Improve the reliability of Mobile Termination (MT) Early Data Transmission (EDT)

Abstract

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products for improving the reliability of mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT). The method may include receiving a message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). The method may include transmitting an indication of the primary TRP's capabilities, the indication being for indicating the capability of receiving a message 4 of a multi-TRP transmission of a random access procedure. The indication is a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Some example embodiments may generally relate to mobile or wireless telecommunications systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) or Fifth Generation (5G) radio access technology or New Radio (NR) access technology, or may relate to other communication systems. For example, certain embodiments may relate to systems and / or methods for improving the reliability of mobile terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT). Background Art

[0002] Examples of mobile or wireless telecommunications systems may include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) Terrestrial Radio Access Network (UTRAN), Long Term Evolution (LTE) Evolved UTRAN (E-UTRAN), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), MulteFire, LTE-A Pro, and / or Fifth Generation (5G) radio access technology or New Radio (NR) access technology. 5G wireless systems refer to the Next Generation (NG) radio systems and network architectures. 5G is mainly built on New Radio (NR), but 5G (or NG) networks can also be built on E-UTRA radio. It is estimated that NR can provide bitrates on the order of 10 - 20 Gbit / s or higher, and can support at least enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) as well as massive machine-type communication (mMTC). NR is expected to provide ultra-wideband and ultra-robust low-latency connections and large-scale networks to support the Internet of Things (IoT). As IoT and machine-to-machine (M2M) communications become more prevalent, the need for networks capable of meeting the requirements of low power consumption, low data rate, and long battery life will continue to grow. Note that in 5G, a node that can provide radio access functionality to a user equipment (i.e., similar to Node B in UTRAN or eNB in LTE) may be named gNB when built on NR radio and named NG-eNB when built on E-UTRA radio. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first embodiment, a method may include receiving a message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). The method may include transmitting an indication of capabilities to the primary TRP, the indication being for indicating the capability of receiving a message 4 of a multi-TRP transmission of a random access procedure. The indication may be a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble. The method may include receiving a random access response (RAR) from the primary TRP in message 2 of the random access procedure based on the indication of transmission capabilities. The RAR may be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. The RAR may include at least one field for signaling a command for indicating at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure. The method may include transmitting at least one index of at least one additional beam to the primary TRP in message 3 of the random access procedure after receiving the RAR.

[0004] In one variant, the method may include, before transmitting the indication, performing at least one measurement of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB) beams from multiple TRPs, and determining a beam for each TRP among the multiple TRPs based on the at least one measurement. In one variant, the multiple TRPs may be distinguished based on at least one cell identifier of the SSB beam corresponding to the multiple TRPs, or at least one TRP identifier corresponding to different SSB beam groups. In one variant, the method may include receiving a message triggering a random access procedure, and transmitting the indication based on the SSB beam received from the primary TRP.

[0005] In one variant, the indication may be selected from multiple indices or reserved preambles, and the multiple indices or reserved preambles may be different reserved PRACH preambles. In one variant, at least one index may correspond to at least one TRP other than the primary TRP. In one variant, the method may include receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting message 3. In one variant, the PDCCH transmission may indicate whether message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs. The multiple TRPs may be determined based on at least one additional beam indicated in message 3.

[0006] In one variant, the method may include receiving a mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting message 3. In one variant, message 4 may be transmitted based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In one variant, at least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH may be quasi-collocated with at least one UE indication SSB.

[0007] According to a second embodiment, a method may include receiving, by a primary transmission reception point (TRP), an indication of capabilities for indicating a user equipment (UE)'s capabilities to receive multi-TRP transmission of a message 4 in a random access procedure. The method may include, based on the received indication of capabilities, transmitting, by the primary TRP, a random access response (RAR) in a message 2 of the random access procedure. The method may include that the RAR may be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. The RAR may include at least one field configured to signal a command indicating at least one additional beam in a message 3 of the random access procedure. The method may include receiving, by the primary TRP in a message 3, at least one index of at least one additional beam after transmitting the RAR.

[0008] In a variant, the method may include transmitting a message triggering a random access procedure and receiving the indication based on an SSB beam. In a variant, the indication may be selected from a plurality of indices or reserved preambles, and the plurality of indices or reserved preambles may be different reserved PRACH preambles. In a variant, at least one index may correspond to a single TRP or multiple TRPs.

[0009] In a variant, the method may include determining that at least one additional beam corresponds to a single TRP, determining to ignore at least one index based on the at least one additional beam corresponding to the single TRP, and scheduling: single-TRP message 4 transmission after determining to ignore at least one index, or message 4 transmission on multiple beams from a single TRP. In a variant, the method may include transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting the RAR. In a variant, the PDCCH transmission may be configured to indicate whether message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs, and the multiple TRPs may be determined based on at least one additional beam indicated in message 3.

[0010] In a variant, the method may include transmitting an MT EDT on message 4 of the random access procedure after receiving message 3. In a variant, message 4 may be transmitted with at least one TRP. In a variant, message 4 may be conveyed based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). In a variant, at least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH may be quasi-co-located with at least one UE-indicated SSB.

[0011] According to a third embodiment, a method may include receiving a message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). The message may include information identifying: a resource indication configured to indicate at least one of a size and a frequency location of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource for a message A in a random access procedure and for indicating at least one additional beam in the random access procedure, and a delay from a physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion for the indication. The method may include transmitting message A to the primary TRP after receiving the message. Message A may be transmitted using a PRACH preamble followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resource.

[0012] In a variant, the message may further include information identifying a number of additional strong beams to be indicated by a user equipment (UE). In a variant, the size and frequency location of the PUSCH resource may be fixed. In a variant, the method may include performing measurements on the strongest synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) beam and measurements on at least one additional SSB beam. In a variant, the method may include receiving a mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT) from at least the primary TRP after transmitting message A of the random access procedure. In a variant, the MT EDT may be received in message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure.

[0013] According to a fourth embodiment, a method may include transmitting a message by a primary TRP. The message may include information identifying: a resource indication configured to indicate at least one of a size and a frequency location of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource for a message A in a random access procedure and for indicating at least one additional beam in the random access procedure. The method may include receiving message A after transmitting the message. Message A may be transmitted using a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resource.

[0014] In a variant, the message may further include information identifying a number of additional strong beams to be indicated by a user equipment (UE). In a variant, the size and frequency location of the PUSCH resource may be fixed. In a variant, the method may include transmitting a mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on multiple beams or with at least one other TRP after receiving message A of the random access procedure. In a variant, the MT EDT may be transmitted in message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure.

[0015] According to the fifth embodiment, a method may include receiving a message from a primary transmission receiving point (TRP). The method may include determining, based on the message or system information, a mapping of each physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in a reserved PRACH preamble set to at least one of a plurality of SSB beams on which a user equipment (UE) is to receive a multi-TRP transmission. The method may include transmitting a PRACH preamble of a random access procedure. The PRACH preamble may be selected from the reserved PRACH preamble set based on at least one beam measurement and mapping of an SSB beam.

[0016] In a variant, the message may indicate a subset of the reserved PRACH preambles in the reserved PRACH preamble set that are mapped to a set of SSB beams associated with the TRP. In a variant, the mapping may be indicated in the system information. In a variant, the reserved PRACH preamble set may be associated with at least one SSB beam and at least one TRP.

[0017] In a variant, the method may include performing at least one measurement of an SSB beam and identifying, based on the at least one measurement, at least one of the SSB beams to indicate to the BS. In a variant, the method may include transmitting a PRACH preamble on a PRACH occasion corresponding to an SSB beam from the primary TRP within a set of SSB beams. In a variant, the method may include receiving a mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting the PRACH preamble.

[0018] According to the sixth embodiment, a method may include transmitting, by a primary transmission receiving point (TRP), a message. The method may include receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble of a random access procedure. The PRACH preamble may identify at least one selected SSB beam from SSB beams.

[0019] In one variant, the message may further include information identifying the mapping between a set of PRACH preambles and corresponding SSB beams. In one variant, the message may indicate a reserved subset of PRACH preambles in the set of PRACH preambles that are mapped to the set of SSB beams associated with the TRP. In one variant, the mapping may be indicated in the system information. In one variant, the set of reserved PRACH preambles may be associated with at least one SSB beam and at least one TRP. In one variant, the method may include receiving a PRACH preamble on a PRACH occasion corresponding to an SSB beam within the set of SSB beams. In one variant, the method may include transmitting mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting the PRACH preamble.

[0020] The seventh embodiment may relate to an apparatus that includes at least one processor and at least one memory including computer program code. The at least one memory and the computer program code may be configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform at least the method according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment or any variant discussed above.

[0021] The eighth embodiment may relate to an apparatus that may include circuitry configured to perform the method according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment or any variant discussed above.

[0022] The ninth embodiment may relate to an apparatus that may include components for performing the method according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment or any variant discussed above.

[0023] The tenth embodiment may relate to a computer-readable medium that includes program instructions stored thereon for performing at least the method according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment or any variant discussed above.

[0024] The eleventh embodiment may relate to a computer program product encoding instructions for performing at least the method according to the first embodiment, the second embodiment, the third embodiment, the fourth embodiment, the fifth embodiment, or the sixth embodiment or any variant discussed above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] To correctly understand the example embodiments, reference should be made to the drawings, in which:

[0026] Figure 1 Illustrates an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein;

[0027] Figure 2 Illustrates an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein;

[0028] Figure 3 Illustrates an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein;

[0029] Figure 4 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0030] Figure 5 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0031] Figure 6 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0032] Figure 7 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0033] Figure 8 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0034] Figure 9 Illustrates an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein;

[0035] Figure 10a Illustrates an example block diagram of a device according to one embodiment; and

[0036] Figure 10b Illustrates an example block diagram of a device according to another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] It will be readily understood that the components of certain example embodiments generally described and illustrated in the figures herein can be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Accordingly, the following detailed description of some example embodiments of a system, method, device, and computer program product for controlling the operation of a transmission reception point (TRP) and / or a user equipment (UE) is not intended to limit the scope of certain embodiments, but rather represents selected example embodiments.

[0038] The features, structures, or characteristics of the example embodiments described throughout this specification may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments. For example, the use of the phrases "certain embodiments", "some embodiments", or other similar language throughout this specification means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment. Thus, the phrases "in certain embodiments", "in some embodiments", "in other embodiments", or other similar language that appear throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same group of embodiments, and the described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more example embodiments.

[0039] In addition, if desired, the different functions or steps discussed below may be performed in a different order and / or simultaneously with each other. In addition, if desired, one or more of the described functions or steps may be optional or may be combined. Accordingly, the following description should be regarded as illustrative only of the principles and teachings of certain example embodiments and not as limiting thereof.

[0040] Early data transmission (EDT) was first introduced in LTE-M, and NarrowBand Internet of Things (NB-IoT) was first introduced in Rel-15. In Rel-15, mobile-originated (MO) EDT was specified. EDT enables data transmission between a network entity (e.g., gNB) and a UE during the random access procedure without the UE entering the connected mode. In Rel-15, UL data transmission in Message 3 (Msg3) of the random access procedure for MO EDT was specified for eMTC and NB-IoT.

[0041] Regarding NB-IoT, such technologies may target requirements that exceed what LTE-based IoT technologies can support. Use cases for such technologies include not only massive machine type communication (MTC), but also industrial applications with more stringent reliability and latency requirements. Due to new spectrum opportunities and the potential advantages of isolated deployment at such frequencies, Frequency Range 2 (FR2) (millimeter wave (mmWave)) can also be used for non-public networks, especially in industrial environments. Features such as EDT are also expected to be required, which can be used to transmit small amounts of data with low overhead and low latency.

[0042] Multi-Transmission and Reception Point (TRP) transmission can be part of the New Radio (NR) Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) enhancements. Historically, this approach has been used to increase user data rates. However, this approach has also been used to improve the reliability and latency of Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) transmissions. Future enhancements may focus on techniques in the Radio Resource Control (RRC) connected state.

[0043] One of the main challenges associated with mmWave deployments is signal blockage. Since signals at these frequencies experience high attenuation, movement of the user equipment or other objects within the line of sight of the TRP can cause a sudden drop in the signal strength at the device (e.g., UE). When the network has data for the device, it pages the device. If the amount of data is small, the data can be sent with low latency via EDT. If signal blockage occurs during data transmission, the data (in both Msg2 and Msg4) will not be received.

[0044] Therefore, signal blockage affects the reliability and latency of data sent over MT EDT. For example, when the UE does not receive a random access response (RAR) (e.g., Msg2) within the RAR window, the UE will re-initiate the random access procedure. As a result, latency is introduced in delivering the data. If the data is carried in Msg4 and Msg4 is blocked, the UE will not be able to transmit an acknowledgement. This will prompt the network entity to attempt to re-transmit Msg4 and introduce latency in data delivery.

[0045] It should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that a contention-based random access procedure generally includes four steps, for example, as described in Section 10.1.5.1 of 3GPP TS 36.300 and shown in Figure 101.5.1-1. The messages transmitted in these four steps can be referred to as Message 1 (or Msg1), Message 2 (or Msg2), Message 3 (or Msg3), and Message 4 (Msg4), respectively. Msg1 can include a preamble and Msg2 transmitted in the physical random access channel (PRACH). The response to Msg1 can be transmitted as a random access response (RAR) in Msg2. Msg3 and Msg4, which can be transmitted in subsequent steps, can resolve any contention for access to the PRACH among multiple UEs that may occur in the first step. More details regarding the random access procedure and the different messages can be found in 3GPP TS 36.300 and 3GPP TS 36.321.

[0046] Some embodiments described herein can provide improved reliability for mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT). For example, some embodiments described herein can provide signaling support to enable EDT on multiple beams from different TRPs or the same TRP. When the UE is paged, it follows a modified EDT procedure as described herein. Some embodiments described herein can provide the network with information about additional beams that the UE has measured. The network can then choose to use this information to perform EDT. In this way, some embodiments described herein can improve the reliability and latency of MT EDT, thus improving the UE (e.g., similar to Figure 10bThe communication between the device 20) in and at least one TRP (e.g., similar to Figure 10a the device 10) in. Thus, certain example embodiments provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages over prior art processes.

[0047] Figure 1 FIG. shows an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 1 FIG. shows an operation of using an indication of additional beam information in Msg3 for multi-TRP transmission on Msg4. As Figure 1 shown, the example signaling diagram includes a UE 110 (e.g., similar to Figure 10b the device 20) in and a network entity (e.g., similar to Figure 10a the device 10) in, such as a gNB 120). The network entity may include one or more TRPs, and more specifically, communication may occur between the UE 110 and one or more TRPs of the network entity.

[0048] Before the Figure 1 operation shown, the UE 110 may measure at least one synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel block (SSB) beam from multiple TRPs to determine at least one specific beam from each TRP. For example, the UE 110 may determine at least one specific beam from each TRP based on signal quality measurements such as signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), reference signal received power (RSRP), reference signal received quality (RSRQ), etc. If each TRP has a separate cell ID, the UE 110 may distinguish between TRPs and SSBs. Otherwise, if the SSBs are distributed among multiple TRPs, the TRP ID associated with different SSB groups may be used to distinguish different TRPs. In some embodiments, the UE 110 may determine the maximum value of the N strongest beams, where N is fixed in the specification.

[0049] As shown in 100, the UE 110 may receive at least one paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) from the primary TRP of the gNB 120. In some embodiments, at least one paging message may trigger a random access procedure. As shown in 102, the UE 110 may transmit at least one random access preamble (physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble) to the primary TRP of the gNB 120. For example, the UE 110 may transmit at least one PRACH preamble based on a specific beam (e.g., the strongest beam or the beam with the highest quality) from the primary TRP (e.g., in a PRACH occasion mapped to an SSB).

[0050] In some embodiments, at least one PRACH preamble may indicate the ability of UE 110 to receive multi-TRP transmission of Msg4 for a random access procedure. For example, UE 110 may indicate the ability to receive multi-TRP transmission of Msg4 via the selection of a specific PRACH preamble. In some embodiments, a PRACH preamble pool may be reserved for use by UEs 110 having such an ability.

[0051] As shown in 104, the primary TRP of gNB 120 may transmit Msg2 to UE 110. In some embodiments, Msg2 may include a random access response (RAR). In some embodiments, a new RAR may be used for UE 110. The RAR may allocate resources for information transmission on one or more additional beams in Msg3 of the random access procedure. In some embodiments, the number of additional beams M to be indicated may be fixed or may be indicated in the RAR (e.g., using 2 bits or some other number of bits). In addition to traditional fields, the RAR may include one or more new fields for additional beam indication. In some embodiments, the RAR may include at least one field for signaling a command indicating at least one additional beam.

[0052] As shown in 106, UE 110 may transmit Msg3 to the primary TRP of gNB 120. In some embodiments, UE 110 may indicate additional beam information in Msg3. For example, UE 110 may indicate one or more indices of a predetermined number M of additional SSB beams that correspond to the same TRP (e.g., the strongest or highest quality) associated with a particular beam or to a different TRP. In some embodiments, UE 110 may indicate M additional SSB beams without knowing whether the SSB beams correspond to the same TRP (e.g., the strongest or highest quality) as the initially indicated particular beam or to a different TRP. If one or more additional SSB beams correspond to the same TRP (e.g., the strongest or highest quality) as the particular beam, the primary TRP may ignore the information and schedule a single-TRP Msg4 transmission using traditional methods. Alternatively, if transmission from multiple beams at the same TRP can be supported, the TRP may schedule Msg4 transmission from the same TRP on multiple beams.

[0053] In some embodiments, the primary TRP may schedule multi-TRP transmission of Msg4. For example, the primary TRP may schedule multi-TRP transmission after receiving Msg3 from UE 110. In some embodiments, the primary TRP may transmit a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) transmission to UE 110. In some embodiments, the PDCCH transmission may indicate whether Msg4 is transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs (e.g., multiple TRPs may be determined based on the beams indicated in Msg3). In some embodiments, PDCCH transmissions from multiple TRPs may be transmitted.

[0054] As shown in 108, the primary TRP of gNB 120 may transmit MT EDT to UE 110 on Msg4 of the random access procedure. For example, the primary TRP may transmit MT EDT on Msg4 after transmitting the RAR to UE 110. In some embodiments, the MT EDT on Msg4 is transmitted from multiple TRPs (e.g., using a multi-TRP transmission scheme for the Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH)). For example, PDSCHs from different TRPs may use Spatial Division Multiplexing (SDM), Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), or Frequency Division Multiplexing (FDM). In some embodiments, at least one Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH is quasi-co-located with at least one UE-indicated SSB.

[0055] In this way, regarding Figure 1 Some of the described embodiments may use a modified RAR in Msg3, and the modified RAR includes an allocation of additional information. Additionally, some embodiments may use an indication of one or more additional SSB beams from other TRPs in Msg3.

[0056] As described above, Figure 1 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 1 the example of

[0057] Figure 2 FIG. shows an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 2 FIG. shows operations for multi-TRP transmission on Msg2 or Msg4 of a two-step Random Access Channel (RACH) procedure using an indication of additional beam information in a Dedicated Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). As Figure 2 shown, the example signaling diagram includes UE 210 (e.g., similar to Figure 10b the apparatus 20 in Figure 10aThe apparatus 10 in (such as gNB 220). The network entity may include one or more TRPs, and more specifically, communication may occur between the UE 210 and one or more TRPs of the gNB 220.

[0058] As shown in 200, the primary TRP of the gNB 220 may transmit at least one paging message (or at least one control message in some embodiments) to the UE 210. In some embodiments, at least one paging message sent by the primary TRP to the UE 210 may indicate at least one location referring to at least one PRACH occasion, at which at least one short PUSCH resource (e.g., at least one MsgA for at least one random access procedure) containing additional beam information may be transmitted. In some embodiments, the paging message may indicate the number of additional beams that the UE 210 needs to indicate. In some embodiments, at least one resource indication associated with the paging message may indicate at least one size and / or at least one frequency location of at least one PUSCH resource. In some embodiments, the size of the PUSCH resource may be fixed, such that only location information needs to be indicated. In order for the primary TRP to know which UE 210 supports this capability, the access and mobility management function (AMF) may need to maintain information identifying that the UE 210 is capable of and configured for multi-TRP reception.

[0059] In some embodiments, at least one paging message may include information identifying at least one dedicated PRACH preamble for transmitting MsgA. Additionally or alternatively, at least one paging message may include information identifying at least one PUSCH transmission after at least one dedicated PRACH preamble, which is configured to indicate one or more additional beams. Additionally or alternatively, at least one paging message may include information about at least one delay from at least one PRACH occasion, for indicating one or more additional beams.

[0060] As shown in 202, the UE 210 may transmit at least one MsgA to the primary TRP of the gNB 220. For example, the UE 210 may transmit at least one MsgA after receiving at least one paging message. In some embodiments, the UE 210 may use at least one dedicated PRACH preamble to transmit at least one MsgA.

[0061] As shown in 204, the UE 210 may transmit additional beam information to the primary TRP of the gNB 220. For example, the UE 210 may use at least one PUSCH resource allocated in at least one paging message received from the primary TRP to transmit the additional beam information. In some embodiments, the measurement and indication of one or more additional beams (e.g., one or more SSB beams) may be similar to that combined with the above Figure 1 described, except that the information may be sent to the TRP in the primary MsgA instead of Msg3.

[0062] As shown in 206, the UE 210 may receive the MT EDT after transmitting at least one MsgA to the primary TRP. For example, the UE 210 may receive the MT EDT on the beam indicated by the UE 210. In some embodiments, the MT EDT may be received in at least one Msg2 or at least one Msg4 of at least one random access procedure. If the MT EDT is transmitted in Msg2, Msg2 may be transmitted from multiple TRPs. If the MT EDT is transmitted in Msg4, after receiving Msg3 from the UE, Msg4 may be transmitted from multiple TRPs in a manner similar to the operation described with respect to Figure 1 described.

[0063] In this way, some embodiments described with respect to Figure 2 may use at least one resource indication in at least one paging message for the indication of additional beam information in at least one PRACH occasion. In addition, some embodiments may use at least one indication of one or more additional SSB beams from other TRPs in at least one MsgA.

[0064] As described above, Figure 2 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to the Figure 2 example.

[0065] Figure 3 Shows an example signaling diagram of a process according to some embodiments described herein. Figure 3 Shows the operation of using preamble mapping to a beam set for multi-TRP transmission in Msg2 or Msg4. As Figure 3 shown, the example signaling diagram includes a UE 310 (e.g., similar to the Figure 10b device 20) and a network entity (e.g., similar to the Figure 10a device 10, such as a gNB 320). The network entity may include one or more TRPs, and more specifically, communication may occur between the UE 310 and one or more TRPs of the gNB 320.

[0066] In some embodiments, before other operations described herein, the primary TRP of gNB 320 may reserve a preamble pool for mapping to multiple beams. For example, these preambles may be reserved from the PRACH pool and may belong to each SSB.

[0067] As shown in 300, the primary TRP of gNB 320 may transmit at least one paging message (or at least one control message in some embodiments) to UE 310. In some embodiments, the at least one paging message may include information identifying a set of PRACH preambles. When transmitting the at least one paging message to UE 310, the at least one paging message may indicate a plurality of preambles from at least one reserved pool, where each preamble is mapped to a set of beams of a serving cell. For example, in the case of N beams and M preambles, each preamble may be mapped to N / M beams. When UE 310 receives the at least one paging message, UE 310 may select the PRACH pool corresponding to the SSB. Within the PRACH pool, UE 310 may select a preamble from the list of contention-free preambles provided to UE 310 for transmission.

[0068] For this selection, UE 310 may use one or more beam measurements and may allocate at least one preamble that is most suitable for the idle mode beam measurement of UE 310 (e.g., having the highest relative strength or quality for other beam options). In some embodiments, UE 310 may measure the beams on all groups and may determine the closest preamble corresponding to a particular group of measured beams (e.g., the strongest or highest quality) and / or one or more other groups of measured beams (e.g., the second strongest or highest quality group of beams, the third strongest or highest quality group of beams, etc.). If UE 310 and the primary TRP know the last connected beam, the selected preamble may correspond to the set of beams that includes the last known beam.

[0069] In some embodiments, UE 310 may determine at least one mapping of each PRACH preamble in the PRACH preamble set to at least one SSB beam among the SSB beams that UE 310 determines to receive at least one multi-TRP transmission thereon, based on the at least one paging message or based on system information. Each preamble in the pool may be mapped to a set of SSB beams. The mapping between a particular preamble index and a beam group may be provided via system information or the at least one paging message. In some embodiments, the beams in a group may be transmitted from the same TRP, or the beams may be transmitted from different TRPs (e.g., when the SSB beams are distributed over multiple TRPs).

[0070] As shown in 302, the UE 310 may transmit at least one random access preamble (e.g., at least one PRACH preamble of at least one random access procedure) to the primary TRP of the gNB 320. The UE 310 may transmit at least one random access preamble on at least one PRACH occasion. The at least one PRACH occasion may be mapped to a specific SSB beam (e.g., the strongest or highest quality) within the SSB beam set. In some embodiments, if the UE 310 does not receive the RAR, the UE 310 may transmit at least one other preamble (e.g., at least one preamble corresponding to the second strongest or highest quality SSB beam within the SSB beam set). In some embodiments, if the RAR is not received, the UE 310 may transmit at least one preamble corresponding to the SSB beam set.

[0071] As shown in 304, the primary TRP of the gNB 320 may transmit the MT EDT to the UE 310 on Msg2 or Msg 4 of the random access procedure. For example, the gNB 320 may transmit the MT EDT after receiving the PRACH preamble from the UE 310.

[0072] In this way, regarding Figure 3 Some of the described embodiments include using an indication of multiple dedicated preamble indices together with a paging message. As described above, the index may be selected from a PRACH pool corresponding to the detected SSB. Additionally, some embodiments use a mapping by the UE 310 from the SSB beam set from which it is to receive multi-TRP transmissions to each dedicated PRACH preamble index within the PRACH pool for the SSB. Additionally, some embodiments may use an indication of a PRACH preamble (each mapped to multiple beams) in MsgA or Msg1 of the random access procedure.

[0073] As described above, Figure 3 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 3 the example of.

[0074] Figure 4 An example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein is shown. For example, Figure 4 shows an example operation of a UE (e.g., similar to Figure 10b the apparatus 20 in). The operation may be similar to Figure 1 some of the operations shown.

[0075] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 400, receiving a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). For example, the UE may receive the paging message from the primary TRP. In one embodiment, the method may include: at 402, transmitting an indication to the primary TRP, the indication being for indicating the ability to receive a multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure. For example, the UE may transmit the indication to the TRP after receiving the paging message. In some embodiments, the indication may be a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble.

[0076] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 404, based on the indication of the transmission ability, receiving a random access response (RAR) from the primary TRP in message 2 of the random access procedure. For example, the UE may receive the RAR message in message 2 (e.g., Msg2) after the indication of the transmission ability. In some embodiments, the RAR may be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. In some embodiments, the RAR may include at least one field for signaling a command for indicating at least one additional beam in message 3 (e.g., Msg3) of the random access procedure. In one embodiment, the method may include: after receiving the RAR, at 406, transmitting at least one index of at least one additional beam to the primary TRP in message 3 of the random access procedure. For example, the UE may transmit at least one index after receiving the RAR in message 2.

[0077] In some embodiments, the method may include, before transmitting the indication, performing at least one measurement of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB) beams from multiple TRPs, and determining the beam of each TRP among the multiple TRPs based on the at least one measurement. In some embodiments, the multiple TRPs may be distinguished based on at least one cell identifier corresponding to the SSB beam of the multiple TRPs, or at least one TRP identifier corresponding to different SSB beam groups. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a paging message that triggers a random access procedure, and transmitting the indication based on the SSB beam received from the primary TRP.

[0078] In some embodiments, the indication may be selected from a plurality of indexes or reserved preambles, and the plurality of indexes or reserved preambles may be different reserved PRACH preambles. In some embodiments, at least one index may correspond to at least one TRP other than the primary TRP. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting message 3. The PDCCH transmission may indicate whether message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs. The multiple TRPs may be determined based on at least one additional beam indicated in message 3.

[0079] In some embodiments, the method may include, after transmitting message 3, receiving a mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 4 of the random access procedure. Message 4 may be transmitted based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme of the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). At least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH may be quasi-co-located with at least one UE indicated SSB.

[0080] As described above, Figure 4 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 4 the example of.

[0081] Figure 5 FIG. shows an example flow chart of a method according to some embodiments described herein. For example, Figure 5 FIG. shows an example operation of a TRP (e.g., similar to or belonging to Figure 10a apparatus 10). Figure 5 The method shown in FIG. may be similar to Figure 1 some of the operations shown in FIG.

[0082] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 500, receiving, by a primary transmission reception point (TRP), an indication for indicating the capability of a user equipment (UE) to receive multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure. For example, the primary TRP may receive an indication of the capability from the UE. In some embodiments, the indication may be a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble.

[0083] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 502, based on an indication of received capabilities, the primary TRP transmits a random access response (RAR) in message 2 of the random access procedure. For example, the primary TRP may transmit the RAR to the UE in message 2 (e.g., Msg2) after receiving the indication. In some embodiments, the RAR may be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. In some embodiments, the RAR may include at least one field configured to signal a command indicating at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure.

[0084] In one embodiment, the method may include: after transmitting the RAR, at 504, the primary TRP receives at least one index of at least one additional beam in message 3. For example, the primary TRP may receive at least one index from the UE after transmitting the RAR.

[0085] In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) that triggers a random access procedure, and receiving the indication based on an SSB beam. In some embodiments, the indication may be selected from a plurality of indices or reserved preambles, and the plurality of indices or reserved preambles may be different reserved PRACH preambles. In some embodiments, at least one index may correspond to a single TRP or multiple TRPs.

[0086] In some embodiments, the method may include determining that at least one additional beam corresponds to a single TRP, determining to ignore at least one index based on the at least one additional beam corresponding to a single TRP, and scheduling: single-TRP message 4 transmission after determining to ignore at least one index, or message 4 transmission on multiple beams from a single TRP. In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting the RAR. The PDCCH transmission may be configured to indicate whether message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs, and the multiple TRPs may be determined based on at least one additional beam indicated in message 3.

[0087] In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting an MT EDT on message 4 of the random access procedure after receiving the RAR. Message 4 may be transmitted together with at least one TRP. Message 4 may be transmitted based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH). At least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) may be quasi-co-located with at least one UE-indicated SSB.

[0088] As described above, Figure 5 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 5 the example of.

[0089] Figure 6 FIG. shows an example flow chart of a method according to some embodiments described herein. For example, Figure 6 shows an example operation of a UE (e.g., similar to Figure 10b device 20), which is similar to Figure 2 some of the operations shown.

[0090] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 600, receiving a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) from a primary transmission receiving point (TRP). For example, the UE may receive a paging message from the primary TRP. In some embodiments, the paging message may include information identifying: a resource indication configured to indicate at least one of a size and a frequency location of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource for a message A (e.g., MsgA) of a random access procedure and at least one additional beam for indicating a random access procedure, and a delay from a physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion for indication.

[0091] In some embodiments, the method may include: at 602, transmitting message A to the primary TRP after receiving the paging message. For example, the UE may transmit message A after receiving the paging message. In some embodiments, message A may be transmitted using a PRACH preamble, followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resource.

[0092] In some embodiments, the paging message may further include information identifying the number of additional strong beams to be indicated by a user equipment (UE). In some embodiments, the size and frequency location of the PUSCH resource may be fixed. In some embodiments, the method may include performing measurements of the strongest synchronization signal and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) block (SSB) beam and measurements of at least one additional SSB beam. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a mobile terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) from at least the primary TRP after transmitting message A of a random access procedure. The MT EDT may be received in message 2 or message 4 of a random access procedure.

[0093] As described above, Figure 6 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 6 the example.

[0094] Figure 7 FIG. shows an example flow chart of a method according to some embodiments described herein. For example, Figure 7 shows an example operation of a TRP (e.g., similar to Figure 10a device 10, or similar to Figure 10a device 10), which is similar toFigure 2 Some of the operations shown.

[0095] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 700, transmitting a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) by a primary TRP. For example, the primary TRP may transmit a paging message to a UE. In some embodiments, the paging message may include information identifying the following: a resource indication that is configured to indicate at least one of the size and frequency location of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource for a message A (e.g., MsgA) for a random access procedure and to indicate at least one additional beam in the random access procedure. In one embodiment, the method may include: at 702, receiving message A after transmitting the paging message. For example, the primary TRP may receive message A from the UE after transmitting the paging message. In some embodiments, message A may be transmitted using a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble, followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resource.

[0096] In some embodiments, the paging message may further include information identifying the number of additional strong beams to be indicated by a user equipment (UE). In some embodiments, the size and frequency location of the PUSCH resource may be fixed. In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting a mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on multiple beams or with at least one other TRP after receiving message A of a random access procedure. The MT EDT may be transmitted in message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure.

[0097] As described above, Figure 7 Provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 7 the examples.

[0098] Figure 8 An example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein is shown. For example, Figure 8 An example operation of a UE (e.g., a device 20 similar to Figure 10b is shown). Figure 8 The method shown may be similar to Figure 3 some of the operations shown.

[0099] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 800, receiving a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). For example, the UE may receive the paging message from the primary TRP. In one embodiment, the method may include: at 802, determining, based on the paging message or system information, a mapping of each physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in a reserved PRACH preamble set to at least one single-sided beam (SSB) beam among a plurality of SSB beams on which the user equipment (UE) is determined to receive multi-TRP transmission. For example, the UE may determine the mapping after receiving the paging message.

[0100] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 804, transmitting a PRACH preamble of a random access procedure. For example, the UE may transmit the PRACH preamble after determining the mapping. In some embodiments, the PRACH preamble may be selected from the reserved PRACH preamble set based on the mapping and at least one beam measurement of the SSB beam.

[0101] In some embodiments, the paging message may indicate a subset of reserved PRACH preambles in the reserved PRACH preamble set that are mapped to a set of SSB beams associated with the TRP. The mapping may be indicated in the system information. In some embodiments, the reserved PRACH preamble set may be associated with at least one SSB beam and at least one TRP.

[0102] In some embodiments, the method may include performing at least one measurement of the SSB beam and identifying at least one SSB beam in the SSB beam based on the at least one measurement to indicate to the TRP. In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting a PRACH preamble at a PRACH occasion corresponding to an SSB beam from the primary TRP within a set of SSB beams. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting the PRACH preamble, at least from the primary TRP.

[0103] As described above, Figure 8 is provided as an example. The embodiments are not limited to Figure 8 the examples.

[0104] Figure 9 FIG. shows an example flowchart of a method according to some embodiments described herein. For example, Figure 9 shows an example operation of a primary TRP (e.g., a device 10 similar to Figure 10a ). Figure 9 The method shown may be similar to Figure 3 some of the operations shown.

[0105] In one embodiment, the method may include: at 900, transmitting, by a master transmission reception point (TRP), a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments). For example, the master TRP may transmit a paging message to a UE. In one embodiment, the method may include: at 902, receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble of a random access procedure. For example, the master TRP may receive the PRACH preamble from the UE after transmitting the paging message. In some embodiments, the PRACH preamble may identify at least one selected SSB beam from an SSB beam.

[0106] In some embodiments, the paging message may further include information identifying a mapping between a set of PRACH preambles and corresponding SSB beams. In some embodiments, the paging message may indicate a reserved subset of PRACH preambles in the set of PRACH preambles that are mapped to a set of SSB beams associated with the TRP. The mapping may be indicated in system information. In some embodiments, the set of reserved PRACH preambles may be associated with at least one SSB beam and at least one TRP. In some embodiments, the method may include receiving a PRACH preamble at a PRACH occasion corresponding to an SSB beam within a set of SSB beams. In some embodiments, the method may include transmitting a mobile-terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 2 or message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting the PRACH preamble.

[0107] As described above, Figure 9 is provided as an example. Embodiments are not limited to Figure 9 the example of.

[0108] FIG. shows an example of an apparatus 10 according to one embodiment. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 may be a node, host, or server in a communication network, or may also be a node, host, or server serving such a network. For example, the apparatus 10 may be a network node, satellite, base station, Node B, evolved Node B (eNB), 5G Node B or access point, next-generation Node B (NG-NB or gNB), TRP, and / or WLAN access point associated with a radio access network (such as an LTE network, 5G, or NR). For example, the apparatus 10 may correspond to Figures 1 to 9 the gNB or its master TRP of.

[0109] It should be understood that in some example embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include an edge cloud server as a distributed computing system, where the server and the radio node may be independent devices communicating with each other via a wireless circuit path or via a wired connection, or they may be in the same entity communicating via a wired connection. For example, in some example embodiments where the apparatus 10 represents a gNB, it may be configured in a central unit (CU) and distributed unit (DU) architecture that divides the gNB functions. In such an architecture, the CU may be a logical node that includes gNB functions such as the transmission of user data, mobility control, radio access network sharing, positioning, and / or session management, etc. The CU may control the operation of the DU through a fronthaul interface. Depending on the function split option, the DU may be a logical node that includes a subset of the gNB functions. It should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the apparatus 10 may include Figure 10a components or features not shown in

[0110] As Figure 10a shown in the example of Figure 10a , the apparatus 10 may include a processor 12 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. The processor 12 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In fact, for example, the processor 12 may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Although Figure 10a shows a single processor 12, multiple processors may be used according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in some embodiments, the apparatus 10 may include two or more processors, which may form a multi-processor system that can support multi-processing (for example, in this case, the processor 12 may represent a multi-processor). In some embodiments, the multi-processor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (for example, to form a computer cluster).

[0111] The processor 12 may execute functions associated with the operation of the apparatus 10, which may include, for example, precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of the apparatus 10 (including processes related to the management of communication resources).

[0112] Device 10 may also include or be coupled to a memory 14 (internal or external), which may be coupled to the processor 12 and is used to store information and instructions that can be executed by the processor 12. The memory 14 may be one or more memories and of any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology (such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory). For example, the memory 14 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic disks or optical discs, hard disk drives (HDDs), or any other type of non-transitory memory or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in the memory 14 may include program instructions or computer program code that, when executed by the processor 12, enable the device 10 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0113] In one embodiment, the device 10 may also include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port configured to accept and read an external computer-readable storage medium, such as an optical disc, a USB drive, a flash drive, or any other storage medium. For example, the external computer-readable storage medium may store computer programs or software for execution by the processor 12 and / or the device 10.

[0114] In some embodiments, the device 10 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 15 for transmitting signals and / or data to and receiving signals and / or data from the device 10. The device 10 may also include or be coupled to a transceiver 18 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceiver 18 may include, for example, a plurality of radio interfaces that may be coupled to the antenna 15. The radio interfaces may correspond to multiple radio access technologies, including one or more of the following: GSM, NB-IoT, LTE, 5G, WLAN, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, radio frequency identification (RFID), ultra-wideband (UWB), MulteFire, etc. The radio interfaces may include components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), mappers, fast Fourier transform (FFT) modules, etc. to generate symbols for transmission via one or more downlinks and (e.g., via the uplink) receive symbols.

[0115] Accordingly, transceiver 18 can be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 15 and to demodulate information received via antenna 15 for further processing by other elements of device 10. In other embodiments, transceiver 18 is capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, device 10 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices).

[0116] In one embodiment, memory 14 may store software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 12. The module may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 10. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality for device 10. The components of device 10 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software.

[0117] According to some embodiments, processor 12 and memory 14 may be included in or may form part of a processing circuitry or a control circuitry. Additionally, in some embodiments, transceiver 18 may be included in or may form part of a transceiver circuitry.

[0118] As used herein, the term "circuitry" may refer to only hardware circuit implementations (e.g., analog and / or digital circuitry), combinations of hardware circuits and software, combinations of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, any portion of a hardware processor (including a digital signal processor) with software that causes a device (e.g., device 10) to perform various functions, and / or hardware circuits and / or processors or portions thereof that use software for operation but for which the software may not be present when the operation does not require software. As a further example, as used herein, the term "circuitry" may also cover implementations that include only hardware circuits or processors (or multiple processors), or portions of hardware circuits or processors, and their accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry may also cover, for example, baseband integrated circuits in a server, a cellular network node or device, or other computing or networking devices.

[0119] According to certain embodiments, device 10 may be controlled by memory 14 and processor 12 to perform functions associated with any one of the certain embodiments described herein, such as Figures 1 to 9 some operations of the illustrated flowcharts or signaling diagrams.

[0120] For example, in one embodiment, the apparatus 10 (e.g., the primary TRP) can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive an indication of the capabilities of a user equipment (UE), where the indication is for indicating the UE's capability to receive multi-TRP transmission of message 4 in a random access procedure. The indication can be a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to transmit a random access response (RAR) in message 2 of the random access procedure based on the received indication of capabilities. In some embodiments, the RAR can be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. In some embodiments, the RAR can include at least one field that is configured to signal a command for indicating at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive at least one index of at least one additional beam in message 3 after transmitting the RAR.

[0121] In another embodiment, the apparatus 10 (e.g., the primary TRP) can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to transmit a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments). In some embodiments, the paging message can include information identifying: a resource indication that is configured to indicate at least one of the size and frequency location of the physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources for message A in a random access procedure and for indicating at least one additional beam in the random access procedure. In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive message A after transmitting the paging message. In some embodiments, message A can be transmitted using a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble, followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resources.

[0122] In another embodiment, the apparatus 10 (e.g., the primary TRP) can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to transmit a paging message via a primary transmission reception point (TRP). In one embodiment, the apparatus 10 can be controlled by the memory 14 and the processor 12 to receive a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble of a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the PRACH preamble can identify at least one selected SSB beam from SSB beams.

[0123] Figure 10bShows an example of apparatus 20 according to another embodiment. In one embodiment, apparatus 20 may be a node or element in a communication network or associated with such a network, such as a UE, a mobile device (ME), a mobile station, a mobile device, a fixed device, an IoT device, or other device. As described herein, a UE may alternatively be referred to as, for example, a mobile station, mobile equipment, mobile unit, mobile device, user equipment, subscriber station, wireless terminal, tablet, smartphone, IoT device, sensor, or NB-IoT device, etc. As an example, apparatus 20 may be implemented in, for example, a wireless handheld device, a wireless plug-in accessory, etc.

[0124] In some example embodiments, apparatus 20 may include one or more processors, one or more computer-readable storage media (e.g., memory, storage devices, etc.), one or more radio access components (e.g., modems, transceivers, etc.), and / or a user interface. In some embodiments, apparatus 20 may be configured to operate using one or more radio access technologies such as GSM, LTE, LTE-A, NR, 5G, WLAN, WiFi, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, NFC, MulteFire, and / or any other radio access technology. It should be noted that those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that apparatus 20 may include Figure 10b components or features not shown therein.

[0125] As Figure 10b shown in the example of, apparatus 20 may include or be coupled to a processor 22 for processing information and executing instructions or operations. Processor 22 may be any type of general-purpose or special-purpose processor. In fact, processor 22 may include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Although Figure 10b a single processor 22 is shown therein, multiple processors may be used according to other embodiments. For example, it should be understood that in certain embodiments, apparatus 20 may include two or more processors, which may form a multi-processor system that can support multi-processing (e.g., in such a case, processor 22 may represent the multi-processor). In certain embodiments, the multi-processor system may be tightly coupled or loosely coupled (e.g., to form a computer cluster).

[0126] Processor 22 may perform functions associated with the operation of device 20, and as some examples, include precoding of antenna gain / phase parameters, encoding and decoding of individual bits forming communication messages, formatting of information, and overall control of device 20 (including processes related to the management of communication resources).

[0127] Device 20 may also include or be coupled to a memory 24 (internal or external), which may be coupled to processor 22, and the memory 24 is used to store information and instructions that can be executed by processor 22. The memory 24 may be one or more memories and have any type suitable for the local application environment, and may be implemented using any suitable volatile or non-volatile data storage technology (such as semiconductor-based memory devices, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory, and / or removable memory). For example, the memory 24 may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), static storage devices such as magnetic disks or optical disks, hard disk drives (HDD), or any other type of non-transitory memory or computer-readable medium. The instructions stored in the memory 24 may include program instructions or computer program code, which, when executed by processor 22, enable device 20 to perform the tasks described herein.

[0128] In one embodiment, device 20 may also include or be coupled to (internal or external) a drive or port configured to accept and read external computer-readable storage media, such as optical discs, USB drives, flash drives, or any other storage media. For example, the external computer-readable storage media may store computer programs or software for execution by processor 22 and / or device 20.

[0129] In some embodiments, device 20 may also include or be coupled to one or more antennas 25 for receiving downlink signals and for transmitting via the uplink from device 20. Device 20 may also include a transceiver 28 configured to transmit and receive information. The transceiver 28 may also include a radio interface (e.g., a modem) coupled to the antenna 25. The radio interface may correspond to a variety of radio access technologies, including GSM, LTE, LTE-A, 5G, NR, WLAN, NB-IoT, Bluetooth, BT-LE, NFC, RFID, UWB, etc. The radio interface may include other components such as filters, converters (e.g., digital-to-analog converters, etc.), symbol demappers, signal shaping components, inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) modules, etc., to process symbols carried by the downlink or uplink, such as OFDMA symbols.

[0130] For example, transceiver 28 may be configured to modulate information onto a carrier waveform for transmission by antenna 25 and demodulate information received via antenna 25 for further processing by other elements of device 20. In other embodiments, transceiver 28 may be capable of directly transmitting and receiving signals or data. Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, device 20 may include input and / or output devices (I / O devices). In certain embodiments, device 20 may further include a user interface, such as a graphical user interface or a touch screen.

[0131] In one embodiment, memory 24 stores software modules that provide functionality when executed by processor 22. The module may include, for example, an operating system that provides operating system functionality for device 20. The memory may also store one or more functional modules, such as applications or programs, to provide additional functionality for device 20. The components of device 20 may be implemented in hardware or as any suitable combination of hardware and software. According to an example embodiment, device 20 may optionally be configured to communicate with device 10 via a wireless or wired communication link 70 according to any radio access technology such as NR.

[0132] According to some embodiments, processor 22 and memory 24 may be included in or may form part of a processing circuitry or a control circuitry. Additionally, in some embodiments, transceiver 28 may be included in or may form part of a transceiver circuitry.

[0133] As described above, according to some embodiments, device 20 may be, for example, a UE, a mobile device, a mobile station, an ME, an IoT device, and / or an NB-IoT device. According to certain embodiments, device 20 may be controlled by memory 24 and processor 22 to perform functions associated with the example embodiments described herein. For example, in some embodiments, device 20 may be configured to execute one or more of the processes depicted in any of the flowcharts or signaling diagrams described herein, such as those illustrated in Figures 1 to 9 those described therein.

[0134] For example, in one embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to receive a paging message (or a control message in some embodiments) from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). In one embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to transmit an indication of capabilities to the primary TRP, where the indication is used to indicate the capability for multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the indication may be a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble. In one embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to receive a random access response (RAR) from the primary TRP in message 2 of a random access procedure based on the indication of transmission capabilities. In some embodiments, the RAR may be configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam. In some embodiments, the RAR may include at least one field for signaling a command to indicate at least one additional beam in message 3 of a random access procedure. In one embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to transmit at least one index of at least one additional beam to the primary TRP in message 3 of a random access procedure after receiving the RAR.

[0135] In another embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to receive a paging message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). In some embodiments, the paging message may include information identifying: a resource indication, which is configured to indicate at least one of the size and frequency location of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource for message A of a random access procedure and to indicate at least one additional beam in the random access procedure, and a delay from a physical random access channel (PRACH) occasion for the indication. In one embodiment, the device 20 (e.g., UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to transmit message A to the primary TRP after receiving the paging message. In some embodiments, message A may be transmitted using a PRACH preamble, followed by an indication of at least one additional beam in the PUSCH resource.

[0136] In another embodiment, the apparatus 20 (e.g., a UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to receive a paging message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP). In one embodiment, the apparatus 20 (e.g., a UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to determine, based on the paging message or system information, a mapping of each physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble in a reserved PRACH preamble set to at least one of a plurality of SSB beams on which the user equipment (UE) determines to receive a multi-TRP transmission. In one embodiment, the apparatus 20 (e.g., a UE) may be controlled by the memory 24 and the processor 22 to transmit a PRACH preamble of a random access procedure. In some embodiments, the PRACH preamble may be selected from the reserved PRACH preamble set based on at least one beam measurement and mapping of an SSB beam.

[0137] Accordingly, certain example embodiments provide several technical improvements, enhancements, and / or advantages over prior art processes. For example, one benefit of some example embodiments is improved reliability and latency of mobile terminated (MT) EDT. Thus, the use of some example embodiments improves the functionality of a communication network and its nodes and thus constitutes at least an improvement in the technical fields such as wireless control and management.

[0138] In some example embodiments, the functionality of any method, process, signaling diagram, algorithm, or flowchart described herein may be implemented by software and / or computer program code or code portions stored in a memory or other computer-readable or tangible medium and executed by a processor.

[0139] In some example embodiments, an apparatus may be included in or associated with at least one software application, module, unit, or entity configured for arithmetic operations or configured as a program or a portion thereof (including added or updated software routines) to be executed by at least one operating processor. The program (also referred to as a program product or a computer program, including software routines, applets, and macros) may be stored in any device-readable data storage medium and may include program instructions for performing a particular task.

[0140] A computer program product may include one or more computer-executable components configured to perform some example embodiments when the program runs. The one or more computer-executable components may be at least one software code or code portion. Modifications and configurations required to implement the functionality of example embodiments may be performed as routines that may be implemented as added or updated software routines. In one example, the software routines may be downloaded to the apparatus.

[0141] As an example, software or computer program code or a code portion can be in source code form, object code form, or some intermediate form, and it can be stored in some carrier, distribution medium, or computer-readable medium, which can be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. For example, such a carrier can include a recording medium, computer memory, read-only memory, electro-optical and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals, and / or software distribution packages. Depending on the required processing power, the computer program can be executed in a single electronic digital computer or distributed among multiple computers. The computer-readable medium or computer-readable storage medium can be a non-transitory medium.

[0142] In other example embodiments, the functionality can be performed by hardware or circuitry included in a device (e.g., device 10 or device 20), such as by using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), programmable gate array (PGA), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other combination of hardware and software. In yet another example embodiment, the functionality can be implemented as a signal, such as an intangible device carried by an electromagnetic signal that can be downloaded from the Internet or other network.

[0143] According to an example embodiment, a device such as a node, device, or corresponding component can be configured as a circuitry, computer, or microprocessor, such as a single-chip computer element, or can be configured as a chipset, which can include at least a memory for providing storage capacity for arithmetic operations and / or an arithmetic processor for performing arithmetic operations.

[0144] Those of ordinary skill in the art will readily understand that the example embodiments discussed above can be practiced with steps in a different order and / or with hardware elements configured differently compared to those disclosed. Thus, although some embodiments have been described based on these example embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that certain modifications, variations, and alternative configurations will be apparent while remaining within the spirit and scope of the example embodiments.

[0145] As used herein, the term "BS" can refer to gNB, NG-NB, eNB, Node B, etc. In addition, the terms "BS", "gNB", "NG-NB", "eNB", "Node B", etc. can be used interchangeably.

[0146] The embodiments described herein are equally applicable to both singular and plural implementations of the embodiments, regardless of whether singular or plural language is used in conjunction with describing the embodiments. For example, an embodiment described as including a single UE will also be applicable to an implementation of that embodiment including multiple UEs, and vice versa.

[0147] Partial Glossary

[0148] EDT: Early Data Transmission

[0149] MT: Mobile Termination

[0150] PRACH: Physical Random Access Channel

[0151] RAR: Random Access Response

[0152] TRP: Transmission / Reception Point

[0153] UE: User Equipment

[0154] SSB: Synchronization Signal Block

[0155] gNB: Next Generation Node B.

Claims

1. A method for communication, comprising: receiving, by a user equipment (UE), a message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP); transmitting, by the UE, an indication of the ability to receive a multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure to the primary TRP, wherein the indication is a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble; receiving, by the UE, a random access response (RAR) from the primary TRP in message 2 of the random access procedure based on transmitting the indication of the ability, wherein the RAR is configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam, and wherein the RAR includes at least one field for signaling a command indicating the at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure; and after receiving the RAR, transmitting, by the UE, at least one index of the at least one additional beam to the primary TRP in message 3 of the random access procedure.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: performing at least one measurement of synchronization signals and physical broadcast channel blocks (SSB) beams from multiple TRPs before transmitting the indication; and determining, based on the at least one measurement, a beam for each of the multiple TRPs.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the multiple TRPs are distinguished based on: at least one cell identifier corresponding to the SSB beam for the multiple TRPs, or at least one TRP identifier corresponding to different SSB beam groups.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: receiving a message triggering the random access procedure; and wherein transmitting the indication comprises: transmitting the indication based on an SSB beam received from the primary TRP.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the indication is selected from multiple indices or reserved preambles, and wherein the multiple indices or the reserved preambles are different reserved PRACH preambles.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one index corresponds to at least one TRP other than the primary TRP.

7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting message 3, wherein the PDCCH transmission indicates whether message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs, and wherein the multiple TRPs are determined based on the at least one additional beam indicated in message 3.

8. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: receiving a mobile terminated (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on message 4 of the random access procedure after transmitting message 3, wherein message 4 is transmitted based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme of a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and wherein at least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH is quasi-co-located with at least one UE indication SSB.

9. A method for communication, comprising: Receiving, by a primary transmission reception point (TRP), an indication of the capability of a user equipment (UE) to receive multi-TRP transmission of a message 4 in a random access procedure; Wherein the indication is a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble; Based on receiving the indication of the capability, transmitting, by the primary TRP, a random access response (RAR) in a message 2 of the random access procedure; Wherein the RAR is configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam, and Wherein the RAR includes at least one field configured to signal a command indicating the at least one additional beam in a message 3 of the random access procedure; And After transmitting the RAR, receiving, by the primary TRP, at least one index of the at least one additional beam in the message 3.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Transmitting a message triggering the random access procedure; And Wherein receiving the indication comprises: Receiving the indication based on an SSB beam.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the indication is selected from a plurality of indexes or reserved preambles, and wherein the plurality of indexes or the reserved preambles are different reserved PRACH preambles.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the at least one index corresponds to a single TRP or multiple TRPs.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: Determining that the at least one additional beam corresponds to the single TRP; Based on the at least one additional beam corresponding to the single TRP, determining to ignore the at least one index; And Scheduling: Single-TRP message 4 transmission after determining to ignore the at least one index, or Message 4 transmission on multiple beams from the single TRP.

14. The method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising: Transmitting a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) transmission after transmitting the RAR, Wherein the PDCCH transmission is configured to indicate whether the message 4 of the random access procedure will be transmitted from a single TRP or from multiple TRPs, and Wherein the multiple TRPs are determined based on the at least one additional beam indicated in the message 3.

15. The method according to claim 9 or 10, further comprising: Transmitting mobile termination (MT) early data transmission (EDT) on the message 4 of the random access procedure after receiving the message 3, Wherein the message 4 is transmitted using at least one TRP, Wherein the message 4 is transmitted based on a multi-TRP transmission scheme for a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), and Wherein at least one demodulation reference signal (DMRS) associated with the PDSCH is quasi co-located with at least one UE indication SSB.

16. A user equipment (UE), comprising: At least one processor; And At least one memory, including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the UE to at least: Receive a message from a primary transmission reception point (TRP); Transmit an indication of the ability to receive a multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure to the primary TRP, Wherein the indication is a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble; Based on transmitting the indication of the ability, receive a random access response (RAR) from the primary TRP in message 2 of the random access procedure, Wherein the RAR is configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam, and Wherein the RAR includes at least one field for signaling a command indicating the at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure; And After receiving the RAR, transmit at least one index of the at least one additional beam to the primary TRP in message 3 of the random access procedure.

17. A primary transmission reception point (TRP) comprising: At least one processor; And At least one memory including computer program code; The at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the TRP to at least: Receive an indication of the ability of a user equipment (UE) to receive a multi-TRP transmission of message 4 of a random access procedure, Wherein the indication is a physical random access channel (PRACH) preamble; Based on receiving the indication of the ability, transmit a random access response (RAR) in message 2 of the random access procedure, Wherein the RAR is configured to allocate resources for information transmission on at least one additional beam, and Wherein the RAR includes at least one field configured to signal a command indicating the at least one additional beam in message 3 of the random access procedure; And After transmitting the RAR, receive at least one index of the at least one additional beam in message 3.

18. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

19. A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising program instructions for causing a device to perform at least the method according to any one of claims 9 to 15.

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