Beam management for devices in inactive mode

Abstract

Example embodiments of the present disclosure relate to transmit power control for beam management. A first device sends a first configuration to a second device. The first configuration indicates information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device. Alternatively, or in addition, the first configuration further indicates a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, wherein the plurality of transmission opportunities are allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device while the second device is in an inactive mode. The first device detects transmissions from the second device at the plurality of transmission opportunities according to the first configuration. With this solution, a beam management solution and efficient resource allocation are proposed for devices in an inactive mode.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to the field of telecommunications, and more particularly, to methods, devices, apparatuses, and computer-readable storage media for beam management of devices in inactive mode. Background Art

[0002] To achieve resource utilization, many technologies have been proposed and applied in wireless communication systems. For example, beam-based transmission schemes can be used for directional wireless communication. Specifically, network devices and terminal devices exchange beam information (such as beam configuration information, measurement results, feedback, etc.) between each other to achieve directional wireless communication.

[0003] Furthermore, the power consumption of terminal devices is also a key consideration in current wireless communication systems. To reduce power consumption, it is proposed that terminal devices can be configured in power-saving modes (such as inactive mode). For terminal devices in inactive mode, it is recommended to suspend unnecessary processes (such as beam management processes).

[0004] However, in some scenarios, terminal devices in inactive mode still need to perform transmissions with network devices (such as small data transmission (SDT)). This makes beam management necessary for terminal devices in inactive mode. Therefore, beam management solutions and efficient resource allocation for devices in inactive mode need to be proposed and discussed. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In general, example embodiments of the present disclosure provide a solution for beam management of devices in inactive mode. Embodiments that do not fall within the scope of the claims, if any, are to be construed as examples useful for understanding the various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0006] In a first aspect, a first device is provided. The first device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: send a first configuration to a second device. The first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, the plurality of transmission opportunities being allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. The first device is further configured to: detect transmissions from the second device at the plurality of transmission opportunities according to the first configuration.

[0007] In a second aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: at least one processor; and at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the second device to: receive a first configuration from a first device. The first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, the plurality of transmission opportunities being allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. The second device is also caused to: determine a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration if the second device is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device to the first device. The second device is also caused to: perform a transmission from the second device to the first device at the target transmission opportunity.

[0008] In a third aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: transmitting, at a first device and to a second device, a first configuration, wherein the first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information regarding at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. The method also includes: detecting, during the plurality of transmission opportunities, a transmission from the second device according to the first configuration.

[0009] In a fourth aspect, a method is provided. The method includes: receiving, at a second device and from a first device, a first configuration, the first configuration indicating at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, the plurality of transmission opportunities being allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. The method also includes: if the second device is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device to the first device, determining a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration. The method also includes: performing a transmission from the second device to the first device at the target transmission opportunity.

[0010] In a fifth aspect, a first apparatus is provided. The first apparatus includes means for transmitting a first configuration to a second apparatus, wherein the first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information regarding at least one candidate beam assigned to the second apparatus, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first apparatus for transmission from the second apparatus to the first apparatus when the second apparatus is in an inactive mode. The first apparatus further includes means for detecting transmission from the second apparatus at the plurality of transmission opportunities according to the first configuration.

[0011] In a sixth aspect, a second device is provided. The second device includes: a component for receiving a first configuration from a first device, wherein the first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. The second device also includes: a component for determining a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration if the second device is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device to the first device. The second device also includes: a component for performing the transmission from the second device to the first device at the target transmission opportunity.

[0012] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes program instructions, and the program instructions are configured to cause an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the third aspect.

[0013] In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable medium is provided, wherein the computer-readable medium includes program instructions for causing an apparatus to at least execute the method according to the fourth aspect.

[0014] It should be understood that the invention summary is not intended to identify the key or essential features of the embodiments of the present disclosure, nor is it intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Other features of the present disclosure will become readily understood through the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Some example embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 An example communication environment is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented;

[0017] Figure 2 shows a signaling flow for beam management according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0018] Figure 3 A block diagram illustrating example beam configurations according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figure 4 A block diagram illustrating further example beam configurations according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 5 A block diagram illustrating another example beam configuration according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figure 6 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a first device according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 7 A flowchart illustrating a method implemented at a second device according to some other example embodiments of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 8 shows a simplified block diagram of an apparatus suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0024] Figure 9 A block diagram of an example computer-readable medium is shown, according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Throughout the drawings, the same or similar reference numerals represent the same or similar elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The principles of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to some exemplary embodiments. It should be understood that these embodiments are described only to illustrate and help those skilled in the art understand and implement the present disclosure, and do not imply any limitation on the scope of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various ways except for the manner described below.

[0027] In the following description and claims, unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs.

[0028] References in this disclosure to "one embodiment," "an embodiment," "an example embodiment," etc. indicate that the described embodiment may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Furthermore, such phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is considered to be within the knowledge of those skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments, whether or not explicitly described.

[0029] It should be understood that although the terms "first" and "second" etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the exemplary embodiments, a first element may be referred to as a second element, and similarly, a second element may be referred to as a first element. As used herein, the term "and / or" includes any and all combinations of one or more of the listed terms.

[0030] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and are not intended to limit the example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises," "comprising," "has," "having," "includes," and / or "including," when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, elements, and / or components, etc., but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, elements, components, and / or combinations thereof.

[0031] As used in this application, the term "circuitry" may refer to one or more or all of the following:

[0032] (a) pure hardware circuit implementation (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuitry only) and

[0033] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (as applicable):

[0034] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware, and

[0035] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) (including digital signal processor(s)) with software, software and memory(s) that work together to enable a device (such as a mobile phone or server) to perform various functions) and

[0036] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s) (such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s)) that require software (e.g., firmware) to operate, but the software may not be present when the software is not required for operation.

[0037] This definition of circuitry applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term circuitry also covers implementations of merely a hardware circuit or processor (or multiple processors) or a portion of a hardware circuit or processor and its (or their) accompanying software and / or firmware. The term circuitry also covers, for example and if applicable to the particular claim element, a baseband integrated circuit or processor integrated circuit for a mobile device or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other computing or device.

[0038] As used herein, the term "communication network" refers to a network that complies with any suitable communication standard, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT), etc. In addition, the communication between the terminal equipment and the network equipment in the communication network can be performed according to any suitable generation of communication protocol, including but not limited to: first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, future fifth generation (5G) communication protocols, and / or any other protocol currently known or developed in the future. The example embodiments of the present disclosure can be applied to various communication systems. In view of the rapid development of communications, there will certainly be future types of communication technologies and systems that can embody the present disclosure. It should not be considered that the scope of the present disclosure is limited to the above-mentioned systems.

[0039] As used herein, the term "network device" refers to a node in a communication network via which a terminal device accesses the network and receives services. A network device may refer to a base station (BS) or an access point (AP), such as a NodeB (NodeB or NB), an evolved NodeB (eNodeB or eNB), a NR NB (also known as a gNB), a remote radio unit (RRU), a radio head (RH), a remote radio head (RRH), a relay, an integrated and access backhaul (IAB) node, a low power node (such as a femto, a pico), a non-terrestrial network (NTN) or a non-terrestrial network device (such as a satellite network device, a low earth orbit (LEO) satellite and a geosynchronous orbit (GEO) satellite, an aircraft network device), etc., depending on the terminology and technology of the application.

[0040] The term "terminal device" refers to any terminal device capable of wireless communication. As an example and not limitation, a terminal device may also be referred to as a communication device, user equipment (UE), subscriber station (SS), portable subscriber station, mobile station (MS) or access terminal (AT). Terminal devices may include, but are not limited to, mobile phones, cellular phones, smart phones, voice over IP (VoIP) phones, wireless local loop phones, tablet computers, wearable terminal devices, personal digital assistants (PDAs), portable computers, desktop computers, image capture terminal devices (such as digital cameras), game terminal devices, music storage and playback devices, vehicle-mounted wireless terminal devices, wireless terminals, mobile stations, laptop embedded devices (LEEs), laptop mounted devices (LMEs), USB dongles, smart devices, wireless client equipment (CPEs), Internet of Things (IoT) devices, watches or other wearable devices, head-mounted displays (HMDs), vehicles, drones, medical devices and applications (such as remote surgery), industrial devices and applications (such as robots and / or other wireless devices operating in industrial and / or automated process chain environments), consumer electronic devices, devices operating on commercial and / or industrial wireless networks, etc. In the following description, the terms "terminal device", "communication device", "terminal", "user equipment" and "UE" may be used interchangeably.

[0041] As used herein, the terms "resources," "transmission resources," "resource blocks," "physical resource blocks (PRBs)," "uplink (UL) resources," or "downlink (DL) resources" may refer to any resources used to perform communication, for example, communication between a terminal device and a network device, such as resources in the time domain, resources in the frequency domain, resources in the spatial domain, resources in the code domain, resources in a combination of more than one domain, or any other resources capable of communication. Some example embodiments of the present invention are described below using resources in the time domain (such as subframes) as examples of transmission resources. Note that the example embodiments of the present disclosure are also applicable to other resources in other domains.

[0042] As mentioned above, in order to reduce the power consumption of terminal devices, devices (especially terminal devices) can be configured to some power saving modes. For example, the work item of the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) has proposed and defined the radio resource control (RRC) inactive mode. Further, as mentioned above, in some scenarios, the terminal device in the inactive mode still needs to perform transmission with the network device. Another work item performed in 3GPP is small data transmission (SDT) for terminal devices in RRC inactive mode in the new radio (NR) during Release 17 (Rel-17). As a result, two possible solutions are proposed to support SDT for terminal devices in inactive mode, as will be discussed below.

[0043] One possible solution is to use a RACH procedure (also known as a RACH-based solution) that includes a 2-step random access channel (RACH) and a 4-step RACH. Specifically, the SDT can be sent from a terminal device in inactive mode to a network device via message A of the 2-step RACH and message 3 of the 4-step RACH. In addition, in Rel-17, the size of the payload is more flexible than in Rel-16.

[0044] Another possible solution is to perform it through pre-configured resources (also known as a configuration grant (CG)-based solution). Specifically, when the timing advance (TA) is valid, the SDT can be sent on the pre-configured physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) resources by reusing the configured grant type 1. In this way, the network device can first pre-configure resources for the terminal device, and then when the terminal device enters RRC inactive mode and needs to perform transmission with the network device, the terminal can send data through the pre-configured resources.

[0045] In addition, the following agreement was reached:

[0046] The configuration of the authorized resources for the SDT sent by the terminal device in the inactive mode may be sent by the network device via an RRC release message.

[0047] The configuration of the configured authorization resource may include the authorization configuration of the type 1 configuration.

[0048] A new TA timer shall be introduced for TA maintenance specified for configured grant-based solutions. The newly introduced TA timer may be configured together with the grant configuration configured in the RRC Release message.

[0049] The configuration of the authorized resources is only valid in the current serving cell.

[0050] A terminal device in inactive mode can perform SDT transmission on the configured authorized resources if the following criteria are met: (1) the size of the data to be sent is less than the data volume threshold; (2) the configured authorized resources are configured and valid; (3) the TA is valid.

[0051] There are still some outstanding issues that need to be discussed and specified, such as whether other messages can be used instead of RRC Release message to configure the configured grant resources, whether multiple configured grants are supported, how to handle the newly introduced TA timer, etc.

[0052] As described above, beam-based transmission schemes have been proposed and used for directional wireless communications in wireless communication systems. Conventional beam management has so far been performed on terminal devices in connected mode, where the terminal devices can obtain information about the serving beam in a timely manner through the beam management process.

[0053] However, for terminal devices in inactive mode, the beam management process is suspended. However, in some cases, some terminal devices move rapidly. In such cases, the previously serving beam may no longer be valid. Consequently, when a terminal device is in inactive mode, the terminal device and network equipment are unaware of which beam to use for transmission. Therefore, beam management solutions and efficient resource allocation for devices in inactive mode need to be proposed and discussed.

[0054] According to some example embodiments of the present disclosure, a solution for beam management and efficient resource allocation for devices in inactive mode is proposed.

[0055] In this solution, a first device (such as a network device) may send a first configuration to a second device (such as a terminal device). In particular, the first configuration may indicate information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device. Alternatively, or in addition, the first configuration may also indicate a correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, wherein the plurality of transmission opportunities are allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode. Through this first configuration, when the second device enters the inactive mode and needs to send data to the first device, the second device may derive (multiple) candidate beams and thereby send the data. In this way, a beam management solution for devices in an inactive mode is proposed, wherein the terminal device may derive information about (multiple) candidate beams and increase the possibility of successful transmission. At the same time, the second device may perform transmission with the first device without entering a connected mode.

[0056] Although the functions described herein may be performed in fixed and / or wireless network nodes in various example embodiments, in other example embodiments, the functions may be implemented in a user equipment device (such as a mobile phone or tablet or laptop or desktop computer or mobile IoT device or fixed IoT device). The user equipment device may, for example, be equipped with corresponding capabilities, as described in conjunction with (multiple) fixed and / or wireless network nodes, as appropriate. The user equipment device may be a user device and / or a control device (such as a chipset or processor) that is configured to control the user device when the user device is installed therein. Examples of such functions include bootstrap server functions and / or home subscriber servers, which may be implemented in the user equipment device by providing software to the user equipment device that is configured to cause the user equipment device to perform from the perspective of these functions / nodes.

[0057] Figure 1 An example communication environment 100 is shown in which example embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. In the communication environment 100, a first device 110 may communicate with a second device 120 via a physical communication channel or link. In addition, the first device 110 may communicate with the second device 120 via different beams to achieve directional communication. Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 1 , beams 130 - 1 through 130 - 5 are shown. For purposes of discussion, beams 130 - 1 through 130 - 5 are collectively referred to as beams 130 .

[0058] In environment 100, if first device 110 is a network device and second device 120 is a terminal device, the link from first device 110 to second device 120 is called a DL, and the link from first device 110 to second device 120 is called a UL. In the DL, first device 110 is a TX device (or transmitter), and second device 120 is an RX device (or receiver). In the UL, second device 120 is a transmitting (TX) device (or transmitter), and first device 110 is a receiving (RX) device (or receiver). As a specific example, first device 110 is a network device, and second device 120 is a terminal device served by first device 110.

[0059] In addition, Figure 1 In the example of , the second device 120 may move over time. Figure 1As shown, the second device 120 is located at different locations at time point T and time point T1. Furthermore, the second device 120 can be in different modes, such as connected mode and inactive mode. As a specific example, at time point T, the second device 120 is in connected mode, which means that the second device 120 can receive and send signaling normally. At time point T1, the second device 120 is in inactive mode, which means that the second device 120 operates in power saving mode and some unnecessary processes (such as beam management processes) are suspended.

[0060] Communications in network 100 may conform to any suitable standard, including but not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Evolution, LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), and Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). Furthermore, communications may be performed according to any generation of communication protocols currently known or developed in the future. Examples of communication protocols include but are not limited to first generation (1G), second generation (2G), 2.5G, 2.75G, third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), 4.5G, and fifth generation (5G) communication protocols.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the number of connections for the first device, second device, beam, and cell is for illustrative purposes only and does not represent any limitation. The communication environment 100 may include any suitable first device, second device, beam, and cell suitable for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure. Although not shown, it will be appreciated that one or more additional first devices and second devices may be located in corresponding cells 102. It will also be appreciated that in some examples, only homogeneous network deployments or only heterogeneous network deployments may be included in the environment 100.

[0062] It is understood that, generally speaking, there is a correspondence between synchronization signal (SS) / physical broadcast channel (PBCH) blocks (SSBs) and beams. Therefore, the beam management process can also be implemented by SSB management based on the above correspondence. As used herein, the terms "beam" and "SSB" are equivalent to each other. Below, exemplary embodiments are discussed using the term "beam." It is understood that all discussions about "beam" also apply to "SSBs."

[0063] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0064] Now refer to Figure 2 , which shows a signaling flow 200 for beam management according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1The signaling flow 200 may involve a first device 110 and a second device 120. In the signaling flow 200, the first device 110 is a service device (such as a network device), and the second device 120 (such as a terminal device) is a device served by the first device 110.

[0065] exist Figure 2 In an example, the first device 110 and the second device support transmission (such as SDT from the second device 120 to the first device 110) through a configured grant-based scheme. Specifically, the first device 110 can preconfigure resources (such as PUSCH) for the second device 120 and then send a message indicating the allocation of the preconfigured resources to the second device 120. When the second device 120 is in an inactive mode and needs to send data (such as SDT) to the first device 110, the second device 120 can send the data through the preconfigured resources.

[0066] The first device 110 may indicate the preconfigured resources in any suitable manner, including explicitly or implicitly. As a specific example, the first device 110 may send an RRC signaling or other dedicated signaling message to the second device 120, which may include at least one configured grant (such as a configured grant type 1).

[0067] As an example, the preconfigured resource can be a periodic resource in the time domain, which can be configured by the periodicity of grant type 1 (hereinafter referred to as "periodicity") and the offset of the resource (hereinafter referred to as "timeDomainOffset") relative to a reference resource (such as a system frame with a time domain index of 0).

[0068] In / in response to a request by an upper layer to a serving cell (e.g., Figure 1 When a configured grant type 1 is configured for the cell 102 shown in FIG, the medium access control layer (MAC) entity may store the grant provided by the upper layer as a configured UL grant and initialize or reinitialize the configured UL grant according to the timeDomainOffset to start in the symbol and to repeat periodically.

[0069] In some example embodiments, after configuring an uplink grant for a configured grant type 1, the MAC entity shall sequentially consider the Nth (N>=0)th uplink grant occurring in a symbol (also referred to as a "transmission opportunity") for which:

[0070] [(SFN × number of slots per frame numberOfSlotsPerFrame × number of symbols per slot numberOfSymbolsPerSlot) + (slot number in the frame × number of symbols per slot numberOfSymbolsPerSlot) + symbol number in the slot symbol number] = (time domain reference SFN timeReferenceSFN × number of slots per frame numberOfSlotsPerFrame × number of symbols per slot numberOfSymbolsPerSlot + timeDomainOffset timeDomainOffset × number of symbols per slot numberOfSymbolsPerSlot + S + N × periodicity) modulo (1024 × number of slots per frame numberOfSlotsPerFrame × number of symbols per slot numberOfSymbolsPerSlot) (1)

[0071] It should be understood that the above equation (1) for determining the symbol / transmission opportunity is provided for illustrative purposes. In other exemplary embodiments, the symbol / transmission opportunity may be determined in any other manner based on one or more of the following: resource configuration parameters and related factors provided in the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0072] According to the solution of the present disclosure, in addition to the preconfigured resources for the second device 120 , candidate beam(s) corresponding to the preconfigured resources are also assigned to the second device 120 , as described below.

[0073] In operation, the first device 110 may send 210 a first configuration to the second device. The first configuration may be presented in any suitable manner, including explicitly or implicitly, such as an indication, an information element, an embedded message, an embedded configuration, etc. The first configuration may indicate information about candidate beam(s) assigned to the second device 120. The candidate beam(s) may be used by the second device 120 when the second device is in an inactive mode.

[0074] Generally speaking, although second device 120 moves over time, the range of movement of second device 120 within a given duration is limited. Therefore, the probability that the last serving beam and its adjacent beams are valid for second device 120 is relatively high. In view of this, in some example embodiments, the candidate beam(s) include the last serving beam used by second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the candidate beam(s) include at least one adjacent beam to the last serving beam.

[0075] In this way, the candidate beam(s) to be used by the second device 120 in the inactive mode can be pre-assigned. Thus, when the second device 120 is in the inactive mode, even if there is no normal beam management process, the candidate beam(s) can be known by both the first device 110 and the second device 120.

[0076] In addition, the number of (multiple) candidate beams should be reasonably configured. Specifically, if only one beam (such as the last serving beam) is assigned to the second device 120, the possibility of determining an available beam will be relatively low. However, a relatively large number of (multiple) candidate beams means relatively low resource utilization, which is not desirable. In view of this, the number of (multiple) candidate beams can be determined based on the trade-off between the possibility of determining an available beam and resource utilization. For example, if the beam resources in the system are relatively sufficient, a relatively large number of (multiple) candidate beams can be assigned to the second device 120.

[0077] Furthermore, if the second device 120 moves at a relatively high speed, there is a relatively high probability that the second device 120 moves outside the range covered by the last serving beam. In view of this, alternatively or additionally, the number of candidate beams may be determined according to the speed of the second device 120. For example, if the second device 120 moves at a high speed, a relatively large number of candidate beams may be assigned to the second device 120.

[0078] In this way, the likelihood of determining an available beam is increased without allocating significant beam resources.

[0079] In some example embodiments, the first configuration may indicate information about the candidate beam(s) assigned to the second device 120 in any suitable manner, including explicitly or implicitly. For example, the first device 110 may indicate the number of candidate beam(s) to the second device 120. Since the last serving beam is known to both the first device 110 and the second device 120, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may determine the candidate beam(s) based on the last serving beam and the number of candidate beam(s). As a specific example, if the index of the last serving beam is #5 and the number of candidate beam(s) is 3, the first device 110 and the second device 120 may determine that the candidate beams are beams #4, #5, and #6.

[0080] Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration may indicate respective indices of the candidate beam(s).In this way, when the second device 120 is in the inactive mode, the second device 120 may be assigned at least one candidate beam that may be used by the second device 120.

[0081] Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration indicates a correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities. The plurality of transmission opportunities are allocated by the first device 110 for transmission from the second device 120 to the first device 110 when the second device 120 is in an inactive mode, as described above. From the above correspondence, a relationship, mapping, correlation, or association between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities can be derived. In the following, the term "correspondence" will be used only for the purpose of facilitating discussion. It should be understood that the term "correspondence" can be replaced by any one of the terms "relationship," "mapping," "correlation," "association," etc. In this way, the first device 110 can dynamically configure the correspondence.

[0082] In some example embodiments, the correspondence between at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates that different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities. In addition, in some example embodiments, different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities through time division multiplexing.

[0083] Now refer to Figure 3 , which shows a block diagram of an example beam configuration 300 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 As shown in FIG, the first row represents the system frame index, the second row represents the subframe index, the third row represents the transmission opportunity index, and the fourth row represents the candidate beam index. Figure 3 In the example of FIG, ten transmission opportunities (i.e., transmission opportunities #0 to #9) and three candidate beams (i.e., candidate beams #0, #1, and #2) are assigned to the second device 120. In addition, candidate beam #0 corresponds to a first transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #0, #3, #6, and #9, candidate beam #1 corresponds to a second transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #1, #4, and #9, and candidate beam #2 corresponds to a third transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #2, #5, and #8.

[0084] I understand. Figure 3 The number of system frames, subframes, transmission opportunities, and candidate beams shown, and their corresponding relationships, are for illustrative purposes only and do not represent any limitation. Furthermore, while system frames and subframes are used as examples to illustrate and discuss related resources, it should be understood that resources can be of any suitable type, such as PRBs, RBs, symbols, and the like.

[0085] Additionally, although the resources are shown as periodic resources, in some other example embodiments, the resources may be non-periodic resources, such as some resources determined by a random selection process, some resources determined by a predefined resource pattern, or the like.

[0086] In this way, the correspondence between at least one candidate beam and multiple transmission opportunities can be configured more flexibly. In particular, by using time division multiplexing, the overhead of indicating the correspondence can be minimized. For example, once the second device 120 determines the candidate beam, the second device 120 can map the candidate beam to the transmission opportunity according to a predefined rule. For example, the first device 110 sequentially and repeatedly maps the candidate beam to the transmission opportunity.

[0087] As a specific example, the candidate beams and transmission opportunities are renumbered sequentially with the original value 0, and the correspondence between the candidate beams and the transmission opportunities can be expressed as follows:

[0088] Candidate beam index = (N mod number of candidate beams) (2)

[0089] The parameter N represents the index of the transmission opportunity.

[0090] Furthermore, in some example embodiments, a first candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a second, different periodicity.

[0091] In some example embodiments, the periodicity of the candidate beams may be configured based on the likelihood that the candidate beams are available to second device 120 when second device 120 is in inactive mode. For example, the beam previously used by second device 120 (particularly the last serving beam) may be configured to have a relatively short periodicity. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, the first configuration may further indicate the corresponding periodicity of the candidate beams. In this way, candidate beam(s) may be configured more appropriately.

[0092] Now refer to Figure 4 , which shows a block diagram of an example beam configuration 400 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 Similar to the example, Figure 4 In the example of , the first row represents the system frame index, the second row represents the subframe index, the third row represents the transmission opportunity index, and the fourth row represents the candidate beam index. Figure 4 In the example of , ten transmission opportunities (ie, transmission opportunities #0 to #9) and three candidate beams (ie, candidate beams #0, #1, and #2) are assigned to the second device 120.

[0093] exist Figure 4 In the example of , candidate beam #0 corresponds to the last serving beam and is configured to have a shorter periodicity than other candidate beams. Figure 4As shown, candidate beam #0 corresponds to a first transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #0, #2, #4, #6 and #8, candidate beam #1 corresponds to a second transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #1, #5 and #9, and candidate beam #2 corresponds to a third transmission opportunity subset including transmission opportunities #3 and #7.

[0094] It is understandable that Figure 4 The numbers of system frames, subframes, transmission opportunities, and candidate beams shown and their corresponding relationships are for illustration purposes only and do not represent any limitation. In addition, the periodicity of the candidate beams is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation.

[0095] Alternatively or additionally, in some example embodiments, the correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities indicates that at least one transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

[0096] Furthermore, the number of candidate beams for each transmission opportunity is the same.

[0097] In this way, the number of candidate beams can be increased, thereby improving the probability of determining a usable beam.

[0098] Now refer to Figure 5 , which shows a block diagram of an example beam configuration 500 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 3 Similar to the example, Figure 5 In the example of , the first row represents the system frame index, the second row represents the subframe index, the third row represents the transmission opportunity index, and the fourth row represents the candidate beam index. Figure 5 In the example of , ten transmission opportunities (ie, transmission opportunities #0 to #9) and four candidate beams (ie, candidate beams #0 to #4) are assigned to the second device 120.

[0099] exist Figure 5 In the example of , each transmission opportunity is configured with more than one (such as two) candidate beams. Figure 5 As shown, each transmission opportunity #0, #2, #4, #6 and #8 is configured with candidate beams #0 and #1, and each transmission opportunity #1, #3, #5, #7 and #9 is configured with candidate beams #2 and #3.

[0100] I understand. Figure 5 The numbers of system frames, subframes, transmission opportunities, and candidate beams shown and their corresponding relationships are for illustration purposes only and do not represent any limitation. In addition, the periodicity of candidate beams is for illustration purposes only and does not imply any limitation.

[0101] It will be appreciated that the example correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the multiple transmission opportunities described above is for illustrative purposes only and does not constitute any limitation. This correspondence may be implemented using any suitable relationship. In some other exemplary embodiments, different transmission opportunities may be configured with different numbers of candidate beams. Furthermore, some candidate beams may be configured periodically, while others may be configured aperiodically. It will also be appreciated that this correspondence may be represented by any suitable parameters, such as an offset, an index, or a periodicity.

[0102] After the discussion on the correspondence between at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities, reference is again made to Figure 2 .

[0103] In some example embodiments, the first configuration is sent via an RRC message (such as an RRC release message). In this way, first device 110 can instruct second device 120 to enter the inactive mode and simultaneously indicate the resource configuration (including the reconfigured resources and candidate beams) for transmission from second device 120 to first device 110 when second device 120 is in the inactive mode.

[0104] Alternatively, in some other example embodiments, the first configuration is sent via system broadcast information signaling, such as system broadcast information signaling. In this way, the first device 110 can dynamically update the first configuration.

[0105] In some other example embodiments, the first device 110 may send information for beam management via authorizations of multiple configurations. Specifically, in addition to sending the first configuration, the first device 110 also sends 220 a second configuration to the second device 120. The second configuration indicates information about at least one additional candidate beam assigned to the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the second configuration further indicates another correspondence between the at least one additional candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities. In addition, authorizations of different configurations may be sent via a single message, or via different messages of different types and at different points in time. In this way, the first device 110 may perform the beam management process more flexibly.

[0106] After sending the first configuration and an additional indication of a further configuration, such as the second configuration, the first device 110 detects for transmissions from the second device 120 at a plurality of transmission opportunities.

[0107] After receiving additional indications of the first configuration and another configuration (such as the second configuration) from the first device 110, the second device 120 can derive (multiple) candidate beams assigned to the second device 120, and can also determine the correspondence between (multiple) candidate beams and multiple transmission opportunities.

[0108] If the second device 120 is in inactive mode and then the second device 120 determines 230 that there is data that needs to be sent to the first device 110, the second device 120 determines 240 a target transmission opportunity from a plurality of transmission opportunities configured and indicated by the first device 110. The determination of the target transmission opportunity is made based on the first configuration.

[0109] In some example embodiments, second device 120 determines a target transmission opportunity based on a received signal strength of at least one candidate beam. Alternatively or additionally, second device 120 determines the target transmission opportunity based on a time difference between a current time point and a transmission time point corresponding to the transmission opportunity. For example, second device 120 determines whether the received signal strength of the candidate beam can support an acceptable transmission from second device 120 to first device 110, which can be performed by comparing the received signal strength of (multiple) candidate beams with a preconfigured threshold. If only one beam can support an acceptable transmission, second device 120 may determine the next transmission opportunity corresponding to the determined beam that supports the acceptable transmission as the target transmission opportunity. If second device 120 determines that there are two or more beams that can support an acceptable transmission, second device 120 may determine the transmission opportunity corresponding to the beam with the best received signal strength as the target transmission opportunity. Alternatively, second device 120 may determine the next transmission opportunity corresponding to any one of the beams that support an acceptable UL transmission as the target transmission opportunity. In some examples, for subsequent UL transmissions or any transmissions after the first UL transmission, the second device 120 can use the transmission opportunity corresponding to the selected beam of the first UL transmission. Alternatively, in one example, the second device 120 can use the transmission opportunity corresponding to any beam having a received signal strength above a preconfigured threshold.

[0110] It is understood that the above criteria for determining the target transmission timing are for illustration purposes only and do not imply any limitation. In some other example embodiments, any other suitable criteria may be applied to determine the target transmission timing.

[0111] In this way, the second device 120 may determine a suitable beam for performing transmissions to the first device 110 even when the second device 120 is in an inactive mode.

[0112] In some example embodiments, second device 120 performs 250 a transmission from second device 120 to first device 110 at the determined target transmission opportunity. As described above, after transmitting the first configuration and the additional second configuration, first device 110 detects transmissions from second device 120 at a plurality of transmission opportunities. Thus, transmissions from second device 120 can be accurately detected and received by first device 110.

[0113] In this way, by reconfiguring the candidate beam(s) for the second device 120, the likelihood of a successful UL transmission is increased.

[0114] Furthermore, as described above, in some cases, a transmission opportunity may be configured with more than one candidate beam. If the second device 120 determines that the target transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam, the second device 120 sends 260 an indication of the target beam to the first device 110, and the first device 110 may detect the indication of the target beam accordingly. In this way, the first device 110 may be informed of the preferred beam of the second device 120.

[0115] In some example embodiments, first device 110 may perform 270 a subsequent transmission based on the target beam indicated by second device 120. For example, if first device 110 has data to transmit to second device 120, first device 110 may perform the data transmission by using the target beam. As another example, first device 110 may reconfigure additional candidate beam(s) for second device 120 based on the target beam, and information about the reconfigured additional candidate beam(s) may be updated to second device 120.

[0116] In this way, information about the best candidate beam(s) may be exchanged between the first device 110 and the second device 120 in a timely manner.

[0117] Through this disclosure, a beam management solution for devices in inactive mode is proposed, wherein the terminal device can obtain information about available beams and improve the probability of successful transmission. At the same time, the second device 120 in inactive mode can perform transmission with the first device 110 without entering connected mode.

[0118] Figure 6 FIG. 6 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 600 implemented at the first device 110 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method 600 is described from the perspective of the first device 110 .

[0119] At block 610, the first device 110 sends a first configuration to the second device 120. The first configuration indicates information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration further indicates a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device 110 for transmission from the second device 120 to the first device 110 while the second device 120 is in an inactive mode.

[0120] At block 620 , the first device 110 detects transmissions from the second device 120 at a plurality of transmission opportunities according to the first configuration.

[0121] In some example embodiments, the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or at least one transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the transmission opportunities are periodic resources; and the first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam.

[0123] In some example embodiments, a first candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured with a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured with a second, different periodicity.

[0124] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 detects an indication of a target beam, determined by the second device from among the more than one candidate beams, at a transmission opportunity corresponding to the more than one candidate beams among the plurality of transmission opportunities.

[0125] In some example embodiments, the at least one candidate beam includes at least one of: a last serving beam used by the second device 120, or at least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

[0126] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 sends a second configuration to the second device 120, the second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities.

[0127] In some example embodiments, the first configuration is sent via one of: a radio resource control release message, or system broadcast information signaling.

[0128] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 is a network device, and the second device 120 is an end device.

[0129] Figure 7 FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example method 700 implemented at the second device 120 according to some example embodiments of the present disclosure. For the purpose of discussion, reference will be made to Figure 1 and Figure 2 The method 700 is described from the perspective of the second device 120 .

[0130] At block 710, the second device 120 receives a first configuration from the first device 110. The first configuration indicates information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device 120. Alternatively or additionally, the first configuration further indicates a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device 110 for transmission from the second device 120 to the first device 110 while the second device 120 is in an inactive mode.

[0131] At block 720 , if the second device 120 is in the inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device 120 to the first device 110 , the second device 120 determines a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration.

[0132] In block 730 , the second device 120 performs a transmission from the second device 120 to the first device 110 at the target transmission opportunity.

[0133] In some example embodiments, the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or at least one transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

[0134] In some example embodiments, the transmission opportunities are periodic resources; and the first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam.

[0135] In some example embodiments, a first candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured with a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured with a second, different periodicity.

[0136] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 determines the target transmission opportunity based on at least one of: a received signal strength of at least one candidate beam, or a time difference between a current time point and a transmission time point corresponding to the transmission opportunity.

[0137] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 determines as the target transmission opportunity one of the following: a transmission opportunity corresponding to a candidate beam having the best received signal strength among the at least one candidate beam, or a next transmission opportunity corresponding to a candidate beam among the at least one candidate beam that supports acceptable transmission from the second device to the first device.

[0138] In some example embodiments, if the target transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam, second device 120 determines the target beam from the more than one candidate beams. Additionally, second device 120 sends an indication of the target beam to first device 110.

[0139] In some example embodiments, the at least one candidate beam includes at least one of: a last serving beam used by the second device 120, or at least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

[0140] In some example embodiments, the second device 120 receives a second configuration from the first device 110 , the second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities.

[0141] In some example embodiments, the first configuration is sent via one of: a radio resource control release message, or system broadcast information signaling.

[0142] In some example embodiments, the first device 110 is a network device, and the second device 120 is an end device.

[0143] Figure 8 is a simplified block diagram of a device 800 suitable for implementing an example embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 800 may be used to implement a communication device, such as Figure 1 The first device 110 and the second device 120 are shown. As shown, the device 800 includes one or more processors 810, one or more memories 820 coupled to the processors 810, and one or more communication modules 840 coupled to the processors 810.

[0144] The communication module 840 is configured for bidirectional communication. The communication module 840 has one or more communication interfaces to facilitate communication with one or more other modules or devices. A communication interface may represent any interface required to communicate with other network elements. In some example embodiments, the communication module 840 may include at least one antenna.

[0145] Processor 810 can be of any type suitable for use in a local technology network and, as non-limiting examples, can include one or more of the following: a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. Device 800 can have multiple processors, such as application-specific integrated circuit chips that are time-slave to a clock synchronized with a master processor.

[0146] The memory 820 may include one or more non-volatile memories and one or more volatile memories. Examples of non-volatile memories include, but are not limited to, read-only memory (ROM) 824, electrically programmable read-only memory (EPROM), flash memory, hard disks, compact disks (CDs), digital video disks (DVDs), optical disks, laser disks, and other magnetic and / or optical storage. Examples of volatile memories include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM) 822 and other volatile memories that do not persist across the duration of a power outage.

[0147] Computer program 830 includes computer-executable instructions executed by associated processor 810. Program 830 may be stored in a memory, such as ROM 824. Processor 810 may perform any suitable actions and processes by loading program 830 into RAM 822.

[0148] The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented by the program 830 so that the device 800 may execute the following steps: Figure 1 、 6 and any process of the present disclosure discussed in 7. The exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure may also be implemented by hardware or a combination of software and hardware.

[0149] In some example embodiments, the program 830 may be tangibly embodied in a computer-readable medium that may be included in the device 800 (such as in the memory 820) or in another storage device accessible by the device 800. The device 800 may load the program 830 from the computer-readable medium into the RAM 822 for execution. The computer-readable medium may include any type of tangible, non-volatile memory, such as ROM, EPROM, flash memory, hard disk, CD, DVD, etc. Figure 9 An example of a computer readable medium 900 is shown which may be in the form of a CD, DVD or other optical storage disc. The computer readable medium has a program 830 stored thereon.

[0150] In general, various embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. Some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software that may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device. Although various aspects of the embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described as block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other illustrations, it should be understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general-purpose hardware or a controller or other computing device, or some combination thereof.

[0151] The present disclosure also provides at least one computer program product tangibly stored on a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium. The computer program product includes computer-executable instructions (such as those contained in program modules) that are executed in a device on a target physical or virtual processor to perform the above-referenced Figures 3 to 7Any of the methods described. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, libraries, objects, classes, components, data structures, etc. that perform specific tasks or implement specific abstract data types. In various embodiments, the functionality of program modules can be combined or split between program modules as needed. The machine-executable instructions of program modules can be executed on local or distributed devices. In distributed devices, program modules can be located in both local and remote storage media.

[0152] The program code for executing the method of the present disclosure can be written in any combination of one or more programming languages. These program codes can be provided to a processor or controller of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or other programmable data processing device so that the program code, when executed by the processor or controller, causes a flow chart and / or block diagram to be implemented. The program code can be executed entirely on the machine, partially on the machine, as a stand-alone software package, partially on the machine and partially on a remote machine, or entirely on a remote machine or server.

[0153] In the context of the present disclosure, computer program codes or related data may be carried by any suitable carrier to enable a device, apparatus or processor to perform various processes and operations as described above. Examples of carriers include signals, computer-readable media, etc.

[0154] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable signal medium or a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples of computer-readable storage media would include an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer floppy disk, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or flash memory), optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing.

[0155] In addition, although operations are described in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that the operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequence, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve the desired result. In some cases, multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous. Similarly, although several specific implementation details have been included in the above discussion, these should not be interpreted as limitations on the scope of this disclosure, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to a particular embodiment. Certain features described in the context of separate embodiments may also be implemented in combination in a single embodiment. On the contrary, the various features described in the context of a single embodiment may also be implemented in multiple embodiments separately or in any suitable sub-combination.

[0156] Although the present disclosure has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it should be understood that the present disclosure defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features or acts described above. Instead, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims.

Claims

1. A first device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the first device to: Sending a first configuration to the second device, where the first configuration indicates at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode; sending a second configuration to the second device, the second configuration indicating another correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; as well as According to the first configuration and the second configuration, a transmission from the second device is detected at the plurality of transmission opportunities.

2. The first device according to claim 1, wherein the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: Different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or At least one of the transmission opportunities corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

3. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the transmission opportunity is a periodic resource; and The first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam. 4 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein a first candidate beam among the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam among the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a second, different periodicity.

5. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the first device to: At a transmission opportunity corresponding to more than one candidate beams among the plurality of transmission opportunities, an indication of a target beam is detected, the target beam being determined by the second device from among the more than one candidate beams.

6. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the at least one candidate beam comprises at least one of the following: the last serving beam used by the second device, or At least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

7. The first device of claim 1 , wherein the first configuration is sent via one of: Radio Resource Control Release message, or System broadcast information signaling. 8 . The first device according to claim 1 , wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

9. A second device for communication, comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory including computer program code; wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the second device to: A first configuration is received from a first device, the first configuration indicating at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode; receiving a second configuration from the first device, the second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; as well as determining a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration and the second configuration based on determining that the second device is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device to the first device; as well as At the target transmission opportunity, the transmission from the second device to the first device is performed.

10. The second device according to claim 9, wherein the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: Different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or At least one of the transmission opportunities corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

11. The second device of claim 9, wherein the transmission opportunity is a periodic resource; and The first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam. 12 . The second device according to claim 11 , wherein a first candidate beam among the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam among the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a second, different periodicity.

13. The second device of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to determine the target transmission opportunity by: The target transmission opportunity is determined based on at least one of the following: The received signal strength of the at least one candidate beam, or The time difference between the current time point and the transmission time point corresponding to the transmission opportunity.

14. The second device of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to determine the target transmission opportunity by: One of the following is determined as the target transmission opportunity: a transmission timing corresponding to a candidate beam having the best received signal strength among the at least one candidate beam, or A next transmission opportunity corresponding to a candidate beam of the at least one candidate beam that supports acceptable transmission from the second device to the first device.

15. The second device of claim 9, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, further cause the second device to: Determining a target beam from the more than one candidate beams based on determining that the target transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beams; and An indication of the target beam is sent to the first device.

16. The second device according to claim 9, wherein the at least one candidate beam comprises at least one of the following: the last serving beam used by the second device, or At least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

17. The second device of claim 9, wherein the first configuration is sent via one of: Radio Resource Control Release message, or System broadcast information signaling.

18. The second device according to any one of claims 9 to 17, wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

19. A method for communication, comprising: A first configuration is sent at a first device and to a second device, the first configuration indicating at least one of the following: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode; sending, at the first device and to the second device, a second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; as well as According to the first configuration and the second configuration, a transmission from the second device is detected at the plurality of transmission opportunities.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: Different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or At least one of the transmission opportunities corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein the transmission opportunity is a periodic resource; and The first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein a first candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a second, different periodicity.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising: At a transmission opportunity corresponding to more than one candidate beams among the plurality of transmission opportunities, an indication of a target beam is detected, the target beam being determined by the second device from among the more than one candidate beams.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the at least one candidate beam comprises at least one of: the last serving beam used by the second device, or At least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein the first configuration is sent via one of: Radio Resource Control Release message, or System broadcast information signaling.

26. The method according to any one of claims 19 to 25, wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

27. A method for communication, comprising: A first configuration is received at a second device and from a first device, the first configuration indicating at least one of: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second device, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first device for transmission from the second device to the first device when the second device is in an inactive mode; receiving, at the second device, from the first device, a second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; determining a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration and the second configuration based on determining that the second device is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second device to the first device; as well as At the target transmission opportunity, the transmission from the second device to the first device is performed.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities indicates one of the following: Different candidate beams correspond to different subsets of the plurality of transmission opportunities, or At least one of the transmission opportunities corresponds to more than one candidate beam.

29. The method of claim 27, wherein the transmission opportunity is a periodic resource; and The first configuration further indicates a corresponding periodicity of the at least one candidate beam.

30. The method of claim 27, wherein a first candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a first periodicity, and a second candidate beam of the plurality of candidate beams is configured to have a second, different periodicity.

31. The method of claim 29, wherein determining the target transmission opportunity comprises: The target transmission opportunity is determined based on at least one of the following: The received signal strength of the at least one candidate beam, or The time difference between the current time point and the transmission time point corresponding to the transmission opportunity.

32. The method of claim 27, wherein determining the target transmission opportunity comprises: One of the following is determined as the target transmission opportunity: a transmission timing corresponding to a candidate beam having the best received signal strength among the at least one candidate beam, or A next transmission opportunity corresponding to a candidate beam of the at least one candidate beam that supports acceptable transmission from the second device to the first device.

33. The method of claim 27, further comprising: determining a target beam from the more than one candidate beams based on determining that the target transmission opportunity corresponds to more than one candidate beam; as well as An indication of the target beam is sent to the first device.

34. The method of claim 27, wherein the at least one candidate beam comprises at least one of: the last serving beam used by the second device, or At least one neighboring beam of the last serving beam.

35. The method of claim 27, wherein the first configuration is sent via one of: Radio Resource Control Release message, or System broadcast information signaling.

36. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 35, wherein the first device is a network device, and the second device is a terminal device.

37. A first apparatus for communication, comprising: Means for sending a first configuration to a second device, the first configuration indicating at least one of: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second apparatus, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first apparatus for transmission from the second apparatus to the first apparatus when the second apparatus is in an inactive mode; means for sending a second configuration to the second apparatus, the second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; as well as means for detecting transmissions from the second device at the plurality of transmission opportunities according to the first configuration and the second configuration.

38. A second device for communication, comprising: Means for receiving a first configuration from a first device, the first configuration indicating at least one of: information about at least one candidate beam assigned to the second apparatus, or a correspondence between the at least one candidate beam and a plurality of transmission opportunities allocated by the first apparatus for transmission from the second apparatus to the first apparatus when the second apparatus is in an inactive mode; means for receiving a second configuration from the first apparatus, the second configuration indicating an additional correspondence between at least one additional candidate beam and the plurality of transmission opportunities; means for determining a target transmission opportunity from the transmission opportunities according to the first configuration and the second configuration based on determining that the second apparatus is in an inactive mode and there is a transmission to be sent from the second apparatus to the first apparatus; as well as means for performing the transmission from the second device to the first device at the target transmission opportunity.

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