The processing unit 1110 is configured for performing channel detection for a carrier in an unlicensed frequency band.
The communication unit 1120 is configured for sending a preamble signal on the carrier from a first time-point, in response to the channel detection succeeding, the preamble signal being configured for indicating that the carrier has an ability to transmit a downlink signal.
Alternatively, the first time-point is determined according to a format of a preamble signal symbol and/or a time-point at which the channel detection succeeds.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a candidate time-point in a preamble signal symbol.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a starting point of a preamble signal symbol.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a starting point of the first preamble signal symbol which is located behind a time-point at which the channel detection succeeds.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a starting point of a cyclic prefix (CP) or an information segment in a preamble signal symbol.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a starting point of the first CP or the first information segment which is located behind a time-point at which the channel detection succeeds.
Alternatively, a preamble signal symbol includes a first CP and an information segment.
Alternatively, the first time-point includes a starting point of the first CP in the preamble signal symbol.
Alternatively, a preamble signal symbol includes a second CP and M information segments, wherein M is a positive integer greater than or equal to 2.