Method and Device for MsgA Transmission

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application relate to a method and apparatus for physical random access channel (PRACH) repetition. A method according to an embodiment of the present application includes: receiving signaling information indicating at least one of a total number of preamble sets in a period, a total number of physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource unit (PRU) sets in the period, a preamble repetition number in the period, and a PRU repetition number in the period; and determining a mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs in the period based on the received signaling information.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present application generally relate to wireless communication technologies, and in particular, to a method and device for MsgA transmission. Background Art

[0002] MsgA contains a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) and a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH). The PRACH is used for preamble transmission. A Physical Uplink Shared Channel Resource Unit (PRU) is defined as a PUSCH opportunity and a Demodulation Reference Signal (DMRS) port / DMRS sequence for MsgA payload transmission. The MsgA PRACH (also referred to as a "preamble") and the MsgA PUSCH are associated with a Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) for implicit transmission / reception of a spatial filter (i.e., a beam) indication. At the same time, for available time instances of MsgA, they are associated with a beam index (i.e., an SSB index) and a repetition index, in an order that first increases the number of beam indices within a beam group, and then the repetition index and the beam group index (i.e., an SSB group index).

[0003] When uplink (UL) coverage recovery for a User Equipment (UE) is needed, time domain repetition of MsgA can be considered when using a two-step Random Access Channel (RACH) to increase the received power in the network side. However, due to several problems to be solved, traditional technologies have not adopted a time domain repetition mechanism. For example, if multiple RACH opportunities and PRU time instances for a specific beam are located in discrete time instances, then when a time domain repetition mechanism is adopted, the time delay will be very long. Additionally, the repetition numbers of the preamble and the PRU may be different. Consideration should be given to how to fully utilize the available preamble and PRU resources within one period.

[0004] Therefore, technical solutions for further supplementing and improving MsgA transmission (e.g., preamble repetition and PRU repetition in MsgA transmission) are needed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] An object of embodiments of the present application is to provide a technical solution for MsgA transmission (in particular, for the time domain repetition mechanism of MsgA).

[0006] Some embodiments of the present application provide a method, which includes: receiving signaling information indicating at least one of the total number of preamble sets in a period, the total number of Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) Resource Unit (PRU) sets in the period, the preamble repetition number in the period, and the PRU repetition number in the period; and determining a mapping ratio of preamble to PRU in the period based on the received signaling information.

[0007] In some embodiments, the method includes: determining an SSB group size for a preamble, and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a preamble set for a preamble repetition count by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble. In some embodiments, the method includes: determining an SSB group size for a PRU, and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a PRU set for a PRU repetition count by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU.

[0008] Some other embodiments of the present application provide a method, which includes: determining a preamble repetition count in a period and an SSB group size for a preamble, and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a preamble set for the preamble repetition count in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble.

[0009] Some still other embodiments of the present application provide a method, which includes: determining a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource unit (PRU) repetition count in a period and an SSB group size for the PRU, and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a PRU set for the PRU repetition count in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU.

[0010] Some still other embodiments of the present application provide a method, which includes: determining a downlink bandwidth part (BWP) identifier of a user equipment (UE); and applying the BWP identifier to at least one of a downlink BWP for downlink transmission and an uplink BWP for uplink transmission.

[0011] Some still other embodiments of the present application provide a method, which includes: configuring signaling information indicating at least one of a total number of preamble sets in a period, a total number of physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource unit (PRU) sets in the period, a preamble repetition count in the period, and a PRU repetition count in the period; and determining a mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs in the period based on at least one of the total number of preamble sets in the period, the total number of PRU sets in the period, the preamble repetition count in the period, and the PRU repetition count in the period.

[0012] Some other embodiments of the present application provide a device. The device includes: at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; at least one receiving circuit; at least one transmitting circuit; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiving circuit, and the at least one transmitting circuit. The computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to implement any of the above methods.

[0013] Embodiments of the present application propose a technical solution for MsgA transmission, especially for time-domain repetition of MsgA. At the same time, embodiments of the present application consider coexistence with traditional technologies. Therefore, embodiments of the present application will greatly facilitate the implementation of 5G NR including NR light. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] To describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present application can be obtained, a description of the present application is presented by reference to specific embodiments of the present application illustrated in the drawings.

[0015] Figures 1 to 4 Illustrate exemplary embodiments of the mapping between SSB and PRACH occasions depending on specific settings of "msg1-FDM" and "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB";

[0016] Figure 5 Illustrate an exemplary method for MsgA transmission performed in a wireless communication system according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0017] Figure 6A Illustrate an exemplary association among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0018] Figure 6B Illustrate an exemplary association among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some other embodiments of the present application;

[0019] Figure 6C Illustrate an exemplary association among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to still some other embodiments of the present application;

[0020] Figure 7A Illustrate an exemplary association among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0021] Figure 7BDescribe exemplary associations among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0022] Figure 8 Describe an exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0023] Figure 9 Describe another exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some other embodiments of the present application;

[0024] Figure 10 Describe exemplary associations among SSB, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application;

[0025] Figure 11 Describe an exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application; and

[0026] Figure 12 Describe a block diagram of an exemplary device according to some embodiments of the present application. Detailed Description of the Embodiments

[0027] The detailed description of the drawings is intended to be a description of the preferred embodiments of the present application and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present application can be practiced. It should be understood that the same or equivalent functions can be accomplished by different embodiments that are intended to be covered by the spirit and scope of the present application.

[0028] Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments of the present application, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For the purpose of promoting understanding, the embodiments are provided in a specific network architecture and new service scenario (such as 3GPP 5G, 3GPP LTE Release 8, etc.). After careful consideration, all embodiments in the present application are also applicable to similar technical problems as the network architecture and new service scenario evolve; and furthermore, the terms cited in the present application may change, which should not affect the principle of the present application.

[0029] RACH and PRACH have very important functionality in wireless communication, especially in NR and Long Term Evolution (LTE) (and also in Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA)). The main purposes of PRACH / RACH can be described as: I) achieving uplink synchronization between a User Equipment (UE) (e.g., a mobile phone) and a Base Station (BS) (e.g., an eNB); and ii) obtaining resources for Message 3 (Msg3). Depending on the context (e.g., Radio Resource Control (RRC) connection request), there are several different types of Msg3.

[0030] In an exemplary case, when the UE is powered on, the UE will transmit a RACH / PRACH signal to the network side (e.g., the BS). In the PRACH procedure, the PRACH signal is also referred to as the "PRACH preamble" (preamble). However, for the two-step RACH procedure, there are only two steps, namely, transmitting MsgA containing both the preamble and PUSCH from the UE to the network side (e.g., the BS), and receiving MsgB from the network side in response to MsgA.

[0031] The RACH / PRACH opportunity (RO) is an area specified in the time domain and frequency domain that can be used for preamble transmission, and the time domain RO is the smallest time domain resource unit for preamble transmission. In LTE, all possible preambles share the same RO (e.g., SIB2) specified by the RRC message, but in NR, the situation becomes more complex. In NR, different SSBs are associated with different beams, and the UE can select a specific beam (downlink spatial domain filter), and transmit the preamble on the RO associated with the beam (the same spatial domain filter is used for transmission and reception). NR R15 has defined a specific mapping relationship between the SSB (or the SSB index used to identify the SSB) and the RO, so that the network side can determine which SSB or beam the UE has selected by detecting the RO on which the UE transmits the preamble. In other words, the RO is associated with the SSB or SSB index to implicitly indicate the selected beam for downlink transmission and (if applicable) also for uplink transmission.

[0032] Specifically, the mapping between the SSB and the RO can be defined by two RRC parameters (i.e., "msg1-FDM" and "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB") defined in TS 38.331 f60. Although the parameter "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB" is expressed in a single way, it can express two sub-parameter values at the same time, namely the value of "ssb-perRACH-Occasion" and the value of "CB-PreamblesPerSSB". According to TS38.331 f60, "msg1-FDM" describes the number of RACH / PRACH transmission opportunities via FDM in a time instance, that is, "msg1-FDM" specifies how many ROs are allocated in the frequency domain (at the same position in the time domain); "ssb-perRACH-Occasion" describes the number of SSBs for each RO (time and frequency), and "CB-PreamblesPerSSB" describes the number of contention-based preambles for each SSB. That is, "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB" specifies how many SSBs can be mapped to one RO, and how many preambles can be mapped to a single SSB.

[0033] TS 38.213 f60 also describes the overall mapping logic as follows.

[0034] · First, in ascending order of the preamble index within a single RO

[0035] · Second, in ascending order of the frequency resource index of the frequency-multiplexed ROs

[0036] · Third, in ascending order of the time resource index of the time-multiplexed ROs within the RACH / PRACH time slot

[0037] · Fourth, in ascending order of the index of the RACH / PRACH time slot

[0038] The mapping between SSB and RO is performed periodically. Depending on the specific settings of two parameters, "msg1-FDM" and "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB", the number of time-domain ROs for all available SSBs in the mapping period can be one or more. According to NR R15, the total number of available SSBs is 64. That is, there are 64 available SSBs with indices from 0 to 63, i.e., SSB 0 to SSB 63. In each mapping period, ROs (also referred to as "valid PRACH occasions") will be mapped to 64 available SSBs. In the future, the total number of available SSBs may change, which will not affect the principle of this application.

[0039] Figures 1 to 4 Describe an exemplary embodiment of the mapping between SSB and RO depending on the specific settings of "msg1-FDM" and "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB".

[0040] Specifically, in the embodiment shown in Figure 1 both "msg1-FDM" and "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB" are set to "1". That is, at the same position in the time domain, only one RO is allocated in the frequency domain, and only one SSB (or SSB index) can be mapped to one RO. For example, RO#0, RO#1, RO#2,..., RO#63 are respectively allocated at different positions in the time domain, and at the same position in the time domain, only one RO (e.g., RO#0, RO#1, RO#2,..., or RO#63) is allocated in the frequency domain. Only SSB 0 can be mapped to RO#0, only SSB 1 can be mapped to RO#1, only SSB 2 can be mapped to RO#2,..., only SSB 63 can be mapped to RO#63.

[0041] In Figure 2In the embodiment shown, "msg1-FDM" is set to "2", while "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB" is set to "1". That is to say, two ROs are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and only one SSB (or SSB index) can be mapped to one RO. For example, RO#0 and RO#1 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, RO#2 and RO#3 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and the same applies to every two ROs hereinafter (e.g., RO#4 and RO#5…, ..., and RO#62 and RO#63). Only SSB 0 can be mapped to RO#0, and only SSB 1 can be mapped to RO#1, and the same applies to the following SSBs (e.g., SSB 2, SSB 3, SSB 4, SSB 5, …, SSB 62 and SSB 63).

[0042] In Figure 3 the embodiment shown, "msg1-FDM" is set to "2" while "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB" is set to "8". That is to say, two ROs are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and 8 SSBs (or SSB indexes) can be mapped to one RO. For example, RO#0 and RO#1 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, RO#2 and RO#3 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and the same applies to every two ROs hereinafter (e.g., RO#4 and RO#5 and RO#6 and RO#7). SSB 0 to 7 can be mapped to RO#0, SSB 8 to 15 can be mapped to RO#1, SSB 16 to 23 can be mapped to RO#2, SSB 24 to 31 can be mapped to RO#3, SSB 32 to 39 can be mapped to RO#4, SSB 40 to 47 can be mapped to RO#5, SSB 48 to 55 can be mapped to RO#6 and SSB 56 to 63 can be mapped to RO#7.

[0043] In Figure 4In the embodiment shown, "msg1-FDM" is still set to "2" while "ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCBPreamblesPerSSB" is set to "1 / 2". That is, two ROs are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and one SSB (or SSB index) can be mapped to two ROs. Therefore, for 64 SSBs, there are 128 ROs to be mapped. For example, RO#0 and RO#1 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, RO#2 and RO#3 are allocated at different positions in the frequency domain but at the same position in the time domain, and the same is true for every two ROs hereinafter (e.g., RO#4 and RO#5…,..., RO#126 and RO#127). Each SSB can be mapped to two ROs in the same time domain. For example, SSB 0 can be mapped to RO#0 and RO#1, SSB 1 can be mapped to RO#2 and RO#3, SSB 2 can be mapped to RO#4 and RO#5, …, SSB 63 can be mapped to RO#126 and RO#127.

[0044] According to some embodiments of the present application, when uplink coverage recovery of a UE is required, time domain repetition of MsgA can be performed when adopting a two-step RACH procedure to increase the received power in the network side.

[0045] For example, Figure 5 Illustrate an exemplary method for MsgA transmission performed in a wireless communication system 500 according to some embodiments of the present application, where time domain repetition of MsgA can be performed in a two-step RACH procedure.

[0046] As Figure 5 shown, the wireless communication system 500 may include at least one base station 510 and at least one UE 520. For the sake of simplicity and clarity, only one base station 510 and one UE 520 under the coverage of the base station 510 are shown. Those skilled in the art should understand that Figure 5 the base station 510 and the UE 520 shown may also be applicable to other communication scenarios and be combined with other base stations 510 and UEs 520. Additionally, methods for MsgA transmission in the network side (e.g., base station 510) and methods for MsgA transmission in the terminal side (e.g., UE 520) are described separately, and they can be performed in other network elements with the same or similar functionality.

[0047] Specifically, the base station 510 may configure parameters for MsgA transmission. For example, the base station 510 may be configured to perform a method for MsgA transmission, the method including: in step 512, determining at least one of the total number of preamble sets in a period, the total number of PRU sets in the period, the preamble repetition number in the period, and the PRU repetition number in the period. "Preamble repetition" may also be referred to as "PRACH repetition" and thus, "preamble repetition number" may also be referred to as "PRACH repetition number". In some embodiments of the present application, the period may be an SSB and RO association mode period.

[0048] According to some embodiments of the present application, the total number of preamble sets in a period may be determined by indexing the preambles in the following order: First, in ascending order of the preamble indices within a single RO; second, in ascending order of the frequency resource indices of the frequency-multiplexed ROs; third, in ascending order of the time resource indices of the time-multiplexed ROs within the RACH / PRACH time slot; and fourth, in ascending order of the indices of the RACH / PRACH time slots.

[0049] According to some embodiments of the present application, the total number of PRU sets in a period may be determined by indexing the PRUs in the following order: First, in ascending order of the frequency resource indices of the frequency-multiplexed ROs; second, in ascending order of the DMRS indices within a single PUSCH occasion (port first, sequence second); third, in ascending order of the time resource indices of the time-multiplexed PUSCH occasions within the PUSCH time slot; and fourth, in ascending order of the indices of the PUSCH time slots.

[0050] The base station 510 may be configured to transmit signaling information to the UE 520 to explicitly or implicitly indicate at least one of the total number of preamble sets in a period, the total number of PRU sets in the period, the preamble repetition number in the period, and the PRU repetition number in the period. For example, the base station 510 may also configure and transmit other related parameters, that is, the number of preambles for each SSB, etc. The base station 510 may calculate the number of preambles for each PRU based on the number of preambles and the number of PRUs in a period. Based on the number of preambles for each SSB and other related parameters, the number of SSBs of the preambles in the time example may be determined. Based on the number of preambles for each SSB, the number of preambles for each PRU, and other related parameters, the number of SSBs of the PRUs in the time example may be determined.

[0051] The method for MsgA executed in the base station 510 may further include: in step 514, determining the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs in a period based on at least one of the total number of preamble sets, the total number of PRU sets, the preamble repetition number, and the PRU repetition number. The mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs means how many consecutive PRACH preambles are mapped to one PRU.

[0052] According to some embodiments of the present application, the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs is the ceiling (ceil) of the ratio of the total number of preamble sets of MsgA in a period to the total number of PRU sets. That is, the mapping ratio can be determined based on the following:

[0053] R-association = ceil (N-preamble / N-PRU) Equation (1)

[0054] where R-association is the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs, N-preamble is the total number of preamble sets in a period, and N-PRU is the total number of PRU sets in a period.

[0055] A method for MsgA transmission performed in a UE 520 may include: In step 522, receiving signaling information indicating at least one of the total number of preamble sets in a period, the total number of PRU sets in the period, the number of preamble repetitions in the period, and the number of PRU repetitions in the period. Based on the received signaling information, the UE 520 may also be configured to: In step 524, determine the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs in the period. The rules for determining the mapping ratio in the base station 510 and the rules in the UE 520 should be the same. The signaling information may explicitly or implicitly indicate these parameters, which may be newly defined in this application or have been defined in the prior art. For example, the signaling information may indicate nrMsgAPO-FDM (the number of msgAPUSCH opportunities in FDM in one time example), PreamblesPerRO (the number of preambles per RO), and preamblesPerSSB (the number of preambles per SSB). The UE 520 may determine the total number of beams in the PRACH time example based on nrMsgAPO-FDM, PreamblesPerRO, and preamblesPerSSB, i.e., N-preamble = nrMsgAPO-FDM * PreamblesPerRO / preamblesPerSSB. In some embodiments of this application, the signaling information may directly or implicitly indicate the mapping ratio. For example, the signaling information may indicate nrMsgAPO-FDM, DMRSResourcesPerPRU (the number of DMRS resources per RO containing both DMRS ports and sequences, which is indicated by multiplexing msgAPUSCH DMRS CDM group, msgAPUSCH NrOfPort, and nrofDMRS - Sequences), the mapping ratio, and PreamblesPerSSB. The UE 520 may determine the total number of beams in the PRU time example based on these parameters, for example, N-PRU = (nrMsgAPO-FDM * DMRSResourcesPerPRU * M) / PreamblesPerSSB. In some embodiments of this application, the UE 520 may also receive signaling information explicitly or implicitly indicating other parameters of MsgA transmission.

[0056] To transmit MsgA, both the preamble and the PRU will be associated with the SSB (also referred to as mapping) to implicitly indicate the beam used by the UE 520, so that the network side can detect them in the correct beam. The association of the preamble with the SSB and the PRU with the SSB is applied in the base station 510 and the UE 520 by the same method, except that the base station 510 can explicitly or implicitly indicate signaling information for MsgA transmission to the UE 520, while the UE 520 needs to determine parameters from the explicit or implicit signaling information. Additionally, in addition to the rules and parameters newly defined in this application, the rules and parameters related to traditional association (mapping) can also be adaptive and will not be described in detail.

[0057] Specifically, according to some embodiments of this application, the method for MsgA transmission may further include determining the SSB group size for the preamble, and associating the indices of the multiple SSBs with the preamble set for the preamble repetitions by dividing the multiple SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble. In some embodiments of this application, the base station 510 may transmit signaling to the UE 520 to explicitly indicate the SSB group size, for example, radio resource control (RRC) signaling. The UE 520 may determine the SSB group size for the preamble based on the explicit signaling. In some other embodiments of this application, the base station 510 may only indicate relevant parameters instead of transmitting explicit signaling for indicating the SSB group size. For example, the base station 510 may transmit the amount of SSBs for the preamble in a time instance. The UE 520 may determine the SSB group size for the preamble based on the amount of SSBs for the preamble in the time instance.

[0058] Associating the indices of the multiple SSBs with the preamble set may be performed in the following order:

[0059] For the multiple SSBs:

[0060] First, in ascending order of the SSB indices within the SSB group;

[0061] Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition index; and

[0062] Next, in ascending order of the SSB group index; and

[0063] For the preamble set:

[0064] First, in ascending order of the code domain resource index;

[0065] Next, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource index; and

[0066] Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource index.

[0067] In cases where multiple SSBs can be evenly divided into each SSB group for preambles, each SSB group for preambles can have the same amount of SSBs. In some embodiments of the present application, since the multiple SSBs are not sufficient to be evenly divided, one SSB group (e.g., the last one) can have a smaller amount of SSBs.

[0068] According to some embodiments of the present application, the method for MsgA transmission may further include determining the SSB group size for a PRU, and associating the indices of the multiple SSBs with a set of PRUs for the PRU repetition number by dividing the multiple SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU. In some embodiments of the present application, the base station 510 may transmit signaling to the UE 520 to explicitly indicate the SSB group size, e.g., RRC signaling. The UE 520 may determine the SSB group size for the PRU based on the explicit signaling. In some other embodiments of the present application, the base station 510 may only indicate the relevant parameters instead of transmitting explicit signaling for indicating the SSB group size. For example, the base station 510 may transmit some parameters for calculating the amount of SSBs for the PRU in a time instance. The UE 520 may determine the SSB group size for the PRU based on the amount of SSBs for the PRU in the time instance.

[0069] Associating the indices of the multiple SSBs with the set of PRUs may be performed in the following order:

[0070] For the multiple SSBs:

[0071] First, in ascending order of the SSB indices within the SSB group;

[0072] Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition indices; and

[0073] Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indices; and

[0074] For the set of PRUs:

[0075] First, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indices;

[0076] Next, in ascending order of the DMRS resource indices; and

[0077] Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource indices.

[0078] Similarly, in cases where multiple SSBs can be evenly divided into each SSB group for a PRU, each SSB group for the PRU can have the same amount of SSBs. In some embodiments of the present application, since the multiple SSBs are not sufficient to be evenly divided, one SSB group (e.g., the last one) can have a smaller amount of SSBs.

[0079] Associating the SSB with the preamble and associating the SSB with the PRU can be performed independently or combined together. The SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU can be the same or different. In some embodiments of the present application, the network side may transmit an RRC signaling indicating both the SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU. In some embodiments of the present application, the network side may transmit different RRC signals to separately indicate the SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU. When the SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU are the same, they can be multiples of the least common multiple of the associated SSB amounts of the preamble and the PRU in the time instance, e.g., the least common multiple or twice the least common multiple.

[0080] Figure 6A Illustrate an exemplary association among the SSB, the preamble, and the PRU implemented by the method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0081] Specifically, in Figure 6A , the preamble repetition number and the PRU repetition number are the same, and both are 2. The number of preambles per SSB (the total number of preambles per SSB) is 8. The SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU are configured to be the same and are multiples of the least common multiple of the associated SSB amount of the preamble (i.e., 8) and the associated SSB amount of the PRU (i.e., 16) in the time instance, i.e., 16. In view of those, the total number of preambles in one cycle is: nrOfPremablePerRO * msg1 - FDM * nrOfTimeDomainRO = 16 * 4 * 8 = 512. Where nrOfPremablePerRO is the number of preambles in the PRACH occasion, and nrOfTimeDomainRO is the total number of time instances in one cycle. The total number of PRUs in one cycle is: nrMsgAPO - FDM * DMRSResourcesPerPRU * nrOfTimeDomainPRU = 8 * 4 * 4 = 128. Where nrOfTimeDomainPRU is the total number of PRU time instances in one cycle. Therefore, the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is 512 / 128 = 4. That is to say, four preambles are associated with one PRU.

[0082] Based on the SSB group size for the preamble (i.e., 16), and the associated SSB amount for the preamble in the time instance is 8, the SSB-to-RO association for 16 SSBs requires 2 RO time instances. Thus, the first and second RO time instances are used for association with SSB#0 to 15 (the first RO time instance is for SSB#0 to 7, and the second RO time instance is for SSB#8 to 15). Based on the preamble repetition number (i.e., 2), the SSB-to-RO association will be repeated, that is, the third and fourth RO instances will also be associated with SSB#0 to 15 (the third RO time instance is for SSB#0 to 7, and the fourth RO time instance is for SSB#8 to 15). The RO-to-SSB association for SSB#16 to 31 can be continuously performed in the time domain in the same manner. Thus, the fifth to eighth time instances are for SSB#16 to 31.

[0083] Regarding the PRU time instance, the associated SSB amount for the PRU in the time instance is 16. Based on the SSB group size for the PRU (i.e., 16), it will be determined that the SSB-to-PRU association for 16 SSBs requires one PRU time instance. Thus, the first PRU time instance is for SSB#0 to 15. Based on the PRU repetition number being 2, the second PRU time instance is also for SSB#0 to 15. The association between the PRU and SSB#16 to 31 can be continuously performed in the time domain in the same manner. Then, the third PRU time instance is for SSB#16 to 31, and considering the PRU repetition number is 2, the fourth PRU time instance is also for SSB 16 to 31.

[0084] Figure 6B Illustrate exemplary associations among SSBs, preambles, and PRUs implemented by the method for MsgA transmission according to some other embodiments of the present application.

[0085] Specifically, in Figure 6B the preamble repetition number and the PRU repetition number are the same, and both are still 2. The number of preambles per SSB (the total number of preambles per SSB) is still 8. However, the SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU are configured differently. The SSB group size for the preamble is 8, while the SSB group size for the PRU is 32. Given those, based on the same determination procedure as the determination procedure in Figure 6A the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is still 4. That is, four preambles are associated with one PRU.

[0086] Based on the SSB group size for the preamble (i.e., 8), and the associated SSB amount for the preamble in the time instance is 8, the SSB to RO association for 8 SSBs requires one RO time instance. Thus, considering the preamble repetition number (i.e., 2), the first and second RO time instances are used for association with SSB#0 to 7. The RO to SSB association for SSB#8 to 31 can be continuously performed in the time domain in the same manner. Thus, the third and fourth time instances are associated with SSB#8 to 15, the fifth and sixth time instances are associated with SSB#16 to 23, and the seventh and eighth time instances are associated with SSB#24 to 31.

[0087] Regarding the PRU time instance, the associated SSB amount for the PRU in the time instance is 16. Based on the SSB group size for the PRU (i.e., 32), it will be determined that the SSB to PRU association for 32 SSBs requires two PRU time instances. Thus, the first PRU time instance is associated with SSB#0 to 15, and the second PRU time instance is associated with SSB#16 to 31. Considering the PRU repetition number (i.e., 2), the SSB to PRU association will be repeated, and thus, the third PRU time instance is associated with SSB#1 to 15, and the fourth PRU time instance is also associated with SSB#16 to 31.

[0088] Figure 6C Illustrate exemplary associations among SSB, preamble, and PRU implemented by the method for MsgA transmission according to still some other embodiments of the present application.

[0089] Specifically, in Figure 6CIn it, the preamble repetition number and the PRU repetition number are separately configured, and the SSB group size for the preamble and the SSB group size for the PRU are also separately configured. The repetition number of the preamble is 2, and the repetition number of the PRU is 4. The SSB group size for the preamble is 8, and the SSB group size for the PRU is 32. Similarly, the total number of preambles in one period is: nrOfPremablePerRO * msg1 - FDM * nrOfTimeDomainRO = 16 * 4 * 16 = 1024. The total number of PRUs in one period is: nrMsgAPO - FDM * DMRSResourcesPerPRU * nrOfTimeDomainPRU = 8 * 4 * 8 = 256. Therefore, the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is 1024 / 256 = 4. That is to say, four preambles are associated with one PRU. Therefore, the first RO time example is associated with SSB#0 to 7, the second RO time example is also associated with SSB#0 to 7, the third RO time example is associated with SSB#8 to 15, and so on. The first two PRU time examples are associated with SSB#0 to 31, the third and fourth PRU time examples are associated with SSB#0 to 31, the fifth and sixth PRU time examples are also associated with SSB#0 to 31, and so on. The ninth to sixteenth RO time examples can be used for other uplink transmissions from this UE or other UEs.

[0090] The mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU can be determined in other ways. For example, when determining the mapping ratio, in addition to the total number of preambles and the total number of PRUs in one period, the preamble repetition number and the PRU repetition number can also be considered. In some embodiments of the present application, the mapping ratio can be determined based on the following:

[0091] R - association = ceil(N - preamble * Nre - preamble / N - PRU / Nre - PRU) Equation (2)

[0092] Wherein, R - association is the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU, N - preamble is the total number of preamble sets in one period, Nre - preamble is the preamble repetition number, N - PRU is the total number of PRU sets in the period, and Nre - PRU is the PRU repetition number.

[0093] In the case where Nre - preamble is greater than or equal to Nre - PRU, the number of SSBs for the preamble in a time instance can be determined based on the number of preambles of each SSB and the number of ROs via FDM in a time instance. As described above, the number of SSBs for the PRU in a time instance can be determined based on the number of preambles of each SSB, the number of preambles of each PRU, and the number of PRUs via FDM in a time instance. However, in the case where Nre - preamble is less than Nre - PRU, the number of preambles of each SSB will be changed to the ceil(Nre - PRU / Nre - preamble) multiple of the total number of preambles of each SSB (the number of preambles of each SSB) determined in the case where there is no repetition for the preamble and PRU. Except for determining the number of preambles of each SSB, there is no other significant difference between the methods of applying the mapping ratios determined in the above two ways. That is, the associated methods described above can also be adaptive.

[0094] Figure 7A Illustrate exemplary associations among SSB, preamble, and PRU implemented by the method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0095] In Figure 7AIn this case, the repetition number of the preamble is 4, and the repetition number of the PRU is 2. The number of preambles per RO (i.e., the number of preambles in a PRACH occasion), nrOfPremablePerRO, is 16, msg1-FDM is 4, and the number of RO time instances in a period (i.e., nrOfTimeDomainRO) is 16. Therefore, the total number of preambles in a period is: nrOfPremablePerRO * msg1-FDM * nrOfTimeDomainRO = 16 * 4 * 16 = 1024. The number of time-domain PRUs (i.e., the total number of PRU time instances in a period), nrOfTimeDomainPRU, is 8, DMRSResourcesPerPRU is 4, and nrMsgAPO-FDM is 8. The total number of PRUs in a period is: nrMsgAPO-FDM * DMRSResourcesPerPRU * nrOfTimeDomainPRU = 8 * 4 * 8 = 256. Therefore, the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs is (1024 * 2) / (256 * 4) = 2. That is, 2 preambles are associated with one PRU. The number of preambles per SSB is configured to be 8, and there are 16 preambles in one RO. Therefore, there are 2 SSBs associated with the RO. Since the number of ROs FDM in one time instance (msg1-FDM) is 4, the number of SSBs associated with the preambles in one time instance is 2 * 4 = 8. Based on the SSB group size for the preambles indicated explicitly or implicitly (i.e., 8), the SSB-to-RO association for 8 SSBs requires one RO time instance. Therefore, the first RO time instance is used to associate with SSB#0 to 7. Based on the preamble repetition number (i.e., 4), the SSB-to-RO association will be repeated, that is, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th RO time instances will also be associated with SSB#0 to 7 (the 2nd RO time instance is used to associate with SSB#0 to 7, the 3rd RO time instance is used to associate with SSB#0 to 7, and the 4th RO time instance is used to associate with SSB#0 to 7). The RO-to-SSB association for SSB#8 to 15 will be performed continuously in the time domain. Therefore, the 5th to 8th time instances are used for SSB#8 to 15, the 9th to 12th time instances are used for SSB#16 to 23, and the 13th to 16th time instances are used for SSB#24 to 31.

[0096] Regarding the PRU time example, the number of preambles for each SSB is configured to be 8, and the mapping ratio between the preambles and the PRUs is 2. That is to say, each PRU is associated with 2 preambles. Therefore, 8 preambles require 4 PRUs, which are associated with one SSB. Thus, PRUs #0, 1, 2, and 3 are associated with SSB #0 and have DMRS resource index #0. PRUs #4, 5, 6, and 7 are associated with SSB #1 and have DMRS resource index #0. PRUs #8, 9, 10, and 11 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #0, 1, 2, and 3, but different DMRS resource indexes, i.e., DMRS resource index #1) are associated with SSB #2. PRUs #12, 13, 14, and 15 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #4, 5, 6, and 7, but different DMRS resource indexes, i.e., DMRS resource index #1) are associated with SSB #3. PRUs #16, 17, 18, and 19 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #0, 1, 2, and 3, but different DMRS resource indexes, e.g., DMRS resource index #2) are associated with SSB #4. PRUs #20, 21, 22, and 23 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #4, 5, 6, and 7, but different DMRS resource indexes, i.e., DMRS resource index #2) are associated with SSB #5. PRUs #24, 25, 26, and 27 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #0, 1, 2, and 3, but different DMRS resource indexes, i.e., DMRS resource index #3) are associated with SSB #6. PRUs #28, 29, 30, and 31 (the same time-frequency resources as PRUs #4, 5, 6, and 7, but different DMRS resource indexes, i.e., DMRS resource index #3) are associated with SSB #7. The number of PRUs in the PRU time example is: nrMsgAPO - FDM * nrofDMRS - Ports * nrofDMRS - Sequences = 8 * 2 * 2 = 32. Each PRU is associated with 2 preambles based on the mapping ratio. Therefore, there are 32 * 2 = 64 associated preambles in the PRU time example. Since each SSB is associated with 8 preambles, there are 64 / 8 = 8 associated SSBs in the PRU time example. Thus, the number of associated SSBs for PRUs in the PRU time example is 8. Based on the SSB group size for PRUs being 32, it will be determined that 4 (i.e., 32 / 8) PRU time examples are required for the association of SSBs with PRUs for 32 SSBs. Therefore, the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th PRU time examples are used for association with SSBs #0 to 31 (the 1st PRU time example is for SSBs #0 to 7, the 2nd PRU time example is for SSBs #8 to 15, the 3rd PRU time example is for SSBs #16 to 23, and the 4th PRU time example is for SSBs #24 to 31).Based on the PRU repetition number being 2, the 5th to 8th PRU time instances are also used in association with SSB#0 to 31.

[0097] Figure 7B Illustrate exemplary associations among SSB, preamble, and PRU implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0098] In Figure 7BAmong them, the repetition number of the preamble is 2, and the repetition number of the PRU is 4. The number of preambles per RO (i.e., the number of preambles in the PRACH occasion), nrOfPremablePerRO, is 16, msg1-FDM is 4, and the number of RO time instances in a period, nrOfTimeDomainRO, is 16. Therefore, the total number of preambles in a period is: nrOfPremablePerRO * msg1-FDM * nrOfTimeDomainRO = 16 * 4 * 16 = 1024. The number of PRU time instances in a period, nrOfTimeDomainPRU, is 8, DMRSResourcesPerPRU is 4, and nrMsgAPO-FDM is 8. The total number of PRUs in a period is: nrMsgAPO-FDM * DMRSResourcesPerPRU * nrOfTimeDomainPRU = 8 * 4 * 8 = 256. Therefore, the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs is (1024 * 4) / (256 * 2) = 8. That is to say, 8 preambles are associated with one PRU. The number of preambles of each SSB without repetition is configured to be 8. In this case, the number of preambles of each SSB is increased to twice the corresponding value without repetition, where 2 is the ratio between the PRU repetition number and the preamble repetition number. Therefore, the number of preambles of each SSB is 8 * 2 = 16. There are 16 preambles in one RO. Therefore, there is 1 SSB associated with one RO. Since the number of ROs (msg1-FDM) FDM in one time instance is 4, the number of SSBs associated with the preambles in one time instance is 1 * 4 = 4. Based on the SSB group size (i.e., 8) for the preambles indicated explicitly or implicitly, two RO time instances are required for the SSB-to-RO association for 8 SSBs. Therefore, the first RO time instance is used to be associated with SSB#0 to 3, and the 2nd RO time instance is used to be associated with SSB#4 to 7. Based on the preamble repetition number (i.e., 2), the repeated SSB-to-RO association is performed. That is to say, the 3rd and 4th RO time instances will also be associated with SSB#0 to 7 (the 3rd RO time instance is used to be associated with SSB#0 to 3, and the 4th RO time instance is used to be associated with SSB#4 to 7). The RO-to-SSB association for SSB#8 to 15 will be performed continuously in the time domain. Therefore, the 5th to 8th time instances are used to be associated with SSB#8 to 15, the 9th to 12th time instances are used to be associated with SSB#16 to 23, and the 13th to 16th time instances are used to be associated with SSB#24 to 31.

[0099] Regarding the PRU time example, the number of preambles for each SSB is updated to 16, and the mapping ratio between the preambles and the PRUs is 8, that is, each PRU is associated with 8 preambles. Therefore, 16 preambles require 2 PRUs, which are associated with one SSB. Thus, PRU#0, 1 are associated with SSB#0. PRU#2, 3 are associated with SSB#1, PRU#4, 5 are associated with SSB#2. PRU#6, 7 are associated with SSB#3. PRU#8, 9 (the same time-frequency resources as PRU#0, 1 but different DMRS resource indices) are associated with SSB#4. The number of PRUs in the PRU time example is: nrMsgAPO-FDM * nrofDMRS-Ports * nrofDMRS-Sequences = 8 * 2 * 2 = 32. Each PRU is associated with 8 preambles based on the mapping ratio, and thus, there are 32 * 8 = 256 associated preambles in the PRU time example. Since each SSB is associated with 16 preambles, there are 256 / 16 = 16 associated SSBs in the PRU time example. Therefore, the number of associated SSBs for the PRUs in the PRU time example is 16. Based on the SSB group size for the PRUs being 32, it will be determined that for the SSB-to-PRU association of 32 SSBs, 2 (i.e., 32 / 16) PRU time examples are required. Thus, the 1st and 2nd PRU time examples are used to be associated with SSB#0 to 31 (the 1st PRU time example is for SSB#0 to 15, and the 2nd PRU time example is for SSB#16 to 31). Based on the PRU repetition number being 4, the 3rd to 4th PRU time examples are also used to be associated with SSB#0 to 31, the 5th to 6th PRU time examples are also used to be associated with SSB#0 to 31, and the 7th to 8th PRU time examples are also used to be associated with SSB#0 to 31. The association order for associating the indices of multiple SSBs with the preamble set and the association order for associating the indices of multiple SSBs with the PRU set can be different depending on different application requirements. For example, using the last mapping method in the time domain, all frequency resources will be used by a single SSB, which may make it impossible to multiplex multiple SSBs in a single time example. The network side (e.g., base station 510) can explicitly indicate (to the UE 520) (by, for example, RRC signaling) that the (certain) association order will change. It can indicate that both the association order for associating the indices of multiple SSBs with the preamble set and the association order for associating the indices of multiple SSBs with the PRU set will change, or indicate that one of them will change.

[0100] Figure 8 Illustrate an exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application. As Figure 8As shown, the method may include: determining, in step 802, the number of preamble repetitions in a period and the SSB group size for the preamble, and in step 804, associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a preamble set for the number of preamble repetitions in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble.

[0101] In some embodiments of the present application, associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a preamble set may be performed in the following order:

[0102] For the plurality of SSBs:

[0103] First, in ascending order of the SSB indices within an SSB group;

[0104] Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition indices; and

[0105] Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indices; and

[0106] For the preamble set:

[0107] First, in ascending order of the time domain resource indices;

[0108] Next, in ascending order of one type of index among the code domain resource index and the frequency domain resource index; and

[0109] Next, in ascending order of the other type of index among the code domain resource index and the frequency domain resource index.

[0110] Specifically, in some embodiments, the association order of the preamble set may be: first, in ascending order of the time domain resource indices; next, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indices; and then, in ascending order of the code domain resource indices. In some other embodiments, the association order of the PRU set may be: first, in ascending order of the time domain resource indices; next, in ascending order of the code domain resource indices; and then, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indices.

[0111] The number of preamble repetitions may be implicitly indicated by the total number of PRACH opportunity time instances of a single SSB, and the SSB group size for the preamble is implicitly indicated by the total number of SSBs multiplexed in the frequency domain and the code domain in a single time instance. Therefore, in this association order, the time domain RO for a single SSB may be more than one, for example, the same as the number of preamble repetitions when applied to associate the preamble with the SSB, and the same as the PRU repetition number when applied to associate the PRU with the SSB.

[0112] Similarly, Figure 9 Describe another exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some other embodiments of the present application. AsFigure 9 As shown in Figure 9 , the method may include: determining the number of PRU repetitions in a period and the SSB group size for the PRU in step 902, and associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with a PRU set for the number of PRU repetitions in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU in step 904.

[0113] According to some embodiments of the present application, associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with a PRU set may be performed in the following order:

[0114] For the plurality of SSBs:

[0115] First, in ascending order of the SSB indexes within the SSB group;

[0116] Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition indexes; and

[0117] Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indexes; and

[0118] For the PRU set:

[0119] First, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes;

[0120] Next, in ascending order of one type of index among the frequency domain resource indexes and the DMRS resource indexes; and

[0121] Next, in ascending order of the other type of index among the frequency domain resource indexes and the DMRS resource indexes.

[0122] Specifically, in some embodiments, the association order of the PRU set may be: first, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes; next, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indexes; and then, in ascending order of the DMRS resource indexes. In some other embodiments, the association order of the PRU set may be: first, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes; next, in ascending order of the DMRS resource indexes; and then, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indexes.

[0123] The number of PRU repetitions may be implicitly indicated by the total number of PRU time instances of a single SSB, and the SSB group size for the PRU is implicitly indicated by the total number of SSBs multiplexed in the frequency domain and the DMRS resource domain in a single time instance. In this association order, the time domain RO of a single SSB may be more than one.

[0124] As stated above, associating the SSB with the preamble and associating the SSB with the PRU may be performed independently or combined together. The association order for associating the SSB with the preamble and the association order for associating the SSB with the PRU described above may be combined with each other. For example,Figure 8 The association order for associating SSBs with preambles as described in the embodiments of Figure 9 can be combined with the association order for associating SSBs with PRUs in the embodiments of

[0125] For example, according to some embodiments of the present application, a method for MsgA transmission may include: determining the number of preamble repetitions in a period and the SSB group size for the preamble; determining the number of PRU repetitions in the period and the SSB group size for the PRU; associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a preamble set for the number of preamble repetitions in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble; and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with a PRU set for the number of PRU repetitions in the period by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU. Wherein associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set may be performed in any adaptive order respectively.

[0126] Figure 10 Illustrate exemplary associations among SSBs, preambles, and PRUs implemented by a method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0127] In Figure 10 , the corresponding configuration would be: SSBsPerRO is 1 / 2, which means one SSB is associated with 2 ROs. Using the order of time-first mapping, 2 RO time instances will be associated with one SSB. For example, SSB#0 is associated with the 1st and 2nd RO time instances. Thus, the repetition number of the SSB is 2. Regarding code-domain multiplexing, the number of preambles for each SSB is 8, and there are 16 preambles in an RO. One RO can have 2 associated SSBs. Thus, SSB#1 is also associated with the 1st and 2nd time instances. The preambles associated with SSB#0 will be the 1st to 8th preambles in each RO, i.e., preamble#0 to preamble#7 and preamble#64 to preamble#71. The preambles associated with SSB#1 will be the 9th to 16th preambles in each RO, i.e., preamble#8 to preamble#15 and preamble#72 to preamble#79. Regarding frequency-domain multiplexing, the number of frequency-domain resources associated with each SSB can be configured to be (for example) 1. In Figure 10 , there are a total of 4 frequency-domain resources, where each frequency-domain resource is associated with 2 SSBs and there are a total of 8 SSBs associated with the same time instance. Thus, the SSB group size for the preamble can be determined to be 8.

[0128] For the PRU, it can be configured such that the SSB for each PRU is 1 / 4, which means that one SSB is associated with 4 PRUs. Using the order of the first mapping in the time domain, each SSB is associated with 4 PRUs. For example, SSB#0 is associated with the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th PRU time instances. Therefore, the repetition number of the PRU is 4. Regarding frequency-domain multiplexing, the number of PRU frequency-domain resources associated with each SSB can be configured to be (for example) 1. In Figure 10 , there are a total of 8 PRU frequency-domain resources. The method for determining the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is the same as in Figure 6A , and the mapping ratio is 4. Therefore, one PRU is associated with 4 preambles. In the case where one SSB has 8 preambles, there are a total of 2 PRUs in the frequency domain associated with one SSB. Therefore, PRU#0 and PRU#1 are associated with SSB#0, PRU#2 and PRU#3 are associated with SSB#1, PRU#4 and PRU#5 are associated with SSB#2, and PRU#6 and PRU#7 are associated with SSB#3. Regarding DMRS resource multiplexing (first in the DMRS port index and then in the DMRS sequence index), one PUSCH has 4 DMRS resources. Therefore, PRU#8 and PRU#9 are associated with SSB#4, PRU#16 and PRU#17 are associated with SSB#8, and PRU#24 and PRU#25 are associated with SSB#12. Then, there are a total of 16 associated SSBs in one PRU time instance. The SSB group size for the PRU is 16.

[0129] In some embodiments of the present application, it is also possible to implement more than one time-domain RO for a single SSB by (for example) configuring the information on the frequency-domain resources for each SSB by the base station 510. The UE 520 will perform the association based on the received configuration information in any of the above mapping orders.

[0130] The behavior of having more than one time-domain RO associated with a single SSB is different from the prior art, where the UE can select any RO for preamble transmission. However, according to some embodiments of the present application (for example, the embodiments of Figure 8 and 9 ), more than one RO will be used for preamble transmission for a single UE. That is to say, if there are more than one time-domain ROs, the preamble will be transmitted multiple times. This behavior of having more than one time-domain RO associated with a single SSB can be explicitly implemented (for example) through RRC signaling or implicitly implemented by the network side. In this case, the SSB group size for the preamble can be configured as a multiple of the number of associated SSBs in a single time instance of the preamble, and the SSB group size for the PRU can be configured as a multiple of the number of associated SSBs in a single time instance of the PRU.

[0131] In addition, the downlink bandwidth part (BWP) for transmitting SSB and the uplink BWP for MsgA transmission are mapped one-to-one. Therefore, in a case where there are multiple UEs 520 in a cell, all UEs 520 can select the same downlink BWP due to the reduced bandwidth. To avoid MsgA conflicts, according to some embodiments of the present application, the UEs will be offloaded to different uplink BWPs, which can be illustrated by the exemplary method shown in Figure 11 This mechanism is also applicable to Msg1 transmission.

[0132] Specifically, Figure 11 An exemplary method for MsgA transmission according to some embodiments of the present application is described. In step 1101, for example, the downlink BWP identifier of the UE 520 can be determined by the UE 520. The BWP identifier can be determined based on at least one of the identifier of the UE 520, the preamble repetition number of the UE 520, the PRU repetition number of the UE 520, and the category of the UE 520. In step 1103, the determined BWP identifier can be applied by the UE 520 to at least one of the downlink BWP for downlink transmission and the uplink BWP for uplink transmission. For example, the UE 520 can determine the downlink BWP for downlink transmission based on the determined BWP identifier, or determine the uplink BWP for uplink transmission based on the determined BWP identifier. The association (or mapping) of one downlink BWP with multiple uplink BWPs can be configured by RRC signaling. When there are more than one uplink BWPs associated with one DL BWP, the selection of the uplink BWP for Msg1 or MsgA transmission can be determined based on at least one of the identifier of the UE 520, the preamble repetition number of the UE 520, the PRU repetition number of the UE 520, and the category of the UE 520. In some embodiments of the present application, the downlink BWP and the uplink BWP are mapped one-to-one, and they can use the same BWP, that is, the BWP identified by the determined BWP identifier.

[0133] Figure 12 A block diagram of an exemplary device according to some embodiments of the present application is described.

[0134] As Figure 12As shown, device 1200 may include at least one receiving circuit 1001, at least one transmitting circuit 1203, at least one processor 1205, and at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium 1207. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 1207 stores computer-executable instructions therein to cause the processor to implement the method according to an embodiment of the present application. The processor 1205 is configured to be coupled to the non-transitory computer-readable medium 1207, the receiving circuit 1201, and the transmitting circuit 1203. After careful consideration, according to actual needs, in some other embodiments of the present application, device 1200 may further include more computer-readable media, receiving circuits, transmitting circuits, and processors other than those Figure 12 shown. In some embodiments of the present application, the receiving circuit 1201 and the transmitting circuit 1203 are integrated into a single device (such as a transceiver). In certain embodiments, device 1200 may further include an input device, a memory, and / or other components.

[0135] In some embodiments of the present application, device 1200 may be a network-side device, for example, base station 510. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 1207 may store computer-executable instructions thereon to cause the processor to implement the operations performed in the BS(s) as described above (for example, Figure 5 , 8 and the methods shown in 9).

[0136] In some other embodiments of the present application, device 1200 may be a terminal device, for example, UE 520. The non-transitory computer-readable medium 1207 may store computer-executable instructions thereon to cause the processor to perform operations with respect to the UE(s) as described above (for example, Figure 5 , 8 , 9 and the methods shown in 11).

[0137] The method of the present application may be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flowchart, and modules may also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit elements, an integrated circuit, a hardware electronic or logic circuit (such as a discrete element circuit), a programmable logic device, or the like. Generally, any device on which a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowchart shown in the figure resides may be used to implement the processor functions of the present application.

[0138] One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps of the methods described in connection with the aspects disclosed herein can be embodied directly in hardware, in software modules executed by a processor, or in a combination of both. The software modules can reside in RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, EEPROM memory, registers, a hard disk, a removable disk, a CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Additionally, in some aspects, the steps of the methods can reside on a non-transitory computer-readable medium as one or any combination or set of code and / or instructions, which can be incorporated into a computer program product.

[0139] Although the present disclosure has been described using its specific embodiments, it is apparent that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be obvious to those skilled in the art. For example, the various components of the embodiments can be interchanged, added, or replaced in other embodiments. Additionally, the operations of the disclosed embodiments do not require all of the elements of each figure. For example, by simply employing the elements of the independent claims, one of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to make and use the teachings of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the embodiments of the present disclosure as set forth herein are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0140] In this document, the term "comprises", "comprising", or any variation thereof is intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, and apparatus. Without further limitation, an element preceded by "a", "an", or the like does not exclude the presence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element. Additionally, the term "another" is defined as at least second or more. As used herein, the terms "comprising", "having", and the like are defined as "including".

Claims

1. A method, comprising: Receiving signaling information indicating at least one of a total number of preamble sets in a period, a total number of physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource unit (PRU) sets in the period, a preamble repetition number in the period, and a PRU repetition number in the period; And Determining a mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs in the period based on the received signaling information, Wherein the method further comprises one or more of the following: Determining an SSB group size for preambles; and associating indices of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble sets for the preamble repetition number by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for preambles based on the SSB group size for preambles; Or Determining an SSB group size for PRUs; and associating indices of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU sets for the PRU repetition number by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for PRUs based on the SSB group size for PRUs.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping ratio of preambles to PRUs is the ceiling of the ratio of the total number of the preamble sets to the total number of the PRU sets.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is ceil (N-preamble*Nre-preamble / N-PRU / Nre-PRU), where, N - preamble is the total number of the preamble sets, Nre - preamble is the preamble repetition number, N - PRU is the total number of the PRU sets, and Nre - PRU is the PRU repetition number.

4. The method according to claim 2, wherein in a case where Nre - preamble is less than Nre - PRU, determining a total number of preambles for each SSB based on at least one of the preamble repetition number and the PRU repetition number.

5. The method according to claim 3, wherein the total number of preambles for each SSB is a ceil(Nre - PRU / Nre - preamble) multiple of the total number of preambles for each SSB determined in a case where there is no repetition of preambles and PRUs.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the SSB group size for preambles is based on explicit signaling.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein determining the SSB group size for PRUs is based on explicit signaling.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SSB group size for preambles and the SSB group size for PRUs are the least common multiple of the associated SSB amounts of preambles and PRUs in a time instance.

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SSB group size for preambles is implicitly determined by the amount of the associated SSBs for preambles in a time instance.

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the SSB group size for PRUs is implicitly determined by the amount of the SSBs for PRUs in the same time instance.

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble sets is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB index within the SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition index; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group index; and For the set of preambles: First, in ascending order of the code domain resource index; Next, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource index; and Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource index.

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB index within the SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition index; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group index; and For the PRU set: First, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource index; Next, in ascending order of the demodulation reference signal DMRS resource index; and Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource index.

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB index within the SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition index; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group index; and For the preamble set: First, in ascending order of the time domain resource index; Next, in ascending order of one type of index among the code domain resource index and the frequency domain resource index; and Next, in ascending order of the other type of index among the code domain resource index and the frequency domain resource index.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the preamble repetition number is implicitly indicated by the total number of PRACH occasion time instances of a single SSB, and the SSB group size for the preamble is implicitly indicated by the total number of SSBs multiplexed in the frequency domain and the code domain in a single time instance.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein the SSB group size for the preamble is configured to be a multiple of the total number of associated SSBs for the preamble in a single time instance.

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB index within the SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition index; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group index; and For the PRU set: First, in ascending order of the time domain resource index; Next, in ascending order of one type of index among the frequency domain resource index and the demodulation reference signal DMRS resource index; and Next, in ascending order of the other type of index among the frequency domain resource index and the DMRS resource index.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein the PRU repetition number is implicitly indicated by the total number of PRU time instances of a single SSB, and the SSB group size for the PRU is implicitly indicated by the total number of SSBs multiplexed in the frequency domain and the DMRS resource domain in a single time instance.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein the SSB group size for the PRU is configured as a multiple of the total number of associated SSBs for the PRU in a single time instance.

19. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling indicating an order in which the indices of the plurality of SSBs are associated with the preamble set.

20. The method according to claim 1, comprising receiving radio resource control (RRC) signaling indicating an order in which the indices of the plurality of SSBs are associated with the PRU set.

21. A method, comprising: configuring signaling information indicating at least one of a total number of preamble sets in a period, a total number of physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resource units (PRUs) sets in the period, a number of preamble repetitions in the period, and a number of PRU repetitions in the period; and determining a mapping ratio of preamble to PRU in the period based on at least one of the total number of preamble sets in the period, the total number of PRU sets in the period, the number of preamble repetitions in the period, and the number of PRU repetitions in the period, wherein the method further comprises one or more of the following: determining an SSB group size for a preamble; and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set for the number of preamble repetitions by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the preamble based on the SSB group size for the preamble; or determining an SSB group size for a PRU; and associating the indices of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set for the number of PRU repetitions by dividing the plurality of SSBs into one or more SSB groups for the PRU based on the SSB group size for the PRU.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the mapping ratio of preamble to PRU is the ceiling of the ratio of the total number of preamble sets to the total number of PRU sets.

23. The method according to claim 21, wherein the mapping ratio of the preamble to the PRU is ceil (N-preamble*Nre-preamble / N-PRU / Nre-PRU), where, N - preamble is the total number of preamble sets, Nre - preamble is the number of preamble repetitions, N - PRU is the total number of PRU sets, and Nre - PRU is the number of PRU repetitions.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein in a case where Nre - preamble is less than Nre - PRU, determining a total number of preambles for each SSB based on at least one of the number of preamble repetitions and the number of PRU repetitions.

25. The method according to claim 24, wherein the total number of preambles for each SSB is a multiple of the ceiling of (Nre - PRU / Nre - preamble) of the total number of preambles for each SSB determined in a case where there are no repetitions of preambles and PRUs.

26. The method according to claim 21, wherein the SSB group size for a preamble and the SSB group size for a PRU are the least common multiple of the associated SSB amounts of the preamble and the PRU in a time instance.

27. The method according to claim 21, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB indexes within an SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indexes; and For the preamble set: First, in ascending order of the code domain resource indexes; Next, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes.

28. The method according to claim 21, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB indexes within an SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indexes; and For the PRU set: First, in ascending order of the frequency domain resource indexes; Next, in ascending order of the demodulation reference signal DMRS resource indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes.

29. The method according to claim 21, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB indexes within an SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the preamble repetition indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indexes; and For the preamble set: First, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes; Next, in ascending order of one type of indexes among the code domain resource indexes and the frequency domain resource indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the other type of indexes among the code domain resource indexes and the frequency domain resource indexes.

30. The method according to claim 29, wherein the SSB group size for the preamble is configured to be a multiple of the total number of SSBs for the preamble in a single time instance.

31. The method according to claim 21, wherein associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the PRU set is performed in the following order: For the plurality of SSBs: First, in ascending order of the SSB indexes within an SSB group; Next, in ascending order of the PRU repetition indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the SSB group indexes; and For the PRU set: First, in ascending order of the time domain resource indexes; Next, in ascending order of one type of indexes among the frequency domain resource indexes and the demodulation reference signal DMRS resource indexes; and Next, in ascending order of the other type of indexes among the frequency domain resource indexes and the DMRS resource indexes.

32. The method according to claim 21, wherein the SSB group size for the PRU is configured to be a multiple of the total number of SSBs for the PRU in a single time instance.

33. The method according to claim 21, which includes transmitting radio resource control RRC signaling indicating the order of associating the indexes of the plurality of SSBs with the preamble set.

34. The method according to claim 21, comprising transmitting radio resource control (RRC) signaling indicating an order in which the indices of the plurality of SSBs are associated with the set of PRUs.

35. An apparatus, comprising: at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; at least one receiving circuit; at least one transmitting circuit; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiving circuit, and the at least one transmitting circuit, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 20.

36. An apparatus, comprising: at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon; at least one receiving circuit; at least one transmitting circuit; and at least one processor coupled to the at least one non-transitory computer-readable medium, the at least one receiving circuit, and the at least one transmitting circuit, wherein the computer-executable instructions cause the at least one processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 21 to 34.

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