Determining beam for transmission by UE in initial access

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a 5G or 6G communication system for supporting a higher data transmission rate. A method and apparatus for beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system, the method performed by a user equipment (UE) includes receiving a system information block (SIB) indicating a first number of spatial settings for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition times. The method further includes determining a number of repetitions in the set of repetitions for PRACH transmission, determining a subset of ROs in the set of ROs corresponding to the number of repetitions, and determining a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the subset of ROs based on a mapping between the first number of spatial settings and the number of ROs in the subset of ROs. The method further includes transmitting the PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system. Background Art

[0002] With the technical activities carried out by the industrial and academic communities around the world for various candidate technologies, the fifth-generation (5G) or new radio (NR) mobile communication has recently been developing more and more strongly. The candidate enabling technologies for 5G / NR mobile communication include: massive antenna technology from traditional cellular bands to high-frequency bands to provide beamforming gain and support capacity improvement; new waveforms (e.g., new radio access technology (RAT)) to flexibly adapt to various services / applications with different requirements; new multiple access schemes to support massive connections, and so on.

[0003] The 5G mobile communication technology defines a wide frequency band that can achieve high transmission rates and new services, and can be implemented not only in the "sub-6 GHz" band such as 3.5 GHz, but also in the "above-6 GHz" band including 28 GHz and 39 GHz, which is called millimeter wave. In addition, it has been considered to implement 6G mobile communication technology (referred to as the ultra-5G system) in the terahertz band (e.g., 95 GHz to 3 THz band) in order to achieve a transmission rate fifty times faster than that of 5G mobile communication technology and an ultra-low latency one-tenth of that of 5G mobile communication technology.

[0004] At the beginning of the development of 5G mobile communication technology, in order to support services and meet the performance requirements regarding enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), ultra-reliable low-latency communication (URLLC), and massive machine-type communication (mMTC), standardization has been carried out on the following technologies: beamforming and massive MIMO for reducing radio wave path loss and increasing radio wave transmission distance in millimeter waves, support parameter sets for dynamic operations for efficient utilization of millimeter wave resources and time slot formats (e.g., operating multiple subcarrier spacings), initial access technologies for supporting multi-beam transmission and wide frequency bands, definition and operation of BWP (bandwidth part), new channel coding methods such as LDPC (low-density parity-check) codes for large data transmission and polar codes for highly reliable transmission of control information, L2 preprocessing, and network slicing for providing dedicated networks dedicated to specific services.

[0005] Currently, in terms of the services supported by 5G mobile communication technology, the industry is continuously discussing the improvement and performance enhancement of the initial 5G mobile communication technology, and the physical layer standardization of the following technologies has been completed: for example, V2X (Vehicle-to-Everything), which is used to assist the driving decision-making of autonomous vehicles based on the information about the position and status of the vehicle sent by the vehicle and to improve user convenience, NR-U (New Radio Unlicensed), which aims to ensure that the system operation complies with various regulatory requirements in the unlicensed band, NR UE energy saving, non-terrestrial network (NTN), which is the direct communication between the UE satellite for ensuring coverage in areas where communication with the terrestrial network is not possible, and positioning.

[0006] In addition, the standardization of the air interface architecture / protocol for the following technologies has been continuously promoted: for example, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which is used to support new services through interoperability and integration with other industries, IAB (Integrated Access and Backhaul), which is used to provide nodes for network service area expansion by supporting wireless backhaul links and access links in an integrated manner, mobility enhancement including conditional handover and DAPS (Dual Active Protocol Stack) handover, and two-step random access (2-step RACH for NR) for simplifying the random access process. At the same time, the standardization of the system architecture / services for the following technologies has also been continuously promoted: 5G baseline architecture for combining network function virtualization (NFV) and software-defined network (SDN) technologies (for example, service-based architecture or service-based interface), and mobile edge computing (MEC) for receiving services based on the UE location.

[0007] With the commercialization of 5G mobile communication systems, the exponentially growing connected devices will be connected to the communication network, and therefore, enhanced functions and performance of 5G mobile communication systems and integrated operation of connected devices are expected. For this reason, new research on the following technologies has been put on the agenda: extended reality (XR) for efficiently supporting AR (Augmented Reality), VR (Virtual Reality), MR (Mixed Reality), etc., 5G performance improvement and complexity reduction by leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML), AI service support, metaverse service support, and drone communication. Summary of the Invention

[0008] Solution to the Problem

[0009] A user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive a system information block (SIB) that indicates a first number M of spatial settings, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission; and determine a repetition number for PRACH transmission in the set of repetition numbers, determine an RO subset corresponding to the repetition number in the set of ROs, and determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the RO subset; and transmit a PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings.

[0010] A base station (BS) includes: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit a system information block (SIB) that indicates a first number M of spatial settings, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) reception; and determine a repetition number for PRACH reception in the set of repetition numbers, determine an RO subset corresponding to the repetition number in the set of ROs, and determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the RO subset; and receive a PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings.

[0011] A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method including: receiving a system information block (SIB) that indicates a first number M of spatial settings, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission; determining a repetition number for PRACH transmission in the set of repetition numbers, determining an RO subset corresponding to the repetition number in the set of ROs, and determining a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the RO subset; and transmitting a PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings.

[0012] A method performed by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, the method including: transmitting a system information block (SIB) that indicates a first number M of spatial settings, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) reception; and determining a repetition number for PRACH reception in the set of repetition numbers, determining an RO subset corresponding to the repetition number in the set of ROs, and determining a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the RO subset; and receiving a PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0013] To more fully understand the present disclosure and its advantages, reference is now made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals represent like components: Figure 1 Shows an example of a wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 2 Shows an example of a gNB according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 3 Shows an example of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 4 and Figure 5 Shows an example of a wireless transmit and receive path according to the present disclosure; Figure 6 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for determining a spatial setting and RO for transmitting multiple PRACHs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 7 Shows a flowchart of another UE process for determining a spatial setting and RO for transmitting multiple PRACHs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 8 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for determining a spatial setting for repeating transmission of Message 3 (Msg3) PUSCH according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 9 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for determining a spatial setting for Msg3 physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission scheduled by an uplink (UL) grant in a random access response (RAR) message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 10 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for indicating a spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 11 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for determining a spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission scheduled by a UL grant in an RAR message according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 12 Shows a flowchart of a UE process for providing a spatial setting indicated by bits in a hybrid automatic repeat request (HARQ) process number field in a downlink control information (DCI) format scheduling physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) reception for transmitting a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) before dedicated PUCCH resource configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; Figure 13A flowchart is shown for a UE process of transmitting a PUCCH before dedicated PUCCH resource configuration using the number of repetitions and spatial settings indicated by a DCI format received in a scheduled PDSCH, where the DCI format has a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) scrambled by a temporary cell radio network temporary identifier (TC-RNTI), and the PDSCH reception includes a UE contention resolution identity; and Figure 14 A flowchart is shown for a UE process of transmitting a PUCCH before dedicated PUCCH resource configuration using the number of repetitions and associated spatial settings.

[0014] Figure 15 The structure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0015] Figure 16 The structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Detailed embodiments

[0016] [Modes of the present invention]

[0017] The present disclosure relates to a wireless communication system, and more particularly, to beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system.

[0018] In one embodiment, a user equipment (UE) is provided. The UE includes a transceiver configured to receive a system information block (SIB) that indicates: a first number M of spatial settings, a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of numbers of repetitions for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission. The UE further includes a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to: determine the number of repetitions for PRACH transmission in the set of numbers of repetitions, determine a subset of ROs in the set of ROs corresponding to the number of repetitions, and determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the subset of ROs based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the subset of ROs. The transceiver is further configured to transmit a PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

[0019] In another embodiment, a base station (BS) is provided. The BS includes a transceiver configured to transmit a system information block (SIB) that indicates a first quantity M of spatial settings, a set of random access (RO) occasions, and a set of repetition numbers for receiving a physical random access channel (PRACH). The BS further includes a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver. The processor is configured to: determine a repetition number for PRACH reception in the set of repetition numbers, determine a subset of RO occasions in the set of RO occasions corresponding to the repetition number, and determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the subset of RO occasions based on a mapping between the first quantity M of spatial settings and a quantity N of RO occasions in the subset of RO occasions. The transceiver is further configured to receive a PRACH on the subset of RO occasions using the set of spatial settings.

[0020] In yet another embodiment, a method performed by a user equipment (UE) is provided. The method includes receiving a SIB that indicates a first quantity M of spatial settings, a set of RO occasions, and a set of repetition numbers for transmitting a PRACH. The method further includes: determining a repetition number for PRACH transmission in the set of repetition numbers, determining a subset of RO occasions in the set of RO occasions corresponding to the repetition number, and determining a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the subset of RO occasions based on a mapping between the first quantity M of spatial settings and a quantity N of RO occasions in the subset of RO occasions. The method further includes transmitting a PRACH on the subset of RO occasions using the set of spatial settings.

[0021] Other technical features will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the following drawings, description, and claims.

[0022] Before proceeding with the following detailed description, it may be advantageous to set forth definitions of certain words and phrases used throughout this patent document. The term "couple" and its derivatives mean any direct or indirect communication between two or more elements, whether or not those elements are in physical contact with each other. The terms "send," "receive," and "communicate" and their derivatives include both direct and indirect communication. The terms "include" and "comprise" and their derivatives mean including without limitation. The term "or" is inclusive and means and / or. The phrase "associated with" and its derivatives mean including, included within, interconnected with, containing, contained within, connected to or connected with, coupled to or coupled with, capable of communicating with, cooperating with, interlaced, juxtaposed, proximate, bound to or bound with, having, having the properties of, having a relationship or relationship with, and the like. The term "controller" means any device, system, or part thereof that controls at least one operation. Such a controller can be implemented with hardware or a combination of hardware and software and / or firmware. The functions associated with any particular controller may be centralized or distributed, whether local or remote. The phrase "at least one," when used with a list of items, means that different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one item in the list may be required. For example, "at least one of A, B, and C" includes any of the following combinations: A; B; C; A and B; A and C; B and C; and A, B, and C.

[0023] In addition, the various functions described below can be implemented or supported by one or more computer programs, each of which is formed of computer-readable program code and contained in a computer-readable medium. The terms "application" and "program" refer to one or more computer programs, software components, instruction sets, processes, functions, objects, classes, instances, related data, or portions thereof suitable for implementation in an appropriate computer-readable program code. The phrase "computer-readable program code" includes any type of computer code, including source code, object code, and executable code. The phrase "computer-readable medium" includes any type of medium that can be accessed by a computer, such as read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), hard disk drive, compact disc (CD), digital video disc (DVD), or any other type of memory. A "non-transitory" computer-readable medium does not include a wired communication link, a wireless communication link, an optical communication link, or other communication link that transmits transient electrical signals or other signals. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes media in which data can be permanently stored and media in which data can be stored and subsequently overwritten, such as a rewritable compact disc or an erasable storage device.

[0024] Throughout this patent document, definitions of certain words and phrases are provided, and one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that, in many if not most cases, such definitions apply to the prior and future use of the words and phrases being defined.

[0025] The following discussion Figures 1 to 14 and the various embodiments used to describe the principles of the present disclosure in this patent document are merely exemplary and should not be construed in any way as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Those skilled in the art will understand that the principles of the present disclosure can be implemented in any suitably arranged system or device.

[0026] The following documents and standards are incorporated by reference into the present disclosure as if fully set forth herein: 3GPP TS 38.211 v17.3.0, "NR; Physical Channels and Modulation" (herein "REF 1"); 3GPP TS 38.212 v17.3.0, "NR; Multiplexing and Channel Coding" (herein "REF 2"); 3GPP TS 38.213 v17.3.0, "NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Control" (herein "REF 3"); 3GPP TS 38.214 v17.3.0, "NR; Physical Layer Procedures for Data" (herein "REF 4"); 3GPP TS 38.321 v17.2.0, "NR; Medium Access Control (MAC) Protocol Specification" (herein "REF 5"); and 3GPP TS 38.331 v17.2.0, "NR; Radio Resource Control (RRC) Protocol Specification" (herein "REF 6").

[0027] Wireless communication is one of the most successful innovations in modern history. Recently, the number of subscribers to wireless communication services has exceeded 5 billion and is continuing to grow rapidly. Due to the increasing popularity of smart phones and other mobile data devices (e.g., tablets, "notebook" computers, netbooks, e-book readers, and machine-type devices) among consumers and enterprises, the demand for wireless data services has increased rapidly. To meet the high growth of mobile data services and support new applications and deployments, improvements in radio interface efficiency and coverage are very important.

[0028] To meet the requirements of increased wireless data services since the deployment of 4G communication systems and to enable various vertical applications, 5G / NR communication systems have been developed and are currently being deployed. The 5G / NR communication system is considered to be implemented in a higher (millimeter-wave) frequency band (e.g., 28 GHz or 60 GHz band) to achieve higher data rates, or in a lower frequency band (e.g., 6 GHz) to achieve robust coverage and mobility support. To reduce the propagation loss of radio waves and increase the transmission distance, beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full-dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antennas, analog beamforming, and massive antenna technologies are discussed in the 5G / NR communication system.

[0029] In addition, in the 5G / NR communication system, system network improvement development is being carried out based on advanced small cells, cloud radio access network (RAN), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, mobile networks, cooperative communication, coordinated multipoint (CoMP), receiver interference cancellation, etc.

[0030] The discussion of 5G systems and the frequency bands associated therewith is for reference only, as certain embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in 5G systems. However, the present disclosure is not limited to 5G systems or the frequency bands associated therewith, and embodiments of the present disclosure may be used in combination with any frequency band. For example, aspects of the present disclosure may also be applied to 5G communication systems, 6G, or even newer versions of deployments that may use the terahertz (THz) frequency band.

[0031] The following Figures 1 to 3 describes various embodiments implemented and using orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) communication technologies in a wireless communication system. Figures 1 to 3 The description does not imply any physical or architectural limitations on the ways in which different embodiments may be implemented. Different embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented in any suitably arranged communication system.

[0032] Figure 1 illustrates an example wireless network according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 1 The illustrated embodiment of the wireless network is for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments of wireless network 100 may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0033] As Figure 1As shown, the wireless network includes gNB 101 (e.g., base station BS), gNB 102, and gNB 103. gNB 101 communicates with gNB 102 and gNB 103. gNB 101 also communicates with at least one network 130 such as the Internet, a proprietary Internet Protocol (IP) network, or other data networks.

[0034] gNB 102 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a plurality of first user equipments (UEs) within the coverage area 120 of gNB 102. The plurality of first UEs includes UE 111, which may be located in a small business; UE 112, which may be located in an enterprise; UE 113, which may be a WiFi hotspot; UE 114, which may be located in a first residence; UE 115, which may be located in a second residence; and UE 116, which may be a mobile device such as a cellular phone, a wireless laptop computer, a wireless PDA, etc. gNB 103 provides wireless broadband access to network 130 for a plurality of second UEs within the coverage area 125 of gNB 103. The plurality of second UEs includes UE 115 and UE 116. In some embodiments, one or more of gNB 101 - gNB 103 may communicate with each other and with UEs 111 - 116 using 5G / NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), Long Term Evolution Advanced (LTE-A), WiMAX, WiFi, or other wireless communication technologies.

[0035] Depending on the network type, the term "base station" or "BS" can refer to any component (or collection of components) configured to provide wireless access to a network, such as a transmission point (TP), a transmit-receive point (TRP), an enhanced base station (eNodeB or eNB), a 5G / NR base station (gNB), a macrocell, a femtocell, a Wi-Fi access point (AP), or other wireless enabling devices. The base station can provide wireless access according to one or more wireless communication protocols, such as 5G / NR Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) NR, Long Term Evolution (LTE), LTE-Advanced (LTE-A), High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac, etc. For convenience, the terms "BS" and "TRP" may be used interchangeably in this patent document to refer to the network infrastructure components that provide wireless access to remote terminals. Additionally, depending on the network type, the term "user equipment" or "UE" can refer to any component, such as a "mobile station", "subscriber station", "remote terminal", "wireless terminal", "receiving point", or "user equipment". For convenience, the terms "user equipment" and "UE" are used in this patent document to refer to the remote wireless devices that wirelessly access the BS, whether the UE is a mobile device (e.g., a mobile phone or smartphone) or a device that is generally considered fixed (e.g., a desktop computer or a vending machine).

[0036] The dashed lines illustrate the approximate extent of coverage areas 120 and 125, which are shown as approximately circular only for purposes of illustration and explanation. It should be clearly understood that the coverage areas associated with a gNB, such as coverage areas 120 and 125, can have other shapes, including irregular shapes, depending on the configuration of the gNB and the variations in the radio environment associated with natural and man-made obstacles.

[0037] As described in more detail below, one or more of UEs 111 - 116 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof for beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system. In certain embodiments, one or more of gNBs 101 - 103 include circuitry, programming, or a combination thereof to support beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system.

[0038] Although Figure 1 an example of a wireless network is shown, it may be possible to Figure 1Make various changes. For example, a wireless network can include any number of gNBs and any number of UEs. Additionally, gNB 101 can communicate directly with any number of UEs and provide those UEs with wireless broadband access to network 130. Similarly, each of gNBs 102 - gNB 103 can communicate directly with network 130 and provide UEs with direct wireless broadband access to network 130. Additionally, gNB 101, gNB 102, and / or gNB 103 can provide access to other or additional external networks such as an external telephone network or other types of data networks.

[0039] Figure 2 An exemplary gNB 102 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. Figure 2 The illustrated embodiment of gNB 102 is for illustrative purposes only, Figure 1 and gNBs 101 and 103 can have the same or similar configurations. However, gNBs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 2 do not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation of gNBs.

[0040] As Figure 2 shown, gNB 102 includes a plurality of antennas 205a - 205n, a plurality of transceivers 210a - 210n, a controller / processor 225, a memory 230, and a backhaul or network interface 235.

[0041] Transceivers 210a - 210n receive input RF signals from antennas 205a - 205n, such as signals transmitted by UEs in network 100. Transceivers 210a - 210n down-convert the input RF signals to generate IF or baseband signals. The IF or baseband signals are processed by receive (RX) processing circuitry in transceivers 210a - 210n and / or controller / processor 225, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. Controller / processor 225 can further process the baseband signal.

[0042] Transmit (TX) processing circuitry in transceivers 210a - 210n and / or controller / processor 225 receives analog or digital data (e.g., voice data, web page data, email, or interactive video game data) from controller / processor 225. The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the output baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. Transceivers 210a - 210n up-convert the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal transmitted via antennas 205a - 205n.

[0043] The controller / processor 225 may include one or more processors or other processing devices that control the overall operation of the gNB 102. For example, the controller / processor 225 may control the transceiver 210a - 210n to receive UL channel signals and transmit DL channel signals according to well-known principles. The controller / processor 225 may also support additional functions, such as more advanced wireless communication functions. For example, the controller / processor 225 may support beamforming or directional routing operations, where the output / input signals from / to multiple antennas 205a - 205n are weighted differently to efficiently direct the output signal in a desired direction. The controller / processor 225 may support any one of various other functions in the gNB 102.

[0044] The controller / processor 225 is also capable of executing programs and other processes residing in the memory 230, such as the OS. The controller / processor 225 may move data into or out of the memory 230 as needed during the execution process. The controller / processor 225 is also capable of executing programs and other processes residing in the memory 230, such as a process that supports beam determination in the random access of a wireless communication system.

[0045] The controller / processor 225 is also coupled to the backhaul or network interface 235. The backhaul or network interface 235 allows the gNB 102 to communicate with other devices or systems via a backhaul connection or via a network. The interface 235 may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless connection. For example, when the gNB 102 is implemented as part of a cellular communication system (e.g., a system supporting 5G / NR, LTE, or LTE-A), the interface 235 may allow the gNB 102 to communicate with other gNBs via a wired or wireless backhaul connection. When the gNB 102 is implemented as an access point, the interface 235 may allow the gNB 102 to communicate with a larger network (e.g., the Internet) via a wired or wireless local area network or via a wired or wireless connection. The interface 235 includes any suitable structure that supports communication on a wired or wireless connection (e.g., Ethernet or transceiver).

[0046] The memory 230 is coupled to the controller / processor 225. A part of the memory 230 may include RAM, and another part of the memory 230 may include flash memory or other ROM.

[0047] Although Figure 2 an example of the gNB 102 is shown, various changes may be made to Figure 2 it. For example, the gNB 102 may include any number of Figure 2 each component shown. In addition, Figure 2 the various components in may be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components may be added according to specific needs.

[0048] Figure 3 shows an example UE 116 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 3 The illustrated embodiment of UE 116 is for illustrative purposes only, Figure 1 and UEs 111 - UE 115 may have the same or similar configurations. However, UEs have a variety of configurations, and Figure 3 does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation of a UE.

[0049] As Figure 3 shown, UE 116 includes an antenna 305, a transceiver 310, and a microphone 320. UE 116 also includes a speaker 330, a processor 340, an input / output (I / O) interface (IF) 345, an input 350, a display 355, and a memory 360. The memory 360 includes an operating system (OS) 361 and one or more applications 362.

[0050] The transceiver 310 receives an input RF signal transmitted by the gNB of the network 100 from the antenna 305. The transceiver 310 downconverts the input RF signal to generate an intermediate frequency (IF) or baseband signal. The IF or baseband signal is processed by RX processing circuitry in the transceiver 310 and / or the processor 340, which generates a processed baseband signal by filtering, decoding, and / or digitizing the baseband or IF signal. The RX processing circuitry sends the processed baseband signal to the speaker 330 (e.g., for voice data) or is processed by the processor 340 (e.g., for web browsing data).

[0051] The TX processing circuitry in the transceiver 310 and / or the processor 340 receives analog or digital voice data from the microphone 320 or other output baseband data from the processor 340 (e.g., web data, email, or interactive video game data). The TX processing circuitry encodes, multiplexes, and / or digitizes the output baseband data to generate a processed baseband or IF signal. The transceiver 310 upconverts the baseband or IF signal to an RF signal transmitted via the antenna 305.

[0052] The processor 340 may include one or more processors or other processing devices and executes the OS 361 stored in the memory 360 to control the overall operation of the UE 116. For example, the processor 340 may control the transceiver 310 to receive downlink channel signals and transmit uplink channel signals according to well-known principles. In some embodiments, the processor 340 includes at least one microprocessor or microcontroller.

[0053] The processor 340 is also capable of executing other processes and programs residing in the memory 360, such as a process for beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system. The processor 340 can move data into or out of the memory 360 as needed for the execution process. In some embodiments, the processor 340 is configured to execute the application 362 based on the OS 361 or in response to a signal received from the gNB or an operator. The processor 340 is also coupled to an I / O interface 345, which provides the UE 116 with the ability to connect to other devices such as laptop computers and handheld computers. The I / O interface 345 is a communication path between these accessories and the processor 340.

[0054] The processor 340 is also coupled to an input 350, which includes, for example, a touch screen, a keypad, etc., and the processor 340 is coupled to a display 355. An operator of the UE 116 can use the input 350 to input data into the UE 116. The display 355 can be a liquid crystal display, a light emitting diode display, or other display capable of presenting text and / or at least limited graphics such as from a website.

[0055] The memory 360 is coupled to the processor 340. A portion of the memory 360 can include random access memory (RAM), and another portion of the memory 360 can include flash memory or other read-only memory (ROM).

[0056] Although Figure 3 an example of the UE 116 is shown, various changes can be made to Figure 3 it. For example, Figure 3 the various components in Figure 3 can be combined, further subdivided, or omitted, and additional components can be added according to specific needs. As a specific example, the processor 340 can be divided into multiple processors, such as one or more central processing units (CPUs) and one or more graphics processing units (GPUs). In another example, the transceiver 310 can include any number of transceivers and signal processing chains, and can be connected to any number of antennas. Additionally, although

[0057] Figure 4 and Figure 5An exemplary wireless transmit and receive path according to the present disclosure is shown. In the following description, the transmit path 400 may be described as being implemented in a gNB (e.g., gNB 102), and the receive path 500 may be described as being implemented in a UE (e.g., UE 116). However, it can be understood that the receive path 500 may be implemented in the gNB, and the transmit path 400 may be implemented in the UE. In some embodiments, the receive path 500 is configured to support beam determination in random access of a wireless communication system.

[0058] As Figure 4 shown, the transmit path 400 includes a channel coding and modulation block 405, a serial-to-parallel conversion (S-to-P) block 410, an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) block 415 of size N, a parallel-to-serial conversion (P-to-S) block 420, a cyclic prefix addition block 425, and an upconverter (UC) 430. As Figure 5 shown, the receive path 500 includes a downconverter (DC) 555, a cyclic prefix removal block 560, a serial-to-parallel conversion (S to P) block 565, a fast Fourier transform (FFT) block 570 of size N, a parallel-to-serial conversion (P to S) block 575, and a channel decoding and demodulation block 580.

[0059] As Figure 4 shown, the channel coding and modulation block 405 receives a set of information bits, applies coding (e.g., low density parity check (LDPC) coding), and modulates the input bits (e.g., using quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) or quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) to generate a sequence of frequency domain modulation symbols.

[0060] The serial-to-parallel conversion block 410 converts (e.g., demultiplexes) the serial modulation symbols into parallel data to generate N parallel symbol streams, where N is the IFFT / FFT size used in the gNB 102 and the UE 116. The IFFT block 415 of size N performs an IFFT operation on the N parallel symbol streams to generate a time domain output signal. The parallel-to-serial conversion block 420 converts (e.g., multiplexes) the parallel time domain output symbols from the IFFT block 415 of size N to generate a serial time domain signal. The cyclic prefix addition block 425 inserts a cyclic prefix into the time domain signal. The upconverter 430 modulates (e.g., upconverts) the output of the cyclic prefix addition block 425 to an RF frequency for transmission via a wireless channel. The signal may also be filtered at baseband before being converted to the RF frequency.

[0061] The transmitted RF signal from the gNB 102 arrives at the UE 116 after passing through the wireless channel, and the operations reverse to those at the gNB 102 are performed at the UE 116.

[0062] As Figure 5As shown, downconverter 555 downconverts the received signal to baseband frequency, and cyclic prefix removal block 560 removes the cyclic prefix to generate a serial time-domain baseband signal. Serial-to-parallel conversion block 565 converts the time-domain baseband signal to a parallel time-domain signal. FFT block 570 of size N performs the FFT algorithm to generate N parallel frequency-domain signals. Parallel-to-serial conversion block 575 converts the parallel frequency-domain signals to a sequence of modulated data symbols. Channel decoding and demodulation block 580 demodulates and decodes the modulated symbols to recover the original input data stream.

[0063] Each of gNBs 101 - 103 can implement a transmission path 400 similar to that shown for transmitting to UEs 111 - 116 in the downlink, and can implement a reception path 500 similar to that shown for receiving from UEs 111 - 116 in the uplink. Similarly, each of UEs 111 - 116 can implement a transmission path 400 for transmitting to gNBs 101 - 103 in the uplink, and can implement a reception path 500 for receiving from gNBs 101 - 103 in the downlink. Figure 4 As shown Figure 5 As shown

[0064] Figure 4 and Figure 5 each of the components in Figure 4 and Figure 5 can be implemented using only hardware, or using a combination of hardware and software / firmware. As a specific example,

[0065] at least some of the components in

[0066] Although Figure 4 and Figure 5 are shown as using FFT and IFFT, this is merely exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure. Other types of transforms can be used, such as discrete Fourier transform (DFT) and inverse discrete Fourier transform (IDFT) functions. It can be understood that for DFT and IDFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.), and for FFT and IFFT functions, the value of variable N can be any integer that is a power of 2 (e.g., 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.). Figure 4 and Figure 5 can be variously modified. For example, Figure 4 andFigure 5 The various components in Figure 4 and Figure 5 are intended to illustrate examples of transmit and receive path types that can be used in a wireless network. Any other suitable architecture can be used to support wireless communication in a wireless network.

[0067] In a wireless communication system, when the UE successfully receives a random access response (RAR) in response to multiple physical random access channel (PRACH) transmissions using the same or different spatial settings, the UE transmits a Msg3 physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) scheduled by the UL grant in the RAR. For multiple PRACH transmissions using the same spatial setting in multiple random access channel (RACH) opportunities (ROs) or in an RO group associated with the same synchronization signal / physical broadcast channel (SS / PBCH) block, the UE can transmit the Msg3 PUSCH using the same spatial setting for the multiple PRACH transmissions. For multiple PRACH transmissions using different spatial settings in multiple ROs or in an RO group associated with the same SS / PBCH block or repetitions of the same PRACH preamble, the UE needs to determine the spatial setting for each repetition of the PRACH transmission in the corresponding RO and determine the spatial setting for the transmission of the Msg3 PUSCH such that the Msg3 PUSCH can be correctly received by the gNB.

[0068] The random access (RA) procedure can be initiated for several purposes, including for example one of the following: establishing a radio resource control (RRC) connection (e.g., from RRC idle (RRC_IDLE) to RRC connected (RRC_CONNECTED)), re - establishing an RRC connection after a radio link failure (RLF), on - demand system information (SI) request, UL synchronization, scheduling request (SR), positioning, and link recovery (also referred to as beam failure recovery (BFR)). The physical random access procedure is triggered when a PRACH transmission is requested by a higher layer at the UE or by a physical downlink control channel (PDCCH) command from the serving gNB. RA can operate in two modes: (i) contention - based random access (CBRA), where UEs within a serving cell can share the same RA resources and thus there is a possibility of collision between RA attempts from different UEs, and (ii) contention - free random access (CFRA), where the UE has dedicated RA resources, which can be indicated by the serving gNB for example and cannot be shared with other UEs, thereby avoiding RA collisions.

[0069] The 4 - step random access procedure, also known as type 1 L1 random access procedure, includesStep - 1 : The UE sends a PRACH preamble (Msg1); Step - 2 : The gNB sends a RAR message (Msg2) using PDCCH / Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH); Step - 3 : The UE sends a contention resolution message and, if applicable, a PUSCH scheduled by the RAR UL grant (Msg3); Step Step - 4 : The gNB sends a contention resolution message (Msg4).

[0070] Regarding Step - 1 , before starting the physical random access procedure, layer 1 of the UE receives a set of SS / PBCH block indices from the higher layer and provides the corresponding set of reference signal received power (RSRP) measurements to the higher layer. Layer 1 receives the configuration of the PRACH transmission parameters (PRACH preamble format, time resources, and frequency resources for PRACH transmission). In Step - 1 , the UE uses the selected PRACH format to send the PRACH, and the transmission power of the PRACH format depends on whether the PRACH transmission is triggered upon a higher layer request or in response to detecting a PDCCH command from the serving gNB, and is determined depending on the action associated with the PDCCH command.

[0071] Regarding Step - 2 , Step - 2 The random access response (RAR or Msg2) in recoverySearchSpaceIdIn the indicated search space, the UE monitors PDCCH candidates. The subcarrier spacing (SCS) of the PDCCH in the RAR message is the SCS of the Type 1-PDCCH CSS set. The SCS for any future PDSCH is also the same SCS as that of the PDSCH that provides the RAR, unless the UE is configured with an SCS.

[0072] Regarding Step - 3 / Step - 4 , for the case of CFRA or SI request, the correct reception of Msg2 / RAR is the last step of the random access procedure. For the case of CBRA, multiple UEs may have used the same PRACH preamble and further steps are needed to resolve the contention. Additionally, for the case of random access before the UE is in the RRC connected state (i.e., for initial access), the UE and the serving gNB need to exchange further information to establish a connection, and this information is provided by the PUSCH transmission (Msg3) for the contention resolution request and possibly also for the connection establishment request and by the PDSCH transmission (Msg4) for the contention resolution response and possibly for the connection establishment response. If the UE receives Msg4 within a certain time window after sending Msg3, and for the case where the UE does not yet have a C-RNTI, if the contention resolution ID in Msg4 matches the ID of the UE sent in Msg3, the contention resolution (and connection establishment, if applicable) is considered successful. Otherwise, the RACH attempt is considered unsuccessful and the UE needs to perform another RACH attempt, unless the maximum number of configured RACH attempts has been exhausted, in which case the entire random access procedure is declared unsuccessful.

[0073] Without using the 4-step RA procedure, the following 2-step RA procedure can be used, where the UE can send a PRACH preamble and a PUSCH (MsgA) before receiving the corresponding RAR (MsgB).

[0074] During initial cell search, the UE acquires / detects the SS / PBCH block sent by the gNB. The gNB may send multiple SS / PBCH blocks with different quasi-co-location characteristics, also known as beams, and the UE typically acquires the SS / PBCH block associated with the quasi-co-location characteristics that best match the UE. Then, assuming beam reciprocity for DL and UL transmissions, the UE sends a PRACH according to the spatial setting determined from the detected SS / PBCH block.

[0075] To minimize the overhead associated with the SS / PBCH block, the gNB uses a relatively wide beam to transmit the SS / PBCH block so as to cover a corresponding wide area of the cell. Typically, there is a coverage imbalance between DL transmission and UL transmission due to, for example, large different antenna gains at the gNB or large different noise figures at the UE. To compensate for this coverage imbalance, the UE may transmit the PRACH with a narrower beam, including changing the beam / space setting / space filter of the PRACH transmission when the UE does not detect a random access response (RAR) message addressed to the UE in response to the PRACH transmission.

[0076] Before the UE attempts to detect an RAR message addressed to the UE in response to the PRACH transmission, the UE may also use different beam / space settings / space filters to transmit multiple PRACHs, or repetitions of the PRACH preamble transmission. After a failure to detect an RAR corresponding to a previous PRACH transmission, or after a previous PRACH transmission in the case of being configured to transmit multiple PRACHs before attempting to detect the corresponding RAR, when the UE repeats the transmission of the PRACH (the current PRACH transmission) using different space settings, the different space settings for the previous PRACH transmission and for the current PRACH transmission may be associated with the same SS / PBCH block. For example, the UE may be configured with multiple PRACH transmissions and, using different space settings, using the same PRACH preamble repeated over multiple PRACH transmissions, or using different PRACH preambles in each PRACH transmission, to transmit multiple PRACHs on the corresponding RO. The different space settings for the multiple PRACH transmissions in the corresponding RO may be associated with the same SS / PBCH block. Alternatively, the different space settings for multiple PRACH transmissions or repetitions of the PRACH preamble transmission may be associated with different SS / PBCH blocks. Thus, for multiple PRACH transmissions or repetitions of the PRACH preamble transmission on multiple ROs using different space settings, the ROs may be associated with the same SS / PBCH block or with different SS / PBCH blocks. Configuration can be performed regardless of whether the different space settings are associated with the same or different SS / PBCH blocks.

[0077] When the UE successfully receives the RAR, the UE sends a Msg3 PUSCH. For multiple PRACH transmissions using the same spatial setting associated with the same SS / PBCH block, or repetitions of PRACH preamble transmissions, the UE may use the same spatial setting for PRACH transmissions to send the Msg3 PUSCH. For multiple PRACH transmissions using different spatial settings associated with the same SS / PBCH block, or repetitions of PRACH preamble transmissions, the UE needs to determine the spatial setting for each PRACH repetition in the corresponding RO and determine the spatial setting for sending the Msg3 PUSCH such that the Msg3 PUSCH can be correctly received by the gNB.

[0078] When establishing an RRC connection and when the UE is provided with a configuration for PUCCH resources by the gNB, the UE may use the same spatial setting for sending the Msg3 PUSCH to send the PUCCH, unless otherwise indicated.

[0079] This disclosure relates to determining a spatial setting for each repetition of a PRACH preamble transmission in a corresponding RO. This disclosure also relates to determining a spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission based on an indication in the RAR and also relates to receiving an indication associated with the PRACH transmission in the RAR. This disclosure also relates to determining a spatial setting for a PUCCH transmission with HARQ-ACK information before providing a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration based on an indication in a DCI format. This disclosure also relates to indicating to the gNB the spatial setting for sending the Msg3 PUSCH or the PUCCH before providing a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration.

[0080] This disclosure enables the UE to use different spatial settings in multiple ROs or RO groups associated with the same SS / PBCH block to send multiple PRACH transmissions or repetitions of PRACH preamble transmissions, but is also directly applicable when the ROs are associated with the same CSI-RS. Additionally, for the case of contention-based random access (CBRA), this disclosure enables the UE to use different spatial settings in multiple ROs or RO groups associated with the same SS / PBCH block to send multiple PRACH transmissions or repetitions of PRACH preamble transmissions, but is also directly applicable to the case of contention-free random access (CFRA).

[0081] Throughout this disclosure, the terms "spatial setting", "spatial filter", "beam", and "TCI" may be used interchangeably to refer to the spatial domain characteristics of a transmission and related indications. Throughout this disclosure, the terms "multiple PRACH transmissions" and "repetitions of PRACH transmissions" may be used interchangeably to refer to PRACH transmissions on multiple random access occasions (ROs), where the PRACH transmissions are associated with the same random access attempt.

[0082] In the present disclosure, when the respective PRACH transmissions with preamble repetitions use the same spatial setting or different spatial settings, the description of the spatial setting for determining the Msg3 PUSCH transmission with or without repetition, or for the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission, or for any PUSCH or PUCCH transmission after the Msg3 PUSCH transmission scheduled by the RAR UL grant, also applies when there is no repetition or for the respective PRACH transmissions.

[0083] In the present disclosure, when the respective multiple PRACH transmissions with multiple PRACH preambles use the same spatial setting or different spatial settings, the description of the spatial setting for determining the Msg3 PUSCH transmission with or without repetition, or for the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission, also applies when a single PRACH preamble is used for multiple PRACH transmissions. In this case, the multiple PRACH transmissions can also be referred to as multiple repetitions of the PRACH transmission (using the same PRACH preamble).

[0084] In the present disclosure, the spatial setting of the Msg3 PUSCH transmission is determined based on the indication in the RAR. For multiple PRACH transmissions using different spatial settings, or equivalently for multiple repetitions of the PRACH transmission using different spatial settings, the UE can send multiple PRACHs on multiple ROs, or equivalently on a set or group of ROs, or on a set of PRACH resources indicated or determined to be associated with the same SS / PBCH block. When receiving the SS / PBCH block, the UE can determine multiple spatial settings for the set of ROs and send multiple PRACHs on the set of ROs using the determined spatial settings. The gNB can indicate the detected PRACH in the RAR, and the UE can use the spatial setting associated with the detected PRACH indicated in the RAR to send the Msg3 PUSCH. The indication can be an index associated with one of the multiple PRACH transmissions, or equivalently, an index of the RO or set of ROs on which the UE sends the preamble repetition of the PRACH using the spatial setting. For example, if the UE sends four PRACHs in four ROs {RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4} using four spatial settings {s1, s2, s3, s4}, PRACH i , i = {1,2,3,4}, and the gNB detects the PRACH2 sent using the spatial setting s2 in RO2, the indication in the RAR can be the index corresponding to the PRACH transmission / repetition or the associated RO i= 2. Then, the UE implicitly receives an indication of which spatial setting among multiple spatial settings for multiple PRACH transmissions is used for Msg3 PUSCH transmission.

[0085] For multiple PRACH transmissions using different spatial settings, the UE may transmit the PRACH with preamble repetitions on multiple ROs, or equivalently, on a set or group of ROs, or on a set of PRACH resources indicated or determined to be associated with the same SS / PBCH block. When receiving the SS / PBCH block, the UE may determine the multiple spatial settings for transmitting preamble repetitions, for example, based on its implementation or based on an indication in the SIB. The gNB may indicate the preamble repetition count, the RO or corresponding ROs for preamble repetitions in the RAR. For example, the indicated preamble repetition may be only the preamble repetition detected by the gNB, or may be the preamble repetition with the maximum SNR detected by the gNB. Based on the indication received in the RAR, the UE may use the spatial setting for transmitting the indicated preamble repetition in the corresponding PRACH occasion / RO to transmit Msg3 PUSCH, including all repetitions of Msg3 PUSCH in the case of repeated transmissions. The indication in the RAR may be a PRACH occasion index (RO index) or a group of RO indexes, where the UE uses the same spatial setting to transmit PRACH repetitions. For example, for a PRACH transmission with preamble repetitions in PRACH occasions {RO1, RO2, RO3, RO4} using four spatial settings {s1, s2, s3, s4}, if the gNB determines that the second preamble repetition is received with higher reliability relative to other repetitions of the i repetitions, the indication in the RAR may be the index = 2. Then, the UE implicitly receives an indication of which spatial setting among the multiple spatial settings used by the UE for PRACH transmission with

[0086] preamble repetitions is used for Msg3 PUSCH transmission.

[0087] For example, when the UE sends 4 PRACH preambles or 4 preamble repetitions on a set or group of 4 ROs, and the gNB detects one of the PRACH preambles or preamble repetitions, the RAR can use a 2-bit field indication to indicate the detected PRACH, or the RO corresponding to the detected PRACH transmission. The bit value "00" indicates the first PRACH transmission, the bit value "01" indicates the second PRACH transmission, and so on. More than one PRACH can be detected, and the RAR indicates the PRACH received with the maximum signal-to-interference-plus-noise ratio (SINR). Generally, for N preamble repetitions, the field in the RAR can include bits. To limit the number of bits in the RAR while allowing large values for N preamble repetitions, the number of different spatial settings that the UE can use to send PRACH preamble repetitions M can be indicated to the UE, for example, in the system information block (SIB), or can be defined in the specification of the system operation, and can be less than the maximum number of times the UE sends PRACH preamble repetitions. Additionally, the maximum number of spatial settings that the UE can use / support to send PRACH preamble repetitions, for example, based on the corresponding UE capabilities, can be different from the number of spatial settings indicated in the SIB M . For example, the maximum number of spatial settings that the UE can use to send PRACH preamble repetitions can be 2, while the number of spatial settings indicated in the SIB can be .

[0088] Then, the UE can use / repeat the first and second spatial settings to match the indicated number of spatial settings. This method can be directly generalized to any values of the maximum number of spatial settings that the UE can use / support to send PRACH preamble repetitions and the number of spatial settings indicated in the SIB.

[0089] For the first example, the specification can define that the number of different spatial settings that the UE can use to send PRACH repetitions is 4, and then the field in the RAR can have a fixed size of 2 bits. When the UE sends PRACH with more repetitions than the number of different spatial settings that the UE can use to send repetitions, the UE can alternate between different spatial settings on consecutive repetitions or on groups of consecutive repetitions.

[0090] For the second example, when the UE can use M spatial settings to send N preamble repetitions, where and k is an integer, the UE can use the first spatial setting to send the first k preamble repetitions and use the second spatial setting to send the secondk The preamble repetition before the last one, etc., and use the last M spatial setting to send the M th k preamble repetition before the last one. If N not M an integer multiple of, the UE can use the M first spatial setting among the spatial settings for the preamble repetition before the last one, where mod () is a modulo operation, and . In the second example, the advantage of the association between the spatial setting and the RO is that by using the same spatial setting for the k preamble repetition / continuous RO before the last one, the serving gNB can coherently combine the received preamble repetitions, thereby improving the received SINR.

[0091] For the third example, the association between the spatial setting for the PRACH preamble transmission repetition and the RO can be implemented based on the UE.

[0092] The association between the RO and the spatial setting described in the first or second example establishes a one-to-one mapping between the ROs (including the last ROs in the case where is not an integer) and the M spatial settings. Therefore, the association between the RO and the spatial setting described in the first or second example can be specified in the system operation, or indicated via one bit in the SIB (to indicate the association in the first example or the second example). Then, the field of the M bit in the RAR can indicate the spatial setting for the Msg3 PUSCH transmission scheduled by the UL grant in the RAR, or equivalently, can indicate the M ROs among the N ROs that have a one-to-one mapping to the M spatial settings. For the mapping in the first example, those ROs are the first ROs that have the first preamble repetitions for the PRACH preambles. For the mapping in the second example, those ROs are the first M groups of the

[0093] Upon receiving an indication in the RAR, the UE uses the spatial setting for transmitting the PRACH indicated by the RAR to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH. For a UE with a dedicated RRC connection, if the UE indicates the corresponding capability of using more than one spatial setting to transmit PRACH repetitions, multiple spatial settings of the UE for transmitting PRACH preamble repetitions can be provided by UE-specific RRC signaling.

[0094] Further, it is possible that the RAR indicates more than one PRACH preamble or RO corresponding to preamble repetitions. For example, if the gNB detects the first and third PRACH preambles or preamble repetitions, the RAR can indicate the bit values "00" and "10". Upon receiving the indication in the RAR, the UE uses the spatial setting for transmitting either of the PRACH preambles or preamble repetitions indicated by the RAR to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH. If two PRACH preambles or ROs corresponding to preamble repetitions are indicated in the RAR, the Msg3 PUSCH can be transmitted using the spatial setting associated with one of the indicated PRACH preambles or preamble repetitions, and if any, the retransmission of the Msg3 PUSCH can use the spatial setting associated with the other indicated PRACH preambles or preamble repetitions.

[0095] Further, it is possible that the RAR indicates more than one PRACH transmission or occasion / RO. In one example, if the gNB detects the first and second PRACHs and does not detect the third and fourth PRACHs, or if all PRACHs are detected but the first and second PRACHs are received with a higher SNR, or if at least one of the first and second PRACHs is detected and the third and fourth PRACHs are not detected, the RAR can use a 1-bit field with a bit value of "0" to indicate the first and second PRACHs, where the bit value "0" indicates the first and second PRACHs and the value "1" indicates the third and fourth PRACHs, or use a 1-bit field with a bit value of "1", where the bit value "1" indicates the first and second PRACHs and the value "0" indicates the third and fourth PRACHs. Upon receiving the indication in the RAR, the UE uses the spatial setting for transmitting one of the PRACHs indicated by the RAR to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH. In one example, the UE transmits N a PRACH, and the 1-bit field in the RAR indicates the first N / 2 PRACH or the second N / 2 PRACH by using the value "0" for the first N / 2 PRACH and the value "1" for the second N / 2a PRACH, or vice versa. When receiving the indication in the RAR, the UE uses the spatial setting for one of the N / 2 PRACHs indicated by the RAR to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH.

[0096] When the UE is provided with a configuration for transmitting multiple PRACHs using different spatial settings, the UE expects to receive an indication of one of the PRACHs transmitted according to the indication in the RAR or the corresponding RO or RO set.

[0097] Figure 6 A flowchart of a UE procedure 600 for determining spatial settings and ROs for transmitting multiple PRACHs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The UE procedure 600 can be executed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111 - 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 6 The embodiment of the UE procedure 600 shown is for illustration only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation. Figure 6 One or more of the components shown can be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components can be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0098] As Figure 6 shown, in step 610, the UE receives the SS / PBCH block. In step 620, the UE determines a set of spatial settings associated with the SS / PBCH block for transmitting multiple PRACHs, for example, based on its implementation. In step 630, the UE transmits multiple PRACHs in the RO group / set associated with the SS / PBCH block using the spatial settings in the determined set of spatial settings.

[0099] Figure 7 A flowchart of another UE procedure 700 for determining spatial settings and ROs for transmitting multiple PRACHs according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The UE procedure 700 can be executed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111 - 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 7 The embodiment of the UE procedure 700 shown is for illustration only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any specific implementation. Figure 7 One or more of the components shown can be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components can be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0100] As Figure 7 shown, in step 710, the UE is instructed to use MSend multiple PRACHs with different spatial settings. This indication can be provided in the SIB, and then if the UE is capable, the UE can use more than one spatial setting to send PRACH repetitions. The indication in the SIB can be used by capable UEs to send PRACH repetitions with different spatial settings and can be ignored by other UEs. The indication in the SIB can also include the maximum number of spatial settings for the transmission of PRACH repetitions M , and the maximum number can be used to establish an association between the ROs for PRACH repetitions and the spatial settings. The UE can send the number of PRACH repetitions with a number of spatial settings less than or equal to the maximum number of spatial settings. In step 720, the UE uses M different spatial settings in N ROs to send N a number of PRACHs, where . In step 730, the UE receives an indication of one of the sent PRACHs in the RAR. This indication can be used for the RO or for the spatial setting associated with the RO based on a predefined association between the RO and the spatial setting, as described previously in the first example or in the second example for the association between the RO and the spatial setting. In step 740, the UE determines a first spatial setting that is the same as the spatial setting indicated in the RAR or is associated with the RO / PRACH repetition indicated in the RAR. In step 750, the UE sends the Msg3 PUSCH using the first spatial setting.

[0101] When an indication to use more than one spatial setting to transmit multiple PRACHs is provided to the UE, multiple PRACHs are transmitted using more than one spatial setting on multiple ROs associated with the same SS / PBCH block, and an indication of the first PRACH / RO or the first spatial setting in the received RAR is received, where the first PRACH is transmitted using the first spatial setting, and the UE uses the first spatial setting to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH. For Msg3 PUSCH transmissions with repetitions, the UE may use the first spatial setting to transmit all repetitions. For Msg3 PUSCH retransmissions, or for any other PUSCH or PUCCH transmissions before the UE establishes a dedicated RRC connection with the gNB, and for the indicated spatial settings for PUSCH and PUCCH transmissions, the UE may use the same spatial setting as used for the initial Msg3 PUSCH transmission. Alternatively, the UE may use a different spatial setting. For example, if the UE transmits four PRACHs using the first, second, third, and fourth spatial settings respectively, the UE may use the spatial setting obtained by cycling through the set of spatial settings to transmit Msg3 PUSCH retransmissions. If the UE transmits the (first) Msg3 PUSCH using the first spatial setting, the UE may use the second, third, or fourth spatial setting to transmit retransmissions (if any).

[0102] Figure 8 FIG. 800 is a flowchart of a UE procedure for determining a spatial setting for transmitting Msg3 PUSCH with repetitions according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The UE procedure 800 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111-116 as shown in Figure 1 ). Figure 8 The embodiments of the UE procedure 800 shown in Figure 8 are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation.

[0103] As shown in Figure 8 , in step 810, the UE receives an indication of the spatial setting in the RAR corresponding to the PRACH transmission / RO. In step 820, the UE determines a first spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission based on the indication in the RAR for the PRACH repetition / RO / RO set. In step 830, the UE uses the determined first spatial setting to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH.

[0104] For multiple PRACH transmissions, the UE may also use the same spatial setting or filter (e.g., when the SIB does not indicate that different spatial settings can be used to repeat PRACH preamble transmissions), on multiple ROs, or equivalently, on a set or group of ROs, or on a set of PRACH resources indicated or determined to be associated with the same SS / PBCH block, to transmit a PRACH with preamble repetitions. The RAR may then still include an indication of the spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission.

[0105] In one example, the indication is whether the UE should use the same spatial setting as that used for the PRACH transmission with preamble repetitions for Msg3 PUSCH transmission, or a different spatial setting. The RAR UL grant may include a 1-bit field indication of the spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission, where a value of "0" may indicate using the same spatial setting and a value of "1" may indicate using a different spatial setting, and vice versa. When the UE uses a first spatial setting for the PRACH transmission with preamble repetitions and the 1-bit field in the RAR UL grant indicates using the same spatial setting for both PRACH transmission and Msg3 PUSCH transmission, the UE expects to use the first spatial setting to transmit Msg3 PUSCH. When the UE uses a first spatial setting for the PRACH transmission with preamble repetitions and the 1-bit field in the RAR UL grant indicates using different spatial settings for PRACH transmission and Msg3 PUSCH transmission, the UE does not expect to use the first spatial setting to transmit Msg3 PUSCH.

[0106] If the UE is instructed to use a set of spatial settings for Msg3 PUSCH transmission, the UE determines a second spatial setting from the set of spatial settings, where the set of spatial settings includes a first spatial setting and the second spatial setting is different from the first spatial setting. If, in addition to the first spatial setting, the set of spatial settings includes a subset with more than one spatial setting, the UE selects the second spatial setting from the subset of spatial settings based on measurements associated with reception on the subset of spatial settings. If the set of spatial settings does not include the first spatial setting, the UE selects the second spatial setting from the set of spatial settings based on measurements associated with reception on the set of spatial settings. Then, the UE uses the second spatial setting associated with the measurement having the maximum SNR to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH. For repeated Msg3 PUSCH transmissions, the UE may use the second spatial setting to transmit all repetitions, or may use different spatial settings from the set of spatial settings for repeated transmissions. For retransmissions, if any, the UE selects a spatial setting different from the spatial setting used for the initial transmission or previous retransmission, and the selection of the spatial setting for retransmission may be based on the measurement having the maximum SNR in a set of spatial settings that does not include the spatial setting used for the initial transmission or previous retransmission.

[0107] If the UE is not instructed to use a set of spatial settings for Msg3 PUSCH transmission, the UE may determine a second spatial setting based on measurements and transmit the Msg3 PUSCH (with or without repetition) using the second spatial setting, or determine a set of spatial settings that may or may not include the first spatial setting and transmit the Msg3 PUSCH with repetition during repetition using the set of spatial settings, or transmit the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission using the set of spatial settings during retransmission.

[0108] Figure 9 A flowchart of a UE procedure 900 for determining spatial settings for Msg3 PUSCH transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. The UE procedure 900 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111 - 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 9 The embodiments of the UE procedure 900 shown are for illustrative purposes only and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 9 One or more of the components shown may be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0109] As Figure 9 shown, in step 910, the UE uses the same first spatial filter in the determined preamble repetitions for PRACH transmission on a resource. In step 920, the UE receives an indication in the RAR for Msg3 PUSCH transmission using a spatial filter different from the first spatial filter. In step 930, the UE determines a second spatial filter for Msg3 PUSCH transmission based on the indication in the RAR and, if configured, based on a set of spatial settings associated with uplink transmission during random access. In step 940, the UE transmits Msg3 PUSCH using the second spatial setting. Steps 920 to 940 are equally applicable when the UE transmits a PRACH on the indicated PRACH resource using the first spatial setting. In the present disclosure, an indication of the spatial settings of the UE is provided.

[0110] When the UE is configured to use a set of spatial settings for uplink transmission during random access, such as for PRACH transmission or Msg3 PUSCH transmission or PUCCH transmission for providing HARQ-ACK information in response to PDSCH reception (e.g., Msg4 reception) during the random access procedure, the UE can determine a spatial setting from the set of spatial settings and use the determined spatial setting to transmit Msg3 PUSCH or PUCCH. The UE can also indicate the spatial setting to the gNB.

[0111] In one example, the UE is configured with a set of spatial settings for transmission during random access and determines the spatial setting in the set of spatial settings for Msg3 PUSCH transmission. Then, the UE transmits Msg3 PUSCH using the spatial setting and indicates the spatial setting to the gNB. A field in Msg3 PUSCH, such as a MAC control element (CE) or multiplexed uplink control information (UCI) similar to multiplexed HARQ-ACK or CSI, can indicate the spatial setting used by the UE to transmit Msg3 PUSCH, where the field in Msg3 PUSCH can be a dedicated field or a field reused to indicate the spatial setting. Depending on the number of configured spatial settings, the field can be one or more bits. The spatial setting can correspond to a TCI state in a set of TCI states indicated in a system information block (SIB) associated with the SS / PBCH block that the UE uses to obtain time-frequency synchronization and subsequently receive the SIB.

[0112]

[0113] ​For example, if four spatial settings / TCI states are provided to the UE via higher layer parameters or in the SIB, the UE uses 2 bits to indicate one of the four spatial settings for Msg3 PUSCH transmission. If the UE repeats the transmission of Msg3 PUSCH, the UE uses the same spatial setting to transmit the Msg3 PUSCH repetition. The UE also uses the same spatial setting to transmit the PUCCH that provides HARQ-ACK information in response to the reception of a PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 1_0, where DCI format 1_0 has a CRC scrambled by the TC-RNTI for a type 1 RA procedure, or if the RAR message is for a successful RAR for a type 2 RA procedure, or generally before receiving information via UE-specific RRC signaling for PUCCH resources, provides HARQ-ACK information with an ACK value. The UE may also use the same spatial setting for all subsequent PUCCH transmissions with HARQ-ACK information before the UE is provided with dedicated PUCCH resources including the corresponding spatial setting.

[0114] In one example, the UE is configured to transmit during random access using a set of spatial settings, and determine a spatial setting for the PUCCH from the set of spatial settings, where the PUCCH provides HARQ-ACK information in response to receiving a PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 1_0 with a CRC scrambled by the TC-RNTI (for a type 1 RA procedure), or receiving a PDSCH scheduled by DCI format 1_0 with a C-RNTI (for a PDSCH received after contention resolution), or provide HARQ-ACK information with an ACK value if the RAR message for a type 2 RA procedure is a successRAR (successful RAR), or generally provide HARQ-ACK information before receiving information for PUCCH resources via UE-specific RRC signaling. The UE then transmits the PUCCH using the spatial setting. The UE may also indicate the spatial setting to the gNB, as this enables the gNB to subsequently transmit to the UE using a narrower beam. A field in the PUCCH may indicate the spatial setting used by the UE to transmit the PUCCH, where the field may be a dedicated field or a field reused to indicate the spatial setting. Depending on the number of configured spatial settings, the field may be one or more bits in the PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information. For example, if four spatial settings are provided to the UE, such as via corresponding TCI states in an SIB associated with an SS / PBCH block, the UE uses 2 bits to indicate one of the four spatial settings for PUCCH transmission. If the UE transmits the PUCCH repeatedly, the same spatial setting is used in the repeated transmissions of the PUCCH. The bits indicating the spatial setting may also be multiplexed in PUSCH transmission similar to the HARQ-ACK information, and if the UE also provides HARQ-ACK information, these bits may be appended after the HARQ-ACK information before encoding.

[0115] Figure 10 FIG. 4 shows a flowchart of a UE procedure 1000 for indicating a spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The UE procedure 1000 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111-UE 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 10 The embodiment of the UE procedure 1000 shown in FIG. 4 is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 10 One or more of the components shown may be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0116] As Figure 10As shown, in step 1010, a set of spatial settings for transmission during random access is provided to the UE via higher layer parameters in the SIB. In step 1020, the UE determines the spatial setting for PRACH or Msg3 PUSCH transmission from the set of spatial settings. In step 1030, the UE indicates the spatial setting in the Msg3 PUSCH field. In step 1040, the UE transmits Msg3 PUSCH using the spatial setting. In step 1050, the UE transmits PUCCH, which provides HARQ-ACK information in response to PDSCH reception during random access using the spatial setting.

[0117] In the present disclosure, an indication of the spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission is provided in the RAR. For Msg3 PUSCH transmission that is part of the random access procedure performed by the UE for initial access to the gNB, or after the UE establishes an RRC connection with the gNB, the UE may determine the spatial setting based on the indication in the RAR, where the indication is associated with one or more of multiple PRACHs transmitted using different spatial settings on an RO associated with the same SS / PBCH block or CSI-RS. The UE may receive an indication of the DCI format in a new field of one bit, two bits, or more bits. The DCI format / RAR UL grant may provide the indication by reusing bits of an existing field to avoid the overhead associated with introducing a new field in the DCI format. Additionally or alternatively, different spatial settings may be associated with different SS / PBCH block or CSI-RS configurations. For example, the UE receives a CSI-RS configuration associated with the corresponding spatial setting in the SIB.

[0118] For the retransmission (if any) of Msg3 PUSCH scheduled by DCI format 0_0 with CRC scrambled by the TC-RNTI provided in the corresponding RAR message, the UE can determine the spatial setting based on the indication in the fields of DCI format 0_0. The UE can be configured with a 1-bit field in DCI format 0_0 for indicating the spatial setting of the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission, and a 1-bit field with value "0" indicates using the same spatial setting as that used in the previous Msg3 PUSCH transmission, and a 1-bit field with value "1" indicates using a spatial setting different from the spatial setting used in the previous Msg3 PUSCH transmission, or vice versa. Alternatively, when the UE is configured with a 1-bit field in DCI format 0_0 to indicate the spatial setting for the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission, the 1-bit field is set to "0" (or set to "1") to indicate using a spatial setting different from the spatial setting used in the previous Msg3 PUSCH transmission. Alternatively, the 1-bit field in DCI format 0_0 that schedules the Msg3 PUSCH retransmission can indicate a spatial setting from the set of configured spatial settings. When the UE is configured with a set of spatial settings that includes more than two spatial settings, the field in DCI format 0_0 for indicating the spatial setting has more than one bit.

[0119] When the UE transmits Msg3 PUSCH, high-order modulation for data information and high code rates for high spectral efficiency are generally not applicable. Therefore, only the lower entries of the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table that can be indicated by the MCS field in the DCI format that schedules the PUSCH transmission are useful. For example, the MCS table can be a table that includes smaller spectral efficiency values for PUSCH transmission instead of a table that includes larger spectral efficiency values. For example, for an MCS field that includes 4 bits or includes 5 bits, 1 bit or more bits can be used as part of the multiple bits for indicating an index associated with the PRACH transmission.

[0120] For Msg3 PUSCH transmissions scheduled by the UL grant in the RAR, the RAR may provide an indication of an index (repetition count or RO) associated with the PRACH transmission used to determine the spatial setting for the Msg3 PUSCH transmission. For example, the 2 MSBs of the MCS field or the 2 LSBs of the MCS field may be used to indicate the repetition count / RO for determining the spatial setting for the Msg3 PUSCH transmission that is the same as the spatial setting for the repetition in the RO, and the remaining 2 or 3 bits provide the MCS index. When 2 bits are used to indicate the index (repetition count or RO) associated with the PRACH transmission, for each MCS index, any one of the 4 indices associated with the PRACH transmission may be used to indicate the corresponding PUSCH transmission. In another example, the 3 MSBs of the MCS field or the 3 LSBs of the MCS field may be used to indicate the index (repetition count or RO) associated with the PRACH transmission so that the UE transmits the Msg3 PUSCH using the same spatial setting as the spatial setting for the repetition of the PRACH preamble used for transmitting the repetition count / RO, and the remaining 1 or 2 bits provide the MCS index.

[0121] The PUSCH associated with the MCS index may be transmitted using any spatial setting for the PRACH transmission corresponding to the index indicated by the bits of the MCS field.

[0122] Figure 11 FIG. 1100 is a flow chart of a UE process for determining a spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission scheduled by a UL grant in an RAR message in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. UE process 1100 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of UEs 111 - 116 as shown in Figure 1 ). Figure 11 The embodiment of UE process 1100 shown in FIG. 1100 is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 11 One or more of the components shown in FIG. 1100 may be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0123] As Figure 11 shown, in step 1110, the Msg3 PUSCH transmission is scheduled for the UE by the UL grant in the RAR. In step 1120, an indication of the PRACH transmission (repetition count or RO) is provided to the UE by bits of the MCS field of the RAR. In step 1130, the UE determines the spatial setting for the Msg3 PUSCH transmission based on the indication in the MCS field. In step 1140, the UE transmits the Msg3 PUSCH using the determined spatial filter.

[0124] The transmit power control (TPC) command field in the DCI format scheduling Msg3 PUSCH transmission can be used, in whole or in part, to indicate the RO index of the spatial setting associated with PRACH transmission. For example, for a 2-bit TPC command field, the value can be used to indicate one of four values of the RO index for the UE to determine the same spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission.

[0125] For Msg3 PUSCH transmissions providing small transport blocks, the benefit of the increased redundancy is negligible compared to chase combining. Therefore, some or all of the bits of the RV field in the DCI format scheduling Msg3 PUSCH transmission can be used to indicate the RO index, or equivalently, the spatial setting associated with PRACH transmission in the RO.

[0126] When the UE repeatedly transmits PUSCH, due to the power spectral density of each RE becoming smaller and the channel estimation accuracy decreasing, a large bandwidth for Msg3 PUSCH transmission is unlikely. Therefore, the maximum PUSCH transmission bandwidth can be configured, for example, by SIB, and some of the bits of the frequency domain resource allocation (FDRA) field in the DCI format scheduling Msg3 PUSCH transmission can be reused to indicate the RO index, or equivalently, the spatial setting associated with PRACH transmission in the RO.

[0127] Therefore, before establishing an RRC connection, the RO index or the spatial setting associated with PRACH transmission in the RO can be indicated by using one or more existing fields (such as the MCS field, TPC command field, RV field, or FDRA field) in the DCI format scheduling PUSCH transmission with one bit or more bits. A certain bit in the above fields can be used to indicate the interpretation of the remaining bits, that is, interpreted as the conventional interpretation associated with the functions of those fields, or interpreted as indicating the number of repetitions. These bits can be defined in the specification of system operation.

[0128] For Msg3 PUSCH transmission scheduled by UL grant in the random access response (RAR) message, indication of the RO index or indication of the spatial setting associated with PRACH transmission in the RO, the Msg3 PUSCH transmission used in the Msg3 PUSCH transmission can also include reserved bits, such as bits for requesting channel state information (CSI) reports for UEs performing random access procedures after RRC connection establishment.

[0129] In the present disclosure, an indication of a spatial setting of a PUCCH transmission having HARQ-ACK information before a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration may be provided in a DCI format. The DCI format may indicate a spatial setting for a PUCCH transmission having HARQ-ACK information before providing a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration using one bit or more bits of a payload in the DCI format. A DCI format for scheduling PDSCH reception, such as DCI format 1_0, may include a dedicated field for indicating a spatial setting of a PUCCH transmission that provides HARQ-ACK information for PDSCH reception, or one bit or more bits for indicating a spatial setting of a PUCCH transmission are obtained from a field present in DCI format 1_0. Alternatively, the UE transmits the PUCCH using the same spatial setting as the spatial setting indicated by the UE's last Msg3 PUSCH transmission before the PUCCH transmission, without the need to provide any indication of the spatial setting for the PUCCH transmission in a DCI format associated with the PUCCH transmission.

[0130] In one example, some or all bits for indicating a spatial setting of a PUCCH transmission from the UE may be provided by a Hybrid Automatic Repeat reQuest (HARQ) process number (HPN) field in a DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_0). The HPN field in the DCI format includes 4 bits to indicate one of 16 HARQ processes, and the HARQ process is associated with a transport block (TB) provided by PDSCH reception scheduled by the DCI format. When multiple HARQ processes are not indicated to the UE by UE-specific RRC signaling, such as before establishing an RRC connection with the serving gNB, the maximum number of HARQ processes is 8, and 1 bit in the HPN field, such as the most significant bit (MSB), may be used to indicate the spatial setting for the associated PUCCH transmission. Since a UE without an RRC connection to the serving gNB is less likely to require high data rates to communicate with the gNB, the number of HARQ processes may be less than 8, such as 4, and then 2 bits in the HPN field may be used to indicate the spatial setting.

[0131] In one example, before the UE establishes an RRC connection with the serving gNB, a large modulation order (e.g., QAM64) or a large code rate (e.g., above 2 / 3) for high spectral efficiency or large data rates for PDSCH reception by the UE is generally not applicable. Therefore, lower entries in a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) table that may be indicated by an MCS field in a DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_0) for scheduling PDSCH reception may be useful. For example, for a 5-bit MCS field, one bit or more bits may be used to indicate a spatial setting of a PUSCH transmission by an indication of a PRACH repetition count or an RO or RO subset as described above.

[0132] In one example, the transmit power control (TPC) command field in a DCI format (e.g., DCI format 1_0) can be used, in whole or in part, to indicate a spatial setting. For example, for a 2-bit TPC command field, the value can indicate a spatial setting in a set of spatial settings based on the (maximum) number of spatial settings indicated by the SIB. For example, for a 2-bit TPC command field, one bit can be used to indicate a power adjustment of 0 dB or 3 dB, and the other bit can be used to indicate a spatial setting, or can be combined with bits in another field (e.g., the HPN field or the MCS field) to indicate a spatial setting, e.g., by indication of an associated RO or RO subset.

[0133] In one example, considering that PDSCH reception before the UE establishes an RRC connection with the serving gNB typically has a low code rate and provides a small TB, the use of incremental redundancy for retransmission of the TB (when the UE indicates a NACK value for a previous transmission of the TB) can be avoided (and then chase combining is used) or reduced, e.g., by using one redundancy version (RV) instead of three RVs, because in fact all the gains from HARQ retransmission of the TB can be obtained by chase combining or by one additional RV for incremental redundancy. For example, for DCI format 1_0 that includes a 2-bit RV field, one bit can be used to indicate RRV 0 or RRV 2, and one bit can be used to indicate a spatial setting, or can be combined with one bit or more bits in another field, as described above. Alternatively, if chase combining is used for HARQ retransmission of the TB, the two bits of the RV field of DCI format 1_0 can be used to indicate the spatial setting of the PUCCH transmission associated with DCI format 1_0. This indication can be based on the number of PRACH repetitions associated with the use of the spatial setting or the indication of an RO or RO subset.

[0134] In one example, 1 bit or more bits of the downlink allocation index (DAI) field of DCI format 1_0 that includes 2 bits can be used as part of a plurality of bits for indicating the spatial setting of the PUCCH transmission, or when monitoring DCI format in the common search space for operation in a cell in frequency range 2-2 and the number of bits of the field "ChannelAccess-CPext" is 0, 1 bit or 2 bits of the 2-bit reserved field can be used.

[0135] When PUCCH resources are not provided to a UE via UE-specific RRC signaling, the spatial setting of PUCCH transmission from the UE can be indicated by a DCI format that schedules PDSCH transmission by using one or more bits of one or more existing fields in the DCI format, such as the HARQ process number field, the MCS field, the TPC command field, or the RV field, where the DCI format can be DCI format 1_0 or DCI format 1_1 or DCI format 1_2. When PUCCH resources are not provided to a UE via UE-specific RRC signaling, the bits in the above fields can be used to indicate whether the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission is the same as or different from the spatial setting for Msg3 PUSCH transmission, and then the interpretation of the remaining bits can be determined as the normal interpretation associated with the functions of those fields. Alternatively, the use of one or more bits in the above fields can be defined in the specification of system operation as indicating the spatial setting of PUCCH transmission from the UE when PUCCH resources are not provided to the UE via UE-specific RRC signaling.

[0136] To indicate the spatial setting of PUCCH transmission before providing dedicated PUCCH resource configuration, multiple bits in the DCI format can include bits from more than one of the HARQ process number, MCS, TPC, or RV fields, and can be the MSB or LSB of the corresponding fields. If two or more bits used to indicate the spatial setting of PUCCH transmission are from the same field of DCI format 1_0, two or more MSBs or two or more LSBs of that field can be used, and it can be defined in the specification of system operation. For example, two bits of the HPN field, or the MSB of the HPN field and the MSB of the MCS field, or two MSBs of the MCS field, or the MSB of the HPN field and the MSB of the RV field, etc. can be used.

[0137] The spatial setting for the associated PUCCH transmission is not indicated by the DCI format that schedules PDSCH reception, and this spatial setting can be indicated by a MAC CE provided by the PDSCH reception. The MAC CE can indicate an index in a set of K values provided by a higher layer parameter.

[0138] Figure 12 A flowchart of UE procedure 1200 for transmitting a PUCCH using the spatial setting indicated by bits of the HARQ process number field in the DCI format received for scheduling PDSCH before providing dedicated PUCCH resource configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown. UE procedure 1200 can be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of UEs 111 - 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 12The embodiment of the UE procedure 1200 shown is for illustration only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 12 One or more components described may be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more components may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0139] As Figure 12 shown, in step 1210, the UE receives the DCI format for scheduling PDSCH reception. In step 1220, the UE determines the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission based on the value of one or more bits of the HPN field in the DCI format indicating the PRACH repetition number or the RO or RO subset. In step 1230, the UE determines the PUCCH resource for PUCCH transmission. In step 1240, the UE transmits the PUCCH using the determined spatial filter in the determined PUCCH resource.

[0140] A UE that indicates the ability to repeat the transmission of PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information and does not have a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration determines the repetition number for PUCCH transmission based on the indication of the higher layer parameter numberOfPUCCHforMsg4HARQACK-RepetitionsList, and if the higher layer parameter numberOfPUCCHforMsg4HARQACK-RepetitionsList provides more than one value, it is determined by the DAI field in the DCI format received by scheduling PDSCH. The UE may determine the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission based on the indication of the field in the DCI format. The UE may determine the spatial setting based on the indicated repetition number. The spatial setting associated with the repetition number may be provided to the UE by a higher layer parameter, and the indication of the repetition number also provides information on the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission. Alternatively, the UE may use the same spatial setting as the UE used for transmitting the last Msg3 PUSCH to transmit any PUCCH.

[0141] In one example, the UE is configured with one value for the repetition number by numberOfPUCCHforMsg4HARQACK-RepetitionsList and is configured with an associated spatial setting by the same or a different higher layer parameter. The indication of the repetition number also implicitly provides the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission with the indicated repetition number.

[0142] In one example, the UE is configured with N values for the number of repetitions by numberOfPUCCHforMsg4HARQACK-RepetitionsList, and is configured with N spatial settings associated with the N values for the number of repetitions by the same or different higher layer parameters, where the N spatial settings can be all different or the same spatial settings, or all the spatial settings can be the same. The indication of the number of repetitions can also implicitly provide the spatial setting for the PUCCH transmission with the indicated number of repetitions. N can be an integer value of 1 or greater than 1.

[0143] In one example, the UE is configured with N spatial settings by a higher layer parameter (e.g., PUCCH-SpatialSetting-List), and if the PUCCH-SpatialSetting-List has more than one entry, the field in the DCI format (as described above) indicates the spatial setting among the N spatial settings.

[0144] Figure 13 A flowchart of a UE process 1300 for transmitting a PUCCH using the number of repetitions and spatial settings indicated by a DCI format received for scheduling a PDSCH before providing a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown, where the DCI format has a CRC scrambled by a TC-RNTI, and the PDSCH reception includes a UE contention resolution identity. The UE process 1300 can be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111-UE 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 13 The embodiment of the UE process 1300 shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 13 One or more of the components shown can be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more of the components can be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0145] As Figure 13As shown, in step 1310, the UE receives the DCI format for scheduling PDSCH reception. In step 1320, the UE determines the number of repetitions of PUCCH transmission including HARQ-ACK information in response to PDSCH reception based on the value of one or more bits of the DAI field in the DCI format. In step 1330, the UE determines the spatial setting for PUCCH transmission based on the value of one or more bits of the HPN field in the DCI format indicating the number of repetitions of the PRACH or RO or RO subset associated with the spatial setting. In step 1340, the UE determines the PUCCH resource for PUCCH transmission. In step 1350, the UE transmits the PUCCH using the determined spatial filter in the determined PUCCH resource with the determined number of repetitions.

[0146] Figure 14 FIG. shows a flowchart of a UE procedure 1400 for transmitting a PUCCH before providing a dedicated PUCCH resource configuration using a number of repetitions and an associated spatial setting according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The UE procedure 1400 may be performed by a UE (e.g., any one of the UEs 111-UE 116 as Figure 1 shown). Figure 14 The embodiment of the UE procedure 1400 shown in is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the scope of the present disclosure to any particular implementation. Figure 14 One or more components described in may be implemented in a dedicated circuit configured to perform the above functions, or one or more components may be implemented by one or more processors executing instructions to perform the above functions.

[0147] As Figure 14 shown, in step 1410, the UE indicates the ability to repetitively transmit a PUCCH with HARQ-ACK information. In step 1420, the UE determines the number of repetitions of PUCCH transmission including HARQ-ACK information based on an indication of a higher layer parameter. In step 1430, the UE determines the spatial setting associated with the number of repetitions of PUCCH transmission. In step 1440, the UE determines the PUCCH resource for PUCCH transmission. In step 1450, the UE transmits the PUCCH using the determined spatial filter in the determined PUCCH resource with the determined number of repetitions.

[0148] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a user equipment (UE) includes: a transceiver configured to receive a system information block (SIB) that indicates: a first number M of spatial settings for transmission of a physical random access channel (PRACH), a set of random access channel opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition counts; and a processor operatively coupled to the transceiver, the processor being configured to determine, based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and a number N of ROs in a subset of ROs: a repetition count for PRACH transmission in the set of repetition counts, a subset of ROs in the set of ROs corresponding to the repetition count, and a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the subset of ROs; wherein the transceiver is further configured to transmit the PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

[0149] Wherein: the SIB further indicates a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in the subset of ROs, and the mapping is from a set of predetermined mappings.

[0150] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when N is an integer k times M, the mapping: associates the same spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs, and, if any, associates the next spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with the subsequent k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs.

[0151] Wherein: the set of spatial settings includes a second number of spatial settings, the second number of spatial settings being less than or equal to the first number M of spatial settings, the mapping associates the set of spatial settings with a sequence of consecutive and non-overlapping ROs in the subset of ROs, and the number of ROs in each RO sequence is equal to the second number.

[0152] Wherein, the set of spatial settings includes a second number of spatial settings, the second number of spatial settings being less than the first number M of spatial settings.

[0153] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver is further configured to receive a random access response (RAR); the RAR includes information for scheduling transmission of a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH); the information includes a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field; the processor is further configured to determine an MCS associated with the PUSCH transmission based on a first part of bits of the MCS field, and determine a spatial setting from the set of spatial settings based on a second part of bits of the MCS field; and the transceiver is further configured to transmit the PUSCH using the MCS and the spatial setting.

[0154] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver is further configured to: receive a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), where the PDSCH provides a transport block; and use a spatial configuration to transmit a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), where the PUCCH provides acknowledgment information for the transport block.

[0155] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a Base Station (BS) includes: a transceiver configured to transmit a System Information Block (SIB), where the SIB indicates: a first number M of spatial configurations, a set of Random Access Channel Opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition numbers for receiving a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH); and a processor operably coupled to the transceiver, where the processor is configured to determine, based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial configurations and the number N of ROs in a subset of ROs: the repetition number for receiving the PRACH in the set of repetition numbers, the subset of ROs in the set of ROs corresponding to the repetition number, and the set of spatial configurations having a one-to-one association with the subset of ROs; where the transceiver is further configured to receive the PRACH through the subset of ROs using the set of spatial configurations.

[0156] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the SIB further indicates a mapping between the first number M of spatial configurations and the number N of ROs in a subset of ROs, and the mapping is from a set of predetermined mappings.

[0157] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where when N is an integer k times M, the mapping: associates the same spatial configuration in the set of spatial configurations with k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs, and, if any, associates the next spatial configuration in the set of spatial configurations with the subsequent k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs.

[0158] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the set of spatial configurations includes a second number of spatial configurations less than or equal to the first number M of spatial configurations, the mapping associates the set of spatial configurations with a sequence of consecutive and non-overlapping ROs in the subset of ROs, and the number of ROs in each RO sequence is equal to the second number.

[0159] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, where: the transceiver is further configured to transmit a Random Access Response (RAR); the RAR includes information for scheduling the reception of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH); the information includes a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) field; the processor is further configured to determine the MCS associated with the PUSCH reception based on a first portion of bits of the MCS field, and determine a spatial configuration from the set of spatial configurations based on a second portion of bits of the MCS field; and the transceiver is further configured to receive the PUSCH using the MCS and the spatial configuration.

[0160] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the transceiver is further configured to: transmit a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), where the PDSCH provides a transport block; and receive a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH) using a spatial setting, the PUCCH providing acknowledgment information for the transport block.

[0161] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, a method performed by a User Equipment (UE), the method comprising: receiving a System Information Block (SIB), the System Information Block (SIB) indicating: a first number M of spatial settings for transmission of a Physical Random Access Channel (PRACH), a set of Random Access Channel Opportunities (ROs), and a set of repetition counts; determining, based on a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in an RO subset, the repetition count for PRACH transmission in the set of repetition counts, the RO subset in the set of ROs corresponding to the repetition count, and the set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset; and transmitting the PRACH on the RO subset using the set of spatial settings.

[0162] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein: the SIB further indicates a mapping between the first number M of spatial settings and the number N of ROs in an RO subset, and the mapping is from a set of predetermined mappings.

[0163] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein when N is an integer k times M, the mapping: associates the same spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with k consecutive ROs in the RO subset, and if any, associates the next spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with the subsequent k consecutive ROs in the RO subset.

[0164] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein: the group of spatial settings includes a second number of spatial settings, the second number of spatial settings being less than or equal to the first number M of spatial settings.

[0165] The mapping associates the set of spatial settings with a consecutive and non-overlapping sequence of ROs in the RO subset, and the number of ROs in each RO sequence is equal to the second number.

[0166] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the set of spatial settings includes a second number of spatial settings, the second number of spatial settings being less than the first number M of spatial settings.

[0167] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: receiving a Random Access Response (RAR), where: the RAR includes information for scheduling the transmission of a Physical Uplink Shared Channel (PUSCH), and the information includes a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) field; determining the MCS associated with the PUSCH transmission based on the first part of the bits of the MCS field, and determining a spatial setting from a set of spatial settings based on the second part of the bits of the MCS field; and using the MCS and the spatial setting to transmit the PUSCH.

[0168] In an embodiment of the present disclosure, it further includes: receiving a Physical Downlink Shared Channel (PDSCH), where the PDSCH provides a transport block; and using a spatial setting to transmit a Physical Uplink Control Channel (PUCCH), and the PUCCH provides acknowledgement information for the transport block.

[0169] Figure 15 The structure of a UE according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0170] As Figure 15 shown, the UE according to the embodiment may include a transceiver 1510, a memory 1520, and a processor 1530. The transceiver 1510, memory 1520, and processor 1530 of the UE may operate according to the above-mentioned communication method of the UE. However, the components of the UE are not limited thereto. For example, the UE may include more or fewer components than those described above. In addition, the processor 1530, transceiver 1510, and memory 1520 may be implemented as a single chip. In addition, the processor 1530 may include at least one processor. In addition, Figure 15 the UE respectively corresponds to Figure 1 the UEs 111, 112, 113, 114, 115, 116.

[0171] The transceiver 1510 generally refers to a UE receiver and a UE transmitter, and may send / receive signals to / from a base station or a network entity. The signals sent to or received from a base station or a network entity may include control information and data. The transceiver 1510 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of the transmission signal, and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying and down-converting the frequency of the received signal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 1510, and the components of the transceiver 1510 are not limited to the RF transmitter and the RF receiver.

[0172] In addition, the transceiver 1510 may receive and output signals to the processor 1530 through a wireless channel, and transmit the signals output from the processor 1530 through a wireless channel.

[0173] The memory 1520 may store programs and data required for the operation of the UE. In addition, the memory 1520 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the UE. The memory 1520 may be a storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD, or a combination of storage media.

[0174] The processor 1530 may control a series of processes such that the UE operates as described above. For example, the transceiver 1510 may receive data signals including control signals sent by a base station or a network entity, and the processor 1530 may determine the result of receiving the control signals and data signals sent by the base station or the network entity.

[0175] Figure 16 The structure of a base station according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is shown.

[0176] As Figure 16 shown, a base station according to an embodiment may include a transceiver 1610, a memory 1620, and a processor 1630. The transceiver 1610, the memory 1620, and the processor 1630 of the base station may operate according to the communication method of the base station described above. However, the components of the base station are not limited thereto. For example, the base station may include more or fewer components than those described above. In addition, the processor 1630, the transceiver 1610, and the memory 1620 may be implemented as a single chip. In addition, the processor 1630 may include at least one processor. In addition, Figure 16 the base station of Figure 1 corresponds to base stations (e.g.,

[0177] The transceiver 1610 generally refers to a base station receiver and a base station transmitter, and may send / receive signals to / from a terminal (UE) or a network entity. The signals sent to or received from the terminal or the network entity may include control information and data. The transceiver 1610 may include an RF transmitter for up-converting and amplifying the frequency of a transmission signal, and an RF receiver for low-noise amplifying and down-converting the frequency of a received signal. However, this is only an example of the transceiver 1610, and the components of the transceiver 1610 are not limited to the RF transmitter and the RF receiver.

[0178] Moreover, the transceiver 1610 may receive and output signals to the processor 1630 through a wireless channel, and send the signals output from the processor 1630 through the wireless channel.

[0179] The memory 1620 may store programs and data required for the operation of the base station. In addition, the memory 1620 may store control information or data included in signals obtained by the base station. The memory 1620 may be a storage medium such as a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a hard disk, a CD-ROM, and a DVD, or a combination of storage media.

[0180] The processor 1630 may control a series of processes such that the base station operates as described above. For example, the transceiver 1610 may receive a data signal including a control signal transmitted by the terminal, and the processor 1630 may determine the result of receiving the control signal and the data signal transmitted by the terminal.

[0181] The above flowcharts illustrate example methods that may be implemented in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure, and various changes may be made to the methods illustrated in the flowcharts here. For example, although shown as a series of steps, the individual steps in each figure may overlap, occur in parallel, occur in a different order, or occur multiple times. In another example, steps may be omitted or steps may be replaced with other steps.

[0182] Although the present disclosure has been described with exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art may make various changes and modifications. The present disclosure is intended to include such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the appended claims. Any description in this application should not be construed as implying that any particular element, step, or function is an essential element that must be included within the scope of the claims. The scope of the subject matter of the patent right is defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A user equipment (UE), comprising: a transceiver; a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: receive a system information block (SIB), the SIB indicating: First quantity of spatial settings M ; a set of random access opportunity (RO) instances; and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission; and determine a repetition number from the set of repetition numbers for the PRACH transmission, determine a subset of ROs corresponding to the repetition number from the set of ROs, and a first quantity based on the spatial arrangement M and the quantity of ROs in the RO subset N a set of spatial arrangements having a one-to-one association with the RO subset is determined based on the mapping therebetween; transmit the PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

2. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The SIB also indicates a mapping between a first quantity of the spatial setting M and a quantity of the ROs in the RO subset N and, the mapping is from a set of predetermined mappings.

3. The UE according to claim 1, wherein When N is M an integer multiple of k times, the mapping is as follows: Associate the same spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with the k consecutive ROs in the RO subset, and associate, if any, the next spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with the subsequent k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs.

4. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: The set of spatial settings includes a second quantity of spatial settings, the second quantity being less than or equal to the first quantity of the spatial settings M , the mapping associates the set of spatial settings with a sequence of consecutive and non-overlapping ROs in the subset of ROs, and the number of ROs in each RO sequence is equal to the second number.

5. The UE according to claim 1, wherein, The set of spatial settings includes a second quantity of spatial settings, the second quantity being less than the first quantity of spatial settings M .

6. The UE according to claim 1, wherein: the controller is further configured to: receive a random access response (RAR); the RAR includes information for scheduling a physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) transmission; the information includes a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field; determine an MCS associated with the PUSCH transmission based on a first portion of bits of the MCS field, and determine a spatial setting from the set of spatial settings based on a second portion of bits of the MCS field; and transmit the PUSCH using the MCS and the spatial setting.

7. The UE according to claim 6, wherein The transceiver is further configured to: receive a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), wherein the PDSCH provides a transport block; and transmit a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) providing acknowledgment information for the transport block using the spatial setting.

8. A base station (BS), comprising: a transceiver; and a controller coupled to the transceiver and configured to: transmit a system information block (SIB), the SIB indicating: First quantity of spatial settings M ; a set of random access opportunity (RO) instances; and a set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) reception; and determine a repetition number from the set of repetition numbers for the PRACH reception, determine a subset of ROs corresponding to the repetition number from the set of ROs, and a first quantity based on the spatial setting M and the quantity of ROs in the RO subset N determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset; receive the PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

9. The BS according to claim 8, wherein: The SIB also indicates a mapping between a first quantity of the spatial setting M and a quantity of the ROs in the RO subset N and, the mapping is from a set of predetermined mappings.

10. The BS according to claim 8, wherein When N is M an integer multiple k times, the mapping is as follows: Associate the same spatial setting in the spatial setting set with the k consecutive ROs in the RO subset, and associate, if any, the next spatial setting in the set of spatial settings with the subsequent k consecutive ROs in the subset of ROs.

11. The BS according to claim 8, wherein: The set of spatial settings includes a second quantity of spatial settings, the second quantity being less than or equal to the first quantity of spatial settings M , the mapping associates the set of spatial settings with a sequence of consecutive and non-overlapping ROs in the subset of ROs, and the number of ROs in each RO sequence is equal to the second number.

12. The BS according to claim 8, wherein: the controller is further configured to: transmit a random access response (RAR); The RAR includes information for scheduling physical uplink shared channel (PUSCH) reception; The information includes a modulation and coding scheme (MCS) field; Based on a first part of bits of the MCS field, determine an MCS associated with the PUSCH reception, and Based on a second part of bits of the MCS field, determine a spatial setting from the set of spatial settings; and Receive the PUSCH using the MCS and the spatial setting.

13. The BS according to claim 12, wherein, The controller is further configured to: Transmit a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH), where the PDSCH provides a transport block; and Receive a physical uplink control channel (PUCCH) providing acknowledgment information for the transport block using the spatial setting.

14. A method performed by a user equipment (UE) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: Receiving a system information block (SIB), the SIB indicating: First quantity of spatial settings M ; A set of random access channel opportunities (ROs); And A set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) transmission; Determine a repetition number for the PRACH transmission from the set of repetition numbers, Determine a subset of ROs corresponding to the repetition number from the set of ROs, and a first quantity based on the spatial setting M and the number of ROs in the RO subset N determine a set of spatial settings having a one-to-one association with the RO subset; And Transmit the PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

15. A method performed by a base station (BS) in a wireless communication system, the method comprising: Transmitting a system information block (SIB), the SIB indicating: First quantity of spatial settings M ; A set of random access channel opportunities (ROs); And A set of repetition numbers for physical random access channel (PRACH) reception; and Determine a repetition number for the PRACH reception from the set of repetition numbers, Determine a subset of ROs corresponding to the repetition number from the set of ROs, and a first quantity based on the spatial arrangement M and the quantity of ROs in the RO subset N determine a set of spatial arrangements having a one-to-one association with the RO subset; Receive the PRACH on the subset of ROs using the set of spatial settings.

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