Electronic devices, methods, and storage media for wireless communication systems

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to electronic devices, methods, and storage media for wireless communication systems. Various embodiments are described in relation to beam management. In one embodiment, an electronic device for a base station side in a wireless communication system can include processing circuitry that can be configured to repeatedly transmit a synchronization signal to a terminal device with different transmit beams based on a transmit beam configuration, the synchronization signal can indicate transmit beam information used for transmitting the synchronization signal. The processing circuitry can be configured to obtain feedback from the terminal device, the feedback can include the transmit beam information for transmit beam management.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application filed on June 15, 2018, with application number 201880039390.X and entitled "Electronic device, method and storage medium for wireless communication system". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to wireless communication systems, and more particularly to beam management techniques related to beamforming. Background Technology

[0003] In recent years, with the development and widespread application of mobile internet technology, wireless communication has unprecedentedly met people's voice and data communication needs. To provide higher communication quality and capacity, wireless communication systems employ various technologies at different levels, such as beamforming. Beamforming can compensate for wireless signal loss by increasing the directivity of antenna transmission and / or reception, providing beamforming gain. In future wireless communication systems (such as 5G systems like NR (New Radio), the number of antenna ports on the base station and terminal equipment sides will be further increased. For example, the number of antenna ports on the base station side can increase to hundreds or even more, thus forming a Massive MIMO system. In this way, beamforming will have a much wider application scope in Massive MIMO systems.

[0004] Currently, beamforming is primarily used for data transmission and reception between base stations and terminal devices. However, the initial connection / synchronization between the terminal device and the base station (including, for example, the base station transmitting a synchronization signal (SS), and the terminal device transmitting a random access signal to the base station) is the first step enabling the terminal device to communicate appropriately with the base station. Therefore, beamforming technology can be considered for the initial connection / synchronization between the terminal device and the base station; for example, it can be used for the transmission and reception of synchronization signals and random access signals. Summary of the Invention

[0005] Various aspects of this disclosure relate to beam management in beamforming techniques for wireless communication systems.

[0006] One aspect of this disclosure relates to an electronic device for a base station side in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to repeatedly transmit synchronization signals to a terminal device using different transmit beams based on a transmit beam configuration, the synchronization signals indicating transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signals. The processing circuitry may also be configured to acquire feedback from the terminal device, the feedback including transmit beam information for transmit beam management.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an electronic device for a terminal device side in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment, the electronic device includes processing circuitry. This processing circuitry can be configured to receive a synchronization signal based on a transmit beam configuration at the base station side of the wireless communication system, the synchronization signal being able to indicate transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal. The processing circuitry can also be configured to provide feedback to the base station, the feedback including transmit beam information for the base station to use for transmit beam management.

[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the method may include repeatedly transmitting a synchronization signal to a terminal device using different transmit beams based on a transmit beam configuration, the synchronization signal being able to indicate transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal; and obtaining feedback from the terminal device, the feedback including transmit beam information for transmit beam management.

[0009] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to another wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the method may include receiving a synchronization signal based on a transmit beam configuration at a base station side of a wireless communication system, the synchronization signal being able to indicate transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal; and providing feedback to the base station, the feedback including transmit beam information for the base station to use for transmit beam management.

[0010] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an electronic device for a base station side in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include processing circuitry. The processing circuitry may be configured to receive a transmit beam configuration from another base station, which transmits a synchronization signal to a terminal device based on the transmit beam configuration. The processing circuitry may also be configured to transmit the transmit beam configuration to the terminal device.

[0011] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an electronic device for a terminal device side in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment, the electronic device includes processing circuitry. This processing circuitry can be configured to obtain random access configuration information; and based on the random access configuration information, transmit a random access preamble to indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side in the downlink that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side.

[0012] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to an electronic device for a base station side in a wireless communication system. According to one embodiment, the electronic device may include processing circuitry. This processing circuitry may be configured to transmit random access configuration information and receive a random access preamble transmitted from a terminal device to obtain one or more transmit beams on the base station side in the downlink that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side.

[0013] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the method may include obtaining random access configuration information; and transmitting a random access preamble based on the random access configuration information to indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink.

[0014] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to another wireless communication method. In one embodiment, the method may include transmitting random access configuration information; and receiving a random access preamble transmitted from a terminal device to obtain one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink.

[0015] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing one or more instructions. In some embodiments, the one or more instructions, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, can cause the electronic device to perform methods according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] Another aspect of this disclosure relates to various apparatuses, including components or units for performing operations of methods according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0017] The above overview is provided to summarize some exemplary embodiments to provide a basic understanding of the aspects of the subject matter described herein. Therefore, the features described above are merely examples and should not be construed as narrowing the scope or spirit of the subject matter described herein in any way. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter described herein will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0018] A better understanding of this disclosure can be obtained by considering the following detailed description of the embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The same or similar reference numerals are used in the drawings to denote the same or similar parts. The drawings, together with the following detailed description, are incorporated in and form a part of this specification to illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and explain the principles and advantages of the disclosure. Wherein:

[0019] Figure 1 An exemplary cell synchronization and random access process in a wireless communication system is described.

[0020] Figures 2A to 2D An exemplary beam scanning process in beamforming technology is described.

[0021] Figure 3A An exemplary electronic device for a base station side is shown according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 3BAn exemplary electronic device for a terminal device side is shown according to an embodiment of this disclosure.

[0023] Figures 4A to 4D Exemplary time-domain and frequency-domain resources for synchronization signals according to embodiments of this disclosure are shown.

[0024] Figure 5A and Figure 5B An exemplary synchronization signal time window according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0025] Figures 6A to 6C An exemplary transmit beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0026] Figures 7A to 7D An exemplary correspondence between the transmit beam and the synchronization signal time window according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0027] Figure 8A and Figure 8B An exemplary receive beam arrangement on the terminal device side is shown under a specific transmit beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 9 An exemplary operation for adding a secondary node according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0029] Figure 10 An example performance of beam detection according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0030] Figure 11A and Figure 11B An example manner of instructing the base station to transmit beam information according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0031] Figure 12A and Figure 12B An example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0032] Figure 13 An exemplary electronic device for a base station side according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0033] Figure 14 An example of a graded transmit beam scanning processing flow according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0034] Figure 15A An exemplary electronic device for a terminal device side according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0035] Figure 15B An exemplary electronic device for a base station side according to embodiments of the present disclosure is shown.

[0036] Figure 16An exemplary random access time window according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0037] Figure 17A and Figure 17B An exemplary receive beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0038] Figure 18 An exemplary correspondence between the base station-side received beam and the random access time window is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0039] Figure 19A and Figure 19B An exemplary transmit beam arrangement on the terminal device side is shown under a specific receive beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0040] Figure 20A and 20B An example method for transmitting a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0041] Figure 21A An exemplary method for a terminal device to send a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0042] Figure 21B An exemplary method for a base station to receive a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0043] Figure 22 An exemplary method for retransmitting a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0044] Figure 23A and Figure 23B An example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown.

[0045] Figure 24 This is a block diagram of an example structure of a personal computer as an information processing device that may be used in embodiments of this disclosure;

[0046] Figure 25 This is a block diagram illustrating a first example of a schematic configuration of a gNB to which the techniques of this disclosure can be applied;

[0047] Figure 26 This is a block diagram illustrating a second example of a schematic configuration of a gNB to which the techniques of this disclosure can be applied;

[0048] Figure 27 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone to which the technologies of this disclosure can be applied; and

[0049] Figure 28 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation device to which the techniques of this disclosure can be applied.

[0050] While the embodiments described in this disclosure may be readily modified and alternatively implemented, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and are described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and the detailed description thereof are not intended to limit the embodiments to the specific forms disclosed, but rather are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of the claims. Detailed Implementation

[0051] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For clarity and brevity, not all features of actual implementations are described in the specification. However, it should be understood that implementation-specific decisions must be made in the development of any such actual embodiment to achieve the developer's specific objectives. For example, system and business-related constraints may be met, and these constraints may vary depending on the implementation. Furthermore, it should be understood that while development work may be complex and time-consuming, such development work is merely a routine task for those skilled in the art who benefit from the present disclosure.

[0052] To avoid obscuring this disclosure with unnecessary details, only the device structure and / or operating steps closely related to the scheme according to this disclosure are shown in the accompanying drawings, while other details that are not closely related to this disclosure are omitted.

[0053] Initial connection / synchronization process between base station and terminal equipment

[0054] First, combine Figure 1 This describes an exemplary connection / synchronization process between a base station and a terminal device in a wireless communication system, including cell synchronization and random access procedures. Generally, a wireless communication system may include multiple base stations, each capable of serving a number of terminal devices within a corresponding coverage area (e.g., a cell). Figure 1 The diagram illustrates an exemplary cell synchronization and random access procedure between terminal device 110 and base station 120, where terminal device 110 is one of several terminal devices served by base station 120. This procedure can also be applied to any terminal device in a wireless communication system.

[0055] When terminal device 110 powers on or switches to base station 120, it first needs to perform a cell search. One purpose of the cell search is to enable terminal device 110 to acquire the cell frame timing of base station 120 and determine the start position of the downlink frame. On the other hand, base station 120 sends a synchronization signal 101 so that terminal device 110 can acquire the cell frame timing. Base station 120 can periodically send the synchronization signal, for example. Generally, the synchronization signal can include a synchronization sequence, and the set of synchronization sequences selected from this sequence is known to both the base station and the terminal device. For example, in an LTE system, the synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS) and a secondary synchronization signal (SSS). In one example, the primary synchronization signal can be a Zadoff-Chu sequence of length 63, and the secondary synchronization signal can be a sequence of length 62 concatenated from two M sequences of length 31. Moreover, the synchronization signal can be sent at a certain time period or time pattern. For example, the synchronization signal can be sent at a fixed position in the downlink frame (e.g., a fixed subframe, time slot, and symbol position). In this way, the terminal device 110 can perform correlation calculations on the signal received in a single subframe at the carrier center, for example, with each synchronization sequence in the known set of synchronization sequences. The position of the correlation peak corresponds to the position of the synchronization signal in the downlink frame, thereby the terminal device 110 can obtain downlink cell synchronization.

[0056] After obtaining downlink cell synchronization, terminal device 110 can receive cell system information at an appropriate position in the downlink frame. The system information can be periodically broadcast by base station 120 through a broadcast channel (such as broadcast channel PBCH, shared channel PDSCH, etc.), and can include information necessary for terminal device 110 to access base station 120, such as random access related information.

[0057] Subsequently, in order to achieve uplink cell synchronization, terminal device 110 needs to perform a random access procedure. An exemplary random access procedure is as follows: At 102, terminal device 110 can notify base station 120 of its access behavior by sending a random access preamble (e.g., included in MSG-1). The transmission of the random access preamble enables base station 120 to estimate the uplink timing advance of the terminal device. At 103, base station 120 can notify terminal device 110 of the aforementioned timing advance by sending a random access response (e.g., included in MSG-2). Terminal device 110 can achieve uplink cell synchronization through this timing advance. The random access response may also include uplink resource information, which terminal device 110 can use in operation 104. For contention-based random access procedures, at 104, terminal device 110 can send its terminal device identifier and any other possible information (e.g., included in MSG-3) through the scheduled uplink resources. Base station 120 can determine the contention resolution result through the terminal device identifier. At point 105, base station 120 can inform terminal device 110 of the contention resolution result (e.g., included in MSG-4). If the contention is successful, terminal device 110 successfully accesses base station 120, and the random access procedure ends; otherwise, terminal device 110 needs to repeat the random access procedure from 102 to 105. In one example, after a successful random access procedure, the initial connection / synchronization process between the terminal device and the base station can be considered complete, and the terminal device can then engage in subsequent communication with the base station.

[0058] Overview of Beamforming and Beam Scanning

[0059] Beamforming typically refers to the process of limiting the directionality of each transmit and / or receive beam to a specific direction and coverage area, taking into account the strong directional nature of antenna transmission and / or reception. Each beam's coverage is narrower than a full-width beam, while the beam gain is increased. These transmit and / or receive beams can be approximately combined to form a full-width beam. A full-width beam can refer to a beam without beamforming, i.e., its beamwidth is not narrowed through beamforming processing. For example, the beam of an omnidirectional antenna can be considered a full-width beam. In some physical implementations, the transmitting communication equipment has multiple radio frequency (RF) links, each connected to multiple antennas and their phase shifters. Signals on each RF link are superimposed and transmitted into the air through multiple antennas with different phases to form a transmit beam. The control unit of the transmitting communication equipment determines the phase values ​​of the corresponding multiple antennas based on the target transmit beam direction and configures the corresponding phase shifters, thereby controlling the transmit beamforming. Accordingly, the receiving communication device has one or more radio frequency (RF) links, each RF link connected to multiple antennas and their phase shifters. Airborne radio signals are received superimposed through multiple antennas with different phases into the RF links, thus forming a received beam. The control unit of the receiving communication device determines the phase values ​​of the corresponding multiple antennas based on the target received beam direction and configures the corresponding phase shifters, thereby controlling the received beamforming. In some examples, the control unit of the communication device configures the phase shifters of the multiple antennas of each RF link according to a predetermined codebook containing multiple codewords, each codeword corresponding to a beam direction and indicating a phase combination of phase shifters.

[0060] In beamforming, due to the strong directivity of antenna transmission and / or reception, matched transmit and receive beams are required in the downlink or uplink to ensure beamforming gain. Therefore, such matched transmit and receive beams in the downlink or uplink can be collected and maintained, i.e., beam management. Beam management involves two important aspects: beam scanning and scan result interaction. Beam scanning can include transmit beam scanning and receive beam scanning, which refer to transmitting and receiving different beams in a predetermined manner over a period of time to cover a certain spatial area, thereby identifying the transmit and receive beams suitable for a specific azimuth area. Taking the downlink as an example, since a terminal device is usually located in a specific azimuth of a base station, there are usually only one (or more) specific transmit beams suitable for communication with the terminal device on the base station side. There are also usually one (or more) receive beams on the terminal device side that cooperate with this specific transmit beam. The terminal device can report the specific transmit beams on the base station side that cooperate with it to the base station through scan result reports. In synchronization signal transmission and reception, a pair of matched transmit and receive beams can be designated such that the correlation result of the synchronization sequence correlation operation when receiving the synchronization signal meets a certain threshold level. It can be understood that in subsequent data transmission and reception, the communication quality (e.g., received signal strength (RSRP), signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (CQI), bit error rate (BER, BLER), etc.) via this pair of transmit and receive beams can also meet certain communication quality requirements.

[0061] The following combination Figures 2A to 2D Describe beam scanning in beamforming technology. In beamforming, the transmitter can perform transmit beam scanning using multiple transmit beams. Figure 2A In the example, the transmitter is equipped with four transmission beams. Figure 2B In this example, the transmitter has three transmit beams. Depending on the configuration or application requirements, the receiver may or may not use receive beamforming. Figure 2A In the example, the receiver uses receive beamforming and performs receive beam scanning with three receive beams. Figure 2B In the example, the receiver does not use receive beamforming and only has a single full-width receive beam. In beamforming, the transmitter and / or receiver can also have tiered transmit beams, such as a first-level transmit beam (also called a coarse transmit beam) and a second-level transmit beam (also called a fine transmit beam). Figure 2C In the example, the transmitter is equipped with three first-level transmission beams (TX_B1 to TX_B3), and each first-level transmission beam is further equipped with two second-level transmission beams (for example, the two thin transmission beams of TX_B1 are TX_B1,1 and TX_B1,2, and so on). Figure 2D In this example, both the transmitter and receiver are equipped with tiered transmission beams. Figure 2D In the middle, the transmitting beam of the transmitting end and Figure 2C Similarly, the receiver is configured with three first-level receiving beams (RX_B1 to RX_B3), and each first-level receiving beam is further configured with two second-level receiving beams (for example, the two thin transmit beams of RX_B1 are RX_B1,1 and RX_B1,2, and so on). Figure 2C and Figure 2D As shown, the beamwidth of a coarse transmitted beam can be wider than that of a thin transmitted beam, and the gain of a thin transmitted beam can be greater than that of a coarse transmitted beam.

[0062] During beam scanning, the transmitting end can transmit beams one by one (i.e., transmit beam scanning). Considering the receiving end, each transmit beam can be transmitted once or repeatedly. The receiving end can use the receiving beam to receive each transmitted beam one by one (i.e., receive beam scanning), thereby determining the matching transmit and receive beam pairs. For example, in... Figure 2A In the example, the transmitter can first reuse the transmit beam TX_B1 to send three times. Correspondingly, the receiver can use the receive beams RX_B1 to RX_B3 to receive the corresponding transmission once, obtaining the corresponding synchronization sequence correlation. Next, the transmitter can reuse the transmit beam TX_B2 to send three times, and the receiver can use the receive beams RX_B1 to RX_B3 to receive the corresponding transmission once, obtaining the corresponding synchronization sequence correlation. After the transmitter reuses the transmit beams TX_B3 and TX_B4, the receiver can determine the matching transmit and receive beam pair based on the obtained synchronization sequence correlation. Subsequent communication between the transmitter and receiver can then use this transmit and receive beam pair. In the above example, the number of times each transmit beam is reused can be an integer multiple of the number of receive beams. If the receiver has multiple RF links and can simultaneously use multiple receive beams, the transmitter does not need to reuse each transmit beam, but only needs to transmit TX_B1 to TX_B4 sequentially. Figure 2B This is an example where the receiver does not use receive beamforming. Figure 2B In this process, for each transmission from the transmitting end, the terminal device uses a full-width receive beam to receive the data and determine the corresponding synchronization sequence correlation, thereby determining a transmit beam that matches the full-width receive beam. Thus, in subsequent communication between the transmitting and receiving ends, the transmitting end will use the determined transmit beam for communication.

[0063] exist Figure 2CIn the case of a segmented transmit beam, a matching first-level transmit beam can be determined first, followed by a matching second-level transmit beam under that first-level transmit beam. For example, the transmitter can first perform a first-level transmit beam scan, and the receiver can determine its matching first-level transmit beam in a similar manner. When the transmitter performs a beam scan using the second-level transmit beam under the matching first-level transmit beam, the receiver can similarly determine its matching second-level transmit beam. Thus, the second-level transmit beam and the matching receive beam are ultimately determined as a matched transmit and receive beam pair for subsequent communication. According to an exemplary implementation, when performing a beam scan using the second-level transmit beam, the receiver can directly use the matching receive beam determined during the first-level transmit beam scan as its receive beam for reception and determination, instead of using all receive beams, thereby reducing beam scanning overhead.

[0064] exist Figure 2D When both the transmit and receive beams are hierarchically classified, during beam scanning, the transmitter can first perform a first-level transmit beam scan, and the receiver can use the corresponding first-level receive beam for reception. This process, similar to the method described above, determines the matching first-level transmit and receive beams. When the transmitter performs a beam scan using the second-level transmit beam under this matching first-level transmit beam, the receiver can use the corresponding second-level receive beam under the matching first-level receive beam for reception. This process, similar to the method described above, determines the matching second-level transmit and receive beams as a matched transmit and receive beam pair for subsequent communication.

[0065] It should be understood that in downlink communication, the transmitting end can correspond to base station 120, and the receiving end can correspond to terminal device 110. In uplink communication, the transmitting end can correspond to terminal device 110, and the receiving end can correspond to base station 120. In the embodiments of this disclosure, when the matched transmit and receive beams in the uplink correspond (e.g., are the same) to the matched transmit and receive beams in the downlink, the transmit and receive beam pairs in the uplink and downlink are said to have symmetry. This symmetry means that, with respect to the matching with terminal device 110, the transmit beam and receive beam of base station 120 are corresponding, and the corresponding matched receive beam (or transmit beam) can be determined based on the matched transmit beam (or receive beam) on the base station side. The situation is similar on the terminal device 110 side with respect to the matching with base station 120.

[0066] Application of beamforming technology in synchronous signal transmission and reception

[0067] The application of beamforming technology in the transmission and reception of the aforementioned synchronization signals will be briefly described below. In the field of wireless communication, beamforming technology has been used to transmit data signals. According to embodiments of this disclosure, beamforming can be used to transmit synchronization signals. For example, base station 120 can use transmit beamforming to transmit synchronization signals, thereby compensating for the loss of the synchronization signal to ensure that terminal device 110 properly performs downlink synchronization and random access procedures. The technical solutions of this disclosure can be used in various communication frequency bands, including traditional radio frequency communication bands ranging from several hundred MHz to several GHz. As the frequency band of wireless communication systems increases, for example, using 26 GHz, 60 GHz, or higher frequency bands, the wireless channel will suffer greater path loss, atmospheric absorption loss, and other negative effects compared to lower frequency bands (e.g., 2 GHz). Therefore, the technical solutions of this disclosure are equally applicable to, and even more important for, high-frequency band (e.g., millimeter wave) communication.

[0068] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the transmission of a synchronization signal may indicate the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal, so that a terminal device can obtain the transmit beam information by receiving the synchronization signal to simplify and speed up beam scanning for subsequent data transmission. According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the synchronization signal may be repeatedly transmitted by a base station to multiple terminal devices, including the terminal device, using different transmit beams based on a transmit beam configuration, and the synchronization signal may include the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal, as described herein. For example, in some embodiments using beamforming technology to transmit the synchronization signal, considering that the base station 120 will repeatedly transmit the synchronization signal with multiple different transmit beams, the synchronization signal time window in the downlink frame is redesigned, as will be specifically described later herein. The repetition pattern of multiple transmit beams in transmit beam scanning can be represented by a transmit beam configuration, based on which the synchronization signal can be transmitted.

[0069] Terminal devices can receive synchronization signals in various ways. When receiving synchronization signals, terminal devices can at least determine the transmission beam of a base station that matches the terminal device, and feed back the matched transmission beam to the base station in any suitable manner, including those described below and any other methods. At least the transmission beam of the matched base station can be used for subsequent communication between the base station and the terminal device (including random access procedures and data transmission and reception procedures).

[0070] In one embodiment, terminal device 110 may avoid using receive beamforming when receiving a synchronization signal, thus achieving a trade-off between fast synchronization and reduced subsequent beam scanning overhead. In this case, terminal device 110 can be considered to receive the synchronization signal transmitted through the respective transmit beams on the base station side using its own full-width beam, and feed back the base station side transmit beam that matches the full-width beam when the synchronization signal is successfully received to base station 120. In another embodiment, terminal device 110 may also use receive beamforming when receiving a synchronization signal to resist fading of the high-frequency synchronization signal and save subsequent beam scanning overhead. In this case, the receive beam on the terminal device side and the transmit beam on the base station side that match the synchronization signal when it is successfully received can be determined, and the matched transmit beam can be fed back to base station 120. This matched transmit and receive beam pair will be used directly or indirectly for subsequent communication between base station 120 and terminal device 110 (including random access procedures and data transmission and reception procedures). For example, base station 120 and terminal device 110 use the same transmit and receive beams of the matched synchronization signal for data transmission and reception; in other words, the beamforming codebooks of the synchronization signal and the data signal are the same. Alternatively, base station 120 and terminal device 110 use the transmit and receive beams of the matched synchronization signal as a first-level beam pair, and perform a second-level beam scan within the coverage area of ​​this first-level beam pair to determine a finer transmit / receive beam pair for data transmission and reception; in other words, the beamforming codebooks of the synchronization signal and the data signal are different, and the beamforming codebook of the data signal is a subset of the beamforming codebook of the synchronization signal.

[0071] In some embodiments, where the terminal device also employs beamforming technology to receive synchronization signals, the terminal device can also set its receiving beam to receive the synchronization signals based on the transmission beam configuration of the base station transmitting the synchronization signals (e.g., the total number of transmission beams and the number of repetitions of each transmission beam). For example, since terminal device 110 needs to perform receiving beam scanning, that is, use different receiving beams to receive signals transmitted by the base station through the same transmission beam, terminal device 110 may need to know the transmission beam configuration of base station 120. In one example, the transmission beam configuration of base station 120 can be informed to the terminal device in advance. For example, the terminal device can simultaneously obtain services from base station 120 and another base station (e.g., an LTE eNB) that does not perform beamforming transmission and reception through dual connectivity, and terminal device 110 can obtain the transmission beam configuration information of base station 120 from the other base station. Specifically, terminal device 110 first accesses the other base station (referred to as the primary base station) using a conventional method. The primary base station requests base station 120 to add it as a secondary base station to terminal device 110 via, for example, the Xn interface. Base station 120 sends a confirmation of the secondary base station addition request to the primary base station, which includes the synchronization signal transmission beam configuration information of base station 120. In some examples, it may also include random access configuration information. Next, the primary base station provides this information to terminal device 110 in, for example, a Radio Resource Control (RRC) Connection Reconfiguration message to complete synchronization with base station 120. In another example, terminal device 110 can obtain the transmission beam configuration of base station 120 from the synchronization signal transmitted by base station 120. For example, terminal device 110 can estimate the transmission beam configuration of base station 120 through the measurement process of the synchronization signal.

[0072] Beam Scan Results Report

[0073] The feedback of the matched base station-side transmitted beam performed by the terminal device will be briefly described below. In embodiments according to this disclosure, in order for the terminal device 110 to feed back the matched base station-side transmitted beam to the base station 120, it is also necessary to indicate the transmitted beam in some way. The matched base station-side transmitted beam can be indicated implicitly or explicitly, thereby enabling a beam scan result report. This beam scan result report can be included in the random access process performed by the terminal device. Of course, according to some embodiments, the feedback involving the base station-side transmitted beam can be sent separately from the random access preamble, for example, it can be sent before or after the random access preamble.

[0074] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device may send a random access preamble to indicate a transmit beam in the downlink that matches the receiving behavior of the terminal device, as described herein. For example, if the terminal device uses receive beamforming, the terminal device may send a random access preamble to indicate a transmit beam in the downlink that matches the receive beam of the terminal device; if the terminal device does not use receive beamforming, the terminal device may send a random access preamble to indicate a transmit beam in the downlink that matches the receiving behavior of the base station where beamforming is not used on the terminal device.

[0075] In some embodiments, terminal device 110 sends a random access preamble based on random access configuration information to indicate the transmit beam of the base station side that matches the receive beam of the terminal device side in the downlink. In some embodiments, the random access configuration information may include a correspondence between the base station side receive beam and multiple random access time windows. In one embodiment, the correspondence may include a correspondence between multiple levels of base station side receive beams and multiple random access time windows. Terminal device 110 may send the random access preamble based on this correspondence. In one example, the base station can identify the corresponding transmit beam of the base station side by receiving the random access preamble in a specific time window. This is an example of implicitly indicating the matching transmit beam of the base station side.

[0076] In some embodiments, the transmit beam on the base station side that matches the receive beam on the terminal device side in the downlink can also be indicated by uplink messages following the random access preamble, such as additional bits. This is an example of an explicit approach.

[0077] The following combination Figures 3A to 14 The first aspect of this disclosure describes the transmission and reception of synchronization signals according to embodiments of the disclosure. According to some embodiments, a synchronization signal is transmitted from a base station to a terminal device via beamforming. The terminal device receives the synchronization signal and obtains information about the transmit beam used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal. The terminal device then feeds back the obtained transmit beam information to the base station, allowing the base station to determine the transmit beam used to transmit the synchronization signal for subsequent communication. According to some embodiments, the operation according to the first aspect of this disclosure can be performed by electronic devices on both the base station and terminal device sides. The operation according to the first aspect of this disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0078] Examples of electronic devices used on the base station side

[0079] Figure 3A An exemplary electronic device for a base station side is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the base station can be used in various wireless communication systems. Figure 3AThe illustrated electronic device 300A may include various units to implement the first general aspect according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 3A As shown, the electronic device 300A may include, for example, a synchronization signal transmission unit 305 and a feedback acquisition unit 310. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 300A may be, for example, a synchronization signal transmission unit 305 and a feedback acquisition unit 310. Figure 1 The base station 120 may be a part of a base station 120, or it may be a device for controlling the base station (e.g., a base station controller) or a device for the base station or a part thereof. The various operations described below in conjunction with the base station can be implemented by units 305, 310 or other units of the electronic device 300A.

[0080] In some embodiments, the synchronization signal transmitting unit 305 can be configured to transmit a synchronization signal to a terminal device via beamforming to indicate the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal. The synchronization signal transmitting unit 305 can repeatedly transmit the synchronization signal to the terminal device using different transmit beams based on the transmit beam configuration. The synchronization signal includes the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal. In one example, the synchronization signal itself may include or indicate the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal. In another example, transmission resources used to transmit the synchronization signal, such as frequency and time parameters, may indicate the aforementioned transmit beam information. In some embodiments, the transmit beam information may include a transmit beam ID, each transmit beam ID corresponding to a transmit beam with a specific orientation.

[0081] In some embodiments, the feedback acquisition unit 310 can be configured to acquire feedback from a terminal device, the feedback including transmit beam information for transmit beam management. The transmit beam corresponding to the transmit beam information can be the transmit beam that matches or has the highest matching degree with the terminal device. In one example, the feedback acquisition unit 310 can directly receive feedback sent from the terminal device. In another example, the feedback acquisition unit 310 can obtain feedback from the terminal device from another base station, such as from the primary base station in the aforementioned dual connectivity, through, for example, the Xn interface. The feedback and the process of providing feedback will be described in detail below. The electronic device 300A can obtain transmit beam information, such as a transmit beam ID, from the feedback. The transmit beam ID represents a transmit beam that matches the terminal device, and the electronic device 300A can manage the transmit beams matched with each terminal device for use in subsequent downlink communication with that terminal device.

[0082] Examples of electronic devices for the terminal device side

[0083] Figure 3B An exemplary electronic device for a terminal device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the terminal device can be used in various wireless communication systems. Figure 3BThe illustrated electronic device 300B may include various units to implement the first general aspect according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 3B As shown, in one embodiment, the electronic device 300B may include a synchronization signal receiving unit 325 and a feedback providing unit 330. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 300B may be, for example, a synchronization signal receiving unit 325 and a feedback providing unit 330. Figure 1 The terminal device 110 may be a part of the terminal device 110. The various operations described below in conjunction with the terminal device can be implemented by units 325, 330 or other units of the electronic device 300B.

[0084] In some embodiments, the synchronization signal receiving unit 325 may be configured to receive a synchronization signal to obtain transmission beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal based on the received synchronization signal. In one embodiment, the synchronization signal receiving unit 325 may be configured to receive the synchronization signal based on the transmission beam configuration on the base station side of the wireless communication system. Alternatively or additionally, the synchronization signal receiving unit 325 may obtain the aforementioned transmission beam information based on transmission resources used to transmit the synchronization signal, such as time or frequency parameters. In some embodiments, the transmission beam information may include a transmission beam ID.

[0085] In some embodiments, the feedback providing unit 330 can be configured to provide feedback to a base station, which may include or indicate transmit beam information for the base station to use for transmit beam management. In one example, the transmit beam corresponding to the feedback transmit beam information is the transmit beam that matches or has the highest matching degree with the receive signal of the electronic device 300B (e.g., determined based on synchronization signal transmission and reception). In one example, the feedback providing unit 330 may send the feedback directly to the base station that has sent a synchronization signal to the electronic device 300B. In another example, the feedback providing unit 330 may forward the feedback to the aforementioned base station through another base station (e.g., through a dual-connectivity primary base station).

[0086] The following describes in detail a synchronization signal and its transmission and reception according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The synchronization signal may include or indicate transmission beam information of a base station transmission beam. For example, the synchronization signal itself may indicate the transmission beam information of the transmission beam by using different synchronization sequences or by including different additional bits, or a specific transmission method of the synchronization signal may indicate the transmission beam information of the transmission beam.

[0087] Synchronization signal example

[0088] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the synchronization signals transmitted by the base station can be of different types. Each type of synchronization signal generally includes a corresponding synchronization signal sequence. In some embodiments, the synchronization signal may include at least a primary synchronization signal and a secondary synchronization signal. In other embodiments, the synchronization signal may also include a tertiary synchronization signal (TSS). Generally, synchronization signals need to be transmitted over time and frequency domain resources. In some embodiments, multiple synchronization signals may be continuous in the time domain; in other embodiments, multiple synchronization signals may be discontinuous in the time domain. In some embodiments, multiple synchronization signals may be continuous in the frequency domain; in other embodiments, multiple synchronization signals may be discontinuous in the frequency domain.

[0089] Figures 4A to 4D Exemplary time-domain and frequency-domain resources for synchronization signals according to embodiments of this disclosure are shown. In some embodiments, the frequency-domain resources for transmitting the synchronization signal may be relatively fixed, for example, they may be several resource blocks or subcarriers at the center of a frequency band, and the corresponding time-domain resources may be located at predetermined positions in the downlink frame. Figure 4A and 4B As shown, taking the frame structure in an LTE system as an example, the frequency domain resources used to transmit the primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal can be several (e.g., 6) resource blocks (not specifically shown) in the center of the frequency band. The time domain resources used to transmit the primary synchronization signal can be located at one OFDM symbol in the first time slot of subframe number 5 in a downlink frame, and the time domain resources used to transmit the secondary synchronization signal can be located at another OFDM symbol in the first time slot of the same subframe in the same downlink frame. Figure 4A In the example, the primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal are discontinuous in the time domain. Figure 4B and Figure 4A Similar, but in Figure 4B In the example, the primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal are continuous in the time domain. As is known, Figure 4A and Figure 4B The frames shown are repeated in the time domain, comprising multiple subframes. Each frame may have a radio frame number with a certain period. For example, in the LTE system, the radio frame number is also called the system frame number (SFN), which has a period of 1024, allowing each frame to be identified within a range of 1024 frames.

[0090] like Figure 4C As shown, one frequency domain resource block can be used to send the primary synchronization signal, and another frequency domain resource block can be used to send the secondary synchronization signal. Figure 4C In the example, the primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal are discontinuous in the frequency domain. For more information on the arrangement of different types of synchronization signals in the time and frequency domains, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 4D(i.e., arrangement (1) to (5)).

[0091] Furthermore, such as Figure 4A and 4B As shown, time-domain resources used to transmit different types of synchronization signals can have a certain positional relationship. This positional relationship can include the order between time-domain resources. For example, Figure 4A In the code, the symbol used for the secondary synchronization signal comes first, and the symbol used for the primary synchronization signal comes second; while Figure 4B The symbol used for the primary synchronization signal comes first, followed by the symbol used for the secondary synchronization signal. Alternatively or additionally, the positional relationship may include the interval between time-domain resources. For example, Figure 4A There is a three-symbol interval between the symbols used for the primary synchronization signal and the secondary synchronization signal; while Figure 4B The symbols used for the primary and secondary synchronization signals are spaced 0 symbols apart. While not specifically described here, it should be understood that frequency domain resource blocks used to transmit different types of synchronization signals can also have similar positional relationships. Furthermore, the positional relationship can also be a combination of time-domain and frequency-domain positional relationships. In some embodiments, system information can be represented by the relative positions of different types of synchronization signals in the time or frequency domain. In one example, this system information may include at least one of the duplex type of the wireless communication system and different cyclic prefix lengths. For example, the order between the primary and secondary synchronization signals can represent the duplex type (e.g., primary synchronization signal first indicates TDD, subsequent indicates FDD), and the interval between the primary and secondary synchronization signals can represent different cyclic prefix lengths (e.g., a 3-symbol interval indicates an extended cyclic prefix, etc.).

[0092] Figure 4D Five exemplary arrangements of synchronization signals on time- and frequency-domain resources are shown (horizontal direction represents time domain, vertical direction represents frequency domain). As described above, the positional relationships (time domain, frequency domain, or combinations thereof) between different types of synchronization signals in these arrangements can represent different system information. Figure 4D The common feature of the exemplary arrangements is that the synchronization signals are continuous, i.e., continuous in the time domain, frequency domain, or time-frequency domain. These different types of continuous synchronization signals can be considered to form a synchronization signal block (SS Block). Synchronization signals can be carried and repeatedly transmitted within each synchronization signal block. For a given frequency band, a synchronization signal block can correspond to N OFDM symbols based on a default subcarrier spacing, where N is a constant. The terminal device can obtain at least the slot index and symbol (e.g., OFDM symbol) index of the radio frame from the synchronization signal block. In one example, the synchronization signal block may also include a broadcast channel from which the terminal device obtains the radio frame number. For example, in arrangement (5), the synchronization signal block may also include a PBCH broadcast channel.

[0093] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the synchronization information may include transmission beam information of the transmission beam used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal. For example, different synchronization signal blocks may include different synchronization signal contents (e.g., different synchronization signal sequences or different additional information bits) to indicate the transmission beam information (transmission beam ID) used to transmit the synchronization signal block.

[0094] Example of a transmission time window for a synchronization signal / synchronization signal block

[0095] Generally, synchronization signals can be transmitted within specific time windows in a downlink frame, and these time windows can be arranged with a certain time period or time pattern. These time windows can correspond to specific transmission and reception occasions of synchronization signals / synchronization signal blocks. In embodiments according to this disclosure, since beamforming is used to transmit synchronization signals, more synchronization signal transmission windows are needed for: 1) transmission using multiple different beams, and 2) repeated transmission using a single beam. Taking the transmission of synchronization signal blocks as an example, in some embodiments, the time windows for multiple synchronization signal blocks can be dispersed, i.e., discontinuous, within the downlink frame. See a corresponding example. Figure 5A .like Figure 5A As shown, the time windows for sending synchronization signal blocks are arranged at a certain period, and each synchronization signal block may include, for example, a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a broadcast channel.

[0096] In some embodiments, multiple (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 12, 16) synchronization signal blocks can be clustered (i.e., consecutively) in the time domain to form a synchronization signal burst (SS Burst) for transmitting synchronization signals using transmit beamforming. In the time domain, a synchronization signal burst can include multiple consecutive synchronization signal blocks. In one example, the length of the synchronization signal burst can be represented by the number of synchronization signal blocks it includes. Multiple synchronization signal bursts can have a certain interval in the time domain. Because a synchronization signal burst can cluster multiple synchronization signal blocks, base stations and terminal equipment can complete beam scanning more quickly while simultaneously transmitting and receiving synchronization signals. See [example of synchronization signal burst]. Figure 5B The length of the synchronization signal burst is 12. For example... Figure 5B As shown, the 12 time windows used to transmit synchronization signal blocks are clustered together to form one larger time window for synchronization signal bursts, and multiple larger time windows can be arranged at a certain period (such as the SS burst period). Each synchronization signal block can also include, for example, a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a broadcast channel.

[0097] In wireless communication systems, the transmission time window for synchronization signals is often specified to correspond to specific time parameters of the downlink frame. Thus, Figure 5A and Figure 5B Synchronization bursts, synchronization blocks, and synchronization signals can be associated with downlink frame timing parameters via a time window. Examples of timing parameters may include the OFDM symbol index, the time slot index within the radio frame, and the radio frame number. For instance, it can be determined that a synchronization burst, synchronization block, or synchronization signal is located within a specific radio frame, and specifically at a specific OFDM symbol within a specific time slot. In other words, the terminal device can identify one or more of the OFDM symbol index, the time slot index within the radio frame, and the radio frame number based on the reception of the synchronization block or synchronization signal.

[0098] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the transmission method of the synchronization signal (e.g., transmission time window, time parameters, etc.) can indicate information about the transmission beam used to transmit the synchronization signal. For example, in some embodiments, these time parameters can be combined with the transmission beam configuration to identify (e.g., by a terminal device) the transmission beam used to transmit the synchronization signal.

[0099] Synchronization signal transmission on the base station side

[0100] According to some embodiments, the base station can transmit synchronization signals based on a transmit beam configuration. As described above, the repetition pattern of multiple transmit beams on the base station side can be represented by the transmit beam configuration. Generally, to represent the repetition pattern of transmit beams, the transmit beam configuration may include or indicate at least two pieces of information: the number of transmit beams and the number of times each transmit beam is used to repeatedly transmit (e.g., a synchronization signal). In some embodiments, the transmit beam configuration may also specify a timing parameter for at least one transmission of the synchronization signal.

[0101] In some embodiments, the transmit beam configuration may specify the number of transmit beams that the base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam is used consecutively. Figure 6A and Figure 6B An exemplary transmit beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 6A As shown, the 600A base station configuration specifies four transmit beams TX_B1 to TX_B4 for transmitting synchronization signals, and each transmit beam can be used three times consecutively to transmit synchronization signals. Figure 6B As shown, the 600B transmit beam configuration specifies that the base station side has 12 transmit beams TX_B1 to TX_B12 for transmitting synchronization signals, and each transmit beam can only be used once to transmit the synchronization signal. In some cases, the transmit beam configuration can be represented in the form of N × M times. For example, Figure 6A An exemplary transmission beam configuration with four different transmission beams, each repeated three times, can be simply referred to as a 4×3 configuration. Similarly, Figure 6BThe example configuration can be simply referred to as a 12 × 1 configuration. These transmit beam configurations are merely examples. In each embodiment, the transmit beams can be any number, and the number of repetitions can be one or more.

[0102] In a corresponding embodiment, the electronic device 300A may be configured to transmit a synchronization signal using each of a plurality of (e.g., 4 or 12) transmit beams, and continuously transmit the synchronization signal using each transmit beam a specified number of times (e.g., 3 times or 1 time) (i.e., transmit beam scanning).

[0103] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, a synchronization signal can also be transmitted once using each transmit beam in sequence, and then this process can be repeated a specified number of times to perform transmit beam scanning.

[0104] In some embodiments, the transmit beam configuration may specify the number of transmit beams of different levels that the base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam of different levels is used consecutively. Figure 6C An exemplary transmit beam configuration in a tiered transmit beam configuration at the base station side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It is assumed that the base station side has four first-level transmit beams, and each first-level transmit beam has two second-level transmit beams. The first-level transmit beam configuration can be, for example, as follows: Figure 6A As shown, the second-level transmit beam configuration can be, for example, as follows: Figure 6C As shown. The second-level transmit beam configuration 600C specifies eight second-level transmit beams TX_B1,1 to TX_B4,2 for transmitting synchronization signals, and each second-level transmit beam can be used three times consecutively to transmit synchronization signals. In some cases, the tiered transmit beam configuration can also be represented in the form of N × M times. For example, Figure 6C The first-level transmit beam configuration can be represented as a 4×3 configuration, and the second-level transmit beam configuration can be represented as a 2×3 configuration (where “2” second-level transmit beams correspond to a single first-level transmit beam) or an 8×3 configuration (where “8” second-level transmit beams correspond to the entire first-level transmit beam).

[0105] In a corresponding embodiment, the electronic device 300A can be configured to transmit a synchronization signal using each of the different levels of transmit beams, and to continuously transmit the synchronization signal using each transmit beam a specified number of times.

[0106] In some embodiments, the transmit beam configuration can also indicate the correspondence between the base station-side transmit beam and multiple synchronization signal time windows, for example, by indicating the correspondence between a specific transmission of a particular transmit beam and a synchronization signal time window. For example, transmit beam configuration 600A can specify the time window for the first synchronization signal transmission using transmit beam TX_B1 (e.g., specifying time parameters including a specific frame, subframe, time slot, and / or OFDM symbol, etc.). In this case, electronic device 300A can transmit the synchronization signal using transmit beam TX_B1 based on this time window / time parameters, and continue subsequent transmissions based on the arrangement of the synchronization signal time windows and the transmit beam configuration. Correspondingly, electronic device 300B can determine the transmit beam used to transmit the synchronization signal based on the time window / time parameters for successful reception of the synchronization signal and the transmit beam configuration. Specific examples can be found in [reference needed]. Figures 7A to 7D The following description.

[0107] Figures 7A to 7D The correspondence between the transmit beam and the synchronization signal block (or synchronization signal) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 7A and Figure 7B The example correspondence under 4 × 3 configurations is shown, where Figure 7A This corresponds to the case where the synchronization signal blocks are dispersed in time. Figure 7B This corresponds to the situation where a synchronization signal bursts out of a synchronization signal block.

[0108] exist Figure 7A In this process, based on the correspondence between the base station's transmit beam and the time windows of multiple synchronization signals, the first transmit beam is used to transmit the synchronization signal block at each of the three synchronization signal block positions in the first group. The second transmit beam is used to transmit the synchronization signal block at each of the three synchronization signal block positions in the second group. Subsequently, the third and fourth transmit beams are used to transmit the synchronization signal block at the synchronization signal block positions in the third and fourth groups, respectively. It should be noted that... Figure 7A Only one cycle of the exemplary beam configuration is shown; the above arrangement can be repeated at subsequent times to send synchronization signals.

[0109] exist Figure 7B In this configuration, synchronization signal blocks are arranged in time as synchronization signal bursts, which can be transmitted based on a certain period. The length of a synchronization signal burst is exactly 12 synchronization signal blocks, thus matching the 12 synchronization signal transmissions in a 4×3 configuration. In some embodiments, the length of the synchronization signal burst and the transmit beam configuration may not perfectly match (e.g., a synchronization signal burst of length 15 may not perfectly match a 4×3 configuration), therefore, they can be matched through pre-configuration. Figure 7BIn the process, for the first synchronization signal burst, the first transmit beam is used to transmit the synchronization signal block at each of the three synchronization signal block positions in the first group. The second transmit beam is used to transmit the synchronization signal block at each of the three synchronization signal block positions in the second group. Next, the third and fourth transmit beams are used to transmit the synchronization signal block at the synchronization signal block positions in the third and fourth groups, respectively. This arrangement is repeated for subsequent synchronization signal bursts.

[0110] In addition to the 4×3 configuration, different transmit beam configurations can be selected as needed, such as 6×3, 8×2, etc. In particular, in the case of synchronization signal bursts, such as a synchronization signal burst of length 12, there can also be configurations such as 2×6, 3×4, 6×2, and 12×1; moreover, there can also be synchronization signal bursts of other lengths and corresponding transmit beam configurations (such as a 5×3 configuration and a synchronization signal burst of length 15).

[0111] Figure 7C and Figure 7D The configuration of 12 × 1 times is shown. Figure 7C and 7D The understanding can be referenced above. Figure 7A and 7B The description will not be repeated here. The selection of transmit beam configuration is based on factors such as the number of transmit beams supported by the base station and the number of transmit beams supported by the terminal device. For example, in cases with a large cell coverage area, the synchronization signal needs to cover a longer distance, thus requiring a larger transmit beamforming gain on the base station side. Each transmit beam angle can be relatively narrow, resulting in a larger number of transmit beams. In this case, a configuration of, for example, 6 × 2 or 12 × 1 might be chosen. Conversely, in cases with a small cell coverage area, each transmit beam angle can be relatively wide, resulting in a smaller number of transmit beams. When the terminal device has a large number of receive beams, a configuration of, for example, 2 × 6 or 3 × 4 might be chosen. When the terminal device uses a full-width receive beam, a configuration of 12 × 1 might be chosen. Since the base station's synchronization signal transmit beam configuration is cell-specific rather than terminal-specific, in some examples, the base station can statistically analyze the receive beamforming capabilities of the terminal devices it already serves and set the transmit beam configuration according to the principle of fairness.

[0112] As described above, given the known correspondence between the base station's transmit beam and the synchronization signal time window, the transmit beam used to send the synchronization signal can be determined based on the time window / time parameter for successful reception of the synchronization signal and the transmit beam configuration. Figure 7AFor example, suppose the time parameter t1 corresponding to the first transmit beam 701 is known, and the terminal device receives the synchronization signal from the synchronization signal block and determines the time parameter t2 of the transmit beam 702. Assuming the period of the synchronization signal block is T, then (t1-t2) / T represents which transmit beam 702 is transmitted after transmit beam 701. Figure 7A In the example, the terminal device can determine that transmit beam 702 is the 9th transmit beam after transmit beam 701, and combining this with the fact that there are 4 beams in the 4×3 configuration and each beam is repeated 3 times, it can determine that transmit beam 702 is the 4th transmit beam. This method is also applicable to... Figure 7B However, the periods that need to be considered include the burst period of the synchronization signal and the period of the synchronization signal block within the burst.

[0113] Synchronization signal reception on the terminal device side

[0114] According to some embodiments, the terminal device can receive synchronization signals from the base station in various ways. According to one embodiment, if the terminal device does not use beamforming to receive the synchronization signal (i.e., uses a full-width receive beam), the electronic device 300B on the terminal device side can simply use a full-width beam to receive synchronization signals transmitted by the base station through different transmit beams. According to one example, for a specified number of consecutive transmissions of each transmit beam, a full-width beam can be used to receive all transmission beams, or only one transmission beam, such as the first transmitted beam. According to another example, for all transmit beams transmitted sequentially up to a specified number of transmissions, a full-width beam can be used to receive all transmission beams, or only one transmission beam, such as all transmission beams transmitted in the first transmission.

[0115] According to another embodiment, if the terminal device needs to use receive beamforming, the electronic device 300B on the terminal device side can be configured to receive synchronization signals using different receive beams (i.e., receive beam scanning) for transmissions made by the base station using each transmit beam a specified number of times. As an example, for the base station to continuously transmit each transmit beam a specified number of times, different receive beams can be used to receive synchronization signals transmitted by the same transmit beam. According to another example, for all transmit beams to be transmitted sequentially up to a specified number of times, the same receive beam can be used to receive all transmit beams transmitted sequentially each time, or different receive beams can be used to receive the transmit beams until each receive beam can receive all transmit beams. In the above embodiments, when receive beam scanning is required, the electronic device 300B on the terminal device side needs to already know or be able to know the transmit beam configuration to determine its own receive beam arrangement.

[0116] The following will exemplarily describe the receiving beam arrangement used by the terminal device when receiving synchronization signals.

[0117] As described above, the terminal device may or may not use receive beamforming to receive synchronization signals transmitted by the base station via transmit beamforming. Figure 8A An exemplary receive beam arrangement of a terminal device is shown in a 4×3 transmit beam configuration. Figure 8AThe receive beam arrangements 1 and 2 correspond to the case where the terminal device does not use receive beamforming to receive synchronization signals. In this case, the electronic device 300B can generally use receive beam arrangement 1, that is, use a full-width receive beam (e.g., RX_B1) to receive each transmission of each transmit beam. The advantage of receive beam arrangement 1 is that it receives multiple transmissions through each transmit beam, thus achieving diversity gain. When receiving synchronization signals, the electronic device 300B can perform correlation calculations based on the content of the synchronization signal block, and the transmit-receive beam pair with the highest correlation or higher than a certain predetermined threshold is the matched transmit beam. For example, when the correlation of the synchronization signal received by transmit beam 2 is higher than that of other transmit beams, transmit beam 2 can be considered matched with the full-width receive beam. In a preferred specific example, considering that the number of sequences in the primary synchronization signal sequence set is much smaller than the number of sequences in the secondary synchronization signal sequence set, the electronic device 300B first performs correlation operations on the primary synchronization signal sequence in the synchronization signal block carried by the received transmit beam with each of the pre-stored primary synchronization signal sequence sets. Based on the correlation degree of the primary synchronization signal sequence carried by each transmit beam, the matching transmit beam (and the matching primary synchronization signal sequence) is determined. Then, the secondary synchronization signal sequence in the synchronization signal block carried by the matched transmit beam is correlated with each of the secondary synchronization signal sequence sets to determine the matching secondary synchronization signal sequence. The electronic device 300B then calculates the physical cell identifier (PCI) of the corresponding cell based on the matching primary synchronization signal sequence and the secondary synchronization signal sequence, for example, PCI = PSS + 3 * SSS, and determines the downlink reference signal structure based on the PCI to decode the PBCH. In some examples, PSS values ​​range from 0 to 2 (actually 3 different PSS sequences), and SSS values ​​range from 0 to 167 (actually 168 different SSS sequences). Using the above formula, the range of PCI is from 0 to 503, therefore there are 504 PCIs at the physical layer. In examples where the synchronization signal also includes a third synchronization signal, the third synchronization signal sequence is finally matched, and the PCI is calculated according to the redesigned PCI calculation formula (the specific formula is not a technical problem that this disclosure intends to solve and will not be elaborated here). This effectively reduces the complexity of the synchronization scheme based on this disclosure, especially since the number of SSSs in next-generation cellular networks may increase to thousands, at which point the technical effect of this preferred example will be particularly significant. When the electronic device 300B is aware of the base station's transmit beam configuration, it can receive only a portion of the multiple repetitions of each transmit beam. For example, the electronic device 300B can use receive beam arrangement 2, that is, for multiple transmissions of each transmit beam, it uses a full-width receive beam (e.g., RX_B1) to receive only once (e.g., only the first transmission). The advantage of receiving beam arrangement 2 is that it can save receiving resources (such as energy consumption) of terminal equipment.

[0118] Figure 8A The receiving beam arrangements 3 and 4 correspond to the cases where the terminal device uses two or three different receiving beams to receive synchronization signals, respectively. In this case, for each transmitting beam's multiple transmissions, the electronic device 300B needs to use different receiving beams for reception. Therefore, the electronic device 300B needs to know the base station's transmitting beam configuration to arrange the corresponding receiving beams. In receiving beam arrangements 3 or 4, since the electronic device 300B knows that each transmitting beam is repeated three times, it can arrange its own receiving beams in these three repetitions, ensuring that each receiving beam is used at least once, thereby achieving the purpose of beam scanning. Figure 8A Only one cycle of transmission with different transmit beams is shown, and the next cycle can follow.

[0119] For the above 4×3 transmit beam configuration, when the terminal device has more than 3 receive beams, a single cycle of transmission by different transmit beams will not be able to complete the scanning of all receive beams. However, since the electronic device 300B is aware of the transmit beam configuration, it can arrange other receive beams for scanning in the next cycle. Under the teachings of this disclosure, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modified receive beam configurations to achieve beam scanning, and these modifications all fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0120] in addition, Figure 8A This is merely a schematic arrangement of time windows; it may indicate the relative positions of each time window, but not their exact positions within the downlink frame. For example, it could be as follows: Figure 7A and Figure 7C Using multiple discontinuous time windows, or as... Figure 7B and 7D That would involve using multiple consecutive time windows. Furthermore, the size of the time windows and the distances between them in the figures in this article are for illustrative purposes only and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0121] It should be understood that, under a hierarchical transmission beam configuration, it can be considered that... Figure 8A The first-level transmit beam and the corresponding various receive beam arrangements are shown. A second-level transmit beam may follow the first-level transmit beam. Figure 8B The diagram illustrates a second-level transmit beam configuration and an exemplary receive beam arrangement for the terminal device. The first level of this hierarchical transmit beam configuration can be the aforementioned 4 × 3 transmit beam configuration, and the second level can be a 2 × 3 transmit beam configuration, where each coarse transmit beam corresponds to two fine transmit beams, and each fine transmit beam is repeated three times (for simplicity, only the fine beams corresponding to the first two coarse beams are shown). In one example, in... Figure 8AAfter transmitting using the first-level transmission beam as described in the example, the second-level transmission beam can then be used for transmission, such as... Figure 8B The arrangement of the transmitted beams is shown in the diagram. Figure 8B In this process, each fine transmit beam corresponding to each coarse transmit beam is repeated the number of times indicated in the transmit beam configuration. For example, the fine transmit beam TX_B1,1 corresponding to the coarse transmit beam TX_B1 is first repeated 3 times, then TX_B1,2 is also repeated 3 times, thus completing the scan of the fine transmit beam corresponding to the first coarse transmit beam TX_B1. The scan of the fine transmit beams corresponding to the next coarse transmit beam is then performed sequentially.

[0122] and Figure 8A Similar to what is described, in Figure 8B In this diagram, receive beam arrangements 1 and 2 correspond to the case where the terminal device does not use receive beamforming. In this case, electronic device 300B can use receive beam arrangement 1, which means using a full-width receive beam (e.g., RX_B1) to receive each transmission of each transmit beam. The advantage of receive beam arrangement 1 is that it receives multiple transmissions through each transmit beam, achieving diversity gain. When receiving synchronization signals transmitted through each fine transmit beam, electronic device 300B can perform correlation calculations based on the content of the synchronization signal block. The transmit-receive beam pair with the highest correlation or exceeding a certain predetermined threshold is considered the matched transmit-receive beam pair. For example, when the correlation of the received synchronization signal of TX_B2,1 is higher than that of other transmit beams, TX_B2,1 can be considered a match with RX_B1. When electronic device 300B is aware of the base station's transmit beam configuration, it can also use receive beam arrangement 2, which means receiving only a portion of the multiple repeated transmissions of each transmit beam. For example, a full-width receive beam (e.g., RX_B1) can be used to receive only once (e.g., only receive the first transmission). The advantage of receive beam arrangement 2 is that it can save the receiving resources (e.g., power consumption) of the terminal equipment.

[0123] Figure 8B The receiving beam arrangements 3 and 4 correspond to the cases where the terminal device uses two or three different receiving beams to receive the synchronization signal, respectively. In this case, for each fine transmitting beam's multiple transmissions, the electronic device 300B needs to use different receiving beams for reception. Therefore, the electronic device 300B needs to know the base station's transmitting beam configuration to arrange the corresponding receiving beams. In receiving beam arrangements 3 or 4, since the electronic device 300B knows that each fine transmitting beam is repeated three times, it can arrange its own receiving beam in these three repetitions, ensuring that each receiving beam is used at least once, thereby achieving the purpose of beam scanning. Figure 8BThis illustrates one cycle of transmission with different fine transmit beams. In the case of graded transmit beam scanning, after completing one cycle of fine transmit beam scanning, a next cycle of coarse transmit beam scanning and fine transmit beam scanning can be performed. Under the teachings of this disclosure, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modified receive beam configurations to achieve beam scanning, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0124] It should be understood that, Figure 8B In the example, a full scan of the second-level transmit beam requires 24 time windows (8 x 3). Therefore, it may need to be completed in two synchronization signal bursts of length 12.

[0125] As described above, the length of the synchronization signal burst can be pre-configured to match the transmit beam configuration, allowing the entire transmit beam configuration to be known given either the number of transmit beams or the number of repetitions. For example, a synchronization signal burst of length 12 matches the aforementioned 4 × 3 configuration. With a synchronization signal burst of length 12, knowing that there are 4 transmit beams means knowing that each transmit beam repeats 3 times; and vice versa.

[0126] Terminal equipment obtains transmit beam configuration

[0127] In some embodiments, in order for the terminal device to receive the synchronization signal, the terminal device needs to know the transmit beam configuration on the base station side. However, before successfully receiving the synchronization signal, the terminal device cannot obtain any information about the transmit beam configuration from the base station via signaling. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device can obtain the transmit beam configuration by at least the following means: obtaining the transmit beam configuration through other base stations, and / or obtaining the transmit beam configuration through transmit beam measurement.

[0128] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, an electronic device 300A for a base station can be configured to transmit a transmit beam configuration to another base station that serves a terminal device together via dual connectivity, the transmit beam configuration being indicated to the terminal device by the other base station.

[0129] As is known, dual connectivity is a technique that enables a terminal device to communicate with multiple base stations, thereby improving data rates. For example, a terminal device can maintain connections with both a first base station and a second base station. During communication between the first base station and the terminal device, a second base station can be added to form dual connectivity as desired (e.g., to improve data rates), in which case the first base station becomes the primary node and the second base station becomes the secondary node. In some cases, the primary node can be an eNB in ​​an LTE system, and the secondary base station can be a corresponding node in a 5G system, such as a gNB in ​​an NR system. According to embodiments of this disclosure, this addition operation can be implemented through a secondary node addition operation.

[0130] Figure 9 Exemplary operations for adding auxiliary nodes according to embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated. Figure 9 In this example, electronic device 300A can correspond to a second base station, enabling the terminal device to establish dual connectivity with both base stations. At 902, the first base station can send a secondary node add request message to the second base station to request the second base station to allocate radio resources for communication with the terminal device. Here, the first base station can indicate the configuration of the primary cell group (MCG) serving the terminal device and the capabilities of the terminal device, and can provide measurement results for the cells in the secondary cell group (SCG) from the second base station that are requested to be added to the terminal device. At 904, after the radio resource management entity approves the resource request, the second base station can allocate the corresponding resources and send a secondary node add request ACK to the first base station. Here, the second base station can trigger random access so that synchronization of the secondary node radio resource configuration can be performed. The second base station can provide the first base station with the new radio resources of the SCG and the beam configuration information of the primary cell PSCell in the SCG. Of course, in some cases, the beam configuration information may also include the beam configuration information of other cells in the SCG. At 906, the first base station can instruct the terminal device to perform RRC connection reconfiguration and instruct the terminal device on the aforementioned transmit beam configuration. At point 908, the terminal device can indicate to the first base station that the RRC connection reconfiguration is complete. At point 910, the first base station can indicate to the second base station that the secondary node reconfiguration is complete. In this way, the terminal device can perform the synchronization process with the secondary node's PSCell based on the obtained transmit beam configuration information. The second base station, acting as the secondary node, does not need to broadcast system information other than radio frame timing and SFN; it provides system information (initial configuration) to the terminal device through dedicated RRC signaling from the first base station, acting as the primary node. The SCG radio frame timing and SFN can be obtained at least from the PSCell synchronization signals (e.g., PSS, SSS, and PBCH).

[0131] In some embodiments, the first base station may not be limited to an eNB, and the second base station may not be limited to a gNB. For example, the first base station and the second base station may be any base station belonging to the same wireless communication system or to different wireless communication systems. In some examples, the first base station may be a base station belonging to an older generation wireless communication system.

[0132] According to some embodiments of this disclosure, the terminal device may include an omnidirectional antenna. Electronic device 300B may be configured to receive the synchronization signal without beamforming to obtain the transmit beam configuration on the base station side before receiving the synchronization signal using different receive beams.

[0133] refer to Figure 2B Assume that electronic device 300B receives synchronization signals transmitted by the base station using different transmit beams with a full-width receive beam. For electronic device 300B, different transmit beams on the base station side mean different reception performance. In a 3×3 configuration, the reception performance detected by electronic device 300B can be as follows: Figure 10 As shown, A, B, and C represent different receiving performance characteristics. Through measurements over a certain period, it's possible to determine that there are three transmit beams based on the presence of three receiving performance characteristics, or that each transmit beam repeats three times based on the repetition of each receiving performance characteristic. When the transmit beam configuration is combined with a synchronization signal burst, the transmit beam configuration can be determined based on either the length of the synchronization signal burst or the number of different receiving performance characteristics and the number of repetitions of each receiving performance characteristic. In this example, with a synchronization signal burst length of 9, it's possible to determine that each transmit beam repeats (9 / 3) = 3 times based on the presence of three receiving performance characteristics, or that there are (9 / 3) = 3 transmit beams based on the repetition of each receiving performance characteristic three times.

[0134] Transmit beam indication and feedback

[0135] In embodiments of this disclosure, transmitting a synchronization signal using transmit beamforming can be used to indicate transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal, such as a transmit beam ID. The transmission of the synchronization signal can indicate or include the transmit beam ID by at least one of the following.

[0136] As described above, the synchronization signal may include a synchronization sequence. In one embodiment, the synchronization sequence itself may represent a transmit beam ID. For example, the synchronization sequences may be divided into multiple groups, and each synchronization sequence in the same group may represent the same transmit beam. Taking the primary synchronization signal in an LTE system as an example, the system may have multiple Zadoff-Chu sequences of length 63. For a 4×3 transmit beam configuration, it can be as follows: Figure 11AThese Zadoff-Chu sequences are then divided into (e.g., evenly) four groups, with each group representing one of four transmit beams. For example, any sequence in the first group (sequences 1 to N / 4) could represent transmit beam ID 1. When electronic device 300A transmits a synchronization signal using this transmit beam, the synchronization sequence included in the synchronization signal can be any one of the sequences in the first group. Thus, when electronic device 300B receives the synchronization signal, it can determine that the transmit beam ID used to transmit the synchronization signal is 1 based on the synchronization sequence in the synchronization signal. Of course, in such an embodiment, the base station and the terminal device need to reach an agreement on the correspondence between each group of synchronization sequences and transmit beams (e.g., specified through a communication protocol and pre-stored in the chips of both communicating parties).

[0137] In one embodiment, in addition to the synchronization sequence, the synchronization signal also includes additional information bits, which may represent the transmit beam ID. For example... Figure 11B As shown, for a 4×3 transmit beam configuration, additional bits 00, 01, 10, and 11 can be specified to represent one of the four transmit beams. For example, additional information bit 00 can represent transmit beam ID1. When electronic device 300A uses this transmit beam to send a synchronization signal, the synchronization signal may include additional information bit 00. Thus, when electronic device 300B receives the synchronization signal, it can determine that the transmit beam ID used to transmit the synchronization signal is 1 based on the additional bit 00 in the synchronization signal. In such an embodiment, similarly, the base station and the terminal device need to negotiate and agree on the correspondence between the additional bits and the transmit beams.

[0138] In one embodiment, the transmit beam ID can be represented by the time window / time parameter of the synchronization signal. For example, electronic device 300B can determine the transmit beam ID of the matching transmit beam based on the time parameter of the synchronization signal transmitted by the matching transmit beam and the transmit beam configuration (i.e., the number of transmit beams and the number of repetitions). See the specific example for... Figure 7A The description.

[0139] In various embodiments, after determining the transmit beam ID of the matching transmit beam, the terminal device can feed back the transmit beam ID to the base station in various appropriate ways. For example, after... Figure 9 After the processing establishes a dual connection between the two base stations, with one base station acting as the secondary node and the other as the primary node, the terminal device can provide the transmit beam ID to the base station through the primary node.

[0140] According to some examples, the transmit beam of the matched base station can be indicated implicitly or explicitly, and then fed back to the base station. According to some examples, as an explicit method, the transmit beam ID can be indicated by additional bits in the feedback from the terminal device to the base station. According to some examples, as an implicit method, feedback can be given according to a specific transmission time window, and the transmit beam can be determined based on the correspondence between the transmission time window and the beam.

[0141] This feedback can be included in the random access process performed by the terminal device. Of course, according to some embodiments, the feedback involving the base station's transmit beam can be sent separately from the random access preamble, for example, it can be sent before or after the random access preamble. This feedback operation will be described in detail later in conjunction with the random access process.

[0142] Exemplary methods

[0143] Figure 12A An example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 12A As shown, method 1200A may include repeatedly transmitting a synchronization signal to a terminal device using different transmit beams based on a transmit beam configuration, the synchronization signal including transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal (box 1205). The method also includes obtaining feedback from the terminal device, the feedback including transmit beam information for transmit beam management (box 1210). This method may be performed by electronic device 300A, and detailed examples of its operation can be found in the description above of the operations and functions performed by electronic device 300A, which is briefly described below.

[0144] In one embodiment, the transmit beam information fed back by the terminal device corresponds to the transmit beam with the highest matching degree with the terminal device's reception.

[0145] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration specifies the number of transmit beams that a base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam is used consecutively to transmit. The method also includes transmitting synchronization signals using each of the multiple transmit beams and transmitting synchronization signals consecutively using each transmit beam up to the specified number of times.

[0146] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration specifies the number of transmit beams of different levels that the base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam of different levels is used consecutively to transmit. The method also includes transmitting synchronization signals using each transmit beam of different levels and transmitting synchronization signals consecutively using each transmit beam up to the specified number of times.

[0147] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration further includes a correspondence between the base station-side transmit beam and multiple synchronization signal time windows, and the method further includes using the transmit beam to transmit synchronization signals based on the correspondence between the transmit beam and multiple synchronization signal time windows.

[0148] In one embodiment, the method further includes transmitting a transmit beam configuration to another base station that serves the terminal device together via dual connectivity, the transmit beam configuration being indicated to the terminal device by the other base station.

[0149] In one embodiment, the other base station is a base station of the wireless communication system, or a base station of a previous generation wireless communication system of the wireless communication system.

[0150] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a 5G system, while the previous generation wireless communication system was an LTE system.

[0151] In one embodiment, different types of consecutive synchronization signals form a synchronization signal block, and multiple consecutive synchronization signal blocks form a synchronization signal burst.

[0152] In one embodiment, the transmit beam information includes a transmit beam ID, and the synchronization signal indicates the transmit beam ID by one of the following: the synchronization signal includes a synchronization sequence that itself represents the transmit beam ID; in addition to the synchronization sequence, the synchronization signal includes additional information bits that represent the transmit beam ID; or the synchronization signal is in time parameter.

[0153] In one embodiment, the transmission beam information of the transmission beam with the highest matching degree is determined based on the time parameters of the synchronization signal transmitted by the transmission beam with the highest matching degree and the transmission beam configuration.

[0154] In one embodiment, the time parameters include the OFDM symbol index, the time slot index in the radio frame, and the radio frame number.

[0155] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS, or includes a primary synchronization signal PSS, a secondary synchronization signal SSS, and a third synchronization signal TSS.

[0156] In one embodiment, system information is represented by the relative positions of different types of synchronization signals in the time or frequency domain, and the system information includes at least one of the following: the duplex type of the wireless communication system; or different cyclic prefix lengths.

[0157] Figure 12B Another example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 12BAs shown, method 1200B may include a transmit beam configuration receiving synchronization signal based on the base station side of a wireless communication system, the synchronization signal including transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal (box 1250). The method also includes providing feedback to the base station, the feedback including transmit beam information for the base station to use for transmit beam management (box 1255). This method can be performed by electronic device 300B, and detailed examples of its operation can be found in the description above regarding the operations and functions performed by electronic device 300B, which is briefly described below.

[0158] In one embodiment, the transmitted beam corresponding to the feedback transmitted beam information is the transmitted beam with the highest matching degree with the terminal device's reception.

[0159] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration specifies the number of transmit beams that a base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam is used consecutively for transmission. The method also includes receiving the synchronization signal using a different receive beam for each transmission during that number of consecutive transmissions in which the base station uses each transmit beam.

[0160] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration specifies the number of transmit beams of different levels that the base station can use to transmit synchronization signals and the number of times each transmit beam of different levels is used consecutively for transmission. The method also includes receiving the synchronization signal using a different receive beam for each transmission of that number of consecutive transmissions in which the base station uses each transmit beam.

[0161] In one embodiment, the transmit beam configuration also includes the correspondence between the base station-side transmit beam and multiple synchronization signal time windows.

[0162] In one embodiment, the method further includes obtaining a transmit beam configuration from another base station that serves the terminal device together with the base station via dual connectivity.

[0163] In one embodiment, the other base station is a base station of the wireless communication system, or a base station of a previous generation wireless communication system of the wireless communication system.

[0164] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a 5G system, while the previous generation wireless communication system was an LTE system.

[0165] In one embodiment, the terminal device or electronic device 300B may include an omnidirectional antenna, and the method further includes receiving the synchronization signal without using beamforming to obtain the transmit beam configuration on the base station side before receiving the synchronization signal using different receive beams.

[0166] In one embodiment, the transmit beam information includes a transmit beam ID, and the method further includes obtaining the transmit beam ID from a synchronization signal, wherein the synchronization signal indicates the transmit beam ID by one of the following: the synchronization signal includes a synchronization sequence that itself represents the transmit beam ID; in addition to the synchronization sequence, the synchronization signal includes additional information bits that represent the transmit beam ID; or the synchronization signal is in time parameter.

[0167] In one embodiment, the method further includes determining the transmission beam information of the transmission beam with the highest matching degree based on the time parameters of the synchronization signal transmitted by the transmission beam with the highest matching degree and the transmission beam configuration.

[0168] In one embodiment, the time parameters include the OFDM symbol index, the time slot index in the radio frame, and the radio frame number.

[0169] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal includes a primary synchronization signal PSS and a secondary synchronization signal SSS, or includes a primary synchronization signal PSS, a secondary synchronization signal SSS, and a third synchronization signal TSS.

[0170] In one embodiment, the method further includes obtaining system information from the relative positions of different types of synchronization signals in the time or frequency domain, the system information including at least one of the following: the duplex type of the wireless communication system; or different cyclic prefix lengths.

[0171] Another example of electronic equipment used on the base station side

[0172] Figure 13 An exemplary electronic device for a base station side is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the base station can be used in various wireless communication systems. Figure 13 The illustrated electronic device 1300A may include various units to implement the operation or function according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 13 As shown, the electronic device 1300A may include, for example, a transmit beam configuration receiving unit 1360 and a transmit beam configuration providing unit 1370. In some embodiments, the transmit beam configuration receiving unit 1360 may be configured to receive a transmit beam configuration from another base station, which transmits a synchronization signal to the terminal device based on the transmit beam configuration. The transmit beam configuration providing unit 1370 may be configured to provide a transmit beam configuration to the terminal device so that the terminal device can receive signals from the base station based on the transmit beam configuration.

[0173] In one example, electronic device 1300A can be used in the same wireless communication system as the other base station, or it can be used in a wireless communication system that is a generation older than the other base station. For example, electronic device 1300A can be used as an LTE eNB, and the other base station can be a 5G base station, such as a gNB in ​​an NR system. According to one embodiment, electronic device 1300A can be, for example, a... Figure 9 The first base station in the middle, the other base station mentioned above can be Figure 9 The second base station in the area.

[0174] Example application of synchronous signal beam scanning

[0175] According to one embodiment of this disclosure, hierarchical transmit beamforming can be performed across synchronization and data communication processes. In one example, a first-level transmit beam scan can be performed during synchronization to determine a matching first-level transmit beam. After obtaining the matching first-level transmit beam, the base station can use a second-level transmit beam under the first-level transmit beam to transmit a reference signal (such as CSI-RS) during data communication, thereby determining that the matching second-level transmit beam is used for data communication. Figure 14 An example of a tiered transmit beam scanning processing flow according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 14 As shown, at 1461, the base station can transmit a synchronization signal via a first-level transmit beam scan. At 1462, the terminal device receives the synchronization signal, synchronizes to the downlink timing, and obtains a first-level transmit beam that matches its own (with or without receive beamforming). Next, at 1463 and 1464, a random access procedure is performed, and the terminal device feeds back the matched first-level transmit beam to the base station. As mentioned earlier, this feedback can be performed in various appropriate ways. In one implementation, the matched beam feedback can be performed via a random access procedure. At 1465, the base station records and maintains the matched first-level transmit beam, such as TX_Bm. Next is the data communication procedure. At 1466, since the base station knows that the first-level transmit beam TX_Bm matches the terminal device, it can transmit CSI-RS via a second-level transmit beam under TX_Bm. At 1467, the terminal device receives the CSI-RS and obtains a second-level transmit beam that matches its own. At 1468, the terminal device feeds back the matched second-level transmit beam to the base station. At position 1469, the base station records and maintains a matched second-level transmit beam, such as TX_Bm,j. The base station can then use the transmit beam TX_Bm,j to communicate with the terminal device.

[0176] Compared to the traditional method of performing tiered transmit beam scanning during data communication to determine the matching second-level transmit beam, Figure 14The example processing can save the training overhead of beam scanning during data communication because it can utilize the first-level transmit beam scanning results during the synchronization process and directly perform the second-level transmit beam scanning during data communication.

[0177] The following combination Figures 15A to 23B The second general aspect of this disclosure describes a random access process according to embodiments of the present disclosure. According to some embodiments, a random access signal is transmitted from the terminal device side to the base station side via beamforming. The base station receives the random access signal and obtains information about the transmit beam used when transmitting a synchronization signal. Thus, the base station can determine the appropriate transmit and receive beam information for a specific terminal device for subsequent communication. According to one example, upon successful random access, the base station informs the terminal device of the transmit beam in the uplink that matches the base station. According to some embodiments, the operation according to the second aspect of this disclosure can be performed by electronic devices on both the base station side and the terminal device side. The operation according to the second aspect of this disclosure will be described in detail below.

[0178] Examples of electronic devices for the terminal device side

[0179] Figure 15A An exemplary electronic device for a terminal device side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, wherein the terminal device can be used in various wireless communication systems. Figure 15A The illustrated electronic device 1500A may include various units to implement the second general aspect according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 15A As shown, in one embodiment, the electronic device 1500A may include a PRACH configuration acquisition unit 1505 and a PRACH transmission unit 1510. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 1500A may be, for example, a... Figure 1 The terminal device 110 may be a part of the terminal device 110. The various operations described below in conjunction with the terminal device can be implemented by units 1505, 1510 or other units of the electronic device 1500A.

[0180] In some embodiments, the PRACH configuration acquisition unit 1505 can be configured to obtain random access configuration information. For example, after obtaining downlink cell synchronization on the terminal device side, the electronic device 1500A (such as unit 1505) can obtain random access configuration information at an appropriate position in the downlink frame through a broadcast channel. As another example, the terminal device obtains the random access configuration information of the secondary base station through a dual-connected primary base station. The random access configuration information may include time-frequency domain resources that allow each terminal device to transmit a random access preamble, i.e., the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). In one embodiment, the random access configuration information may also include the correspondence between the base station-side received beam and time-domain resources (time windows), as described in detail below.

[0181] In some embodiments, the PRACH transmitting unit 1510 may be configured to transmit a random access preamble based on random access configuration information (such as time-frequency domain resources) to indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side that match one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink. In one embodiment, these matching base station-side transmit beams are determined by the terminal device based on a received synchronization signal, as described in the first aspect herein. Indicating the matching transmit beams by transmitting a random access preamble can be used as a possible way for the terminal device to feedback the matching transmit beams.

[0182] Examples of electronic devices used on the base station side

[0183] Figure 15B An exemplary electronic device for a base station side is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the base station can be used in various wireless communication systems. Figure 15B The illustrated electronic device 1500B may include various units to implement the second general aspect according to this disclosure. For example... Figure 15B As shown, the electronic device 1500B may include, for example, a PRACH configuration providing unit 1515 and a PRACH receiving unit 1520. According to one embodiment, the electronic device 1500B may be, for example, a PRACH configuration providing unit 1515 and a PRACH receiving unit 1520. Figure 1 The base station 120 may be a part of a base station 120, or it may be a device for controlling the base station (e.g., a base station controller) or a device for the base station or a part thereof. The various operations described below in conjunction with the base station can be implemented by units 1515, 1520 or other units of the electronic device 1500B.

[0184] In some embodiments, the PRACH configuration providing unit 1515 can be configured to send random access configuration information. For example, electronic device 1500B (such as unit 1515) can broadcast system information, which may include random access configuration information, at an appropriate location in a downlink frame. The random access configuration information may be as described above with reference to unit 1505.

[0185] In some embodiments, the PRACH receiving unit 1520 may be configured to receive a random access preamble sent from the terminal device to obtain one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink. In one embodiment, these matched base station-side transmit beams are determined by the terminal device based on a received synchronization signal.

[0186] Random access configuration information

[0187] Random access configuration information may include time-frequency domain resources that allow each terminal device to transmit a random access preamble. In one embodiment, the random access configuration information may also include a mapping between the base station-side receive beam and multiple random access time windows. This mapping is generally specified by the base station-side receive beam configuration (as described below), but can be sent to the terminal devices through the random access configuration information.

[0188] In some embodiments, the random access configuration information may also include other information. For example, the random access configuration information may also include beam symmetry indication information, such as 1 bit. For example, if beam symmetry is present, the bit value is 1; if beam symmetry is absent, the bit value is 0. According to one example, if beam symmetry is absent, the random access configuration information may optionally or additionally include the receive beam configuration on the base station side, thereby enabling the terminal device to know the receive beam configuration on the base station side.

[0189] In some embodiments, the other information described above, as well as the correspondence between the base station-side received beam and multiple random access time windows, may also be sent to the terminal device in other ways, such as through dual connectivity.

[0190] Random access time window and random access preamble

[0191] Generally, random access preambles can be transmitted within specific time windows in uplink frames, and these time windows can be arranged with a certain time period or time pattern. These time windows can correspond to specific transmission and reception occasions of the random access signal. In embodiments according to this disclosure, since the base station uses beamforming to receive the random access preamble, more random access time windows are needed for receiving beam scans, i.e.: 1) receiving using multiple different beams, and 2) repeatedly receiving using a single beam. In some embodiments, consecutive random access time windows can be arranged within one frame or across multiple frames. See a corresponding example. Figure 16 .like Figure 16 As shown, multiple random access time windows 1650 to 1661 can be continuous in the time domain, forming a larger random access time window 1680. Random access time windows 1650 to 1661 can also be called basic random access resources. Taking the frame structure in an LTE system as an example, basic random access resources can correspond to several (e.g., 6) resource blocks in the frequency band center. Depending on the system configuration, their length can be 1ms, 2ms, or 3ms. The larger random access time window 1680 can be arranged at a certain period. One purpose of forming the random access time window 1680 is to enable the base station to complete a full receive beam scan within this larger time window.

[0192] In some embodiments, the random access time window can be specified to correspond to specific time parameters of an uplink frame. For example, the frame number, subframe number, slot index, and / or symbol index of the random access time window can be specified. In some embodiments, the terminal device can identify the random access time window based on the time parameters, thereby selectively transmitting the random access preamble within the random access time window.

[0193] like Figure 16 As shown, a random access preamble (e.g., random access preamble 1670) can be transmitted within any random access time window 1650 to 1661. In some embodiments, the random access preamble may include a cyclic prefix and a random access sequence, which may be, for example, a Zadoff-Chu sequence. In some embodiments, the random access preamble may also include additional information bits. According to embodiments of this disclosure, the random access preamble can be used to indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are matched with the terminal equipment. For example, the random access sequence or the additional information bits can be used to indicate the aforementioned matched base station-side transmit beams.

[0194] Base station side receive beam configuration

[0195] In receive beamforming, the repetition pattern of multiple receive beams on the base station side can be represented by a receive beam configuration. In some embodiments, on the one hand, the base station can receive random access preambles from each terminal device based on the receive beam configuration; on the other hand, the terminal device may need to transmit random access preambles based on the receive beam configuration, for example, when the terminal device transmits using transmit beamforming. Generally, to represent the repetition pattern of the receive beams, the receive beam configuration may include or indicate at least two aspects of information: the number of receive beams and the number of times each receive beam is repeatedly received (e.g., a random access preamble).

[0196] In some embodiments, the receive beam configuration can specify the number of receive beams that the base station can use to receive random access preambles and the number of times each receive beam is used consecutively. Figure 17A An exemplary receive beam configuration on the base station side according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. Figure 17A As shown, the receive beam configuration 1700A designates four receive beams RX_B1 to RX_B4 on the base station side for receiving the random access preamble, and each receive beam can be used three times consecutively for this reception. Similar to the transmit beam configuration example above, the receive beam configuration can also be represented in the form of N × M times. For example, the receive beam configuration 1700A can be simply referred to as a 4 × 3 configuration. This receive beam configuration is merely an example. In various embodiments, the number of receive beams can be arbitrary, and the number of repetitions can also be arbitrary.

[0197] In a corresponding embodiment, electronic device 1500B can be configured to receive a random access preamble using each of a plurality of (e.g., four) receive beams based on a receive beam configuration, and to continuously receive the preamble using each receive beam a specified number of times (e.g., three times). If the terminal device does not use transmit beam scanning to send the random access preamble, electronic device 1500A can simply use a full-width beam to send the preamble to the base station; if the terminal device requires transmit beamforming, electronic device 1500A can use different transmit beams to send the random access preamble for the base station to receive based on the receive beam configuration.

[0198] In some embodiments, the receive beam configuration can specify the number of receive beams of different levels that the base station can use to receive random access preambles and the number of times each receive beam of different levels can be used consecutively. Figure 17B An exemplary receive beam configuration in a tiered receive beam configuration at the base station side according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. It is assumed that the base station side has four first-level receive beams, and each first-level receive beam has two second-level receive beams. The first-level receive beam configuration can be, for example, as follows: Figure 17AAs shown, the second-level receiver beam configuration can be, for example, as follows: Figure 17B As shown. The second-level receive beam configuration 1700B specifies eight second-level receive beams RX_B1,1 to RX_B4,2 for receiving the random access preamble, and each second-level receive beam can be used three times consecutively for this reception. In some cases, the tiered receive beam configuration can also be represented in the form of N × M times. For example, Figure 17B The first-level receiving beam configuration can be represented as a 4×3 configuration, and the second-level receiving beam configuration can be represented as a 2×3 configuration (where “2” second-level receiving beams correspond to a single first-level transmitting beam) or an 8×3 configuration (where “8” second-level receiving beams correspond to the entire first-level transmitting beam).

[0199] In a corresponding embodiment, electronic device 1500B can be configured to receive a random access preamble using each receive beam at different levels, and to continuously receive the preamble using each receive beam a specified number of times. If the terminal device does not use beamforming to transmit the random access preamble, electronic device 1500A can simply use a full-width beam to transmit the preamble to the base station; if the terminal device needs to use transmit beamforming, electronic device 1500A can be configured to transmit the random access preamble using transmit beams at different levels for the base station to receive based on the receive beam configuration.

[0200] In the above embodiments, when terminal equipment needs to scan the transmit beam, electronic device 1500A needs to know or be able to know the receive beam configuration on the base station side in order to determine its own transmit beam arrangement, as shown in the following reference. Figures 19A to 20B As described.

[0201] In some embodiments, the receive beam configuration may also indicate the correspondence between the base station-side receive beams and multiple random access time windows. In one example, the receive beam configuration may indicate the correspondence (or complete correspondence) between each reception of each receive beam and multiple random access time windows. In another example, the receive beam configuration may indicate the correspondence (or partial correspondence) between the reception of a certain receive beam and multiple random access time windows. For example, the first reception using the first receive beam RX_B1 may be specified to correspond to the first random access time window. The base station side or the terminal device side may determine the complete correspondence based on the partial correspondence combined with the repetition pattern of the receive beams. In such an embodiment, electronic device 1500B may use the receive beam RX_B1 to perform the first reception of the random access preamble and subsequent receptions based on the above correspondence. Accordingly, electronic device 1500A may transmit the random access preamble based on this correspondence.

[0202] Figure 18 The correspondence between the base station-side received beam and the random access time window according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 18 An exemplary correspondence is shown under a 4×3 receive beam configuration. For example... Figure 18 As shown, based on the correspondence between the first reception using the first receive beam RX_B1 and the first random access time window, the first receive beam (e.g., RX_B1) is used to receive the random access preamble in all three random access time windows of the first group. In the three random access time windows of the second group, the second receive beam is used for reception. Subsequently, in the random access time windows of the third and fourth groups, the third and fourth receive beams are used for reception, respectively. It should be noted that... Figure 18 Only one cycle of the exemplary beam configuration is shown; the above arrangement can be repeated at subsequent times to receive random access preambles.

[0203] In some embodiments, in hierarchical beamforming, the correspondence between the base station-side received beam and multiple random access time windows may include the correspondence between multiple levels of base station-side received beams and multiple random access time windows.

[0204] Terminal equipment side transmit beam arrangement

[0205] When the transmit and receive beams in the uplink and downlink are symmetrical, if the terminal device has already obtained the transmit beam configuration on the base station side before sending the random access preamble (e.g., during synchronization signal reception), the terminal device can determine the receive beam configuration on the base station side based on beam symmetry. In this case, if the terminal device has already determined its own receive beam arrangement as shown in Figure 8, it can directly determine its own transmit beam configuration based on the correspondence between the receive and transmit beams on either side (transmit or receive side) under beam symmetry. In other words, the terminal device only needs to determine its own transmit beam configuration based on the indication of beam symmetry.

[0206] In the absence of beam symmetry, if a terminal device needs to use transmit beamforming to send a random access preamble, it can determine its transmit beam configuration based on the base station's receive beam configuration. In this case, the base station can notify the terminal device of its receive beam configuration. For example, this can be achieved through... Figure 9 The dual connectivity shown is used to notify the receiver beam configuration. (In the context of...) Figure 9After establishing a dual connection between two base stations, with one base station acting as the secondary node and the other as the primary node, the terminal device can obtain the receive beam configuration of the secondary base station through the primary node. Alternatively, the base station can notify the terminal device of its receive beam configuration via system information. After obtaining the receive beam configuration from the base station, the terminal device can determine its own transmit beam arrangement, as described in detail below.

[0207] Terminal devices may or may not use transmit beamforming to send random access preambles. Figure 19A An exemplary transmit beam arrangement of a terminal device is shown with a 4×3 receive beam configuration on the base station side. Figure 19A Transmit beam arrangements 1 and 2 correspond to the case where the terminal equipment does not use transmit beamforming to transmit the random access preamble. In this case, the electronic device 1500A can generally use transmit beam arrangement 1, that is, use a full-width receive beam (e.g., TX_B1) to receive each transmission of each transmit beam. The advantage of receive beam arrangement 1 is that the random access preamble can be transmitted multiple times to obtain diversity gain. If the electronic device 1500A knows the receive beam configuration on the base station side, it can also use transmit beam arrangement 2, that is, for multiple receptions of each receive beam, use a full-width transmit beam (e.g., TX_B1) to transmit only once. The advantage of transmit beam arrangement 2 is that it can save the terminal equipment's transmission resources (e.g., power) and reduce the occupation of random access resources, avoiding collisions between terminal equipment.

[0208] Figure 19A Transmit beam arrangements 3 and 4 correspond to the cases where the terminal device uses two or three different transmit beams to send the random access preamble. In this case, for multiple receptions of each receive beam, the electronic device 1500A needs to use different transmit beams for transmission. In receive beam arrangements 3 or 4, since the electronic device 1500A knows that each receive beam is repeated three times on the base station side, it can arrange its own transmit beams in these three repetitions, ensuring that each transmit beam is used at least once, thereby achieving the purpose of beam scanning. Figure 19A Only one cycle of transmission with different transmit beams is shown, and the next cycle can follow.

[0209] Similar to the aforementioned terminal device side receiving beam arrangement, under the teachings of this disclosure, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modified receiving beam configurations to achieve beam scanning, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0210] It should be understood that, under the hierarchical receiver beam configuration at the base station side, it can be considered that... Figure 19AThe diagram illustrates the first-level receive beam and the corresponding various transmit beam arrangements on the terminal equipment side. A second-level beam may follow the first-level beam. Figure 19B The diagram illustrates a second-level receive beam configuration and an exemplary transmit beam arrangement for the terminal device. The first level of this hierarchical receive beam configuration is a 4×3 arrangement, and the second level is a 2×3 arrangement (where each first-level receive beam corresponds to two second-level receive beams) (for simplicity, only the second-level beams corresponding to the first two first-level beams are shown). In one example, in... Figure 19A After receiving data using the first-level receiving beam as described in the example, you can then use the second-level receiving beam for further reception, such as... Figure 19B The receiving beam configuration is shown in the diagram. Figure 19B In this process, each second-level receiving beam corresponding to each first-level receiving beam is repeated the number of times indicated in the receiving beam configuration. For example, the second-level receiving beam RX_B1,1 corresponding to the first-level receiving beam RX_B1 is first repeated 3 times, then RX_B1,2 is also repeated 3 times, thus completing the scan of the second-level transmitting beam corresponding to the first first-level receiving beam RX_B1. Next, the scan of the second-level receiving beams corresponding to the following second-level receiving beams is performed sequentially.

[0211] and Figure 19A Similar to what is described, in Figure 19B In this diagram, transmit beam arrangements 1 and 2 correspond to the case where the terminal equipment does not use transmit beamforming. In this case, electronic device 1500A can use transmit beam arrangement 1, which means using a full-width transmit beam (e.g., RX_B1) to transmit the random access preamble. As mentioned earlier, transmit beam arrangement 1 can achieve diversity gain. When electronic device 1500A is aware of the base station's receive beam configuration, it can also use transmit beam arrangement 2, which means that for multiple receptions of each receive beam, it only transmits once using a full-width transmit beam (e.g., TX_B1). The advantage of receive beam arrangement 2 is that it saves the terminal equipment's receiving resources (e.g., power) and reduces the occupation of random access resources, avoiding collisions between terminal equipment.

[0212] Figure 19BTransmit beam arrangements 3 and 4 correspond to the cases where the terminal device uses two or three different transmit beams to transmit the random access preamble, respectively. In this case, for multiple receptions of each second-level receive beam, the electronic device 1500A needs to use different transmit beams for transmission. Therefore, the electronic device 1500A needs to know the base station's receive beam configuration to arrange the corresponding transmit beams. In transmit beam arrangements 3 or 4, since the electronic device 1500A knows that each second-level receive beam is repeated three times, it can arrange its own transmit beams in these three repetitions, ensuring that each transmit beam is used at least once, thereby achieving the purpose of beam scanning. Figure 19B This illustrates one cycle of transmission of different second-level beams. In the case of tiered beam scanning, after completing one cycle of second-level beam scanning, a next cycle of first-level beam scanning and second-level beam scanning can be performed. Under the teachings of this disclosure, those skilled in the art can conceive of various modified transmit beam configurations to achieve beam scanning, all of which fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0213] Feedback of the matched base station transmit beam

[0214] The following describes an example operation of a terminal device, according to embodiments of the present disclosure, feeding back a matching base station-side transmit beam to a base station. In some embodiments, the one or more transmit beams on the base station side paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side are determined by the terminal device based on a received synchronization signal. In some embodiments, the terminal device sending a random access preamble may indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side in the downlink paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side.

[0215] In one embodiment, a random access preamble is used to indicate the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with the receive beam on the terminal device side. For example, the random access preamble may include a preamble sequence (e.g., a Zadoff-Chu sequence), which itself may represent the transmit beam ID. This is consistent with... Figure 11ASimilarly, preamble sequences can be divided into multiple groups, with each preamble sequence within the same group representing the same transmit beam. For a 4 × 3 transmit beam configuration, these preamble sequences can be divided into (e.g., evenly) 4 groups, with each sequence in each group representing one of the 4 transmit beams. For example, any one of the sequences in the first group (sequences 1 to N / 4) could represent transmit beam ID 1. Electronic device 1500A can send a preamble sequence corresponding to transmit beam ID 1 when feeding back transmit beam ID 1. Electronic device 1500B, after determining that it has received one of the sequences in the first group, can determine that the matching transmit beam ID is transmit beam ID 1. Of course, in such an embodiment, it is also necessary for the base station and the terminal device to reach an agreement on the correspondence between each group of preamble sequences and transmit beams (e.g., notified by the base station to the terminal device via any signaling).

[0216] For example, in addition to the preamble sequence, the random access preamble may also include additional information bits, which can represent the transmit beam ID. In one example, a single transmission of the random access preamble could indicate a single transmit beam ID. (See also...) Figure 11B For example, in a 4×3 transmit beam configuration, additional bits 00, 01, 10, and 11 can be specified to represent one of the four transmit beams. For instance, additional information bit 00 can represent transmit beam ID 1. Electronic device 1500A can send additional information bit 00 when feeding back transmit beam ID 1. Electronic device 1500B, after determining that it has received additional bit 00, can determine that the matching transmit beam ID is transmit beam ID 1. In such an embodiment, similarly, the base station and terminal equipment need to be able to negotiate and agree on the correspondence between additional bits and transmit beams. In one example, a single transmission of the random access preamble can indicate multiple transmit beam IDs. The number of the aforementioned additional information bits can be increased, for example, in... Figure 11B In the example, 4 bits can be used to indicate 2 transmit beam IDs.

[0217] according to Figure 19A and Figure 19B The exemplary arrangements 1 to 4 of the terminal device's transmit beams illustrate that, for each receive beam on the base station side (e.g., RX_B1 to RX_B4 and each sub-beam), the terminal device can transmit a random access preamble. This approach is applicable to both uplink and downlink scenarios with and without beam symmetry. In some embodiments, for example, when the terminal device is aware of the matching base station-side receive beams, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble only for those matching receive beams, as shown below. Figure 20A and 20B As described.

[0218] Figure 20A and 20B An example of transmitting a random access preamble based on the transmit beam arrangement on the terminal device side is shown. Figure 20A and 20B Terminal equipment side transmit beam configuration and Figure 19A and 19B The method is the same as in the previous one, but the random access preamble is transmitted only for a specific base station receiving beam. Furthermore, these transmissions can be performed using a specific transmit beam, as marked by the shaded area in the figure. This method is applicable to situations where the uplink and downlink have beam symmetry. In this case, if the terminal device knows the matched transmit / receive beam pair in the downlink (e.g., determined by receiving the synchronization signal), it can determine the matched transmit / receive beam pair in the uplink to facilitate the transmission of the random access preamble.

[0219] For example, in Figure 20A In the first-level beam scanning, assuming the terminal device determines that the base station-side transmit beam TX_B1 in the downlink matches the terminal device-side receive beam RX_B2, then it can be determined that the base station-side receive beam matching the terminal device in the uplink is RX_B1, which matches the terminal device-side transmit beam TX_B2. Accordingly, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble only within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1 (e.g., using transmit beams TX_B1 to TX_B3). Furthermore, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble only within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1 using the matching transmit beam TX_B2 (as shown by the shaded area in the figure). For transmit beam configurations 1 and 2, since the terminal device uses full-wave transmission, it can transmit the random access preamble only within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1.

[0220] Figure 20B It shows the relationship with Figure 20AThe following is an example of the corresponding second-level beam scanning. In second-level beam scanning, assuming the terminal device determines that the base station-side transmit beams TX_B1,2 in the downlink match the terminal device-side receive beam RX_B2, then it can be determined that the base station-side receive beams matching the terminal device in the uplink are RX_B1,2, which match the terminal device-side transmit beam TX_B2. Accordingly, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble only within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1,2 (e.g., using transmit beams TX_B1 to TX_B3). Furthermore, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble only using the matching transmit beam TX_B2 within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1,2 (as shown by the shaded area in the figure). For transmit beam configurations 1 and 2, since the terminal device uses full-wave transmission, it can transmit the random access preamble only using the full-wave transmission within the random access time window corresponding to the receive beam RX_B1,2.

[0221] In the example above, when a random access preamble is sent within a specific random access time window, that specific random access time window itself can indicate the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink. Figure 21A An example method for a terminal device to transmit a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. At 2105, given that the matched base station-side (one or more) transmit beams and terminal device-side (one or more) receive beams in the downlink are known, the terminal device can determine the matched base station-side (one or more) receive beams and terminal device-side (one or more) transmit beams in the uplink based on beam symmetry. At 2110, the terminal device can determine one or more random access time windows corresponding to the base station-side (one or more) receive beams from a plurality of random access time windows based on the correspondence between the base station-side (one or more) receive beams and a plurality of random access time windows. At 2115, the terminal device can transmit the random access preamble with one or more transmit beams on the terminal device side during at least a portion of the one or more random access time windows.

[0222] Figure 21BAn example method for a base station to receive a random access preamble according to an embodiment of this disclosure is illustrated. At 2150, the base station may receive the random access preamble using a base station-side receiving beam based on the correspondence between the base station-side (one or more) receiving beams and multiple random access time windows. It is understood that the base station should receive the corresponding random access preamble within the random access time window corresponding to the base station-side receiving beam determined in step 2110. At 2155, the base station may determine the receiving beam for receiving the random access preamble based on the correspondence between the base station-side receiving beams and random access time windows. At 2160, the base station may determine the transmit beam corresponding to the base station-side receiving beam, i.e., the transmit beam matched with the terminal device in the downlink, based on beam symmetry.

[0223] In the above example method, the random access time window itself can indicate a transmit beam ID. In this case, the same matching transmit beam ID can be indicated by a synchronization sequence or additional information bits to increase the robustness of transmit beam ID detection. Alternatively, another matching transmit beam ID can be indicated by a synchronization sequence or additional information bits, allowing a single transmission of the random access preamble to indicate multiple transmit beam IDs.

[0224] According to the foregoing embodiments, a single transmission of the random access preamble can indicate multiple transmit beam IDs. Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, one or more transmit beams on the base station side paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink can be indicated by subsequent uplink messages to the random access preamble. For example, it can be indicated by... Figure 1 The MSG-3 message in the text indicates the matching base station side transmit beam.

[0225] Retransmission of random access preamble

[0226] According to some embodiments, when a random access preamble needs to be retransmitted, the terminal device may preferentially use the transmit beam on the terminal device side that is most related to the previously transmitted beam direction for the retransmission, wherein direction relatedness includes transmission directions being adjacent or at least partially overlapping.

[0227] After the initial random access preamble is sent, the terminal device waits for a random access response (RAR) from the base station within a certain time window. If the RAR is received, the terminal device considers the random access preamble to have been successfully sent. If the terminal device does not receive the RAR within the RAR waiting time window, such as... Figure 22As shown, the terminal device needs to retransmit the random access preamble. In some embodiments, to avoid resource waste caused by global beam scanning during retransmission, the terminal device can select a transmission beam for retransmission from the area surrounding the transmission beam used for the initial transmission of the random access preamble. This surrounding transmission beam can be the transmission beam most relevant to the direction of the first-used transmission beam, and therefore may be the beam optimally matched to the base station. In other words, the beams surrounding the first-used transmission beam can be considered to form a candidate beam set, such as... Figure 22 As shown. During the random access preamble retransmission process, the transmission power can be gradually increased in steps until the terminal device's transmission power reaches its upper limit. If the terminal device still does not receive the RAR after retransmitting the random access preamble, the beam scanning range can be expanded for transmission. This process is then repeated until the terminal device receives the RAR.

[0228] According to embodiments of this disclosure, after sending a random access preamble by expanding the beam scanning range, the base station can notify the terminal device in a RAR message of the transmit beam in the uplink that matches the base station.

[0229] Exemplary methods

[0230] Figure 23A An example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 23A As shown, method 2300A may include obtaining random access configuration information (box 2305). The method also includes sending a random access preamble based on the random access configuration information to indicate one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink (box 2310). This method can be performed by electronic device 1500A. Detailed examples of this method's operation can be found in the description above regarding the operations and functions performed by electronic device 1500A, which is briefly described below.

[0231] In one embodiment, one or more transmit beams on the base station side, which are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side, are determined by the terminal device based on the receive synchronization signal.

[0232] In one embodiment, the random access preamble indicates identification information, such as a transmit beam ID, of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side.

[0233] In one embodiment, the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side by at least one of the following: the random access preamble includes a preamble sequence that itself represents the transmit beam ID; and the random access preamble also includes additional information bits that represent the transmit beam ID.

[0234] In one embodiment, a single transmission of the random access preamble can indicate a single transmit beam ID or multiple transmit beam IDs.

[0235] In one embodiment, the random access configuration information further includes the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities. The method further includes: repeatedly transmitting random access preambles using different transmit beams on the terminal device side based on the correspondence; or repeatedly transmitting random access preambles using transmit beams on the terminal device side corresponding to one or more receive beams based on the correspondence.

[0236] In one embodiment, the method further includes sending a random access preamble at a specific random access timing, the specific random access timing indicating the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink.

[0237] In one embodiment, the random access configuration information further includes a correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities. When the uplink and downlink between the base station and the terminal device satisfy beam symmetry, the method further includes sending a random access preamble by: determining one or more receive beams on the base station side and one or more transmit beams on the terminal device side that match in the uplink based on beam symmetry; determining one or more random access opportunities corresponding to one or more beams on the base station side from the multiple random access opportunities based on the correspondence; and sending the random access preamble with one or more transmit beams on the terminal device side in at least a portion of the one or more random access opportunities.

[0238] In one embodiment, the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities includes the correspondence between multiple levels of base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities.

[0239] In one embodiment, the method further includes indicative, via uplink messages following a random access preamble, one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink.

[0240] In one embodiment, the method further includes, when retransmitting the random access preamble, preferentially using the transmit beam on the terminal device side that is most related to the previously transmitted beam direction for retransmission, wherein direction relatedness includes adjacent or at least partially overlapping transmit directions.

[0241] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal corresponds to a synchronization signal block including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH. The method further includes receiving multiple synchronization signal blocks transmitted by different base station-side transmit beams in a centralized time domain, and using the base station-side transmit beam corresponding to the synchronization signal block whose signal reception quality meets predetermined conditions as the base station-side transmit beam paired with the terminal device.

[0242] In one embodiment, the method further includes determining the transmit beam used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block by means of the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block that satisfies predetermined conditions.

[0243] In one embodiment, the method further includes determining the transmit beam used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block by means of additional information bits in the synchronization signal block that meets predetermined conditions.

[0244] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving radio resource control signaling and obtaining the random access configuration information therefrom.

[0245] In one embodiment, the electronic device performing the method can operate as a terminal device, which may include one or more radio frequency links, each radio frequency link being connected to a plurality of antennas and their phase shifters. The terminal device (e.g., its processing circuitry) can configure the phase shifters of the plurality of antennas according to a beam direction matched with the base station-side beam to enable the plurality of antennas to transmit the random access preamble to the base station via beamforming. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a fifth-generation New Radio communication system, and the base station is a gNB.

[0246] Figure 23B Another example method for communication according to an embodiment of this disclosure is shown. For example... Figure 23B As shown, method 2300B may include sending random access configuration information (box 2350). The method also includes receiving a random access preamble sent from the terminal device to obtain one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink (box 2355). This method can be performed by electronic device 1500B, and detailed examples of its operation can be found in the description of the operations and functions performed by electronic device 1500B above, which is briefly described below.

[0247] In one embodiment, one or more transmit beams on the base station side, which are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side, are determined by the terminal device based on the receive synchronization signal.

[0248] In one embodiment, the random access preamble indicates identification information, such as a transmit beam ID, of one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side.

[0249] In one embodiment, the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side by at least one of the following: the random access preamble includes a preamble sequence that itself represents the transmit beam ID; and the random access preamble also includes additional information bits that represent the transmit beam ID.

[0250] In one embodiment, a single transmission of the random access preamble can indicate a single transmit beam ID or multiple transmit beam IDs.

[0251] In one embodiment, the random access configuration information further includes a correspondence between the base station-side beam and multiple random access opportunities, and the method further includes receiving a random access preamble using the base station-side beam based on the correspondence.

[0252] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a random access preamble at a specific random access timing, the specific random access timing indicating the transmit beam ID of one or more transmit beams on the base station side paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink.

[0253] In one embodiment, the random access configuration information further includes the correspondence between the base station-side beam and multiple random access opportunities. When the uplink and downlink between the base station and the terminal device satisfy beam symmetry, the method further includes receiving the random access preamble in the following manner: receiving the random access preamble with the base station-side receiving beam based on the correspondence; determining the receiving beam that received the random access preamble; and determining the transmit beam corresponding to the receiving beam on the base station side based on beam symmetry.

[0254] In one embodiment, the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities includes the correspondence between multiple levels of base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities.

[0255] In one embodiment, the method further includes obtaining one or more transmit beams on the base station side that are paired with one or more receive beams on the terminal device side in the downlink from uplink messages following the random access preamble.

[0256] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal corresponds to a synchronization signal block including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH. The method further includes transmitting multiple synchronization signal blocks in a centralized time domain via different base station side transmit beams.

[0257] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself.

[0258] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block further includes additional information bits that indicate to the base station the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal block.

[0259] In one embodiment, the method further includes sending radio resource control signaling to transmit the random access configuration information to the terminal device. In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a fifth-generation New Radio communication system, and the base station is a gNB.

[0260] In some embodiments, electronic devices 300A, 300B, 1300A, 1500A, and 1500B can be implemented at the chip level or at the device level by including other external components. For example, each electronic device can function as a communication device as a complete unit.

[0261] It should be noted that the above-mentioned units are merely logical modules divided according to their specific functions, and are not intended to limit the specific implementation method. For example, they can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both. In actual implementation, the above-mentioned units can be implemented as independent physical entities, or they can be implemented by a single entity (e.g., a processor (CPU or DSP, etc.), integrated circuit, etc.). The processing circuit can refer to various implementations of digital circuit systems, analog circuit systems, or mixed-signal (combination of analog and digital) circuit systems that perform functions in a computing system. The processing circuit can include circuits such as integrated circuits (ICs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), portions or circuits of a single processor core, the entire processor core, a single processor, programmable hardware devices such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), and / or systems including multiple processors.

[0262] The exemplary electronic devices and methods according to this disclosure have been described above. It should be understood that the operations or functions of these electronic devices can be combined with each other to achieve more or fewer operations or functions than described. In one embodiment, one electronic device can implement all the operations or functions of electronic devices 300A, 1300A, and 1500B, or one electronic device can implement all the operations or functions of electronic devices 300B and 1500A. The operational steps of the methods can also be combined with each other in any suitable order to similarly achieve more or fewer operations than described.

[0263] For example, according to another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic device for a terminal device side in a wireless communication system may include a processing circuit system configured to: receive from a base station in the wireless communication system a plurality of synchronization signal blocks, each including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, for downlink synchronization, wherein the plurality of synchronization signal blocks are transmitted by different base station transmit beams, and each synchronization signal block is capable of indicating the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block; determine a synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device based on reception quality; and send a random access preamble to the base station for a random access procedure, wherein the random access preamble is capable of instructing the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the matching synchronization signal block for beam management by the base station.

[0264] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself.

[0265] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block further includes additional information bits that indicate to the base station the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal block.

[0266] In one embodiment, the preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the matching synchronization signal block.

[0267] In one embodiment, multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block, and the electronic device determines the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block from signaling from the base station.

[0268] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to: receive radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information from the base station, the random access configuration information including a correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities; and select a specific random access opportunity based on the random access configuration information to transmit a random access preamble to instruct the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the base station to send the matched synchronization signal block.

[0269] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to receive a CSI-RS beam transmitted by a base station in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and to feed back CSI-RS beam information matching the terminal device to the base station.

[0270] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to receive the plurality of synchronization signal blocks using multiple receiving beams, and to determine the receiving beam matched to the terminal device based on the reception quality.

[0271] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system has beam symmetry, and the processing circuitry is further configured to send a random access preamble to the base station using a terminal device-side transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam of the matched terminal device.

[0272] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to retransmit the random access preamble using the transmit beams around the transmit beam on the terminal device side if no random access response is received from the base station within a predetermined time after the random access preamble is transmitted.

[0273] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a 5G NR system, the base station is a gNB, and the terminal device includes multiple antennas for transmitting signals via beamforming.

[0274] For example, according to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for a terminal device in a wireless communication system includes: receiving from a base station in the wireless communication system a plurality of synchronization signal blocks, each including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, for downlink synchronization, wherein the plurality of synchronization signal blocks are transmitted by different base station transmit beams, and each synchronization signal block is capable of indicating the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block; determining a synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device based on reception quality; and sending a random access preamble to the base station for a random access procedure, wherein the random access preamble is capable of instructing the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the matched synchronization signal block for beam management by the base station.

[0275] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself.

[0276] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block further includes additional information bits that indicate to the base station the transmit beam information used to transmit the synchronization signal block.

[0277] In one embodiment, the preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the matching synchronization signal block.

[0278] In one embodiment, multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block, and the method further includes determining the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block from signaling from the base station.

[0279] In one embodiment, the method further includes: receiving radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information from the base station, the random access configuration information including the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities; and selecting a specific random access opportunity according to the random access configuration information to transmit a random access preamble to indicate the transmit beam information of the matching synchronization signal block of the base station.

[0280] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving a CSI-RS beam transmitted by a base station in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and feeding back CSI-RS beam information matching the terminal device to the base station.

[0281] In one embodiment, the method further includes receiving the plurality of synchronization signal blocks using a plurality of receiving beams, and determining the receiving beam matched to the terminal device based on the reception quality.

[0282] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system has beam symmetry, and the method further includes sending a random access preamble to the base station using a terminal device-side transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam of the matched terminal device.

[0283] In one embodiment, the method further includes retransmitting the random access preamble using a transmit beam around the transmit beam on the terminal device side if no random access response is received from the base station within a predetermined time after the random access preamble is sent.

[0284] For example, according to another aspect of this disclosure, an electronic device for a base station side in a wireless communication system includes a processing circuit system configured to: transmit multiple synchronization signal blocks, each including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, to a terminal device in the wireless communication system using different base station side transmit beams for downlink synchronization, wherein each synchronization signal block can indicate transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block; receive a random access preamble from the terminal device to assist the random access process of the terminal device, wherein the random access preamble can indicate transmit beam information of a synchronization signal block matched with the terminal device; and determine a base station side transmit beam suitable for downlink transmission of the terminal device based on the random access preamble for beam management.

[0285] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself, and the processing circuit system is further configured to place different reference signal sequences in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

[0286] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block further includes additional information bits that indicate the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block. The processing circuitry is also configured to place different additional information bits in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

[0287] In one embodiment, the preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information of the synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device.

[0288] In one embodiment, multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block, and the base station sends signaling to the terminal device to indicate the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block.

[0289] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to send radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information to the terminal device. The random access configuration information includes a correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities, so that the terminal device can select a specific random access opportunity based on the random access configuration information to transmit a random access preamble to indicate the transmit beam information of the matching synchronization signal block.

[0290] In one embodiment, the processing circuitry is further configured to transmit a CSI-RS beam in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and to receive CSI-RS beam information feedback from the terminal device that matches the terminal device.

[0291] In one embodiment, the wireless communication system is a 5G NR system, the base station is a gNB, and the base station further includes multiple antennas for transmitting signals via beamforming.

[0292] For example, according to another aspect of this disclosure, a method for use on the base station side of a wireless communication system includes: transmitting multiple synchronization signal blocks, each comprising a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, to a terminal device in the wireless communication system using different base station-side transmission beams for downlink synchronization, wherein each synchronization signal block is capable of indicating transmission beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block; receiving a random access preamble from the terminal device to assist the random access process of the terminal device, wherein the random access preamble is capable of indicating transmission beam information of a synchronization signal block matched with the terminal device; and determining a base station-side transmission beam suitable for downlink transmission of the terminal device based on the random access preamble for beam management.

[0293] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself. The method further includes placing different reference signal sequences in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

[0294] In one embodiment, the synchronization signal block further includes additional information bits that indicate the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block. The method further includes placing different additional information bits in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

[0295] In one embodiment, the preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information of the synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device.

[0296] In one embodiment, multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block, and the method further includes sending signaling to the terminal device to indicate the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block.

[0297] In one embodiment, the method further includes sending radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information to the terminal device, the random access configuration information including the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities, so that the terminal device selects a specific random access opportunity according to the random access configuration information to transmit a random access preamble to indicate the transmit beam information of the matching synchronization signal block.

[0298] In one embodiment, the method further includes transmitting a CSI-RS beam in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and receiving CSI-RS beam information feedback from the terminal device that matches the terminal device.

[0299] It should be understood that the machine-executable instructions in the storage medium and program product according to the embodiments of this disclosure can also be configured to perform methods corresponding to the above-described apparatus embodiments. Therefore, content not described in detail here can be referred to the description in the corresponding previous locations, and will not be described again here.

[0300] Accordingly, the storage medium used to carry the aforementioned program product including machine-executable instructions is also included in the disclosure of this invention. This storage medium includes, but is not limited to, floppy disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, memory cards, memory sticks, etc.

[0301] Furthermore, it should be noted that the aforementioned series of processes and devices can also be implemented via software and / or firmware. In the case of software and / or firmware implementation, data can be transferred from storage media or networks to computers with dedicated hardware architectures, such as… Figure 24 The general-purpose personal computer 1300 shown is equipped with the programs that constitute the software, and the computer is able to perform various functions when various programs are installed. Figure 24 This is a block diagram illustrating an example structure of a personal computer as an information processing device that may be employed in embodiments of this disclosure. In one example, the personal computer may correspond to the exemplary terminal device described above according to this disclosure.

[0302] exist Figure 24 In this system, the central processing unit (CPU) 1301 performs various processes based on the program stored in the read-only memory (ROM) 1302 or the program loaded into the random access memory (RAM) 1303 from the storage section 1308. The RAM 1303 also stores, as needed, the data required when the CPU 1301 performs various processes.

[0303] CPU 1301, ROM 1302 and RAM 1303 are connected to each other via bus 1304. Input / output interface 1305 is also connected to bus 1304.

[0304] The following components are connected to the input / output interface 1305: input section 1306, including a keyboard, mouse, etc.; output section 1307, including a display, such as a cathode ray tube (CRT), liquid crystal display (LCD), etc., and speakers, etc.; storage section 1308, including a hard disk, etc.; and communication section 1309, including a network interface card, such as a LAN card, modem, etc. The communication section 1309 performs communication processing via a network, such as the Internet.

[0305] As needed, drive 1310 is also connected to input / output interface 1305. Removable media 1311, such as disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, semiconductor memories, etc., are installed on drive 1310 as needed, so that computer programs read from them can be installed into storage section 1308 as needed.

[0306] When the above series of processes are implemented by software, the program constituting the software is installed from a network such as the Internet or a storage medium such as removable media 1311.

[0307] Those skilled in the art will understand that such storage media are not limited to Figure 24 The illustrated removable medium 1311 stores a program and is distributed separately from the device to provide the program to the user. Examples of removable media 1311 include magnetic disks (including floppy disks (registered trademark)), optical disks (including optical disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) and digital versatile disks (DVD)), magneto-optical disks (including mini-disk (MD) (registered trademark)), and semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the storage medium may be ROM 1302, a hard disk included in storage section 1308, etc., containing programs and distributed to the user along with the device containing them.

[0308] The technology disclosed herein can be applied to a variety of products. For example, the base station mentioned in this disclosure can be implemented as any type of evolved Node B (eNB), such as macro eNB and small eNB. Small eNB can be an eNB that covers a cell smaller than a macro cell, such as pico eNB, micro eNB, and femtocell eNB. Alternatively, the base station can be implemented as any other type of base station, such as NodeB and Base Transceiver Station (BTS). The base station may include: a subject configured to control wireless communication (also called base station equipment); and one or more remote radio heads (RRHs) located in a different location from the subject. In addition, the various types of terminals described below can operate as base stations by temporarily or semi-persistently performing base station functions.

[0309] For example, the terminal devices mentioned in this disclosure, also referred to in some examples as user equipment, can be implemented as mobile terminals (such as smartphones, tablet PCs, laptop PCs, portable gaming terminals, portable / dongle-type mobile routers, and digital camera devices) or in-vehicle terminals (such as car navigation devices). User equipment can also be implemented as terminals performing machine-to-machine (M2M) communication (also known as machine-type communication (MTC) terminals). Furthermore, user equipment can be a wireless communication module (such as an integrated circuit module comprising a single chip) installed on each of the aforementioned terminals.

[0310] The following will refer to Figures 25 to 28 Describe an application example based on this disclosure.

[0311] [Application examples of base stations]

[0312] It should be understood that the term "base station" as used in this disclosure has the full breadth of its usual meaning and includes at least a wireless communication station used as part of a wireless communication system or radio system to facilitate communication. Examples of base stations may include, but are not limited to, the following: a base station may be one or both of a base transceiver unit (BTS) and a base station controller (BSC) in a GSM system; one or both of a radio network controller (RNC) and a Node B in a WCDMA system; an eNB in ​​LTE and LTE-Advanced systems; or a corresponding network node in a future communication system (e.g., a gNB, eLTE eNB, etc., that may appear in a 5G communication system). Some functions of the base station in this disclosure may also be implemented as an entity that controls communication in D2D, M2M, and V2V communication scenarios, or as an entity that plays a role in spectrum coordination in cognitive radio communication scenarios.

[0313] First application example

[0314] Figure 25 This is a block diagram illustrating a first example of a schematic configuration of a gNB to which the technologies of this disclosure can be applied. The gNB 1400 includes a plurality of antennas 1410 and a base station device 1420. The base station device 1420 and each antenna 1410 can be connected to each other via RF cables. In one implementation, the gNB 1400 (or base station device 1420) herein may correspond to the aforementioned electronic devices 300A, 1300A, and / or 1500B.

[0315] Each of the antennas 1410 includes one or more antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna) and is used by the base station equipment 1420 to transmit and receive wireless signals. Figure 25 As shown, the gNB 1400 may include multiple antennas 1410. For example, the multiple antennas 1410 may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the gNB 1400.

[0316] The base station equipment 1420 includes a controller 1421, a memory 1422, a network interface 1423, and a wireless communication interface 1425.

[0317] The controller 1421 can be, for example, a CPU or a DSP, and operates various higher-level functions of the base station equipment 1420. For example, the controller 1421 generates data packets based on data in signals processed by the wireless communication interface 1425, and transmits the generated packets via the network interface 1423. The controller 1421 can bundle data from multiple baseband processors to generate bundled packets and transmit the generated bundled packets. The controller 1421 may have logical functions that perform controls such as radio resource control, radio bearer control, mobility management, admission control, and scheduling. This control can be performed in conjunction with nearby gNBs or core network nodes. The memory 1422 includes RAM and ROM, and stores programs executed by the controller 1421 and various types of control data (such as terminal lists, transmission power data, and scheduling data).

[0318] Network interface 1423 is a communication interface for connecting base station equipment 1420 to core network 1424. Controller 1421 can communicate with core network nodes or other gNBs via network interface 1423. In this case, gNB 1400 and core network nodes or other gNBs can be connected to each other via logical interfaces (such as S1 and X2 interfaces). Network interface 1423 can also be a wired communication interface or a wireless communication interface for wireless backhaul. If network interface 1423 is a wireless communication interface, it can use a higher frequency band for wireless communication compared to the frequency band used by wireless communication interface 1425.

[0319] Wireless communication interface 1425 supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-Advanced) and provides wireless connectivity to terminals located in the cell of gNB 1400 via antenna 1410. Wireless communication interface 1425 typically includes, for example, a baseband (BB) processor 1426 and RF circuitry 1427. BB processor 1426 can perform, for example, encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and multiplexing / demultiplexing, and performs various types of signal processing at layers such as L1, Media Access Control (MAC), Radio Link Control (RLC), and Packet Data Convergence Protocol (PDCP). Instead of controller 1421, BB processor 1426 may have some or all of the above-described logical functions. BB processor 1426 may be a memory storing communication control programs, or a module including a processor and associated circuitry configured to execute programs. Update programs can change the functionality of BB processor 1426. The module may be a card or blade inserted into a slot in base station equipment 1420. Alternatively, the module may be a chip mounted on a card or blade. Meanwhile, the RF circuit 1427 may include, for example, a mixer, a filter, and an amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via the antenna 1410. Although Figure 25 An example of an RF circuit 1427 connected to an antenna 1410 is shown, but this disclosure is not limited to the illustration, and an RF circuit 1427 can be connected to multiple antennas 1410 simultaneously.

[0320] like Figure 25 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1425 may include multiple BB processors 1426. For example, the multiple BB processors 1426 may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the gNB 1400. Figure 25 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1425 may include multiple RF circuits 1427. For example, the multiple RF circuits 1427 may be compatible with multiple antenna elements. Although Figure 25 An example is shown in which the wireless communication interface 1425 includes multiple BB processors 1426 and multiple RF circuits 1427, but the wireless communication interface 1425 may also include a single BB processor 1426 or a single RF circuit 1427.

[0321] Second application example

[0322] Figure 26 This is a block diagram illustrating a second example of a schematic configuration of a gNB to which the technologies of this disclosure can be applied. The gNB 1530 includes multiple antennas 1540, a base station device 1550, and an RRH 1560. The RRH 1560 and each antenna 1540 can be connected to each other via RF cables. The base station device 1550 and the RRH 1560 can be connected to each other via high-speed lines such as fiber optic cables. In one implementation, the gNB 1530 (or base station device 1550) herein may correspond to the aforementioned electronic devices 300A, 1300A, and / or 1500B.

[0323] Each of the antennas 1540 includes one or more antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna) and is used by the RRH 1560 to transmit and receive wireless signals. Figure 26 As shown, the gNB 1530 may include multiple antennas 1540. For example, the multiple antennas 1540 may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the gNB 1530.

[0324] Base station equipment 1550 includes a controller 1551, a memory 1552, a network interface 1553, a wireless communication interface 1555, and a connection interface 1557. The controller 1551, memory 1552, and network interface 1553 are related to a reference... Figure 25 The controller 1421, memory 1422 and network interface 1423 described are the same.

[0325] Wireless communication interface 1555 supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-Advanced) and provides wireless communication to terminals located in the sector corresponding to RRH 1560 via RRH 1560 and antenna 1540. Wireless communication interface 1555 may typically include, for example, a BB processor 1556. In addition to the BB processor 1556 being connected to the RF circuitry 1564 of RRH 1560 via connection interface 1557, the BB processor 1556 is connected to the reference... Figure 25 The BB processor 1426 is described as identical. Figure 26 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1555 may include multiple BB processors 1556. For example, the multiple BB processors 1556 may be compatible with multiple frequency bands used by the gNB 1530. Although Figure 26 An example is shown in which the wireless communication interface 1555 includes multiple BB processors 1556, but the wireless communication interface 1555 may also include a single BB processor 1556.

[0326] Connection interface 1557 is an interface for connecting base station device 1550 (wireless communication interface 1555) to RRH 1560. Connection interface 1557 may also be a communication module for communication in the aforementioned high-speed line connecting base station device 1550 (wireless communication interface 1555) to RRH 1560.

[0327] The RRH 1560 includes a connectivity interface 1561 and a wireless communication interface 1563.

[0328] Connection interface 1561 is an interface for connecting RRH 1560 (wireless communication interface 1563) to base station equipment 1550. Connection interface 1561 can also be a communication module for communication in the aforementioned high-speed line.

[0329] Wireless communication interface 1563 transmits and receives wireless signals via antenna 1540. Wireless communication interface 1563 typically includes, for example, RF circuitry 1564. RF circuitry 1564 may include, for example, a mixer, filter, and amplifier, and transmits and receives wireless signals via antenna 1540. Although Figure 26 An example of an RF circuit 1564 connected to an antenna 1540 is shown, but this disclosure is not limited to the illustration, and an RF circuit 1564 can be connected to multiple antennas 1540 simultaneously.

[0330] like Figure 26 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1563 may include multiple RF circuits 1564. For example, the multiple RF circuits 1564 may support multiple antenna elements. Although Figure 26An example is shown in which the wireless communication interface 1563 includes multiple RF circuits 1564, but the wireless communication interface 1563 may also include a single RF circuit 1564.

[0331] [Application examples related to user equipment]

[0332] First application example

[0333] Figure 27 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a smartphone 1600 to which the technologies of this disclosure can be applied. The smartphone 1600 includes a processor 1601, a memory 1602, a storage device 1603, an external connection interface 1604, a camera device 1606, a sensor 1607, a microphone 1608, an input device 1609, a display device 1610, a speaker 1611, a wireless communication interface 1612, one or more antenna switches 1615, one or more antennas 1616, a bus 1617, a battery 1618, and an auxiliary controller 1619. In one implementation, the smartphone 1600 (or processor 1601) herein may correspond to the terminal devices 300B and / or 1500A described above.

[0334] The processor 1601 may be, for example, a CPU or a system-on-a-chip (SoC), and controls the application layer and other functions of the smartphone 1600. The memory 1602 includes RAM and ROM, and stores data and programs executed by the processor 1601. The storage device 1603 may include storage media such as semiconductor memory and hard disks. The external connectivity interface 1604 is an interface for connecting external devices, such as memory cards and Universal Serial Bus (USB) devices, to the smartphone 1600.

[0335] The camera device 1606 includes an image sensor (such as a charge-coupled device (CCD) and complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS)) and generates captured images. The sensor 1607 may include a set of sensors, such as a measurement sensor, a gyroscope sensor, a magnetometer sensor, and an accelerometer sensor. The microphone 1608 converts sound input to the smartphone 1600 into an audio signal. The input device 1609 includes, for example, a touch sensor, keypad, keyboard, buttons, or switches configured to detect touches on the screen of the display device 1610 and receive operations or information input from the user. The display device 1610 includes a screen (such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display) and displays the output image of the smartphone 1600. The speaker 1611 converts the audio signal output from the smartphone 1600 into sound.

[0336] The wireless communication interface 1612 supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-Advanced) and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 1612 typically includes, for example, a BB processor 1613 and RF circuitry 1614. The BB processor 1613 can perform, for example, encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and multiplexing / demultiplexing, and performs various types of signal processing for wireless communication. Meanwhile, the RF circuitry 1614 can include, for example, a mixer, filters, and amplifiers, and transmits and receives wireless signals via antenna 1616. The wireless communication interface 1612 can be a single chip module on which the BB processor 1613 and RF circuitry 1614 are integrated. Figure 27 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1612 may include multiple BB processors 1613 and multiple RF circuits 1614. Although Figure 27 An example is shown in which the wireless communication interface 1612 includes multiple BB processors 1613 and multiple RF circuits 1614, but the wireless communication interface 1612 may also include a single BB processor 1613 or a single RF circuit 1614.

[0337] In addition to cellular communication schemes, wireless communication interface 1612 can support other types of wireless communication schemes, such as short-range wireless communication schemes, near-field communication schemes, and wireless local area network (LAN) schemes. In this case, wireless communication interface 1612 may include a BB processor 1613 and RF circuitry 1614 for each wireless communication scheme.

[0338] Each of the antenna switches 1615 switches the connection destination of the antenna 1616 among multiple circuits (e.g., circuits for different wireless communication schemes) included in the wireless communication interface 1612.

[0339] Each of the antennas 1616 includes one or more antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna) and is used by the wireless communication interface 1612 to transmit and receive wireless signals. Figure 27 As shown, the smartphone 1600 may include multiple antennas 1616. Although Figure 27 An example is shown in which the smartphone 1600 includes multiple antennas 1616, but the smartphone 1600 may also include a single antenna 1616.

[0340] Furthermore, the smartphone 1600 may include an antenna 1616 for each wireless communication scheme. In this case, the antenna switch 1615 can be omitted from the configuration of the smartphone 1600.

[0341] Bus 1617 connects processor 1601, memory 1602, storage device 1603, external connection interface 1604, camera device 1606, sensor 1607, microphone 1608, input device 1609, display device 1610, speaker 1611, wireless communication interface 1612, and auxiliary controller 1619 to each other. Battery 1618 supplies power to... Figure 27 The various blocks of the smartphone 1600 shown are powered, and the feeders are partially shown as dashed lines in the figure. The auxiliary controller 1619 operates the minimum necessary functions of the smartphone 1600, for example, in sleep mode.

[0342] Second application example

[0343] Figure 28 This is a block diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a car navigation device 1720 to which the technology of this disclosure can be applied. The car navigation device 1720 includes a processor 1721, a memory 1722, a Global Positioning System (GPS) module 1724, a sensor 1725, a data interface 1726, a content player 1727, a storage medium interface 1728, an input device 1729, a display device 1730, a speaker 1731, a wireless communication interface 1733, one or more antenna switches 1736, one or more antennas 1737, and a battery 1738. In one implementation, the car navigation device 1720 (or processor 1721) herein may correspond to the aforementioned terminal devices 300B and / or 1500A.

[0344] The processor 1721 can be, for example, a CPU or a SoC, and controls the navigation functions and other functions of the car navigation device 1720. The memory 1722 includes RAM and ROM, and stores data and programs executed by the processor 1721.

[0345] GPS module 1724 uses GPS signals received from GPS satellites to measure the location (such as latitude, longitude, and altitude) of car navigation device 1720. Sensor 1725 may include a set of sensors, such as a gyroscope sensor, a geomagnetic sensor, and an air pressure sensor. Data interface 1726 is connected to, for example, an in-vehicle network 1741 via a terminal not shown, and acquires data generated by the vehicle (such as vehicle speed data).

[0346] Content player 1727 reproduces content stored on storage media (such as CDs and DVDs), which is inserted into storage media interface 1728. Input device 1729 includes, for example, a touch sensor, button, or switch configured to detect touch on the screen of display device 1730, and receives operations or information input from the user. Display device 1730 includes a screen such as an LCD or OLED display and displays images or reproduced content for navigation functions. Speaker 1731 outputs sound for navigation functions or reproduced content.

[0347] The wireless communication interface 1733 supports any cellular communication scheme (such as LTE and LTE-Advanced) and performs wireless communication. The wireless communication interface 1733 typically includes, for example, a BB processor 1734 and RF circuitry 1735. The BB processor 1734 can perform, for example, encoding / decoding, modulation / demodulation, and multiplexing / demultiplexing, and performs various types of signal processing for wireless communication. Meanwhile, the RF circuitry 1735 can include, for example, a mixer, filters, and amplifiers, and transmits and receives wireless signals via antenna 1737. The wireless communication interface 1733 can also be a chip module on which the BB processor 1734 and RF circuitry 1735 are integrated. Figure 28 As shown, the wireless communication interface 1733 may include multiple BB processors 1734 and multiple RF circuits 1735. Although Figure 28 An example is shown in which the wireless communication interface 1733 includes multiple BB processors 1734 and multiple RF circuits 1735, but the wireless communication interface 1733 may also include a single BB processor 1734 or a single RF circuit 1735.

[0348] In addition to cellular communication schemes, the wireless communication interface 1733 can support other types of wireless communication schemes, such as short-range wireless communication schemes, near-field communication schemes, and wireless LAN schemes. In this case, for each wireless communication scheme, the wireless communication interface 1733 may include a BB processor 1734 and an RF circuit 1735.

[0349] Each of the antenna switches 1736 switches the connection destination of the antenna 1737 among multiple circuits (such as circuits for different wireless communication schemes) included in the wireless communication interface 1733.

[0350] Each of the antennas 1737 includes one or more antenna elements (such as multiple antenna elements included in a MIMO antenna) and is used by the wireless communication interface 1733 to transmit and receive wireless signals. Figure 28 As shown, the car navigation device 1720 may include multiple antennas 1737. Although Figure 28An example is shown in which the car navigation device 1720 includes multiple antennas 1737, but the car navigation device 1720 may also include a single antenna 1737.

[0351] Furthermore, the car navigation device 1720 may include an antenna 1737 for each wireless communication scheme. In this case, the antenna switch 1736 can be omitted from the configuration of the car navigation device 1720.

[0352] Battery 1738 via feeder to Figure 28 The various blocks of the car navigation device 1720 shown are powered, and the feeders are partially shown as dashed lines in the figure. Battery 1738 accumulates the power supplied from the vehicle.

[0353] The technology disclosed herein can also be implemented as an in-vehicle system (or vehicle) 1740 including one or more blocks of an automotive navigation device 1720, an in-vehicle network 1741, and a vehicle module 1742. The vehicle module 1742 generates vehicle data (such as vehicle speed, engine speed, and fault information) and outputs the generated data to the in-vehicle network 1741.

[0354] Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure have been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the present disclosure is by no means limited to the examples described above. Various changes and modifications can be made by those skilled in the art within the scope of the appended claims, and it should be understood that such changes and modifications naturally fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure.

[0355] For example, the multiple functions included in one unit in the above embodiments can be implemented by separate devices. Alternatively, the multiple functions implemented by multiple units in the above embodiments can be implemented by separate devices respectively. In addition, one of the above functions can be implemented by multiple units. Needless to say, such a configuration is included within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0356] In this specification, the steps described in the flowchart include not only processes executed sequentially in the stated order, but also processes executed in parallel or individually, rather than necessarily sequentially. Furthermore, even within the steps of sequential processing, needless to say, the order can be appropriately altered.

[0357] While this disclosure and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined by the appended claims. Furthermore, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof used in embodiments of this disclosure are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes said element.

Claims

1. An electronic device for a terminal device side in a wireless communication system, comprising a processing circuit system configured to: The base station in the wireless communication system receives multiple synchronization signal blocks, including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, respectively, for downlink synchronization. The multiple synchronization signal blocks are transmitted by different base station transmit beams, and each synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block. Based on the synchronization signal blocks whose signal reception quality meets predetermined conditions, a synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device is determined. as well as A random access preamble is sent to the base station to initiate a random access procedure, wherein the random access preamble instructs the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the matched synchronization signal block for beam management. The processing circuit is configured to simultaneously obtain services from the base station and another base station that does not perform beamforming transceiver via dual connectivity. The processing circuit is configured to obtain information from the other base station regarding the correspondence between each received beam on the base station side and the time-domain resources to be used for transmitting a random access preamble, and to determine a random access preamble indicating the transmit beam for transmitting a matching synchronization signal block.

2. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself.

3. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The synchronization signal block also includes additional information bits, which instruct the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the synchronization signal block.

4. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to send the matching synchronization signal block.

5. The electronic device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, Multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block, and the electronic device determines the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block from the signaling from the base station.

6. The electronic device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The processing circuit system is also configured to: The system receives radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information from the base station, wherein the random access configuration information includes the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities; as well as Based on the random access configuration information, a specific random access timing is selected to send a random access preamble to instruct the base station to send the transmit beam information used by the matching synchronization signal block.

7. The electronic device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, The processing circuit system is also configured to receive a CSI-RS beam transmitted by the base station in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and to feed back CSI-RS beam information matching the terminal device to the base station.

8. The electronic device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, The processing circuit system is also configured to receive the plurality of synchronization signal blocks using multiple receiving beams, and to determine the receiving beam that the terminal device matches based on the reception quality.

9. The electronic device as claimed in claim 8, wherein, The wireless communication system has beam symmetry, and the processing circuit system is further configured to send a random access preamble to the base station using a terminal device side transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam of the matched terminal device.

10. The electronic device of claim 9, wherein, The processing circuitry is also configured to retransmit the random access preamble using the transmit beams around the transmit beam on the terminal device side if no random access response is received from the base station within a predetermined time after the random access preamble is sent.

11. The electronic device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5 or 8 to 10, wherein, The wireless communication system is a 5G NR system, the base station is a gNB, and the terminal device includes multiple antennas for transmitting signals via beamforming.

12. A method for a terminal device side in a wireless communication system, comprising: The base station in the wireless communication system receives multiple synchronization signal blocks, including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, respectively, for downlink synchronization. The multiple synchronization signal blocks are transmitted by different base station transmit beams, and each synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block. Based on the synchronization signal blocks whose signal reception quality meets predetermined conditions, a synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device is determined. Sending a random access preamble to the base station to perform a random access procedure, wherein the random access preamble instructs the base station to send the transmit beam information used by the matching synchronization signal block for the base station to perform beam management; Simultaneously obtain services from the base station and another base station that does not perform beamforming transceiver through dual connectivity; and Information is obtained from the other base station regarding the correspondence between each received beam on the base station side and the time-domain resources to be used for transmitting the random access preamble, and a random access preamble indicating the transmit beam for transmitting the matching synchronization signal block is determined.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein, The synchronization signal block also includes additional information bits, which instruct the base station to transmit the transmit beam information used by the synchronization signal block.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein, The preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to send the matching synchronization signal block.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein, Multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block. The method further includes determining the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block from signaling from the base station.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, The method further includes: The system receives radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information from the base station, wherein the random access configuration information includes the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities; and Based on the random access configuration information, a specific random access timing is selected to send a random access preamble to indicate the transmission beam information of the matching synchronization signal block of the base station.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein, The method further includes receiving a CSI-RS beam transmitted by a base station in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and feeding back CSI-RS beam information matching the terminal device to the base station.

19. The method of claim 12, wherein, The method further includes receiving the plurality of synchronization signal blocks using multiple receiving beams, and determining the receiving beam matched to the terminal device based on the reception quality.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein, The wireless communication system has beam symmetry, and the method further includes sending a random access preamble to the base station using a terminal device side transmit beam corresponding to the receive beam of the matched terminal device.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The method further includes retransmitting the random access preamble using the transmit beams around the transmit beam on the terminal device side if no random access response is received from the base station within a predetermined time after the random access preamble is sent.

22. A wireless communication system, comprising electronic equipment for a base station side in the wireless communication system and the electronic equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the electronic equipment for the base station side includes a processing circuitry system configured to: Multiple synchronization signal blocks, including a primary synchronization signal, a secondary synchronization signal, and a PBCH, are transmitted to the terminal equipment in the wireless communication system using different base station transmit beams for downlink synchronization. Each synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit that synchronization signal block; Receive a random access preamble from a terminal device to assist the random access process of the terminal device, wherein the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information of a synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device; as well as The base station-side transmit beam suitable for downlink transmission of the terminal device is determined based on the random access preamble for beam management.

23. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 22, wherein, The synchronization signal block indicates the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block through the reference signal sequence in the synchronization signal block itself. The processing circuit system is also configured to place different reference signal sequences in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

24. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 22, wherein, The synchronization signal block also includes additional information bits, which indicate the transmit beam information used by the base station to transmit the synchronization signal block. The processing circuit system is also configured to place different additional information bits in the plurality of synchronization signal blocks to indicate different transmit beam information.

25. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 22, wherein, The preamble sequence of the random access preamble indicates the transmit beam information of the synchronization signal block that matches the terminal device.

26. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 25, wherein, Multiple preamble sequences are used to indicate the transmit beam information of the same synchronization signal block. The base station sends signaling to the terminal device to indicate the correspondence between the multiple preamble sequences and the transmit beam of the synchronization signal block.

27. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein, The processing circuit system is further configured to send radio resource control signaling containing random access configuration information to the terminal device. The random access configuration information includes the correspondence between base station-side beams and multiple random access opportunities, so that the terminal device can select a specific random access opportunity according to the random access configuration information to send a random access preamble to indicate the transmit beam information of the matching synchronization signal block.

28. The wireless communication system as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein, The processing circuitry is also configured to transmit a CSI-RS beam in the transmit beam direction corresponding to the matched synchronization signal block, and to receive CSI-RS beam information feedback from the terminal device that matches the terminal device.

29. The wireless communication system according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein, The wireless communication system is a 5G NR system, the base station is a gNB, and the base station also includes multiple antennas for transmitting signals via beamforming.

30. A computer-readable storage medium storing one or more instructions, which, when executed by one or more processors of an electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method according to any one of claims 12 to 21.

31. An apparatus for a wireless communication system, comprising components for performing the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 21.

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