Communication method, terminal and network side equipment

Abstract

Disclosed are a communication method, a terminal and a network side device, belonging to the technical field of communications, the communication method in an embodiment of the present application comprising: a terminal receiving first configuration information from a network side device, the first configuration information being used for configuring a flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resource associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB); and the terminal determines an association result from the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource according to the first configuration information. In the embodiment of the application, the first configuration information is sent to the terminal through the network side device, so that the terminal can determine the association result from the at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource according to the first configuration information, and the at least one SSB can be configured to associate the flexible PRACH resource, thereby flexibly configuring the association relationship from the SSB to the PRACH resource.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of communication technologies, and particularly relates to a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device. Background Art

[0002] The synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) in 5G includes a primary synchronization signal (PSS), a secondary synchronization signal (SSS), a physical broadcast channel (PBCH), and a demodulation reference signal (DMRS). Meanwhile, a cell can configure multiple frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission opportunities (also called PRACH Occasion, abbreviated as RO) in the time-domain position of a PRACH.

[0003] In the related art, PRACH resources are statically configured for the current cell through RRC signaling and cannot be changed dynamically. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), more flexible PRACH resource configuration may be performed, for example, additional flexible PRACH resources that can be dynamically activated or deactivated are configured. However, how to associate the additionally configured flexible PRACH resources with the SSB urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0004] Embodiments of this application provide a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device, which can flexibly configure the association relationship between an SSB and PRACH resources.

[0005] In a first aspect, a communication method executed by a terminal is provided. The method includes:

[0006] The terminal receives first configuration information from a network-side device, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB);

[0007] The terminal determines an association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

[0008] Second aspect, a communication method is provided, which is executed by a network-side device. The method includes:

[0009] The network-side device determines first configuration information for configuring flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0010] The network-side device sends the first configuration information to a terminal.

[0011] Third aspect, a communication device is provided, including:

[0012] A receiving module, configured to receive first configuration information from a network-side device, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB);

[0013] A determining module, configured to determine an association result between the at least one SSB and the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

[0014] Fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, including:

[0015] A determining module, configured to determine first configuration information for configuring flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB);

[0016] A sending module, configured to send the first configuration information to a terminal.

[0017] Fifth aspect, a terminal is provided. The terminal includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect are implemented.

[0018] Sixth aspect, a terminal is provided, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to receive first configuration information from a network-side device, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB), and the processor is configured to determine an association result between the at least one SSB and the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

[0019] Seventh aspect, a network-side device is provided. The network-side device includes a processor and a memory. The memory stores a program or instructions that can run on the processor. When the program or instructions are executed by the processor, the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0020] In an eighth aspect, a network-side device is provided, including a processor and a communication interface. The processor is configured to determine first configuration information for configuring flexible Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one Synchronization Signal Block (SSB), and the communication interface is configured to send the first configuration information to a terminal.

[0021] In a ninth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided, on which a program or instructions are stored. When the program or instructions are executed by a processor, the steps of the method described in the first aspect or the steps of the method described in the second aspect are implemented.

[0022] In a tenth aspect, a wireless communication system is provided, including a terminal and a network-side device. The terminal is configured to execute the steps of the method described in the first aspect, and the network-side device is configured to execute the steps of the method described in the second aspect.

[0023] In an eleventh aspect, a chip is provided, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instructions to implement the method described in the first aspect or the method described in the second aspect.

[0024] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program / program product is provided. The computer program / program product is stored in a storage medium, and the program / program product is executed by at least one processor to implement the steps of the communication method described in the first aspect or the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0025] In the embodiments of the present application, by sending the first configuration information from the network-side device to the terminal, the terminal can determine the association result of at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resources according to the first configuration information, enabling the configuration of at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources, and further enabling the flexible configuration of the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless communication system to which the embodiments of the present application can be applied;

[0027] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the mapping of SSB to RO;

[0028] Figure 3 is another schematic diagram of the mapping of SSB to RO;

[0029] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the mapping of SSB to RO group;

[0030] Figure 5It is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 It is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 7A It is a schematic diagram of an association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 7B It is a schematic diagram of another association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Figure 8A It is a schematic diagram of another association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Figure 8B It is a schematic diagram of another association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 9A It is a schematic diagram of another association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 9B It is a schematic diagram of another association result from SSB to RO provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 10 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 11 It is a schematic block diagram of another communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 12 It is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 13 It is a schematic structural diagram of a terminal provided by an embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 14 It is a schematic structural diagram of a network - side device provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0043] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present application belong to the scope of protection of the present application.

[0044] The terms "first", "second", etc. in this application are used to distinguish similar objects, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such terms can be interchanged under appropriate circumstances so that the embodiments of this application can be implemented in an order other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first" and "second" are generally of the same category, and do not limit the number of objects. For example, the first object can be one or multiple. In addition, "or" in this application means at least one of the connected objects. For example, "A or B" covers three scenarios, namely, Scenario 1: including A and not including B; Scenario 2: including B and not including A; Scenario 3: including both A and B. The character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the associated objects before and after.

[0045] The term "indicate" in this application can be either a direct indication (or an explicit indication) or an indirect indication (or an implicit indication). Among them, a direct indication can be understood as that the sender clearly informs the receiver of specific information, operations to be performed, or request results, etc. in the sent indication; an indirect indication can be understood as that the receiver determines the corresponding information according to the indication sent by the sender, or makes a judgment and determines the operations to be performed or request results, etc. according to the judgment result.

[0046] It is worth noting that the technology described in the embodiments of this application is not limited to Long Term Evolution (LTE) / LTE-Advanced (LTE-A) systems, and can also be used in other wireless communication systems, such as Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA), Frequency Division Multiple Access (FDMA), Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA), Single-carrier Frequency-Division Multiple Access (SC-FDMA), or other systems. The terms "system" and "network" in the embodiments of this application are often used interchangeably, and the described technology can be used not only in the systems and radio technologies mentioned above, but also in other systems and radio technologies. The following description describes the New Radio (NR) system for example purposes, and uses NR terms in most of the following descriptions, but these technologies can also be applied to systems other than the NR system, such as the 6th generation (6 th6th Generation (6G) communication system.

[0047] Figure 1The block diagram of a wireless communication system to which embodiments of the present application can be applied is shown. The wireless communication system includes a terminal 11 and a network-side device 12. Among them, the terminal 11 can be a mobile phone, a tablet personal computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld computer, a netbook, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a mobile internet device (MID), an augmented reality (AR), a virtual reality (VR) device, a robot, a wearable device, a flight vehicle, a vehicle user equipment (VUE), a shipborne device, a pedestrian user equipment (PUE), a smart home (home devices with wireless communication functions, such as refrigerators, TVs, washing machines or furniture, etc.), a game console, a personal computer (PC), a teller machine or a self-service machine, etc. Wearable devices include: smart watches, smart bracelets, smart earphones, smart glasses, smart jewelry (smart bracelets, smart bracelets, smart rings, smart necklaces, smart anklets, smart ankle chains, etc.), smart wristbands, smart clothing, etc. Among them, the vehicle user equipment can also be referred to as a vehicle terminal, a vehicle controller, a vehicle module, a vehicle component, a vehicle chip or a vehicle unit, etc. It should be noted that the specific type of the terminal 11 is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. The network-side device 12 can include an access network device or a core network device. Among them, the access network device can also be referred to as a radio access network (RAN) device, a radio access network function or a radio access network unit. The access network device can include a base station, a wireless local area network (WLAN) access point (AP) or a wireless fidelity (WiFi) node, etc.Among them, the base station can be referred to as Node B (NB), Evolved Node B (eNB), the next generation Node B (gNB), New Radio Node B (NR Node B), access point, Relay Base Station (RBS), Serving Base Station (SBS), Base Transceiver Station (BTS), radio base station, radio transceiver, Basic Service Set (BSS), Extended Service Set (ESS), home Node B (HNB), home evolved Node B, Transmission Reception Point (TRP), or some other suitable term in the art. As long as the same technical effect is achieved, the base station is not limited to specific technical terms. It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, only the base station in the NR system is taken as an example for introduction, and the specific type of the base station is not limited.

[0048] First, the mapping rule of SSB to RO involved in this application is introduced.

[0049] The Synchronization Signal / Physical Broadcast Channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB) in 5G includes the Primary Synchronization Signal (PSS), Secondary Synchronization Signal (SSS), Physical Broadcast Channel (PBCH), and De-modulation Reference Signal (DMRS). The wireless device (terminal) performs time-frequency domain synchronization with the base station through the cell search process, obtains the synchronization signal, broadcast signal / channel provided by the base station cell, and acquires the positions of the time-frequency resources of the cell deployed by the base station in the frequency domain and time domain, as well as the physical cell ID.

[0050] The terminal further receives System Information Block (SIB) 1 by receiving the SSB, and various parameters for initial access are included in SIB1. The configuration parameters of the PRACH resources and the mapping rule from the SSB to the RO are configured in System Information Block (SIB) 1. In the NR system, a cell can configure multiple FDM ROs in the time domain position for transmitting the PRACH. At a certain moment, the number of FDM ROs that can be used is: {1, 2, 4, 8}, which is configured and determined by the higher layer parameter msg1-FDM.

[0051] The random access preamble can only be transmitted on the time domain resources configured by the parameter PRACHConfigurationIndex and the frequency domain resources configured by the parameter msg1-FDM. The PRACH frequency domain resource n RA ∈ {0, 1, …, M - 1}, where M is equal to the higher layer parameter msg1-FDM. At the initial access, the PRACH frequency domain resources are numbered in ascending order starting from the RO resource with the lowest frequency within the initial active uplink bandwidth part, otherwise, the PRACH frequency domain resources are numbered in ascending order starting from the RO resource with the lowest frequency within the active uplink bandwidth part. For example, in Figure 2 when the number of FDM ROs at a certain moment is 8 (msg1-FDM = 8), the RO resources are numbered from RO#0 to RO#7 in ascending order of frequency.

[0052] In the NR system, there is an association relationship between the RO and the actually transmitted SSB. The RO is associated with the SSB in the order of frequency domain (from low frequency to high frequency) first and then time domain. One SSB may be associated with multiple consecutive ROs, or multiple SSBs may be associated with 1 RO (in this case, different SSBs correspond to different preambles), which is configured by the network through the parameter ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSB.

[0053] ssb-perRACH-OccasionAndCB-PreamblesPerSSBCHOICE {

[0054] oneEighth ENUMERATED {n4, n8, n12, n16, n20, n24, n28, n32, n36, n40, n44, n48, n52, n56, n60, n64},

[0055] oneFourth ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0056] oneHalf ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0057] one ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32,n36,n40,n44,n48,n52,n56,n60,n64},

[0058] two ENUMERATED{n4,n8,n12,n16,n20,n24,n28,n32},

[0059] four INTEGER(1..16),

[0060] eight INTEGER(1..8),

[0061] sixteen INTEGER(1..4),

[0062] } OPTIONAL,--Need

[0063] For example, oneEighth means that one SSB is associated with 8 consecutive ROs, eight means that 8 SSBs are associated with one RO, {n4,n8,n12,…} represents the number of consecutive Preambles associated with one SSB on one RO. For example, taking the value n4 means that the number of consecutive Preambles associated with one SSB on one RO is 4, and n8 means that the number of consecutive Preambles associated with one SSB on one RO is 4.

[0064] After all SSBs are associated with ROs in one round, a SSB-RO mapping cycle is formed. The association period of one SSB to RO may contain one or more SSB-RO mapping cycles. The association pattern period of one SSB to RO may contain one or more SSB-RO association periods. The mapping of SSB to RO is repeated in cycles with the association pattern period, and the maximum of the association pattern period is 160 ms.

[0065] Generally, the base station can use different beams to transmit different SSBs, and the number of SSBs is configured by the ssb-PositionsInBurst parameter. For example, for FR2, the maximum number of SSBs is 64. The terminal selects the RO / "RO and preamble combination" associated with the SSB with good signal according to the intensity of the received downlink beam SSB, and sends Msg1. In this way, the network can determine the SSB selected by the terminal according to the received RO / "RO and preamble combination" of the Preamble, and send Msg2 on the downlink beam corresponding to the SSB to ensure the reception quality of the downlink signal.

[0066] Take Figure 2 as an example. The number of ROs of FDM at a certain moment is 8, and the actual number of transmitted SSBs is 4, namely SSB#0, SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, and each SSB is associated with 2 ROs. If the terminal determines to send PRACH / Msg1 on the RO corresponding to SSB#0, then the UE selects one RO from RO#0 and RO#1 to send PRACH.

[0067] Take Figure 3 as an example. The number of ROs of FDM at a certain moment is 2, and the actual number of transmitted SSBs is 8, namely SSB#0, SSB#1, ……, SSB#7, and every 2 SSBs are associated with 1 RO. Among them, Figure 3 each square in corresponds to one RO, rather than an SSB. The SSB marked in the square refers to which / which SSBs the RO is associated with. When multiple SSBs share one RO, the Preamble sets associated with these multiple SSBs are different, that is, the same Preamble cannot belong to the Preamble sets associated with different SSBs at the same time. Take Figure 3 RO#0 in as an example. RO#0 has a total of 60 Preambles, where the preambles with indexes 0 to 29 are associated with SSB#0, and the preambles with indexes 30 to 59 are associated with SSB#1.

[0068] Before the terminal sends PRACH, it first selects the SSB whose Reference Signal Receiving Power (RSRP) of the received beam (SSB) is higher than the threshold. If the RSRPs of multiple SSBs are higher than the threshold, the terminal can select any SSB whose RSRP is higher than the threshold. When there is no SSB whose RSRP is higher than the threshold, the terminal can select an SSB based on the implementation.

[0069] Based on the network configuration, the terminal can obtain the correspondence between SSB and RO. After selecting an SSB, the RO corresponding to the selected SSB is used as the RO for sending PRACH / Preamble / Msg1. If the selected SSB is associated with multiple ROs, the terminal can select one of the ROs to send PRACH / Preamble / Msg1. For example: in Figure 2 In the example shown, assuming the terminal selects SSB#1, the terminal can select one of RO#2 and RO#3 to send PRACH / Msg1; in Figure 3 In the example shown, if the terminal selects SSB#1, the terminal can select the available RO with the closest time to the current time from the ROs (RO#0 or 4) associated with SSB#1 to send PRACH / Msg1. Among the selected ROs, the terminal selects a preamble from the preamble set associated with the selected SSB to send PRACH. As Figure 3 shown, if one RO is associated with 2 SSBs, then in the available preamble set associated with the SSB in one RO, the preambles are divided into two subsets, each subset corresponding to one SSB, and the terminal will select a preamble sequence from the preamble subset corresponding to the selected SSB for sending PRACH / Msg1.

[0070] Secondly, the process of determining the RO set for repeated PRACH transmissions is described. PRACH repeated transmission is introduced in Rel-18 to enhance uplink coverage. For PRACH repeated transmission, the terminal needs to repeatedly send the preamble on multiple ROs at different time domain positions associated with the same SSB, and the number of repetitions can be {2, 4, 8}. After the terminal determines the PRACH repetition number, it needs to determine the RO set, and the number of valid ROs in the RO set is equal to the PRACH repetition number. Assuming the PRACH repetition number is N1, the RO group determination rule is: first determine the starting RO of the RO group, and then determine the remaining N1 - 1 ROs of the RO group. Each of the remaining N1 - 1 ROs of each RO group is an RO that is associated with the same SSB as the starting RO, has the same frequency position, and has the same associated preamble set. For example, in Figure 4 In the example shown, assuming the PRACH repetition number is 2, for SSB#0, the RO groups can be determined as follows: the first RO group (1 st RO group), the second RO group (2 st RO group), the third RO group (3 stRO group) and the fourth RO group (4 st RO group).

[0071] In the related art, the association relationship between the SSB and the RO is not flexible enough. For example, the PRACH resources are statically configured for the current cell through RRC signaling and cannot be dynamically changed. In future communication systems (such as 6G communication systems), more flexible PRACH resource configuration may be performed. For example, on the basis of the statically configured PRACH resources, some flexible PRACH resources that can be dynamically activated or deactivated are additionally configured. Or, some flexible PRACH resources can be additionally configured for a certain type of terminal to use. However, for the additionally configured flexible PRACH resources, how to associate them with the SSB is not configured.

[0072] In view of this, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, a terminal, and a network-side device, which can configure at least one synchronization signal block (SSB) to be associated with flexible PRACH resources, so as to flexibly configure the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resources, which is beneficial to the association between the flexible PRACH resources and the SSB.

[0073] Next, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail through some embodiments and their application scenarios.

[0074] Figure 5 The interaction diagram of a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is shown. As Figure 5 shown, the communication method at least includes the following steps 510 and 520:

[0075] 510. The network-side device sends first configuration information to the terminal, and the first configuration information is used to configure the flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB). Correspondingly, the terminal receives the first configuration information from the network-side device.

[0076] In the embodiments of the present application, the synchronization channel block (SSB), that is, the synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel block (SS / PBCH block, SSB), may be any module that includes at least one of a synchronization signal, a broadcast signal, a broadcast channel (PBCH), and other system message downlink broadcast channels.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present application, the PRACH resources include a PRACH transmission occasion (PRACH transmission occasion), also known as a PRACH occasion (Occasion), simply referred to as an RO. At least one preamble is included on the RO. In some other embodiments, the PRACH resources include a preamble.

[0078] In the embodiments of the present application, the flexible PRACH resource refers to a PRACH resource that is additionally and dynamically configured and can be flexibly activated and deactivated, as compared with the statically configured PRACH resources in the related art. Exemplarily, the flexible PRACH resource may include a flexible RO (flexibleRO), or a preamble on the flexible RO. Alternatively, as compared with the PRACH resources configured in the related art, the flexible PRACH resource is a PRACH resource located in a different frequency band, or a PRACH resource for different service types, or a PRACH resource for different terminal types, etc., which is not limited.

[0079] Among them, one SSB may be associated with at least one RO in the flexible PRACH resource, or one RO in the flexible PRACH resource may be associated with at least one SSB, or one SSB may be associated with all or part of the preambles on the flexible PRACH resource. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0080] 520. The terminal determines the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resource according to the first configuration information. Among them, the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resource may include the flexible PRACH resources associated with at least one SSB.

[0081] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, by sending the first configuration information from the network-side device to the terminal, the terminal can determine the association result of at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource according to the first configuration information, which can implement configuring at least one SSB to be associated with the flexible PRACH resource, and further implement flexibly configuring the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of SSB parameters, a PRACH resource set, and the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resource.

[0083] Exemplarily, the SSB parameters include at least one of the following:

[0084] The maximum number of SSBs, the number of SSBs used in the current cell, at least one SSB used in the current cell, the number of SSBs associated with the flexible PRACH resource, and at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0085] Among them, at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource can be all or part of the at least one SSB used by the current cell, and this application does not make any limitation in this regard. That is to say, for all or part of the at least one SSB used by the current cell, its association with the flexible PRACH resource can be configured (i.e., use the flexible PRACH resource).

[0086] Exemplarily, the number of SSBs used by the current cell is When, for the N1 of the SSBs among these SSBs can be associated with the flexible PRACH resource. Among them, N1 is a positive integer less than or equal to . Optionally, N1 can be configured by the network or specified by the protocol. Optionally, based on a predefined rule (such as network indication or protocol specification), it can be indicated that the first N1 SSBs among all currently available SSBs are associated with the flexible PRACH resource, or the last N1 SSBs are associated with the flexible PRACH resource, or the odd-numbered SSBs are associated with the flexible PRACH resource, or the even-numbered SSBs are associated with the flexible PRACH resource, etc., and this application does not make any limitation in this regard.

[0087] As a specific example, the current cell uses 8 SSBs, which are {SSB#0, SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, SSB#5, SSB#6, SSB#7} respectively. For the configured flexible PRACH resource set, such as flexibleROset#0, the association result can be determined together with all SSBs. Or, flexibleRO set#0 can only determine the association result together with specific N1 SSBs. Optionally, the N1 SSBs can be the first 4 SSBs among the 8 SSBs. Among them, N1 is a positive integer less than or equal to 8.

[0088] Optionally, the first configuration information may further include bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource. Exemplarily, the bitmap information can indicate specific N1 SSBs among the SSBs. For example, 1 can indicate that the flexible PRACH resource is associated with the corresponding SSB, and 0 can indicate that the flexible PRACH resource is not associated with the corresponding SSB. Then the bitmap information [10101010] indicates that the odd-numbered SSBs are associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0089] Exemplarily, the PRACH resource set refers to the set of currently available PRACH resources, including at least one of RO resources and Preamble resources.

[0090] Exemplarily, the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resource, that is, the mapping relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resource. Optionally, the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resource may include at least one of the number of consecutive ROs associated with one SSB, the number of SSBs associated with each RO, and the number of preambles associated with each SSB on one RO.

[0091] In some embodiments, the terminal may further receive a first activation signal from the network-side device, and this first activation signal is used to activate the flexible PRACH resource. Correspondingly, the network-side device sends this first activation signal to the terminal.

[0092] Specifically, for the configured flexible PRACH resource, it can be defaulted to be not activated, and at this time, the flexible PRACH resource can be activated for use. Specifically, the network-side device can activate the configured flexible PRACH resource by sending a first activation signal to the terminal.

[0093] As an implementable manner, the network-side device can send a signaling to the terminal, and this signaling is used to indicate the first activation signal. This signaling can include at least one of Radio Resource Control (RRC), Physical Downlink Control Channel (PDCCH), and Medium Access Control (MAC) Control Element (CE).

[0094] Optionally, for the configured flexible PRACH resource, it can also be defaulted to be activated, and at this time, the flexible PRACH resource can be used without activation.

[0095] Optionally, the network-side device can send a deactivation signal to the terminal to indicate deactivating the flexible PRACH resource. The terminal does not use the deactivated flexible PRACH resource for PRACH transmission.

[0096] In some embodiments, the terminal may further receive a second activation signal from the network-side device, and the second activation signal is used to activate the first part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource. Correspondingly, the network-side device sends this second activation signal to the terminal.

[0097] Specifically, for the configured flexible PRACH resource, it is defaulted to be not activated, and at this time, the flexible PRACH resource can also be partially activated for use. Specifically, the network-side device can activate the configured partial flexible PRACH resources by sending a second activation signal to the terminal.

[0098] In some embodiments, the terminal may also receive a third activation signal from a network-side device, where the third activation signal is used to activate a second part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources; wherein, the second part of the flexible PRACH resources at least partially overlaps with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources, or the second part of the flexible PRACH resources does not overlap with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources. Correspondingly, the network-side device sends the third activation signal to the terminal.

[0099] Specifically, the configured flexible PRACH resources are defaulted to be not activated, and at this time, the flexible PRACH resources can be partially activated and used multiple times. For example, activation signal #1 (an example of the second activation signal) can activate the first part of the flexible PRACH resource set sub-set #1 (such as the first 25% of the resources), and activation signal #2 (an example of the third activation signal) can activate the second part of the flexible PRACH resource set sub-set #2 (such as the first 25% of the resources).

[0100] As an implementable manner, the network-side device may send a signaling to the terminal, where the signaling is used to indicate at least one of the first activation signal and the second activation signal, and the signal may include at least one of RRC, PDCCH, and MACCE.

[0101] Optionally, the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources correspond to different SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationships, or correspond to the same SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship, and this application does not limit this.

[0102] Exemplarily, for the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationships corresponding thereto can be configured together, such as using the same SSB-to-flexible PRACH resource association relationship. For example, for the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, the number of flexible ROs associated with each SSB can be configured to be 1.

[0103] Exemplarily, for the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationships corresponding thereto can be respectively configured as different SSB-to-flexible PRACH resource association relationships. For example, for the first part of the flexible PRACH resources, the number of flexible ROs associated with each SSB can be configured to be 1; for the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, the number of flexible ROs associated with each SSB can be configured to be 2.

[0104] In some embodiments, when the resources where the first flexible PRACH resource overlaps with the second flexible PRACH resource include the third flexible PRACH resource, the SSB associated with the third flexible PRACH resource obtained according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the first flexible PRACH resource is the same as the SSB associated with the third flexible resource obtained according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the second flexible PRACH resource, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the third flexible PRACH resource is the same.

[0105] For example, continuing with the above example, when activation signal #1 activates the first flexible PRACH resource set sub-set#1 (such as the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources) and activation signal #2 activates the second flexible PRACH resource set sub-set#2 (such as the first 50% of the flexible PRACH resources), the intersection of the two activated resource sets is the first 25% of the resources. Then, this first 25% of the resources is an example of the above-mentioned third flexible PRACH resource. In the embodiments of the present application, when the third activation signal activates sub-set#2, the SSB associated with the third flexible PRACH resource obtained by the terminal according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to sub-set#1 is the same as the SSB associated with the third flexible resource obtained according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to sub-set#2, and the preamble set associated with this part of the SSB on the overlapping PRACH resources is the same. That is to say, after activation signal #1 activates sub-set#1, when activation signal #2 activates sub-set#2, the association result of the SSB to the PRACH resource of the third flexible PRACH resource does not change, that is, the SSB corresponding to the third flexible PRACH resource can be uniquely determined, and the preamble set associated with this SSB on the third flexible PRACH resource remains unchanged.

[0106] In a possible scenario, when the network-side device sends the second activation signal and the third activation signal, some terminals may only receive one activation signal and lose the other activation signal. Exemplarily, when the network-side device successively sends activation signal #1 to activate sub-set #1 (such as the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources), and activation signal #2 to activate sub-set #2 (such as the first 50% of the flexible PRACH resources), terminals that do not correctly decode activation signal #2 will think that only the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources are activated, while other terminals will think that the first 50% of the flexible PRACH resources are activated. When the two types of terminals use the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources that belong to the intersection to send PRACH, since the association result of the SSB to the PRACH resources of the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources does not change, that is, the SSB corresponding to the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources can be uniquely determined, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources remains unchanged, the network-side device can uniquely determine the SSB corresponding to the first 25% of the flexible PRACH resources, thereby improving the reliability of PRACH transmission.

[0107] In some embodiments, multiple association relationships between SSBs and flexible PRACH resources or partial flexible PRACH resources can also be configured. For example, it can be configured by the network or specified by the protocol, and the present application does not limit this.

[0108] In some embodiments, when multiple association relationships between SSBs and flexible PRACH resources or partial flexible PRACH resources are configured, the network device can also send a fourth activation signal to the terminal, and the fourth activation signal is used to activate a currently used association relationship.

[0109] As an implementable manner, the network-side device can send a signaling to the terminal, and this signaling is used to indicate the fourth activation signal, and this signal can include at least one of RRC, PDCCH, and MAC CE.

[0110] In some embodiments, referring to Figure 6 , method 500 may further include steps 530 and 540:

[0111] 530. The network-side device sends second configuration information to the terminal, and the second configuration information is used to configure the static PRACH resources associated with at least one SSB. Correspondingly, the terminal receives the second configuration information from the network-side device.

[0112] Exemplarily, the static PRACH resource may include a static RO (staticRO), or the preamble on the staticRO, without limitation. Among them, one SSB association may be associated with at least one RO, or one RO may be associated with at least one SSB, or one SSB may be associated with all or part of the preambles on one RO. The embodiments of the present application do not limit this.

[0113] Among them, at least one SSB associated with the static PRACH resource may be all or part of at least one SSB used by the current cell. The present application does not limit this. That is, for all or part of at least one SSB used by the current cell, its association with the static PRACH resource (i.e., using the static PRACH resource) can be configured.

[0114] Optionally, at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource may be the same as, partially the same as, or completely different from at least one SSB associated with the static PRACH resource. The present application does not limit this. For example, the number of SSBs used by the current cell is The N2 of the SSBs among these SSBs are associated with the static PRACH resource. Among them, N2 is a positive integer less than or equal to

[0115] Optionally, the second configuration information may further include bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the static PRACH resource. Specifically, this bitmap information is similar to the bitmap information in the first configuration information. For details, refer to the description above and will not be elaborated here.

[0116] Optionally, the PRACH resource set may further include at least one currently available static PRACH resource.

[0117] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resource.

[0118] Exemplarily, the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resource, that is, the mapping relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resource. Optionally, the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resource may include at least one of the number of consecutive ROs in the static PRACH resource associated with one SSB, the number of SSBs associated with each RO, and the number of preambles associated with each SSB on one RO.

[0119] 540. The terminal determines the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resource according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0120] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, by sending the second configuration information from the network side device to the terminal, the terminal can determine the association result of at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource according to the second configuration information, which can realize configuring at least one SSB to be associated with the static PRACH resource, and further realize flexible configuration of the association relationship between the SSB and the RACH resource.

[0121] In some embodiments, step 540 may specifically include:

[0122] The terminal maps according to at least one SSB in the first PRACH resource set to obtain the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resource; wherein, the first PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set and at least one static PRACH resource set.

[0123] That is to say, the association result of the SSB to the PRACH resource can be determined together for the configured flexible PRACH resource and the static PRACH resource. Among them, when determining the association result of the SSB to the PRACH resource, the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set may correspond to the same association relationship of the SSB to the PRACH resource, or the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set correspond to different association relationships of the SSB to the PRACH resource, and the embodiments of the present application do not make limitations in this regard.

[0124] For example, Figure 7AA schematic diagram shows the association results of 4 SSBs to PRACH resources on a PRACH resource set. Among them, the PRACH resource set includes a static RO set (staticROset#1) and a flexible RO set (flexibleROset#2). For example, white squares represent static ROs, and gray squares represent flexible ROs. The static RO set and the flexible RO set correspond to the same association relationship between SSBs and PRACH resources, and each SSB is associated with 1 RO. Then, the association results of the 4 SSBs to ROs can be determined together on staticROset#1 and flexibleROset#2. As Figure 7A shown, staticROset#1 associates 4 SSBs in sequence according to low frequency to high frequency and time order, namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, and flexibleROset#2 associates 4 SSBs in sequence according to low frequency to high frequency order, namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, and so on. Among them, each square represents an RO rather than an SSB, and the SSB marked in the RO refers to the SSB associated with the RO.

[0125] In some embodiments, a first index can be determined for at least one SSB in sequence, and a first order can be determined for each RO in a first PRACH resource set (including a flexible PRACH resource set and a static PRACH set); then, according to the first index and the first order, at least one SSB is mapped to the ROs in the first PRACH resource set to obtain the association results of at least one SSB to PRACH resources.

[0126] For example, Figure 7B A schematic diagram shows the association results of 4 SSBs to PRACH resources on a PRACH resource set. Figure 7B The SSBs and the PRACH resource set in Figure 7A are the same as those in Figure 7B In Figure 7BAs shown, RO#1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12 are successively associated with 4 SSBs, namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, and SSB#4, and so on. Among them, each square represents an RO rather than an SSB, and the SSB marked in the RO refers to the SSB associated with the RO.

[0127] In some embodiments, the terminal can also determine at least one of a first mapping period, a first association period, and a first association mode period. The first mapping period is the period for associating at least one SSB with a first PRACH resource set in one round. The first association period includes at least one first mapping period, and the first association mode period includes at least one first association period.

[0128] Here, the first mapping period, the first association period, or the first association mode period is a common value of the time period for associating different types of PRACH resources with at least one SSB. For example, as Figure 7A or Figure 7B shown, the first mapping period is the period for associating 4 SSBs in one round.

[0129] Optionally, the first association mode period is the period for making the association relationship between at least one SSB and the RO form a repeatable pattern. Optionally, the first association mode period does not exceed the maximum time specified by the protocol.

[0130] Optionally, the terminal can also determine a first time window according to at least one of the first mapping period, the first association period, and the first association mode period. The first time window is an integer multiple of the first mapping period or the first association period or the first association mode period. Then, the terminal can send a signal to the network-side device within the first time window according to the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resource. Exemplarily, the signal can include a PRACH.

[0131] That is to say, when different types of PRACH resources together determine the association result with the SSB, different types of PRACH resources can together determine a common first time window and select the corresponding PRACH resource to send a signal to the network-side device within the common first time window. By setting the terminal to send a signal within the first time window, it is beneficial to ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources for the terminal to select to send a signal within the window.

[0132] In some other embodiments, the first time window can include at least one first mapping period or first association period or first association mode period. At this time, the first time window can ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources for selection within the window, and it does not need to be an integer multiple of the first mapping period or the first association period or the first association mode period.

[0133] In some embodiments, the above step 540 may include:

[0134] The terminal maps SSBs to PRACH resources in the second PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSBs and the PRACH resources corresponding to the second PRACH resource set, to obtain at least one association result of SSBs to PRACH resources; the second PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set; and

[0135] The terminal maps SSBs to PRACH resources in the third PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSBs and the PRACH resources corresponding to the third PRACH resource set, to obtain at least one association result of SSBs to PRACH resources; the third PRACH resource set includes at least one static PRACH resource set.

[0136] That is to say, the association results of SSBs to PRACH resources can be determined separately for the configured flexible PRACH resources and static PRACH resources. Among them, the association relationships between the SSBs and the PRACH resources corresponding to the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set can be independent of each other, and the two can correspond to the same association relationship between the SSBs and the PRACH resources, or different association relationships between the SSBs and the PRACH resources. The present application does not limit this.

[0137] For example, Figure 8A FIG. shows a schematic diagram of determining the association results of SSBs to PRACH resources in a PRACH resource set. Among them, the PRACH resource set includes a static RO set (staticROset#1) and a flexible RO set (flexibleROset#2). For example, white squares represent static ROs, and gray squares represent flexible ROs. Among them, each SSB in staticROset#1 is associated with 1 RO, and each SSB in flexibleROset#2 is associated with 2 ROs. Then, the association results of these 4 SSBs to ROs can be determined separately on staticROset#1 and flexibleROset#2. As Figure 8AAs shown, staticROset#1 associates 4 SSBs (one SSB associates with one RO) in sequence according to low frequency to high frequency and time order, namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4. FlexibleROset#2 associates 4 SSBs (one SSB associates with 2 ROs) in sequence according to low frequency to high frequency order, namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, and so on. Among them, each square represents an RO rather than an SSB, and the SSB marked in the RO refers to the SSB associated with the RO.

[0138] In some embodiments, a first index can be determined for at least one SSB in sequence, a first order can be determined for each RO in a second PRACH resource set (such as a flexible PRACH resource set), and a second order can be determined for each RO in a third PRACH resource set (such as a static PRACH set); then at least one SSB is mapped to the ROs in the second PRACH resource set according to the first index and the first order, and at least one SSB is mapped to the ROs in the third PRACH resource set according to the first index and the second order, to obtain the association result of at least one SSB to the PRACH resources.

[0139] For example, Figure 8B shows a schematic diagram of determining the association result of 4 SSBs to PRACH resources on the PRACH resource set. Figure 8B The SSBs and the PRACH resource set in Figure 8A are the same as those in Figure 8B In Figure 8B , indexes can also be determined for the 4 SSBs in sequence, such as SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4 respectively, orders can be determined for each RO in staticROset#1 in sequence, such as RO#1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 respectively, and orders can be determined for each RO in flexibleROset#2 in sequence, such as RO#1 / 2 / 3 / 4 respectively. The association results of the 4 SSBs to the ROs are determined separately on staticROset#1 and flexibleROset#2. As Figure 8BAs shown, RO#1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 in staticROset#1 are sequentially associated with 4 SSBs (one SSB is associated with one RO), namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, and so on. RO#1 / 2 / 3 / 4 in flexibleROset#2 are sequentially associated with 4 SSBs (one SSB is associated with 2 ROs), namely SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4, and so on. Herein, each square represents an RO rather than an SSB, and the SSB marked in the RO refers to the SSB associated with the RO.

[0140] In some embodiments, the terminal may further determine at least one of a second mapping period, a second association period, and a second association mode period, where the second mapping period is the period for associating at least one SSB with a second PRACH resource set in one round, the second association period includes at least one second mapping period, and the second association mode period includes at least one of the second association periods; and

[0141] determine at least one of a third mapping period, a third association period, and a third association mode period; where the third mapping period is the period for associating at least one SSB with a third PRACH resource set in one round, the third association period includes at least one third mapping period, and the third association mode period includes at least one of the third association periods.

[0142] Specifically, when the association results between different types of PRACH resources and SSBs are respectively determined, the various time periods for the SSBs of different types of PRACH resources to be associated with ROs are respectively determined. For example, in the above Figure 8A and Figure 8B , for staticROset#1, the mapping period from SSB to RO is the period for associating all 4 SSBs in staticROset#1 in one round; for flexibleROset#2, the mapping period from SSB to RO is the period for associating all 4 SSBs in flexibleROset#2 in one round.

[0143] Optionally, the second association mode period and the third association mode period are respectively the periods for enabling the association relationship between at least one SSB and RO to form a repeatable pattern. Optionally, the second association mode period and the third association mode period do not exceed the maximum time specified by the protocol.

[0144] Optionally, the terminal may further determine a second time window according to at least one of a second mapping period, a second correlation period, and a second correlation pattern period; and determine a third time window according to at least one of a third mapping period, a third correlation period, and a third correlation pattern period. Then, the terminal may send a signal to the network device within the second time window according to the association result of at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or send a signal to the network device within the third time window according to the association result of at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource. By setting the terminal to send a signal within the second time window or the third time window, it is beneficial to ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources within the window for the terminal to select to send a signal. Exemplarily, the signal may include a PRACH.

[0145] That is to say, when the association results of different types of PRACH resources with the SSB are determined respectively, different types of PRACH resources may respectively determine different time windows, such as a second time window and a third time window, and select the corresponding PRACH resources to send signals to the network device within their respective corresponding time windows. By setting the terminal to send a signal within the corresponding time window, it is beneficial to ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources within the window for the terminal to select to send a signal.

[0146] In some other embodiments, the second time window may include at least one second mapping period or second correlation period or second correlation pattern period, and the third time window may include at least one third mapping period or third correlation period or third correlation pattern period. At this time, the second time window or the third time period only needs to ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources within the window for selection, and it does not need to be an integer multiple of the corresponding mapping period or correlation period or correlation pattern period.

[0147] In some embodiments, the terminal may further determine a fourth time window according to at least one of the maximum mapping period among the second mapping period and the third mapping period, the maximum correlation period among the second correlation period and the third correlation period, and the maximum correlation pattern period among the second correlation pattern period and the third correlation pattern period. Then, the terminal sends a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or sends a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource.

[0148] That is to say, when determining the association results with the SSB for different types of PRACH resources respectively, different types of PRACH resources can determine the same time window, which can be determined by selecting the maximum time period among various time periods when the SSB is associated with each PRACH resource set. For example, it can be an integer multiple of the maximum mapping period, the maximum association period, and the maximum association mode period, or it can include the maximum mapping period, the maximum association period, and the maximum association mode period (but not an integer multiple of the maximum mapping period, the maximum association period, and the maximum association mode period). The embodiments of this application do not limit this. By setting the terminal to send signals within the corresponding time window, it is beneficial to ensure that there are sufficient PRACH resources within the window for the terminal to select to send signals.

[0149] In some embodiments, the flexible PRACH resources and the static PRACH resources satisfy at least one of the following:

[0150] The flexible PRACH resources are associated with the PRACH resources with the same frequency-domain position and the closest time-domain distance among the static PRACH resources;

[0151] The flexible PRACH resources are associated with the PRACH resources with the same time-domain position and the closest frequency-domain distance among the static PRACH resources;

[0152] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources is the same as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resources associated with the flexible PRACH resources;

[0153] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static PRACH resources associated with the flexible PRACH resources.

[0154] Exemplarily, the subsequent SSB of the SSB refers to the SSB corresponding to the next index. For example, if the current SSB is SSB#1 (index is 1), then the subsequent SSB is SSB#2 (index is 2). For the SSB corresponding to the last index in a group of SSBs, its subsequent index is the SSB corresponding to the first index in this group of SSBs. For example, if the current SSB is {SSB#1, SSB#2, SSB#3, SSB#4}, then the subsequent SSB of SSB#4 is SSB#1.

[0155] In the embodiments of this application, by configuring the SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources to be the same as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resources associated with the flexible PRACH resources, the number of PRACH resources corresponding to certain specific SSBs can be increased, which is beneficial to meeting the demand for PRACH resources of this specific SSB.

[0156] For example, Figure 9AA schematic diagram showing the association results of 4 SSBs to PRACH resources on the PRACH resource set is shown. Among them, the PRACH resource set includes a static RO set (staticROset#1) and a flexible RO set (flexibleROset#2). For example, white squares represent static ROs, and gray squares represent flexible ROs. Among them, each SSB in staticROset#1 is associated with 2 ROs. flexibleROset#2 is associated with the RO in the same frequency domain position and the closest time domain distance in staticROset#1, as shown by the dashed arrow in Figure 9A So, the flexible RO in flexibleROset#2 is associated with the same SSB as the static RO it is associated with in staticROset#1. Each square represents an RO rather than an SSB, and the SSB marked in the RO refers to the SSB associated with the RO.

[0157] For another example, Figure 9B A schematic diagram showing the association results of 4 SSBs to PRACH resources on the PRACH resource set is shown. Different from Figure 9A what is shown in Figure 9B is that in

[0158] the SSB associated with the flexible RO in flexibleROset#2 is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static RO it is associated with in staticROset#1. For example, when the static RO in staticROset#1 is associated with SSB#3, the flexible RO associated with this static RO in flexibleROset#2 is associated with the subsequent SSB of SSB#3, that is, SSB#4. For another example, when the static RO in staticROset#1 is associated with SSB#4, the flexible RO associated with this static RO in flexibleROset#2 is associated with the subsequent SSB of SSB#4, that is, SSB#1.

[0159] For example, when at least part of the flexible PRACH resources are dynamically activated, the network-side device may send signaling to the terminal for reconfiguring the association relationship between the SSB corresponding to the at least part of the flexible PRACH resources and the flexible PRACH resources. For another example, the network-side device may send signaling to the terminal for reconfiguring the association relationship between the SSB corresponding to the static PRACH resources and the static PRACH resources.

[0160] Therefore, in the embodiments of the present application, activating the association relationship between the SSB corresponding to at least part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources and the PRACH resources can implement dynamically indicating and updating the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources of at least part of the flexible PRACH resources, which is beneficial to flexibly associating the SSB with the flexible PRACH resources.

[0161] In the communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may be a communication device. In the embodiments of the present application, taking the communication device executing the communication method as an example, the communication device provided by the embodiments of the present application is described.

[0162] Figure 10 FIG. shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided by the embodiments of the present application. Exemplarily, the communication device 1000 may be a terminal. As Figure 10 shown, the communication device 1000 includes a receiving module 1010 and a determining module 1020.

[0163] The receiving module 1010 is configured to receive first configuration information from a network-side device, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel PRACH resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block SSB;

[0164] The determining module 1020 is configured to determine an association result between the at least one SSB and the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

[0165] In the embodiments of the present application, by the network-side device sending the first configuration information to the terminal, the terminal can determine the association result between at least one SSB and the flexible PRACH resources according to the first configuration information, which can implement configuring at least one SSB to be associated with the flexible PRACH resources, and further implement flexibly configuring the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of SSB parameters, a PRACH resource set, and an association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resources.

[0167] In some embodiments, the SSB parameters include at least one of the following:

[0168] The maximum number of SSBs, the number of SSBs used by the current cell, at least one SSB used by the current cell, the number of SSBs associated with the flexible PRACH resource, and at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further includes bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0170] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to:

[0171] Receive a first activation signal from the network-side device, where the first activation signal is used to activate the flexible PRACH resource.

[0172] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to:

[0173] Receive a second activation signal from the network-side device, where the second activation signal is used to activate a first part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource.

[0174] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to:

[0175] Receive a third activation signal from the network-side device, where the third activation signal is used to activate a second part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource; where the second part of the flexible PRACH resources at least partially overlaps with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources, or the second part of the flexible PRACH resources does not overlap with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources correspond to different SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationships, or correspond to the same SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship.

[0177] In some embodiments, when the overlapping resources of the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources include a third part of the flexible PRACH resources, the SSB associated with the third part of the flexible PRACH resources obtained according to the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the first part of the flexible PRACH resources is the same as the SSB associated with the third part of the flexible resources obtained according to the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the third part of the flexible PRACH resources is the same.

[0178] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to:

[0179] Receive second configuration information from the network-side device, where the second configuration information is used to configure the static PRACH resources associated with the at least one SSB;

[0180] The determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0181] Determine an association result of the at least one SSB to PRACH resources according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

[0182] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes an association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resources.

[0183] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is specifically configured to:

[0184] The terminal maps according to the at least one SSB in a first PRACH resource set to obtain an association result of the at least one SSB to PRACH resources; where the first PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set and at least one static PRACH resource set.

[0185] In some embodiments, the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set correspond to the same association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources, or the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set correspond to different association relationships between the SSB and the PRACH resources.

[0186] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0187] Determine at least one of a first mapping period, a first association period, and a first association mode period, where the first mapping period is a period for associating the at least one SSB to the first PRACH resource set once, the first association period includes at least one of the first mapping periods, and the first association mode period includes at least one of the first association periods.

[0188] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0189] Determine a first time window according to at least one of the first mapping period, the first association period, and the first association mode period; where the first time window is an integer multiple of the first mapping period or the first association period or the first association mode period;

[0190] The communication device 1000 further includes a sending module, configured to send a signal to the network-side device within the first time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource.

[0191] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is specifically configured to:

[0192] The terminal maps the SSB to the PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the second PRACH resource set, to obtain the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource; the second PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set;

[0193] The terminal maps the SSB to the PRACH resource in the third PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the third PRACH resource set, to obtain the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource; the third PRACH resource set includes at least one static PRACH resource set.

[0194] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0195] Determine at least one of a second mapping period, a second association period, and a second association mode period, where the second mapping period is the period for associating the at least one SSB to the second PRACH resource set once, the second association period includes at least one of the second mapping periods, and the second association mode period includes at least one of the second association periods;

[0196] Determine at least one of a third mapping period, a third association period, and a third association mode period; where the third mapping period is the period for associating the at least one SSB to the third PRACH resource set once, the third association period includes at least one of the third mapping periods, and the third association mode period includes at least one of the third association periods.

[0197] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0198] Determine a second time window according to at least one of the second mapping period, the second association period, and the second association mode period; and determine a third time window according to at least one of the third mapping period, the third association period, and the third association mode period;

[0199] The sending module is further configured to send a signal to the network device within the second time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or send a signal to the network device within the third time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource.

[0200] In some embodiments, the determining module 1020 is further configured to:

[0201] Determine a fourth time window according to at least one of the maximum mapping period in the second mapping period and the third mapping period, the maximum association period in the second association period and the third association period, and the maximum association mode period in the second association mode period and the third association mode period;

[0202] The sending module is further configured to send a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or send a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource.

[0203] In some embodiments, the flexible PRACH resource and the static PRACH resource satisfy at least one of the following:

[0204] The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same frequency domain position and the closest time domain distance in the static PRACH resource;

[0205] The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same time domain position and the closest frequency domain distance in the static PRACH resource;

[0206] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the same as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource associated with the flexible PRACH resource;

[0207] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0208] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to:

[0209] The terminal receives a signaling from the network device, where the signaling is used to configure the association relationship between the SSB corresponding to at least some of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource and the PRACH resource.

[0210] The communication device 1000 in the embodiments of the present application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device may be a terminal or other devices other than the terminal. Exemplarily, the terminal may include, but is not limited to, the types of the terminal 11 listed above, and other devices may be a server, a Network Attached Storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0211] The communication device 1000 provided in the embodiments of the present application can implement Figure 5 or Figure 6 each process implemented by the terminal in the method embodiments, and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be elaborated here.

[0212] Figure 11 FIG. shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in the embodiments of the present application. Exemplarily, the communication device 1100 may be a network-side device. As Figure 11 shown, the communication device 1100 includes a determination module 1110 and a transmission module 1120.

[0213] The determination module 1110 is configured to determine first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one Synchronization Signal Block (SSB);

[0214] The transmission module 1120 is configured to send the first configuration information to the terminal.

[0215] In the embodiments of the present application, by sending the first configuration information from the network-side device to the terminal, the terminal can determine the association result of at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resources according to the first configuration information, and can implement configuring at least one SSB to be associated with the flexible PRACH resources, thereby implementing flexible configuration of the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources.

[0216] In some embodiments, the first configuration information includes at least one of SSB parameters, a PRACH resource set, and the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resources.

[0217] In some embodiments, the SSB parameters include at least one of the following:

[0218] The maximum number of SSBs, the number of SSBs used in the current cell, at least one SSB used in the current cell, the number of SSBs associated with the flexible PRACH resources, and at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first configuration information further includes bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

[0220] In some embodiments, the sending module 1120 is further configured to:

[0221] Send a first activation signal to the terminal, where the first activation signal is used to activate the flexible PRACH resource.

[0222] In some embodiments, the sending module 1120 is further configured to:

[0223] Send a second activation signal to the terminal, where the second activation signal is used to activate a first part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource.

[0224] In some embodiments, the sending module 1120 is further configured to:

[0225] Send a third activation signal to the terminal, where the third activation signal is used to activate a second part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource; wherein, the second part of the flexible PRACH resources at least partially overlaps with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources, or the second part of the flexible PRACH resources does not overlap with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources.

[0226] In some embodiments, the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources correspond to different SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationships, or correspond to the same SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship.

[0227] In some embodiments, when the resources where the first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources overlap include a third part of the flexible PRACH resources, the SSB associated with the third part of the flexible PRACH resources obtained according to the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the first part of the flexible PRACH resources is the same as the SSB associated with the third part of the flexible resources obtained according to the SSB-to-PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the second part of the flexible PRACH resources, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the third part of the flexible PRACH resources is the same.

[0228] In some embodiments, the sending module 1120 is further configured to:

[0229] Send second configuration information to the terminal, where the second configuration information is used to configure the static PRACH resources associated with the at least one SSB.

[0230] In some embodiments, the second configuration information includes the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resource.

[0231] In some embodiments, the flexible PRACH resource and the static PRACH resource satisfy at least one of the following:

[0232] The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same frequency domain position and the closest time domain distance in the static PRACH resources;

[0233] The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same time domain position and the closest frequency domain distance in the static PRACH resources;

[0234] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the same as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource to which the flexible PRACH resource is associated;

[0235] The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource to which the flexible PRACH resource is associated.

[0236] In some embodiments, the sending module 1120 is further configured to:

[0237] Send a signaling to the terminal, where the signaling is used to configure the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to at least some of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources.

[0238] The communication device 1100 in the embodiments of the present application may be an electronic device, such as an electronic device with an operating system, or a component in an electronic device, such as an integrated circuit or a chip. The electronic device may be a network-side device or other devices other than the network-side device. Exemplarily, the network-side device may include, but is not limited to, the types of the network-side device 12 listed above, and other devices may be a server, a Network Attached Storage (NAS), etc., which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

[0239] The communication device 1100 provided by the embodiments of the present application can implement Figure 5 or Figure 6 Each process implemented by the network-side device in the method embodiments, and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, it will not be described in detail here.

[0240] Such as Figure 12As shown in the figure, an embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device 1200, including a processor 1201 and a memory 1202. A program or instruction that can run on the processor 1201 is stored on the memory 1202. For example, when the communication device 1200 is a terminal, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1201, each step executed by the terminal in the above communication method embodiment is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. When the communication device 1200 is a network-side device, when the program or instruction is executed by the processor 1201, each step executed by the network-side device in the above communication method embodiment is implemented, and the same technical effect can be achieved. To avoid repetition, details are not described here again.

[0241] An embodiment of the present application further provides a terminal, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is configured to run a program or instruction to implement the steps executed by the terminal in the method embodiment as Figure 5 or Figure 6 shown. This terminal embodiment corresponds to the above terminal-side method embodiment. Each implementation process and implementation manner of the above method embodiment can be applied to this terminal embodiment, and the same technical effect can be achieved. Specifically, Figure 13 FIG. is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a terminal for implementing an embodiment of the present application.

[0242] The terminal 1300 includes, but is not limited to, at least some components such as a radio frequency unit 1301, a network module 1302, an audio output unit 1303, an input unit 1304, a sensor 1305, a display unit 1306, a user input unit 1307, an interface unit 1308, a memory 1309, and a processor 1310.

[0243] Those skilled in the art can understand that the terminal 1300 may further include a power source (such as a battery) for supplying power to each component. The power source can be logically connected to the processor 1310 through a power management system, so as to implement functions such as management of charging, discharging, and power consumption management through the power management system. Figure 13 The terminal structure shown in does not limit the terminal. The terminal may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements, which are not described here again.

[0244] It should be understood that in the embodiments of the present application, the input unit 1304 may include a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) 13041 and a microphone 13042. The graphics processor 13041 processes the image data of static pictures or videos obtained by an image capturing device (such as a camera) in a video capture mode or an image capture mode. The display unit 1306 may include a display panel 13061, and the display panel 13061 may be configured in the form of, for example, a liquid crystal display, an organic light emitting diode, etc. The user input unit 1307 includes at least one of a touch panel 13071 and other input devices 13072. The touch panel 13071 is also referred to as a touch screen. The touch panel 13071 may include two parts: a touch detection device and a touch controller. The other input devices 13072 may include, but are not limited to, a physical keyboard, function keys (such as volume control keys, switch keys, etc.), a trackball, a mouse, and a joystick, which will not be elaborated herein.

[0245] In the embodiments of the present application, after receiving downlink data from a network-side device, the radio frequency unit 1301 may transmit it to the processor 1310 for processing; in addition, the radio frequency unit 1301 may send uplink data to the network-side device. Generally, the radio frequency unit 1301 includes, but is not limited to, an antenna, an amplifier, a transceiver, a coupler, a low noise amplifier, a duplexer, etc.

[0246] The memory 1309 can be used to store software programs or instructions as well as various data. The memory 1309 may mainly include a first storage area for storing programs or instructions and a second storage area for storing data. Among them, the first storage area may store an operating system, application programs or instructions required for at least one function (such as a sound playback function, an image playback function, etc.). In addition, the memory 1309 may include volatile memory or non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory may be a random access memory (RAM), a static random access memory (SRAM), a dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), a double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), an enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), a synchlink dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and a direct rambus random access memory (DRRAM). The memory 1309 in the embodiments of the present application includes but is not limited to these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0247] The processor 1310 may include one or more processing units; optionally, the processor 1310 integrates an application processor and a modem processor. Among them, the application processor mainly processes operations related to the operating system, user interface, and application programs, etc., and the modem processor mainly processes wireless communication signals, such as a baseband processor. It can be understood that the above-mentioned modem processor may not be integrated into the processor 1310.

[0248] Among them, the radio frequency unit 1301 is used to receive first configuration information from a network-side device, and the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB).

[0249] The processor 1310 is used to determine the association result between the at least one SSB and the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

[0250] In the embodiments of the present application, a network - side device sends first configuration information to a terminal, enabling the terminal to determine the association result of at least one SSB to flexible PRACH resources according to the first configuration information, which can implement the configuration of at least one SSB associated with flexible PRACH resources, and further flexibly configure the association relationship between SSB and PRACH resources.

[0251] It can be understood that the implementation processes of the various implementation manners mentioned in this embodiment can refer to the relevant descriptions of the method embodiments and achieve the same or corresponding technical effects. To avoid repetition, they will not be elaborated here.

[0252] The embodiments of the present application also provide a network - side device, including a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor, and the processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the steps executed by the network - side device in the method embodiment as Figure 5 or Figure 6 shown. This network - side device embodiment corresponds to the above - mentioned network - side device method embodiment. The various implementation processes and implementation manners of the above - mentioned method embodiment can all be applied to this network - side device embodiment and can achieve the same technical effects.

[0253] Specifically, the embodiments of the present application also provide a network - side device. As Figure 14 shown, the network - side device 1400 includes: an antenna 141, a radio frequency device 142, a baseband device 143, a processor 144, and a memory 145. The antenna 141 is connected to the radio frequency device 142. In the uplink direction, the radio frequency device 142 receives information through the antenna 141 and sends the received information to the baseband device 143 for processing. In the downlink direction, the baseband device 143 processes the information to be sent and sends it to the radio frequency device 142. The radio frequency device 142 processes the received information and then sends it out through the antenna 141.

[0254] The method executed by the network - side device in the above embodiments can be implemented in the baseband device 143, and the baseband device 143 includes a baseband processor.

[0255] The baseband device 143 may, for example, include at least one baseband board, and multiple chips are arranged on the baseband board. As Figure 14 shown, one of the chips is, for example, a baseband processor, which is connected to the memory 145 through a bus interface to call the programs in the memory 145 and execute the operations of the network device shown in the above - mentioned method embodiments.

[0256] The network - side device may further include a network interface 146, and this interface is, for example, a Common Public Radio Interface (CPRI).

[0257] Specifically, the network-side device 1400 in the embodiments of the present application further includes: instructions or programs stored in the memory 145 and executable on the processor 144. The processor 144 calls the instructions or programs in the memory 145 to execute Figure 5 or Figure 6 the steps executed by the network-side device in the methods executed by the respective modules shown, and achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, they are not elaborated here.

[0258] The embodiments of the present application further provide a readable storage medium. Programs or instructions are stored on the readable storage medium. When the programs or instructions are executed by a processor, the respective processes corresponding to the terminal in the above communication method embodiments are implemented, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they are not elaborated here.

[0259] Wherein, the processor is the processor in the terminal in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory ROM, random access memory RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs, etc. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0260] The embodiments of the present application further provide a readable storage medium. Programs or instructions are stored on the readable storage medium. When the programs or instructions are executed by a processor, the respective processes corresponding to the network-side device in the above communication method embodiments are implemented, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they are not elaborated here.

[0261] Wherein, the processor is the processor in the network-side device in the above embodiments. The readable storage medium includes computer-readable storage media, such as computer read-only memory ROM, random access memory RAM, magnetic disks, or optical discs, etc. In some examples, the readable storage medium may be a non-transitory readable storage medium.

[0262] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the respective processes corresponding to the terminal in the above communication method embodiments, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they are not elaborated here.

[0263] The embodiments of the present application further provide a chip. The chip includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is coupled to the processor. The processor is used to run programs or instructions to implement the respective processes corresponding to the network-side device in the above communication method embodiments, and the same technical effects can be achieved. To avoid repetition, they are not elaborated here.

[0264] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may also be referred to as a system-on-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-chip, etc.

[0265] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the respective processes corresponding to the terminal in the communication method embodiments described above, and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

[0266] The embodiments of the present application further provide a computer program / program product, which is stored in a storage medium and is executed by at least one processor to implement the respective processes corresponding to the network-side device in the communication method embodiments described above, and can achieve the same technical effects. To avoid repetition, details are not described herein again.

[0267] The embodiments of the present application further provide a communication system, including: a terminal and a network-side device. The terminal can be used to execute the steps executed by the terminal in the communication method described above, and the network-side device can be used to execute the steps executed by the network-side device in the communication method described above.

[0268] It should be noted that in this article, the terms "include", "comprise" or any other variant thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, so that a process, method, article or device including a series of elements not only includes those elements, but also includes other elements not expressly listed, or also includes elements inherent to such process, method, article or device. Without further limitation, an element defined by the statement "including a..." does not exclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article or device including the element. In addition, it should be pointed out that the scope of the methods and devices in the embodiments of the present application is not limited to performing functions in the order shown or discussed, and may also include performing functions in a substantially simultaneous manner or in a reverse order according to the functions involved. For example, the described methods may be performed in an order different from that described, and various steps may be added, omitted or combined. Additionally, features described with reference to certain examples may be combined in other examples.

[0269] Through the description of the above embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the above-described embodiment methods can be implemented by means of a computer software product plus a necessary general hardware platform, and of course, can also be implemented by hardware. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM, RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.) and includes several instructions for causing a terminal or a network-side device to execute the methods described in various embodiments of the present application.

[0270] The embodiments of the present application have been described above in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present application is not limited to the above specific implementation manners. The above specific implementation manners are merely illustrative rather than restrictive. Under the inspiration of the present application, those of ordinary skill in the art can also make many forms of implementation manners without departing from the purpose of the present application and the scope protected by the claims. These implementation manners all fall within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, it includes: The terminal receives first configuration information from a network-side device, and the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB); The terminal determines the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first configuration information includes at least one of SSB parameters, a PRACH resource set, and the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resources.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The SSB parameters include at least one of the following: The maximum number of SSBs, the number of SSBs used in the current cell, at least one SSB used in the current cell, the number of SSBs associated with the flexible PRACH resources, at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources.

4. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first configuration information further includes bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, it further includes: The terminal receives a first activation signal from the network-side device, and the first activation signal is used to activate the flexible PRACH resources.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, it further includes: The terminal receives a second activation signal from the network-side device, and the second activation signal is used to activate a first part of the flexible PRACH resources among the flexible PRACH resources.

7. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, it further includes: The terminal receives a third activation signal from the network-side device, and the third activation signal is used to activate a second part of the flexible PRACH resources among the flexible PRACH resources; wherein, the second part of the flexible PRACH resources at least partially overlaps with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources, or the second part of the flexible PRACH resources does not overlap with the first part of the flexible PRACH resources.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first part of the flexible PRACH resources and the second part of the flexible PRACH resources correspond to different association relationships of SSB to PRACH resources, or correspond to the same association relationship of SSB to PRACH resources.

9. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, When the resources where the first part of flexible PRACH resources overlaps with the second part of flexible PRACH resources include the third part of flexible PRACH resources, the SSB associated with the third part of flexible PRACH resources obtained according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources corresponding to the first part of flexible PRACH resources is the same as the SSB associated with the third part of flexible resources obtained according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources corresponding to the second part of flexible PRACH resources, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the third part of flexible PRACH resources is the same.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, wherein, further comprising: the terminal receives second configuration information from the network-side device, and the second configuration information is used to configure the static PRACH resources associated with the at least one SSB; the terminal determines the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, the second configuration information includes the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resources.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, the terminal determines the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information, including: the terminal maps according to the at least one SSB in the first PRACH resource set to obtain the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resources; wherein, the first PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set and at least one static PRACH resource set.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set correspond to the same association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resources, or the flexible PRACH resource set and the static PRACH resource set correspond to different association relationships between the SSB and the PRACH resources.

14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein, further comprising: determining at least one of a first mapping period, a first association period, and a first association mode period, wherein the first mapping period is the period for associating the at least one SSB to the first PRACH resource set once, the first association period includes at least one of the first mapping periods, and the first association mode period includes at least one of the first association periods.

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein, further comprising: determining a first time window according to at least one of the first mapping period, the first association period, and the first association mode period; wherein, the first time window is an integer multiple of the first mapping period or the first association period or the first association mode period; The terminal sends a signal to the network device within the first time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource.

16. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, the terminal determines the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource according to the first configuration information and the second configuration information, including: the terminal maps the SSB to the PRACH resource in the second PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the second PRACH resource set, to obtain the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource; the second PRACH resource set includes at least one flexible PRACH resource set; the terminal maps the SSB to the PRACH resource in the third PRACH resource set according to the association relationship between the SSB and the PRACH resource corresponding to the third PRACH resource set, to obtain the association result of the at least one SSB to the PRACH resource; the third PRACH resource set includes at least one static PRACH resource set.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein, further comprising: determining at least one of a second mapping period, a second association period, and a second association mode period, where the second mapping period is the period for associating the at least one SSB to the second PRACH resource set once, the second association period includes at least one of the second mapping periods, and the second association mode period includes at least one of the second association periods; determining at least one of a third mapping period, a third association period, and a third association mode period; where the third mapping period is the period for associating the at least one SSB to the third PRACH resource set once, the third association period includes at least one of the third mapping periods, and the third association mode period includes at least one of the third association periods.

18. The method according to claim 17, wherein, further comprising: determining a second time window according to at least one of the second mapping period, the second association period, and the second association mode period; and determining a third time window according to at least one of the third mapping period, the third association period, and the third association mode period; the terminal sends a signal to the network device within the second time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or sends a signal to the network device within the third time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource.

19. The method according to claim 17, wherein, further comprising: determining a fourth time window according to at least one of the maximum mapping period between the second mapping period and the third mapping period, the maximum association period between the second association period and the third association period, and the maximum association mode period between the second association mode period and the third association mode period; The terminal sends a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the flexible PRACH resource; or sends a signal to the network device within the fourth time window according to the association result of the at least one SSB to the static PRACH resource.

20. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein, the flexible PRACH resource and the static PRACH resource satisfy at least one of the following: The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same frequency domain position and the closest time domain distance in the static PRACH resource; The flexible PRACH resource is associated with the PRACH resource with the same time domain position and the closest frequency domain distance in the static PRACH resource; The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the same as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource associated with the flexible PRACH resource; The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static PRACH resource associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1-20, wherein, the method further includes: The terminal receives a signaling from the network side device, and the signaling is used to configure the association relationship between the SSB corresponding to at least part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resource and the PRACH resource.

22. A communication method, wherein, includes: The network side device determines first configuration information, and the first configuration information is used to configure the flexible physical random access channel PRACH resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block SSB; The network side device sends the first configuration information to the terminal.

23. The method according to claim 22, wherein, the first configuration information includes at least one of SSB parameters, a PRACH resource set, and the association relationship between the SSB and the flexible PRACH resource.

24. The method according to claim 23, wherein, the SSB parameters include at least one of the following: The maximum number of SSBs, the number of SSBs used in the current cell, at least one SSB used in the current cell, the number of SSBs associated with the flexible PRACH resource, at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

25. The method according to claim 23, wherein, the first configuration information further includes bitmap information, and the bitmap information is used to indicate at least one SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resource.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22-25, wherein, further includes: The network side device sends a first activation signal to the terminal, and the first activation signal is used to activate the flexible PRACH resource.

27. The method according to any one of claims 22-25, wherein, further includes: The network - side device sends a second activation signal to the terminal, and the second activation signal is used to activate the first - part flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein, further comprising: The network - side device sends a third activation signal to the terminal, and the third activation signal is used to activate the second - part flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources; wherein, the second - part flexible PRACH resources at least partially overlap with the first - part flexible PRACH resources, or the second - part flexible PRACH resources do not overlap with the first - part flexible PRACH resources.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein, The first - part flexible PRACH resources and the second - part flexible PRACH resources correspond to different SSB - to - PRACH resource association relationships, or correspond to the same SSB - to - PRACH resource association relationship.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein, When the overlapping resources of the first - part flexible PRACH resources and the second - part flexible PRACH resources include the third - part flexible PRACH resources, the SSB associated with the third - part flexible PRACH resources obtained according to the SSB - to - PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the first - part flexible PRACH resources is the same as the SSB associated with the third - part flexible resources obtained according to the SSB - to - PRACH resource association relationship corresponding to the second - part flexible PRACH resources, and the preamble set associated with the SSB on the third - part flexible PRACH resources is the same.

31. The method according to any one of claims 22 - 30, wherein, further comprising: The network - side device sends second configuration information to the terminal, and the second configuration information is used to configure the static PRACH resources associated with the at least one SSB.

32. The method according to claim 31, wherein, The second configuration information includes the association relationship between the SSB and the static PRACH resources.

33. The method according to claim 31 or 32, wherein, The flexible PRACH resources and the static PRACH resources satisfy at least one of the following: The flexible PRACH resources are associated with the PRACH resources with the same frequency - domain position and the closest time - domain distance in the static PRACH resources; The flexible PRACH resources are associated with the PRACH resources with the same time - domain position and the closest frequency - domain distance in the static PRACH resources; The flexible PRACH resources are associated with the same SSB as the SSB associated with the static PRACH resources associated with the flexible PRACH resources; The SSB associated with the flexible PRACH resources is the subsequent SSB of the SSB associated with the static PRACH resources associated with the flexible PRACH resources.

34. The method according to any one of claims 22 - 33, wherein, the method further comprises: The network-side device sends a signaling to the terminal, and the signaling is used to configure the association relationship between at least part of the flexible PRACH resources in the flexible PRACH resources and the SSB to the PRACH resources.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, it includes: a receiving module, configured to receive first configuration information from a network-side device, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB); a determining module, configured to determine an association result between the at least one SSB and the PRACH resources according to the first configuration information.

36. A communication device, characterized in that, it includes: a determining module, configured to determine first configuration information, where the first configuration information is used to configure flexible physical random access channel (PRACH) resources associated with at least one synchronization signal block (SSB); a sending module, configured to send the first configuration information to a terminal.

37. A terminal, characterized in that, it includes a processor and a memory, where the memory stores a program or instruction that can run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 21.

38. A network-side device, characterized in that, it includes a processor and a memory, where the memory stores a program or instruction that can run on the processor, and when the program or instruction is executed by the processor, it implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 34.

39. A readable storage medium, characterized in that, the readable storage medium stores a program or instruction, and when the program or instruction is executed by a processor, it implements the communication method according to any one of claims 1-21, or implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 22 to 34.

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