Flexible initial access channel configuration

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, there is at least one method and apparatus herein for determining, using an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of a communication network, that a user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access to the cell, thereby performing operations such as data spray coverage of the user equipment, wherein the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one pattern of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for obtaining at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Teachings of exemplary embodiments according to the present invention relate generally to reducing delays in beam refinement and synchronization for cell access, and more particularly to reducing delays in beam refinement and synchronization for cell access using flexible initial access configurations. Background Art

[0002] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the inventions described in the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued, but not necessarily concepts that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the description and claims in this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.

[0003] Certain abbreviations that may appear in the specification and / or drawings are defined as follows:

[0004] BS: Base Station

[0005] CORESET 0: Control resource set

[0006] CSI-RS: Channel State Information Reference Signal

[0007] DL: Downlink

[0008] DS: Data Spraying

[0009] gNB: 5G Node B, base station

[0010] IE: Information Element

[0011] IR: Invention Report

[0012] MCG: Master Cell Group

[0013] MCS: Modulation and Coding Scheme

[0014] MIB: Master Information Block

[0015] NR: New Radio

[0016] PBCH: Physical Broadcast Channel

[0017] PCell: Primary serving cell

[0018] PDCCH: Physical Downlink Control Channel

[0019] PL: Path Loss

[0020] PRACH: Physical Random Access Channel

[0021] RA: Random Access

[0022] RAN: Radio Access Network

[0023] RAT: Radio Access Technology

[0024] SCell: Secondary cell

[0025] SCG: Secondary Cell Group

[0026] SIB: System Information Block

[0027] SS: Synchronous signal

[0028] SSB: SS / PBCH block

[0029] THz: Terahertz

[0030] UE: User Equipment

[0031] UL: Uplink

[0032] VLC: Visible Light Communication

[0033] WI: Work Item

[0034] 3GPP: Third Generation Partnership Project

[0035] Although 6G wireless systems are currently in the early stages of development, it is already clear that one of the main focuses will be on supporting future scenarios with very high speed requirements, such as the ubiquitous penetration of extended reality (XR) systems, holographic telepresence, and collective driving of autonomous robots.

[0036] Regarding the extreme data rates to be supported, 6G systems are expected to complement existing sub-5 GHz and millimeter wave (mmWave) connectivity options by wirelessly communicating at frequencies above 71 GHz. These novel connectivity options will feature large portions of contiguous spectrum, enabling data rates far higher than those available at 5 GHz (FR1), 28 GHz (FR2), or even the recently adopted 60 GHz (FR2-2).

[0037] However, one of the challenges in achieving wireless communications at frequencies above 71 GHz, towards sub-terahertz (<300 GHz) and eventually terahertz (>300 GHz) and visible light (VLC) regions is the limited effective communication range.

[0038] Example embodiments of the invention disclosed herein address at least some of these challenges. Summary of the invention

[0039] This section contains examples of possible implementations and is not meant to be limiting.

[0040] In an exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus, such as a user equipment side apparatus, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: determining, by a user equipment of a communication network, that the user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access to the cell, wherein the random access uses an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of the communication network, wherein the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell; and performing random access to the cell based on the initial access configuration.

[0041] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a method comprising: determining, by a user equipment of a communication network, that the user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access to the cell, wherein the random access uses an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of the communication network, wherein the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell; and performing random access to the cell based on the initial access configuration.

[0042] Another example embodiment is an apparatus and method, the apparatus and method including the apparatus and method of the previous paragraph, wherein the network node includes a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell includes a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on a user equipment, and wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein determining to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell is based on an indication from the network node, and wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein more than one mode is sequentially switched based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or receiving a predefined message from the network node, wherein determining to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell is based on an indication from the user equipment, and wherein the access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on the user equipment, at least one of a lower layer path loss or measurement, a position, a speed or a direction reported by a user equipment to a network node, wherein the more than one modes include at least a first configuration for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of synchronization signal block transmissions having a first period or configuration for a first time window, wherein an initial position of a synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of the more than one mode, wherein the position of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission occurs at a shorter interval and number than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that they appear more densely, while the interval of the synchronization signal block transmission remains standardized, wherein beam maintenance uses a synchronization maintenance mode, wherein the more than one pattern comprises at least a second configuration, the second configuration comprising a synchronization signal block transmission having a second period and configuration in a second time window for beam refinement, wherein after random access, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern or a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by a network node, wherein the switch occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network, wherein determining the beam refinement comprises utilizing the second configuration, the second configuration comprising a synchronization signal block transmission having a second period and configuration, wherein the second period occurs at a greater interval and number than other synchronization signal block transmissions of the communication network, and wherein the second period is longer than the first period, wherein the more than one pattern comprises at least a third configuration, and after determining beam refinement, utilizing a third configuration for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second period and configuration for beam refinement, wherein the channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle than other synchronization signal block patterns, wherein the densely provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: a maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a time derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein the second configuration is used after expiration of the timer,wherein the more than one modes include: at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition, wherein the more than one modes include at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity, wherein an initial access configuration is received from a network node prior to random access, wherein based on the determination, a preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is indicated in a random access message to the network node, and wherein in response to the information received in the random access message and prior to the channel state information reporting, downlink data transmission is received from the network node using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection.,

[0043] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method described in the above paragraphs.

[0044] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: for transmitting, by a communication network (such as Figure 5 User equipment in network 1) (such as Figure 5 UE 10 in Figure 5 TRANS13D, MEM 10B, PROG 10C and DP10A in the communication network) is a component in which a user equipment wants to access a cell to trigger a random access to the cell, wherein the random access uses a random access signaling signal generated by a network node (such as a Figure 5 NN 12 and / or NN 13) in the transmission (e.g. Figure 5 TRANS13D, MEM 10B, PROG 10C and DP 10A) in the initial access configuration, and the initial access configuration is used sequentially (such as Figure 5 More than one mode of at least one of TRANS13D, MEM10B, PROG 10C and DP 10A) synchronization signal, beacon or channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access the cell.

[0045] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, transmitting and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 10B], the medium encoding at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 10A] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 10C in ].

[0046] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, at least means for determining, transmitting and using include a network interface and computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0047] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a device, such as a network-side device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, cause the device to at least perform: determining, by a network node of a communication network, that a user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell; based on the determination, issuing an initial access configuration to the user equipment to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell, wherein the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of data spraying at least one of a cell synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell.

[0048] In another example aspect of the present invention, there is a method comprising: determining, by a network node of a communication network, that a user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell; based on the determination, issuing an initial access configuration to the user equipment to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell, wherein the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one pattern of at least one of a data spray cell synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal to acquire at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell.

[0049] Another example embodiment is an apparatus and method, the apparatus and method including the apparatus and method of the previous paragraph, wherein the network node includes a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell includes a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein an initial access configuration is received from the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted by the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell, wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on a user equipment, wherein more than one mode is sequentially switched based on at least one of a configured time window, an expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from the network node, wherein determining the path loss is based on a lower layer path loss report or measurement reported from the user equipment. , at least one of position, speed or direction, wherein more than one mode is switched sequentially based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer or a predefined message from a network node, wherein the more than one mode includes at least a first configuration for a user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of synchronization signal block transmissions having a first period or configuration for a first time window, wherein an initial position of a synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of the more than one mode, wherein the position of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission occurs at a shorter interval and number than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network , so that it appears more densely, while the interval of synchronization signal block transmission remains standardized, wherein after a random access procedure of a user equipment to a sub-terahertz secondary cell, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block mode and a channel state information reference signal mode provided by a network node, wherein the switch occurs at the end of a first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network, wherein determining the beam refinement includes utilizing a second configuration, the second configuration includes synchronization signal module transmission with a second period and configuration, wherein the second period occurs at an interval and number greater than other synchronization signal block transmissions of the communication network, and wherein the second period is longer than the first period, wherein after determining the beam refinement, utilizing using a third configuration for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second periodicity and configuration for beam refinement, wherein a channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of: a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle than other synchronization signal block patterns, wherein the densely provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: a maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a time derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein a second configuration is used after expiration of the timer,wherein more than one of the modes comprises at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition, wherein more than one of the modes comprises at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration comprises: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity, wherein an initial channel configuration is transmitted by a network node prior to random access, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, which carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel transmitted from a user equipment to the network node, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted by the network node to the user equipment in response to information received in message 3 and prior to a channel state information report, using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection, wherein a preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is received from the user equipment in a random access message, and wherein the downlink data transmission is received using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection in response to information received in a random access message and prior to a channel state information report.,

[0050] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method described in the above paragraphs.

[0051] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: for transmitting, by a communication network (such as Figure 5 Network nodes in network 1) (such as Figure 5 NN 12 and / or NN 13) in (e.g. Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) user equipment (such as Figure 5 10) in the UE 10) to access the cell to trigger the user equipment to randomly access the cell; for sending to the user equipment based on the determination (such as Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the initial access configuration to trigger random access to the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access configuration is sequentially used (such as Figure 5TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) data spray more than one mode of at least one of a cell synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access a cell.

[0052] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, issuing and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B], the medium is used by at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13C] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG13C] coding in.

[0053] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, at least the means for determining, issuing and using include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0054] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a device, such as a network-side device, comprising: at least one processor; and at least one non-volatile memory comprising computer program code, wherein the at least one memory and the computer program code are configured to, together with the at least one processor, enable the device to at least perform: determining, by a cell of a communication network, that a user equipment is to access a cell; based on the determination, receiving an initial access channel configuration via the user equipment to trigger random access to the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access channel configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a data spray cell synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal to perform beam refinement, and obtain synchronization of access and activation of the cell covered by the data spraying.

[0055] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is a method comprising: determining, by a cell of a communication network, that a user equipment is to access a cell; based on the determination, receiving an initial access channel configuration via the user equipment to trigger random access to the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access channel configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a data spray cell synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal to perform beam refinement and obtain synchronization of access and activation of the cell covered by the data spraying.

[0056] Another example embodiment is an apparatus and method, the apparatus and method comprising the apparatus and method of the previous paragraph, wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on a user equipment, wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is for performing data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein an initial access channel configuration is transmitted from a network node of the communication network via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell, wherein more than one mode is sequentially switched based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from the network node, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted from a network node of the communication network via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell, wherein more than one mode is sequentially switched based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from the network node, The method comprises the steps of: sequentially switching one or more modes to a node based on at least one of a lower layer path loss report or measurement, a position, a speed, or a direction reported from a user equipment, wherein the more than one modes include at least a first configuration for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of synchronization signal block transmissions having a first period or configuration for a first time window, wherein an initial position of a synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmissions provides an initial synchronization mode of the more than one modes, wherein the positions of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmissions are at shorter intervals than other synchronization signal block modes of the communication network. and number so that they appear more densely, while the interval of synchronization signal block transmission remains standardized, wherein after a random access procedure of a user equipment to a cell, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by a network node, wherein the switch occurs at the end of a first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network, wherein determining the beam refinement includes utilizing a second configuration, the second configuration including synchronization signal block transmissions having a second period and configuration, wherein the second period occurs at an interval and number greater than other synchronization signal block transmissions of the communication network, and wherein the second period is longer than the first period, wherein after determining the beam refinement, utilizing a third configuration for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second periodicity and configuration for beam refinement, wherein a channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of beams covering a larger deviation angle than other synchronization signal block patterns, wherein the densely provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: a maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a time derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein a second configuration is used after expiration of the timer,wherein the more than one mode comprises at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition, wherein the more than one mode comprises at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration comprises: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity, wherein an initial access channel configuration is transmitted by a network node in response to a random access, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, which carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel transmitted from a user equipment to the network node, and wherein the initial access channel configuration uses an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection in response to information received in message 3 and prior to a channel state information report.,

[0057] A non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code, the program code being executed by at least one processor to perform at least the method described in the above paragraphs.

[0058] In another exemplary aspect of the present invention, there is an apparatus comprising: for transmitting, by a communication network (such as Figure 5 The cell determination of network 1) in Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG12C and / or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) user equipment (such as Figure 5 10 in the UE) to access the cell; for receiving via the user equipment (such as Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the initial access channel configuration to trigger (eg Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the random access of the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access channel configuration is sequentially used (such as Figure 5The invention also provides for the use of more than one mode of at least one of TRANS12D and / or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in data spraying cell synchronization signals, beacons or channel state information reference signals to perform beam refinement and obtain synchronization for access and activation of cells covered by the data spraying.

[0059] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, receiving, triggering and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B], the medium is used by at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13C] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C] coding in.

[0060] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, at least the means for determining, receiving, triggering and using include a network interface and a computer program code stored on a computer readable medium and executed by at least one processor.

[0061] A communication system includes a network side device and a user equipment side device for performing at least the above operations. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0062] The above and other aspects, features and benefits of various embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent through the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used to represent the same or equivalent elements. The illustrated drawings are used to facilitate a better understanding of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. In the drawings:

[0063] Figure 1 The ServingCellConfigCommon information element is shown;

[0064] Figure 2 A flexible synchronization signal block design is shown;

[0065] Figure 3 A flowchart of a proposed solution according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0066] Figure 4 An example of a proposed flexible synchronization signal block configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown;

[0067] Figure 5 shows high-level block diagrams of various devices used to implement various aspects of the invention; and

[0068] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C Each illustrates a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention, which method may be performed by an apparatus. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0069] In exemplary embodiments of the present invention, at least a method and apparatus for reducing delays in beam refinement and synchronization for cell access using flexible initial access configuration are provided.

[0070] As mentioned above, although 6G wireless systems are currently in the early stages of development, it is clear that one of the main focuses will be on supporting future scenarios with very high rate requirements, such as the ubiquitous penetration of extended reality (XR) systems, holographic telepresence, and collective driving of autonomous robots.

[0071] Therefore, with regard to the high data rates to be supported, 6G systems are expected to complement existing sub-5 GHz and mmWave connectivity options by communicating wirelessly at frequencies above 71 GHz. These novel connectivity options will feature large portions of contiguous spectrum, enabling data rates much higher than those available at 5 GHz (FR1), 28 GHz (FR2), or even the recently adopted 60 GHz (FR2-2).

[0072] However, one of the challenges in achieving wireless communications at frequencies above 71 GHz, towards sub-terahertz (<300 GHz) and eventually terahertz (>300 GHz) and visible light (VLC) regions is the limited effective communication range.

[0073] It is therefore conceivable that at least the first generation of these systems will not completely cover large areas, but rather provide patchy coverage in strategically selected locations with high density and / or high UE traffic. The latter has led to consideration of “data spraying” (DS) or “information spraying” – extremely high-rate but relatively short-range access points (APs) – as one of the possible use cases for wireless access above 71 GHz.

[0074] One of the challenges of using data spraying is the relatively short contact time between mobile UEs and DSs - the time that the UE is within the coverage of the DS. In some practical scenarios, such as mobile connected vehicles and information spraying at intersections, the contact time may be as low as a few seconds. In this case, the contact time should be used efficiently to minimize the signaling overhead when joining / leaving the AP and thus maximize the proportion of resources dedicated to transmitting most of the data at a very high rate.

[0075] Sub-THz and higher frequency DS are also envisioned to operate with narrow beams no more than a few degrees wide to improve coverage and throughput. On the other hand, narrow beams will further complicate the initial access, beam acquisition, and refinement phases.

[0076] Therefore, it is desirable to reduce the time and resources required to support the initial access procedures and channels of a DS.

[0077] Figure 5 A high-level block diagram of various devices for implementing various aspects of the present invention is shown.

[0078] Before describing in detail exemplary embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 5 , which illustrates a simplified block diagram of various electronic devices that are suitable for use in practicing the example embodiments of this invention.

[0079] Figure 5 A block diagram of one possible and non-limiting exemplary system in which exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be practiced is shown. Figure 5 In the embodiment, the user equipment (UE) 10 and the Figure 5 The wireless network 1 or network 1 shown performs wireless communication. Figure 5 The wireless network 1 or network 1 shown may include a communication network, such as a mobile network, for example the mobile network 1 or the first mobile network disclosed herein. Figure 5 Any reference to wireless network 1 in the specification may be considered a reference to any wireless network disclosed herein. Figure 5 The wireless network 1 shown may also include hard-wired features that may be required by the communication network. UE is a wireless device that can access a wireless network, usually a mobile device. For example, UE can be a mobile phone (or "cellular" phone) and / or a computer with mobile terminal functions. For example, UE or mobile terminal can also be a portable, pocket-sized, handheld, computer-embedded or vehicle-mounted mobile device, and performs voice signaling and / or data exchange with RAN.

[0080] UE 10 comprises one or more processors DP 10A, one or more memories MEM 10B and one or more transceivers TRANS 10D interconnected by one or more buses. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS10D comprises a receiver and a transmitter. One or more buses may be address, data or control buses and may comprise any interconnection mechanism, such as a series of lines on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication devices, etc. One or more transceivers TRANS10D may optionally be connected to one or more antennas to communicate with NN 12 and NN 13 respectively. One or more memories MEM 10B comprise computer program code PROG 10C. UE 10 communicates with NN 12 and / or NN13 via wireless link 11 or 14.

[0081] NN 12 (NR / 5G Node B, Evolved NB or LTE equipment) is associated with equipment such as Figure 5 The NN 12 is a network node for communicating with a NN 13 and a UE 10, such as a primary node base station, or a secondary node base station (for example, for NR or LTE long term evolution). The NN 12 provides access to wireless devices (such as UE 10) of the wireless network 1. The NN 12 includes one or more processors DP 12A, one or more memories MEM 12B, and one or more transceivers TRANS12D interconnected by one or more buses. According to an example embodiment, these TRANS12D may include an X2 and / or Xn interface for performing an example embodiment of the present invention. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS12D includes a receiver and a transmitter. The one or more transceivers TRANS12D may optionally be connected to one or more antennas to communicate with the UE 10 via at least a link 11. The one or more memories MEM 12B and the computer program code PROG 12C are configured to, together with the one or more processors DP 12A, cause the NN 12 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. The NN 12 may communicate with another gNB or eNB or device (such as NN13), such as via a link 14. In addition, link 11, link 14 and / or any other link may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an X2 or Xn interface. In addition, link 11 and / or link 14 may be connected through other network devices, such as but not limited to, Figure 5 The NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 devices are shown. The NN 12 may perform functions of an MME (Mobility Management Entity) or an SGW (Serving Gateway), such as user plane functions and / or access management functions of LTE and similar functions of 5G.

[0082] NN 13 may be associated with a mobility function device such as AMF or SMF, and further, NN 13 may include a NR / 5G Node B or a possible evolved NB, i.e., a base station, such as a master node base station, or a secondary node base station (e.g., for NR or LTE long term evolution), that communicates with devices such as NN 12 and / or UE 10 and / or wireless network 1. NN 13 includes one or more processors DP 13A, one or more memories MEM 13B, one or more network interfaces, and one or more transceivers TRANS13D interconnected by one or more buses. According to an example embodiment, these network interfaces of NN 13 may include an X2 and / or Xn interface for performing an example embodiment of the present invention. Each of the one or more transceivers TRANS13D includes a receiver and a transmitter that may be optionally connected to one or more antennas. One or more memories MEM 13B include a computer program code PROG 13C. For example, one or more memories MEM 13B and the computer program code PROG 13C are configured to, together with one or more processors DP 13A, enable NN 13 to perform one or more of the operations described herein. NN 13 may communicate with another mobility function device and / or eNB (such as NN 12 and UE 10) or any other device using, for example, link 11 or link 14 or another link. Figure 5 The link 14 shown may be used for communication between NN 12 and NN 13. These links may be wired or wireless or both, and may implement, for example, an X2 or Xn interface. In addition, the link 11 and / or link 14 described above may be connected through other network devices, such as but not limited to NCE / MME / SGW devices, such as Figure 5 NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14.

[0083] Figure 5 The one or more buses of the device may be address, data, or control buses and may include any interconnection mechanism such as a series of wires on a motherboard or integrated circuit, optical fiber or other optical communication device, wireless channel, etc. For example, one or more transceivers TRANS12D, TRANS13D and / or TRANS10D may be implemented as a remote radio head (RRH) where the other elements of the NN 12 are physically located at a different location from the RRH, and the devices may include one or more buses that may be partially implemented as fiber optic cables to connect the other elements of the NN 12 to the RRH.

[0084] It should be noted that although Figure 5Network nodes such as NN 12 and NN 13 are shown, but any of these nodes may incorporate or be incorporated into an eNodeB, eNB or gNB (such as for LTE and NR) and still be configured to perform example embodiments of the present invention.

[0085] Furthermore, it should be noted that the description herein indicates that a "cell" performs functions, but it should be clear that the gNB and / or user equipment and / or mobility management function device forming the cell will perform these functions. Furthermore, a cell forms part of a gNB, and each gNB may have multiple cells. Furthermore, it should be noted that the example embodiments of the present invention may be used for any type of radio communication cell, such as, but not limited to, LTE, NR, terahertz or sub-terahertz cells.

[0086] The wireless network 1 or any network it may represent may or may not include NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14, which may include (NCE) network control element functions, MME (mobility management entity) / SGW (serving gateway) functions, and / or serving gateway (SGW), and / or MME (mobility management entity) and / or SGW (serving gateway) functions, and / or user data management functions (UDM), and / or PCF (policy control) functions, and / or access and mobility management functions (AMF) functions, and / or session management (SMF) functions, and / or location management functions (LMF), and / or authentication server (AUSF) functions, and provide connection to another network (such as a telephone network and / or a data communication network (e.g., the Internet)), and is configured to perform any 5G and / or NR operations as a supplement or alternative to other standard operations at the time of this application. NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 may be configured to perform operations according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention in LTE, NR, 5G and / or any standard-based communication technology being implemented or discussed at the time of this application. In addition, it should be noted that operations according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention (such as operations performed by NN 12 and / or NN 13) may also be performed at NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14.

[0087] The NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 includes one or more processors DP 14A, one or more memories MEM 14B, and one or more network interfaces ((multiple) N / WI / F) interconnected by one or more buses coupled to the link 13 and / or link 14. According to an exemplary embodiment, these network interfaces may include X2 and / or Xn interfaces for performing the exemplary embodiments of the present invention. The one or more memories MEM 14B include computer program code PROG 14C. The one or more memories MEM 14B and the computer program code PROG 14C are configured to, together with the one or more processors DP 14A, enable the NCE / MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14 to perform one or more operations that may be required to support operations according to the exemplary embodiments of the present invention.

[0088] It should be noted that the NN 12 and / or the NN 13 and / or the UE 10 may be configured (e.g., based on standard implementations, etc.) to perform location management functions (LMF). The LMF function may be embodied in the content consumer A, the content consumer B, the Dash server and / or the content provider, or may be part of these network devices or other devices associated with these devices. In addition, the LMF (such as Figure 5 The LMF of the MME / SGW / UDM / PCF / AMF / SMF / LMF 14, at least as described below) can be co-located with the UE 10 to communicate with Figure 5 NN 12 and / or NN 13 are separated for performing operations according to the example embodiments of the present invention disclosed herein.

[0089] The wireless network 1 can implement network virtualization, which is a process of combining hardware and software network resources and network functions into a single software-based management entity (i.e., a virtual network). Network virtualization involves platform virtualization, usually combined with resource virtualization. Network virtualization is divided into two categories: one is external, which combines many networks or network parts into virtual units; the other is internal, which provides network-like functions for software containers on a single system. Note that the virtualized entities generated by network virtualization are still implemented to some extent using hardware such as processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A and / or DP14A and memories MEM 10B, MEM 12B, MEM 13B and / or MEM 14B, and such virtualized entities will also produce technical effects.

[0090] The computer readable memory MEM 12B, MEM 13B and MEM 14B may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and may be implemented using any suitable data storage technology, such as semiconductor-based memory devices, flash memory, magnetic memory devices and systems, optical memory devices and systems, fixed memory and removable memory. The computer readable memory MEM 12B, MEM 13B and MEM 14B may be components for performing storage functions. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A and DP14A may be of any type suitable for the local technical environment and, as non-limiting examples, may include one or more of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP) and a processor based on a multi-core processor architecture. The processors DP10, DP12A, DP13A and DP14A may be components for performing functions such as controlling UE 10, NN 12, NN 13 and other functions described herein.

[0091] As described above, there is therefore a need to reduce the time and resources required to support the initial access process and channels of a DS.

[0092] In the prior art design, the IE ServingCellConfigCommon is used to configure the cell-specific parameters of the UE's serving cell. The IE contains the parameters that the UE would normally obtain from the SSB, MIB or SIB when accessing the cell from IDLE. With this IE, the network provides this information in dedicated signaling when configuring an SCell or additional cell group (SCG) for the UE. It also provides this functionality for SpCells (MCG and SCG) after synchronous reconfiguration.

[0093] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the BS providing the primary cell determines that the UE should attempt to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell, after which the UE will attempt to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell (using the initial access configuration received by the UE from the primary cell).

[0094] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the UE and the BS providing the secondary sub-terahertz cell will determine (during a random access procedure) whether the UE's access to the secondary sub-terahertz cell is successful.

[0095] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the BS providing the primary cell indicates to the BS or the network node controlling and providing the sub-terahertz secondary cell about the UE suitable for accessing the sub-terahertz secondary cell.

[0096] In addition, the BS or the network node controlling the sub-terahertz secondary cell that determines the initial access configuration (indicated to the UE via the UE's previous primary cell) attempts to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell.

[0097] Figure 1 Shows the ServingCellConfigCommon information element

[0098] about Figure 1 .exist:

[0099] SSB-PositionsInBurst

[0100] ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates the time domain position of the SS blocks transmitted in the half-frame with SS / PBCH blocks as defined in TS 38.213 section 4.1. The first / leftmost bit corresponds to SS / PBCH block index 0, the second bit corresponds to SS / PBCH block index 1, and so on. A value of 0 in the bitmap indicates that the corresponding SS / PBCH block is not transmitted, while a value of 1 indicates that the corresponding SS / PBCH group is transmitted. The mode configured by the network in this field is the same as the mode in the corresponding field in ServingCellConfigCommonSIB.

[0101] In the prior art at the time of this application, a single semi-static SSB pattern was configured and the SSB position in terms of SSB index was fixed in time. It cannot support the proposed flexible behavior.

[0102] In addition, in the current NR system, before the UE sends data based on the reported CSI (including CQI), the UE undergoes the following configuration:

[0103] 1.UE detects SSB;

[0104] 2. The UE determines the Type0-PDCCH configuration based on the PCBH of the SSB;

[0105] 3. The UE detects the Type0-PDCCH carrying the scheduling grant of the PDSCH carrying SIB1;

[0106] 4.UE determines RACH configuration based on SIB1;

[0107] 5. The UE performs random access to the cell:

[0108] a. The UE sends the PRACH preamble associated with the selected SSB,

[0109] b.UE receives RAR,

[0110] c.UE sends Msg3 PUSCH carrying RRC connection request message,

[0111] d.UE receives PDSCH carrying RRC reconfiguration message,

[0112] e.UE sends HARQ-ACK,

[0113] 6.UE completes RRC connection establishment;

[0114] 7.UE receives CSI-RS configuration from gNB;

[0115] 8. The UE performs CSI measurements and sends CSI report(s) to the gNB; and

[0116] 9.UE receives PDCCH+PDSCH from gNB based on reported CSI

[0117] One of the challenges or delays that causes problems in current NR systems is that a relatively long time is required before the UE can send data based on the reported CSI (including, for example, CQI).

[0118] A general process of the proposed flexible initial access channel configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is summarized as follows:

[0119] 1. Provide cell access to DS only at lower layers;

[0120] 2. At any given time, no more than a few UEs are connected to the DS simultaneously;

[0121] 3. Mobility, connectivity, and control are handled by lower layers;

[0122] 4. UE can trigger DS cell SSB / beacon through lower frequency band, otherwise DS cell

[0123] Area SSB / Beacon can be silent:

[0124] ○ Triggers determined by the gNB based on UE path loss, location, speed, and traffic; and

[0125] 5. After the UE has caused the trigger:

[0126] ○SSB and CSI-RS have multiple modes that are used sequentially in time.

[0127] or pattern (see Figure 1 ),

[0128] o These are indicated to the UE prior to the initial access attempt.

[0129] Figure 2 The flexible synchronization signal block design is shown. Figure 2As shown, for idle cells and loaded DS cells with candidate beams, there is an initial SSB pattern including several SSB patterns and an initial CSI-RS pattern, and a modified synchronization maintenance pattern for the candidate beam. The time pattern is determined based at least on the period and time offset of the signal, where the time offset can be relative to the frame or time slot timing or other time reference used in the system. The configuration of the time pattern includes at least the parameters of the period.

[0130] In particular, the following modifications to the SSB / CSI-RS configuration are proposed:

[0131] SSB / CSI-RS configuration depends on

[0132] Whether the UE is the “first” UE on the sub-THz cell, or whether the sub-THz cell is already serving other UEs;

[0133] Which beams (and how many beams) are determined as candidate beams for the UE;

[0134] When the cell is idle or there are only one or two UEs in the cell, use dense synchronization burst or

[0135] model:

[0136] SSB and CSI-RS transmitted during a predetermined period of time or until the UE accesses a sub-THz cell, and

[0137] After initial access, SSB switches to synchronization maintenance mode, where SSB is transmitted on a more limited set of beams (based on UE feedback).

[0138] Updated SSB mode based on UE beam management;

[0139] All UEs in maintenance mode have dedicated SSB configuration (of course they can be shared

[0140] share the actual SSB transmission); and

[0141] SSB may be a signal block including at least one synchronization signal, and CSI-RS may be a reference signal for channel state measurement.

[0142] In addition, in order to speed up the data transmission capability based on CSI, the following are proposed:

[0143] ○ The UE provides the preferred MCS to the gNB in ​​Msg3 PUSCH, where the UE can estimate the preferred MCS from the PDSCH carrying SIB1; and

[0144] ○ The gNB may start using MCS (aggressive MCS selection) immediately after the random access procedure and before reporting CSI reports based on the information received on Msg3

[0145] Sending data to UE

[0146] By following these lines, wireless systems gain at least the following advantages:

[0147] Shortens initial access time on average and reduces the time the UE can send data based on the reported CSI, and

[0148] Reduced BS power consumption (i.e., the BS does not send SSB when there are no UEs nearby).

[0149] Figure 3 FIG. 1 shows a flow chart of a solution proposed according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 As shown in the flowchart, the BS of the lower frequency Pcell (BS-Pcell) and the BS of the sub-THz Scell ​​(BS-Scell) (such as Figure 5 NN12 and / or NN 13) in Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 10 and other UEs. Figure 3 As shown in step 1, BS-Pcell determines to configure and activate a sub-THz cell for the UE. Figure 3 As shown in step 2, the BS-Pcell transmits a sub-THz configuration and an activation configuration including a UE-specific initial channel configuration to the UE. Then, as shown in step 3, the UE 10 performs synchronization and measurement of sub-THz cell random access, and the BS-Scell ​​performs SSB transmission with a first period and configuration within a first time window. Figure 3 In step 4 of , the UE performs beam refinement, and the BS-Scell ​​performs SSB transmission with a second period and configuration including a dense CSI-RS pattern for beam refinement. Then, Figure 3 In step 5, the UE performs synchronization and beam maintenance, and the BS-Scell ​​performs SSB and CSI-RS transmission with the second periodicity and configuration.

[0150] It should be noted that the BSs for lower frequency Pcells and sub-THz Scells can be co-located:

[0151] 1. The determination may be triggered based on the large amount of data to be sent to the UE and the favorable conditions or position of the UE relative to the sub-THz BS. The favorable conditions may be identified based on lower layer PL reports / measurements, UE position, speed, direction, etc.;

[0152] 2. The configuration message contains the configuration for the initial channels, which include at least one or more of the synchronization signal, the broadcast channel providing at least the first part of system information, the random access channel and the downlink control channel. They can be, for example, SS, MIB, PBCH, PRACH, PDCCH CORESET 0. It contains multiple configurations of SSB and CSI-RS to be used sequentially;

[0153] 3. The BS sends SSB according to the first SSB pattern. The first SSB pattern is dense in time, which means that the timing of SSB transmission occurs at shorter intervals and the number of SSB transmissions per unit time is higher compared to other SSB patterns. For example, a dense SSB pattern may send a full beam scan within 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 of a typical interval. Alternatively, dense may also mean that more beam direction selections are scanned, covering a larger deviation angle, compared to other SSB patterns. The density may be further adjusted based on the existing load on the cell. The UE acquires synchronization with the cell and reads the PBCH based on the first SSB pattern. The UE performs random access. The UE may also report measurements to the PCell, especially in the event of a random access failure. The SSB pattern has a predefined duration and may also end with a successful random access by the UE. The SSB may also be limited to the direction (gNB beam set or antenna panel) in which the UE enters the cell. In other words, the beam direction contains only a subset of the beam directions in which SSBs can be sent on the cell. In this alternative, only a subset of SSBs covering a subset of beam directions may be sent. Since SSBs may be transmitted on only a subset of beam directions, for a larger set of beam directions, SSB transmissions on those beam directions occur at shorter intervals than in other SSB patterns containing SSBs, even though the interval between consecutive SSB transmissions in any beam direction remains constant for all SSB patterns;

[0154] 4. After successful random access, the BS switches to an SSB mode sufficient to maintain synchronization, but provides a dense CSI-RS pattern for fast beam refinement. The synchronization maintenance beam mode has fewer SSB opportunities in the time interval and the density will be lower. In addition, the synchronization maintenance beam mode can scan a smaller deviation angle limited to the UE's current location; and

[0155] 5. After beam refinement, both SSB and CSI-RS are transmitted in a pattern sufficient for synchronization maintenance and beam management. (Later, the pattern can be reconfigured so that SSB transmission is limited to the beam serving the UE and candidate beams that may be used for beam switching);

[0156] It should be noted that the handover may occur at the end of the first time window, or when the UE receives a predefined message or configuration message from the network. In addition, the message may indicate a specific phase of random access, such as random access message 2, random access message 4, random access message B, and the message indicates a specific phase of random access, such as random access message 2, random access message 4, random access message B. It should be noted that the random access message may also be message 3 or message A.

[0157] More details for step 2:

[0158] Step 2: Sub-THz cell configuration (see Figure 4 Example in ):

[0159] ServingCellConfigCommon contains:

[0160] The traditional ssb-PositionsInBurst (64 bits) bitmap of the SSB mode sent (0 - not sent / 1 - sent. Assume that the number of 1s it contains is N).

[0161] This provides a synchronous maintenance mode;

[0162] ssb-InitialPositions provides the initial synchronization mode:

[0163] ssb-InitialPositions maps the SSBs (and SSB indices) of ssb-PositionsInBurst to the new time positions used during the initial synchronization burst,

[0164] ssb-InitialPositions can be [1 1 0 1 0 0 1],

[0165] For example, the end of a pattern is indicated by the N+1th "1" on the bitmap,

[0166] • a related timer indicates the maximum duration of an initial synchronization burst relative to a time derived, for example, based on the timing of the RRC message;

[0167] CSIRS-RefinementPositions provides additional time for CSI-RS (subject to timing

[0168] (device-limited) resources for fast DL beam refinement:

[0169] a bitmap indicating additional symbols at empty SSB positions that carry the CSI-RS ports associated with the SSBs associated with the PRACH opportunities used by the UE, and

[0170] The associated timer indicates a maximum duration relative to a time instant derived, for example, based on the timing of the RA message 2, and

[0171] CSIRS-RefinementPositions can be [1 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1].

[0172] Figure 4 An example of a proposed flexible synchronization signal block configuration according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0173] like Figure 4 As shown, there is SSB-PositionsInBurst including an SSB index and an initial position, and CSIRS-RefinementPositions including a received PRACH associated with the SSB index, wherein SSBs for synchronization and maintenance, and additional CSI-RSs are transmitted according to a mode.

[0174] Fig. 6A , Figure 6B and Figure 6C Each illustrates a method according to an example embodiment of the present invention, which method may be performed by an apparatus.

[0175] Fig. 6A The diagram shows a device that can be used, such as but not limited to, Figure 5 Operations performed by devices such as UE 10 in FIG. Fig. 6A As shown in step 605, the user equipment of the communication network determines that the user equipment wants to access a cell to trigger random access to the cell. Fig. 6A As shown in step 610 of , random access uses an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of the communication network. Then as Fig. 6A As shown in step 615 in, the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance to access the cell.

[0176] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, wherein the network node comprises a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein the initial access configuration is received from the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell.

[0177] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the determination to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell is based on an instruction from a network node, and the access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spraying coverage on the user equipment.

[0178] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode is switched sequentially based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or reception of a predefined message from a network node.

[0179] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, wherein the determination is based on at least one of lower layer path loss or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment to the network node.

[0180] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a first configuration for a user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one item of a synchronization signal block transmission having a first period or configuration for a first time window for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel.

[0181] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the initial position of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of more than one pattern.

[0182] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the locations of the synchronization signal block subsets of the synchronization signal block transmissions appear at shorter intervals and numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that they appear more densely.

[0183] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, random access is performed on a cell based on an initial access configuration, wherein beam maintenance uses a synchronization maintenance mode.

[0184] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the more than one pattern includes at least a second configuration, the second configuration including synchronization signal block transmission with a second period and configuration in a second time window for beam refinement.

[0185] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by a network node after random access.

[0186] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network.

[0187] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, determining beam refinement includes utilizing a second configuration, the second configuration including synchronization signal block transmissions having a second period and configuration.

[0188] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the second period is longer than the first period.

[0189] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the more than one pattern includes at least a third configuration, and after determining beam refinement, the third configuration is used for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second period and configuration for beam refinement.

[0190] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the channel state information reference signal pattern is made dense enough for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or a selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

[0191] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: the maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein a second configuration is used after the timer expires.

[0192] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the more than one mode includes at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition and CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

[0193] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of a synchronization signal block having a fourth periodicity or a channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

[0194] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the more than one mode includes at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

[0195] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of a synchronization signal block having a fourth periodicity or a channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

[0196] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, an initial access configuration is received from a network node prior to random access.

[0197] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, based on the determination, a preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is indicated in a random access message to the network node.

[0198] According to the example embodiments described in the preceding paragraphs, in response to information received in a random access message and prior to a channel state information report, a downlink data transmission is received from a network node using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection.

[0199] A non-transitory computer readable medium (such as Figure 5 MEM 10B in the storage device stores program code (such as Figure 5 PROG10C in, the program code is executed by at least one processor (such as Figure 5 DP 10A) in is executed to perform at least the operations described in the above paragraphs.

[0200] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, there is an apparatus comprising: a communication network (such as Figure 5 User equipment in network 1) (such as Figure 5 UE 10 in Figure 5 TRANS13D, MEM 10B, PROG 10C and DP 10A in the communication network) is a component in which a user equipment wants to access a cell to trigger a random access to the cell, wherein the random access uses a random access signaling signal generated by a network node (such as a communication network node) of the communication network. Figure 5 NN 12 and / or NN 13) in the transmission (e.g. Figure 5 TRANS13D, MEM10B, PROG 10C and DP 10A) in the initial access configuration, and the initial access configuration is used sequentially (such as Figure 5 More than one mode of at least one of TRANS13D, MEM 10B, PROG 10C and DP 10A) synchronization signal, beacon or channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access the cell.

[0201] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, transmitting and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 10B], the medium encoding at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 10A] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 10C in ].

[0202] Figure 6B The diagram illustrates operations that may be performed by a network device, such as but not limited to Figure 5 The network node NN 12 or NN 13, or eNB or gNB in Figure 6BAs shown in step 630, the network node of the communication network determines that the user equipment wants to access the cell, so as to trigger the user equipment to randomly access the cell. Figure 6B As shown in step 635, based on the determination, an initial access configuration is sent to the user equipment to trigger the user equipment to randomly access the cell. Then, as shown in step 640, Figure 6B As shown in step 640, the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring access synchronization, beam refinement, and beam maintenance and activation of the cell for data spraying coverage.

[0203] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, wherein the network node comprises a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein the initial access configuration is received from the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell.

[0204] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the initial access channel configuration is transmitted by the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell.

[0205] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spraying coverage on the user equipment.

[0206] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode is switched sequentially based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from a network node.

[0207] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the determination is based on at least one of lower layer path loss reports or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment.

[0208] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode is switched sequentially based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from a network node.

[0209] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a first configuration for a user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one item of a synchronization signal block transmission having a first period or configuration for a first time window for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel.

[0210] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the initial position of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of more than one pattern.

[0211] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the positions of the synchronization signal block subsets of the synchronization signal block transmission appear at shorter intervals and in larger numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that they appear more densely.

[0212] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a second configuration for beam refinement, wherein the second configuration includes at least one of a synchronization signal block transmission with a second periodicity, a channel state information reference signal transmission with a third periodicity, or a configuration for a second time window.

[0213] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, random access is performed on a cell based on an initial access configuration.

[0214] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, after a random access procedure of a user equipment to a sub-terahertz secondary cell, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and / or a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by a network node.

[0215] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network.

[0216] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, determining beam refinement includes utilizing a second configuration, the second configuration including synchronization signal block transmissions having a second period and configuration.

[0217] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the second period is longer than the first period.

[0218] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, after beam refinement is determined, a third configuration is utilized for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second period and configuration to perform beam refinement.

[0219] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the channel state information reference signal pattern is made dense enough for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or a selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

[0220] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: the maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein a second configuration is used after the timer expires.

[0221] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the more than one mode includes at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition: [1 0 0 10 1 0 0 1].

[0222] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of a synchronization signal block having a fourth periodicity or a channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

[0223] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, an initial channel configuration is transmitted by a network node prior to random access.

[0224] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, it carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel transmitted from the user equipment to the network node.

[0225] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, an initial access channel configuration is transmitted to the user equipment using aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection by the network node in response to information received in message 3 and prior to channel state information reporting.

[0226] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, a preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is received from a user equipment in a random access message.

[0227] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, in response to information received in a random access message and prior to a channel state information report, a downlink data transmission is received using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection.

[0228] A non-transitory computer readable medium (such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B) in the storage device stores program code (such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C in the processor), the program code is executed by at least one processor (such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the processor 12A executes to perform at least the operations described in the above paragraphs.

[0229] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, there is an apparatus comprising: a communication network (such as Figure 5 Network nodes in network 1) (such as Figure 5 NN 12 and / or NN 13) in (e.g. Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP13A) user equipment (such as Figure 5 10) in the UE 10) to access the cell to trigger the user equipment to randomly access the cell; for sending to the user equipment based on the determination (such as Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the initial access configuration to trigger random access to the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access configuration is sequentially used (such as Figure 5 The TRANS 12D and / or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) data sprays more than one pattern of at least one of a cell synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access a cell.

[0230] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, issuing and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B], the medium is used by at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13C] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG13C] coding in.

[0231] Figure 6C The diagram shows that the Figure 5 The operations performed by a network device such as a network node NN 12 or NN 13 or a unit device such as a sub-terahertz unit device. Figure 6C As shown in step 650, the cell of the communication network determines the cell to be accessed by the user equipment. Figure 6C Based on the determination, random access is received from the user equipment using the initial access configuration as shown in step 655 of FIG. Figure 6C As shown in step 660, the initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon, or a channel state information reference signal to obtain synchronization for access, beam refinement and beam maintenance, and activation of cells for data spraying coverage.

[0232] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, wherein the initial access channel configuration comes from a network node associated with the communication network via a user equipment, and wherein access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment.

[0233] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the initial access channel configuration is transmitted from a network node of the communication network via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell.

[0234] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the initial access configuration is issued by a network node of the communication network in a frequency band lower than a frequency band of one of the cell or the primary cell.

[0235] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode is switched sequentially based on at least one of a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from a network node.

[0236] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the determination is based on at least one of lower layer path loss reports or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment.

[0237] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a first configuration for a user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one item of a synchronization signal block transmission having a first period or configuration for a first time window for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with a cell and read a physical broadcast channel.

[0238] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the initial position of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of more than one pattern.

[0239] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the positions of the synchronization signal block subsets of the synchronization signal block transmission appear at shorter intervals and in larger numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that they appear more densely.

[0240] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a second configuration for beam refinement, wherein the second configuration includes at least one of a synchronization signal block transmission with a second periodicity, a channel state information reference signal transmission with a third periodicity, or a configuration for a second time window.

[0241] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the initial access channel configuration includes a random access configuration, a beam refinement configuration, and a beam maintenance configuration, and the beam maintenance configuration uses a synchronization maintenance mode.

[0242] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by a network node after a random access procedure of a user equipment to a cell.

[0243] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network.

[0244] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, determining beam refinement includes utilizing a second configuration, the second configuration including synchronization signal block transmissions having a second period and configuration.

[0245] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the second cycle occurs at an interval and in a larger number than other synchronization signal block transmissions of the communication network.

[0246] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the second period is longer than the first period.

[0247] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, after beam refinement is determined, a third configuration is utilized for synchronization signal blocks and channel state information reference signal transmissions having a second period and configuration to perform beam refinement.

[0248] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the channel state information reference signal pattern is made dense enough for determining beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or a selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

[0249] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: the maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived from a message timing based on random access, wherein a second configuration is used after the timer expires.

[0250] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraph, the more than one mode includes at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

[0251] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, more than one mode includes at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: after determining beam refinement, utilizing the third configuration for at least one of a synchronization signal block having a fourth periodicity or a channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

[0252] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, the initial access channel configuration is transmitted by the network node in response to a random access.

[0253] According to the example embodiments described in the above paragraphs, wherein the initial access channel configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, it carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel transmitted from the user equipment to the network node.

[0254] According to the example embodiment described in the above paragraphs, in response to information received in message 3 and prior to channel state information reporting, the initial access channel configuration uses an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection.

[0255] A non-transitory computer readable medium (such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B) in the storage device stores program code (such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C in the processor), the program code is executed by at least one processor (such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the processor 12A executes to perform at least the operations described in the above paragraphs.

[0256] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as described above, there is an apparatus comprising: a communication network (such as Figure 5 The cell determination of network 1) in Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) user equipment (such as Figure 5 10 in the UE) to access the cell; for receiving via the user equipment (such as Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C, and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the initial access channel configuration to trigger (eg Figure 5 TRANS12D and / or TRANS 13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in the random access of the cell to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment, wherein the initial access channel configuration is sequentially used (such as Figure 5The invention also provides for the use of more than one mode of at least one of TRANS12D and / or TRANS13D, MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B, PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C and DP 12A and / or DP 13A) in data spraying cell synchronization signals, beacons or channel state information reference signals to perform beam refinement and obtain synchronization for access and activation of cells covered by the data spraying.

[0257] In an exemplary aspect of the invention according to the above paragraphs, wherein at least the means for determining, receiving, triggering and using comprises a non-transitory computer readable medium [such as Figure 5 MEM 12B and / or MEM 13B], the medium is used by at least one processor [such as Figure 5 DP 12A and / or DP 13C] executable computer program [such as Figure 5 PROG 12C and / or PROG 13C] coding in.

[0258] In addition, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is a circuit system for performing operations according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention as disclosed herein. The circuit system may include any type of circuit system, including a content encoding circuit system, a content decoding circuit system, a processing circuit system, an image generation circuit system, a data analysis circuit system, etc.). In addition, the circuit system may include a discrete circuit system, an application-specific integrated circuit system (ASIC) and / or a field programmable gate array circuit system (FPGA), etc., and a processor specially configured by software to perform corresponding functions, or a dual-core processor with software and a corresponding digital signal processor, etc.). In addition, the necessary inputs and outputs of the circuit system, the functions performed by the circuit system, and the interconnection of the circuit system with other components that may include other circuit systems (possibly via inputs and outputs) are provided to perform the exemplary embodiments of the present invention described herein.

[0259] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention disclosed in this application, the provided “circuitry system” may include at least one or more or all of the following:

[0260] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuit systems only)

[0261] now);

[0262] (b) a combination of hardware circuitry and software such as (where applicable):

[0263] (i) a combination of analog and / or digital hardware circuits and software / firmware;

[0264] as well as

[0265] (ii) any portion of hardware processor(s) with software (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to cause a device such as a mobile phone or server to perform various functions, such as functions or operations according to the example embodiments of the invention disclosed herein); and

[0266] (c) Hardware circuit(s) and / or processor(s), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s), that require software (e.g., firmware) for operation, but in which the software may not be present when not required for operation.”

[0267] According to an example embodiment of the present invention, there is sufficient circuitry for performing at least the novel operations disclosed in this application, and "circuitry" as used herein refers to at least the following:

[0268] (a) Hardware circuit implementation only (such as implementation in analog and / or digital circuit systems only)

[0269] now); and

[0270] (b) a combination of circuitry and software (and / or firmware) such as (as applicable):

[0271] (i) a combination of processors, or

[0272] (ii) Processor / software components (including digital signal processor(s), software and memory(s) that work together to cause, for example,

[0273] devices such as mobile phones or servers to perform various functions); and

[0274] (c) Circuitry that requires software or firmware to operate (even if the software or firmware is not physically present), such as microprocessor(s) or portion(s) of microprocessor(s).

[0275] This definition of “circuitry” applies to all uses of this term in this application, including in any claims. As another example, as used in this application, the term “circuitry” would also cover an implementation of merely a processor (or multiple processors) or portion of a processor and its accompanying software and / or firmware. For example, the term “circuitry” would also cover a baseband integrated circuit or application processor integrated circuit for a mobile phone, or a similar integrated circuit in a server, cellular network device, or other network device, if applicable to a particular claim element.

[0276] In general, various embodiments may be implemented in hardware or dedicated circuits, software, logic, or any combination thereof. For example, some aspects may be implemented in hardware, while other aspects may be implemented in firmware or software, which may be executed by a controller, microprocessor, or other computing device, but the invention is not limited thereto. Although various aspects of the invention may be illustrated and described in block diagrams, flow charts, or using some other graphical representation, it is well understood that, as non-limiting examples, the blocks, devices, systems, techniques, or methods described herein may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, dedicated circuits or logic, general purpose hardware or controllers or other computing devices, or some combination thereof.

[0277] Embodiments of the present invention may be implemented in various components such as integrated circuit modules. The design of integrated circuits is generally a highly automated process. Complex and powerful software tools are available to convert logic level designs into semiconductor circuit designs for etching and formation on semiconductor substrates.

[0278] The word "exemplary" is used herein to mean "serving as an example, instance, or illustration." Any embodiment described herein as "exemplary" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred over other embodiments. All embodiments described in this detailed description are exemplary embodiments intended to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the invention, rather than to limit the scope of the invention which is defined by the claims.

[0279] The foregoing description has provided by way of exemplary and non-limiting examples a complete and informative description of the best method and apparatus presently contemplated by the inventors for carrying out the invention. However, various modifications and adaptations will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant arts in view of the foregoing description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims. Nevertheless, all such and similar modifications of the teachings of the present invention will still fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0280] It should be noted that the terms "connected," "coupled," or any variations thereof, refer to any direct or indirect connection or coupling between two or more elements, and may encompass the presence of one or more intermediate elements between two elements that are "connected" or "coupled" together. The coupling or connection between elements may be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. As several non-limiting and non-exhaustive examples, two elements as employed herein may be considered to be "connected" or "coupled" together by using one or more wires, cables, and / or printed electrical connections, as well as by using electromagnetic energy, such as electromagnetic energy having wavelengths in the radio frequency region, microwave region, and optical (visible and invisible) region.

[0281] Furthermore, some features of the preferred embodiments of this invention may be used to advantage without the corresponding use of other features.Thus, the above description should be regarded as merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention, and not in limitation thereof.

Claims

1. A method comprising: Determining, by a user equipment of a communication network, that the user equipment is to access a cell to trigger random access to the cell; wherein the random access uses an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of the communication network, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access the cell.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the network node comprises a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein the initial access configuration is received from the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell. 3 . The method according to claim 2 , wherein determining to access the sub-terahertz secondary cell is based on an instruction from the network node, and wherein the access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the more than one modes are switched sequentially based on at least one of: a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or reception of a predefined message from the network node.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: lower layer path loss or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment to the network node.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the more than one modes include at least: A first configuration for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with the cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of: a synchronization signal block transmission having a first period and / or configuration for a first time window.

7. A method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein an initial position of a subset of synchronization signal blocks of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of the more than one pattern.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein the initial positions of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission appear at shorter intervals and in larger numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that the initial positions appear more densely.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein random access is performed on the cell based on the initial access configuration.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the more than one modes include at least a second configuration for beam refinement, wherein the second configuration includes at least one of the following: synchronization signal block transmission with a second period, channel state information reference signal transmission with a third period, or a configuration for a second time window.

11. The method according to claim 10, comprising: After the random access, the beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and / or a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by the network node.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the second period is longer than the first period.

14. A method according to any one of claims 10 to 13, wherein the channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense to be used to determine the beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of the following: a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: the maximum duration of the first configuration associated with the initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived based on the message timing of the random access, wherein the second configuration is used after the expiration of the timer.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the more than one modes include: At least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the more than one modes include at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: After determining the beam refinement, the third configuration is used for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein the initial access configuration is received from the network node before the random access.

19. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further comprising: Based on the determination, a preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is indicated in a random access message to the network node.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the downlink data transmission is received from the network node using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection in response to information received in the random access message and prior to a channel state information report.

21. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The device determines, by the device, that the device is to access a cell, so as to trigger random access to the cell; wherein the random access uses an initial access configuration transmitted by a network node of the communication network, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance to access the cell.

22. A method comprising: A network node of the communication network determines that a user equipment is to access a cell, so as to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell; Based on the determination, an initial access configuration is issued to the user equipment to trigger the random access of the user equipment to the cell, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance for accessing the cell.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the network node comprises a primary serving cell, and wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein the initial access configuration is sent from the network node via a frequency band lower than a frequency band of the cell. 24 . The method according to claim 22 , wherein the access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment.

25. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 24, wherein the more than one modes are switched sequentially based on at least one of: a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message by the network node.

26. The method of any one of claims 22 to 25, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: lower layer path loss reports or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 26, wherein the more than one modes include at least: A first configuration for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with the cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of synchronization signal block transmissions having a first period or configuration for a first time window.

28. A method according to claims 22 to 27, wherein an initial position of a subset of synchronization signal blocks of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of the more than one patterns.

29. A method according to claim 28, wherein the initial positions of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission appear at shorter intervals and in larger numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that the initial positions appear more densely.

30. A method according to any one of claims 22 to 29, wherein the more than one modes include at least a second configuration for beam refinement, wherein the second configuration includes at least one of the following: synchronization signal block transmission with a second periodicity, channel state information reference signal transmission with a third periodicity, or a configuration for a second time window.

31. The method according to claim 30, comprising: After the random access procedure of the user equipment to the sub-terahertz secondary cell, the beam refinement is determined based on switching to a synchronization signal block mode and / or a channel state information reference signal mode provided by the network node.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network node.

33. The method of any one of claims 30 to 32, wherein the second period is longer than the first period.

34. A method according to any one of claims 30 to 33, wherein the channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense to determine the beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of the following: a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: the maximum duration of the first configuration associated with the initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived based on the message timing of the random access, wherein the second configuration is used after the expiration of the timer.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the more than one modes include: At least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition or CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

37. The method of any one of claims 22 to 36, wherein the more than one modes include at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: After determining the beam refinement, the third configuration is used for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

38. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 37, wherein the initial channel configuration is received by the network node prior to the random access.

39. The method according to any one of claims 22 to 38, wherein the initial access configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, and the preferred modulation and coding scheme carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel received by the network node from the user equipment.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the initial access configuration is transmitted to the user equipment by the network node in response to information received in the message 3 and prior to a channel state information report using an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection.

41. The method of claim 22, further comprising: A preferred modulation and coding scheme for downlink data transmission is received from the user equipment in a random access message.

42. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The device determines that the user equipment is to access a cell, so as to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell; Based on the determination, an initial access configuration is issued to the user equipment to trigger the random access of the user equipment to the cell, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring at least one of synchronization, beam refinement and beam maintenance for accessing the cell.

43. A method comprising: Determining, by a cell of the communication network, that the user equipment is to access the cell; Based on the determination, receiving a random access from the user equipment using an initial access configuration, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal to obtain at least one of synchronization for access, beam refinement and beam maintenance, and activation of the cell for data spraying coverage.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein the cell comprises a sub-terahertz secondary cell, and wherein the access to the sub-terahertz secondary cell is used to perform data spray coverage on the user equipment.

45. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 44, wherein the initial access configuration is issued by a network node of the communication network over a frequency band lower than a frequency band of one of the cell or a primary cell.

46. ​​The method of any one of claims 43 to 45, wherein the more than one modes are switched sequentially based on at least one of: a configured time window, expiration of a timer, or a predefined message from the network node.

47. A method according to any one of claims 43 to 46, wherein the determination is based on at least one of: lower layer path loss reports or measurements, position, speed or direction reported from the user equipment.

48. A method according to any one of claims 43 to 47, wherein the more than one modes include at least: A first configuration for the user equipment to acquire synchronization with the cell and read a physical broadcast channel, wherein the first configuration includes at least one of synchronization signal block transmissions having a first period or configuration for a first time window.

49. A method according to any one of claims 43 to 48, wherein an initial position of a subset of synchronization signal blocks of the synchronization signal block transmission provides an initial synchronization pattern of the more than one patterns.

50. A method according to claim 49, wherein the initial positions of the synchronization signal block subset of the synchronization signal block transmission appear at shorter intervals and in larger numbers than other synchronization signal block patterns of the communication network so that the initial positions appear more densely.

51. A method according to any one of claims 43 to 50, wherein the more than one modes include at least a second configuration for beam refinement, wherein the second configuration includes at least one of the following: synchronization signal block transmission with a second period, channel state information reference signal transmission with a third period, or a configuration for a second time window.

52. The method of claim 51, comprising: The beam refinement is determined based on a switch to a synchronization signal block pattern and / or a channel state information reference signal pattern provided by the network node after the random access procedure of the user equipment to the cell.

53. The method of claim 52, wherein the switching occurs at the end of the first time window or when the user equipment receives a predefined message from the network node.

54. The method of any one of claims 51 to 53, wherein the second period is longer than the first period.

55. A method according to claims 51 to 54, wherein the channel state information reference signal pattern is made sufficiently dense to determine the beam refinement, wherein the dense channel state information reference signal pattern includes at least one of the following: a full 1 / 10 or 1 / 100 interval beam scan, or selection of a beam covering a larger deviation angle compared to other synchronization signal block patterns.

56. A method according to claim 55, wherein the intensively provided channel state information reference signal pattern utilizes a timer to indicate: a maximum duration of a first configuration associated with an initial synchronization burst relative to a moment derived based on the message timing of the random access, wherein a second configuration is used after the expiration of the timer.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the more than one modes include at least one bitmap indicating at least one of ssb-InitialPosition and CSIRS-RefinementPosition.

58. The method of any one of claims 43 to 57, wherein the more than one modes include at least a third configuration for beam maintenance, wherein the third configuration includes: After determining the beam refinement, a third configuration is utilized for at least one of synchronization signal blocks having a fourth periodicity or channel state information reference signal transmission having a fifth periodicity.

59. The method of claim 43, wherein the initial access configuration is transmitted by the network node in response to the random access.

60. The method according to any one of claims 43 to 59, wherein the initial access configuration is transmitted based on a preferred modulation and coding scheme, and the preferred modulation and coding scheme carries a system information block in a message 3 physical uplink shared channel transmitted from the user equipment to the network node.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the initial access configuration uses an aggressive modulation and coding scheme selection in response to information received in the message 3 and prior to a channel state information report.

62. An apparatus comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one non-transitory memory including computer program code, wherein the at least one non-transitory memory and the computer program code are configured to, with the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Determining, by a cell of the communication network, that the user equipment is to access the cell; Based on the determination, receiving, via the user equipment, an initial access channel configuration to trigger random access of the user equipment to the cell, and The initial access configuration sequentially uses more than one mode of at least one of a synchronization signal, a beacon or a channel state information reference signal for acquiring synchronization for access, beam refinement and beam maintenance, and activation of the cell for data spraying coverage.

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