Method and apparatus for transmitting a measurement report over a wireless network

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting measurement reports over a wireless network. SS of an SS block of an SS burst set may be received (610). Measurements may be performed (620) at least on the received SS of the SS block. The PBCH of the SS block that may include a first part and a second part of the PBCH may be received (630). The first part may carry at least a portion of the minimum system information. The second part may carry timing information. The timing information may include information that at least contains an indication of an SS block index of an SS block within the SS burst set. The SS block index may be determined (650) at least based on demodulating and decoding (640) the second part of the PBCH. A measurement report that may include a measurement quantity from the measurements on the received SS of the SS block and may include the determined SS block index may be transmitted (660).

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese invention patent application "Method and Apparatus for Transmitting Measurement Reports over a Wireless Network" with Chinese Application No. 201880028323.8, PCT Application No. PCT / US2018 / 031143, and International Filing Date of May 4, 2018, which entered the Chinese national phase on October 29, 2019. Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure is directed to a method and apparatus for transmitting measurement reports over a wireless network. Background Art

[0003] Currently, wireless communication devices such as user equipment communicate with other communication devices using wireless signals. When a network entity (NE) such as a base station (BS) or a g-node B (gNB) can create multiple narrow beams using a large number of antenna elements, the NE can transmit more than one synchronization signal (SS) block per period. Each SS block carries a primary and a secondary synchronization signal (PSS / SSS) and a physical broadcast channel (PBCH) that can be transmitted (Tx) beamformed. An SS burst set including one or more SS blocks, such as up to 64 SS blocks, can cover different expected spatial directions.

[0004] Along with potentially transmitting multiple SS blocks according to a predetermined pattern for SS block positions, the NE may need to provide the user equipment (UE) with SS block timing information, such as the index of a given SS block of an SS burst set, and / or SS burst set timing information, such as the index of the SS burst set. After detecting at least one SS block associated with the NE Tx beam for the UE, the UE can determine all or part of the timing information by using knowledge of at least the predefined potential SS block positions, such as the SS block positions assumed by the UE, and the received SS block timing information. All or part of the information may include symbol timing such as symbol boundaries, may include slot timing such as slot boundaries, and may include frame timing such as frame boundaries.

[0005] For mobility measurements and reports, the UE can perform mobility measurements for one or more SS blocks in an SS burst set based on signals in each SS block such as the SSS and / or demodulation reference signal (DMRS) of the PBCH. Further, the measurement report may include measured quantities such as the detected and measured one or more SS blocks and corresponding SS block indices, such as reference signal received power (RSRP).

[0006] In Long Term Evolution (LTE), the Random Access Channel (RACH) configuration index, such as those in Table 5.7.1-2 / 3 / 4 of 3GPP TS 36.211, determines the RACH preamble format and the time and frequency resources for the RACH preamble. In the fifth-generation (5G) new radio access technology (RAT), the support for dynamic Time Division Duplex (TDD) operation and potential Ultra-Reliable Low-Latency Communication (URLLC) services make it difficult to predefine the number of uplink time slots or uplink symbols in a time slot. Therefore, a semi-static configuration of RACH time and frequency resources may be insufficient for flexible radio resource utilization. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] To describe the manner in which the advantages and features of the present disclosure can be obtained, the present disclosure is described by reference to specific embodiments of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings. These drawings only depict example embodiments of the present disclosure and should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. For clarity purposes, the drawings may have been simplified and are not necessarily drawn to scale.

[0008] Figure 1 is an example block diagram of a system according to a possible embodiment;

[0009] Figure 2 is an example illustration of the mapping of the Synchronization Signal (SS) Timing Information Block (STIB) and the Master Information Block (MIB) on the Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) according to a possible embodiment;

[0010] Figure 3 is an example illustration of the joint encoding of the STIB and the MIB according to a possible embodiment;

[0011] Figure 4 is an example illustration of the mapping of the PBCH within the PBCH Transmission Time Interval (TTI) where the SS burst set period is set to 20 ms and the PBCH TTI is set to 80 ms according to a possible embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5 is an example illustration of the mapping of the Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) within the 20 ms default SS burst set period where the SS burst set period is set to 5 ms according to a possible embodiment;

[0013] Figure 6 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment;

[0014] Figure 7 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment;

[0015] Figure 8 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment;

[0016] Figure 9 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device according to a possible embodiment; and

[0017] Figure 10 is an example block diagram of an apparatus according to a possible embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Some embodiments may provide methods and apparatuses for communicating over a wireless network. According to a possible embodiment, SS of an SS block of an SS burst set may be received. Measurements may be performed at least on the received SS of the SS block. PBCH of the SS block may be received. The PBCH may include a first part of the PBCH and a second part of the PBCH. The first part of the PBCH may carry at least part of the minimum system information. The second part of the PBCH may carry timing information. The timing information may include information that at least contains an indication of an SS block index of an SS block within the SS burst set. The second part of the PBCH may be demodulated and decoded. The SS block index of an SS block within the SS burst set may be determined at least based on the demodulation and decoding. A measurement report may be sent. The measurement report may include a measurement quantity from the measurement on the received SS of the SS block and may include the determined SS block index.

[0019] According to another possible embodiment, an indication of a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be received via higher layer signaling. The higher layer may be higher than the physical layer. An indication of the availability of a RACH resource in at least one RACH resource of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be received via dynamic physical layer signaling. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be within a plurality of time slots including a RACH time slot. The RACH time slot may include at least one RACH resource of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources. Based on the received indication of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources and based on the received indication of the availability of a RACH resource in at least one RACH resource of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources, available RACH resources in the RACH time slot may be determined. A RACH preamble may be sent on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot.

[0020] Figure 1FIG. 0 is an exemplary block diagram of a system 100 according to a possible embodiment. The system 100 may include a user equipment (UE) 110, at least one network entity 120 and 125 such as a base station, and a network 130. The UE 110 may be a wireless wide area network device, a user equipment, a wireless terminal, a portable wireless communication device, a smart phone, a cellular phone, a flip phone, a personal digital assistant, a personal computer, a pager, an Internet of Things (IoT) device, a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or any other user equipment capable of transmitting and receiving communication signals over a wireless network. The at least one network entity 120 and 125 may be a wireless wide area network base station, may be a Node B, may be an evolved Node B (eNB), may be a New Radio (NR) Node B (gNB) such as a 5G Node B, may be an unlicensed network base station, may be an access point, may be a base station controller, may be a network controller, may be a transmission / reception point (TRP), may be different types of base stations from each other and / or may be any other network entity capable of providing wireless access between the UE and the network.

[0021] The network 130 may include any type of network capable of transmitting and receiving wireless communication signals. For example, the network 130 may include a wireless communication network, a cellular phone network, a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA)-based network, a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA)-based network, an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA)-based network, a Long Term Evolution (LTE) network, an NR network, a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP)-based network, a satellite communication network, a high altitude platform network, the Internet, and / or other communication networks.

[0022] In operation, the UE 110 may communicate with the network 130 via the at least one network entity 120. For example, the UE may transmit and receive control signals on a control channel and transmit and receive user data signals on a data channel.

[0023] A method may be used to transmit a Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH) that supports both broadband and narrowband UEs. Depending on the cell operation mode and / or deployment scenario and associated configuration signaling, two different SS block transmission modes may be used. Embodiments may provide an efficient way to convey the SS timing information in the PBCH to the UE without requiring full decoding of the PBCH.

[0024] Embodiments may further provide SS timing indication and RACH resource configuration. Some embodiments may provide for transmitting SS timing information such as SS block index and / or SS burst set index in the PBCH, which does not require the UE to decode the master information block (MIB) of an adjacent cell before handover and supports combining multiple PBCHs in the PBCH transmission time interval (TTI) to achieve reliable PBCH decoding. Some embodiments may provide for adaptation of the SS burst set period for a fixed PBCH TTI, such as 5, 10, 20, 40, 80, and 160 ms. Some embodiments may provide for flexibly determining RACH time and frequency resources in the case of supporting dynamic TDD operation.

[0025] If SS block timing information bits such as the SS block index within an SS burst set are encoded together with other minimum system information (SI) bits carried by the PBCH, the information bits for the PBCH may be different for each SS block within the SS burst set. Further, if more than one SS burst set can be transmitted per PBCH TTI and if their timing information such as the SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI is also explicitly indicated and encoded together with other SI in the PBCH, the number of broadcast channel (BCH) transport blocks (TBs) that are at least different in terms of timing information per PBCH TTI may be very large. For example, the number of BCH TBs can reach the maximum number of SS blocks within an SS burst set multiplied by the maximum number of SS burst sets per PBCH TTI. This may significantly increase the PBCH coding complexity at a network entity (NE) such as a gNode B and may have a negative impact on network power consumption. Additionally, it is difficult or infeasible for the UE to combine multiple PBCHs within a given SS burst set and across SS burst sets within the PBCH TTI for reliable PBCH decoding. Thus, PBCH resources may have to be over-provisioned to achieve a certain target coverage, which potentially results in a larger PBCH resource overhead. Further, a UE in radio resource control (RRC) connected mode may have to perform full PBCH decoding for each detected adjacent cell in order to report measurement quantities together with the corresponding SS block index. Commanding an RRC-connected UE to decode the entire PBCH from an adjacent cell for mobility measurement and reporting may result in longer measurement gaps or delays due to full decoding of the UE's PBCH. Additionally, decoding the PBCH for each detected cell may increase UE power consumption.

[0026] The implicit indication of SS block timing information, such as the use of different PBCH redundancy versions, may allow the UE to combine multiple PBCHs within an SS burst set. Thus, the UE can improve PBCH demodulation performance. However, the method of implicit indication may still require complete PBCH decoding to obtain the SS timing information.

[0027] Figure 2FIG. 200 is an exemplary illustration of SS timing information block (STIB) and MIB RE mapping on PBCH according to a possible embodiment. The PBCH may carry two information blocks such as STIB and MIB. Also, each information block may be separately encoded, modulated into an independent set such as quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) of symbols, and mapped to a different set of resource elements (REs) in the PBCH. The set of REs in the PBCH assigned to the MIB may be denoted as M-PBCH RE, and the other set of REs assigned to the STIB may be denoted as S-PBCH RE, where M-PBCH may carry the MIB and S-PBCH may carry the STIB. The M-PBCH RE and S-PBCH RE may be mutually exclusive. The resource partitioning between M-PBCH and S-PBCH in the PBCH may depend on the sizes of the MIB and STIB and the code rates required for S-PBCH and M-PBCH in each SS block, taking into account different combination levels for M-PBCH and S-PBCH. For example, as shown in FIG. 200, the S-PBCH carrying a 6-bit STIB may occupy 144 REs on 72 subcarriers (SCs), while the M-PBCH carrying a 50-bit MIB may occupy 432 REs on 288 SCs minus the SCs used for the STIB. The S-PBCH RE and / or M-PBCH RE may be mapped to one or more OFDM symbols such as 2 OFDM symbols. In one example, the S-PBCH RE may be mapped to one symbol following the SSS, while the M-PBCH RE may be mapped to multiple OFDM symbols. In another example, the S-PBCH RE may be mapped only to the REs within the frequency band / region corresponding to the PSS / SSS. Assuming QPSK modulation, the exemplary RE allocation may result in a code rate of 0.021 for S-PBCH and a code rate of 0.058 for M-PBCH in one SS block. By combining 3 or more M-PBCHs, the UE may achieve similar decoding performance for M-PBCH and S-PBCH. Additionally, the number of REs assigned to S-PBCH may be determined such that the STIB decoding performance in a given SS block may be similar to or better than the single-shot detection rate of the PSS / SSS. Alternatively, the M-PBCH RE may partially or fully overlap with the S-PBCH RE, and the UE may first decode the S-PBCH and cancel the S-PBCH interference to decode the M-PBCH.

[0028] Figure 3FIG. 300 is an exemplary illustration of the joint coding of STIB and MIB according to a possible embodiment. STIB and MIB may be jointly coded, but the resulting channel bits may be divided into two self-decodable units, where the UE may decode STIB from the first unit and may decode MIB from the second unit. The first unit may include at least STIB as system bits and may include a fractional part of MIB and parity bits generated by using the fractional part of STIB and MIB. In one example, the parity bits included in the first unit may be part of the parity bits jointly coded mainly based on the STIB system bits and an optional fractional part of MIB. For example, the parity bits may have a significant contribution from the STIB system bits and the optional fractional part of MIB included in the first unit. The second unit may include at least MIB as system bits and may include all or part of STIB and parity bits generated by MIB and all or part of STIB. In another example, the second unit may include at least the remaining part of the jointly coded bits not included in the first unit, such as at least part of the MIB system bits and at least part of the jointly coded parity bits not included in the first unit. The first unit and the second unit may be modulated into different sets of modulation symbols and mapped to different sets of REs in the PBCH. FIG. 300 shows the joint coding of STIB and MIB. S-PBCH may represent the set of REs corresponding to the first unit, while M-PBCH may represent the set of REs corresponding to the second unit.

[0029] According to another possible embodiment, STIB and MIB may be jointly coded to obtain an encoder output such as a system bit stream of STIB and MIB and a parity bit stream. At least the system bits corresponding to STIB and a first part of the parity bits from the parity bit stream may be QAM modulated, such as QPSK, and mapped to a first set of REs, such as S-PBCH REs, of the PBCH REs. The first part of the parity bits may correspond to the parity bits having a significant contribution from at least the STIB system bits. The remaining part of the system bit stream and the parity bit stream not included in the first set of REs may be QAM modulated, such as QPSK, and mapped to the remaining REs of the PBCH, such as M-PBCH REs. The remaining part may or may not be self-decodable. In one example, at least the system bits corresponding to MIB and a second part of the parity bits from the parity bit stream may be QAM modulated, such as QPSK, and mapped to the remaining REs of the PBCH. The second part of the parity bits may correspond to the parity bits of the parity bit stream not included in the first part of the parity bits.

[0030] According to a possible embodiment, at least STIB bits may be mapped to a portion of a jointly encoded input information bit stream having an equal or higher reliability relative to other information bits in the information bit stream. For example, the joint encoder may be a polar code, and the STIB bits may be mapped to virtual channels of the polar code having an equal or lower error probability compared to the remaining virtual channels of the polar code.

[0031] According to a possible embodiment, the STIB and the MIB may have separate cyclic redundancy check (CRC) parity bits. In another possible embodiment, joint CRC parity bits may be calculated from both the STIB and MIB bits. In another possible embodiment, the CRC may be based only on the MIB bits.

[0032] Separate encoding of the SS timing information from the MIB or joint encoding of the SS timing information with the MIB, such as producing two self-decoding units carrying system bits different from joint decoding, may allow the UE not to perform a complete decoding of the PBCH for adjacent cell measurement and reporting. In addition, the UE may combine multiple M-PBCHs for MIB decoding, which may increase the reliability of MIB decoding.

[0033] The MIB may include at least a portion of the system frame number (SFN), and may include other minimum system information. The minimum system information may refer to the necessary system information that the UE may need to obtain to access the cell or network. The size of the MIB including the CRC bits may be less than 100 bits. According to a possible embodiment, the SFN may be a number between 0 and 1023 indicating the index of a 10 ms radio frame. The STIB may include at least the SS block index, and may further include a portion of the SFN and / or the SS burst set index. The size of the STIB, such as the number of bits, may be determined by the maximum number of SS blocks within an SS burst set and the maximum number of SS burst sets whose index is explicitly indicated by it. For example, if the MIB carries 7 most significant bits (MSBs) of a 10-bit SFN, the PBCH TTI is 80 ms, the maximum number of SS blocks per SS burst set is 64, and the minimum SS burst set period is 5 ms, the STIB may carry at least 6 bits for the SS block index and may carry up to 10 bits, such as 6 bits for the SS block index and 4 bits for the SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI.

[0034] Alternative embodiments can be used for the information elements of the STIB. One embodiment of the information elements of the STIB can use an SS block index of, for example, 6 bits within an SS burst set configured to support up to 64 SS blocks. The UE can combine multiple S-PBCHs across SS burst sets. Depending on the possible implementation, the SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI assuming a minimum SS burst set period can be included in the MIB and jointly encoded with other SIs in the MIB. This can allow the UE to combine multiple M-PBCHs within an SS burst set, but the UE may not combine M-PBCHs across multiple SS burst sets. In some examples, the UE may be able to combine parts of the M-PBCH across multiple SS burst sets, such as depending on how the joint encoding is performed.

[0035] According to another possible implementation, assuming a default SS burst set period, the SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI can be included in the MIB and jointly encoded with other SIs in the MIB. If the SS burst set period is configured to be less than the default SS burst set period, this can allow the UE to combine multiple M-PBCHs across multiple SS burst sets within the default SS burst set period. The SS burst set index within the default SS burst set period can be implicitly indicated. In one example, different scrambling sequences can be applied to the M-PBCH for different SS burst sets within the default SS burst set period. In another example, the PSS or SSS sequence can be used to indicate the SS burst set index within the default SS burst set period. In another example, one or more of different scrambling sequences applied to the M-PBCH, redundant versions of the M-PBCH, the PSS, the SSS sequence, or combinations thereof can be used to indicate different SS burst sets within the default SS burst set period. The scrambling sequence can be generated by a scrambling code generator such as a gold code generator. The scrambling code generator is (re)initialized at each default SS burst set period or PBCH TTI. In one example, there may be only one SS burst set with the default SS burst set period. In various examples, the same scrambling sequence can be used for all M-PBCHs within an SS burst set. In some examples, the same M-PBCH redundant version can be used for all M-PBCHs within an SS burst set.

[0036] Figure 4 FIG. 400 is an example illustration of the PBCH mapping within the PBCH TTI according to a possible implementation, where the SS burst set period is set to 20 ms and the PBCH TTI is set to 80 ms. Figure 5FIG. 500 is an example illustration of SSS mapping within a default SS burst set period of 20 ms according to a possible implementation, where the SS burst set period is set to 5 ms. The SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI may not be included in the MIB, but can be implicitly indicated. In one example, as shown in FIG. 400, different scrambling sequences and / or different redundancy versions may be applied to the M-PBCH for each default SS burst set period within the PBCH TTI. As shown in FIG. 500, the PSS or SSS sequence may be used to indicate the SS burst set index within the default SS burst set period. The UE may combine multiple M-PBCHs across multiple SS burst sets within the PBCH TTI. In various examples, the same scrambling sequence may be used for all M-PBCHs within the default SS burst set period. In some examples, the same M-PBCH redundancy version may be used for all M-PBCHs within the default SS burst set period.

[0037] Another embodiment of the information element of the STIB may use an SS block index within an SS burst set, such as 6 bits, and use an SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI assuming a default SS burst set period, such as 2 bits for a case where the PBCH TTI is 80 ms and the default SS burst set period is 20 ms. The UE may combine multiple S-PBCHs across SS burst sets within the default SS burst set period.

[0038] Another embodiment of the information element of the STIB may use an SS block index within an SS burst set, such as 6 bits, and use an SS burst set index within the PBCH TTI assuming a minimum SS burst set period, such as 4 bits for a case where the PBCH TTI is 80 ms and the minimum SS burst set period is 5 ms. The UE may combine multiple S-PBCHs across PBCH TTIs.

[0039] Another embodiment of the information element of the STIB may use an SS block index within an SS burst set, such as 6 bits, and use a radio frame index within the PBCH TTI, such as 3 bits for a case of an 80 ms PBCH TTI. With an SS burst set period of 5 ms, the SSS may indicate the frame timing boundary. The UE may combine multiple S-PBCHs across SS burst sets within the radio frame.

[0040] According to another possible embodiment, the symbols for STIB modulation can be mapped to subbands that overlap in the frequency domain with the subbands in which the PSS / SSS are transmitted. Then, the UE can operate for inter-frequency adjacent cell measurements with the same bandwidth as the PSS / SSS bandwidth. If the bandwidth of the PBCH is greater than the PSS / SSS bandwidth, the mapping of the S-PBCH symbols in the above frequency domain can allow the UE to operate for adjacent cell measurements with a bandwidth smaller than the PBCH bandwidth. This can reduce the UE power consumption.

[0041] In the above example illustration 200, the PBCH bandwidth can correspond to the bandwidth of 288 consecutive subcarriers, and the PBCH can span 2 OFDM symbols within the SS block, while the bandwidth for the PSS and SSS can correspond to the bandwidth of 144 consecutive subcarriers. Similar to the PSS / SSS, the PBCH can be transmitted using a predefined subcarrier spacing and a predefined transmission bandwidth. The S-PBCH can be mapped to the central 72 subcarriers of the 2 OFDM symbols of the PBCH resources.

[0042] According to another possible embodiment, the UE receiver can combine the channel bits for STIB only across the SS burst set, and the g-node B can transmit the STIB with a low code rate by allocating over-provisioned resource elements for the S-PBCH. According to an alternative possible embodiment, a part of the STIB can be coded, such as the 4 MSBs out of 6 bits, and the information corresponding to the remaining least significant bits (LSBs) can be implicitly indicated by the scrambling sequence applied to the channel bits of the S-PBCH. Then, the UE can combine several S-PBCHs from consecutive SS blocks within the SS burst set and can potentially utilize beam diversity.

[0043] According to possible embodiments, the MIB may have 50 bits including CRC bits. The DL bandwidth of 2 bits may be 25, 50, 75, or 100 resource blocks (RBs). The number of RBs may be a function of the carrier frequency band, and the 2 bits may be mapped to different sets of RBs for different frequency bands. For example, 100, 200, 300, or 400 RBs may be used for the 28 - 40 GHz frequency band. The MIB may include a portion of the system frame number information, such as 7 bits. The MIB may include information about the remaining minimum SI transmission, such as 10 bits. The MIB may include configuration information for the physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) that schedules the physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) carrying the remaining minimum SI. The configuration information may include the frequency distance from the SS grid of the center frequency, such as PSS / SSS, to the starting sub - carrier of the common control channel resource set (CORESET) that can be used to schedule the common PDSCH. The configuration information may include the size of the common CORESET in terms of the number of symbols and the number of resource block groups (RBGs). The configuration information may include the location of the common CORESET, such as PRB or RBG. The MIB may include an SS block transmission mode, such as 1 bit. The MIB may contain 14 spare bits. The MIB may include a CRC, such as 16 bits.

[0044] According to possible embodiments for random access channel (RACH) configuration, the UE may determine the RACH time and frequency resources based on a combination of semi - static configuration signaling and dynamic indication signaling. The semi - static RACH time and frequency resources may be configured cell - specifically, and the g - Node B may indicate the actual availability of the semi - statically configured RACH resources via downlink control information (DCI) in or near the RACH time slot, such as one or two time slots before the RACH time slot. The RACH time slot may include one or more semi - statically configured common, such as cell - specific, RACH resources. Considering that the number of available uplink symbols in a time slot may change on a time - slot basis, the UE may have to adjust the preamble format in each RACH time slot.

[0045] According to a possible implementation, information for RACH resources can be indicated to the UE via semi-static configuration signaling. For example, the occurrence rate of RACH slots and the starting RACH slot index can be indicated. Alternatively, a set of RACH slots can be indicated. Also, for each RACH slot (or at a given time instance) associated with the same RACH time / frequency resource, the number of RACH opportunities in the frequency domain, such as equivalent to a set of g-node B transmission beams, for a set of SS blocks can be indicated. This may be related to the average and / or expected number of RACH attempts on the RACH resources associated with the set of SS blocks. Additionally, the number of sets of RACH opportunities in the frequency domain for each RACH slot (or at a given time instance) can be indicated. Each set of RACH opportunities, including one or more RACH opportunities, can be associated with a set of SS blocks or a set of g-node B transmission beams. This may be related to the g-node B antenna and / or beamforming architecture, such as the number of radio frequency (RF) chains. Furthermore, one or more RACH preamble formats can be indicated. Each preamble format can determine the number of RACH OFDM / SC-FDMA symbols of each RACH preamble, the number of RACH preambles of each RACH preamble format, the cyclic prefix (CP) length, and the guard period. Since the number of uplink symbols available in a slot can vary dynamically, it may be necessary to semi-statically configure multiple RACH preamble formats, each of which may have a different number of RACH preambles and / or a different number of RACH OFDM / SC-FDMA symbols per RACH preamble.

[0046] Information for RACH resources can be indicated via dynamic signaling such as DCI in a group common PDCCH. The group common PDCCH can be Tx beamformed using the Tx beam associated with the addressed RACH resource. Equivalently, the group common PDCCH can be quasi-co-located in space with the SS block and / or CSI-RS resource associated with the addressed RACH resource. Then, a UE that selects the addressed RACH resource based on the downlink Tx beam selection (equivalently, SS block and / or CSI-RS resource selection) can receive and decode the group common PDCCH and determine whether to transmit a RACH preamble on the addressed RACH resource. Whether the potential RACH resources configured in a slot are available can be indicated via explicit or implicit indication. The starting and ending positions of the RACH resources or uplink OFDM / SC-FDMA symbols within the slot can also be indicated, such as the starting symbol index and the ending symbol index. Alternatively, an indication of the RACH preamble format selected from the configured RACH preamble formats can be signaled.

[0047] According to a possible embodiment, a UE may be configured by a higher layer such as RRC semi-static signaling, using a time slot having RACH resources and a period, which signaling may be in addition to other RACH configuration signaling. If the UE is not configured to monitor the group common PDCCH in the time slot, the UE may assume that the RACH resources exist in the configured time slot, or if the UE is configured to monitor the group common PDCCH, the UE may not decode the group common PDCCH in the time slot. In one example, the UE may identify all or part of the semi-statically configured RACH resources that can be assumed by the UE to be always available, based on the semi-static uplink / downlink configuration and / or information on the SS blocks actually transmitted in the cell. If the UE decodes the group common PDCCH in the time slot, the group common PDCCH may include an indication of whether the RACH resources configured by the higher layer in the time slot can be used for RACH transmission and / or an indication of whether new RACH resources in the time slot that the UE can use for RACH can be signaled.

[0048] According to another possible embodiment for RACH configuration, the common RACH resource configuration of the handover target cell indicated in the handover command may be different from the common RACH resource configuration announced in the system information block (SIB) of the handover target cell. The UE-specific RACH time / frequency resources for handover may be selected from the common RACH resource configuration indicated in the handover command. Configuring additional RACH time slots for the handover UE may reduce the RACH-related delay during the handover process, because a larger number of configured RACH time slots may potentially increase the actually available RACH resources. Therefore, the common RACH resource configuration indicated in the handover command may have more RACH time slots or more RACH time / frequency resources compared to the common RACH resource configuration indicated in the SIB. This may mediate fast handover without affecting the UEs in the target cell, because the monitoring occasion of the group common PDCCH for the non-handover UEs in the target cell and the system information of the target cell may remain the same. According to a possible implementation, the common RACH resource configuration indicated in the handover command may include the common RACH resource configuration announced in the SIB and an additional common RACH resource configuration providing additional RACH time / frequency resources.

[0049] Figure 6 FIG. 600 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device such as UE 110 according to a possible embodiment. At 610, the SS of the SS block of the SS burst set may be received. At 620, measurements may be performed at least on the received SS of the SS block. For example, mobility measurements that may include determining the RSRP based on the received SS may be performed.

[0050] At 630, the PBCH of the SS block can be received. The PBCH can include a first part of the PBCH and a second part of the PBCH. According to possible implementations, the first part of the PBCH can be the M-PBCH, and the second part of the PBCH can be the S-PBCH. The first part of the PBCH can be a first set of REs, and the second part of the PBCH can be a second set of REs. The first set of REs and the second set of REs can be mutually exclusive. Alternatively, the first set of REs can at least partially overlap with the second set of REs. The second set of REs can include a part of the PBCH OFDM. The second set of REs can also include a part of the PBCH frequency band.

[0051] The first part of the PBCH can carry at least a part of the minimum system information. The minimum system information can be the information required to access the cell. The minimum system information can be in the MIB. The part of the minimum system information can include an indication of a part of the SFN information.

[0052] The second part of the PBCH can carry timing information. The timing information can be in the STIB including the SS block index. The timing information can include at least information indicating the SS block index of the SS blocks within the SS burst set. The part of the minimum system information and the timing information can be separately encoded and modulated into separate sets of modulation symbols. The part of the minimum system information and the timing information can also be jointly encoded. For example, the part of the minimum system information and the timing information can be jointly encoded into a common set of modulation symbols, such as occupying a common set of resource elements.

[0053] At 640, the second part of the PBCH can be demodulated and decoded. The first part of the PBCH can also be demodulated and decoded. Decoding the first part of the PBCH can include eliminating interference from the second part of the PBCH. According to possible implementations, the jointly encoded bits of the part of the minimum system information can be encoded into a first self-decoding unit. The jointly encoded bits of the timing information can be encoded into a second self-decoding unit. The part of the minimum system information can be decoded from the first self-decoding unit. The timing information can be decoded from the second self-decoding unit.

[0054] At 650, the SS block index of the SS blocks within the SS burst set can be determined based at least on demodulation and decoding. At 660, a measurement report can be sent. The measurement report can include measurement quantities from measurements on the received SS of the SS block and can include the determined SS block index.

[0055] Figure 7FIG. 700 is an example flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device, such as network entity 120, according to a possible embodiment. At 710, the SS of an SS block of an SS burst set may be transmitted. For example, the SS of an SS block of an SS burst set may be configured and transmitted.

[0056] At 720, the PBCH of the SS block may be transmitted. For example, the PBCH may be configured and transmitted. The PBCH may include a first part of the PBCH and a second part of the PBCH. The first part of the PBCH may include a first set of REs, and the second part of the PBCH may include a second set of REs. The second set of REs may include a part of the PBCH OFDM symbol. The second set of REs may also include a part of the PBCH frequency band. The first set of REs and the second set of REs may be mutually exclusive. Alternatively, the first set of REs may at least partially overlap with the second set of REs. When the first part of the PBCH is decoded, the first part of the PBCH may cancel interference from the second part of the PBCH.

[0057] The first part of the PBCH may carry at least a part of the minimum system information. The part of the minimum system information may include an indication of a part of the SFN information. The second part of the PBCH may carry timing information.

[0058] The timing information may include information that at least contains an indication of the SS block index of the SS block within the SS burst set. The part of the minimum system information and the timing information may be separately encoded and modulated into separate sets of modulation symbols. The part of the minimum system information and the timing information may also be jointly encoded. The jointly encoded bits of the part of the minimum system information may be encoded into a first self-decoding unit. The jointly encoded bits of the timing information may be encoded as a second self-decoding unit.

[0059] At 730, a measurement report may be received. The measurement report may include a measurement quantity from measurements on the transmitted SS of the SS block. The measurement report may also include the SS block index of the SS block within the SS burst set.

[0060] Figure 8 FIG. 800 is an example flow chart illustrating the operation of a wireless communication device, such as UE 110, according to a possible embodiment. At 810, an indication of a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be received via higher layer signaling. The higher layer may be higher than the physical layer. For example, the higher layer signaling may be RRC signaling. The set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be common RACH resources. The common RACH resources may be cell-specific and may be common among multiple UEs.

[0061] Higher layer signaling may also include information on a set of RACH time slots. The higher layer signaling may additionally include at least one RACH preamble format. Each of the at least one RACH preamble formats may at least define the number of RACH symbols of each RACH preamble and the number of RACH preambles of each RACH preamble format. The RACH symbols may be OFDM or SC-FDMA symbols.

[0062] At 820, an indication of the availability of a RACH resource in at least one RACH resource in a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be received via dynamic physical layer signaling. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be DCI in a group common PDCCH. The group common PDCCH may be spatially quasi-co-located with at least one of one or more synchronization signals and PBCH blocks and one or more channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) resources associated with the RACH resources. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be within a plurality of time slots including the RACH time slot. The number of time slots may be two, may be one, or may be any other number of time slots including the RACH time slot. For example, the number of time slots may be two, and the RACH time slot among the two time slots may be time slot n, and the other time slot among the two time slots may be time slot n - 1. According to a possible embodiment, an indication of the availability of the RACH may be received via the dynamic physical layer signaling in the RACH time slot. The RACH time slot may include at least one RACH resource in a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0063] An indication of the number of frequency-domain multiplexed RACH opportunities may also be received at a given time instance. Each RACH opportunity may be associated with at least one SS block. The RACH resources may include the time, frequency, and preamble of the RACH, while the RACH opportunity may include the time and frequency of the RACH. An indication of the number of time-domain multiplexed RACH opportunities may additionally be received in the RACH time slot.

[0064] An indication of a RACH preamble format selected from at least one RACH preamble format for the available RACH resources may also be received. The indication of the RACH preamble format may be received via the dynamic physical layer signaling.

[0065] Information on the number of uplink symbols in the RACH time slot may additionally be received. The RACH preamble format may be selected from at least one RACH preamble format for the available RACH resources based on the information on the number of uplink symbols in the received RACH time slot.

[0066] According to a possible implementation, the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be a first set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for the serving cell. An indication of a second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for the handover target cell can be received. The indication of the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be received in a handover command message. The second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be different from a third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for at least one RACH resource. The third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be broadcast in the SIB of the handover target cell.

[0067] The second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can include a first number of RACH time slots, and the third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can include a second number of RACH time slots, where the first number of RACH time slots can be different from the second number of RACH time slots. For example, the first number of RACH time slots can be greater than the second number of RACH time slots.

[0068] The third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be a subset of the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources. For example, the total resources in the third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can be different from the total resources in the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources. Specifically, the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources can include at least one RACH resource that is not in the third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0069] At 830, available RACH resources in a RACH time slot can be determined based on the indication of the received set of semi-statically configured RACH resources and based on an indication of the availability of the RACH resources of at least one RACH resource in the received set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0070] At 840, a RACH preamble can be sent on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot. For example, the available RACH resources can be associated with a set of RACH preambles, and the sent RACH preamble can be from the set of RACH preambles. Sending can include sending a RACH preamble on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot according to the indicated RACH preamble format.

[0071] Transmission may also include transmitting a RACH preamble on available RACH resources in a RACH time slot according to a selected RACH preamble format. For example, information on the number of uplink symbols in a RACH time slot may be received from a serving cell in physical layer signaling, and a RACH preamble format may be selected based on the received information on the number of uplink symbols in the RACH time slot.

[0072] Figure 9 FIG. 900 is an example flowchart showing the operation of a wireless communication device such as network entity 120 according to a possible embodiment. At 910, a set of RACH resources may be determined. At 920, the determined set of RACH resources may be configured semi-statically. The semi-statically configured set of RACH resources may be common RACH resources.

[0073] At 930, an indication of the semi-statically configured set of RACH resources may be sent via higher layer signaling. The higher layer may be higher than the physical layer. The higher layer signaling may include information on a set of RACH time slots. The higher layer signaling may also include at least one RACH preamble format. Each of the at least one RACH preamble formats may at least define the number of RACH symbols of each RACH preamble and the number of RACH preambles of each RACH preamble format.

[0074] The semi-statically configured set of RACH resources may be a first set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for a serving cell. An indication of a second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for a handover target cell may be additionally sent. The indication of the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be sent in a handover command message. The second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be different from a third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for at least one RACH resource. The third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be broadcast in a system information block (SIB) of the handover target cell.

[0075] The second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be a first number of RACH time slots, and the third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be a second number of RACH time slots. The first number of RACH time slots may be different from the second number of RACH time slots. The first number may be greater than the second number. The third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be a subset of the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0076] At 940, an indication of the availability of a RACH resource in at least one RACH resource in a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be sent via dynamic physical layer signaling. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be within a plurality of time slots including a RACH time slot. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be DCI in a group common PDCCH. The group common PDCCH may be spatially quasi-co-located with at least one of one or more synchronization signals and PBCH blocks and one or more CSI-RS resources associated with the RACH resources. The RACH time slot may include at least one RACH resource in a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0077] An indication of a RACH preamble format selected from at least one RACH preamble format for an available RACH resource may be additionally sent. The indication of the RACH preamble format may be sent via the dynamic physical layer signaling.

[0078] An indication of the number of frequency domain multiplexed RACH opportunities may also be sent at a given time instance. Each RACH opportunity may be associated with at least one SS block. Also, an indication of the number of time domain multiplexed RACH opportunities in a RACH time slot may be sent. Information on the number of uplink symbols in the RACH time slot may be further sent.

[0079] At 950, a RACH preamble may be received on an available RACH resource in a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources in a RACH time slot. The RACH preamble may be received on the available RACH resource in the RACH time slot according to the indicated RACH preamble format. Based on the information on the number of uplink symbols in the sent RACH time slot, the RACH preamble may be received on the available RACH resource in the RACH time slot according to a RACH preamble format selected from at least one RACH preamble format for the available RACH resources.

[0080] It should be understood that although there are specific steps as shown in the figure, depending on the embodiment, a variety of additional or different steps may be performed, and depending on the embodiment, one or more of the specific steps may be rearranged, repeated, or completely eliminated. Also, some steps that may be repeatedly performed continuously or continuously may be performed while other steps are being performed. In addition, different steps may be performed by different elements of the disclosed embodiments or by a single element.

[0081] Figure 10FIG. 0 is an exemplary block diagram of an apparatus 1000 such as UE 110, network entity 120, or any other wireless communication device disclosed herein according to a possible embodiment. The apparatus 1000 may include a housing 1010, a controller 1020 coupled to the housing 1010, an audio input and output circuit 1030 coupled to the controller 1020, a display 1040 coupled to the controller 1020, a transceiver 1070 coupled to the controller 1020, at least one antenna 1075 coupled to the transceiver 1070, a user interface 1060 coupled to the controller 1020, a memory 1050 coupled to the controller 1020, and a network interface 1080 coupled to the controller 1020. The apparatus 1000 may not necessarily include all of the illustrated elements for different embodiments of the present disclosure. The apparatus 1000 may perform the methods described in all embodiments.

[0082] The display 1040 may be a viewfinder, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a plasma display, a projection display, a touch screen, or any other device that displays information. The transceiver 1070 may be one or more transceivers including a transmitter and / or a receiver. The audio input and output circuit 1030 may include a microphone, a speaker, a transducer, or any other audio input and output circuit. The user interface 1060 may include a keypad, a keyboard, buttons, a touchpad, a joystick, a touch screen display, another additional display, or any other device that provides an interface between a user and an electronic device. The network interface 1080 may be a universal serial bus (USB) port, an Ethernet port, an infrared transmitter / receiver, an IEEE 1394 port, a wireless transceiver, a WLAN transceiver, or any other interface that can connect the apparatus to a network, a device, and / or a computer and can send and receive data communication signals. The memory 1050 may include a random access memory (RAM), a read only memory (ROM), an optical memory, a solid state memory, a flash memory, a removable memory, a hard disk drive, a cache, or any other memory that can be coupled to the device.

[0083] The apparatus 1000 or the controller 1020 may implement any operating system, such as or Android TM or any other operating system. The apparatus operating software may be written in any programming language such as C, C++, Java, or Visual Basic. The apparatus software may also be in a framework such as Frameworks, It runs on an application framework of a framework or any other application framework. The software and / or operating system may be stored in the memory 1050 or elsewhere on the device 1000. The device 1000 or the controller 1020 may also use hardware to implement the disclosed operations. For example, the controller 1020 may be any programmable processor. The disclosed embodiments may also be implemented on a general-purpose or special-purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microprocessor, peripheral integrated circuit elements, an application-specific integrated circuit or other integrated circuits, hardware / electronic logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, programmable logic devices such as programmable logic arrays, field-programmable gate arrays, etc. Generally, the controller 1020 may be any controller or processor device capable of operating the device and implementing the disclosed embodiments. Some or all of the additional elements of the device 1000 may also perform some or all of the operations of the disclosed embodiments.

[0084] According to a possible embodiment as a UE, the transceiver 1070 may receive the SS of the SS block of the SS burst set. The controller 1020 may perform measurements at least on the received SS of the SS block.

[0085] The transceiver 1070 may receive the PBCH of the SS block. The PBCH may include a first part of the PBCH and a second part of the PBCH. The first part of the PBCH may carry at least part of the minimum system information. The part of the minimum system information may include an indication of a part of the SFN information. The second part of the PBCH may carry timing information. The timing information may include information that at least contains an indication of the SS block index of the SS block within the SS burst set. The first part of the PBCH may include a first set of resource elements RE, and the second part of the PBCH may include a second set of RE. The first set of RE and the second set of RE may be mutually exclusive. Alternatively, the first set of RE may at least partially overlap with the second set of RE. The controller 1020 may demodulate and decode the first part of the PBCH. Decoding the first part of the PBCH may include eliminating interference from the second part of the PBCH.

[0086] The part of the minimum system information and the timing information may be separately encoded and modulated into separate sets of modulation symbols. The part of the minimum system information and the timing information may also be jointly encoded. For example, the jointly encoded bits of the part of the minimum system information may be encoded into a first self-decoding unit. The jointly encoded bits of the timing information may be encoded into a second self-decoding unit.

[0087] The controller 1020 may demodulate and decode the second part of the PBCH. The controller 1020 may decode the part of the minimum system information from the first self-decoding unit. The controller 1020 may decode the timing information from the second self-decoding unit.

[0088] The controller 1020 may determine the SS block index of the SS blocks within the SS burst set based at least on demodulation and decoding. The transceiver 1070 may send a measurement report. The measurement report may include measurement quantities from measurements on the received SS of the SS block and include the determined SS block index.

[0089] According to a possible embodiment as a network entity, the controller 1020 may configure the SS of the SS blocks of the SS burst set. The transceiver 1070 may send the SS of the SS blocks of the SS burst set. The transceiver 1070 may send the PBCH of the SS block. The PBCH may include a first part of the PBCH and a second part of the PBCH. The first part of the PBCH may carry at least part of the minimum system information. The second part of the PBCH may carry timing information. The timing information may include information containing at least an indication of the SS block index of the SS blocks within the SS burst set. The transceiver 1070 may receive a measurement report. The measurement report may include measurement quantities from measurements on the transmitted SS of the SS block and may include the SS block index of the SS blocks within the SS burst set.

[0090] According to a possible embodiment as a UE, the transceiver 1070 may receive an indication of a set of semi-statically configured RACH resources via higher layer signaling, where the higher layer is above the physical layer. The higher layer signaling may include at least one RACH preamble format. Each of the at least one RACH preamble formats may at least define the number of RACH symbols of each RACH preamble and the number of RACH preambles of each RACH preamble format.

[0091] The transceiver 1070 may also receive an indication of the availability of the RACH resources of at least one RACH resource within the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources via dynamic physical layer signaling. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be within a plurality of time slots including a RACH time slot. The RACH time slot may include at least one RACH resource within the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources.

[0092] The transceiver 1070 may also receive an indication of the number of frequency domain multiplexed RACH opportunities at a given time instance. Each RACH opportunity may be associated with at least one SS block. The transceiver 1070 may further receive an indication of a RACH preamble format selected from at least one RACH preamble format for the available RACH resources. The indication of the RACH preamble format may be received via dynamic physical layer signaling.

[0093] The transceiver 1070 may also receive information on the number of uplink symbols in the RACH time slot. The controller 1020 may select a RACH preamble format from at least one RACH preamble format for the available RACH resources based on the received information on the number of uplink symbols in the RACH time slot.

[0094] The controller 1020 may determine the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot based on the indication of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources received and based on the indication of the availability of the RACH resources of at least one RACH resource in the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources received.

[0095] The transceiver 1070 may send a RACH preamble on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot. The sending may include sending a RACH preamble on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot according to the indicated RACH preamble format. The sending may also include sending a RACH preamble on the available RACH resources in the RACH time slot according to the selected RACH preamble format.

[0096] According to a possible implementation, the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be a first set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for the serving cell. The transceiver 1070 may receive an indication of a second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for the handover target cell. The indication of the second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources is received in a handover command message. The second set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be different from a third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources for at least one RACH resource. The third set of semi-statically configured RACH resources may be broadcast in the system information block (SIB) of the handover target cell.

[0097] According to another possible embodiment as a network entity, the controller 1020 may determine a set of random access channel resources and semi-statically configure the determined set of random access channel resources. The transceiver 1070 may send an indication of the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources via higher layer signaling. The higher layer may be higher than the physical layer. The transceiver 1070 may send an indication of the availability of the RACH resources of at least one RACH resource in the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources via dynamic physical layer signaling. The dynamic physical layer signaling may be within a plurality of time slots including the RACH time slot. The RACH time slot may include at least one RACH resource in the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources. The transceiver 1070 may receive a RACH preamble on the available RACH resources in the set of semi-statically configured RACH resources in the RACH time slot.

[0098] The methods of the present disclosure can be implemented on a programmed processor. However, the controller, flowchart, and modules can also be implemented on a general or special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller, and peripheral integrated circuit elements, integrated circuits, hardware electronics or logic circuits such as discrete element circuits, programmable logic devices, etc. Generally, any device having a finite state machine capable of implementing the flowchart shown in the figures can be used to implement the processor functions of the present disclosure.

[0099] Although the present disclosure has been described with specific embodiments of the present disclosure, it is obvious that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, in other embodiments, the various components of the embodiments can be interchanged, added, or replaced. Moreover, all elements of each figure are not necessary for the operation of the disclosed embodiments. For example, those of ordinary skill in the art of the disclosed embodiments will be able to carry out and use the teachings of the present disclosure by simply adopting the elements of the independent claims. Therefore, the embodiments of the present disclosure set forth herein are intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Various changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

[0100] In this document, relational terms such as "first", "second" can be used only to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action, and do not necessarily require or imply any actual such relationship or order between these entities or actions. Phrases such as "at least one", "at least one selected from the group of...", or "at least one selected from..." followed by a list are defined to mean one, some, or all of the elements in the list, but not necessarily all of the elements in the list. The terms "comprising", "including", or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that includes a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may also include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Without further limitation, an element starting with "a", "an", etc. does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or device that includes the said element. Moreover, the term "another" is defined as at least a second or more. The terms "including", "having", etc. used herein are defined as "comprising". In addition, the background section is written as the inventors' own understanding of the context of some embodiments at the time of filing, and includes the inventors' own recognition of any problems in the prior art and / or problems experienced in their own work.

Claims

1. A user equipment, comprising: a transceiver that receives a synchronization signal of a synchronization signal block of a set of synchronization signal bursts; and a controller coupled to the transceiver, wherein the controller performs measurements at least on the received synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block, wherein the transceiver receives a physical broadcast channel of the synchronization signal block; wherein the physical broadcast channel includes a first part of the physical broadcast channel and a second part of the physical broadcast channel, wherein the first part of the physical broadcast channel carries at least a part of the minimum system information, wherein the second part of the physical broadcast channel carries timing information, and wherein the timing information includes at least information indicating a synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the set of synchronization signal bursts, wherein the controller determines the synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the set of synchronization signal bursts, and wherein the transceiver transmits a measurement report, wherein the measurement report includes measurement quantities from the measurements on the received synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block and includes the determined synchronization signal block index.

2. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The controller determines the synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the set of synchronization signal bursts at least based on the second part of the physical broadcast channel.

3. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The part of the minimum system information includes an indication of a part of the system frame number information.

4. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, A first set of resource elements and a second set of resource elements at least partially overlap, the first set of resource elements corresponding to the first part, and the second set of resource elements corresponding to the second part.

5. The user equipment according to claim 4, wherein The controller demodulates and decodes the first part of the physical broadcast channel, wherein decoding the first part of the physical broadcast channel includes eliminating interference from the second part of the physical broadcast channel.

6. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The part of the minimum system information and the timing information are separately encoded and modulated into separate sets of modulation symbols.

7. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The part of the minimum system information and the timing information are jointly encoded.

8. The user equipment according to claim 7, Among them, the jointly encoded bits of the part of the minimum system information are encoded into a first self-decoding unit, wherein the jointly encoded bits of the timing information are encoded into a second self-decoding unit, and wherein the controller: decodes the part of the minimum system information from the first self-decoding unit; and decodes the timing information from the second self-decoding unit.

9. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The set of resource elements corresponding to the second part includes a part of the physical broadcast channel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols.

10. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The set of resource elements corresponding to the second part includes a part of the physical broadcast channel frequency band.

11. The user equipment according to claim 1, wherein, The timing information includes information including only one synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the set of synchronization signal bursts.

12. A method in a user equipment, the method comprising: at the user equipment, receiving a synchronization signal of a synchronization signal block of a set of synchronization signal bursts; Perform measurements at least on the received synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block; Receive the physical broadcast channel of the synchronization signal block, wherein the physical broadcast channel includes a first part of the physical broadcast channel and a second part of the physical broadcast channel, wherein the first part of the physical broadcast channel carries at least a part of the minimum system information, wherein the second part of the physical broadcast channel carries timing information, and wherein the timing information includes information indicating at least a synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the synchronization signal burst set; Determine the synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the synchronization signal burst set; and Transmit a measurement report, wherein the measurement report includes measurement quantities from the measurements on the received synchronization signal of the synchronization signal block and includes the determined synchronization signal block index.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Determine the synchronization signal block index of the synchronization signal block within the synchronization signal burst set at least based on the second part of the physical broadcast channel.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The part of the minimum system information includes an indication of a part of the system frame number information.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein A first set of resource elements and a second set of resource elements at least partially overlap, the first set of resource elements corresponding to the first part and the second set of resource elements corresponding to the second part.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising: Demodulate and decode the first part of the physical broadcast channel, wherein decoding the first part of the physical broadcast channel includes eliminating interference from the second part of the physical broadcast channel.

17. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The part of the minimum system information and the timing information are separately encoded and modulated into separate sets of modulation symbols.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The part of the minimum system information and the timing information are jointly encoded.

19. The method according to claim 18, Among them, The jointly encoded bits of the part of the minimum system information are encoded into a first self-decoding unit, wherein the jointly encoded bits of the timing information are encoded into a second self-decoding unit, and wherein the method further includes: Decode the part of the minimum system information from the first self-decoding unit; and Decode the timing information from the second self-decoding unit.

20. The method according to claim 12, wherein The set of resource elements corresponding to the second part includes a part of the physical broadcast channel orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols.

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