Wireless communication with collision avoidance

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to wireless communication techniques with collision avoidance. In one embodiment, the collision is avoided by determining that transmitting an uplink message according to a first transmission format will result in a collision, and responsively determining to transmit the uplink message according to a second transmission format. In another embodiment, the collision is avoided by waiting to transmit a message portion until the next time unit of a physical channel that does not collide. In another embodiment, the collision is avoided by configuring a time unit of a second physical channel relative to a time unit of a first physical channel according to an uplink time unit offset.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the Chinese patent application with application number "201980095996.X", application date "April 30, 2019", and title "Wireless Communication with Conflict Avoidance". Technical Field

[0002] The present disclosure is directed generally to wireless communication networks, and more particularly to message transmission between nodes of a wireless communication network. Background Art

[0003] Wireless communication technology is moving the world towards a rapidly growing network connection. High-speed and low-latency wireless communications rely on efficient network resource management and allocation between user mobile stations and wireless access network nodes (including but not limited to wireless base stations). Unlike traditional circuit-switched networks, efficient wireless access networks may not rely on dedicated user channels. Instead, wireless network resources (such as carrier frequencies and transmission time slots) used to transmit voice or other types of data from mobile stations to wireless access network nodes can be allocated based on random access with contention conflicts rather than fixed access based on authorization. Summary of the invention

[0004] In one embodiment, a wireless communication method includes: a mobile station determines a need to transmit an uplink message to a wireless access node. The uplink message includes a first message part and a second message part. In addition, the mobile station is configured to transmit the uplink message in a first transmission format or a second transmission format. The method also includes: the mobile station determines to transmit the uplink message according to the second transmission format in response to determining that a conflict will occur.

[0005] In another embodiment, another wireless communication method includes: a mobile station determines a need to transmit an uplink message to a wireless access node, the uplink message including a first message part and a second message part. The mobile station transmits the first message part on a time unit of a first physical channel. The mobile station also determines that transmitting the second message part on a time unit of a second physical channel according to a first transmission format will result in a collision. In response, the mobile station waits to transmit the second message part until a next time unit of the second physical channel configured as an uplink time unit.

[0006] In another embodiment, another wireless communication method includes: a mobile station determines a need to transmit an uplink message to a wireless access node, the uplink message including a first message part and a second message part. The mobile station transmits the first message part on a time unit of a first physical channel. The mobile station also determines that transmitting the second message part on a time unit group of a second physical channel according to a first transmission format will result in a conflict. In response, the mobile station waits to transmit the second message part until a next time unit group of the second physical channel configured as an uplink time unit.

[0007] In another embodiment, another wireless communication method includes: a mobile station determines a need to transmit an uplink message to a wireless access node, the uplink message including a first message part and a second message part. The mobile station transmits the first message part on a time unit of a first physical channel. The method also includes the mobile station determining that transmitting the second message part on a time unit group of a second physical channel according to a first transmission format will result in a conflict on at least one time unit of the time unit group of the second physical channel. The mobile station then transmits a first part of the second message part on at least one time unit of the time unit group of the second physical channel that does not conflict. The mobile station then waits to transmit the remainder of the second message part until the next time unit group of the second physical channel.

[0008] In another embodiment, another wireless communication method includes a wireless access node receiving a first message portion of a first uplink message from a mobile station on a time unit of a first physical channel, and receiving a second message portion of the first uplink message from the mobile station on a time unit of a second physical channel. Then, the wireless access node transmits a third message portion of a first downlink message to the mobile station in response to the second message portion of the first uplink message received according to the first transmission format. The method also includes the wireless access node receiving a first message portion of a second uplink message from the mobile station on another time unit of the first physical channel. In response to determining that the first message portion of the second uplink message includes information indicating that the mobile station transmits the first message portion of the second uplink message according to the second transmission format, the wireless access node transmits the third message portion of the second downlink message to the mobile station according to the second transmission format.

[0009] In another embodiment, another wireless communication method includes: a mobile station determines a need to transmit an uplink message to a wireless access node, the uplink message including a first message part and a second message part. The mobile station transmits the first message part on a time unit of a first physical channel. Then, the mobile station transmits the second message part on a time unit of a second physical channel, wherein the time unit of the second physical channel is at least one uplink time unit and has an offset relative to the time unit of the first physical channel, wherein the offset is a preset number of time units configured as uplink time units after the first message part is transmitted on the time unit of the first physical channel.

[0010] Further aspects and alternatives to the above-described embodiments and their implementation are described in more detail in the following drawings, description and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] Figure 1 An exemplary system diagram including a mobile station and a wireless access node according to various embodiments is shown.

[0012] Figure 2 An example of a transmission format procedure for transmissions between a mobile station and a wireless access node is shown.

[0013] Figure 3 An example of another transmission format procedure for transmissions between a mobile station and a wireless access node is shown.

[0014] Figure 4 An example of another transmission format procedure for transmissions between a mobile station and a wireless access node is shown.

[0015] Figure 5 An exemplary configuration of resources including conflicts at various time units is shown.

[0016] Figure 6 Another exemplary configuration of resources including conflicts at various time units is shown.

[0017] Figure 7 Exemplary methods of avoiding transmission collisions in accordance with various embodiments are shown.

[0018] Figure 8 Another exemplary method of avoiding transmission collisions in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0019] Fig. 9 Another exemplary method of avoiding transmission collisions in accordance with various embodiments is shown.

[0020] Fig.10 Additional exemplary methods of avoiding transmission collisions according to various embodiments are shown.

[0021] Fig.11 Another exemplary method of avoiding transmission collisions in accordance with various embodiments is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] A wireless access network provides a network connection between a mobile station and an information or data network (such as a voice communication network or the Internet). An exemplary wireless access network may be based on a cellular technology, which may also be based on, for example, 4G, Long Term Evolution (LTE), 5G and / or New Radio (NR) technology and / or format. Figure 1 An exemplary system diagram including a mobile station 102 and a wireless access node 104 according to various embodiments is shown. The mobile station 102 may include a user equipment (UE), which may also include, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a tablet, a laptop, or other mobile device capable of wireless communication over a network. The mobile station 102 may include a transceiver circuit 106 coupled to an antenna 108 to enable wireless communication with the wireless access node 104. The transceiver circuit 106 may also be coupled to a processor 110, which may also be coupled to a memory 112 or other storage device. The memory 112 may store therein instructions or codes that, when read and executed by the processor 110, cause the processor 110 to implement various methods of the methods described herein.

[0023] Similarly, the wireless access node 104 may include a base station or other wireless network access point capable of wirelessly communicating with one or more mobile stations over a network. For example, in various embodiments, the wireless access node 104 may include a 4G LTE base station, a 5G NR base station, a 5G central unit base station, or a 5G distributed unit base station. The wireless access node 104 may include a transceiver circuit 114 coupled to an antenna 116, which may include an antenna tower 118 in various methods to enable wireless communication with the mobile station 102. The transceiver circuit 114 may also be coupled to one or more processors 120, which may also be coupled to a memory 122 or other storage device. The memory 122 may store instructions or codes therein, which, when read and executed by the processor 120, cause the processor 120 to implement various methods of the methods described herein.

[0024] The wireless access network may provide or employ various transmission formats and protocols for wireless message transmission between the mobile station 102 and the wireless access node 104 . Figure 2 and Figure 3An example of a transmission format procedure for transmissions between a mobile station 102 and a wireless access node 104 according to various embodiments is shown. In some approaches, a wireless access network may employ a random access procedure (e.g., RACH) and interface where a mobile station 102 may request access to the network through a series of message transmissions to and from the wireless access node 104. For purposes of explanation, Figure 2 and Figure 3 The transmission format in an exemplary context is shown. For example, Figure 2 An exemplary four-step RACH process is shown, and Figure 3 An exemplary two-step RACH procedure is shown. Figure 2 and Figure 3 The described transmission formats are not limited to the exemplary context of a RACH procedure and may be used for other message transmission types and protocols.

[0025] Figure 2 A four-step transport format procedure 200 (referred to herein as a "second transport format") is shown in accordance with various embodiments. A mobile station 102 transmits a first message part 202 (i.e., msg1) to a wireless access node 104 on a first physical channel, which may include a preamble message in various methods. In the context of an exemplary RACH procedure, the first message part 202 may include a preamble of a RACH request that may be transmitted on a first physical channel, which is a physical random access channel (PRACH). After receiving the first message part 202, the wireless access node 104 sends a third message part 204 (i.e., msg2) back to the mobile station 102, which may include an identification message. In the context of an exemplary RACH procedure, the third message part 204 includes a random access response message.

[0026] After receiving the third message part 204, the mobile station 102 sends a second message part 206 (i.e., msg3) to the wireless access node 104, which can be transmitted on the second physical channel, and the second message part 206 can include a payload message in various ways. In the exemplary context of the RACH procedure, the second message part 206 can include a payload of a RACH request that can be transmitted on the second physical channel (which is a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH)), and the payload includes UE identification and control information. After receiving the second message part 206, the wireless access node 104 sends a fourth message part 208 (i.e., msg4) back to the mobile station 102, and the fourth message part 208 can include additional information such as configuration information. In the exemplary RACH procedure context, the fourth message part 208 includes radio resource control (RRC) information and / or contention conflict resolution information (e.g., in an instance where more than one mobile station requests RACH access at the same time).

[0027] The first message portion 202 (i.e., msg1) and the second message portion 206 (i.e., msg3) together form an uplink message. Similarly, the third message portion 204 (i.e., msg2) and the fourth message portion 208 (i.e., msg4) together form a downlink message. The terms "channel" and "physical channel" are used herein to broadly refer to network transmission resources, including but not limited to any combination of transmission carrier frequencies and time units. In various examples, a "physical channel" may include an instance or opportunity (e.g., a PRACH opportunity or a PUSCH opportunity) of a single time unit or a group of multiple time units (multiple time units may be continuous time units) configured or allocated as a specific channel.

[0028] Figure 3 A two-step transmission format process 300 (referred to herein as a "first transmission format") is shown in accordance with various embodiments. The mobile station 102 transmits an uplink message 302 (i.e., msgA) to the wireless access node 104. In a similar manner as described above, the uplink message 302 includes a first message portion 304 (i.e., msg1) and a second message portion 306 (i.e., msg3). Figure 2Similar to the four-step transmission process described, the first message part 304 can be transmitted to the wireless access node 104 on the first physical channel and can include a preamble message in various ways. In the context of the exemplary RACH process, the first message part 202 can include a preamble of a RACH request that can be transmitted on the PRACH channel. In addition, the second message part 306 can be transmitted to the wireless access node 104 on the second physical channel, and the second message part 306 can include a payload message in various ways. In the context of the exemplary RACH process, the second message part 306 can include a payload of a RACH request, which can be transmitted on the PUSCH channel.

[0029] After receiving the uplink message 302 (i.e., msgA) including the first message portion 304 and the second message portion 306, the wireless access node 104 transmits a downlink message 308 (i.e., msgB) to the mobile station 102. In a similar manner as described above, the downlink message 308 includes a third message portion 310 (i.e., msg2) and a fourth message portion 312 (i.e., msg4). Figure 2 Similar to the four-step transmission process described, the third message part 310 may include an identification message, and the fourth message part 312 may include additional information such as configuration information. In the context of the exemplary RACH process, the third message part 310 includes a random access response message, and the fourth message part 312 includes RRC information.

[0030] As described above, although the first transmission format 300 and the second transmission format 200 are described with reference to Figure 3 and Figure 2 Described ( Figure 3 and Figure 2 ), but the teachings disclosed herein are not limited to the RACH process and the described formats and can be implemented with other message transmission types. For example, a first transmission format (e.g., as described with respect to Figure 3 ) can be used with other message transport types, such as Figure 4 (which shows a two-step transmission format used in an exemplary uplink unscheduled data transmission context). In such a transmission protocol, for example, the payload can be transmitted to the wireless access node 104 before or without establishing an RRC connection. Figure 4As shown in the exemplary transmission format 400 of FIG. 1 , the mobile station 102 will transmit an uplink message 402 including a preamble and a payload to the wireless access node 104. After the wireless access node 104 receives the preamble and payload portions of the uplink message 402, the wireless access node 104 will then transmit a downlink message 404, which includes a response such as confirmation or negative confirmation information, and possibly other information. The first transmission format (two-step transmission format) can also be used for other transmission situations and purposes not specifically described herein.

[0031] Figure 3 The two-step transmission format 300 ("first transmission format") and Figure 2 The main difference between the four-step transmission format 200 ("second transmission format") is the order in which the messages are transmitted. By using the two-step transmission format 300, the number of round trips is reduced, and the waiting time between consecutive transmissions can be reduced or eliminated, thereby improving network access and communication speeds. However, using the two-step transmission format may introduce the possibility of transmission conflicts with the transmission resource configuration.

[0032] For use with the methods and embodiments disclosed below (unless otherwise stated), the first transmission format may be considered to include the mobile station 102 transmitting a first message part on a first physical channel, transmitting a second message part on a second physical channel after transmitting the first message part, and receiving a downlink message from the wireless access node 104 after transmitting the second message part, the downlink message including the third message part (and in some methods, the fourth message part). Similarly, for use with the methods and embodiments disclosed below (unless otherwise stated), the second transmission format may be considered to include the mobile station 102 transmitting a first message part on a first physical channel, receiving a third message part from the wireless access node 104 after transmitting the first message part, and transmitting the second message part on a second physical channel after receiving the third message part.

[0033] Figure 5 and Figure 6An exemplary configuration of resources including conflicts at various time units for use with a two-step transmission format is shown. Resource 502 may include frequency resources, and mobile station 102 and wireless access node 104 are configured to communicate with each other by utilizing the resource. Resource 502 may be divided into multiple time units 504. Time unit 504 may include a frame, a subframe, a time slot, or a symbol, and in some embodiments may most specifically include a time slot or a symbol. Individual time units 504 of resource 502 may be subject to uplink / downlink configuration 506, wherein each time unit is configured or allocated as an uplink time unit ("U"), a downlink time unit ("D"), or an unknown or variable time unit ("X"). The uplink / downlink configuration 506 may be predetermined or preselected by wireless access node 104, for example, and may be communicated to mobile station 102. Uplink / downlink configuration 506 may be a pattern repeated at a specific period, and may be one of a plurality of possible patterns available for use by wireless access node 104 within a wireless access network. Furthermore, more than one resource 502 may be utilized within a wireless access network, wherein each resource 502 may be subject to a different or the same uplink / downlink configuration 506 .

[0034] Resources 502 (which may include multiple resources (such as multiple frequency resources)) may also be subject to other configurations. In some embodiments, a first subset of individual time units 504 of resources 502 may be configured as time units 508 of a first physical channel, and a second subset of individual time units may be configured as time units 510 of a second physical channel. In the context of an exemplary RACH procedure, the first physical channel may include a PRACH opportunity or time unit, and the second physical channel may include a PUSCH opportunity or time unit.

[0035] In some methods, the first physical channel is configured or allocated according to a preselected or predetermined pattern. The preselected pattern may be related to the pattern of the uplink / downlink configuration 506 to avoid configuring the downlink time units as time units of the first physical channel. The second physical channel may be configured or allocated in at least one of two different ways. In the first method, as Figure 5 As shown, the time units 510 of the second physical channel are configured separately from or independent of the time units 508 of the first physical channel. The pattern of the time units 510 of the second physical channel may be different from and possibly independent of the pattern of the time units 508 of the first physical channel, such that they appear somewhat random relative to the time units 508 of the first physical channel.

[0036] In the second method, Figure 6As shown, the time unit 510 of the second physical channel is configured or allocated based on the relative position (in the time domain and / or frequency domain) relative to the time unit 508 of the first physical channel, and the time unit 510 may have a time unit offset. For example, the time unit 510 of the second physical channel can be configured as the next time unit directly after the time unit 508 of the first physical channel (e.g., with a time unit offset of zero). Alternatively, the time unit 510 of the second physical channel can be configured as a time unit offset from the time unit 508 of the first physical channel by at least one offset time unit 602 (e.g., with a time unit offset of one or more time units), as shown. Figure 6 shown.

[0037] In either approach, the pattern of time units of the second physical channel may not be directly related to the pattern of uplink / downlink configuration 506, and there may be instances where downlink time units are also configured as time units of the second physical channel. In this case, the time units conflict. Figure 5 , time unit 512 (having conflicting symbols) is a time unit that is configured as a downlink time unit ("D") and a time unit 510 of the second physical channel, and therefore conflicts (because if mobile station 102 is also configured as a downlink time unit, mobile station 102 cannot be transmitted on the time unit of the second physical channel). Similarly, in Figure 6 , time unit 604 (with conflicting symbols) is a time unit configured as a downlink time unit ("D") and a time unit 510 of the second physical channel, and therefore conflicts. However, Figure 6 Another time unit 510 of the second physical channel is shown as being configured as an uplink time unit ("U") and therefore does not conflict.

[0038] Conflicts may occur due to different patterns of the uplink / downlink configuration 506 and the time unit 510 of the second physical channel. In addition, these conflicts may occur when the uplink / downlink configuration 506 has a first pattern with a first periodicity and the time unit 510 of the second physical channel 510 has a second pattern with a second periodicity different from the first periodicity, so that the first pattern and the second pattern are transformed relative to each other, thereby causing conflicts. To illustrate the possibility of such conflicts when using dual channels, a number of different solutions are disclosed below.

[0039] Figure 7 An exemplary method of avoiding transmission conflicts according to various embodiments is shown. Resource 502 is as described above with respect to Figure 5 or Figure 6As discussed above. The mobile station 102 may determine the need to transmit an uplink message to the wireless access node 104 (which may occur in each of the embodiments disclosed herein). For example, in the context of the exemplary RACH process, the mobile station 102 may determine that it wants to access the wireless access network using a random access channel request and needs to send an uplink message including a PRACH message and a PUSCH message. The mobile station 102 may be configured to transmit the uplink message in a first transmission format (two-step transmission) or a second transmission format (four-step transmission), and in some embodiments, the first transmission format may be used by default when possible. However, the mobile station 102 may determine that transmitting the uplink message according to the first transmission format will result in a conflict, for example, the second message portion is transmitted on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel that is also configured as a downlink time unit, thereby resulting in a conflict.

[0040] like Figure 7 , an exemplary uplink message 702 that may be transmitted according to the first transmission format (two-step) is shown, comprising a first message portion to be transmitted on the time unit 508 of the first physical channel, and a second message portion to be transmitted on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel after the first message portion is transmitted. However, if the mobile station 102 were to transmit the uplink message 702 in the first transmission format, the second message portion would be transmitted on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel configured as a downlink ("D") time unit, thereby causing a collision.

[0041] In one embodiment, the mobile station 102 determines to transmit the uplink message according to the second transmission format (four steps) instead of transmitting the uplink message 702 according to the first transmission format (two steps). The mobile station 102 then transmits the first message part in the time unit 508 of the first physical channel, but does not transmit the second message part. Figure 2 As shown, after transmitting the first message part, the mobile station 102 waits to receive the third message part from the wireless access node 104, and after receiving the third message part, transmits the second message part on the time unit of the second physical channel. In this way, the uplink message is transmitted to the wireless access node 104 according to the second transmission format without conflict.

[0042] Go to Figure 8In another embodiment, the wireless access node 104 also performs the method of avoiding transmission collisions in cooperation with the mobile station 102 that performs the method discussed directly above. Like the mobile station 102, the wireless access node 104 is also configured to receive uplink messages and transmit downlink messages in the first transmission format (two-step) or the second transmission format (four-step). In one example, the wireless access node 104 can receive a first message part of a first uplink message 802 from the mobile station 102 at a time unit 804 of a first physical channel, and then receive a second message part of the first uplink message 802 at a time unit 806 of a second physical channel. The wireless access node 104 is configured to understand that receiving these two message parts (especially if transmitted in an expected manner (e.g., at an appropriate time unit)) indicates that the uplink message is transmitted according to the first transmission protocol. Alternatively, the first message part may include information indicating that the mobile station 102 transmitted the first message part of the first uplink message 802 according to the first transmission format (two-step), and the wireless access node 104 can check the information. In response to receiving the first uplink message 802 (including the second message part), the wireless access node 104 will transmit the first uplink message according to the first transmission format (see Figure 3 ) transmits a first downlink message including a third message part (and in some methods a fourth message part) to the mobile station 102.

[0043] At a different time, the wireless access node 104 may also begin a process of receiving a second uplink message 808, which includes receiving a first message portion from the mobile station 102 at a time unit 810 of the first physical channel. However, due to a conflict with the uplink / downlink configuration 506 for the time unit 812, the second message portion is not transmitted at the time unit 812 of the second physical channel on which it would normally be transmitted. Therefore, the wireless access node 104 instead determines to operate according to the second transmission format instead. In one example, the wireless access node 104 determines that the first message portion of the second uplink message 808 includes information indicating that the mobile station 102 transmits the first message portion according to the second transmission format. In another example, like the mobile station 102, the wireless access node 104 is also aware of the uplink / downlink configuration 506 and will recognize that the mobile station 102 cannot transmit the second message portion of the second uplink message 808 at the time unit 812 of the second physical channel, which would normally be used in the first transmission format and will switch to the second transmission format instead. In response to determining that the mobile station 102 sends the first message part according to the second transmission format (four steps), the wireless access node transmits the third message part of the second downlink message to the mobile station 102, and thereafter receives the second message part of the second uplink message 808 from the mobile station 102 in the time unit of the second physical channel (see Figure 2 So configured, the wireless access node 104 may determine whether to operate in the first transmission format or the second transmission format based on a transmission received from the mobile station 102.

[0044] Back to Figure 7 In the second embodiment, the mobile station 102 utilizes other time units of the second physical channel to transmit the second message part of the uplink message. As in the first embodiment, the mobile station 102 determines that transmitting the uplink message according to the first transmission format (two-step) will result in a conflict (such as the second message part is transmitted on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel, which is also configured as a downlink time unit). The mobile station 102 transmits the first message part on the time unit 508 of the first physical channel. However, in this embodiment, instead of transmitting the second message part on the conflicting time unit 704 of the second physical channel, the mobile station 102 waits to transmit the second message part until the next time unit 712 of the second physical channel in response to determining that a conflict will occur, which is also configured as an uplink time unit ("U"), which is non-conflicting. The mobile station 102 then transmits the second message part to the wireless access node 104 on the next time unit 712 of the second physical channel. Therefore, a conflict is avoided. After transmitting the second message part, the mobile station 102 subsequently receives a downlink message including a third message part (and in some methods, a fourth message part) from the wireless access node 104 (see Figure 3 ). For example, in the exemplary RACH procedure context, if the reserved PUSCH resources for the two-step RACH procedure cannot be used for uplink transmission, the mobile station 102 can postpone transmission of the payload to the next available reserved PUSCH resource.

[0045] In some methods, the wireless access node 104 will be similarly configured to operate according to the second embodiment disclosed directly above. For example, as described above, the wireless access node 104 begins a process of receiving an uplink message, which includes receiving a first message part from the mobile station 102 on a time unit 508 of a first physical channel. However, due to a conflict with the uplink / downlink configuration 506 for that time unit 704, the second message part is not transmitted on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel on which it would normally be transmitted. Instead, the wireless access node 104 must know that it will expect the second message part on the next time unit 712 of the second physical channel. In one example, like the mobile station 102, the wireless access node 104 also knows the uplink / downlink configuration 506 and will recognize that the mobile station 102 cannot transmit the second message part on the time unit 704 of the second physical channel, which would normally be used in the first transmission format, and will instead wait for the next time unit 712 of the second physical channel on which the second message part is received. In response to receiving the second message part at the next time unit 712 of the second physical channel, the wireless access node 104 will transmit a downlink message including the third message part (and in some methods, the fourth message part) to the mobile station 102 according to the first transmission format (see Figure 3 ). So configured, the wireless access node 104 can determine when to expect to receive the second message part when operating using the first transmission format (two-step) to avoid collisions.

[0046] Fig. 9 Another example method for avoiding transmission conflicts according to the third embodiment is shown. Figure 7, the resources 502 are configured such that a first subset of individual time units 504 of the resources 502 may be configured as time units 508 of a first physical channel, and a second subset of individual time units may be configured as time units 510 of a second physical channel. However, in this embodiment, a third subset of the plurality of time units 514 may be configured as time units 902 of a third physical channel, which may be a different transmission channel (frequency and / or sequence / code) than the first physical channel. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the first transmission format includes transmitting the first message part on time units 508 of the first physical channel, and the second transmission format includes transmitting the first message part on time units 902 of the third physical channel instead of on time units 508 of the first physical channel. For example, in the exemplary RACH procedure context, the first transmission channel may be a PRACH channel (e.g., a PRACH time unit) dedicated to a two-step RACH format (a first transmission format), and the third transmission channel may be a different PRACH channel dedicated to a four-step RACH format (a second transmission format). The time unit 510 of the second physical channel may again be a PUSCH opportunity or time unit.

[0047] and Figure 7 Similar, in Fig. 9 In an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile station 102 may determine a need to transmit an uplink message to the wireless access node 104. Again, the mobile station 102 may determine that transmitting the uplink message according to the first transmission format will result in a collision (such as the second message portion being transmitted on a time unit 510 of a second physical channel that is also configured as a downlink time unit ("D").

[0048] In response, the mobile station 102 determines to transmit the uplink message according to the second transmission format (four steps) instead of transmitting the uplink message according to the first transmission format (two steps). To do this, in the present embodiment, the mobile station 102 transmits the first message part on the time unit 902 of the third physical channel according to the second transmission format instead of transmitting the first message part on the time unit 508 of the first physical channel according to the first transmission format. In doing so, the mobile station 102 initiates communication with the wireless access node 104 according to the second transmission format (four steps). Therefore, the mobile station 102 receives the third message part from the wireless access node after transmitting the first message part, and then transmits the second message part to the wireless access node on the time unit of the second physical channel after receiving the third message part (see Figure 3 ).

[0049] Fig. 9 The solution and Figure 7 One difference between the solutions is that Fig. 9In the solution of, the second transmission format includes the mobile station 102 transmitting the first message part on the time unit 902 of the third physical channel, which can be a transmission channel (frequency and / or sequence / code) different from the first physical channel on which the first message part is to be transmitted according to the first transmission format. For example, in the exemplary RACH process context, if the reserved PUSCH resources for the two-step RACH process cannot be used for uplink transmission, the mobile station 102 can fall back to the four-step RACH process by transmitting the preamble configured for the four-step RACH on the reserved PRACH resources for the four-channel RACH. Conversely, in Figure 7 In the solution of , the mobile station 102 can transmit the first message part on the same first physical channel regardless of whether it is transmitted according to the first transmission format (two steps) or according to the second transmission format (four steps). Figure 7 In the embodiment of the exemplary RACH procedure context, the first transmission channel may be a PRACH channel (e.g., a PRACH time unit) dedicated to the two-step RACH format, but may also be used for the four-step RACH format. Therefore, if the reserved PUSCH resources for the two-step RACH procedure cannot be used for uplink transmission, the mobile station 102 may transmit the preamble only on the PRACH resources used in the two-step RACH, and may refuse to transmit the payload on the PUSCH message.

[0050] In some methods, the wireless access node 104 is similarly configured to operate according to the third embodiment disclosed directly above. For example, the wireless access node 104 is configured to identify which channel it receives the first message part on as an indication of which transmission format to utilize. For example, if the wireless access node 104 receives the first message part on the time unit 508 of the first physical channel, the wireless access node 104 will recognize that the uplink message is being transmitted according to the first transmission format and will operate accordingly. Conversely, if the wireless access node 104 receives the first message part on the time unit 902 of the third physical channel, the wireless access node 104 will recognize that the uplink message is being transmitted according to the second transmission format and will operate accordingly.

[0051] Fig.10 Additional exemplary methods for avoiding transmission conflicts according to various embodiments are shown. Figure 5 or Figure 6 As discussed above, a first subset of individual time units 504 of resource 502 may be configured as time units 1002 of a first physical channel, and a second subset of time units may be configured as time unit groups 1004 and 1006 of a second physical channel. Fig.10In an embodiment of the present invention, the time unit groups 1004 and 1006 of the second physical channel each include two or more consecutive time units. For example, the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel includes time units 1008, 1010, 1012 and 1014, and the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel includes time units 1016, 1018, 1020 and 1022. Although each time unit group 1004 and 1006 of the second physical channel is shown as having four separate time units, the time unit group of the second physical channel can include any number of time units.

[0052] exist Fig.10 In various embodiments, the mobile station 102 determines that transmitting the uplink message according to the first transmission format (two-step) will result in a collision. The mobile station 102 can make this determination by determining that at least one of the time units of the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel (e.g., time units 1008, 1010, 1012, or 1014) is configured as a downlink time unit. Fig.10 In the example of , time units 1008, 1010, and 1012 are all configured as downlink ("D") time units or unknown ("X") time units, so there is a conflict for the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel as a whole.

[0053] The mobile station 102 transmits the first message part on the time unit 1002 of the first physical channel. However, in the fourth embodiment, instead of transmitting the second message part on the conflicting time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel, the mobile station 102 waits to transmit the second message part until the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel, wherein all time units of the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel are also configured as uplink time units ("U"), which are non-conflicting. Fig.10 As shown in the example of , time units 1016, 1018, 1020, and 1022 of the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel are all configured as uplink time units ("U"), so there is no conflict. Then, the mobile station 102 transmits the second message part to the wireless access node 104 on the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel. Therefore, a conflict for transmitting the second message part is avoided. After transmitting the second message part, the mobile station 102 subsequently receives a downlink message including the third message part (and in some methods, the fourth message part) from the wireless access node 104 (see Figure 3 ).

[0054] Continue to refer Fig.10In the fifth embodiment, the mobile station 102 may determine the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel on which the second message part is to be transmitted according to the first transmission format. For example, as in the previous embodiment, the mobile station 102 is configured to use the first transmission format to determine that it will generally use the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel to transmit the second message part. However, as in the fourth embodiment described above, the mobile station 102 determines that transmitting the second message part on the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel will result in a conflict on at least one time unit of the time unit group 1004. For example, the mobile station 102 may determine that at least one of the time units of the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel is configured as a downlink time unit and is therefore conflicting. In Fig.10 In the example of , mobile station 102 determines that time units 1008, 1010, and 1012 are all configured as downlink ("D") time units or unknown ("X") time units, and therefore there is a conflict regarding these particular time units. However, mobile station 102 also determines that at least one other time unit in the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel is configured as an uplink time unit. Fig.10 In the example of , the mobile station 102 determines that the time unit 1014 is configured as an uplink time unit, and therefore there is no conflict with respect to the time unit 1014.

[0055] As normally occurs according to the first transmission format, the mobile station 102 transmits the first message part on the time unit 1002 of the first physical channel. However, with respect to the second message part, the mobile station 102 transmits the first part of the second message part only on at least one time unit of the group 1004 of time units of the second physical channel configured as uplink time units. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 1 , the mobile station 102 will transmit data value of one time unit of the second message (eg, the first portion of the second message) only in non-colliding time units 1014 of the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel.

[0056] After transmitting the first part, the mobile station 102 waits to transmit the remainder of the second message part until the next time unit group 1006 (e.g., including at least one time unit configured as an uplink time unit) of the second physical channel that does not conflict. Fig.10In the example of , the mobile station determines that the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel includes at least one time unit that is also configured as an uplink time unit. In this case, all time units 1016, 1018, 1020 and 1022 of the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel are configured as uplink time units, so there is no conflict with respect to all of these time units. Alternatively, the mobile station 102 can determine that the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel includes enough uplink configured time units to be able to transmit the remaining part of the second message part. Fig.10 In the example of FIG. 1 , the mobile station 102 may determine that after transmitting the first portion of the second message on a single non-colliding time unit 1014 of the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel, it still needs to transmit another three time units' worth of data for the second message portion in the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel. The mobile station 102 determines that there are four available time units (i.e., time units 1016, 1018, 1020, and 1022) that do not collide in the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel, and determines that this is at least the time units required to transmit the remainder of the second message portion.

[0057] The mobile station 102 then transmits the remainder of the second message part on at least one time unit that is configured as an uplink time unit (i.e., non-collision-prone) of the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel. Fig.10 In the example of , the mobile station 102 transmits the remaining second to fourth sub-parts of the second message part at time units 1016, 1018, and 1120, respectively. In other examples, the mobile station 102 may allow the second message part to span more than two time unit groups of the second physical channel.

[0058] This fifth embodiment is different from the above-mentioned fourth embodiment, in that if there is a conflict in any individual time unit of the mobile station 102, the mobile station 102 will simply skip the entire conflicting time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel instead of transmitting the second message part only on the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel. In contrast, in this fifth embodiment, the mobile station 102 will allow the second message part to be separated and transmitted on two different time unit groups of the second physical channel, wherein the first part is transmitted on the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel and the remaining part is transmitted on the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel. In this way, the mobile station 102 transmits the second message part to the wireless access node 104 as quickly as possible using the available time units within the time unit group of the second physical channel, even if they are not consecutive.

[0059] In some methods, the wireless access node 104 will be similarly configured to operate according to the fourth and fifth embodiments disclosed directly above. For example, as described above, the wireless access node 104 begins a process of receiving an uplink message, which includes receiving a first message part from the mobile station 102 on a time unit 1002 of a first physical channel. However, with respect to the second message part, the wireless access node 104 also knows the uplink / downlink configuration 506 and will recognize that the mobile station 102 cannot transmit the second message part on the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel that is normally used in the first transmission format. Instead, according to the fourth embodiment, the wireless access node 104 will wait for the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel on which the second message part is received. Alternatively, according to the fifth embodiment, the radio access node 104 will receive the first part of the second message on at least one time unit of the uplink time unit (1014) of the time unit group 1004 configured as the second physical channel, and will receive the remaining part of the second message part on at least one time unit of the uplink time unit (1016, 1018 and 1020) of the next time unit group 1006 configured as the second physical channel. Therefore, in either of the fourth or fifth embodiments, the radio access node 104 will recognize and understand the received data transmitted on the time unit group of the second physical channel, even if they are located at a different position from the data normally transmitted according to the first transmission format.

[0060] In response to receiving the second message part on one or both of the time unit group 1004 of the second physical channel or the next time unit group 1006 of the second physical channel, the wireless access node 104 transmits a downlink message including the third message part (and in some methods, the fourth message part) to the mobile station 102 according to the first transmission format (see Figure 3 ). So configured, the wireless access node 104 can determine when to expect to receive the second message part when operating using the first transmission format (two-step) to avoid collisions.

[0061] Fig.11Another exemplary method for avoiding transmission conflicts according to the sixth embodiment when the first transmission method is used is shown. The resource 502 is configured in a similar manner as described above, wherein the individual time units 504 are subject to the uplink / downlink configuration 506, and wherein a first subset of the individual time units 504 can be configured as time units 1106 and 1108 of the first physical channel. However, in this embodiment, the time units 1110 and 1112 of the second physical channel are configured or allocated based on the relative position (in the time domain and / or frequency domain) relative to the time units 1106 and 1108 of the first physical channel with an offset based on the uplink time unit. That is, only the uplink time unit ("U") is counted in the offset, while the downlink time unit ("D") and the unknown time unit ("X") are not counted in the offset. Therefore, the mobile station 102 transmits the second message part on a time unit of the second physical channel, which is at least one uplink time unit and has an offset relative to the time unit of the first physical channel, wherein the offset is a preset number of time units configured as uplink time units after the first message part is transmitted on the time unit of the first physical channel. Thus, the time unit of the second physical channel is always configured or allocated to be on the uplink time unit.

[0062] For example, in Fig.11 In the first example 1102 shown, the mobile station 102 transmits a first message portion on a time unit 1106 of a first physical channel. The mobile station 102 then transmits a second message portion on a time unit 1110 of a second physical channel, the time unit 1110 of the second physical channel having an offset of a preset number of time units (e.g., two), which are configured as uplink time units after the time unit 1106 of the first physical channel. Time units 1114, 1116, and 1120 are not configured as uplink time units, so they are not counted in the offset. However, time unit 1118 is configured as an uplink time unit and is therefore counted as the first uplink time unit after the time unit 1106 of the first physical channel. Then, the second time unit configured as an uplink time unit is configured as the time unit 1110 of the second physical channel.

[0063] Similarly, in Fig.11In the illustrated second example 1104, the mobile station 102 transmits a first message portion on a time unit 1108 of a first physical channel. The mobile station 102 then transmits a second message portion on a time unit 1112 of a second physical channel having an offset of a preset number of time units (e.g., two) that are configured as uplink time units after the time unit 1108 of the first physical channel. The time unit 1122 is configured as an uplink time unit and is therefore counted as the first uplink time unit after the time unit 1108 of the first physical channel. The second time unit configured as an uplink time unit is then configured as the time unit 1112 of the second physical channel.

[0064] In some embodiments, the preset number of uplink time units after transmitting the first message part can be as low as one (meaning that the time unit of the second physical channel can be the next subsequent uplink time unit after the time unit of the first physical channel, which also means that the offset based on the uplink time unit can be zero). Alternatively, the preset number of uplink time units after transmitting the first message part can be two or more (meaning that there is at least one uplink time unit between the time unit of the first physical channel and the time unit of the second physical channel, which also means that the offset based on the uplink time unit is 1 or greater). As shown in the first example 1102, if the current number of uplink time units after transmitting the first message part is two or more, these uplink time units can be counted regardless of whether they are consecutive time units. However, in another method, these uplink time units may be required to be consecutive in order to be counted, as shown in the second example 1104.

[0065] In some methods, the wireless access node 104 will be similarly configured to operate according to the sixth embodiment disclosed directly above. For example, as described above, the wireless access node 104 begins a process of receiving an uplink message, which includes receiving a first message part from the mobile station 102 on a time unit 1106 of a first physical channel. However, with respect to the second message part, the wireless access node 104 also knows the uplink / downlink configuration 506, and similarly configures the time unit 1110 of the second physical channel to have an offset of a preset number of uplink time units after the time unit of the first physical channel (e.g., a second uplink time unit after the time unit of the first physical channel). In fact, the wireless access node 104 can specify this requirement and the configuration or arrangement of the time unit of the second physical channel relative to the time unit of the first physical channel, and can pass this requirement down to the mobile station 102. Subsequently, the wireless access node 104 will receive the second message part on the time unit 1110 of the second physical channel. In response to receiving the second message part at the time unit 1110 of the second physical channel, the wireless access node 104 transmits a downlink message including the third message part (and in some methods, the fourth message part) to the mobile station 102 according to the first transmission format (see Figure 3 ).

[0066] Although applicable to many different message transmission types and processes, each of the above methods and embodiments can be implemented in a random access channel request (RACH) process, wherein the first physical channel includes a PRACH opportunity and the second physical channel includes a PUSCH opportunity, and wherein the first message portion includes a PRACH message (including a preamble message) and the second message portion includes a PUSCH message (including a payload message). In addition, in each of the above methods and embodiments, the wireless access node 104 can establish a pattern for the uplink / downlink configuration 506, a pattern of time units of the first physical channel, and a pattern of time units for the third physical channel. In addition, in the case where the time units of the second physical channel are configured separately from the first physical channel (for example, as with respect to Figure 5 ), or in the case where the time units of the second physical channel are configured based on a relative position with respect to the time units of the first physical channel (possibly with a time unit offset (e.g., as explained with respect to Figure 6 As explained), each of the above methods and embodiments is applicable. However, the sixth embodiment includes a solution that provides a new configuration protocol together with the time unit of the second physical channel.

[0067] In various embodiments, such as Figure 1As shown, the mobile station 102 includes a processor 110 and a memory 112, wherein the processor 110 is configured to read computer code from the memory 112 to implement any of the methods and embodiments disclosed above in relation to the operation of the mobile station 102. Similarly, the wireless access node 104 includes a processor 120 and a memory 122, wherein the processor 120 is configured to read computer code from the memory 122 to implement any of the methods and embodiments disclosed above in relation to the operation of the wireless access node 104. In addition, in various embodiments, the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable program medium (e.g., memory 112 or 122) having computer code stored thereon. When executed by a processor (e.g., processor 110 or 120), the computer code causes the processor to implement a method corresponding to any of the embodiments disclosed above.

[0068] According to the various methods and embodiments disclosed above, various technical advantages are achieved. For example, by allowing the mobile station 102 and the wireless access node 104 to operate in different transmission formats according to some embodiments, or by configuring the transmission channel in other embodiments, the system remains flexible and efficient while maintaining resource integrity by avoiding conflicts during message transmission.

[0069] The above description and accompanying drawings provide specific example embodiments and implementations. However, the described subject matter can be embodied in a variety of different forms, and therefore, the subject matter covered or claimed is intended to be interpreted as not being limited to any example embodiment set forth herein. The scope of the subject matter intended to be claimed or covered is quite broad. Among other things, for example, the subject matter can be embodied as a method, device, component, system, or non-transitory computer-readable medium for storing computer code. Therefore, the embodiment can, for example, take the form of hardware, software, firmware, storage medium, or any combination thereof. For example, the above method embodiment can be implemented by a component, device, or system including a memory and a processor, by executing a computer code stored in the memory.

[0070] Throughout the specification and claims, in addition to the meanings explicitly stated, terms may have subtle meanings that are suggested or implied from the context. Likewise, the phrase "in one embodiment / implementation" used herein does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, and the phrase "in another embodiment / implementation" used herein does not necessarily refer to a different embodiment. For example, the claimed subject matter is intended to include all or part of the combination of the example embodiments.

[0071] In general, terms can be understood at least in part from usage in context. For example, terms such as "and", "or", or "and / or" used in this article can include various meanings, which can depend at least in part on the context in which these terms are used. Generally, "or", if used in an association list (such as A, B, or C), means A, B, and C (used here in an inclusive sense), as well as A, B, or C (used here in an exclusive sense). In addition, the term "one or more" used in this article, at least in part depending on the context, can be used to describe any feature, structure, or characteristic in a singular sense, or can be used to describe a combination of features, structures, or characteristics in a plural sense. Similarly, terms such as "a", "an", or "the" can be understood to convey singular usage or to convey plural usage, which depends at least in part on the context. In addition, the term "based on" can be understood to not necessarily be intended to convey a set of exclusive factors, but can allow for the presence of additional factors that are not necessarily explicitly described, which also depends at least in part on the context.

[0072] References to features, advantages, or similar language in this specification do not imply that all features and advantages that can be achieved with the present solution should or are included in any single embodiment thereof. Rather, language referring to features and advantages is understood to mean that a particular feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present solution. Thus, discussions of features and advantages and similar language throughout the specification may (but do not necessarily) refer to the same embodiment.

[0073] In addition, in one or more embodiments, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the present solution may be combined in any suitable manner. Based on the description herein, one of ordinary skill in the relevant art will recognize that the present solution may be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the present solution.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, the method include: determining, by a mobile station, to obtain random access in a wireless communication network and transmitting a request for an uplink message to a wireless access node, the uplink message comprising a first message part and a second message part; transmitting, by the mobile station, the first message part on a time unit of a first physical channel; determining, by the mobile station, that transmitting the second message part on a time unit or a group of time units of a second physical channel according to a first transmission format will result in a collision on the time unit or at least one time unit of the group of time units, the group of time units having two or more consecutive time units; as well as In response to determining the collision, waiting, by the mobile station, to transmit at least a portion of the second message part until a next time unit or a next group of time units of the second physical channel configured for uplink.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: At least a portion of the second message part is transmitted by the mobile station on the next time unit or next group of time units of the second physical channel.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 1 or 2, in, Determining that transmitting the second message part on the time unit of the second physical channel according to the first transmission format will result in a collision further comprises determining that the time unit of the second physical channel is configured as a downlink time unit.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, in, The time unit group of the second physical channel and the next time unit group of the second physical channel each include two or more consecutive time units of frequency domain resources; and Wherein, determining by the mobile station that transmitting the second message part on the time unit group of the second physical channel according to the first transmission format will cause a conflict also includes: determining that at least one of the two or more time units of the time unit group of the second physical channel is configured as a downlink time unit.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, in, The next group of time units of the second physical channel is configured such that the two or more time units of the next group of time units of the second physical channel are configured as uplink time units.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, in, At least one time unit of the group of time units of the second physical channel is configured as an uplink time unit, and at least one other time unit of the group of time units of the second physical channel is configured as a downlink time unit.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, in, The next time unit group of the second physical channel includes two or more consecutive time units, and wherein at least one time unit of the next time unit group of the second physical channel is configured as an uplink time unit.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, further comprising: include: transmitting, by the mobile station, a first portion of the second message part in at least one time unit in the group of time units that does not conflict, wherein the mobile station waiting to transmit the at least a portion of the second message part comprises the mobile station waiting to transmit a remaining portion of the second message part until a next group of time units; and The method further comprises transmitting, by the mobile station, the remaining portion of the second message part in at least one time unit of the next group of time units of the second physical channel.

9. A mobile station comprising a processor and a memory, in, The processor is configured to read computer code from the memory to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. A non-transitory computer-readable program medium storing computer code, which, when executed by a processor, causes the processor to implement the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

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