PRACH repeat transfer method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage medium

Abstract

This disclosure provides a PRACH repetitive transmission method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage medium, relating to the field of wireless communication technology. The method includes: configuring at least one first timing for PRACH repetitive transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and a set or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, wherein the first PRACH transmission timing is also used for a single PRACH transmission.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method, apparatus, system, and computer-readable storage medium for repeated transmission of a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH). Background Technology

[0002] The 3GPP NR Realease-17 protocol does not yet support repeated PRACH transmissions. According to the current protocol version, the User Equipment (UE) calculates the Random Access-Radio Network Temporary Identifier (RA-RNTI) based on the timing of the PRACH transmission of the preamble, and listens on the Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) within the Random Access Response (RAR) time window. If the RA-RNTI successfully descrambles the listened-to Downlink Control Information (DCI), and the UE receives the Random Access Preamble Identifier (RAPID) corresponding to the preamble sent by the UE according to the DCI's scheduling, then the PRACH transmission is considered successful. If unsuccessful, the UE needs to retransmit the PRACH, which not only causes additional latency but also wastes PRACH transmission resources. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The inventors noted that to achieve PRACH retransmission, PRACH transmission resources need to be configured for PRACH retransmission. Reusing existing PRACH transmission resources used for single PRACH transmissions increases the probability of PRACH transmission conflicts; reconfiguring a whole set of PRACH transmission resources specifically for PRACH retransmission results in resource waste.

[0004] To address the aforementioned problems, the present disclosure proposes the following solutions.

[0005] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH retransmission method is provided, applied to a network side, comprising: configuring at least one first timing for PRACH retransmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and a set or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, wherein the first PRACH transmission timing is also used for a single PRACH transmission.

[0006] In some embodiments, the method further includes: performing PRACH detection at any first timing to obtain a first preamble that the UE repeatedly transmits; determining a RA-RNTI based on a second PRACH transmission timing in any first timing; scrambling the first DCI using the RA-RNTI to obtain a second DCI; and transmitting the second DCI and a RAR scheduled by the second DCI, wherein the RAR carries the RAPID of the first preamble.

[0007] In some embodiments, the group or more groups of second PRACH transmission timings include a first group of second PRACH transmission timings and a second group of second PRACH transmission timings other than the first group of second PRACH transmission timings. The second PRACH transmission timing belongs to the first group of second PRACH transmission timings, and the second PRACH transmission timing is different from the second group of second PRACH transmission timings.

[0008] In some embodiments, the second PRACH transmission timing is the first or last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings.

[0009] In some embodiments, in each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing is different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing.

[0010] In some embodiments, at least one set of second PRACH transmission opportunities in the set or multiple sets of second PRACH transmission opportunities includes a plurality of second PRACH transmission opportunities that do not overlap in the time domain.

[0011] In some embodiments, the method further includes: configuring at least one second timing for a single PRACH transmission, each second timing including a first PRACH transmission timing, wherein a second set of preambles associated with the second timing is different from a first set of preambles associated with each first timing.

[0012] In some embodiments, the method further includes: configuring an association between each first timing event and a synchronization signal block (SSB) index, wherein in each first timing event, the first PRACH transmission timing event and each group of second PRACH transmission timing events are associated with one or more SSB indices.

[0013] In some embodiments, the method further includes: sending radio resource control information to notify the UE network side whether to enable PRACH retransmission.

[0014] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH retransmission method is provided, applied to the network side, comprising: the configuration information including first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for PRACH retransmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and a set or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission.

[0015] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method for PRACH retransmission is provided, applied to a UE, comprising: receiving PRACH configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for PRACH retransmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and a set or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission; determining a first timing from the at least one first timing; and retransmitting a first preamble on the first timing.

[0016] In some embodiments, determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: determining a first timing from the at least one first timing if a first condition is met, wherein the first condition includes: knowing that the network side has enabled PRACH repetitive transmission.

[0017] In some embodiments, determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: determining the number of PRACH retransmissions; and determining the first timing based on the number of PRACH retransmissions.

[0018] In some embodiments, determining the number of PRACH retransmissions includes determining the number of PRACH retransmissions based on at least one of the received power of the received downlink signal and the path loss of the downlink.

[0019] In some embodiments, the higher the received power, the fewer the number of PRACH retransmissions.

[0020] In some embodiments, the lower the path loss, the fewer the number of PRACH retransmissions.

[0021] In some embodiments, the total number of PRACH transmission opportunities in a first timing period is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions, and the retransmission of the first preamble in a first timing period includes: retransmitting the first preamble in a first PRACH transmission opportunity and a second PRACH transmission opportunity in a first timing period.

[0022] In some embodiments, the configuration information further includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the association between each first timing and an SSB index. In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing and each group of second PRACH transmission timings are associated with one or more SSB indices. Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: determining the first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE as a candidate first PRACH transmission timing; determining a candidate first PRACH transmission timing that satisfies a second condition and a group of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the candidate first timing as the first timing, wherein the second condition includes: the number of second PRACH transmission timings in the group of second PRACH transmission timings is equal to the number of PRACH retransmissions minus one.

[0023] In some embodiments, the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in a first timing period is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions, and the retransmission of the first preamble in a first timing period includes: retransmitting the first preamble in a second PRACH transmission opportunity in a first timing period.

[0024] In some embodiments, the configuration information further includes third indication information, which indicates the association between each first timing and an SSB index. In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing and each group of second PRACH transmission timings are associated with one or more SSB indices. Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: determining the first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE as a candidate first PRACH transmission timing; determining a candidate first PRACH transmission timing that satisfies a third condition and a group of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the candidate first timing as the first timing, wherein the third condition includes: the number of second PRACH transmission timings in the group of second PRACH transmission timings is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions.

[0025] In some embodiments, in each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing is different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing.

[0026] In some embodiments, at least one set of second PRACH transmission opportunities in the set or multiple sets of second PRACH transmission opportunities includes a plurality of second PRACH transmission opportunities that do not overlap in the time domain.

[0027] In some embodiments, the configuration information further includes fourth indication information, which indicates a second timing for a single PRACH transmission, each second timing including a first PRACH transmission timing, and the second set of preambles associated with the second timing being different from the first set of preambles associated with each first timing.

[0028] In some embodiments, the method further includes: receiving a second DCI; determining a RA-RNTI based on a second PRACH transmission timing in one of the first timings; descrambling the second DCI using the RA-RNTI to obtain a first DCI; and receiving a RAR based on the first DCI.

[0029] In some embodiments, the group or more groups of second PRACH transmission timings include a first group of second PRACH transmission timings and a second group of second PRACH transmission timings other than the first group of second PRACH transmission timings. The second PRACH transmission timing belongs to the first group of second PRACH transmission timings, and the second PRACH transmission timing is different from the second group of second PRACH transmission timings.

[0030] In some embodiments, the second PRACH transmission timing is the first or last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings.

[0031] In some embodiments, the method further includes: performing a subsequent random access procedure if the RAR carries the RAPID of the first preamble.

[0032] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH retransmission apparatus is provided, applied on the network side, comprising: a configuration module configured to configure at least one first timing for PRACH retransmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and a set or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, wherein the first PRACH transmission timing is also used for single PRACH transmission.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus is provided, applied on a network side, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to execute the method described in any of the above embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0034] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH retransmission apparatus is provided, applied to a UE, comprising: a receiving module configured to receive PRACH configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for PRACH retransmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission; and a transmission module configured to retransmit a preamble on one of the first timings.

[0035] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus is provided, applied to a UE, comprising: a memory; and a processor coupled to the memory, configured to execute the method described in any of the above embodiments based on instructions stored in the memory.

[0036] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a base station is provided, including the apparatus described in any of the above embodiments applied to the network side.

[0037] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a user equipment is provided, including the apparatus described in any of the embodiments applied to a UE.

[0038] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a PRACH repeat transmission system is provided, comprising: a base station and a user equipment as described in any of the above embodiments.

[0039] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, including computer program instructions, wherein the computer program instructions, when executed by a processor, implement the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a computer program product is provided, including a computer program, wherein the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method described in any of the above embodiments.

[0041] In this embodiment, each first timing configured on the network side for repeated PRACH transmissions includes a first PRACH transmission timing for a single PRACH transmission and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing. In this way, on the one hand, the network side does not need to fully reuse the PRACH transmission timings for a single PRACH transmission, reducing the probability of PRACH collisions; on the other hand, the network side does not need to configure an additional set of PRACH transmission timings for repeated PRACH transmissions, reducing resource waste. Thus, a balance can be struck between PRACH collisions and resource waste.

[0042] The technical solutions of this disclosure will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Attached Figure Description

[0043] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this disclosure. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0044] Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a PRACH repeat transmission method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0045] Figure 2 This is a time-frequency position diagram of a first timing according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0046] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the SSB index and the PRACH transmission timing in the first PRACH transmission resource according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0047] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the process of performing PRACH detection on the network side according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0048] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a PRACH retransmission method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0049] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0050] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0051] Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0052] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeat transmission system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0053] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this disclosure will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this disclosure, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this disclosure, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this disclosure.

[0054] Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative arrangement, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0055] At the same time, it should be understood that, for ease of description, the dimensions of the various parts shown in the accompanying drawings are not drawn according to actual scale.

[0056] Techniques, methods, and equipment known to those skilled in the art may not be discussed in detail, but where appropriate, such techniques, methods, and equipment should be considered part of the specification.

[0057] In all examples shown and discussed herein, any specific values ​​should be interpreted as merely exemplary and not as limitations. Therefore, other examples of exemplary embodiments may have different values.

[0058] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items; therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be discussed further in subsequent figures.

[0059] This disclosure proposes a PRACH repetitive transmission method. Figure 1 This is a schematic flowchart of a PRACH repeat transmission method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. This PRACH repeat transmission method is applied on the network side.

[0060] In step 102, the network side configures at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmissions. Each first timing includes a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing. The first PRACH transmission timing is also used for single PRACH transmissions.

[0061] Each first timing configured on the network side for PRACH retransmission includes a first PRACH transmission timing for a single PRACH transmission, and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing. In this approach, on the one hand, the network side does not need to fully reuse the PRACH transmission timings used for a single PRACH transmission, reducing the probability of PRACH collisions; on the other hand, the network side does not need to configure an additional set of PRACH transmission timings for retransmissions, reducing resource waste. Thus, a balance can be struck between PRACH collisions and resource waste.

[0062] Figure 2 This is a time-frequency position diagram of a first timing according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0063] For example, the first PRACH transmission timing #1-1 is bound to two sets of second PRACH transmission timings. One set of second PRACH transmission timings includes PRACH transmission timings #2-0 and #2-4, and the other set includes PRACH transmission timings #2-1, #2-2, #2-3, and #2-5.

[0064] In some embodiments, the network side configures the first PRACH transmission resource for a single PRACH transmission. For example, the PRACH configuration information related to the first PRACH transmission resource is indicated by the prach-ConfigurationIndex of System Information Block (SIB) 1. The value of this parameter is an index value from 0 to 255, corresponding to the row index in the random access configuration table, specifically indicating the following information: preamble format, system frame number, subframe number, starting Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) symbol position, number of time slots used for PRACH transmission within a subframe, number of PRACH time-domain transmission opportunities within a PRACH time slot, and number of PRACH duration symbols. For example, a system frame is 10 ms long, each system frame includes 10 subframes, each subframe is 1 ms long, each subframe includes one or more time slots, and each time slot consists of multiple consecutive OFDM symbols. The above information can be used to determine the format of the preamble used for a single transmission, the time-domain location of the PRACH transmission timing for a single transmission, and the number of PRACH transmission timings in the time domain.

[0065] In some embodiments, the number of PRACH transmission opportunities in the frequency domain for the first PRACH transmission resource can be indicated by the parameter msg1-FDM, which can be configured as {1,2,4,8}. For example, when the parameter is configured as 1, it indicates that there is 1 PRACH transmission opportunity in the frequency domain.

[0066] The total number of PRACH transmission opportunities for the first PRACH transmission resource can be determined based on the number of PRACH transmission opportunities in the time domain and the number of transmission opportunities in the frequency domain.

[0067] In some embodiments, the network side indicates the number of PRACH transmission opportunities associated with each Synchronization Signal Block (SSB) index and the number of preambles corresponding to each SSB index by configuring the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB. These parameters are used to indicate the number of preambles used in a contention-based random access procedure.

[0068] In the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB, the parameter ssb-perRACH-Occasion indicates the number of PRACH transmission opportunities associated with each SSB index, and its values ​​include {oneEighth, oneFourth, oneHalf, one, two, four, eight, sixteen}. For example, when the parameter ssb-perRACH-Occasion is oneHalf (1 / 2), it means that one SSB index is associated with two PRACH transmission opportunities; when the parameter ssb-perRACH-Occasion is two (2), it means that two SSB indices are associated with one PRACH transmission opportunity.

[0069] In the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB, the parameter CB-PreamblesPerSSB indicates the number of preambles corresponding to each SSB index. In some implementations, when the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB is oneHalf{n4}, it means that one SSB index is associated with two PRACH transmission opportunities, and each SSB index corresponds to four competing preambles.

[0070] As described above, each SSB index is associated with at least one PRACH transmission timing. The base station can indirectly obtain the information of the SSB index selected by the UE by detecting the PRACH transmission timing adopted by the UE.

[0071] In some embodiments, when N SSB indices are configured on the network side, each of the N SSB indices is associated with a corresponding PRACH transmission opportunity according to certain rules. One round of association is considered complete after each of the N SSBs has been associated with a PRACH transmission opportunity. If there are remaining PRACH transmission opportunities, the N SSB indices will continue to be associated with the remaining PRACH transmission opportunities until the remaining PRACH transmission opportunities are insufficient to support a full round of SSB index association mapping. In some embodiments, the last remaining PRACH transmission opportunity is not used for PRACH transmission.

[0072] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the relationship between the SSB index and the PRACH transmission timing in the first PRACH transmission resource according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0073] like Figure 3 As shown, in a PRACH cycle, the PRACH transmission time in the time domain is 2, the parameter msg1-FDM has a value of 4, the parameter ssb-perRACH-Occasion has a value of 1, and there are three SSB indices, represented as SSB#0, SSB#1, and SSB#2. For example, the length of a PRACH cycle can be equal to the length of a system frame (10ms).

[0074] The parameter msg1-FDM takes a value of 4, which means that the number of PRACH transmission opportunities in the frequency domain is 4 and the number of PRACH transmission opportunities in the time domain is 2. The total number of PRACH transmission opportunities is 8, which are represented by PRACH transmission opportunities #0 to PRACH transmission opportunities #7 respectively.

[0075] The value of the parameter ssb-perRACH-Occasion is 1, which means that an SSB index is associated with a PRACH transmission timing.

[0076] The three SSB indices are sequentially associated with transmission opportunities #0 through #7 in ascending order of index number. The first round of association is as follows: SSB#0 is associated with PRACH transmission opportunity #0, SSB#1 with PRACH transmission opportunity #1, and SSB#2 with PRACH transmission opportunity #2. The second round of association is as follows: SSB#0 is associated with PRACH transmission opportunity #3, SSB#1 with PRACH transmission opportunity #4, and SSB#2 with PRACH transmission opportunity #5. After two rounds of association, since the remaining number of PRACH transmission opportunities is insufficient to support a full round of SSB index association mapping, the remaining PRACH transmission opportunities #6 and #7, which were not associated with any SSB index, are not used for PRACH transmission.

[0077] In some embodiments, after the network side completes the above configuration, it sends the configuration information to the UE through SIB1 so that the UE can select the corresponding PRACH transmission timing according to the configuration information to realize a single transmission of the preamble.

[0078] In some embodiments, the first PRACH transmission timing can be configured using the method for configuring first PRACH transmission resources. Based on the configuration of the first PRACH transmission timing, at least one first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timing binding relationships are configured to configure at least one first timing. Through this configuration method, to achieve repeated PRACH transmission, the network side can additionally configure at least one first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timing binding relationships on top of the first PRACH transmission resources for single transmissions, without requiring further configuration. This simplifies the configuration process and improves the configuration efficiency of PRACH transmission resources. Furthermore, the above method does not require modification of the parameters of the first PRACH transmission resources, ensuring that the UE for single-transmission preamble and the UE for repeated preamble transmission have consistent understanding of the parameters, thus improving configuration compatibility.

[0079] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the process of performing PRACH detection on the network side according to some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0080] In some embodiments, the PRACH retransmission method includes Figure 4 One or more of steps 402-408 shown.

[0081] In step 402, PRACH detection is performed at any first timing to obtain the first preamble that the UE will repeatedly transmit.

[0082] In step 404, RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing in any of the first timings.

[0083] In step 406, the first DCI is scrambled using RA-RNTI to obtain the second DCI. The first DCI is, for example, DCI 1_0.

[0084] In step 408, a second DCI and a RAR scheduled by the second DCI are sent, the RAR carrying the RAPID of the first preamble.

[0085] In the above steps, the network side determines the RA-RNTI based on a second PRACH transmission timing, which can avoid the same RA-RNTI determined by the UE that transmits the preamble once, thereby avoiding resource conflicts between the UE that transmits the preamble once and the UE that transmits the preamble repeatedly.

[0086] In some embodiments, RA-RNTI is calculated based on the following parameters: the first OFDM symbol index of the second PRACH transmission timing, the first time slot index of the second PRACH transmission timing within a system frame, the frequency domain index of the second PRACH transmission timing, and the uplink carrier ID for random access (this value is 0 for a normal uplink carrier and 1 for a supplementary uplink carrier). The first three of the above parameters are determined by the time-frequency position of the second PRACH transmission timing.

[0087] The inventors noted that when multiple sets of second PRACH transmission times bound to the same first PRACH transmission time overlap, resource conflicts may occur between different UEs.

[0088] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, assume that the first PRACH transmission timing #1-1 is bound to a set of second PRACH transmission timings #2-0, #2-2, and #2-3, and is also bound to another set of second PRACH transmission timings #2-0 and #2-4. These two sets of PRACH transmission timings include the same second PRACH transmission timing #2-0. If UE1 selects PRACH transmission timings #1-1, #2-0, #2-2, and #2-3 to repeatedly transmit the preamble, while UE2 selects PRACH transmission timings #1-1, #2-0, and #2-4 to repeatedly transmit the preamble, then when calculating the RA-RNTI based on the second PRACH transmission timing #2-0, the RA-RNTI determined by UE1 and UE2 based on the second PRACH transmission timing #2-0 will be the same. If both UEs select the same preamble, since UE2 determines the same RA-RNTI as UE1, both UE1 and UE2 can descramble the DCI, which will cause resource conflicts between UE1 and UE2.

[0089] In view of the above, the present disclosure also proposes the following solutions.

[0090] In some embodiments, a group or more groups of second PRACH transmission times bound to the first PRACH transmission time include a first group of second PRACH transmission times and a second group of second PRACH transmission times other than the first group of second PRACH transmission times. It should be understood that each group of second PRACH transmission times other than the first group of second PRACH transmission times is referred to as a second group of second PRACH transmission times.

[0091] In this scenario, the second PRACH transmission timing used to calculate RA-RNTI belongs to the first group of second PRACH transmission timings and is different from all second group of second PRACH transmission timings. Thus, if other UEs choose different groups of second PRACH transmission timings than the UE transmitting the first preamble, it can be ensured that other UEs cannot descramble the DCI corresponding to the UE transmitting the first preamble, thereby reducing the possibility of resource conflicts between different UEs.

[0092] For example, such as Figure 2 As shown, the first PRACH transmission timing #1-1 is bound to multiple sets of second PRACH transmission timings, namely (1) second PRACH transmission timings #2-0, #2-2 and #2-3; (2) second PRACH transmission timings #2-0 and #2-4; and (3) second PRACH transmission timing #2-5.

[0093] In some cases, (1) is identified as the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities, and (2) and (3) are identified as the second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities. In this case, RA-RNTI is calculated based on one of the second PRACH transmission opportunities #2-3 that is different from the second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities in the first group.

[0094] In some embodiments, for ease of configuration, the UE and the network side agree to determine the first or last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings as a second PRACH transmission timing for calculating RA-RNTI.

[0095] In some embodiments, in each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing is different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing. When PRACH is transmitted in different frequency domains within the same time domain, frequency division reduces the transmission power in each frequency domain, which is detrimental to the network side's detection of the preamble. However, repeatedly transmitting the preamble in different time domains does not reduce the transmission power and can increase the probability of the preamble being detected. Therefore, configuring the first PRACH transmission timing to be different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing is beneficial to increasing the probability of successful PRACH transmission, thereby improving the PRACH coverage performance.

[0096] In some embodiments, the network side configures at least one set of second PRACH transmission opportunities, which includes multiple second PRACH transmission opportunities that do not overlap in the time domain. This can further improve the success rate of repeated transmission of the preamble at multiple PRACH transmission opportunities with different time domains.

[0097] In some embodiments, the network side further configures a second timing for a single PRACH transmission. Each second timing includes a first PRACH transmission timing, and the second set of preambles associated with the second timing is different from the first set of preambles associated with the first timing of repeated preamble transmission. In other words, the second set of preambles and the first set of preambles do not include the same preamble. Thus, the network side can distinguish whether the UE is repeatedly transmitting the preamble or transmitting it only once based on the preamble, thereby avoiding resource conflicts between UEs performing single preamble transmissions and UEs performing repeated preamble transmissions due to the use of the same preamble.

[0098] For example, when the first PRACH transmission opportunity is also used for a single PRACH transmission, UE1 sends preamble 1 during the first PRACH transmission opportunity. Simultaneously, this first PRACH transmission opportunity is bound to a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities; the first PRACH transmission opportunity and the set of second PRACH transmission opportunities constitute a first opportunity. Another UE2 sends preamble 2 during this first opportunity. The preamble associated with the single transmission preamble and the repeated transmission preamble are different; that is, preamble 1 and preamble 2 are different.

[0099] The network performs detection at the first PRACH transmission time. Since both UE1 and UE2 transmitted preambles at the first PRACH transmission time, the network can detect preamble 1 and preamble 2 at the first time. Because preamble 1 belongs to the second group of preambles associated with the second transmission time, while preamble 2 belongs to the first group of preambles associated with the first transmission time, the network can determine that preamble 2 comes from a UE that repeatedly transmitted preambles. For preamble 1, the RA-RNTI can be determined based on the time-frequency position of the first PRACH transmission time, following the single-transmission processing method. For UE2 that repeatedly transmitted preamble 2, the network can determine the RA-RNTI based on the time-frequency position of one of the second PRACH transmission times in a group of second PRACH transmission times. Therefore, the network can distinguish between UE1, which transmitted preambles only once, and UE2, which repeatedly transmitted preambles, using the preambles. This facilitates the network in allocating transmission resources for subsequent random access procedures to different UEs and avoids resource conflicts.

[0100] In some embodiments, the network side configures the association between each first PRACH transmission timing and an SSB index. Within each first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing and each group of second PRACH transmission timings are associated with one or more SSB indices. That is, one or more groups of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing reuse the association between the first PRACH transmission timing and the SSB index. Thus, the network side does not need to configure the association between each second PRACH transmission timing and an SSB index, simplifying the network side's configuration process.

[0101] For example, after the UE selects the SSB index corresponding to the beam with the best transmission quality, it repeatedly transmits the preamble at a first timing associated with that SSB index. When performing PRACH detection, the network side can determine the SSB index selected by the UE through the association between the SSB index and the first timing, and then determine the beam with the best transmission quality selected by the UE. Information required for subsequent random access procedures is then transmitted in the direction of that beam for the UE to receive.

[0102] In some embodiments, the network side also sends radio resource control information to notify the UE whether to enable PRACH retransmission. When the network side configures a first timing and sends radio resource control information to inform the UE to enable PRACH retransmission, the UE can select a first timing according to the configuration information to implement preamble retransmission. This facilitates the network side's control over enabling or disabling PRACH retransmission, allows for unified control of PRACH transmission resources, and ensures that the UE can promptly know whether the network side has enabled PRACH retransmission. This method of notifying the UE whether to enable PRACH retransmission can also be called an explicit indication method.

[0103] In some implementations, the network side directly indicates whether PRACH repeat transmission is enabled or disabled through a predetermined field in the radio resource control information. For example, when the value of this field is 0, it means that PRACH repeat transmission is not enabled; when the value of this field is 1, it means that PRACH repeat transmission is enabled.

[0104] In other embodiments, when the network side configures a first timing and sends configuration information including the first timing to the UE, the UE assumes that the network side has enabled the PRACH retransmission function and performs retransmission on a single first timing. Thus, the network side does not need to notify the UE; the UE only needs to know the first timing from the configuration information to achieve retransmission of the preamble, saving the network side time and resources for sending radio resource control information. This method of notifying the UE whether to enable PRACH retransmission can also be called an implicit indication method.

[0105] In some embodiments, the network side also sends PRACH configuration information, which includes first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission. Each first timing includes a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing. The first PRACH transmission timing is also used for a single PRACH transmission. By sending the configuration information, the network side notifies the UE of the configuration of PRACH transmission resources, enabling the UE to select a first timing for repeated preamble transmission.

[0106] In some embodiments, any of the network-side configurations of PRACH transmission resources mentioned above can be included in the configuration information.

[0107] Figure 5 This is a flowchart illustrating a PRACH repeat transmission method according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The PRACH repeat transmission method is applied to a UE. In some embodiments, the PRACH repeat transmission method includes one or more steps 502-506.

[0108] In step 502, the UE receives PRACH configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, and the first PRACH transmission timing is also used for single PRACH transmission.

[0109] In step 504, the UE determines a first timing from at least one first timing.

[0110] In step 506, the UE repeatedly transmits the first preamble at a first opportune moment.

[0111] In some embodiments, the UE executes step 504 when a first condition is met, the first condition including: knowing that PRACH retransmission has been enabled on the network side. In other words, the UE will only execute steps 504 and 506 after knowing that PRACH retransmission has been enabled on the network side, which can reduce the burden on the UE and avoid unnecessary operations.

[0112] In some implementations, if the network side has already configured the first timing and sent the configuration information of the first timing to the UE through configuration information, the UE can determine from the received configuration information that the network side has enabled PRACH repeated transmission, and can then select a first timing for repeated transmission of the preamble.

[0113] In other implementations, the UE learns whether the network has enabled PRACH retransmission by receiving radio resource control information sent by the network. For example, when the UE receives radio resource control information with a bit value of 1 sent by the network, the UE knows that the network has enabled PRACH retransmission.

[0114] In some embodiments, step 404 includes: determining the number of PRACH retransmissions; and determining a first timing based on the number of PRACH retransmissions. Having the UE determine the corresponding first timing based on the number of PRACH retransmissions can reduce the waste of PRACH transmission resources.

[0115] In some implementations, the UE determines the number of PRACH retransmissions based on at least one of the received power of the received downlink signal and the path loss of the downlink.

[0116] The following describes the methods for determining the number of PRACH retransmissions using different embodiments.

[0117] In some embodiments, the UE determines the number of PRACH retransmissions based on the received power of the received downlink signal. For example, the UE obtains the received power of the downlink signal by measuring the downlink signal.

[0118] In some implementations, higher received power results in fewer PRACH retransmissions. This allows the UE to retransmit the preamble multiple times when the signal is relatively weak, increasing the probability of the preamble being received by the network. Conversely, when the signal is relatively strong, the UE can reduce the number of preamble retransmissions, avoiding resource waste.

[0119] For example, the UE pre-sets power levels and power ranges for each power level. When the received power of the downlink signal measured by the UE is less than a first threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be a first value. When the received power is greater than or equal to the first threshold but less than the second threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be a second value smaller than the first value. When the received power is greater than the second threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be a third value smaller than the second value.

[0120] For example, the UE determines the number of PRACH retransmissions based on the difference between the received power and a third threshold. The preset number of PRACH retransmissions corresponding to the third threshold is the fifth value. The fifth value is the maximum number of PRACH retransmissions. When the difference between the received power measured by the UE and the third threshold is less than the fourth value, the received power is close to or smaller than the third threshold. In this case, the UE's PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the fifth value. When the difference is greater than or equal to the fourth value but less than the sixth value, the difference between the received power and the third threshold increases, and the PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the seventh value, which is smaller than the fifth value. When the difference further increases to be greater than or equal to the sixth value, it indicates that the received power is much larger than the third threshold, and the PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the eighth value, which is smaller than the seventh value. This correspondence between the number of PRACH retransmissions and the received power is established in this way until the received power increases to the point where retransmission of the preamble is no longer necessary.

[0121] In other embodiments, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined based on path loss. For example, the UE calculates the downlink path loss by measuring the downlink signal.

[0122] In some implementations, lower path loss results in fewer PRACH retransmissions. Conversely, higher path loss leads to a greater number of retransmissions. This approach allows the UE to retransmit the preamble multiple times when path loss is high, increasing the probability of the preamble being received by the network. Conversely, lower path loss eliminates the need for multiple preamble transmissions, ensuring a high probability of detection by the network. Therefore, the UE can reduce the number of retransmissions, avoiding resource waste.

[0123] For example, when the path loss is less than the fourth threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be the sixth value; when the path loss is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold but less than the fifth threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be the seventh value, which is greater than the sixth value; when the received power is greater than the fifth threshold, the number of PRACH retransmissions is determined to be the eighth value, which is greater than the seventh value.

[0124] For example, the UE determines the number of PRACH retransmissions based on the difference between path loss and the sixth threshold. The preset number of PRACH retransmissions corresponding to the sixth threshold is the tenth value. The tenth value is the minimum number of PRACH retransmissions. When the difference between path loss and the sixth threshold is less than the ninth value, the path loss and the sixth threshold are relatively close or less than the sixth threshold, and the UE's PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the tenth value. When the difference between path loss and the sixth threshold increases to a value greater than or equal to the ninth value but less than the eleventh value, the PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the twelfth value, which is greater than the tenth value. When the difference further increases to a value greater than or equal to the eleventh value, the PRACH retransmission count is determined to be the thirteenth value, which is greater than the twelfth value. The correspondence between the number of PRACH retransmissions and path loss is set in the above manner until the number of PRACH retransmissions reaches the maximum value supported by the PRACH retransmission resources.

[0125] In some embodiments, the total number of PRACH transmission opportunities and the number of PRACH retransmissions in a first timeframe selected by the UE for PRACH retransmission are the same. In this case, the first preamble is retransmitted on both the first and second PRACH transmission opportunities within the first timeframe.

[0126] The above method can increase the probability that the preamble sent by the UE can be detected by the network side without consuming too much PRACH transmission resources.

[0127] In some implementations, if the total number of PRACH transmission opportunities in a first opportunity selected by the UE for PRACH retransmission is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions, the configuration information also includes third indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate the association between each first opportunity and the SSB index. In each first opportunity, the first PRACH transmission opportunity and each group of second PRACH transmission opportunities are associated with one or more SSB indices of the same type.

[0128] In these implementations, the UE can determine the first opportunity for PRACH retransmission using the following methods.

[0129] The first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE is determined as the candidate first PRACH transmission timing;

[0130] A candidate first PRACH transmission opportunity that meets the second condition and a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to a candidate first opportunity are determined as a first opportunity, wherein the second condition includes: the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities is equal to the number of PRACH retransmissions minus one.

[0131] Since the association between the SSB index and each first timing is deterministic, the network side determines the SSB index selected by the UE by the time-frequency position of the first timing of receiving the preamble, and sends the information required for subsequent random access procedures in the beam direction corresponding to the SSB index to increase the probability of the UE receiving the information.

[0132] For example, if the UE determines the number of repeated transmissions to be 3, the association between the SSB index and the timing of the first PRACH transmission is as follows: Figure 2 As shown. The SSB index selected by the UE during cell search is SSB#0, according to... Figure 2 The association shown indicates that SSB#0 is associated with first PRACH transmission times #0, #2, #4, and #6. Each first PRACH transmission time is also bound to one or more sets of second PRACH transmission times, wherein first PRACH transmission time #2 is associated with... Figure 3The second PRACH transmission opportunities #2-0 and #2-5 are shown as being bound together. The UE then selects a first PRACH transmission opportunity #2 from the candidate first PRACH transmission opportunities #0, #2, #4, and #6 associated with SSB #0. In a group of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to the first PRACH transmission opportunity, the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities is 2, equal to the number of PRACH retransmissions minus one. Therefore, PRACH transmission opportunities #2, #2-0, and #2-5 are determined as the first opportunities for the UE to repeatedly transmit the preamble, and the first preamble is repeatedly transmitted on the first PRACH transmission opportunity #2 and the second PRACH transmission opportunities #2-0 and #2-5 within the first opportunities.

[0133] In other embodiments, the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in a first transmission opportunity selected by the UE for PRACH retransmission is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions. In this case, the first preamble is retransmitted on the second PRACH transmission opportunity within the first transmission opportunity.

[0134] When a UE performs a PRACH retransmission, it transmits a preamble during the second PRACH transmission. This makes it easier for the network to distinguish between UEs performing single PRACH transmissions and those performing PRACH retransmissions, further reducing the probability of resource conflicts between UEs performing single PRACH transmissions and those performing PRACH retransmissions.

[0135] If the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities and the number of PRACH retransmissions are the same in a first time slot selected by the UE for PRACH retransmission, the configuration information also includes third indication information. The third indication information is used to indicate the association between each first time slot and the SSB index. In each first time slot, the first PRACH transmission opportunity and each group of second PRACH transmission opportunities are associated with one or more SSB indices of the same type.

[0136] In these implementations, the UE can determine the first opportunity for PRACH retransmission using the following methods.

[0137] The first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE is determined as the candidate first PRACH transmission timing;

[0138] A candidate first PRACH transmission opportunity that meets the third condition and a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to a candidate first opportunity are determined as a first opportunity, wherein the third condition includes: the number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities is the same as the number of PRACH repeated transmissions.

[0139] For example, if the UE determines the number of repeated transmissions to be 3, the association between the SSB index and the timing of the first PRACH transmission is as follows: Figure 2 As shown. The SSB index selected by the UE during cell search is SSB#0, according to... Figure 2 The association shown indicates that SSB#0 is associated with first PRACH transmission times #0, #2, #4, and #6. Each first PRACH transmission time is also bound to one or more sets of second PRACH transmission times, wherein first PRACH transmission time #3 is associated with... Figure 3 The second PRACH transmission opportunities #2-1, #2-3, and #2-4 are shown as bindings. The UE then selects a first PRACH transmission opportunity #3 from the candidate first PRACH transmission opportunities #0, #2, #4, and #6 associated with SSB #0. The number of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to the first PRACH transmission opportunity #3 is 3, equal to the number of PRACH retransmissions. Therefore, PRACH transmission opportunities #3, #2-1, #2-3, and #2-4 are determined as the first opportunities for the UE to retransmit the preamble, and the first preamble is retransmitted on the second PRACH transmission opportunities #2-1, #2-3, and #2-4 within the first opportunities. In some embodiments, the method for PRACH retransmission after the UE retransmits the preamble further includes the following steps: receiving a second DCI; determining a RA-RNTI based on a second PRACH transmission opportunity within a first opportunity for retransmitting the preamble selected by the UE; descrambling the second DCI using the RA-RNTI to obtain a first DCI; and receiving a RAR based on the first DCI.

[0140] After sending the preamble, the UE needs to listen to the PDCCH within the RAR time window. This PDCCH carries the second DCI sent by the network side. The UE listens to the PDCCH to receive the second DCI, which is obtained by scrambling the first DCI with RA-RNTI by the network side. In order for the UE to successfully receive the RAR sent by the network side for that UE, the RA-RNTI value determined by the UE must be the same as that of the network side. Therefore, when the UE selects a first timing, it selects a second PRACH transmission timing from the first timing according to the pre-agreement with the network side to determine the RA-RNTI.

[0141] In some embodiments, to reduce the probability that other UEs have the same RA-RNTI as the UE transmitting the first preamble, while ensuring that the RA-RNTI value determined by the UE is the same as that on the network side, one or more sets of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to the first PRACH transmission opportunity are divided into two groups, including a first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities and a second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities excluding the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities. A second PRACH transmission opportunity in the first group that is different from all second PRACH transmission opportunities in the second group is determined as a second PRACH transmission opportunity used to calculate the RA-RNTI.

[0142] In some embodiments, for ease of configuration, the UE and the network side agree to determine the first or last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings as a second PRACH transmission timing for calculating RA-RNTI.

[0143] In some embodiments, if the RAR received by the UE carries the RAPID of the first preamble sent by the UE, it proves that the PRACH transmission was successful, and the UE executes the subsequent random access procedure. In some embodiments, the RAR includes information required by the UE to execute the subsequent random access procedure.

[0144] For other embodiments of the PRACH retransmission method applied to the UE described above, please refer to the embodiments of the PRACH retransmission method applied to the network side described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0145] The various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, with each embodiment focusing on its differences from other embodiments. Similar or identical parts between embodiments can be referred to interchangeably. For the apparatus embodiments, since they largely correspond to the method embodiments, the descriptions are relatively simple; relevant parts can be referred to the descriptions of the method embodiments.

[0146] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure, which is applied on the network side.

[0147] like Figure 6 As shown, the PRACH repeat transmission device includes a configuration module 601. The configuration module 601 is configured to configure at least one first timing for PRACH repeat transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission.

[0148] It should be understood that the above-described PRACH repeat transmission apparatus may also include other modules to perform the PRACH repeat transmission method applied to the network side in any of the above embodiments.

[0149] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeating device according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0150] like Figure 7 As shown, the PRACH repeat transmission device includes a receiving module 701, a determining module 703, and a transmission module 705.

[0151] The receiving module 701 is configured to receive configuration information for PRACH, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, and the first PRACH transmission timing is also used for single PRACH transmission.

[0152] The determination module 703 is configured to determine a first timing.

[0153] The transmission module 705 is configured to repeatedly transmit the preamble at a first opportune moment.

[0154] It should be understood that the above-described PRACH repeat transmission apparatus may also include other modules to perform the PRACH repeat transmission method applied to the UE in any of the above embodiments.

[0155] For other embodiments of the above-described PRACH repeat transmission device, please refer to the embodiments of the PRACH repeat transmission method described above, which will not be repeated here.

[0156] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a PRACH repeat transmission apparatus according to some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0157] like Figure 8 As shown, the PRACH repeat transmission device 800 includes a memory 801 and a processor 802 coupled to the memory 801. The processor 802 is configured to execute any of the aforementioned methods applied to the network side or UE based on instructions stored in the memory 801.

[0158] The memory 801 may include, for example, system memory, fixed non-volatile storage media, etc. The system memory may store, for example, the operating system, application programs, boot loader, and other programs.

[0159] The PRACH repeat transfer device 800 may also include an input / output interface 803, a network interface 804, a storage interface 805, etc. These interfaces 803, 804, and 805, as well as the memory 801 and the processor 802, can be connected, for example, via a bus 806. The input / output interface 603 provides a connection interface for input / output devices such as displays, mice, keyboards, and touch screens.

[0160] In some embodiments, this disclosure also provides a base station that includes the PRACH retransmission device of any of the above embodiments, for example... Figure 6 or Figure 8 The PRACH repeat transmission device shown.

[0161] In some embodiments, this disclosure also proposes a UE that includes the PRACH retransmission means of any of the above embodiments, for example... Figure 7 or Figure 8 The PRACH repeat transmission device shown.

[0162] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of a PRACH repeat transmission system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure. The PRACH repeat transmission system includes a base station 901 and a UE 902.

[0163] This disclosure also provides a computer-readable storage medium including computer program instructions that, when executed by a processor, implement the method of any of the above embodiments.

[0164] This disclosure also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any of the above embodiments.

[0165] The embodiments of this disclosure have now been described in detail. To avoid obscuring the concept of this disclosure, some details known in the art have not been described. Those skilled in the art can fully understand how to implement the technical solutions disclosed herein based on the above description.

[0166] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this disclosure can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this disclosure can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this disclosure can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable non-transitory storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0167] This disclosure is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this disclosure. It should be understood that the functions specified in one or more flowchart illustrations and / or one or more blocks in a block diagram can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, generate functions for implementing the functions in the flowchart illustrations. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 A device that provides the functions specified in one or more boxes.

[0168] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means, which are implemented in a process Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The function specified in one or more boxes.

[0169] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing equipment to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable equipment to produce a computer-implemented process, thereby providing instructions that execute on the computer or other programmable equipment for implementing the process. Figure 1 One or more processes and / or boxes Figure 1 The steps of the function specified in one or more boxes.

[0170] While specific embodiments of this disclosure have been described in detail by way of examples, those skilled in the art should understand that the examples are for illustrative purposes only and not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can be made to the above embodiments or equivalent substitutions can be made to some technical features without departing from the scope and spirit of this disclosure. The scope of this disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for repeated transmission of a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), applied on the network side, comprising: Configure at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmissions, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission. Perform PRACH detection at any first opportune moment to obtain the first preamble repeatedly transmitted by the user equipment (UE); The Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing in any of the first timings; The first downlink control information (DCI) is scrambled using the RA-RNTI to obtain the second DCI; Send the second DCI and the random access response (RAR) scheduled by the second DCI, the RAR carrying the random access preamble identifier RAPID of the first preamble.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The group or more groups of second PRACH transmission opportunities include a first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities and a second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities other than the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities. The second PRACH transmission opportunity belongs to the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities, and the second PRACH transmission opportunity is different from the second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein, The second PRACH transmission timing is either the first or the last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing is different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, At least one of the sets of second PRACH transmission opportunities includes multiple second PRACH transmission opportunities that do not overlap in the time domain.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: Configure at least one second timing for a single PRACH transmission, each second timing including a first PRACH transmission timing, wherein the second set of preambles associated with the second timing is different from the first set of preambles associated with each first timing.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: Configure the association between each first timing event and the synchronization signal block SSB index. In each first timing event, the first PRACH transmission timing event and each group of second PRACH transmission timing events are associated with one or more SSB indices.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: Send radio resource control information to notify the UE network side whether to enable PRACH retransmission.

9. A PRACH retransmission method, applied on the network side, comprising: Send PRACH configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for single PRACH transmission. Perform PRACH detection at any first opportune moment to obtain the first preamble repeatedly transmitted by the user equipment (UE); The Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing in any of the first timings; The first downlink control information (DCI) is scrambled using the RA-RNTI to obtain the second DCI; Send the second DCI and the random access response (RAR) scheduled by the second DCI, the RAR carrying the random access preamble identifier RAPID of the first preamble.

10. A method for repeated PRACH transmission, applied to a UE, comprising: Receive PRACH configuration information, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for single PRACH transmission. Determine a first timing from the at least one first timing; The first preamble is transmitted repeatedly at the first opportune moment; Receive the second DCI; RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing within a first timing; The second DCI is descrambled using the RA-RNTI to obtain the first DCI; Receive RAR according to the first DCI.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: If a first condition is met, a first timing is determined from the at least one first timing, the first condition including: knowing that the network side has enabled PRACH repetitive transmission.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein, Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: Determine the number of times the PRACH is repeated; The first timing is determined based on the number of times the PRACH is repeatedly transmitted.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, Determining the number of PRACH retransmissions includes: The number of PRACH retransmissions is determined based on at least one of the received power of the downlink signal and the path loss of the downlink.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The higher the receiving power, the fewer times the PRACH is repeatedly transmitted.

15. The method according to claim 13, wherein, The lower the path loss, the fewer times the PRACH is repeatedly transmitted.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The total number of PRACH transmission opportunities in a first timing period is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions, and the retransmission of the first preamble in a first timing period includes: The first preamble is repeatedly transmitted during the first PRACH transmission time and the second PRACH transmission time in the first timing.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, The configuration information also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the association between each first timing and the SSB index. In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing and each group of second PRACH transmission timings are associated with one or more SSB indices. Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: The first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE is determined as the candidate first PRACH transmission timing; A candidate first PRACH transmission opportunity that meets the second condition and a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to the candidate first opportunity are determined as the first opportunity, wherein the second condition includes: The number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in the set of second PRACH transmission opportunities is equal to the number of PRACH retransmissions minus one.

18. The method according to claim 12, wherein, The number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in a first timing period is the same as the number of PRACH retransmissions, and the retransmission of the first preamble in a first timing period includes: The first preamble is transmitted again during the second PRACH transmission time in the first time.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The configuration information also includes third indication information, which is used to indicate the association between each first timing and the SSB index. In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing and each group of second PRACH transmission timings are associated with one or more SSB indices. Determining a first timing from the at least one first timing includes: The first transmission PRACH transmission timing associated with the SSB index selected by the UE is determined as the candidate first PRACH transmission timing; A candidate first PRACH transmission opportunity that meets the third condition and a set of second PRACH transmission opportunities bound to the candidate first opportunity are determined as the first opportunity, wherein the third condition includes: The number of second PRACH transmission opportunities in the set of second PRACH transmission opportunities is the same as the number of times the PRACH is repeatedly transmitted.

20. The method according to any one of claims 10-19, wherein, In each first timing, the first PRACH transmission timing is different in the time domain from each second PRACH transmission timing.

21. The method according to any one of claims 10-19, wherein, At least one of the sets of second PRACH transmission opportunities includes multiple second PRACH transmission opportunities that do not overlap in the time domain.

22. The method according to any one of claims 10-19, wherein the configuration information further includes fourth indication information, the fourth indication information indicating a second timing for a single PRACH transmission, each second timing including a first PRACH transmission timing, and the second preamble associated with the second timing being different from the first preamble associated with each first timing.

23. The method according to any one of claims 10-19, wherein, The group or more groups of second PRACH transmission opportunities include a first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities and a second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities other than the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities. The second PRACH transmission opportunity belongs to the first group of second PRACH transmission opportunities, and the second PRACH transmission opportunity is different from the second group of second PRACH transmission opportunities.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, The second PRACH transmission timing is either the first or the last second PRACH transmission timing in the first group of second PRACH transmission timings.

25. The method according to any one of claims 10-19, further comprising: If the RAR carries the RAPID of the first preamble, the subsequent random access procedure is executed.

26. A PRACH repeat transmission device, applied on the network side, comprising: The configuration module is configured to configure at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmissions, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for a single PRACH transmission. The PRACH repeat transmission device is also configured to: Perform PRACH detection at any first opportune moment to obtain the first preamble repeatedly transmitted by the user equipment (UE); The Random Access Radio Network Temporary Identifier RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing in any of the first timings; The first downlink control information (DCI) is scrambled using the RA-RNTI to obtain the second DCI; Send the second DCI and the random access response (RAR) scheduled by the second DCI, the RAR carrying the random access preamble identifier RAPID of the first preamble.

27. A PRACH repeat transmission device, applied on the network side, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory is configured to execute the method of any one of claims 1-9 based on instructions stored in the memory.

28. A PRACH retransmission device, applied to a UE, comprising: The receiving module is configured to receive configuration information for PRACH, wherein the configuration information includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating at least one first timing for repeated PRACH transmission, each first timing including a first PRACH transmission timing and one or more sets of second PRACH transmission timings bound to the first PRACH transmission timing, the first PRACH transmission timing also being used for single PRACH transmission. The determination module is configured to determine a first timing. The transmission module is configured to repeatedly transmit the preamble at the first timing. The PRACH repeat transmission device is also configured to: Receive the second DCI; RA-RNTI is determined based on a second PRACH transmission timing within a first timing; The second DCI is descrambled using the RA-RNTI to obtain the first DCI; Receive RAR according to the first DCI.

29. A PRACH retransmission device, applied to a UE, comprising: Memory; as well as A processor coupled to the memory is configured to perform the method of any one of claims 10-25 based on instructions stored in the memory.

30. A base station, comprising: The apparatus as described in claim 26 or claim 27.

31. A user equipment, comprising: The apparatus as described in claim 28 or claim 29.

32. A PRACH repeat transfer system, comprising: The base station as described in claim 30 and the user equipment as described in claim 31.

33. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer program instructions, wherein, When the computer program instructions are executed by the processor, they implement the method described in any one of claims 1-9 or 10-25.

34. A computer program product comprising a computer program, wherein, When the computer program is executed by a processor, it implements the method described in any one of claims 1-9 or 10-25.

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