Control of random access response monitoring for wireless networks

Abstract

In accordance with an example embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: retrieve a message instructing the apparatus to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicates whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within an RA response window during a triggered random access procedure; and based on the indication, determining whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RA response window.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This specification relates to wireless communications. Background Art

[0002] A communication system may be a facility that enables communication between two or more nodes or devices, such as fixed or mobile communication devices. Signals may be transmitted over wired or wireless carriers.

[0003] An example of a cellular communication system is an architecture standardized by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). The latest development in this field is generally referred to as the Long Term Evolution (LTE) of the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) radio access technology. UETRA (Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access) is the air interface of the 3GPP Long Term Evolution (LTE) upgrade path for mobile networks. In LTE, base stations or access points (APs) called enhanced Node Bs (eNBs) provide wireless access within a coverage area or cell. In LTE, mobile devices or mobile stations are referred to as user equipment (UE). LTE includes many improvements or developments. Various aspects of LTE are also constantly improving.

[0004] 5G New Radio (NR) development is part of the ongoing mobile broadband evolution process to meet 5G requirements, similar to the earlier evolution of 3G and 4G wireless networks. In addition, 5G targets emerging use cases beyond mobile broadband. One goal of 5G is to significantly improve wireless performance, which can include new levels of data rates, latency, reliability, and security. 5G NR can also be extended to efficiently connect massive Internet of Things (IoT) and can provide new types of mission-critical services. For example, ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC) equipment may require high reliability and extremely low latency. Summary of the invention

[0005] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus includes at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions, which instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: obtain a message instructing the apparatus to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access procedure, within a RA response window, whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR); and based on the indication, determine whether to monitor the RAR within the RA response window.

[0006] According to an example embodiment, a method may include: obtaining a message that instructs a user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access procedure, within a RA response window, whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR); and based on the indication, determining whether to monitor the RAR within the RA response window.

[0007] According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a component for obtaining, by a user equipment, a message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access procedure, within a RA response window, whether the apparatus monitors or receives a random access response (RAR); and a component for determining, by the user equipment, whether to monitor the RAR within the RA response window based on the indication.

[0008] According to an example embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium includes instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to: obtain a message that instructs a device to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access procedure, within a RA response window, whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR); and determine whether to monitor the RAR within the RA response window based on the indication.

[0009] The details of one or more examples of embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network according to an example embodiment.

[0011] Figure 2A is a diagram illustrating the operation of a 4-step random access (RACH) procedure according to an example embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2B is a diagram illustrating the operation of a 2-step random access (RACH) procedure according to an example embodiment.

[0013] Figure 3 is a diagram illustrating a plurality of candidate target cells according to an example embodiment.

[0014] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating a random access response window according to an example embodiment.

[0015] Figure 5 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a user equipment (or UE) according to an example embodiment.

[0016] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (eg, a network node, a network device, a user node, a user equipment, a UE, a relay node, or other node). DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network 130 according to an example embodiment. Figure 1 In a wireless network 130, user devices 131, 132, 133, and 135 (which may also be referred to as mobile stations (MS) or user equipment (UE)) may be connected (and communicate) with a base station (BS) 134, which may also be referred to as an access point (AP), an enhanced Node B (eNB), a gNB, or a network node. The terms user device and user equipment (UE) may be used interchangeably. The BS may also include or may be referred to as a RAN (Radio Access Network) node, and may include a portion of a BS or a portion of a RAN node, such as (e.g., a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or a split gNB). At least a portion of the functionality of a BS (e.g., an access point (AP), a base station (BS), or an (e) Node B (eNB), a gNB, a RAN node) may also be performed by any node, server, or host that may be operably coupled to a transceiver (such as a remote radio head). BS (or AP) 134 provides wireless coverage within cell 136, including to user devices (UE) 131, 132, 133, and 135. Although only four user devices (UE) are shown as connected or attached to BS 134, any number of user devices may be provided. BS 134 is also connected to core network 150 via S1 interface 151. This is just a simple example of a wireless network, and other wireless networks may be used.

[0018] A base station (e.g., such as BS 134) is an example of a radio access network (RAN) node within a wireless network. A BS (or RAN node) may be or may include (or may alternatively be referred to as) an access point (AP), a gNB, an eNB or a portion thereof (such as a centralized unit (CU) and / or a distributed unit (DU) in the case of a split BS or split gNB), or other network node.

[0019] According to an illustrative example, a BS node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) or a radio access network (RAN) may be part of a mobile telecommunication system. A RAN (radio access network) may include one or more BSs or RAN nodes that implement a radio access technology, for example, to allow one or more UEs to access a network or a core network. Thus, for example, a RAN (RAN node, such as a BS or gNB) may reside between one or more user devices or UEs and a core network. According to an example embodiment, each RAN node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) or BS may provide one or more wireless communication services for one or more UEs or user devices, for example, to allow a UE to access a network wirelessly via a RAN node. Each RAN node or BS may perform or provide wireless communication services, for example, such as to allow a UE or user device to establish a wireless connection to a RAN node, and to send data to one or more UEs and / or receive data from one or more UEs. For example, after establishing a connection to a UE, a RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) may forward data received from the network or core network to the UE, and / or forward data received from the UE to the network or core network. A RAN node or network node (e.g., BS, eNB, gNB, CU / DU, etc.) may perform a variety of other wireless functions or services, such as, for example, broadcasting control information (e.g., such as system information or on-demand system information) to the UE, paging the UE when there is data to be delivered to the UE, assisting the UE in switching between cells, scheduling resources for uplink data transmission from (multiple) UEs and downlink data transmission to (multiple) UEs, sending control information for configuring one or more UEs, etc. These are several examples of one or more functions that a RAN node or BS may perform.

[0020] A user device or user node (user terminal, user equipment (UE), mobile terminal, handheld wireless device, etc.) may refer to a portable computing device, including a wireless mobile communication device that operates with or without a subscriber identity module (SIM), for example, including but not limited to the following types of devices: a mobile station (MS), a mobile phone, a mobile phone, a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handset, a device using a wireless modem (alarm or measurement device, etc.), a laptop and / or a touch screen computer, a tablet computer, a tablet phone, a game console, a notebook computer, a vehicle, a sensor, a multimedia device, or any other wireless device. It should be understood that a user device may also be (or may include) an almost exclusive uplink-only device, an example of which is a camera or video camera that loads images or video clips to a network. In addition, a user node may include a user equipment (UE), a user device, a user terminal, a mobile terminal, a mobile station, a mobile node, a subscriber device, a subscriber node, a subscriber terminal, or other user nodes. For example, a user node may be used to communicate wirelessly with one or more network nodes (e.g., gNB, eNB, BS, AP, CU, DU, CU / DU) and / or with one or more other user nodes, regardless of the technology or radio access technology (RAT). In LTE (as an illustrative example), the core network 150 may be referred to as an evolved packet core (EPC), which may include a mobility management entity (MME), one or more gateways, and other control functions or blocks. The MME may handle or assist in the movement / handover of user devices between BSs, and the gateway may forward data and control signals between BSs and a packet data network or the Internet. Other types of wireless networks, such as 5G (which may be referred to as new radio (NR)), may also include a core network.

[0021] In addition, the technology described herein can be applied to various types of user devices or data service types, or can be applied to user devices on which multiple applications can be running, which can be different data service types. New radio (5G) development can support many different applications or many different data service types, such as: machine type communication (MTC), enhanced machine type communication (eMTC), Internet of Things (IoT) and / or narrowband IoT user devices, enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) and ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLLC). Many of these new 5G (NR) related applications may require higher performance than previous wireless networks.

[0022] IoT can refer to the growing group of objects that can have Internet or network connectivity so that they can send and receive information to and from other network devices. For example, many sensor-type applications or devices can monitor physical conditions or states and can send reports to servers or other network devices, for example, when events occur. For example, machine-type communications (MTC or machine-to-machine communications) can be characterized by fully automatic data generation, exchange, processing, and actuation between intelligent machines, with or without human intervention. Enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB) can support higher data rates than those currently available in LTE.

[0023] Ultra-Reliable Low Latency Communication (URLLC) is a new type of data service or new usage scenario that the new radio (5G) system can support. This enables emerging new applications and services such as industrial automation, autonomous driving, vehicle safety, e-health services, etc. As an illustrative example, 3GPP aims to provide a 5G-capable 5G network with the same bandwidth as 10G. -5 Connectivity with reliability corresponding to a block error rate (BLER) of 100% and a U-plane (user / data plane) latency of up to 1 ms. Thus, for example, a URLLC user device / UE may require significantly lower block error rates and low latency than other types of user devices / UEs (with or without simultaneous high reliability requirements). Thus, for example, a URLLC UE (or a URLLC application on a UE) may require shorter latency than an eMBB UE (or an eMBB application running on a UE).

[0024] The techniques described herein can be applied to a variety of wireless technologies or wireless networks, such as LTE, LTE-A, 5G (New Radio (NR)), cmWave and / or mmWave band networks, IoT, MTC, eMTC, eMBB, URLLC, etc., or any other wireless network or wireless technology. These exemplary networks, technologies, or data service types are provided only as illustrative examples.

[0025] At least in some example cases, the UE may be in one of multiple states (such as one of three radio resource control (RRC) states) relative to a network node or gNB. In the idle state (RRC Idle), the RAN (Radio Access Network) node (e.g., gNB) or network node or UE typically does not store (or has limited) RRC context (wherein the RRC context may include information or parameters required for communication between the UE and the gNB / network node), and the UE does not belong to (or is not connected to) a specific cell. From the core network's perspective, an idle UE is in an idle (CM_Idle) state. When the UE is in the idle state, data transmission typically does not occur between the UE and the network node (e.g., gNB) because the UE is in sleep (low power state) most of the time to save power. In the idle state, the UE typically can wake up periodically to receive paging messages from the network.

[0026] The UE may transition from an idle state (e.g., RRC Idle) to a connected state (e.g., RRC Connected state, in which the UE is connected to the network node) by performing a random access (RACH) procedure with the gNB or network node. As part of the RACH procedure, both the UE and the network node (e.g., gNB) may obtain context, such as communication parameters required to allow UE-gNB communication. As example communication parameters, for example, as part of the RACH procedure with the gNB or network node, the UE may obtain a timing advance to allow the UE to perform uplink transmissions to the gNB. The UE may also obtain a UE identity from the network, such as a cell radio network temporary identifier (C-RNTI), which the UE may use for communication or signaling with the network or gNB. In a connected state (e.g., RRC Connected) relative to a cell (or gNB or DU), the UE is connected to the gNB or network node, and the UE may receive data and may also send data (e.g., based on receipt of an uplink grant).

[0027] Figure 2Ais a diagram illustrating the operation of a 4-step random access (RACH) procedure according to an example embodiment. When the RACH procedure is triggered (caused to be performed by the UE), the UE sends a random access (RACH) preamble (step 1) or Msg1 (message 1) over the random access (RACH) channel. Different preamble groups are defined or configured depending on the size of Msg3 (message 3) and the channel conditions of the UE. The UE obtains information on how to access the RACH channel from the system information block 1 (SIB1) broadcasted in the system information (SI) from the gNB. After receiving Message 1 (the random access preamble from the UE), the gNB determines the receive timing of the received random access preamble. Based on the receive timing of the received preamble (if there is no conflict with other UEs), the gNB determines the timing advance (or TA or timing advance command) to adjust the timing of the UE uplink frame to align it with the downlink frame (and also align the uplink receive timing with other UE uplink frames). Since each UE may be located at a different location, each UE may have a different radio propagation delay and thus a different or specific timing advance relative to the gNB.

[0028] like Figure 2A As shown, in step 2 (Msg2 or Message 2), the gNB responds to the UE with a Random Access Response (RAR), which may include an index (or identifier) ​​to the received random access (or RACH) preamble (index or identifier of the random access preamble resource) (also known as RAPID or random access preamble identifier), a timing advance (TA or timing advance command), a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI) assigned to the UE, and an uplink (UL) grant to be used by the UE for uplink transmission of message 3 (Msg3) (e.g., including scheduling information and / or information indicating resources to be used for UL transmission). After receiving the RAR message (Msg2), the UE may send a first uplink transmission (Msg3 or Message 3) to the network. The size of the transmission of Msg3 depends on the grant received in step 2 (Msg2 or Message 2). Step 4 (Message 4 or Message 4) may include the transmission of a DL message from the gNB to the UE, which involves a contention resolution phase. After the UE connects to the gNB (e.g., after the random access procedure is completed), the UE may receive an updated timing advance (TA) value or a TA command from the serving gNB or serving cell.

[0029] Furthermore, as an alternative to the RACH procedure, a 2-step RACH (random access) procedure may be used to provide a faster random access procedure. Figure 2Bis a diagram illustrating the operation of a 2-step random access (RACH) procedure according to an example embodiment. At message A (MsgA), the UE may send a message including the contents of both Msg1 and Msg3 as the first message (MsgA) of the 2-step RACH procedure. And, for example, the network node or gNB may send Msg2 and Msg4 as the second message (or MsgB or Message B) of the 2-step RACH procedure.

[0030] A timing advance group (TAG) may include one or more serving cells with the same uplink TA and the same downlink timing reference cell. Each TAG may include one serving cell with a configured uplink, and the mapping of each serving cell to a TAG may be configured by the gNB, for example, via a radio resource control (RRC) message. The TAG field in the MAC CE may refer to the TAG identifier (or TAG ID) specified in the RRC message.

[0031] The gNB or network node may trigger or cause the UE to perform a random access procedure to a particular cell by sending a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command. For example, the PDCCH command may include a physical cell identity (PCI) of the cell to which the UE should perform random access, and a random access preamble resource identifier (e.g., a random access preamble index or identifier) ​​that the UE should use (e.g., sent to the cell as Msg1) to perform random access to the indicated cell.

[0032] The UE may perform a cell change from one cell to another cell.The UE may sometimes have multiple candidate target cells (to which the UE may perform a cell change or handover) to which a cell change (or handover) may be performed. Figure 3 3 is a diagram illustrating multiple candidate target cells according to an example embodiment. UE 310 may be served by a serving cell (e.g., a serving cell with a physical cell identifier (PCI) of PCI_1), but may have multiple candidate target cells, including candidate target cells with physical cell identifiers (PCIs) of PCI_2, PCI_3, ..., PCI_N.

[0033] However, after a UE cell change to a target cell has been triggered, a delay in uplink communication typically occurs when the UE performs random access to the target cell to acquire an uplink timing advance (TA). Figure 4is a diagram illustrating a random access response window according to an example embodiment. At 1, the UE may send a random access preamble to the target cell. At 2, the gNB may send a message 2 including a random access response (RAR) including the TA value of the UE. The UE may typically receive the RAR during the random access response window (3). The UE typically does not send or receive during the random access response (RAR) window because it will detect, monitor and / or receive the RAR during the RAR window (3). However, if the UE is performing random access to each candidate target cell to receive a TA value from each candidate target cell, this may cause significant overhead to the UE and reduce the time period in which the UE could have sent or received data or other signals.

[0034] Various example techniques and / or embodiments are disclosed that may allow a UE to determine whether it should monitor or receive a random access response from a cell (e.g., a candidate target cell). For example, the UE may obtain (e.g., receive) a message (e.g., downlink control information (DCI) and / or a PDCCH command) from a network device or network node (e.g., a gNB) that instructs the UE to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of the network device. The message may indicate whether the UE is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure. For example, if the message indicates that the UE is to monitor or receive a RA response within a RA response window, the UE will monitor and receive (or attempt to receive) a RAR within the RA response window during the triggered random access response procedure. If the UE monitors and receives a RAR, the UE may send an indication to the network device or serving cell indicating that a random access procedure with the cell (e.g., with a candidate target cell) has been performed (and / or a TA value has been received from the cell). Otherwise, if the message (e.g., DCI and / or PDCCH command) indicates that the UE does not need to monitor or receive an RA response within the RA response window for the triggered random access procedure, the UE may (or will) omit monitoring and / or receiving a random access response (RAR) for the triggered random access response, and the UE may determine or assume that: after the RA preamble code is transmitted from the UE to the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0035] In an example embodiment, a message (e.g., a DCI and / or a PDCCH command) obtained by a UE may explicitly or implicitly indicate whether the UE is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure. For example, the message (e.g., a DCI and / or a PDCCH command) may include a field (e.g., a bit, a set of bits, a code point value, or a table lookup value) set to a value for explicitly indicating to the UE whether the UE is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure. Thus, the message may include a field for explicitly indicating whether the UE is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure. As an example of explicit indication, the field in the message may be set to a first value to indicate that the UE should monitor or receive a RAR for a triggered RA procedure, and the field may be set to a second value to indicate that the UE should not monitor or receive a RAR for a triggered RA procedure.

[0036] In some embodiments, the UE may (or may be configured to) monitor the RAR for a triggered RA procedure, and after the procedure is successfully completed, it may also be configured to communicate with the cell that triggered the procedure (e.g., indicating success and / or the acquired TA value).

[0037] In some example embodiments, the UE may receive an explicit indication (DCI and / or PDCCH command) indicating whether it should / needs to monitor for responses to the preamble transmission. In one example, the UE may receive an indication to monitor or receive DCI (sent as a response to the RA preamble and may schedule a RAR message), but this is not required, or the UE does not expect to receive a RAR, or it does not expect to be scheduled by a PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) or DCI providing a RAR.

[0038] Alternatively, as an example of an implicit indication of whether the UE should monitor or receive a RAR, the message (e.g., DCI and / or PDCCH command) may include or may indicate random access preamble resources associated with monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure (e.g., the message may indicate a RA preamble identifier or a RA preamble index), or the message may indicate random access preamble resources associated with not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure (e.g., indicating a RA preamble identifier or a RA preamble index). For example, a first list of random access preamble resources may be associated with monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure, and a second list of random access preamble resources may be associated with not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure. Thus, the message may indicate a first RA preamble resource in the first list of random access preambles for (e.g., implicitly) indicating to the UE that the UE will (or should) monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure. Alternatively, the message may indicate a second RA preamble resource in the second list of random access preambles for (e.g., implicitly) indicating to the UE that the UE will (or should) monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure. In addition, according to an example embodiment, for example, such as in a case where the UE does not monitor or receive a RA response from a cell (e.g., from a candidate target cell or a serving cell), such a candidate target cell may receive a RA preamble sent by the UE (as message 1 of a (e.g., part of) a random access procedure), and the candidate cell may determine or estimate a timing advance (TA) value or a TA command for the UE, and may forward such a TA value to a network device or a serving (or source) cell. A network device (network node) or a serving cell or a source cell of the UE may receive a TA value of the UE from one or more (e.g., multiple) candidate target cells (e.g., based on an RA preamble sent by the UE to each of these candidate target cells), and the network device or the serving (or source) cell may forward these one or more TA values ​​(estimated for the UE) to the UE. For example, at least in some cases, this may provide a more efficient technique for the UE to obtain a TA value from (or with respect to) multiple candidate target cells without the UE having to perform a full random access procedure (including monitoring and receiving a TA value from each of the candidate target cells).

[0039] Figure 55 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of a user equipment (or UE) according to an example embodiment. Operation 510 includes obtaining, by the user equipment, a message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating whether the device is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure. Operation 520 includes determining, by the user equipment based on the indication, whether to monitor the RAR within the RA response window.

[0040] about Figure 5 The method may include downlink control information (DCI) received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0041] about Figure 5 A method for transmitting or receiving a random access message, wherein the message may include a field that triggers or causes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command indicates whether the device monitors or receives a RAR response within a RA response window during a triggered random access process initiated via a PDCCH command. In one example, the PDCCH command may include one or more preamble indexes (or (multiple) one or more preamble indexes + PCI pairs). In another example, a PDCCH command (DCI message) may trigger one or more RA processes, for which the UE may be instructed whether to monitor the RA response (an indication of whether to monitor the RA response may be received). The indication of whether to monitor the RA response may be indicated by preamble index (or preamble index + PCI pair). Alternatively, the indication of whether to monitor may be applied to all preamble indexes (or preambles + PCIs) listed in the PDCCH command. After receiving a PDCCH command including a list of one or more preamble index values, the UE may trigger one or more RA procedures (and complete the procedures described herein) to send an RA preamble for each RA preamble index listed in the PDCCH command. The UE may initiate / trigger the RA procedure in the order of the listed preamble indexes, or it may trigger in an order selected by the UE (or randomly). In one example, the PDCCH command may include a pointer, for example, a bit value associated with a configuration set / list of preconfigured RA preamble index values ​​(+PCI) triggered by the PDCCH command. For example, the list may be configured using RRC (or RRC+MAC CE, or MAC CE) signaling.

[0042] In some examples, the PCI value listed in the PDCCH command (or in the RRC configuration associated with the PDCCH command) can be a re-indexed value of the full PCI value. For example, the actual PCI value (e.g., 10 bits) can be mapped to a shorter re-indexed PCI value, where the re-indexed value can be signaled, for example, using a lower number of bits (e.g., 3 bits). This saves the number of signal bits, for example.

[0043] about Figure 5 The method may include at least one of 1 bit, N bits, a code point value, or a value used for table lookup, where N is a positive integer. Figure 5 A method for transmitting a random access message to a cell of a network device, the method may include: if the message indicates that the device will not monitor or receive a RA response (RAR) within a RA response (RAR) window during a triggered random access procedure, the device determines or assumes that: after a RA preamble code is transmitted from the device to a cell of a network device during the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0044] about Figure 5 A method for triggering a random access procedure, the method may include: if the indication indicates that the random access preamble resource is configured not to be associated with a RAR, determining or assuming that: after a random access (RA) preamble transmission corresponding to the random access preamble resource and from the apparatus to a cell of a network device for the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0045] about Figure 5 A method, the method may include: obtaining a downlink reference signal (DL RS) indicated in a PDCCH command (the DL RS can be obtained / determined by association with an RA preamble code); and for a triggered random access procedure, determining based on the DL RS whether a random access response (RAR) is configured to be monitored or received by the device (or UE) within a RAR window.

[0046] about Figure 5 A method for transmitting a downlink reference signal (DL) RS may include storing resources associated with a downlink reference signal (DL) RS in a downlink resource list.

[0047] about Figure 5 In the method, the downlink resource list may include one or more timing advance (TA) references or values.

[0048] about Figure 5 The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the downlink resource list is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0049] about Figure 5In the method, each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding physical cell identifier (PCI) value.

[0050] about Figure 5 The method may include associating each downlink resource in the downlink resource list with a corresponding validity timer.

[0051] about Figure 5 In the method, a maximum value of each validity timer in the validity timers is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0052] about Figure 5 In the method, each validity timer is started after successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

[0053] about Figure 5 A method for transmitting a random access request to a downlink resource, the method may include: if the indication indicates that the device will not monitor or receive a RAR within the RAR window for the triggered random access procedure, obtaining a timing advance (TA) value associated with at least one downlink resource in the downlink resource list for the triggered random access procedure.

[0054] about Figure 5 The method of claim 1, wherein the acquired timing advance (TA) value is different from the TA value currently used in the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure.

[0055] about Figure 5 The method may include: after obtaining a timing advance (TA) value, performing one or more subsequent uplink transmissions to a cell of a network device according to the obtained TA value.

[0056] about Figure 5 A method for indicating successful completion of a triggered random access procedure to a cell of the network device if the indication indicates that downlink control information (DCI) triggers or causes a PDCCH order and a target downlink reference signal (DL RS) for random access (RA) preamble transmission is associated with a cell different from a cell of the network device.

[0057] about Figure 5 A method for transmitting random access to a cell of a network device, the method may include: if a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command instructs the device to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) for a random access (RA) preamble code transmission, determining whether to report the successful completion of the triggered random access process to a cell of a network device.

[0058] about Figure 5A method, the method may include: indicating one or more physical cell identifiers (PCIs) to a cell of a network device, for which one or more PCIs, at least one RA process in a RA triggered by a PDCCH command is completed or a timing advance (TA) value is received.

[0059] about Figure 5 In the method, one or more physical cell identities (PCIs) are indicated via a medium access control element (MAC-CE).

[0060] about Figure 5 A method for triggering a random access procedure, the message may include: random access preamble code resources; and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command instructing the device to perform the triggered random access procedure; wherein the PDCCH command explicitly or implicitly indicates whether the device is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0061] about Figure 5 In the method, the PDCCH command includes a field set to a value for explicitly indicating whether the device is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during a triggered random access procedure.

[0062] about Figure 5 The method comprises: a first list of random access preamble resources is associated with monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure; and a second list of random access preamble resources is associated with not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure; and wherein the message includes random access preamble resources in the second list of random access preambles for implicitly indicating that the device will not monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0063] According to an example embodiment, a UE may receive a downlink (DL) message, such as a PDCCH command, which may: 1) request the UE to perform a random access (RA) procedure for a specific target candidate cell and identify the RA preamble resources that the UE should use to send the RA preamble, 2) the RA preamble may be associated with a target DL reference signal (e.g., SSB or CSI RS) for the cell, and 3) the PDCCH command may include information indicating whether the UE should monitor or receive the RAR for the RA procedure.

[0064] The UE may typically monitor the DL RS associated with the RA preamble resource, for example, to estimate the timing, from which the UE may use the estimated UL timing to send the RA preamble. The UE sends the RA preamble on the configured RA preamble resource, and the UE may select the best UE beam based on the DL RS. Thus, the UE may receive the DL reference signal associated with the RA preamble, for example, select a UE beam to send the preamble, and obtain DL timing (symbol timing and timing reference for UL transmission) for uplink (UL) transmission of the RA preamble using the same timing.

[0065] After the UE receives the PDCCH command, the UE identifies the RA preamble resource associated with the target cell (the target cell may also be the serving cell) DL RS, and the UE selects a beam for UE UL RA preamble transmission, and determines the timing (for UL transmission of the RA preamble) based on the DLRS. The UE sends the RA preamble. And, according to an example embodiment, the message (e.g., PDCCH command) received by the UE may indicate whether the UE is to monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within the RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0066] In one embodiment, a field in a DCI message that triggers a PDCCH command may indicate whether the UE is to (or should or needs to) monitor and receive a RAR for a triggered random access procedure. In addition, for example, the field in a DCI message or PDCCH command may indicate whether the UE is assumed to receive (or will receive) a RAR response for a random access procedure initiated by a PDCCH command. The DCI message that schedules the PDCCH command may include a field (e.g., 1 bit or N bits or a code point value or a value for a table lookup) that indicates whether the UE is configured to monitor a RA response window to obtain a RA response for a triggered random access preamble transmission. Based on the value of this field, the UE may then monitor and receive (or not monitor and not receive) the RAR for the triggered RA procedure initiated by the UE based on the PDCCH command.

[0067] In some cases, the network device or network node may later send the TA to the UE (for the same cell it is connected to, or for the TA of another cell, such as candidate target cell(s)) if the UE UL timing needs to be updated for these cells.

[0068] In addition, according to an example embodiment, for one or more candidate target cells, the UE may receive a timing advance (TA) outside the random access procedure (e.g., a TA forwarded to the UE by a serving cell or source cell or a network device, which may have been received by the network device or serving cell from the candidate target cell). In one embodiment, if the DCI (triggering PDCCH order) indicates that the UE is not configured (or assumed or activated or indicated) to monitor or receive a RA response for the random access procedure, the UE shall assume that the random access procedure is successfully completed after the UE sends the RA preamble (therefore, the UE does not need to monitor or receive the RAR for the random access procedure). In this case, the network (e.g., a network device or node or a serving cell or a source cell) may receive the UE transmission (the transmitted preamble) and determine whether a (new) TA value should be used / and / or provided for at least one cell (which may be covered by one or more DL RSs and may be associated with one or more TRPs).

[0069] Alternatively, a cell receiving the RA preamble (e.g., a candidate target cell / serving cell / cell to which the UE sends the RA preamble) (e.g., configured for inter-cell beam management (or low-layer mobility)) may provide (or send) information about the TA value detected or observed by the candidate target cell based on the UE transmission of the RA preamble to the serving cell or network device or network node. Thus, although the UE may not monitor or receive the RAR including the TA value, the candidate target cell may send the UE's TA value (e.g., an estimate of the UE's TA value) to the serving cell, source cell, or network device (e.g., a gNB serving the UE) (based on the received RA preamble). In one example, the serving cell may negotiate (e.g., request or indicate) with one or more candidate target cells to determine and / or indicate specific RA preamble resources or transmissions that do not require an RA response. For example, since the RA transmission is performed using the RA resources of the target cell, the cells may negotiate which resources may be used for the RA transmission. The candidate target cell (to which the UE sent the RA preamble) may determine the TA value and may then send the UE's TA value to the UE's serving cell. As described above, the UE may send RA preambles to multiple candidate target cells, for example based on different / multiple PDCCH commands (or based on multiple commands within a PDCCH command or within one DCI), and the candidate target cells may determine the TA value of the UE and send the TA value to the serving cell. Thus, for example, the candidate target cell may receive the RA preamble, determine the TA value of the UE, and then report these TA values ​​of the UE to the serving cell, source cell, or network device (or network node). The serving cell or source cell or the network device or network node controlling the serving cell may then forward a set of these TAs to the UE, which may be a more efficient technique for the UE to obtain TA values ​​for multiple candidate target cells than monitoring and receiving RAR and TA from each of these candidate target cells.

[0070] In one embodiment, the random access preamble resources may be configured not to be associated with monitoring of RA responses. If the DCI (triggering PDCCH command) indicates random access resources that are configured not to be associated with random access responses, the UE shall assume that the random access procedure is successfully completed after the UE sends the RA preamble (therefore, in this case, the UE will not monitor or receive the RAR for the triggered random access procedure). Instead of the PDCCH command explicitly indicating that the RAR for the triggered random access procedure is to be monitored and received (or not monitored and not received), the RA preamble resources indicated in the PDCCH command may implicitly indicate whether the UE is to monitor and receive the RAR for the random access procedure. For example, a first list of random access preamble resources may be associated with monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure, and a second list of random access preamble resources may be associated with not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during a triggered random access procedure. Thus, for example, the message (e.g., PDCCH order or DCI) may indicate or identify a random access preamble resource (e.g., a random access preamble index or identifier) ​​from the second list of random access preambles to implicitly indicate to the UE that the UE does not monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a random access (RA) response window during the triggered random access procedure. Thus, there may be a group of RA preambles that require RAR monitoring and another group of RA preambles that do not require RAR monitoring or reception, and the UE may be informed within the PDCCH order which type of RA preamble to receive (or based on a preamble provided from the first list or the second list of RA preambles). Thus, the network device or serving cell may use different techniques to inform the UE whether the RAR for the random access procedure should be monitored and received.

[0071] The DL RS may be indicated via an indication of the RA preamble resources within the PDCCH command. The UE may store or maintain a list of DL RSs (DL RSs associated with the indicated RA preambles) indicated via the preamble(s) indicated in the PDCCH command, where the UE is configured not to monitor the RAR. Both the UE and the network device may store or maintain a list of DL RSs associated with a specific RA preamble, and the network device may associate one or more DL RSs with a TA value.

[0072] For example: PDCCH command 1 may indicate that RA of cell 1 is not monitored; indicates RA preamble index 1 associated with DL RS1. The network device or serving cell may later inform the UE (MAC CE on PDCCH) that this is TA1 for this DL RS1. The UE may add DL RS1 and the associated TA1 to its list, or the UE may associate DL RS1 for cell 1 communication with TA1. In addition, for example, the UE may receive PDCCH command 2, which indicates that cell 2 is not monitored, wherein the PDCCH command indicates an RA preamble index (associated with a specific resource). For example, the PDCCH command 2 may indicate RA preamble index 2 and indicate RA preamble resources associated with DL RS2 and cell 2. PCI / cell ID may be included in each PDCCH command. If the UE performs a cell change for any of these cells, the UE now has the TA for these cells. The UE performs a cell change to a candidate target cell. The UE may have previously acquired or received the TA of such a candidate target cell, so the UE does not need to perform a RA process as part of the cell change to acquire the TA of such a candidate target cell. After the cell change is initiated, the UE can change its beam and the UE has a TA for UL transmission without waiting to perform a random access procedure.

[0073] In an example embodiment, the UE may track (e.g., the UE may save or store a list of) which cells the network (e.g., a network device, a network node, or a serving cell or a source cell) has triggered a PDCCH command for the UE, and the UE may then later receive TA values ​​for these cells, for example, from the network device or network node, the serving cell or the source cell. For example, the DL RS (or PCI or DL-RS+PCI) indicated in the PDCCH command (associated with the DL RS via the indicated preamble index, e.g., the RA preamble index), whose RA response is not configured to be monitored: the resources of the DL RS resource index / indicator (or PCI or DL-RS+PCI) are stored by the UE in a list of (timing advance reference) DL resources (or PCI or DL-RS+BCI). The network may reference one or more DL RS resources (or PCI or DL-RS+PCI) in the list and provide the UE with the DL RS (or PCI or DL-RS+PCI) with the associated TA value (based on the UE random access preamble transmission). This enables the UE to communicate with the (target) cell using the TA value via the provided association (via a list). In order to be able to fully understand each other's list, the network can maintain a similar list (a list of DL RS (or PCI or DL-RS+PCI) and preamble resource index) on the network side. The maximum list size can be predefined or configured by the network. Any DL RS in the list can be associated with a PCI value (e.g., an SSB reference signal-PCI (cell identity) association pair). Therefore, the UE and the network equipment can maintain the association between the DL RS and the TA (or the cell identity / PCI and the TA). This information can be used for inter-cell beam management. This information can be used for any further communication of the cell associated with the TA (or for cell change or cell switch / handover). If the DCI message or PDCCH command indicates that the UE does not need to monitor for RA responses (i.e., the TA is not provided as a response to the RA preamble transmission): the network may provide a TA value associated with one of the DL RS / cells in the list (e.g., associated with a new TAG / TA loop); and the entries of the list are based on the DL RS indicated in the PDCCH command (e.g., associated with a PCI different from that of the target cell). Each entry in the list may have a validity timer. The maximum value of the validity timer may be predefined or configured by the network. The validity timer may be started after the RA procedure is successfully completed (and / or when the entry is added). When the timer expires (i.e., the value of the validity timer is greater than or equal to the maximum value, or alternatively counts down to zero), the entry is removed. If the timer associated with the list entry is running, the NW may reference the entry and provide the associated TA value.After receiving the new TA value associated with the DL RS included in the list (and the PCI associated with the DL RS, such as SSB), the UE performs any UL transmission according to the TA associated with the TA loop / TAG ID.

[0074] If the network device or serving cell indicates that the UE will monitor the RAR of the cell or random access procedure, the UE will receive the TA via the RAR, but the serving cell that triggered the PDCCH command does not know whether the RA procedure it triggered was successful and when it was completed. Therefore, in an example embodiment, the UE may notify the serving cell or the network device (or send a message to the serving cell to notify it) of the successful completion of the RA procedure with the candidate target cell. In another example embodiment, the UE may be configured to notify the serving cell or the network device (or send a message to the serving cell to notify it) of the successful completion of the RA procedure (RA or CBRA commanded by PDCCH, contention-based random access procedure) with the (candidate target) cell. In some examples, the PDCCH command may be used to trigger the CBRA procedure. In some examples, the UE may be configured to report the TA of the acquired cell (e.g., the TA of the candidate target cell) to the serving cell.

[0075] In one embodiment, if the DCI triggers a PDCCH order, and the target preamble index (and associated DL RS, such as SSB / CSI-RS) of the PRACH transmission is associated with a cell having a different PCI from the serving cell: the UE is configured to notify the serving cell of the successful completion of the RA procedure. The serving cell or network device may include a report requesting the UE for the successful completion of the RA procedure via a new field in the DCI, which triggers the RA procedure of the PDCCH order. Alternatively, the network (or network device or network node) may configure the UE to report the cell whose TA the UE has acquired (e.g., through an RA procedure). The report may also include a TA value. For example, the UE may be configured to report the cell whose TA value the UE has acquired (in other words, the cell with which the UE uplink time is aligned (e.g., the cell with which the UE has a TA value)), for example, using RRC (or RRC+MAC CE or MACE). The report may be provided to the network (e.g., to a network device or network node, a serving cell, or a source cell) when the RA procedure is completed (wherein the TA is received) or when the UE determines that it has acquired or can be considered to be uplink time aligned with one or more specific cells. The cell or (multiple) specific cells may also include a serving cell (e.g., in the case where a (serving) cell supports one or more TA values). For example, the request (or configuration) may also indicate whether the UE should report the successful acquisition of the TA / timing of the target cell. If the PDCCH command instructs the UE to monitor the RAR response for the triggered RA preamble transmission, the UE may determine that it should report the successful completion of the random access procedure to the serving cell. The UE may indicate in one message (MAC-CE) that its PDCCH command has been completed and that the UE has received one or more PCIs (and / or DL ​​RSs) for its TA value. In another example, the PCI is a cell configured as an LLM candidate cell (low layer mobility). If the UE has indicated to the PCI that it has a valid TA for the cell, it is assumed that the UE: beam application time is based on a known TCI state condition. In one example, the PDCCH command may trigger a CBRA (contention-based random access) procedure (i.e., no RA preamble is specifically reserved). The UE may have been configured to report the acquired TA value by triggering a DCI, and / or to report an indication of which cell (e.g., an LLM cell) the UE is currently time-aligned with (having its TA value). The list of cells for which the UE has TA values ​​(the UE's time-aligned cell list) may be supervised or managed using timers, including deleting or discarding TA values / cells from the list (indicating that such TA values ​​are outdated or no longer accurate) upon expiration of the corresponding timer. In some examples, a network (e.g., a network node or network device, a cell, or a candidate target cell) that receives a RA transmission from the UE and determines a TA value associated with the RA transmission / process may send / indicate the TA value to the serving cell.The indication may be provided when the RA procedure is completed. For example, the network node may be configured to signal a TA value associated with the UE (or an indication that the UE is aligned with the cell in UL time) to another network node (where the TA value may be obtained using the RA procedure or determined based on UL transmissions with the cell).

[0076] In one embodiment, the network or serving cell / network equipment may configure the UE to update the TA of at least one cell (or TRP / transmission reception point determined based on the DL RS set) associated with the serving cell PCI or a PCI other than the serving cell: a PDCCH order may be triggered to the UE and an indication is given that RAR response monitoring is not required. The transmission updates the TA observed by one or more target cells (which in turn), and when the network determines which cells the UE will switch to (or which cells the UE may perform or may perform a cell change for), the network may provide the TA value to the UE. This may be beneficial to the UE as it does not need to maintain multiple TAs before switching.

[0077] In one embodiment, the network may configure the UE to obtain the TA of at least one cell having a different PCI from the serving cell, and after obtaining the TA, report the successful acquisition to the source cell. In one embodiment, if the UE is configured with multiple TA values ​​(e.g., multiple TAGs) for the serving cell, any of the above embodiments may be adjusted; and / or, in one embodiment, the RRC configuration may be provided regardless of whether there is a bit field in the DCI.

[0078] Some additional examples will be provided.

[0079] Example 1. A device comprises: at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the device to at least: obtain a message instructing the device to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) process to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access process, within a random access response (RAR) window, whether the device will monitor or receive an RAR; and based on the indication, determine whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

[0080] Example 2. The apparatus of Example 1, wherein the message comprises downlink control information (DCI) received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0081] Example 3. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 2, wherein the message includes a field that triggers or causes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command indicates whether the apparatus monitors or receives the RAR response within the RAR window during the triggered random access process initiated via the PDCCH command.

[0082] Example 4. An apparatus according to Example 3, wherein the field includes at least one of 1 bit, N bits, a code point value, or a value used as a table lookup, where N is a positive integer.

[0083] Example 5. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: if the message indicates that the apparatus will not monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure, the apparatus determines or assumes that: after the RA preamble code of the cell of the network device is transmitted from the apparatus to the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0084] Example 6. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 5, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: if the indication indicates that the random access preamble resource is configured not to be associated with the RAR, determine or assume that: after a random access (RA) preamble corresponding to the random access preamble resource and transmitted from the apparatus to the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

[0085] Example 7. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 6, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: obtain a downlink reference signal (DL RS) indicated in the PDCCH command; and based on the DL RS, determine whether the RAR is configured to be monitored or received by the apparatus within the RAR window during the triggered random access process.

[0086] Example 8. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: store resources associated with the DL RS in a downlink resource list.

[0087] Example 9. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 8, wherein the downlink resource list includes one or more timing advance (TA) references or values.

[0088] Example 10. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 9, wherein the size of the downlink resource list is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0089] Example 11. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8 to 10, wherein each downlink resource of the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding physical cell identifier (PCI) value.

[0090] Example 12. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8 to 11, wherein each downlink resource of the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding validity timer.

[0091] Example 13. The apparatus of Example 12, wherein a maximum value of each of the validity timers is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0092] Example 14. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8 to 13, wherein the validity timers are each started after successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

[0093] Example 15. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 8 to 14, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: obtain a timing advance (TA) value associated with at least one downlink resource in the downlink resource list for the triggered random access procedure if the indication indicates that the apparatus will not monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0094] Example 16. The apparatus of Example 15, wherein the acquired timing advance (TA) value is different from a TA value currently used in the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure.

[0095] Example 17. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 15 to 16, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: after obtaining the timing advance (TA) value, perform one or more subsequent uplink transmissions to the cell of the network device based on the obtained TA value.

[0096] Example 18. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 17, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: indicate to the cell of the network device the successful completion of the triggered random access procedure if the indication indicates that the downlink control information (DCI) triggers or causes the PDCCH command and the target downlink reference signal (DLRS) used for the random access (RA) preamble transmission is associated with a cell different from the cell of the network device.

[0097] Example 19. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 3 to 18, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: determine whether to report the successful completion of the triggered random access process to the cell of the network device if the PDCCH command instructs the apparatus to monitor or receive the RAR transmitted by the random access (RA) preamble code.

[0098] Example 20. An apparatus according to Example 19, wherein the instruction, when executed by the at least one processor, causes the apparatus to at least: indicate one or more physical cell identifiers (PCIs) to the cell of the network device, for which at least one of the following occurs: the RA process triggered by the PDCCH command is completed, or a timing advance (TA) value is received.

[0099] Example 21. The apparatus of Example 19, wherein the one or more physical cell identities (PCIs) are indicated via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0100] Example 22. An apparatus according to any one of Examples 1 to 21, wherein the message includes: a random access preamble code resource; and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command instructing the apparatus to perform the triggered random access procedure; wherein the PDCCH command explicitly or implicitly indicates: during the triggered random access procedure, within the RA response window, whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR).

[0101] Example 23. An apparatus according to Example 22, wherein the PDCCH command includes a field set to a value to explicitly indicate whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0102] Example 24. An apparatus according to Example 22, wherein: a first list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access (RA) response window, monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR); and a second list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access (RA) response window, not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR); and wherein the message includes random access preamble resources from the second list of random access preambles to implicitly indicate that during the triggered random access procedure, within the random access (RA) response window, the apparatus will not monitor or receive a random access response (RAR).

[0103] Example 25. A method, comprising: obtaining, by a user equipment, a message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) process to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access process, within a random access response (RAR) window, whether the device will monitor or receive an RAR; and determining, by the user equipment based on the indication, whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

[0104] Example 26. The method of Example 25, wherein the message comprises downlink control information (DCI) received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

[0105] Example 27. A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 26, wherein the message includes a field that triggers or causes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command indicates whether the device monitors or receives the RAR response within the RAR window during the triggered random access process initiated via the PDCCH command.

[0106] Example 28. The method of Example 27, wherein the field comprises at least one of 1 bit, N bits, a code point value, or a value used as a table lookup, wherein N is a positive integer.

[0107] Example 29. A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 28, comprising: if the message indicates that the device will not monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window during the triggered random access process, the device determines or assumes that: after the RA preamble code of the cell of the network device is transmitted from the device to the network device for the triggered random access process, the triggered random access process is successfully completed.

[0108] Example 30. A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 29, comprising: if the indication indicates that the random access preamble code resources are configured not to be associated with the RAR, determining or assuming that: after the random access (RA) preamble code corresponding to the random access preamble code resources and transmitted from the device to the cell of the network device for the triggered random access process, the triggered random access process is successfully completed.

[0109] Example 31. A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 30, comprising: obtaining a downlink reference signal (DL RS) indicated in the PDCCH command; and based on the DL RS, determining whether the RAR is configured to be monitored or received by the device within the RAR window during the triggered random access process.

[0110] Example 32. The method of any one of Examples 27 to 31, comprising storing resources associated with the DL RS in a downlink resource list.

[0111] Example 33. A method according to any one of Examples 27 to 32, wherein the downlink resource list includes one or more timing advance (TA) references or values.

[0112] Example 34. A method according to any one of Examples 27 to 33, wherein the size of the downlink resource list is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0113] Example 35. A method according to any one of Examples 32 to 34, wherein each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding physical cell identifier (PCI) value.

[0114] Example 36. A method according to any one of Examples 32 to 35, wherein each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding validity timer.

[0115] Example 37. The apparatus of Example 36, wherein a maximum value of each of the validity timers is predefined or configured by the network device.

[0116] Example 38. A method according to any one of Examples 32 to 37, wherein the validity timers are each started after successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

[0117] Example 39. A method according to any one of Examples 32 to 38, comprising: if the indication indicates that: during the triggered random access process, within the RAR window, the device will not monitor or receive the RAR, then for the triggered random access process, obtaining a timing advance (TA) value associated with at least one downlink resource in the downlink resource list.

[0118] Example 40. The method of Example 39, wherein the obtained timing advance (TA) value is different from a TA value currently used in the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure.

[0119] Example 41. A method according to any one of Examples 39 to 40, comprising: after obtaining the timing advance (TA) value, performing one or more subsequent uplink transmissions to the cell of the network device according to the obtained TA value.

[0120] Example 42. A method according to any one of Examples 27 to 41, comprising: if the indication indicates that: the downlink control information (DCI) triggers or causes the PDCCH command, and the target downlink reference signal (DL RS) used for the random access (RA) preamble code transmission is associated with a cell different from the cell of the network device, then indicating the successful completion of the triggered random access process to the cell of the network device.

[0121] Example 43. A method according to any one of Examples 27 to 42, comprising: if the PDCCH command instructs the device to monitor or receive the RAR for the random access (RA) preamble code transmission, determining whether to report the successful completion of the triggered random access process to the cell of the network device.

[0122] Example 44. The method according to Example 43 includes: indicating one or more physical cell identifiers (PCIs) to the cell of the network device, and for the one or more PCIs, at least one of the following is true: the RA process triggered by the PDCCH command is completed or a timing advance (TA) value is received.

[0123] Example 45. The method of Example 44, wherein the one or more physical cell identities (PCIs) are indicated via a medium access control-control element (MAC-CE).

[0124] Example 46. A method according to any one of Examples 25 to 45, wherein the message includes: a random access preamble code resource; and a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command instructing the device to perform the triggered random access process; wherein the PDCCH command explicitly or implicitly indicates: during the triggered random access process, within the RA response window, whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR).

[0125] Example 47. A method according to Example 46, wherein the PDCCH command includes a field, the field being set to a value to explicitly indicate whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

[0126] Example 48. An apparatus according to Example 46, wherein: a first list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access (RA) response window, monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR); and a second list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access (RA) response window, not monitoring or receiving a random access response (RAR); and wherein the message includes random access preamble resources from the second list of random access preambles to implicitly indicate that during the triggered random access procedure, within the random access (RA) response window, the apparatus will not monitor or receive a random access response (RAR).

[0127] Example 49. An apparatus comprising: a component for obtaining a message by a user equipment, the message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) process to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access process, within a random access response (RAR) window, whether the apparatus will monitor or receive an RAR; and a component for determining by the user equipment whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window based on the indication.

[0128] Example 50. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, comprising instructions stored thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to: obtain a message, wherein the message instructs a device to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) process to access a cell of a network device, wherein the message indicates: during the triggered random access process, within a random access response (RAR) window, whether the device will monitor or receive an RAR; and based on the indication, determine whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

[0129] Figure 61 is a block diagram of a wireless station or node (e.g., UE, user equipment (user device), AP, BS, eNB, gNB, RAN node, network node, TRP or other node) 1200 according to an example embodiment. The wireless station 1200 may include, for example, one or more (e.g., Figure 6 The wireless station also includes two RF (radio frequency) or wireless transceivers 1202A, 1202B shown, each of which includes a transmitter for sending signals and a receiver for receiving signals. The wireless station also includes a processor or control unit / entity (controller) 1204 for executing instructions or software and controlling the transmission and reception of signals, and a memory 1206 for storing data and / or instructions.

[0130] The processor 1204 may also make decisions or decisions, generate frames, packets or messages for transmission, decode received frames or messages for further processing, and perform other tasks or functions described herein. For example, the processor 1204, which may be a baseband processor, may generate messages, packets, frames or other signals for transmission via the wireless transceiver 1202 (1202A or 1202B). The processor 1204 may control the transmission of signals or messages through a wireless network, and may control the reception of signals or messages, etc., via a wireless network (e.g., after being down-converted by the wireless transceiver 1202). The processor 1204 may be programmable and capable of executing software or other instructions stored in a memory or on other computer media to perform the various tasks and functions described above, such as one or more of the tasks or methods described above. For example, the processor 1204 may be (or may include) hardware, programmable logic, a programmable processor that executes software or firmware, and / or any combination of these. For example, using other terms, the processor 1204 and the transceiver 1202 may be considered together as a wireless transmitter / receiver system.

[0131] In addition, reference Figure 6 , the controller (or processor) 1208 can execute software and instructions and can provide overall control for the station 1200 and can Figure 6 Other systems not shown provide controls, such as controlling input / output devices (e.g., display, keypad), and / or software that can execute one or more applications that may be provided on wireless station 1200, such as an email program, audio / video applications, a word processor, voice over IP applications, or other applications or software.

[0132] Additionally, a storage medium may be provided that includes stored instructions that, when executed by a controller or processor, may cause the processor 1204 or other controller or processor to perform one or more of the functions or tasks described above.

[0133] According to another example embodiment, the RF or (multiple) wireless transceiver 1202A / 1202B can receive signals or data and / or transmit or send signals or data. The processor 1204 (and possibly the transceiver 1202A / 1202B) can control the RF or wireless transceiver 1202A or 1202B to receive, send, broadcast or transmit signals or data.

[0134] Embodiments of the various techniques described herein may be implemented in a digital electronic circuit system, or in computer hardware, firmware, software, or a combination thereof. Embodiments may be implemented as computer program products, i.e., computer programs tangibly embodied in information carriers, for example, in machine-readable storage devices or in propagated signals, for data processing devices to execute or control the operation of data processing devices, for example, programmable processors, one computer or multiple computers. Embodiments may also be provided on a computer-readable medium or a computer-readable storage medium, which may be a non-transitory medium. Embodiments of various techniques may also include embodiments provided via transient signals or media, and / or downloadable programs and / or software embodiments via the Internet or (multiple) other networks (wired networks and / or wireless networks). In addition, embodiments may be provided via machine type communications (MTC) or via the Internet of Things (IOT).

[0135] A computer program may be in source code form, object code form or some intermediate form and may be stored in some carrier, distribution medium or computer readable medium, which may be any entity or device capable of carrying the program. Such carriers include, for example, recording media, computer memories, read-only memories, optoelectronic and / or electrical carrier signals, telecommunication signals and software distribution packages. Depending on the processing power required, a computer program may be executed in a single electronic digital computer or distributed among multiple computers.

[0136] In addition, embodiments of the various techniques described herein may use cyber-physical systems (CPS) (systems that enable computing elements that control physical entities to collaborate). CPS can implement and utilize a large number of interconnected ICT devices (sensors, actuators, processors, microcontrollers, etc.) embedded in different locations in physical objects. Mobile cyber-physical systems (where the physical system in question has inherent mobility) are a subcategory of cyber-physical systems. Examples of mobile physical systems include mobile robots and electronic devices transported by humans or animals. The popularity of smartphones has increased interest in the field of mobile cyber-physical systems. Therefore, various embodiments of the techniques described herein may be provided by one or more of these techniques.

[0137] Computer programs such as the above-mentioned (multiple) computer programs can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program, or as a module, component, subroutine or other unit or part thereof suitable for a computing environment. A computer program can be deployed to execute on one computer, or on multiple computers at one site, or on multiple computers distributed between multiple sites and interconnected by a communication network.

[0138] The method steps may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing a computer program or a portion of a computer program to perform functions by operating on input data and generating output. The method steps may also be performed by, and the apparatus may be implemented as, a special purpose logic circuit system, such as an FPGA (field programmable gate array) or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[0139] For example, processors suitable for executing computer programs include both general and special purpose microprocessors, and any one or more processors of any kind of digital computer, chip or chipset. Typically, the processor will receive instructions and data from a read-only memory or a random access memory or both. Elements of a computer may include at least one processor for executing instructions, and one or more memory devices for storing instructions and data. Typically, a computer may also include or be operatively coupled to receive data from or transfer data to or both of one or more mass storage devices (e.g., magnetic, magneto-optical disks, or optical disks) for storing data. Information carriers suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including, for example, semiconductor memory devices, such as EPROM, EEPROM, and flash memory devices; magnetic disks, such as internal hard disks or removable disks; magneto-optical disks; and CD ROM and DVD-ROM disks. The processor and memory may be supplemented by or incorporated in a dedicated logic circuit system.

[0140] To provide interaction with a user, an embodiment may be implemented on a computer having a display device (e.g., a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) display) for displaying information to the user, and a user interface (such as a keyboard and a pointing device, such as a mouse or trackball) through which the user can provide input to the computer. Other types of devices may also be used to provide interaction with the user; for example, the feedback provided to the user may be any form of sensory feedback, such as visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and the input from the user may be received in any form, including sound, voice, or tactile input.

[0141] Embodiments may be implemented in a computing system that includes: a back-end component, for example, as a data server; or includes a middleware component, for example, an application server; or includes a front-end component, for example, a client computer having a graphical user interface or a web browser through which a user can interact with the embodiments; or any combination of such back-end, middleware, or front-end components. The components may be interconnected by any form or media of digital data communication, such as a communication network. Examples of communication networks include local area networks (LANs) and wide area networks (WANs), such as the Internet.

[0142] Although certain features of the described embodiments have been illustrated as described herein, those skilled in the art will now be able to conceive of many modifications, substitutions, changes and equivalents. Therefore, it should be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes that fall within the true spirit of the various embodiments.

Claims

1. A device comprising: at least one processor; as well as at least one memory storing instructions, which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Acquire a message, the message instructing the apparatus to trigger or initiate a random access RA procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access response RAR window, whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a RAR; as well as Based on the indication, it is determined whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window. 2 . The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the message comprises downlink control information (DCI) received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

3. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 2, wherein the message includes a field that triggers or causes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command indicates whether the apparatus monitors or receives the RAR response within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure initiated via the PDCCH command.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the field comprises at least one of: 1 bit, N bits, a code point value, or a value used as a table lookup, wherein N is a positive integer.

5. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: If the message indicates that the device will not monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure, the device determines or assumes that: after the RA preamble code of the cell of the network device is transmitted from the device to the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: If the indication indicates that the random access preamble resources are configured not to be associated with the RAR, it is determined or assumed that: after the random access RA preamble corresponding to the random access preamble resources and transmitted from the device to the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

7. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Acquire a downlink reference signal DL RS indicated in the PDCCH command; and Based on the DL RS, it is determined whether the RAR is configured to be monitored or received by the device within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure.

8. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 7, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: The resources associated with the DL RS are stored in a downlink resource list.

9. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 8, wherein the downlink resource list comprises one or more timing advance (TA) references or values.

10. The apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein the size of the downlink resource list is predefined or configured by the network device.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 10, wherein each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding physical cell identifier (PCI) value.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein each downlink resource of the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding validity timer.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein a maximum value of each of the validity timers is predefined or configured by the network device.

14. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 to 13, wherein the validity timers are each started after successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

15. The apparatus of any one of claims 8 to 14, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: If the indication indicates that during the triggered random access procedure, within the RAR window, the device will not monitor or receive the RAR, then for the triggered random access procedure, a timing advance TA value associated with at least one downlink resource in the downlink resource list is obtained. 16 . The apparatus according to claim 15 , wherein the acquired timing advance (TA) value is different from a TA value currently used in the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure.

17. The apparatus of any one of claims 15 to 16, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: Upon obtaining the timing advance TA value, one or more subsequent uplink transmissions to the cell of the network device are performed according to the obtained TA value.

18. The apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 17, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: If the indication indicates that the downlink control information DCI triggers or causes the PDCCH order, and the target downlink reference signal DL RS used for the random access RA preamble code transmission is associated with a cell different from the cell of the network device, then the cell of the network device is indicated with a successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

19. The apparatus of any one of claims 3 to 18, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: If the PDCCH command instructs the apparatus to monitor or receive the RAR for the random access RA preamble transmission, determining whether to report a successful completion of the triggered random access procedure to the cell of the network device.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least: One or more physical cell identifiers PCIs are indicated to the cell of the network device, for which at least one of the following occurs: the RA process triggered by a PDCCH command is completed, or a timing advance TA value is received.

21. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the one or more physical cell identities (PCIs) are indicated via a medium access control (MAC-CE).

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the message comprises: Random access preamble resources; as well as Instructing the device to execute a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command of the random access procedure triggered; The PDCCH command explicitly or implicitly indicates whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response RAR within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

23. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the PDCCH order comprises a field set to a value to explicitly indicate whether the apparatus will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

24. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein: The first list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, monitoring or receiving a random access response RAR; and The second list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, not monitoring or receiving a random access response RAR; and The message includes a random access preamble resource from the second list of random access preambles to implicitly indicate that during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, the device will not monitor or receive a random access response RAR.

25. A method comprising: Acquiring, by a user equipment, a message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access (RA) procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating whether the device will monitor or receive a RAR within a random access response (RAR) window during the triggered random access procedure; as well as The user equipment determines, based on the indication, whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the message comprises downlink control information (DCI) received via a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH).

27. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 26, wherein the message includes a field that triggers or causes a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command, and the PDCCH command indicates whether the device monitors or receives the RAR response within the RAR window during the triggered random access process initiated via the PDCCH command.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the field comprises at least one of: 1 bit, N bits, a code point value, or a value used as a table lookup, where N is a positive integer.

29. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 28, comprising: If the message indicates that the device will not monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure, the device determines or assumes that: after the RA preamble code of the cell of the network device is transmitted from the device to the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

30. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 29, comprising: If the indication indicates that the random access preamble resources are configured not to be associated with the RAR, it is determined or assumed that: after the random access RA preamble corresponding to the random access preamble resources and transmitted from the device to the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure, the triggered random access procedure is successfully completed.

31. A method according to any one of claims 25 to 30, comprising: Acquire a downlink reference signal DL RS indicated in the PDCCH command; as well as Based on the DL RS, it is determined whether the RAR is configured to be monitored or received by the device within the RAR window during the triggered random access procedure.

32. A method according to any one of claims 27 to 31, comprising: The resources associated with the DL RS are stored in a downlink resource list.

33. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 32, wherein the downlink resource list comprises one or more timing advance (TA) references or values.

34. The method according to any one of claims 27 to 33, wherein the size of the downlink resource list is predefined or configured by the network device.

35. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 34, wherein each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding physical cell identity (PCI) value.

36. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 35, wherein each downlink resource in the downlink resource list is associated with a corresponding validity timer.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein a maximum value of each of the validity timers is predefined or configured by the network device.

38. The method according to any one of claims 32 to 37, wherein the validity timers are each started after successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

39. A method according to any one of claims 32 to 38, comprising: If the indication indicates that during the triggered random access procedure, within the RAR window, the device will not monitor or receive the RAR, then for the triggered random access procedure, a timing advance TA value associated with at least one downlink resource in the downlink resource list is obtained.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the obtained timing advance (TA) value is different from a TA value currently used in the cell of the network device for the triggered random access procedure.

41. A method according to any one of claims 39 to 40, comprising: Upon obtaining the timing advance TA value, one or more subsequent uplink transmissions to the cell of the network device are performed according to the obtained TA value.

42. A method according to any one of claims 27 to 41, comprising: If the indication indicates that the downlink control information DCI triggers or causes the PDCCH order, and the target downlink reference signal DL RS used for the random access RA preamble code transmission is associated with a cell different from the cell of the network device, then the cell of the network device is indicated with a successful completion of the triggered random access procedure.

43. A method according to any one of claims 27 to 42, comprising: If the PDCCH command instructs the apparatus to monitor or receive the RAR for the random access RA preamble transmission, determining whether to report a successful completion of the triggered random access procedure to the cell of the network device.

44. The method of claim 43, comprising: One or more physical cell identifiers PCIs are indicated to the cell of the network device, for which at least one of the following occurs: the RA process triggered by a PDCCH command is completed or a timing advance TA value is received.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the one or more physical cell identities (PCIs) are indicated via a medium access control - control element (MAC-CE).

46. ​​A method according to any one of claims 25 to 45, wherein the message comprises: Random access preamble resources; as well as Instructing the device to execute a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command of the random access procedure triggered; The PDCCH command explicitly or implicitly indicates whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response RAR within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the PDCCH order includes a field set to a value to explicitly indicate whether the device will monitor or receive a random access response (RAR) within a RA response window during the triggered random access procedure.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein: The first list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, monitoring or receiving a random access response RAR; and The second list of random access preamble resources is associated with: during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, not monitoring or receiving a random access response RAR; and The message includes a random access preamble resource from the second list of random access preambles to implicitly indicate that during the triggered random access procedure, within a random access RA response window, the device will not monitor or receive a random access response RAR.

49. An apparatus comprising: means for obtaining, by a user equipment, a message instructing the user equipment to trigger or initiate a random access, RA, procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating whether the device will monitor or receive a RAR within a random access response, RAR, window during the triggered random access procedure; as well as A means for determining, by the user equipment based on the indication, whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

50. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions stored thereon, which instructions, when executed by at least one processor, are configured to cause a computing system to: Obtaining a message instructing the device to trigger or initiate a random access RA procedure to access a cell of a network device, the message indicating whether the device will monitor or receive a RAR within a random access response RAR window during the triggered random access procedure; and Based on the indication, it is determined whether to monitor or receive the RAR within the RAR window.

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