Random access method and apparatus, storage medium

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a random access method and device, and a storage medium, wherein the method comprises: determining a transmission number of a physical random access channel (PRACH) transmitted to a network side device; indicating the transmission number to the network side device; in response to reaching a first time point, starting a random access response (RAR) window for receiving a RAR message, wherein the first time point is a time point at which the terminal completes PRACH transmission of the transmission number. In the present disclosure, by indicating the transmission number of the PRACH transmitted by the terminal to the network side device, the time points at which the network side device and the terminal start the RAR window are ensured to be consistent, the success rate of receiving the RAR message is improved, and the success rate of random access is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular to random access methods and apparatus, and storage media. Background Technology

[0002] In Release 18 (R18), for the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), PRACH coverage enhancement and other effects can be achieved by transmitting PRACH multiple times to network-side devices.

[0003] After completing multiple PRACH transmissions, the terminal begins receiving Random Access Response (RAR) messages sent by the network-side device. The timing of when the terminal starts receiving RAR messages varies depending on the number of PRACH transmissions. Since the number of PRACH transmissions is determined by the terminal, if the network-side device cannot determine the number of PRACH transmissions, it cannot determine the start time for sending RAR messages to the terminal, potentially leading to unreasonable RAR message scheduling. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To overcome the problems existing in related technologies, embodiments of this disclosure provide a random access method and apparatus, and a storage medium.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a random access method is provided, the method being executed by a terminal, comprising:

[0006] Determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side devices;

[0007] Indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device;

[0008] In response to reaching the first time point, a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages is opened, where the first time point is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions.

[0009] Optionally, instructing the network-side device on the number of transmissions includes:

[0010] A first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions is determined; wherein the PRACH resources included in the first resource set are used to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device;

[0011] Using the PRACH resources included in the first resource set, the PRACH is transmitted to the network-side device according to the number of transmissions.

[0012] Optionally, determining the first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions includes:

[0013] Based on the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal, two or more optional resource sets are determined; wherein, different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission numbers of the PRACH.

[0014] Among two or more of the optional resource sets, the optional resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions is determined as the first resource set.

[0015] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0016] Determine association information, which is used to divide the available PRACH resources to determine two or more sets of optional resources.

[0017] Optionally, the association information is used to indicate the number of resources included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0018] Optionally, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0019] Optionally, the associated information includes at least one of the following:

[0020] The resource index included in the available PRACH resources;

[0021] The starting resource index for each of the optional resource sets;

[0022] Terminating resource index for each of the optional resource sets;

[0023] The number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0024] Optionally, the association information includes the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0025] Optionally, determining the associated information includes at least one of the following:

[0026] The associated information is determined based on the agreement.

[0027] The associated information is determined based on the indication information sent by the network-side device.

[0028] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0029] Receive the indication information sent by the network-side device via the first message.

[0030] Optionally, the first message is any one of the following:

[0031] System Information Block (SIB) messages;

[0032] Downlink control information (DCI) used to schedule SIB messages;

[0033] Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration signaling.

[0034] Optionally, the available PRACH resources include at least one of the following:

[0035] Preamble resources are available;

[0036] RO resources are available during random access.

[0037] Optionally, determining the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device includes:

[0038] The reference signal received power RSRP of the synchronization signal is measured to obtain the measured value;

[0039] The number of transmissions is determined based on the measured value and at least one preset RSRP threshold.

[0040] Optionally, determining the number of transmissions based on the measured value and at least one preset RSRP threshold includes:

[0041] Among at least one preset RSRP threshold, a first RSRP threshold that is greater than the measured value and has the smallest difference from the measured value is determined;

[0042] Based on the preset number of transmissions corresponding to different RSRP thresholds, the preset number of transmissions corresponding to the first RSRP threshold is determined as the number of transmissions.

[0043] According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a random access method is provided, the method being executed by a network-side device, comprising:

[0044] Determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal;

[0045] Based on the number of transmissions, determine the random access response (RAR) window;

[0046] Within the RAR window, a RAR message is sent to the terminal.

[0047] Optionally, determining the number of transmissions of the PRACH indicated by the terminal includes:

[0048] Based on the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal, two or more optional resource sets are determined; wherein, different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission numbers of the PRACH.

[0049] Determine the first resource set corresponding to the PRACH resources used by the terminal;

[0050] Determine the number of transmissions corresponding to the first resource set.

[0051] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0052] Determine association information, which is used to divide the available PRACH resources to determine two or more sets of optional resources.

[0053] Optionally, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0054] Optionally, the associated information includes at least one of the following:

[0055] The resource index included in the available PRACH resources;

[0056] The starting resource index for each of the optional resource sets;

[0057] Terminating resource index for each of the optional resource sets;

[0058] The number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0059] Optionally, the association information includes the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0060] Optionally, determining the associated information includes at least one of the following:

[0061] The associated information is determined based on the agreement.

[0062] The network-side device determines the association information.

[0063] Optionally, the method further includes:

[0064] Send indication information to the terminal to determine the associated information.

[0065] Optionally, sending the indication information to the terminal for determining the association information includes:

[0066] The instruction information is sent to the terminal via the first message.

[0067] Optionally, the first message is any one of the following:

[0068] System Information Block (SIB) messages;

[0069] Downlink control information (DCI) used to schedule SIB messages;

[0070] Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration signaling.

[0071] Optionally, the available PRACH resources include at least one of the following:

[0072] Preamble resources are available;

[0073] RO resources are available during random access.

[0074] According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a random access device is provided, the device being applied to a terminal, comprising:

[0075] The first determining module is configured to determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device;

[0076] The indicator module is configured to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device;

[0077] The execution module is configured to open a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages in response to a first time point, where the first time point is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions.

[0078] According to a fourth aspect of the present disclosure, a random access device is provided, the device being applied to a network-side device, comprising:

[0079] The second determining module is configured to determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal.

[0080] The third determining module is configured to determine the random access response (RAR) window based on the number of transmissions.

[0081] The sending module is configured to send RAR messages to the terminal within the RAR window.

[0082] According to a fifth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing a computer program for executing the random access method described in any of the above-described terminal-side embodiments.

[0083] According to a sixth aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, the storage medium storing a computer program for executing the random access method described in any one of the network-side device side methods above.

[0084] According to a seventh aspect of the present disclosure, a random access device is provided, comprising:

[0085] processor;

[0086] Memory used to store processor-executable instructions;

[0087] The processor is configured to execute any of the random access methods described above on the terminal side.

[0088] According to an eighth aspect of the present disclosure, a random access device is provided, comprising:

[0089] processor;

[0090] Memory used to store processor-executable instructions;

[0091] The processor is configured to execute any of the random access methods described above for network-side devices.

[0092] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of this disclosure may include the following beneficial effects:

[0093] In this embodiment, after determining the number of PRACH transmissions to be sent to the network-side device, the terminal can indicate this number of transmissions to the network-side device. Then, upon reaching a first time point, it opens a RAR window for receiving RAR messages. The first time point is the time when the terminal completes the required number of PRACH transmissions. This disclosure ensures that the time points at which the network-side device and the terminal open the RAR window are consistent by indicating the number of PRACH transmissions to the network-side device, thereby improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0094] It should be understood that the above general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only, and are not intended to limit this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0095] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

[0096] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a random access resource configuration method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0097] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram illustrating a scenario where a terminal opens a RAR window according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0098] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram illustrating a random access method according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0099] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0100] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0101] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0102] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0103] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram illustrating another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0104] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of another random access method flow according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0105] Figure 10 This is a block diagram of a random access device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0106] Figure 11 This is a block diagram of another random access device according to an exemplary embodiment.

[0107] Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of a random access device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0108] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram of another random access device illustrated in an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0109] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numerals in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with the present invention. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of the invention as detailed in the appended claims.

[0110] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” as used in this disclosure and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be understood that the term “and / or” as used herein refers to and includes any or all possible combinations of at least one associated listed item.

[0111] It should be understood that although the terms first, second, third, etc., may be used in this disclosure to describe various information, such information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are used only to distinguish information of the same type from one another. For example, without departing from the scope of this disclosure, first information may also be referred to as second information, and similarly, second information may also be referred to as first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein may be interpreted as "when," "when," or "in response to determination."

[0112] In Release 18 (R18), for the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), PRACH coverage enhancement and other effects can be achieved by transmitting PRACH multiple times to network-side devices.

[0113] After completing multiple PRACH transmissions, the terminal begins receiving Random Access Response (RAR) messages sent by the network-side device. The timing of when the terminal starts receiving RAR messages varies depending on the number of PRACH transmissions. Since the number of PRACH transmissions is determined by the terminal, if the network-side device cannot determine the number of PRACH transmissions, it cannot determine the start time for sending RAR messages to the terminal, potentially leading to unreasonable RAR message scheduling.

[0114] For purposes such as PRACH coverage enhancement, Release 18 proposes that multiple transmissions can be performed in the time domain. A possible resource allocation scheme can be found by referring to... Figure 1 As shown, in legacy PRACH and R18, multiple PRACH transmissions use independent sets of random access opportunity (RO) resources. However, for multiple PRACH transmissions, different PRACH transmissions can share the same RO resource set, for example... Figure 1In this version, communication terminals of versions 16 and 17, as well as those that do not perform PRACH repetition, can use the resources in RO resource set #1 to transmit PRACH. Communication terminals of version 18 that perform PRACH repetition can use the resources in RO resource set #2 to transmit PRACH. When the number of PRACH transmissions is 2, 4, 8, etc., the resources in RO resource set #2 can be shared.

[0115] For multiple PRACH transmissions, the number of RAR windows and startup time can be optimized using the following methods:

[0116] The RAR window opens after all PRACH transmissions are complete. That is, if the terminal determines that the number of PRACH transmissions is 4, the RAR window will open after the fourth transmission. If the terminal determines that the number of PRACH transmissions is 8, the RAR window will open after the eighth PRACH transmission.

[0117] Reference Figure 2 As shown, if the terminal determines that the number of PRACH transmissions is 2, the terminal opens the RAR window at time T1 after two transmissions to receive the RAR message sent by the network-side device. If the terminal determines that the number of PRACH transmissions is 4, the terminal opens the RAR window at time T2 after four transmissions to receive the RAR message sent by the network-side device.

[0118] In the above scheme, the terminal can only open the RAR window at a fixed time domain location to receive RAR messages sent by the network-side device.

[0119] It can be seen that the time at which the terminal starts receiving RAR messages differs depending on the number of PRACH transmissions. If the network-side device cannot determine the number of PRACH transmissions by the terminal, it may lead to unreasonable RAR message scheduling. For example... Figure 2 As shown, the terminal determines that the number of PRACH transmissions is 4. The terminal opens the RAR window at time T2, while the network-side device may receive the PRACH transmitted by the terminal at time T1. Therefore, it may send the RAR message to the terminal during the period between T1 and T2, which causes the opening time of the RAR window on the network-side device side and the terminal side to be misaligned, resulting in the terminal being unable to successfully receive the RAR message.

[0120] To address the aforementioned technical issues, this disclosure provides the following random access method, apparatus, and storage medium, ensuring that the network-side equipment and the terminal open the RAR window at the same time, thereby improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and enhancing the success rate of random access.

[0121] The random access method provided in this disclosure will now be introduced from the perspective of the terminal side.

[0122] This disclosure provides a random access method, referring to... Figure 3 As shown, Figure 3 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a terminal. The method may include the following steps:

[0123] In step 301, the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device is determined.

[0124] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the number of transmissions is determined by the terminal side. For example, the terminal may determine the number of transmissions in at least one of the following ways: the terminal determines it itself based on parameters, or based on a communication protocol, or based on pre-configuration, or based on configuration parameters on the network side; this disclosure does not limit this.

[0125] In one possible implementation, the terminal determines the number of transmissions based on parameters; that is, the terminal can determine the number of transmissions based on the Synchronous Signal Reference Signal Receiving Power (SS-RSRP) and one or more preset RSRP thresholds.

[0126] In one example, the terminal can measure SS-RSRP to obtain a measured value. Further, among at least one preset RSRP threshold, a first RSRP threshold is determined that is greater than the first measured value and has the smallest difference from the measured value. Based on the preset number of transmissions corresponding to different RSRP thresholds, the preset number of transmissions corresponding to the first RSRP threshold is determined as the number of transmissions. For example, if the RSRP threshold is specified by a communication protocol standard, the terminal determines it based on both parameters and the communication protocol. If the RSRP threshold is pre-configured, the terminal determines it based on both parameters and pre-configuration. If the RSRP threshold is configured on the network side, the terminal determines it based on both parameters and network-side configuration parameters.

[0127] For example, RSRP threshold #1 corresponds to 8 transmissions, RSRP threshold #2 corresponds to 4 transmissions, and RSRP threshold #3 corresponds to 2 transmissions. RSRP threshold #1 is less than RSRP threshold #2, RSRP threshold #2 is less than RSRP threshold #3, and the measured value is m. m is less than RSRP threshold #2 and RSRP threshold #3, and the difference between m and RSRP threshold #2 is the smallest. The terminal determines RSRP threshold #2 as the first RSRP threshold, and then determines the number of transmissions corresponding to RSRP threshold #2 as the number of transmissions, that is, the number of transmissions is 4.

[0128] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the timing of the terminal measuring SS-RSRP is not limited.

[0129] In one example, the terminal can measure SS-RSRP when it first transmits PRACH to the network-side device. In another example, the terminal can measure SS-RSRP when it determines that multiple PRACH transmissions to the network-side device are required. In yet another example, the terminal can measure SS-RSRP each time a PRACH transmission to the network-side device is performed. These are merely illustrative examples, and any scheme by which the terminal determines the number of PRACH transmissions to the network-side device based on the measured SS-RSRP value and a preset RSRP threshold should fall within the scope of this disclosure.

[0130] In step 302, the number of transmissions is indicated to the network-side device through either explicit or implicit indication.

[0131] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the terminal can send indication information to the network-side device to inform the network-side device of the number of transmissions.

[0132] In one possible implementation, the terminal indicates the number of transmissions to the network-side device implicitly. For example, the terminal can implicitly indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device using the PRACH resources it employs. Specific implementation details will be provided below. Figure 4 The embodiments shown are described herein and will not be described here. Of course, the terminal may also implicitly indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device in other ways, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0133] In another possible implementation, the terminal can directly send indication information to the network-side device, explicitly informing the network-side device of the number of transmissions. That is, the terminal sends signaling to the network-side device via uplink transmission to indicate the number of transmissions.

[0134] The above is merely an illustrative example, and any scheme in which the terminal indicates the number of transmissions to the network-side device should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0135] In step 303, a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages is opened.

[0136] In this embodiment of the disclosure, a RAR window for receiving RAR messages can be opened at a preset time point (e.g., a first time point).

[0137] For example, the first time point is the time when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions; or the first time point is the time when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions plus T. The duration of T can be determined by the protocol or the network-side device, and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0138] In all embodiments of this disclosure, "RAR window" refers to the time range used to receive RAR messages; "opening RAR window" may mean starting to calculate the time range used to receive RAR messages.

[0139] For example, with 2 transmissions, the terminal takes the time point when it completes 2 PRACH transmissions as the first time point. When the first time point is reached, the terminal opens the RAR window, thereby listening to and receiving RAR messages sent by the network-side device within the RAR window.

[0140] For example, the number of transmissions is 2, the protocol stipulates that the duration T corresponds to n time slots, the time point when the terminal completes 2 PRACH transmissions is the m-th time slot, the terminal takes (m+n) time slots as the first time point, and when the first time point is reached, the RAR window is opened, so as to listen to and receive the RAR messages sent by the network-side device side within the RAR window.

[0141] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the RAR message includes, but is not limited to, message 2 (Message2, Msg2) in the four-step random access method, or message B (MessageB, MsgB) in the two-step random access method.

[0142] In the above embodiments, the terminal explicitly or implicitly indicates to the network-side device the number of PRACH transmissions to ensure that the RAR windows of both the network-side device and the terminal are open, thereby improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access. In this embodiment, "open RAR windows" for both the network-side device and the terminal means that their RAR windows are completely identical or partially overlapping (considering transmission delay).

[0143] In some alternative embodiments, refer to Figure 4 As shown, Figure 4 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a terminal. The method may include the following steps:

[0144] In step 401, the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device is determined.

[0145] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the method for determining the number of transmissions can be referred to step 301, and will not be repeated here.

[0146] In step 402, a first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions is determined.

[0147] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the PRACH resources included in the first resource set are used to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device.

[0148] In one possible implementation, the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal by the network-side device can be divided to obtain two or more optional resource sets. Different optional resource sets correspond to different numbers of PRACH transmissions. The terminal can select the optional resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions from the two or more optional resource sets as the first resource set.

[0149] For example, available PRACH resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available preamble resources; available RO resources.

[0150] The available RO resources here can be RO resources shared by multiple PRACH transfers, for example... Figure 1 The RO resource set shown is #2.

[0151] For example, available preamble resources include preamble#1, preamble#2, ..., preamble#21. Preamble#1 to preamble#7 constitute optional resource set #1, corresponding to 2 PRACH transmissions; preamble#8 to preamble#14 constitute optional resource set #2, corresponding to 4 PRACH transmissions; and preamble#15 to preamble#21 constitute optional resource set #3, corresponding to 8 PRACH transmissions. If the terminal determines the transmission count to be 4, then the terminal uses optional resource set #2 as the first resource set, which includes {preamble#8, preamble#9, ..., preamble#14}.

[0152] For example, available RO resources include RO#1, RO#2...RO#12. RO#1 to RO#4 constitute optional resource set #1, with a corresponding PRACH transmission count of 2. RO#5 to RO#8 constitute optional resource set #2, with a corresponding PRACH transmission count of 4. RO#9 to RO#12 constitute optional resource set #3, with a corresponding PRACH transmission count of 8. If the terminal determines the transmission count to be 4, then the terminal will use optional resource set #2 as the first resource set, which includes {RO#5, RO#6, RO#7, RO#8}.

[0153] It is understood that available RO resources include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available RO time-domain resources; available RO frequency-domain resources; available RO time-frequency-domain resources.

[0154] In step 403, the PRACH is transmitted to the network-side device using the PRACH resources included in the first resource set, according to the number of transmissions.

[0155] For example, the first resource set includes {preamble#8, preamble#9, ..., preamble#14}. The terminal transmits preamble#8 to the network-side device and transmits PRACH, that is, the number of transmissions of preamble#8 is 4.

[0156] For example, the first resource set includes {RO#5, RO#6, RO#7, RO#8}. The terminal can use the time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources corresponding to RO#6 to transmit PRACH to the network-side device, and the number of PRACH transmissions is 4.

[0157] In step 404, a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages is opened.

[0158] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the method of opening the RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages can be referred to step 303, and will not be repeated here.

[0159] In the above embodiments, the terminal implicitly indicates to the network-side device the number of PRACH transmissions through the PRACH resources it uses, ensuring that the network-side device and the terminal enable the corresponding RAR window, thereby improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0160] In some alternative embodiments, refer to Figure 5 As shown, Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a terminal. The process of dividing available PRACH resources to obtain different sets of optional resources corresponding to different PRACH transmission numbers may include the following steps:

[0161] In step 501, the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device is determined, and the associated information is determined.

[0162] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the method for determining the number of transmissions is similar to that in step 301, and will not be repeated here.

[0163] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the available PRACH resources allocated to the terminal can be divided to obtain two or more optional resource sets. Different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission counts of PRACH. The terminal can select the optional resource set corresponding to the transmission count from the two or more optional resource sets as the first resource set.

[0164] In some embodiments, the association information is used to allocate available PRACH resources allocated by the base station to the terminal.

[0165] Available PRACH resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available preamble resources; available RO resources. Available RO resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available RO time-domain resources; available RO frequency-domain resources; available RO time-frequency-domain resources.

[0166] In one possible implementation, the association information can be determined based on a protocol agreement. Alternatively, the association information can be determined based on indication information sent by the network-side device. Alternatively, the association information can be determined jointly based on both the protocol agreement and the indication information sent by the network-side device; this disclosure does not limit this approach.

[0167] Where the associated information is determined at least based on the indication information sent by the network-side device, the terminal may receive the indication information sent by the network-side device through a first message. The first message may be any of the following: a System Information Block (SIB) message; Downlink Control Information (DCI) for scheduling SIB messages; RRC Reconfiguration signaling; or other DCI signaling.

[0168] The first message can be SIB1 or other SIB messages, such as SIBn, where n is a positive integer.

[0169] Accordingly, the first message can be a DCI used to schedule SIB1, or it can be a DCI used to schedule SIBn.

[0170] In one possible implementation, the association information can be used to indicate the number of resources included in each optional resource set.

[0171] For example, association information can be used to indicate the number of available preambles included in each optional resource set.

[0172] For example, association information can be used to indicate the number of available RO resources included in each optional resource set. For instance, association information can be used to indicate the number of available RO time-domain resources and / or the number of available RO frequency-domain resources included in each optional resource set.

[0173] In another possible implementation, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0174] For example, the association information can be used to indicate the partitioning method for the available preamble resources.

[0175] For example, the association information can be used to indicate the partitioning method for the available RO resources. The available RO resources include, but are not limited to, time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the available ROs.

[0176] For example, the partitioning method may include, but is not limited to, the following: equal partitioning; sequentially increasing the number of first resources; sequentially decreasing the number of second resources; and partitioning by specifying the proportion of resources.

[0177] The "equal distribution" method refers to dividing the available PRACH resources into two or more optional resource sets on an equal footing. The "sequentially increasing" method means that each optional resource set increases by a specified number of resources compared to the previous optional resource set. The "sequentially decreasing" method means that each optional resource set decreases by a specified number of resources compared to the previous optional resource set. The "specified resource ratio" method means dividing all available PRACH resources according to a specified resource ratio.

[0178] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources; the starting resource index of each of the optional resource sets; the ending resource index of each of the optional resource sets; and the number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0179] The resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources may include: available preamble indexes; available RO resource indexes.

[0180] In another possible implementation, the association information may include a set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0181] In another possible implementation, the association information can also be used to indicate the terminating resource index corresponding to each segment when segmenting all available PRACH resources.

[0182] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include a combination of at least two of the above.

[0183] For example, the starting resource index of each optional resource set can be agreed upon by the protocol, and the network-side device can send indication information, which is used to indicate the ending resource index of each optional resource set, or the number of resource indexes included in each optional resource set.

[0184] For example, the starting and ending resource indices of each optional resource set can be agreed upon by the protocol, and the network-side device can send indication information to indicate the resource indices included in the available PRACH resources. Alternatively, the indication information sent by the network-side device can indicate the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0185] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, any scheme that divides the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal according to the protocol and / or the instructions of the network-side device to obtain two or more optional resource sets, so that different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission times of the PRACH, should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0186] The above is merely an illustrative example used to divide available PRACH resources so that the association information of different PRACH transmission counts corresponding to different sets of optional resources should all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0187] In step 502, based on the association information, two or more optional resource sets are determined.

[0188] In this embodiment of the disclosure, different sets of optional resources correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH. Thus, the network-side device can determine the transmission count of the PRACH based on the set of optional resources corresponding to the received PRACH transmission.

[0189] The number of transmissions corresponding to each optional resource set can be agreed upon by the protocol or indicated by the network-side device.

[0190] For example, the protocol can specify that the number of transmissions corresponding to the optional resource set in ascending or descending order of the set index value are 2, 4, 8, etc.

[0191] For example, the network-side device may send indication information indicating the number of transmissions corresponding to each optional resource set index value.

[0192] In one possible implementation, the association information can be used to indicate the number of resources included in each optional resource set.

[0193] For example, if the association information indicates that each optional resource set includes 2, 2, and 3 resources respectively, and the optional resource sets correspond to 2, 4, and 8 transmission counts respectively according to the index order, then based on the association information, the available PRACH resources are divided, and the resulting multiple optional resource sets include optional resource set #1 {RO resource #1, RO resource #2}, optional resource set #2 {RO resource #3, RO resource #4}, and optional resource set #3 {RO resource #5, RO resource #6, RO resource #7}.

[0194] In one possible implementation, when each optional resource set includes the same number of resources, the association information can be used to indicate a resource count, which is the number of resources included in each optional resource set.

[0195] For example, if the association information indicates that each optional resource set includes 2 resources, and the optional resource sets correspond to 2, 4, and 8 transmission counts respectively according to the index order, then based on the association information, the available PRACH resources are divided, and the resulting multiple optional resource sets include optional resource set #1 {RO resource #1, RO resource #2}, optional resource set #2 {RO resource #3, RO resource #4}, and optional resource set #3 {RO resource #5, RO resource #6}.

[0196] In another possible implementation, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0197] For example, the partitioning method may include, but is not limited to, the following: equal partitioning; sequentially increasing the number of first resources; sequentially decreasing the number of second resources; and partitioning by specifying the proportion of resources.

[0198] For example, available PRACH resources include 8 available preambles. The equal distribution method can refer to dividing these 8 available preambles equally. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, 8, and 16, the 8 available preambles can be divided into 4 groups on an average basis. Each set of available resources includes 2 available preambles, which correspond to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0199] For example, available PRACH resources include 18 available RO resources. The first resource number can be 1. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 16, 8, 4, and 2, the 18 available RO resources can be divided into 4 groups in a sequentially increasing manner. Each optional resource set includes 3, 4, 5, and 6 available RO resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0200] For example, the available PRACH resources include 20 available preamble resources, and the number of second resources can be 2. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, 8, and 16, the 20 available preamble resources can be divided into 4 groups in a sequentially decreasing manner according to the specified number of resources. The 4 optional resource sets include 8, 6, 4, and 2 available preamble resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0201] For example, the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, and 8, with a specified resource ratio of 1:2:4. Assuming that the available PRACH resources include 21 available RO resources, the 21 RO resources can be divided into 3 groups according to the specified resource ratio. The 3 optional resource sets include 3, 6, and 12 available RO resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0202] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, available PRACH resources are divided according to the associated information. Any scheme in which the associated information is used to indicate the division method should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0203] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources; the starting resource index of each of the optional resource sets; the ending resource index of each of the optional resource sets; and the number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0204] The resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources may include: available preamble indexes; available RO resource indexes.

[0205] Taking available PRACH resources, including available RO resources, as an example, a corresponding index can be assigned to each available RO. Optionally, the index value can be reused periodically. This available RO index value can be configured by the network-side device, and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0206] For example, an index of available RO resources can be configured for each number of transfers.

[0207] For example, the available RO resource index corresponding to transmission number 2 is 1, the available RO resource index corresponding to transmission number 4 is 2, and so on.

[0208] For example, two or more available RO resource indexes can be configured for each number of transfers.

[0209] For example, the available RO resource indices corresponding to transmission number 2 are 1 and 2, the available RO resource indices corresponding to transmission number 4 are 3 and 4, and so on.

[0210] For example, at least two of the following can be configured for each transmission number: the starting resource index, the ending resource index, and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set.

[0211] For example, the starting resource index and ending resource index of the corresponding optional resource set #1 can be configured for transmission number 2. The starting resource index of optional resource set #1 is the available RO resource index 1, and the ending resource index is the available RO resource index 4. Then the optional resource set #1 corresponding to transmission number 2 includes {RO resource #1, RO resource #2, RO resource #3, RO resource #4}.

[0212] For example, the starting resource index and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set #2 can be configured for transmission number 4. The starting resource index of optional resource set #2 is 5 for available RO resources and the number of resource indexes is 2. Then, the optional resource set #2 corresponding to transmission number 4 includes {RO resource #5, RO resource #6}.

[0213] For example, the termination resource index and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set #3 can be configured for transmission number 8. The termination resource index of optional resource set #3 is 9 for available RO resources, and the number of resource indexes is 3. Then, the optional resource set #3 corresponding to transmission number 8 includes {RO resource #7, RO resource #8, RO resource #9}.

[0214] For example, all available RO resource indexes can also be segmented, with association information used to indicate the terminating resource index corresponding to each segment.

[0215] For example, if the associated information is used to indicate that the termination resource indices corresponding to each segment are 2, 5, and 8 respectively, then the terminal determines that the optional resource set #1 corresponding to transmission number 2 includes {RO resource #1, RO resource #2}, the optional resource set #2 corresponding to transmission number 4 includes {RO resource #3, RO resource #4, RO resource #5}, and the optional resource set #3 corresponding to transmission number 8 includes {RO resource #6, RO resource #7, RO resource #8}.

[0216] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, any scheme that divides the available PRACH resources so that different sets of the optional resources correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0217] In the above embodiments, the terminal can determine the set of optional resources corresponding to the number of transmissions based on the association information. Different sets of optional resources correspond to different transmission numbers of the PRACH. The association information can be determined in various ways. This ensures that the terminal can indicate the number of PRACH transmissions to the network-side device using the PRACH resources it uses, improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0218] Of course, the above-mentioned Figure 5 The embodiments shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other embodiments of this disclosure; for example, they can be combined with... Figure 3 Or like Figure 4 The illustrated embodiments were implemented together.

[0219] The random access method provided in this disclosure will now be introduced from the perspective of network-side equipment. It should be noted that the limitations on the network-side equipment can be referenced as previously stated. Figure 3 or Figure 4 or Figure 5 The embodiments shown will not be repeated here.

[0220] This disclosure provides a random access method, referring to... Figure 6 As shown, Figure 6 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a network-side device, including but not limited to a base station. The method may include the following steps:

[0221] In step 601, the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal is determined.

[0222] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the number of transmissions is determined by the terminal side; the specific determination method is not limited in this embodiment of the disclosure, for example, it can be as in step 301. The network-side device can determine the number of transmissions according to the instructions from the terminal side.

[0223] In one possible implementation, the network-side device determines the number of transmissions implicitly indicated by the terminal. For details, please refer to... Figure 4 / Figure 5 The specific implementation details will not be repeated here.

[0224] For example, the network-side device can also determine the PRACH resources used by the terminal, thereby determining the number of transmissions. Specific implementation details will be provided later. Figure 7 The examples shown are described, and will not be described here.

[0225] In another possible implementation, the network-side device can also determine the number of transmissions explicitly indicated by the terminal. For details, please refer to the description of the terminal-side embodiment; further elaboration will not be repeated here.

[0226] The above is merely an illustrative example. Any scheme in which the network-side device determines the number of transmissions based on the terminal's instructions should fall within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0227] In step 602, a random access response (RAR) window is determined based on the number of transmissions; wherein the RAR window of the network-side device corresponds to the RAR window of the terminal.

[0228] Specifically, the network-side device can determine the first time point to open the RAR window based on the number of transmissions, and the RAR window of the network-side device corresponds to the RAR window of the terminal.

[0229] For the method of enabling the terminal to open the first time point of the RAR window used to receive random access response RAR messages, please refer to the following: Figure 3 The illustrated embodiments will not be described in detail here. It should be noted that as long as the network-side device and the terminal device determine the first point in time to open the Random Access Response (RAR) window in the same way, the RAR message transmission can be synchronized.

[0230] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the network-side device can determine the first time point based on the number of transmissions. Specifically, the network-side device pre-synchronizes with the terminal by sending a synchronization signal block. Further, the network-side device can use the time point when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions as the first time point, or the first time point can be the time point when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions plus T. The duration of T can be agreed upon by the protocol or determined by the network-side device and then communicated to the terminal; this disclosure does not limit this.

[0231] For example, when a terminal transmits a PRACH of a certain number of transmissions, the network-side device can determine the order of the received at least one PRACH in the PRACH of the number of transmissions. For example, when the network-side device receives the second PRACH transmitted by the terminal in four consecutive PRACH transmissions, the network-side device can further determine that the terminal still needs to transmit two more PRACHs, and thus take the time point when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission of the number of transmissions as the first time point.

[0232] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, any scheme by which the network-side device determines the first time point based on the received PRACH and the number of transmissions should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0233] In step 603, a RAR message is sent to the terminal within the RAR window.

[0234] In this embodiment of the disclosure, when the network-side device reaches the first time point, it determines that the terminal has opened the RAR window. At this time, the network-side device can send a RAR message to the terminal within the RAR window, for example, at the first time point or at a second time point after the first time point and within the RAR window. The RAR message includes, but is not limited to, message 2 (Message2, Msg2) in the four-step random access method, or message B (MessageB, MsgB) in the two-step random access method.

[0235] In the above embodiments, the network-side device can determine the number of times the terminal will transmit PRACH according to the terminal's instructions, and open the RAR window for transmitting RAR messages at a first time point. This ensures that the network-side device and the terminal open the RAR window at the same time, improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0236] In some alternative embodiments, refer to Figure 7 As shown, Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a network-side device. The method may include the following steps:

[0237] In step 701, association information is determined; wherein the association information is used to divide the available PRACH resources allocated to the terminal into two or more optional resource sets; wherein different optional resource sets correspond to different numbers of PRACH transmissions by the terminal. Exemplarily, the available PRACH resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available preamble resources; available RO resources.

[0238] Available RO resources include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available RO time-domain resources; available RO frequency-domain resources; available RO time-domain and frequency-domain resources.

[0239] In step 702, a first resource set corresponding to the PRACH resources used by the terminal is determined.

[0240] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the network-side device can determine the first resource set corresponding to the PRACH resource corresponding to the received PRACH.

[0241] For example, if the network-side device receives preamble#8 and determines that preamble#8 belongs to optional resource set #2, then optional resource set #2 is the first resource set.

[0242] In step 703, the number of transmissions corresponding to the first resource set is determined.

[0243] The number of transmissions corresponding to the first resource set is determined based on the number of PRACH transmissions corresponding to different optional resource sets.

[0244] For example, the first resource set is optional resource set #2, the corresponding PRACH transmission count is 4, and the network-side device determines the transmission count to be 4.

[0245] In step 704, a random access response (RAR) window is determined based on the number of transmissions; wherein the RAR window of the network-side device corresponds to the RAR window of the terminal.

[0246] Please refer to the steps for details. Figure 6 Step 602 in the illustrated embodiment will not be repeated here. In step 705, a RAR message is sent to the terminal within the RAR window.

[0247] For details, please refer to step 603, which will not be repeated here.

[0248] In the above embodiments, the network-side device can determine the number of PRACH transmissions required by the terminal based on the PRACH resources used for PRACH transmission. Then, at a first time point, it opens a RAR window for receiving RAR messages. The first time point is the time when the terminal completes the required number of PRACH transmissions. Ensuring that the network-side device and the terminal open the RAR window at the same time improves the success rate of receiving RAR messages and enhances the success rate of random access.

[0249] In some alternative embodiments, refer to Figure 8 As shown, Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which can be executed by a network-side device. The process of dividing available PRACH resources to obtain different sets of optional resources corresponding to different PRACH transmission counts may include the following steps:

[0250] In step 801, the associated information is determined.

[0251] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the association information is used to partition the available PRACH resources allocated to the terminal to determine multiple sets of optional resources. Specifically, refer to... Figure 5As described in step 501 of the illustrated embodiment, the network-side device can determine the optional resource set corresponding to each transmission count based on the same or corresponding method. Different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH. The terminal can select the optional resource set corresponding to the transmission count from two or more optional resource sets as the first resource set for transmission. After receiving the PRACH transmission, the network-side device can determine the number of PRACH transmissions.

[0252] Available PRACH resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available preamble resources; available RO resources. Available RO resources may include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: available RO time-domain resources; available RO frequency-domain resources; available RO time-frequency-domain resources.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the association information can be determined based on a protocol agreement. Alternatively, the association information can be determined by the base station, which can then send an indication message to the terminal to inform it of the association information. Alternatively, the association information can be determined jointly based on a protocol agreement and the base station; this disclosure does not limit this approach.

[0254] Where the associated information is determined by the base station, the base station can send the indication information to the terminal via a first message. The first message can be any of the following: a System Information Block (SIB) message; Downlink Control Information (DCI) for scheduling SIB messages; RRC Reconfiguration signaling; or other DCI signaling. This disclosure does not limit this.

[0255] The first message can be SIB1 or other SIB messages, such as SIBn, where n is a positive integer.

[0256] Accordingly, the first message can be a DCI used to schedule SIB1, or it can be a DCI used to schedule SIBn.

[0257] In one possible implementation, the association information can be used to indicate the number of resources included in each optional resource set.

[0258] For example, association information can be used to indicate the number of available preambles included in each optional resource set.

[0259] For example, association information can be used to indicate the number of available RO resources included in each optional resource set. For instance, association information can be used to indicate the number of available RO time-domain resources and / or the number of available RO frequency-domain resources included in each optional resource set.

[0260] In another possible implementation, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0261] For example, the association information can be used to indicate the partitioning method for the available preamble resources.

[0262] For example, the association information can be used to indicate the partitioning method for the available RO resources. The available RO resources include, but are not limited to, time-domain resources and / or frequency-domain resources of the available ROs.

[0263] For example, the partitioning method may include, but is not limited to, the following: equal partitioning; sequentially increasing the number of first resources; sequentially decreasing the number of second resources; and partitioning by specifying the proportion of resources.

[0264] The "equal distribution" method refers to dividing the available PRACH resources into two or more optional resource sets on an equal footing. The "sequentially increasing" method means that each optional resource set increases by a specified number of resources compared to the previous optional resource set. The "sequentially decreasing" method means that each optional resource set decreases by a specified number of resources compared to the previous optional resource set. The "specified resource ratio" method means dividing all available PRACH resources according to a specified resource ratio.

[0265] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources; the starting resource index of each of the optional resource sets; the ending resource index of each of the optional resource sets; and the number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0266] The resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources may include: available preamble indexes; available RO resource indexes.

[0267] In another possible implementation, the association information may include a set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0268] In another possible implementation, the association information can also be used to indicate the terminating resource index corresponding to each segment when segmenting all available PRACH resources.

[0269] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include a combination of at least two of the above.

[0270] For example, the starting resource index of each optional resource set can be agreed upon by the protocol, and the base station can determine the ending resource index of each optional resource set or the number of resource indexes included in each optional resource set. Further, the base station sends indication information to the terminal, which is used to indicate the ending resource index of each optional resource set or the number of resource indexes included in each optional resource set.

[0271] For example, the starting resource index and ending resource number index of each optional resource set can be agreed upon by the protocol, and the base station determines the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources. Further, the base station sends indication information to the terminal, which indicates the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources. Alternatively, the base station can determine the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts, and further, the base station sends indication information to the terminal indicating the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

[0272] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, any scheme that divides the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal according to the protocol and / or the method determined by the base station to obtain two or more optional resource sets, so that different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission times of the PRACH, should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0273] The above is merely an illustrative example used to divide available PRACH resources so that the association information of different PRACH transmission counts corresponding to different sets of optional resources should all fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0274] In step 802, based on the association information, two or more optional resource sets are determined.

[0275] In this embodiment of the disclosure, different sets of optional resources correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH.

[0276] The number of transmissions corresponding to each set of optional resources can be agreed upon by the protocol or determined by the base station.

[0277] For example, the protocol can specify that the number of transmissions corresponding to the optional resource set in ascending or descending order of the set index value are 2, 4, 8, etc.

[0278] For example, the base station can send indication information indicating the number of transmissions corresponding to each optional resource set index value.

[0279] In one possible implementation, the association information can be used to indicate the number of resources included in each optional resource set.

[0280] For example, if the association information indicates that each optional resource set includes 2, 2, and 3 resources respectively, and the optional resource sets correspond to 2, 4, and 8 transmission counts respectively according to the index order, then based on the association information, the available PRACH resources are divided, and the resulting two or more optional resource sets include optional resource set #1 {RO resource #1, RO resource #2}, optional resource set #2 {RO resource #3, RO resource #4}, and optional resource set #3 {RO resource #5, RO resource #6, RO resource #7}.

[0281] In another possible implementation, the association information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

[0282] For example, the partitioning method may include, but is not limited to, the following: equal partitioning; sequentially increasing the number of first resources; sequentially decreasing the number of second resources; and partitioning by specifying the proportion of resources.

[0283] For example, available PRACH resources include 8 available preambles. The equal distribution method can refer to dividing these 8 available preambles equally. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, 8, and 16, the 8 available preambles can be divided into 4 groups on an average basis. Each set of available resources includes 2 available preambles, which correspond to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0284] For example, available PRACH resources include 18 available RO resources. The first resource number can be 1. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 16, 8, 4, and 2, the 18 available RO resources can be divided into 4 groups in a sequentially increasing manner. Each optional resource set includes 3, 4, 5, and 6 available RO resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0285] For example, the available PRACH resources include 20 available preamble resources, and the number of second resources can be 2. Assuming that the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, 8, and 16, the 20 available preamble resources can be divided into 4 groups in a sequentially decreasing manner according to the specified number of resources. The 4 optional resource sets include 8, 6, 4, and 2 available preamble resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0286] For example, the possible number of transmissions includes 2, 4, and 8, with a specified resource ratio of 1:2:4. Assuming that the available PRACH resources include 21 available RO resources, the 21 RO resources can be divided into 3 groups according to the specified resource ratio. The 3 optional resource sets include 3, 6, and 12 available RO resources, respectively, thus corresponding to the aforementioned number of transmissions.

[0287] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, available PRACH resources are divided according to the associated information. Any scheme in which the associated information is used to indicate the division method should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0288] In another possible implementation, the associated information may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources; the starting resource index of each of the optional resource sets; the ending resource index of each of the optional resource sets; and the number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

[0289] The resource indexes included in the available PRACH resources may include: available preamble indexes; available RO resource indexes.

[0290] Taking available PRACH resources, including available RO resources, as an example, a corresponding index can be determined for each available RO. Optionally, the index value can be reused periodically. This available RO index value can be configured by the base station, and this disclosure does not limit it.

[0291] For example, an index of available RO resources can be configured for each number of transfers.

[0292] For example, the available RO resource index corresponding to transmission number 2 is 1, the available RO resource index corresponding to transmission number 4 is 2, and so on.

[0293] For example, two or more available RO resource indexes can be configured for each number of transfers.

[0294] For example, the available RO resource indices corresponding to transmission number 2 are 1 and 2, the available RO resource indices corresponding to transmission number 4 are 3 and 4, and so on.

[0295] For example, at least two of the following can be configured for each transmission number: the starting resource index, the ending resource index, and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set.

[0296] For example, the starting resource index and ending resource index of the corresponding optional resource set #1 can be configured for transmission number 2. The starting resource index of optional resource set #1 is the available RO resource index 1, and the ending resource index is the available RO resource index 4. Then the optional resource set #1 corresponding to transmission number 2 includes {RO resource #1, RO resource #2, RO resource #3, RO resource #4}.

[0297] For example, the starting resource index and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set #2 can be configured for transmission number 4. The starting resource index of optional resource set #2 is 5 for available RO resources and the number of resource indexes is 2. Then, the optional resource set #2 corresponding to transmission number 4 includes {RO resource #5, RO resource #6}.

[0298] For example, the termination resource index and the number of resource indexes of the corresponding optional resource set #3 can be configured for transmission number 8. The termination resource index of optional resource set #3 is 9 for available RO resources, and the number of resource indexes is 3. Then, the optional resource set #3 corresponding to transmission number 8 includes {RO resource #7, RO resource #8, RO resource #9}.

[0299] For example, all available RO resource indexes can also be segmented, with association information used to indicate the terminating resource index corresponding to each segment.

[0300] For example, if the associated information is used to indicate that the termination resource indices corresponding to each segment are 2, 5, and 8 respectively, then the terminal determines that the optional resource set #1 corresponding to transmission number 2 includes {RO resource #1, RO resource #2}, the optional resource set #2 corresponding to transmission number 4 includes {RO resource #3, RO resource #4, RO resource #5}, and the optional resource set #3 corresponding to transmission number 8 includes {RO resource #6, RO resource #7, RO resource #8}.

[0301] Of course, the above-mentioned Figure 8 The embodiments shown can be implemented individually or in combination with other embodiments of this disclosure; for example, they can be combined with... Figure 6 Or like Figure 7 The illustrated embodiments were implemented together.

[0302] The above is merely an illustrative example. In practical applications, any scheme that divides the available PRACH resources so that different sets of the optional resources correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH should fall within the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0303] In the above embodiments, the network-side device can divide the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal based on association information to obtain two or more optional resource sets. Different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission counts of the PRACH. The association information can be determined in various ways. This ensures that the network-side device can determine the number of PRACH transmissions by the terminal using the PRACH resources used by the terminal, improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0304] In some alternative embodiments, refer to Figure 9 As shown, Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating a random access method according to an embodiment, which may include the following steps:

[0305] In step 901, the terminal determines the number of times it will transmit PRACH to the network-side device.

[0306] The specific determination method is similar to step 301, and will not be repeated here.

[0307] In step 902, the terminal determines a first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions.

[0308] The PRACH resources included in the first resource set are used to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device.

[0309] In step 903, the terminal uses the PRACH resources included in the first resource set to transmit the PRACH to the network-side device according to the number of transmissions.

[0310] In step 904, the network-side device determines the first resource set corresponding to the PRACH resources used by the terminal.

[0311] In step 905, the network-side device determines the number of transmissions corresponding to the first resource set.

[0312] In step 906, the network-side device determines the Random Access Response (RAR) window based on the number of transmissions.

[0313] In step 907, the network-side device sends a RAR message to the terminal within the RAR window.

[0314] In step 908, the terminal opens a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages.

[0315] The specific implementation methods for the above steps have already been described above, and will not be repeated here.

[0316] In the above embodiments, the terminal instructs the network-side device to transmit the first PRACH, and the network-side device determines the number of transmissions based on the terminal's instruction, thereby ensuring that the network-side device and the terminal open the RAR window at the same time, improving the success rate of receiving RAR messages and increasing the success rate of random access.

[0317] Corresponding to the aforementioned embodiments of the application function implementation method, this disclosure also provides embodiments of the application function implementation apparatus.

[0318] Reference Figure 10 , Figure 10 This is a block diagram of a random access device according to an exemplary embodiment, the device being applied to a terminal, comprising:

[0319] The first determining module 1001 is configured to determine the number of times to transmit the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device;

[0320] Indication module 1002 is configured to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device;

[0321] The execution module 1003 is configured to open a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages in response to the arrival of a first time point, where the first time point is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions.

[0322] Reference Figure 11 , Figure 11 This is a block diagram of a random access device according to an exemplary embodiment, the device being applied to a network-side device, comprising:

[0323] The second determining module 1101 is configured to determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal.

[0324] The third determining module 1102 is configured to determine the random access response (RAR) window based on the number of transmissions.

[0325] The sending module 1103 is configured to send RAR messages to the terminal within the RAR window.

[0326] For the device embodiments, since they basically correspond to the method embodiments, the relevant parts can be referred to in the description of the method embodiments. The device embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and the units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the modules can be selected to achieve the purpose of this disclosure according to actual needs. Those skilled in the art can understand and implement this without creative effort.

[0327] Accordingly, this disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for executing any of the random access methods described above for the terminal side.

[0328] Accordingly, this disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program for executing any of the random access methods described above for network-side devices.

[0329] Accordingly, this disclosure also provides a random access device, including:

[0330] processor;

[0331] Memory used to store processor-executable instructions;

[0332] The processor is configured to execute any of the random access methods described above on the terminal side.

[0333] Figure 12 This is a block diagram illustrating an information transmission device 1200 according to an exemplary embodiment. For example, device 1200 may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, e-book reader, multimedia playback device, wearable device, in-vehicle user equipment, iPad, smart TV, or other terminal.

[0334] Reference Figure 12 The device 1200 may include one or more of the following components: a processing component 1202, a memory 1204, a power supply component 1206, a multimedia component 1208, an audio component 1210, an input / output (I / O) interface 1212, a sensor component 1216, and a communication component 1218.

[0335] Processing component 1202 typically controls the overall operation of device 1200, such as operations associated with display, telephone calls, random data access, camera operation, and recording operations. Processing component 1202 may include one or more processors 1220 to execute instructions to perform all or part of the steps of the random access method described above. Furthermore, processing component 1202 may include one or more modules to facilitate interaction between processing component 1202 and other components. For example, processing component 1202 may include a multimedia module to facilitate interaction between multimedia component 1208 and processing component 1202. Alternatively, processing component 1202 may read executable instructions from memory to implement the steps of a random access method provided in the above embodiments.

[0336] Memory 1204 is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of device 1200. Examples of such data include instructions for any application or method operating on device 1200, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. Memory 1204 can be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile storage device or a combination thereof, such as static random access memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic storage, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

[0337] Power supply component 1206 provides power to various components of device 1200. Power supply component 1206 may include a power management system, one or more power supplies, and other components associated with generating, managing, and distributing power to device 1200.

[0338] The multimedia component 1208 includes a display screen that provides an output interface between the device 1200 and the user. In some embodiments, the multimedia component 1208 includes a front-facing camera and / or a rear-facing camera. When the device 1200 is in an operating mode, such as a shooting mode or a video mode, the front-facing camera and / or the rear-facing camera can receive external multimedia data. Each front-facing camera and rear-facing camera can be a fixed optical lens system or have focal length and optical zoom capabilities.

[0339] Audio component 1210 is configured to output and / or input audio signals. For example, audio component 1210 includes a microphone (MIC) configured to receive external audio signals when device 1200 is in an operating mode, such as call mode, recording mode, and voice recognition mode. The received audio signals may be further stored in memory 1204 or transmitted via communication component 1218. In some embodiments, audio component 1210 also includes a speaker for outputting audio signals.

[0340] I / O interface 1212 provides an interface between processing component 1202 and peripheral interface modules, such as keyboards, click wheels, buttons, etc. These buttons may include, but are not limited to, home buttons, volume buttons, power buttons, and lock buttons.

[0341] Sensor assembly 1216 includes one or more sensors for providing status assessments of various aspects of device 1200. For example, sensor assembly 1216 may detect the on / off state of device 1200, the relative positioning of components such as the display and keypad of device 1200, changes in the position of device 1200 or a component of device 1200, the presence or absence of user contact with device 1200, the orientation or acceleration / deceleration of device 1200, and temperature changes of device 1200. Sensor assembly 1216 may include a proximity sensor configured to detect the presence of nearby objects without any physical contact. Sensor assembly 1216 may also include a light sensor, such as a CMOS or CCD image sensor, for use in imaging applications. In some embodiments, sensor assembly 1216 may also include an accelerometer, a gyroscope, a magnetometer, a pressure sensor, or a temperature sensor.

[0342] Communication component 1218 is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between device 1200 and other devices. Device 1200 can access wireless networks based on communication standards, such as Wi-Fi, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, or 6G, or combinations thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 1218 receives broadcast signals or broadcast-related information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, communication component 1218 also includes a near-field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communication. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, Infrared Data Association (IrDA) technology, ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

[0343] In an exemplary embodiment, the apparatus 1200 may be implemented by one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, microcontrollers, microprocessors, or other electronic components to perform any of the random access methods described above on the terminal side.

[0344] Accordingly, this disclosure also provides a random access device, including:

[0345] processor;

[0346] Memory used to store processor-executable instructions;

[0347] The processor is configured to execute any of the random access methods described above on the network-side device side.

[0348] like Figure 13 As shown, Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the structure of a random access device 1300 according to an exemplary embodiment. The device 1300 can be provided as a network-side device. (Refer to...) Figure 13 The device 1300 includes a processing component 1322, a wireless transmitting / receiving component 1324, an antenna component 1326, and a signal processing section specific to the wireless interface. The processing component 1322 may further include at least one processor.

[0349] One of the processors in processing component 1322 can be configured to perform any of the random access methods described above on the network-side device side.

[0350] Other embodiments of this disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This disclosure is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure that follow the general principles of this disclosure and include common knowledge or customary techniques in the art not disclosed herein. The specification and examples are to be considered exemplary only, and the true scope and spirit of this disclosure are indicated by the following claims.

[0351] It should be understood that this disclosure is not limited to the precise structures described above and shown in the accompanying drawings, and various modifications and changes can be made without departing from its scope. The scope of this disclosure is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A random access method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a terminal and includes: Determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side devices; Indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device; A RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages is opened after the first time point, where the first time point is the time when the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Instructing the network-side device on the number of transmissions includes: A first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions is determined; wherein the PRACH resources included in the first resource set are used to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device; Using the PRACH resources included in the first resource set, the PRACH is transmitted to the network-side device according to the number of transmissions.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The determination of the first resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions includes: Based on the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal, two or more optional resource sets are determined; wherein, different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission numbers of the PRACH. Among two or more of the optional resource sets, the optional resource set corresponding to the number of transmissions is determined as the first resource set.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine association information, which is used to divide the available PRACH resources to determine two or more sets of optional resources.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The association information is used to indicate the number of resources included in each of the optional resource sets.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The associated information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

7. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The associated information includes at least one of the following: The resource index included in the available PRACH resources; The starting resource index for each of the optional resource sets; Terminating resource index for each of the optional resource sets; The number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

8. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The associated information includes the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

9. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The determination of the associated information includes at least one of the following: The associated information is determined based on the agreement. The associated information is determined based on the indication information sent by the network-side device.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the indication information sent by the network-side device via the first message.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The first message is any one of the following: System Information Block (SIB) messages; Downlink control information (DCI) used to schedule SIB messages; Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration signaling.

12. The method according to any one of claims 3-11, characterized in that, The available PRACH resources include at least one of the following: Preamble resources are available; RO resources are available during random access.

13. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The determination of the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device includes: The reference signal received power RSRP of the synchronization signal is measured to obtain the measured value; The number of transmissions is determined based on the measured value and at least one preset RSRP threshold.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, Determining the number of transmissions based on the measured value and at least one preset RSRP threshold includes: Among at least one preset RSRP threshold, a first RSRP threshold that is greater than the measured value and has the smallest difference from the measured value is determined; Based on the preset number of transmissions corresponding to different RSRP thresholds, the preset number of transmissions corresponding to the first RSRP threshold is determined as the number of transmissions.

15. A random access method, characterized in that, The method is executed by a network-side device and includes: Determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal; Based on the number of transmissions, a random access response (RAR) window is determined, wherein the RAR window is located after a first time point, which is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the number of transmissions. Within the RAR window, a RAR message is sent to the terminal.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Determining the number of transmissions of the PRACH indicated by the terminal includes: Based on the available PRACH resources pre-allocated to the terminal, two or more optional resource sets are determined; wherein, different optional resource sets correspond to different transmission numbers of the PRACH. Determine the first resource set corresponding to the PRACH resources used by the terminal; Determine the number of transmissions corresponding to the first resource set.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Determine association information, which is used to divide the available PRACH resources to determine two or more sets of optional resources.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The association information is used to indicate the number of resources included in each of the optional resource sets.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The associated information is used to indicate the partitioning method for the available PRACH resources.

20. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The associated information includes at least one of the following: The resource index included in the available PRACH resources; The starting resource index for each of the optional resource sets; Terminating resource index for each of the optional resource sets; The number of resource indexes included in each of the optional resource sets.

21. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The associated information includes the set index value of the optional resource set corresponding to different transmission counts.

22. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The determination of the associated information includes at least one of the following: The associated information is determined based on the agreement. The network-side device determines the association information.

23. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send indication information to the terminal to determine the associated information.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, Sending indication information to the terminal for determining the associated information includes: The instruction information is sent to the terminal via the first message.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first message is any one of the following: System Information Block (SIB) messages; Downlink control information (DCI) used to schedule SIB messages; Radio Resource Control (RRC) reconfiguration signaling.

26. The method according to any one of claims 17-25, characterized in that, The available PRACH resources include at least one of the following: Preamble resources are available; RO resources are available during random access.

27. A random access device, characterized in that, The device is applied to a terminal and includes: The first determining module is configured to determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) to the network-side device; The indicator module is configured to indicate the number of transmissions to the network-side device; The execution module is configured to open a RAR window for receiving random access response RAR messages after a first time point, where the first time point is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the specified number of transmissions.

28. A random access device, characterized in that, The device is applied to network-side equipment and includes: The second determining module is configured to determine the number of transmissions of the Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) indicated by the terminal. The third determining module is configured to determine a random access response (RAR) window based on the number of transmissions, wherein the RAR window is located after a first time point, which is the time point at which the terminal completes the PRACH transmission for the number of transmissions. The sending module is configured to send RAR messages to the terminal within the RAR window.

29. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program that is executed by a random access device to implement the random access method according to any one of claims 1-14.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The storage medium stores a computer program that is executed by a random access program to implement the random access method according to any one of claims 15-26.

31. A random access device, characterized in that, include: processor; Memory used to store processor-executable instructions; The processor is configured to execute the random access method according to any one of claims 1-14.

32. A random access device, characterized in that, include: processor; Memory used to store processor-executable instructions; The processor is configured to execute the random access method according to any one of claims 15-26.

Images