Patent Description:
In Long Term Evolution (LTE) and New Radio (NR) that is established as a succeeding standard of LTE, frequency hopping is used in order to achieve frequency diversity. For example, as frequency hopping of an uplink, Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) frequency hopping is performed. The PUSCH frequency hopping is inter-slot frequency hopping within a subframe (Intra-subframe). For example, frequency resources used by a User Equipment (UE) in the second slot within a subframe are different from frequency resources used by the UE in the first slot within the subframe.

NR defines a Configured Grant (CG) for periodically (periodicity) allocating at least a part of radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus (for example, see NPL <NUM>).

PTL <NUM>: <CIT> discusses an information transmission method, a base station, user equipment, and a system, which relate to the field of information transmission. The method includes: determining a characteristic parameter of user equipment; determining, according to a correspondence between a characteristic parameter and a resource configuration, a resource configuration corresponding to the characteristic parameter of the user equipment, and using the resource configuration corresponding to the characteristic parameter of the user equipment as a first resource configuration, where the first resource configuration includes one or more types of the following sub-configurations: a spreading resource configuration, a random access preamble format configuration, a narrowband resource configuration, and a frequency hopping pattern configuration; and determining a resource according to the first resource configuration, and performing information transmission with the user equipment by using the resource. A first resource configuration corresponding to a characteristic parameter of user equipment is determined according to a correspondence between a characteristic parameter and a resource configuration, and information transmission is performed by using a resource determined by using the first resource configuration.

However, unlike LTE, in New Radio (NR), it may be assumed that time lengths of radio resources such as slots are different between terminal apparatuses (for example, UEs). In this manner, in an environment in which terminal apparatuses possibly assumed to have different time lengths of radio resources as described above coexist, complicated operation may be required in order to have frequency hopping patterns for each of the terminal apparatuses cooperate with each other.

Specifically, the radio resources and the frequency hopping pattern allocated to a first terminal apparatus by a first base station may be the same as the radio resources and the frequency hopping pattern allocated to a second terminal apparatus by a second base station. In such a case, even when frequency hopping is performed, interference from the second terminal apparatus in the first base station may continuously occur for the entire period of the allocated radio resources.

For example, when the Configured Grant (CG) disclosed in NPL <NUM> is applied to each of the first and second terminal apparatuses and radio resources are allocated thereto for a long period, and the frequency hopping patterns of both of the terminal apparatuses are the same, both of the terminal apparatuses interfere with each other for a long period, causing significant deterioration in their characteristics (for example, throughput, success probability of data transmission, and the like).

The present invention provides a first base station, an associated method, and an associated program as defined in the appended independent claims. Optional features are defined in the appended dependent claims.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a first base station includes: a first communication processing unit configured to communicate with a first terminal apparatus; and a second communication processing unit configured to receive, from a second base station communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus, wherein the first communication processing unit is configured to determine a frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicate with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a method used in a first base station includes: communicating with a first terminal apparatus; and receiving, from a second base station communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus, wherein the communicating with the first terminal apparatus includes determining a frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicating with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program is a program that causes a processor in a first base station to execute: communicating with a first terminal apparatus; and receiving, from a second base station communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus, wherein the communicating with the first terminal apparatus includes determining a frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicating with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a recording medium is a non-transitory computer readable recording medium storing a program that causes a processor in a first base station to execute: communicating with a first terminal apparatus; and receiving, from a second base station communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus, wherein the communicating with the first terminal apparatus includes determining a frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicating with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern. Advantageous Effects of Invention.

According to the present invention, communication of a radio access network can be improved in an environment in which it may be assumed that time lengths of radio resources are different between terminal apparatuses. Note that, according to the present invention, instead of or together with the above effects, other effects may be exerted.

Descriptions will be given in the following order.

First, an overview of examples will be described.

NR defines a Configured Grant (CG) for periodically (periodicity) allocating at least a part of radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus. Specifically, NR defines a CG of type <NUM> and a CG of type <NUM>. With the CG of type <NUM>, the base station uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) to directly indicate a period of allocating uplink radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus. With the CG of type <NUM>, the base station uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) to define a period of allocating uplink radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus, whereas the base station uses an address-designated Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) for the terminal apparatus to activate or deactivate permission (Grant) of resource allocation.

However, unlike LTE, in New Radio (NR), it may be assumed that time lengths of radio resources such as slots are different between terminal apparatuses (for example, UEs).

For example, in LTE, one subframe is <NUM>, and in principle corresponds to a Transmission Time Interval (TTI) as well. In LTE, one slot is <NUM> (in other words, two slots correspond to one subframe. ) The number of Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbols in one subframe is <NUM> in a case of a Normal Cyclic Prefix (CP). Further, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) is fixed to <NUM>.

In NR, one subframe is <NUM>, and the number of OFDM symbols in one slot is <NUM>. In NR, a subcarrier spacing (SCS) is <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>. In this manner, the subcarrier spacing (SCS) varies, and thus the time length of one slot varies according to the subcarrier spacing (SCS). In addition, (one or more than one) possible value of the subcarrier spacing (SCS) is determined for each Frequency band. Thus, the time length of one slot may vary for each Frequency band as well.

Therefore, in NR, terminal apparatuses possibly assumed to have different time lengths of radio resources, such as the time lengths of slot as described above, may coexist, and thus complicated operation may be required in order to have frequency hopping patterns for each of the terminal apparatuses cooperate with each other.

Specifically, the radio resources and the frequency hopping pattern allocated to the first terminal apparatus by the first base station may be the same as the radio resources and the frequency hopping pattern allocated to the second terminal apparatus by the second base station. In such a case, even when frequency hopping is performed, interference from the second terminal apparatus in the first base station may continuously occur for the entire period of the allocated radio resources.

One example object of the present example embodiment is to enable improvement of communication of a radio access network in an environment in which it may be assumed that time lengths of radio resources are different between terminal apparatuses.

According to the present example, for example, a first base station receives, from a second base station communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus. Then, the first base station determines a frequency hopping pattern for a first terminal apparatus with which the first base station communicates, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

With this configuration, for example, communication in a radio access network can be improved.

With reference to <FIG>, a first example embodiment will be described.

With reference to <FIG>, an example of a configuration of a system <NUM> according to the first example will be described.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the system <NUM> according to the first example. With reference to <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a base station <NUM>, a base station <NUM>, a base station <NUM>, and a terminal apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates three terminal apparatuses <NUM> (i.e., a terminal apparatus 400A, a terminal apparatus 400B, and a terminal apparatus 400C). However, the system <NUM> may include four or more terminal apparatuses <NUM>, or may include only one or two terminal apparatuses <NUM>.

The system <NUM> is, for example, a system conforming to standards/specifications of Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). More specifically, for example, the system <NUM> may be a system conforming to standards/specifications of LTE/LTE-Advanced. Alternatively, the system <NUM> may be a system conforming to standards/specifications of the fifth generation (<NUM>)/New Radio (NR). The system <NUM> is, of course, not limited to these examples.

The base station <NUM> is a node of a radio access network (RAN), and performs radio communication with a terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus <NUM>) located in a coverage area. The RAN may be an E-UTRAN of LTE, or may be a Next Generation RAN (NG-RAN) of 5GNR.

For example, the base station <NUM> may be an evolved Node B (eNB) or a gNB in <NUM> NR. The base station <NUM> may include a plurality of units (or a plurality of nodes). The plurality of units (or the plurality of nodes) may include a first unit (or a first node) configured to perform higher protocol layer processing and a second unit (or a second node) configured to perform lower protocol layer processing. As an example, the first unit may be referred to as a center/central unit (CU), and the second unit may be referred to as a distributed unit (DU) or an access unit (AU). As another example, the first unit may be referred to as a digital unit (DU), and the second unit may be referred to as a radio unit (RU) or a remote unit (RU). The digital unit (DU) may be a base band unit (BBU), and the RU may be a remote radio head (RRH) or a remote radio unit (RRU). The terms for the first unit (or the first node) and the second unit (or the second node) are, of course, not limited to these examples. Alternatively, the base station <NUM> may be a single unit (or a single node). In this case, the base station <NUM> may be one of the plurality of units (e.g., either one of the first unit and the second unit) or may be connected to another unit of the plurality of units (e.g., the other one of the first unit and the second unit). Note that, instead of EPC of LTE, the eNB of LTE (E-UTRA) connected to a <NUM> core network (5GC) is also referred to as a ng-eNB, and this is included in the NG-RAN.

Description of the base station <NUM> and the base station <NUM> is also similar to description of the base station <NUM>. Thus, overlapping description will be omitted herein.

Note that each of the base station <NUM> and the base station <NUM> may be a base station of a type the same as that of the base station <NUM>, or may be a base station of a type different from that of the base station <NUM>. For example, the base station <NUM> may be an eNB and the base station <NUM> (or the base station <NUM>) may also be an eNB, or the base station <NUM> may be a gNB and the base station <NUM> (or the base station <NUM>) may also be a gNB. Alternatively, the base station <NUM> may be one of an eNB and a gNB, and the base station <NUM> (or the base station <NUM>) may be the other of the eNB and the gNB. Note that, as a matter of course, the base station <NUM> may be a base station of a type the same as that of the base station <NUM>, or may be a base station of a type different from that of the base station <NUM>.

Each of the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM>, and the base station <NUM> may be the second unit and may be connected to the same first unit.

The terminal apparatus <NUM> (wirelessly) communicates with a base station. For example, when the terminal apparatus <NUM> is located within a coverage area of a base station, the terminal apparatus <NUM> communicates with the base station.

For example, as illustrated in <FIG>, the terminal apparatus 400A is connected to the base station <NUM> and communicates with the base station <NUM>, the terminal apparatus 400B is connected to the base station <NUM> and communicates with the base station <NUM>, and the terminal apparatus 400C is connected to the base station <NUM> and communicates with the base station <NUM>.

For example, each terminal apparatus <NUM> is a UE.

For example, the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM>, and the base station <NUM> may allocate the same radio resources (the same time frequency resources) to each of the terminal apparatus 400A, the terminal apparatus 400B, and the terminal apparatus 400C. In this case, interference may occur.

Specifically, the terminal apparatus 400A transmits a signal <NUM> to the base station <NUM>, the terminal apparatus 400B transmits a signal <NUM> to the base station <NUM>, and the terminal apparatus 400C transmits a signal <NUM> to the base station <NUM>. These signal <NUM>, signal <NUM>, and signal <NUM> are desired signals in the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM>, and the base station <NUM>, respectively.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram for illustrating an example of uplink radio resources (PUSCH resources) being allocated to the terminal apparatuses by the base stations. With reference to <FIG>, time frequency resources in subframes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are illustrated. The subframe <NUM> includes one slot. The subframe <NUM> includes a first slot <NUM> and a second slot <NUM>. The subframe <NUM> includes a first slot <NUM>, a second slot <NUM>, a third slot <NUM>, and a fourth slot <NUM>. In addition, in the frequency direction, there are subbands <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the reason why a different slot length is configured for each of the base stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is that the base stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> configure subcarrier spacings (SCS) different from each other. Thus, the terminal apparatuses 400A, 400B, and 400C having slot lengths different from each other coexist. Note that each of the base stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may configure the subcarrier spacing SCS for each cell.

Based on the assumption given above, for example, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM>, and the base station <NUM> allocate a radio resource <NUM> to the terminal apparatus 400A, the terminal apparatus 400B, and the terminal apparatus 400C, respectively. The radio resource <NUM> is located for over a part of the subband <NUM> in the frequency direction and over the subband <NUM> in the time direction.

In such an environment in which the terminal apparatuses 400A, 400B, and 400C having slot lengths different from each other coexist as described above, complicated operation may be required in order to have the hopping patterns of the terminal apparatuses 400A, 400B, and 400C cooperate with each other.

With reference to <FIG>, the terminal apparatus 400B is located near a boundary between the coverage of the base station <NUM> and the coverage of the base station <NUM>, and thus the signal <NUM> from the terminal apparatus 400B (the same signal as the signal <NUM>) reaches the base station <NUM>. The signal <NUM> may be an interference signal in the base station <NUM>. For example, with reference to <FIG>, the terminal apparatus 400C is located near a boundary between the coverage of the base station <NUM> and the coverage of the base station <NUM>, and thus the signal <NUM> from the terminal apparatus 400C (the same signal as the signal <NUM>) reaches the base station <NUM>. The signal <NUM> may be an interference signal in the base station <NUM>.

In particular, when the Configured Grant (CG) is applied to the terminal apparatus 400A, the terminal apparatus 400B, and the terminal apparatus 400C, the interference may continuously occur for a long period. Specifically, NR defines a CG of type <NUM> and a CG of type <NUM>. With the CG of type <NUM>, the base station uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) to directly indicate a period of allocating uplink radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus. With the CG of type <NUM>, the base station uses Radio Resource Control (RRC) to define a period of allocating uplink radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus, whereas the base station uses an address-designated Physical Downlink Control CHannel (PDCCH) for the terminal apparatus to activate or deactivate permission (Grant) of resource allocation.

In addition, in the first example, for example, the terminal apparatus 400A, the terminal apparatus 400B, and the terminal apparatus 400C use frequency hopping. When the pattern of frequency hopping of the terminal apparatus 400A is the same as the patterns of frequency hopping of the terminal apparatus 400B and the terminal apparatus 400C, interference in the base station <NUM> is not reduced. On the other hand, when the pattern of frequency hopping of the terminal apparatus 400A is different from the patterns of frequency hopping of the terminal apparatus 400B and the terminal apparatus 400C, interference in the base station <NUM> may be reduced.

With reference to <FIG>, a configuration of each node according to the first example will be described.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the base station <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. With reference to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> includes a network communication unit <NUM>, a radio communication unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, and a processing unit <NUM>.

The network communication unit <NUM> receives a signal from a network, and transmits a signal to a network.

The radio communication unit <NUM> wirelessly transmits and receives a signal. For example, the radio communication unit <NUM> receives a signal from the terminal apparatus, and transmits a signal to the terminal apparatus.

The storage unit <NUM> temporarily or permanently stores programs (instructions) and parameters for operations of the base station <NUM> as well as various data. The program includes one or more instructions for operations of the base station <NUM>.

The processing unit <NUM> provides various functions of the base station <NUM>. The processing unit <NUM> includes a first communication processing unit <NUM>, a second communication processing unit <NUM>, and an information obtaining unit <NUM>. Note that the processing unit <NUM> may further include another constituent element different from these constituent elements. In other words, the processing unit <NUM> may also perform operations other than the operations of these constituent elements. Specific operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM>, the second communication processing unit <NUM>, and the information obtaining unit <NUM> will be described later in detail.

For example, the processing unit <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with another network node (for example, the base station <NUM> or the base station <NUM>) via the network communication unit <NUM>. For example, the processing unit <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with the terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) via the radio communication unit <NUM>.

The network communication unit <NUM> may be implemented with a network adapter and/or a network interface card, and the like. The radio communication unit <NUM> may be implemented with an antenna, a radio frequency (RF) circuit, and the like, and the antenna may be a directional antenna. The storage unit <NUM> may be implemented with a memory (e.g., a nonvolatile memory and/or a volatile memory) and/or a hard disk, and the like. The processing unit <NUM> may be implemented with one or more processors, such as a baseband (BB) processor and/or a different kind of processor. The first communication processing unit <NUM>, the second communication processing unit <NUM>, and the information obtaining unit <NUM> may be implemented with the same processor or may be implemented with separate processors. The memory (storage unit <NUM>) may be included in the one or more processors or may be provided outside the one or more processors.

The base station <NUM> may include a memory configured to store a program (instructions) and one or more processors that can execute the program (instructions). The one or more processors may execute the program and thereby perform operations of the processing unit <NUM> (operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM>, the second communication processing unit <NUM>, and/or the information obtaining unit <NUM>). The program may be a program for causing the processor(s) to execute the operations of the processing unit <NUM> (operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM>, the second communication processing unit <NUM>, and/or the information obtaining unit <NUM>).

Note that the base station <NUM> may be virtual. In other words, the base station <NUM> may be implemented as a virtual machine. In this case, the base station <NUM> (the virtual machine) may operate as a physical machine (hardware) including a processor, a memory, and the like, and a virtual machine on a hypervisor.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the base station <NUM> according to the first example.

With reference to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> includes a network communication unit <NUM>, a radio communication unit <NUM>, a storage unit <NUM>, and a processing unit <NUM>.

For example, the processing unit <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with another network node (for example, the base station <NUM> or the base station <NUM>) via the network communication unit <NUM>. For example, the processing unit <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with the terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B) via the radio communication unit <NUM>.

For example, the processing unit <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with another network node (for example, the base station <NUM> or the base station <NUM>) via the network communication unit <NUM>. For example, the processing unit <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with the terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400C) via the radio communication unit <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, technical features of the first example will be described.

According to the first example embodiment, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with a first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A). The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) receives, from a second base station (for example, the base station <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating with a second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C), radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

Specifically, the second base station (for example, the base station <NUM>, <NUM>) accommodates a plurality of cells, for example, and configures the radio resources for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) existing in each of the cells. Then, the second base station (for example, the base station <NUM>, <NUM>) individually configures the hopping pattern for each second terminal apparatuses (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C).

For example, the first terminal apparatus is a terminal apparatus to which the Configured Grant (CG) for periodically (periodicity) allocating at least a part of radio resources for a specific terminal apparatus is applied. Similarly, the second terminal apparatus and the third terminal apparatus are each a terminal apparatus to which the CG is applied.

For example, the frequency hopping is frequency hopping of the uplink. Specifically, the frequency hopping is frequency hopping of the PUSCH. For example, the frequency hopping is inter-slot frequency hopping within a subframe.

For example, the hopping pattern control information is information for specifying one out of a list of a plurality of frequency hopping patterns as the pattern of the frequency hopping for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C). In this case, the hopping pattern control information may be information corresponding to a frequency offset of second hopping of the pattern of the frequency hopping.

Specifically, for example, the information related to the list of the plurality of hopping patterns may be, for example, information that is notified to the first terminal apparatus using an RRC message. In this case, the hopping pattern control information may be, for example, included in a Frequency domain resource assignment field in Downlink Control Information.

When frequency hopping is not performed for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C), the hopping pattern control information may indicate "without frequency hopping" as the pattern of the frequency hopping for the second terminal apparatus.

Note that the hopping pattern information may be information indicating the pattern of the frequency hopping for the second terminal apparatus.

The radio resource time length information is information for specifying the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) from a plurality of candidate time lengths.

Specifically, the radio resource time length information is information for specifying the time length of a slot for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C). Take the example illustrated in <FIG>. When the second terminal apparatus is the terminal apparatus 400B, the radio resource time length information is information for specifying that the time length of a slot is a time length corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> of the subframe <NUM>. When the second terminal apparatus is the terminal apparatus 400B, the radio resource time length information is information for specifying that the time length of a slot is a time length corresponding to <NUM>/<NUM> of the subframe <NUM>.

For example, when the time length of the slot is associated with the subcarrier spacing (SCS), the radio resource time length information may be information corresponding to a configuration of the subcarrier spacing (subcarrier spacing configuration). In other words, by referring to information corresponding to the configuration of the subcarrier spacing (subcarrier spacing configuration), the time length of the slot can be specified.

In addition, when the second base station individually configures the subcarrier spacing (SCS) for each of a plurality of cells, the radio resource time length information may be information corresponding to a configuration of the subcarrier spacing (subcarrier spacing configuration) within the cell. In addition, the radio resource time length information may be one set including a combination of pieces of information corresponding to configurations of the subcarrier spacings (subcarrier spacing configurations) of each cell.

The radio resource time length information is not limited to the examples described above, and may be, for example, information for specifying the time length of a subframe for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C).

The base station <NUM> (information obtaining unit <NUM>) obtains information indicating the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A). Take the example illustrated in <FIG>. The information indicating the time length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A is information indicating that it is the time length corresponding to the subframe <NUM>.

According to the present invention, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), based on whether or not the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) is equal to the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) specified by the radio resource time length information.

Specifically, when the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) is equal to the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) specified by the radio resource time length information, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) may determine, as the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) specified by the hopping pattern information.

In contrast, when the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) is different from the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) based on the radio resource time length information, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) may determine the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) according to one of the following two determination methods, for example.

For example, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) may determine the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), based on the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A). In other words, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) may determine the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), based on the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), without taking the frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) into consideration.

For example, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) may change the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) so as to be equal to the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C), and determine, as the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A), a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C), based on the hopping pattern information.

The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) may transmit information for specifying the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) to the second base station (base station <NUM>, <NUM>). Specifically, the base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) may transmit the information for specifying the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A) to the second base station (terminal apparatus 400B, 400C) after determining the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A).

Note that not only the base station <NUM> but also the base station <NUM> and the base station <NUM> may determine the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on information received from another base station, and communicate with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

For example, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with a first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400B). The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) receives, from a second base station (base station <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating with a second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A, 400C), radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with a first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400C). The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) receives, from a second base station (base station <NUM>, <NUM>) communicating with a second terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus 400A, 400B), radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

Owing to such transmission of the information between the base stations as described above, for example, the frequency hopping patterns to be used (for the terminal apparatus to which the Configured Grant (CG) is applied) can be arranged to be different between the base stations. As a result, interference is reduced in a radio access network, and in particular, communication in the uplink can be improved.

<FIG> is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of a schematic flow of processing according to a first specific example.

First, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits slot time length (slot length) information of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A and frequency hopping pattern information for the terminal apparatus 400A to the base station <NUM> (Step S601). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits slot time length (slot length) information of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A and frequency hopping pattern information for the terminal apparatus 400A to the base station <NUM> (Step S602).

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400B is equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A, based on the information received from the base station <NUM> (Step S603). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400C is equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A, based on the information received from the base station <NUM> (Step S604).

When it is determined that the slot lengths are the same in Step S603 (S603: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the frequency hopping pattern selected for the terminal apparatus 400B is the same as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S605). Similarly, when it is determined that the slot lengths are the same in Step S604 (S604: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the frequency hopping pattern selected for the terminal apparatus 400C is the same as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S606).

When it is determined that the frequency hopping patterns are the same in Step S605 (S605: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines, as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400B, a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S607). Similarly, when it is determined that the frequency hopping patterns are the same in Step S606 (S606: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines, as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400C, a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S608).

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) performs scheduling for the terminal apparatus 400B, based on the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S607 (Step S609). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) performs scheduling for the terminal apparatus 400C, based on the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S608 (Step S610).

The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits information related to the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S607 to the base station <NUM> (Step S611). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits information related to the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S608 to the base station <NUM> (Step S612).

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) changes or determines, as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A, a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400B, 400C, for example, based on the information transmitted from the base station <NUM>, <NUM> (Step S613).

<FIG> is a sequence diagram for illustrating an example of a schematic flow of processing according to a second specific example.

First, in the example illustrated in <FIG>, the base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits slot time length (slot length) information of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A and frequency hopping pattern information for the terminal apparatus 400A to the base station <NUM> (Step S701). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) transmits slot time length (slot length) information of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A and frequency hopping pattern information for the terminal apparatus 400A to the base station <NUM> (Step S702).

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400B is equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A, based on the information received from the base station <NUM> (Step S703). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400C is equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A, based on the information received from the base station <NUM> (Step S704).

When it is determined that the slot lengths are different in Step S703 (S703: No), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the radio resource scheduled for the terminal apparatus 400B by the base station <NUM> is the same as the radio resource scheduled for the terminal apparatus 400A by the base station <NUM> (Step S705). Similarly, when it is determined that the slot lengths are different in Step S704 (S704: No), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines whether or not the radio resource scheduled for the terminal apparatus 400C by the base station <NUM> is the same as the radio resource scheduled for the terminal apparatus 400A by the base station <NUM> (Step S706).

When it is determined that the radio resources are the same in Step S705 (S705: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) adjusts the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400B so as to be equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines, as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400B, a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S707). Similarly, when it is determined that the radio resources are the same in Step S706 (S706: Yes), the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) adjusts the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400C so as to be equal to the slot length of the radio resource for the terminal apparatus 400A. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines, as the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400C, a frequency hopping pattern different from the frequency hopping pattern for the terminal apparatus 400A (Step S708).

The base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) performs scheduling for the terminal apparatus 400B, based on the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S707 (Step S709). Similarly, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) performs scheduling for the terminal apparatus 400C, based on the frequency hopping pattern determined in Step S708 (Step S710).

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating a specific example of a case in which the frequency hopping pattern is determined by making an adjustment to be the equal slot length when the slot lengths are different.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, for example, the slot length of a slot <NUM> is <NUM>, the slot length of each of slots <NUM> and <NUM> is <NUM>, and the slot length of each of slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> is <NUM>. Here, for example, a focus is put on a case of making an adjustment to be the equal slot length of <NUM>. In this case, the slot <NUM> is divided into two slots. Regarding the slots <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, two adjacent slots are combined. In this manner, the slot length can be uniformly arranged to be <NUM> when frequency hopping is performed. Further, the hopping pattern can be determined so that the radio resources do not collide with each other between the terminal apparatuses. In particular, frequency and time resources used for the terminal apparatus to which the Configured Grant (CG) is applied can be arranged to be different between the base stations. As a result, interference can be reduced in a radio access network, and communication can be improved.

For example, the system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG> may include four or more terminal apparatuses <NUM>, or may include only one or two terminal apparatuses <NUM>.

Information transmitted and received between the base stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> may be an X2 message, or may be an Xn message.

Scheduling information from the base stations <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> to the terminal apparatus <NUM> may be a Radio Resource Control (RRC) message.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating an example alteration according to the first example embodiment. With reference to <FIG>, the slot lengths are the same between a set of slots <NUM> to <NUM> and another set of <NUM> to <NUM>; however, the time lengths (TTI lengths) of the Transmission Time Interval (TTI) scheduled for the terminal apparatus are different.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, transmission information from the base station <NUM> to the base station <NUM> and transmission information from the base station <NUM> to the base station <NUM> may be scheduled TTI length information. In other words, when frequency hopping is performed, the TTI lengths may be adjusted so that different TTI lengths are uniformly arranged to be the equal TTI length, and the hopping pattern may be determined so that the radio resources do not collide with each other between the terminal apparatuses.

<FIG> is a diagram for illustrating another example alteration according to the first example. With reference to <FIG>, the slot lengths are different between a set of slots <NUM> to <NUM> and another set of <NUM> and <NUM>, and the time lengths (TTI lengths) of the Transmission Time Interval (TTI) scheduled for the terminal apparatus are different.

In the example illustrated in <FIG>, transmission information from the base station <NUM> to the base station <NUM> and transmission information from the base station <NUM> to the base station <NUM> may be a slot length and scheduled TTI length information. In other words, when frequency hopping is performed, the TTI lengths may be adjusted so that different slot lengths are uniformly arranged to be the equal slot length and that different TTI lengths are uniformly arranged to be the equal TTI length, and the hopping pattern may be determined so that the radio resources do not collide with each other between the terminal apparatuses.

When the first base station is a Center/Central Unit (CU) of a Centralized Radio Access Network (C-RAN), the first base station may notify a Distributed Unit (DU) under the first base station of the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information received from the second base station. When the second base station is a center/central unit of a C-RAN, the second base station may transmit, to the first base station, the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information generated by a distributed unit under the second base station.

With reference to <FIG>, a second example embodiment will be described. The above-described first example embodiment is a concrete example embodiment, whereas the second example embodiment is a more generalized example embodiment.

With reference to <FIG>, an example of a configuration of a system <NUM> according to the second example embodiment will be described.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the system <NUM> according to the second example embodiment. With reference to <FIG>, the system <NUM> includes a base station <NUM>, a base station <NUM>, and a terminal apparatus <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates only one terminal apparatus <NUM>. However, the system <NUM> may include two or more terminal apparatuses <NUM>.

For example, description of the base station <NUM> is the same as the description of the base station <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. For example, description of the base station <NUM> is the same as the description of the base station <NUM> or the base station <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. For example, description of the terminal apparatus <NUM> is the same as the description of the terminal apparatus <NUM> according to the first example embodiment. Thus, overlapping description will be omitted herein.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of the base station <NUM> according to the second example embodiment. With reference to <FIG>, the base station <NUM> includes a first communication processing unit <NUM> and a second communication processing unit <NUM>. Specific operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM> and the second communication processing unit <NUM> will be described later.

The first communication processing unit <NUM> and the second communication processing unit <NUM> may be implemented with one or more processors, such as a baseband (BB) processor and/or a different kind of processor, a memory (e.g., a nonvolatile memory and/or a volatile memory), and/or a hard disk. The first communication processing unit <NUM> and the second communication processing unit <NUM> may be implemented with the same processor or may be implemented with separate processors. The memory may be included in the one or more processors or may be provided outside the one or more processors.

The base station <NUM> may include a memory configured to store a program (instructions) and one or more processors that can execute the program (instructions). The one or more processors may execute the program and thereby perform operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM> and the second communication processing unit <NUM>. The program may be a program for causing the processor(s) to execute the operations of the first communication processing unit <NUM> and the second communication processing unit <NUM>.

Technical features according to the second example embodiment will be described.

According to the second example embodiment, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) communicates with a first terminal apparatus (for example, the terminal apparatus <NUM>). The base station <NUM> (second communication processing unit <NUM>) receives, from a second base station (base station <NUM>) communicating with a second terminal apparatus, radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus, and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus. Then, the base station <NUM> (first communication processing unit <NUM>) determines the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus, based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicates with the first terminal apparatus in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern.

As an example, the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM>, and the terminal apparatus <NUM> of the second example embodiment are the base station <NUM>, the base station <NUM> (or the base station <NUM>), and the terminal apparatus <NUM> (the terminal apparatus 400A or the terminal apparatus 400B) of the first example embodiment, respectively. In this case, the descriptions of the first example embodiment may be applicable to the second example embodiment as well.

Note that the second example embodiment is not limited to this example.

The second example embodiment has been described above. According to the second example embodiment, communication in a radio access network may be improved.

Descriptions have been given above of the example embodiments of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to these example embodiments. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that these example embodiments are merely examples and that various alterations are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the steps in the processing described in the Specification may not necessarily be executed in time series in the order described in the corresponding sequence diagram. For example, the steps in the processing may be executed in an order different from that described in the corresponding sequence diagram or may be executed in parallel. Some of the steps in the processing may be deleted, or more steps may be added to the processing.

An apparatus including constituent elements (e.g., the various communication processing units and/or the information obtaining unit) of the base station described in the Specification (e.g., one or more apparatuses (or units) among a plurality of apparatuses (or units) constituting the base station or a module for one of the plurality of apparatuses (or units)) may be provided. Moreover, methods including processing of the constituent elements may be provided, and programs for causing a processor to execute processing of the constituent elements may be provided. Moreover, non-transitory computer readable recording media (non-transitory computer readable media) having recorded thereon the programs may be provided. It is apparent that such apparatuses, modules, methods, programs, and non-transitory computer readable recording media are also included in the present invention.

Claim 1:
A first base station (<NUM>) comprising:
a first communication processing means (<NUM>) for communicating with a first terminal apparatus (400B);
a second communication processing means (<NUM>) for receiving, from a second base station (<NUM>) communicating with a second terminal apparatus (400A), radio resource time length information for specifying a time length of a radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (400A), and hopping pattern information for specifying a frequency hopping pattern for the second terminal apparatus (400A); and
an information obtaining means (<NUM>) for obtaining information indicating a time length of a radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (400B), wherein
the first communication processing means (<NUM>) are configured to determine a frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (400B), based on the radio resource time length information and the hopping pattern information, and communicate with the first terminal apparatus (400B) in accordance with the determined frequency hopping pattern, and
the first communication processing means (<NUM>) are configured to determine the frequency hopping pattern for the first terminal apparatus (400B), based on whether or not the time length of the radio resource for the first terminal apparatus (400B) is equal to the time length of the radio resource for the second terminal apparatus (400A) specified by the radio resource time length information.