Random access procedure based on PDCCH commands

Abstract

A method of operating a user equipment includes receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration for a serving cell, receiving a PRACH configuration for N additional cells, and receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command. The PDCCH command includes a field for a cell ID, and a field for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block index corresponding to the cell ID. The method also includes determining a value of a cell ID field in the PDCCH command. A physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration associated with a cell ID is determined, a PRACH is transmitted in a PRACH occasion associated with an SS / PBCH block index and a corresponding cell ID, and if a value of a cell ID field is non-zero, a PRACH transmission power is determined based on an SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the corresponding cell ID included in a PDCCH command.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networks and more particularly to random access procedures based on Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) orders. Background Art

[0002] The fifth generation (5G) mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band so that high transmission rates and new services are possible, and can be realized not only in "below 6 GHz" frequency bands such as 3.5 GHz, but also in "above 6 GHz" frequency bands called millimeter waves including 28 GHz and 39 GHz. In addition, the implementation of the sixth generation (6G) mobile communication technology (referred to as a super 5G system) in the terahertz frequency band (e.g., 95 GHz to 3 THz frequency band) has been considered in order to achieve a transmission rate fifty times faster than that of the 5G mobile communication technology and an ultra-low latency of one tenth of that of the 5G mobile communication technology.

[0003] At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technology, in order to support services and meet performance requirements related to enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low latency communications (URLLC), and massive machine type communications (mMTC), there has been ongoing standardization on beamforming and massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) for mitigating radio wave path loss and increasing radio wave transmission distance in mmWave, parameter sets to support dynamic operation for efficient utilization of mmWave resources and time slot formats (e.g., operating multiple subcarrier spacings), initial access technologies to support multi-beam transmission and broadband, definition and operation of bandwidth parts (BWPs), new channel coding methods such as low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes for large amounts of data transmission and polar codes for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 pre-processing, and network slicing for providing dedicated networks dedicated to specific services.

[0004] Currently, in view of the services that 5G mobile communication technology is to support, there are ongoing discussions on improvements and performance enhancements of initial 5G mobile communication technology, and there is already physical layer standardization on the technology, such as vehicle-to-everything (V2X) for assisting autonomous vehicles in making driving decisions based on information sent by the vehicle about the vehicle's location and status and for enhancing user convenience, new radio unlicensed (NR-U) for system operation designed to comply with various regulatory requirements in unlicensed bands, NR UE power saving, non-terrestrial network (NTN) for UE-satellite direct communication to provide coverage in areas where communication with terrestrial networks is not available, and positioning.

[0005] In addition, there has been ongoing standardization on air interface architecture / protocols for technologies such as Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for supporting new services through interworking and convergence with other industries, Integrated Access and Backhaul (IAB) for providing nodes for network service area expansion by supporting wireless backhaul links and access links in an integrated manner, mobility enhancements including conditional handover and dual active protocol stack (DAPS) handover, and two-step random access (NR's two-step RACH) for simplifying the random access procedure. There is also ongoing standardization on system architecture / services for 5G baseline architecture (e.g., service-based architecture or service-based interface) for combining network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined networking (SDN) technologies, and mobile edge computing (MEC) for receiving services based on UE location.

[0006] As 5G mobile communication systems are commercialized, the already exponentially growing number of connected devices will be connected to the communication network, and it is accordingly expected that enhanced functionality and performance of the 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operations of connected devices will be necessary. To this end, new research related to extended reality (XR) is arranged for effectively supporting augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), etc., improving 5G performance and reducing complexity by utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication.

[0007] In addition, such development of 5G mobile communication systems will serve as a foundation for developing not only new waveforms for providing terahertz band coverage for 6G mobile communication technology, multi-antenna transmission technologies such as full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, and massive antennas, metamaterial-based lenses and antennas for improving terahertz band signal coverage, high-dimensional spatial multiplexing technology using orbital angular momentum (OAM), and reconfigurable smart surfaces (RIS), but also full-duplex technology for improving frequency efficiency of 6G mobile communication technology and improving system networks, AI-based communication technology for achieving system optimization by utilizing satellites and AI from the design stage and internalizing end-to-end AI support functions, and next-generation distributed computing technology for implementing services with a complexity that exceeds UE operating limitations. In some embodiments, the UE may provide wireless communication capabilities by utilizing ultra-high performance communication and computing resources. Summary of the invention

[0008] Technical issues

[0009] The present disclosure provides methods and apparatus for a random access procedure based on a Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH) command.

[0010] Technical Solution

[0011] In a first embodiment, a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a transceiver configured to receive a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration for a serving cell, receive a PRACH configuration for N additional cells, and receive a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command. The PDCCH command includes a field for a cell identifier (ID) and a field for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block index corresponding to the cell ID. The UE also includes a processor operably coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to determine a value of a cell ID field in the PDCCH command and determine a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID. The transceiver is also configured to send PRACH in a PRACH opportunity (RO) associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the cell ID. If the value of the cell ID field is non-zero, the processor is also configured to determine the PRACH transmission power based on the SS / PBCH block index included in the PDCCH command and the corresponding cell ID associated with the SS / PBCH block.

[0012] In another embodiment, a base station (BS) is provided. The BS includes a transceiver configured to send a PRACH configuration for a serving cell, send a PRACH configuration for N additional cells, and send a PDCCH command. The PDCCH command includes a field for a cell ID and a field for an SS / PBCH block index corresponding to the cell ID. The BS also includes a processor operably coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to determine a value of a cell ID field in a PDCCH command and determine a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID. The transceiver is also configured to receive PRACH in a RO associated with an SS / PBCH index and a corresponding cell ID. If the value of the cell ID field is non-zero, the PRACH transmission power is based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the corresponding cell ID included in the PDCCH command.

[0013] In yet another embodiment, a method for operating a UE is provided. The method includes receiving a PRACH configuration for a serving cell, receiving a PRACH configuration for N additional cells, and receiving a PDCCH command. The PDCCH command includes a field for a cell ID and a field for an SS / PBCH block index corresponding to the cell ID. The method also includes determining a value of a cell ID field in the PDCCH command, determining a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID, and transmitting the PRACH in an RO associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the corresponding cell ID. If the value of the cell ID field is non-zero, the method also includes determining the PRACH transmission power based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the corresponding cell ID included in the PDCCH command.

[0014] Other technical features may be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings, descriptions and claims.

[0015] Before the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to set forth the definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "coupling" and its derivatives refer to any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not these elements are in physical contact with each other. The terms "send", "receive" and "transmit" and their derivatives cover both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise" and their derivatives mean unrestricted inclusion. The term "or" is inclusive, meaning and / or. The phrase "associated with" and its derivatives mean including, included, interconnected with it, including, included, connected to or connected with it, coupled to or coupled with it, can communicate with it, collaborate with it, interlace, juxtapose, approach, bind to or bind with it, have, have the property of, have to ... or have a relationship with ... etc. The term "controller" means any device, system or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller can be implemented with hardware or a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The function associated with any particular controller can be centralized or distributed, whether local or remote. The phrase "at least one of" when used with a list of items means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items can be used, and that only one of the items in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A, B, C, A and B, A and C, B and C, and A and B and C.

[0016] In addition, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed by a computer-readable program code and embodied in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, processes, functions, objects, classes, examples, related data or a portion thereof suitable for implementation in a suitable computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium that can be accessed by a computer, such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard drive, a compact disk (CD), a digital video disk (DVD) or any other type of memory. "Non-transitory" computer-readable media excludes wired, wireless, optical or other communication links that transmit temporary electrical signals or other signals. Non-transitory computer-readable media include media in which data can be permanently stored and media in which data can be stored and rewritten later, such as rewritable optical disks or erasable memory devices.

[0017] Definitions for certain other words and phrases are provided throughout this patent document. Those of ordinary skill in the art should understand that in many, if not most instances, such definitions apply to prior, as well as future uses of such defined words and phrases. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] For a more complete understanding of the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0019] Figure 1 An example wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0020] Figure 2A An example wireless transmission path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0021] Figure 2B An example wireless receive path according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0022] Figure 3A An example UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0023] Figure 3B An example gNB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0024] Figure 4 An example of an OFDM symbol with a CP attached to the front end according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0025] Figure 5An example of PUSCH or PUCCH arrival being aligned with base station reference timing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0026] Fig. 6A An example of a wireless system beam according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0027] Figure 6B An example of a wireless system beam according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0028] Figure 7 An example of an antenna block or array according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0029] Figure 8 An example MAC RAR according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0030] Fig. 9 shows an example successful RAR according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Fig.10 shows an example timing advance command MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Fig.11 shows an example absolute timing advance command MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Fig.12 An example of a type 1 random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0034] Fig.13 An example of a type 2 random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0035] Fig.14A An example of a UE communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0036] Fig. 14B An example of a UE communicating with a first TRP and a second TRP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0037] Fig.15 An example of synchronizing a first TRP and a second TRP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0038] Fig.16 An example of a first TRP and a second TRP with asynchronous reference time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0039] Fig.17 An example of a first TRP and a second TRP with asynchronous reference time according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0040] Fig.18 An example of a UE configured with an association of SSB with a TA group according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0041] Fig.19 An example of a TA group with L entities according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0042] Fig. 20 An example of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0043] Fig.21 An example of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0044] Fig. 22 An example of a TA group with L entities according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0045] Fig.23 An example of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0046] Fig.24 An example of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0047] Fig.25 An example of a CFRA procedure triggered by a PDCCH order according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0048] Fig.26 An example of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0049] Fig. 27 An example of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0050] Fig.28 An example of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0051] Fig.29 An example of a DMRS antenna port of a PDCCH of an RAR having the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as a DMRS antenna port of a PDCCH ordered by a PDCCH according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0052] Fig.30 An example of quasi-co-location of a DMRS antenna port of a PDCCH of an RAR and an SSB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0053] Fig.31 shows a high-level triggered CFRA process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0054] Fig.32An example of a CBRA procedure triggered by a PDCCH order according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown;

[0055] Fig.33 shows a high-level triggered CBRA process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0056] Fig.34 A method performed by a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Discussed below Figures 1 to 34 The various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are illustrative only and should not be interpreted in any way to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged wireless communication system.

[0058] In order to meet the demand for wireless data services that has increased since the deployment of 4G communication systems and to realize various vertical applications, 5G / NR communication systems have been developed and are currently being deployed. 5G / NR communication systems are considered to be implemented in higher frequency (millimeter wave) bands (e.g., 28 GHz or 60 GHz bands) to achieve higher data rates, or in lower frequency bands (such as 6 GHz) to achieve robust coverage and mobility support. In order to reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technology are discussed in 5G / NR communication systems.

[0059] In addition, in the 5G / NR communication system, system network improvements are being developed based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communications, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, collaborative communications, coordinated multi-point (CoMP), and receiving-end interference cancellation.

[0060] The discussion of 5G systems and frequency bands associated therewith is for reference, as certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in 5G systems. However, the present disclosure is not limited to 5G systems or frequency bands associated therewith, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in conjunction with any frequency band. For example, aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to the deployment of 5G communication systems, 6G, or even newer versions that may use terahertz (THz) frequency bands.

[0061] The following Figures 1 to 3B Various embodiments are described that are implemented in a wireless communication system and utilizing Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) or Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) communication techniques. Figures 1 to 3BThe description is not meant to imply physical or architectural limitations to the manner in which different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communications system.

[0062] Figure 1 An example wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 1 The embodiment of the wireless network shown is for illustration only. Other embodiments of the wireless network 100 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the wireless network includes gNB 101 (e.g., base station, BS), gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130 such as the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or other data network.

[0064] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a first plurality of user equipment (UE) within coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The first plurality of UEs include UE 111, which may be located in a small business; UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise; UE 113, which may be a WiFi hotspot; UE 114, which may be located in a first residence; UE 115, which may be located in a second residence; and UE 116, which may be a mobile device such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop, a wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a second plurality of UEs within coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The second plurality of UEs include UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101-103 may communicate with each other and with UEs 111-116 using 5G / NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution-Advanced (LTE-A), WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication technologies.

[0065] Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" may refer to any component (or set of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as a transmission point (TP), a transmission-reception point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or eNB), a 5G / NR base station (gNB), a macro cell, a femto cell, a WiFi access point (AP), or other supporting wireless devices. The base station may provide wireless access according to one or more wireless communication protocols (e.g., 5G / NR Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Advanced LTE (LTE-A), High Speed ​​Packet Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc.). For convenience, the terms "BS" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to a network infrastructure component that provides wireless access to a remote terminal. In addition, depending on the network type, the term "user equipment" or "UE" may refer to any component, such as a "mobile station", "subscriber station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal", "reception point", or "user equipment". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to a remote wireless device that wirelessly accesses a BS, whether the UE is a mobile device (such as a mobile phone or smartphone) or a commonly thought of fixed device (such as a desktop computer or vending machine).

[0066] The dashed lines illustrate the approximate extents of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular for purposes of illustration and explanation only. It should be clearly understood that coverage areas associated with gNBs, such as coverage areas 120 and 125, may have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0067] As described in more detail below, one or more of the UEs 111-116 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof for a random access procedure based on a PDCCH command. In certain embodiments, one or more of the gNBs 101-103 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof to support a random access procedure based on a PDCCH command.

[0068] although Figure 1 An example of a wireless network is shown, but Figure 1Various changes may be made. For example, the wireless network may include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs in any suitable arrangement. In addition, gNB 101 may communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to network 130. Similarly, gNBs 102-103 may each communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. In addition, gNBs 101, 102, and / or 103 may provide access to other or additional external networks, such as an external telephone network or other type of data network.

[0069] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Example wireless transmit and receive paths according to the present disclosure are shown. In the following description, transmit path 200 may be described as being implemented in a gNB (such as gNB 102) and receive path 250 may be described as being implemented in a UE (such as UE 116). However, it should be understood that receive path 250 may be implemented in a gNB and transmit path 200 may be implemented in a UE. In some embodiments, receive path 250 is configured to support a random access procedure based on a PDCCH command, as described in embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0070] The transmit path 200 includes a channel coding and modulation block 205, a serial-to-parallel conversion (S-to-P) block 210, an N-point inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block 215, a parallel-to-serial conversion (P-to-S) block 220, an add cyclic prefix block 225, and an upconverter (UC) 230. The receive path 250 includes a downconverter (DC) 255, a remove cyclic prefix block 260, a serial-to-parallel conversion (S-to-P) block 265, an N-point fast Fourier transform (FFT) block 270, a parallel-to-serial conversion (P to S) block 275, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 280.

[0071] In the transmit path 200, the channel coding and modulation block 205 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (such as low density parity check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (such as using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to generate a frequency domain modulation symbol sequence. The serial-to-parallel conversion block 210 converts (such as demultiplexes) the serial modulation symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the IFFT / FFT size used in the gNB 102 and the UE 116. The N-point IFFT block 215 performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time domain output signal. The parallel-to-serial conversion block 220 converts (such as multiplexes) the parallel time domain output symbols from the N-point IFFT block 215 to generate a serial time domain signal. The add cyclic prefix block 225 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time domain signal. The up-converter 230 modulates (such as up-converts) the output of the add cyclic prefix block 225 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal may also be filtered at baseband before conversion to RF frequency.

[0072] The RF signal transmitted from the gNB 102 arrives at the UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and the reverse operation of the operation at the gNB 102 is performed at the UE 116. The down converter 255 down-converts the received signal to the baseband frequency, and the cyclic prefix removal block 260 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. The serial-to-parallel conversion block 265 converts the time-domain baseband signal into a parallel time-domain signal. The N-point FFT block 270 performs an FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. The parallel-to-serial conversion block 275 converts the parallel frequency-domain signals into a modulated data symbol sequence. The channel decoding and demodulation block 280 demodulates and decodes the modulation symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0073] Each of gNBs 101-103 may implement a transmit path 200 similar to that for transmitting in the downlink to UEs 111-116 and may implement a receive path 250 similar to that for receiving in the uplink from UEs 111-116. Similarly, each of UEs 111-116 may implement a transmit path 200 for transmitting in the uplink to gNBs 101-103 and may implement a receive path 250 for receiving in the downlink from gNBs 101-103.

[0074] Figure 2A and Figure 2B Each component in may be implemented using hardware only or a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example, Figure 2A and Figure 2BAt least some components in can be implemented in software, while other components can be implemented by configurable hardware or a mixture of software and configurable hardware. For example, FFT block 270 and IFFT block 215 can be implemented as configurable software algorithms, where the value of size N can be modified according to the implementation.

[0075] In addition, although described as using FFT and IFFT, this is illustrative only and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms may be used, such as discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) functions. It should be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), while for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N may be any integer that is a power of two (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.).

[0076] although Figure 2A and Figure 2B An example of a wireless transmit and receive path is shown, but the Figure 2A and Figure 2B For example, they can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted Figure 2A and Figure 2B There are various components in it, and additional components can be added according to specific needs. In addition, Figure 2A and Figure 2B It is intended to illustrate examples of the types of transmit and receive paths that may be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture may be used to support wireless communications in a wireless network.

[0077] Figure 3A An example UE 116 is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3A The embodiment of UE 116 shown in FIG. 1 is for illustration only, and Figure 1 UEs 111-115 may have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 3A The scope of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of a UE.

[0078] like Figure 3A As shown, UE 116 includes antenna(s) 305, transceiver(s) 310, and microphone 320. UE 116 also includes speaker 330, processor 340, input / output (I / O) interface (IF) 345, input 350, display 355, and memory 360. Memory 360 includes operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0079] Transceiver(s) 310 receive incoming RF signals from antenna 305 transmitted by a gNB of network 100. Transceiver(s) 310 downconvert the incoming RF signals to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is processed by RX processing circuitry in transceiver(s) 310 and / or processor 340, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry transmits the processed baseband signal to speaker 330 (such as for voice data) or to processor 340 for processing (such as for web browsing data).

[0080] The TX processing circuitry in the transceiver(s) 310 and / or processor 340 receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone 320, or receives other outgoing baseband data (such as web data, email, or interactive video game data) from the processor 340. The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The transceiver(s) 310 up-converts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antenna(s) 305.

[0081] The processor 340 may include one or more processors or other processing devices and runs an OS 361 stored in the memory 360 to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor 340 may control the reception of DL channel signals and the transmission of UL channel signals through the transceiver(s) 310 according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0082] The processor 340 is also capable of running other processes and programs resident in the memory 360, such as processes for random access procedures based on PDCCH commands, as discussed in more detail below. The processor 340 can move data into or out of the memory 360 as needed by the running process. In some embodiments, the processor 340 is configured to run applications 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to signals received from the gNB or operator. The processor 340 is also coupled to the I / O interface 345, which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptops and handheld computers. The I / O interface 345 is the communication path between these accessories and the processor 340.

[0083] Processor 340 is also coupled to input 350, including, for example, a touch screen, a keypad, etc., and display 355. An operator of UE 116 may use input 350 to enter data into UE 116. Display 355 may be a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, or other display capable of presenting text and / or at least limited graphics, such as from a website.

[0084] Memory 360 is coupled to processor 340. A portion of memory 360 may include random access memory (RAM), and another portion of memory 360 may include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0085] although Figure 3A An example of UE 116 is shown, but the Figure 3A For example, they can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted Figure 3A , and additional components may be added as needed. As a specific example, processor 340 may be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). In another example, transceiver(s) 310 may include any number of transceivers and signal processing chains, and may be connected to any number of antennas. In addition, although Figure 3A The UE 116 is shown configured as a mobile phone or smart phone, but the UE may be configured to operate as other types of mobile or stationary devices.

[0086] Figure 3B An example gNB 102 is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3B The embodiment of the gNB 102 shown in FIG. is for illustration only, and Figure 1 gNBs 101 and 103 may have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 3B The scope of this disclosure is not limited to any particular implementation of gNB.

[0087] like Figure 3B As shown, the gNB 102 includes multiple antennas 370a-370n, multiple transceivers 372a-372n, a controller / processor 378, a memory 380, and a backhaul or network interface 382.

[0088] The transceivers 372a-372n receive incoming RF signals from the antennas 370a-370n, such as signals sent by UEs in the network 100. The transceivers 372a-372n downconvert the incoming RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are processed by receive (RX) processing circuits in the transceivers 372a-372n and / or the controller / processor 378, which generate processed baseband signals by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signals. The controller / processor 378 may further process the baseband signals.

[0089] Transmit (TX) processing circuitry in the transceivers 372a-372n and / or the controller / processor 378 receives analog or digital data (such as voice data, web data, email, or interactive video game data) from the controller / processor 378. The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the outgoing baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The transceivers 372a-372n up-convert the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal that is transmitted via the antennas 370a-370n.

[0090] The controller / processor 378 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 378 may control the reception of UL channel signals and the transmission of DL channel signals by the transceivers 372a-372n in accordance with well-known principles. The controller / processor 378 may also support additional functionality, such as more advanced wireless communication functionality. For example, the controller / processor 378 may support beamforming or directional routing operations, in which outgoing / incoming signals from / to multiple antennas 370a-370n are weighted differently to effectively direct the outgoing signals in a desired direction. The controller / processor 378 may support any of a wide variety of other functionality in the gNB 102.

[0091] The controller / processor 378 is also capable of running programs and other processes resident in the memory 380, such as an OS and, for example, processes for supporting random access procedures based on PDCCH orders, as discussed in more detail below. The controller / processor 225 can move data into or out of the memory 380 as required by the running processes.

[0092] The controller / processor 378 is also coupled to a backhaul or network interface 382. The backhaul or network interface 382 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or via a network. The interface 382 can support communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection. For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (such as a cellular communication system supporting 5G / NR, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 382 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the interface 382 can allow the gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network (such as the Internet) via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection. The interface 382 includes any suitable structure that supports communication via a wired or wireless connection, such as Ethernet or a transceiver.

[0093] Memory 380 is coupled to controller / processor 378. A portion of memory 380 may include RAM, and another portion of memory 380 may include flash memory or other ROM.

[0094] although Figure 3B An example of a gNB 102 is shown, but the Figure 3B For example, gNB 102 may include any number of Figure 3B Each component shown in . In addition, it can be combined, further subdivided or omitted Figure 3B There are various components in it, and additional components can be added according to specific needs.

[0095] The following literature and standard descriptions are hereby incorporated into the present disclosure as if fully set forth herein:

[0096] [1] 3GPP TS 38.211v17.5.0, “NR; Physical channels and modulation”

[0097] [2] 3GPP TS 38.212v17.5.0, “NR; Multiplexing and channel coding”

[0098] [3] 3GPP TS 38.213 v17.6.0, “NR; Physical layer procedures for control”.

[0099] [4] 3GPP TS 38.214v17.6.0, “NR; Physical layer procedures for data”

[0100] [5] 3GPP TS 38.321v17.5.0, “NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Specification”

[0101] [6] 3GPP TS 38.331v17.5.0, “NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification”

[0102] [7] 3GPP RP-202024, “Revised WID: Further Enhancements for MIMO in NR”.

[0103] [8] 3GPP RP-213598, “MIMO Evolution for Downlink and Uplink”.

[0104] The time unit for DL ​​signaling and UL signaling in a cell is a symbol. A symbol belongs to a time slot including multiple symbols (such as 14 symbols). A time slot can also be used as a time unit. A bandwidth (BW) unit is called a resource block (RB). One RB includes multiple subcarriers (SC). For example, a time slot may have a duration of one millisecond, and an RB may have a bandwidth of 180kHz and include 12 SCs with an inter-SC spacing of 15kHz. As another example, a time slot may have a duration of 0.25 milliseconds and include 14 symbols, and an RB may have a BW of 720kHz and include 12 SCs with an SC spacing of 60kHz. An RB in one symbol of a time slot is called a physical RB (PRB) and includes multiple resource elements (REs). A time slot may be a complete DL time slot, or a complete UL time slot, or a mixed time slot similar to a special subframe in a time division duplex (TDD) system (see also reference 1).

[0105] NR uses CP-OFDM and DTF-s-OFDM waveforms for uplink transmission [1], i.e., for the Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH) and the Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH). Both waveforms include a CP appended to the front of each symbol (cyclic prefix), such as Figure 4 shown.

[0106] Figure 4 An example 400 of an OFDM symbol with a CP appended to the front end is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 4 The example OFDM symbol with a CP appended to the front is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the OFDM symbol with a CP appended to the front may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0107] although Figure 4 An example 400 of an OFDM symbol with a CP attached to the front end is shown, but the Figure 4 For example, the length of the OFDM symbol and the length of the CP may be changed in various ways according to specific needs.

[0108] The CP is the last few samples of an OFDM symbol and is appended to the front of the symbol. The base station estimates the round trip time between the UE and the base station. This can be initially estimated using the PRACH channel during random access, for example. The base station issues a timing advance (TA) command to advance the UE's uplink transmission time by the duration of the round trip delay, so that the uplink transmission (e.g., PUSCH or PUCCH) from the UE arrives aligned with the base station reference timing, such as Figure 5 shown.

[0109] Figure 5 An example 500 of PUSCH or PUCCH arrival aligned with base station reference timing according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 5 The example of PUSCH or PUCCH arrival aligned with base station reference timing is for illustration only. Different embodiments of PUSCH or PUCCH arrival aligned with base station reference timing may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0110] exist Figure 5 In the example of , all users are synchronized to the same reference time; this maintains orthogonality between users. Figure 5 In the example of FIG. 1 , the start time of symbol n for user 0 (e.g., symbol n may correspond to symbol 0 of a radio frame) is precisely aligned with the reference time of the base station. For user 1, the start time of symbol n is slightly delayed relative to the reference time of the base station. For user 2, the start time of symbol n is delayed even more relative to the reference time of the base station, which may be due to, for example, a time alignment error. For user 3, the start time of symbol n is advanced by a large duration relative to the reference time of the base station, which may be due to, for example, a time alignment error.

[0111] The first stage of the NR baseband receiver is CP removal, followed by a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) operator that converts the OFDM symbols from the time domain to the frequency domain. An example of an FFT window is shown in Figure 5 In this example, the FFT window for symbol n starts at CP / 2 after the base station's reference time, where CP is the duration of the cyclic prefix, and the duration of the FFT window is long enough to include all samples required for the FFT operation. Note that in this example, since the FFT window starts in the middle of the CP instead of at the end of the CP, a time adjustment of CP / 2 can be made in the frequency domain (after the FFT) to compensate for the CP / 2 offset. If the user's misalignment is within the CP range, that is, for Figure 5 For example, within the range [-CP / 2, CP / 2], the signal of user i is cyclically delayed by τ, as long as τ is within the CP range. For example, user 1 is delayed by τ 1<CP / 2, so within the FFT window of symbol n, all samples belong to symbol n and there is no inter-symbol interference in this case. The delay τ (when within the CP range) is converted into a phasor after FFT and can be easily estimated and compensated. If τ is greater than the CP range, inter-symbol interference may occur, as shown for users 2 and 3 in Figure 5 For user 2, τ 2 exceeds CP / 2, so within the FFT window of symbol n, there are samples from symbol n - 1, resulting in inter-symbol interference and thus degraded performance. For user 3, τ 3 is less than CP / 2, so within the FFT window of symbol n, there are samples from symbol n + 1, resulting in inter-symbol interference and thus degraded performance.

[0112] Although Figure 5 an example 500 of the arrival of a PUSCH or PUCCH aligned with the base station reference timing is shown, various changes can be made to Figure 5 it. For example, various changes can be made to the length of the symbol, the number of symbols, the size of the FFT window, etc. according to specific requirements.

[0113] In the present disclosure, a beam is determined by any of the following:

[0114] - A transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state that establishes a quasi-co-location (QCL) relationship between a source reference signal (e.g., a synchronization signal block (SSB)) and / or a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS)) and a target reference signal, or

[0115] - Spatial reference information that establishes an association with a source reference signal such as an SSB or CSI-RS or a sounding reference signal (SRS).

[0116] In either case, the identifier (ID) of the source reference signal (RS) identifies the beam.

[0117] The TCI state and / or the spatial relationship reference RS can determine the spatial Rx filter for receiving the downlink channel at the UE, or the spatial Tx filter for transmitting the uplink channel from the UE; or the spatial Tx filter for transmitting the downlink channel from the gNB or the spatial Rx filter for receiving the uplink channel at the gNB.

[0118] FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B Examples 600 and 620 of wireless system beams according to embodiments of the present disclosure are shown. FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B The examples of the wireless system beams are for illustration only. Different embodiments of the wireless system beams can be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0119] As Fig. 6A As shown, in a wireless system, a beam (601) for a device (604) can be characterized by a beam direction (602) and a beam width (603). For example, the device (604) transmits radio frequency (RF) energy in the beam direction and within the beam width. The device (604) receives RF energy in the beam direction and within the beam width. Fig. 6A As shown, since point A is within the beam width and direction of the beam from device (604), the device at point A (605) can receive from and transmit to device (604). Fig. 6A As shown, the device at point B (606) cannot receive from and transmit to device (604) because point B is outside the beam width and direction of the beam from device (604). Although for illustrative purposes, Fig. 6A The beams are shown to be two-dimensional (2D), but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the beams may be three-dimensional (3D), where the beam direction and beam width are defined in space.

[0120] In wireless systems, devices can transmit and / or receive on multiple beams. This is called "multi-beam operation" and is Figure 6B Although Figure 6B For illustrative purposes, the beams are 2D, but it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the beams may be 3D, where the beams may be sent to or received from any direction in space.

[0121] although FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B Examples 600 and 620 of PUSCH or PUCCH arrival aligned with base station reference timing are shown, but may be used for FIG. 6A to FIG. 6B For example, the size of the beam, the direction of the beam, etc. may be changed in various ways according to specific needs.

[0122] Figure 7 An example of an antenna block or array 700 is shown in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 7 The embodiment of the antenna block or array 700 shown in FIG. 7 is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the antenna block or array 700 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0123] Rel-14 LTE and Rel-15 NR support up to 32 CSI-RS antenna ports, which enables an eNB or gNB to be equipped with a large number of antenna elements (such as 64 or 128). Multiple antenna elements can then be mapped to one CSI-RS port. For mmWave bands, although the number of antenna elements can be higher for a given form factor, the number of CSI-RS ports that can correspond to the number of digital precoding ports may be limited due to hardware constraints (such as the feasibility of installing a large number of ADCs / DACs in mmWave bands), such as Figure 7 As shown. One CSI-RS port can then be mapped to a large number of antenna elements that can be controlled by a set of analog phase shifters 701. One CSI-RS port can then correspond to a subarray that produces a narrow analog beam through analog beamforming 705. The analog beam can be configured to scan a wider range of angles (720) by changing the phase shifter set across symbols or time slots / subframes. The number of subarrays (equal to the number of RF chains) is proportional to the number of CSI-RS ports N. CSI-PORT The digital beamforming unit 710 spans N CSI-PORT The analog beams are linearly combined to further improve the precoding gain. While the analog beams are broadband (and therefore not frequency selective), the digital precoding can vary across frequency subbands or resource blocks. Receiver operation can be similarly envisioned.

[0124] although Figure 7 One example of an example antenna block or array 700 is shown, but may be Figure 7 For example, the example antenna block or array 700 may include any number of Figure 7 Each component shown in . In addition, it can be combined, further subdivided or omitted Figure 7 There are various components in it, and additional components can be added according to specific needs.

[0125] Since the above-described system utilizes multiple simulated beams for transmission and reception (where one or a small number of simulated beams are selected from a large number of simulated beams, for example, after a training duration that is performed occasionally or periodically), the term "multi-beam operation" is used to refer to the entire system aspect. For illustrative purposes, this includes indicating an assigned DL or UL transmit (TX) beam (also referred to as "beam indication"), measuring at least one reference signal for calculating and performing beam reporting (also referred to as "beam measurement" and "beam reporting", respectively), and receiving DL or UL transmissions via selecting a corresponding receive (RX) beam.

[0126] The above system is also applicable to higher frequency bands, such as >52.6GHz. In this case, the system can use only analog beams. Due to the O2 absorption loss near the 60GHz frequency (additional loss of ~10dB per 100m distance), more and narrower analog beams (and therefore more radiators in the array) are needed to compensate for the additional path loss.

[0127] Rel-17 introduces a unified TCI framework, where a unified or master or main or indication TCI state is signaled to the UE. The unified or master or main or indication TCI state can be one of the following:

[0128] 1. In case of joint TCI state indication, where the same beam is used for DL ​​and UL channels, the joint TCI state can be used for at least UE-specific DL channels and UE-specific UL channels.

[0129] 2. In case of separate TCI state indication, where different beams are used for DL ​​and UL channels, the DL TCI state may be used at least for the UE-dedicated DL channel.

[0130] 3. In case of separate TCI state indication, where different beams are used for DL ​​and UL channels, the UL TCI state may be used at least for the UE-specific UL channel.

[0131] The unified (primary or primary or indication) TCI state is a TCI state for UE-specific reception on PDSCH / PDCCH and CSI-RS, wherein when the unified TCI state is followed, the TCI state provides quasi-co-located reference signals for the demodulation reference signal (DM-RS) of the PDSCH and the DM-RS of the PDCCH and the CSI-RS within a component carrier (CC). The unified (primary or primary or indication) TCI state is a TCI state for UE-specific reception on the PUSCH based on dynamic grant / configuration grant and all PUCCH resources and SRS, wherein when the unified TCI state is followed, the TCI state provides a UL TX spatial filter for the PUSCH and PUCCH resources and SRS based on dynamic grant and configuration grant in the CC.

[0132] The unified TCI framework is applicable to intra-cell beam management, where the TCI state has a source RS that is directly or indirectly associated with the SSB of the serving cell through a quasi-co-location relationship (e.g., a spatial relationship). The unified TCI state framework is also applicable to inter-cell beam management, where the TCI state may have a source RS that is directly or indirectly associated with the SSB of a cell having a physical cell identifier (PCI) different from the serving cell through a quasi-co-location relationship (e.g., a spatial relationship).

[0133] A quasi co-location (QCL) relationship may be quasi co-location with respect to one or more of the following relationships:

[0134] - Type A, {Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread}

[0135] - Type B, {Doppler shift, Doppler spread}

[0136] - Type C, {Doppler shift, average delay}

[0137] -Type D, {Spatial Rx Parameters}

[0138] The unified (primary or primary or indication) TCI state is applicable to at least UE-specific DL and UL channels. The unified (primary or primary) TCI state may also be applied to other DL and / or UL channels and / or signals, such as non-UE-specific channels and SRS.

[0139] In this disclosure, we propose a scheme for determining the TA (timing alignment or timing advance) of a cell having a PCI that is different from the PCI of the serving cell. The TA is used by the UE for uplink transmissions when the UE communicates with the network. The TA is determined in part based on the round-trip time between the UE and the TRP with which the UE is communicating. Therefore, if the UE is at a different distance from each TRP, it can have a different TA when it communicates with each TRP.

[0140] In addition, the quasi-co-location relationship can also provide a spatial relationship for the UL channels, for example, the DL source reference signal provides information about the spatial domain filter to be used for the UL transmission, or the UL source reference signal provides the spatial domain filter to be used for the UL transmission, for example, the same spatial domain filter is used for the UL source reference signal and the UL transmission.

[0141] The UL or joint TCI state may also provide a spatial relationship for the UL channel, e.g., the DL source reference signal provides information about a spatial domain filter to be used for UL transmission, or the UL source reference signal provides a spatial domain filter to be used for UL transmission, e.g., the same spatial domain filter is used for both the UL source reference signal and the UL transmission.

[0142] The unified (primary or primary or indication) TCI state is applicable to at least UE-specific DL and UL channels. The unified (primary or primary) TCI state may also be applied to other DL and / or UL channels and / or signals, such as non-UE-specific channels, CSI_RS and SRS.

[0143] In NR, the round trip time can be indicated by:

[0144] - A Random Access Response (RAR) for a Type 1 Random Access procedure or a MSGB Response for a Type 2 Random Access procedure, the value signaled is a 12-bit "Timing Advance Command" value in the range 0...3846. C TA offset in units of N TA (where T C =1 / (Δf max ·N f ), Δf max =480kHz and N f =4096) is calculated as

[0145]

[0146] where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration.

[0147] MAC RAR (for Type 1 random access procedure) includes a 12-bit timing advance command, such as Figure 8 shown.

[0148] Figure 8 An example 800 of a MAC RAR according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 8 The embodiment of MAC RAR is for illustration only. Different embodiments of MAC RAR may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0149] although Figure 8 An example 800 of a MAC RAR is shown, but the Figure 8 For example, various changes can be made to the timing advance command, etc. according to specific needs.

[0150] The fallback RAR (for type 2 random access procedure) used when the MSGA PRACH is successfully received but the MSGA PUSCH is not correctly decoded includes a 12-bit timing advance command, such as Figure 8 shown.

[0151] A successful RAR (for a Type 2 random access procedure) used when the MSGA PRACH is successfully received and the MSGA PUSCH is correctly decoded includes a 12-bit timing advance command, such as Fig. 9 shown.

[0152] Fig. 9 An example 900 of a successful RAR is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 9 The example of successful RAR is for illustration only. Different examples of successful RAR may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0153] although Fig. 9An example 900 of a successful RAR is shown, but Fig. 9 For example, various changes can be made to the timing advance command, etc. according to specific needs.

[0154] The timing advance command MAC CE includes: Fig.10 The 6-bit timing advance command shown also includes the associated timing advance group (TAG)-ID.

[0155] Fig.10 An example 1000 of a timing advance command MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.10 The embodiment of the MAC CE is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the MAC CE may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0156] although Fig.10 An example 1000 of a timing advance command MAC CE is shown, but the Fig.10 Make various changes. For example, various changes can be made to the timing advance command, TAG ID, etc. according to specific needs.

[0157] Absolute timing advance can also be indicated by an absolute timing advance MAC, where the signaled value is a 12-bit "timing advance command" (T A ). C TA offset in units of N TA (where T C =1 / (Δf max ·N f ), Δf max =480kHz and N f =4096) is calculated as

[0158]

[0159] where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration.

[0160] The absolute timing advance command MAC CE includes: Fig.11 The 12-bit timing advance command shown also includes an associated TAG-ID.

[0161] Fig.11 An example 1100 of an absolute timing advance command MAC CE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.11 The embodiments of the MAC CE are for illustration only. Different embodiments of the MAC CE may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0162] although Fig.11An example 1100 of an absolute timing advance command MAC CE is shown, but the Fig.11 For example, various changes can be made to the timing advance command, etc. according to specific needs.

[0163] NR supports four different sequence lengths for random access preamble sequences:

[0164] - Sequence length 839, used with subcarrier spacing 1.25kHz and 5kHz, using either the unrestricted or restricted set.

[0165] - Sequence length 139, used with subcarrier spacing 15kHz, 30kHz, 60kHz and 120kHz, using an unrestricted set.

[0166] - Sequence length 571, used with subcarrier spacing 30kHz, using unlimited sets.

[0167] - Sequence length 1151, used with subcarrier spacing 15kHz, uses an unlimited set.

[0168] The RACH preamble is sent in PRACH occasions (ROs). Each RO determines the time and frequency resources for sending the preamble, and the resources allocated to the RO in the frequency domain (e.g., the number of PRBs) and the resources allocated to the RO in the time domain (e.g., the number of OFDMA symbols or the number of time slots) depend on the preamble sequence length, the subcarrier spacing of the preamble, the subcarrier spacing of the PUSCH in the UL BWP, and the preamble format. Multiple PRACH opportunities can be FDMed in one time instance. This is provided by the higher-layer parameter msg1-FDM. The time instance of the PRACH opportunity is determined by the higher-layer parameter prach-ConfigurationIndex.

[0169] SSBs are associated with ROs. The number of SSBs associated with one RO may be provided by higher layer parameters such as ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB and ssb-perRACH-Occasion. The number of SSBs per RO may be {1 / 8, 1 / 4, 1 / 2, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16}. When the number of SSBs per RO is less than 1, multiple ROs are associated with the same SSB. The SS / PBCH block indices provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon are mapped to valid PRACH opportunities in the following order:

[0170] - First, in increasing order of preamble index within a single PRACH opportunity.

[0171] - Second, in increasing order of frequency resource indexes of frequency reused PRACH opportunities.

[0172] - Third, the increasing order of the time resource index of the PRACH opportunities is multiplexed by time within the PRACH time slot.

[0173] - Fourth, in increasing order of the index of the PRACH time slot.

[0174] The association period starts from frame 0 and is used to map SS / PBCH block indices to PRACH opportunities.

[0175] The random access procedure can be initiated by a PDCCH command, by a MAC entity or by RRC.

[0176] There are two types of random access procedures, a type 1 random access procedure and a type 2 random access procedure.

[0177] Type 1 random access procedure is also called four-step random access procedure (4-step RACH), such as Fig.12 shown.

[0178] Fig.12 An example 1200 of a Type 1 random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.12 The embodiments of the random access procedure are for illustration only. Different embodiments of the random access procedure may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0179] like Fig.12 As shown in the example of , the random access procedure starts in step 1. In step 1, the UE sends a random access preamble (also called Msg1) to the gNB. The gNB attempts to receive and detect the preamble. In step 2, the gNB sends a RAR (also called Msg2) to the UE upon receiving the preamble, which includes, among other fields, a timing adjustment (TA) command and an uplink grant for subsequent PUSCH transmissions. In step 3, the UE, after receiving the RAR, sends a PUSCH transmission scheduled by the grant of the RAR and time-adjusted according to the TA received in the RAR. Msg3 or the PUSCH scheduled by the RAR UL grant can include an RRC reconfiguration complete message. In step 4, the gNB, upon receiving the RRC reconfiguration complete message, allocates downlink and uplink resources, which are sent to the UE in a downlink PDSCH transmission. After the last step, the UE can continue with the reception and transmission of data services.

[0180] The Type 1 Random Access procedure (4-step RACH) can be either Contention-Based Random Access (CBRA) or Contention-Free Random Access (CFRA). The CFRA procedure ends after the RAR and the following messages are not part of the Random Access procedure. For CFRA, in step 0, the gNB indicates to the UE the preamble to be used.

[0181] although Fig.12 An example 1200 of a type 1 random access procedure is shown, but may be used for Fig.12 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.12 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0182] Release 16 introduces a new random access procedure; Type 2 random access procedure, also known as 2-step random access procedure (2-step RACH), such as Fig.13 shown.

[0183] Fig.13 An example 1300 of a Type 2 random access procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.13 The embodiments of the random access procedure are for illustration only. Different embodiments of the random access procedure may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0184] exist Fig.13 In the example of , the Type 2 random access procedure combines the preamble and PUSCH transmissions into a single transmission from the UE to the gNB, which is referred to as MsgA. Similarly, the RAR and PDSCH transmissions (e.g., Msg4) are combined into a single downlink transmission from the gNB to the UE, which is referred to as MsgB.

[0185] although Fig.13 An example 1300 of a type 2 random access procedure is shown, but may be used for Fig.13 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.13 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0186] The random access procedure can be triggered by a PDCCH command. The PDCCH command is triggered by DCI format 1_0, where the CRC is scrambled by the C-RNTI and the "frequency domain resource allocation" field is set to all 1s. The fields of DCI format 1_0 carrying the PDCCH command are explained in Table 1 as follows:

[0187]

Table 1

[0188]

[0189] If the "Random access preamble index" is not zero, the PDCCH order triggers a contention-free random access preamble, where the PRACH opportunity is determined based on the "SS / PBCH index" indicated in the PDCCH order and the "PRACH mask index" indicated in the PRACH opportunity associated with the SS / PBCH indicated by the "SS / PBCH index". The "Random access preamble index" indicates the preamble index to be used in the PRACH opportunity.

[0190] If the PRACH transmission from the UE is in response to the UE detecting a PDCCH order triggering a contention-free random access procedure, the preamble may be sent based on SSB, where the DM-RS of the PDCCH order is quasi co-located with the DL RS.

[0191] If the UE attempts to detect a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding RA-RNTI in response to a PRACH transmission initiated by a PDCCH command, where the PDCCH command triggers a contention-free random access procedure for a special cell (SpCell), the UE may assume that the PDCCH including DCI format 1_0 and the PDCCH command have the same DM-RS antenna port quasi-co-location property. When receiving a PDSCH scheduled with RA-RNTI in response to a random access procedure triggered by a PDCCH command that triggers a contention-free random access procedure for the SpCell, the UE may assume that the DM-RS ports of the received PDCCH command and the DM-RS ports of the corresponding PDSCH scheduled with RA-RNTI are quasi-co-located with respect to Doppler shift, Doppler spread, average delay, delay spread, spatial RX parameters (when applicable) with the same SS / PBCH block or CSI-RS.

[0192] If the UE attempts to detect a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding RA-RNTI in response to a PRACH transmission initiated by a PDCCH command triggering a contention-free random access procedure for a secondary cell, the UE may assume the quasi-co-location property of the DM-RS antenna ports of the CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH CSS set used to receive the PDCCH including the DCI format 1_0.

[0193] If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is zero, the PDCCH command triggers a contention-based random access procedure. If the PRACH transmission from the UE is in response to the UE detecting a PDCCH command that triggers a contention-based random access procedure, the UE may determine the SSB used for the preamble transmission and select the preamble in the PRACH opportunity corresponding to the SSB. If the UE attempts to detect a DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the corresponding RA-RNTI in response to a PRACH transmission initiated by a PDCCH command that triggers a contention-free random access procedure, the UE may assume a quasi-co-location property for the same DM RS antenna port for PDCCH and PDSCH, such as for the SS / PBCH blocks or CSI-RS resources associated with the PRACH by the UE.

[0194] In this disclosure, we consider a scheme of determining multiple TAs (e.g., 2 TAs) using a random access procedure for an inter-cell multi-TRP scenario. The random access procedure may be:

[0195] - Contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure triggered by a PDCCH order.

[0196] - Contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure triggered by higher layers (eg, UE).

[0197] - Contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure triggered by a PDCCH order.

[0198] - Contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure triggered by higher layers (eg, UE).

[0199] The UE may communicate with the network through two or more spatial relationship filters for transmission and reception (which are referred to as beams in this disclosure). The beam is determined by a TCI state, for example, a joint TCI state for UL and DL beams, or a DLTCI state for a DL beam or a UL TCI state for a UL beam. A beam may be associated with a single TRP, alternatively, a beam may be associated with multiple (two or more) TRPs, where the TRPs may have the same PCI (i.e., transmit SSBs associated with the same PCI), or may have different PCIs (i.e., transmit SSBs associated with different PCIs). The round-trip propagation delay or round-trip propagation time (RTT) on each beam may be different. For example, this may be due to different propagation paths, due to different reflections and / or due to different distances between the UE and the TRP. As previously described, the UL signal from the UE should arrive at each TRP at its reference time, so the transmission on each beam (e.g., to the corresponding TRP) will have a different transmission time and therefore a different TA value to arrive at the corresponding TRP at the reference time of that TRP.

[0200] Aspects covered in this disclosure include:

[0201] - UE indication of the timing difference between the RS of the serving cell and the non-serving cell.

[0202] ○ This allows the network to trigger a RACH PDCCH order towards non-serving cells

[0203] ○The RS used can be (source RS in configured TCI state, source RS in activated TCI state, configured measurement RS, measurement RS in measurement report).

[0204] - UE-triggered RACH procedure towards non-serving cell based on measurement of time difference between RS of serving cell and non-serving cell

[0205] ○The RS used can be (source RS in configured TCI state, source RS in activated TCI state, configured measurement RS, measurement RS in measurement report).

[0206] This may result in early measurement of the TA of the non-serving cell and thus help reduce handover delays. In the present disclosure, a non-serving cell may refer to a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell, for example, a non-serving cell may have a PCI determined based on additionalPCIIndex. In the present disclosure, a non-serving cell may refer to a target cell or a candidate cell (e.g., a target cell or a candidate cell for cell transfer or handover).

[0207] The present disclosure also considers using a random access procedure for an inter-cell multi-TRP scenario to determine a solution for multiple TAs (e.g., 2 TAs). The random access procedure may be:

[0208] - Contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure triggered by a PDCCH order.

[0209] - Contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure triggered by higher layers (eg, UE).

[0210] - Contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure triggered by a PDCCH order.

[0211] - Contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure triggered by higher layers (eg, UE).

[0212] In the following, both FDD and TDD are considered as duplexing methods for DL ​​and UL signaling.

[0213] Although the following exemplary description and embodiments assume orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA), the present disclosure may be extended to other OFDM-based transmission waveforms or multiple access schemes, such as filtered OFDM (F-OFDM).

[0214] The present disclosure contemplates several components that may be used in conjunction or combination with each other or that may operate as independent solutions.

[0215] In the present disclosure, the term "activation" describes the operation of the UE receiving and decoding a signal indicating a starting time point from the network (or gNB). The starting point can be the current or future time slot / subframe or symbol, and the exact position is implicitly or explicitly indicated, or otherwise specified in the system operation or configured by the higher layer. Upon successful decoding of the signal, the UE responds according to the indication provided by the signal. The term "deactivation" describes the operation of the UE receiving and decoding a signal indicating a stopping time point from the network (or gNB). The stopping point can be the current or future time slot / subframe or symbol, and the exact position is implicitly or explicitly indicated, or otherwise specified in the system operation or configured by the higher layer. Upon successful decoding of the signal, the UE responds according to the indication provided by the signal.

[0216] Terms such as TCI, TCI status, SpatialRelationInfo, target RS, reference RS and other terms are used for illustrative purposes and are therefore not normative. Other terms referring to the same functionality may also be used.

[0217] A “reference RS” corresponds to a set of characteristics of a DL beam or a UL TX beam, such as direction, precoding / beamforming, number of ports, etc.

[0218] In the following components, TCI state is used for beam indication. It may refer to DL TCI state for downlink channels (e.g., PDCCH and PDSCH), uplink TCI state for uplink channels (e.g., PUSCH or PUCCH), joint TCI state for downlink and uplink channels, or separate TCI states for uplink and downlink channels. The TCI state may be common across multiple component carriers, or may be a separate TCI state for a component carrier or a set of component carriers. The TCI state may be gNB or UE panel specific or common across panels. In some examples, the uplink TCI state may be replaced by an SRS resource indicator (SRI).

[0219] In an example of the present disclosure, the UE may use different beams to communicate with the network. Different beams may be used at different times (e.g., changing from one beam to another), or different beams may be used simultaneously (e.g., receiving from the network simultaneously on multiple beams or sending to the network simultaneously on multiple beams). The TRPs may belong to different cells. For example, a first TRP (e.g., TRP A) may belong to a first cell (e.g., a serving cell), and a second TRP (e.g., TRP B) may belong to a second cell (e.g., a cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell). By performing a switch from the first cell to the second cell or not performing a switch, the UE may change from communicating with the network through TRP A to communicating with the network through TRP B.

[0220] In examples of the present disclosure, a UE may communicate with a network using, for example, different beams associated with a TRP. Different beams may be used at different times (e.g., switching from one beam to another), or different beams may be used simultaneously (e.g., receiving from the network on multiple beams simultaneously or transmitting to the network on multiple beams simultaneously). In the former example, two or more TAs may be active in the UE, but only one TA is used at the same time depending on the beam used for UL transmission. In the latter, two or more TAs may be active in the UE, and more than one TA is used simultaneously when the UE transmits on multiple UL beams simultaneously.

[0221] In one example, a UE communicates with the same TRP on two or more different beams. Different beams have different round trip delays. For example, the different round trip delays may be due to different reflections.

[0222] In another example, the UE communicates with two or more different TRPs with PCI. The UE uses at least one beam to communicate with each TRP. The round trip delay to each TRP may be different. The TRPs may be synchronized or asynchronous. This is an example of intra-cell multi-TA (e.g., 2 TAs in the case of 2 TRPs).

[0223] In another example, the UE communicates with two or more different TRPs with the same or different PCIs. The UE uses at least one beam to communicate with each TRP. The round trip delay to each TRP may be different. The TRPs may be synchronous or asynchronous. When at least one of the TRPs has a different PCI than the other TRPs, this is an example of inter-cell multi-TA (e.g., 2 TAs in the case of 2 TRPs).

[0224] FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B An example of a UE communicating with a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRPB) according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B The example of UE communication is for illustration only. Different embodiments of wireless system beams may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0225] Fig.14A An example 1400 of a UE communicating with a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) is shown. When communicating with TRP A, uplink PUSCH transmissions are synchronized so that they arrive at TRP A at a reference time within the CP range as described above.

[0226] Fig. 14B Another example 1420 of a UE communicating with a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) is shown. At each TRP, DL transmission is synchronized with a transmit (Tx) reference time, and UL reception is synchronized with a receive reference time. The difference between the Tx reference time and the Rx reference time is TA,offset. For example, TA,offset may correspond to a time n-TimingAdvanceOffset (N) in units of time (us, ms, or sec). TA,offset ), where N TA,offset You can use T C As unit, T C =1 / (Δf max ·Nf), Δf max =480kHz. In one example, N TA,offset =0. In one example, N TA,offset =25600. In one example, N TA,offset =39936. In one example, N TA,offset =13792. Fig. 14BIn, the gNB sends a DL signal at the Tx reference time of TRP, which can be TA,offset later than the Rx reference of TRP. The DL signal is subject to a DL propagation delay of Tprop, where Tprop is the one-way propagation delay between the UE and TRP. The DL signal arrives at the UE at Tprop later than the Tx reference time of TRP, or at TA,offset+Tprop later than the Rx reference of TRP. The UE advances the UL transmission time relative to the DL reception time by TA,offset+Round Trip Time (RTT), where the Round Trip Time is the sum of the DL propagation delay and the UL propagation delay, which is 2*Tprop. Therefore, the UL transmission at the UE is TA,offset+Tprop ahead of the Tx reference time of TRP or Tprop ahead of the Rx reference time of TRP. The UL transmission is subject to a UL propagation delay of Tprop, where Tprop is the one-way propagation delay between the UE and TRP. The UL reception at the base station arrives at the Rx reference time of TRP, or TA,offset ahead of the Tx reference time of TRP.

[0227] As mentioned above, the UE advances the UL transmission time relative to the DL reception time by TA,offset + round trip time (RTT), which can be determined by T in [TS 38.21]. TA =(N TA +N TA，offset )·T C express.

[0228] In one example, N may be indicated in a RAR of a type 1 random access procedure or a MSGB response of a type 2 random access procedure. TA In this case, the timing advance command may signal the absolute value of the 12-bit T A .

[0229]

[0230] where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration.

[0231] In one example, N may be indicated in the timing advance MAC CE command. TA [TS 38.321]. For example, the Timing Advance MAC CE indicates a change in the value of T in the range of 0, 1, ..., 63. A Value (e.g., 6-bit value). Relative to the previous (old) N TA The updated (new) N value TA The value is given by:

[0232]

[0233] where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration.

[0234] In one example, N may be indicated in the Absolute Timing Advance MAC CE command. TA In this case, the timing advance command may signal the absolute value of the 12-bit T A .

[0235]

[0236] where μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration.

[0237] although FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B Examples 1400 and 1420 of the UE communicating with a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) are shown, but the FIG. 14A to FIG. 14B Make various changes. For example, various changes can be made to the reference time, offset, etc. according to specific needs.

[0238] In one example, TRP A and TRP B are synchronized so that TRP A has the same reference time as TRP B, such as Fig.14A For example, the reference time in each TRP may be the start of system frame number 0 (SFN 0), as shown in FIG. Fig.15 shown.

[0239] Fig.15 An example 1500 of a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) being synchronized is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig.15 The embodiments of TRP synchronization are for illustration only. Different embodiments of TRP synchronization may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0240] The TRP establishes its time grid, which determines the transmission time of each SFN, each time slot within the SFN, and each symbol within each time slot within each SFN relative to a reference time. Fig.14A and Fig.15 In , the reference time of TRP A is the same as the reference time of TRP B. Fig.15 In the example, μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration μ, which determines the subcarrier spacing (SCS). For example, when μ=0, the SCS is 15kHz, when μ=1, the SCS is 30kHz, ... Typically, for the SCS configuration μ, the SCS is 2 μ ·15kHz. TRP A is at T relative to its reference time TxA The downlink signal is sent at the time of Fig.15 In the example of , the reference signal from TRP A is in symbol 1 of slot 0 of SFN 0. In this case, T TxAis the start of symbol 1 of slot 0 of SFN 0. For example, the reference signal may be a SS / PBCH block. In another example, the reference signal may be a NZP CSI-RS. In another example, the reference signal may be a PDCCH DM-RS or a PDSCH DM-RS. The signal from TRP A experiences a propagation delay T PropA The signal is received at the UE at the following time (relative to the reference time):

[0241] T DL_UE_A =T TxA +T PropA

[0242] TRP B is at T relative to its reference time TxB The downlink signal is sent at the time of Fig.15 In the example of , the reference signal from TRP B is in symbol 13 of slot 0 of SFN 0. In this case, T TxB is the start of symbol 13 of slot 0 of SFN 0. For example, the reference signal may be a SS / PBCH block. In another example, the reference signal may be a NZP CSI-RS. In another example, the reference signal may be a PDCCH DM-RS or a PDSCH DM-RS. The signal from TRP B experiences a propagation delay T PropB The signal is received at the UE at the following time (relative to the reference time):

[0243] T DL_UE_B =T TxB +T PropB

[0244] The UE can determine the difference in propagation delays from the two TRPs, namely:

[0245] T PropA -T PropB =(T DL_UE_A -T TxA )-(T DL_ UE _B -T TxB )

[0246] although Fig.15 An example 1500 of TRP synchronization is shown, but Fig.15 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to the time grid, reference time, etc. according to specific needs.

[0247] In another example, TRP A and TRP B have different reference times, such as Fig.16 as shown in .

[0248] Fig.16An example 1600 of a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) with asynchronous reference times according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.16 The embodiment of TRP asynchronous is for illustration only. Different embodiments of TRP asynchronous may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0249] Fig.16 A variation is to have different reference times for DL ​​transmission and UL reception for each TRP, similar to Fig. 14B Assume that the reference time of TRP A is T RefA , the reference time of TRP B is T RefB , the difference of reference time is;

[0250] Δ RefAB =T RefA -T RefB

[0251] For example, the reference time within each TRP may be the start of system frame number 0 (SFN 0), such as Fig.17 shown.

[0252] although Fig.16 An example 1600 of TRP asynchronous is shown, but it can be Fig.16 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to the time grid, reference time, etc. according to specific needs.

[0253] The TRP establishes its time grid, which determines the transmission time of each SFN, each time slot within the SFN, and each symbol within each time slot within each SFN relative to a reference time. Fig.17 In the example, the reference time of TRP A is Δ later than the reference time of TRPB. RefAB .

[0254] Fig.17 An example 1700 of a first TRP (TRP A) and a second TRP (TRP B) with asynchronous reference times according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.17 The embodiment of TRP asynchronous is for illustration only. Different embodiments of TRP asynchronous may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0255] exist Fig.17 In , μ is the subcarrier spacing configuration, which determines the subcarrier spacing (SCS). For example, when μ=0, SCS is 15kHz, when μ=1, SCS is 30kHz, ... Typically, for SCS configuration μ, SCS is 2 μ 15kHz.

[0256] TRP A is at T relative to its reference timeTxA The downlink signal is sent at the time of Fig.17 In the example of , the reference signal from TRP A is in symbol 1 of slot 0 of SFN 0. In this case, T TxA is the start of symbol 1 of slot 0 of SFN 0. For example, the reference signal may be a SS / PBCH block. In another example, the reference signal may be a CSI-RS. In another example, the reference signal may be a PDCCH DM-RS or a PDSCH DM-RS. The signal from TRP A experiences a propagation delay T PropA The signal is received at the UE at the following time (relative to the reference time):

[0257] T DL_UE_A =T RefA +T TxA +T PropA

[0258] TRP B is at T relative to its reference time TxB The downlink signal is sent at the time of Fig.17 In the example of , the reference signal from TRP B is in symbol 13 of slot 0 of SFN 0. In this case, T TxB is the start of symbol 13 of slot 0 of SFN 0. For example, the reference signal may be a SS / PBCH block. In another example, the reference signal may be a CSI-RS. In another example, the reference signal may be a PDCCH DM-RS or a PDSCH DM-RS. The signal from TRP B experiences a propagation delay T PropB The signal is received at the UE at the following time (relative to the reference time):

[0259] T DL_UE_B =T RefB +T TxB +T PropB

[0260] The UE can determine the difference in propagation delays from the two TRPs, i.e.

[0261] T PropA -T PropB =(T DL_UE_A -T TxA -T RefA )-(T DL_UE_B -T TxB -T RefB )

[0262] =(T DL_UE_A -T TxA )-(T DL_UE_B -T TxB )-Δ RefAB

[0263] although Fig.17 An example 1700 of TRP asynchronous is shown, but it can be Fig.17 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to the time grid, reference time, etc. according to specific needs.

[0264] In another example, the UE communicates with two or more different TRPs with the same PCI. The UE uses at least one beam to communicate with each TRP. The round trip delay to each TRP may be different. The TRPs may be synchronous or asynchronous.

[0265] In the present disclosure, a TA group or TA_grp may refer to a TAG, for example, there may be more than one TAG, and each TAG may have a TA value. A TA group or TA_grp may also refer to a TA index within a TAG, for example, a TAG may have more than one TA value, and each TA value is associated with a TA index. In an example, when a first TRP (e.g., TRP A) is in a first cell, and a second TRP (e.g., TRP B) is in a second cell. The first TA group is associated with the first cell, and the second TA group is associated with the second cell.

[0266] The UE is configured to measure a DL incremental propagation delay of a DL reference signal.

[0267] The UE is configured or determines a reference signal (RS1) for DL ​​reference timing. For example, the reference signal may be a reference associated with a source RS (e.g., QCL type D or spatial relationship source RS) indicating a TCI state. The indicated TCI state may be a joint TCI state or a UL TCI state.

[0268] The UE detects a reference signal (RS2) having a signal quality (e.g., reference signal received power (RSRP) or signal to interference and noise ratio (SINR)) exceeding a threshold X, where X is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling.

[0269] The UE measures the "DL incremental propagation delay" between RS1 and RS2. If the "DL incremental propagation delay" exceeds a threshold Y, where Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling, the UE triggers a random access procedure. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in the system specification, for example, Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, the value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. The random access procedure determines the round-trip delay associated with RS2.

[0270] In one example, the first reference signal is associated with a first entity (eg, a TRP or a cell or a panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex). The second reference signal is associated with a second entity (eg, a TRP or a cell or a panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex).

[0271] In one example, the first TA group is associated with a first entity (eg, TRP or cell or panel or CORESETPOOLIndex). The second TA group is associated with a second entity (eg, TRP or cell or panel or CORESETPOOLIndex).

[0272] In one example, the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is received or detected first in time in a first set associated with a first entity or associated with a first TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is received or detected first in time in a second set associated with a second entity or associated with a second TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and calculates a "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the RS that is received or detected first in time for each group. In one example, the RS may be an SSB. In one example, the RS may be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS may be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource.

[0273] In one example, the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is received or detected first in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a first set associated with the first entity or associated with the first TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is received or detected first in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a second set associated with the second entity or associated with the second TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and calculates the "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the RS that is received or detected first in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold of each group. In one example, the RS can be an SSB. In one example, the RS can be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS can be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RSRP threshold can be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[0274] In one example, the UE measures the arrival time of the last received or detected RS in a first set associated with a first entity or associated with a first TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and the UE measures the arrival time of the last received or detected RS in a second set associated with a second entity or associated with a second TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and calculates a "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the last received or detected RS in time for each group. In one example, the RS may be an SSB. In one example, the RS may be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS may be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource.

[0275] In one example, the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a first set associated with the first entity or associated with the first TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and the UE measures the arrival time of the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a second set associated with the second entity or associated with the second TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and calculates the "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold of each group. In one example, the RS can be an SSB. In one example, the RS can be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS can be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RSRP threshold can be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[0276] In one example, the UE measures the arrival time of the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality) RS received or detected in a first set associated with a first entity or associated with a first TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and the UE measures the arrival time of the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality) RS received or detected in a second set associated with a second entity or associated with a second TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and calculates the "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality) RS received or detected for each group. In one example, the RS may be an SSB. In one example, the RS may be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS may be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource.

[0277] In one example, the UE measures the average arrival time of received or detected RSs in a first set associated with a first entity or associated with a first TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and the UE measures the average arrival time of received or detected RSs in a second set associated with a second entity or associated with a second TA group (or a TA index within a TA group), and calculates a "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the RS of each group that was last received or detected in time. In one example, the RS may be an SSB. In one example, the RS may be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS may be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the average arrival time of the RS may be weighted with the RSRP or SINR of each RS. In one example, the average arrival time of the RS is not weighted.

[0278] In one example, the UE measures the average arrival time of the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a first set associated with the first entity or associated with the first TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and the UE measures the average arrival time of the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold in a second set associated with the second entity or associated with the second TA group (or TA index within the TA group), and calculates the "DL incremental propagation delay" between the two measurements based on the RS that is last received or detected in time and exceeds the RSRP threshold of each group. In one example, the RS can be an SSB. In one example, the RS can be a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RS can be an SSB or a CSI-RS resource. In one example, the RSRP threshold can be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. In one example, the average arrival time of the RS can be weighted with the RSRP or SINR of each RS. In one example, the average arrival time of the RS is not weighted.

[0279] In one example, for example, Fig.18 As shown, the UE is configured with SSB association with a TA group.

[0280] Fig.18 An example 1800 of a UE configured with SSB association to a TA group according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.18 The embodiment of configuring the UE for association of SSB with a TA group is for illustration only. Different embodiments of configuring the UE for association of SSB with a TA group may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0281] In one example, the configuration of association or grouping can be performed through high-level signaling, for example, the configuration can be included in RACH-ConfigCommon or RACH-ConfigCommonTwoStepRA. 0 , SSB 1 , SSB 2 ,…SSB M-1 The first TA group associated with SSB M , SSB M+1 , SSB M+2 ,…SSB N-1 The number of SSBs in each TA group is equal, that is, M=NM. In another example, there are more than 2 TA groups and the SSBs are divided between more than 2 TA groups. In one example, the number of SSBs in each TA group may be the same. In another example, the number of SSBs in each TA group may be different.

[0282] In one example, if the RACH procedure is triggered using a preamble and a PRACH opportunity (RO) associated with an SSB, and the SSB is associated with a TA group, the TA in the RAR response is for the corresponding TA group.

[0283] although Fig.18 An example 1800 of a UE configured with SSB association to a TA group is shown, but Fig.18 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to SSB, delay time, etc. according to specific needs.

[0284] In another example, if Fig.19 As shown, there may be L entities.

[0285] Fig.19 An example of a TA group with L entities according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.19 The embodiment of the TA group of L is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the TA group with L entities may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0286] For example, the entity may be a cell or panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex on a TRP or TPR.

[0287] -Entity 0 is associated with TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group) and is associated with set 0 of SSBs, e.g. Among them, M 0is the number of SSBs associated with entity 0 and TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group).

[0288] -Entity 1 is associated with TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within a TA group) and is associated with set 1 of SSBs, e.g. Where M1 is the number of SSBs associated with entity 1 and TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within a TA group).

[0289] -Entity L-1 is associated with group L-1 (or TA index L-1 within TA group L-1) and is associated with set L-1 of SSBs, e.g. Among them, M i is the number of SSBs associated with entity i and TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group), where i=0,...,L-1. Where N is the number of SSBs.

[0290] In one example, M i Can be different for each entity.

[0291] In one example, M 0 =M 1 =…=M L-1 =M.

[0292] although Fig.19 An example 1900 of a TA group with L entities is shown, but Fig.19 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TA, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0293] In another example, if Fig. 20 As shown, there may be L entities and K TA groups.

[0294] Fig. 20 An example 2000 of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig. 20 The embodiment of L entities and K TA groups is for illustration only. Different embodiments of L entities and K TA groups may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0295] For example, the entity can be a TRP or a cell or a panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex on a TRP.

[0296] - TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group) is associated with set 0 of entities, e.g. entity 0, entity 1, ... entity J 0 -1, where J 0 is the number of entities associated with TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group).

[0297] ○Entity 0 is associated with the set (0,0) of SSB, e.g. Among them, M 0,0 is the number of SSBs associated with entity 0 and TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group).

[0298] ○Entity 1 is associated with the set (0, 1) of SSBs, e.g. Among them, M 0,1 is the number of SSBs associated with entity 1 and TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group).

[0299] ○Entity J 0 -1 and SSB set (0,J 0 -1) Associated, for example Among them, M 0,i is the number of SSBs associated with entity i and TA group 0 (or TA index 0 within a TA group).

[0300] -TA Group 1 (or TA Index 1 within a TA Group) is associated with Set 1 of entities, e.g. Entity J 0 , Entity J 0 +1, ...Entity J 0 +J 1 -1, where J 1 is the number of entities associated with TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within TA group).

[0301] ○Entity J 0 With SSB set (1,J 0 ), for example in is with entity J 0 The number of SSBs associated with TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within TA group).

[0302] ○Entity J 0 +1 and SSB set (1,J 0 +1) related, for example where is the entity J 0 +1 The number of SSBs associated with TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within a TA group).

[0303] ○Entity J 0 +J 1 -1 and SSB set (1,J 0 +J 1 -1) Associated, for example Among them, M 1,i is the number of SSBs associated with entity i and TA group 1 (or TA index 1 within a TA group).

[0304] -TA group K-1 (or TA index K-1 within a TA group) is associated with a set K-1 of entities, e.g. entity entity ……. Among them, J j is the number of entities associated with TA group j (or TA index j within TA group).

[0305] ○Entity With SSB set (K-1, ), for example in Is with entity The number of SSBs associated with TA group K-1 (or TA index K-1 within TA group).

[0306] ○Entity With SSB set (K-1, ), for example in Is with entity The number of SSBs associated with TA group K-1 (or TA index K-1 within TA group).

[0307] In one example, Where L is the number of entities across all TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group). j is the number of entities associated with TA group j or (with TA index j of TA group).

[0308] In one example, M i,j It may be different for each entity j and each TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0309] In one example, for any entity j associated with TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group), M i,j =M i All have the same value M i Among them, M i is the number of SSBs associated with any entity j associated with TA group i (or TA index i within TA group).

[0310] In one example, for any entity j associated with any TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group), M i,j =M are all the same value M. Where M is the number of SSBs associated with any entity j associated with any TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0311] although Fig. 20An example 2000 of L entities and K TA groups is shown, but Fig. 20 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TA, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0312] In another example, if Fig.21 As shown, there may be L entities and K TA groups (TA indices within a TA group).

[0313] Fig.21 An example 2100 of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.21 The embodiment of L entities and K TA groups is for illustration only. Different embodiments of L entities and K TA groups may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0314] For example, the entity can be a TRP or a cell or a panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex on a TRP.

[0315] - Entity 0 is associated with set 0 of TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group), e.g., TA 0, TA 1, ..., TA J 0 -1,TAJ 0 is the number of TA groups (or TA index within a TA group) associated with entity 0.

[0316] ○TA 0 is associated with the set (0,0) of SSB, e.g. Among them, M 0,0 is the number of SSBs associated with TA 0 and entity 0.

[0317] ○TA 1 is associated with the set (0,1) of SSB, e.g. Among them, M 0,1 is the number of SSBs associated with TA 1 and entity 0.

[0318] ○TA J 0 -1 and SSB set (0,J 0 -1) Associated, for example Among them, M 0,i is the number of SSBs associated with TAi and entity 0.

[0319] -Entity 1 is associated with set 1 of TA groups (or TA indices within TA groups), e.g., TA J 0 ,TA J 0 +1, ...TA J 0 +J 1 -1, where J 1 is the number of TA groups (or TA indexes within a TA group) associated with entity 1.

[0320] ○TA J 0 With SSB set (1,J 0 ), for example in It is with TAJ 0 The number of SSBs associated with entity 1.

[0321] ○TA J 0 +1 and SSB set (1,J 0 +1) related, for example in is with TA J 0 +1 The number of SSBs associated with entity 1.

[0322] ○TA J 0 +J 1 -1 and SSB set (1,J 0 +J 1 -1) Associated, for example Among them, M 1,i is the number of SSBs associated with TA i and entity 1.

[0323] -Entity K-1 is associated with set K-1 of TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group), e.g. Among them J j is the number of TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group) associated with entity j.

[0324] ○TA With SSB set (K-1, ), for example in Yes with TA The number of SSBs associated with entity K-1.

[0325] ○TA With SSB set (K-1, ), for example in Yes with TA The number of SSBs associated with entity K-1.

[0326] In one example, where K is the number of TA groups (or TA indices in a TA group) across all entities. j is the number of TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group) associated with entity j.

[0327] In one example, for each TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) and each entity i, M i,j Can be different.

[0328] In one example, for any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with entity i, M i,j =M i is the same value M i , where M i is the number of SSBs associated with any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with entity i.

[0329] In one example, for any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with any entity i, M i,j =M is ​​the same value M, where M is the number of SSBs associated with any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with any entity i.

[0330] although Fig.21 An example 2100 of L entities and K TA groups is shown, but Fig.21 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TAs, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0331] In one example, the UE is configured with an association of CSI-RS resources with TA groups. In one example, the configuration of the association or grouping may be performed via high-layer signaling. For example, there is a CSIRS 0 、CSIRS 1 、CSIRS 2 、...CSIRS M-1 The first TA group associated with the CSIRS M 、CSIRS M+1 、CSIRS M+2 、...CSIRS N-1 The number of CSI-RS resources associated with the first TA group is the number of CSI-RS resources associated with the second TA group. Wherein, N is the total number of CSI-RS resources. M is the number of CSI-RS resources associated with the first TA group. NM is the number of CSI-RS resources associated with the second TA group. In one example, the number of CSI-RS resources in each TA group is equal, that is, M=NM. In another example, there are more than 2 TA groups and the CSI-RS resources are divided between more than 2 TA groups. In one example, the number of CSI-RS resources for each TA group may be the same. In another example, the number of CSI-RS resources for each TA group may be different.

[0332] In another example, if Fig. 22As shown, there may be L entities. For example, an entity may be a TRP or a cell or a panel or a CORESETPOOLIndex on a TRP.

[0333] Fig. 22 An example 2200 of a TA group with L entities according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig. 22 The embodiment of the TA group of L is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the TA group having L entities may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0334] Entity i is associated with TA group i (or TA index i within TA group). i A set of CSI-RS resources is associated with entity i and TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0335] In one example, M i Can be different for each entity.

[0336] In one example, M 0 =M 1 =…=M L-1 =M.

[0337] although Fig. 22 An example 2200 of a TA group with L entities is shown, but Fig. 22 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TA, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0338] In another example, if Fig.23 As shown, there may be L entities and K TA groups.

[0339] Fig.23 An example 2300 of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.23 The embodiment of L entities and K TA groups is for illustration only. Different embodiments of L entities and K TA groups may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0340] For example, the entity may be a TRP or a cell or panel on a TRP. TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group) and J j The set of entities is associated with M. i,j A set of CSI-RS resources is associated with entity j, where entity j is associated with TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0341] In one example, Where L is the number of entities across all TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group). iis the number of entities associated with TA group i or (with TA index i of TA group).

[0342] In one example, M i,j It may be different for each entity j and each TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0343] In one example, for any entity j associated with TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group), M i,j =M i are all the same value Mi. i is the number of SSBs associated with any entity j associated with TA group i (or TA index i within TA group).

[0344] In one example, for any entity j associated with any TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group), M i,j =M are all the same value M. Where M is the number of SSBs associated with any entity j associated with any TA group i (or TA index i within a TA group).

[0345] although Fig.23 An example 2300 of L entities and K TA groups is shown, but may be Fig.23 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TA, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0346] In another example, if Fig.24 As shown, there may be L entities and K TA groups.

[0347] Fig.24 An example 2400 of L entities and K TA groups according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.24 The embodiment of L entities and K TA groups is for illustration only. Different embodiments of L entities and K TA groups may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0348] For example, an entity can be a TRP or a cell or panel on a TRP or a CORESETPOOLIndex. j The set of TA groups (or TA indexes within a TA group) is associated with M. i,j A set of CSI-RS resources is associated with TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group), where TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) is associated with entity i.

[0349] In one example, where K is the number of TA groups (or TA indices in a TA group) across all entities. jis the number of TA groups (or TA indices within a TA group) associated with entity j.

[0350] In one example, for each TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) and each entity i, M i,j Can be different.

[0351] In one example, for any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with entity i, M i,j =M i is the same value Mi, where Mi is the number of SSBs associated with any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with entity i.

[0352] In one example, for any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with any entity i, M i,j =M is ​​the same value M, where M is the number of SSBs associated with any TA group j (or TA index j within a TA group) associated with any entity i.

[0353] although Fig.24 An example 2400 of L entities and K TA groups is shown, but may be Fig.24 Make various changes. For example, you can make various changes to TAs, entities, etc. according to specific needs.

[0354] In one example, if a preamble and a PRACH opportunity (RO) are used to trigger the RACH process, where the SSB is the QCL source (direct QCL or indirect QCL) of the CSI-RS and the SSB is associated with a TA group, the TA in the RAR response is for the corresponding TA group.

[0355] In one example, without configuring threshold X, the UE measures the difference in DL propagation time (DL incremental propagation delay) between RS1 and RS2 to determine whether it exceeds threshold Y, and if so, the UE triggers a random access procedure.

[0356] In one example, the UE operates with a single TA. If the difference in DL propagation time between RS1 and RS2 (DL incremental propagation delay) exceeds a threshold value Y, the UE triggers a random access procedure, and when the random access procedure is successful, the UE switches to two TA modes. In one example, two TA values ​​are signaled to the UE in the RAR, a first TA value for a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET associated with RS1 or a first TA group (or TA index), and a second TA value for a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET associated with RS2 or a second TA group (or TA index). In one example, a TA value is signaled to the UE in the RAR, which TA value is used for a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET associated with the RS, or a TA group associated with the random access procedure.

[0357] In one example, two TA values ​​are signaled to the UE, a first TA value for a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET associated with RS1 or a first TA group, and a second TA value for a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET associated with RS2 or a second TA group. In one example, a channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET is considered to be associated with RS1 or a first TA group if it is received (or sent) by the same entity (e.g., TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex) that sends RS1 or the same entity (e.g., TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex) associated with the first TA group. In one example, if the channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET is received (or sent) by the same entity (e.g., TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex) that sent RS2 or the same entity associated with the second TA group (e.g., TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex), then the channel / signal or TCI state or CORESET is considered to be associated with RS2 or the second TA group. In one example, if the received (or transmitted) channel / signal has the same quasi-co-located reference signal as RS1, then the channel / signal is considered to be associated with RS1, in one example, the QCL is a type D QCL, in another example, the QCL is a type A QCL, in another example, the QCL is a type B QCL, and in another example, the QCL is a type C QCL. In one example, if the received (or transmitted) channel / signal has the same quasi-co-located reference signal as RS2, the channel / signal is considered to be associated with RS2, in one example, the QCL is a type D QCL, in another example, the QCL is a type A QCL, in another example, the QCL is a type B QCL, and in another example, the QCL is a type D QCL. In one example, the RACH procedure is triggered by the UE.

[0358] In one example, the random access procedure is a type 1 contention-based random access procedure.

[0359] In one example, the random access procedure is a type 1 contention-free random access procedure.

[0360] In one example, the random access procedure is a type 2 contention-based random access procedure.

[0361] In one example, the random access procedure is a type 2 contention-free random access procedure.

[0362] In one embodiment, the network measures the arrival time of the UL signal from the UE at TRP B relative to a reference time such as TRP B (e.g., the Rx reference time of TRP B). In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected first in time. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected first in time that exceeds the RSRP threshold, wherein the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected last in time. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected last in time that exceeds the RSRP threshold, wherein the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality). In one example, the arrival time may be based on the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality) reference signal received or detected. In one example, the arrival time may be an average value of a received or detected reference signal. In one example, the arrival time may be an average value of a received or detected reference signal that exceeds an RSRP threshold, where the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. If the difference between the arrival time of the UL signal at TRP B and the reference time of TRP B (e.g., the Rx reference time of TRP B) exceeds a threshold value X, where X is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling, the network may trigger a PDCCH command for a random access process toward the UE so that the UE sends a PRACH preamble. In one example, the threshold value X may be specified in the system specification, for example, X is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or X is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or X is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value X (e.g., a default value) specified in the system specification may be used unless a different value is configured. The network may measure the round-trip delay between the UE and the TRP. In one example, the RACH process is triggered by the network.

[0363] In one example, the PDCCH command triggers a type 1 contention-based random access procedure.

[0364] In one example, a PDCCH command triggers a type 1 contention-free random access procedure.

[0365] In one example, the PDCCH command triggers a type 2 contention-based random access procedure.

[0366] In one example, a PDCCH command triggers a type 2 contention-free random access procedure.

[0367] In one example, the PRACH transmission from the UE is in response to the UE detecting a PDCCH command that triggers a contention-free random access procedure DL RS, and the DM-RS of the PDCCH command may be quasi-co-located with the SSB or CSI-RS.

[0368] If the DL RS of the DM-RS of the PDCCH is an SSB, the PRACH spatial domain transmission filter and power are determined based on the SSB (for example, the UE has beam correspondence). If the DL RS of the DM-RS of the PDCCH is an SSB, and the SSB is associated with a TA group (for example, the first TA group or the second TA group), the TA in the RAR corresponds to the TA group associated with the SSB.

[0369] If the DL RS of the DM-RS of the PDCCH is a CSI-RS resource, the PRACH spatial domain transmission filter and power are determined based on the CSI-RS resource (for example, the UE has beam correspondence). If the DL RS of the DM-RS of the PDCCH is a CSI-RS resource, and the CSI-RS resource is associated with a TA group (for example, a first TA group or a second TA group), the TA in the RAR corresponds to the TA group associated with the CSI-RS resource.

[0370] If the DL RS of the DM-RS of the PDCCH is a CSI-RS resource, and the CSI-RS resource is associated with an SSB QCL and the SSB is associated with a TA group (e.g., a first TA group or a second TA group), the TA in the RAR corresponds to the TA group associated with the SSB that is the QCL source of the CSI-RS resource. In one example, the QCL is a type D QCL. In another example, the QCL is a type A QCL. In another example, the QCL is a type B QCL. In another example, the QCL is a type C QCL. The QCL to the SSB can be a direct QCL or an indirect QCL.

[0371] In one example, the DCI of the PDCCH command includes the SSB. The SSB is associated with a TA group (eg, a first TA group or a second TA group), and the TA in the RAR corresponds to the TA group associated with the SSB.

[0372] In one example, the DCI of the PDCCH command includes a flag. The flag indicates a TA group (eg, a first TA group or a second TA group), and the TA in the RAR corresponds to the TA group indicated by the flag.

[0373] In one example, the PDCCH command is triggered by the entity for which the TA is to be calculated (e.g., TRP or cell or panel or CORESETPOOLIndex).

[0374] In one example, the PDCCH command may be triggered by an entity different from the entity for which the TA is to be calculated (e.g., TRP or cell or panel or CORESETPOOLIndex), such as a PDCCH command trigger across a TRP preamble. In one example, the entity for which the TA is to be calculated may be indicated by an SSB in the PDCCH command, where the SSB is associated with the entity for which the TA is to be calculated. In one example, the entity for which the TA is to be calculated may be indicated by a flag or parameter in the PDCCH command, where the flag or parameter in the PDCCH command is for the entity for which the TA is being calculated.

[0375] In one example, a PDCCH command may trigger two preamble transmissions; (1) a first preamble transmission for a first entity or TA group or TA index in a TA group, and (2) a second preamble transmission for a second entity or TA group or TA index in a TA group. In one example, there may be one RAR for both preambles. In another example, there may be two RARs, one for each preamble. In one example, when there is one RAR for both preambles, the RAR may be sent from the entity that triggered the PDCCH command.

[0376] In one example, a PDCCH command may trigger a contention-based random access procedure. In one example, a contention-based PDCCH command may be used to send a preamble associated with a TRP that is different from the TRP that triggered the PDCCH command.

[0377] In one embodiment, the network measures the arrival time of the UL signal from the UE at TRP B relative to a reference time such as TRP B (e.g., the Rx reference time of TRP B). In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected first in time. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected first in time that exceeds the RSRP threshold, wherein the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected last in time. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the reference signal received or detected last in time that exceeds the RSRP threshold, wherein the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. In one example, the arrival time may be based on the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality). In one example, the arrival time may be based on the strongest (e.g., maximum RSRP or maximum SINR or best signal quality) reference signal received or detected. In one example, the arrival time may be an average value of the received or detected reference signal. In one example, the arrival time may be an average value of the received or detected reference signal exceeding the RSRP threshold, where the RSRP threshold may be configured and / or updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling. If the difference between the arrival time of the UL signal at TRP B and the reference time of TRP B (e.g., the Rx reference time of TRP B) exceeds a threshold X, where X is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling, the network may trigger or configure the UE to send SRS. In one example, the threshold X may be specified in the system specification, for example, X is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or X is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or X is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, the value X specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. The network may measure the arrival time of the SRS sent by the UE at TRP B and determine the TA value for transmission toward TRP B accordingly.

[0378] In one example, the configured SRS is a periodic SRS.

[0379] In one example, the activated SRS is a semi-persistent SRS. When a threshold X is exceeded, the network activates the semi-persistent SRS.

[0380] In one example, the triggered SRS is an aperiodic SRS. When a threshold X is exceeded, the network triggers the aperiodic SRS.

[0381] In one embodiment, the UE is configured to measure the DL incremental propagation delay of the DL reference signal.

[0382] The UE is configured or determines a reference signal (RS1) for DL ​​reference timing. For example, the reference signal may be a reference associated with a source RS indicating a TCI state (e.g., QCL type A or QCL type B or QCL type C or QCL type D or a spatial relationship source RS). The indicated TCI state may be a joint TCI state or a UL TCI state.

[0383] The UE detects a reference signal (RS2) having a signal quality (eg, RSRP or SINR) exceeding a threshold X, where X is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling.

[0384] The UE measures the "DL incremental propagation delay" between RS1 and RS2. If the "DL incremental propagation delay" exceeds a threshold Y, where Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling, the UE triggers a scheduling request. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in the system specification, for example, Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, the value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. The scheduling request configures or activates or triggers an SRS transmission from the UE so that the network measures the arrival time of the SRS sent by the UE at the TRP and determines the TA value for transmission toward the TRP accordingly.

[0385] In one example, the configured SRS is a periodic SRS.

[0386] In one example, the activated SRS is a semi-persistent SRS. When a threshold X is exceeded, the network activates the semi-persistent SRS.

[0387] In one example, the triggered SRS is an aperiodic SRS. When a threshold X is exceeded, the network triggers the aperiodic SRS.

[0388] In one example, the network may configure SR (Scheduling Request) resources for each TRP. The UE may trigger an SR for a TRP for which it wants the network to measure timing information.

[0389] In one example, the network may configure an SR (scheduling request) resource. The UE may trigger an SR for a determined TRP (eg, TRP B) for which the network measures timing information.

[0390] In one example, a TAG or TA value associated with an entity (eg, TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex) is sent from the entity associated with the TAG or TA value.

[0391] In one example, a TAG or TA value associated with an entity (eg, TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex) may be sent from another entity that is not associated with the TAG or TA value.

[0392] In one example, two TAG or TA values ​​may be sent from the same entity (e.g., TRP or panel or cell or CORESETPOOLIndex). In one example, two TAG or TA values ​​may be sent from the same entity in the same transmission (e.g., the same MAC CE).

[0393] In some examples, the network triggers a random access (RACH) procedure from the UE (e.g., via a PDCCH command) toward a non-serving cell, e.g., to acquire a TA before a handover or cell change to the non-serving cell (or target cell or candidate cell). The event that triggers the procedure may be based on signaling from the UE, or based on the implementation of the gNB.

[0394] In one example, the UE is configured to provide a measurement report of a reference signal, and the reference signal that the UE is configured to measure may be:

[0395] -Associated with different TRPs belonging to the same cell.

[0396] - Associated with different cells, e.g. some reference signals are associated with the serving cell, while other reference signals are associated with cells with a different PCI than the serving cell (e.g. non-serving cells). There may also be other reference signals associated with other non-serving cells, etc.

[0397] The UE may be configured to provide a measurement report comprising at least K quantity values, wherein each quantity value comprises:

[0398] - Reference signal ID (e.g., CSI-RS resource ID (CRI) or SSB resource ID SSBRI)

[0399] - A metric quality associated with the corresponding reference signal, such as RSRP or SINR

[0400] In one example, if a reference signal provided in a measurement report is received with a timing difference exceeding a threshold (e.g., the threshold is Y), the UE indicates in the measurement report that the timing of the reference signal exceeds the threshold. The timing difference is the difference between the reception timing of the reference signal and the reception timing of the reference signal of the serving cell (or reference TRP, where the reference TRP can be indicated or configured to the UE). In one example, the network may indicate the reference signal of the serving cell (or reference TRP) to be used for time difference measurement. In another example, such a reference signal for the serving cell (or reference TRP) may be determined by the UE. In one example, Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling. In one example, a threshold Y may be specified in a system specification, for example, Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured.

[0401] In one example, there is an indicator for each of the K quantity values ​​in the measurement report, wherein each quantity value includes:

[0402] - Reference signal ID (e.g., CSI-RS resource ID (CRI) or SSB resource ID)

[0403] - A metric quality associated with the corresponding reference signal, such as RSRP or SINR

[0404] - An indicator of whether the time difference with the reference RS exceeds a threshold. For example, if the time difference exceeds the threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise it may be "0", and vice versa.

[0405] In another example, the indicator is common to all K quantities in the measurement report, wherein if the time difference between any RS in the measurement report and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator is "1", otherwise it is "0", and vice versa.

[0406] In another example, the measurement report includes reference signals of N entities. For example, the N entities may be one of the following:

[0407] -N non-service cells, in which case the measurement report includes N indicators, one indicator for each non-service cell. The order of the indicators can be based on the index of the non-service cell with the RS in the measurement report, for example, in ascending or descending order. Alternatively, the order of the indicators can be based on the order in which the RSs of the corresponding non-service cells appear in the measurement report. In one example, if the time difference between all RSs associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa. In another example, if the time difference between any RS associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa. In another example, if the average time difference between the RS associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa.

[0408] -N-1 non-service cells and one service cell, in which case the measurement report includes N-1 indicators, one indicator for each non-service cell. The order of the indicators may be based on the index of the non-service cell having the RS in the measurement report, for example, in ascending or descending order. Alternatively, the order of the indicators may be based on the order in which the RSs of the corresponding non-service cells appear in the measurement report. In one example, if the time difference between all RSs associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa. In another example, if the time difference between any RS associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa. In another example, if the average time difference between the RS associated with the corresponding non-service cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", and vice versa.

[0409] -N-1 non-serving cells and one serving cell, in which case the measurement report includes N indicators, one indicator for each non-serving cell and one indicator for the serving cell. The order of the indicators may be based on the index of the non-serving cell with the RS in the measurement report, for example, in ascending or descending order. Alternatively, the order of the indicators may be based on the order in which the RSs of the corresponding non-serving cells appear in the measurement report. In one example, if the time difference between all RSs associated with the corresponding non-serving cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", or vice versa. In another example, if the time difference between any RS associated with the corresponding non-serving cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", or vice versa. In another example, if the average time difference between the RS associated with the corresponding non-serving cell and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the indicator may be "1", otherwise the indicator may be "0", or vice versa. In one example, the indicator of the serving cell may always indicate that the time difference of the RS of the serving cell is less than the threshold.

[0410] In one example, the indication of the time difference between the RS and the reference RS may be reported in a separate message from the beam measurement report.

[0411] In one example, the UE may report the actual time difference between the RS and the reference RS. For example, the beam measurement report includes K values. Each value includes:

[0412] - Reference signal ID (e.g., CSI-RS resource ID (CRI) or SSB resource ID SSBRI)

[0413] - A metric quality associated with the corresponding reference signal, such as RSRP or SINR

[0414] - The time difference between the RS and the reference RS. In one example, the time difference is always included. In another example, the time difference is included if the time difference exceeds a threshold.

[0415] In one example, the reference RS is a virtual reference RS corresponding to the timing of the TA signaled to the UE.

[0416] In one example, the UE is also configured with PRACH configuration information for a non-serving cell, for example, RACH-ConfigCommon or ConfigCommonTwoStepRA for the non-serving cell, which includes information about the PRACH timing (RO) to be used in the time domain and the frequency domain and information about the RACH preamble signature. The UE may also be configured with information about a dedicated preamble for use in the case of contention-free random access in a non-serving cell. In one example, when the UE determines or is configured to send a preamble to a non-serving cell, the UE selects the preamble and RO based on the PRACH configuration of the non-serving cell and the corresponding selected reference signal (e.g., SSB) of the non-serving cell.

[0417] In one example, if the network receives a measurement report or other message indicating that the time difference between the RS and the reference RS exceeds a threshold, the network triggers a RACH PDCCH order towards the non-serving cell of the RS having the timing difference exceeding the threshold.

[0418] In one example, the network may trigger a RACH PDCCH order towards the non-serving cell based on its own implementation (eg, with respect to any timing difference indication it may receive from the network).

[0419] In other examples, the UE triggers a random access (RACH) procedure toward a non-serving cell to acquire a TA before handover or cell change to the non-serving cell (or target cell or candidate cell). The event that triggers the procedure may be based on a measurement (e.g., signal strength measurement and / or time difference measurement) performed by the UE. The signal strength measurement (e.g., RSRP or SINR) may be a signal strength measurement of an RS from a non-serving cell (e.g., exceeding a threshold or exceeding the signal strength of an RS from a serving cell by a threshold). The time difference measurement may be an arrival time difference between an RS from a serving cell and an RS from a non-serving cell.

[0420] In one example, the UE is configured with a reference signal for measurement as described above. The UE is configured to provide a measurement report as described above. If the UE provides a reference signal in the measurement report and the timing difference between the RS and a reference RS (e.g., associated with a serving cell or a reference TRP or a TA of a serving cell or a reference TRP) exceeds a threshold Y, as described above. The UE uses the RACH configuration of the cell to trigger a random access (RACH) procedure toward the cell (or TRP) associated with the RS having a timing difference exceeding the threshold Y in the measurement report. The random access procedure can be a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure or a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure as described above.

[0421] In one example, the UE is configured with a reference signal for measurement, as described above. If the RS is configured as an RS for measurement, and the timing difference between the RS and a reference RS (e.g., associated with a serving cell or a reference TRP or a TA of a serving cell or a reference TRP) exceeds a threshold Y, as described above. The UE uses the RACH configuration of the cell to trigger a random access (RACH) procedure toward a cell (or TRP) associated with a measurement RS having a timing difference exceeding the threshold Y. The random access procedure may be a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure or a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure as described above.

[0422] In one example, the UE is configured with a TCI state list (e.g., DL_Joint TCI state or UL TCI state). The configured TCI state has an associated source RS, where the source RS may be a source RS of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D. The source RS may be:

[0423] -Associated with different TRPs belonging to the same cell.

[0424] - Associated with different cells, e.g., some source RS resources are associated with the serving cell, while other source RS resources are associated with cells having a different PCI than the serving cell (e.g., non-serving cells). There may also be other reference signals associated with other non-serving cells, etc.

[0425] The UE may be configured to measure the timing difference between a source RS for a TCI state configured in a TCI list and a reference RS (e.g., associated with a serving cell or a reference TRP or a TA of a serving cell or a reference TRP, where the reference TRP may be indicated or configured to the UE). In one example, the network may indicate a reference RS for a serving cell (or reference TRP) to be used for time difference measurement. In another example, such a reference RS for a serving cell (or reference TRP) may be determined by the UE.

[0426] In one example, if the timing difference exceeds a threshold (e.g., the threshold is Y), the UE triggers a random access (RACH) procedure toward a cell (or TRP) associated with a source RS using the RACH configuration of the cell, where the timing difference exceeds the threshold Y. In one example, Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in the system specification, e.g., Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. The random access procedure may be a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure or a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure as described above.

[0427] In one example, if the timing difference exceeds a threshold (e.g., the threshold is Y), the UE indicates to the network that the timing difference exceeds the threshold. In one example, the indication may be a beam measurement. In another example, the indication may be in a message for timing difference indication. The UE may indicate to the network (in a beam measurement report or in a message for timing difference indication) one or more of: (1) RS ID, (2) cell ID associated with the RS, (3) value of the timing difference, (4) indication (implicit or explicit) that the timing difference exceeds a threshold Y. In one example, Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in a system specification, e.g., Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. In response to the received message, the network may trigger a RACH PDCCH order toward a non-serving cell having an RS with a timing difference exceeding the threshold.

[0428] In one example, the UE is configured with a TCI state list (e.g., DL_Joint TCI state or UL TCI state). The configured TCI state has an associated source RS, where the source RS may be a source RS of QCL type A, QCL type B, QCL type C, or QCL type D. The source RS may be:

[0429] -Associated with different TRPs belonging to the same cell.

[0430] - Associated with different cells, e.g., some source RS resources are associated with the serving cell, while other source RS resources are associated with cells having a different PCI than the serving cell (e.g., non-serving cells). There may also be other reference signals associated with other non-serving cells, etc.

[0431] The UE is further configured with an activated TCI state set from the list of configured TCI states. The activated TCI state has an associated source RS, where the source RS may be a source RS of QCL type A or QCL type B or QCL type C or QCL type D. The source RS may be:

[0432] -Associated with different TRPs belonging to the same cell.

[0433] - Associated with different cells, for example, some source RS resources are associated with the serving cell, while other source RS resources are associated with cells having a PCI different from that of the serving cell (e.g., non-serving cells). There may also be other reference signals associated with other non-serving cells, etc.

[0434] The UE may be configured to measure the timing difference between a source RS for a TCI state in an activated TCI set and a reference RS (e.g., associated with a serving cell or a reference TRP or a TA of a serving cell or a reference TRP, where the reference TRP may be indicated or configured to the UE). In one example, the network may indicate a reference RS for a serving cell (or reference TRP) to be used for time difference measurement. In another example, such a reference RS for a serving cell (or reference TRP) may be determined by the UE.

[0435] In one example, if the timing difference exceeds a threshold (e.g., the threshold is Y), the UE triggers a random access (RACH) procedure toward a cell (or TRP) associated with a source RS using the RACH configuration of the cell, where the timing difference exceeds the threshold Y. In one example, Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in the system specification, e.g., Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. The random access procedure may be a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure or a contention-free random access (CFRA) procedure as described above.

[0436] In one example, if the timing difference exceeds a threshold (e.g., the threshold is Y), the UE indicates to the network that the timing difference exceeds the threshold. In one example, the indication may be a beam measurement. In another example, the indication may be in a message for timing difference indication. The UE may indicate to the network (in a beam measurement report or in a message for timing difference indication) one or more of: (1) RS ID, (2) cell ID associated with the RS, (3) value of the timing difference, (4) indication (implicit or explicit) that the timing difference exceeds a threshold Y. In one example, Y is configured / updated by RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control (DCI) signaling. In one example, the threshold Y may be specified in a system specification, e.g., Y is equal to half of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to one quarter of the cyclic prefix, or Y is equal to the cyclic prefix. In one example, a value Y specified in the system specification (e.g., a default value) may be used unless a different value is configured. In response to the received message, the network may trigger a RACH PDCCH order toward a non-serving cell having an RS with a timing difference exceeding the threshold.

[0437] In one example, if the timing difference according to the previous example exceeds a threshold Y, the network may configure whether the UE performs a random access (RACH) procedure towards a non-serving cell, wherein the timing difference is configured / determined as described above, and Y is configured / determined as described above.

[0438] In one example, a PDCCH command triggers a contention-free random access procedure for an inter-cell multi-TRP scenario to determine the TA.

[0439] Fig.25 An example 2500 of a PDCCH order-triggered CFRA procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.25 The embodiment of the CFRA process triggered by the PDCCH order is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the CFRA process triggered by the PDCCH order may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0440] exist Fig.25 In the example, consider the following:

[0441] -TRP, beam and / or quasi-co-location properties used to send PDCCH commands.

[0442] - Resources used for preamble transmission, where the resources include a PRACH opportunity and a preamble index.

[0443] -Spatial filter and / or transmit power used to transmit the preamble.

[0444] -Quasi-co-location of RAR.

[0445] In one example, a PDCCH command is sent from a TRP associated with a serving cell, for example, the TCI state of the PDCCH command includes one or more source RSs (e.g., source RSs of QCL type D and / or QCL type A), and the one or more source RSs are associated with the SSB of the serving cell (e.g., through a QCL relationship). In this example, the PDCCH command (sent from the TRP of the serving cell) triggers a preamble, which is sent to the TRP of the serving cell or the TRP of a non-serving cell. The PDCCH command may trigger a preamble sent to a TRP different from the TRP of the PDCCH command, for example, the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble may be based on the SSB of a cell (or TRP) different from the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command. In one example, the PDCCH command includes the PCI of the cell, the triggered RACH process is associated with the cell, i.e., the preamble is sent to the cell, and the spatial transmit filter and / or power of the preamble sent is based on the SSB associated with the cell. The PCI of a cell may be (1) the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) the additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). In one example, the PCI field has a size of N bits, where In one example, maxNrofAdditionalPCI=7, and N=3 bits. In one example, if the PCI field is 0, this indicates a serving cell, otherwise the PCI indicates an additional PCI index of a non-serving cell. In another example, the PDCCH command includes a flag indicating whether the preamble is triggered for a serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex).

[0446] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a path loss-RS (PL-RS) prior to the transmission of the PDCCH command. In one example, the SSB is known to the UE when the PDCCH command is triggered. In the example, the time between the time when the SSB is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS and the time when the PDCCH is configured is T. In one example, T is measured from the channel (starting or ending) that transmits the SSB as the configuration or activation or indication of the PL-RS, and in another example, the channel is positively acknowledged. In one example, T is measured from the channel (starting or ending) that transmits the HARQ-ACK to the channel that transmits the SSB as the configuration or activation or indication of the PL-RS, and in another example, the HARQ-ACK is a positive acknowledgement (ACK), and in another example, the HARQ-ACK is a positive acknowledgement (ACK) or a negative acknowledgement (NACK).

[0447] In one example, for example, T is measured from the channel over which the HARQ-ACK is transmitted:

[0448]

[0449] In one example, for example, T is measured from a channel transmitting SSB as a configuration, activation or indication of PL-RS:

[0450]

[0451] in,

[0452] is the number of time slots per subframe when the subcarrier spacing is μ.

[0453] If the UE does not maintain the SSB configured as PL-RS, NM = 1

[0454] Otherwise NM=0. In one example, the SSB configured as PL-RS is considered not maintained. In one example, the SSB configured as PL-RS is considered maintained.

[0455] T target_PL-RS is the period of the SSB configured as PL-RS

[0456] T HARQ It is the HARQ delay between sending the channel and obtaining the HARQ-ACK feedback.

[0457] In one example, the SSBs configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS are known at the time of configuration or activation or indication.

[0458] In one example, the SSB configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS is unknown at the time of configuration or activation or indication, and an additional delay T 1 is added to T so that SSB is known. 1 Includes additional Rx time for beam refinement.

[0459] The path loss reference signal (e.g., SSB) is known if the following conditions are met during the period between the last transmission of the RS resource for L1-RSRP measurement report and the completion of the path loss reference signal switching, where the RS resource is the target path loss reference signal or is QCL (with type D) with the target path loss reference signal.

[0460] - Receive a path loss reference signal switch command within 1280ms of the last transmission of the RS resource used for beam reporting or measurement

[0461] - Before the PLRS switch command, the UE has sent at least one L1-RSRP report for the target PLRS

[0462] -During the path loss reference signal switching period, the target path loss reference signal remains detectable

[0463] -Target path loss reference signal SNR ≥ -3dB

[0464] - During the path loss reference signal switching period, the SSB associated with the target path loss reference signal remains detectable

[0465] - Associated SSB SNR ≥ -3dB

[0466] Otherwise, the path loss reference signal is unknown.

[0467] In one example, when the UE measures an SSB (e.g., of a serving cell or a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell), the UE may determine a path loss associated with the SSB. The UE may transmit a PRACH preamble associated with the SSB using a transmit power determined based on the path loss associated with the SSB.

[0468] In one example, when the UE measures an SSB (e.g., of a serving cell or a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell), the UE may determine a path loss associated with the SSB. The UE may transmit a PRACH preamble associated with the SSB using a transmit power determined based on the path loss associated with the SSB. A cell having a PCI associated with the SSB may not have an activated TCI state (e.g., an inactive PCI or an additional PCI).

[0469] In one example, when the UE measures an SSB (e.g., of a serving cell or a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell), the UE may determine a path loss associated with the SSB. The UE may transmit a PRACH preamble associated with the SSB using a transmit power determined based on the path loss associated with the SSB. The cell having the PCI associated with the SSB has an activated TCI state (e.g., active PCI or additional PCI).

[0470] In one example, when the UE measures an SSB (e.g., of a serving cell or a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell), the UE may determine a path loss associated with the SSB. The UE may send a PRACH preamble associated with the SSB using a transmit power determined based on the path loss associated with the SSB. The SSB is associated with an activated TCI state (e.g., the TCI state has a source RS that is directly or indirectly associated with the SSB (e.g., QCL)).

[0471] In one example, the UE capabilities may determine whether the SSB used for path loss measurement is associated with a cell that is one of the following:

[0472] - The cell has an activated TCI state (e.g., active PCI or additional PCI);

[0473] - The cell may not have an activated TCI state.

[0474] In one example, if the UE can determine the path loss from the SSB associated with the cell with PCI (e.g., provided by additionalPCIIndex), and the cell does not have a TCI state or TCI state code point activated, such as additionalPCIIndex is inactive, then PRACH to the cell with inactive additionalPCIIndex can be triggered. Otherwise, if the UE cannot determine the path loss from the SSB associated with the cell with PCI (e.g., provided by additionalPCIIndex), and the cell does not have an activated TCI state or TCI state code point, such as additionalPCIIndex is inactive, then PRACH to the cell with active additionalPCIIndex (e.g., with an activated TCI state or TCI state code point) can be triggered. In one example, this can be based on UE capabilities.

[0475] In one example, a PDCCH command is sent from a TRP associated with a serving cell or a cell of a configured additionalPCIIndex, for example, the TCI state of the PDCCH command includes one or more source RSs (e.g., source RSs of QCL type D and / or QCL type A), and the one or more source RSs are associated (e.g., by a QCL relationship) with an SSB of a serving cell or an SSB of a cell of a configured additionalPCIIndex (e.g., an inter-cell PDCCH command). In this example, the following sub-examples are possible.

[0476] -In a sub-example, a PDCCH command is sent from the TRP of one cell and its trigger may be a preamble sent to the TRP of another cell, for example, the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble may be based on the SSB of a cell (or TRP) different from the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command. In one example, the PDCCH command includes the PCI of the cell to which the triggered RACH process is associated, i.e., the preamble is sent to the cell, and the spatial transmit filter and / or power of the transmitted preamble is based on the SSB associated with the cell. The PCI of the cell may be (1) the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) the additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). In one example, the PCI field has a size of N bits, where, In one example, maxNrofAdditionalPCI=7, and N=3 bits. In one example, if the PCI field is 0, this indicates a serving cell, otherwise the PCI indicates an additional PCI index of a non-serving cell. In another example, the PDCCH command includes a flag (or indicator) indicating whether the preamble is triggered for a serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex).

[0477] -In one sub-example, a PDCCH command is sent from a TRP of a cell and it triggers a preamble that is sent to a TRP of the same cell (e.g., the same TRP used for the PDCCH command), for example, the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble can be based on the SSB of the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command.

[0478] -In a sub-example, if the PDCCH command is triggered from a TRP associated with a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is directly or indirectly QCL with the source RS of the serving cell), the PRACH preamble can be sent to the serving cell or the non-serving cell, as mentioned previously. If the PDCCH command is triggered from a TRP associated with a cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is directly or indirectly QCL with the source RS of the cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell), the PRACH preamble can be sent to a cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell.

[0479] -In a sub-example, if the PDCCH command is triggered from a TRP associated with a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is directly or indirectly QCL with the source RS of the serving cell), the PRACH preamble can be sent to the serving cell or the non-serving cell, as mentioned previously. If the PDCCH command is triggered from a TRP associated with a cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is directly or indirectly QCL with the source RS of the cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell) (e.g., an inter-cell PDCCH command), the PRACH preamble can be sent to a cell having a PCI different from that of the serving cell (e.g., to a non-serving cell).

[0480] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0481] The resources used for the preamble are determined by the PRACH opportunity and the preamble index within the PRACH opportunity. The preamble index can be indicated by a PDCCH command. The PRACH opportunity is determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS resource associated with the preamble (through the association mode as described above). In Rel-15, the association mode is defined only for the SSB of the serving cell. However, in the case of multiple TRPs between cells, there are SSBs associated with the serving cell and SSBs associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, one option is to define a new PRACH configuration to cover the serving cell SSB and the SSB on the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0482] In one example, a new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of preambles associated with a serving cell and a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0483] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0484] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. A higher layer parameter (e.g., via RRC configuration and / or MAC CE configuration) may indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0485] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. An indicator (e.g., a flag) in the PDCCH order can indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0486] In one example, a separate PRACH configuration is provided for each additionalPCIIndex. The PRACH configuration association with additionalPCIIndex can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0487] The following examples may be considered for the new PRACH configuration.

[0488] - Association is based on PCI-SSB pairs, i.e., each PCI-SSB pair is associated with a RO

[0489] - Association is based on SSB, where SSB is a superset of SSB indices configured across all cells as provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst. In one example, "all cells" includes the serving cell and the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In another example, "all cells" includes the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0490] In one example, the SSB of the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex is the configured additionalPCIIndex. It is determined by maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17=7 that there can be a maximum of 7 configured additionalPCIIndex. In another example, the SSB of the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex is a (multiple) cell of additionalPCIIndex with an activated TCI state, wherein if the source RS of the activated TCI state is associated with the SSB of the cell through quasi-co-location, the cell is considered to have an activated TCI state. The activated TCI state is a TCI state activated by a MAC CE, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47. In one example, the activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship) can be associated with a serving cell and another cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In the example, the activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship) can be associated with a serving cell and one or more cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, consider the following example for the association between PRACH opportunities and SSBs for a new RACH configuration

[0491] -Associate the SSB based on the serving cell and the SSB of the cell corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0492] -Associate the SSB based on the serving cell and the SSB of the cell with MAC CE activated TCI state corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0493] -Associate based on the SSB of the cell corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0494] -Associate the SSB based on the cell with MAC CE activating TCI state corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0495] In one example, the UE is configured with a new PRACH configuration, such as a new RACH-ConfigGeneric and / or RACH-ConfigDedicated, for example, for inter-cell multiple TRPs.

[0496] The UE is configured with additional PCIs and SSBs associated with the additional PCIs. For example, the UE may be configured with a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet that includes a list of additional PCI indices given by servingAdditionalPCIList.

[0497] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet::=SEQUENCE{

[0498] csi-SSB-ResourceSetId CSI-SSB-ResourceSetId,

[0499] csi-SSB-ResourceList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF SSB-Index,

[0500] ..., [[

[0502] servingAdditionalPCIList-r17 SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF ServingAdditionalPCIIndex-r17 OPTIONAL--Need R ]]

[0504] }

[0505] Among them, maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet is 64.

[0506] And wherein servingAdditionalPCIList indicates the physical cell ID (PCI) of the SSB in csi-SSB-ResourceList. If present, the list has the same number of entries as csi-SSB-ResourceList. The first entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the first entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, the second entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the second entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, and so on. For each entry, the following applies:

[0507] - If the value is zero, the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined;

[0508] - Otherwise, the value is additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, and the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[0509] SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17::=SEQUENCE{

[0510] additionalPCIIndex-r17 AdditionalPCIIndex-r17,

[0511] additionalPCI-r17 PhysCellId,

[0512] periodicity-r17 ENUMERATED{ms5,ms10,ms20,ms40,ms80,ms160,spare2,spare1},

[0513] ssb-PositionsInBurst-r17 CHOICE{

[0514] shortBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(4)),

[0515] mediumBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(8)),

[0516] longBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(64))

[0517] },

[0518] ss-PBCH-BlockPower-r17 INTEGER(-60..50)

[0519] }

[0520] Among them, AdditionalPCIIndex-r17::=INTEGER(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17, and maxNrofAdditionalPCI is 7.

[0521] Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates the time domain position of the transmitted SS block in the half frame with the SS / PBCH block. 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 block is transmitted.

[0522] For the association of RO with SSBs for a new PRACH configuration, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is given by the following example:

[0523] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index associated with the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList (i.e., excluding the SSBs associated with the serving cell (having a zero value in the corresponding entry in servingAdditionalPCIList)). The order of association of the SSBs with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the additional PCI. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0524] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0525]

[0526] in,

[0527] (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[0528] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0529] - The order of the configured AdditionalPCIIndex, such as ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 provided in ServingCellConfig

[0530] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in the increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0531] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the serving cell PCI or the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList. The order in which the SSBs are associated with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0532] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for the serving cell obtained from ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon and the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0533]

[0534] in,

[0535] (Servingcell) can be obtained from SIB1 or ssb-PositionsInBurst in ServingCellConfigCommon. (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[0536] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0537] -Secondly, follow the SSB order of the serving cell configured with AdditionalPCIIndex, such as that provided in ServingCellConfig

[0538] ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17

[0539] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with the serving cell, then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only the SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0540] In one example, each AdditionalPCIIndex has an associated SSB-positionalBurst provided by SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, and the bitmaps of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the cells corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex are ORed together, i.e., a superset of the union of the SSBs used in the cells corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex is created. From the resulting superset (the result of the aforementioned OR operation), The order of associating the SSBs with the ROs may be based on the order of the SSBs in the resulting SSB superset. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0541] In one example, each AdditionalPCIIndex has an associated ssb-PositionsInBurst provided by SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, (1) the bitmap of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the cell corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex and (2) the bitmap of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell included in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon are ORed together, i.e., a superset of the union of SSBs used in the cell corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex and the serving cell is created. The superset (the result of the aforementioned OR operation) can be obtained The order of associating the SSBs with the ROs may be based on the order of the SSBs in the resulting SSB superset. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0542] In one example, for Consider the ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell included in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon. The order of association of SSBs with ROs can be based on the order of SSBs in the ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell. For a RACH preamble triggered by a PDCCH command, the PDCCH provides resources for sending the preamble (i.e., the preamble index and the PRACH timing). The PRACH timing can be based on the SSB of the serving cell. The SSB used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble can be determined based on an additional indication in the PDCCH command or the SSB of the quasi-co-location property of the DMRS for the PDCCH command.

[0543] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0544] In one example, there is no new PRACH configuration, and the PRACH configuration of Rel-15 can be used to send a PDCCH command triggered preamble sent to a serving cell or a cell associated with additionalPCIIndex. For a RACH preamble triggered by a PDCCH command, the PDCCH provides resources for sending the preamble (i.e., preamble index and PRACH timing). The PRACH timing can be based on the SSB of the serving cell. The SSB for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble can be determined based on an additional indication in the PDCCH command or the SSB of the quasi-co-location property of the DMRS for the PDCCH command.

[0545] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0546] In one example, the PDCCH command includes at least (1) a random access preamble index, (2) an SS / PBCH index, (3) a PRACH mask index, and (4) a PCIIndex or PCI flag, which can identify the PRACH preamble and the PRACH timing to be used for preamble transmission.

[0547] In one example, PCIIndex may be:

[0548] - In case the value is zero, then the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble.

[0549] - has another value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, then the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble.

[0550] - PCIIndex is not included in the PDCCH order, in which case the determined PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble is independent of PCIIndex.

[0551] In another example, PCIIndex may be:

[0552] - has a value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble. In one example, if PCIIndex is 0, this corresponds to a cell triggered by a PDCCH command. In one example, if PCIIndex is 0, this corresponds to a serving cell.

[0553] - PCIIndex is not included in the PDCCH order, in which case the determined PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble is independent of PCIIndex.

[0554] In one example, the PCI flag may be:

[0555] - In case the value is zero, then the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined. This may correspond to the first TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 0), for example.

[0556] - In the case where the value is 1, the UE selects the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfigure. For example, the selection may be based on a cell with an activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship). In another example, the selection may be based on RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling, for example, the network may signal the UE with additionalPCIIndex corresponding to a PCI flag with a value of 1. This may correspond to a second TAG ID (e.g., TAG ID 1), for example.

[0557] In one example, the PCI flag may be:

[0558] - additionalPCIIndex for the first RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling has a value of zero. This may correspond to the first TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 0), for example.

[0559] - For the second RRC configured and / or MAC CE signaled and / or L1 control signaled additionalPCIIndex, has a value of 1. This may correspond to, for example, a second TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 1).

[0560] In one example, if PCIflag is zero, or PCIIndex is zero, the PDCCH order follows the traditional PDCCH order behavior as described in Table 1.

[0561] In one example, the PDCCH order has a PDCCH format as shown in Table 2.

[0562]

Table 2

[0563]

[0564]

[0565] In one example, the PDCCH order has a PDCCH format as shown in Table 3.

[0566]

Table 3

[0567]

[0568] Description A:

[0569] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is zero

[0570] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, this field indicates the preamble index to be used for CFRA based PDCCH order transmission.

[0571] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is zero, this field indicates a CBRA based PDCCH order.

[0572] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0573] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, this field indicates the preamble index to be used for CFRA based PDCCH order transmission.

[0574] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is zero, this field indicates a CBRA based PDCCH order.

[0575] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0576] - The field "Random Access Preamble Index" indicates the preamble index to be used for CFRA based PDCCH order transmission.

[0577] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0578] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, this field indicates the preamble index to be used for CFRA based PDCCH order transmission.

[0579] - The field "Random Access Preamble Index" with a value of zero is reserved or not supported.

[0580] Description B:

[0581] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is zero

[0582] - If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained.

[0583] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0584] - If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association and determination of preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained.

[0585] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0586] - "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association and determination of preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter.

[0587] Description C:

[0588] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is zero

[0589] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, then the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used, otherwise the "PRACH Mask Index" is reserved.

[0590] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0591] - If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, then the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used, otherwise the "PRACH Mask Index" is reserved.

[0592] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0593] - "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used.

[0594] Description D:

[0595] In one example, if the PCI flag is 0, the PRACH transmission is sent to the same TRP where the PDCCH command was sent.

[0596] In one example, if the PCI flag is 0, a PRACH transmission is sent to the serving cell.

[0597] In one example, a PDCCH command with a PCI flag of value 0 is sent from the serving cell.

[0598] In one example, a PDCCH command (eg, an inter-cell PDCCH command) with a PCI flag of value 0 may be sent from a serving cell or a non-serving cell.

[0599] In one example, the PCI flag may be a TAG ID flag.

[0600] In one example, the network may signal the additionalPCIIndex of the TRP corresponding to the PCI flag having a value of 1 through RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[0601] In one example, the network may signal a first additionalPCIIndex of a TRP corresponding to a PCI flag having a value of 0 and a second additionalPCIIndex of a TRP corresponding to a PCI flag having a value of 1 through RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[0602] In one example, a second TRP for a PCI flag having a value of 1 may be associated with a cell having an activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship).

[0603] In one example, if the PCI flag is 0, the conventional behavior of Table 1 is followed.

[0604] Description E:

[0605] In one example, if the PCI index is 0, the PRACH transmission is sent to the same TRP where the PDCCH command was sent.

[0606] In one example, if the PCI index is 0, a PRACH transmission is sent to the serving cell.

[0607] In one example, a PDCCH command with a PCI index of value 0 is sent from the serving cell.

[0608] In one example, a PDCCH command (eg, an inter-cell PDCCH command) with a PCI index of value 0 may be sent from a serving cell or a non-serving cell.

[0609] In one example, if the PDCCH order comes from the serving cell:

[0610] -If the PCI index is 0, a PRACH transmission is sent to the serving cell (e.g., according to traditional behavior, where the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB of the QCL ordered by the PDCCH, or the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmission is the SSB indicated in the PDCCH order).

[0611] - If the PCI index is non-zero (eg, indicating cell A), then a PRACH transmission is sent to cell A (eg, the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB indicated in the PDCCH order for cell A).

[0612] In one example, if the PDCCH order is from cell A with a different PCI than the serving cell's PCI (e.g., an inter-cell PDCCH order):

[0613] -If the PCI index is 0, a PRACH transmission is sent to the serving cell (e.g., where the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB of the QCL ordered by the PDCCH, or the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmission is the SSB indicated in the PDCCH order).

[0614] - If the PCI index indicates cell A, then one of the following:

[0615] o A PRACH transmission is sent to cell A, and the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is indicated in the PDCCH order for cell A.

[0616] o A PRACH transmission is sent to cell A, and the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB of the QCL commanded by the PDCCH.

[0617] - If the PCI index is non-zero and different from the PCI index of cell A, e.g., indicating cell B, a PRACH transmission is sent to cell A and the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is indicated in the PDCCH order for cell B.

[0618] In one example, if the PDCCH order is from cell A with a different PCI than the serving cell's PCI (e.g., an inter-cell PDCCH order):

[0619] - PCI index is 0, and PRACH transmission is sent to cell A. In one example, the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB of the QCL used for the PDCCH command (e.g., similar to the legacy PDCCH command). In one example, the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB indicated in the PDCCH command for cell A.

[0620] - In this example, a PDCCH order from the serving cell can trigger a PRACH transmission towards the serving cell or a cell with a PCI different from the serving cell's PCI. A PDCCH order from cell A with a PCI different from the serving cell's PCI can trigger a PRACH transmission towards cell A.

[0621] In one example, if the PDCCH order comes from cell A with a different PCI than the serving cell's PCI:

[0622] - PCI index is the PCI index of cell A to which the PRACH transmission is sent. In one example, the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB of the QCL used for the PDCCH command (e.g., similar to a legacy PDCCH command). In one example, the SSB used to determine the PRACH transmit power is the SSB indicated in the PDCCH command for cell A.

[0623] - In this example, a PDCCH order from the serving cell can trigger a PRACH transmission towards the serving cell or a cell with a PCI different from the serving cell's PCI. A PDCCH order from cell A with a PCI different from the serving cell's PCI can trigger a PRACH transmission towards cell A.

[0624] In one example, PCI index 0 may correspond to a first TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 0), and a non-zero PCI index may correspond to a second TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 1).

[0625] In one example, the first PCI index may correspond to a first TAG ID (e.g., TAG ID 0), and the second PCI index may correspond to a second TAG ID (e.g., TAG ID 1). In one example, the network may configure the first PCI index and / or the second PCI index through RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[0626] In one example, the PCI field has a size of N bits, where In one example, maxNrofAdditionalPCI=7, and N=3 bits. In one example, if the PCI field is 0, this indicates a serving cell, otherwise the PCI indicates an additional PCI index of a non-serving cell.

[0627] In one example, if the PCI index is 0, the conventional behavior of Table 1 is followed.

[0628] In one example, a new flag may be added to the PDCCH order.

[0629] - If the flag is "0", follow the legacy PDCCH command behavior as described in Table 1.

[0630] - If the flag is "1", follow the new behavior. For example:

[0631] o The PCI index or PCI flag is included in the PDCCH order.

[0632] ○ If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association and determines the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained. Alternatively, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association and determines the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter.

[0633] o If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, then the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used, otherwise the "PRACH Mask Index" is retained. Alternatively, the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used.

[0634] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0635] although Fig.25 An example 2500 of a CFRA procedure triggered by a PDCCH command is shown, but the Fig.25 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.25 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0636] In one example, if Fig.26 As shown, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on (1) the SS / PBCH index included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order and (2) the PCIIndex.

[0637] Fig.26 An example 2600 of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.26 The embodiment of the preamble transmission is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the preamble transmission may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0638] exist Fig.26 In the example, the following variants can be considered:

[0639] - Variant 1: Use the same SS / PBCH index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 3.

[0640] - Variant 2: The PDCCH order includes 2 SS / PBCH indices; (1) one for determining the PRACH timing for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 4.

[0641]

Table 4

[0642]

[0643] Description F:

[0644] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is zero

[0645] - If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained.

[0646] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0647] - If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained.

[0648] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0649] - "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association.

[0650] Description G:

[0651] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is zero

[0652] - The reserved field "SS / PBCH Index 2" is used.

[0653] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0654] - If "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, "SS / PBCH Index 2" indicates the SSB index used to determine the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained.

[0655] In one example, if the PCI index or PCI flag is non-zero

[0656] - "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used to determine the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter.

[0657] In one example, a new flag may be added to the PDCCH order.

[0658] - If the flag is "0", follow the legacy PDCCH command behavior as described in Table 1.

[0659] - If the flag is "1", follow the new behavior. For example:

[0660] ○ PCI index or PCI flag is included in the PDCCH order

[0661] ○ If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, the "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association, otherwise the "SS / PBCH Index" is retained. Alternatively, the "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used for RO association.

[0662] ○ A new field "SS / PBCH Index 2" is added to the PDCCH order. If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is non-zero, then "SS / PBCH Index 2" indicates the SSB index used to determine the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter, otherwise "SS / PBCH Index" is retained. Alternatively, "SS / PBCH Index" indicates the SSB index used to determine the preamble transmit power and possible preamble spatial filter.

[0663] o If the "Random Access Preamble Index" is not zero, then the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used, otherwise the "PRACH Mask Index" is retained. Alternatively, the "PRACH Mask Index" indicates the RO used.

[0664] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0665] In one example, if Fig.26As shown, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on (1) SS / PBCH index included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order and (2) PCI flag. The following variants may be considered for this example:

[0666] - Variant 1: Use the same SS / PBCH index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 2.

[0667] - Variant 2: The PDCCH order includes 2 SS / PBCH indices; (1) one for determining the PRACH timing for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 5.

[0668] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0669]

Table 5

[0670]

[0671] In one example, the PCI flag may be:

[0672] - In case of value zero, the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined.

[0673] - In the case of a value of 1, the UE selects the PCI of additionalPCIIndex-r17 corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfigure. For example, the selection may be based on a cell with an activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship).

[0674] although Fig.26 An example 2600 of preamble transmission is shown, but Fig.26 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.26 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0675] In one example, if Fig. 27As shown in , the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource, which is a source RS or a source RS quasi-co-located with a PDCCH DM-RS ordered by a PDCCH.

[0676] Fig. 27 An example 2700 of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig. 27 The embodiment of the preamble transmission is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the preamble transmission may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0677] The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with the serving cell or with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0678] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0679] In one example, if Fig. 27 As shown in , the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or a power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource, which is a source RS or a source RS quasi-co-located with a PDCCH DM-RS of a PDCCH command. The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0680] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0681] although Fig. 27 An example 2700 of preamble transmission is shown, but Fig. 27 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig. 27 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0682] In one example, if Fig.28 As shown, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or a power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or a CSI-RS resource.

[0683] Fig.28 An example 2800 of preamble transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.28The embodiment of the preamble transmission is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the preamble transmission may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0684] exist Fig.28 In the example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is a source RS of a quasi-co-location (e.g., type D QCL or type A QCL) of a MAC CE activated TCI state, wherein the activated MAC CE TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) is included in the PDCCH order (or indicated by the PDCCH order). The activated TCI state code point corresponds to the activated TCI state by the MAC CE. In a variant example, an SSB index is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble being sent, wherein the SSB index is the root RS of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The root RS is a direct or indirect RS of the QCL information or spatial relationship information of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID). When the RS is the source RS of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is a direct RS; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for the source RS of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0685] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0686] In one example, if Fig.28As shown, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is the source RS of the spatial relationship of the MAC CE activated spatial relationship, wherein the activated MAC CE spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) is included in the PDCCH order (or indicated by the PDCCH order). In a variant example, the SSB index is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble to be sent, wherein the SSB index is the root source RS of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The root source RS is a direct or indirect RS of the QCL information or spatial relationship information of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID). When the RS is the source RS of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID), it is a direct RS; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for the source RS of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0687] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0688] although Fig.28 An example 2800 of preamble transmission is shown, but Fig.28 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.28 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0689] In one example, the RAR for the preamble is sent in the PDCCH with a CRC scrambled by the RA-RNTI.

[0690] In one example, if Fig.29 As shown in , the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR have the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the PDCCH command.

[0691] Fig.29 An example 2900 of a DMRS antenna port of a PDCCH of an RAR having the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as a DMRS antenna port of a PDCCH ordered by a PDCCH according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.29 The embodiment of the DMRS antenna ports with the same quasi co-location property is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the DMRS antenna ports with the same quasi co-location property may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0692] although Fig.29 An example 2900 of DMRS antenna ports having the same quasi-co-location property is shown, but Fig.29 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.29 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0693] In one example, if Fig.30 As shown in , the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB and CSI-RS resources used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble code transmission.

[0694] Fig.30 An example 3000 is shown according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, where the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the SSB. Fig.30 The quasi-co-location embodiment of is for illustration only. Different embodiments of quasi-co-location may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0695] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB and CSI-RS resources used to determine the association of the preamble transmission with the RO.

[0696] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the SSB indicated by the "SS / PBCH index" in the PDCCH order.

[0697] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB indicated by the "SS / PBCH index" and the PCI flag or PCI index in the PDCCH order.

[0698] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the SSB indicated by "SS / PBCH index 2" in the PDCCH order.

[0699] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB indicated by "SS / PBCH index 2" and the PCI flag or PCI index in the PDCCH order.

[0700] In one example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR are quasi-co-located with a CORESET (eg, a source RS based on a TCI state of the CORESET) associated with a Type 1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set.

[0701] In one example, if a PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a cell having a PCI different from that of a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with a cell or SSB having a PCI different from that of the serving cell), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with a CORESET associated with a Type1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set (e.g., a source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET). If the PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with the serving cell or an SSB of the serving cell), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the PDCCH command.

[0702] In one example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR are quasi co-located with a CORESET associated with a UE-specific search space (USS) set (eg, a source RS based on a TCI state of the CORESET).

[0703] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type 1-PDCCH CSS set associated with the serving cell.

[0704] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type 1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell may be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE may be configured with multiple Type 1-PDCCH CSS sets for the serving cell and the cell of additionalPCIIndex.

[0705] In one example, the PDCCH is sent in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell can be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE can be configured with two Type1-PDCCH CSS sets, a first Type1-PDCCH CSS for the serving cell and a second Type1-PDCCH CSS for any cell of AdditionalPCIIndex.

[0706] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in the USS set.

[0707] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in the same search space set as the search space set for the PDCCH command.

[0708] In one example, if the PCI flag or PCI index or TAG ID / index in the PDCCH command is 0 or a flag is added to the PDCCH command to indicate a new behavior and the flag is set to 0, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the PDCCH command, otherwise (the PCI flag or PCI index or TAG ID / index in the PDCCH command is non-zero), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB and CSI-RS resources used to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble code transmission.

[0709] In one example, if the PCI flag or PCI index or TAG ID / index in the PDCCH order is 0 or the flag is added to the PDCCH order to indicate a new behavior and the flag is set to 0, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the PDCCH order, otherwise (the PCI flag or PCI index or TAG ID / index in the PDCCH order is non-zero), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB indicated by one of the following:

[0710] - "SS / PBCH Index".

[0711] - "SS / PBCH Index" and PCI Flag or PCI Index.

[0712] - "SS / PBCH Index 2".

[0713] - "SS / PBCH Index 2" and PCI flag or PCI index.

[0714] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDSCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR. The antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR can be based on the previous example.

[0715] In one example, the DCI format of the PDCCH of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0716] In one example, the MAC CE of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0717] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on a PDCCH command that triggers a PRACH preamble transmission associated with the RAR (e.g., a PCI flag or index in the PDCCH command, or the cell sending the PDCCH command, or the cell where the PDCCH command triggers the preamble transmission).

[0718] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS used for transmission of the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0719] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS of the RO used to determine the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0720] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used in the aforementioned examples for determining the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0721] In one example, in case of cross-TRP triggering, the preamble is sent to the TRP of a cell other than the cell sending the PDCCH command. In this case, additional signaling is required to determine the TRP to which the PRACH is sent. For this purpose, a new field may be included in the PDCCH command. The new field may be:

[0722] - A 1-bit flag (e.g., PCI flag) indicating whether the PRACH commanded by the PDCCH is sent to the serving cell or another non-serving cell. For example, the non-serving cell may be a cell with an activated TCI state.

[0723] - A 3-bit field indicating a cell ID (eg, PCI index), such as identifying AdditionalPCIIndex-r17 included in SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 (values ​​ranging from 1 to 7). A value of 0 may indicate a serving cell.

[0724] In one example, for multi-DCI based inter-cell multi-TRP operation with two TA enhancements, for the CFRAPDCCH command, an additional flag or field is included in the PDCCH command to identify the cell of the PRACH to which the PDCCH command is sent.

[0725] In one example, if the value of the PCI flag or the field indicating the PDCCH command is 0, the operation of the PDCCH command follows the conventional behavior as described above. If the value of the PCI flag in the PDCCH command is non-zero, this indicates that the PDCCH command has a PRACH sent toward a cell other than the cell that triggered the PDCCH command. In this case,

[0726] - The "Random Access Preamble Index" field indicates the preamble of a PRACH transmission towards another cell.

[0727] - The "UL / SUL Indicator" field indicates whether the PRACH preamble is transmitted in the UL carrier of other cells or in the SUL carrier.

[0728] - The "SS / PBCH Index" field indicates the SSB index of the cell determined based on the PCI flag / PCI index to determine the RO for PRACH preamble transmission toward the cell. The indicated SSB index of the cell can also be used to determine the PRACH preamble transmit power. That is, this field is used for PRACH RO association and transmission power.

[0729] - The "PRACH Mask Index" field determines the RO used for PRACH preamble transmission towards the cell indicated by the PCI flag / PCI index.

[0730] In one example, for multi-DCI based inter-cell multi-TRP operation with two TA enhancements, for the CFRA PDCCH order,

[0731] - If the PCI field or the PCI flag field is all zero, the PDCCH order follows the legacy behavior.

[0732] - If the PCI field PCI flag or field indicates a PRACH transmission towards a cell other than the cell that triggered the PDCCH order, the remaining fields in the PDCCH order are used to determine the preamble index and RO of the PRACH preamble sent to other cells. The "SS / PBCH Index" field is used to determine the transmission power of the PRACH preamble to other cells.

[0733] In one example, the PDCCH DMRS of the RAR and the QCL of the corresponding PDSCH can follow the QCL of the PDCCH DMRS ordered by the PDCCH. Type 1-PDCCH CSS (common search space) set can be used for PDCCH monitoring opportunities of the RAR.

[0734] In one example, the QCL of the PDCCH DMRS of the RAR may be determined based on the SSB used for preamble transmission. In this case, the Type 1-PDCCH CSS set configured for the serving cell may also be used for the PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the RAR.

[0735] The TAG ID may be determined based on the PCI flag or PCI index of the PDCCH command. For example, if the PCI flag or field is zero, this may correspond to one TAG-ID, and if the PCI flag is non-zero, this may correspond to another TAG-ID.

[0736] In one example, for multi-TRP operation based on inter-cell multi-DCI and with two TA enhancements, for CFRAPDCCH commands, the Type 1-PDCCH CSS configured for the serving cell can be used for the PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the RAR.

[0737] - If a PDCCH order is sent to the serving cell, the UE may assume that the PDCCH of DCI format 1_0 including RAR and the corresponding PDSCH and PDCCH order have the same DM-RS antenna port quasi co-location property.

[0738] - If a PDCCH order is sent to a non-serving cell, the UE may assume that the PDCCH of DCI format 1_0 including RAR and the corresponding PDSCH have the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the SSB used for PRACH preamble transmission.

[0739] In one example, for multi-TRP operation based on inter-cell multi-DCI and using two TA enhancements, for the CFRAPDCCH command, the TAG ID is determined based on the PCI flag or PCI index of the PDCCH command.

[0740] In one example, for multi-TRP operation based on intra-cell multi-DCI and with two TA enhancements, a CFRA PDCCH command sent by one TRP triggers a RACH process toward the same TRP.

[0741] -The preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and a power determined based on an SSB resource, which is a source RS of a PDCCH DM-RS ordered by a PDCCH.

[0742] In one example, for multi-TRP operation based on intra-cell multi-DCI and with two TA enhancements, for a CFRAPDCCH command, the TAG ID is determined based on the PDCCH command or the TCI state of the TRP from which the PDCCH command is sent.

[0743] In one example, for intra-cell scenarios, the RAR is sent from the TRP that sends the PDCCH command. The QCL of the RAR's PDCCH and the corresponding PDSCH can follow the QCL of the PDCCH command. The Type 1-PDCCH CSS configured for the serving cell can be used for the PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the RAR.

[0744] In one example, for multi-TRP operation based on inter-cell multi-DCI and enhanced with two TAs, for CFRAPDCCH commands, the Type1-PDCCH CSS configured for the serving cell can be used for the PDCCH monitoring opportunity of the RAR. The UE can assume that the PDCCH of DCI format 1_0 including the RAR and the corresponding PDSCH and PDCCH commands have the same DM-RS antenna port quasi-co-location attribute.

[0745] In one example, if a PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a cell having a PCI different from that of a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with a cell or SSB having a PCI different from that of the serving cell, e.g., an inter-cell PDCCH command), the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH of the RAR are quasi-co-located with a CORESET associated with a Type1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set (e.g., a source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET). If the PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with the serving cell or an SSB of the serving cell), the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH and / or PDSCH of the RAR have the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the PDCCH command.

[0746] In one example, in the aforementioned example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as previously described in this disclosure.

[0747] although Fig.30 An example 3000 of quasi-co-location is shown, but Fig.30 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.30The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0748] In one example, the higher layer triggers a contention-free random (CFRA) access procedure for inter-cell multiple TRP scenarios to determine the TA.

[0749] Fig.31 An example 3100 of a high-level triggered CFRA process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.31 The embodiment of the high-level triggered CFRA process is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the high-level triggered CFRA process may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0750] exist Fig.31 In the example, consider the following:

[0751] - Resources used for preamble transmission, where the resources include a PRACH opportunity and a preamble index.

[0752] -Spatial filter and / or transmit power used to transmit the preamble.

[0753] -Quasi-co-location of RAR.

[0754] The resources used for the preamble are determined by the PRACH opportunity and the preamble index within the PRACH opportunity. The preamble index may be indicated by a higher layer (e.g., Fig.31 RA preamble allocation in ). The PRACH timing is determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS resource associated with the preamble (through the association pattern as described above). In Rel-15, the association pattern is defined only for the SSB of the serving cell. However, in the case of multi-TRP between cells, there are SSBs associated with the serving cell and SSBs associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, one option is to define a new PRACH configuration to cover the serving cell SSB and the SSB on the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0755] In one example, a new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of preambles associated with a serving cell and a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0756] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0757] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. A higher layer parameter (e.g., via RRC configuration and / or MAC CE configuration) may indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0758] In one example, a separate PRACH configuration is provided for each additionalPCIIndex. The PRACH configuration association with additionalPCIIndex can be used to transmit a preamble associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0759] The following examples may be considered for the new PRACH configuration.

[0760] - Association is based on PCI-SSB pairs, i.e., each PCI-SSB pair is associated with a RO

[0761] - Associate SSB based on additionalPCIIndex, where the SSB is provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[0762] In one example, the UE determines the PCI and / or SSB to be used for sending a contention-free random access preamble. For example, the PCI can be determined based on an activated TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) and / or an activated spatial relationship. In one example, let X1 be a PCI set associated with a MAC CE activated TCI state code point, for example, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47, the UE selects (or determines) PCI Y1 from set X1, the UE also selects (or determines) SSB index Z1 associated with PCI Y1, and the UE uses SSB index Z1 to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission. In one example, let X2 be a PCI set associated with MAC CE activated spatial relationship information, the UE selects (or determines) PCI Y2 from set X2, the UE also selects (or determines) SSB index Z2 associated with PCI Y2, and the UE uses SSB index Z2 to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission. The UE sends a preamble indicated by a higher layer in the PRACH opportunity corresponding to Z1 / Y1 or Z2 / Y2.

[0763] In one example, the activation TCI state (or TCI state code point or activation spatial relationship) can be associated with the serving cell and another cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In one example, the activation TCI state (or TCI state code point or activation spatial relationship) can be associated with the serving cell and one or more other cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0764] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0765] In one example, the UE is configured with a new PRACH configuration, such as a new RACH-ConfigGeneric and / or RACH-ConfigDedicated, for example, for inter-cell multiple TRPs.

[0766] The UE is configured with additional PCIs and SSBs associated with the additional PCIs. For example, the UE may be configured with a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet that includes a list of additional PCI indices given by servingAdditionalPCIList.

[0767] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet::=SEQUENCE{

[0768] csi-SSB-ResourceSetId CSI-SSB-ResourceSetId,

[0769] csi-SSB-ResourceList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF SSB-Index,

[0770] ..., [[

[0772] servingAdditionalPCIList-r17 SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF ServingAdditionalPCIIndex-r17 OPTIONAL--Need R ]]

[0774] }

[0775] Among them, maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet is 64.

[0776] And wherein servingAdditionalPCIList indicates the physical cell ID (PCI) of the SSB in CSI-SSB-ResourceList. If present, the list has the same number of entries as csi-SSB-ResourceList. The first entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the first entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, the second entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the second entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, and so on. For each entry, the following applies:

[0777] - If the value is zero, the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined;

[0778] - Otherwise, the value is additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, and the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[0779] SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17::=SEQUENCE{

[0780] additionalPCIIndex-r17 AdditionalPCIIndex-r17,

[0781] additionalPCI-r17 PhysCellId,

[0782] periodicity-r17 ENUMERATED{ms5,ms10,ms20,ms40,ms80,ms160,spare2,spare1},

[0783] ssb-PositionsInBurst-r17 CHOICE{

[0784] shortBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(4)),

[0785] mediumBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(8)),

[0786] longBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(64))

[0787] },

[0788] ss-PBCH-BlockPower-r17 INTEGER(-60..50)

[0789] }

[0790] Among them, AdditionalPCIIndex-r17::=INTEGER(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17, and maxNrofAdditionalPCI is 7.

[0791] Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates the time domain position of the transmitted SS block in the half frame with the SS / PBCH block. 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 block is transmitted.

[0792] For the association of RO with SSB for a new PRACH configuration, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is given by the following example:

[0793] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index associated with the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList (i.e., excluding the SSBs associated with the serving cell (having a zero value in the corresponding entry in servingAdditionalPCIList)). The order of association of the SSBs with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the additional PCI. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0794] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0795]

[0796] in,

[0797] (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[0798] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0799] - The order of the configured AdditionalPCIIndex, such as ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 provided in ServingCellConfig

[0800] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in the increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0801] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the serving cell PCI or the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList. The order in which the SSBs are associated with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0802] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for the serving cell obtained from ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon and the number of SSBs for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0803]

[0804] in,

[0805] (Servingcell) can be obtained from SIB1 or ssb-PositionsInBurst in ServingCellConfigCommon. (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to the SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which the SSB is associated with the RO can be based on:

[0806] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0807] -Secondly, follow the SSB order of the serving cell configured with AdditionalPCIIndex, such as that provided in ServingCellConfig

[0808] ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17

[0809] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with the serving cell, then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only the SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0810] In one example, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on the PCI and SSB index.As described above, the RO for CFRA preamble transmission may also be determined based on the PCI and SSB index.

[0811] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0812] In one example, the RAR for the preamble is sent in the PDCCH with a CRC scrambled by the RA-RNTI.

[0813] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is transmitted in a Type 1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set associated with the serving cell.

[0814] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type 1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell may be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE may be configured with multiple Type 1-PDCCH CSS sets for the serving cell and the cell of additionalPCIIndex.

[0815] In one example, the PDCCH is sent in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell can be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE can be configured with two Type1-PDCCH CSS sets, a first Type1-PDCCH CSS for the serving cell and a second Type1-PDCCH CSS for any cell of AdditionalPCIIndex.

[0816] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in the USS set.

[0817] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB or CSI-RS resources used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble transmission.

[0818] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB or CSI-RS resources used to determine the association of the preamble transmission with the RO.

[0819] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH CSS set (eg, the source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET).

[0820] In one example, if a PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a cell having a PCI different from that of a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with a cell or SSB having a PCI different from that of the serving cell), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with a CORESET associated with a Type1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set (e.g., a source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET). If the PDCCH command is associated with (e.g., sent from) a serving cell (e.g., the TCI state of the PDCCH command is associated with the serving cell or an SSB of the serving cell), the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi-co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the PDCCH command.

[0821] In one example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR are quasi co-located with the CORESET associated with the USS set (eg, source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET).

[0822] In an example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDSCH of the RAR have the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR. The antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR may be according to the previous example.

[0823] In an example, the DCI format of the PDCCH of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0824] In one example, the MAC CE of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0825] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS used for transmission of the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0826] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS of the RO used to determine the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0827] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used in the aforementioned examples to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as previously described in this disclosure.

[0828] although Fig.31 An example 3100 of a high-level triggered CFRA process is shown, but Fig.31 For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.31 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0829] In one embodiment, the PDCCH command triggers a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure for inter-cell multi-TRP scenarios to determine the TA. The CBRA procedure is triggered by a PDCCH command when the "Random Access Preamble Index" field of the PDCCH command is set to all zeros.

[0830] Fig.32 An example 3200 of a PDCCH order-triggered CBRA procedure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.32 The embodiment of the CBRA process triggered by the PDCCH order is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the CBRA process triggered by the PDCCH order may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0831] exist Fig.32 In the example, consider the following:

[0832] -TRP, beam and / or quasi-co-location properties used to send PDCCH commands.

[0833] - Resources used for preamble transmission, where the resources include a PRACH opportunity and a preamble index.

[0834] -Spatial filter and / or transmit power used to transmit the preamble.

[0835] -Quasi-co-location of RAR.

[0836] In one example, a PDCCH command is sent from a TRP associated with a serving cell, for example, the TCI state of the PDCCH command includes one or more source RSs (e.g., source RSs of QCL type D and / or QCL type A), and the one or more source RSs are associated with the SSB of the serving cell (e.g., through a QCL relationship). In this example, the PDCCH command (sent from the TRP of the serving cell) triggers a preamble, which is sent to the TRP of the serving cell or the TRP of a non-serving cell. The PDCCH command may trigger a preamble sent to a TRP different from the TRP of the PDCCH command, for example, the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble may be based on the SSB of a cell (or TRP) different from the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command. In one example, the PDCCH command includes the PCI of the cell, the triggered RACH process is associated with the cell, i.e., the preamble is sent to the cell, and the spatial transmit filter and / or power of the preamble sent is based on the SSB associated with the cell. The PCI of a cell may be (1) the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) the additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). In one example, the PCI field has a size of N bits, where In one example, maxNrofAdditionalPCI=7, and N=3 bits. In one example, if the PCI field is 0, this indicates a serving cell, otherwise the PCI indicates an additional PCI index of a non-serving cell. In another example, the PDCCH command includes a flag indicating whether the preamble is triggered for a serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex).

[0837] In one example, the SSB used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0838] In one example, the PDCCH command is sent from a TRP associated with a serving cell or a cell of a configured additionalPCIIndex, for example, the TCI state of the PDCCH command includes one or more source RSs (e.g., source RSs of QCL type D and / or QCL type A), and the one or more source RSs are associated with the SSB of the serving cell or the SSB of the cell of the configured additionalPCIIndex (e.g., by a QCL relationship). In this example, the following sub-examples are possible.

[0839] -In a sub-example, a PDCCH command is sent from the TRP of one cell and its trigger may be a preamble sent to the TRP of another cell, for example, the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble may be based on the SSB of a cell (or TRP) different from the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command. In one example, the PDCCH command includes the PCI of the cell to which the triggered RACH process is associated, i.e., the preamble is sent to the cell, and the spatial transmit filter and / or power of the transmitted preamble is based on the SSB associated with the cell. The PCI of the cell may be (1) the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) the additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). In one example, the PCI field has a size of N bits, where, In one example, maxNrofAdditionalPCI=7, and N=3 bits. In one example, if the PCI field is 0, this indicates a serving cell, otherwise the PCI indicates an additional PCI index of a non-serving cell. In another example, the PDCCH command includes a flag (or indicator) indicating whether the preamble is triggered for a serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex).

[0840] -In one sub-example, a PDCCH command is sent from a TRP of a cell and it triggers a preamble to be sent to a TRP of the same cell (e.g., the same TRP used for the PDCCH command), e.g., the spatial filter and / or transmit power of the preamble can be based on the SSB of the cell (or TRP) of the PDCCH command.

[0841] The resources used for the preamble are determined by the PRACH opportunity and the preamble index within the PRACH opportunity. For CBRA triggered by a PDCCH command, as described above, the "Random Access Preamble Index" field is all zero. In this case, the UE can randomly select a preamble from the contention-based preambles associated with the selected SSB. The RACH timing is determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS resource associated with the preamble (through the association pattern as described above). In Rel-15, the association pattern is defined only for the SSB of the serving cell. However, in the case of multiple TRPs between cells, there are SSBs associated with the serving cell and SSBs associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, one option is to define a new PRACH configuration to cover the serving cell SSB and the SSB on the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0842] In one example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0843] In one example, a new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of preambles associated with a serving cell and a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0844] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0845] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. A higher layer parameter (e.g., via RRC configuration and / or MAC CE configuration) may indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0846] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. An indicator (e.g., a flag) in the PDCCH order can indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0847] In one example, a separate PRACH configuration is provided for each additionalPCIIndex. The PRACH configuration association with additionalPCIIndex can be used to transmit a preamble associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0848] To determine the SSB and PCI for transmitting the preamble, the following example may be considered.

[0849] In one example, the UE determines (or selects) an SSB and a PCI for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and PCI determine a resource (e.g., a PRACH opportunity) for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and PCI determine a spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission.

[0850] In one example, a PCI index is signaled to the UE in a PDCCH command. The PCI of a cell may be (1) the PCI of a serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). The UE determines (or selects) an SSB for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and the signaled PCI determine resources (e.g., PRACH timing) for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB determines resources (e.g., PRACH timing) for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB determines resources (e.g., PRACH timing) for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and the signaled PCI determine a spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission.

[0851] In one example, a PCI flag (or indicator) is signaled to the UE in a PDCCH command, indicating whether the preamble is triggered for the serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex). If the flag indicates the serving cell, the UE determines (or selects) the serving cell SSB for preamble transmission. If the flag indicates another cell (e.g., a cell in the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex), the UE determines (or selects) the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex, and the UE determines or selects the corresponding SSB for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and the signaled or determined (or selected) PCI determine the resources (e.g., PRACH opportunity) for preamble transmission. In one example, the determined (or selected) SSB and the signaled determined (or selected) PCI determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission.

[0852] In one example, the PCI index and SSB index are signaled to the UE in a PDCCH command. The PCI of a cell may be (1) the PCI of a serving cell (e.g., when the PCI index in the PDCCH command is 0), or (2) the additionalPCIIndex of another cell (e.g., the value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 based on SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17). In one example, the signaled SSB and PCI determine the resources (e.g., PRACH timing) used for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled SSB determines the resources (e.g., PRACH timing) used for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled SSB and PCI determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble transmission.

[0853] In one example, a PCI flag (or indicator) is signaled to the UE in a PDCCH command, indicating whether the preamble is triggered for the serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex). The SSB index is signaled to the UE in the PDCCH command. In one example, if the flag indicates the serving cell, the UE determines (or selects) the serving cell SSB for preamble transmission. In another example, if the flag indicates the serving cell, the UE uses the signaled SSB for preamble transmission. In one example, if the flag indicates another cell (e.g., a cell in the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex), the UE determines (or selects) the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex and the UE determines or selects the corresponding SSB for preamble transmission. In another example, if the flag indicates another cell (e.g., a cell in the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex), the UE uses the signaled SSB for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled or determined (or selected) SSB and PCI determine the resources (e.g., PRACH opportunities) used for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled or determined (or selected) SSB and PCI determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble transmission.

[0854] In one example, the SSB index is signaled to the UE in a PDCCH order. The UE determines (or selects) a PCI for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled SSB and the determined (or selected) PCI determine the resources (e.g., PRACH opportunity) for preamble transmission. In one example, the signaled SSB and the determined (or selected) PCI determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission.

[0855] In one example, in the aforementioned example, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as previously described in this disclosure.

[0856] The following examples may be considered for the new PRACH configuration.

[0857] - Association is based on PCI-SSB pairs, i.e., each PCI-SSB pair is associated with a RO

[0858] - Association is based on SSB, where SSB is a superset of SSB indices configured across all cells as provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst. In one example, "all cells" includes the serving cell and the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In another example, "all cells" includes the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0859] In one example, the SSB of the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex is the configured additionalPCIIndex. It is determined by maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17=7 that there can be a maximum of 7 configured additionalPCIIndex. In another example, the SSB of the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex is a (multiple) cell of additionalPCIIndex with an activated TCI state, wherein if the source RS of the activated TCI state is associated with the SSB of the cell through quasi-co-location, the cell is considered to have an activated TCI state. The activated TCI state is a TCI state activated by a MAC CE, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47. In one example, the activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship) can be associated with a serving cell and another cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In the example, the activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship) can be associated with a serving cell and one or more cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, consider the following example for the association between PRACH opportunities and SSBs for a new RACH configuration

[0860] -Associate the SSB based on the serving cell and the SSB of the cell corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0861] -Associate the SSB based on the serving cell and the SSB of the cell with MAC CE activated TCI state corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0862] -Associate based on the SSB of the cell corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0863] -Associate the SSB based on the cell with MAC CE activating TCI state corresponding to the configured additionalPCIIndex.

[0864] In one example, the UE is configured with a new PRACH configuration, such as new RACH-ConfigGeneric and / or RACH-ConfigCommon and / or RACH-ConfigCommonTwoSEPRA-r16, for example, for inter-cell multiple TRPs.

[0865] The UE is configured with additional PCIs and SSBs associated with the additional PCIs. For example, the UE may be configured with a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet that includes a list of additional PCI indices given by servingAdditionalPCIList.

[0866] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet::=SEQUENCE{

[0867] csi-SSB-ResourceSetId CSI-SSB-ResourceSetId,

[0868] csi-SSB-ResourceList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF SSB-Index,

[0869] ..., [[

[0871] servingAdditionalPCIList-r17 SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF ServingAdditionalPCIIndex-r17 OPTIONAL--Need R ]]

[0873] }

[0874] Among them, maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet is 64.

[0875] And wherein servingAdditionalPCIList indicates the physical cell ID (PCI) of the SSB in CSI-SSB-ResourceList. If present, the list has the same number of entries as csi-SSB-ResourceList. The first entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the first entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, the second entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the second entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, and so on. For each entry, the following applies:

[0876] - If the value is zero, the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined;

[0877] - Otherwise, the value is additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, and the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[0878] SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17::=SEQUENCE{

[0879] additionalPCIIndex-r17 AdditionalPCIIndex-r17,

[0880] additionalPCI-r17 PhysCellId,

[0881] periodicity-r17 ENUMERATED{ms5,ms10,ms20,ms40,ms80,ms160,spare2,spare1},

[0882] ssb-PositionsInBurst-r17 CHOICE{

[0883] shortBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(4)),

[0884] mediumBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(8)),

[0885] longBitmap BIT STRING(SIZE(64))

[0886] },

[0887] ss-PBCH-BlockPower-r17 INTEGER(-60..50)

[0888] }

[0889] Among them, AdditionalPCIIndex-r17::=INTEGER(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17, and maxNrofAdditionalPCI is 7.

[0890] Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates the time domain position of the transmitted SS block in the half frame with the SS / PBCH block. 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 block is transmitted.

[0891] For the association of RO with SSB for a new PRACH configuration, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is given by the following example:

[0892] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index associated with the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList (i.e., excluding the SSBs associated with the serving cell (having a zero value in the corresponding entry in servingAdditionalPCIList)). The order of association of the SSBs with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the additional PCI. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0893] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0894]

[0895] in,

[0896] (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[0897] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0898] - The order of the configured AdditionalPCIIndex, such as ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 provided in ServingCellConfig

[0899] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in the increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0900] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the serving cell PCI or the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList. The order in which the SSBs are associated with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0901] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for the serving cell obtained from ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon and the number of SSBs for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[0902]

[0903] in,

[0904] (Servingcell) can be obtained from SIB1 or ssb-PositionsInBurst in ServingCellConfigCommon. (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[0905] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[0906] -Secondly, follow the SSB order of the serving cell configured with AdditionalPCIIndex, such as that provided in ServingCellConfig

[0907] ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17

[0908] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with the serving cell, then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only the SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0909] In one example, each AdditionalPCIIndex has an associated SSB-positionalBurst provided by SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, and the bitmaps of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the cells corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex are ORed together, i.e., a superset of the union of the SSBs used in the cells corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex is created. From the resulting superset (the result of the aforementioned OR operation), The order of association of SSBs with ROs may be based on the order of SSBs in the resulting SSB superset. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0910] In one example, each AdditionalPCIIndex has an associated ssb-PositionsInBurst provided by SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, (1) the bitmap of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the cell corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex and (2) the bitmap of ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell included in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon are ORed together, i.e., a superset of the union of the SSBs used in the cell corresponding to AdditionalPCIIndex and the serving cell is created. The superset (the result of the aforementioned OR operation) can be obtained The order of associating the SSBs with the ROs may be based on the order of the SSBs in the resulting SSB superset. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[0911] In one example, for Consider the ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell included in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon. The order of association of SSBs with ROs can be based on the order of SSBs in the ssb-PositionsInBurst of the serving cell. For a RACH preamble triggered by a PDCCH command, the PDCCH provides resources for sending the preamble (i.e., the preamble index and the PRACH timing). The PRACH timing can be based on the SSB of the serving cell. The SSB used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble can be determined based on an additional indication in the PDCCH command or the SSB of the quasi-co-location property of the DMRS for the PDCCH command.

[0912] In one example, there is no new PRACH configuration, and the PRACH configuration of Rel-15 can be used to send a PDCCH command triggered preamble sent to a serving cell or a cell associated with additionalPCIIndex. For a RACH preamble triggered by a PDCCH command, the PDCCH provides resources for sending the preamble (i.e., preamble index and PRACH timing). The PRACH timing can be based on the SSB of the serving cell. The SSB for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble can be determined based on an additional indication in the PDCCH command or the SSB of the quasi-co-location property of the DMRS for the PDCCH command.

[0913] In one example, the PDCCH command includes at least (1) a random access preamble index that is all zero, (2) an SS / PBCH index, in one example the SS / PBCH index is reserved (unused), in another example the SS / PBCH index is used according to the aforementioned example, (3) a PRACH mask index, in one example the PRACH mask index is reserved (unused), in another example the SS / PBPRACH mask index is used according to the aforementioned example, and (4) PCIIndex or PCIFlag, which can identify the PRACH preamble and the PRACH timing to be used for preamble transmission.

[0914] In one example, PCIIndex may be:

[0915] - In case the value is zero, then the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble.

[0916] - has another value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, then the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble.

[0917] - PCIIndex is not included in the PDCCH order, in which case the PRACH opportunity determined for transmitting the preamble is independent of PCIIndex, or the UE selects the PCI of the cell.

[0918] In another example, PCIIndex may be:

[0919] - has a value of additionalPCIIndex-r17 corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17. In this example, the PCI determines the PRACH opportunity for transmitting the preamble. In one example, if PCIIndex is 0, this corresponds to a cell triggered by a PDCCH command. In one example, if PCIIndex is 0, this corresponds to a serving cell.

[0920] - PCIIndex is not included in the PDCCH order, in which case the PRACH opportunity determined for transmitting the preamble is independent of PCIIndex, or the UE selects the PCI of the cell.

[0921] In one example, the PCI flag may be:

[0922] - In case the value is zero, then the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined. This may correspond to the first TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 0), for example.

[0923] - In the case where the value is 1, the UE selects the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfigure. For example, the selection may be based on a cell with an activated TCI state (or TCI state code point or activated spatial relationship). In another example, the selection may be based on RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling, for example, the network may signal the UE with additionalPCIIndex corresponding to a PCI flag with a value of 1. This may correspond to a second TAG ID (e.g., TAG ID 1), for example.

[0924] In one example, the PCI flag may be:

[0925] - For the first RRC configured and / or MAC CE signaled and / or L1 control signaled additionalPCIIndex, has a value of zero. This may correspond to the first TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 0), for example.

[0926] - For the second RRC configured and / or MAC CE signaled and / or L1 control signaled additionalPCIIndex, the value is 1. This may correspond to the second TAG ID (eg, TAG ID 1), for example.

[0927] In one example, if PCIflag is zero, or PCIIndex is zero, the PDCCH order follows the legacy PDCCH order behavior as described in Table 1.

[0928] In one example, the PDCCH order has a PDCCH format as shown in Table 2.

[0929] In one example, the PDCCH order has a PDCCH format as shown in Table 3.

[0930] In one example, a new flag may be added to the PDCCH order.

[0931] - If the flag is "0", follow the legacy PDCCH command behavior as described in Table 1.

[0932] - If the flag is "1", follow the new behavior. For example:

[0933] o The PCI index or PCI flag is included in the PDCCH order. The preamble is sent towards the cell indicated by the PCI flag or PCI index.

[0934] The spatial filter and / or power used for transmit power is based on the SS / PBCH index and the associated PCI.

[0935] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on (1) SS / PBCH index and (2) PCI index included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The following variants may be considered for this example:

[0936] - Variant 1: Use the same SS / PBCH index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 3.

[0937] - Variant 2: The PDCCH order includes 2 SS / PBCH indices; (1) one for determining the PRACH timing for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 4.

[0938] - Variant 3: Using the same PCI index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0939] - Variant 4: The PDCCH order includes 2 PCI indexes; (1) one for determining the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0940] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on (1) an SS / PBCH index included in (or indicated by) a PDCCH order and (2) a PCI flag (or indicator). The PCI flag (or indicator) indicates whether the preamble is triggered for a serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex). If the flag indicates another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex), the UE determines (or selects) the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The following variants may be considered for this example:

[0941] - Variant 1: Use the same SS / PBCH index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 2.

[0942] - Variant 2: The PDCCH order includes 2 SS / PBCH indices; (1) one for determining the PRACH timing for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble. For example, as shown in Table 5.

[0943] - Variant 3: Use the same PCI flag and the UE's selection of additionalPCIIndex to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0944] - Variant 4: The PDCCH command includes a PCI flag and a PCI index; (1) the PCI index is used to determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) the PCI flag is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0945] In one example, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on a PCI index included in (or indicated by) a PDCCH command. The UE determines (or selects) an SS / PBCH index to be used for preamble transmission. The following variants may be considered for this example:

[0946] - Variant 1: Using the same PCI index to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0947] - Variant 2: The PDCCH order includes 2 PCI indices; (1) one for determining the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) the other for determining the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0948] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on a PCI flag (or indicator) included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The PCI flag (or indicator) indicates whether the preamble is triggered for the serving cell or for another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex). If the flag indicates another cell (e.g., one of the cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex), the UE determines (or selects) the PCI corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The UE determines (or selects) the SS / PBCH index to be used for preamble transmission. The following variants may be considered for this example:

[0949] - Variant 1: Use the same PCI flag and the UE's selection of additionalPCIIndex to (1) determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble and (2) determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0950] - Variant 2: The PDCCH command includes a PCI flag and a PCI index; (1) the PCI index is used to determine the PRACH opportunity for sending the preamble, and (2) the PCI flag is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the preamble.

[0951] In one example, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource that is a source RS or quasi-co-located with a source RS of a PDCCH DM-RS ordered by a PDCCH. The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with a serving cell or with a cell corresponding to an additionalPCIIndex.

[0952] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource. The UE determines (or selects) an SSB or CSI-RS resource such that the SSB or CSI-RS resource is one of the following in the cell:

[0953] - Source RS of the PDCCH DM-RS ordered by the PDCCH, or

[0954] - A source RS that is quasi-co-located with the source RS of the PDCCH DM-RS ordered by the PDCCH.

[0955] The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with the serving cell or with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0956] In one example, the preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource that is a source RS or quasi-co-located with a source RS of a PDCCH DM-RS ordered by a PDCCH. The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with a cell corresponding to an additionalPCIIndex.

[0957] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SSB or CSI-RS resource. The UE determines (or selects) an SSB or CSI-RS resource such that the SSB or CSI-RS resource is one of the following in the cell:

[0958] - Source RS of the PDCCH DM-RS ordered by the PDCCH, or

[0959] - A source RS that is quasi-co-located with the source RS of the PDCCH DM-RS ordered by the PDCCH.

[0960] The SSB or CSI-RS may be associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0961] In one example, a preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is a source RS of a quasi-co-location (e.g., type D QCL or type A QCL) of a MAC CE activated TCI state, wherein the activated MAC CE TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) is included in (or indicated by) a PDCCH order. The activated TCI state code point corresponds to a TCI state activated by a MAC CE, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47. In a variant example, an SSB index is used to determine a spatial filter and / or power of a transmitted preamble, wherein the SSB index is a root RS of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) included in (or indicated by) a PDCCH order. The root source RS is a direct or indirect RS for QCL information or spatial relationship information of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID). When the RS is the source RS of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is a direct RS; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for the source RS of a TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0962] In one example, a preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is selected by the UE and belongs to (or is associated with) the same cell as the source RS of the quasi-co-location (e.g., type D QCL or type A QCL) for MACCE activated TCI state, wherein the activated MAC CE TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) is included in the PDCCH order (or indicated by the PDCCH order). The activated TCI state code point corresponds to the TCI state activated by the MAC CE, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47. In a variant example, an SSB index is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the transmitted preamble, wherein the SSB index is selected by the UE and belongs to (or is associated with) the same cell as the root SSB index of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The root source SSB is the direct or indirect RS of the QCL information or spatial relationship information of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID). When the RS is the source RS of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is a direct RD; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for the source RS of the TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0963] In one example, a preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is a source RS of a spatial relationship of a MAC CE activated spatial relationship, wherein the activated MAC CE spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) is included in a PDCCH order (or indicated by a PDCCH order). In a variant example, an SSB index is used to determine a spatial filter and / or power of a transmitted preamble, wherein the SSB index is a root source RS of a spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) included in (or indicated by) a PDCCH order. The root source RS is a direct or indirect RS of QCL information or spatial relationship information of a spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID). When the RS is a source RS of a spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID), it is a direct RS; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for a source RS of a spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0964] In one example, a preamble is transmitted using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on an SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource, wherein the SS / PBCH index or CSI-RS resource is selected by the UE and belongs to (or is associated with) the same cell as the source RS of the spatial relationship used to activate the spatial relationship for the MACCE, wherein the activated MAC CE spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) is included in the PDCCH order (or indicated by the PDCCH order). In a variant example, an SSB index is used to determine the spatial filter and / or power of the transmitted preamble, wherein the SSB index is selected by the UE and belongs to (or is associated with) the same cell as the root SSB index of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID) included in (or indicated by) the PDCCH order. The root SSB is a direct or indirect RS of the QCL information or spatial relationship information of the spatial relationship (or spatial relationship code point or spatial relationship ID). When the RS is the source RS of a spatial relationship (or a spatial relationship code point or a spatial relationship ID), it is a direct RS; when the RS provides QCL information or spatial relationship information for the source RS of a spatial relationship (or a spatial relationship code point or a spatial relationship ID), it is an indirect RS.

[0965] In one example, the RAR for the preamble is sent in the PDCCH with a CRC scrambled by the RA-RNTI.

[0966] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS of the PDCCH antenna port of the PDCCH command.

[0967] In one example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR are quasi-co-located with the SSB and CSI-RS resources used to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission and / or the association for determining the preamble transmission to the RO.

[0968] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the SSB indicated by the "SS / PBCH index" in the PDCCH order.

[0969] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB indicated by the "SS / PBCH index" and the PCI flag or PCI index in the PDCCH order.

[0970] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the SSB indicated by "SS / PBCH index 2" in the PDCCH order.

[0971] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB indicated by "SS / PBCH index 2" and the PCI flag or PCI index in the PDCCH order.

[0972] In one example, the DMRS antenna ports of the PDCCH of the RAR are quasi-co-located with a CORESET (eg, a source RS based on a TCI state of the CORESET) associated with a Type 1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set.

[0973] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is transmitted in a Type 1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set associated with the serving cell.

[0974] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type 1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell may be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE may be configured with multiple Type 1-PDCCH CSS sets for the serving cell and the cell of additionalPCIIndex.

[0975] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set associated with the cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell can be a serving cell or a cell of AdditionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE can be configured with two Type1-PDCCH CSS sets, a first Type1-PDCCH CSS for the serving cell and a second Type1-PDCCH CSS for any cell of AdditionalPCIIndex.

[0976] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in the same search space set as the search space set for the PDCCH command.

[0977] In one example, if the PCI flag or PCI index or TAG ID / index in the PDCCH command is 0 or a flag is added to the PDCCH command to indicate the new behavior and the flag is set to 0, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is determined based on the existing behavior in NR Rel-15 to NR Rel-17, otherwise follow the new behavior as described in the previous example.

[0978] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDSCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR. The antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR can be based on the previous example.

[0979] In one example, the DCI format of the PDCCH of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0980] In one example, the MAC CE of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[0981] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on a PDCCH command that triggers a PRACH preamble transmission associated with the RAR (e.g., a PCI flag or index in the PDCCH command, or the cell sending the PDCCH command or the cell where the PDCCH command triggers the preamble transmission).

[0982] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS used for transmission of the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0983] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS of the RO used to determine the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[0984] In one example, as described, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as a PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as described earlier in this disclosure.

[0985] although Fig.32 An example 3200 of a CBRA process triggered by a PDCCH command is shown, but the Fig.32For example, although shown as a series of steps, Fig.32 The steps in can overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur any number of times.

[0986] In one example, higher layers trigger a contention-based random access (CBRA) procedure for inter-cell multi-TRP scenarios to determine the TA.

[0987] Fig.33 An example 3300 of a high-level triggered CBRA process according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Fig.33 The embodiment of the high-level triggered CBRA process is for illustration only. Different embodiments of the high-level triggered CBRA process may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0988] exist Fig.33 In the example, consider the following:

[0989] - Resources used for preamble transmission, where the resources include a PRACH opportunity and a preamble index.

[0990] -Spatial filter and / or transmit power used to transmit the preamble.

[0991] -Quasi-co-location of RAR.

[0992] The resources used for the preamble are determined by the PRACH opportunity and the preamble index within the PRACH opportunity. For a high-layer triggered CBRA process, the UE can randomly select a preamble from the contention-based preambles associated with the selected SSB. The PRACH opportunity is determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS resource associated with the preamble (through the association pattern as described above). In Rel-15, the association pattern is defined only for the SSB of the serving cell. However, in the case of multiple TRPs between cells, there are SSBs associated with the serving cell and SSBs associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. Therefore, one option is to define a new PRACH configuration to cover the serving cell SSB and the SSB on the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0993] In one example, a new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of preambles associated with a serving cell and a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[0994] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0995] In one example, the new PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. A higher layer parameter (e.g., via RRC configuration and / or MAC CE configuration) may indicate whether the preamble associated with the serving cell is transmitted using (1) the new PRACH configuration or (2) the NR Release 15 PRACH configuration.

[0996] In one example, a separate PRACH configuration is provided for each additionalPCIIndex. The PRACH configuration association with additionalPCIIndex can be used to transmit a preamble associated with the cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. The NR Release 15 PRACH configuration can be used for transmission of a preamble associated with a serving cell.

[0997] The following examples may be considered for the new PRACH configuration.

[0998] - Association is based on PCI-SSB pairs, i.e., each PCI-SSB pair is associated with a RO

[0999] - Associate SSB based on additionalPCIIndex, where the SSB is provided by ssb-PositionsInBurst of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[1000] In one example, the UE determines the PCI and / or SSB to be used for sending a contention-based random access preamble. For example, the PCI may be determined based on an activated TCI state code point (or TCI state or TCI state ID) and / or an activated spatial relationship. In one example, let X1 be a PCI set associated with a MAC CE activated TCI state code point, for example, as described in TS 38.321 clauses 5.18.23 and 6.1.3.47, the UE selects (or determines) PCI Y1 from set X1, the UE also selects (or determines) SSB index Z1 associated with PCI Y1, and the UE uses SSB index Z1 to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission. In one example, let X2 be a PCI set associated with MAC CE activated spatial relationship information, the UE selects (or determines) PCI Y2 from set X2, the UE also selects (or determines) SSB index Z2 associated with PCI Y2, and the UE uses SSB index Z2 to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission. The UE randomly selects a preamble in a preamble set for contention-based random access and a PRACH opportunity corresponding to Z1 / Y1 or Z2 / Y2.

[1001] In one example, the activation TCI state (or TCI state code point or activation spatial relationship) can be associated with the serving cell and another cell corresponding to additionalPCIIndex. In one example, the activation TCI state (or TCI state code point or activation spatial relationship) can be associated with the serving cell and one or more other cells corresponding to additionalPCIIndex.

[1002] In one example, the UE is configured with a new PRACH configuration, such as new RACH-ConfigGeneric and / or RACH-ConfigCommon and / or RACH-ConfigCommonTwoSEPRA-r16, for example, for inter-cell multiple TRPs.

[1003] The UE is configured with additional PCIs and SSBs associated with the additional PCIs. For example, the UE may be configured with a CSI-SSB-ResourceSet that includes a list of additional PCI indices given by servingAdditionalPCIList.

[1004] CSI-SSB-ResourceSet::=SEQUENCE{

[1005] csi-SSB-ResourceSetId CSI-SSB-ResourceSetId,

[1006] csi-SSB-ResourceList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF SSB-Index,

[1007] ..., [[

[1009] servingAdditionalPCIList-r17 SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF ServingAdditionalPCIIndex-r17 OPTIONAL--Need R ]]

[1011] }

[1012] Among them, maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet is 64.

[1013] And wherein servingAdditionalPCIList indicates the physical cell ID (PCI) of the SSB in CSI-SSB-ResourceList. If present, the list has the same number of entries as csi-SSB-ResourceList. The first entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the first entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, the second entry of the list indicates the value of the PCI of the second entry of csi-SSB-ResourceList, and so on. For each entry, the following applies:

[1014] - If the value is zero, the PCI is the PCI of the serving cell in which this CSI-SSB-ResourceSet is defined;

[1015] - Otherwise, the value is additionalPCIIndex-r17 of SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17 in additionalPCIList-r17 in ServingCellConfig, and the PCI is additionalPCI-r17 in this SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17.

[1016]

[1017]

[1018] Among them, AdditionalPCIIndex-r17::=INTEGER(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17, and maxNrofAdditionalPCI is 7.

[1019] Among them, ssb-PositionsInBurst indicates the time domain position of the transmitted SS block in the half frame with the SS / PBCH block. 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 block is transmitted.

[1020] For the association of RO with SSB for a new PRACH configuration, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is given by the following example:

[1021] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index associated with the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList (i.e., excluding the SSBs associated with the serving cell (having a zero value in the corresponding entry in servingAdditionalPCIList)). The order of association of the SSBs with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the additional PCI. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[1022] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[1023]

[1024] in,

[1025] (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[1026] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[1027] - The sequence of configured AdditionalPCIIndex, for example as provided in ServingCellConfig ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17)) OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17

[1028] Alternatively, the order of additionalPCIIndex may be in the increasing (or decreasing) order of additionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[1029] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is obtained from the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet based on the SSB index in the list csi-SSB-ResourceList associated with the serving cell PCI or the additional PCI given by servingAdditionalPCIList. The order in which the SSBs are associated with the RO can be based on the order of the SSBs in the csi-SSB-ResourceList. In a variant of this example, only SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[1030] In one example, the number of SSBs to be associated with the RO is the sum of the number of SSBs configured for the serving cell obtained from ssb-PositionsInBurst in SIB1 or ServingCellConfigCommon and the number of SSBs configured for each AdditionalPCIIndex obtained from the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst. is the total number of SSBs to be associated with the PRACH opportunity,

[1031]

[1032] in,

[1033] (ServingCell) can be obtained from SIB1 or ssb-PositionsInBurst in ServingCellConfigCommon. (AdditionalPCIIndex) can be obtained from the ssb-PositionsInBurst corresponding to SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI, for example, the number of bits in the bitmap whose value is equal to 1. The order in which SSBs are associated with ROs can be based on:

[1034] - First, the order of the SSBs in the corresponding ssb-PositionsInBurst bitmap.

[1035] - The SSB order of the serving cell according to the configured AdditionalPCIIndex, such as provided in ServingCellConfig

[1036] ServingCellConfig->mimoParam-r17->additionalPCI-ToAddModList-r17SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofAdditionalPCI-r17))OF SSB-MTC-AdditionalPCI-r17

[1037] Alternatively, the order of AdditionalPCIIndex may be in increasing (or decreasing) order of AdditionalPCIIndex. For example, first the SSB associated with the serving cell, then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 1 (if configured), then the SSB associated with AdditionalPCIIndex 2 (if configured), etc. In a variation of this example, only the SSBs of cells with MAC CE activated TCI state are considered.

[1038] In one example, the preamble is sent using a spatial filter and / or power determined based on the PCI and SSB index. As described above, the RO for CBRA preamble transmission may also be determined based on the PCI and SSB index. The UE randomly selects a preamble in a preamble set for contention-based random access and a PRACH opportunity corresponding to the determined (or selected) PCI index and SSB index.

[1039] In one example, the RAR for the preamble is sent in the PDCCH with a CRC scrambled by the RA-RNTI.

[1040] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is transmitted in a Type 1-PDCCH common search space (CSS) set associated with the serving cell.

[1041] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type 1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell may be a serving cell or a cell of additionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE may be configured with multiple Type 1-PDCCH CSS sets for the serving cell and the cell of additionalPCIIndex.

[1042] In one example, the PDCCH for the RAR is sent in a Type1-PDCCH CSS set associated with a cell, where the cell is the cell associated with the preamble transmission. The cell can be a serving cell or a cell of additionalPCIIndex. In this example, the UE can be configured with two Type1-PDCCH CSS sets, a first Type1-PDCCH CSS for the serving cell and a second Type1-PDCCH CSS for any cell of additionalPCIIndex.

[1043] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi-co-located with the SSB or CSI-RS resources used to determine the spatial filter and / or power for preamble transmission and / or the association for determining the preamble transmission to the RO.

[1044] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR is quasi co-located with the CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH CSS set (eg, source RS based on the TCI state of the CORESET).

[1045] In one example, the DMRS antenna port of the PDSCH of the RAR has the same antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR. The antenna port quasi co-location property as the DMRS antenna port of the PDCCH of the RAR can be based on the previous example.

[1046] In one example, the DCI format of the PDCCH of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[1047] In one example, the MAC CE of the RAR or MsgB includes a TAG ID or a TAG flag. For example, this can be a 1-bit flag, with the first TAG ID being "0" and the second TAG ID being "1". The TAG ID can be the TAG ID of the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB.

[1048] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS used for transmission of the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[1049] In one example, the timing advance transmitted by the RAR or MsgB can be determined based on the SSB or CSI-RS of the RO used to determine the PRACH preamble code (e.g., one set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a first TAG ID and a second set of SSB or CSI-RS is associated with a second TAG ID).

[1050] In one example, as described in the aforementioned examples, the SSB or CSI-RS used to determine the transmit power of the preamble is configured or activated or indicated as PL-RS prior to transmission of the PDCCH command, as previously described in this disclosure.

[1051] In the following, PRACH transmission may be one or more of the following:

[1052] -PRACH transmission for type 1 random access procedure (e.g., 4-step RACH).

[1053] -PRACH transmission for type 2 random access procedure (e.g., 2-step RACH).

[1054] -PRACH transmission for contention-based random access (CBRA).

[1055] -PRACH transmission for Contention Free Random Access (CFRA).

[1056] -PRACH transmission triggered by a PDCCH order.

[1057] -PRACH transmission triggered by higher layers.

[1058] - UE initiated PRACH transmission.

[1059] In the above example, when the UE is configured or provided with one (or more) TAG IDs, the UE is provided with two (or more) TA offsets (N TA,Offset ):

[1060] -First N of the first TAG ID TA,Offset For a PRACH transmission associated with a first TAG ID, the PRACH transmission may be based on a DL reference time (eg, a first DL reference time associated with the first TAG ID) and a first N TA,Offset To determine the PRACH transmission time.

[1061] - The second N of the second TAG ID TA,Offset For a PRACH transmission associated with a second TAG ID, the PRACH may be based on a DL reference time (eg, a second DL reference time associated with the second TAG ID) and a second N TA,OffsetTo determine the PRACH transmission time.

[1062] In one example, if the second N is not configured TA,Offset , then the second N TA,Offset Set equal to the first N TA,Offset In one example, if the second N is not configured TA,Offset , then the first N TA,Offset For the second N TA,Offset .

[1063] The first DL reference time may be determined based on (eg, by receiving and / or measuring arrival time) one or more first DL reference signals (eg, SSB and / or CSI-RS resources) associated with the first TAG ID.

[1064] The second DL reference time may be determined based on (eg, by receiving and / or measuring arrival time) one or more second DL reference signals (eg, SSB and / or CS-RS resources) associated with the second TAG ID.

[1065] In one example, the SS / PBCH blocks are grouped into two (or more) groups. The first group of SSBs is associated with a first TAG ID, and the second group of SSBs is associated with a second TAG ID, and if there are additional SSB groups and additional TAG IDs, the third group of SSBs is associated with a third TAG ID. The grouping of SSBs can be performed through RRC configuration and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling.

[1066] In one example, the UE is configured with a set of SSBs provided by, for example:

[1067]

[1068] }

[1069] In the following description, the TAG ID of the SSB index identifies one or more of the following:

[1070] - Timing group of SSB index.

[1071] -N TA,Offset , a PRACH transmission associated with or corresponding to an SSB index.

[1072] In one example, a parameter indicating a TAG ID of an SSB index for PRACH transmission may be included in the CSI-SSB-ResourceSet. For example, the new parameter may be a sequence of TAG IDs, where each TAG ID is associated with an SSB index, such as:

[1073] tagIDList SEQUENCE(SIZE(1..maxNrofCSI-SSB-ResourcePerSet))OF tagID

[1074] For the SSB index, the UE can determine the corresponding tagID and determine the corresponding N TA,Offset For example, for PRACH transmission associated with an SSB index.

[1075] In one example, tagID can be 0 or 1.

[1076] In one example, the SSB index may be the SSB index of the serving cell. In one example, the SSB index may be the SSB index of a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., a non-serving cell). In one example, the SSB index may be the SSB index of the serving cell or a cell having a PCI different from the PCI of the serving cell (e.g., a non-serving cell).

[1077] In one example, the UE may be configured (e.g., via RRC signaling and / or MAC CE signaling and / or L1 control signaling) with an association between the PCI and the TAG ID. In one sub-example, the PCI is additionalPCIIndex. In one sub-example, the PCI is additionalPCIIndex or the PCI of the serving cell.

[1078] In one example, the UE may determine the TAG ID of the SSB index for PRACH transmission based on the TCI state.

[1079] In one example, the TAG ID is determined based on the TAG ID of the TCI state for the PDCCH command.

[1080] In one example, a flag in the PDCCH order indicates the TAG ID.

[1081] In one example, a flag in the PDCCH order indicates whether the TAG ID of the PRACH transmission is the same as the TAG ID used for the TCI state of the PDCCH order, or different from the TAG ID used for the TCI state of the PDCCH order.

[1082] In one example, the UE is configured with a TCI state list, where the TCI state can be a UL TCI state or a joint TCI state (joint / DL TCI state). The TCI state may include a TAG ID. The TCI state may be associated with an SSB index. The association between the TCI state and the SSB index may be (1) a direct association, i.e., the SSB is a direct source reference signal of the TCI state (e.g., QCL type-D or UL spatial relationship), or (2) an indirect association, for example, the SSB is an indirect source RS, where the TCI state includes a source reference signal having the SSB as its source RS. In a sub-example, the UE expects all TCI states configured with the same SSB index by direct association or indirect association to have the same TAG ID. In a sub-example, the UE expects ...

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: The transceiver is configured as: receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration for a serving cell; receiving a PRACH configuration for N additional cells; as well as receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, wherein the PDCCH order includes a field for a cell identifier (ID) and a field for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block index corresponding to the cell ID, and a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor being configured to: determining a value of the cell ID field in the PDCCH order, and determining a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID, Wherein, the transceiver is further configured as: sending a PRACH in a PRACH opportunity (RO) associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the cell ID, Wherein, when the value of the cell ID field is non-zero, the processor is further configured to determine the PRACH transmission power based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index included in the PDCCH command and the corresponding cell ID.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The size of the cell ID field is 3 bits or Bit given.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: In case the PDCCH command is associated with a serving cell, the transceiver is further configured to: receiving a PDCCH of a random access response (RAR) using a quasi co-location (QCL) attribute of the PDCCH order, and A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR is received using a QCL attribute of the PDCCH of the RAR.

4. The UE according to claim 1, in, In case the PDCCH command is associated with a cell having a physical cell identity (PCI) different from that of the serving cell, the transceiver is further configured to: receiving a PDCCH of a random access response (RAR) in a Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set using a quasi co-location (QCL) property of a CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set; receiving a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR using a QCL attribute of a PDCCH of the RAR, The media access control channel element (MAC CE) of the RAR includes a 1-bit flag associated with the TAGID, Wherein, the flag value 0 indicates the first TAG ID, and Among them, the flag value 1 indicates the second TAG ID.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The cell ID identifies a cell associated with an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state.

6. A base station (BS), comprising: The transceiver is configured as: Sending a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration for the serving cell; Sending PRACH configurations for N additional cells; as well as sending a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, wherein the PDCCH order includes a field for a cell identifier (ID) and a field for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block index corresponding to the cell ID, and a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, the processor being configured to: determining a value of the cell ID field in the PDCCH order, and determining a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID, Wherein, the transceiver is further configured as: receiving a PRACH in a PRACH opportunity (RO) associated with the SS / PBCH index and the corresponding cell ID, and Wherein, when the value of the cell ID field is non-zero, the PRACH transmission power is determined based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index included in the PDCCH order and the corresponding cell ID.

7. The BS according to claim 6, wherein: The size of the cell ID field is 3 bits or Bit given.

8. The BS according to claim 6, wherein: In a case where the PDCCH command is associated with the serving cell, the transceiver is further configured to: using a quasi co-location (QCL) attribute of the PDCCH order to transmit a PDCCH of a random access response (RAR), and A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR is transmitted using a QCL attribute of the PDCCH of the RAR.

9. The BS according to claim 6, in, In case the PDCCH command is associated with a cell having a physical cell identity (PCI) different from that of the serving cell, the transceiver is further configured to: Sending a PDCCH for a random access response (RAR) in a Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set using a quasi co-location (QCL) property of a CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set; transmitting a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR using a QCL attribute of a PDCCH of the RAR, The media access control channel element (MAC CE) of the RAR includes a 1-bit flag associated with the TAG ID, Wherein, the flag value 0 indicates the first TAG ID, and Among them, the flag value 1 indicates the second TAG ID.

10. The BS according to claim 6, wherein: The cell ID identifies a cell associated with an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state.

11. A method of operating a user equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH) configuration for a serving cell; receiving a PRACH configuration for N additional cells; receiving a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) order, wherein the PDCCH order includes a field for a cell identifier (ID) and a field for a synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block index corresponding to the cell ID; Determining a value of the cell ID field in the PDCCH command; determining a PRACH configuration associated with the cell ID; and sending a PRACH in a PRACH opportunity (RO) associated with the SS / PBCH block index and the corresponding cell ID, Wherein, based on the value of the cell ID field being non-zero, the method further includes: A PRACH transmission power is determined based on the SS / PBCH block associated with the SS / PBCH block index included in the PDCCH order and the corresponding cell ID.

12. The method according to claim 11, in, The size of the Cell ID field is determined by The bit is given, The cell ID identifies a cell associated with an activated transmission configuration indicator (TCI) state.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein: Based on the PDCCH command being associated with the serving cell, the method further includes: receiving a PDCCH of a random access response (RAR) using a quasi co-location (QCL) attribute of the PDCCH order, and A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR is received using a QCL attribute of the PDCCH of the RAR.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: Based on the PDCCH order being associated with a cell having a physical cell identity (PCI) different from a PCI of the serving cell, receiving a PDCCH of a random access response (RAR) in a Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set using a quasi co-location (QCL) property of a CORESET associated with the Type 1-PDCCH control search space (CSS) set; as well as A physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of the RAR is received using a QCL attribute of the PDCCH of the RAR.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein: The medium access control channel element (MAC CE) of the RAR includes a 1-bit flag associated with the TAG ID, A flag value of 0 indicates the first TAG ID, and A flag value of 1 indicates the second TAG ID.

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