Wireless communication method and apparatus, computer readable medium

Abstract

A UE receives a request from a base station in a connected state to initiate a random access procedure. When a first bandwidth part does not contain any of the available random access resources, the UE switches to a second bandwidth part containing one or more of the available random access resources; and transmits a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more of the available random access resources. The first random access resource is at least a first time interval after the request. When the first bandwidth part contains the one or more of the available random access resources, the UE transmits the preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from the one or more of the available random access resources. The second random access resource is at least a second time interval after the request. The second time interval is shorter than the first time interval. The present invention utilizes different time intervals to achieve the beneficial effect of selecting a random access resource to transmit a preamble sequence.

Description

[0001] Cross-references

[0002] This application claims priority to the following: U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 631,641, entitled “RACH DESIGN FOR RRCCONNECTED MODE”, filed February 17, 2018, and U.S. Patent Application No. 16 / 276,756, filed February 15, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This invention relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to random access procedures employed by user equipment (UE). Background Technology

[0004] The description in this section provides only background information about the present invention and does not constitute prior art.

[0005] Wireless communication systems can be widely deployed to provide a variety of telecommunications services, such as telephone, video, data, messaging, and broadcasting. Typical wireless communication systems employ multiple-access technologies, which enable communication with multiple users by sharing available system resources. Examples of these multiple-access technologies include code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multiple access (TDMA), frequency division multiple access (FDMA), orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), single-carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA), and time division synchronous code division multiple access (TD-SCDMA).

[0006] These multiple access technologies are applicable to various telecommunications standards to provide shared protocols enabling different wireless devices to communicate at the city, national, regional, and even global levels. An example telecommunications standard is 5G New Radio (NR). 5G NR is part of the continuous evolution of mobile broadband released through the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to meet new requirements associated with latency, reliability, security, scalability (e.g., with the Internet of Things (IoT),) and others. Some aspects of 5G NR can be based on the 4G Long Term Evolution (LTE) standard. 5G NR technology still requires further improvement. These improvements can also be applied to other multiple access technologies and telecommunications standards that adopt them. Summary of the Invention

[0007] The following provides a brief overview of one or more aspects to offer a basic understanding of these aspects. This overview is not a comprehensive overview of all anticipated aspects, and is neither intended to identify key or essential elements of all aspects, nor to depict the scope of any or all aspects. Its sole purpose is to introduce some concepts of one or more aspects in a simplified form.

[0008] In one aspect of the invention, a method, a computer-readable medium, and an apparatus are provided. The apparatus may be a UE (User Equipment). The UE includes a memory and at least one processor coupled to the memory. The at least one processor is configured to receive a request from a base station in a connected state to initiate a random access procedure. The at least one processor is configured to determine whether a valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources. When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources, the at least one processor is configured to switch to a second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and to transmit a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The first random access resource is at least after the request, at least at a first time interval. When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, the at least one processor is configured to transmit the preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The second random access resource is at least after the request, at least at a second time interval. The second time interval is shorter than the first time interval.

[0009] The method includes receiving a request from a base station in a connected state to initiate a random access procedure. The method also includes determining whether a valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources. When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any available random access resources, the method further includes switching to a second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and transmitting a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The first random access resource is at least after the request at a first time interval. When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, the method further includes transmitting the preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The second random access resource is at least after the request at a second time interval. The second time interval is shorter than the first time interval.

[0010] The computer-readable medium stores computer-executable code for a wireless communication system for a wireless device. The code is configured to receive a request from a base station in a connected state to initiate a random access procedure; and to determine whether a valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources. When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources, the code is configured to switch to a second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and to transmit a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources, wherein the first random access resource is at least after the request at a first time interval. When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, the code is configured to transmit the preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources, wherein the second random access resource is at least after the request at a second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

[0011] This invention proposes a wireless communication method and apparatus, as well as a computer-readable medium, which utilizes different time intervals to achieve the beneficial effect of selecting random access resources for sending preamble sequences.

[0012] To accomplish the foregoing and related objectives, the features included in one or more aspects and specifically pointed out in the claims are fully described below. Certain illustrative features of one or more aspects are set forth in detail in the following description and accompanying drawings. However, these features indicate several of the various ways in which the principles of each aspect are employed, and the description is intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network.

[0014] Figure 2 This is a block diagram showing the base stations that communicate with the UE in the access network.

[0015] Figure 3 An example logical architecture for a distributed radio access network is shown.

[0016] Figure 4 An example physical architecture for a distributed radio access network is shown.

[0017] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a subframe centered on DL.

[0018] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing an example of a subframe centered on the UL.

[0019] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the communication between the UE and the base station.

[0020] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the random access process of a UE in a connected state.

[0021] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the random access resources selected by the UE for transmitting the preamble sequence.

[0022] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of the method (process) for sending a preamble sequence during the random access process.

[0023] Figure 11 This is a conceptual data flow diagram illustrating the data flow between different components / devices in an exemplary device.

[0024] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a hardware implementation of a device employing a processing system. Detailed Implementation

[0025] The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are intended as descriptions of various configurations and are not intended to represent the only configuration in which the concepts described herein can be practiced. Specific details are included to provide a thorough understanding of the various concepts. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that these concepts can be practiced without these specific details. In some examples, known structures and components are shown in block diagram form to avoid obscuring these concepts.

[0026] Several aspects of a telecommunications system will now be described with reference to various apparatuses and methods. These apparatuses and methods will be described in the embodiments described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings by various blocks, components, circuits, processes, and algorithms (collectively referred to as “elements”). These elements can be implemented using electronic hardware, computer software, or any combination thereof. Whether these elements are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.

[0027] Components, any portion of components, or any combination of components can be implemented by way of example as a "processing system" including one or more processors. Examples of processors include microprocessors, microcontrollers, graphics processing units (GPUs), central processing units (CPUs), application processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), reduced instruction set computing (RISC) processors, systems on a chip (SoCs), baseband processors, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), state machines, gated logic, discrete hardware circuits, and other suitable hardware configured to perform the various functions described throughout this invention. One or more processors in the processing system can execute software. Whether referred to as software, firmware, intermediate software, microcode, hardware description language, or something else, software should be broadly interpreted as instructions, instruction sets, code, code segments, program code, programs, subroutines, software components, applications, software applications, software packages, routines, subroutines, objects, executable files, execution threads, processes, and functions.

[0028] Therefore, in one or more example embodiments, the described functionality can be implemented in hardware, software, or any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functionality can be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or codes on a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media include computer storage media. Storage media can be any available medium accessible by a computer. Examples, but not limited to, such computer-readable media can include random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage, other magnetic storage devices, and combinations of the above computer-readable media types, or any other medium for storing computer-executable code in the form of computer-accessible instructions or data structures.

[0029] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of a wireless communication system and access network 100. The wireless communication system (also referred to as a wireless wide area network (WWAN)) includes base station 102, UE 104, and core network 160. Base station 102 may include macro cells (high-power cellular base stations) and / or small cells (low-power cellular base stations). Macro cells include base stations. Small cells include femtocells, picocells, and microcells.

[0030] Base station 102 (collectively referred to as the Evolved Universal Mobile Telecommunications System Terrestrial Radio Access Network (E-UTRAN)) is interfaced with core network 160 via backhaul link 132 (e.g., S1 interface). Among other functions, base station 102 may perform one or more of the following: user data transmission, radio channel encryption and decryption, integrity protection, header compression, mobility control functions (e.g., handover, dual connectivity), inter-cell interference coordination, connection establishment and release, load balancing, distribution of non-access stratum (NAS) messages, NAS node selection, synchronization, radio access network (RAN) sharing, multimedia broadcast multicast service (MBMS), user and device tracking, RAN information management (RIM), paging, location, and alarm message delivery. Base station 102 may communicate directly or indirectly (e.g., via core network 160) with each other via backhaul link 134 (e.g., X2 interface). The backhaul link 134 can be wired or wireless.

[0031] Base station 102 can wirelessly communicate with UE 104. Each of base stations 102 can provide communication coverage for a corresponding geographic coverage area 110. Overlapping geographic coverage areas 110 may exist. For example, small cell 102' may have a coverage area 110' that overlaps with the coverage areas 110 of one or more macro base stations 102. A network that includes both small cells and macro cells can be called a heterogeneous network. A heterogeneous network may also include home-evolved node B (HeNB), where HeNB can provide services to a restricted group called a closed subscriber group (CSG). The communication link 120 between base station 102 and UE 104 may include uplink (UL) (also called reverse link) transmission from UE 104 to base station 102 and / or downlink (DL) (also called forward link) transmission from base station 102 to UE 104. Communication link 120 may use multiple-input and multiple-output (MIMO) antenna technology, including spatial multiplexing, beamforming, and / or transmit diversity. The communication link may be via one or more carriers. Base station 102 / UE 104 may use a spectrum of up to Y MHz bandwidth (e.g., 5, 10, 15, 20, 100 MHz) per carrier, where each carrier is allocated in a total of up to Yx MHz of carrier aggregation (x component carriers) for transmission in each direction. Carriers may be adjacent to each other or not. The allocation of carriers for DL ​​and UL may be asymmetrical (e.g., more or fewer carriers may be allocated to DL than to UL). Component carriers may include a primary component carrier and one or more secondary component carriers. The primary component carrier may be referred to as the primary cell (PCell), and the secondary component carriers may be referred to as secondary cells (SCells).

[0032] The wireless communication system may further include a Wi-Fi access point (AP) 150, wherein the Wi-Fi AP 150 communicates with a Wi-Fi station (STA) 152 via a communication link 154 in the 5 GHz unlicensed spectrum. When communicating in the unlicensed spectrum, the STA 152 / AP 150 may perform a clear channel assessment (CCA) before communication to determine whether the channel is available.

[0033] Cell 102' can operate in licensed and / or unlicensed spectrum. When operating in unlicensed spectrum, cell 102' can employ NR and use the same 5GHz unlicensed spectrum as Wi-Fi AP 150. Employing NR in unlicensed spectrum can improve the coverage and / or increase the capacity of the access network.

[0034] The next-generation node (gNodeB, gNB) 180 can operate at millimeter wave (mmW) frequencies and / or near-mmW frequencies to communicate with UE 104. When gNB 180 operates at mmW or near-mmW frequencies, it can be referred to as an mmW base station. Extremely high frequency (EHF) is a portion of the radio frequency (RF) band in the electromagnetic spectrum. EHF has a range of 30 GHz to 300 GHz and wavelengths between 1 mm and 10 mm. Radio waves in this band can be called millimeter waves. Near-mmW can extend down to 3 GHz frequencies with wavelengths of 100 mm. The ultra-high frequency (SHF) band ranges from 3 GHz to 30 GHz and is also known as centimeter wave. Communication using mmW / near-mmW RF bands has extremely high path loss and short coverage. Beamforming 184 can be used between the mmW base station gNB 180 and UE 104 to compensate for the extremely high path loss and short coverage.

[0035] The core network 160 may include a mobility management entity (MME) 162, other MMEs 164, a serving gateway 166, an MBMS gateway 168, a broadcast multicast service center (BM-SC) 170, and a packet data network (PDN) gateway 172. MME 162 can communicate with the home subscriber server (HSS) 174. MME 162 is the control node that handles signaling between UE 104 and the core network 160. Typically, MME 162 provides bearer and connection management. All user Internet Protocol (IP) packets are delivered through the serving gateway 166, which is itself connected to the PDN gateway 172. The PDN gateway 172 provides UE IP address allocation and other functions. The PDN gateway 172 and BM-SC 170 are connected to the PDN 176. PDN 176 may include the Internet, intranet, IP multimedia subsystem (IMS), packet-switched streaming service (PSS), and / or other IP services. BM-SC 170 can provide functions for MBMS user service provisioning and delivery. BM-SC 170 can serve as an entry point for MBMS transmission by content providers, can be used to authorize and initiate MBMS bearer services in a public land mobile network (PLMN), and can be used to schedule MBMS transmissions. MBMS gateway 168 can be used to allocate MBMS services to base stations 102 that belong to broadcast-specific services in a multicast broadcast single-frequency network (MBSFN) area, and can be responsible for session management (start / stop) and collection of payment information related to evolved MBMS (eMBMS).

[0036] A base station may also be referred to as a gNB, Node B (NB), eNB, AP, base transceiver station, radio base station, radio transceiver, transceiver function, basic service set (BSS), extended service set (ESS), or other suitable terms. Base station 102 provides UE 104 with access to the core network 160. Examples of UE 104 include cellular phones, smartphones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, laptops, personal digital assistants (PDAs), satellite radios, global positioning systems, multimedia devices, video devices, digital audio players (e.g., MP3 players), cameras, game consoles, tablet computers, smart devices, wearable devices, automobiles, meters, air pumps, ovens, or any other similarly functional device. Some UEs 104 may also be referred to as IoT devices (e.g., parking timers, air pumps, ovens, automobiles, etc.). UE 104 may also be referred to as station, mobile station, user station, mobile unit, user unit, radio unit, remote unit, mobile device, radio device, wireless communication device, remote device, mobile user station, access terminal, mobile terminal, radio terminal, remote terminal, mobile phone, user agent, mobile user, user, or other suitable terms.

[0037] Figure 2This is a block diagram illustrating communication between base station 210 and UE 250 in the access network. In the DL, IP packets from core network 160 can be provided to controller / processor 275. Controller / processor 275 implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions. Layer 3 includes the radio resource control (RRC) layer, and Layer 2 includes the packet data convergence protocol (PDCP) layer, radio link control (RLC) layer, and medium access control (MAC) layer. The controller / processor 275 provides RRC layer functions, PDCP layer functions, RLC layer functions, and MAC layer functions. The RRC layer functions are associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) broadcasting, RRC connection control (e.g., RRC connection paging, RRC connection establishment, RRC connection modification, and RRC connection release), inter-Radio Access Technology (RAT) mobility, and measurement configuration for UE measurement reporting. The PDCP layer functions are associated with header compression / decompression, security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification), and handover support functions. The RLC layer functions are associated with upper-layer packet data unit (PDU) transmission, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation, and reassembly of RLC service data units (SDUs), and RLC data packet data units. The re-segmentation of PDUs and the reordering of RLC data PDUs are related; MAC layer functions are related to the mapping between logical channels and transport channels, the multiplexing of MAC SDUs on transport blocks (TBs), the demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TBs, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0038] The transmit (TX) processor 216 and receive (RX) processor 270 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. Layer 1, including the physical (PHY) layer, may include error detection on the transport channel, forward error correction (FEC) encoding / decoding on the transport channel, interleaving, rate matching, mapping on the physical channel, modulation / demodulation of the physical channel, and MIMO antenna processing. The TX processor 216 processes the mapping to the signal constellation based on various modulation schemes (e.g., binary phase-shift keying (BPSK), quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), M-phase-shift keying (M-PSK), and M-quadrature amplitude modulation (M-QAM)). The encoded and modulated symbols can then be split into parallel streams. Each stream can then be mapped to an OFDM subcarrier, multiplexed with a reference signal (e.g., a pilot) in the time and / or frequency domains, and then combined using an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) to generate a physical channel carrying a stream of time-domain OFDM symbols. The OFDM streams are spatially precoded to generate multiple spatial streams. Channel estimates from channel estimator 274 can be used to determine coding and modulation schemes, as well as for spatial processing. The channel estimates can be derived from the reference signal transmitted by UE 250 and / or channel state feedback. Each spatial stream can then be provided to different antennas 320 via transmitters (218TX) in respective transmitters and receivers 218. Each transmitter 218TX can modulate an RF carrier using the corresponding spatial stream for transmission.

[0039] In UE 250, each receiver 254RX (transceiver 254 includes receiver 254RX and transmitter 254TX) receives signals through a corresponding antenna 252. Each receiver 254RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to the RX processor 256. The TX processor 268 and RX processor 256 implement Layer 1 functions associated with various signal processing functions. The RX processor 256 performs spatial processing on the information to recover any spatial streams destined for UE 250. If multiple spatial streams are destined for UE 250, they can be combined into a single OFDM symbol stream by the RX processor 256. The RX processor 256 then uses a fast Fourier transform (FFT) to transform the OFDM symbol stream from the time domain to the frequency domain. The frequency domain signal includes individual OFDM symbol streams for each subcarrier of the OFDM signal. The symbols and reference signals on each subcarrier are recovered and demodulated by determining the most probable signal constellation point transmitted by base station 210. Soft decision is based on the channel estimate calculated by channel estimator 258. The aforementioned soft decision is then decoded and deinterleaved to recover the data and control signals originally transmitted by base station 210 on the physical channel. These data and control signals are then provided to controller / processor 259, which implements Layer 3 and Layer 2 functions.

[0040] Controller / processor 259 may be associated with memory 260, which stores program code and data. Memory 260 may be referred to as a computer-readable medium. In UL, controller / processor 259 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between transmission and logical channels to recover IP packets from core network 160. Controller / processor 259 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0041] Similar to the functional description related to DL transmission of base station 210, controller / processor 259 provides RRC layer functions, PDCP layer functions, RLC layer functions, and MAC layer functions. The RRC layer functions are associated with system information (e.g., MIB, SIB) acquisition, RRC connection, and measurement reporting. The PDCP layer functions are associated with header compression / decompression and security (encryption, decryption, integrity protection, integrity verification). The RLC layer functions are associated with the transmission of upper-layer PDUs, error correction via ARQ, concatenation, segmentation and reassembly of RLC SDUs, resegmentation of RLC data PDUs, and reordering of RLC data PDUs. The MAC layer functions are associated with mapping between logical channels and transport channels, MAC SDU multiplexing on TB, demultiplexing of MAC SDUs from TB, scheduling information reporting, error correction via HARQ, priority processing, and logical channel priority ordering.

[0042] The TX processor 268 can use the channel estimate derived from the reference signal transmitted by the channel estimator 258 or from the feedback to select a suitable coding and modulation scheme, and facilitate spatial processing. The spatial stream generated by the TX processor 268 can be provided to different antennas 252 via each transmitter 254TX. Each transmitter 254TX can use the corresponding spatial stream to modulate the RF carrier for transmission. UL transmission is processed in the base station 210 in a manner similar to the receiver function in the UE 250 to which it is connected. Each receiver (218RX) in each transmitter and receiver 218 receives signals via a corresponding antenna 320. Each receiver 218RX recovers the information modulated onto the RF carrier and provides this information to the RX processor 270.

[0043] Controller / processor 275 may be associated with memory 276, which stores program code and data. Memory 276 may be referred to as computer-readable medium. In the UL, controller / processor 275 provides demultiplexing, packet reassembly, decryption, header decompression, and control signal processing between transport and logical channels to recover IP packets from UE 250. IP packets from controller / processor 275 may be provided to core network 160. Controller / processor 275 is also responsible for error detection using ACK and / or NACK protocols to support HARQ operation.

[0044] NR refers to a radio configured to operate under a new air interface (e.g., in addition to OFDMA-based air interfaces) or a fixed transport layer (e.g., in addition to IP). NR can use OFDM with a cyclic prefix (CP) in both UL and DL, and can include support for half-duplex operation using Time Division Duplexing (TDD). NR can include tasks for enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) services with wide bandwidths (e.g., exceeding 80 MHz), millimeter wave (mmW) services with high carrier frequencies (e.g., 60 GHz), massive MTC (mMTC) services for non-backward-compatible machine-type communication (MTC) technologies, and / or services for ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC).

[0045] It can support a single-component carrier bandwidth of 100MHz. In one example, the NR RB can span 12 subcarriers, with a subcarrier bandwidth of 60kHz within a 0.125ms time interval or 15kHz within a 0.5ms time interval. Each radio frame can include 20 or 80 subframes (or NR slots) with a length of 10ms. Each subframe can indicate the link direction for data transmission (e.g., DL or UL), and the link direction of each subframe can be dynamically switched. Each subframe can include DL / UL data and DL / UL control data. (About...) Figure 5 and Figure 6 The UL and DL subframes used for NR can be described in more detail below.

[0046] NR RAN can include a central unit (CU) and distributed units (DU). NR base stations (e.g., gNB, 5G Node B, Node B, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), AP) can correspond to one or more base stations. NR cells can be configured as access cells (ACells) or data-only cells (DCells). For example, the RAN (e.g., central unit or distributed unit) can configure cells. DCells can be cells used for carrier aggregation or dual connectivity, and cannot be used for initial access, cell selection / reselection, or handover. In some cases, DCells may not transmit a synchronization signal (SS). In some cases, DCells may transmit an SS. NR BS can send DL signals to the UE to indicate the cell type. Based on the cell type instruction, the UE can communicate with the NR BS. For example, the UE can determine the NR base station based on the indicated cell type to consider for cell selection, access, handover, and / or measurement.

[0047] Figure 3An example logical architecture of a distributed RAN 300 is illustrated according to various aspects of the present invention. A 5G access node (AN) 306 may include an access node controller (ANC) 302. The ANC may be a CU of the distributed RAN 300. The backhaul interface to the next-generation core network (NG-CN) 304 may terminate at the ANC. The backhaul interface to the adjacent next-generation access node (NG-AN) 310 may terminate at the ANC. The ANC may be associated with one or more TRPs 308 (also referred to as base stations, NR base stations, node Bs, 5G node Bs, APs, or other terms) via the F1 control plan protocol (F1-C) / F1 user plan protocol (F1-U). As mentioned above, TRPs may be used interchangeably with "cells".

[0048] TRP 308 can be a DU. A TRP can connect to one ANC (ANC 302) or more ANCs (not shown). For example, for RAN sharing, serving radio (RaaS), and service-specific ANC deployments, the TRP can connect to more than one ANC. A TRP may include one or more antenna ports. The TRP can be configured to provide services to the UE independently (e.g., dynamically selected) or jointly (e.g., jointly transmitted).

[0049] The local architecture of the distributed RAN 300 can be used to illustrate the fronthaul definition. The architecture can be defined to support fronthaul solutions across different deployment types. For example, the architecture can be based on transport network capabilities (e.g., bandwidth, latency, and / or jitter). The architecture can share features and / or components with LTE. Depending on various aspects, the NG-AN 310 can support dual connectivity with NR. The NG-AN can share a common fronthaul for LTE and NR.

[0050] This architecture can enable collaboration between TRPs 308. For example, collaboration can be pre-configured within a TRP and / or across TRPs via ANC 302. Depending on the aspects, an inter-TRP interface may not be required or may not exist.

[0051] Depending on various factors, the dynamic configuration of separate logical functions can be achieved within a distributed RAN 300 architecture. PDCP, RLC, and MAC protocols can be adaptively placed in the ANC or TRP.

[0052] Figure 4 An example physical architecture of a distributed RAN 400 is illustrated according to various aspects of the present invention. A centralized core network unit (C-CU) 402 can host core network functions. The C-CU can be deployed centrally. C-CU functions can be offloaded (e.g., to an advanced wireless service, AWS) to handle peak capacity. A centralized RAN unit (C-RU) 404 can host one or more ANC functions. Optionally, the C-RU can host core network functions locally. The C-RU can be deployed in a distributed manner. The C-RU can be located closer to the network edge. A DU 406 can host one or more TRPs. The DU can be located at the network edge with RF functionality.

[0053] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram 500 illustrating an example of a subframe centered on the DL (Depth-Low) node. The DL-centered subframe may include a control section 502. The control section 502 may exist in the initial or beginning portion of the DL-centered subframe. The control section 502 may include various scheduling information and / or control information corresponding to different portions of the DL-centered subframe. In some configurations, the control section 502 may be a PDCCH (Programmable Controller Center), such as... Figure 5 As shown in the diagram. The DL-centric subframe may also include a DL data portion 504. The DL data portion 504 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the DL-centric subframe. The DL data portion 504 may include communication resources for transmitting DL data from a scheduling entity (e.g., a UE or BS) to a subordinate entity (e.g., a UE). In some configurations, the DL data portion 504 may be a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH).

[0054] The DL-centered subframe may also include a shared UL portion 506. The shared UL portion 506 may sometimes be referred to as a UL burst, a shared UL burst, and / or various other suitable terms. The shared UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to other portions of the DL-centered subframe. For example, the shared UL portion 506 may include feedback information corresponding to control portion 502. Non-limiting examples of feedback information may include ACK signals, NACK signals, HARQ indicators, and / or various other suitable types of information. The shared UL portion 506 may include additional or alternative information, such as information regarding the random access channel (RACH) process, scheduling requests (SR), and various other suitable types of information.

[0055] like Figure 5 As shown, the end of the DL data portion 504 may be time-separated from the start of the shared UL portion 506. This time interval may sometimes be referred to as a gap, guard period, guard interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This interval provides time for the switch from DL communication (e.g., reception operation of a lower-level entity (e.g., UE)) to UL communication (e.g., transmission of a lower-level entity (e.g., UE)). Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of a DL-centric subframe, and alternative structures with similar characteristics may exist without departing from the various aspects described herein.

[0056] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram 600 illustrating an example of a subframe centered on the UL. The UL-centered subframe may include a control section 602. The control section 602 may be present at the beginning or start portion of the UL-centered subframe. Figure 6 The control section 602 in the reference above can be similar to the one mentioned above. Figure 5 The control portion 502 is described. The UL-centric subframe may also include a UL data portion 604. The UL data portion 604 may sometimes be referred to as the payload of the UL-centric subframe. The UL portion refers to the communication resources used to transmit UL data from a lower-level entity (e.g., the UE) to a scheduling entity (e.g., the UE or the BS). In some configurations, the control portion 602 may be a PDCCH.

[0057] like Figure 6As shown, the end of control section 602 may be time-separated from the start of UL data section 604. This time interval may sometimes be referred to as a gap, protection period, protection interval, and / or various other suitable terms. This interval provides time for switching from DL communication (e.g., receiving operations of a scheduling entity) to UL communication (e.g., transmitting operations of a scheduling entity). UL-centric subframes may also include a shared UL section 606. Figure 6 The shared UL section 606 in the text is similar to the one above. Figure 5 The shared UL portion 506 is described. The shared UL portion 606 may additionally or alternatively include information regarding CQI, SRS, and various other suitable types of information. Those skilled in the art will understand that the foregoing is merely one example of a UL-centric subframe, and alternative structures with similar features may exist without departing from the various aspects described herein.

[0058] In some cases, two or more subordinate entities (e.g., UEs) can communicate with each other using sidelink signaling. Practical applications of this type of sidelink communication can include public safety, proximity services, UE-to-network relay, vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, Internet of Everything (IoE) communication, IoT communication, mission-critical mesh, and / or various other suitable applications. Typically, sidelink signaling refers to the transmission of a signal from one subordinate entity (e.g., UE 1) to another (e.g., UE 2) without requiring relay communication through a scheduling entity (e.g., UE or BS), even if the scheduling entity could be used for scheduling or control purposes. In some examples, licensed spectrum can be used to transmit sidelink signaling (unlike wireless LANs, which typically use licensed spectrum).

[0059] Figure 7This is a schematic diagram 700 illustrating communication between UE 704 and base station 702. Base station 702 is operable with antenna ports 722-1 to 722-N. Base station 702 provides transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N in different directions. UE 704 can use a random access procedure to access the cell of base station 702. In this example, to facilitate the UE's execution of the random access procedure, base station 702 sends a set of synchronization signal blocks (SSBs), including SSBs 732-1 to 732-N, which are associated with transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N, respectively. More specifically, the primary synchronization signal (PSS), secondary synchronization signal (SSS), and physical broadcast channel (PBCH) are collectively referred to as the SSBs. Each of SSBs 732-1 to 732-N may include one or more Demodulation Reference Signals (DMRS) for the PBCH. The DMRS is used for channel estimation at the UE as part of coherent demodulation.

[0060] In addition, base station 702 can use transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N to transmit channel state information reference signals (CSI-RS) sets 734-1 to 734-N specifically for UE 704. Users use CSI-RS to estimate the channel and report channel state information (CSI) to the base station. CSI-RS is configured on a per-device basis.

[0061] In some configurations, UE 704 may randomly or rule-basedly select one of the transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N to derive the corresponding preamble used in the random access procedure. In some configurations, UE 704 may adjust the direction of the receiver-side beam 728 to detect and measure SSBs 732-1 to 732-N or CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N. Based on the detection and / or measurement (e.g., signal-to-noise ratio measurement), UE 704 may select the direction of the receiver-side beam 728 and one of the transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N to derive the corresponding preamble used in the random access procedure.

[0062] In one example, UE 704 may select transmitter-side beam 726-2 for deriving the relevant preamble sequence used in the random access procedure. More specifically, UE 704 is configured with one or more random access resources associated with each of SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and / or one or more random access resources associated with each of CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N.

[0063] Therefore, UE 704 can select a random access resource associated with a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB or CSI-RS) of the transmitter-side beam 726-2 (i.e., one of the transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N). Subsequently, UE 704 transmits a preamble sequence 752 to base station 702 over the selected random access resource via receiver-side beam 728 (assuming the corresponding UE transmit beam can be derived from receiver-side beam 728). Base station 702 determines the transmitter-side beam selected by UE 704 based on the position of the random access resource in the time and frequency domains.

[0064] Subsequently, base station 702 and UE 704 can further complete the random access process, enabling base station 702 and UE 704 to communicate via transmitter-side beam 726-2 and receiver-side beam 728. Therefore, UE 704 and base station 702 are in a connected state (e.g., RRC connection). Base station 702 can use transmitter-side beam 726-2 to send PDCCH 742, PDSCH 744, and associated DMRS 746 to UE 704.

[0065] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram 800 illustrating the random access procedure of a UE in a connected state. In some cases, although the UE 704 is in a connected state, it may be necessary to perform a random access procedure with base station 702 or other base stations. In this example, as referenced above... Figure 7 As described above, UE 704 is connected to base station 702. UE 704 can receive requests (e.g., PDCCH commands) from base station 702 to re-initiate a random access procedure. UE 704 can detect the arrival of uplink data without uplink synchronization, thus enabling it to initiate a random access procedure with base station 702. UE 704 can also detect the arrival of downlink data without uplink synchronization, enabling it to perform a random access procedure with base station 702. Therefore, UE 704 can perform a random access procedure with base station 702. UE 704 can determine the recovery beam, thus enabling it to perform a random access procedure with base station 702. UE 704 can switch from base station 702 to another base station, thus enabling it to perform a random access procedure with that other base station.

[0066] In this example, in process 802, base station 702 sends a PDCCH order to UE 704. Specifically, the PDCCH order can be sent using transmitter-side beam 726-2. Therefore, upon receiving the PDCCH order, in process 803, UE 704 initiates a random access procedure in the connected state. In another example, UE 704 can detect a beam fault and internally generate a beam fault recovery request. Therefore, UE 704 can also initiate a random access procedure in the connected state. In process 804, as described above, base station 702 sends SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and / or CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N, respectively, associated with transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N. UE 704 can detect some or all of SSBs 732-1 to 732-N. Note that process 804 can also occur before process 802.

[0067] In process 806, as described above, in some configurations, UE 704 may randomly or based on measurement results select one of the transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N. As an example, UE 704 may select transmitter-side beam 726-2 to derive the associated preamble sequence 752 used in the random access procedure.

[0068] Therefore, base station 702 can use the corresponding beam of transmitter-side beam 726-2 to receive preamble sequence 752, which is transmitted on random access resources associated with the downlink reference signal of transmitter-side beam 726-2. Base station 702 determines the timing advance (TA) of UE 704 based on the preamble sequence 752 received via transmitter-side beam 726-2.

[0069] Similarly, base station 702 can receive preamble sequence 752 on transmitter-side beam 726-2. The network of base station 702 can also determine that preamble sequence 752 is transmitted on random access resources associated with SSB 732-2 and / or CSI-RS set 734-2 of transmitter-side beam 726-2. Likewise, the network learns that UE 704 has selected transmitter-side beam 726-2.

[0070] In process 810, base station 702 (under the control of the network) generates a random-access response (RAR). The RAR may include information about the following: a preamble sequence 752 detected by the network and the validity of the response for the preamble sequence 752; a TA calculated by the network based on the preamble sequence reception timing; a scheduling permission for resources indicating to UE 704 for subsequent message transmission; and / or a temporary identifier (temporary cell radio network temporary identifier, TC-RNTI) for further communication between the device and the network.

[0071] In process 812, base station 702 uses transmitter-side beam 726-2 to transmit a PDCCH scheduling command for scheduling RAR transmission. Therefore, the DMRS of the PDCCH scheduling command and the DMRS of the PDCCH command at process 802 are quasi-colocated. Furthermore, the cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI) of UE 704, known to the network, can scramble the PDCCH scheduling command. Additionally, as mentioned above, UE 704 is in a connected state. The serving beam from base station 702 to UE 704 can be transmitter-side beam 726-1. At or approximately simultaneously, base station 702 transmits the PDCCH scheduling command to schedule RAR transmission on transmitter-side beam 726-2. Base station 702 can also transmit PDCCH on transmitter-side beam 726-1 to schedule PDSCH carrying user data.

[0072] In process 814, base station 702 transmits the RAR to UE 704 on transmitter-side beam 726-2. The RAR can be transmitted in the conventional downlink PDSCH. Therefore, for UE 704 in a connected state, the random access procedure is completed.

[0073] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram 900 showing UE 704 selecting random access (RA) resources for transmitting the preamble sequence. UE 704 receives PDCCH command 922 from base station 702 in time slot 912 (similar to process 802).

[0074] In the first example, in time slot 912, base station 702 and UE 704 communicate with each other in bandwidth portion 982, which is the effective bandwidth portion. Therefore, using the method described above... Figure 7In the same example described, the UE prepares a preamble sequence 752. The UE 704 receives downlink reference signals (e.g., SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and / or CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N) on transmitter-side beams 726-1 to 726-N from the base station 702.

[0075] As described above, UE 704 can select one downlink reference signal from multiple downlink reference signals. In this example, UE 704 can select either SSB 732-2 or CSI-RS set 734-2 to be transmitted on transmitter-side beam 726-2 based on existing measurements of the downlink reference signal. Furthermore, UE 704 can be configured to have a set of random access resources for transmitting a preamble sequence to base station 702. For example, RA resources 934-1, 934-2, and 934-3 in time slot 914 can be associated with SSB 732-2. Therefore, UE 704 can transmit a preamble sequence 752 on one of the RA resources 934-1, 934-2, and 934-3 to indicate to base station 702 that UE 704 has selected SSB 732-2. Time slots 912 and 914 can be consecutive or non-consecutive time slots.

[0076] Once a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB 732-2) is selected, UE 704 then determines whether an effective bandwidth portion of UE 704 (e.g., bandwidth portion 982) contains any RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal. In this example, UE 704 determines that bandwidth portion 982 contains RA resources 934-1, 934-2, and 934-3.

[0077] Furthermore, UE 704 is configured with a time interval 952. When the effective bandwidth portion contains one or more RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal, in order to transmit the preamble sequence 752, UE 704 is further configured to select a first available RA resource, wherein the time interval between the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922 and the first symbol period of the first available RA resource is greater than or equal to the time interval 952. Specifically, the time interval 952 includes a time interval allocated for preparing the PUSCH, taking into account the processing capacity of UE 704, and a time interval allocated for initializing the transmission of the preamble sequence 752 (e.g., 0.5 milliseconds or 0.25 milliseconds).

[0078] In this example, UE 704 determines that RA resource 934-1 is the first available RA resource, wherein the first available RA resource is at least after the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922 by an interval 952. Therefore, UE 704 transmits a preamble sequence 752 on RA resource 934-1.

[0079] In the second example, in time slot 912, base station 702 and UE 704 communicate with each other in bandwidth portion 984, which is the effective bandwidth portion. As described above, after receiving PDCCH command 922, and once a downlink reference signal (e.g., SSB 732-2) is selected, UE 704 then determines whether its effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 984) contains any RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal. In this example, the selected downlink reference signal is SSB 732-2, and UE 704 determines that bandwidth portion 984 does not contain any RA resources corresponding to SSB 732-2.

[0080] UE 704 then determines to switch to another bandwidth portion (e.g., an initial bandwidth portion) containing corresponding RA resources such as RA resources 934-1, 934-2, and 934-3. In this example, UE 704 may determine to switch to bandwidth portion 982. Furthermore, UE 704 is configured with a time interval 954. When the effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 984) does not contain one or more RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal, UE 704 is further configured to select a first available RA resource, wherein the time interval between the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922 and the first symbol period of the first available RA resource is greater than or equal to time interval 954. Specifically, time interval 954 includes time intervals allocated for preparing PUSCH, time intervals allocated for initializing preamble sequence 752 transmission (e.g., 0.5 milliseconds or 0.25 milliseconds), and time intervals for switching from the effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 984) to another bandwidth portion (bandwidth portion 982), taking into account the processing capacity of UE 704.

[0081] In this example, UE 704 determines that RA resource 934-2 is the first available RA resource, wherein the first available RA resource is at least after the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922, at least after an interval time interval 954. Therefore, UE 704 switches to bandwidth portion 982 and transmits preamble sequence 752 on RA resource 934-2.

[0082] The third example is similar to the second example. However, in this example, compared to the second example, before selecting the downlink reference signal, UE 704 determines whether to perform additional measurements on SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and / or CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N. For example, existing measurements (e.g., RSRP) of SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N may not have any measurements that meet the threshold requirements. In this case, UE 704 may perform additional measurements.

[0083] Furthermore, UE 704 is configured with a time interval 956. When an effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 984) does not contain one or more RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal and additional measurements need to be performed, UE 704 is further configured to select a first available RA resource, wherein the time interval between the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922 and the first symbol period of the first available RA resource is greater than or equal to time interval 956. Specifically, time interval 956 includes time intervals allocated for preparing PUSCH, taking into account the processing capacity of UE 704, time intervals allocated for initializing the transmission of preamble sequence 752 (e.g., 0.5 ms or 0.25 ms), time intervals for switching from an effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 984) to another bandwidth portion (bandwidth portion 982), and time intervals allocated for performing measurements.

[0084] In this example, UE 704 determines that RA resource 934-3 is the first available RA resource, wherein the first available RA resource is at least after the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922, at least after an interval time interval 956. Therefore, UE 704 performs a measurement, switches to bandwidth portion 982, and transmits preamble sequence 752 on RA resource 934-3.

[0085] The fourth example is similar to the third example. However, in this example, compared to the third example, UE 704 communicates with base station 702 in time slot 912 on bandwidth portion 982, which is the effective bandwidth portion. Before selecting a downlink reference signal, UE 704 also determines to perform additional measurements on SSBs 732-1 to 732-N and / or CSI-RS sets 734-1 to 734-N. UE 704 is configured with a time interval 958. When the effective bandwidth portion (e.g., bandwidth portion 982) contains one or more RA resources corresponding to the selected downlink reference signal and additional measurements need to be performed, UE 704 is further configured to select a first available RA resource, wherein the time interval between the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922 and the first symbol period of the first available RA resource is greater than or equal to time interval 958. Specifically, time interval 958 includes time intervals allocated for preparing PUSCH, taking into account the processing capacity of UE 704, time intervals allocated for initializing the transmission of preamble sequence 752 (e.g., 0.5 ms or 0.25 ms), and time intervals allocated for performing measurements.

[0086] UE 704 determines that RA resource 934-2 is the first available RA resource, wherein the first available RA resource is at least after the last symbol period of PDCCH command 922, at least after an interval time interval 958. Therefore, UE 704 performs a measurement and transmits a preamble sequence 752 on RA resource 934-2.

[0087] Figure 10 This is a flowchart 1000 of a method (procedure) for sending a preamble sequence during a random access procedure. This method is performed by a UE (e.g., UE 704, device 1102, and device 1102'). In operation 1002, the UE receives a request from a base station in a connected state to initiate a random access procedure. In operation 1004, the UE selects a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station. In some configurations, one or more available random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or CSI-RS.

[0088] In operation 1005, the UE determines whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources. When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any available random access resources, in some cases, in operation 1006, the UE determines to measure one or more downlink reference signals to select a downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the determination to measure one or more downlink reference signals is based on the quality of previous measurements of one or more downlink reference signals. In operation 1008, the UE extends the first time interval to include allocating a time interval for performing the measurement. In some configurations, the first time interval includes allocating a time interval for preparing the PUSCH, allocating a time interval for initializing the preamble sequence transmission, and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion.

[0089] In operation 1010, the UE switches to a second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources. In operation 1012, the UE transmits a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The first random access resource is at least one time interval after the request.

[0090] When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, in operation 1020, the UE determines to measure one or more downlink reference signals to select a downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the determination to measure one or more downlink reference signals is based on the quality of previous measurements of the one or more downlink reference signals. In operation 1022, the UE extends a second time interval to include allocating a time interval for performing the measurements. In some configurations, the second time interval includes allocating a time interval for preparing the PUSCH and allocating a time interval for initializing the preamble sequence transmission.

[0091] In operation 1024, the UE transmits a preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from one or more available random access resources. The second random access resource is at least after the request, at an interval of a second time interval. The second time interval is shorter than the first time interval.

[0092] Figure 11 This is a conceptual data flow diagram 1100 illustrating the data flow between different components / devices in an exemplary device 1102. Device 1102 may be a UE. Device 1102 includes a receiving component 1104, a measurement component 1106, a random access component 1108, a bandwidth component 1112, and a transmitting component 1110.

[0093] Random access component 1108 receives a request from the base station in a connected state to initiate a random access process. Measurement component 1106 selects a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from base station 1150. In some configurations, the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or CSI-RS.

[0094] The bandwidth portion component 1112 determines whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources. When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any available random access resources, in some cases, the measurement component 1106 determines to measure one or more downlink reference signals to select a downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the determination to measure one or more downlink reference signals is based on the quality of previous measurements of one or more downlink reference signals. The random access component 1108 extends the first time interval to include allocating a time interval for performing the measurements. In some configurations, the first time interval includes allocating a time interval for preparing the PUSCH, allocating a time interval for initializing the preamble sequence transmission, and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion.

[0095] Bandwidth component 1112 switches to a second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources. Random access component 1108 sends a preamble sequence on a first random access resource selected from the one or more available random access resources. The first random access resource is at least after a first time interval following the request.

[0096] When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, the random access component 1108 determines to measure one or more downlink reference signals to select a downlink reference signal. In some configurations, the determination of measuring one or more downlink reference signals is based on the quality of previous measurements of the one or more downlink reference signals. The random access component 1108 extends a second time interval to include allocating a time interval for performing the measurements. In some configurations, the second time interval includes allocating a time interval for preparing the PUSCH and allocating a time interval for initializing the preamble sequence transmission.

[0097] Random access component 1108 sends a preamble sequence on a second random access resource selected from one or more available random access resources. The second random access resource is at least after the request, at an interval of a second time interval. The second time interval is shorter than the first time interval.

[0098] Figure 12This is a schematic diagram 1200 illustrating a hardware implementation of a device 1102' employing a processing system 1214. Device 1102' may be a user interface (UE). The processing system 1214 may be implemented using a bus architecture, typically represented by a bus 1224. The bus 1224 may include any number of interconnect buses and bridges, the number depending on the specific application and overall design constraints of the processing system 1214. The bus 1224 connects various circuits including one or more processors and / or hardware components, and may be represented by one or more processors 1204, receiving components 1104, measuring components 1106, random access components 1108, transmitting components 1110, bandwidth components 1112, and computer-readable media / memory 1206. The bus 1224 may also connect various other circuits, such as timing sources, peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits.

[0099] The processing system 1214 may be coupled to transceiver 1210, which may be one or more transceivers 254. Transceiver 1210 may be coupled to one or more antennas 1220, which may be communication antennas 252.

[0100] Transceiver 1210 provides means for communicating with various other devices via a transmission medium. Transceiver 1210 receives signals from one or more antennas 1220, extracts information from the received signals, and provides the extracted information to processing system 1214, specifically receiving component 1104. Furthermore, transceiver 1210 receives information from processing system 1214, specifically transmitting component 1110, and generates signals applicable to one or more antennas 1220 based on the received information.

[0101] Processing system 1214 includes one or more processors 1204 coupled to computer-readable medium / memory 1206. One or more processors 1204 are responsible for overall processing, including the execution of software stored on computer-readable medium / memory 1206. When executed by one or more processors 1204, the software can cause processing system 1214 to perform the various functions described above for any particular device. Computer-readable medium / memory 1206 can also be used to store data manipulated by one or more processors 1204 during software execution. Processing system 1214 further includes at least one of a receiving component 1104, a measuring component 1106, a random access component 1108, a transmitting component 1110, and a bandwidth component 1112. A component may be a software component running on one or more processors 1204 and residing / stored on computer-readable medium / memory 1206, one or more hardware components coupled to one or more processors 1204, or a combination thereof. The processing system 1214 may be a component of the UE 250 and may include at least one of memory 260 and / or TX processor 268, RX processor 256 and controller / processor 259.

[0102] In one configuration, the device 1102 / device 1102' for wireless communication includes a means for performing... Figure 10 Each of the devices in operation. The aforementioned devices may be components of one or more of the aforementioned devices 1102 and / or processing systems 1214 of devices 1102' configured to perform the functions described in the aforementioned devices.

[0103] As described above, the processing system 1214 may include a TX processor 268, an RX processor 256, and a controller / processor 259. Therefore, in one configuration, the aforementioned apparatus may be a TX processor 268, an RX processor 256, and a controller / processor 259 configured to perform the functions described above.

[0104] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the flowchart of this invention is an example of an exemplary method. Therefore, it should be understood that the specific order or hierarchy of the blocks in the flowchart can be rearranged based on design preferences. Furthermore, some blocks can be combined or omitted. The appended method claims describe the elements of each block in a simplified order; however, this does not imply limitation to the specific order or hierarchy described.

[0105] The foregoing is provided to enable those skilled in the art to practice the various aspects described herein. Various modifications to these aspects will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined in this invention can also be applied to other aspects. Therefore, the claims are not intended to limit themselves to the aspects shown herein, but rather to conform to the full scope of the language claims, in which references to singular elements, unless specifically stated otherwise, are not intended to mean “one and only one,” but rather “one or more.” The term “exemplary” in this invention means “as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described as “exemplary” in this invention is not necessarily more preferred or advantageous than other aspects. Unless specifically stated otherwise, the term “some” means one or more. Combinations such as “at least one of A, B, or C,” “one or more of A, B, or C,” “at least one of A, B, and C,” “one or more of A, B, and C,” and “A, B, C, or any combination thereof” include any combination of A, B, and / or C, and may include multiple A, multiple B, or multiple C. More specifically, combinations such as "at least one of A, B, or C", "one or more of A, B, or C", "at least one of A, B, and C", "one or more of A, B, and C", and "A, B, C, or any combination thereof" can be only A, only B, only C, A and B, A and C, B and C, or A and B and C, wherein any such combination may include one or more members of A, B, or C, or members of A, B, or C. All structural and functional equivalents of the elements of the various aspects described in this invention are known to or will subsequently be known to those skilled in the art, and are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are intended to be included by the claims. Moreover, regardless of whether the invention is expressly stated in the claims, the disclosure of this invention is not intended for public use only. The terms "module", "mechanism", "element", "device", etc., may not be alternatives to the term "device". Therefore, no element in the claims is to be interpreted as a device plus a function unless the element is explicitly stated using the phrase "device for...".

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, comprising: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources: Switch to the second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and A preamble sequence is sent on a first random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least a first time interval after the last symbol of the request; When the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources: The preamble sequence is sent on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least after the request at a second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

2. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Further includes: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

3. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

4. The wireless communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, Further includes: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; as well as The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

5. The wireless communication method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

6. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first time interval includes the time interval for allocating time to prepare the physical uplink shared channel and the time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion.

7. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second time interval includes the time interval allocated for preparing the physical uplink shared channel.

8. The wireless communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, This request is a downlink control channel command.

9. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment, comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor coupled to the memory and the at least one processor is configured to: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; Wherein, when the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources, the at least one processor is further configured to: Switch to the second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and A preamble sequence is sent on a first random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least a first time interval after the last symbol of the request; Wherein, when the first bandwidth portion includes one or more available random access resources, the at least one processor is further configured to: The preamble sequence is sent on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least after the request at a second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

10. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 9, characterized in that, The at least one processor is further configured to: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

11. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 10, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

12. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 10, characterized in that, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; and The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

13. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 12, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

14. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first time interval includes the time interval for allocating time to prepare the physical uplink shared channel and the time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion.

15. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second time interval includes the time interval allocated for preparing the physical uplink shared channel.

16. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 9, characterized in that, This request is a downlink control channel command.

17. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, which, when executed, causes a user device to perform the following operations: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; in, When the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources: Switch to the second bandwidth portion containing one or more available random access resources; and A preamble sequence is sent on a first random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least a first time interval after the last symbol of the request; Wherein, when the first bandwidth portion includes one or more available random access resources: The preamble sequence is sent on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least after the request at a second time interval, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

18. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 17, characterized in that, When the code is executed, it causes the user device to perform the following operations: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

19. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 18, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

20. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 18, characterized in that, When the code is executed, it causes the user device to perform the following operations: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; and The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

21. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 20, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

22. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first time interval includes a time interval for allocating time for preparing a physical uplink shared channel and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion; and the second time interval includes a time interval for allocating time for preparing a physical uplink shared channel.

23. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 17, characterized in that, This request is a downlink control channel command.

24. A wireless communication method, comprising: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; In response to determining that the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources: Switch to the second bandwidth portion, which contains one or more available random access resources; A first random access resource is selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least one time interval after the last symbol of the request, wherein the first time interval includes a time interval for allocating time for preparing a physical uplink shared channel and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion; and Send a preamble sequence on the first random access resource; In response to determining that the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources: The preamble sequence is transmitted on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least a second time interval after the last symbol of the request, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

25. The wireless communication method according to claim 24, characterized in that, Further includes: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

26. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

27. The wireless communication method according to claim 25, characterized in that, Further includes: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; as well as The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

28. The wireless communication method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

29. The wireless communication method according to claim 24, characterized in that, This request is a downlink control channel command.

30. The wireless communication method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The second time interval includes the time interval allocated for preparing the physical uplink shared channel.

31. An apparatus for wireless communication, the apparatus being a user equipment, comprising: Memory; as well as At least one processor coupled to the memory and the at least one processor is configured to: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; In response to determining that the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources, the at least one processor is further configured to: Switch to the second bandwidth portion, which contains one or more available random access resources; A first random access resource is selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least a first time interval after the last symbol of the request, wherein the first time interval includes a time interval for allocating a physical uplink shared channel and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion; as well as Send a preamble sequence on the first random access resource; In response to determining that the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources, the at least one processor is further configured to: The preamble sequence is transmitted on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least a second time interval after the last symbol of the request, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

32. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 31, characterized in that, The at least one processor is further configured to: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

33. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 32, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

34. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 32, characterized in that, The at least one processor is further configured to: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; and The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

35. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 34, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

36. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 31, characterized in that, This request is a downlink control channel command.

37. The apparatus for wireless communication according to claim 31, characterized in that, The second time interval includes the time interval allocated for preparing the physical uplink shared channel.

38. A computer-readable medium storing computer-executable code, which, when executed, causes a user device to perform the following operations: In the connected state, a request is received from the base station to initiate a random access process; Determine whether the valid first bandwidth portion contains any available random access resources; In response to determining that the first bandwidth portion does not contain any of the available random access resources: Switch to the second bandwidth portion, which contains one or more available random access resources; A first random access resource is selected from the available one or more random access resources, the first random access resource being at least one time interval after the last symbol of the request, wherein the first time interval includes a time interval for allocating time for preparing a physical uplink shared channel and a time interval for switching from the first bandwidth portion to the second bandwidth portion; and Transmit a preamble sequence on the first random access resource; in response to determining that the first bandwidth portion contains one or more available random access resources: The preamble sequence is transmitted on a second random access resource selected from the available one or more random access resources, the second random access resource being at least a second time interval after the last symbol of the request, the second time interval being shorter than the first time interval.

39. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 38, characterized in that, When the code is executed, it causes the user device to perform the following operations: Select a downlink reference signal from one or more downlink reference signals received from the base station, wherein the available one or more random access resources correspond to the selected downlink reference signal.

40. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 39, characterized in that, The downlink reference signal is a synchronization signal block or a channel state information reference signal.

41. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 39, characterized in that, When the code is executed, it causes the user device to perform the following operations: Determine to measure the one or more downlink reference signals to select the downlink reference signal; and The first time interval and the second time interval are extended to include the time interval allocated for performing the measurement.

42. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 41, characterized in that, The step of determining the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals is based on previous measurements of the quality of the one or more downlink reference signals.

43. The computer-readable medium for storing computer-executable code according to claim 38, characterized in that, The second time interval includes the time interval allocated for preparing the physical uplink shared channel.

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