there is a first indicator before the third synchronization signal and/or a second indicator after the third synchronization signal.
The method of claim 4, wherein the synchronization signal transmitted at the time-domain position determined based on the preset time order relationship includes at least one of:

a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point;

a synchronization signal transmitted in a time window with a length of T from a reference time point, wherein the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal does not exist in the time window;

a synchronization signal transmitted after a time window with a length of T or at least T, or a synchronization signal transmitted after every time window with the length of T or at least T.
The method of claim 4,

wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal transmitted in a middle of a payload channel, and a duration of the payload channel exceeds T, and

wherein the reference time point includes at least one of:

a start position of the frame or the communication process;

a start position and/or an end position of at least one first synchronization signal;

a start position and/or an end position of at least one second synchronization signal;

a start position and/or an end position of another or last or previous third synchronization signal; and

a start position and/or an end position of at least one downlink signal and/or channel.
The method of claim 1,

wherein when the first node transmits and/or receives a signal or channel, a length of information bits corresponding to the signal or channel does not exceed N, where N is an integer greater than 0, and

wherein the N is determined based on a capability of the first node.
A method performed by a first node in a wireless communication system comprising:

transmitting synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and

receiving and/or transmitting a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals,

wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and

wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.
A first node in a wireless communication system, comprising:

a transceiver; and

at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:

receive synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and

receive and/or transmit a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals,

wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and

wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.
A first node in a wireless communication system, comprising:

a transceiver; and

at least one processor coupled with the transceiver and configured to:

transmit synchronization signals including a third synchronization signal, wherein the third synchronization signal is a synchronization signal having a time-domain position different from those of a first synchronization signal and a second synchronization signal; and

receive and/or transmit a signal and/or a channel based on the synchronization signals,

wherein the first synchronization signal includes a first synchronization signal in a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal, and the second synchronization signal includes a synchronization signal having a time-domain position related to at least one payload channel that is located in the frame or the communication process, and

wherein a frame or a communication process corresponding to the third synchronization signal is the same as a frame or a communication process corresponding to the first synchronization signal and/or the second synchronization signal.